A few new (and not so new) things

Before I forget, I have to write these down.

• When Shara doesn't know the word for something, or doesn't know how to answer, she says something like, "pastala".
• She's trying so hard to jump - squats down then tried to blast off
• she loves playing with her baby, Bella. She wants me to change her diapers - I just pretend and say what I'm doing. I suggested the other day she teach baby the song she was singing - row row, and shara thought that was so funny!
• she counts to four, skips five, and goes to six
• she is now fond of saying, "no like that" - a few times in a row to make sure we understand. She also says, "no mommy" and "no daddy" quite a lot, or "stop that!". Oh yes, and, "mommy sit down chair" and lots of "uppie". Other phrases include: suppertime!, lunchtime, diaper change or change me,
• Recently if Alan or I are with her in her room, she'll tell us, "mommy kitchen go" and if we don't, she'll lead us into there and tell us to stay, while she goes back into her room.
• She likes drinking out of a regular cup - at school I let her have a drink from the water cooler before we leave, but she's very insistant on pouring herself and runs and pulls the handle sometimes before putting the cup under. I'm trying to teach her that I'll let her do it but she has to wait for me - ha ha.

The Dance Recital

We went to see Liz dance in her last recital. We drove up after lunch, thinking Shara would sleep, but we were wrong. She was awake until about an hour before we got there, but she was very busy changing baby's diapers, singing, and having a good time. She entertained herself and it was an easy trip.

No one was sure how Shara would react to the recital. Unfortunately we didn't get to see Samantha dance, but we'll be able to see her next year. This was Liz's last year so we really wanted to see her solo, and it was wonderful. We were all so proud of her. I couldn't look at Jill, and vice-versa. We kept getting weepy, though Jill had more reason to than I. I was just so proud of Liz and kept thinking of what a wonderful young woman she's becoming. And, as usual, got very homesick and wished we could be around for the everyday things more.

The beginning of the recital was Swan Lake and mom warned me that there was one part where Shara might get scared. She did, but was fine after. She didn't cry out and the part that seemed to bother her the most was when they took so long during set changes and kept the lights in the theater off. That she didn't like. When the "spell" was on stage, she did want to sit with daddy, but after the intermission, she wanted to sit with Jill and stayed there the entire recital. She didn't seem to blink she was so enthralled, and for days after talked about Liz and Samantha dance. We all went to Chili's afterward for supper and Shara did great right up to the end. Then she was done, but we were too, for the most part. The ride home wasn't too special but was really tiring. It was late and shara was asleep before we even hit the highway.

Trot trot to Boston

Yesterday we had a really fun time at Faneuil Hall. It was a perfect day, weather-wise. We got there at about 11 AM, great timing - parking was easy, not too crowded in Quincy Market, so we could see all the food, which, as usual, was overwhelming. Shara had a sample of chicken teriyaki. Lots of fun to eat - her first time eating a sample off a toothpick. She saw lots of cakes & candies which I told her we could have for dessert. I figured there was so much there that she didn't know what she really wanted and I got a fajita salad with black beans & guacamole and Alan got a chicken kabob with fries & greek salad. We found a table on the second floor - grabbed it when someone left, and Shara managed to sit on a regular chair. She didn't want to kneel and it was fine. She could barely see what was on her plate, but picked up the beans, chicken and fries anyway!

After lunch we listened to some of the street performers. She really liked watching a couple of little girls dancing to a guitar player. We got some cookies & frozen yogurt and went to the other side of the market to sit amidst the pigeons and enjoy the beautiful day. Dogs were a big hit, and there were lots, and we also saw another musician and danced. Shara really wants to jump and works hard at every day. This was no exception and she kept squatting, ready to blast off, but no air.

We left after a few fun hours. She was out before we got on the highway and slept all through the BJ's run and driving around looking for different styles of entry ways for our house. Auntie Chris babysat for the first time while we went to see X-Men 3. We left at about 10 of 7, and I couldn't lie to Shara and put her to bed, sneak out and have Chris there to make sure all was well. It sounded like Shara played Chris quite well. She played in her crib, got out of the crib, wanted this and that and finally got to bed around 8 PM. Sounds like it was a good time for all!

Recovering from the Rain

I feel so bad for the teachers. I know that all the other kids are behaving just like shara - off the wall! Everyone has cabin fever. The other night Shara wouldn't finish her dinner. She got really really mad at us for not understanding what she was saying and pitched a hissy fit. She said she wanted to go to bed so I got her changed and put into bed. She wanted to play in bed and didn't want mommy to leave - "mommy stay". Well mommy was tired too and wanted to go back to the dining room and finish dinner, so we both went and I sat down to finish my salad and now it was "mommy up". I stood up for a bit, eating my salad and then told Shara mommy was tired and I was going to eat my salad. Then it was "daddy up", so daddy stood a bit and Shara bounced around off the walls - singing loud, running around, and I guess dancing and trying to jump. She was making very erratic movements and I said to just let her go and get some of this energy out.

Last night we went for a stroller walk after we got home and got supper started and I thought that, with a day on the playground would calm her down, but I think she'll need a few more days out before this bout of cabin fever is finished. She really is testing too. During supper she wanted more ketchup and she had enough all ready, plus there was still a lot on her plate, so I said no more ketchup. Explained I knew she wanted more, as she was starting to scream & cry, but held my ground and she was fine. Then we made a game out of it - she said more and I said, "more green beans?", she said, "no, more". I replied, "more pasta?" she said, "no, more" and started laughing, and on it went around all the food on her plate. I have to remember that humor is a great tool to use when she's acting her age.

She still had a bunch of energy after supper so we ran & jumped around her room and didn't get to the bedtime routine until later than usual. She still didn't fall asleep until playing in bed for at least a 1/2 hour.

Mother's Day '06

Shara, mommy, daddy, uma, and jidor all took a trip to Northampton to meet bubbe & papa at the Hotel Northampton for their Mother's Day Brunch. This all happened during what should have been Shara's nap time, so on the way there, we tried to get Shara to take a nap. She wouldn't. When I told her I wanted her to take a nap, have a rest, she started crying. A little while later I said the same thing, but added that we'd wake her up when we got to the restaurant, she actually listened to me and took a nap. It was only about an hour long, so not her normal rest period.

We got there at the same time as bubbe & papa. We went into the restaurant and headed to the bathrooms. There were so many people that we just did a standup diaper change, then headed to the ballroom. All the mom's got flowers. We were seated right in the middle of all the hubub and it was crowded - lots and lots of families and little kids. It was really nice, but a bit much for Shara. Next time we'll definitely ask for a table along the side, but next time it may be another issue.

Alan waited with her at the table while I made her a plate. I think she had a few bites of bagel, a piece of greenbean, and home fries. She quickly wanted to get up and then wouldn't let me put her down. When Alan finished eating I finished and took her for walks around the hotel. One time, after heading back to the table to eat dessert - Shara wanted none, I asked her if she wanted to go for a walk and she said yes. I put her down, stood up to walk with her and she started screaming. The blood-curdling kind. I picked her up and took her out, but apparently along the way she let out a couple more and the room got very quiet while we made our exit. There were so many kids and families it wasn't too bad. I just felt bad that she wasn't having a happy time.

During all of this we did get to spend time with bubbe & papa and they were thrilled, dispite the tears & screams, as was Shara. She remembers it as being fun. Next year we'll go earlier in the morning and ask for a not so centered table. She'll also be a whole year older, so that will make a big difference. I had a good time as well and it's always nice to get a chance to be with family.

I have no pictures - I forgot my camera, so bubbe, please send yours!

Almost time for a big girl bed

Yesterday, before Shara's nap, I needed to change her diaper. She wanted to go to bed and started to climb in. She had her feet in between the bars and on the mattress and thought that was the greatest thing. She tried to get higher, but I pulled her down. At Lowe's yesterday, while we were buying plants for our window boxes, she started climbing out of the cart and also tried again at the market.

On a different note, no pun intended, Shara and I had a good time "scatting", like Ella. We should have recorded it, but on second thought...