Education outside our home

I was apprehensive to put Grace in public school because of the lack of control I have on the people and influences around her, but I do realize the importance of her social education as well as her academic one. I'm thrilled about how much her reading and writing skills have improved since Kindergarten began, but I'm mostly impressed with the things (both positive and negative) that she's picked up socially...and from what her teacher has told me, how she's influencing others.

In 6 short weeks, she's learned to chose her outfit carefully when she knows she'll be playing on the monkey bars. When someone is swinging in-sync next to her it's called "double dog". Boys like to play with their food WAY more than girls and their potty mouths can be very annoying. Being quiet and helpful to the teacher can get her special privileges and can also get her out of nap time. She can't always choose who she shares a table with. Justin Beiber is the brother of one of her classmates, and no, I've been assured...she is NOT tricking Grace. Young friends can change their minds quickly, and the person who wanted to play with her during the entire recess one day can hurt her feelings when she doesn't want to play with her the next day. She goes to different places depending on if it's a fire or a tornado drill. One Monday afternoon Grace was telling me about the beautiful paintings that were on one of her friend's hands that day. When I told her it's called "henna" she said, "Yea...she must have got it in China or something."

There are so many valuable lessons that she needs to learn outside our home. Sadly, it looks like the Pledge of Allegiance and our National Anthem are not included and I'll be teaching her those myself.

Zoo all day

Clean sheets

I always have helpers....

Botanical Gardens

The botanical gardens proved to be a great place to get out of the apartment on the weekend and work off some energy. We each took turns with the camera.

24 weeks

Our baby girl is looking and sounding good! The ultrasound tech switched over to 3D so that we could get a better look at her face, but apparently the placenta is on my outer uterine wall, which makes it more difficult, but also Baby was being a wiggle worm and kept turning away each time we'd get a view. We were able to get a lot of leg and foot shots, including this one of her crossing her feet...she clearly has her Dad and Mimi's double-jointed big toe! After switching back to 2D, we could see Baby sucking her hand. It was really neat to watch her fingers going into her mouth and seeing her jaw moving. I can't wait to hold her!

Gymnastics

Madeline started a weekly gymnastics class for 3 year-olds, and has never been more happy about anything in her life. She chose her leotard (she calls it her "gymnastics suit" with her sweet lisp) and has asked me every hour since her class ended yesterday if it's time for gymnastics again.

Charlotte's 1st haircut

Charlotte only had some long stray ends cut off...barely enough to save for her baby book, but she sat like a statue looking at her reflection after she saw Madeline got a lollipop as a reward for her stillness in the chair.