A jaunt to Rocky River Beach on Tuesday evening... Sand castles and a picnic and ice cream at Mitchell's on the way home...
Wade Oval Wednesday-- we joined over 5.000 people on the Oval to listen to the gentle drift of reggae, make crafts, eat Mama Santa's pizza and frolic on the grass..
A fun day at the Parent Center-- with the old "gang" except now our children are all grown up...
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| She climbed in here by herself. Over and over and over... |
There was a spontaneous birthday celebration for a little 3 year old, while we were there. Want to make a roomful of preschoolers sit still all at the same time? Bring out cake. Observe:
Another playdate at Boulevard. He's going to get sick of our attempts to prepare him for school...
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| Jack and daddy made a gold medal for him to wear. He is serious about the Olympics. He asked to make one for Ivy, too... |
Ivy-girl: Oh, is she ever a riot these days. You can't imagine how much she's talking. These tight little, perfectly clear sentences, almost all of them involving a comparison between opposites, and often about the potty. For example, the other morning after using the aforementioned potty: "Mom, I no sit on to the tiny teat (seat). Me bigger I sit on the big teat!" Its almost too much to handle. She is also beginning to embrace more of the expected behavior for a 2 year old-- quick to scream in moments of trial, independent and opinionated and angry with us when we say no, or don't understand her right away. She is fierce in her determination but oh-so-quick to melt back into a smile. She loves to joke with us and call everyone "tilly!"; she adores her dog and hugs her all the time ("oh coh-din, you good doggie!!! I love you TOH much!"); she acts out extended narratives with her dolls and stuffies, usually based on putting them to bed. She makes up lullabies. She makes up songs all day, actually, singing little recitatives about her day, all of which are strangely reminiscent of "Tonight", the song by Fun that seems to be the earworm of the household at the moment. She tries to do somersaults (tomoh-tahts!) and loves to play soccer. Her favorite books are the Pinkalicious series and she prefers dresses these days. She's a girlie-girl who is tough as nails and loves to have "nommies" before bed and naps. She has the sweetest face and I just love her to bits...
Jackie: I have to be honest, the boy is trying my patience these days. He is caught in the throes of transition anxiety, I think, and I can understand this. My sweet little reticent one, facing this big change and so worried about if it will be alright. But his feelings are manifesting themselves in a balky, whiny boy who is scared to go to bed at night and defiant to me during the day. Whew. In the midst of this there are his eyes and his sweet fluffy head of hair and his snuggles at night; the boy who watered the lawn from a reclined position in an Adirondack chair this afternoon, who loves his treasure box more than anything, who can now intelligently discuss several Olympic sports. There are moments of "playing school" with him and watching his enthusiasm for math shine through, watching his creativity and art skills emerge, where I am excited for him and in awe of how he is growing. Moments watching him play with his sister, looking out for her, correcting her, guiding her, laughing with her. My baby boy who is so big now. I think that may be why my patience wears thin. He looks so grown, he is so tall. And so I somehow expect him to act that way too. But he's still so little, you know? He's only four years old and that's just not a lot of time to sort out all there is to sort out in life. Especially when you are an extraordinarily sensitive little soul like my Jack. A sensitive little soul who's crazy about pirates and dragons and learning new things. And I do love him, so very much. Even if I am kind of hoping "5" is a bit better for him...
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