Alanna has started her second session of karate and is working towards her yellow belt this time. She's still the littlest in the class and once again is front and center so that sensei can keep an eye on her.
For the most part she does really well. There are moments when her attention span is stretched, but she tries and even though she doesn't get all of the moves exactly right (the coordination just isn't quite there) she's enjoying it which is what counts. The downside is that mommy has to learn all the moves too in order to practice with her and this time we're working on a striking set which consists of a series of punches repeated to the sides and to the front for a total of 20.
At the end of each class, sensei sits down with the kids and they go over some safety tips and definitions. One of the definitions they covered last time was 'kiai' which is a yell. Sensei asked the kids why a yell was a good idea in karate. The answers were that it scares the attacker and that it draws attention.
My child promptly stood up (visualize a little blonde haired, piggy tailed, blue eyed girl in a black karate outfit, barefoot and smaller than everyone else in the class) and said "Like this!" She took a stance and yelled out "BOO!"
This was followed with "This is also scarey!" She brought her hands up next to her face in little claws and yelled out "GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Then she sat right back down.
I don't think there was a dry eye in the house from all the uncontrolled giggles coming from the other parents.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Touchdown!
Jeb has tried to foster a love for football in Alanna. She gets excited every year about the 'football recital' (Superbowl) and has her own pom-poms courtesy of Aunt Woogie. She even rooted for the Zebras last year (Colts).
The other night during date night she proved to our babysitter that she doesn't quite have the fundamentals of the game down yet and Jeb has some more work to do next season.
Alanna and the babysitter were playing train. Train involves Alanna getting into a huge cardboard box that she's decorated, saying 'Chooooo Choooo' and the sitter gently rocking the box until they get to their imaginary destination. The destination of choice that night was a football game.
The babysitter yelled out "Alanna, it's a football game! The team needs your help! Quick go get a touchdown!"
Alanna promptly hopped out of the box, ran to the middle of the room, reached her hands WAY up in the air then crouched down with her fingertips on the floor.
The sitter stood puzzled for a moment as Alanna held the pose, then asked "Alanna, what are you doing?"
Alanna looked at her with conviction and a bit of a 'duh' tone, "I'm touching down!"
The other night during date night she proved to our babysitter that she doesn't quite have the fundamentals of the game down yet and Jeb has some more work to do next season.
Alanna and the babysitter were playing train. Train involves Alanna getting into a huge cardboard box that she's decorated, saying 'Chooooo Choooo' and the sitter gently rocking the box until they get to their imaginary destination. The destination of choice that night was a football game.
The babysitter yelled out "Alanna, it's a football game! The team needs your help! Quick go get a touchdown!"
Alanna promptly hopped out of the box, ran to the middle of the room, reached her hands WAY up in the air then crouched down with her fingertips on the floor.
The sitter stood puzzled for a moment as Alanna held the pose, then asked "Alanna, what are you doing?"
Alanna looked at her with conviction and a bit of a 'duh' tone, "I'm touching down!"
Monday, April 07, 2008
Art Project
I would imagine that when most children draw pictures of people they draw clothes on them, hair, eyes, nose, smile, ears, feet, etc. As a matter of fact most of the time when Alanna draws people she includes those details. You can always pick out which one she is in her drawings because her little self image always includes piggy tails.
The other day she was feeling artistic and got out one of the really large pieces of paper from the art supplies. She layed down on it and asked Jeb to trace her. He was able to fit her head and torso on the paper. She promptly pulled out her crayons and a book called, "My Body" and settled in to begin working.
Now bear in mind, this was not something we suggested. She came up with it completely on her own.
She proceeded to use the book to draw her skin, muscles, bones, heart, lungs, and digestive tract. She also wrote down each of the words once she finished with that item. It actually turned out pretty good.
She has such a scientific little mind and is always asking questions. I'm disappointed that our first choice for her kindergarten didn't turn out as we planned because it was a Science Math and Technology Magnet that would have been wonderful for her. Our second choice is also a very good school with a lot of programs available and great technology resources including individual laptops starting in 3rd grade. We're on a waiting list right now, but hopefully will get in for Fall.
It constantly amazes me the things she comes up with.
The other day she was feeling artistic and got out one of the really large pieces of paper from the art supplies. She layed down on it and asked Jeb to trace her. He was able to fit her head and torso on the paper. She promptly pulled out her crayons and a book called, "My Body" and settled in to begin working.
Now bear in mind, this was not something we suggested. She came up with it completely on her own.
She proceeded to use the book to draw her skin, muscles, bones, heart, lungs, and digestive tract. She also wrote down each of the words once she finished with that item. It actually turned out pretty good.
She has such a scientific little mind and is always asking questions. I'm disappointed that our first choice for her kindergarten didn't turn out as we planned because it was a Science Math and Technology Magnet that would have been wonderful for her. Our second choice is also a very good school with a lot of programs available and great technology resources including individual laptops starting in 3rd grade. We're on a waiting list right now, but hopefully will get in for Fall.
It constantly amazes me the things she comes up with.
I Don't Wanna Grow Up Part 2
Late last week we had a follow up "I don't want to be a grown up" meltdown. This one happened in the morning while we were trying to do the morning routine. After reassuring Alanna that she didn't have to be a grown up for a very long time and that she would indeed be younger than daddy forever, I asked her again why it was that she didn't want to be a grown up.
Her response? "Because I don't want to work!" This struck me as odd because up until very recently on a near daily basis she has declared exactly what she wants to be when she grows up. Some days it's an astronaut, others a teacher, veterinarian, cashier at Target, and sometimes all four.
We continued with the morning flurry to get out the door and in the car on the way to daycare we had the following conversation:
A: Mommy, I guess I can be a grown up after all.
M: Oh?
A: Yes, I'm just going to be a princess. They don't have to work very hard!
So that's what I did wrong when I was making a career choice. I should have aspired to be a princess!!
Her response? "Because I don't want to work!" This struck me as odd because up until very recently on a near daily basis she has declared exactly what she wants to be when she grows up. Some days it's an astronaut, others a teacher, veterinarian, cashier at Target, and sometimes all four.
We continued with the morning flurry to get out the door and in the car on the way to daycare we had the following conversation:
A: Mommy, I guess I can be a grown up after all.
M: Oh?
A: Yes, I'm just going to be a princess. They don't have to work very hard!
So that's what I did wrong when I was making a career choice. I should have aspired to be a princess!!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sea Monkeys
Alanna loves science and asking questions. So we've been trying to encourage her interest and teaching her when we have the opportunity. For example, we made sure she got to see the lunar eclipse recently and understood what it was. We also bought some books with lots of little science experiments you can do at home to start working through on family nights.
When we were in Target a few weeks ago she spotted the Sea Monkeys. For those of you who aren't familiar with sea monkeys they are a type of brine shrimp that you can raise and used to be advertised in the backs of comic books. http://www.sea-monkeys.com/
So we got the sea monkeys, brought them home, poured in the little egg pouch and waited. They hatched, she thought they were neat swimming around, we explained the science behind it, and they grew.
Now I have a little container of Sea Monkeys that I'm not sure what to do with. Alanna has pretty much lost interest. There are about 15 of the little guys who are swimming around and I still am feeding them. I'd feel guilty not feeding them or flushing them or otherwise 'disposing' of them.
What does one do with unwanted Sea Monkeys anyway? I have a hunch I can't take them to the Humane Society ;)
When we were in Target a few weeks ago she spotted the Sea Monkeys. For those of you who aren't familiar with sea monkeys they are a type of brine shrimp that you can raise and used to be advertised in the backs of comic books. http://www.sea-monkeys.com/
So we got the sea monkeys, brought them home, poured in the little egg pouch and waited. They hatched, she thought they were neat swimming around, we explained the science behind it, and they grew.
Now I have a little container of Sea Monkeys that I'm not sure what to do with. Alanna has pretty much lost interest. There are about 15 of the little guys who are swimming around and I still am feeding them. I'd feel guilty not feeding them or flushing them or otherwise 'disposing' of them.
What does one do with unwanted Sea Monkeys anyway? I have a hunch I can't take them to the Humane Society ;)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
I Don't Wanna Grow Up!!!
Last night out of nowhere Alanna started crying after bedtime. We asked what was wrong and in between sobs she declared, "I don't want to be a grown up ever!"
We explained that she had a very long time to still be a child and that eventually she would have to be a grown up but that she could still have fun.
That didn't fly. The tears poured down, the shrill little tantrum voice started and she declared "I DON'T WANNA GROW UP!!! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO SO I STAY A KID FOREVER!!!"
Thinking I was really smart, I asked her, "Honey, does Daddy act like a grown up or like a kid?" I was banking on the fact that Daddy acts goofier than Mommy and does more rough house play like snowball fights than I do. It didn't work. She replied, "A grown up."
Daddy saved the day. Jeb looked at her and smoothed her hair and said, "Honey, how about if Daddy promises to do everything possible so that you're always younger than he is?" Tricky. Alanna was happy with it though and the tantrum stopped and she went back to bed.
Oh sweetie, if only you knew how many times we grown ups wish we were still kids. This is a tantrum I still have.
We explained that she had a very long time to still be a child and that eventually she would have to be a grown up but that she could still have fun.
That didn't fly. The tears poured down, the shrill little tantrum voice started and she declared "I DON'T WANNA GROW UP!!! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO SO I STAY A KID FOREVER!!!"
Thinking I was really smart, I asked her, "Honey, does Daddy act like a grown up or like a kid?" I was banking on the fact that Daddy acts goofier than Mommy and does more rough house play like snowball fights than I do. It didn't work. She replied, "A grown up."
Daddy saved the day. Jeb looked at her and smoothed her hair and said, "Honey, how about if Daddy promises to do everything possible so that you're always younger than he is?" Tricky. Alanna was happy with it though and the tantrum stopped and she went back to bed.
Oh sweetie, if only you knew how many times we grown ups wish we were still kids. This is a tantrum I still have.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Medicine with Marshmallows
Alanna shares my childhood dislike of syrup medicines. In the past when she's been sick the medicine battle has been a painful one that to a third party observer may be considered comical. Getting syrup medicine down here often includes at least one change of clothes for all parties involved as well as a bath sometimes and half a bottle of wasted medicine on the floor. Sometimes it's involved one parent holding the child semi upside down while the other tries desperately to get the medicine in her mouth.
In an effort to avoid these battles we switched over to chewable medicine and those little strips that dissolve on the tongue. To be honest though, they really don't seem to work as well as the syrups do for the symptoms.
The latest cold has been a doozy and I prepared myself for the syrup battle. This time I thought I'd try the bribery up front and told her she could have a marshmallow (the cute little bunny Easter ones that are out right now) if she took the syrup. I also offered to put it in a syringe and let her push the plunger. I even offered a bonus sticker for her sticker chart if she was a big girl about taking her medicine. Visuals of grape syrup all over can be very motivating to a mommy.
Now I was thinking she'd take the medicine and I'd give her the marshmallows and sticker. She actually devised her own new way of taking medicine that has worked beautifully now for a total of 4 doses over the past couple days.
Insert 1 bunny marshmallow into mouth and chew slightly
Open mouth enough for 1/2 of the syrup in the syringe to be squirted in
Chew
Take a sip of water to wash down remaining syrup and marshmallow
Repeat
She claims the marshmallow makes the syrup taste good. Win Win.
Yay!
In an effort to avoid these battles we switched over to chewable medicine and those little strips that dissolve on the tongue. To be honest though, they really don't seem to work as well as the syrups do for the symptoms.
The latest cold has been a doozy and I prepared myself for the syrup battle. This time I thought I'd try the bribery up front and told her she could have a marshmallow (the cute little bunny Easter ones that are out right now) if she took the syrup. I also offered to put it in a syringe and let her push the plunger. I even offered a bonus sticker for her sticker chart if she was a big girl about taking her medicine. Visuals of grape syrup all over can be very motivating to a mommy.
Now I was thinking she'd take the medicine and I'd give her the marshmallows and sticker. She actually devised her own new way of taking medicine that has worked beautifully now for a total of 4 doses over the past couple days.
Insert 1 bunny marshmallow into mouth and chew slightly
Open mouth enough for 1/2 of the syrup in the syringe to be squirted in
Chew
Take a sip of water to wash down remaining syrup and marshmallow
Repeat
She claims the marshmallow makes the syrup taste good. Win Win.
Yay!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Alanna and the Easter Bunny
This past weekend was the annual Easter Egg hunt. Here's a pic of Alanna with the Easter Bunny and one of her dancing with the Caribou from Caribou coffee which was one of the sponsors for the event.
Playing Doctor
Our evening babysitter has begun bringing a notepad with her when she comes to watch Alanna. We think she may be writing a book of all the things Miss Alanna comes up with.
Most recently on a date night, Alanna insisted on playing doctor with our babysitter. She had our babysitter lie down on the futon and got out her pretend stethoscope. She announced that she found a kitty and a snake in the babysitter's leg.
Babysitter: Oh my. Are you going to perform surgery to get them out?
A: Yes.
B: Are you going to put me to sleep?
A: Yes.
B: (waits, fully anticipating Alanna to pretend to give her a shot)
A: (sings)Lullabye, and goodnight....
A: (pretends to do the surgery)
A: Ok, I'm done.
B:Oh good. Did you get the cat and the snake out?
A:Um...(panicked look)(sings)Lullabye and goodnight....
Apparently she looked like a doctor who had just realized she had forgotten her tools inside during the surgery.
Most recently on a date night, Alanna insisted on playing doctor with our babysitter. She had our babysitter lie down on the futon and got out her pretend stethoscope. She announced that she found a kitty and a snake in the babysitter's leg.
Babysitter: Oh my. Are you going to perform surgery to get them out?
A: Yes.
B: Are you going to put me to sleep?
A: Yes.
B: (waits, fully anticipating Alanna to pretend to give her a shot)
A: (sings)
A: (pretends to do the surgery)
A: Ok, I'm done.
B:
A:
Apparently she looked like a doctor who had just realized she had forgotten her tools inside during the surgery.
Rewriting the Bible
Periodically we read to Alanna from her Bible stories book. Recently we had read the story of the burning bush Exodus 3:1-15 where God speaks to Moses.
About a week later we were driving home from daycare and this conversation followed:
A: It will be Spring soon won't it?
M: Yes, honey.
A: And then the snow will melt.
M: Yes.
A: And then God will put a talking bush in our front yard.
M:Um. Maybe. But talking bushes are very rare and I don't think he'll probably put one in our front yard.
A: How did the bush talk? Bushes don't have mouths.
M: No, bushes don't have mouths. God wanted to give a message to Moses so his voice came from the bush.
A: I think Jesus was just hiding behind it.
And thus ended the conversation. Have to give her props for the logic at least even if the timeline is a little off. She had deduced that because a bush doesn't have a mouth the voice had to come from somewhere and since Jesus is God's messenger on Earth, he must have been hiding behind the bush.
About a week later we were driving home from daycare and this conversation followed:
A: It will be Spring soon won't it?
M: Yes, honey.
A: And then the snow will melt.
M: Yes.
A: And then God will put a talking bush in our front yard.
M:
A: How did the bush talk? Bushes don't have mouths.
M: No, bushes don't have mouths. God wanted to give a message to Moses so his voice came from the bush.
A: I think Jesus was just hiding behind it.
And thus ended the conversation. Have to give her props for the logic at least even if the timeline is a little off. She had deduced that because a bush doesn't have a mouth the voice had to come from somewhere and since Jesus is God's messenger on Earth, he must have been hiding behind the bush.
Barbie House
I've been remiss in posting and will try to catch up with a few items of note over the past few months.
Santa brought Alanna a Barbie Dreamhouse for Christmas this year. Alanna asked Santa for something 'Big' and she vigilantly went through her toys to find things she no longer played with to donate and to make room for something 'Big' that the elves were going to make for her. The elves came over the month of December and did a few inspections to make sure there would be enough room for what they were building and that she was keeping her toys picked up. After each visit, Alanna found a Barbie dress that had dropped out of one of their pockets. On Christmas morning, the Barbie house was completely set up where she had made room for it and all of her dolls were in new dresses inside. She stood there for awhile after coming out of her room with her mouth wide open only uttering a small, soft "wow".
Santa brought Alanna a Barbie Dreamhouse for Christmas this year. Alanna asked Santa for something 'Big' and she vigilantly went through her toys to find things she no longer played with to donate and to make room for something 'Big' that the elves were going to make for her. The elves came over the month of December and did a few inspections to make sure there would be enough room for what they were building and that she was keeping her toys picked up. After each visit, Alanna found a Barbie dress that had dropped out of one of their pockets. On Christmas morning, the Barbie house was completely set up where she had made room for it and all of her dolls were in new dresses inside. She stood there for awhile after coming out of her room with her mouth wide open only uttering a small, soft "wow".
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Chapstick
Things I never want to hear my daughter say to a boy again:
"Can you guess what flavor my chapstick is?"
This was said to her little friend Dylan on our way to get lunch while he was visiting. It was completely innocent, but Daddy and I immediately turned around and said, "NO!!!"
"Can you guess what flavor my chapstick is?"
This was said to her little friend Dylan on our way to get lunch while he was visiting. It was completely innocent, but Daddy and I immediately turned around and said, "NO!!!"
SuperMom
I have superhero powers. Not that it should come as a shock to anyone; all mom's possess superhero powers. However, my child truly thinks I have powers now.
Last night I informed Alanna that she would have to practice her karate before bed. She asked me how I would make her practice if she fell asleep before then. I replied that I had superhero mommy powers and could wake her up.
A little while later Alanna was hiding under a blanket to avoid going up to practice. I pulled the blanket back and yelled, 'Ah ha!!'
She looked astonished, "Mommy, is one of your powers the ability to see under blankets??" I told her it was.
After practicing for karate and putting her to bed, we heard this little voice from her room, "Mommy, can you see through walls?"
Taking this as a perfect opportunity, I promptly replied, "Yes. But Mommy can only see through walls when you're doing something you're not supposed to!" That should get me a year or two of good behavior until she catches on.
Last night I informed Alanna that she would have to practice her karate before bed. She asked me how I would make her practice if she fell asleep before then. I replied that I had superhero mommy powers and could wake her up.
A little while later Alanna was hiding under a blanket to avoid going up to practice. I pulled the blanket back and yelled, 'Ah ha!!'
She looked astonished, "Mommy, is one of your powers the ability to see under blankets??" I told her it was.
After practicing for karate and putting her to bed, we heard this little voice from her room, "Mommy, can you see through walls?"
Taking this as a perfect opportunity, I promptly replied, "Yes. But Mommy can only see through walls when you're doing something you're not supposed to!" That should get me a year or two of good behavior until she catches on.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Halloween
How do you know that your child is really sick? She wakes up on Halloween and announces, "I don't want any sugar today." Poor kiddo. She's had a fever for two days and is just not feeling great. Jeb is taking her to the doctor today to rule out strep throat.
Here is a stroll down Halloween memory lane:
By Request
I had a comment on an older post about Alanna's rocking horse. She did enjoy her rocking horse and still does play with it from time to time. This picture was from that Christmas after she had unwrapped it.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Jokes
Alanna has somewhat mastered the art of joke-telling. Well, at least for regular jokes. We're still working on how to tell knock knock jokes.
Her favorite jokes right now are:
Q: Who can jump higher than the highest mountain?
A: EVERYONE! Because mountains can't jump!!!
Q: What newspaper do cows read?
A: The evening mooooooooooooos.
Her favorite jokes right now are:
Q: Who can jump higher than the highest mountain?
A: EVERYONE! Because mountains can't jump!!!
Q: What newspaper do cows read?
A: The evening mooooooooooooos.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Karate Kiddo
Alanna started karate this Fall and so far is loving it. She's earned one ribbon so far and is just too much fun to watch during her lessons. She's the littlest one in the class, so Sensei keeps her right in the front in the middle. She is working on her next ribbon for this week and has to do three kicks then run away screaming...so far her favorite part is the running and the screaming, guess we have a little practicing to do on the rest yet.House Rules
A couple weeks ago we had a coworker coming in for a week for work and the hotel that our workplace normally uses was booked. We worked things out so that she would stay with us and we'd all come in to work together in the mornings. We explained to Alanna that we'd be having company.
A: I get to tell her the house RULES
M: Oh really? And what are the rules?
A: No splashing water out of the bathtub.
A: No coloring on the walls.
A: When it's bedtime, stay in your bed.
A: Daddy can play with his computer when he wants.
It was super hard not to just laugh. I just kept wondering how our coworker (who has grown children of her own) was ever going to enjoy herself at our house if she couldn't splash water and color on the walls!
A: I get to tell her the house RULES
M: Oh really? And what are the rules?
A: No splashing water out of the bathtub.
A: No coloring on the walls.
A: When it's bedtime, stay in your bed.
A: Daddy can play with his computer when he wants.
It was super hard not to just laugh. I just kept wondering how our coworker (who has grown children of her own) was ever going to enjoy herself at our house if she couldn't splash water and color on the walls!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Food Preferences
On the way home from daycare while discussing what we would eat for dinner the following occurred.
M: I think we'll have fish fillets for dinner.
A: It doesn't have EYES does it?
M: No, it's like chicken nuggets just with fish
A: Oh good. Because I won't eat anything with EYES!
So this of course begged the question, when did I ever fixed anything with eyes on it? Turns out Daddy had told her about sardines....yep Daddy's fault again ;)
Once dinner was made, Alanna sat down and looked at her plate and declared:
A: Oh good! I'm glad my dinner is this because I only eat food that is the colors of the rainbow!
M: Oh? And what colors are on your plate?
A: Green Green Beans and Brown Fish
Not quite sure when 'brown' made it into the rainbow, but I was relieved. I was either going to argue for the fish fillets being more of a yellow or explain that the rainbow is really all colors we just only see certain shades.
M: I think we'll have fish fillets for dinner.
A: It doesn't have EYES does it?
M: No, it's like chicken nuggets just with fish
A: Oh good. Because I won't eat anything with EYES!
So this of course begged the question, when did I ever fixed anything with eyes on it? Turns out Daddy had told her about sardines....yep Daddy's fault again ;)
Once dinner was made, Alanna sat down and looked at her plate and declared:
A: Oh good! I'm glad my dinner is this because I only eat food that is the colors of the rainbow!
M: Oh? And what colors are on your plate?
A: Green Green Beans and Brown Fish
Not quite sure when 'brown' made it into the rainbow, but I was relieved. I was either going to argue for the fish fillets being more of a yellow or explain that the rainbow is really all colors we just only see certain shades.
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