9.15.21 - Joy status: Hank Green TikTok

This video! I love Hank Green (guy on right) and dude on the left adds a lot.

9.12.21 - Kid snippets: Clara already knows everything

The first week of school was complete and Clara still had to go back the following Monday.

Clara: How long do I have to keep doing this?
Me: Oh a long long time. All of your childhood and most of the time you are a teenager too. Get used to it because it's going to be many years.
Clara: But why do I have to go to school so much?
Me: Well there are a whole lot of things you'll learn that will help you get ready to be a grown up.
Clara: I already know what I need to know! I know math and ABCs and can read!
Me: There is actually going to be even more than that.

In other news today Jane used my mom's set of play dishes and tiny little table and chairs to make a pretend dinner for Clara and me. She even used all of her strength to pull a full size chair over for me since I can't sit in the children's chairs. Then she let us know that her and my empty plates were filled with gluten food and Clara's had gluten-free food. Then she happily poured us what she told us was coffee and we all pretended to eat together and she was thrilled.

And finally, just in the last week Calvin has started actually giving me kisses upon request instead of gleefully shouting no and running away.

9.11.21 - Kid snippets: Ya wah-come

Calvin: Mah-eee, look!
Me: Oh you stacked the puzzle pieces in a tower. That's cool!
Calvin, very proud: Ya wah-come!

9.6.21 - Kid snippets: Clara gives trees air

I was driving the kids on the highway.

Clara: Why do we have to have so many trees?
Me: Well we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, but trees breathe in carbon dioxide and out oxygen, so it's like we're trading.
Clara: So it's the opposite!
Me: Yes.
Clara: Are the trees breathing right now?
Me: Yes. Anytime the leaves are green they're breathing.
Clara: I'm going to breathe on them to give them more air. *breathes heavily on the closed car window*

8.28.21 - Kid snippets: Billiong or 100

Clara was describing her school to me.

Clara: Do you know how many kids are in the lunchroom?
Me: How many?
Clara: A BILLION kids!
Me: A billion, wow
Clara: Well maybe like 100

And randomly, Jane: When my mouth is talking, I get tired.

8.20.21 - Clara's kindergarten orientation

 Clara is beside herself to start school. A few weeks ago--when it seemed clear they really are going to have school in person--I went ahead and told Clara her first day is August 23. She wrote "SCHOOL" on that date on her calendar and has been eagerly anticipating it since. 

On Sunday Jack and I took the kids to the school so Clara could see the outside of the building and the playground. They all played there for awhile. 

Clara asked if I could show her the inside and the "other children" and I told her that would have to wait, but I did show her a Facebook picture of her teacher and she was excited about that too. That night as I was putting the kids to bed, I told Clara we got her a new dress for the first day, and she excitedly kicked her feet back and forth and squealed "I can't wait for SCHOOOL!" I also let her know that this Friday would be her chance to see the inside of the classroom and meet her teacher and the other kids.

In anticipation of kindergarten orientation this morning, yesterday Clara drew a picture of a "school tree" (apparently a Christmas tree?) which I said she could bring with her. As we were getting ready to leave the house, she was literally dancing and leaping about saying she couldn't wait to see the inside of school. 

And once we got there, I was buoyed by not only her excitedment and delight but also my own nostalgica for when I was in grade school. She was thrilled to enter the school, to see a desk with her name on it, to meet the teacher and tell her favorite color, and to talk to other kids. It was great.

The school is pretty cute, well put together, bright and clean. The kindergarten classroom was sunny and colorful. I suspect academically there won't be much for Clara to do, as she already knows the alphabet and really basic arithmetic and is starting to sight read. But Jack and I figure if she's too far ahead we can see about skipping her a grade later, after she's already gotten used to a school routine.

At some point the cafeteria manager sought out Jack and me specifically to discuss possibilities for making sure Clara has GF lunch, which was very sweet/encouraging. Sounds like it might be doable for her to get lunch there. They also gifted us a new backpack and we do have to pick up some more supplies for Clara's art and technology classes, as well as a $5 party fund. I plan to join the PTO (just as a follower) to help support events like back-to-school picnic and monster bash (wonder what that is!) and I hope they make a kind of big deal out of holidays, because that was a favorite for me as a kid in elementary school. 

I'm glad we're in Missouri where they are prepared to make sure in person school continues if at all possible. It's a huge relief to see Clara finally get to go back.

8.20.21 - Joy status: Clara prepares for kindergarten

Clara is beside herself with excitement to go to her first day of school. This morning was kindergarten orientation, and she was literally dancing around before we got in the car. She was thrilled to go inside the school, see her classroom, meet her teacher, and meet some of the other children. She said she can't wait for "real school" on Monday. I am relieved and delighted that she's finally getting to go.

8.11.21 - Joy status: Panera coffee deal & Merlene's piano

Panera has unlimited coffee for like $9/month. I go to coffee shops to work very often. I used to go to Starbucks, which is like $5/visit, so the Panera deal is saving me a small fortune.

My mother-in-law plays the piano really beautifully.

8.4.21 - Maybe kids should put me to bed

I'm tired.

Me: Maybe you guys should put me to bed and then you can stay up while I go to sleep and you can clean the kitchen.
Clara: Great idea!

8.3.21 - Kid snippets: Mommy no do that!

Calvin is sitting in my lap coloring scrap paper at the table and repeatedly saying "Mommy no do that!" as I sit here doing literally nothing.

7.31.21 - Joy status: trains and compliments

Riding the train at the St. Louis Zoo.

When I compliment a woman's clothing and she tells me she got it for $5 at a thrift store.

7.28.21 - Kid snippets: Thanks because you love me

Just now when I gave Clara a kiss goodnight, she wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear "Thanks, Mom."

I pulled back to look at her.

Me: Thanks for what?
Clara, with a very serious face: Because you love me.
Me: *dies*
(Jk jk)
Me: I *do* love you!
I give her another kiss.
She smiles.

Fin.

7.26.21 - Kid snippets: napkin on my head

My in-laws use bandanas as cloth napkins. Today for the first time in forever I was wearing a bandana. As I was about to leave the house Clara shouted "WAIT! ... You've got to take that napkin off."

7.25.21 - Kid snippets: Where's my freaking pillow?

This afternoon when Jack picked us up from the airport, the girls and Calvin were delighted to see each other. Calvin just kept looking at them and giggling, which they returned in kind.

Also, tonight Jane realized her pillow wasn't at the head of her bed where it usually is.

Jane: What?? Mom! Where's my freaking pillow?
Me, already laughing: What did you say?
Jane, calmly: Where's my freaking pillow?

7.21.21 - Joy status: Finished genetics

I finally finished the genetics course that's been annoying me the last few months! I thought the final went well, we'll see. Then I had a wonderful time with Aaron at dinner. Awesome day.

7.19.21 - Joy status: faster playback speeds

Being able to listen to audiobooks or watch videos at faster playback speeds.

7.18.21 - Kid snippets: I'll tell you when we get home

We were driving somewhere, and while in the car Clara was reading a book about everything a kid will do when he grows up.

Clara: Just like me! I will do more things when I grow up!
Me: What will you do when you grow up?
Clara: More things!
Me: Like what?
Clara: *pause* I...um...I'll tell you when we go back to the house.

7.16.21 - Joy status: hummingbirds and cardinals

The backyard often has hummingbirds and cardinals flitting around.

7.12.21 - Kid snippets: Calvinisms

These are some current Calvin translations:

"Up!" = Either "pick me up" or "put me down" depending on context
"How?" = Why?
"See me, Mama!" = Mom, watch what I'm going to do!

7.10.21 - Joy status: RAIN

Absolutely loving all the rain we're getting. It's rained more in the month we've been here than probably the last 18 months in California. Looooving it.