Walking down the street at noon each day, on my way to pick up Middle Girl at Kindergarten, I have a warm fuzzy feeling. I can't wait to see her! Walking along, thinking about how she'll see me at the classroom door, and come running to me with a huge smile because she had a fun day at school, and how I'll hear all about it as we walk back home. I walk hand in hand with The Boy, while he tells me that he can't wait to turn four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, but then stops and looks up at me and says, "but WHY do I have to be twelve? I don't like all of those numbers. I just want to be ten." And I say, "Okay, then you can!" as I chuckle to myself and continue thinking of Middle Girl, and now we're getting very close to seeing her!
And then, when I get there, and the classroom door opens, I see her waiting with her bright hopeful eyes looking for me. Then she hurries out to where I am standing... and...
whines. "Mommy, I want to have a playdate right now." "Mommy, I don't want to have a rest today." "Mommy, I'm hungry." "Mommy, I'm upset because so-and-so and so-and-so are having a playdate." "Mommy, school is boooorrriiiing." "Mommy, it's hot."
And then, the next day, as I walk to pick her up at noon, I find myself smiling as I look forward to seeing her and hearing her tell me how much fun she had at school.
Beyond all reason, I guess I am a Mothering Optimist.
Showing posts with label middle girl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label middle girl. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
The First Day of School
Middle Girl was up bright and early, eager to get dressed in her crisp, new hand-me-down uniform.
She seemed excited, but not nervous.
The Hubby went into work late today so he could accompany us on the big first day.
Seeing my two girls, both smartly dressed in their school uniforms, took my breath away just as much as the sudden realization during breakfast that it would be just The Boy and I walking back home, for the first time. Whoa.
In the Kindergarten classroom, she did get a bit nervous. No one but her parents would have noticed, because she hides it well. All of the parents were very nicely asked to head out, and Kindergarten began!
At pick-up time, she was ready to come home. She said she liked Kindergarten and was excited to go back tomorrow, but she seemed a little tired and reserved. When we got home, there was a cookie bouquet waiting for her, sent by my mother-in-law. The Hubby called to talk to Middle Girl and hear about her day. "It was good."
Day One went well.
As for The Boy, well, there were some tears at preschool drop-off. I stayed for a few minutes to watch him (he couldn't see me), and seeing him kind of wander around the playground alone, trying to figure out what to play with, made me a bit sad - so I left. I knew it was fine (he really doesn't mind playing by himself, unlike Middle Girl, and the other kids looked pretty much the same), but I still found it hard to watch.
When I picked him up, he was actively participating in Story Time, and the teacher told me he was shy for most of the morning but had started to warm up near the end and even played with another child. He tells us he likes preschool, but he's glad he gets a day off tomorrow.
And what did I do with my morning? You know, I was kind of drained so I went home and just sort of sat there. I'll "get things done" in the upcoming days, but I didn't expect that from myself on this first day!
She seemed excited, but not nervous.
The Hubby went into work late today so he could accompany us on the big first day.
Seeing my two girls, both smartly dressed in their school uniforms, took my breath away just as much as the sudden realization during breakfast that it would be just The Boy and I walking back home, for the first time. Whoa.
In the Kindergarten classroom, she did get a bit nervous. No one but her parents would have noticed, because she hides it well. All of the parents were very nicely asked to head out, and Kindergarten began!
At pick-up time, she was ready to come home. She said she liked Kindergarten and was excited to go back tomorrow, but she seemed a little tired and reserved. When we got home, there was a cookie bouquet waiting for her, sent by my mother-in-law. The Hubby called to talk to Middle Girl and hear about her day. "It was good."
Day One went well.
As for The Boy, well, there were some tears at preschool drop-off. I stayed for a few minutes to watch him (he couldn't see me), and seeing him kind of wander around the playground alone, trying to figure out what to play with, made me a bit sad - so I left. I knew it was fine (he really doesn't mind playing by himself, unlike Middle Girl, and the other kids looked pretty much the same), but I still found it hard to watch.
When I picked him up, he was actively participating in Story Time, and the teacher told me he was shy for most of the morning but had started to warm up near the end and even played with another child. He tells us he likes preschool, but he's glad he gets a day off tomorrow.
And what did I do with my morning? You know, I was kind of drained so I went home and just sort of sat there. I'll "get things done" in the upcoming days, but I didn't expect that from myself on this first day!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Tomorrow is the big day
One more day until Kindergarten.
Since Middle Girl's drama and tears are still going strong, The Hubby and I are glad that it's almost here.
I still can't stop saying that I "never would have guessed" that she would have trouble with this. It seems out of character for her.
You think you know your children's personalities, and they go and change the game on you!
____
In related news, tomorrow is also The Boy's first day of preschool. I am feeling more confident about that than I was a few days ago, because Friday was his Visiting Day. He didn't want to go, and held my leg and buried his face in me when we went there, but by the time we left, he was telling me how much he likes his teachers and his classroom. We gave Daddy a call so The Boy could tell him all about it.
I'm sure he'll be nervous again at drop-off, but Visiting Day was definitely a good thing!
____
Today we're doing a whole lot of nothing, which I think is good for Middle Girl. We're just having Unscheduled Family Time around the house: swimming, playing pretend with the siblings, coloring, reading books. Nice and low-key.
____
Wish us good luck for tomorrow morning!
Since Middle Girl's drama and tears are still going strong, The Hubby and I are glad that it's almost here.
I still can't stop saying that I "never would have guessed" that she would have trouble with this. It seems out of character for her.
You think you know your children's personalities, and they go and change the game on you!
____
In related news, tomorrow is also The Boy's first day of preschool. I am feeling more confident about that than I was a few days ago, because Friday was his Visiting Day. He didn't want to go, and held my leg and buried his face in me when we went there, but by the time we left, he was telling me how much he likes his teachers and his classroom. We gave Daddy a call so The Boy could tell him all about it.
I'm sure he'll be nervous again at drop-off, but Visiting Day was definitely a good thing!
____
Today we're doing a whole lot of nothing, which I think is good for Middle Girl. We're just having Unscheduled Family Time around the house: swimming, playing pretend with the siblings, coloring, reading books. Nice and low-key.
____
Wish us good luck for tomorrow morning!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Middle Girl
She is having fewer crying jags, and I'm seeing more smiles! We're coming along.
She is eating better, but strangely she has proclaimed that she will not eat pasta or dessert until Kindergarten starts, because she is nervous. Her mind is unchanged about this, even after five days of it.
I don't know what to make of it.
I'm off to rehearsal now; we're working on new songs and I've got Michelle Branch, Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood, and Evanescence to sing (as well as high parts on Earth, Wind & Fire, among others)! Ta ta!
She is eating better, but strangely she has proclaimed that she will not eat pasta or dessert until Kindergarten starts, because she is nervous. Her mind is unchanged about this, even after five days of it.
I don't know what to make of it.
I'm off to rehearsal now; we're working on new songs and I've got Michelle Branch, Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood, and Evanescence to sing (as well as high parts on Earth, Wind & Fire, among others)! Ta ta!
Monday, June 16, 2008
The toes!
I am doing a bunch of work organizing my digital photos these days, and I came across this picture, taken three years ago today:
This picture makes both my heart and my uterus tighten up to a full-blown clench, and then convene to engage in a serious discussion.
Seriously, I can't breathe right now. Could you just die?
This picture makes both my heart and my uterus tighten up to a full-blown clench, and then convene to engage in a serious discussion.
Seriously, I can't breathe right now. Could you just die?
Friday, June 6, 2008
numb
Today was Middle Girl's last day of preschool for this school year. She will be moving on to Kindergarten in the fall.
The other moms and the teachers had red, teary eyes today. Some were wearing their sunglasses inside to try to hide their crying.
I feel nothing. Granted, it's not my first child, and it's not my last child (The Boy will be at this school for the next two years), but I don't cry much. I didn't cry when my first child finished preschool, or on her first day of Kindergarten, or on her first Communion. There's a lot of pride, and there's a lot of disbelief that we've reached this milestone already, but the tears don't come.
However, I realized today that I have been in a terrible mood all week. I've been grumbling at everyone; The Hubby told me on Tuesday evening that he preferred to not talk to me; the muscles in my face feel too fatigued to smile; the muscles in my eyes feel too fatigued to light up; there's a big, heavy rock sitting inside my skull weighing me down.
Maybe this is how my feelings about Middle Girl being done with preschool are manifesting themselves. I really wish I could just cry - maybe if I was someone whose feelings came out I wouldn't feel so miserably numb right now.
_____
Middle Girl, I love you! I'm so proud of how you have grown during preschool and how ready you are to go on to Kindergarten. I think you will enjoy school, just like your sister does! It's fun to have a desk, and new teachers, and new friends to play with on the playground. I know you are excited to be at the same school as Big Girl and maybe see her there from time to time.
_____
Middle Girl has had a great pair of teachers this year in preschool. They gave each child a gift of a book today; each child's book challenges that child's reading level. Most children are getting familiar with letters and sounds, and were given early reader books to start to recognize words. Middle Girl and two other children are already reading, so they were given a short chapter book to stretch their abilities. Since this preschool is play-based and does not teach reading, I am impressed with how well the teachers know their students. When Big Girl was in preschool, she was reading too, but her teachers had NO idea. In fact, one of them recommended that Big Girl do another year of preschool. Another year of "A is for apple?" I don't think so.
Thank you, Middle Girl's teachers, for taking these children's academic and social growth so seriously. You really care about your students, and it shows!
The other moms and the teachers had red, teary eyes today. Some were wearing their sunglasses inside to try to hide their crying.
I feel nothing. Granted, it's not my first child, and it's not my last child (The Boy will be at this school for the next two years), but I don't cry much. I didn't cry when my first child finished preschool, or on her first day of Kindergarten, or on her first Communion. There's a lot of pride, and there's a lot of disbelief that we've reached this milestone already, but the tears don't come.
However, I realized today that I have been in a terrible mood all week. I've been grumbling at everyone; The Hubby told me on Tuesday evening that he preferred to not talk to me; the muscles in my face feel too fatigued to smile; the muscles in my eyes feel too fatigued to light up; there's a big, heavy rock sitting inside my skull weighing me down.
Maybe this is how my feelings about Middle Girl being done with preschool are manifesting themselves. I really wish I could just cry - maybe if I was someone whose feelings came out I wouldn't feel so miserably numb right now.
_____
Middle Girl, I love you! I'm so proud of how you have grown during preschool and how ready you are to go on to Kindergarten. I think you will enjoy school, just like your sister does! It's fun to have a desk, and new teachers, and new friends to play with on the playground. I know you are excited to be at the same school as Big Girl and maybe see her there from time to time.
_____
Middle Girl has had a great pair of teachers this year in preschool. They gave each child a gift of a book today; each child's book challenges that child's reading level. Most children are getting familiar with letters and sounds, and were given early reader books to start to recognize words. Middle Girl and two other children are already reading, so they were given a short chapter book to stretch their abilities. Since this preschool is play-based and does not teach reading, I am impressed with how well the teachers know their students. When Big Girl was in preschool, she was reading too, but her teachers had NO idea. In fact, one of them recommended that Big Girl do another year of preschool. Another year of "A is for apple?" I don't think so.
Thank you, Middle Girl's teachers, for taking these children's academic and social growth so seriously. You really care about your students, and it shows!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Two stories today
When I picked Middle Girl up from preschool today, she had something exciting to tell me: "I got to let one of the butterflies go!"
Her class has studied the life cycles of butterflies and frogs, and has kept caterpillars and tadpoles to observe. The butterflies all hatched from the cocoons over the weekend, and today they were flying around their little net home, ready to go outside. (Three of the tadpoles have turned completely into frogs; the rest are somewhere in-between.)
The teachers drew names to determine who would get to release the butterflies, and Middle Girl was lucky enough to be one of the children chosen! While her classmates looked on, she let a butterfly climb onto her finger, then carefully moved her finger out of the net habitat to the open air, and off it flew!
I asked her which she liked better: having a butterfly on her finger or holding a snail in her hand (she LOVES that), and she said "the butterfly!" Cool! I wish I could have seen it and taken some photos!
My second story is about The Boy. We were walking through a parking lot and he saw a man standing around smoking. He stared at him for a minute, and then asked, "Mommy, what is that thing he keeps putting in his mouth?"
Yes, he is over three years old and has never seen anyone smoking before! Isn't that fantastic?!
Her class has studied the life cycles of butterflies and frogs, and has kept caterpillars and tadpoles to observe. The butterflies all hatched from the cocoons over the weekend, and today they were flying around their little net home, ready to go outside. (Three of the tadpoles have turned completely into frogs; the rest are somewhere in-between.)
The teachers drew names to determine who would get to release the butterflies, and Middle Girl was lucky enough to be one of the children chosen! While her classmates looked on, she let a butterfly climb onto her finger, then carefully moved her finger out of the net habitat to the open air, and off it flew!
I asked her which she liked better: having a butterfly on her finger or holding a snail in her hand (she LOVES that), and she said "the butterfly!" Cool! I wish I could have seen it and taken some photos!
My second story is about The Boy. We were walking through a parking lot and he saw a man standing around smoking. He stared at him for a minute, and then asked, "Mommy, what is that thing he keeps putting in his mouth?"
Yes, he is over three years old and has never seen anyone smoking before! Isn't that fantastic?!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
We interrupt this blogger malaise to bring you the following announcement
Middle Girl just lost her first tooth!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Fashion by Middle
She's got style...
what kind of style I'm not sure,
but style...
The boots have even been worn with the tutu: (new ballet outfit from the Easter Bunny)
I'm pretty amused by the boots. Until recently, she has not been a 'boots kind of girl.' Normally she lives in flip-flops.
Speaking of which, her old ones are very worn out and she's been waiting impatiently for new ones to be available at the store. (Because, you see, her mom is so unfairly picky about the flip-flops. They have to be good for her five-year-old feet, with an appropriate rubber sole. Sheesh, mom!)
Well, the day has arrived! Drumroll, please....
Her new flip-flops!
what kind of style I'm not sure,
but style...
The boots have even been worn with the tutu: (new ballet outfit from the Easter Bunny)
I'm pretty amused by the boots. Until recently, she has not been a 'boots kind of girl.' Normally she lives in flip-flops.
Speaking of which, her old ones are very worn out and she's been waiting impatiently for new ones to be available at the store. (Because, you see, her mom is so unfairly picky about the flip-flops. They have to be good for her five-year-old feet, with an appropriate rubber sole. Sheesh, mom!)
Well, the day has arrived! Drumroll, please....
Her new flip-flops!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
60 Months
Dear Middle Girl,
Just as you did five years ago today, you make the sun shine in my life. Your joie de vivre was evident early on, as you were a lively dancer even in mommy's tummy. After your birth, during which you treated mommy well, you were holding up your head and looking around the hospital room: "well, hello, mom and dad, where's the party?"
You are a social girl, much preferring being with people over being alone. At school, you are focused on friendships and who is playing with whom each day. You find it difficult when a friend wants to play with another child. You have always had a talent for making friends quickly. Ms. J in Room 6 two years ago was so impressed that despite being the youngest in the class, it was you who befriended the children who were having trouble adjusting to preschool. I think it is your smiling eyes that make people feel special.
You have a bit of the devil in you, though. You often have a look on your face that says, "I've got something up my sleeve!" And at least once a day, you just can't help yourself when it comes to getting a rise out of Big Girl or The Boy.
You are getting pretty good at the alphabet, including knowing what sound each letter makes. If I read you a book, you can pick out the words after I say them. (For example, I say "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," and you say "That word is Fish, that one is Two and that one is Blue!" because you recognize the sounds they start with.)
You love puppies, horses, princesses, fairies, gymnastics and dancing. You can spend long periods of time playing make-believe, either with toys or with dress-up. I like watching you make up stories with your play houses and hearing what the little figures say.
You have a special affection for babies. When you see a baby, suddenly you can't see anything else. You get quiet and focused on the baby and can just look at her for as long as she'll let you. You find it hard to resist putting a pacifier in her mouth or giving her a toy to hold, but you'll content yourself with just giving the baby friendly looks if you need to. You have always felt this way about babies, which is really fortunate since you had a baby brother at such a young age.
When you giggle, I can't help but be happy. I love snuggling with you and sharing a giggle. For you, they come from way down deep inside you in your basic core of merriment and vivacity. When I hear that sound, I can feel my spirits lifting. My peanut, you truly make the world a better place.
Just as you did five years ago today, you make the sun shine in my life. Your joie de vivre was evident early on, as you were a lively dancer even in mommy's tummy. After your birth, during which you treated mommy well, you were holding up your head and looking around the hospital room: "well, hello, mom and dad, where's the party?"
You are a social girl, much preferring being with people over being alone. At school, you are focused on friendships and who is playing with whom each day. You find it difficult when a friend wants to play with another child. You have always had a talent for making friends quickly. Ms. J in Room 6 two years ago was so impressed that despite being the youngest in the class, it was you who befriended the children who were having trouble adjusting to preschool. I think it is your smiling eyes that make people feel special.
You have a bit of the devil in you, though. You often have a look on your face that says, "I've got something up my sleeve!" And at least once a day, you just can't help yourself when it comes to getting a rise out of Big Girl or The Boy.
You are getting pretty good at the alphabet, including knowing what sound each letter makes. If I read you a book, you can pick out the words after I say them. (For example, I say "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," and you say "That word is Fish, that one is Two and that one is Blue!" because you recognize the sounds they start with.)
You love puppies, horses, princesses, fairies, gymnastics and dancing. You can spend long periods of time playing make-believe, either with toys or with dress-up. I like watching you make up stories with your play houses and hearing what the little figures say.
You have a special affection for babies. When you see a baby, suddenly you can't see anything else. You get quiet and focused on the baby and can just look at her for as long as she'll let you. You find it hard to resist putting a pacifier in her mouth or giving her a toy to hold, but you'll content yourself with just giving the baby friendly looks if you need to. You have always felt this way about babies, which is really fortunate since you had a baby brother at such a young age.
When you giggle, I can't help but be happy. I love snuggling with you and sharing a giggle. For you, they come from way down deep inside you in your basic core of merriment and vivacity. When I hear that sound, I can feel my spirits lifting. My peanut, you truly make the world a better place.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Truth about Three
This is a follow-up to my "Ode to Three." If you haven't read it, please go here (or scroll down a few days) and read it first.
Then come back to hear more about it!
_______________
I need to share with you the background of my post "Ode to Three." Picture me at my computer, composing loving thoughts about my children. While writing about the wonder of the first baby, Big Girl was standing next to me throwing a HUGE fit because she couldn't find her silver locket. Tears flying, much yelling, not pretty.
While writing about my two daughters, so devoted to one another, Big Girl was bawling that Middle Girl had "given" her MG's gold locket "to keep forever" and now WANTS IT BACK!! WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
While waxing poetic about how wonderful it is to have three children, The Boy was putting stickers all over our wooden TV cabinet. Daddy came home and said, "TB, WHAT have you been up to?" Between that and throwing every ball we own over the fence and into the pool FIVE TIMES last weekend, we're sure glad to have our three!
So, now that we've both enjoyed a good laugh about that (and SIL S. gave me a pat on the back for still being able to focus on the positive in my writing during that scene), it's time for the TRUTH about three.
CHAOS.
It takes them less than ten minutes to make a complete mess out of any room in the house. And often, this is happening in two or three rooms simultaneously.
One urges another to remove all of the couch cushions and turn the couch into a trampoline.
One decides to tackle the others and knock them to the ground (over and over) whether they like it or not.
Another decides to wail and moan and play a victim instead of just getting away from the tackling sibling.
You know how kids suddenly do ANYTHING to get your attention when you're on the phone? Now imagine three kids doing it, while also competing with each other over who can be the loudest and most demanding.
You think you've got it made, two kids have agreed on the same thing for lunch! or are in agreeable moods for an errand or the walk to school! But wait, before you thank your lucky stars, there's another kid in the mix, and they are NOT agreeing to the plan.
I'm so used to the chaos at this point that it has become background noise. I don't really hear them anymore! I wish I had a dime for every time I've been talking to someone and they say "Um, I think your son is trying to get your attention," and I suddenly realize he's been wailing at me and pulling on my leg and I hadn't even noticed! So, yeah, the chaos has pushed me over the edge a bit.
When other mothers find out I have three kids, they almost always say, "You have THREE? I don't know HOW you do it." and I just give them the answer my moms have both given me about coping with kids: you just do it.
The thing that seems to give people pause most often is the idea that they would be outnumbered by the kids. With two, each parent can handle one kid, and everyone is covered. Each child is holding a parent's hand, and that lessens the chances of somebody running off. But it's okay - we learn that we all need to take responsibility for our family. There are only two parents, but the kids learn that if we all help watch out for each other and share ownership of our family, we'll all be okay. And I think that's a really great thing to learn. I admit, it's not like they act this way all the time, but I think it's an underlying lesson that slowly is taught just by how the family works. We can't rely on someone else to take care of everything, we have to participate in order for our world to work.
And similarly, we can't control everything and have it be a certain, precise way, we've got to relax a bit and be flexible and creative. Because there are other people around who demand (and deserve) a say as well.
So bring on the chaos. I don't mind it. (Well, sometimes I need a break from it, but that's okay too. We learn that we need a break and we find ourselves a getaway sometimes.)
Yeah, maybe three ain't always so pretty. In fact, I'd say it's messy, but also ... beautiful.
Then come back to hear more about it!
_______________
I need to share with you the background of my post "Ode to Three." Picture me at my computer, composing loving thoughts about my children. While writing about the wonder of the first baby, Big Girl was standing next to me throwing a HUGE fit because she couldn't find her silver locket. Tears flying, much yelling, not pretty.
While writing about my two daughters, so devoted to one another, Big Girl was bawling that Middle Girl had "given" her MG's gold locket "to keep forever" and now WANTS IT BACK!! WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
While waxing poetic about how wonderful it is to have three children, The Boy was putting stickers all over our wooden TV cabinet. Daddy came home and said, "TB, WHAT have you been up to?" Between that and throwing every ball we own over the fence and into the pool FIVE TIMES last weekend, we're sure glad to have our three!
So, now that we've both enjoyed a good laugh about that (and SIL S. gave me a pat on the back for still being able to focus on the positive in my writing during that scene), it's time for the TRUTH about three.
CHAOS.
It takes them less than ten minutes to make a complete mess out of any room in the house. And often, this is happening in two or three rooms simultaneously.
One urges another to remove all of the couch cushions and turn the couch into a trampoline.
One decides to tackle the others and knock them to the ground (over and over) whether they like it or not.
Another decides to wail and moan and play a victim instead of just getting away from the tackling sibling.
You know how kids suddenly do ANYTHING to get your attention when you're on the phone? Now imagine three kids doing it, while also competing with each other over who can be the loudest and most demanding.
You think you've got it made, two kids have agreed on the same thing for lunch! or are in agreeable moods for an errand or the walk to school! But wait, before you thank your lucky stars, there's another kid in the mix, and they are NOT agreeing to the plan.
I'm so used to the chaos at this point that it has become background noise. I don't really hear them anymore! I wish I had a dime for every time I've been talking to someone and they say "Um, I think your son is trying to get your attention," and I suddenly realize he's been wailing at me and pulling on my leg and I hadn't even noticed! So, yeah, the chaos has pushed me over the edge a bit.
When other mothers find out I have three kids, they almost always say, "You have THREE? I don't know HOW you do it." and I just give them the answer my moms have both given me about coping with kids: you just do it.
The thing that seems to give people pause most often is the idea that they would be outnumbered by the kids. With two, each parent can handle one kid, and everyone is covered. Each child is holding a parent's hand, and that lessens the chances of somebody running off. But it's okay - we learn that we all need to take responsibility for our family. There are only two parents, but the kids learn that if we all help watch out for each other and share ownership of our family, we'll all be okay. And I think that's a really great thing to learn. I admit, it's not like they act this way all the time, but I think it's an underlying lesson that slowly is taught just by how the family works. We can't rely on someone else to take care of everything, we have to participate in order for our world to work.
And similarly, we can't control everything and have it be a certain, precise way, we've got to relax a bit and be flexible and creative. Because there are other people around who demand (and deserve) a say as well.
So bring on the chaos. I don't mind it. (Well, sometimes I need a break from it, but that's okay too. We learn that we need a break and we find ourselves a getaway sometimes.)
Yeah, maybe three ain't always so pretty. In fact, I'd say it's messy, but also ... beautiful.
Budding photographers
This morning, there were mysteriously FORTY new pictures on my camera. forty. 40. Four-Tee. Seems a certain duo got all photojournalistic on me:
Here you go, for your enjoyment!
Here you go, for your enjoyment!
We are true believers in the value of an in-depth study of our subject.
Then we have the following series. Truly a collaboration.
Yes, you read me right. FORTY of these.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Shopping with our Christmas money
We went to the bookstore and the girls each got some books and then decided to pool the rest of their money to buy the complete set of American Girl DVDs.
We are reading the books one chapter a night at bedtime. Middle Girl likes having some chapter books of her own. We watched the Samantha movie, but it had a "scary" scene in it (Big Girl had read the book so she knew it was coming, and psyched out both herself and her sister) so we'll have to pick the right time to watch the others (not too close to bedtime or when anyone is feeling tired).
The Boy didn't take long to decide on what he wanted. He got a book about basketball at the bookstore. At the toy store, he got a Lightning McQueen race track that Cousin L had gotten (and The Boy had coveted) and a set of Mr. Potato Head and his friends Mr. Corn and Ms. Carrot.
The race track has seen a lot of action. A LOT. If you put more than one car on, they sometimes crash! What could be better?
At first, The Boy was not comfortable with the idea of mixing up their parts (putting Mr. Potato Head's hat on Mr. Corn, for example). In fact, he SCREAMED when the girls wanted to show him what it would look like. Eventually, though, he has gotten used to it and even laughs about putting the arms in the hat hole. Now, that's progress.
Monday, January 7, 2008
A Special Outing with our Friends
After we got home from our vacation, we went to see Disney Princesses on Ice. E and S gave tickets to Big Girl and Middle Girl, and vice versa. The moms chaperoned. Needless to say, it was an unusually big Christmas present for this group!
First, we met for lunch and had a dignified meal (my kids had their favorite: spaghetti). Then, with new doggie/dolls along for the ride, all six of us in one van, we drove down to the Sports Arena and got there (gasp) early!
Finding our seats took some trial and error, and we partook of some cotton candy and sno-cones (but proud to say we resisted the MANY other opportunities to buy Princess shtuff), and S did not know why it was taking so long for the show to start. We really were quite early, especially for this group.
We were full of anticipation!
And the show did deliver. We saw all of the Princesses, as well as their male counterparts, and Tinkerbell, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. There were at least two musical numbers from each Princess's movie. We saw silverware and candlesticks dancing, acrobatic pairs skates, a swordfight with a fiery (yes, fire!) dragon, and fireworks inside the arena. The looks of awe and wonder on my daughters' faces was worth my admission price! I'm sitting here trying to describe it without Disney cliche's, and failing!
Now, having said all that, the show was made for my girls. I mean, ice skating Princesses, it's two gifts in one! But there's no reason to see it without a little girl.
First, we met for lunch and had a dignified meal (my kids had their favorite: spaghetti). Then, with new doggie/dolls along for the ride, all six of us in one van, we drove down to the Sports Arena and got there (gasp) early!
Finding our seats took some trial and error, and we partook of some cotton candy and sno-cones (but proud to say we resisted the MANY other opportunities to buy Princess shtuff), and S did not know why it was taking so long for the show to start. We really were quite early, especially for this group.
We were full of anticipation!
And the show did deliver. We saw all of the Princesses, as well as their male counterparts, and Tinkerbell, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. There were at least two musical numbers from each Princess's movie. We saw silverware and candlesticks dancing, acrobatic pairs skates, a swordfight with a fiery (yes, fire!) dragon, and fireworks inside the arena. The looks of awe and wonder on my daughters' faces was worth my admission price! I'm sitting here trying to describe it without Disney cliche's, and failing!
Creatures of the sea entertained us with "Under the Sea!"
Now, having said all that, the show was made for my girls. I mean, ice skating Princesses, it's two gifts in one! But there's no reason to see it without a little girl.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Halloween is coming
Middle Girl was back at school today, and in fact was back at Sunday School yesterday for the costume parade. Chickenpox was so much better for her than it was for me way back when! Just a few spots, just a few days, and that's it! Hooray for vaccines. We'll see in about two weeks if Big Girl or The Boy come down with it. Also the neighbor girl, who managed to slip into our house on Friday afternoon. I suddenly realized, "V is upstairs playing with Middle Girl. Do her parents know this? .... Do her parents know Middle Girl has the chickenpox?" Well, the neighbor parents did know she was at our house but did not know about the chickenpox. Oops! Parental faux pas -- I felt like an idiot. "Should I send her back home?" "Probably too late now, don't you think?" said neighbor mom. Time will tell!
Middle Girl had gone out front to swing on the swing while I was just inside in the living room on the phone. Neighbor girl saw Middle Girl outside, ran out to play with her, and next thing you know they're in the house and playing upstairs. Neighbor girl has a talent for this sort of thing!
Big Girl has some Halloween goings-on at school tomorrow: Pumpkin Carving Contest and 2nd Grade Spooky Scenes (aka dioramas). So I was up to my elbows in pumpkin goop this evening. Good thing the diorama was already done. Then on Wednesday Big Girl has the Halloween parade at 11 am and Middle Girl has the Orange-and-Black-Day singalong at ... 11 am. I have called in backup (The Hubby will come over from work to be in one place while I am in the other).
A couple weekends ago, we chose our pumpkins. Tonight we scooped out the goop. Each child reacted differently to this job. Let's analyze (this could be fun):
Middle Girl got right in there, and worked hard, enjoyed the squishy goopiness, and was the first to get it cleaned out.
The Boy was very serious about his job. He used his little scooper to take the seeds out but needed mommy's help with the scraping. He worked quietly.
Big Girl got a little dot of goop on her cheek. She went in the house to get a paper towel for herself.
Shocking.
She did not work quietly, but made sure we all knew her opinions of this job. "Eeew! Gross!" "Mom, can you scoop mine out?" (Mom: "put your hands in there and pull out the goop.") "I don't want to! It makes my hands messy!"
Middle Girl had gone out front to swing on the swing while I was just inside in the living room on the phone. Neighbor girl saw Middle Girl outside, ran out to play with her, and next thing you know they're in the house and playing upstairs. Neighbor girl has a talent for this sort of thing!
Big Girl has some Halloween goings-on at school tomorrow: Pumpkin Carving Contest and 2nd Grade Spooky Scenes (aka dioramas). So I was up to my elbows in pumpkin goop this evening. Good thing the diorama was already done. Then on Wednesday Big Girl has the Halloween parade at 11 am and Middle Girl has the Orange-and-Black-Day singalong at ... 11 am. I have called in backup (The Hubby will come over from work to be in one place while I am in the other).
A couple weekends ago, we chose our pumpkins. Tonight we scooped out the goop. Each child reacted differently to this job. Let's analyze (this could be fun):
Middle Girl got right in there, and worked hard, enjoyed the squishy goopiness, and was the first to get it cleaned out.
The Boy was very serious about his job. He used his little scooper to take the seeds out but needed mommy's help with the scraping. He worked quietly.
Big Girl got a little dot of goop on her cheek. She went in the house to get a paper towel for herself.
Shocking.
She did not work quietly, but made sure we all knew her opinions of this job. "Eeew! Gross!" "Mom, can you scoop mine out?" (Mom: "put your hands in there and pull out the goop.") "I don't want to! It makes my hands messy!"
Thursday, October 25, 2007
update
Well, her fever is gone and she has a few more red bumps. She slept fine last night.
We are staying home, of course.
I still think it's chicken pox that just looks different because she had received the vaccine.* In fact, here is something I found on DukeHealth.org:
"About 15 percent of varicella-vaccinated children fail to have an optimal response to vaccination and, if exposed to varicella later in life, can develop a very mild form of varicella. Usually this disease looks like bug bites; often, the child has no fever and doesn't seem sick at all."
That's exactly what it looks like! (Although she was feverish yesterday...)
We are going into the ped's office at 4:30 this afternoon so the professionals can look at it and I can stopping guessing and wondering!
*she was vaccinated at 12 months, but hasn't had the booster. Big Girl got that at 5 years. My point being that this is not caused by the vaccine itself; she must have been exposed to the virus recently. If this even is chicken pox.
I don't know who she got it from. I guess that's another thing about the vaccine -- now the virus can be passed around without showing any symptoms in some kids, while causing a mild case in others.
Although we have a few friends who don't vaccinate their kids. I am not going to get into it here.
We are staying home, of course.
I still think it's chicken pox that just looks different because she had received the vaccine.* In fact, here is something I found on DukeHealth.org:
"About 15 percent of varicella-vaccinated children fail to have an optimal response to vaccination and, if exposed to varicella later in life, can develop a very mild form of varicella. Usually this disease looks like bug bites; often, the child has no fever and doesn't seem sick at all."
That's exactly what it looks like! (Although she was feverish yesterday...)
We are going into the ped's office at 4:30 this afternoon so the professionals can look at it and I can stopping guessing and wondering!
*she was vaccinated at 12 months, but hasn't had the booster. Big Girl got that at 5 years. My point being that this is not caused by the vaccine itself; she must have been exposed to the virus recently. If this even is chicken pox.
I don't know who she got it from. I guess that's another thing about the vaccine -- now the virus can be passed around without showing any symptoms in some kids, while causing a mild case in others.
Although we have a few friends who don't vaccinate their kids. I am not going to get into it here.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
'til tomorrow
I guess I shouldn't have called them "wildfires" yesterday. It appears that most of them were set by arsonists. Can you believe that?
My eyes felt better today, although the schools still didn't let the kids outside because there is a lot of particulate matter (ash) in the air.
You know, we don't get the SA winds here. We get other kinds of winds (the colder ones), but not usually the SAs and this week was no exception. Absolutely no wind here. We must be shielded from them. They come from the east and our mountains are on the north, so I don't know what the shield is, but there must be something. Growing up, we sure got the winds. I remember there were times in elementary school when I thought the wind was going to pick me up off the ground. Going outside was so difficult; walking was tough against the wind and with all the dust flying so hard, you had to keep your eyes closed. I HATED those winds. But it is still weird even after 16 years hearing that they are happening and not actually experiencing any wind.
I titled this "til tomorrow..." because it looks like Middle Girl might have chicken pox. The spots that she's got (more every hour this evening) don't look like pox, but the nurse at the ped's office said that's because she had the vaccine. She has a fever and the spots, although she's not complaining about itchiness (two of the spots look like they've been scratched, though). The nurse said to monitor her tonight and call them with the status in the morning. We'll see what tomorrow brings...
My eyes felt better today, although the schools still didn't let the kids outside because there is a lot of particulate matter (ash) in the air.
You know, we don't get the SA winds here. We get other kinds of winds (the colder ones), but not usually the SAs and this week was no exception. Absolutely no wind here. We must be shielded from them. They come from the east and our mountains are on the north, so I don't know what the shield is, but there must be something. Growing up, we sure got the winds. I remember there were times in elementary school when I thought the wind was going to pick me up off the ground. Going outside was so difficult; walking was tough against the wind and with all the dust flying so hard, you had to keep your eyes closed. I HATED those winds. But it is still weird even after 16 years hearing that they are happening and not actually experiencing any wind.
I titled this "til tomorrow..." because it looks like Middle Girl might have chicken pox. The spots that she's got (more every hour this evening) don't look like pox, but the nurse at the ped's office said that's because she had the vaccine. She has a fever and the spots, although she's not complaining about itchiness (two of the spots look like they've been scratched, though). The nurse said to monitor her tonight and call them with the status in the morning. We'll see what tomorrow brings...
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
they're close
The Boy told me that Thomas and James (the trains) are friends.
I said, "who are The Boy's friends?"
He said, "Middle Girl!"
I don't know if I should think of that as good or bad...
I said, "who are The Boy's friends?"
He said, "Middle Girl!"
I don't know if I should think of that as good or bad...
Thursday, September 13, 2007
13-Sept-2007
Middle Girl's first day of preschool (her third year of preschool) was Monday. I could just eat her up, that peanut!
I don't know how she is feeling about school so far this year. She seems to be in a funk all the time. Nothing is ever good; she never likes anything. This actually started this summer, on our Oregon trip with "I don't WANT to look at this Crater Lake!!" and I've been hearing it from her about almost everything ever since. She was so excited about Hairspray before it started, and sang along, and then on the drive home said "I didn't like that movie." Then the conversation went:
Me: Did you like "Good Morning Baltimore?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "Welcome to the 60's?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "You Can't Stop the Beat?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "Ladies' Choice?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "I Can Hear the Bells?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "The Nicest Kids in Town?"
MG: Yes
She just didn't like the part when the police and Mrs. Von Tussle were looking for Tracy.
What is with the focusing on the negative? I would say "that's not like Middle Girl," but she's been like this so much lately (including her first gymnastics class the other day, her favorite activity by far last year) and "who" a kid is changes all the time, so maybe I can't really say that. Maybe all I can say is "that's who she is right now" and wait to see who she becomes next.
As far as preschool goes this year, after the two days she has had so far, all she has said is "Elise didn't play with me" and "Scarlett didn't play with me." Followed by my asking "who did you play with?" and her answering "Scarlett." Classic Middle Girl reasoning there. "I like apples but I don't like apples." We hear this kind of sentence all the time.
I don't know how she is feeling about school so far this year. She seems to be in a funk all the time. Nothing is ever good; she never likes anything. This actually started this summer, on our Oregon trip with "I don't WANT to look at this Crater Lake!!" and I've been hearing it from her about almost everything ever since. She was so excited about Hairspray before it started, and sang along, and then on the drive home said "I didn't like that movie." Then the conversation went:
Me: Did you like "Good Morning Baltimore?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "Welcome to the 60's?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "You Can't Stop the Beat?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "Ladies' Choice?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "I Can Hear the Bells?"
MG: Yes
Me: Did you like "The Nicest Kids in Town?"
MG: Yes
She just didn't like the part when the police and Mrs. Von Tussle were looking for Tracy.
What is with the focusing on the negative? I would say "that's not like Middle Girl," but she's been like this so much lately (including her first gymnastics class the other day, her favorite activity by far last year) and "who" a kid is changes all the time, so maybe I can't really say that. Maybe all I can say is "that's who she is right now" and wait to see who she becomes next.
As far as preschool goes this year, after the two days she has had so far, all she has said is "Elise didn't play with me" and "Scarlett didn't play with me." Followed by my asking "who did you play with?" and her answering "Scarlett." Classic Middle Girl reasoning there. "I like apples but I don't like apples." We hear this kind of sentence all the time.
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