Gross anatomy

Jackson seems to have a little bit of a stomach bug. I thought initially he ate too much Indian food. I picked him up today and buckled him in the car.

Kat: "How's your belly feel?"

Jackson: "It feews yuckeee."

Kat: "Awwww. It does?"

Jackson: "Missaddie sez dat I hab dia... dia... a poop diary."


At school today, Jackson asked his teacher if she has heard of "Golddigger". (The kids absolutely love the version of Golddigger from the Glee soundtrack.) Addie hadn't heard of it. Her husband came in and he hadn't really heard of it either. They looked it up on iTunes and found it.

Addie (to her husband): "It's not by Kanye West, is it? It can't be by Kanye West."

Jackson: "NO! It's by Gwee! It's by Gwee!"

Addie scrolled down and saw the version of "Golddigger" by the Glee Cast. She was amazed. She said that she couldn't believe that she was being introduced to new music by a three year old. She downloaded it and played it for the kids. They begged for her to play it again while they decorated their Christmas cookies. The kids danced and bopped their heads. Jackson, at one point, put his hand behind his head and broke out the half-sprinkler move. That's my boy. Livin' the thug life.

Gender wars

Miss Addie, Jackson's teacher, reported that he is able to identify many colors. They did a color matching game and he knew all the colors except two. When she was introducing white and pink to him, he was resistant.

Jackson: "No. Doze are geerrl co-wers."

She was saying something about how I don't pay attention. I don't know, I wasn't listening.

Kat: "Good morning, Jackson! Time for school!"

Jackson [sleepily]: "Hooray!"

[long pause]

Jackson: "Wait, what you sayd?"

Kat: "Time for school."

Jackson: "Yipee! I wuv school!"

Bella's first bus ride

When we were making plans for transportation, I told the kids that I would drive them to school for the first month. It was good for me to drive it for two weeks and see how insane it was. We left home by 7:15 A each day and I dropped of Liam, then Bella, then Maddie and I got home just after 9 A. Then, I left home just before 2 in the afternoon and got home after 4. Four hours a day. It was all kinds of crazy. Bella got car sick a few of the days, and actually threw up one of the mornings on the way. I was worried after the first week that Jackson would ask to be emancipated so he didn't have to do the drive any more.
So, I decided I couldn't do it anymore. I found out that there is a family in my neighborhood that has a son at Maddie's school and a daughter in the same class as Bella. They ride the bus too, so the kids have a buddy to ride with.

Here's Bella with her new buddy. They have a love/drama relationship where they get along great and then they boss each other around for the rest of the time.

First Day of School

Today was the big first day of school. All three kids are going to different schools: a Montessori magnet public school for Liam, a fine arts/performing arts magnet public school for Maddie and an arts/Reggio Emilia magnet public school for Bella. We had to apply for the lottery to get them in each school and it felt a little crazy to apply for them to go to three different schools. The alternative, though, was to send Maddie and Liam to the same school - the Montessori school would have been great for both, but really wouldn't have served Maddie's needs for arts. As far as sending them both to Maddie's school - Liam's enjoyment and success in school would have suffered too much in a traditional classroom, so that wasn't an option. Bella's easy - I could send her anywhere, but where she is going is so perfect for her - minimal academics with a focus on play and imagination. What kindergarten is SUPPOSED to be!


I always have to show a picture of "that child left behind" on the first day of school. He's thrilled to have all the toys... and the water softener salt... to himself.

The Very Last Day

Maddie and Liam on the first day of school

Maddie and Liam on the last day of school

Today is the last day of school. I loved having them in the same class together this year. Not something I want for them every year, but for this year, I liked it. They barely noticed that they were in the same class: they found their own way and carved out their own niche. I just liked hearing tales of their day - the same experiences - from two different perspectives. Maddie was always first to report who was cranky at Liam or what he got yelled at about. Liam was more likely to tell a slightly exaggerated story about how fantastic something that he did was. Occasionally, we did get the odd story about Maddie and how she *loves* Georgie.

As I look at the pictures, there is something intangible gained in the last nine months. They have aged and matured. They look more confident, more secure with their own styles. It was hard for us to decide to change schools, but they are so ready for bigger and better things. The mind swims with the possibilities.

"The Bear Snores On"

Bella's Christmas Program

Bella knew most of the words to most of the songs.
She seemed to enjoy singing the Christmas carols.


However, when she didn't know the words, she crossed her eyes and made a goofy face until they came to the part where she knew the words again and she jumped right back in. Grandpa Ken and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.


Bella with one of her teachers. Santa was also there and Bella got to sit on his lap, get a present and tell him what she wants for Christmas!

VIP Day

Every year, the kids have a VIP day at school. They can bring a grandparent, parent, or friend to school. This year, Grandma Dot came up for the day. She was Maddie's VIP, John was Liam's VIP and Jackson and I came along for fun.


Someone at school asked if I dressed my boys alike on purpose. They really look so much alike. Their mannerisms, their intensity. Especially, their cuteness!


The kids and their VIPs made a special piece of artwork. It was fun to watch everyone work together on a project.


It was really fun seeing the kids in their school environment. They are so comfortable there and they were so in their glory. They are really doing well at school and they love showing off their stuff.