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!!!!
