Children's Books

I've brought more than my share of crappy books home from the library. Not to mention crappy books they try to sell at the bookstore. We are now trying to stick with some classic books we love. These may be a bit over their head for now but it's better than reading the junky books that pass for children's reading. We are in the middle of the Secret Garden and Poppy has started reading the Hobbit. Tiff mentioned Treasure Island so I think that will be my next choice. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. One note, there are some truly inventive books out there and I've found some as they've been given as gifts to the girls or we've stumbled on them, we are very appreciative of good books.

Lunch on the Porch

One of the best things about spring/summer is rediscovering a bit of "extra" room on the "3 (really it's one and a half) season" porch. What becomes a junkyard for shoes, winter crap, junk we are getting rid of and just trash is picked up and perked up by a bit of spring cleaning and the threat of embarrassment by our spring visitors.

Another Trio Photo

Standing Watch

Pinky looks like a sentry here but he's really kind of a wimp. He runs as soon as Helen comes thundering over.

Walker on the Floor

This is an abbreviated photo log of Walker having a bit of tummy time. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes if he's in a good mood to work himself up to a bad mood on the floor. Things don't always start off so pleasant and calm but that's usually due to a bit of gas. And lest you think we are bad parents b/c there is not a toy in sight, we normally have toys down for him and they are of no matter once he has decided he does not want to be on the floor any more. How can one resist that sad and mad face?

First Piano Recital

Carys just finished playing, she looks so relaxed and happy.

Poppy made a few encouraging phone calls today as well as I tried to give her every tool I could think of from imagining people in their underwear ending with just play for Jesus. Who knows if it was one specific thing or the accumulation of encouragement but she got up without hesitation and played wonderfully. It was not perfect but she continued on like a pro. Her piano teacher is also very kind and understanding of the child mentality. They played two duets of Mary had a Little Lamb and Old MacDonald. Carys has only been playing piano for two and a half months.

Helen behaved wonderfully as well. She knew there would be treats at the end of it. She did get antsy halfway through but did remain silent. This is very hard for a little girl who really has not found her indoor voice yet. Walker was a charmer and also complied with patience for most of the recital.

Everyone knows Murphy's law is that it's always the unexpected thing that happens and this fit right in. We were able to go to our little Italian restaurant for pizza and gelato afterwards. It was a great day.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', That Baby's Rolling

Walker is rolling back to front, front to back. He's doing superman... a belly stretch with arms and legs straight out. He's prepping to crawl and he wants it! I'll get my camera. Tomorrow is my last day working outside the home. The amazing thing is, there is so much to do here, now I really don't know how we made it all these years.

First Grade

Today we toured the new school for Carys next year. She will be attending our local public school. She enjoyed seeing the classrooms, lunchroom, auditorium, computer, music and art rooms. She especially enjoyed the library. She sat right down to read a book.

We are relieved that the Principal is very personable and took the time with us today to give us the tour. They have all the things we were hoping for in a school; access to books, computers, wonderful art and music classrooms, hot lunch that made my mouth water and teachers who seem involved and like they really care. We just hope her first year in public school is an easy transition and she has the opportunity to continue her reading skills at the level they are now. From what the Principal said, once the students are evaluated at the beginning of the year, they do have differentiation and offer more challenging curriculum to those who need it.

The school is 3 blocks from our house so it will be an easy walk in the milder weather and an easy drive in winter. I hope to participate more in the classroom, I may need to have a sitter for a few hours for Walker, that will depend. Right now, I'm trying to decide if I want to bring her home for lunch everyday.

The original school building plaque says it was built in 1918!

Together

We went to a suburban kids museum with Helen's friends and the girls had a great time. They have a word-working section with real hammers, nails and saws (biting nails). Honestly, a kid could saw their finger off. Luckily, it was a small, well-controlled area. They had an employee at the entrance who would ensure children were either old enough or entering with an adult and there was a kid:saw ratio of some sort. Poppy helped Helen and Evie's Mom was helping Carys and of course Carys went for the saw. Well it all worked out in the end without bloodloss and the kids got a little homemade car or in Helen's case, a radio.

They also had a great water play area. I think this is one of the only places I could leave Helen (which of course I would never dare) for an hour or two and come back and she would still be there happily interested and playing as if she just arrived. She LOVES water play.

Gusto

Now that Helen's sleep situation is improving and her mood is much happier, she is enjoying her days.

Living with the well-rested Helen, I've determined she has gusto (vitality marked by an abundance of vigor and enthusiasm). Whatever she does, she gives it 100%. She plays hard, laughs hard, runs hard, fights hard and cries hard.

Day of Firsts

Walker just had his first rice cereal. I have some clumsy footage, will see if I can post or send it out.

Rolling

Walker just rolled over front to back. I think it was an accident and boy is he mad.

A New Medium-Clay

The girls and I had fun with this clay animal project. It was good for about an hour of fun. We'll do this again, time to get more clay. I also found that the little book that came with this so we could model our animals was necessary. The girls were much more interested in trying to create the animals than coming up with creations on their own.

Walker in Composition

Spring break brings lots of creativity, some of it the good kind. Walker is constructed in Carys' ham sandwich plate and he is created in contruction paper, tape and playdoh.

Uh Oh

Walker's not sure about this big sister love.

Cutie Pie

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.