She's 2!

Literary Forays, by Talmage. In the Manner of a Parable.

There was a man woo saled hotdogs. every day he wold say for sale hot dogs for sale he says. and every day when he says that noone listened.
2 The same man who saled hotdogs he soled sweets instead. but every day he called everyone wold come running and running and the [he] was happy. The end.

Valentine's Eve

This is the first year the kids have done Valentine exchanges. It's been a kick seeing the process from the parent angle. The melted heart crayon idea is from Family Fun. Talmage decided he'd personalize each card and ditch the valentine-y play on words ("You 'color' my world" - or what-have-you).

These were some of my favorites:


"Vacation trip Valentines" (Valeria just moved to Mexico; Mrs. Weber is mailing her the kids' valentines).
Several of the girls he addressed as or referred to princesses. Really sweet.

"Every recees" [recess] - To Michael (every recess .... what? very intriguing).
"Got a strike?" - To Ryder
A castle scene for Maddie
"You make a rainbow with your heart" - To Olivia "Look on the back" (poetic)

Sydney opted for illustrations only for her non-school friends. She'll be taking the standard "free printable" download-type valentine for her preschool class secondary to her quickly diminished interest in the whole valentine card-making scheme.


I came home from a meeting the other night to this scene. It was like a living, breathing valentine. Have you heard of the Mercy Watson series, by the way? Funny. Great illustrations.

Sensitive Reader Warning: A Demure Clara Narrates Her Bodily Functions

"whynah" [?]
"Plate"
[Burp]
"Burp"
[Self-conscious laugh]
"Poo-poo. Poo-poo."
"You have a poo-poo?"
[Turns head bashfully away in acknowledgement]

Budget Reduction Day=Beach Trip With Cousins

That was a fun day.