Bannack Casey Taleff

I just want to squeeze this kid, don't you?  Last week was a good one.  Bannack got a new scooter and on the way home from the store stopped in front of this wall and asked me to take his picture!  That was a first.  We usually bribe Bannack in order to get a photo or take 1,000 action shots hoping one will come out in focus.  This time though, Bannack was so thrilled by his new scooter, he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, stood against the wall, and asked me to take the picture!  My mom pointed out that he also chose to stand in front of a graffiti B.  Wow, smart kid.

Last week Bannack also started asking why.  I told him to do something, probably put on your helmet and out of the blue he looked at me and said, "Why mama?"  I gave a quick explanation and he followed with, "But why?"  He stopped asking why after I got into prevention of traumatic brain injury.  This line of questioning has continued in full force for the entire last week and it doesn't seem to be waning!  I had no idea the "why" cycle could start this early...wish us luck!

The other big, wow of the week was that Bannack walked from our house to the train unassisted for the first time.  It is about 3/4 of a mile.  I might also add that it was raining so he was sloshing along in his rain boots and yellow rain coat, playing the harmonica.  Yes, playing the harmonica with vigor.  He continued the harmonica playing in the subway while we waited for the train and had the train come a minute later I'm convinced he would have gotten a dollar or two!  

Overdue Easter Update

I got a terrible cold on Easter afternoon that lingered for two weeks which is my excuse for not posting sooner about our sweet Easter morning.  We died eggs the night before Easter using turmeric, beets and cabbage.  The turmeric worked the best, giving the eggs a nice golden yellow color.  When Bannack woke up in the morning his basket was empty of eggs and that creative and talented Easter bunny had left a map to aid in the egg hunt.  Bannck has been VERY into maps because of his deep love for Go Diego Go.  The interpretive map is a layout of the rooms in our house and the corresponding number of eggs hidden in each room.  The hunt lasted for quite awhile with lots of clues from papa, Uncle Mike and Anders.  We finished the day with an early dinner of lamb at Jane and Jean-Marie's.  It was lovely!

Gettin' Crafty!

Bannack got invited to a birthday party in our neighborhood!  I don't know who was more excited.  As many of you know I have been trying to find friends for the both of us for quite some time.  Bannack fell in love with a little boy called Marlo at the sing-a-long we got to each week at the Knitting Factory.  They hold hands and dance - it's cute.  Marlo is usually there with one of his nanny's but a couple of weeks ago his mom was there!  We arranged a few play dates and the rest is history.  My friend's Anna and Corey Baker came up with this brilliant homemade gift idea and I was eager to give it a try.

Potato Stamp Memory

(photo credit: Chris Taleff)