Valentines sharing

One of the traditions at the Montessori school is that The kids pass out valentines to each other.  Some contain candy...  On the way home,  I told Liz that she could keep the candy in the bag, or that if she wanted to eat some she had to share it with Alice.  Apparently she decided to keep it in the bag.  10 minutes later, Alice had a huge meltdown over I don't know what.  Liz took it upon herself to open up the bag and give Alice a piece of candy.  Meltdown over.

The next day, there were a few more valentines from kids who were sick the previous day.  LAter that day at home, Liz decided to share the pop-rocks candy in one of those valentines.  The difference this time is that she was doing her quite time in her room, and she tried to share the pop-rocks with Ginger, who was sleeping on her bed.

Reading and Writing

Lizzie's reading and writing has taken a big leap forward recently. Well, mostly her writing, but she has been reading to her sister a few times when lately. It was very sweet to see her reading to Alice. I tried to take a video, but she saw and came running over to look through the camera... Her writing is amazing.

Here are a few samples:

"O pichr for bokbbr grof from Lizzee" Transaltion, "A picture for doctor Groff from Lizzie." Note that "bokbbr" is really "dokddr" with backwards d's, so thats a good try at "doctor".

"Alma and lizie r hge so we ea rselvez o snak." Translation, "Alma and Lizzie are hungry so we made(?) ourselves a snack."

Christmas

Yes, it happened a couple months ago. I remember lots of toys, lots of wrapping paper, candy, and a couple good meltdowns. Alice didn't quote get it that all the presents weren't for her, and she was not happy when told she couldn't open them. Liz was very professional, methodically opening and playing with each of her gifts.

From Grandma

Grandma's comment from a recent visit: Just have to make a note of it while I remember, because I probably won't tomorrow. Alice had me in stitches this morning at snack time with her insistence on having "heavy pretzels" - not just ANY pretzels, mind you, but HEAVY pretzels. Fortunately, Lizzie serves as Alice's interpreter when needed, doesn't she: "She just means she wants a lot of them, Grandma. They don't have to be heavy or even big ones. Just put a lot in her bowl." Thanks, Lizzie!

2 lovely quotes

Alice: blah blah Daddy: No, I want to play with you Alice: I'm not a toy. Daddy: Lizzie, are you doing downward dog? Lizzie: No, look at my butt.

Birthday muffins

One follow up to Lizzie's birthday. At school there is a birthday celebration, and children bring in muffins or cupcakes to share with the class. Lizzie brought in more pumpkin muffins. On the way home from school, I asked here about the birthday celebration and the muffins. She said they "tasted like fart." When I asked her if that was a good thing she said, "Yessss, I ate it."

Finally 4

Lizzie has finally turned 4. Seems way overdue, all her friends from school have been 4 for a while. We celebrated with Irene, Ronan & Sarai, Alma & Axel, Liam & Ruthie, Emma & Abby, Olivia & Maddie. Lizzie liked the idea of a cooking party, so we did the following. Phase 1: kids decorate aprons and chefs hats with markers and fabric markers. Phase 2: kids decorate pre-baked pizza crusts with toppings of their choice, cook the pizzas, and then eat their pizzas. Phase 3: kids decorate cupcakes, and eat the cupcakes. Lizzie chose pumpkin muffins, no loud singing and no candles because she might get shy. The party seemed to be a great success. There were no tears, no fights, and everyone had a great time with the activities. Yay!

New Pictures Posted!

Finally -- we've posted some new pics for the girls.  You'll find some summer vacation pics that hadn't already been posted, then new pics through fall.  Enjoy!

Cleese, Clackers, Lions & Bears. Ah-some

Well, that is what it sounds like when a 2 year old (Alice) is trying to say the following words: "cheese, crackers, wine & beer. Awesome." Yes, Alice's favorite snack is cleese and clackers. Her favorite (non-bedtime) book is "cleese book," aka Ratatoulli mini-book about food. The other day, Lizzie and Alice were saying lions and bears back and forth across the table. It was a funny day, especially because when a 2 year old says lions and bears, it sounds like wine and beer. Actually the game may have started with Alice saying wine and beer... Ah-some!

Pop-Pops

In a previous post, Eric wrote about 'Cair', Alice's love of the before-bedtime ritual of 5-15 minutes of time with either mom or dad in the rocking chair.  Officially, it's a time to cuddle and settle down; unofficially, Alice often uses the time to jump in my (or Eric's) lap in a weird sort of cuddle-mosh-lovefest with her bunny and the parent du jour.

Recently, through some joint initiative, Alice and Lizzie have established their own bedtime 'cair' routine.  But it's not called `fair' at all.  It's called "Pop-pops."  (I have no idea why, of course; I never do.  I am an obtuse parent with an opaque atrophied sense of imagination...)

In Pop-pops, Lizzie gets on the rocking chair and invites Alice to climb up with her in a sort of nested straddle, then the two rock together while Lizzie says sweet soothing things to encourage sleep.  In true young-kid fashion, the gentle snuggle quotes suddenly when Lizzie says in a totally matter-of-fact tone, "Okay Alice, that's it.  Tim to go to bed now," while unceremoniously shoving Alice off of the chair.  So sweet.  Sort of, anyway.  We don't raise the bar too high around here!