overheard this morning

"C'mom FiFi, let's get dressed. I'll be your fashion expert."

"NO! Don't fashion me! I can fashion myself!"

and the littlest little has started using this tone, "mo-om". When I ask her something that should have an obvious answer of which I should already know without having to ask. As in, "Lib are you going to wear your winter boots because it's cold & snowy." "Well, mo-om...." I'll have to see if I can get a recording to put on here. She's just short of saying "Duh".

AND congratulate our little fishy, the Madster. After only 2 short sessions in Wave 3, she's graduated to Wave 4. She's really improved in her freestyle swimming the last 2 weeks, even. She's got her rhythm down for taking strokes & taking breaths. Now she gets to practice more in the deep end. Only 2 more levels after this. Her goal is to be on the swim team. (Did I tell you her New Year's resolution is to be the best swimmer possible?) She said Mondays are really busy for her because she has a lot of things to think about. Her mind is occupied with mentally practicing: how to breath while swimming, how to play clarinet, and how to sing. As far as swimming, I think it's paying off. And now her lessons will be at 5 instead of 4:30. She'll stay after school for band practice, then swimm lessons, then choir at 6:30. It'll be a busy day for mom, as well as little sisters.

Feefer's starting soccer in the spring too. She should be a natural. She's sporty, competitive, has a strong kick, and is a good sport.

Lib's looking forward to starting ECE in the fall. She tells everybody she sees, like Feefer did last year. In fact, she & I were invited to sit in on Fi's class one day. OMG. Lib loved it. She jumped right in with the other kids on all the activities. Not shy at all, this one. Raised her hand, offered answers, marveled at the little potty and sink, shared snack. Of course, what she really wanted to do was play on the computer the whole time. But she followed along with the classroom rules and only used it during "station time", albeit dragging her feet and asking quite a few times if she could play on the computer.

Speaking of ECE, next fall they're offering full-day ECE, as well as half day. Now I wonder what will happen with Kindergarten. Will it be a free half day? Or will there only be paid full day?

ECE -and this teacher in particular- must be a good experience because Feefer enjoys school so much she's already worried about summer vacation & missing school. Heck, she complains when there's a holiday & she can't be at school. Let's hope that sentiment remains with her for a long time to come. I can only deal with one child who doesn't like homework.