We've just returned from a trip to Tennessee where we linked up with six other families who traveled to China with us in 2005. Our sweet girls have proven to be really great travelers - again. I take each trip at a time and hope that they can continue the trend. They, thankfully, are really shaping up to be really solid travelers who can be amused for hours on end in the car. We did stop from time to time to let the inner beasts run free and let their daddy nap at the rest area...he was so good - he did ALL the driving. Our little Songbird thwarted our plans to get up extra early and put her and Ballerina in the car to fall back asleep until we were on the road for a few hours. Instead of getting them up early, Songbird decided she was going to wake up at 2:00 a.m.- it took an hour to get her back to sleep and we opted to sleep in a little bit so that we were better prepared.....oh well! Anyway, we made the trip in two days with a stopover at a hotel in Virginia. Ballerina is a big fan of hotels - she loves the indoor pool most of all! Since we traveled the bulk of the trip in the first day, Ballerina and her daddy were able to have a swim before checkout. It was MUCH colder than we had thought it would be, and while in Tennessee, it was much more wet and forced us indoors for most of the activities. It turned out that was just fine. Since the four year reunion had many fewer families than the 2 year reunion we found ourselves really getting into some good conversations and connecting with the other families. It was just so nice to revisit our China memories with these wonderful families.
Ballerina was intrigued, fascinated and "just so interested in the boys, mama!" I had to have a little chat with her after the second day of the reunion. I loved that she was finding kids to connect with, but was a little surprised that it was the two older brothers of some of her young friends. They were about 8 and 11 years old and I think Ballerina felt she was closer in age to them than the other kids. Though she is 5, Ballerina is quite tall and towered over the other girls - some she was only a month older than. She did find herself running with the girls towards the second half of the weekend though, and connected with one of her China friends. It was the other East Coast girl and she also was the first child in her family too. The two of them were big hams when it came time to take photos of the girls before departure!
Our little Songbird met the group for the first time and charmed her way into many hearts! Being the youngest one, she didn't really play as much with the kids, but instead, I would find her sitting on laps and giving hugs to the grown ups. Each time she would head downstairs, or upstairs to follow the kids, she'd end up chilling with one of the moms/dads. She is such a little love and she really was sweet with everyone. Her favorite thing to say, this week: "what's your favorite color?" She would really listen to the response and even turn the answer around and around as if she was really thinking about it. She had a ready answer if anyone asked her what her favorite color was: PINK!
Anyway, it was a very nice trip - the ride home was long, but we all survived!
Coming home we found ourselves taking a little bit of time to readjust to a normal schedule and I couldn't bring Songbird to school as she napped VERY late her first day back. Ballerina on the other hand had her first Kindgergarten field trip - Apple Picking. The highlight for her was that her daddy was accompanying her class. Dave told me that she turned to him a number of times and told him how happy she was that he was there. I could just imagine her enthusiasm and grin, just like I could see the grin on his face when he told me! She is such a sweetie! On the way to our reunion she thanked us for bringing her on a trip. I was floored - she seemed to grasp what a special occasion this was, and was truly happy about it.
Well, now that we're back into the swing of things, I need to get myself back to the gym and back on track to lose the lbs I gained by stopping at Sonic one to many times!
Heather
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Routines and Habits
The last time I wrote how Ballerina has had a difficult time at bedtime and we were implementing post-school quiet time. Well, the first day worked BEAUTIFULLY! She had lots of time to herself in her room with a bowl of buttons, books and her snack. She was dressed and ready for bed when I returned from my meeting at 7:20. At "lights out" the sisters happily chattered for a bit and sang some quiet songs. Both Ballerina and Songbird were asleep at a decent hour and NO issues. Yesterday might have gone the same way except she kept mixing quiet time with "see what little sister is up to" time. We ate a little late, waiting for their daddy, and finally as we were about to sit down for dinner....chaos! Ballerina decided to pour all the water into glasses. She did fine, but then when she put the pitcher down, over goes my glass. Okay, so now we're sopping up the mess....so far all remains calm. Then Ballerina NEEDS to get to her chair by crawling under the table....that's not enough...she needs to detour around near Songbird's chair. Songbird is immensely curious and trying to reach her. Songbird is in a booster. She leans just enough to tip over. I watch in slow motion, unable to stop songbird's chair from completely turning on its side and her head crashing into the bottom of the standing clock. The clock's pendulum pops out and thuds to the bottom of the cabinet, and Songbird is wailing. At this moment Ballerina has miraculously appeared behind me (opposite of where she just was) and I move her out of the way, so that I can pull her sister from the floor. Songbird isn't hurt just scared. Ballerina is VERY upset and refuses to eat dinner, proposes a time out, early bedtime and no birthday party as her punishment. After discussing what happened and an apology to Songbird...I invite her back to the table....nope, she's not up for it. Instead she prefers to cry and wail in her room. I okay her requested early pajama time and sit down to eat. Have you ever tried to enjoy your food when an almost 5 year old is just a few feet away wailing away her misery? AAGH! I went to close the door and, upon her protest, I told her that she could keep crying, but she needed to lower the volume.....its terrible to laugh, but she did! She lowered the decibles, but kept wailing! After dinner she happily hopped off to my bed where she made a "cave" out of pillows....how does she turn it off like that? She briefly came out to taste some dinner, but decided that she really was tired and went to sleep very soon after. When Ballerina isn't in the bedroom Songbird goes to sleep easily and quickly so I was okay with the location switch. After the three-ring circus I was exhausted!
And what about Songbird and her progress? Well she's doing really well. And despite being occasionally pushed aside by Ballerina, she ADORES her big sister. Regularly when she gives Ballerina a kiss goodnight she adds "I love you so much"....its not something she offers to everyone and its beautiful to hear. When Ballerina engages her in a fun activity Songbird beams from ear to ear -her laughter is loudest when she's playing with Ballerina. To see and hear them together I feel like my heart is about to burst with love!
Songbird seems to be slowly adjusting to preschool. Yesterday her teacher asked about the "thumb in the mouth". Its been an ever present sight - Songbird with her thumb in her mouth. Yesterday it was for most of the time in school. She's even figured out how to talk with her thumb in her mouth. One time we seriously tried to break the habit...Songbird had a cut on her thumb and I didn't want infection. After having a near-breakdown when we applied a bandaid, she figured out how to rip off the "secure" wrappings and went back to comforting herself with the thumb. Its a there for when she's upset, or tired or bored.....sometimes when she's just waiting for dinner, or in the car.....this is a serious habit. The only way I can get her to take the thumb out is when I say "Songbird....THUMBS UP!" She then engages in the game and puts her thumb up, and then says "Thumbs UP....Thumbs DOWN!" Sometimes "Where is Thumbkin also does the trick", unfortumately there's only so much of that we can do before she gets bored and....you guessed it, pops the thumb back in the mouth! Ack!!
We're looking ahead to adding another girlie to the mix. Our newest China moonbeam is still waiting. We have our homestudy approved and are just waiting for it to arrive in our mailbox so that we can send it to the appropriate offices to finish up the paperchase. We're getting it done! We can't wait to return to China again - we're excited and nervous. We pray for her daily and hope that her transition is smooth!
And what about Songbird and her progress? Well she's doing really well. And despite being occasionally pushed aside by Ballerina, she ADORES her big sister. Regularly when she gives Ballerina a kiss goodnight she adds "I love you so much"....its not something she offers to everyone and its beautiful to hear. When Ballerina engages her in a fun activity Songbird beams from ear to ear -her laughter is loudest when she's playing with Ballerina. To see and hear them together I feel like my heart is about to burst with love!
Songbird seems to be slowly adjusting to preschool. Yesterday her teacher asked about the "thumb in the mouth". Its been an ever present sight - Songbird with her thumb in her mouth. Yesterday it was for most of the time in school. She's even figured out how to talk with her thumb in her mouth. One time we seriously tried to break the habit...Songbird had a cut on her thumb and I didn't want infection. After having a near-breakdown when we applied a bandaid, she figured out how to rip off the "secure" wrappings and went back to comforting herself with the thumb. Its a there for when she's upset, or tired or bored.....sometimes when she's just waiting for dinner, or in the car.....this is a serious habit. The only way I can get her to take the thumb out is when I say "Songbird....THUMBS UP!" She then engages in the game and puts her thumb up, and then says "Thumbs UP....Thumbs DOWN!" Sometimes "Where is Thumbkin also does the trick", unfortumately there's only so much of that we can do before she gets bored and....you guessed it, pops the thumb back in the mouth! Ack!!
We're looking ahead to adding another girlie to the mix. Our newest China moonbeam is still waiting. We have our homestudy approved and are just waiting for it to arrive in our mailbox so that we can send it to the appropriate offices to finish up the paperchase. We're getting it done! We can't wait to return to China again - we're excited and nervous. We pray for her daily and hope that her transition is smooth!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Ballerina begins with a "B"
Ballerina is still loving school.....though not getting ready for school! She is finally feeling tired at the beginnings and ends of her long school day. Unfortunately the tiredness at the end of the day is revealed through major meltdowns. She is so self aware....she tells me she is "cranky" and even admits being tired in between screaming and throwing a tantrum. We are going to try to slow down her soundtrack after school so that she is calmer at bedtime. Up until now, after I pick her up at the bus, its like she refuels and runs herself into the ground...she's non-stop talking and moving until she finally drops off into sleep. Starting today, she's going to get some quiet time (without her sister) with some quiet activity and soothing music. We'll see if it makes any difference in her bedtime attitude tonight.
This week her class is on the "hunt" for the missing letter "B". She sat down at the table with a magazine and scissors while I supervised her "finds" for inclusion in her "B" bag. She was cutting out lots of photos along with words....a few times though I had to stop the scissors and move her along. I hadn't counted on the headlines "Breast Pain" or the advertisement for "Butt Paste" to be contenders for the letter "B". She asked me why....I had to explain that talking about breasts in Kindergarten wouldn't really be appropriate and we'd choose a better word...!!!
Ballerina and I recently took a walk on Saturday while Songbird napped - as her daddy also tried to catch some zzzzss. We stopped in at the TaiKwanDo joint and then a Dance studio - I'm on the hunt for a new activity for Ballerina. She is currently on hiatus from gymnastics and I thought I'd find something new for the next semester. I told her I wanted to look at the dance classes. She was down on the idea, until she determined that kids didn't dance with adults - it would only be kids. Then when I was asking for some details from the front desk, she slipped away to peek in the window of the studio. There was a huge group of children - from age 3 up to 16/17 practicing a number for the Columbus Day parade. She was riveted - and pointed out the littlest girl in the front. When we left the studio she was VERY interested in dance and said she'd like to learn some "cool moves!" Now we just have to figure out how to pay for this! This class goes from Sept through May and though we can enter her into the class late, I think we'd still have to pay for the whole year. Maybe we'll find a place holder program until first grade.....
Ballerina has a lot coming up - she turns FIVE very soon. With her birthday will come her very first allowance. I've started to talk to her about what it means and how we'll be dividing up her allowance. We also have to figure out what new responsibility and priveledge will come her way.
As she will be starting to grasp the whole $$ thing, she is also deciding what to do with the donation money we're alloting her to celebrate her birthday. We explained that we would like her to choose a group of people or cause that could use the money for their organization. We hope that she is excited to be helping people in this way and are glad that she knows this is a positive way to celebrate her big day. She is just growing up before our eyes - despite my admonition to her regularly to grow SLOW!
Just a quick note on Songbird. She is listening and not growing too fast! Songbird is just a little bit of a thing still and learning so much every day. Yesterday for the first time she was in an upbeat mood and more noisy at pickup from preschool. Usually I find a quiet girl with a thumb in her mouth. Yesterday she was cheery and giving high fives to her teachers. THAT's my girl! The teacher notes that they are "still working on sharing and cooperative play" - not too hard to decode....she is NOT sharing and grabbing toys from other children...sigh...she'll get there!
Anyway, I have to wake her from naptime so that she can get some lunch in her stomach before its time to go to preschool. Then its off to the gym for me......its cliche, going to the gym on the day I weigh in at weight watchers -but I do it every week....just that little extra push!
Later....
This week her class is on the "hunt" for the missing letter "B". She sat down at the table with a magazine and scissors while I supervised her "finds" for inclusion in her "B" bag. She was cutting out lots of photos along with words....a few times though I had to stop the scissors and move her along. I hadn't counted on the headlines "Breast Pain" or the advertisement for "Butt Paste" to be contenders for the letter "B". She asked me why....I had to explain that talking about breasts in Kindergarten wouldn't really be appropriate and we'd choose a better word...!!!
Ballerina and I recently took a walk on Saturday while Songbird napped - as her daddy also tried to catch some zzzzss. We stopped in at the TaiKwanDo joint and then a Dance studio - I'm on the hunt for a new activity for Ballerina. She is currently on hiatus from gymnastics and I thought I'd find something new for the next semester. I told her I wanted to look at the dance classes. She was down on the idea, until she determined that kids didn't dance with adults - it would only be kids. Then when I was asking for some details from the front desk, she slipped away to peek in the window of the studio. There was a huge group of children - from age 3 up to 16/17 practicing a number for the Columbus Day parade. She was riveted - and pointed out the littlest girl in the front. When we left the studio she was VERY interested in dance and said she'd like to learn some "cool moves!" Now we just have to figure out how to pay for this! This class goes from Sept through May and though we can enter her into the class late, I think we'd still have to pay for the whole year. Maybe we'll find a place holder program until first grade.....
Ballerina has a lot coming up - she turns FIVE very soon. With her birthday will come her very first allowance. I've started to talk to her about what it means and how we'll be dividing up her allowance. We also have to figure out what new responsibility and priveledge will come her way.
As she will be starting to grasp the whole $$ thing, she is also deciding what to do with the donation money we're alloting her to celebrate her birthday. We explained that we would like her to choose a group of people or cause that could use the money for their organization. We hope that she is excited to be helping people in this way and are glad that she knows this is a positive way to celebrate her big day. She is just growing up before our eyes - despite my admonition to her regularly to grow SLOW!
Just a quick note on Songbird. She is listening and not growing too fast! Songbird is just a little bit of a thing still and learning so much every day. Yesterday for the first time she was in an upbeat mood and more noisy at pickup from preschool. Usually I find a quiet girl with a thumb in her mouth. Yesterday she was cheery and giving high fives to her teachers. THAT's my girl! The teacher notes that they are "still working on sharing and cooperative play" - not too hard to decode....she is NOT sharing and grabbing toys from other children...sigh...she'll get there!
Anyway, I have to wake her from naptime so that she can get some lunch in her stomach before its time to go to preschool. Then its off to the gym for me......its cliche, going to the gym on the day I weigh in at weight watchers -but I do it every week....just that little extra push!
Later....
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