Category: monkey antics

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The first day of school, the sequel

Today was really the first day of school–the first day of school in our newly constructed building. Reasons why it rocked:

1. I didn’t have to apply bug spray or sunscreen
2. I didn’t have to play camp counselor
3. My students were happy not to be in “the log cabin” anymore.
4. No one wet their pants.
5. A few parents banded together and gave the staff an appreciation luncheon–La Fiesta style
6. I didn’t break a sweat.
7. The day was pleasant and went by quickly.
8. I had enough energy when I got home to cook dinner and do a few things, not just zone out on the couch.

Truly, this was the best first day of real school ever. Partially, I think, because we were all so grateful to be off the ever-loving prairie!!!

To top it off, MAM came home with NO wet clothes. We’ve been averaging 1-2 pairs of wet undies a day, which is perfectly understandably. Today? None. Now she didn’t go 100% at home, but that’s ok. Making it to the potty for 9 hours straight is quite a feat!

The one odd thing is that her cough is back–it started yesterday, and she coughed through the night and during nap today. She’s gone to be early because she was so exhausted. She’s had absolutely no milk, so I’m thinking the cough may be the product of one of the other triggers which may have snuck into her diet. Have you ever tried eliminating SOY? Nearly impossible. If it’s gone tomorrow, we’ll know it was for sure a reaction and not a cold (I think).

If the first day of school hadn’t gone so swimmingly well, I think I’d start studying dietetics and consider changing careers.

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Potty ponderings.

Admist all the birthday happenings, I forgot to post about special milestone–MAM’s ability to take off her diaper and say, “I POTTY-ed” in any given situation. During dance class, snack time, at the park…..and my favorite, my girlfriend’s house. Imagine my surprise when she came up to me with a pull-up in her hand loaded with poop-pellets, an angelic smile and announced, “I poop mommy”, right in the middle of dinner. That’s my girl.

After three days of self-diaper changes, I asked Ms. A at Rainbow what she wanted to do–duct tape, suspenders, the kind of pull-ups that freeze your hoo-ha when wet, what would make things easier? Ms. A’s answer?

“Michelle, I think we should try panties”
“Um, A, you mean real panties? The kind she would leak through?”
“Yes, that kind. She’ll catch on, I promise.”

So today, being a quiet at home day, I put her in panties upon waking up and MAM has made it to the potty ALL DAY LONG. She woke up a little before 8am, we put on panties and they have be dry all day long. She even pooped on the potty.

We left the house for a lunch date, and she stayed dry the entire time. We tried to go at the restaurant, but she didn’t actually go.

I put a diaper on her during nap for insurance, but 3 hours later, she woke up dry, and promptly sat on the potty.

I know there will be accidents, but I think we are off to a great start.

Let the laundry begin. And BTW, what’s your thought on hand-me-down-panties? We’ve got a bagful, they’ve been laundered, and were mostly used at this stage of the game by a friend of mine. It’s not like buying used ones at Goodwill, is it?

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I DO IT!

One of the most familiar quotes from Dr. Montessori is, “Help me to do it myself.” She’s referring to the need of the child to develop independence, and the importance of the adult facilitiating that. Parents can put step stools at sinks, dishes in low cabinets, take the time to work on dressing skills, etc. It all sounds so eloquent in the theory books. Trying to implement these ideas with one bound and determined vocal almost two year old is a different story.

Here are the top ten phrases I hear in rotation on a regular basis:

1. I DO IT!
2. What’s that?
3. Who’s that?
4. I DO IT!
5. What’s that noise?
6. Here you go.
7. I DO IT!!!
8. I DON’T WANT IT!
9. Come on, Mommy.
10. I DO IT!!

Did I mention that she DO IT! DO IT! What does she do? What doesn’t she do? She puts on pants, she tries to put on shirts, she puts on shoes, gets out the milk, eats whole apples with skin, using markers, turns on the water, uses pump soap, unlocks doors, gets the newspaper and so much more.

That’s why when BgK pulled a beer out of the fridge tonight, I took it out of his hands and said, “I DO IT!!!”