Garden Class

We signed Chloe up for a childrens garden class. It's every saturday between now and October. We went to her first class this weekend and she got to learn about the parts of a seed. Chloe is holding her two bean seeds they passed out to demonstrate.

When the teacher asked if anyone wanted to say the names of the seed parts outloud, Chloe raised her hand. I was very proud of her for deciding to speak out to the whole group. She remembered all three parts of the seed. Each child got to plant a plant. Chloe got to plant a strawberry plant. She borrowed some gloves from a friendly mom and did a good job handling the plant gently and digging a good hole. After the hands-on planting, they had story time.

It was a beautiful day out. The class was at the childrens garden at Hovander Homestead park. Afterward we walked over to the bird section of the park and said hi to the roosters, geese, ducks, and turkeys.

The turkeys were very social, displaying their feathers and following us around. They loved the camera! I'm not sure, but I suspect that they were actually feeling threatened and were trying to chase us away, but the fence kept us safe. :)

Chloe Quotes

Mike: We're gonna play for a few minutes and then we're gonna clean up the house. (she wasn't listening so I asked her to repeat what I said) Chloe: When we're done playing, you're going to clean up while I watch a show. Points for cleverness anyway.
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(Standing in ~18" snow that's up to her crotch) Chloe: It's a snowtastic day!
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At the toy store looking at stuffed germs and bugs.
Chloe: What's this?
Mike: A maggot. Fly larva.
Chloe: Awesome!!

Quotes of the week

"The moon is out already. Maybe it wants to say hi to it's friend the sun. "

While looking in her lunch box at grandma's house:
"I want to eat.... WHAT?? Oh... why did she give me corn? I don't (mumble mumble)... OK. If she would have given me peas or carrots I would eat a LOT more. well..."

This morning when I left the house with Chloe, she had on her waterproof boots and she stepped down into the "snow" and it was all slush.
She said "Wow! That's like... part water and part snow."
I said "Yea, it's called slush. Cool, huh?"
Then we got into the van to leave.
Half way to my moms house she blurted out:
"I really like walking in the SLUCK."
(I'm stull giggling about this one.)

Leggings and new snack

Chloe is spending the day with Grandma.

She says:

"Chloe wanted leggings. I did not have any...so we cut the feet off a pair of tights. Perfect! She loves em! Singing and dancing! We are having a great morning. She had toast with raspberry jam. Once she tried it, she liked it. "

She picks what she wears...

We were getting ready for my work Christmas party. I went in to Chloe's room to try and pursuade her to choose something I'd like her to wear to the party. (She has a few things that I think are absolutely adorable on her, that just aren't her favorite.) After a short conversation, I found myself walking out of her room mumbling and complaining about how she never lets me pick her clothes. I remember saying "C'mon, Chloe... this is just so pretty on you... please?"

As I arrived back in my closet to get myself ready.... as I was choosing for myself what I was going to wear... and what I felt most comfortable with... my words to her were ringing in my ears. I'd put pressure on her to do and be how *I* saw her. I was basically telling her that how she saw herself wasn't pretty or good enough for me. I felt horrible.

Chloe was in there getting ready. She was putting on party clothes she felt most comfortable with, and she knew that I didn't completely approve. That was not okay with me.

I talked to Abby for a minute about it, and went right back in to Chloes room and asked if I could talk to her for a minute. I sat on her floor and I said:

"Chloe honey, I'm sorry I talked to you the way I did. I love you just the way you are. You are fun and beautiful and I really love your personality and how you choose things. I think any party clothes you wear tonight will be just right."

She melted in to me, and stuck her lip out a bit and said quietly.

"Thank you, mommy. That really helps, I love you, too."

I could tell she was touched and all the tension and insecurity I'd instilled in her melted away. I really hope that over time, I catch myself whenever I get on the wrong foot. All I ever want to do is build her up.

As it turns out, she was adorable, and her party outfit was absolutely perfect for the party. She was comfortable and confident the whole night.

Kindergarden Photo

This is my big Kindergartener! She seems so grown up in her official school picture.

Dentist Appointment

Chloe had a dentist appt this morning at 11:30.

Mike said: Her dentist appt went great. One spot he's worried about, but not enough to push for xrays, yet. Maybe in June. She was scared but rallied and had fun.