Once things settle I will have to post about some of the amazing places we went. But until I get some laundry done the computer is on hold.
I can wear it long or my favorite, doubled up.
She wants to take pictures of everything.
If she sees a camera or phone she needs it, and will fuss and sign please until she gets it.
So, a few mornings ago, I left the camera sitting on the kitchen counter. I heard some noise at 6:30 AM and came downstairs to find Maisy sitting on the floor with the camera.
She had pushed the stool over to the counter, turned the camera on, snapped a few shots, and then moved to the floor with it to take a few more.
Thankfully she is gentle. Now I put the camera in the bag, up on a shelf every night. I would be lost with out it, or her.
Creating is theraputic and a few years back my dad made and sold adirondack chairs, benches, and children's tables at festivals and farmer's markets. Well, while he thought he had closed up shop, he was bit by the bug again and my sister helped him set up on Etsy.
I have a few of his benches, a lot of step stools, and two kids tables with chairs and I love them.
He spent the entire trip like this:
While Maisy helped me take pictures of everyone.
Most of the time I was helping her, since she insisted on holding the camera.
She is obsessed with cameras right now, but that is another story.
began to play with it! I was shocked.
In fact when she took it out I said, "Watch that she doesn't throw it, she doesn't play with dolls."
But then she started making the doll patty-cake and gave it a kiss. I was so excited to see her playing like this.
So tomorrow I am going to go buy her the exact same doll. It made my day, maybe even my week.
Then we had a paper quilting bee. I started with three or four patterned papers and four or five solid papers. I cut the papers into 3" and 4" squares. Each child will need two small solid squares, two small, patterned squares, and two solid large squares.
Now cut the squares into triangles. I clothes-pinned the triangles together for each child, four small patterned triangles, four small solid triangles, and four large solid triangles, each set different from the others. There were twenty-three kids in the class, so to make it even I made twenty-four sets.
I gave each of the kids a pinwheel template and a set of triangles, then I made an example.
After they were done gluing their triangles to the template we sat down around a piece of butcher paper and worked together to make a "quilt". We talked about balancing the color throughout and spreading out the patterns for harmony. Then I glued the quilt blocks to the paper. Now they have a beautiful "quilt" to hang in the class room.
As she talked about numbers and letters, I thought about Maisy's upcoming progress meeting, her IEP. We will be discussing past goals and setting new goals, for physical, speech, and occupational therapy. I had an early discussion with her physical therapist yesterday and numbers and letters were not a part of the discussion, granted its physical therapy. However, Maisy's goals are more simple. Things like standing without support, transitioning on her own, forming consonant sounds that relate to objects, communicating wants and needs; things along those lines.
I wouldn't say I was feeling sorry for myself, just curious as I listened to what a normal preschooler would be doing at school. Then my curiosity turned a little towards sadness, but just for a second, because all of a sudden Maisy started laughing hysterically. She leaned into my arm and laughed and laughed. The little preschooler behind me turned and smiled, then she started laughing too. Soon the three of us were laughing over nothing at all. The little girl leaned to me and said, "She is really funny, huh." I said, "She is really funny." The three of us had a lot of fun and a good laugh, without any of the other adults realizing what was going on.
And that was my lesson today. Among the many things Maisy has taught me, she has taught me to laugh. Not like an adult laughs, but like a kid; without reason and without a care for what others may think. So numbers and letters are great, but laughter is my favorite medicine.
I ended up ordering her two pair and the shoes came today. I wasn't sure Maisy would walk in them because she was laughing so much over the squeak. But she got going and wouldn't stop. I think her favorite thing to do in her Squeakers is stand at the couch and jump up and down. A little annoying, but oh, so worth it.
Contrary to insta-care opinion, Jack has a major ear infection. I think his ear drum ruptured last night. So, while I spent the morning in snot-free clothes, on a field trip to the ballet, with Sadie; Evan spent the morning with two little ones at the doctor's office. Jack is supposed to be napping now, but I can hear him singing in his room, a very good sign.
I have a project over at A Little Great today that I really like and will probably make a couple more times. Go check it out.
He is getting so big. And I can't imagine my life without him. He was such a pleasant surprise. We had decided that our little family was done, but he wasn't okay with that and in the midst of hospitalizations and rounds of specialists for Maisy, he grew and developed. It was such a blessing to once again know the miracle of a baby being born healthy. I carried him for so long in my little sling, feeling him close and loving every minute of it. And then one day he was done and wanted nothing to do with being held by mommy.
And now he's big and independent. He outgrows his clothes and I pack them up and take them over to Ezra. And each time I feel a little tug, because he isn't little anymore.
Ella went for the most dramatic change. Maisy didn't want to be left out, so I put her in the chair and added a few layers to bring back her curls.
Jack took a trip to insta-care this morning for an eye infection and has been sleeping almost since he walked back through the door.
Poor little guy. Well, I'm off to make a fruit tart and tri-tip for Evan; its his only Valentine surprise, since I haven't gotten out much. Hope you have great day.
