Kid Simpson's Blog

KC Time

2011-03-11T15:49:00.006-05:00

The parentals and I flew out to KC in January to visit our midwestern peeps. It was a bit touch and go dodging those crazy midwestern storms on the way in and out, but I got some sweet cuddle time with the newest addition to my harem, Baby Aubrey

I kid! I kid, Uncle Dennis & Aunt Jenny, there's no harem.
I swear.
I only have room in my heart for Aubrey. For some reason, my lame parents didn't get more shots of us together, but if you hop on over to her blog, you can see me professing my love for her:
http://aubreyhellmyer.blogspot.com/2011/01/boyfriend-2.html

KC was da bomb - especially the new train engineer cap I scored!

Frosty!

2011-02-16T18:42:00.001-05:00

Glad that warm weather is on the way - but I miss my snowy friend.

Misty water-colored memories...........

2011-01-17T22:43:00.010-05:00

Hey Brynne!

'Member when winter was but a hint of chill in the air, and we were a couple of carefree kids rolling down the hill, fishing for some leaves, playing tag, and going to town on cupcakes from the Cupcake Lady?

Ahhh those were the days huh?

Snowballs

2011-01-17T22:32:00.003-05:00

I made some cookies in honor of this crazy winter weather we are having. Seriously people a high of 26 degree?! That's just not right. And besides, I think its making my mom go crazy, she keeps wandering around with a glazed look in her eyes muttering dirty words like"wind chill factor" and "Wisconsin".
So Bob and I tried to make it better with some cookies.
I'm quite handy with the sifter.

Lord I was born a rambling man

2011-01-17T22:23:00.004-05:00

Just back from jet-setting out to KC to hang with my new lady Au-bur-ree. Fun times all around, and I know her parents (my future in-laws) are jonesing for some pics of us here on the old blog. But mom thought I should tease them a little bit with some pics of thePenn Crew hanging at the Wiss. Check out my lady Abigail and my man NJ! Coming up in the years those two and almost ready for prime trouble-making time with me! We aren't too good at the posing coordination yet, but we will get there.

Homespun superhero

2011-01-17T22:20:00.002-05:00

Mom tells me Uncle Mike used to run around with a cape when he was Batman's sidekick, Robin.
I prefer to use household goods to express my superhero powers, I am TAPEMAN

His Flyness

2011-01-17T22:19:00.001-05:00

That's what the ladies call me

Career Planning

2011-01-17T15:36:00.007-05:00

I have been trying my hand at future professions as of late:
My all-time favorite? Fireman. Any time, any where, fireman I am. Even in my pjs.

Bike mechanic. Dad is REALLY gunning for this one.

Rock star. I like this one, but it scares me when my dad starts trying to relive his glory days and rock out with me.

Iditarod contender. Sounds like fun. Have to get my hands on a dog sled team, my mom is WAY slow.

My parents continue to slack AND they made me wear this stupid suit

2010-12-03T15:47:00.002-05:00

Luckily mom's friends have kept up a steady stream of harassment and she has moved to the contemplative stage of returning to blogging. Stay tuned....................

Shopping

2010-05-11T21:08:00.000-04:00

Gabester with a shopping cart and a debit card. Let'er rip.
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Please touch museum

2010-02-20T22:04:00.007-05:00

I have been working a ton of shifts this month in order to free up weekends in May and June...my usual strategy. Heather can't stand when I do this because I end up leaving her and Kid alone day after day, night after night. The end result is Gabriel notices my absence and gets a little upset. This past Presiden't Day I had the Monday off, the daycare was closed, and Heather had to go to work, so the Kid and I went to the Please Touch Museum!

We started straight for the SEPTA bus and monorail area. We had no interest in driving the bus, we just wanted to sit on the bench and watch the action. After that we crossed over to the waterworks area and, well, you know the Kid and water...

After an eternity splashing around, we made it over to the carousel! I made a freshman dad error and failed to notice that the outer rim of animals did not oscillate up and down like the inner animals did. Once the carousel started up, Gabriel giggled with glee...until he noticed that everyone around him was pogo-ing up and down on their rides except HIM. He was perplexed at first and just looked at me with this look of "yo, what gives?" I felt pretty bad but soon found it in my heart to forgive myself.

We then explored the downstairs for an hour or so. Gabriel and this kid were jousting for the steering wheel of the big dump truck below. Don't be fooled by that bewildered innocent look he has. Blond kid was happily steering when the Kid slyly slid up next to him and slowly got his elbow between the steering wheel and the other kid. He feigned innocent when he saw me whip out the cellphone camera. "What, what? I was just standing here...my elbow slipped." Sharing doesn't come natural to human beings, folks, even mild mannered cherubs like Gabriel. I know that isn't news to most people.

We had a ball.

Reading...

2010-02-20T21:08:00.001-05:00

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Snowpocalypse Now

2010-02-17T22:12:00.000-05:00

As Philadelphians get to see their paper tiger government collapse under the weight of 3+ feet of snow, at least one young native has grown to love the white stuff. He calls the snow "bubbles." And they tase good!
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Slacking Bloggers Part 2

2010-02-03T19:40:00.012-05:00

Hung out in some cool tree houses:

Got a speeding ticket:

Rode the carousel:

Picked out the perfect pumpkin:

Went trick-or-treating:

And raked a lot of leaves at grandpa and grandma's:

Bloggin Slackers

2010-02-02T21:27:00.021-05:00

Bloggin grade = F-
We fail as bloggers, can't keep up with the craziness of our lives and all the fun we have with this little man. While I hope to catch up on the past six months with dedicated blogs, I'm not sure when that will happen. So here is the whirlwind tour in pics:

We went from a chubby, long haired hippy:

to a serious man, holding down a job as a handyman in no time

we celerated Gabriel's first birthday

Hung out on the boardwalk:

and beach:

Got "so big":

Fixed a dishwasher or two:

Cultivated some crops:

Rode some "neighs"

Comtemplated some big steps:

Gotta hella dirty:

Checked out some cool playgrounds & parks:

and.........................

Snowstorm

2009-12-25T10:11:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we got 2 feet of snow in Philadelphia. The Kid, his mom, and I watched all agog as the snow just kept dumping for 24 straight hours. When it was over, we loaded up the jogging stroller and went for a trek to the corner store. The snowfall was the second biggest on record, after a 31 inch monster blizzard in 1996 (which, coincidentally, I was also present for while visiting friends at Haverford College). The snow this time around was pure powdery perfection. We let Gabriel tear around behind our house. He blurted out the word "bubbles!" and pointed wide-eyed at the snow. Close, Kid, close. He knew exactly what to do with stuff, though, and had a ball. Unfortunately, like his Daddy, Gabriel gets cold extremeties no matter how well bundled he is. This sharply limits the duration of the snowy fun for all, but it's all good while blood is flowing to the toes and fingers. Happy New Year and Merry Xmas to all the Kid Simpson Fans!
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Dino-MITE!

2009-12-02T21:11:00.001-05:00

The Kid is developing a healthy love affair with his first dinosaur, I am happy to report. When Dad asks "whereKs the dinosaur?," he fishes around in the water, beneath the bubbles, and proudly extracts the dinosaur from among the rest of his bath toys. He also has a glow-in-the-dark set of dino jammies (best hand-me-down EVER). I am probably more jazzed about the jammies than Gabriel is, but he will grow to appreciate them. Guess who's getting a big plastic chinese made dinosaur for Xmas?!?...besides me.
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Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-27T21:02:00.001-05:00

This year I am especially thankful that Heather and I have a healthy little boy. November has been a rough month for Gabriel, what with the virus bonanza he was subject to. Pobrecito. But as you can see from the pic above, he seems to be recovering nicely. I won't lie, we were a bit nervous. Gabriel essentialy lost all interest in food for about 3 weeks, and, I am sad to say, he lost his chunky butt and thighs. He is turning into a skinny whippet, like his dad. I miss the moose-ox with his barrel chest and his super duty booty, but things could certainly have been worse. Anyway, thanks to all of you Kid Simpson fans for sending your love and well wishes. If you have some high-fat baked goods, please send those along as well, because the Kid Simpson Chub-a-thon starts today!
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Visit from Mia and the Schriebaums

2009-11-23T15:12:00.000-05:00

A couple of weekends ago, our good friends and erstwhile Philly peeps Dan and Julie stayed with us. Dan and Julie have a daughter, Mia, who is just under a year older than Gabriel. Having little Ms. Mia in our home for a few days was a delight. Mia is in that stage of toddlerhood where she is comfortable naming everything, using phrases to express pretty complicated thoughts and needs, and - by the way - she is potty trained. Dan is my Daddy Mentor, to say the least, and I am both calmed and inspired when I see his interaction with Mia. Gabriel was no less enthralled by Mia's higher brain function and verbal gymnastics. In the picture above, Gabriel and Mia took a bath together. For the first half of the bath, Mia was talking up a storm, while Gabriel stared in slack-jawed amazement. For the second half, Gabriel decided he also had some important stuff to say, and just started to babble away like a pentacostal holy man. Mia was unimpressed...perhaps even confused. I was just as proud as a Daddy could be.
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Sleepyhead

2009-11-22T12:49:00.000-05:00

The kid has been in this position for close 2 hours now...If anyone was curious, this is the reason I can't get anything done on the weekends.
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Bush diver

2009-11-19T23:24:00.001-05:00

Despite his ongoing battle with (probable) swine flu, the Kid still finds time to jump into bushes like a drunken freshman. That's the spirit, little ninja!
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Toddling still ain't easy

2009-11-17T18:01:00.000-05:00

So as you know, the Kid went a few rounds with coxsackie virus two weekends ago. Last weekend he came down with a bad cough and more fever. We are secretly suspecting Swine Flu. Poor little dude. He can't catch a break. To add injury to insult, the Kid has been especially responsive to the effects of gravity. Look at that proud shiner! As brutal as grade school and high school can be, I am sure nothing compares to the wall to wall misery that is toddlerhood.
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Coxsackie virus: pros and cons

2009-11-05T20:20:00.001-05:00

Today the Kid and I played hookie from work and school. Unfortunately, Gabester could not attend daycare because he has the worst case of Hand, Foot & Mouth disease that I have ever seen. The disease, for those who need to know, is caused by a member of the herpes virus family, called Coxsackie virus. Infection causes herpes-like blisters (painful ones) to erupt on the hands, the feet, and...wait for it...the mouth. Anus too. Poor Kid has tongue and mouth so full of painful blisters that he won't talk, won't eat, won't swallow, and can't take a sip of water without bursting into tears. He just walks around with a mouthful of spit, occssionally discharging it whenever he needs to open his mouth, and uses hand signals to communicate. Oh well, at least the two of us had an excellent excuse to buddy up and head to the Wissahickon for some goofing off. Gabriel fed some geese (thanks to a kind stranger's donated rye bread), threw acorns, shuffled through fallen leaves, and drew long draughts of crisp fall air. I think he enjoyed it. In the picture above, Gabriel is fascinated by a huge chattering flock of migrating birds in the tree above. The pain and suffering returned, but at least we got a few smiles (and drool puddles) in.
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Halloween in Rhode Island

2009-11-02T11:54:00.000-05:00

The Kid got to see Grandma and Grandpa Klusaritz along with his Uncle Mike this weekend. We have a boatload of pics of the little man in his dragon costume, but not on the picture phone. Sorry. We will post them up just as soon as we can (bwaa ha ha ha!). Here is the little man lending a helping hand during yard clean up. With helpers like this...
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Kid with a papple

2009-10-29T19:12:00.000-04:00

See those nice folks in the background? They sell Asian pears at our local farmer's market on Thursdays. The Kid likes Asian pears...why? Because they taste freaking amazing. Here he is weighing my request for a bite. In the end he refused me.
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Dental hygeine: start 'em young

2009-10-28T20:36:00.001-04:00

So although we are petrified at prospect of having to potty train the Kid, we have met the challenge of teaching dental hygeine head-on. Yay for us.
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How can you tell when your toddler is ready to leave the tot lot?

2009-10-28T14:25:00.000-04:00

I'm sure the parents of toddlers who see this will recognize the Kid's pose. When toddlers get sleepy, they are happy to interrupt whatever they are doing to put their heads down and relax. We adults can learn from this practical and unselfconscious solution to a common problem. I certainly got the message loud and clear on this day.
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Tuesday is Cookie Day

2009-10-20T20:34:00.000-04:00

Every Tuesday at the Caring Center is Cookie Day. The kitchen bakes up fresh choc chip cookies or snickerdoodles, and sells them 3 for a buck. Can you all say "Hell Yeah!"? Cookie Day makes the exhorbitant cost of this daycare bearable...perhaps even forgivable...every Tuesday. The Kid is slowly warming up to baked goods, and here he is with a fist-sized chunk of cookie wedged in his mouth. The Kid has clearly taken a page straight out of the Hungry Chipmunk Handbook (ps. this book does not exist). Moments after I snapped this, Gabriel calmly stood up, and slyly walked himself and his overflowing mouth over to where the 3rd cookie was. He was polite enough to offer me and his classmates some before he emptied his mouth and was ready for cookie consumption.
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Who's in charge here?

2009-10-07T03:19:00.000-04:00

Gabriel is getting pretty good at bossing his parents around. By the way, in case you didn't know, the deck belongs to him and him alone.
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Who's in charge here?

2009-10-07T02:25:00.000-04:00

Gabriel is getting pretty good at bossing his parents around. By the way, in case you didn't know, the deck belongs to him and him alone.
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Dass mah boy!

2009-10-04T10:05:00.000-04:00

Cars R Coffins, folks. The Kid is down with the Human Powered Movement! Pump your fist! Next step, get him a bike of his own.
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Dope Ass Bubble Beard

2009-10-01T18:04:00.001-04:00

Gabriel is trading in the bubble hat for a sophisticated bubble goattee. You like?
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Cosmo and Gabriel: BFF

2009-09-25T19:24:00.000-04:00

Today, the Kid and Cosmo forged what will surely be a lasting alliance - a kinship pact between hooligans, if you will. The Kid was munching on BBQ chicken while Cosmo paced the floor. The Kid seemed to intuit that Cosmo was interested in the chicken. Gabriel leaned over and offered the cat the chicken, and the friendship was born.
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TGIF

2009-09-25T18:48:00.000-04:00

After a whirlwind week in the office and the ER, I haven't had much time to spend with the Kid. We got to spend 15 minutes at Smith Playground before they closed...sigh. Is it me or is the Kid getting really big!
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Dope ass bubblehatz 2

2009-09-13T20:24:00.000-04:00

The Kid is still rocking those bubblehatz, in case anybody was wondering
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Supermom 2

2009-09-13T17:31:00.000-04:00

I forgot to mention, the post is called Supermom because Heather towed around the Kid and his trailer of supplies (toys, snacks, books, locks, pump, etc) for the whole ride on her one speed bike! Not easy, especially in the Fairmount Hills. She inspired us along with Kelly, who also seemed indefatiguable. Can't wait for next year!
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Supermom

2009-09-13T17:25:00.000-04:00

Today, the three of us got up at an ungodly hour (for a Sunday) to attend the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia's annual citywide ride. We were invited by our friend Kelly, who has made such an incredibly positive transformation after having licked thyroid cancer (and after having bought a bicycle). The ride was 20 miles long, through the streets of downtown and Fairmount park, and along the scenic Schuylkill river. We all had a blast. Pete Tryon was also riding with us. Gabriel was a trooper! He kept cool and cooperative until mile 19.75, whereupon he vocally informed us that he had had enough sitting around for the day. In the final analysis, the Kid was a prince today. As per usual...
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Termaters

2009-09-06T21:12:00.001-04:00

Gabriel, the constant gardener. He loves nothing better than to pick the ripe fruits of his (or others') labor and tastye the sweetness of life itself. He is a little hedonist. At first he picked any fruit, ripe or not, he could find. He destroyed the poor jalepeno plant. But now he knows to pick the red fruit. I love it. Here is the kid eating tomatoes he picked from our porch farm at 6am. Go Kid, go!
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Pickles are a-ok

2009-09-04T22:13:00.002-04:00

Heather feeds Gabriel atrocious foods like pickles when Dad is away. This irritates me, but who cares? Certainly not the Kid.

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Rough times

2009-09-03T16:37:00.000-04:00

The Kid has had a rough few days. Poor little guy. He had a bad cold (at least he shared it with us), and is pushing up 4 incisors and 2 molars at the same time. He gets home from daycare looking like he just toddled a marathon. Dazed. Dehydrated. Cranky. Confused. Nothing some huggy time can't fix, though.
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Yum!

2009-08-20T22:03:00.000-04:00

Fresh lemonade, raspberries and sweet cheese croissant at the Clark park farmers market - life is good!
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Hanging out with Dad

2009-08-18T11:05:00.000-04:00

So yesterday I played hooky from work and spent the day with the Kid. We started out by taking a ride in the Chariot to Gabriel's new daycare. I reluctantly left him there to fly solo until noon. It was hard to leave the little guy among strangers. Heather and I are full of regret about pulling him out of his old daycare, but that's another story. Anyway, I came back at noon and snuck up to the classroom to find the Kid holding court at the lunch table. As soon as he saw me, though, he started bawling and reaching for me. So I scooped him up and tried to get him to go down for a much needed nap. No dice. So I took him for another Chariot ride...comatose before I got out of the parking lot. Next stop was home for a nap and cool down, then it was off to the tot lot for some fresh air. Last but not least we came to see Mommy and Megan. The Kid sleptr soundly last night, and I will take that as his seal of approval for a day well spent.
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Kid Simpson wears dope-ass bubble hats!

2009-08-16T21:36:00.001-04:00

That's right. You heard it here first. If you don't know you better ask somebody. Nobody rocks the bubble hat like the Kid!

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First day at the new daycare

2009-08-12T01:48:00.000-04:00

Witness the Kid, bewildered and clutching grape. I took Gabriel to the Caring Ctr for the first time today. He got a long well enough. The kids in his class (he's the youngest of the Young Toddlers btw) are really nice! It was a trip watching the little people interact. Wednesday we get to do it all again. I am intsructed to stay at the Ctr with the Kid until until he is fully acclimated. Baby steps...
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Oh yeah! Kohr Bros. on the boardwalk!

2009-08-07T20:32:00.001-04:00

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Pipe cleaner

2009-08-05T13:29:00.000-04:00

We are putting the little man to work these days.
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Beach Living is Hard Work!

2009-08-03T11:53:00.000-04:00

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Cherub

2009-08-01T20:24:00.000-04:00

Wings are at the cleaners...
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Yellow bamboo forest!

2009-08-01T18:21:00.000-04:00

Actually its just a steel playground structure. I snapped this camera phone pic a couple of weeks ago, but I thought I'd share. I love the Kid's expression. Dad misses his little guy...Mom and Gabe left for the beach today. I join them in 2 days.
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Boob Tubers

2009-08-01T07:45:00.000-04:00

I had a sleep over with my bonus big sister Flora last night. Her new baby brother, Enrique Santana Hernandez, made his appearance early this morning! So Flora and I got some serious play time in which led, of course, to some serious chill time in front of the TV. Oh yeah, I also need to send a big shout out to my Great aunt Candy for my rocking chair - its perfect for snuggling in with Flora!
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Canoodling at the creek (Gunpowder falls in MD)

2009-07-27T14:48:00.000-04:00

Hi all! This weekend we dashed down to Frederick MD to celebrate the Kid's first birthday with the Megerditchian clan. Gabriel was pretty excited to see his Metz Mommy, Auntie Emma, Uncle Saboo, Tom, Lida, Melissa, and of course Betty & Bruiser. On the way home we stopped to explore Gunpowder Falls SP. We also stopped for some crab! Gabriel did his best Huck Finn impression.
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Happy Birthday, Kid

2009-07-23T23:05:00.003-04:00

Today is the Eve of Gabriel's first birthday. Heather and I can hardly believe not only how quickly this came upon us, but also how much has happened in such a short period of time. One year ago the Kid was a 10 pound peanut with a lopsided head. He held our rapt attention with every little look or move. It was easy for him, because he was cute right out of the gates. We had high hopes for him early on, that's why we named him after famous loud mouths. It looks like, our hopes and dreams are being realized, because the Kid is certainly not shy about communicating his needs...usually at top volume. In between the outbursts, and sometimes during them, Gabriel has been a real prince. He is cuts his novice parents a lot of slack when we screw up. We love him more than we ever thought we could love another human being. I know that sounds trite, but how else can I put it? I swear I can feel the surge of neurotransmitters releasing when I pick him up from daycare, when I look at pictures of him, even when he vomits on me.

So what have planned for the Kid's first birthday? Well, not much really. Heather's supermom genes kicked in last night, though, and she whipped up some cupcakes from scratch (complete with little iced turtles on them!) to send to daycare today. Go mom! She also picked up supplies to make a life-sized Tortuga Cake. We will post pics of the finished product. Friday, the 24th, we will be at home with the birthday boy. Saturday, however, we will be heading down to Frederick MD to celebrate the birthday with my half of the family. Pics will surely follow. Anyhoo...that's all for now. Back to work!

Yeah, I'm a big kid

2009-07-19T20:35:00.000-04:00

Who loves to use a fork. For eating, waving around, or stabbing mom's arm if she gets between me and my food!
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Me and my shadow

2009-07-14T08:32:00.001-04:00

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The Megerditchian mechanic genes come shining through!

2009-07-08T18:17:00.001-04:00

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Hiya!

2009-07-08T13:34:00.000-04:00

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Hiking the trails at Marsh Creek with Grandpa

2009-07-07T11:12:00.000-04:00

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Did I Mention Cousin Sarah Let Me Ride Her Horse?

2009-06-23T22:20:00.006-04:00

Mom posted a couple of pics a while back of me checking out the horses from the safety of an adult's arms like this one of me and Cousin Sarah

But I didn't want you all to think that I can't run with the big dogs (or whatever that euphemism is for being a tough guy), so here is proof that I have no fear

After showing everyone my horse riding, daredevil skills I did give in to mom and turn on the cuteness for a picture with her

Earth Day 2009.................

2009-06-23T22:10:00.006-04:00

was a long time ago, but my mom has a backlog of cute pics like you wouldn't believe.
We spent the day in Clark Park in West Philly, I helped mom out for a bit hauling dirt from newly dug tree holes

but since she wouldn't let me eat the dirt or steer the wheelbarrow, that got old real quick and I jetted over to the tot lot for some much needed time on the swings

All that swinging wore me out. I tried to hang with my girl Brynne, but the sandman took over. Mom wants to know why I can't sleep like this at night?

Toddling ain't easy

2009-06-22T12:20:00.001-04:00

Witness the hazards of toddling. Yesterday we went to Marsh Creek for a little Father's Day hike. Heather and I were horribly rusty with our hiking preparations, but that is another story. The real story here, on Kid Simpson's blog, centers on the Kid. The trails at Marsh Creek were, well, marshy and muddy. We kept the the Kid cooped up in the Kelty carrier for longer than he felt was acceptable. After much whining, he got his way and we let him motor around on his own two feet. Although the Kid is getting pretty proficient on his feet, he still looks he just drank a six pack whenever he walks. As parents, we are getting used to seeing him fall, and we realize that its all a part of learning to walk. So when Gabriel tripped on a partially buried railroad tie, we were calm, until we saw him skid to a stop on his face. Ouch. Poor guy. He only cried for about 5 minutes, though. He kept it together as we tried to pry gravel out of his right nostril. Lil' tough guy!

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There was a time....

2009-06-21T22:07:00.004-04:00

When I wasn't so good at this walking thing

And so I would just sit and look cute instead :)

These days my parents can barely keep up and I'm busy accumulating my fair share of head injuries.

Major Excitement!

2009-06-21T22:04:00.003-04:00

Get ready for it...........

Now get excited! My mom is finally going to get her shit together and add some new blog posts!!!

Kid Simpson, contemplating toddlerhood

2009-06-12T14:02:00.000-04:00

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2009-06-04T16:25:00.001-04:00

Little Gabriel is on the move! The Kid is on the cusp of becoming a true bipedal organism. He's pretty excited about it too.

Cilantro merchant

2009-05-23T08:24:00.000-04:00

The Kid is a talented gardener. His secret to horticultural success? He is willing, nay, eager to taste the soil. Actually grab a big ol' clump of earth, and shove it into his mouth. How many of you are willing to go to such lengths?
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Sometimes I Rhyme Slow, Sometimes I Rhyme Quick

2009-05-16T21:04:00.000-04:00

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I can't get enough of this driving thing!

2009-05-04T23:20:00.000-04:00

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Mom put me to work cleaning up dad's moka pot

2009-05-03T21:17:00.000-04:00

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Sometimes I'm serious

2009-04-28T08:29:00.000-04:00

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Sunshine in the Wissahickon!

2009-04-26T14:46:00.001-04:00

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Its summertime in Philly!

2009-04-26T14:03:00.001-04:00

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Dude! You're much bigger than my kitties!

2009-04-25T20:23:00.001-04:00

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Hanging with Cousin Sarah's horses

2009-04-25T20:22:00.000-04:00

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iBert Cruising!

2009-04-21T09:30:00.000-04:00

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April in Philly

2009-04-21T02:24:00.003-04:00

This past weekend (4/18-4/19) was absolutely stellar as far as weather goes. Unfortunately, in some parts of Phill-ay when the weather gets nice, people get trigger happy. But that's another story and has nothing to do with the Kid. The Kid got lots of outdoor time, and so did Mom and Dad. Hopefully he made some vitamin D, because Lord knows we don't give him PolyViSol the way we should (it tastes seriously nasty). On Sunday we got to bust out the Chariot Cougar for its innaugural voyage, and try out the iBert baby seat.

Gabriel went straight to sleep during the 2 mile journey to the Art Museum, which is about as good as can be expected. Jenny Hellman, who grew up getting shuttled around by bicycle as a child, set me straight about what kids do and do not like about bike travel. Basically, it can be a total drag when you are cooped up in a carrier, getting jostled around in isolation for what seems like an eternity. So needless to say, I was happy to see the Kid sleep through the whole thing. I was excited enough for the three of us anyway. Soon I will get the nerve, I hope, to shuttle the little man to and from daycare in the Chariot. That will mean a modicum of freedom from the car.

Once at the Art Museum, Heather went off to walk with her friend Alison (and Alison's friend also). Alison is hella pregnant the way Heather was a year ago, Woo hoo! While the gals power walked, the guys (the Kid and I) kicked it in the Azalea Garden and talked about guy stuff. We shared an apple, played with plants, rolled around in the iBert, shot a video, then packed it up and went home. A day well spent, boy howdy! Sadly the video was too big to post...I will work on that when I get home, though.

Splish splash, Gabriel's taking a bath!

2009-04-21T00:12:00.008-04:00

Hello, loyal Kid Simpson fans!

I thought I'd make up for posting delinquency by reaching into the Mercilessly Cute Photo Bin and posting scenes of utter eyeball searing cuteness. Here they are, naked chubby baby pics. Let me preface this by saying that bathing the Kid has been a ton of fun for both Heather and me over the past 9 months. The Kid loves the water, and we can't wait to start swimming lessons this summer. On with the pictures, presented in the Kid's voice.

I know Dad's around here somewhere...

Back off, Daddy-O, I'm trying to unwind here after tough day of climbing steps.

Right on, it's Mom's bath poof.

Bath Poof!!!

Stand back now, Dad. It's Anaconda Rassling time.

Take that, Anaconda!!! I have four teeth and I know how to use them.

Bye for now.

Happy Belated Easter

2009-04-19T21:34:00.002-04:00

Easter has come and gone, I know, but I'm too cute with these ears to not show you!

For Rachini

2009-04-19T21:26:00.005-04:00

Went on a ride today in my new Chariot - its a smooth set of wheels, let me tell you. Nice for taking a snooze or having a few drinks while my parent's ride around Philly. As you can see from the pic, my dad is pretty stoked about the Chariot and his re-discovered freedom from the car.

I know my girl Rachini will be happy to see the helmet!

Jen, come back!

2009-04-19T21:20:00.002-04:00

Its much warmer now then it was a few weeks ago when you were here, and we only took this one picture together! Didn't my honorary jayhawk mohawk mean anything to you?

Learning to Walk

2009-04-19T21:07:00.004-04:00

My grandparents got me this sweet wagon from HABA (love their stuff!) for Christmas and for a few weeks now, I've been racing back and forth in the house pushing it around.

I especially love to run really fast behind my wagon and smack into the baseboards my parents just had repainted. And if I fall, no worries, I just chomp down on the handle and use my teeth to help pull me back up. I know, I know, I'm only 8 months old and not really supposed to be walking around yet, but hey, I've got places to go and people to see. I'm starting to think its time to let go of this wagon and go for a walk on my own. Luckily dad is there to lend a hand when I get too big for my britches.

Yeah, I'm up to no good - what are you going to to about it?!

2009-04-19T21:06:00.002-04:00

Deliquent Parents

2009-04-19T20:50:00.007-04:00

My parents have been totally lazy lately when it comes to blog posting. I know they try to placate you with those posts from their phones, but I'm not buying it - I know you want the real deal. Besides, everyone knows blackberrys are best used for cutting your chompers, not for blog posting, at least I keep trying to convince them of that and have those gadgets in my mouth every chance I get.
So to make up for their sloth, here are some pics of my remote handling skills and my fabulous thighs!

DWB

2009-04-12T18:40:00.000-04:00

Driving While Baby
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My new ride

2009-04-01T16:54:00.001-04:00

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Lord I was born a ramblin man

2009-03-29T13:36:00.001-04:00

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Pounding a few cold ones!

2009-03-25T07:56:00.000-04:00

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Getting ready for my bath!

2009-03-23T20:15:00.001-04:00

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You know I'm cute even with this messy face!

2009-03-19T19:45:00.001-04:00

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In honor of my weekend visitor

2009-03-18T09:59:00.001-04:00

That crazy jayhawk jenny is coming to visit me this weekend so I thought I'd sport a mohawk to honor her!
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I can't palm a basketball yet...

2009-03-13T08:18:00.000-04:00

But I am damn good at holding a big boy cup on my own
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Danny Schrier warned me about this day...

2009-03-12T12:39:00.003-04:00

The day I would check up on a napping baby only to find said baby STANDING UP in the crib and staring back at me with a mischevious grin. This day came two weeks ago and we captured the moment. I wonder how long it will be before little Gabriel Houdini here starts climbing out of his crib. Changing his diaper has also become quite an adventure: try to imagine wrestling an alligator while industrial fire alarms blare into your ears. That is about as close as it gets. At least he doesn't pee in my face anymore.

The Kid likes to swing

2009-03-11T18:34:00.000-04:00

Not like Sammy Davis Jr or Sting, mind you. The look on his face when he gets started is precious: a mix of abject terror and queasiness. But then he settles in, absorbs the surroundings, and gets his swing on. Like a Klingon.
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Dirt does NOT taste good!

2009-03-09T11:49:00.004-04:00

Note to self: Next time I decide to help mom clean up her gardening containers - do NOT eat the dirt!

Pounding out rhythms on the Sigg bottle this morning

2009-03-07T21:23:00.001-05:00

While Dad was slaving away in the ER this morning, the kid turned Mom's Sigg bottle into an impromptu bongo drum. Here he is doing a fine Miami Sound Machine cover in this picture.
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Back by popular demand....

2009-03-01T13:23:00.001-05:00

Kid in the box! Gabriel continues to be a big fan of the cardboard box and truth be told we get a big kick out of it too.
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Florida - It's a Nice Place to Visit, but I Wouldn't Want to Live There

2009-02-26T21:20:00.016-05:00

So my parents FINALLY took me to Florida to meet the Klusaritz Great-grandparents. I was a holy terror on the plane ride down - one big drooling, snotty, teething mess as my mom described it. I was really just VERY excited to finally get to meet Papa and Great Grandma Jeannie, so excited at one point I felt like climbing over the seat in front of me and giving the lady sitting in it a nice drooly lick. Luckily my mom pulled me back.
Florida scares me a bit: overdeveloped wasteland, with foreclosed homes in every direction, and miles of strip malls as far as the eye can see. Luckily I had plenty of entertainment at Papa and Grandma Jeannie's house and didn't have to venture into that wasteland much, save for a trip to Walmart to find Papa's cane and a trip to the beach.

Dad and I chilled:

I spent some hang time on Papa and Grandma Jeannie's laps:

I had a LOT of fun working on Grandma Jeannie's wheelchair (Armenian mechanic genes coming out); seriously I think I could have driven that thing if they'd just gave me the chance:

I chewed and drooled on a lot of things including the rental car keys:

Despite my dad trying to convince me that mountains are better, I totally got into the beach bum thing:

Dad and I contemplated the horizon (in both directions):

Papa and I chatted while my dad picked 1,000 grapefruit (check out the socks on the old guy - I aspire to style like him):

I became a pro, and quite proud of myself I must say, at standing up on my own (baskets are perfect for this kind of work):

I showed Grandma Jeannie my cane handling skills:

And Papa and I ended our days with some ice cold brewskies - although I must talk to him about his beer choices the next time we visit:

I don't want to leave the beach!

2009-02-24T20:30:00.000-05:00

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You shot me!

2009-02-17T14:03:00.002-05:00

Kid Simpson after his shots. Angry little man! Fortunately, the Kid has the attention span of a gnat, just like his old man. So he's already back to normal...for now.

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You wouldn't give me a shot, now, would you?

2009-02-17T13:41:00.000-05:00

Kid Simpson right before his 6 month shots. Poor guy.
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Mmmm, vibro-corn

2009-02-12T22:04:00.003-05:00

Mmmm, vibro-corn
Originally uploaded by El_Serge

Witness the Kid, fast asleep with his new favorite toy in his mouth. Jenny and Dennis from Kansas City (where they make boss barbecue, boy howdy!) sent this little gem to remind the Kid where his embryonic roots are. That's right, Gabriel was conceived...we believe...in Kansas City. The toy is a rubberized molded job that vibrates when you squeeze right where the Kid is biting it. Now, my boy is not the kind to get all sentimental about one toy or another (yet). He could take or leave any of his toys (it is entirely a different story when it comes to YOUR toys, though). Nevertheless, the vibro-corn has rubbed Gabriel the right...er...struck a chor...no...Let's just say, by the looks of it, the Kid seems to get a good buzz off the thing.