Cheeks to Cheeks

It is 10.30am and here I am reading through a stack of papers of Mandatory rules, parents authorization on technology and media use, and filling out emergency card. Just two and a half hours ago I was in the Kindergarten trying to get my 1st born settle into her new classroom and making sure she remembers all the hundred and one things she must do throughout the day, such as, “Remember to put your jacket in the backpack” “Remember to wash your hands after you use the toilet” “You will have to take your food out for lunch and if you need help, ask your teacher” “There is snack time and remember to take out your snacks from your lunch box.”

Yes, today my first child has promoted to Kindergarten. We are very fortunate to go through this 1st day of school experience with two other families whom have became very good friends. Today Belle, Abby and Tessa started Kindergarten together. The only unfortunate part is Belle will not be in the same classroom as Abby and Tessa. But we know our baby is strong and independent. She can survive in a new environment on her own and she did not cry when we left. She is quite a trooper!

Things have been going crazy in our lives but I will save that in a different post. Today is all about Belle and her first day of Kindergarten. We arrived at school 8am on the dot. If it weren’t for the traffic lights we would have arrived sooner. So, note to myself to leave the house 20 mins before 8am.

Once we got there, we picked up the stack of must-read documents from the school district and did a little name hunt in her classroom. Her teacher Ms. D.M. prepared a list for us, the parents, to go through with the new students.

First we found her cubby hole and above it there are hooks to hang the backpacks. Next, we had to find the drinking fountain which is next to the sink. This is for the students to take a sip if they get thirsty. The last thing we had to do was to find her table and we did that by look at the name tags that were pasted on the tables.

We picked up Belle’s name tag and proceeded to an easel where she had to write her name. After that the list stated that she has to choose a book from the book shelves and go back to her seat to read that book quietly. There are 25 students in her class and the classroom barely fits everyone (kids and parents).

After a few minutes of watching the teacher doing roll calls, Jon and I proceeded to the coffee table that was set up by the school. There we chatted with Abby’s and Tessa’s parents. Jon and I didn’t leave school until 9.30am.

I’m so excited and nervous for my little one. I do hope she is going to enjoy Kindergarten and making new friends. I guess I will have to wait till 1.30pm to hear all about her day. In the mean time, I should get back to the stack of papers from the school.

Fifteen minutes ago I was in the shower with the girl and my wise 4.5 year old gave me this piece of advice…

Mommy, you have to exercise more to get your nen-nen (boobs) up.

Mommy’s reaction: Speechless.

Oh, my dear daughter, I wish it is that easy.

Last night I was in bed reading the girls a couple of story books. Then Belle struck up a conversation that went (somewhat) like this:

Belle: Mommy,  look at this picture. The illustrator write (draw) it.
Mom: Draw it (tried to correct her when she said write).
Belle: Ok, draw it. The illustrator is good.
Mom: Yes, she sure is. That is a very big word you used: Illustrator. Who taught you that?
Belle: Nobody.
Mom: Really? Was it your teacher?
Belle: I dunno.

Oh well, it doesn’t matter who taught her but I’m amazed that she has begun to use big words. I don’t think I have ever used that word when I was four and a half. Lately, we have been borrowing the book series, Fancy Nancy, from the local library. Fancy Nancy introduces kids to fancy words and I’m guessing it is rubbing onto the girl. For what I know, she may start to speak a word or two in French.

Last night both my girls gave me a massage. The elder one kept asking, “Mommy, does your back owwie?” When I nodded, she pounded my back a little longer with her tiny fists. The little one saw her sister did that, she decided to help too.

I praised them by saying, “Oh, thank you girls! You girls are the best daughters!” And of course, my massage session went on a little longer at each praise I gave them. *sneaky me*

So, yea, I’m very proud of my little slaves girls. I’m sure their Dad will try to talk out of giving me a massage now that the girls are able to give a somewhat wondrous massage.

So much to do and so little time to fulfill it. We have been busy since last week. First with Belle’s dance recital. The girl has been taking dance lessons in her preschool for over a year and we (the parents of the little dancers) finally get to see them perform. They were taught a variety of dance lessons from beginning ballet to tap. We have recorded the performance and I just need time to edit it. (For my sis: Yes, you will get to view it very soon).

Then I was told of a Teddy Bear picnic for Cassie’s class, which took place this Wednesday. I baked some cookies and the girls and I had a great early dinner in school. Last night the husband and I were up till 2am finalizing our Disneyland trip. All I can say that we weren’t shown any love by Priceline ‘cos we couldn’t get the hotel we wanted within our budget. Anyhow, the hotel and tix are done, now we just need to plan the driving route and pit-stops.

On top of that, our first born is graduating from preschool this Saturday. Can you believe it?! Our baby is starting Kindergarten this fall. She is pretty nonchalant about graduation and going to a new school. I guess it hasn’t really sunk in to her that she will not be seeing some of her friends and teachers after August 20th.

Photos will be posted after we are back from our Disney trip. Stay tuned!

This morning Belle gave a whole new pronunciation to the word Basketball.

Belle: Mommy, is it share day today?
Mom: No, share day is on Friday.
Belle: I want to bring my f*ckaball to school.
Mom: Bring what??!!
Belle: F*ckaball.
Mom: Um, honey, it is basketball.
Belle: F*cktheball.
Mom: Psst, Daddy, hear this.
Mom: Belle, what do you want to bring to school?
Belle: F*cktheball.
Dad: Belle, bas-ket-ball.
Mom: Baby, I know you can say Bas-ket-ball. It is such an easy word. I’m sure ALL your friends can say that.
Belle: Bassaball
Mom: Y-esss, Bas-ket-ball. *phew*
Daddy: Good enough. LOL!

As you can tell, the girl doesn’t know the F word is a foul word. Honest to God we never use it in front of the kids (hey, we ain’t saints!).  But I do have to say, it was a funny conversation.

Last Saturday (April 17, 2010) the girls woke up super early and Daddy & Mommy decided to sleep in a little bit. Both of them decided to play in their room for a bit and even took the liberty to go downstairs to play with their toys and other stuff in the playroom. After a good 15 to 30 minutes they came up to our room, giggling away and say, “Look, Mommy and Daddy!” This  is what we saw…………

Both in their swimwear and “war paint” on their faces. We didn’t know whether to laugh or be mad at them. I’m sure they will appreciate these photos when they are a lot older.

Most of you got it right on the first one. She was referring to the time. I guess my kid isn’t the only one saying dot dot for full-colon (:).

As for Cassie’s, you guys are so close to the right word. She was saying, “Hello” and it isn’t like the simple greeting “Hello.” She went “Hellllooo?!” I think she caught it from me ‘cos I’m always saying things like (to catch their attention):

Hello?? Is anyone listening to me?

Hello?! Quiet down, both of you. Time to sleep.

So, yea, when Belle started to jibber jabber away that night, the little one decided to shut her sister up by yelling, “Yaaallllooooww!!!”

Have I been gone that long from blogging? I guess I have! I just needed to be away and there are so much so soak in from my two full-of-energy girls. I do feel a slight guilt for not updating their milestones and antics, but I’m sure they will hear tons of it from their folks when they are a lot older.

So, let’s jump start this blog by having a guessing game. It’s the Look Who’s Talking and guess what they meant.

Last night, while putting the girls in bed–Oh yea, they are now sleeping together in their own room– they said this:

Belle: One zero zero polka dot polka dot zero zero.

Cass: Yaaallllooow!

Can you guess what they meant?

*Tick Tock Tick Tock* The answers will be revealed tomorrow.

Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is over and we didn’t go shopping in the malls on Black Friday. Instead, we went to Costco. Yes, we’re quite boring. Anyway, we need to get some last minute shopping done for the relatives (who handed us a list of shopping items). While walking along the aisle Belle said the funniest thing and I just have to jot it down before I forget.

Belle: Mommy, we need to get some scream from the pumpkin pie.
Mom: Scream?
Belle: Yes, we need scream on the pumpkin pie then it (will) taste nice.
Mom: Oooooooh. Daddy, you hear that? You need to get some “scream” for the pumpkin pie.
Dad: Oh, I have plenty of “scream” from Belle. Belle, can I get some “scream” from you?
Belle: No. You have to buy the scream.
Mom & Dad: *laugh*

**In case you don’t get what it means. Belle was talking about whipped cream.