21 mo old GS is ‘testing the limits’. He does some things that he knows we will say ‘no’ to - sort of a mischievous spirit. However also learning the limits of what is a ‘no - and this is a serious no’ (not pulling brother or sister’s hair, striking against Nana’s glasses on her face).
GD had a pre-K graduation program and meal (the end of the FT daycare place, as they don’t have FT kindergarten). She is very verbal with excellent memory - and her teacher was very enthusiastically complementary of how strong of a student she has been. The strong early verbal is definitely from her dad; strong memory from both parents and my DH.
The family’s move out of state has been dramatically moved up. It seems that their plan has gotten accelerated so DD1 may have a job relocation, picking up FT work in same job she has at new OOS hospital (VA system). Moving with or w/o the job due to additional criteria based on a Army spouse working on Air Force base (and therefore following their rules on the temporary split family location scenario - better for family to move ASAP). Better also for family with this specific job secured - awaiting selection for hiring pool, and having a virtual interview…critical to be in the selection pool for the hiring committee.
So my reading time with GD is being curtailed soon…even with intermittent time together, have made wonderful progress. About 2/3rd finished with a small book series (my first little readers) - and she is attempting more sounding out of words and also gaining words in her memory bank. One word she had trouble with ‘first’ - somehow she had trouble starting to sound out and also trouble with memory of it. How she memorizes other words more easily/readily. I think some of it has to do with all the activities she does at daycare, ‘first’ never come up in the books they have on story time. We also talked about ‘fir’ and ‘fur’ - and how they sound the same but mean different things. The little calculations going in that brain with our English language. Also talked about use of ‘a’ and ‘an’ before other words and more clarification on vowels and consonants.
GD asked me which toe was injured at our last time together (we had a talk about impulse control after that injury, as she abruptly pulled out a heavy low drawer that injured my left great toe - heavy bleeding), and was glad to see it was all healed.
GD made a huge fuss over grandpa at her school, and pretty much ignored her mom and me. She enjoys activities with him, and his visits are much more sporadic.
GD2 is learning animals and the sounds they make. She saw a neighbor walking a Dalmatian and said dog. Then she said moo! We cracked up. But she’s never seen a cow in real life so she has no frame of reference.
I FaceTime 2.5 year old GD. She said, “PoPo, when are you coming home to see me?” She sees home as where she is at. If you are not home then you are at work.
I think she counts to 10 and I brag about it. Knowing @WayOutWestMom grandkid could count to 100 then my GD better step it up.
Now that 10 month old GD has mastered crawling, she is pulling up to stand. She will even crawl over to me and grab my legs to pull up. She has the tiniest feet (even for her age) and I look at them and wonder if they will support her
D,SIL, and GD (and dog) are in the process of moving and will be living even closer soon.
I compare my 2 granddaughter too much. My son’s D is 8 months older than my daughter’s D; due to a late birthday of the older one, they will be in the same grade at school. Younger GD is more interested in her letters, numbers, reading books and puzzles; the older one is more into running around! The younger one has know all her numbers and letters for a year or more and can write her name; she will be 4 this month. The older if you ask what letter her name begins with will tell you a 7! But, the older one has a wicked sense of humor, is very imaginative and is too street wise for her age. Younger GD know what city and county she and all close family live.
This all said, I would gather to say that both kids will do very well in school, assuming the older can sit still long enough. She is so her father it is unreal and I laugh at her antics, whereas with my son I thought I would pull my hair out! Younger one might be too hard on herself; I can see her being the kids that gets upset when she get a B on a test.
As one of the youngest in my class (and brother a grade ahead being very smart) I was one who learned to apply myself early and push myself in and out of school.
When working with GD on reading, we also talked about ‘fir’ and ‘fur’, and it made me think of other words she knows ‘piece’ and ‘peace’ for example. At 66, unless one was a grade school teacher or a word smith, one ‘reintroduces’ oneself in both the early reading and early math building pieces. Exciting to see these little one’s minds catch on to the concepts.
My retirement assets are primarily invested in mutual funds, but if I bought individual stocks and had cash to invest, I would be seeking companies that provide entertainment for little people. Went with D, SIL & middle GD to see the Bluey show yesterday. I think the ticket prices were lower than shows in the Broadway series, but, oh, how they were selling the merch at exorbitant prices! And they do 2 shows a day (50 minutes) as opposed to adult performances that are only 1 show a day. I can’t say I found the plot compelling (spoiler: it was about getting the dad to put away his phone and play with Bluey & Bingo), but the people watching and the thoughts on the economics of it were very interesting!
D says it was nothing compared to Disney on Ice last year, so I guess the model translates well for all the popular characters. FL S & DIL are trying to figure out a time to take their 2 little girls to WDW, but costs related to that have gone through the roof in the last 1-2 years and they live just a few hours away. I guess for many who can’t afford the trip to Disney properties, those shows provide a Disney experience for a more practical price point.
The last time I was at a live “kiddie” entertainment was when D (now 36) was 3, hence my fascination.
GD has a ballet (dance) recital next Saturday. I think D1 is more nervous than GD. I used to be like that for my girls’ recitals. GD is very excited that I am going to be there.
Had the whole family over for a pulled pork done in the smoker. It was a big hit with many sides but the best thing is seeing my four grandchildren. They have such a good time together.
And the sonic boom! LOL.
Our youngest addition to the clan is doing well. At 2.5 weeks of age, she was very interested in the zebra pattern of my dress. Her parents were impressed and bought some black and white pattern cards for newborns which she ignores- but she still likes to stare at my dress. It is by Boss… she has good taste in clothes, just like Nana. . She is now one month old and is getting stronger every day. She sleeps on her back but gets plenty of supervised tummy time. Her dad says she will be doing pushups pretty soon!
. She is now one month old and is getting stronger every day. She sleeps on her back but gets plenty of supervised tummy time. Her dad says she will be doing pushups pretty soon!