Daily report

My dear "was listening to her friend Andrew tell us that he wants strawberry seeds from Santa so he can plan them everyday.  When he was done, [my daughter] said to him, 'Andrew, that is a really nice idea!"

Daily report

My dear daughter and her close friends at school pretended they were on a magic carpet ride today.

Daily report

My daughter "showed her friends how she knows how to put on a jacket the 'grown-up' way." 

"Letter" to Santa

I asked my little 4 year old if she wanted to send a letter to Santa - and she said "Yes....W" :)  And said we could leave it for him under the tree.  

Daily report

The CD we brought into daycare was a big hit with the kids. It was a nice detraction from the holiday songs - the fun songs from Nonna kept the kids dancing! 

We're having a baby...

So we sat down our 4 year old last night and told her that we're having a baby.  She was excited, though actually more inquisitive and pensive.  She understood she'd be a big sister - she's been wanting that for some time, knowing so many of her friends have small brothers and sisters.  I explained she'll see Mommy's tummy get bigger and bigger because the baby's in there growing. And the baby would be coming when the weather starts to get warmer in Spring. She then asked, "how does it come out?"   Unprepared for that question, I said, "there's a special place for it to come out."  She replied, "your mouth!?" And I said, "no, actually it comes out down here," and motioned a sweeping motion between my legs as I sat on the couch next to her and my husband.  Then that was about it - we'd addressed her questions and she was done.  She got up to play.

It wasn't until tonight as I picked her up from daycare that I knew she'd been listening...to EVERYTHING we'd said.  All the teachers congratulated me, and mentioned they knew all the details... She'd announced, "I'm having a baby. It's coming in May. Mommy's tummy is going to get bigger and bigger and then the baby is going to come out here. (motioning in a sweeping motion between her legs)."  The teachers said she even looked slightly concerned with that, in a way it looked like she knew that would not be easy. :)   She'd also told them it is not coming out of my mouth.  Too funny....she is SO proud.  

Daily report

Today she worked on her "K"s and "W"s and made a triangle out of Lincoln Logs

Daily report

My daughter and her friend Maddie seemed very interested in ice cream today - at circle time as their teacher set up, they got their friends together and decided the topic for discussion would be ice cream and then called on friends to talk.  

Today she was telling a story at lunch that started, "Once a long, long time ago...that's yesterday..."  

Daily report

She did a great job following directions this morning - with a new bean bag CD game which gives directions to dance, she was listening and following the steps!

Daily report

Today they learned "B" words - they played with the baby sensory table, and then 2 important B words were Birthday and Ballet. Happy Birthday!

The 4th Birthday

The birthday girl was so excited to turn 4!  We celebrated at a local ice cream place and she and her friends played games, had pizza and enjoyed ice cream and a special cake from Aunt Mimi - who's traditionally baked the most delicious birthday cakes each year! 

Daily report

Today she did a great job at picture time - during the class photo she helped her friends sit up like young ladies - dresses down, hands on lap and beautiful smile!

Halloween Princesses

The Halloween princesses were out tonight enjoying their Trick-or-treating! 

Germs

Daily report: "[She] enjoyed learning about germs and how to not share them.

Daily experience report: "Katherine learned a few tools today and how they are used properly.  When I asked her who was picking her up, she said, 'I don't know....oh wait, probably dad because mom's back still hurts.'"  

My more fav funny comment from her was when she asked me in the morning if I was going to work....because I used to go to work, she said.  :(    Eventually this back pain will be gone.  

Daily report

Today's Daily Experience report: "Katherine did a very nice job standing up for her friend Hanna today when another friend wouldn't let Hannah [play] in blocks. She politely told them, 'Miss Jen said it's ok because only two friends are there.'"  

Rice Krispies or green beans

Daily Experience Report: "Today [she] told me how much she likes Rice Krispies, but green beans are even better!  I asked why and she said because they help boo-boo's go away!"  (And that is her Dad's great work on healthy eating)

"No, it's dangerous."

My 3-yr old was watching "Aristocats" and, as the butler rode his motorbike down stairs and back up again, I said, "that's crazy" and she replied, "No, it's dangerous." :)

Love of water

Daily report: "[She] stated that her favorite show-n-share was Hannah's sailboat. When asked why, she said because she loves the water."   I don't think either of us knew that about her.  

Listening ears...

Daily report: "[She] brought her listening ears today!  Because she was a great role model throughout the day!  [She] went on a nature walk looking for different color leaves for fall!"

She loves to find and collect beautifully colored leaves.

Conversations

Daily report: "[She], some of her friends and Miss Jen got to practice having a conversation today because a group tried to talk at once!  Then we took turns and everyone got a turn to tell their story!"

Out of the mouth of my babe

My 3-year old daughter mentioned something so simple and sweet on her perspective of God:

"Momma, you know that lady in the sky who watches over everyone? She watches over parents and kids. I really like God. She's very nice." I've never mentioned if God is a He or a She so her vision is her own. But it's nice to know she has taken to the concept that God is with us wherever we are and is watching over us. It is this faith that gets me through so many things on a daily basis.

How to draw a five

Today's report from daycare said my little one showed the teacher how to draw a five and used Grandma's method - 'a man took a walk, went around the corner and his hat blew off' - I realized it was the 5th.  It's nice she remembers what Grandma taught her months earlier.  And it was our 10th anniversary! Big day. :)

Out of the mouth of my babe

My 3-yr old daughter made an interesting, sweet and simple comment the other day: "Momma, you know the lady in the sky - that watches over everyone? She watches over parents and kids. I really like God. She's very nice." I have never connected a gender with God - she has come to this on her own. But it is nice to know she has taken to the belief that God is with us wherever we are, and in whatever we do. It is this faith that gets me through many issues on a daily basis.

Dr Horrible

So I was recently introduced to Joss Whedon through my friends, and am just enamored of "Dr. Horrible's Sing-along-blog." Many fans have many good things to say - it's fun to read how many people are just as enamored....

I even love this article...their "voices" are so good - they seem so well-intentioned. That's so inspiring. (On an aside: Oh how I wish to be a part of this world...well, that world...the world I dreamed of as an aspiring actor in all the school and summer-camp plays...before the logical sound of reality like rent, bills, and material things in general had a nervous Mom advising me to get a career in science so I'd be successful...."Balls!") :)
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20213067_20213068_20214910,00.html

Leap Day Birthday!

It only comes but once every 4 years and 2008 was a real birthday year. I enjoyed a lovely lunch with my husband, an early evening with my daughter over some delicious chocolate cake and celebrated with champagne and pearls! Who could ask for more?

Who knew what Videocracy would lead to?

I knew it was a special event - "by invitation only" - to see what we could expect on YouTube in 2008. I knew, since it was Google, after years of working with them, that the event would be nothing short of grandious. Apparently "no press" doesn't mean "no buzz"... COOL! :) Last night was not only informative but fun.
http://mashable.com/2008/02/14/youtube-videocracy/
The night reinforced our latest "left turn" - time is now to engage with your audience rather than talking at them. In addition to numerous self-made "talent" from popular YouTube pages, many big hitters from YouTube, Google, cnn.com, P&G and the entertainment industry spoke on behalf of the benefits of video.
My brush with fame was popping over to where Damon Wayans was sitting to sit with him and just say 'hi'. He was demoing a string of clips from his upcoming sketch comedy channel on YouTube: WayOutTV. He mentioned it launched that night, and that he and his creative team were developing the sketches. It's very "In Living Color" which for me, put the Wayan's brothers on the map. http://punchlinemagazine.com/blog/?p=641 We had fun with ths moment for the rest of the night! But as usual, Google were great hosts and we had way more fun than planned!

Phillie trip

When I was in Phillie for a meeting, I called home and my 3 y.o. asked "Where are you?" and I said in the bathroom at the hotel.  Her reply was, "They have bathrooms in Philadelphia?" :)