Eily's Theory of Language Processing and Speech Production

Friday night, Eily and I attended a slumber party at our friend Natasha's house while Jesse and Natasha's husband, Jim, went on an overnight ice-climbing adventure (during which they discovered how greatly they dislike the cold and all things related to it).  The boys were going out to celebrate Jesse's birthday while Natasha and I - obviously the saner halves of our twosomes - stayed home with the wee ones.  You've probably seen Jesse's pics on FB, but just in case you're too shy to send him a friend request, I'll share one here.*

Jesse's getting weak in his old age.  He had to grow a beard before the trip to combat the cold.

*Don't be shy.  He's the more social of the two of us, so chances are if I talk to you, he won't think twice about it.

As we pulled into the driveway of Natasha's house Friday evening, I mentioned to Eily that we would have to wait a few minutes in the car.  Natasha was en route from picking up their daughter, Rory (2), from daycare.  The conversation went as follows:

Me:  We have to wait here until Auntie Tasha gets back.
Eily:  Is she picking up Rory from school?  I mean, daycare.  I hit the wrong button in my mouth.
Me: Yes, she's picking Rory up from daycare.  What do you mean you hit the wrong button?
Eily:  I hit the school button, but I meant to hit the daycare button in my mouth.
Me:  (Intrigued, as this is not the first time she has mentioned the "button in her mouth") Tell me more about this button.
Eily:  It's in my mouth.
Me: And you have a button in your mouth for each word you say?
Eily:  No, no, no.
Me:  Oh.  So how does this button work?
Eily:  I think of a word in my head and it goes all the way down to my toes.  Then it goes up in my mouth and I push the button.
Me:  I see.  Can you show me the button?
Eily:  Here.  (She points to her tongue.)
Me:  So you think of a word, it goes down to your toes, then it goes back up to your mouth on your tongue and that's the button you hit to talk?
Eily: Yes!  That's what happened.

And that, my friends, is how Eily makes sense of speech and language.  Strangely enough, I haven't come across this particular theory in any of my courses.  Perhaps she's onto something here.  Well, before anyone else tries to claim credit for it, I hereby decree that the hypothesis of words traveling from brain to toes to mouth and produced by the press of a button will henceforth be known as:  Eily's Theory of Language Processing and Speech Production (2013).  I'll let you know when her research is published.

Eily's first colloquium to discuss her groundbreaking research in Speech & Language will probably look something like this. (Pictured with cousins Jordan and Jenna during her autumn trip to MN.  Photo by Kiara Vollick.)

The rest of the weekend was fun and quiet while the boys were away.  And Eily learned a valuable lesson about winter driving conditions in upstate NY.  Snow tires are a good thing, but a push from a friend is sometimes the only way to make it out of your parking spot. 

Eily at the wheel with Rory providing the muscle.

Three months in 30 pictures

Howdy, all!  After that last entry, I think I owe you less of my chatter and many more pictures.  Suffice it to say, I made it through my first semester of grad school (1 down, 4 to go!) and am currently enjoying the second half of my month off before semester two begins.  In 30 quick pics, here's a look at all the things that have kept us busy over the past few months:

1 & 2 - October

Kid-wrangling.  This is how Kelsey manages to work from home and cook dinner while watching all three kids.

Halloween - Kelsey made the girls Shaun the Sheep costumes.

3 - Grampy's birthday! (11/3)

My dad got to celebrate his 60th birthday with all his grandkids.

 4 & 5 - Election Day! (11/6)

To teach the kids about voting, Kelsey prepared a ballot box and paper ballots.  Items up for vote were U.S. President (Obama/Romney), What to do the next day (Playground/Stay home), and what to do during dinner (Listen to music/Talk).*

As in real life, all campaign materials were removed from the immediate voting vicinity.  Here's Eily taking a campaign sign the requisite 10 steps away from the ballot box.

*In case you're curious, the results were Obama, Playground, and Music.  Though Eily did break my heart by voting for Romney.

6 - Rodeo Time (11/10)

The rodeo came to Glens Falls.  After this, Eily became obsessed with barrel racing.  Grandpa Rick had better come through with those riding lessons now!

7 - Commune Thanksgiving (11/17)

Rory, Rayleigh, and Eily enjoy their early Thanksgiving meal at the kids' table.

8 - Family time 

Eily's been enjoying board games lately.  Here she is beating Jesse at the Sneaky Snacky Squirrel game.

 9, 10, & 11 - Riding lesson with Grandpa Rick  (11/23)

Grandpa Rick and Eily walking through the stable and checking out the horses.

Waiting for Eily's ride to show up.

Eily riding Brewster.  During her hour+ in the saddle, she learned to make him walk, turn in a circle, trot, and stop. 

12 & 13 - Cookie Day (practice round)

I wonder if chewing the paddle voids Buttercup's warranty?

Eily displays her approval of our cookie batter.

14 - First snow of the season (12/1)

Grandma Mary was lucky enough to take Eily out for her first trek through the "big" snow.

15 & 16 - Cookie Day weekend (12/8 & 12/9)

Eily and Keen destroying chilling in the playroom at Auntie Colie and Uncle Andy's house

Celebrating our Best Back-to-Basics Cookie victory (a first!) by decorating cookies with Grandmom.

17-24 - Christmas in CT (12/23-12/26)

Victoria, Eily, and James getting ready to open presents from Nana.

This little beauty turned 6 a few days later!

Nana enjoying some quality time with the grandkids.

Jesse got to see The Hobbit and couldn't pass up the chance to goose Gandalf.

Christmas morning - you'd never tell from the look on her face, but the little princess was 

sick and had no voice.  She's such a trooper!

Santa likes educational gifts, and Eily loves outer space.  It was a winning combination!

The three cousins decorating their "tree."  The cats were happy 

to reclaim their crate when the festivities were over.

25 - Snowbound

A brief respite at the Adams' house turned into a two day stay.

26-30 - New Year's in New Jersey

The kids had a noontime countdown, complete with noisemakers.

The mob of children assembled in the foyer before going outside to bang pots and pans to ring in the new year.

 

At the slumber party, Liam was kind enough to share his sleeping bag with Eily. 

The kids look like their night was as long as the one the adults had.

This puzzle took Nic & me the entire 6 days we were there to complete.  Nothing like ringing in the new year with a feeling of accomplishment!

As you can see, we've been busy.  There have been many other fun adventures and trips over the past few months, but writing about everything here would most likely bore you to tears.  Thanks to everyone who helped to make 2012 such a great year.  We love you and can't wait to create more memories with you in 2013!