The girls are completely smitten with Christmas right now. They go to a Methodist preschool, and of course, they are learning the story of Joseph and Mary and the birth of baby Jesus.
We have a board book of carols, that came with a CD, and they love to flip thru the book as they listen to their CD of carols. They love Away in a Manger and We Three Kings.
We listen to the CD while we eat. While eating breakfast yesterday, Vivian proclaimed, "Mama, you dosef, I Mary and dis is da baby jeezis." She was pointing to a cashew. Everytime we see Baby Jesus in a nativity scene, Vivian says, "Awww, heeso koot!"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
We 3 Kings
I got the girls a Christmas Carols board book that has a CD of xmas carols. We have been listening to the cd in the kitchen, and Sophie likes to read along in the book while listening to learn the songs.
The other day, she said to me, "Mama, you are my star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty sight!" It was quite possibly the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me and I was truly touched.
One more thing - we attended the preschool's Christmas party yesterday, Saturday. We had to wait in a line to see Santa. When it was Vivi's turn, she could barely wait for the kids before her to exit Santa's lap before she was running headlong into Santa as he put his hands out to her! She just loves Santa. Sophie did not want to visit Santa at all - she simply stood back and watched her sister with me while I snapped some photos.
The other day, she said to me, "Mama, you are my star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty sight!" It was quite possibly the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me and I was truly touched.
One more thing - we attended the preschool's Christmas party yesterday, Saturday. We had to wait in a line to see Santa. When it was Vivi's turn, she could barely wait for the kids before her to exit Santa's lap before she was running headlong into Santa as he put his hands out to her! She just loves Santa. Sophie did not want to visit Santa at all - she simply stood back and watched her sister with me while I snapped some photos.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Live Nativity
Tonight we went to a live nativity. It was very cool - I figured it would be nothing more than a manger scene, but it was the whole story, in many scenes. From the angel who came to bear the glad tidings, all the way to Mary holding the baby Jesus.
When I told the girls we were going to go see it, Vivian said, "I wanna see Baby Jeeezus and da kings!" It was hilarious. I mean, where does she get this stuff? They are learning about baby jesus in preschool these days so maybe that is where she is picking it up.
Vivian was in hog heaven with all the animals. There were little donkeys - a mama and baby to pet, sheep, goats, a small strange cow (not a normal one) and even 2 camels! I never knew a live nativity could be so fun, but it was SUPER cold out.
Vivi passed out in the carseat on the way home - it was only 7:30 but she had no nap today. Although she did keep her pants dry all day. Perhaps she is going to go back to being potty trained now?
When I told the girls we were going to go see it, Vivian said, "I wanna see Baby Jeeezus and da kings!" It was hilarious. I mean, where does she get this stuff? They are learning about baby jesus in preschool these days so maybe that is where she is picking it up.
Vivian was in hog heaven with all the animals. There were little donkeys - a mama and baby to pet, sheep, goats, a small strange cow (not a normal one) and even 2 camels! I never knew a live nativity could be so fun, but it was SUPER cold out.
Vivi passed out in the carseat on the way home - it was only 7:30 but she had no nap today. Although she did keep her pants dry all day. Perhaps she is going to go back to being potty trained now?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Holiday Ice Cream
This sounds really gross to me, but they are loving it.
We had some pumpkin ice cream for october time, and now have some peppermint candy cane ice cream for christmas, and Sophie wanted one scoop of pumpkin and one scoop of peppermint. And to top it all off? Sprinkles of course.
Three nights ago I came up with a dinner plan. We never ate dinner together b/c I was still in toddler/infant mode where you try and get them situated and calm in front of food so that you can then eat. Of course, with little babies, you never get to eat while you are feeding them. But I really wanted us to be able to sit down and have dinner together.
Here is the plan.
They now eat on new Corelle dishes we got from freecycle. They are very excited to have "grown up" dishes. I gave away all the plastic plates.
We light taper candles at the table.
We dim the lights.
We put on Ella Fitzgerald music. (Thanks to Ali for this suggestion)
I get all our dinners ready together (mine is nuked and I have fresh salad) and theirs is usually chicken nuggets.
I put some veggies on their plate. (Thanks to Caz for this)
We sit down and say grace and eat together.
We made up a game called the Good Manners game. Each person gets a turn exhibiting either good or bad manners and the others have to guess if the behavior is good or bad manners. Seeing Vivian chew her food with her little lips pursed together as she eats with her mouth closed is priceless! And she is so PROUD of herself!
Tonight's lesson was that if we have to reach across someone's plate, we say , "Please excuse my reach." and "No elbows on the table." Also featured was , "May I be excused please?"
Last night's lesson was "Please pass the salt."
Now they ask if we can light the candles at breakfast!
And after dinner, they each get to blow out one candle. They are becoming pro's at "clearing their plates" meaning taking them to the sink when they are done.
We had some pumpkin ice cream for october time, and now have some peppermint candy cane ice cream for christmas, and Sophie wanted one scoop of pumpkin and one scoop of peppermint. And to top it all off? Sprinkles of course.
Three nights ago I came up with a dinner plan. We never ate dinner together b/c I was still in toddler/infant mode where you try and get them situated and calm in front of food so that you can then eat. Of course, with little babies, you never get to eat while you are feeding them. But I really wanted us to be able to sit down and have dinner together.
Here is the plan.
They now eat on new Corelle dishes we got from freecycle. They are very excited to have "grown up" dishes. I gave away all the plastic plates.
We light taper candles at the table.
We dim the lights.
We put on Ella Fitzgerald music. (Thanks to Ali for this suggestion)
I get all our dinners ready together (mine is nuked and I have fresh salad) and theirs is usually chicken nuggets.
I put some veggies on their plate. (Thanks to Caz for this)
We sit down and say grace and eat together.
We made up a game called the Good Manners game. Each person gets a turn exhibiting either good or bad manners and the others have to guess if the behavior is good or bad manners. Seeing Vivian chew her food with her little lips pursed together as she eats with her mouth closed is priceless! And she is so PROUD of herself!
Tonight's lesson was that if we have to reach across someone's plate, we say , "Please excuse my reach." and "No elbows on the table." Also featured was , "May I be excused please?"
Last night's lesson was "Please pass the salt."
Now they ask if we can light the candles at breakfast!
And after dinner, they each get to blow out one candle. They are becoming pro's at "clearing their plates" meaning taking them to the sink when they are done.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Bye bye earring
Before I tell this tale, I should begin by telling the tale of the pierced ear. On Tues, we went to the mall to see Santa and I always ask Sophie if she wants earrings. I was trying to talk to Vivian about it before this trip to the mall, when Sophie chirped up and said she wanted some earrings. I was THRILLED. We went to Claire's and Sophie was all ready. She had her teddy bear with her, sat in the chair, picked out the crystal flowers she wanted and everything.
There was only one employee in the store, and well, we left with only one ear pierced! It was way too traumatic to do the 2nd one. There were lots of tears. I suggested we go visit Santa and think over the 2nd ear. No candy bribe on earth could convince her to do the 2nd ear.
We left $40 poorer, with one earring.
Well, tonite, Friday night, after many warnings and admonishings, the girls were jumping and wrestling on the bed while I talked to Daddy on the phone, on the bed with them, mind you. All of sudden, Sophie cries out, "My earring! It came out! It got caught in Vivian's hair!" Sure enough, I looked to see an empty hole. I was so angry. I hung up the phone with Daddy, rushed to the bathroom with the alcohol and tried to get that earring back in the hole. It would only slide in 1/2 way easily. I tried as gently as I could, with Sophie's help, she was being very still, but it was no use.
She had one ear pierced for 3 days. Bye bye earring.
They are sleeping in separate rooms tonight. I am not happy.
There was only one employee in the store, and well, we left with only one ear pierced! It was way too traumatic to do the 2nd one. There were lots of tears. I suggested we go visit Santa and think over the 2nd ear. No candy bribe on earth could convince her to do the 2nd ear.
We left $40 poorer, with one earring.
Well, tonite, Friday night, after many warnings and admonishings, the girls were jumping and wrestling on the bed while I talked to Daddy on the phone, on the bed with them, mind you. All of sudden, Sophie cries out, "My earring! It came out! It got caught in Vivian's hair!" Sure enough, I looked to see an empty hole. I was so angry. I hung up the phone with Daddy, rushed to the bathroom with the alcohol and tried to get that earring back in the hole. It would only slide in 1/2 way easily. I tried as gently as I could, with Sophie's help, she was being very still, but it was no use.
She had one ear pierced for 3 days. Bye bye earring.
They are sleeping in separate rooms tonight. I am not happy.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
first thing in the morning
Neither of the girls like to eat breakfast the minute they wake up, but about 45 min after they wake, they are hungry. Vivian likes to ask for lollipops first thing. Then, when we get in the van to go somewhere, she asks for gum - especially in Costco for some reason.
The other day, she was singing "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do". It was interesting, b/c I have not sung that to her in a good 6-8 mos. Her musical memory and intelligence is incredible. She has a very broad repetoire of songs she knows.
One day after she pushed her cousin Ashton down, she told me, "I wannoo say sahwee Asston". She remembers lots of things like that. She says to me, "Are you sad because your mom died?" and "Are you sad b/c G.G. died?"
About a month ago, we were in the grocery store and the person who helped us take the groceries to the car had a strange tic. He would say streams of numbers and information conversationally, but it took you a few seconds to realize it didn't make sense. He was sort of like Rainman or something. It was our first encounter with a special person like this. Sophie just sort of looked at me sheepishly and wasn't quite sure what to do. She was a little scared.
I tried to make conversation by saying, "Isn't this man so nice to help us with our groceries?"
After we said thank you to him, and he went back into the store, Sophie looked at me as I strapped her into her car seat and whispered, "Mommy, I think that many was kind of strange."
I was proud of her that she had an innate sense of tact - she did not shout out anything like I probably would have done at that age, "Hey, what are you talking about???" She was careful to make sure he did not hear her comment and she was naturally nervous about the strangeness. That tells me her intuition is working fine.
Then the next week, we went to the dr. office for my TB test so I can be on the substitute list at the girls' preschool. A mentally retarded younger adult man came in, tended by 2 women. The girls were playing a game on the floor "Jumpin Josie" where I sing a song and they do the actions. When it got to crawling, the M.R. guy wanted to crawl around with them, and they were very scared. Except, I think Vivian thought it was great fun. The poor guy did not know how scary his roaring was, and Sophie jumped in my lap cowering, but Vivian thought it was hilarious.
Also, the other night at bedtime, Sophie asked me about cigarettes and what they were. That was a first.
The other day, she was singing "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do". It was interesting, b/c I have not sung that to her in a good 6-8 mos. Her musical memory and intelligence is incredible. She has a very broad repetoire of songs she knows.
One day after she pushed her cousin Ashton down, she told me, "I wannoo say sahwee Asston". She remembers lots of things like that. She says to me, "Are you sad because your mom died?" and "Are you sad b/c G.G. died?"
About a month ago, we were in the grocery store and the person who helped us take the groceries to the car had a strange tic. He would say streams of numbers and information conversationally, but it took you a few seconds to realize it didn't make sense. He was sort of like Rainman or something. It was our first encounter with a special person like this. Sophie just sort of looked at me sheepishly and wasn't quite sure what to do. She was a little scared.
I tried to make conversation by saying, "Isn't this man so nice to help us with our groceries?"
After we said thank you to him, and he went back into the store, Sophie looked at me as I strapped her into her car seat and whispered, "Mommy, I think that many was kind of strange."
I was proud of her that she had an innate sense of tact - she did not shout out anything like I probably would have done at that age, "Hey, what are you talking about???" She was careful to make sure he did not hear her comment and she was naturally nervous about the strangeness. That tells me her intuition is working fine.
Then the next week, we went to the dr. office for my TB test so I can be on the substitute list at the girls' preschool. A mentally retarded younger adult man came in, tended by 2 women. The girls were playing a game on the floor "Jumpin Josie" where I sing a song and they do the actions. When it got to crawling, the M.R. guy wanted to crawl around with them, and they were very scared. Except, I think Vivian thought it was great fun. The poor guy did not know how scary his roaring was, and Sophie jumped in my lap cowering, but Vivian thought it was hilarious.
Also, the other night at bedtime, Sophie asked me about cigarettes and what they were. That was a first.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sad Days
Grandma Cindy passed away 5 days ago, and her funeral was yesterday. On the day she passed, we went to her house to get some photo albums so I could work on a slide show of photos of her for the service.
Vivian ran to the "prize drawer" and got bracelets out of it. She ran down the hallway, shouting to show me the bracelets - "LOOK, Mama!" So I asked her if she had gotten them from the prize drawer and she said yes. Then she took off, calling "Gwamma Cindee! Gwamma Cindee!" She wanted to show her that she had gotten the bracelets. It was totally heartbreaking.
The prize drawer remains fully stocked to this day. There is a "stash" drawer right beside it which fed the prize drawer. I am so glad the girls will have photos and fond memories of how much their Grandma Cindy loved them.
Today, the girls were playing in the basement, and I called them to come outside with me. Sophie said, "OK, Nu-gie" to Vivian. Nugie is Grandma Cindy's dog's nickname for Nugget, his "real" name. Then Sophie explained to me they were playing Grandma Cindy's Fetch. "I'm pretending to be Grandma Cindy, and Vivian is pretending to be Nugie and she has the Tinkertoy in her mouth!"
Vivian ran to the "prize drawer" and got bracelets out of it. She ran down the hallway, shouting to show me the bracelets - "LOOK, Mama!" So I asked her if she had gotten them from the prize drawer and she said yes. Then she took off, calling "Gwamma Cindee! Gwamma Cindee!" She wanted to show her that she had gotten the bracelets. It was totally heartbreaking.
The prize drawer remains fully stocked to this day. There is a "stash" drawer right beside it which fed the prize drawer. I am so glad the girls will have photos and fond memories of how much their Grandma Cindy loved them.
Today, the girls were playing in the basement, and I called them to come outside with me. Sophie said, "OK, Nu-gie" to Vivian. Nugie is Grandma Cindy's dog's nickname for Nugget, his "real" name. Then Sophie explained to me they were playing Grandma Cindy's Fetch. "I'm pretending to be Grandma Cindy, and Vivian is pretending to be Nugie and she has the Tinkertoy in her mouth!"
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