The Gingerbread Man

I had Kennedy's preschool at our house yesterday. In September we started with a little mom's group. We take turns teaching, one month at time. There are four kids all together. We use the Funshine Express curriculum and it has been really fun. Each month a box comes with the lesson plans, enrichment activities and craft supplies. It even comes with handouts for the parents. I taught in December and decided I better do January too since we are planning to have our house on the market soon.
I had a lesson all ready for last Thursday before everyone got sick and I had to cancel school. I used the same lesson yesterday even though it was about holiday baking and the New Year. I made gingerbread men for snacks. We put them in the oven and then read "The Gingerbread Man". In the story the gingerbread man escapes from the oven and calls to everyone who chases him, "Run, run as fast as you can. You can't catch me. I'm the Gingerbread Man." After we read the story I went to "check" on the gingerbread men in the oven while the kids sat on the couch. I moved the cookies to a plate and put them where the kids couldn't see. I told the kids, "oh, no! The gingerbread men are gone!" They came running into the kitchen and were surprised when the cookies were gone. They decided they better go look for them. While the kids were in the other room I put the plate on the table. They eventually found them and we enjoyed them with a nice glass of milk.

I made quiche for the first time this week. It turned out to be really good. I used up some of the leftover ham from our Christmas dinner. I am always on the lookout for recipes using ham. I only cook one once or twice a year but then there are enough leftovers to last two weeks. This recipe is a keeper.

Stranger Discipline

I have had two annoying episodes lately of complete strangers disciplining my child. A few months ago I was at the doctor's office with my two kids. While I was checking out, Kennedy played with the toys. Tristan was crying because he just had three shots and I was trying to schedule his next appointment. While I was waiting for the clerk to print out my appointment I looked over at Kennedy and I saw that there was a little struggle between her and another girl, who was younger than she is, over a rocking chair. I didn't see the whole thing but I saw the girl's mom scold Kennedy. Now, I'm not naive. I know my child has a difficult time sharing. After all, she is barely three. But come on. This mother was out of line. If I would have been that mom I would have redirected my child to a different toy or tried to get her to share with the other child. The look on this mother's face as she chastised Kennedy is emblazoned in my mind. What a scowl! As soon as I could break free of the appointment desk I rushed over to Kennedy and took her home.
Yesterday was an even more shocking scenario. I took Kennedy and Tristan to the Museum of Life and Science where there is a butterfly house. It's been a long time since we have been there and I don't think Kennedy even remembered the place. We walked into the butterfly section and I immediately saw butterflies but she saw what was on her level, flowers. She loves flowers and loves to pick flowers. She bent down and popped off a flower and flung it in the air. Just as I started to tell her that was not appropriate and that these flowers aren't for picking, a young woman, who probably doesn't even have any kids, swooshed over and put her finger in Kennedy's face and practically yelled at her and told her not to ever do that again! I was so shocked that I couldn't even respond before she was gone. Kennedy just looked at the woman and I couldn't take my eyes off Kennedy. I thought she was going to cry, I would have. Kennedy was so stoic though. We went ahead and tried to enjoy the rest of the exhibit. With each step, however, my blood got hotter and hotter and I wished I would have said something to this lady.
What is wrong with these people? You can't expect a three-year-old to be perfectly behaved. Kennedy is such a sweet person. She is fun-loving and enjoys life. I have never considered her to be a malicious child.
I decided that I have to store a "Thank you, but I will take care of disciplining my child" on the tip of my brain so I will have it ready next time!

Kids say the darndest things

My three-year-old, Kennedy, has quite the vocabulary. In her everyday language she uses words like delicious, delighted, golden, and congratulations but somhow she still can't say a few words like "movie". It comes out sounding like "weeoo".
Yesterday was a dreary, rainy day. I kind of had the doldrums. I told Kennedy it was a dreary day and tried to explain to her what dreary means. This was her reply, "Mommy, do you want to watch a 'weeoo'? If you watch a 'weeoo' it will make you feel better. We turned on Cars and it did make me feel better!

Happy New Year

I love celebrating the New Year. When I was young I used to have a party every New Year's Eve. There's something about staying up until midnight to ring in the New Year. These days my New Year's Eve party is a little different.
We got the kids to bed by 7:30 and Chris went on a walk. I had a pizza recipe I wanted to try so I got the pizzas ready while Chris was gone. I have been on a search for the perfect pizza recipe my whole life it seems. Every time I make pizza I say I'm going to leave it up to the professionals. I said it again last night as I pulled my Deep Dish Chicago-Style Pizzas out of the oven and the toppings were a boiling, soupy mess in the middle of a brown pie that was as hard as the stone I cooked them in! I really had high hopes this time. Maybe next year.
After our pizza we watched MI3. Another disappointment. Every time I watch a Mission Impossible movie I say I'm not going to watch another one. I said it again last night. Tom Cruise needs to move on! This is the third time he's done this same movie with the same plot and the same special effects and the same outcome.
Finally I turned on "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve." I watched that while Chris slept on the couch. We finally went to bed at 11:30. Every night when I get into bed and it's late I say I need to start going to bed earlier. I said it again last night. What was the point? I stayed up too late but not late enough to ring in the new year. How boring is that?
Sounds like I need to make some resolutions. . . .and stick to them!