Thursday

I'm prepping food and crafts for a birthday party this weekend, and feeling a bit busy and distracted. Which is how Zoe's painting project progressed from dainty dabs to "Look Mama, I'm wearing gloves! They're silky soft." She was solidly painted from fingertip to wrist. 

My distraction also factored into the evolution of Vincent's backyard activity from batting practice to pitching balls for the dog to being outside while "...wearing none pants!"

After I helped clean up the paint mess and the pants mess, we picked a dozen blueberries each. In March! 

Springers and Jumpers

Gymnastics went fabulously well. We signed up for another session.

Train Watching

There was also a tiny yellow stegosaurus watching the trains go around. Until Phoebe nonchalantly wandered by the dinosaur line up and picked off the straggler on the end. We didn't know any dinos were missing until I realized Phoebe was missing. She snuck off to another room to have a good gnaw. Luckily (?) the dinosaurs are made of some indestructible plastic which was barely dented by doggie teeth. Good as new after a bath.

Sewing Circle

While I sewed tutus (lots of little friends have birthdays this spring), Zoe and Vincent rummaged through my sewing box. I've given Zoe sewing projects in the past, but she was scared of the needle. Not this time! I knotted the thread, then left her to it. When I looked up from the sewing machine, she had stitched a tidy circle. Nice work for a first timer!

Vincent, meanwhile, was busy stabbing pins into a piece of fleece. Miraculously, he did not stab himself even once. He has no fear of the pointy things, but isn't interested in sewing yet. He'll have plenty more chances to try: basic sewing is an essential life skill. I am grateful my mother and aunts and grandmothers taught me to sew, and provided materials to experiment with. I'll never be as fine a seamstress as any of them (not enough patience), but I know enough to turn out some fun tutus. Thank you!

Sound of Music

We've been moving this awesome keyboard around for several years, occasionally getting it out, but never setting it up permanently for lack of a good location. We still don't know quite where to put it, and it's stand is the box it came in, but I think we need to leave it more accessible. How are these kids going to become stellar musicians like their daddy unless they have the opportunity to experiment and practice? 

Zoe and I pecked out "Twinkle Twinkle" with the help of a song book. We both felt proud of our accomplishment! 

Sunday Drive

We drove about 90 minutes north, through redwood forests and past sweeping ocean views. At our destination, we checked out sea lions and harbor seals, did some birding, had lunch (delicious crab melts), hit a playground, then wallowed in the sand and water at the beach. It was all our typical fun in the sun agenda, but in a new place. It's fun to explore!

Commerce

The children received Valentine's Day cards containing "paper money." They usually turn the cash over to me without a thought, and I tuck it away for someday. When they find or get coins, they play with them like toys, then pop them in piggy banks.

But both kids have had questions lately about money and where it comes from and why we need it, and about how to buy things at the store, plus the typical-for-a-small-child "How about we buy XYZ," with no concept of the cost. So we decided to spend that paper money.

We went down to the local bakery yesterday afternoon, each child toting two dollar bills. On the way, we talked about how we would exchange the money for something we wanted. Then we wouldn't have the money anymore, but we would have the thing, or the experience of enjoying the thing. At the bakery, I went first.

Me: I would like one biscotti, please.
Clerk: That will be $1.25. Out of two dollars...your change is 75 cents.
Me: Thank you.

Zoe went next, while partly hiding behind my leg. Her voice was a whisper, and I think the clerk figured out what she wanted by lip reading. But Zoe did use all the right words, and handled the entire transaction herself. She opted for a pink meringue thing half-dipped in dark chocolate.

Vincent had no trouble speaking up, but needed more prompting.

Me, whispering: Ask for what you want.
Vincent, loudly: A MEWANG.
The clerk handed over a meringue.
Vincent, loudly: TANK YOU.
Vince, now totally focused on his treat, was headed for a table.
Me, whispering: Give her the money.
Vincent tossed the bills on the counter, and did wait to get his change.

In the debrief, Zoe shared how pleased she was with the experience. The confection was delicious. And! She gave the store two pieces of money and got back three pieces!