Not yet, two more minutes

When I picked Calvin up from school as we were heading out he asked to see the fish up-close. I said no, but then he said to me, "not yet, two more minutes". So I gave him two minutes to watch the fish.



But this morning he was quite the charmer as we walked E into school today (last Friday of the 1st grade!) he insisted on wearing his backpack just like the big kids.



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Waffles

This morning I witnessed Calvin eat:
About 1/2 lb blueberries
1.5 eggs
Toast
A couple strawberries
Watermelon
At least 1 waffle




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Sucker fish

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Spirit and tears

This week is spirit week at Ellie's school. Yesterday was crazy hair; she did not want to participate. Today was sports jersey day and she wore her Cubs shirt.



Calvin, on the other hand, had no spirit or happiness when I got to school to pick him up. Once he saw me he yelled no! And ran to hide under a table. Apparently under the table is his nap time hiding place or where he goes for tantrums. I was able to coax him out but it took a while. His tears and yelling got me many sympathetic looks from parents and yeah it was tough, but eventually he stopped crying in the car.








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Piano recital

Yesterday Ellie participated in her third piano recital. She performed Musette, the last piece in Suzuki Book 1. It was her best performance yet. And I wasn't even in town to practice with her before it! Fortunately Nick, Grandma Pam, and Grandpa Mike all stepped in to practice with her and prepare for the recital.















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Panda House - Complete

Ellie finished her panda house over the weekend. We ended up having to get a glue gun to attach the bamboo and Ellie used it by herself (with parental guidance and instruction).







This morning, she turned it in. I Wales her into school to help carry it, and her new panda fact book. It was fun watching the kids all check out each other's work.









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Remember?

Calvin found a brochure for the Museum of Science and Industry and he "read" it in the car today both to and from school.




(I was parked when I took this photo)

Every once in a while I would hear, "mommy?" Yes Calvin. "mommy, Chicago, plane" or "Chicago 'ornado woosh", or "choo choo" as if he was telling me about what he saw and remembered.

And he loved it!



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Working Hard

When I get Ellie from Learns early for piano sometimes it's a little hunt to find her.

I found her stuff in the library.










She didn't get her how work finished earlier in the week, so she had to finish it last night.



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Natural habitat

Oh! Did he see me?


Yeah, he saw me...





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Cake

For Nicks cake I let the kids do all the hard work. Ellie did most of the work making it (my goal is to have her make me my birthday cake which I told her I expected her to do).

They picked the frosting (chocolate) which they spread on the cake. After I did a little writing (Ellie didn't want to attempt it) I handed them some decorating frosting and sprinkles and walked away.
I think the same amount of frosting and sprinkles ended up on them as in the cake. They ended up taking bathes before we left the house!











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Busy weekend

Between Nicks birthday and Mother's Day we still had life to deal with. Which meant classes and projects.

Ellie got serious with her panda home project.









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Mothers Day Breakfast

Calvin's school was generous enough to host a Mothers Day breakfast for us moms. And so of course I joined him for yummy food and fun company.

It was chaotic. Calvin and I both spilled our drinks. But it was fun. There was mini cinnamon buns and berries so we were happy. And then all of the 2 year olds sang a song they had been working on which was adorable.

Calvin made me a present which was a painted picture frame and it's awesome!
















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A year ago

(Note: I had wireless connection issues yesterday so I'm posting this today)

Mornings have been really tough with Calvin lately. He apparently isn't a morning person. But it's better than sitting in a hospital with him while he has an oxygen tube which is where we were a year ago.

Ellie's panda project is going. She asked for an egg carton and cut it up to make a body and a head. In the photos she is coloring the face white with w paint pen.





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A plan

Ellie has a project assigned for school where she has to create a representation of a home. Any home. Doesn't matter. But a home.

She has chosen to build a panda habitat.

And she has developed a plan, complete with drawings, details, and even specifications. She has that architect/engineer in her.









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Sleep...

Last night was rough. Nick had a few rounds of getting Calvin back to sleep before I got home from work (I went back after dinner and came home around 11). Then I had a long period where I had to rock and settle Calvin back down. Every time I got out of bed to get him back down either Nicks alarm would go off (necessitating the whole calming procedure to start over) or once I had him down if get back to my bed to find Mallie in my spot.

Finally once Nick left for work I gave up and brought Cal to bed with me. Of course that meant I wasn't going to sleep well. At 3:00, Ellie starting freaking out and kept calling for me to turn her nightlight on. Well Calvin was sound asleep with my arm under him and I wasn't gonna get up. After a few minutes Ellie came to sleep with me and Calvin and Mallie.

In summary, I got about 1-2 hours of sleep. The kids fared better but not well. I have no idea why.

Which of course resulted in chaos in the morning.












Of course I had some crazy site visits and meetings today but I found myself near the Dunkin donuts in Santa Monica so I at least got a pick-me-up at lunchtime.


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New KidSpace!

The new area (well, reinvention of old) opened over the weekend and we headed then on Sunday to check it out. There is a new platform, hawks nest, place and the creek has been revamped. The kids had a blast, despite not having water shoes for Calvin.












Next time.

On Saturday night I took Ellie to Marshall Fundamental School's production of Beauty and the Beast. Marshall is a potential junior and high school for Ellie (it's 6-12) and its walking distance from the house. The show was great! Ellie really enjoyed it and I think because it was kids on stage, it was easy for her to relate. I was really impressed with the talent on the stage.


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