Costume Day at School

Now this makes me smile.

Pumpkins

Yesterday we went to the Pumpkin patch and checked out the fat pumpkins. They were too big to pick up. Miriam rode some rides very solemnly. She sat in the swing and spun around and by the time the ride was over she was starting to smile at Mama and Papa and think it was pretty fun. Then we said we should go see the animals. We went to the petting zoo. We met a rabbit. Miriam smiled at me with wonder. Then we saw a fat black pig with a big belly. We looked at the chickens through the fence and met some goats. At first Miriam was worried but then she pet them. One goat was very friendly but Miriam ignored it as she followed another goat. Then I thought we should feed them and got a quarter out and one of the goats descended on us. Miriam fed the goats out of her hand but in all the excitement she stepped back and plopped down into the goats' water! So we left and went to the car. She walked funny all the way to the car with her pants soaked. We changed at the car. Too bad we forgot the camera, but we'll go back, we still have some tickets.

Miriam Jumps

Nonsense. Folderol.

Nonsense and folderol. That's what happens around here at bedtime. Rigamarole. Chuck says,

I don't know what words Mom's saying. That's monkey business.

Yes, that is what I am saying! Monkey business! That is what's going on around here.

Miriam, it's bed time.

Chase. Tackle. Undress. Kick. Arms in neck holes, arms in arm holes. Pull jammies up. Potty. Back to bedroom. Potty. Back to bedroom. Potty. Back to bedroom. Sign "where's blanket?"

"Go look for it. Ah, here's blanket!"

Wad up blanket, wrap arms around blanket, kiss blanket lovingly. Sign "Book." Dad reads book while Miriam turns pages too quickly. Throw Curious George off the bed. Put Curious George back on the bed. Rearrange all the animals on the bed. Tuck Brown Bear and Pink Bear into bed. Potty. Back in bedroom. Say prayers quickly. Petition for more books. Kick and yell when denied.

Head in bed! Head in bed!
Good night, Miriam, love you. Good night, Miriam, love you.

Hug. Kiss. Turn off light.

Shut the door! Go to bed! Turn off the light. You already went potty. Shut the door! Go to bed! Turn off the light.

Barricade door.

Turn off that light and get in bed.

Later, go in bedroom, pick Miriam up off the floor in front of the door, and put her back in bed. Hope she doesn't get up before six.

Picture Day

Today is picture day at school and we did Miriam's hair very carefully. She wanted the orange rubberband and two green butterfly clips. We took these pictures while we waited for the bus. Note the pink backpack which goes everywhere around the house and backyard.

Christmas Music!!!

I am super excited. I got a notebook full of music in the mail last week and have been practicing like mad, getting ready to play in a harp ensemble at the temple in December. It will probably be cold and our hands won't be able to move very well, and Chuck says we should wear gloves with the fingers cut out, and maybe we'll wear layers of black skirts, but who cares, it will be so neat. The only thing that will shut down the show is rain (or snow!)

Hugs

I have been having so much trouble dropping Miriam off at preschool. Sometimes when we get there she is happy, but then she refuses to get out of the car, and then gets out and lays on the asphalt parking lot (which is dirty!). Then when we get to the sidewalk she lays down again, or stops and looks at the playground through the chainlink fence. When we finally get to the gate, she sees the teachers and turns around and walks quickly away, or lays down and kicks (old standby).

So last week when she refused to walk away from the fence around the playground, I decided I was done persuading, ordering, and nudging and just picked her up. She immediately put her arms around my neck and pressed her face against my face so I couldn't really see where I was walking, and we walked like that to the gate, and then she peeled off me and went in with her teachers, and was happy. Siiigh.

When I went home I picked up the parenting book I had stopped reading, Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles, and learned about how kids aren't really out to get us! There is an emotion or need fueling behaviors or disagreements, and we need to set limits but also respond in an empathetic way, teaching kids more acceptable and respectful ways to express their feelings. This is what I read, and I'm trying to figure out how to do that, but I still have to finish the book. Also last week I met with a physical therapist who's going to work with us a little, and mentioned these things. She talked to me about transitions, and how they are probably hard for Miriam and how we can minimize her distress by talking and preparing her for what's going to happen next. Since we started trying to respond to her more kindly and patiently, (giving more hugs) everybody is happier at our house.

The Wheels on the Bus

Today is a big day. Miriam rode the bus for the first time! We decided to have her ride the bus in the mornings and then I will pick her up after school. Yesterday the lady from the district called and said, "So you want Miriam to ride the bus?" Yes. "Do you want her to be picked up starting tomorrow or Monday?" Tomorrow. Then I got so panicky I could hardly breath at the thought of sending her on the bus! This morning we talked all about the bus and got ready early, and looked at her artwork of buses and transportation she did in school in September, and talked about how she would get on the bus and I would pick her up after school. We waited in the living room and I was still pretty nervous, but Miriam was cool.

When the bus finally came, she ran out to it. Then we went on the bus and she just froze up and I had to nudge her forward to a seat, and then belt her in. I think she was thinking, "This is what it's like inside a bus, with these solemn children looking at us, and the funny teacher?" The bus driver is very nice, and there are about 4 other kids on the bus. The driver says they sing songs, learn the ABCs, and bark at dogs, so that should be fun. When I left the bus I tapped the window where she was sitting and she waved "Bye" to me as it drove off. I was a little in shock over the whole thing but I didn't cry like last year, after dropping her off at school for the first few days, so that's good.

After school we talked about the bus and looked at pictures again and she smiled and was excited about it. We practiced tapping on the window and waving Bye, and she thought that was funny. Hopefully the bus will still be fun on Monday when she finds out it wasn't just a one time thing!