She Amazes Me More and More Each Day

Natalie amazes more and more each day. I few weeks ago she just started writing numbers. I didn't know she could do that. So we got a book and practiced. I hadn't spent much time on her fine motor skills as far as printing numbers and letters because she was never interested in it other than her name. Ryan and I tend to think that she felt a little inadequate when she colored with us because it wasn't as good even though we always praised her. About a month ago she started taking up drawing for us and made a super picture of Cinderella. I took it to work and hung it up. Then she red color words. Granted she recognized them by first letter but they weren't on a crayon but on a white page. She got the blue, black and brown mixed up - but, I didn't know she could do that either.

I have spent a lot of time with her on concets of print and phonemic awareness so I wasn't really surprised when she started writing words phonetically. If I sound it out for her she can spell it. It's not spelled write but phonetically she most always gets the first and last letter and I help her with the middle sounds.

As for concepts of print I've been tracking with her since we began reading together and today she made me proud. She took a familiar book and read it to me. She tracked (pointed to each word) and read perfectly! I could have cried tears of joy. Then tonight she read that book again and got another, Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? She read me the whole book. Yes, I know she memorized the text but each page was spot on. She may have peeked a little at the upcoming pictures but she read superbly! And let me tell you, as a former kindergarten teacher, Natalie rocks!

Who Dressed These Two?

It wasn't Mommy! But, aw, they are still cute!!!

Shopping

I have certainly created a love, at least a like, of shopping in my children. "Mattchu" delighted in trying on some new Elmo "shoos" today. Although, last week he screamed as the girl tried to size his foot at Stride Rite. Today was different. First, Mommy was putting the shoe on his foot and second, he loves Elmo. Of course, after frequent Target trips it is no wonder that he doesn't mind going to stores. We usually make a visit to the toy section. I try not to let him out of the cart. That has proven to be disasterous in the past. He is content browsing toys. I let him hold them for a while and put them back. Today he held a penguin - I mean Happy Feet and then a zebra. When he was done he said, "All done, Appy Teet," or "All done, zebra." He waved and I put them back. He does have his limits, though, and certainly tells me as he stiffens up when I try to put him in his carseat.

After we dropped Mattchu off for a nap, Natalie and I headed out for more errands. I needed some inexpensive things for my class so we went to the Dollar Tree. I gave her a dollar to spend and she bought a frog family of squeaky frogs. We got quite a bit for a little. As much as I hate going to those dollar stores, I was quite pleased with my bag of stuff bought for little. Then we had a nice outing at the bookstore, reading books and playing with trains. Then it was off to Kohl's. It was there that Natalie decided she needed to try on clothes in the dressing rooms. We found a lovely rainbow Dora dress and a blouse to try on. Picture her twirling in the mirror in a brightly colored rainbow, ruffly dress. How could we not buy it?

Later, after Daddy's grumbled about shopping, Natalie tried on the dress for him. She ran down the stairs to tell me, "Mommy, good news! Daddy says I can keep the dress and I don't have to take it back to the store!"

So, yes I can take my boy to a store. My daughter loves shopping too. But, we can go to a store and buy absolutely nothing at all. I am trying to teach Natalie the value of money. At the Dollar Tree she saw other things she wanted as well, but knowing that she could only buy one thing she mentally put all those other things on her "list." Sometimes we may come out with a cute dress or shoes, other times nothing at all but the fun of looking.

Penguins Have a New Name

Yes, penguins have a new name in our house and they evoke a new feeling and action. Penguins are known as "appy teet," and when you see a penguin, you better dance! Seriously, any time Matthew sees a penguin he shouts, "Appy Teet!" and dances. It's pretty cute. You can see the video by bebopping over to Ryan's blog. That was after first getting the film. Now, it's just common knowledge.

A Quick Note Before Hiatus

Yes, my posts have been infrequent. I am much too buys wrapping up my school year to put much effort into this, sadly. I'll add a few comments and then, unless something big happens, I probably won't be back until June.

Natalie - can write numbers and is starting to sound out and write words. Of course it's sound spelling but if she gets the first and last sound, I am happy. On some, if I help her sound them out, she can get the middle sound too. Then, the other day we were at the gas station and she noticed a sign and asked, "Mommy, what do those three words say?" And there were three words! She is starting to distinguish words too. So we have some phonemic awareness and print readiness. Hurray.

Matthew - has been in a mood lately. I don't think he feels all that well. He has developed a cough too. His new favorite word is, "NO!" with enthusiasm. He can certainly get his dislikes across.