First trick-or-treating event

Norah and Jackson had their first Halloween outing today. Rain was in the forecast at 6pm. When we were driving to Millers' house, Norah started singing "Rain, rain, go away". And the weather cleared for us!

Snow white

Snow white and her sports shoe

Snow white charming the playground

The marshmallow test

This weekend we finally conducted "the marshmallow test"! In the 1960s and 1970s, scientists designed a test for measuring delayed gratification. Kids aged 4 or 5 are given one marshmallow. They are told if they could wait without eating it for 15 minutes, they will get a second one and can eat both. The study showed that the kids who waited are more likely to have better life outcomes.

We heard about this test from different outlets this year and both of us wanted to have Jackson take that test. Today, I setup Norah's room for monitoring and took Jackson upstairs.

I must have explained the rules wrong because he had already finished chewing the marshmallow before I got downstairs. And he proudly called out: I am done and ready for you (and the second marshmallow)!

Will went upstairs and explained again. This time Jackson waited, and I waited in front of the monitor. 15 minutes felt so long. He stared at the marshmallow at the beginning and then he started talking to a stuffed animal. He knocked on the door at minute 8 and went back to laying on the bed waiting.

Waiting...

When the time was over and we showed up with two marshmallows, he quickly stuffed the two marshmallows in his mouth.

Delayed gratification!

So... Jackson passed the test on the second chance! :-)

The Experimentalist

Jackson is quite excited to try "experiments".  At school, his teacher made a "bouncy ball" by soaking a hard boiled egg in vinegar, or at least that what's he told us.  So, we let  him give it a try.  I would say it was somewhat successful.  😉

His favorite, though, is seeing what happens when he putts something in the freezer.  So far he's frozen water, gummy vitamins, soap bubbles, orange juice, egg yolk and cooked bell pepper...

The First Drop

Throwing Harder

What if I jump and throw?

Invoking Grandparents' Magic

The other day Norah wanted to pick out her own clothes, so we said "ok".  But then she picked out two pairs of pants and no shirt.  We told her she needed to trade a pair of pants for a shirt, but she wasn't having it.  She started crying and screaming and rolling on the floor (she is two now).  We left her for a few minutes.  When I came back, I said "how about this shirt.  Grandma and Grandpa got it for you?"  Tears ceased, a small smile emerged, and she happily put the shirt on.

School photos

Counting sports cars

Jackson has been enamored with sports cars lately and has taken to counting how many he sees each day.  On a good weekend day, he will often spot more than 50.  Last weekend, we took a little side trip to a parking lot that often has fancy cars.  We weren't disappointed!

Ferrari 488 Spider

Mercedes AMG GT S

Mercedes-Benz G550 4x4 Squared - Not a sports but a rare find.