Today was the last day of school before winter break. Which means parties!
Gus was super excited to go to school and see Lena. And, thanks to the kind kindergarten teachers who gave him an extra plate with a gingerbread man and decorations, he got to “decorate a cookie”, which to a 2 year old means devour all of the candy.
Lena was so happy to see us. We got hugs and a big smile.
G was so fascinated with all of this party business. Particularly the food part.
Of course I wanted to take some time to visit Reed’s party too, but Gus was NOT leaving that candy. Lena’s teacher told me that she’d keep an eye on Gus for me, so that I could go see Reed. Their classes are right next door, but I was grateful to visit Reed’s class for a couple of minutes without an angry toddler in tow. Lena’s teacher is fantastic. And not just because she kept an eye on Gus. Or may be reading this blog post. She clearly is passionate about teaching kindergarten, and that is an awesome thing to see!
Anyways, Reed’s classroom. First grade parties are serious business, you guys. You fold dreidels and fortune tellers and make bird feeders and drink vegan eggnog. Stopping for your mom to take your picture is NOT on your to-do list.
I got to talk to some of Reed’s friends and help them fold dreidels. One girl, a friend of Reed’s from kindergarten, was very impressed that I knew her name already.
Both of the kids had fun, but they are also happy it’s break. Before I even had the car in the garage, Reed presented his winter break to-do list:
- Decorate Gingerbread cookies.
- Really, decorate gingerbread cookies.
- Decorating gingerbread cookies would be fun. With candy.
- Play with Andrei.
- Wait for Christmas.
My Winter Break to-do list:
- Cut both boys’ hair. Or, better idea: instruct Aaron to do that.
- Actually comb Lena’s hair.
- Get a handle on Reed’s chapped lips (we have a doctor’s appointment next week!).
- Learn how to say more than “I need to pee” and “French fries” in Russian. Just kidding. I know more than that. “Do you speak English?” is also burned in my memory.
I have convinced my children that they should learn Russian because Andrei speaks Russian and Andrei is cool. They watched Little Pim for awhile, and then I pulled out this talking alphabet book.
By the way, anyone know where I can get a new one of those? Gus spilled water on it a few years back and not all of the letters work now. 😦 The store I bought it from is now closed.
My kids normally pick out their own clothes, but L was running behind this morning, so I asked if I could pick it out for her. Yes! Christmas theme! The sweater is one of my favorites: mitten pockets that Reed wore back in 2010. My mom made the skirt last year. And the shoes, dug out for her Princess birthday, are currently her favorite.
Little brother photo-bombed! So much love.
a moose in moscow 