I am a firm believer in "school" at a young age. For socialization as well as learning. Amelia learns so much more from school than if she were only home with me. There's just something about that environment; the peer pressure of other kids, an authority figure who doesn't break as easily as mommy or daddy, and different toys/book than what we have at home.
Amelia learned her ABCs before I even thought it was time to teach her. She knows her colors, letters, numbers, and they're starting on shapes. It's so exciting to hear her talk about her school lessons at age 2 1/2. She's soaking it all in and, well, she's just brilliant. I'm allowed to say that, right?
You know what else I get a kick out of? The other learnings she brings home from school. The things she learns from the other kids, far from the lesson plan of the day.
While these probably shouldn't entertain me so much, I admit I have to stifle a giggle or two.
She now squashes ants - "Mommy, ____ does this. We step on ants together."
She learned all about spitting - "Hey Mommy, ____ goes pfffffft at lunchtime. It's called spitting. I can spit, but it's a no-no."
And she's learned the fine art of backpack selection - "___ has a monkey backpack. ____ has Dora. ___ doesn't have a backpack, just a school bag. But I like ___'s backpack best. It is blue. Blue is my favorite color. It's a nice backpack."
Ahhh, school. Quite a learning experience all around.
(Working to grow my Google Connect followers - click on the followers box at the right to follow publicly. Thanks!)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Punk Princess
I've taken Amelia to the store several times to look at Halloween costumes. Every time, we have come home empty-handed. She has no interest in the costumes. And wow, these things are expensive!
The last time we visited Target, Amelia pointed and squealed with glee as we passed through the girls' clothing section. She had her eye on a hot pink sparkly tutu. And a matching hot pink skull t-shirt:
Seeing as these were the only Halloween-themed items Amelia had interest in, I purchased them. Now I'm trying to figure out how to turn this outfit into a Halloween costume. Without spending a small fortune.
Here's my idea. Hairspray her usually wacky hair into wild spikes. Maybe use some color spray to turn it pink or purple. Maybe some harsh streaks of blush on her cheeks. Add a small toy "electric" guitar or a cardboard guitar I make myself. Throw on a bunch of colorful plastic bangle bracelets and some leggings in a clashing color to the hot pink.
Punk Rock Princess?
Think I can pull that one off? Or the bigger question: Do ya think Amelia will let me do this come Halloween night? Stay tuned!
The last time we visited Target, Amelia pointed and squealed with glee as we passed through the girls' clothing section. She had her eye on a hot pink sparkly tutu. And a matching hot pink skull t-shirt:
Here's my idea. Hairspray her usually wacky hair into wild spikes. Maybe use some color spray to turn it pink or purple. Maybe some harsh streaks of blush on her cheeks. Add a small toy "electric" guitar or a cardboard guitar I make myself. Throw on a bunch of colorful plastic bangle bracelets and some leggings in a clashing color to the hot pink.
Punk Rock Princess?
Think I can pull that one off? Or the bigger question: Do ya think Amelia will let me do this come Halloween night? Stay tuned!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Where I live
My crazy week of surprises (and some heartbreak) caused me to miss this week's writing prompt from Mama Kat. But I really liked one of the choices: show us where you live.
Better late than never!
The view out my window
This is a photo taken from the upstairs landing, looking out our big window above the front door. Sometime last fall.
Where do I live? I live somewhere I love. We're suburbanites all the way, about 20-30 miles out of the 6 million+ population city of Atlanta. The city offers us things we wouldn't get in a smaller town. We can fly nearly anywhere non-stop. We have professional sports of every kind - football, baseball, men's & women's basketball, hockey, and men's and women's soccer. When we manage to get out sans child (ha!), we have opportunities to see touring Broadway shows and fantastic concerts. The aquarium is fantastic. The Botanical Gardens includes interesting things for all ages. Yeah, we've got pretty awful traffic. But that's the beauty of working from home! (Sorry, my dear traffic-stricken husband.)
But living in the 'burbs, we also have those things you don't get in the city. We have roads through the woods, trees branching out overhead. We have nearby small farms with goats and llamas. When we want to visit a playground, we have our choice of several within just a few miles.
We've lived in this home for 8 years. And within the past couple years, we've finally begun to turn several neighbors into really good friends. There's something wonderful about knowing that people who live so near actually care about us. And we feel the same. We keep an eye out for each other - when a lost dog is wandering around, when a strange van is parked outside someone's home. As we've endured some tough times lately, my neighbors have been supportive and caring.
I like where I live. It really is my home sweet home.
(Working to grow my Google Connect followers - click on the followers box at the right to follow publicly. Thanks!)
Better late than never!
This is a photo taken from the upstairs landing, looking out our big window above the front door. Sometime last fall.
Where do I live? I live somewhere I love. We're suburbanites all the way, about 20-30 miles out of the 6 million+ population city of Atlanta. The city offers us things we wouldn't get in a smaller town. We can fly nearly anywhere non-stop. We have professional sports of every kind - football, baseball, men's & women's basketball, hockey, and men's and women's soccer. When we manage to get out sans child (ha!), we have opportunities to see touring Broadway shows and fantastic concerts. The aquarium is fantastic. The Botanical Gardens includes interesting things for all ages. Yeah, we've got pretty awful traffic. But that's the beauty of working from home! (Sorry, my dear traffic-stricken husband.)
But living in the 'burbs, we also have those things you don't get in the city. We have roads through the woods, trees branching out overhead. We have nearby small farms with goats and llamas. When we want to visit a playground, we have our choice of several within just a few miles.
We've lived in this home for 8 years. And within the past couple years, we've finally begun to turn several neighbors into really good friends. There's something wonderful about knowing that people who live so near actually care about us. And we feel the same. We keep an eye out for each other - when a lost dog is wandering around, when a strange van is parked outside someone's home. As we've endured some tough times lately, my neighbors have been supportive and caring.
I like where I live. It really is my home sweet home.
(Working to grow my Google Connect followers - click on the followers box at the right to follow publicly. Thanks!)
Some good news
Wow, if Amelia reads this blog one day, she's going to think I'm one depressed mama.
I don't mean to come across that way. Yes, challenges have been thrown at us left & right throughout the summer and even into October. But ya know what? We survived. We met each challenge head-on and gritted our teeth until the stress had passed.
Certainly I had my share of tears. Nearly an anxiety attack or two... or three.
"What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" -- or something like that.
As of this moment, things are looking up! I'm ready for the weekend and I am ONE PROUD (balancing) MAMA.
#1
My sister-in-law came into a fantastic deal for a nearly-new wheelchair-accessible van. Now she & her mother can get out of the house with MUCH more ease. They even celebrated with dinner out on the day of the van's purchase.
#2
My sweet kitty Claude is gone, but he's not suffering anymore. And Amelia surprised me with total understanding. "I know Claude's gone, mommy. He's happy."
#3
Amelia's bout of vicious Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease (plus an ear infection we didn't know about) sent her to the ER earlier this week, but she is back to normal again. She's playing and making everyone around her laugh - just like the Amelia we've come to love so very much.
#4
Amelia slept last night and took a nap today with no pacifier! She couldn't use it during the painful throat/mouth sores from HFMD, so we took advantage of the situation and removed it for good.
#5
After discovering that Amelia goes potty at school, I was able to get her to admit that our at-home potty (with potty ring) is just too big. We went to Babies-R-Us yesterday morning and she picked out her very own potty. I left the decision completely up to her, and she is thrilled with her quacking musical ducky potty. We've had it in our home for a day, and she's used it many, many times!
But we made it through. Hip hip horray!
I don't mean to come across that way. Yes, challenges have been thrown at us left & right throughout the summer and even into October. But ya know what? We survived. We met each challenge head-on and gritted our teeth until the stress had passed.
Certainly I had my share of tears. Nearly an anxiety attack or two... or three.
"What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" -- or something like that.
As of this moment, things are looking up! I'm ready for the weekend and I am ONE PROUD (balancing) MAMA.
#1
My sister-in-law came into a fantastic deal for a nearly-new wheelchair-accessible van. Now she & her mother can get out of the house with MUCH more ease. They even celebrated with dinner out on the day of the van's purchase.
#2
My sweet kitty Claude is gone, but he's not suffering anymore. And Amelia surprised me with total understanding. "I know Claude's gone, mommy. He's happy."
#3
Amelia's bout of vicious Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease (plus an ear infection we didn't know about) sent her to the ER earlier this week, but she is back to normal again. She's playing and making everyone around her laugh - just like the Amelia we've come to love so very much.
#4
Amelia slept last night and took a nap today with no pacifier! She couldn't use it during the painful throat/mouth sores from HFMD, so we took advantage of the situation and removed it for good.
#5
After discovering that Amelia goes potty at school, I was able to get her to admit that our at-home potty (with potty ring) is just too big. We went to Babies-R-Us yesterday morning and she picked out her very own potty. I left the decision completely up to her, and she is thrilled with her quacking musical ducky potty. We've had it in our home for a day, and she's used it many, many times!
Wow, what a week!
Such a growing experience (and a test of sanity) for us all.
But we made it through. Hip hip horray!
Now, life, do you have anything else to throw at us? Or do we get to enjoy a little break from your insanity? Let me know... I'll be awaiting your reply.
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