Her first visit to the new school

Carolina had to go to a screening test this morning with her new school's nurse, and one of the Kindergarten teachers.

She was very apprehensive but didn't cry before we got there. Once she saw other kids going into the school, she was happy to identify them as 'big kids' and was curious to go in. I went with her into the nurse's office where she gave Carolina an eye exam, hearing exam, weighed and measured her. Then I had to sit in the hallway while a teacher and she went into another room. I was glad she was willing to go with the teacher alone since she was very afraid to go with the nurse alone when we first got there. I guess the nurse warmed her up to being in the new place.

When she came out, she was very happy. She was told she was very smart and got a Cinderella sticker. She was proud!

We went back to the car (again in the pouring rain), and asked her what they talked about. She would only tell me, after I asked a number of "wrong" questions, that the teacher asked her to write something on paper, some shapes, and there was "the biggest trophy I ever saw. And it was golden!"

Well, of course, because it was 'golden' it was amazing. She wanted to know all about trophies and how you can get one. I explained that the children at the school must probably compete in sports or academics, or both, and be very good at it. I continued to explain that, "In a competition for a sport or academics, like spelling, math, art, or writing, if you are the best, you win. And sometimes when you win you get a trophy."

That did it for her. She wanted one of those trophies and decided that she was going to have a sports day at the park and make a trophy on paper, invite friends and whoever won would get the trophy on paper. Then we had to figure out who she should invite.

In the midst of all this, she started to cry very loudly. It turned out she accidentally ripped her sticker and was very upset with herself ("it's not an accident. it was on purpose!") and disappointed. I suggested a few options for how we could fix it, but that wasn't good enough. So I told her that she sounded very disappointed and frustrated. That calmed her down a bit and then I just let her cry it out. She stopped just before we got to her school. By the time I walked her to her classroom, she was ready to go in.

Her biggest concern before getting to school was missing lunch. I assured her she didn't miss lunchtime, and that seemed to be okay.

All in all I think it went well. It certainly didn't make her more afraid of the place. When we go back in June for her orientation, I'm hoping she meets at least one other kid she likes and we can have them play over the summer. I found out from the school nurse that there are 'a bunch of kids from your building in this year's class', so we'll see who those kids are and hopefully they are nice kids.

All the words he knows

Just for posterity, this is a list of all the words (that I can think of) that Mel knows with little or no prompting. The ones starred are ones that other people, besides me, can identify easily:

1.     Tree*

2.     Water

3.     Doggie*

4.     Cat*

5.     Flower*

6.     Ball*

7.     Boat

8.     Cookie*

9.     Pasta*

10.   Chicken

11.   Chocolate

12.   Apple*

13.   Strawberry

14.   Grape

15.   Pancake

16.   Cereal*

17.   Milk*

18.   Juice

19.   Star*

20.   Owl*

21.   Cow

22.   Horse

23.   Pig

24.   Baby*

25.   Look at that!

26.   That's it!

27.   Chupon* (Spanish)

28.   Zapatos (Spanish)

29.   Agua (Spanish)

30.   Shoes*

31.   Boots*

32.   Backpack

33.   Jump rope

34.   Umbrella

35.   Fish*

36.   Shell

37.   Flag

38.   Pencil*

39.   Crayon

40.   Cups*

41.   Garbage

42.   Thomas

43.   George

44.   Cheese*

45.   Jacket*

46.   Sweater

47.   Me*

48.   Mine

49.   All done

50.   Blue*

51.   Green

52.   Pink

53.   Mickey

54.   Goofy

55.   Monkey

56.   Crab

57.   Pillow

58.   Blanket*

59.   Toothbrush

60.   Up*

61.   Sit down

62.   Carry

63.   On

64.   Book*

65.   Tissue

66.   Rabbit

67.   Bunny*

68.   Percy

69.   Car*

70.   Stroller

71.  Ciao (Italian)
72. Sky*
73. Blue balloon
74. Kitty*
75. Feet*
76. Socks*
77. Pants
78. Fingers
79. Head*
80. Cheeks*
81. More*
82. Cream*
83. Lotion
84. Bath
85. Bed*
86. Diaper
87. Wacala* (Spanish)
88. Where go? /Where it go?
89. Calliou*
90. Pooh*
91. Eye*
92. Pear
93. One
94. Two*
95. Three
96. Four
97. Six*
98. Toca* (Spanish)
99. Yes*
100. Sí* (Spanish)

The evolution of a name

First he called her, "Na!" Then "Na Na!" then "Na-nee". And now he calls her "Kee-nah".

She likes this name least but I've reassured her that it'll change into her real name soon enough. 

Speaking of names, we've started to call him Mel and I've started to introduce him that way. It's easier and causes less surprise than his given name. Poor Carolina is still being called "Carolina" and not "Caroleena". It makes sense as we are here and spelled out that's how an American would say it but she doesn't seem to mind correcting people. For that I'm grateful she can speak up for herself. 

In translation

The baby's speech is getting clearer and clearer, but there are some things that he likes that he uses other words or phrases to tell us what he wants.

"Achoo" means he wants to watch Frosty the Snowman
Clapping his hands, when we're reading, means he wants to read the issue of Babybug magazine where they have a song about Clapping Your Hands.
"Happy" either means he wants to listen to the song "Happy" (Pharrell Williams) or sing Happy Birthday.
"Eh-mo" means he wants to watch Sesame Street.
"Cookie" while we're changing his diaper means he wants a diaper with Cookie Monster on it to either look at or put on. (If he says this any other time, he just wants a cookie. That's pretty much all the time.)
"Beh-beh" means he wants to go to bed or sit in a bed.
"Babies", means he wants to play with other kids. Usually in the building's playroom or at the "pak" (park). It can also mean he wants to go to his music class with the other kids, or as I tell him, "music with the babies".
"Choo choo" -- still means anything to do with Thomas or a train, or both if there's more than one option for train-related things.
"Kidz" means he wants to watch a DVD that has songs for kids and shows videos of children playing outside and singing along.



In other news, Carolina has been having a tough time in school. She's been stressed all weekend. Homework in particular threw her into a tizzy since Mrs. Robins was going to have to check it when she went to school this morning. Apparently "mistakes aren't nice", so we had a meltdown at a restaurant on Saturday since she made a mistake while drawing with crayons at the table and she was worried that she made a mistake. I had to explain that mistakes are fine in our house, and I'm in charge at home, not her teachers. I don't know what they told her at school, but good lord it made for a stressful weekend at times for us at home.

I told her I'd look for a painting class for her after school once a week since she needs a break and loves to draw.

Things the baby can do, or likes

He recognizes the color blue and says "boo".

He recognizes stars and says "Stah". 

He puts books away after he's used them, and helps to clean up his toys. 

When I go to Starbucks, he now know it is the place with cake pops (thanks to his sister), and when I walk in, he says, "Cookie!" And then tells me, repeatedly, "Coffeeee coffeee". 

He sits by himself and "reads". He likes it when Carolina "reads" to him. He has his favorite books. They change but it's mostly Potty, Good Night Thomas, I Love You Through and Through, Peekaboo Bunny, Tigger, and anything with Blue's Clues or Mickey. "Bickey!!!!"

Things are improving

Fewer and farther between are the tantrums coming from Miss Carolina. They don't last as long either. Seems about three weeks ago there was a small change and it's picking up momentum. 

About the same time, maybe two weeks prior, her brother started his "terrible twos", whereby he lets us know in his terms what he prefers and wants-- and when!

Gratefully, as we just got through almost two years of whining and crying, we know this (A) isn't that bad, (B) is necessary, and (C) will eventually end. 

Looking forward to a better-than-expected Springtime! 

Lord, I'm sick of the snow and cold this winter. So harsh! Polar Vortex can kick it elsewhere. 

Delicious food my #1 won't eat

In honor of my daughter's picky eating, I'll be occasionally posting recipes of food I make that we think she MAY be willing to try but either won't or doesn't like it. And in the end, she cries about it. Here's today's attempt. 

Michele's Creamy Spicy Mac 'N Cheese 

Takes about an hour, including prep. Serves 4-6. (Anything can be swapped for less fattening versions, and seasoning can be changed for other seasonings or omitted. For example, 2c low fat milk and soy sauce instead of whole milk/cream or Worcestershire sauce.)

2c pasta (elbows or lumachine)

1c whole milk 

1c heavy cream

4tbsp butter + a bit to rub on casserole dish

1/4c flour

4 shakes Worcestershire sauce (1/4tsp)

4 shakes mustard powder (1/4tsp)

10 shakes of salt (1/2 tsp)

4 turns of pepper (1/4tsp)

8oz white sharp cheddar (save 1/2 to 3/4 cup for topping)

Garlic clove, cut in half

Couple of shakes Cayenne & Paprika  (1/4tsp each)

Bread crumbs (1/2 c)

Rub garlic on inside of casserole dish

Rub butter on inside of casserole dish

Cook pasta. 

In large pot, about 3-4 qts:

Melt butter

Add flour, salt, pepper, mustard stir with whisk

Add Worcestershire. Whisk until smooth and bubbly. 

Add milk & cream. Whisk constantly until boil. Boil 1 minute. 

Add all cheese except 1/2c reserved for topping. Stir until melted. 

Add pasta to pot. Mix cheese into macaroni.

Put mixture in casserole dish. 

Mix remaining cheese with paprika, bread crumbs, and cayenne. Toss with hands until cheese is coated with seasonings.  Put evenly on top of mixture in casserole dish. 

Cook 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Uncovered.