It's been a while. I will (as always) be putting up posts for past dates at some point (I hope).

Maggie and Elliot!

Maggie has been singing for months. Sometimes along with me, sometimes on her own, and sometimes completely made up tunes. Video will be up soon of her saying, "nononononono" with her lips protruding out that Chad got last night. She has started preschool (4 hours a week) and looooves playing with (in order): her brother, us, dolls. I'm trying to keep my cool, but this girl loves dolls and stuffed animals. She puts them to sleep, she swaddles them, she nurses them by lifting up her shirt, she feeds them. Love.

Elliot has started Kindergarten. The first dozen or so drop offs were hard, but per his teacher, he was fine by the time he got to class. He asked me to stand at the door so when he looked back I would still be there to wave. Now he runs into the building without a look back. I've been volunteering in the classroom for a few hours once a week while M plays with one of Elliot's preschool buddy's little sister. We in turn watch her while their mom is at his school. It's great to see Elliot taking school in stride and finding the academic parts easy. Hopefully he won't get bored.

The first few days of school, Maggie would ask where Elliot was, especially at lunch time. Now, we mostly talk about him as she gets up from her nap as we head to school to pick him up. She likes to stop for dried leaves from the 'coin tree' plant in the alley because she knows he likes them. We also play a game where she says, "my Elliot" out of the blue and I say, "my Elliot!" It goes back and forth until one of us says "he's OUR Elliot." Silly but so sweet on her part.

Maggie has been ok since day 1 being dropped off at her preschool. Multiple parents have commented on her easy going disposition and her ability to entertain herself. As mentioned, she loves playing with dolls, so she is often found in the dramatic play area where she can wash, dry, wrap up, feed and put babies to bed. She also loves the art area and occasionally the play dough table.

Elliot is currently claiming recess and choice time as his favorite parts of Kindergarten. He took his first Kung Fu class today and I've never seen him look as proud of himself as he did after finishing his first round of kicks into the pad (in step kicks, for future reference). We bought 3 classes at the preschool auction and will be continuing with some form of martial art for sure.

Right after preschool ended, Elliot spontaneously started reading on his own. He skipped past the BOB books and many other 'beginners' books and jumped right in. His favorites are the You Read to Me, I'll Read to You series we get at the library right now.

Maggie (and Chad) have both had a crazy outbreak of eczema for the last 6 weeks or so. Initially I attributed it to a brief use of fabric softener but even after stopping use of that it persists with Maggie though both are clearing up now.

Maggie says, "you ok?" or "yours good?" randomly, asking about you or your food. She says it in this earnest, serious way with her head cocked out toward you in a way that makes me want to eat her face.

Elliot is alternately so patient and helpful and SO obstinate that it makes me think he's 5. Mommy and Daddy are lovingly exhausted.