Thursday

We were on time to preschool for the first time in 2012.  But I was late for visiting teaching.  I'm not punctual, and I'm ashamed of it.  So far 2012 looks like my least punctual year yet, though I hope to improve.

I took my girls back home for snacks and some last minute before-school prep.  I drove, rather quickly, to Mei Li's school to avoid another tardy slip.  We were on time, barely.

When I arrived at Stephen's classroom to pick him up, he was in the middle of singing "five little monkeys swinging in the tree."  His back was slightly turned to me so he couldn't see me.  I could see his right cheek that exposed a dimple every now and again, particularly when the alligator "snapped that monkey right out of that tree."  I waited there, holding Mi Na, loving every second of his happy performance.  It struck me then how very little he still is.  How could I possibly be frustrated at his occasional disobedience when he still loves to sing such songs?

When the song ended, his teacher told him that I was there.  He turned and gave me a big, dimply smile.  He ran to me and hugged me.

The rest of the afternoon went smoothly.  We ate lunch, I put Mi Na down for her nap, Stephen and I did a reading lesson together, and he watched a show while I cleaned the house and listened to Cutting for Stone.

The last couple of days, Stephen has wanted to wear his Christmas fuzzy pajamas in the afternoon, which is so funny and a little inconvenient because it means that he has to change into his normal clothes before we pick up Mei Li from the bus stop.  So when it was time to go, he changed into his street clothes, put on his shoes, motorcycle gloves, motorcycle helmet, and "spaceman" jacket, which reminds him of a motorcycle jacket.  It was quite the process.  We walked/rode to the bus stop.  The moms at the bus stop think Stephen is cute.

Mei Li got off the bus and, as usual, said that school was great.  Mei Li and Stephen rode their bikes to the library, while I pushed Mi Na in the stroller behind them.  I checked out a lot of readers for Mei and a few others that the kids randomly chose and piled on top of my stroller.  The journey home was much colder and more exhausting than the journey to the library.  The kids almost gave up one block from our house, which is always the risk when riding instead of driving.  Thankfully, they listened when I told them they'd be warmer sooner if they would ride faster.

The kids went inside the house while I put the stroller back into our car.  I told Mei Li to help Mi Na get her hat and jacket off.  I was so pleased when I heard Mei Li say, "Stephen, you get her hat and I'll get her jacket."  I looked, and sure enough, they were working as a little team.  I love my little team.

I made spaghetti for dinner, and some bacon.  My kids like bacon A LOT.  Mei Li and Stephen exchanged jokes during dinner, which reminds me of my favorite new trick of Mi Na's.  She can tell a knock-knock joke, thanks to her older siblings.  

Mi Na: Knock knock!

Me: Who's there?

Mi Na: Boo!

Me: Boo who?

And that's as far as she gets.  But she expects laughing and applause every time, and you better believe that we all enthusiastically give it to her.

I put Stephen and Mi Na to bed, and then read with Mei Li from her readers.  After a couple of readers, we practiced sight words.  She hates practicing sight words, but tonight I gave her the incentive of one Little Women chapter for each time she reviewed a list.  Tonight she earned three chapters.  We read about the girls first becoming friends with Laurie.  Then I sobbed through the chapter where Mr. Laurence gives his thanks to Beth for his slippers in the form of a piano.  Mei Li told me not to cry, but I just can't help it during that part!  Then we read about Amy's shame with the pickled limes.  Poor girl.

I found a very condensed picture-book version of Little Women at a thrift store several months ago and I brought it home to read to Mei.  After that, of course, she was eager to know all about the March girls.  When I started reading the real version to her this week, she said, "Mom, I'm making the pictures in my head," which of course everyone does, but I imagine hers are particularly colorful.  

Anyway, I put her to bed just before Steve arrived, which meant that she did not go to bed for a little while longer.  It's tax season, so I don't really mind if Mei stays up until 10 PM to spend a little time with her dad.  

I need to go spend some time with Steve now.  It was a wonderful day and I wanted to remember it in detail.  Good night.