Mia - 2 2/3 Years Old

Oh, your laugh! The biggest change in the past couple of months has been your laugh. It's infectious! You laugh much more often as you are developing your sense of humor, and your laugh has a much more grown up sound to it. This morning, we were talking about getting our flu shots. Zoe has stated that she doesn't want one because she thinks it will hurt. When you heard this, you said, "Mom, I already got my flu shot. For real!" And then you threw your head back and started laughing because you had made a joke and used a new phrase.

Your play has continued to evolve. You engage in many imaginary scenarios and make believe games, and you are more often playing with other children as opposed to simply next to them. You talk about your friends and who you look forward to seeing each day. You are particularly fond of an assistant teacher at school who used to babysit for us. Each day you let everyone know how much you like her and how nice she treats you.

We had a squirrel trapped in our house for several days recently (confined to the fireplace fortunately). During this time, you developed a strong adoration for the person who came out on three separate occasions to try and catch it. You often talk about how much you like the "squirrel lady" and want her to come back.

You also continue to be very affectionate towards your sisters. You and Zoe play together and with each others' friends regularly, and you're both very gentle and involved with Sophie.

Your memory is first rate, which means we can't pull anything over on you. You still talk regularly about the pony we rode months ago. Trooper, you'll never know what an impression you made!

In addition to horse rides, trips to the farm, our neighborhood block party, and a visit from Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Ed were fun events this month.

Part of loving the farm, means that you also love sheep. You take very good care of this one and feed him regularly.

You are every bit as much of a 'jumper' as you were at one years old. You and Zoe jump off of this couch endlessly.

School started. I was curious to see how you would feel about starting a five day a week program. The class meets for three hours each morning. I figured that if you weren't ready for it, we could stop at any time.

Turns out it works very well for you. You are very engaged and come home happily tired and chatting about who you played with and what you did. Your day starts with about 45 minutes of outside time which perfectly suits you. You are thrilled that you get to leave the house and get dropped off each day with Zoe. You also really enjoy the autonomy to get your own snack and drinks, use the bathroom, and choose your own materials to play with each day.

Before school started, you also had your first haircut. You had no problem sitting still in the chair, and were happy about the bag of popcorn that followed.

I am personally most pleased with your much improved willingness to stay in bed at night and often in the morning until 6 or 6:30 am. Thank you!

It continues to amaze me how much change can happen in just a few months. What an important life lesson that is.

Love you,

Mom

Apple Picking Fall 2010

It didn't seem like we picked all that many! But, again, my eyes misjudge. Little kids can pick a serious amount of apples in an hour. Thank goodness they had farm animals and other things to do.

Our baking exploits so far include:

Apple sauce

Baked apples

Apple crisp

Apple pie

Apple Walnut Cake

Any other ideas? I still have a bowl of apples!!

Sophie - Six Months

At six months, you are stronger and more alert than ever. You lift yourself up off the play mat and turn your head to follow any action nearby. You have a much wider interest in toys and will grasp on to most anything within reach.

You are still a tiny little gal, but sturdy enough on your feet to begin using the exersaucer. You're at the 20th % this month for weight with 13 lbs, 10 oz. Height is 26 inches or 75%, and head circumference is 16 1/2 inches or 45%. In our household the percentiles mean close to zero, but it is fun to watch you grow, and it's cool to weigh you at the doctor's office, breast feed you, and weigh you again and find that you gained 4 ounces.

You have been eager to put anything and everything in your mouth. Not only are you teething, but you've been showing a lot of interest in food too. You got your wish today when you tried your first food - oatmeal.Zoe and Mia helped feed you. They were so excited! Notice how Mia's mouth is open, trying to coach you along.Zoe and Mia were not only excited to help feed you, but they continue to be generally excited about everything to do with you. They like to visit you as soon as you wake up in the morning, they read and sing to you, and they like to make you happy when they think something is upsetting you. Here they are rolling around on your play mat with you.

You had your first trip to the beach this month and felt the ocean on your feet. You'll visit the pool soon too.

Somehow, you have also become mobile, although I can't figure it out. When I put you on a play mat and walk away for a minute, you are often as much as six feet away when I come back. I'm assuming you are a serious roller.

Your naps are getting much more regular during the day, and sleep at night is still a work in progress. You seem to take after your sisters with the early rising.

And, you continue to be one incredibly smiley baby. Thank you so much for that. It makes being your mom such a pleasure.

I love you.

Mom

Victory

FOr the past two days, we've had a squirrel living in our chimney. We found him one afternoon hurling himself (or herself) against the glass doors of our fireplace trying to get out. Somehow, the little critter scurried past the grate at the top of the chimney and down in to our fireplace. We called the Arlington Animal Welfare League and they came to help the squirrel out of our house.

The squirrel however had decided to crawl back up the chimney and hide. Unable to crawl all the way out of the chimney and scared to come back down, we were at an impasse. For the next two days, he would continue to run around, ripping out insulation and debris from somewhere, and then hide up against the side of the chimney when we tried to get him out.

Tonight, we set up a cage with a peanut butter cracker inside. Zoe and Mia were excited to help. We then went for a short walk so our house was quiet, hoping the squirrel would then come down for a snack. He did! We came home to find him in the cage happily eating the snack we left. I won't miss hearing him scratch away tonight, and I'm glad he's free.

Meadowlark Garden

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is truly a special park. We went for an afternoon and dinner picnic. I wish I'd visited this beautiful place sooner. We hope to go back many times.

We watched the geese, turtles and fish in the lake.

We danced in the pagoda after dinner.

Truth sayers

It's always refreshing, and a little unnerving, how truthful kids are. I try to proactively teach Zoe and Mia about differences between people to help them understand things they may see without necessarily blurting something out that could startle a stranger. Sometimes I'm more successful than others.

Tonight Grandpa Ed and Grandma Barbara came for a short visit. While saying goodnight, both girls reported to Grandpa Ed that he had grey hair. They then told him that he must be old because he had hair on his face. (Not sure where they got that idea from? Dad has hair on his face too.)

Then, the real kicker. "Grandpa Ed, how old are you?" "78". Silence. And then, ..."does that mean you're going to die soon?"

Fortunately, Grandpa Ed and Grandma Barbara have a great sense of humor and feel very, very young.

Mia - First day of preschool

Today was your first full day of preschool at Full Circle Montessori School. You were so excited to leave for school this morning at the same time as Zoe. You watched Zoe enter her classroom and that encouraged you to join your class on the playground. Starting on the playground is the perfect place for you.

When you entered the playground, several other little children came to greet you. They took you by the hand and led you off to play. In this photo, you are second from the right (the cutie pie in the little dress between the other kids).

During the day, the school sent us a picture of you playing with water and a sponge. The teacher later sent us a note telling us that you also played with puzzles, ate snack, and got along well with the other kids.

When I picked you up, you exclaimed "I LIKE IT!" Whew!

At bed time, when we talked about our roses (things we like), our thorns (things we don't like), and our buds (things we're excited about), you said that your "rose" for the day was school.

I hope you have a love of learning your whole life.

Dear Inventor

Dear Inventor of the Automatically-Flushing-Toilet:

What a novel invention! One could argue that this invention of yours has many, many benefits. The user doesn't have to touch a toilet handle in a public restroom. It possibly saves time by eliminating a step for the user. Both potential signs of public restroom progress.

However, I would like to highlight a drawback as well. The surprising sound of water rushing underneath can really, really freak a little toddler out. The results of such a freak out are not at all worth the benefits of this invention in my book.

Yours truly,

Mother of a freaked-out toddler

More newness for Mia

This morning you went for a short visit to your new class at Full Circle Montessori School. Last week was a visit with just the teacher, you, me and dad, and time to be in the class, get comfortable and ask questions. Today, we visited so you could meet the other kids and visit with me there and without staying the full three hours. Tomorrow I drop you off for the full three hour day without me. (choke, choke)

You were really interested in how the kids start the day by playing outside. When they came inside, they went to use the bathroom, wash their hands, have a drink of water, and put on slippers by themselves and at their own pace. You liked this a lot too and knew exactly where your slippers and cubby were. We entered the class and sat on two chairs and observed for a bit longer. At one point, a young girl came over and looked at us strangely, clearly trying to figure out who we were. Not too softly, you pointed and said, "I don't like that girl." Then, you pointed across the whole room and said to me, "I don't like these people." Uh-oh. It was a lot of attention and "otherness" at one time.

Fortunately, like a butterfly, your interest flitted on to the next thing, which was the sight of a child doing a puzzle, another getting a drink from the snack area, then another who took down some materials you didn't yet recognize. Next thing I knew you were out of your seat and wanting desperately to join the class today. You did not want to wait until tomorrow to start your adventure.

Later that afternoon, dad and I took you out to lunch. You seemed to feel so special and excited. A woman at another booth smiled at you, and you kept exclaiming, "she's smiling at me!!"

On the way home, we passed the place where you and Zoe took music classes. I can't believe that chapter is already closed for you two and this new one is beginning. So strange for me how this times goes so slow and so fast all at once. It's like hugging and letting go at the same time.

Zoe - First Day Preschool - Year 3

Zoe, I could hardly capture a picture of you before school because you insisted on dancing all the way to the car. In this photo, I caught you mid-plie.

You were eager to get to school to meet up with your friends, shake your teachers hand, and begin a new lesson. When I picked you up three hours later, your face was flushed from playing on the playground with your pals.

So happy you like school!

Birthday Enthusiast

Zoe, you are very much bubbling over with birthday enthusiasm. Your most recent birthday ideas (within the last 24 hours) include:

1. Ice cream party
2. Make-your-own pizza party
3. Animal party in general
4. Dog party
5. Cat party
6. Dress-up party
7. Princess and protectors party
8. Fire station party
9. Dinosaur party
10. Jumping and moonbounce party
11. Ice skating party
12. Fun party
13. Farm party

The suggestion box is officially full and all ideas have been taken under advisement.

Big Day for Mia

The day started out with a trip to visit your new school, Full Circle Montessori School. You begin there next Friday September 10, 2010, but today we went simply to visit your classroom and new teacher.

Later, we went to the dentist. You've been to see the dentist before, but today was your first appointment where you had a complete cleaning and doctor's visit.

Then, you had your first haircut.

At each visit, you were calm, open, and happy. Big day of firsts. I hope that next week, when school begins, you are equally calm and enthusiastic.

Love,

Mom

Rehoboth Beach, DE - August 2010

What a great vacation! This summer we were lucky to stay at Michele and Julie's house in Rehoboth Beach again. Their house is a two minute drive to the beach and boardwalk.

Sophie's first taste of the ocean.

Zoe trying out her wheels on the boardwalk.Funland really is a fun land. This year Zoe graduated to some of the big kid rides, and I was her happy partner. These cars go fast - forwards and backwards!Zoe and Mia enjoyed some serious bonding time.
Daddy and Sophie playing twinkle toes in the sand. Heaven on earth.