Saturday, September 5th
While visiting Grandmommy and Papa at the coast over the Labor Day holiday weekend, we had a late Saturday afternoon "lunch" of tortilla chips, nacho cheese sauce, and salsa. After we had all assembled at the table, Katie was asked if she'd like to say the blessing.
"No. I don't say the blessing for snacks."
A bit after lunch, Ed asked everyone if they'd like to take a boat ride. Carolyn and Melissa declined, but I went upstairs to ask Katie if she'd like to take a ride because she had been in the house the entire day.
Me: Katie, Papa wants to know if you'd like to take a boat ride.
Katie: Are we staying all day tomorrow?
Me: Yes.
Katie: Then, no. If I say I want to, you'll want to go right now. I don't want to right now, so we can take a ride tomorrow.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Recess and the Ancient Playmate
August 25, 2009
During our dinner this evening, the topic of recess came up. We like to ask Katie who she's played with each day during recess.
Melissa: Who did you play with during recess?
Katie: I played with Asher.
Me: You played with Asher? Asher is in the Bible. (See Numbers)
Katie: I think it's a different Asher in the Bible.
(Laughter)
During our dinner this evening, the topic of recess came up. We like to ask Katie who she's played with each day during recess.
Melissa: Who did you play with during recess?
Katie: I played with Asher.
Me: You played with Asher? Asher is in the Bible. (See Numbers)
Katie: I think it's a different Asher in the Bible.
(Laughter)
She Starts Kindergarten
August 17, 2009
Melissa slowly opened the door to Katie’s room, and there we paused to watch our little Katie sleeping so soundly, her mane of hair wildly and completely masking her face. We stood there just watching her sleep – apprehensive, I suppose, about how the day’s script would unfold. We both had worked so hard to get her to this one monumental moment in her life: Kindergarten.
The Cinderella digital clock on her nightstand showed 7:15 am, which was only about 15 earlier than Katie normally awakens each morning. “Time to get up,” Melissa quietly exclaimed, trying to sound enthusiastic. Katie pulled the comforter over her head. From under the covers, “I don’t want to go to kindergarten!” My stomach sank a little. Please, child, please be happy today!
Melissa worked with Katie, getting her dressed and fixing her hair. By the time we all left for school, Katie’s mood had improved, and she seemed more at ease with beginning the first day of her academic life. That’s it, Katie! You can do this!
The three of us departed for Katie’s school at 7:45 am, Melissa and Katie in the van and me in my car. Minutes later, I met them in the packed school parking lot. Katie popped out of the van and walked confidently with us to the line of other parents and children that had formed in front of the school. No sense of apprehension from our little one, perhaps because that feeling took a backseat to the urgency induced by the call of the restroom. Open the doors, please!
At 8:15 am the doors were opened. After finding some relief for Katie, the three of us walked to her classroom. We had been there three days prior for the school back-to-school cookout and had spent the entire two hours of that open house touring the school and letting Katie visit her classroom. I’m glad we made the effort to visit the school prior to this first day.
As we walked into the room, Katie received her assigned cubby: #7. We hung her Disney princess book bag on the hook at cubby #7 and then escorted Katie to her table. She is one of two Katies in the class, so is designated as "Katie F." on the name card taped at her assigned seat on the wee little table she'll share with Noah and Claudia.
We took a half dozen pictures in the few minutes available to us -- Katie by herself at the table, Melissa with Katie, Katie with me.
And then it was time to go, to leave Katie by herself with her Kindergarten teacher and classmates who were all sitting quietly working on jigsaw puzzles. Still no sense of apprehension from her, no fear. She seemed ready to be there. Whew!
We kissed her goodbye and began our exit. Pausing at the doorway, we turned back one more time to give her another glance. She waved.
I know that many parents feel a sense of sadness at this significant moment in their child's life. I felt no sadness. Instead, I felt like we had just embarked on a really cool family adventure. The baby days were forever gone. From here on, the three of us would be discussing "what did you learn today?" and new friends and the adventures and disappointments of the forthcoming school days.
Melissa slowly opened the door to Katie’s room, and there we paused to watch our little Katie sleeping so soundly, her mane of hair wildly and completely masking her face. We stood there just watching her sleep – apprehensive, I suppose, about how the day’s script would unfold. We both had worked so hard to get her to this one monumental moment in her life: Kindergarten.
The Cinderella digital clock on her nightstand showed 7:15 am, which was only about 15 earlier than Katie normally awakens each morning. “Time to get up,” Melissa quietly exclaimed, trying to sound enthusiastic. Katie pulled the comforter over her head. From under the covers, “I don’t want to go to kindergarten!” My stomach sank a little. Please, child, please be happy today!
Melissa worked with Katie, getting her dressed and fixing her hair. By the time we all left for school, Katie’s mood had improved, and she seemed more at ease with beginning the first day of her academic life. That’s it, Katie! You can do this!
The three of us departed for Katie’s school at 7:45 am, Melissa and Katie in the van and me in my car. Minutes later, I met them in the packed school parking lot. Katie popped out of the van and walked confidently with us to the line of other parents and children that had formed in front of the school. No sense of apprehension from our little one, perhaps because that feeling took a backseat to the urgency induced by the call of the restroom. Open the doors, please!
At 8:15 am the doors were opened. After finding some relief for Katie, the three of us walked to her classroom. We had been there three days prior for the school back-to-school cookout and had spent the entire two hours of that open house touring the school and letting Katie visit her classroom. I’m glad we made the effort to visit the school prior to this first day.
As we walked into the room, Katie received her assigned cubby: #7. We hung her Disney princess book bag on the hook at cubby #7 and then escorted Katie to her table. She is one of two Katies in the class, so is designated as "Katie F." on the name card taped at her assigned seat on the wee little table she'll share with Noah and Claudia.
We took a half dozen pictures in the few minutes available to us -- Katie by herself at the table, Melissa with Katie, Katie with me.
And then it was time to go, to leave Katie by herself with her Kindergarten teacher and classmates who were all sitting quietly working on jigsaw puzzles. Still no sense of apprehension from her, no fear. She seemed ready to be there. Whew!
We kissed her goodbye and began our exit. Pausing at the doorway, we turned back one more time to give her another glance. She waved.
I know that many parents feel a sense of sadness at this significant moment in their child's life. I felt no sadness. Instead, I felt like we had just embarked on a really cool family adventure. The baby days were forever gone. From here on, the three of us would be discussing "what did you learn today?" and new friends and the adventures and disappointments of the forthcoming school days.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Buddies Forever
March 23, 2009
During our evening bike ride tonight, I had to discipline Katie for misbehaving (I made her walk home instead of riding the bike). It always upsets her when I have to dole out consequences.
As I tucked Katie into bed this evening, I told her the story about one night when my dad tucked me into bed when I was four or five. I guess I had misbehaved that evening and must have had a consequence. Whatever had happened, I was really upset at bedtime. My dad came into my bedroom to tuck me in and wish me goodnight. I remember that he leaned over and asked if we were still buddies. I told him that we were not buddies. He kissed my cheek, stood back up and walked out, shutting the door behind him. I remember feeling so sad about having told him that and wished immediately that I hadn't. As I told Katie this story, I could see tears welling up in her eyes. She rolled over so I couldn't see her face as she fought back tears.
"Did you tell him that you made a mistake?" she asked, her voice sounding sad.
"Yeah, the next day. I told him we were buddies again... Are we buddies?"
"Yes, Dad. We're buddies forever."
During our evening bike ride tonight, I had to discipline Katie for misbehaving (I made her walk home instead of riding the bike). It always upsets her when I have to dole out consequences.
As I tucked Katie into bed this evening, I told her the story about one night when my dad tucked me into bed when I was four or five. I guess I had misbehaved that evening and must have had a consequence. Whatever had happened, I was really upset at bedtime. My dad came into my bedroom to tuck me in and wish me goodnight. I remember that he leaned over and asked if we were still buddies. I told him that we were not buddies. He kissed my cheek, stood back up and walked out, shutting the door behind him. I remember feeling so sad about having told him that and wished immediately that I hadn't. As I told Katie this story, I could see tears welling up in her eyes. She rolled over so I couldn't see her face as she fought back tears.
"Did you tell him that you made a mistake?" she asked, her voice sounding sad.
"Yeah, the next day. I told him we were buddies again... Are we buddies?"
"Yes, Dad. We're buddies forever."
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Big Stay with Grandmommy and Papa
January 8, 2009
Katie stayed with Grandmommy and Papa from December 30th to January 6th. Her cousin, Jacob, was also there for part of the week. From the email received by Grandmommy, they had fine times...
We just keep shaking our heads....she is pretty close to amazing....i wish i could remember all the really adorable and grownup things she has done this week. She is getting very good at picking up on when we are kidding and she is using the phrase, "you are just trying to put me to sleep". she was so tired by 7p that she was punchier than i have ever seen her. just too funny. she and papa played the quiet game and she lasted up to 5 seconds one time!
I made cornbread on saturday night and she just loved it so she had more on sunday night. she said it is the best food in the whole world...sounded like jacob talking.
We -mostly Katie - painted sea shells on sunday and she is planning to tell you that is how we found them in the sand...may have already told you but she painted for hours on sunday. she sat at the kitchen table and painted and painted. she painted one pine cone and many shells... that was after painting 5 pieces at the easel. she loves our cottage gallery upstairs and drew her own version of one. she also finished the one jan made for her and she has instructed me where to hang the sun rises that were up where the cottage gallery is now....
Wish you could have heard her prayer last night...she thanked God for all our good food and our house and our clothes and the beautiful sun sets and the sea shells and the trees and the beautiful flowers and on and on....it was just too precious.
We have had lots of good snuggle times and lots of teasing about that old baby doll, whom she has retrieved on numerous occasions, so i could play with her. the doll is currently tucked into bed on the sofa in the living room. she also watched some football last night....katie and i were for the purple team and papa was for the green team. she actually enjoyed it for a few minutes and i was amazed at that.
She will probably go home with all kinds of star wars vocabulary....that is jacob's current obsession and he surely did try to get her to play along with him. they both had weapons....empty paper towel tubes.
Katie stayed with Grandmommy and Papa from December 30th to January 6th. Her cousin, Jacob, was also there for part of the week. From the email received by Grandmommy, they had fine times...
We just keep shaking our heads....she is pretty close to amazing....i wish i could remember all the really adorable and grownup things she has done this week. She is getting very good at picking up on when we are kidding and she is using the phrase, "you are just trying to put me to sleep". she was so tired by 7p that she was punchier than i have ever seen her. just too funny. she and papa played the quiet game and she lasted up to 5 seconds one time!
I made cornbread on saturday night and she just loved it so she had more on sunday night. she said it is the best food in the whole world...sounded like jacob talking.
We -mostly Katie - painted sea shells on sunday and she is planning to tell you that is how we found them in the sand...may have already told you but she painted for hours on sunday. she sat at the kitchen table and painted and painted. she painted one pine cone and many shells... that was after painting 5 pieces at the easel. she loves our cottage gallery upstairs and drew her own version of one. she also finished the one jan made for her and she has instructed me where to hang the sun rises that were up where the cottage gallery is now....
Wish you could have heard her prayer last night...she thanked God for all our good food and our house and our clothes and the beautiful sun sets and the sea shells and the trees and the beautiful flowers and on and on....it was just too precious.
We have had lots of good snuggle times and lots of teasing about that old baby doll, whom she has retrieved on numerous occasions, so i could play with her. the doll is currently tucked into bed on the sofa in the living room. she also watched some football last night....katie and i were for the purple team and papa was for the green team. she actually enjoyed it for a few minutes and i was amazed at that.
She will probably go home with all kinds of star wars vocabulary....that is jacob's current obsession and he surely did try to get her to play along with him. they both had weapons....empty paper towel tubes.
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| From Dec 08 |
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Interruption
January 4, 2009
Katie has been staying at her Grandmommy and Papa's house the past few days and having a fine time. I returned a call to her this evening. Papa (Ed) answered the phone. He said that Katie was in the process of her bedtime rituals, but he'd take the phone to her. I had called during her bedtime story with Grandmommy. Papa handed the phone to Katie...
Me: Hi, Sweetie!
Katie: Hi Dad.
Me: What are you doing?
Katie: Having a story.
Me: Did I interrupt?
Katie: No. Papa did.
You gotta love the literal minds of children.
Katie has been staying at her Grandmommy and Papa's house the past few days and having a fine time. I returned a call to her this evening. Papa (Ed) answered the phone. He said that Katie was in the process of her bedtime rituals, but he'd take the phone to her. I had called during her bedtime story with Grandmommy. Papa handed the phone to Katie...
Me: Hi, Sweetie!
Katie: Hi Dad.
Me: What are you doing?
Katie: Having a story.
Me: Did I interrupt?
Katie: No. Papa did.
You gotta love the literal minds of children.
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