Cheesitsu

Many have created martial arts based on common items that have been found to be useful in self defense. For example, the Englishman Edward William Barton-Wright, who lived in Japan for several years developed a martial art based on the gentleman's walking stick he called Bartitsu. The Cheese has developed her own brand of martial arts centered around her eating utensils called Cheesitsu.

Here, she demonstrates "dragon mouth" where she catches a spoonful of prunes in her mouth that has been thrown at her from across the room. It can get messy, but who cares when your life is at stake!

We have to be careful, now when feeding her with the fork because of "scorpion." She has a pretty good reach. Note that the facial expressions are just as vital as the gouging and poking in striking fear into the heart of your opponent.

I had my back turned to her here, and when I turned around she almost got me right in the eye.

She's got some pretty good moves. Just wait until she's completely mobile and starts working in some flips and kicks. We can only hope to contain her!

Funky Cheese

We all know that The Cheese has a wonderful sense of rhythm when it comes to music. As she has become so much more confident on her feet - kind of - Lynnie introduced her to something a bit more funky than kid's songs yesterday. Julia spent some time with Aretha Franklin, then this morning we had a jam session with the Godfather of Soul - the late, great James Brown - she especially like his screams. Her reaction was almost involuntary. She stood to her feet and started dancing - I know... that may cause a future problem with her father being a Southern Baptist preacher, but for now, we're just going with it. Next, some George Clinton.

A Year of Cheese

I can't believe that we are here! The Cheese turned a year old - Friday, November 21! Lynnie and I were reminiscing about all the changes that have taken place over the past year. She was so little and scrawny when she was born.

And now to look at her, you would think it was a different child.

Birthday stuff is loads of fun. She really enjoyed her cake, once she figured out that it was edible. I think she suspected poision at first, but once we tasted it infront of her and nothing happened to us, she took a bite.

After our cake we enjoyed our presents and cards. Here a just a few:

Auntie Julia sent us books and an owl.

Auntie Lindsey gave her a pretty scarf.

Auntie Joyce and Uncle Scott gave her some pretty dresses.

Bubbie and Poppie sent a singing card (This song keeps banging around in my head. It stuck with me all night at work this past week.)

Dancin' Cheese

Music is a powerful thing. It invokes so much emotion and makes The Cheese dance. That's right, Party Peoples, she will get down with her bad self - but only to certain songs. She does have discriminating tastes. Lynnie bought her some CDs with children's songs on them that she loves. We tend to play them when she gets the most agitated (not unlike David playing his harp for King Saul): during diaper changes and meal times. She swings her legs on the changing table with such force, that she's even poked herself in the eye a couple of times. All in all, I'd say she has a pretty good sense of rhythm.

Strollin' Cheese

As The Cheese becomes more and more agile, she has also gotten rather adventurous. Recently, she discovered that she can get a good workout in if she pushes the stroller with her Mom. Lynnie will take her out to the campus green and they'll walk around, stop and gaze at the wonderment that is the giant sprinkler that waters the lawn, and give the death stare to sundry and unwise individuals that sit on benches or the library steps. She was feeling rather jovial during this stroll. If you listen carefully, you can hear her singing to herself as she goes.

From all these good times, Julia has formed quiet an attachment to the stroller -its her best friend. So when she finds it folded up to be taken to the park for a walk - it causes quite a response.

Screamin' Clean Cheese

Bath time is always fun and exciting with The Cheese. My parents got her these rubber frogs and fish that have little holes in their mouths that she can fill and shoot water out of. One of Julia's most favorite drinks is bathwater. We are constantly battling her in the tub to keep her from putting her face in water and drinking the tub dry. With these little toys, she has figured out she can fill them up with water and suck it out of them without being too conspicuous. The problem is she hasn't figured out which side has the hole it, so sometimes things get a little out of hand.

Subway Practice

When I lived in New York, the only mode of travel that I could afford - and completely enjoy with all my senses - was the subway. During morning or evening rush hour, as I made my way from the Upper East Side to South Ferry, I rarely found a seat, but would have to stand. My commute usually took about 45 minutes, so I would read a book or the newspaper. It takes practice to develop the skills necessary to move with the pitch and roll of the train while holding on to and reading the paper. As a means to prepare for the Cheese for this possibility later in her life, I've started her on a light regimen of subway practice. I thought she did pretty good for her first time.