Less then 2 hours after writing this post about Little Bee's kindness and sensitivity, she and I had 2 back to back conversations:

1) At my parents house:

BB - Mom, I don't want to go home
me - Why Leah? Do you want to stay here?
BB - I want you to leave, I am going to stay here.
me - Leah, we were going to spend the afternoon together having some special time.
BB - But, I don't want to be with you
me - Why?
BB - Because I don't like your face

2) 10 minutes later
Susie - Leah, did you have fun at your party yesterday?
BB - no
Me - No? what was your favorite part?
BB - Nothing
Me - Umm. What didn't you like?
BB - (after rolling eyes), I didn't like anything. I didn't like the food. I didn't like the decorations. I didn't like the balloons. (very long pause) I just like the presents.

I can tell, that 4, is going to be a Good Good time with Little Bee!

March 14 - 2009

Yesterday our Lovely Leah turned 4! It was a very busy day, but in the morning I had a few moments to reflect on how she has changed over the past year, and how she changed our family.

Yesterday as I watched her sleep, it occurred to me that Leah completes us. Her generosity and kind nature is grounding and she is a constant reminder to all of us that miracles come in many amazing packages. Her sense of humor keeps up on our does, and brings laughter into our hearts.

In many ways, Leah is your average American Girl. She is into Princesses, the color Pink (though now she is now leaning more toward Red), butterflies, and jewelry. She loves to run, laugh, play with chalk and climb up the slide. In other ways, she is years beyond her physical self. A friend of mine describes her as "someone who was her before", and I am not sure that is untrue. She loves biology, constellations, planets, and classical music. She also adores her sister more then life. Leah's sense of family and the meaning of the word, appears to have the depth most people don't achieve until they have their own children.

4 years ago today, I was staring into the runny eyes of a child, and wondering how she was going to fit into our world. I never thought that a simple presents would light up all of our lives the way she does.

Happy 4th Birthday Little Bee! Mom

A picture for Mommy - Ms. Bean and her sister

Ms. Beans Homework

Last nights homework assignment was to write a letter to the Principle and tell her what you like about school:

Dear Dr. Zissios -

I like my school. I love my teachers Ms. Jackson and Ms. Youngman. I miss Ms. Dwyer and I am sorry she had to leave. Very sorry. I like Art. I like P.E. Its really fun to go to specials. I like to go out to recess and I like to play with my friends.

This year I have learned about money and counting pennies and dimes and Quarters and Nickles. I go on the computer almost every day. I learn how to read, that is what the computer is for. My favorite Special is Music. I get to sing new songs that I didn't know, like:

1) the Echo
2) Shadow Phobia
3. BFF

I really like my classroom. My favorite center is white board because I get to9 draw whatever I want. Sometimes I even go to the large white board, but we don't do that very often.

My friends are Ovie and Pierce. They are really funny. They play with me a lot and I chase them.

I really like my school and everybody there. Sometimes I am afraid of all of the new kids I see, but as long as I am with my friends I have nothing to worry about.

Love,
sarah

I, for one, would really like to attend Kindergarten classes.

Ms. Bean has a Dream ........................

As part of the Kindergarten discussion regarding Dr. Martin Luther King, the kids shared their dreams for our country. Ms Bean's dreams that all kids could be safe when they swim. Some would argue that her "dream" might not be as inclusive/meaningful as the original, but I suspect that her swim instructors might be equally as touched.