The Brookston Family Blog
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Alice has been very interested in drawing lately and normally she holds her pen or crayon in the age-appropriate way, which for her age is like a ski pole, wrapped around her fist. Today, she was drawing at the table in Porter’s O.T. office while Porter was on the obstacle course. Porter’s therapist, Theresa, pointed out that she’s now holding her crayon with her thumb and forefinger, just like you and I hold it. And that’s pretty remarkable, apparently, for someone her age, way ahead of the curve. She was even able to make marks on the paper today, a series of circular squiggles filled the page she was drawing on.

Overhead view of Alice drawing. You can see her squiggles in this photo.

Notice the thumb and forefinger grip in all of these pictures.

Today at O.T., Porter ran an obstacle course that he helped design. Theresa had some plans for the course to begin with, but Porter, ever the willful person, had his own ideas.

After rolling down the incline inside the blue tube, Porter got on top of it.

Then he’d push it up the hill, where Theresa would catch it.

Where he’d get inside and ride it off the top of the hill, ala Niagra Falls. Then he’d get out again and roll it over to the swing, getting on top.

From which he’d transfer from the blue tube to the red swing.

From the red swing, he’d grab the wooden bar and swing over to the balls in the Jump-o-lene, letting go when he was over the balls. Repeat.

I’m not sure this is strictly humor, there are certainly funny elements, but I didn’t know where else to put it. It appears to be a web-based work of art that its not static, but instead is infinitely fluid, as far as I can tell. In the same way that pressing the red dot took you to another screen, doing the same here takes you to another work of art. But at certain points, there are different paths you can take so I have no idea how long you can rattle inside this work of art. The art itself is fairly commercial post-modern in a sort of Warhol meets Nagel, who teaches him how to use a computer. The artist is Peter Stanick, and I found his stuff very interesting.

Two warnings: 1. If you like it, it has the potential to be a bit of a time suck, because it looks like you can keep clicking around until the cows come home. 2. There’s a scantily-clad woman in lingerie (who’s occasionally topless) featured fairly prominently in some scenes, which themselves might be considered a tad misogynist by some people.

Before Alice’s nap this morning she was playing in the bathroom while I brushed my teeth, shaved, showered, etc. She’s been playing a game lately where she closes the inner door to the bathroom and then opens it again. She repeats this endlessly. Today she added the new element of actually closing the door all the way shut, meaning I had to open it again for her or she’d be stuck. I sure hope she doesn’t figure out how to lock it from the inside or we’re screwed. There’s no key as far as I know.

“I’m bored, what can I do?”

“Hey, what’s that up there?”

“I guess I’ll go in here and shut the door, then open it again very slowly.”

“Hey, there you are Daddy!”

“Ta Da! I opened the door.“

Here is Hawaii’s state motto:
Haka Tiki Mou Sha’ami Leeki Toru (Death To Mainland Scum, But Leave Your Money)

I chose Hawaii to highlight because today is the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the not quite unprovoked attack by the Japanese that got us into World War 2, the last good war (yeah, right - I love that one, as if any war can be called a good one.)

For 50 other funny, yet somehow a little true, state mottos, visit the State Slogans at Funny2.com. Which is your favorite? So far, I think Kentucky, North Carolina and Minnesota are my faves.

This morning Porter added a new element to the game of Photo Tag, creating a hide and seek variation.

Unsuspectingly showing off his new Santa Fe ornament in his new airplane pajamas.

Let the games begin! “Gotcha! You’re it!”

Caught hiding behind the snuggle chair.

Hiding in the blue chair behind the sofa.