January 2012: Almost every weekend on January was packed full of social events for Aurora, Jon, and Kathy. Some
things were toddler-centric (like the Walnut Hill Childrens' show "Flat Stanley"),
while others were for adults (like the E Ink party). Luckily, Lily (and her
parents) next door have been very kind to help watch Aurora when needed.
Over the past few months, we are repeatedly reminded of how good Aurora's memory is. For example, she goes to see
a show at Walnut Hill a few times a year. During intermission at "The Nutcracker," she got up from her
seat in the main theater and told me she wanted to get a snack next door (in the black box theater). After
"Flat Stanley," which was in the black box, she knew that the concessions stand would be on the far side of the
main lobby. In Kathy's classroom, Aurora knows exactly which drawer the stickers are kept in.
And Aurora is constantly telling stories about things we did months ago, like go see Tai Nai Nai in Taiwan. She
must love traveling, because she keeps telling us she wants to go back to Taiwan!
January 1, 2012: Happy New Year! Despite a fridge on the fritz, we manage to squeeze in a walk at Hunnewell
Forest in Natick before it gets too dark. It was great to get outdoors and explore a new place.
Video: I'm flying!
Back at home, Aurora does a new craft from Aunt Amy and Uncle Daryl. They sure do know
toddlers! This is the second year in a row that they got Aurora a "must do immediately" craft.
.
January 2, 2012: We head to the Natick Collection to checkout new fridges at Sears. We also
meet up with Peyton and her parents for lunch.
Aurora checks out the huge tree in the mall courtyard.
January 7, 2012: An unseasonably warm day makes us eager to head out to the Minuteman Bike Path. Aurora
had a blast biking while Jon and Kathy Rollerbladed along. We even "ran into" one of Jon's fraternity
brothers jogging on the path. Afterwards, we met up with Uncle Anthony for lunch.
Video: Biking
It's good to stop and have a snack before turning around.
January 8, 2012: Aurora spends quality time at the playground. We are very fortunate to have several
excellent public playgrounds near us, and Aurora often tells us which one she wants to go to on a particular
day. Here she is walking the balance beam.
Playing store. She used the mulch as money.
Bounce, bounce!
Video: Balance beam
Video: Going up
Sometimes it's hard to tell who has more fun at the playground - Jon or Aurora?
January 9, 2012: Aurora loves going with Kathy to aerobics class. We're not sure if it is the music,
the large room to dance/run in, or the women who adore her, but it is often hard for Jon to convince
Aurora to go home with him! Here she experiments with 3 pound weights.
January 13, 2012: It's the Winter Show at Aurora's daycare! We had been hearing Aurora practicing her
songs for at least a week, so we were eager to see the whole class perform "I'm bringing home a baby polar bear,"
"If it's winter and it's cold out..." and "5 little snowmen." Apparently, Aurora was not expecting such a large
audience, and immediately got stage fright. (She spent most of the time scratching her torso and not singing.)
Video: Polar bear 1
Video: Polar bear 2
Immediately after her class' performance, Aurora was back to her goofy self.
What a treat! Since the show finished a little after 4 pm, Aurora got to leave school early and
head to Gymboree with Mama AND Baba. After having several cookies at school, Aurora decides to have
a healthy snack before she hits the play area.
Jon shows off his newly injured nose. He had a run-in with a dumpster at work that day.
January 14, 2012: Aurora chooses to go to the Children's Museum that day. She more or less knows where
to go to find certain "exhibits" and what to do once she gets there. Here she is biking to generate
electricity to make some lights turn on.
She still asks Baba to go with her into the climbing tower. He will be sad when she is confident enough
to do it on her own.
The golf ball room is one of her favorites. There are three kinetic sculptures where the kids can
insert the golf balls, raise them up to the top, and watch them bounce and roll down tracks.
Video: Golf ball run
She's getting stronger and stronger! Aurora can almost pull herself up now!
But she still doesn't weigh enough to get the ball to the top of the tube in one bounce.
Video: Basketball
Other favorite activities include the lighted dance floor and the trucks room.
Sometimes she makes it over the check out the section about African Americans in Boston.
Playing dominoes outside the store.
Video: Going to the supermarket
Picking up some groceries for dinner. We wonder what she's planning on cooking.
Video: Going home
Aurora is still working on her fine motor skills. She's almost mastered buttons and keys/locks.
Brunch at Flour around the corner from the Children's Museum. Here she is enjoying her french toast and
sharing some of Jon's bacon.
Special treat! The Boston Fire Museum is open today! Aurora gets a brief lesson on firefighting
history and gets to "ride" on an antique fire truck.
Video: Siren
Back at the Children's Museum. Here she is in the "kindergarten classroom."
Jon's favorite room - the workshop! He is training Aurora to be his handyman helper. Kathy
loves the goggle lines on Aurora's face!
We check out a show before we leave.
In the plaza outside the musuem there is a maze. Jon and Aurora decide to race to the end.
Video: Race
This is what happens to the living room when you leave Aurora unattended while dinner is being cooked.
January 17, 2012: A little bit of snow finally fell! Aurora cannot wait to make a
snow angel, despite the fact that there is not much snow on the ground.
January 20, 2012: After a rough start to the day, Aurora spends the morning at Walnut Hill
with Mama. It's the last day of classes for the first semester.
January 21, 2012: Aurora discovers a new ackage addressed to her. What can it be?
It's from Aunt Amy and Uncle Daryl!
A great day to go play in the snow! Aurora is estatic to be outside!
Video: Cool!
Video: Snow dance
January 22, 2012: While Kathy chaperones a field trip to the Museum of Science, Jon takes Aurora
sledding at the Newton Center Playground. She is so excited!
Video: First run
Video: Snow angel
Video: Red sled
Then it is off the check out the new playground equipment!
Video: More sledding
January 27, 2012: Another Friday evening at Gymboree.
Video: Dancing
Video: Air log walk
Video: Balls with Baba
Video: Walk on ball 1
Video: Walk on ball 2
January 28, 2012: We attend a kid's concert at the Coolidge Theater. Aurora is worried that the
music will be too loud, and has to figure out how to eat her popcorn while keeping her hands on
her ears. But once the concert gets going, it doesn't long for Aurora to
want to get up and dance. Joanie Leeds was awesome, and Aurora loves the CD we bought. We
even credit Joanie's song "Sushi" with getting Aurora to like sushi for the first time!
January 29, 2012: After seeing "Flat Stanley" (and having a cookie in the lobby), Aurora is hungry for
lunch. She chooses Five Guys.
Several months ago, Aurora saw a craft in Parenting magazine and told me she thought we should
do it at home. Jon agreed. She had to wait a while, but Aurora and Jon finally made the
cardboard box car together. She loves it!
January 31, 2012: Both Jon and Kathy have been trying to workout more often using the Wii.
Luckily, Aurora enjoys watching us and she often participates!
