Spring Break

We're at home this week. I finally took the kids to the library and renewed my library card. They really enjoyed it. We'll do it again once we've read all the books we brought home.

Muse

I wrote earlier that Carys is becoming inspired to create and Walker is her latest muse. I enjoy seeing her decide on a project, gather the materials, explain to me why she had to use a certain pencil or if she did not have the right kind, why she chose the alternative color etc. It's fun to be creative but almost as enjoyable watching the children be creative.

Bicycle

Carys got her first real bicycle for her birthday. She really enjoys riding and now it's our challenge to find safe places for her to ride in addition to giving her enough riding time to become comfortable on the bike.

Luckily, there is a lot next to the elementary school that we can use for now. I believe the village is looking into renovating that space so I don't know how long we will be able to ride there but it's working out so far. Also, we found a wonderful bike lane by the mall we go to so we are eager to explore that area too. This means that Helen will be getting a bike for her birthday and Poppy and I will likely be getting bikes as well. Walker will probably ride in one of those carts behind Poppy's bike.

The downside is that I've not ridden a bike in YEARS. I hope they make adult training wheels. The upside, Poppy and I have been wanting bikes for a long time. Neither of us really wanted to spend the money and did not feel we had the time. Now we have to make the time to ride and hopefully it will be a wonderful family activity for years to come.

Growing Up

These girls are growing up so fast. Helen 3.75, Carys 6

Poppys Bday

So it was Poppy's b'day a while back. The girls and I made him a cake. We fell short on the decorating aspect. Next time, I'm going to buy two cans of frosting, this cake only has one can...

Piano Lessons

I think we've told most everyone that Carys has started piano lessons. I found her teacher through a series of recommendations from other piano teachers who either did not have space for a 5 year old, did not teach 5 year olds, required me to learn with her (impossible at the moment) etc. When I finally called her teacher, she said "I love teaching 5 year olds". That's all I needed to hear. It takes a special individual to teach children, especially something as technical as piano without making it seem too technical. Carys came home the first week playing the three bears, which is basically just going up and down the piano while telling the story. It can be as dramatic as low notes and as sweet as high notes. So I like the teacher. She's not, how shall I say, stiff and unforgiving.

Our next big hurdle is to resolve the piano issue, since we don't have one. We have considered keyboards, piano keyboards, and pianos near and far. We're still investigating pianos for small spaces, if anyone has suggestions, we'd love to hear them. Carys needs to have proper placement at the piano when she's practicing as well as the opportunity to hear herself play on a quality piano. One gracious teacher went through all the reasons we should get a real piano and not the least of which was it's ability to encourage the student to play more when they are making beautiful music.

Carys loves to practice and right now I do remind her each night but she enjoys it for now. I have been reading up on coping techniques for when they begin to become resistant and want to quit. I've decided as long as we can afford it, we will continue lessons even if she decides she is "bored".

As you can see, her sister is not far behind her. I'm going to have to ask for a sibling discount, hopefully we can get one.

A Few New Developments

Walker is getting ticklish on his back behind his shoulder blades. His laugh is more like grunting right now.

Walker can grab his binky when it's in his mouth and pull it out, he can also put it back in. He also thinks this is quite amusing and the rest of us agree.

Helen is blossoming in her montessori class. She said she did the hard work today (what we call work other than practical life)

Helen is beginning to recognize others around her in a very caring and friendly way. She is quite sensitive to others.

Helen is continuing to vocalize her Japanese, in this case, she is actually using real words (as confirmed by Carys)

Carys is beginning to create craft projects on her own. She is usually inspired by things around her but quite creative.

Carys said she wants to become a teacher, an English teacher.

Carys is beginning to try to use her words more in class and ask the teachers for words she does not have. We are encouraging this more, she does not have the confidence with the words she does know yet.

Happy Birthday Carys

Head Start

Both girls are eager to entertain Walker. Lucky me. They sing songs read to him, and beg for a smile. This usually works well when Walker is in the mood to be entertained and when the girls aren't in the mood to compete for his attention. I still get called when he breaks down. Carys' assessment, "he's hungry". My answer to everything these days too.

Practical Life

Carys and I find few opportunities to have alone time but I try to have something a little more challenging for her when we do. I had to perform surgery on Diamond, her grey stuffed horse, so she was able to learn to sew a button. She threaded the needle by herself and with a few issues, she complete this all by herself. She needs to practice, but it'll be a slow pace since I can't get the sewing box out with Helen yet.