The Big Trip

We leave on our big trip tomorrow. I would really like to do a big post on Eleanor's first day of school (yesterday) but I think it is going to have to wait until we get back because I am exhausted. The exhaustion is due to my inability to sleep when I am excited or nervous about something (first day of school, big trip). I swear, I am still like a kid at Christmas and now I am getting butterflies on behalf of my dear kids.

Quote of the Day

Last week...
Me: Eleanor, what do you want to be for Halloween this year?
Eleanor: A DINOSAUR!

Just now...
Me: What do you think you might want to be for Halloween this year?
Eleanor: A DONKEY!

Always with enthusiasm.

What do you do with a drunken sailor?

As September begins, our family is gearing up for the big trip to Michigan for Aunt Jess and Uncle Ryan's wedding. Plus, Eleanor will be starting school next week just before we leave for our trip. Lots of big excitement coming up. I think the kids can feel my excitement -- I have always been a bit high strung when something noteworthy is about to happen -- and it has made them bit testy the past few days.

For the wedding, Eleanor will be the flower girl and Henry will be the ring "bear" (as Eleanor calls it). I'm so glad Henry is walking, though I fear he may look like a drunken sailor striking the Heisman pose going down the aisle. In Eleanor's case, I hope we are able to get her into a dress instead of the Thomas shirt that was intended for Henry and is therefore about four sizes to small. Whatever happens, we look forward to celebrating with Jess, Ryan and the rest of the family.

Eleanor's Art Show

A couple of weeks ago, Eleanor had her first art show. Her beloved teacher, Paula, is putting her studio for toddlers and preschoolers on hold while she works as an art teacher in a school. We will miss her and her wonderful classes dearly. We did thoroughly enjoy the "gallery show" that she put together as a sort of send-off party. Work by all of the students, inspired in color and form by Salvadorian artist Fernando Llort, was displayed in the nave of a church along with some collaborative pieces that were silent auctioned for a charity to benefit the people of El Salvador. In addition, there were snacks, space for coloring and painting, face painting, and a great slide show of the children creating in Paula's classes. Eleanor enjoyed the party, mostly running up and down the church aisles and eating chips right out of the bowl.


Eleanor's work in the show.


Eleanor and her friend Ella from class.


Running.

Library Books -- August 2008

Finally, a few book updates. We have been to the library several times so these books are a compilation of the past few visits.

What? Cried Granny by Katie Lum, illustrated by Adrian Johnson
This book is hilarious. A little boy goes to his grandmother's house but at bedtime, it turns out he is lacking a bed, pillow, etc., which his grandmother tries to rectify by whipping up the missing components. Best done in a completely exaggerated voice.

A Very Young Skater by Jill Krementz
This was much more for me than for Eleanor, though I think she enjoyed it too. A biography in words and photos of a young skater in New York, which details everything from where she gets her skates, to her training on ice and in the dance studio, to her favorite skaters. I remember reading it as a little girl and loving it, though I did not remember quite how long it was!

The Farmer in the Dell by Diane Zuromskis
Lovely illustrations to the traditional song. My favorite page (can't speak for Eleanor though), was the page where "the farmer takes a wife" -- he is giving a sweet little wink as he whisks her away. This book got a lot of read time, most likely because we would sing it.

Lets Go Riding in Our Strollers by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Benrei Huang
Eleanor really enjoyed this book with its charming rhyme about a couple of kids going out for a big long walk with their mommies. I am sure it is because she herself loves going for walks.

The Bear's Bicycle by Emilie W McLeod, illustrated by David McPhail
Another hilarious book -- this one got the most read time of all. This one is a perfect pairing of a simple straightforward story and wild and imaginative illustrations to make it a really interesting and fun read. The basic storyline -- a boy goes out for a responsible ride on his bike and his bear tags along breaking all the rules. The page that transfixed Eleanor contained a picture of the bear with a Band-Aid.