And the Band Played On...

Most days Charlotte's eating habits are exemplary.
Today, upon leaving the room momentarily to get a cloth for her face and hands, I returned to find her with juice cup upturned (juice finished).
"Why did you do that?" I asked her plainly and not freaked.
"I wanted a drum," she said just as plainly and not freaked.

Supposed To Be

Routines can run away with your life's plan to be spontaneous.
Charlotte loves routines and I just need a way to get her not to freak a bit when we change-up the usual.

For instance: the complete bedtime rituatl abridged due to time.
I comfort her and let her know that tomorrow is another day.

What to do? A good kid with a memory like a steal trap.

I Know What I Like

Upon visiting friends and family, Charlotte remembers the things that they have or do that give her a giggle.

This morning, Charlotte and I had a meeting with my boss - Sally.
Charlotte remembered that during last week's meeting, Sally had made her clasped hands squeak and told Charlotte that there was a tiny mouse hiding inside. Charlotte waited patiently for Sally and I to talk about the school year, review lessons and even take a short walk to my new classroom. Then, she proudly asked, "may I see the mouse."

It is wonderful to remember all the good qualities in those around us. Maybe we should all take time to note the what we like about friends and family!

6 Day Update

Sorry about the pause in production.
Here is a quick update of the last six days:

*****Replying to David's wondering what he should have for lunch...Charlotte suggested "some bread, Jalapenos and cheese." And, that is exactly what he brought for lunch.

*****When noticing a girl standing in the backseat of a car in front of us at a stoplight...Charlotte commented, "She is doing a bad thing. She should be wearing a seat belt."

*****A frequent topic of conversation with Charlotte has been her interest in what babies eat, drink and do when they are born. She now readily announces that her brother will "drink from Eema's breast."

*****The words occassionally, usually, actually and now the phrase "supposed to" are regular and well placed words in her sentences.

*****Borrowing is a difficult concept to teach but Charlotte seems to enjoy sharing beyond her home when she has allowed a friend to borrow to Winnie the Pooh characters after playtime.

*****The fact that children do not show off is apparent when Charlotte eats much less than usual and with manners lower than her usual when we eat at someone else's house.

I'll be sure to keep updated. I've even got some drafts in storage for when the little boy is born.

Joy in Everything

I know it was a while ago but ahhhh, the joy in one single apple. How is it possible that we all do not understand how to harness our youthful joy in simple things like picking one apple?! It is as if she sees G-d's image in everything.

Hal-Peen-Yo

David eats his sandwiches - both cheese and deli - with a coating of Jalapeno slices. Charlotte has become quite interested in these green discs. This evening David offered her the tiniest of tastes to quench both her thirst for knowledge and her zest for food.

Well, the verdict is in - as she twisted her face and little tongue at the taste of the heat... she does NOT like Jalapenos. Or, as she said, "Some people like hot food, some people do not like hot food."

Shabbat Excitement

Ritual and Routine had become a source of excitement, anticipation, pleasure and steadiness in our lives every increasingly since the day Charlotte was born.

Friday evenings create a special joy for Charlotte as she looks forward to setting the table with her Daddy. They have their own little methodology as Charlotte trapses back and forth to the kitchen to get the assorted Sabbath paraphenailia (candles, grape juice, Challah, etc).

Routine and ritual....let them become a special part of your home.

Usually

Naptime seems to give way to either Charlotte's lovely or cranky side depending on the day. Thankfully she's been happier lately.

Today she immediately asked to be read some books from her pile in bed. I asked her if her bunny Bobo could read them.

"Bunnies can't read," she replied.
"Can you read it?"
"No, I can't read yet," she replied.
"Can Eema's (mothers) read it?"
"Usually Eema's can read," she replied.

Usually....that's a word that I don't usually use...I think...or maybe I do.

Library Time

Our librarian asked Charlotte a question as part of a summer library reading program.
Charlotte was more than happy to tell the librarian all about her favorite parts of "Flora's Blanket" by Debi Gliori. We borrow 7-8 books weekly and attend a marvelous library storytime at the Main Library. The only problem with Charlotte's answer is that she was retelling the entire story because she just ADORES this book and had me read it over and over.

UNT

There are still some letter sounds and an occassional word that Charlotte has not begun to pronounce correctly.

Examples:
"Unt" for "I want"
"Wisdat" for "What is that?"
Any word beginning or containing "K" is still a "T".

David and I were joking that she'll be in college and ask the professor an upper level question beginning with "Wisdat?"

What in the World?

Each day as naptime ends I greet my little girl in bed.
She wakes from her slumber either before or at my greeting.
A regular question upon her waking is "May I have snack and juice?"
Recently, Charlotte has begun to ask what I'll be making for Dinner because my prep work is part of our evening schedule.

Today, I replied, "I'm making Tacos for dinner."
"Tacos," she said." "What in the world are Tacos?!"

Did she say "What in the world?"...yup.
Where she gets that...I"ve asked and she claims it is from Nemo but a google.com and script check tell me NOPE.