Some Firsts . . .and Maybe a Second

Samantha completed her first preschool lesson on opposites today . . . we started it, and we finished it - after about 12 sets of opposites, I was pretty certain we could check that off the list . . .that and I got annoyed when Jayson shook his head at me because I had the nerve to say that I didn't really think that left and right were opposites, just corresponding directional terms - because the true opposite of taking a direction is not taking a direction?! Right?! Ugh, of course me and my over analytical self had to go on and think that actually they might be opposites, but in that sense the word "right" has several opposites - left, wrong, and you could go so far as to say privelege . . .but as for Samantha, she did an awesome job in her workbook today! So proud of her :) We try and do things that are similar to what Marlie does in school - that way when Marlie comes home and shows her worksheets and crafts, Sammie doesn't feel left out (she was starting to get frustrated and asking why she didn't have projects). So now we call it "morning work" and "craft projects"!

Evan spent his first few minutes in his walker today! You could tell the look of sheer amazement that he was upright, and somewhat mobile, with toys, and I even blew his mind by throwing some puffs down on the tray! ha! Sad for him that we don't have a full main level of hardwood like Samantha had . . . but somehow, I think he will manage!

Next up on the first list is Evan again - first full meal of finger foods! Sweet potatoes, peaches, and whole wheat toast . . . and he's getting better with a sippy cup too . . . I forget that he's not even 7 months old yet. And then there's our second for the day . . . given that I was on death's doorstep last night, I told Marlie that she could buy her lunch today for the 2nd time ever - and what the heck, since she only has 2 days of school this week before the break, she could just buy it both days! All concern for my illness left the building at that point and was replaced by total excitement and the request that if she promised to eat fruit and vegetables could she please please please try the strawberry milk?! Naturally I said yes. So she came home and reported that there was no fruit available, but she had a sandwhich, side salad with ranch dressing, and a piece of cornbread with her strawberry milk . . . close enough, right?! This report was then followed by this statement "So I bought my lunch one other time before today . . .and I'm going to buy it tomorrow. That's 3 times in the month of November. I think that I should be allowed to buy my lunch 3 times each month - I've made good, healthy food choices and I think that sounds fair." I felt compelled to stick out my hand, shake hers, and say deal - I mean it sounded like a very logical presentation to me! And I will let it go for the next few weeks . . . but the next step of this deal is going to be earning the money with a few chores - of course, not a problem . . . she is my daughter . . . and she has her own butterfly sprayer filled with water that she uses with a microfiber cloth to dust and do mirrors and windows . . . she enjoys this . . . in fact, she was upset when she left her butterfly sprayer at home because she wanted to do chores in Atlanta and clean all of Grandma's things for her (she has a large, glass curio cabinet) . . . the love of cleaning . . . it's a sickness we share . . . :)

And lastly, it seems that the first one to catch the strep from me, Mr. Crandall of course. Luckily he was headed to the doc today anyway, so he just picked up some antibiotics before it hit - but alas, it hit him anyway!! There are not enough wishes in the world that I can make that this will stay away from the kids . . . Evan because he's a baby and Sam because she gets taken down for days with anything . . . and of course, I'm concerned for Marlie - but get real, the stomach bug hit everyone else for 24-48 hours - she threw up 3 times in 2 minutes, laid down for an hour, and then asked what was for dinner . . . the immune system of steel!