Went for a walk

Today, Reagan and I went for a walk to feed the ducks. We put on our sunscreen and sunglasses to take our stroll down the block. Reagan carried the back of old bread and I carried my camera. I hoped to take some good pictures.

We got down there and the ducks immediately came to shore, even before we had the food out. Reagan started feeding them and they were very nice.

Then I looked up and saw the geese coming. Ugh. They are not so friendly. They came to shore ready to eat and seemed pretty aggressive. I kept Reagan close to me, but kept feeding them. Once I figured out they were not very nice, we started backing up more.

Then the geese hissed and started chasing us. Whoops! I said "run" and she did. I walked backwards to make sure they didn't follow us to closely and to keep my little girl safe.

She said "I don't like geese. They're too mean to feed". :)

Maddy knows numbers

Today, Maddy picked up two Dora dolls (one of hers and Reagan's) and said "two Doras".
Wow - really?

Pick me up!

It's been a very long six week. The hernia surgery was a must, but I couldn't pick up my little girls. It was very hard. But today, I got to pick up Reagan and carry her like I used to. I almost forgot how heavy she was - she's so tall. Ha. Maddy almost didn't know what to do with me picking her up in the morning and at school. I was personally in heaven. :)

New school

The decision has been made. We are moving her to Montessori for the fall school year. There have been enough factors that I've evaluated that I just don't feel we can wait. We will then also move Maddy next year if the school is able to provide what we think it can.

Reagan is ready for a change and is not happy at Goddard anymore. All of her friends graduated and are going on to kindergarten. Sadly, her school said she was too young even though she was smart enough.

She's ready. It will be nice. I'm a tad anxious because I really don't know what to expect. But I have a lot of people that I've spoken to about the concept in general and they all cheer about the outcomes. So we are ready.

One month and counting.

New school?

We took Reagan over to the new school today for her interview. I took Maddy to school and then met them there. She was already engaged in the room and seemed to be doing well. She looked happy and interested in what was going on. Of course, after speaking with her I really wonder what she was thinking.

We watched the interactions between her and the teacher. It was definitely interesting. We like it because she seemed to pick up on the responsibility and other things almost immediately.

We were both really excited about it when we left thinking she would be excited.

She wasn't actually. She threw a holy fit about going back to school. She complained about the interview and said it was boring. She hated the building, the roof, the doors, the bathrooms, the kids, the everything. It was weird.

So now what. I didn't expect that. Not that it's actually her decision, but it does throw a kink into our plans. The other issue is that the other kids that we think are not quite up to par actually go to this school.  Wow.

Reagan piano

Reagan had another piano lesson tonight. Jim took her and said she had done really well. They started on some note reading a bit. She paid attention and did what was asked of her. I think she is really starting to enjoy it some. She's definitely getting used to it.

I hope she sticks with this for a while and really starts to be able to play.

Giving directions

Mimi and Papa came over tonight for a quick visit. Maddy and Reagan really love it when they come - they always end up getting colored on and doctored up. Tonight, Maddy was playing in our rocking chair in the living room. She wanted to sit in it. But Mimi was. So she started pulling on her arm and said "my turn". It took a second to understand her, but when we realized what she was saying, she was pulling so hard on her arm that she had figured it out.

Maddy crawled right up into the chair, rocked a bit and then got down. "All done".

She did that a few times and then pranced off on her tip toes with her ponytail bouncing along with her.

Montessori interview

Reagan had her montessori interview today. We took her over and didn't really say much about it. She really just jumped in and started working and playing. She was able to figure out quickly how the room worked. She engaged with the teacher and responded to her corrections well. She seemed to really like it.

She did walk around the room. It is interesting to see how the teachers interact. They really expect the child to do for themselves. She was at the restroom and said "here's the switch" but didn't turn it on. Reagan just looked at her. Reagan doesn't need that help, but I found it interesting how they approach things.

When Reagan was playing, the teacher went to her. She had conversation one-on-one with her and Reagan seemed to really engage with her. I liked seeing that. It seemed like such a calm, quiet place - almost like their was a white noise-type hum in the room with the kids.

After about 30 minutes, her time was over. She didn't look like she wanted to leave. She seemed to want to stay.

Maddy's language

Maddy's language is getting so clear. It's just amazing how clear her language is getting. She's been speaking in at least three word sentences for a while now, but not all the words have been clear. I'm just amazed at how far she's come.

One of the things we've noticed is that she's really not had any issues with her ears or sinuses lately. That and she's not really been a huge milk drinker either. Maybe the combination of the two has helped her get clearer hearing and therefore better language. I'm not sure, but it's just nice to have our little one speak clearly.

Drawing things

Reagan is getting really good at drawing things. I am amazed at some of the things she is bring home this week verses some of the things that she brought home in the spring. She seems to be more interested in actually drawing things and colors inside the lines really well now too.

It's got to be something that just clicked with her this summer. She's gone from scribbles to actual drawings. I am so excited for her.

Talking

She's starting to say more complex words like strawberry and more phrases like "oh no, what happened?" She is getting to the point that we can have a Q&A type conversation with her. She still whines a lot for what she wants, but is really good about stating what item she wants. She rarely just points and whines unless she just doesn't know what it's called. Once she knows the name of something, she typically will say that item.

Snack and couch

I guess once I stopped being able to pick up the girls, Jim started a routine of sitting with them on the couch after work and eating fruit while I cooked. He really had to be the one managing the kids because I couldn't pick them up, so I had to do all the kitchen work.

This week, Maddy gets home and wants a snack. She then immediately starts saying "couch" over and over again until she gets there and expects you to join her. And don't forget the snack. Then it's cuddle time for a bit while we eat our fruit. It's way too cute.

I ate beets willingly

Sick?

Tonight, Reagan threw up. That simple. She had refused to eat all day. I made her eat her dinner (nice job mom) of chicken and veggies. We went upstairs for bed. She wanted to sleep on her beanbag. Instead of making her sleep in her bed, I just agreed.

Jim walked in as we were reading books. He was behind her and I was in front of her. After I finished her last book, she looked up at me and said "mommy, I think I'm going to throw up".  She's said that before, but I never believed her. For some reason, this time I agreed. She had a "look" on her face and her body looked tired. I knew she was right. She said it again and with that I started saying "Jim, Jim... over and over again. "Get her up".

It took a second for him to click into gear. He did. And we got her all the way to the hallway before she launched. Wow! There goes dinner. We got her cleaned up. Back onto her beanbag and asleep. I kissed her head and left her up there.

Within 30 minutes, we heard her cry again. I knew it! Jim had said early in our marriage that he had to wait for a "golden moment" with Jordan. I should have listened here.

Needless to say, she had throw up again. She was so upset, she couldn't stop crying. Jim picked her up and carried her downstairs to lay on the couch next to me. We slept side by side until about midnight when she decided she was done. She had looked up at me and said "Mommy I want this to be done" at one point. I felt so horrible for her.

We went upstairs eventually and I slept next to her in her bed. In this experience, I learned that she talks in her sleep and hits. Not so good for me. But I will say, I'm glad she made it 4.5 years without puking. I hope she makes it at least that long before she does it again.