As of 7:32 PM this evening, we are cleared for a Christmas flight free of dental issues. There will be other issues, of course. But they will not involve loose teeth falling out.
"Dear Tooth Fairy,
Since you let me keep my first tooth, I kind of got used to it. Can I keep this one too?
Love,
Madeleine"
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Woman Lodged Under Airplane Seat
That is the headline I am desperately trying to avoid.
Woman Lodged Under Airplane Seat.
And, then of course the following intro to the article: "A woman has found herself lodged under the seat of a Southwest Airlines jet. Investigators are unsure what could be of enough value an adult would search for it with such manic enthusiasm she would end up in this position. As of now, the only thing they can get out of the woman is "tooth". She seems rather...."
Confession: Sometimes I'm a bit squeamish about motherhood-related items. Case in point, Madeleine's first loose tooth. That baby was hanging by a thread and there was no way I was going to help it along by pulling on it. In fact, both girls realized that when a tooth is that loose it kind of flips my stomach to watch them wiggle the dang thing.
So....Emily's tooth loosens. Emily doesn't wiggle her tooth nearly as much as Madeleine wiggled hers, so Emily has a loose tooth much longer than Madeleine did. I was beginning to be afraid that sucker would fall out on our Christmas flight and we'd lose it on the plane. Till and I had actually talked about bringing an extra zip-loc sandwich baggy on the flight so we could use it to hold the tooth.
Emily's permanent tooth is now up far enough it is impossible to wiggle the baby tooth backward. But, will she wiggle it enough and be done with it already? Nope! Desperate times call for desperate measures. So....last night, with stomach flipping, I used a washcloth and gave a little tug to assist Emily's tooth's departure so she wouldn't lose it on the plane. Misson Accomplished!
Then Madeleine, "Master Wiggler", comes up and now her second loose tooth is barely in there and she wants me to pull it. Ugh! Really?! I'm still faced with the prospect of a dental adventure at a cruising altitude 30,000 feet? Madeleine was crushed I wouldn't tug on her tooth, but in all fairness Emily deserves the dental spotlight for 24 hours.
I had to make a "One tooth a day" rule. The unexpected experiences motherhood provides.
Woman Lodged Under Airplane Seat.
And, then of course the following intro to the article: "A woman has found herself lodged under the seat of a Southwest Airlines jet. Investigators are unsure what could be of enough value an adult would search for it with such manic enthusiasm she would end up in this position. As of now, the only thing they can get out of the woman is "tooth". She seems rather...."
Confession: Sometimes I'm a bit squeamish about motherhood-related items. Case in point, Madeleine's first loose tooth. That baby was hanging by a thread and there was no way I was going to help it along by pulling on it. In fact, both girls realized that when a tooth is that loose it kind of flips my stomach to watch them wiggle the dang thing.
So....Emily's tooth loosens. Emily doesn't wiggle her tooth nearly as much as Madeleine wiggled hers, so Emily has a loose tooth much longer than Madeleine did. I was beginning to be afraid that sucker would fall out on our Christmas flight and we'd lose it on the plane. Till and I had actually talked about bringing an extra zip-loc sandwich baggy on the flight so we could use it to hold the tooth.
Emily's permanent tooth is now up far enough it is impossible to wiggle the baby tooth backward. But, will she wiggle it enough and be done with it already? Nope! Desperate times call for desperate measures. So....last night, with stomach flipping, I used a washcloth and gave a little tug to assist Emily's tooth's departure so she wouldn't lose it on the plane. Misson Accomplished!
Then Madeleine, "Master Wiggler", comes up and now her second loose tooth is barely in there and she wants me to pull it. Ugh! Really?! I'm still faced with the prospect of a dental adventure at a cruising altitude 30,000 feet? Madeleine was crushed I wouldn't tug on her tooth, but in all fairness Emily deserves the dental spotlight for 24 hours.
I had to make a "One tooth a day" rule. The unexpected experiences motherhood provides.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tooth Fairy! Return Trip Requested
A smile with a "window"!
Checking out her new customized smile.Mademoiselle Tooth Fairy,
We realize you were here just a little over six weeks ago, but your services are once again required.
As of 7:53 this evening, Miss Emily has a reason to expect a visit from you. We look forward to you stopping by tonight.
Emily's correspondence is below:
"Dear Tooth Fairy.
I know you let my sister keep her tooth and I was wondering if I could keep my tooth too.
Love,
Emily"
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
I Did NOT Order Room Service
Yes we are alive...sorry for the silence!
Would you like plastic grapes and water brought to your room at 5AM? No? Well neither did I! This week in school, the Teddy Bear Class is covering "Christmas Around the World". Monday Madeleine and Emily learned about St. Lucia Day in Sweden. Allegedly, this involves the eldest daughter in the family waking her parents with "treats". So....just shy of 5AM on Tuesday, Madeleine, with Emily half a pace behind, came in with the plastic grapes from their kitchen and small cups of water, shouting "Happy St. Lucia Day". Don't "ohhhhh", it wasn't cute. It.was.before.5AM!! The rudely-awoken sleeping dragon that is their mother screamed (I confess) "Get back in bed! It is dark out! It is the middle of the night! Good night!" The girls went to their room where they had a fine time not at all sleeping but, in fact, messing around until the appropriate time.
Perhaps I wouldn't have been so grumpy if we had not had a similar occurrence Monday morning. Monday morning was Nikolastag on which "good" German children awake to find their shoes have been filled in the night by Nikolas who leaves candy and small gifts. You would think a few pieces of chocolate and a couple of trinkets (necklace and bracelet) would not merit an early morning. Nope! Emily was up at 4:30 and Madeleine at 5:15. I have a feeling Christmas morning may start early this year.
So, let's recap. Monday morning is Nikolastag (wake-up 4:30-5:15), Tuesday is St. Lucia (wake-up 4:55) . Tuesday night we are all in bed early and sound asleep. Then, at 12:30, both girls awake crying because their feet itch. This is fair. They both have eczema on the soles of their feet and it is a constant battle. So, medicine applied and back to bed. A smoke detector beeps. Are you kidding? I have no idea which one and there hasn't been a second beep, so obviously it was just lonely and saying good night. Drifting off ... "beep"! Swear and get out of bed, convince the girls it is a low battery beep (ALWAYS at night) and the house is not on fire. Decide it is downstairs detector. Go down and stand under it...nothing. Back to bed, "beep". Stomp downstairs and attempt to rip smoke detector off the ceiling while standing on a kitchen chair. I am too short - thus saving the physical integrity of said smoke detector. Till removes detector, we replace battery, plug the stupid thing back in to the wires hanging out of the ceiling and go back upstairs. "Beep" Swear and go back downstairs. Push reset button (very sad to say I got this idea from a Friends episode where Phoebe and her smoke detector have middle of the night issues). Back to bed. Dozing off. Blood curdling screams coming from the girls' room following a huge crash. The box of instruments (maracas, bells, rhythm sticks) on their closet shelf not only went crashing to the floor, it threw open the closet doors. Two five-year-olds are justifiably terrified. Back in bed. "Beep". That's it! Smoke detector removed again, wrapped in about 8 dish towels and put in van in the garage. Back to bed. "Beep". From the garage? Go downstairs and realize the carbon monoxide detector is jealous the smoke detector got new batteries and it did not, so it is now beeping. Batteries removed and choice made to sleep without fire or carbon monoxide detection capabilities on the main floor for one night. Take girls to guest room (2:22 AM) where the three of us go to sleep and sleep until 7:06 this morning. Fingers crossed for tonight.
Madeleine and her pumpkin!
Jack-O-Lantern designed by Madeleine.
Emily and her pumpkin.
Jack-O-Lantern designed by Emily.
Madeleine (L) and Emily (R) ready to go to their friend, Larissa's, Halloween costume party.
Preschool "Harvest Parade", "Sun" Emily!
"Fall Tree" Madeleine!
Witchy Emily
Madeleine the witch.
Halloween was a success this year. Many, many people complimented Emily and Madeleine's witch costumes and said they had not seen anything like that around her. This is not surprising as the witch costumes were brought to us from Germany by Oma and Opa. Grandpa and Grandma were here for Halloween and we had a great visit. We went up the Children's Museum of Richmond again. Madeleine and Emily had a fantastic time and I once again wished it was closer to us. We also went to the Science Museum of Virginia and about the best I can say is I'm really glad we didn't pay due to our membership in a partner museum. Maybe if Madeleine and Emily were older, maybe if the displays had been in working order, maybe if I liked science....who knows?
Yeah, whatever. Total waste of time.
Thanksgiving was a bust this year. I'm not a Thanksgiving person. Well, I am if someone else does all the work. I'm not the hugest fan of cooking and the girls are really picky eaters. However, there had been a lot of talk about Thanksgiving at preschool....so, I dragged out linens, china, crystal and silver. I bought half a turkey breast (I didn't say I was really going to cook) and all the stuff to create short-cuts. The table looked nice; and that is the highlight. I got grumpy because I felt pressure to go out on our Thanksgiving Day escapade to William and Mary's Sunken Garden, but also be home cooking. When the meal was ready, the two girls sat down, refused to eat and started crying. This, despite promises from Madeleine she would "try any food Pocohontas ate". I lost my temper and it blew-up there. Never again! I think next year we will look for a volunteer opportunity and then come home to grilled cheese sandwiches. Overrated holiday celebrating one of the first official interactions between races of people, eventually leading to government-sanctioned attempted genocide of a noble people and their culture.
Emily packing her Salvation Army stocking.
Madeleine packing her stocking for the Salvation Army.
With the trauma of Thanksgiving behind us, we are moving toward Christmas and checking off our Christmas traditions with amazing speed. Once again each of the girls filled a stocking for the Salvation Army and delight in dropping money in the bell ringers buckets. Note to Salvation Army, please stop giving my children a sucker every time they give you a quarter! We are trying to teach them to give to others without expecting anything in return and you make them think they are buying a sucker from the person with the red bucket. Also, I want the money going toward your programs!
Waiting for the parade to start! Madeleine in green and Emily in yellow.
Before the parade.
Last Saturday we braved the just-below-freezing temps to watch the Christmas Parade. It was overall a hit, although we need to move about half a block down so the bands start playing "real songs" instead of cadence as they pass us. The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums Alumni Association marched. I'm not at all musical, and there are many things I don't like about living here, but listening to the Fife and Drums, both current and alumni, is one thing I'd miss if we left. The parade had resulted in a little disappointment. In years past the preschool has always had a float in the parade and was planning to do so this year. But, the man who had the truck, etc. sold it when he sold his business. Our consolation was that we got to see Santa Claus at the end of the parade and would have been unable to do so had we marched.
Madeleine on Nikolastag.
Emily on Nikolastag.
Madeleine in green and Emily in yellow visiting the real trees at a tree stand. We have to have an artificial tree because of traveling...but we always stop to sniff the real thing!Monday night we went to Newport News and drove through the Celebration in Lights and this Saturday is Breakfast with Santa. And...NORAD is up and running...go to Kids' Countdown for your daily Christmas prep update as well as the opportunity to play Tic Tac Toe against a snowman (Dec. 1).
This evening Emily and Madeleine received a rather unexpected phone call. It turns out Santa had some extra time, so he called us!!! Yep, Mrs. Claus put the call through, but Santa took over from there. On our end there was not a whole lot of verbal communication because, frankly, we were rather dumb-struck by the possibility. After we hung up, we could not believe what had just happened and there was quite a bit of excited hopping around.
Would you like plastic grapes and water brought to your room at 5AM? No? Well neither did I! This week in school, the Teddy Bear Class is covering "Christmas Around the World". Monday Madeleine and Emily learned about St. Lucia Day in Sweden. Allegedly, this involves the eldest daughter in the family waking her parents with "treats". So....just shy of 5AM on Tuesday, Madeleine, with Emily half a pace behind, came in with the plastic grapes from their kitchen and small cups of water, shouting "Happy St. Lucia Day". Don't "ohhhhh", it wasn't cute. It.was.before.5AM!! The rudely-awoken sleeping dragon that is their mother screamed (I confess) "Get back in bed! It is dark out! It is the middle of the night! Good night!" The girls went to their room where they had a fine time not at all sleeping but, in fact, messing around until the appropriate time.
Perhaps I wouldn't have been so grumpy if we had not had a similar occurrence Monday morning. Monday morning was Nikolastag on which "good" German children awake to find their shoes have been filled in the night by Nikolas who leaves candy and small gifts. You would think a few pieces of chocolate and a couple of trinkets (necklace and bracelet) would not merit an early morning. Nope! Emily was up at 4:30 and Madeleine at 5:15. I have a feeling Christmas morning may start early this year.
So, let's recap. Monday morning is Nikolastag (wake-up 4:30-5:15), Tuesday is St. Lucia (wake-up 4:55) . Tuesday night we are all in bed early and sound asleep. Then, at 12:30, both girls awake crying because their feet itch. This is fair. They both have eczema on the soles of their feet and it is a constant battle. So, medicine applied and back to bed. A smoke detector beeps. Are you kidding? I have no idea which one and there hasn't been a second beep, so obviously it was just lonely and saying good night. Drifting off ... "beep"! Swear and get out of bed, convince the girls it is a low battery beep (ALWAYS at night) and the house is not on fire. Decide it is downstairs detector. Go down and stand under it...nothing. Back to bed, "beep". Stomp downstairs and attempt to rip smoke detector off the ceiling while standing on a kitchen chair. I am too short - thus saving the physical integrity of said smoke detector. Till removes detector, we replace battery, plug the stupid thing back in to the wires hanging out of the ceiling and go back upstairs. "Beep" Swear and go back downstairs. Push reset button (very sad to say I got this idea from a Friends episode where Phoebe and her smoke detector have middle of the night issues). Back to bed. Dozing off. Blood curdling screams coming from the girls' room following a huge crash. The box of instruments (maracas, bells, rhythm sticks) on their closet shelf not only went crashing to the floor, it threw open the closet doors. Two five-year-olds are justifiably terrified. Back in bed. "Beep". That's it! Smoke detector removed again, wrapped in about 8 dish towels and put in van in the garage. Back to bed. "Beep". From the garage? Go downstairs and realize the carbon monoxide detector is jealous the smoke detector got new batteries and it did not, so it is now beeping. Batteries removed and choice made to sleep without fire or carbon monoxide detection capabilities on the main floor for one night. Take girls to guest room (2:22 AM) where the three of us go to sleep and sleep until 7:06 this morning. Fingers crossed for tonight.
Madeleine and her pumpkin! 
Jack-O-Lantern designed by Madeleine.
Emily and her pumpkin.
Jack-O-Lantern designed by Emily.
Madeleine (L) and Emily (R) ready to go to their friend, Larissa's, Halloween costume party.
Preschool "Harvest Parade", "Sun" Emily!
"Fall Tree" Madeleine!
Witchy Emily
Madeleine the witch.Halloween was a success this year. Many, many people complimented Emily and Madeleine's witch costumes and said they had not seen anything like that around her. This is not surprising as the witch costumes were brought to us from Germany by Oma and Opa. Grandpa and Grandma were here for Halloween and we had a great visit. We went up the Children's Museum of Richmond again. Madeleine and Emily had a fantastic time and I once again wished it was closer to us. We also went to the Science Museum of Virginia and about the best I can say is I'm really glad we didn't pay due to our membership in a partner museum. Maybe if Madeleine and Emily were older, maybe if the displays had been in working order, maybe if I liked science....who knows?
Yeah, whatever. Total waste of time.Thanksgiving was a bust this year. I'm not a Thanksgiving person. Well, I am if someone else does all the work. I'm not the hugest fan of cooking and the girls are really picky eaters. However, there had been a lot of talk about Thanksgiving at preschool....so, I dragged out linens, china, crystal and silver. I bought half a turkey breast (I didn't say I was really going to cook) and all the stuff to create short-cuts. The table looked nice; and that is the highlight. I got grumpy because I felt pressure to go out on our Thanksgiving Day escapade to William and Mary's Sunken Garden, but also be home cooking. When the meal was ready, the two girls sat down, refused to eat and started crying. This, despite promises from Madeleine she would "try any food Pocohontas ate". I lost my temper and it blew-up there. Never again! I think next year we will look for a volunteer opportunity and then come home to grilled cheese sandwiches. Overrated holiday celebrating one of the first official interactions between races of people, eventually leading to government-sanctioned attempted genocide of a noble people and their culture.
Emily packing her Salvation Army stocking.
Madeleine packing her stocking for the Salvation Army.With the trauma of Thanksgiving behind us, we are moving toward Christmas and checking off our Christmas traditions with amazing speed. Once again each of the girls filled a stocking for the Salvation Army and delight in dropping money in the bell ringers buckets. Note to Salvation Army, please stop giving my children a sucker every time they give you a quarter! We are trying to teach them to give to others without expecting anything in return and you make them think they are buying a sucker from the person with the red bucket. Also, I want the money going toward your programs!
Waiting for the parade to start! Madeleine in green and Emily in yellow.
Before the parade.
Last Saturday we braved the just-below-freezing temps to watch the Christmas Parade. It was overall a hit, although we need to move about half a block down so the bands start playing "real songs" instead of cadence as they pass us. The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums Alumni Association marched. I'm not at all musical, and there are many things I don't like about living here, but listening to the Fife and Drums, both current and alumni, is one thing I'd miss if we left. The parade had resulted in a little disappointment. In years past the preschool has always had a float in the parade and was planning to do so this year. But, the man who had the truck, etc. sold it when he sold his business. Our consolation was that we got to see Santa Claus at the end of the parade and would have been unable to do so had we marched.
Madeleine on Nikolastag.
Emily on Nikolastag.
Madeleine in green and Emily in yellow visiting the real trees at a tree stand. We have to have an artificial tree because of traveling...but we always stop to sniff the real thing!Monday night we went to Newport News and drove through the Celebration in Lights and this Saturday is Breakfast with Santa. And...NORAD is up and running...go to Kids' Countdown for your daily Christmas prep update as well as the opportunity to play Tic Tac Toe against a snowman (Dec. 1).This evening Emily and Madeleine received a rather unexpected phone call. It turns out Santa had some extra time, so he called us!!! Yep, Mrs. Claus put the call through, but Santa took over from there. On our end there was not a whole lot of verbal communication because, frankly, we were rather dumb-struck by the possibility. After we hung up, we could not believe what had just happened and there was quite a bit of excited hopping around.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
I Could Use A Little "Wiz"
For this month's chapel services the Teddy Bear class sang "Our God Is An Awesome God". Tuesday afternoon Emily and Madeleine were wandering around the house singing the song to themselves. The lyrics caught my ear and I asked a less-than-acceptable question.
Madeleine and Emily were singing the line "He reigns from Heaven above with wisdom, power and love." However, due to a line break in the song, and a bit of a misunderstanding, the girls were singing "He reigns from Heaven above with 'wiz' and power and love." Huh?
I foolishly asked "What is 'wiz'?" Emily informed me, "I don't know, but it is in your head." The children tap their heads with a finger when singing the word wisdom. I then realized what was going on, attempted to explain line breaks in lyrics and define wisdom.
"Mommy! Miss Judy knows the song and she taught it to us! Now I don't remember it! You're wrong!!" etc. etc. etc. - coming from both of my friends. Oops. Thankfully, this entire kerfuffle occurred the afternoon before Chapel, so we were able to sleep on it and have the "correct" lyrics come back to us overnight.
* Sorry for the delay before they start singing...I hit 'record' too early...Madeleine in the bright pink dress and Emily in the black with red sleeves - both in back row.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Paging the Tooth Fairy!!!
Madeleine examining her new "window" in a hand mirror.
The close up shot!Mademoiselle Tooth Fairy,
As of 6:25 this morning Miss Madeleine requires your services! We look forward to your visit tonight. Her thoughts are below.
"Dear Tooth Fairy,
I lost my tooth. But, there is one teensy-bitty problem. I want to keep my tooth but still get some money.
Love,
Madeleine"
Saturday, October 16, 2010
CNN Junkies In The Making and Other Milestones
Editor's note: It is a good thing we have a camera. It allows me to flip back through pictures and think "Oh yeah, that happened", as I have a growing tendency to be blog-negligent.
Emily with our model and Madeleine with the front page of a local paper.
Normally if the girls are awake and the TV is on (which we try to limit in the first place), it is on child-friendly programming. (I did have them watch President Obama take the oath of office on live television - I doubt they remember, but they watched nonetheless.)
However, Wednesday an exception was made and CNN was on all afternoon while the girls watched the Chilean miners emerge to safety. The girls got home from school in time to watch Pablo Rojas emerge as the 19th rescued miner and watched until they were sent to bed following the 29th ascension of the rescue capsule for Juan Carlos Aguilar. The first thing they asked Thursday morning was if all 33 men, and the six rescuers, were safe. Nearly 48 hours later, the girls still enthusiastically chant "Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le, los mineros de Chile". The first "major news event" solidly in my memory is the explosion of the Challenger (Well, actually Mt. St. Helens, but that was a bit more regional...and I was vaguely aware of the Iran hostage crisis). I hope Emily and Madeleine remember what they saw on Wednesday, because unlike 99.9% of the news; it gives one hope.
Emily is Star Student at school this week. Star Student gets to bring in a choice of a special guest, toy, snack, etc. each day. Thursday morning Emily announced she wanted to "tell my friends about the miners..." A model of the mine and rescue shaft was hastily made (20 minutes from notice to completion folks - judge kindly) and we stopped at the store to buy a newspaper so she could have the front page. There was even a diagram of the rescue capsule on the interior pages. So, with great enthusiasm from their "instructor", the Teddy Bear class learned about the power of faith, teamwork, strength and the ability to ask for help from others.
Emily's other guests for Star Student were her father (who had the honor of going twice) and her mother, who was only there as a rescue shaft operator for Miner Ernie and two days previously had the privilege of driving the true guest of honor, Skeeter, to school. Skeeter yowls - LOUDLY - in the car; in case you wondered.
Star Student Emily.
Monday the Teddy Bear class went to an apple orchard to pick apples. I forgot the camera and am consequently no longer in the running for being even a semi-decent parent. Doesn't apple picking in October sound lovely? A nice crisp fall day with a slight breeze in the air? Yes! No! This is Virginia - land of God-forsaken weather and Mother Nature is going through hot flashes. After finally cooling a bit, the previous week had been very nice. But, on "Apple Day", it was 90 degrees and muggy. This put one of us in a bit of a funk. Summer is over. Got it! Anyhow, Emily ended up with 4 Star Student days instead of 5 and was told she could double-up on one of the other days...which she managed to do on two. Madeleine served as a second guest of honor the day Skeeter went and yesterday Emily not only filled everyone in on the mine rescue, she brought pumpkin cookies for snack as well.
We aren't sure when it will happen, but we have the beginnings of a Jack-O-Lantern in the family. Emily and Madeleine had a dental check-up on September 20th. And.....Dr. Pugliesi noticed Madeleine has a loose tooth!! (I get the "Oblivious Award" for being totally unaware until he said something, especially since I'm Toothbrusher In Chief). It is one of her lower center teeth and was just barely loosening when Dr. Pugliesi noticed. He said it may or may not be there when we next see him in March. However, it has been wiggled quite a bit and is getting "looser" by the day.
Both Madeleine and Emily got their baby teeth a tiny bit on the late side and in a "unique" order. They started with the uppper lateral incisors (canine teeth) and looked a bit like Count von Count from Sesame Street for a while. The dentist said his daughter did the same thing and the girls may get permanent teeth in a unique order as well. We shall see.
In further proof Madeleine is becoming a big girl, she can now tie shoes! The bows are still a bit on the loose side, but she is practicing and the other day tied both of her shoes and one of Emily's. I believe there was a "cooperation issue" that thwarted the tying of Emily's second shoe.
In other news Oma and Opa came to visit for two weeks right after school started. Madeleine and Emily had a lot of fun during this visit. We went to Yorktown and swam, Oma and Opa played lots of games and put together many puzzles. They were also gracious enough to pretend they were horses and run around the backyard with the girls (in weather that was less than cool). They were also able to come hear the girls' class sing at "Big Chapel".
Oma and Emily in front and Madeleine with Opa in back at Inflation Nation.
Swimming at Yorktown during Oma and Opa's visit.
Emily with Oma Horse and Madeleine with Opa Horse.
Singing at "Chapel". Emily second from left in back and Madeleine third from right in front.
Photographing the moon for the Teddy Bear Class Moon Journal. Emily (l) Madeleine (r).
Emily and Madeleine's beloved teacher, Miss Judy, approached me on Monday and told me she thought the girls were very much ready to begin reading. She asked if we would object if she started pulling the girls out of class about twice a week and working with them. I said not at all. Honestly, I couldn't care less if they start kindergarten reading, but I'm excited they have the opportunity to learn from someone who will make it low-pressure and fun. Plus, there are only two of them! Not a class of 20.
Madeleine with "Feet" the first book she has ever read by herself!
Emily happily displaying her copy of "Feet", the first book she has read by herself.
Madeleine and Emily's school has student artwork on display at the local library, so we went down and took photos of their creations.
Emily pointing waaaay up to her spider web.
Madeleine pointing up to her two orange leaves.
And on a parting note this evening...I just got back from stopping by the grocery store. As I walked down the baby aisle, it suddenly hit me that I didn't need (and wouldn't in the next few days) anything in that aisle!!! No diapers, pull-ups, baby/toddler food, bibs or ridiculously small utensils. I just happened to be walking down that aisle because it was the most direct route to my destination. Woo hoo!!!!
Emily with our model and Madeleine with the front page of a local paper.Normally if the girls are awake and the TV is on (which we try to limit in the first place), it is on child-friendly programming. (I did have them watch President Obama take the oath of office on live television - I doubt they remember, but they watched nonetheless.)
However, Wednesday an exception was made and CNN was on all afternoon while the girls watched the Chilean miners emerge to safety. The girls got home from school in time to watch Pablo Rojas emerge as the 19th rescued miner and watched until they were sent to bed following the 29th ascension of the rescue capsule for Juan Carlos Aguilar. The first thing they asked Thursday morning was if all 33 men, and the six rescuers, were safe. Nearly 48 hours later, the girls still enthusiastically chant "Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le, los mineros de Chile". The first "major news event" solidly in my memory is the explosion of the Challenger (Well, actually Mt. St. Helens, but that was a bit more regional...and I was vaguely aware of the Iran hostage crisis). I hope Emily and Madeleine remember what they saw on Wednesday, because unlike 99.9% of the news; it gives one hope.
Emily is Star Student at school this week. Star Student gets to bring in a choice of a special guest, toy, snack, etc. each day. Thursday morning Emily announced she wanted to "tell my friends about the miners..." A model of the mine and rescue shaft was hastily made (20 minutes from notice to completion folks - judge kindly) and we stopped at the store to buy a newspaper so she could have the front page. There was even a diagram of the rescue capsule on the interior pages. So, with great enthusiasm from their "instructor", the Teddy Bear class learned about the power of faith, teamwork, strength and the ability to ask for help from others.
Emily's other guests for Star Student were her father (who had the honor of going twice) and her mother, who was only there as a rescue shaft operator for Miner Ernie and two days previously had the privilege of driving the true guest of honor, Skeeter, to school. Skeeter yowls - LOUDLY - in the car; in case you wondered.
Star Student Emily.Monday the Teddy Bear class went to an apple orchard to pick apples. I forgot the camera and am consequently no longer in the running for being even a semi-decent parent. Doesn't apple picking in October sound lovely? A nice crisp fall day with a slight breeze in the air? Yes! No! This is Virginia - land of God-forsaken weather and Mother Nature is going through hot flashes. After finally cooling a bit, the previous week had been very nice. But, on "Apple Day", it was 90 degrees and muggy. This put one of us in a bit of a funk. Summer is over. Got it! Anyhow, Emily ended up with 4 Star Student days instead of 5 and was told she could double-up on one of the other days...which she managed to do on two. Madeleine served as a second guest of honor the day Skeeter went and yesterday Emily not only filled everyone in on the mine rescue, she brought pumpkin cookies for snack as well.
We aren't sure when it will happen, but we have the beginnings of a Jack-O-Lantern in the family. Emily and Madeleine had a dental check-up on September 20th. And.....Dr. Pugliesi noticed Madeleine has a loose tooth!! (I get the "Oblivious Award" for being totally unaware until he said something, especially since I'm Toothbrusher In Chief). It is one of her lower center teeth and was just barely loosening when Dr. Pugliesi noticed. He said it may or may not be there when we next see him in March. However, it has been wiggled quite a bit and is getting "looser" by the day.
Both Madeleine and Emily got their baby teeth a tiny bit on the late side and in a "unique" order. They started with the uppper lateral incisors (canine teeth) and looked a bit like Count von Count from Sesame Street for a while. The dentist said his daughter did the same thing and the girls may get permanent teeth in a unique order as well. We shall see.
In further proof Madeleine is becoming a big girl, she can now tie shoes! The bows are still a bit on the loose side, but she is practicing and the other day tied both of her shoes and one of Emily's. I believe there was a "cooperation issue" that thwarted the tying of Emily's second shoe.
In other news Oma and Opa came to visit for two weeks right after school started. Madeleine and Emily had a lot of fun during this visit. We went to Yorktown and swam, Oma and Opa played lots of games and put together many puzzles. They were also gracious enough to pretend they were horses and run around the backyard with the girls (in weather that was less than cool). They were also able to come hear the girls' class sing at "Big Chapel".
Oma and Emily in front and Madeleine with Opa in back at Inflation Nation.
Swimming at Yorktown during Oma and Opa's visit.
Emily with Oma Horse and Madeleine with Opa Horse.
Singing at "Chapel". Emily second from left in back and Madeleine third from right in front.
Photographing the moon for the Teddy Bear Class Moon Journal. Emily (l) Madeleine (r).Emily and Madeleine's beloved teacher, Miss Judy, approached me on Monday and told me she thought the girls were very much ready to begin reading. She asked if we would object if she started pulling the girls out of class about twice a week and working with them. I said not at all. Honestly, I couldn't care less if they start kindergarten reading, but I'm excited they have the opportunity to learn from someone who will make it low-pressure and fun. Plus, there are only two of them! Not a class of 20.
Madeleine with "Feet" the first book she has ever read by herself!
Emily happily displaying her copy of "Feet", the first book she has read by herself.Madeleine and Emily's school has student artwork on display at the local library, so we went down and took photos of their creations.
Emily pointing waaaay up to her spider web.
Madeleine pointing up to her two orange leaves.And on a parting note this evening...I just got back from stopping by the grocery store. As I walked down the baby aisle, it suddenly hit me that I didn't need (and wouldn't in the next few days) anything in that aisle!!! No diapers, pull-ups, baby/toddler food, bibs or ridiculously small utensils. I just happened to be walking down that aisle because it was the most direct route to my destination. Woo hoo!!!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I LOVE Preschool
Emily (L) and Madeleine (R) ready for the first day of school 2010-2011!! (There is not a significant height difference - just posture in this particular photo). There was some serious consternation that we could not wear sandals with our dresses, but the school rule is "playground shoes"! So be it.Yesterday we spent the entire day changing our minds about what we would wear on the first day of school. This morning it was requested that we have our hair curled - okay. Then make-up was requested. This is where I open the compact, dust the mirror side with the brush and then put on the "blush". Next comes the clear lip gloss. Madeleine asked for eye shadow and I told her I didn't think it was really necessary today...which is when Emily chimed in with "Yeah, Mad. We aren't in kindergarten!" That's right; because in kindergarten you should arrive in full make-up and looking like a street walker.
Madeleine's response to being told we could go out to lunch after I picked up the girls from school.
Emily's response to the same announcement.
The girls showing off the Disney princess rings we made yesterday. It was requested we wear these to school. The request was vetoed. The rings were worn in the car, but did not go into the school building.After I dropped the girls at school I met a friend, Amy, for coffee (Man, I LOVE preschool!). Amy told me about a nail place that has chairs, etc. for kids. The girls have not had their nails professionally done before, but since this is the first day of a new school year, we decided to do something special.
Emily (L), Madeleine (R).
Madeleine's end result (please excuse the bedding in the photo and the lack of the rest of the hand...I took the pictures in the dark while the girls were sleeping).
Emily's nails.
Saint Sarah
So, you picture something happening; someday. Then when it actually happens it isn't quite how you pictured it. Welcome to Sarah's world! Sarah is my friend from grad school who heroically offered to drive across the country with the girls and me. She claims she has always wanted to drive across the country...driving with two five-year olds was the part she may not have always pictured.
Sarah claimed she really likes to drive. And, that turns out to be the truth. With the exception of me pulling the minivan in and out of two hotel parking garages (and I seem to remember driving from the hotel to a Target in Illinois), Sarah drove from Montana to Virginia. I rode shotgun, dispensed snacks, changed the DVD player and "navigated" (This means I sat with a road map on my lap, double-checking the directions given by the GPS) while Sarah and I chatted for 3,000 miles.
Sarah also did cool things like show Madeleine and Emily how to do handstands and somersaults in the pool! Introduce us to the silly bandz craze and braid the girls' hair into a whole bunch of little braids; resulting in the the desired "wavy hair". Not to mention, putting up with the girls' mother who is sometimes a bit "cranky" when in an enclosed environment for a long period of time.
You would think we would have a photo of the girls with Sarah, but no! We kept meaning to take one and then Sarah became a bit camera-shy as the trip went on because of a small, suspicious rash that developed on part of her forehead about the third day of our trip. Turns out - shingles! Yep, travel with us and the stress brings out dormant viruses. Current reports are that the shingles have basically healed on Sarah's end...and we are past the Chicken Pox incubation period on our end (whew!).
Shockingly enough, Sarah claims she is mentally planning next summer's route....we shall see!
The only state we hit driving east that we missed driving west.
The "informative sign" at the rest area says it all...."Wild Madeleine" on the left and "Wild Emily" on the right.
This was a major disappointment for me. Mom and Dad and I saw the Crazy Horse Monument in 1999 when we drove from New York after I finished grad school. It basically looked like this - photo taken in 2010. I thought there would have been major progress, guess not. It seems they don't take any government funding and are apparently having a bit of an issue raising money.
Emily (L) and Madeleine (R) entering the Avenue of Flags at Mount Rushmore.
The three of us, and a few others, in front of the four gentlemen.
Madeleine asking a park ranger what her job entails. While at Mt. Rushmore, the girls became "Junior Rangers" for the U.S. National Parks. This involved filling out a booklet of questions, passing an oral exam and swearing an oath to protect the national parks.
Emily in yellow and Madeleine in purple taking their oath. (The oath was pretty prescribed, but this ranger was great. She added on a whole bunch of stuff about telling other kids not to climb the rocks, listening to parents and getting along in the car!)
Ranger Emily! Her badge blends into her shirt a bit...but you can obviously see the certificate!
Ranger Madeleine! Her badge is visible - and so is the glee on her face!
Not only did we get to go right by Sturgis, SD during the week of the Sturgis Rally, we got to do it on the 70th Anniversary year. Talk about lucky timing!
Many would not consider a child sleeping in a car photo-worthy. Sarah and I beg to differ. This was the ONLY time either child slept in the van - BOTH directions.....after Rushmore. The nap lasted for about 30 minutes. Madeleine.
Emily
Back to the Ingalls' Homestead and driving covered wagons. This time Theodore (class mascot) got out of the van too and went in the wagon with us!
Going to school on the prairie. Madeleine on the left and Emily on the right.
Emily making rope.
Madeleine making rope.
Grinding wheat using a coffee mill. Laura wrote about this in The Long Winter.
Heading out.
One day we used the GPS to find a park after we got to our hotel. We thought the girls might want to play on the playground...not an overwhelming success (lots of tired people, plenty of "grumpies", hotter than Hades, a mother with NO patience, etc.), but we did stumble upon a community event where they had set up a misting station. Sarah in the background with one of us - guess we do have a photo!
Emily and Madeleine reading maps they picked up at an Indiana rest area...look closely and you will see little hands holding the maps.
Our last night in a hotel (Charleston, WV) and we have silly bandz and braided hair! Emily on the left and Madeleine on the right...not pictured, HOURS Sarah spent doing hair!
Theodore was so excited to see Virginia again, he jumped up on the dashboard as we crossed the state line!).
Sarah claimed she really likes to drive. And, that turns out to be the truth. With the exception of me pulling the minivan in and out of two hotel parking garages (and I seem to remember driving from the hotel to a Target in Illinois), Sarah drove from Montana to Virginia. I rode shotgun, dispensed snacks, changed the DVD player and "navigated" (This means I sat with a road map on my lap, double-checking the directions given by the GPS) while Sarah and I chatted for 3,000 miles.
Sarah also did cool things like show Madeleine and Emily how to do handstands and somersaults in the pool! Introduce us to the silly bandz craze and braid the girls' hair into a whole bunch of little braids; resulting in the the desired "wavy hair". Not to mention, putting up with the girls' mother who is sometimes a bit "cranky" when in an enclosed environment for a long period of time.
You would think we would have a photo of the girls with Sarah, but no! We kept meaning to take one and then Sarah became a bit camera-shy as the trip went on because of a small, suspicious rash that developed on part of her forehead about the third day of our trip. Turns out - shingles! Yep, travel with us and the stress brings out dormant viruses. Current reports are that the shingles have basically healed on Sarah's end...and we are past the Chicken Pox incubation period on our end (whew!).
Shockingly enough, Sarah claims she is mentally planning next summer's route....we shall see!
The only state we hit driving east that we missed driving west.
The "informative sign" at the rest area says it all...."Wild Madeleine" on the left and "Wild Emily" on the right.
This was a major disappointment for me. Mom and Dad and I saw the Crazy Horse Monument in 1999 when we drove from New York after I finished grad school. It basically looked like this - photo taken in 2010. I thought there would have been major progress, guess not. It seems they don't take any government funding and are apparently having a bit of an issue raising money.
Emily (L) and Madeleine (R) entering the Avenue of Flags at Mount Rushmore.
The three of us, and a few others, in front of the four gentlemen.
Madeleine asking a park ranger what her job entails. While at Mt. Rushmore, the girls became "Junior Rangers" for the U.S. National Parks. This involved filling out a booklet of questions, passing an oral exam and swearing an oath to protect the national parks.
Emily in yellow and Madeleine in purple taking their oath. (The oath was pretty prescribed, but this ranger was great. She added on a whole bunch of stuff about telling other kids not to climb the rocks, listening to parents and getting along in the car!)
Ranger Emily! Her badge blends into her shirt a bit...but you can obviously see the certificate!
Ranger Madeleine! Her badge is visible - and so is the glee on her face!
Not only did we get to go right by Sturgis, SD during the week of the Sturgis Rally, we got to do it on the 70th Anniversary year. Talk about lucky timing!
Many would not consider a child sleeping in a car photo-worthy. Sarah and I beg to differ. This was the ONLY time either child slept in the van - BOTH directions.....after Rushmore. The nap lasted for about 30 minutes. Madeleine.
Emily
Back to the Ingalls' Homestead and driving covered wagons. This time Theodore (class mascot) got out of the van too and went in the wagon with us!
Going to school on the prairie. Madeleine on the left and Emily on the right.
Emily making rope.
Madeleine making rope.
Grinding wheat using a coffee mill. Laura wrote about this in The Long Winter.
Heading out.
One day we used the GPS to find a park after we got to our hotel. We thought the girls might want to play on the playground...not an overwhelming success (lots of tired people, plenty of "grumpies", hotter than Hades, a mother with NO patience, etc.), but we did stumble upon a community event where they had set up a misting station. Sarah in the background with one of us - guess we do have a photo!
Emily and Madeleine reading maps they picked up at an Indiana rest area...look closely and you will see little hands holding the maps.
Our last night in a hotel (Charleston, WV) and we have silly bandz and braided hair! Emily on the left and Madeleine on the right...not pictured, HOURS Sarah spent doing hair!
Theodore was so excited to see Virginia again, he jumped up on the dashboard as we crossed the state line!).
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