Book Report

What are the chances Maryn would be lucky enough to be given China for her most recent book report about a country? Chances are excellent, when you have a savvy teacher like she does. With parental assistance, Maryn read the book, took notes, wrote the report with the help of those notes, and then practiced, practiced, practiced reading the report before presenting it to the class. We gave extra attention to new words such as crops, protection, and population that don't roll right off the tongue of an English language learner. And, we all know how hard it is to say spaghetti when you're new at it, but, in any good book report about China, you're going to have to say it since it was invented there.

She wore her new qi pao, a traditional Chinese dress, and taught the class to say hello, goodbye, thank you, mom, dad and teacher "in Mandarin, the national language of China." Does a quote taken from a second grader's book report require citation? Well, I give all the credit to Maryn. Once again, she wowed her teacher and class, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the progress she is making this school year.

Only One Fish in the Sea

This is what the 100 yard backstroke looks like to adoring parents. Our eyes are on only one swimmer and there are no other fish in the sea. Maryn is on a swim team, and this is how she has spent two nights per week and the occasional weekend since the season started back in September. She loves it, and so do we. Being part of a team and all that exercise are so good for her. Watching her go off the block and do flip turns makes us smile. We aren't rabid about times, ranks or ribbons, we merely delight in watching her do something she enjoys. She wants to do it next season, and we'll be there watching.

Hail to the Chiefs

Happy Presidents' Day from George Washington herself. Maryn's class did biography book reports recently, and I was thrilled when she came home and announced her report would be about George Washington. I knew a good costume could make a huge difference for a second grade report, so I went right to the phone and told Ame to borrow the colonial man cuffs, jabot, hat and wig from her friend Helen. Helen's 19 and 15 year old sons wore the costume when they were in second grade, and I'd seen Jen in it when she was George Washington in third grade. Just as I suspected the costume was a huge hit with her classmates and teacher. It really made us proud knowing our daughter would be president (for) one day, and you'll be happy to know the father of our country got an A on her report. We're already practicing for the next one - all about China.

Playing Through

Maryn's school is doing a week of special events as a fund raiser for a children's hospital. Tuesday was pajamas, slippers AND stuffed animal day, and she really loves that. Friday is ice cream day. Today was dress as your favorite book character or sports star. That was a puzzle. She doesn't have a Curious*George costume, and she doesn't have a favorite sports star. Last night it was Tom's brilliant idea for her to dress like a golfer. This morning the two hour weather delay for school gave us time to dig through the summer clothes for a costume, so we looked on the internet for the latest fashions in professional golf. When I saw pictures of Michelle*Wie with her long, dark hair, I said, "Perfect." I told Maryn, "If anyone asks you who you are, you can tell them you're Michelle*Wie. She is a fabulous golfer." As I worked to get her ponytail just right for the cap, I quizzed her asking, "Who are you?" "Michelle Fabulous," she said. As I zipped up her winter coat and sent her out for the arriving bus, I coached her a few last times calling down the driveway, "Have a great day, Michelle*Wie. I Love you, Michelle*Wie." With one last, "Mooommm!" Michelle*Wie got on the bus and off she went to a fabulous day of second grade.

Groundhog Day

Without a single ray of sunshine today our little groundhog did not see her shadow, so we're predicting an early spring or at least we're hoping for one after the shoveling we did today. Who knew there were so many people holed up in the houses in our neighborhood during the long winter when the sighting of another human being can be rare. We were all out today putting our snowblowers through their paces and helping those who tried to do battle with only shovels. To clear it today you had to have more than mere muscle power. Now there's all the fun to be had playing in the snow. There are piles to climb, hills to sled and forts to build, and that's all before the next round comes.

All for the Little Ones' Christmas Joy

Imagine the delight of getting 10 "smelly pencils" in your stocking. Santa kept up with the hottest trend in second grade and came through with item #1 on Maryn's Christmas list. We had a wonderful Christmas season filled with excitement and anticipation this year, and it was delightful to view it through Maryn's eyes. We woke up at 7 a.m. to the shuffle of feet in our bedroom and an exclamation that Santa had brought a new sled. After presents at home we were off to round 2 with family and an all day affair of opening, snacking, eating, playing and even napping for those who were so inclined. It was a marvelously cozy day. We spent the next two nights with the Marriott*family using the free nights we had earned, and we discovered we really enjoyed treating ourselves to leaving our beds unmade, taking the elevator to breakfast in our pajamas, and leaving our wet towels in a pile on the bathroom floor as we were asked to do. Doing that again next year will be #1 on my Christmas list.

Hip Hop Holidays

We went to Maryn's Christmas dance recital recently. Her class did a hip hop Rudolph number and even though our darling dancer was on stage for only about 3 minutes, the entire show was really enjoyable. As the rehearsals went on, we could see that she was starting to get it, so it was fun to see the finale. By the time it was over she was ready to sign up for ballet, tap and jazz so she can get more stage time. She's right, she should do ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop but that's going to have to wait until she can read (her performance contracts), tell time (so she knows when she has to be on stage), and count money (so she can pay for it).

We celebrated Daddy's birthday recently with smiles, singing and huge cupcakes. Our gangsta girl doesn't look so tough in that pink robe. What a cutie - daddy, too.