Special Day

One of my best friends from college got married last weekend, and she asked Hannah to be her Flower Bear.  Not really, she was her flower girl. :)  So we ventured up to Clarksville and enjoyed a mini vacation as a family.  Hannah had her hair professionally styled on Saturday morning, and we enjoyed the extra time at the salon with Anna before the wedding.

I took a bunch of photos, here are a few:

kindergarten parents and preschool slacker parents

Not really.  This afternoon was busy.  We took Bear to meet her kindergarten teacher today, and I have to say, I was pretty impressed.  She seemed friendly, organized, and experienced.  She listened when Bear asked her questions.  The classroom is welcoming, from the "tool boxes" where she'll keep her school supplies, to the assortment of posters, learning centers, and even a "think about it/time out" chair with a cute poem on it.  We met a mom and daughter who just moved here from out of state a week ago along with a few other parents and kids.  My only reservation is that as of now, there will be 24 students in her class, without a teacher's aid.  No wonder she said she'll take all the parental involvement she can get!!!

After meet the teacher at school, it was time for gymnastics.  Daddy was with us, and Bear showed off.  Daddy also monitored Buddy, who has a habit of trying to play on whatever equipment the girls are not using.
 Her gymnastics school is very small and non-competitive, and the instructor puts her heart and soul into these kids.  I am amazed at how Bear's flexibility and skills have begun to grow. 

So, about the slacking.  Buddy's "meet the teacher/open house" was scheduled for tonight.  But his teacher sent a postcard that noted that she would not actually be at open house, and I confirmed that when I called the school's director.  Daddy drove back into town from out of state, I had a meeting at the same time as the open house, so we decided to skip.  The kids and I toured the facility last spring when we registered him, and we will not get lost when school starts on Tuesday. 

summer fun

We are really enjoying our new home and neighborhood this summer. When we lived near Nashville, we paid HOA fees and got nothing but rules.  No amenities of any kind, they couldn't even help get street lights turned on on our street after the developer went bankrupt.  I digress, this is about my kids.

Last Fall and Winter, we looked at around 50 houses in the quest for our new home.  The one we bought is huge, if I have not mentioned that fact already.  Not a mansion, I suppose, but huge.  I would not want any larger unless I could afford housekeeping help.  It has everything we had on our wish list, and then some.  I really cannot believe how blessed we are.  Even with the issues we've encountered, well... those could have happened anywhere.  There's room for guests, so come visit. (Please call first.) :)

One of the aspects we're enjoying the most is our neighborhood pool.  Hannah is meeting some of the other kids who she may pass in the hallways at school, I am meeting other Moms, and it's just plain fun until it's time to pack up and leave and the kids protest.

I intended on putting the kids in swimming lessons, but did not do it.  So Hannah has been swimming with arm floaties all summer.  Brandon typically swims with floaties on his arms and a tube raft around his waist.  He has no fear.  The first time there without Daddy, B jumped right in before I got the floaties on.  (We put them on at home or in the parking lot now.) Hannah, for the most part, has been unreceptive to me wanting to teach her to swim.  (No surprise there, she doesn't usually want me to teach her to read or write, either.)

About a week or so ago, she watched a video of her cousin swimming.  A couple of days ago, she met a 2nd grade girl at the pool, who was swimming without flotation help.  Tonight, she declared that she would swim without floaties.

And she did.  She pulled her goggles over her eyes, held her nose, closed her mouth, and completely immersed herself under the water.  She swam to me or to the wall or steps several times, 6-10 feet.

it's hot, mom!

I am so proud of her.  When we returned home, she said she wants a swimming lesson on how to swim with her head out of the water tomorrow.

The pics are from a previous day, I did not have my camera with me tonight.

she is so ready

Kindergarten registration and open house were this afternoon.  We toured the school, including a classroom and submitted our registration packet (minus the health record form because I don't have an up to date one- that'll be taken care of before August).

Bear is ready to start now.  She misses her friends from Pre-K in Georgia.  She picked a flower (weed) on the way in, and almost immediately found a girl to introduce herself to and give it to, telling the child her full name (first, middle last).  It was precious.

The school is BIG.  It's a Primary school, so it only has grades K-2, but it has 15 Kindergarten classes!  I had heard it was big, but did not realize HOW big until I learned that.  In spite of the size, I love 3 things about it already.  1) No big 5th grade bullies or giants accidentally running her down in the hall.  Now, I am sure there are a lot of helpful 5th graders, too, but yes, the limited age range sounds fine with me, especially with as many students as they have. 2) They DO rotate electives.  Music, Art, PE.... it seems that the arts are being cut from so many school systems, to hear that those things are in their curriculum is great.   3) Kindergarten is a shorter day.  They will get out at 1:00 pm.  That's how it was when I was a kid, and since Bear is not used to going every single day, plus it will have been several months since she went to school outside the home at all, well, that's fine with me.  Leaves more time if we ever settle on activities for her to take on outside of school.

I was reassured by the fact that 3 other kids we met were older 5's and one would already be 6 when they begin.  Unless I home schooled, it's not like I had the choice of when she would start due to her birthday, but  I also still didn't want her to be a lot older than a majority of the kids.  Of course, in a group that size, she is bound to have others her age, but I am a worrier, and that's just how it is. :)

I didn't take a picture of her at the school yet.  I figured I'll save that for the first day of school in August.

20 Questions- Bear Edition (Age 5 years 5 months)

I copied this idea from my sister's blog.  Well, we started and poor Bear nearly had an anxiety attack.  She didn't think she knew the answers, she wanted to get all of them right, and she started crying.  Poor thing.  I tried to explain to her that she only had to answer them the best she could, she would not get into trouble if she was wrong.  So she answered a few and then decided to go watch whatever is on PBS Kids right now.


1. What's something I always say to you? No.

2. What makes me happy? hugs

3. What makes me sad? sticking my tongue out

4. How do I make you laugh? tickling me

5. What do you think I was like as a child? being mad (How did she know that?)

6. How old am I? I can't remember.  (crying) 17?

7. How tall am I? a hundred

8. What is my favorite thing to do? play games

9. What do I do when you are not around? scream

10. What am I really good at? tag

11. What am I not really good at? dancing?

12. What is my job? to take care of us

13. What is my favorite food? uhhh... broccoli?

14. What makes you proud of me? um, when you help me?  That makes me proud sometimes.

15. What do you and I play together? tag, peek-a-boo, princess monopoly

16. How are we the same? mom, i can't tell (ran off to watch tv)

17. How are we different? Our skin. You have darker skin and I have lighter skin.

18. If I were a cartoon character who would I be? Mickey Mouse.  Or Minnie mouse, because she's a girl and you're a girl.

19. How do you know I love you?  Hugs and kisses

20. Where is my favorite place? um, beach?

That's my girl. "20 questions" to be continued when she is up to it, maybe.
4/4/2011- We finished up today while she ate her cereal for lunch.

Let Pre-K begin!

Even though Bear has been asking when she would start school for at least a month, when it came time to going this morning, she had a harder time than I expected.  "I don't want to be away from you!" she exclaimed.  Those are words that can break this Mom's heart.  I tried telling her about the schedule she would have, "But I don't know those things."  "That's the point, you are going to learn, and you're going to make new friends, and have a lot of fun."  I took some pictures by our door before we headed out, since I did not know if I would have time to snap some in the drop-off area.  I love the progression in her expressions and poses:

Not feelin' this, Mom.

I'm smiling because I have to.  Sort of.

I might be sweet now.

Ok, I'm ready to have a fun day at Pre-K!

Now I'm just being sweet and sassy. :)

By the time she got to school, she was ready to go.  She even chose to let me just drop her off at the drop-off point versus walking her into the classroom.  I knew Buddy might want to stay if we went inside, so we opted for the big-girl plan.

One last hug from Mom

Heading in for her first day of Pre-Kindergarten!

As soon as I got back in the car, Buddy looked at her empty seat and asked for Sissy.  He's asked for her a couple of times since then,  but mostly seems to like trying to body slam me as I type this. :)
****
Bear says she had a good day, but she doesn't want to tell me about it. (Is that a sign she's growing up, or what?!) They painted hand prints and she was chosen to be the line leader.  However, she was disappointed that she had to play with blocks and puzzles instead of ponies.  That's my girl.

Sister Bear's First Day of School

Tomorrow is Bear's 1st day of Pre K.  Her late October birthday means she can't go to Kindergarten in a public school until she is almost 6.  And my feeble attempts to try to establish an educational system in our home have resulted in sheer frustration for both of us.  I'm not saying I don't try to teach her things or will not keep trying.  That comes with parenthood.  (In case you doubted.) 

Tomorrow she starts Pre K part time, and both of us are excited.  We went to Open House in her classroom today.  She found her name on the wall chart, met her teachers and some of her classmates.  She can't wait to begin!

Finding her name on the wall

A hug from Ms. Julie

NO CAVITIES!!!!

Little Miss had her first dental appointment today.  Yes, I realize all the expert parenting sites and her doctors suggested that she go when she was 2, then 3, etc. Whatever. We brush her teeth, and with the trouble she gives me doing that, it wasn't going to happen any sooner.

This was the right time.  She charmed her dental assistant/dental hygienist/dentist.  I had her go first because it had been so long since my last cleaning and I've had some TMJ issues and sensitivity, I thought it was smarter for her not to see mommy wince before her turn.  Not only did she do great, having the x-rays done while I was still filling out paperwork in the lobby, cooperating fully, talking when her mouth wasn't full of tools, etc., when it was my turn, she peered into my face from the opposite side of the hygienist, stroking my hair, and exclaiming how cool my teeth looked.  She didn't even mind the splatter.  Oh, and she let me hold her My Little Pony who came along.

No cavities for my big girl.  The x-ray computer processor broke down in between us, so I have to go back for my x-rays... but Mommy didn't have visible cavities either.  Considering my last cleaning was oh, 5+ years ago before I knew for sure I was expecting my baby girl, I am quite relieved.

Letting go of the little things

I never thought I'd be one to get sentimental about hair.
That was before my daughter had beautiful (albeit crazy) curls.
Brushing/styling her hair is typically a challenge, to say the least.

So when she asked to get her hair cut shorter, like a girl we saw at the park, I rejoiced.  I knew the risks... her hair has been straightening out in the back for a while now.  But the benefits outweighed them, or so I thought.

And then we went to the salon.  Both kids were very well behaved.  I even considered having them cut Buddy's hair, but opted to wait a bit longer.  Bear insisted that she wanted it "Shoulder length."  It is, in the back, well-almost. 

As you can see.. the sides and front still curl.  But the back curls are almost gone.  Just a few waves.
Bye-bye baby curls.  Mommy's not going to miss the tangles , but I do miss the good hair-day cuteness already.

I do like it short, and more importantly, so does little miss who's always loved her "mermaid" and "princess" (longer) hair. But in this case, I can't just say "oh, well, it will grow back."  And that makes me a little sad.

Quotable

As we drove through Atlanta in the pouring down rain the day before yesterday, Bear exclaimed,
"Mommy, look! The chimpanzees are getting wet so they can grow bigger!"  Thankfully, the traffic light turned red so I could look for the source of her excitement.  She was pointing to some "pansies" in a flower bed.  I laughed and explained the difference.

So, at the library yesterday I happened upon a book about chimpanzees with a big photo on the cover and asked her what the book was about.  She answered correctly.  :)

learning by doing

I love when a child becomes excited about learning. It's especially exciting when it's your own child who wants to learn.  As a Mom, sometimes it's hard to find the balance between letting a child help and getting things done quickly.  As I folded laundry today, Bear wanted to help me.  Her folds of anything larger than a dish towel ended up being more like clumps.  She tried so hard to help.  She even put some of her folded clothes away in one of her dresser drawers and was thrilled to do it all by herself.  And she grew frustrated when I tried to help her fold the towels better.  But eventually, with a little teamwork, we did it well enough.  :)

Bear cut out her first paper hearts tonight, with just a little assistance from Mommy.  I had finally found some blunt-tipped scissors for her, and came across them when I straightened the counter last night.  So as I checked my e-mail after putting Buddy in bed, I gave Bear some paper and a pair of scissors and she began snipping away.  She has used a pair of plastic "fake" scissors that don't cut worth beans, and she also has some jagged-edged plastic-coated craft scissors (kid-safe scrapbook-ish style), but they have seemed difficult.  With her other scissors, she would end up ripping more than cutting. 

After showing her how to hold them correctly, she snipped away at a piece of grocery list paper.  Her pieces were much smaller than I would prefer, but she had so much fun and did not draw blood when she did touch her skin with a blade.  Since my kids are not in pre-school, I don't know when most kids begin using scissors on their own.  I have a big scar from playing with scissors as an elementary kid, I haven't rushed that motor skill with her.  But I heard somewhere that it's a skill they like kids to have in Kindergarten, so I figured it might be good to introduce it to her.  

After we totally demolished the "list" and made the tiniest little paper man with arms (she is so creative, she wrapped a narrower strip around a rectangle and called it arms, and asked me to give it a head), I found some construction paper.  I decided it might be safer to have her cut along a line than continue free-styling.  So I folded the pink paper in half, drew half a heart, and set her up.  She needed me to help her around the curved part a little bit, but for her first real cutting experience at home, I was so proud of her.

She asked why I taught her to cut tonight.  I told her I thought it was something she would enjoy doing, and that she would need to know how to do when she goes to school some day.  I asked her if she wanted me to be her teacher until she goes to school.  Her face lit up, "You mean like Aunt Cheryl teaches Emmy and Maddie?!"

Maybe we will wean away from all that TV time we've defaulted to lately.  :)

 

oh, and she seemed to favor holding the scissors in her left hand... I wonder if she'll be a lefty or ambidextrous like her Grandpas?

Happy New Year!

I should have thought before opening up the living room by moving the ottoman right next to the door... Buddy's already trying to figure out how to unlock both locks.

We're in the process of implementing a reward system for Bear.  She gets check marks for doing simple, age-appropriate chores. She has something in mind that she wants to earn, and has been asking for an allowance.  But we don't keep cash on hand.  I somehow ended up with the pink glass rocks from my sister's wedding (flower arrangement accents).  So this morning we decorated her "job jar."  We'll count up the check marks each day and at the end of the day, put the rocks into the jar.  When the jar is full, she will get the reward she has earned.... right now she wants a lap desk that has a cup holder in it.  Thanks to Aunt Becca for the idea for this system!

So far so good, but she did just come up and ask if she gets a check mark for washing her hands.  :)

Wordless Wednesday

(Thank you, S&G, for these wonderful photos!)

Bear's FOUR!!!

We had a good weekend for Bear's birthday. Caslon and Camera Guy and the sweetest little girl born since mine came to celebrate with us. Daddy came home from "school." The theme was Disney Princess. Early arriving gifts from others as well as gifts from Mommy and Daddy were wrapped in pink princess paper. Balloons abounded, and the cake was, of course, Princess themed (From Publix).

This is the first year that Hannah really anticipated her birthday. Since the arrival of her tutu a couple of weeks ago, she has been asking about when her party would be, who would be coming, etc. It was hard because so many people we love could not be with us due to distance, one friend who we hoped could come got sick, and the others came off of a CRAZY week and could not make it, either. Thankfully, when it came down to it, Bear seemed to enjoy the time we had, and it was great to just hang out and relax with family.

Now all about my girl. She's a good mix. While she is obsessed with all things princess, Barbie, fairy, and my little pony related she also like watching old she-ra videos and has such a vivid imagination. Her hair is darkening and her curls fall in looser waves than they used to. She keeps asking me when she will get freckles, and pointing to non-existent ones that she thinks are on her arm. She wants a dog, but seems to know not to push the issue too much. In the last couple of weeks she has wanted to pay for things by herself at the store, so I think it might be time to start working on an allowance and teaching her about earning. She is sweet, a great big sister, and super-sensitive. If I am talking on the phone and she hears an emotion in my voice, she asks what is wrong. She asks if I am angry,sad or frustrated when she senses it.

I cannot believe my baby is growing into such a sweet girl so quickly.

rise and shine, mommy!

Bear and Buddy woke up before I did, as usual. When Buddy and I finally made it up to the bonus room, we found Bear in full-fledged organizing mode. At least, as much of one as a 3 year old could possibly be in. You see, we boughtsome plastic storage containers at the Dollar Tree last night. And apparently she remembered that I told her we were going to use them to organize some of her toys with small accessories and parts... Barbies and Princesses, Diego playset, etc...

So here is what I found at the top of the stairs:


As you can see, she couldn't quite fit all of her ponies into a box and tried to balance them next to the castle. After I helped her tweak the sorting arrangement, everything fit. Doesn't she look proud?

the cutest kids on the block

hanging out on their blankets that mommy crocheted for them

when one kid won't cooperate, crop her out

cheese!

longer than the inchworm...
these days floor time=tummy time

notice the furniture....

3 little chairs all in a row...

with treasures in one of them...

Bear loved our family Valentine's Day Dinner...
flowers for Mommy from Daddy,
dinner on china, etc....

Bear also loves using Daddy's exercise equipment.

more tummy time, closed captioning on the bib

Buddy usually leans over the sides of his Bumbo seat,
trying to reach the toys that are not on the tray.

Bear climbed into the crib to keep her Buddy company while Mommy took her time waking up.
I supposed I should look up the weight limit on the springs... but since it's a convertible crib, I think we're pretty safe. Oh, and she brought some friends in with her.