Learning What They Live

Henry helps Morabelle settle down in the sling.

Kids have a way of holding a mirror up to their parents.  From the time that Evelyn could speak, I have had daily glimpses of my phrases, mannerisms, and habits.  Most of the time, it's not too unflattering.  It is clear from both Evelyn's and Henry's play that when I talk on the phone, I walk around the house and often say "doing well, how are you?  Yeah, yeah, bye!"  Of course, there are also moments when I hear my words on the lips of my child and I just cringe.  Do I really sound like that?  I'm sure I do get exasperated sometimes; I'm only human.

Today, Evelyn and Henry were pretending that Evelyn's little white dog (Morabelle) was very tired and sad.  Evelyn tried to wrap her up in a blanket for a nap.  Henry suggested we put her in the Ergo.  I found a doll sling and the kids took turns wearing little Morabelle, patting her gently as they bounced.  It was very sweet to see that they'd picked up such gentle and loving techniques.

Names

Henry said his name today, "Henny."  He's been calling himself "baby" or "boy" when he sees himself in the mirror or in a photo, but today was the first time he's tried to say Henry.  At dinner, he called himself "Buddy;" I had to laugh.  I probably don't realize how often I call him "Buddy."  I can't help it.  I love little pet names.  (In my family, we have many nicknames-- many of them are nonsensical and all of them are unrelated to our actual names.)

A Snowy Day

Evelyn's Game

While Henry napped this afternoon, Evelyn and I spent time together.  We built an elaborate city of wooden block buildings, complete with a train and station.  Without a toddler in sight to knock the city down to size, Evelyn was able to plan out a design and actually see it through.  She really enjoyed that.  Later, she traced some letters.  It's so fun to me that she knows every letter by sight.  We're connecting the letters to sounds now, but not in any formal way.  I like to take what Evelyn is interested in and then go from there.  Right now, she is very interested in writing stories and silly poems (a la "Where The Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein).

"Mom, soon Henry will grow up to be my friend.  We won't have a baby anymore-- just two kids!"

Tracing letters and reviewing the alphabet's order.

Evelyn has also had a lot of fun with board games lately.  My best friend was in town recently (which was such a lovely treat!) and one of the gifts she gave Evelyn was a memory game-- a huge hit.  Today, Evelyn decided to create her own game.  She used markers to draw the game board and then she crumpled up two pieces of paper to use as pawns.  I think she's sure this is the proper way to make game pieces, as this is her interpretation of some instructions we read in a book on how to fold paper for a fairy game piece.  She also asked me to draw a spinner and she glued hands on it and cut it out.  It doesn't spin, so we just pretend.  In this game, the winner (so far, always Evelyn) is the person who gets the "end" first.  She gets to read the book Evelyn has placed on a white wicker basket.  Score!

Ta da!