After Kindermusik today, I took Reid to St Laurent Mall to see Santa. I talked him up, we practiced “ho-ho-hoing” and listened to Christmas music on the trip to and from Kindermusik. When we first saw Santa, Reid was excited and interested. The closer we go, the closer she snuggled to me. I tried getting her to stand on the bench beside Santa but that was a non-starter. I tried getting her to between me and Santa but still no luck. She wrapped her arms and legs around me and hid her face in my neck. We watched the next kid sit with Santa. Both of his parents sat on the bench and so I decided that would be what we would try. Except I was wearing a pink shirt. I decided to buy my Christmas outfit – or at least a new shirt – so that I wouldn’t be too scary in the photo. Shopping alone with Reid is a bit of a challenge. She was interested in choosing pyjamas for herself and in hiding in the racks but she wasn’t so keen on sticking close to me. I found a nice red turtleneck, but only after I rejected the $50 “Red” shirt that was too hip for me. We managed to sit close to Santa (luckily the line was short when we went back) and the photographer gave us a thumbs up but I haven’t seen the picture yet. I am hoping it doesn’t look like she is saying “What the %$% do you want?” like she did last year. I would like it if I don’t look like a goof or if I do, I hope that I can cut myself out.
Archive for November, 2006
Santa Claus – the trials and tribulations continue
Sunday, November 19th, 2006So that’s what Reid does all day
Friday, November 17th, 2006On Tuesday night, there was a parent-teacher night at Reid’s daycare. Unfortunately, Ken had to go back to the office and so he again wasn’t able to attend. Last year, he had to stay home with Reid. Amanda was nice enough to watch Reid, “princess sitting,” we call it. All this to say, that I was able to spend about an hour and a half in Reid’s classroom with her four teachers: Karen (from Ruthven), AnneMarie (the first one I ever heard Reid name), Tammy (who puts stamps on Reid’s body) and Raechel (who works a split shift and so always misses out on nap time).
I managed to get a seat on the couch – the other parents maybe hadn’t attended the meeting last year and didn’t realize how uncomfortable the tiny chairs are after a bit. I had decided it would be better to sit on the floor if I couldn’t get a adult-sized chair. Karen started by telling us that two year-olds are terrific (which I knew, of course) and that biting and hitting are the way that they communicate sometimes. She didn’t say why Reid has been the object of “communications” of three biters (or maybe it has been the same one each time). Then, we watched a little video that they had put together to show us the different things that they do each day. They start with “morning snack” (I’m not sure why they don’t call it breakfast) about 7:45 and the kids were all eating cereal with lots of concentration and enthusiasm. Afterwards, they do art or sensory activities (like playing at the water or sand table) and play at the dramatic play (mini kitchen or dress up, etc.), building blocks or dolls/trucks centres and then they go outside to play and for a walk. They seem to be all pretty good at holding on to the yellow rope while they walk. The teachers were saying how lucky that they feel to be able to walk through the farm that the centre sits on and how they point out each of the teachers’ cars and the truck for sale and other details each time as well as looking for bugs and pine cones, etc. to keep the kids enagaged. It is true that you have to keep a sharp eye out to notice things to talk about with Reid; she definitely is examining everything within her eye range. After the walk, it is time for lunch and yet again, the kids all looked to be quite competently feeding themselves, sitting at the little tables with four friends and a teacher. It’s surprising that Reid agrees to stay in her high chair at home but not that she loves her little table. The naptime section was perhaps the most interesting to watch. I had learned last week or so that Reid’s cot (about 6 inches off the ground) was placed in a line of seven or so because she is a good sleeper. The teachers turn off the lights, put on soft music and the kids all snuggled down with a blanket and most went to sleep quickly. The kids who are more distracted are separated a bit from the others and the teachers station themselves around the room to keep every laying down. Reid covered herself with the blanket they gave her even though she refuses all blankets, even the corner of blankets, at home. Peer pressure, I guess. There was a shot of Reid playing with her friend, Lexsie, and the teachers said that they do everything together. Unfortunately, Lexsie is leaving the centre at the end of December. They also had a clip where the kids were sitting in their groups of five for circle time to listen to stories. And then, they said that they have another snack and play outside again. There are a couple of times when the kids can play with whatever they want as well.
After the video, we got to ask some questions and then the teachers taught us how to make goop (1:1 ratio of water and corn starch with a bit of food colouring added to the water, who knew it was so simple ;+) and Kool-Aid playdough.
So, now we know a bit more about what Reid does all day.
If I’m going to be late getting home
Friday, November 17th, 2006I think that if I’m going to be late getting home from work, Wednesday may be the best day (not that getting home late is ever good). Last night I was delayed at the office and got home in time to give Reid, who had already eaten her supper, a quick nurse and then we headed to swimming lessons. By “quick”, I mean that I didn’t even take off my coat. At swimming lessons, we were together without the distraction of things to pick up, the puzzles to build with Daddy, or anything but us. I keep an ear out for what the teacher says but Reid doesn’t really. It’s a bit like private play with suggestions thrown in. Reid is always full of cuddles and kisses when we’re in the pool – her survival instinct is strong and she knows I keep her from going under ;+) – and having not seen me at home made her all the more enthusiastic.
Now to be home on time every night from now on so that I don’t discover the worst night to be late.
If it’s not beans, it’s crap
Thursday, November 9th, 2006As I was doing Reid’s hair yesterday, I told her we had to do a really good pony tail because we were going to swimming lessons after supper. Reid listened right up to the “s” in lessons. As soon as I finished the pony tail, she got up and went to put her shoes on. “C’mon, Mama, swimmin’,”she said. I told her she had to go to daycare first and then eat supper and THEN it would be time for swimming. She argued but I told her the pool was sleeping. That worked. For a while.
As soon as Reid finished nursing after daycare/work, she was once again putting her shoes on so that we could go swimming. I reminded her that we had to eat supper first. We made chicken and then ate left overs with it. We had a smorgasbord but Reid wanted only the beans. Not beans and chicken but not potatoes (which she only likes in curry or as fries). No, just green and yellow beans. The beans she ate faster than was polite. I thought when she finished the beans she might eat some chicken or corn or even cheese but she merely drank a bit of milk and got down from the table. She sure nursed enthusiastically before bed.
Volunteer opportunities for a two-year old
Wednesday, November 8th, 2006I wonder if the local old folks home has a program for volunteer toddlers – like candy stripers in hospitals but for the younger set. I think there’s a market. On Saturday, we had our Kindermusik class in a retirement home as the church where we usually meet was having their Christmas bazaar. This happened last year as well and so I knew what to expect. We sat in our circle in the common room and the residents sat on chairs and couches around the perimeter. Sometimes they sang along, sometimes they waved but always they watched the children. Men and women both came and seemed to enjoy the process equally.
With everything else going on in our lives, it seems silly to think about adding weekly visits to a retirement home but wouldn’t Reid benefit from thos extra Grandmas and Grandpas? I’ll let you know what happens.