4 years ago...

2008

2012

I remember quite well bundling up my three month old daughter tight in her sling to go vote four years ago. Four years later as we walk to the polls, this time with her little brother tight against me and her little hand in mine she if full of questions about what we are doing. As I listen to myself explain why we vote and why it's important, I can't help but think that somehow this conversation, broken down by the questions of an inquiring four year old mind, has required some of the most powerful responses I may ever have to give as a parent. 

It's not lost on me that she is a girl either. My mind wanders to the women who fought so hard for OUR right to be at those polls today. I revel in how far we've come as a nation and consider how much further we have to go...

She's excited. She knows this is a big deal. She tells me she wants to learn about all these things so she can vote when she's big too. 

I wasn't about to flood my four year old's mind with the politics of today.  I just hope that when she is "big" and voting herself, it isn't about issues that question whether she should have access to the best education possible, it is not about her rights as a woman, it is not about issues that question the responsibility of taking care of her environment, it's not about issues that question whether her friends of different races, religions or sexual orientations should have the same rights and privileges, it is not about issues that question whether everyone should have access to healthcare, and it is not a question of whether we should help those that are hungry and in need...

"Pippi's sooo silly!"

Maggie as Pippi Longstocking 

and brother just before slipping on his Mr. Nilsson costume

I think Maggie as Pippi has been my favorite costume yet, although the year of the gnome is a very close second.
Besides waking up with a bit of a cough and some occasional complaints of a sore throat, Magnolia had a great Halloween. We took it pretty easy this year and did a bit of trick-or-treating downtown followed by a nice dinner with our neighbors and Grandma Crist who has joined us for the week.

Maggie's already throwing out ideas for next year's costume, but I assume some great read, or something from her own big imagination will soon work it's way into her plans, which, she will busily anticipate all the way until next fall.

We'll just have to see if River goes along with whatever she has planned for next year...

Wordless Wednesday

More Fall Fun

U of I College of Agriculture corn maze and a visit from Omah and Opah =

Perfect Weekend

The cow train...

Hmmm, I was wondering if the NAEYC student group had something to do with this???

Did I mention I'm a graduate of the College of Agriculture?

Really...I am. Early childhood education/agriculture, go hand in hand;)

Maggie and Omah

Tyler and Maggie both knew the way out. They led the way.

More Ag fun...kid style.

Apples!

Wordless Wednesday

Preschool and Friends

Magnolia just before heading into preschool at the CDL.

Magnolia is in her second year of preschool at the U of I Child Development Laboratory. She is still coming home everyday with lots of new creations and stories about school. This semester she has started to sit on the floor for large group (instead of inside her cubby), if, and only if, everything looks to be calm and controlled, or it's an activity that just can't be missed out on (i.e. parachute). She continues to be very quiet, and sticks to areas of the classroom that aren't too busy, mostly the writing center and sandbox.

I had "a moment" this week when my heart broke for my quiet and often reserved little girl. On the way to school she told me that she really wanted to play with one of the other girls at school. They had played together a few times when in the sandbox. We talked about ways she could ask her to play, and she seemed ready to go for it. She also asked me to get this child's phone number so we could call her mother for a play date. Maggie actually plays with children when at home, in her own environment, at school...well, not so much. 

As we waited in line so she could wash her hands, the girl Maggie had wanted to play with joined us. I saw the excitement in Maggie's face, but she didn't say a word. I stayed quiet as well. Two other girls joined us in line, then the three girls joined in a circle, hugged, asked each other if their dresses were cute, jumped up and down, and started making plans for what they would do together that day. It was a preschool clique. I can't describe it any other way. It broke my heart because my daughter wasn't in it...and she didn't say a word. 

Later that evening I asked Maggie if she had gone ahead with asking the little girl to play. She replied, "No. She played with her friends, the other girls. The other children don't like to play with me." THIS is one of those things that I think every parent fears hearing. I should add that Maggie said this in a very matter-of-fact sort of way, not sad or disappointed, just...how it is. I didn't want my rush of emotion to cloud her clearness of the situation, I tried to get out a controlled response. 

I don't want to obsess about Maggie's peer relationships, but  it's so hard not to. I want to support who she is, but I ache inside thinking she is missing out and holding back because of her comfort level in groups. 

I'm kind of stuck on this one. I'm not sure if there are really any other ways I can support her. I know I have lots and lots of mama and early childhood friends who can probably offer some great suggestions (hint, hint). 

And in other news I've been asked to do more contract work for the state, developing state wide learning modules for childcare providers on serving children with special needs. A lot of the work on this could be tied into my research for my thesis. Of course it will mean a little more time away from my children. I'll be making a decision about this shortly, and we may be shuffling again to rearrange our days. I'm sure updates will be coming soon!