HG Takes On Third Grade

Monday, August 7th was registration night at school, so Cressey, HG, and I trekked up there around dinner to decorate her locker- a first!- and drop off her books in her classroom. (I should say that HG skipped and Cress and I just tried to keep up.) Cress was soon a disaster with it being the witching hour, so I spent most of the time chasing her down the hall, scooping her up just before someone tripped over her, and trying to encourage HG to wrap it up without rushing her out the door! She was SO excited about her locker with white board, mirror, and magnets. She took pics of John, Cress, and me to hang inside. I was quite impressed we made the cut.

Tuesday morning, HG had to get a cavity filled and Cressey had a knee-to-knee exam, so that afternoon, we called in Spiffer and GD so that HG and I could have a day of fun before school started on Wednesday. She is starting guitar lessons, so we got my old guitar all fixed up and added a strap. Then we indulged at 901 Scoop and wrapped up with pedicures. It was just what we needed to have some quality time before the hectic school year returned. (Worth noting that this was the first morning all summer that both of the girls slept past 7 a.m.)

Wednesday morning, HG was up with the sun and roaring to go for the first half day. I asked our neighbor, Sydney Ellen, to come hang out with Cressey so that HG could have a smooth morning, all about her. She chirped happily all the way there and was off like a light when we got there. When we got to the classroom, a handful of girls were there but no grownups. I hesitated at the door to the classroom, but HG gave me a little nod to come in with her. She got her stuff settled at her desk and then flitted off with the others to help put up supplies. She gave me a big hug, and I was out the door. Such a difference from years past!

Also worth noting, after a week of third grade, she has gotten herself *entirely* dressed every single morning, flat out refusing help with even socks.

Mrs. Mullins

A future Star

Painting of the saddle oxfords

While getting her guitar restringed, she befriended the guys at the store. They asked her to hold this guitar that had been played by the lead singer of ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. It was worth $40,000! I about had a heart attack!

While waiting on ice cream…

Future rock star

The night before...

 

First (half) day of third grade

She doesn’t yet know that she’s not coming along…

Cressey: 16 Months

When she’s joyful, she’s overflowing with love and happiness. But when she’s mad, she is really furious.

She is reaching for doorknobs and can open the lever ones on tip toes. John has noticed she can see over the top of the kitchen table now too. She can see what (food) we are hiding from her!

She can give ‘knucks’ and high fives.

When she asks for more food, she’ll hand you the fork and say ‘thank you.’ It’s got the incantation of the phrase but not the words itself- something like ‘ink you.’

While she doesn’t say the words, she’ll make noises along with ‘1, 2, 3!!!!’

I sneezed as I walked through the den and then realized she was following me saying, ‘ah, ah, choo!’

She has 12 teeth, including four molars. At her dentist check up this week, Dr. B pointed out her top two canine teeth coming in and saw the buds of the bottom ones starting to come through.

Still a tummy sleeper in her sleep sack. Still can’t figure out how many naps she wants to take. Hugs and loves on her animals in her bed.

Lifts her feet when you try to set her down when she wants you to hold her.

She’ll face plant when she’s mad. She’ll put her legs out and lean her head all the way into the floor.

She’ll often surprise you with big hugs around your knees. She’s not as cuddly as HG was/is because she’s constantly on the move, but when she chooses to share the love, she loves big. Will occasionally give kisses too.

Not necessarily running yet but is walking really quickly. She can go fast in a straight line but turning quickly can be disastrous.

Will back up and sit herself in your lap.

Just these last few days, she’s started bringing us her sandals to put on and is insistent that they go on RIGHT THEN.

Loves to put her face in the water in the bath or pool. Likes John to lay her on her tummy and take her on a cruise around the pool.

She’s absolutely fearless and doesn’t hesitate at anything.

Loves to close cabinet doors, refrigerator doors, dryer door, etc.

Much to my frustration, Cressey actually LIKES HG to scare her. She will cackle like crazy and then chase after HG.

She’s not one to walk along hold your hand…only if it’s something new or you are helping her down some stairs. (I don’t let her go up and down them on a normal basis, so she gets pretty excited when she’s allowed.) Desperate to climb the stairs.

She knows exactly what you’re saying. Now whether she’ll obey you or not is the question.

Really likes the jeep with the wind blowing in her hair. She and HG ‘chit chat’ a lot in the back seat.

When you tell her to sit on her bottom (usually on the stairs), she'll pat her bottom as if to acknowledge you but she rarely sits down.

Babbling up a storm. We’re hearing ‘uh oh,’ a really clear ‘mama’ and ‘dah-dee,’ and some phrases like ‘go upstairs’ or ‘let it go.’

We’ve taken the paci away during the day but give it back during sleep (and school). She gets really mad when you try to take it from her. While she loves a straw, we struggle to find a cup that she likes to have a big cup of milk out of after a meal. We’ve finally dropped the bottle and are using a transitional sippy cup with a soft top.

She’s had strep this month, thanks to sharing treats with HG. She takes meds like a champ…as long as HG pretends to take it too.

She will start PDO this month, so she went for a trial run on July 27th. HG and I walked her in, and as we stood at the half door to her room, she held her hands out to the teacher and went to her easily. Only when she was there did she start to rethink her decision. She started to fuss, and HG and I hightailed it out of there. The teachers sent me pics all day long of her happily playing. She wouldn’t nap for them, but the director just rolled her crib into the office and sent me videos of Cressey playing peekaboo and laughing hysterically with her. Made mama super happy! When we got there at dismissal, she was back in the classroom and happy to see us. She had a little tear and her teacher said she wouldn’t be so mad when she saw who was at the door. After seeing her play with some kiddos in the dentist waiting room this week, I think she gets her feelings hurt when others take her toys. She puts her little hand over her face and starts crying. Maybe that was what was bothering her. This is the perfect time for PDO then!