The Story

Everyday Gillian comes home with a stack of pictures that she made at school.  Today was no different.  She folded all the pictures together to make a book and then she "read" John and I the story.  She created the story in the car, but after bath time I asked her to tell me one more time.  Here is a video of her story.

 



Jokes

Gillian likes to quote lines from movies. Well normally just one line. Some of her favorites are "Honey? Where are my pants?" from the Lego Movie, "I am Groot!" from Guardians of the Galaxy, and "I'm a suitcase." from Scooby Doo. She repeats them constantly. So tonight in the car she muttered "Honey, where are my pants?" I didn't hear her or laugh at her and she whispered "No one thinks my jokes are funny." I suggested that John teach her some knock knock jokes. This would be a great idea, but John doesn't know any knock knock jokes. The two of them just made up jokes. And they laughed and laughed. 

When we got home, they decided to lay on the floor in the kitchen and sun bathe. I love that they take a simple idea and make it amazing. From silly jokes to sunbathing tonight was wonderful. 

Reading

I have been reading the Harry Potter series to John for some time now. We are currently on book four. Recently I found a chapter book to read to Gillian. It is called "Anna and Elsa: All Hail the Queen." It is about Anna and Elsa from Frozen and it takes place after the movie. The reading level isn't high and John could probably read it to Gillian. I love it. The book gives Gillian the chance to imagine two of her favorite characters. And gives me a chance to spend time with my favorite lady. We only read a chapter at a time and not every night. 

Tonight I read to her while she took a bath. And then I read to John. Gillian got jealous and asked "Can you read to me?" I said "Yes. After I read to John." When I was finished she ran in with her chapter book. I said "Not that one." She whined. I said "I read that book already tonight. Find a shorter book." She pouted a little bit. But found another book. I am so glad that she loves her book. I will definitely buy the next one in the series to read with Gillian. 

The map

This morning I let the kids paint.  Gillian made a beautiful rainbow.  John made a treasure map.  He put a lot of thought into it.  I had him describe the map and all the traps. 

Duncan

Tonight we said goodbye to our dog Duncan. He was an important part of our family. 

John's big brother. 

Gillian's monkey. 

And our favorite snuggler. 

We will miss you. 

Leprechaun

Gillian told me yesterday all about the leprechaun that snuck into her school. She said "He made the toilet water green! And he made the water we drink blue! And you know what? I think he's invincible." I said "Oh yeah, why do you think he's invincible?" She said "Cause I don't sleep. And I didn't see him! He's invincible." Clearly she meant invisible, but it's cuter her way. 

When we got home, she ran around the whole house and asked "I guess we don't have a leprechaun in our house." I said "You're right. We don't have a leprechaun." She said "Wait a minute. Close your eyes." I did as she asked and there was a lot of noise. Then she said "Open them!" And she was wearing her leprechaun hat! She's so cute!

 

Cinderella

Gillian's favorite princess is Cinderella. She has loved her since she first watched the cartoon movie a few years ago. I captured one of my favorite pictures of Gillian experiencing the magic of Cinderella. 

When we were in Disney last year, she got to meet Cinderella. As a Mom, it was amazing to watch her interact with a real princess. 

I knew that Gillian would love to see the new Cinderella movie. I was a little nervous because it wasn't a cartoon. We decided to go Saturday. Gillian dressed in her Cinderella dress and gold shoes. The shoes. Let me take a minute and talk about the shoes. I was going to have her wear sneakers. But she insisted on her gold shoes. "I don't have Cinderella shoes. I need my fancy gold shoes!" 

Gillian and I met Aunt Betty and Grandma at the theater. They insisted on seeing her outfit right away. Gillian took off her dress and twirled. They oohed and aahed. Gillian decided "I want popcorn!" On our way to the concession stand, she lost a shoe. The timing was perfect. An employee of the theater saw Gillian dressed as Cinderella and that she lost a shoe too and broke into a smile. We got our snacks and headed to the theater. 

We were almost done with the previews when Gillian announced "I gotta go potty!" I knew there was going to be a new Frozen short before the movie started so I picked her up and ran to the bathroom. She did her business and we ran back. We made it just in time for the short to start. Whew! Gillian loved it. And then the movie started. 

The movie was great. It was probably a half hour too long for Gillian, but she enjoyed it all the same. I am glad I got to enjoy it with her, Grandma and Aunt Betty. Just the girls. 

2nd Grade Concert

Friday was John's 2nd Grade Concert.  This year the theme was Character Counts.  MFA teaches the kids "Pillars of Character."  The pillars are Responsibility, Respect, Citizenship, Caring, Trustworthiness, and Caring.  They focus on a pillar every month and it was nice to see an entire concert focused on everything they learn throughout the year.

I have videos of all their performances.  The quality isn't the greatest, but you can see John grooving and singing.  He is wearing blue.  

The first song they sang was Respect.  

The next song was Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Next was I'll be there.

Then they did John's favorite, Our Lips are Sealed. 

The finale was Think.

Golden Finch

John's homework today was reading a story/article about Bald Eagles. Then he needed to write any sentences that were opinion. The first opinion he found said "It  is a beautiful bird." John said "And that's an opinion, because maybe you think a Golden Finch is more beautiful!" The next opinion said "The eagle is amazing." John again explained to us "It's an opinion because maybe you think the Golden Finch is amazing!" That's when Daddy jumped in and said "What's up with the Golden Finch?" John said "I guess you don't know the state bird."

 

I thinked about it

Gillian refused to eat dinner tonight. We sent her to bed without finishing her dinner. In order to drive the point home, I took away all of her princess and fairy dolls. This got her very upset and she cried in her bed. I let her cry for a little while and I went to check on her. She said "I'm sorry." I said "You are a big girl you need to understand that your actions have consequences. You need to think about that. I took away all of your princesses and fairies and when you are good you will get one back. But if you are bad you will lose them all." She said "But I thinked about it." I asked "About what?" Gilly said "You told me to think about it. And I thinked about it. Can I get out now?" I told her "No. You need to stay in bed until it is bathtime."

Daddy checked on her later. Gillian said "I thinked about it. Can I get out now?" Daddy questioned "What did you think about?" Gillian told him "Mommy told me to think about it. And I thinked about it. I thinked. Can I get out now?"

She was allowed out of her bed, but she has not earned her dolls back yet. 

Magnets

Gillian had Mad Science today. Mad Science is a program at her school where they do science experiments. Gillian loves Mad Science. Today they learned about magnets. But the only thing Gillian told me about was the magnet she brought home. "I got to color it. I made flowers, write my name and Baby Kenzie and the sun! Did you see? I made a sun!" 

I think she did an excellent job decorating her magnet. As soon as we walked in the house, she stuck it on a lamp. "See?! It's a magnet!" 

Basketball

John played basketball with the Tinton Falls recreation department again this winter. This year we had practice during the week and games on Saturdays. John's skills improved immensely as the season went on, but he has decided to not play basketball again next year. He says he doesn't like it. 

Saturday was his last game. They had a round robin tournament with all four of the second grade teams. His team played very well together. After the games the kids all got trophies. 

Team True Blue. 

Proud John!

Proud little sister!

And the very important picture of the sister holding the trophy!

Girls are mean - part 2

A little while ago, I wrote about Gillian having a hard time making new friends at John's basketball game (check out my post titled "Girls are mean"). Yesterday was John's last basketball game. Gillian was prepared. She brought her Anna and Elsa dolls and Minnie Mouse for baby Mackenzie. When we arrived I made sure we were not close to the "mean girls." Gillian sat and played for a little while by herself. Then a little girl started inching closer and closer to us. Gillian noticed the little girl and held on tight to her dolls. The little girl was wearing an Elsa dress and was very interested in Gillian's dolls. Gillian was very hesitant to let go of her dolls. Finally (after a little encouragement from Mommy and Daddy), she handed the little girl the Elsa doll. And that was it. The two of them played and played. I am so glad that Gillian made a friend and that there was no drama. 

Empty Room

Daddy and I are in the process of updating our bedroom (well Daddy is). So we have temporarily moved to the basement and our bedroom is completely empty. On Thursday we let the kids run around the empty room. I found them pretending to be characters from the show Slugterra. They found water guns and were "shooting" each other with slugs. 

Here are a few pictures of the action. 

It's snowing

John woke up a little while ago and snuggled up in our bed. I said "John, you can snuggle for a little bit, but then we have to get ready for school." He said "Umm, it's snowing." I said "What?" He said "It's snowing." Daddy caved and said "No school today!" John smiled and said "See! It's snowing. Snow Day!"

Walking

I dropped Gillian off at school on Monday. On our way up the sidewalk, I asked Gillian "Wanna skip?" She said "No." So we walked up the sidewalk to the building. When I picked her up that night, she decided to pout right outside the door. I wasn't tolerating the attitude, and I ignored her. I asked "How do you want to go down the path? Hopping? Penguin walk? Skipping?" Gillian giggled and said "Let's hop!" And we did. It was so much fun! Today when I dropped her off, I asked her how she wanted to "walk" up the path. We were going to walk like penguins, but Gillian changed to walking on our heels. It's a short sidewalk but oh so much fun when you are with Gillian. 

How was your day?

Every night at dinner we ask the kids about their days. This has taught them to ask others how their day is and listen to other people stories. Basically we are teaching them how to hold a conversation. In the long run it will be very beneficial for them, but now it sometimes seems too routine for the kids. 

Whenever I pick up Gillian from school we have the following conversation:

G: How was your day?

M: Good. How was your day?

G: Good. How was your day?

M: Good. How was your day?

G: Good. How was your day?

And we will continue this round robin until one of us gives up. Today we did it a little bit different. 

G: How was your day?

M: Good. How was your day?

G: Good. How was your day?

M: Awesome. How was your day?

G: Good. How was your day?

M: Fabulous. How was your day?

G: Fabulous! How was your day?

M: Amazing! How was your day?

G: Awesomesauce! How was your day?

We continued with different adjectives until Gillian had enough. She loved it. Let's see if she remembers them tomorrow. 

Science Center

Mimi and Poppy took the kids to the Liberty Science Center yesterday. Mimi told me that the museum was huge and that they didn't get to see everything or all the shows. She said that they got to see a really cool light show that was powered by music. Everyone had to wear head phones. 

The kids told us about it. Gillian said "It was so loud, but I liked the purple light the best." "Gill! There wasn't purple!"

Mimi also told me that the kids desperately wanted to go to one floor in particular because there was a big climber. 

When they finally got to the climber, John took one look and said "I'm not going in." But that didn't stop Gillian. 

But then she got stuck and John went in to help her get out. 

They got to go rock climbing. 

And check out all kinds of cool exhibits. 

John got to see his favorite animal!

They had an awesome day!  Thanks Mimi and Poppy!