get weddinged

There is a little boy named P in the Rowdy Girls' preschool class. His birthday is tomorrow. Part of the Tiger Class birthday ritual is making a class card. The teacher interviews each child about what makes the birthday kid special and records it in the card.

Ms. Laura told me that Em insisted that P was special because they were going to "get weddinged". And continued on to say that she interpreted that to mean that Em wants to marry P.

After further inquiry during the car ride home I found out the following...

Em does want to marry P.

She thinks he is funny.

She plans to wear her Cinderella dress to the wedding.

And they will live happily ever after.

Roo said she just wants to marry Em.

White Day

Today was 'wear something white to school' day. This is what Em chose.

A Snow White pajama shirt.

I love her creative interpretations!

my favorite gift

Em and Roo came home from school 2 weeks ago toting gifts wrapped in hand painted paper. They were addressed to us and were "top.secret". We put them under the tree and I planned to pack them up and take them for Christmas with the McGrands.

However, the night before we were to leave, Em ran to get her gift and presented it to us. It was to be opened. Right then. So, Roo ran for hers, too.

J and I opened the cards first.

"Merry Christmas"

Then, the paper was carefully untaped and the gifts unrolled.

So extremely precious!

Em and Roo were both incredibly proud of their work and their gifts and as soon as we relinquished them, they ran for the Christmas tree to hang them in places of honor.

I left them there.

Because, they so totally belong in a place of honor.

the reindeer pokey

This was the best footage we took that included both Em and Roo. Roo has her back to the audience and Em is being dramatic in her teacher's lap.

sing-a-long

The girls' preschool hosts a sing-a-long in lieu of a formal Christmas program or pageant. The audience participates in the first portion and then the grade levels get up to perform a few special songs on their own.

Em and Roo were none too excited about the getting-up-in-front-of-people part. Their teacher and I have been working on them for weeks, trying to make it sound appealing.

So, the day finally arrived. And Em appeared to be revved and ready. Roo was anxious, but not out of commission.

The four year old classes performed last. These are the girls in the Tiger class. Yes, Roo is facing the wrong direction. Em bailed right after the picture was taken and sat in her teacher's lap, all sobby and dramatic, until the singing was over. Roo did her part, but wouldn't look at the audience. She performed the entire show with her back to the audience. Clever coping mechanism!

J and I were pretty pleased. One out of two ain't bad!

Afterwards, all the kids found their parents and had cookies and punch.

And were forced into posing for photos.

They made a "M" for Merry Christmas.

honey bear

The preschool director called me today while the girls were at school. Em was stung by a wasp during outside playground time. She was already back to playing, nursing the site with a tiny ice pack, by the time the phone call took place. No reaction or lasting issues, thankfully.

When I picked her up, I asked to see her boo boo and she gave me her right hand.

She was stung on the left hand. A non-issue already.

This evening she was telling me about playing under the playscape with a boy in a red shirt. Apparently they spied the nest and Em had the idea to go searching for honey like Pooh Bear.

Magenta and Sunshine

The girls had their first day back at preschool today.

It was a super dreary day with non-stop rain. So the cute outfits were covered with cute raincoats. And the picture was taken inside instead of on the porch.

Em couldn't wait to get started. She was a beaming ray of sunshine on this gloomy gray day. It was all the better for the rain because that meant she got to wear her rain boots and her backpack!

Roo had a great time at welcome week but was feeling some trepidation about going without me this week. A little sad. A bit scared and a touch envious because of how easy Em made it look. I've heard that feeling described as magenta. A mix of colors... not quite blue, not so scared you're yellow and not exactly green with envy... magenta.

When we got to school, Em couldn't get started fast enough. Roo clung and cried. I handed her over to Ms. Laura and kissed them both goodbye. Not my favorite part of the day by any stretch.

Afterwards, I stood in the hallway for a good half hour.

And asked the art teacher to go in with my camera. Here's what I saw.

My brave little bit getting started on her big adventure.

And my intrepid explorer blazing a trail.

I am so proud of them.

it's better that she knows now

The girls had 'meet the teacher' day at preschool. Ms. Laura requested that the school supplies be delivered at this time.

On the list, along with the rest mat, change of clothes and assorted paperwork, was a family photo. We haven't taken one since Easter.

So, we did a family photo booth session.

The girls chose Photo 3 as the 'take to school' picture.

I think we made an impression today at the meet and greet.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

last days

Preschool wrapped up for the summer with a bang. First, the girls celebrated their birthday with the class. I made angel food cupcakes and we served them up with whipped cream and strawberries Em and Roo picked themselves the day before.

There were birthday crowns to be worn and they got to be the line leaders all day long. However, Roo usually chose to be the caboose instead.

The next week they had Hawaiian day complete with a luau. Plus, Ms. Melissa stocked the sensory table with an ocean scene. Lots of pebbles, water, play fish, etc. Roo was thrilled!

Then, that was followed up by messy art day. A fantastic extravaganza of paint coated balls to chunk at a paper covered wall; fly swatters dipped in paint; shaving cream and Plexiglas easels; floam; and a myriad of other things. It was a preschoolers dream come true.

The final week of preschool was celebrated with pizza and a bouncy house and a whole lot of sugar love for the teachers. We made dipped cupcakes, cake balls and chocolate coated cookies for Ms. Melissa and all the specials teachers.

It sure is going to be a long summer without them. But, man, have those sweet teachers earned a rest!

egg hunters

What a fun week Em and Roo have had!

We kicked it off with our super cool playgroup's annual Easter egg hunt. The weather was perfect. The kids had a blast and Em and Roo ate their body weight in candy. (The next day and a half was a little rough, but the candy hangover is gone now.)

Pre-hunt, with an empty basket.

The starting line-up before seven sets of multiples and our singleton friends hit the egg-hunting fields.

Roo with her loot.

Today, the girls enjoyed round 2 at preschool. The eggs for school are candy-free, so Roo was not nearly so excited about her finds. She.Loves.Candy. Em, however, netted a couple of bouncy balls, a hopping frog and all the stickers that she could fit on her knees.

Very successful hunting trip.

Look at those cute baskets they made in class. They were so proud.

kissing is for home

I love the girls' preschool. Really adore it. The teachers rock. The kids are darling. The director is wonderful. It's all good.

I, especially, love the opportunity to work there. See, this is a co-op preschool. All parents work into their child's classroom several times a semester as a helper/aide, as well as volunteering on the various committees that put on the multitude of special events. The girls ask each week if it's my 'helper' week. They love it, too.

You know what else they love? Their friends. Especially Em.

She loves the boys in her class the most.

During snack time, their teacher read a story to the group. I noticed Em looking away from the book and making googly eyes at the boy next to her, JC.

Then, she puckered up and leaned towards him, googly eyes still fluttering.

He did not respond.

Finally, she leaned in and asked him, 'Hey, JC, you wanna kiss?'

Oh.My.Word.

Fortunately, he did not wanna kiss.

Not to be thwarted, Em, bent down and kissed his knee.

Later, we told the tale to the McGrands during a Skype chat. I asked Roo, "Do you kiss boys at school, too?"

Roo looked me dead on and said, "No. Kissing is for home."

Now to impart that message to her sister.

right in our own backyard

I've lived here 10 years. This is the first winter I've been here during a snowfall. And it's the first time I've seen it accumulate on the ground. Ditto for the Rowdy Girls.

So, as soon as it started coming down this morning, we piled on coats and ran outside before leaving for school.

By noon, there was something to play in, so I picked the girls up early from school.

Em pointed out each little flake, and Roo wanted to squish her shoes in it.

When we got home, we had some playtime. Em was thrilled! She wanted to throw snowballs, make snowmen and eat snow.

We made a teeny tiny snow man. This was a first for the RGs.

Em really wanted to go inside and get a carrot for his nose, but that would have defied the laws of gravity.

She was happy, though, putting a little berry on his head to be his hat.

Em says, "Awww! He's so cute."

Roo was not so thrilled with the sanctioned snow playtime. Much like her mama, she does not care for the cold and wet. I was able to get a quick "cheese!" from her and then she was off for the warm indoors. Smart girl.

Afterwards, we did the obligatory hot cocoa with real coffee cups! This has been quite the exciting day. Glad we took pictures, too, because it's going to be sunny and near 60 tomorrow!

schtuff

J is traveling for work, so we're in hold-down-the-fort mode at the moment. So, while the entertainment continues, the documentation of said entertainment is lagging.

For posterity, and possibly your amusement, here is the schtuff that's going on right now.

1. J is traveling. I mentioned that already, right? It's significant.

2. In his place, the gross slimy green guy on the Mucinex commercial came to stay. Currently, he's taken up residence on Roo's face.

3. We went to the doctor today for Roo. This visit was spurred by her early dismissal from preschool yesterday. Because her eyes were oozing so much, the snot was sticking in her hair. Ew.

4. We were just at the doctor last week for Em.

5. Em was incredibly excited to be returning to the doctor. She was all prepared to get weighed, listened to, and stickered.

6. Roo was not excited, nor cooperative. She kicked our doctor in the boob while getting her nose looked at.

7. Roo has another sinus infection, plus a surprise ear infection. And.

8. She got a referral to an ear/nose/throat doctor to get her adenoids checked.

9. So, 50% of all preschoolers do not snore every night? That's not normal?

10. The doctor said Roo should be feeling well enough to go to school tomorrow. J is traveling. I know, I already said that.

Snow Day

Em and Roo had a snow day this past Thursday. At school.

Per the teacher's request, we brought packages of cotton balls a few weeks ago. And here's what they did with them!

That's right... filled up an inflatable pool with 'em. The kids got to dive in, have 'snowball' fights and make 'snow' angels. So fun!

Then, they had sled rides, courtesy of Wade's daddy.

There was also an 'ice skating' rink set up and a fun snowflake arts and crafts center.

This is MY kinda snow day!

if you give a pig a pancake

Today was Pajama Day at preschool. Em and Roo have been so excited for this day. Roo woke up at 6:30am. Em woke up shortly afterwards because Roo was not quiet about being up for the day. As soon as I entered their room, Em said, "How 'bout my owl jammas?" So, they changed from one pair of jammas into another.

Preschool was hot to go. Flashlights with glow-in-the-dark star stickers for a warm up activity. Storytime included If You Give A Pig A Pancake.

Then, all the little piggies, er, monkeys ate a catered pancake lunch. With bacon. Ironic, right?

They had an awesome time.

And looked mighty cute doing it.

aftermath

Last Tuesday, Em and Roo had their Christmas program at preschool.

It was pretty informal. No stage to stand on or lines to learn. Just a sing-a-long with all the parents and invited guests.

BUT...

The kids are lined up in front of the audience to lead their portion of the sing-a-long.

They've been practicing the songs for two months and had a dress rehearsal in the giant family life center room that would house the program.

None of that mattered.

They froze when it was time to go stand on the line with their class.

I went with them, sat behind them and held their hands. That helped brave them up enough to stand with the class, but not to sing.

So, no cute video or pictures of the performance this year.

Instead, we have the aftermath. Two slightly freaked out little girls eating holiday cookies during the reception.

Next year!