BOOK MAKING (5 3/4 YRS OLD)

S is starting to like writing. Ms. Eliza says it's one of the things kids pick up later, usually after they become proficient with reading.

Her new found "like" was started by her North Dakota assignment from school. Everyone in her class was assigned a state and was asked to draw a map of it and label it. There were several suggestions for additional projects; one was write a book. Mama thought everyone was doing one since all the moms were talking about their kids' states plant, bird, and food around the play ground.

Mama and S sat on the computer looking up articles and images on North Dakota. One that caught S's attention were the flood pictures from last year. She was fascinated by it and kept asking to see more pictures. So, mama obliged. So, when getting to the home- project half of the North Dakota, mama tried to get S to write about about the state flower and other state facts but S didn't want to. "Well, what do you want to write about North Dakota? The flood," S answered.

S picked the images that she wanted and mama put together an empty book for her to put it in. She sat down and wrote the words. Mama occasionally helped her brain-storm or sound out a word, but she did it mostly on her own.

It turned out that S was the only one in her class that wrote a book. Many kids did a drawing or collage of their state animal or theme, but she was the only book writer. Her teacher asked her to read it to the class and she must have gotten much praise for it because she's very proud of it now and is more enthusiastic about writing books. Since then, she's written a book about flower and one about bugs. (Her class switched theme from the United States to plants and plant life.)

The best part is watching her become enthusiastic about something new, like reading and the monkey bars.

TOMATO SOUP BY S (5 3/4 YRS OLD)

S wanted to cook today. She took a tomato can from the pantry. Mama took the slow cooker down and convinced to her make soup. She plopped in the tomato into the cooker. She chose a can of her favorite, Double Noodle soup, too. She added 1/2 package of ham, 1/2 package of frozen vegetables, and the remainder of the chicken broth. Mama added some water. Daddy proclaimed it "very edible, better than some of mama's soup" at dinner time.

SHRINKY DINKS (5 1/2)

S has a new hobby to occupy her time: Shrinky dinks! Mama got a Christmas Shrinky dink kit and she and mama put it together. S really liked watching everything shrink in the toaster oven.

In early February, she got invited to Flora's birthday party; the theme was princess and shrinky dinks. She and momma got really into it; they were the only ones left at the craft table. Recently, mama bought a shrinky dink kit from B&N and S has quietly filled her time with shrinky dinks. Yeah!

GREEN READER (5 1/2 YRS OLD)

S is very proud of the fact that Ms. Eliza told S that she's a green reader now. So, she's advanced from yellow, red, and orange (not in that particular order) to green, simple chapter books. Mama and daddy can really see the results at home. S loves reading the Dr. Seuss's beginning reader books. like "Hop on Pop" or "Fox in Sox".

Even though, S can read green level books (probably with a little more work on her half), doesn't mean she will. She still prefers the easier ones.

I LOVE YOU (5 1/2 YRS OLD)

S learned how to write "I LOVE YOU" properly. Since then, she's written a note to both her teachers, telling them how much she loved them. She also wrote, "I LOVE YOU" to Ian her 3 o'clock partner on her Friendship Day note to him. She also wrote, "I LOVE YOU" to Connor in his birthday card to him.

Daddy and mama are not sure if S understands what she means when she writes "I LOVE YOU." When momma asked S about her note to Ian, she said, "I love Ian because I love my school friends." When mama asked if S was "in-love" with Connor and if she wanted to marry him, S paused and said, "Maybe. He's very gentle."

There is one thing she did clarify. She explained to mama. I love Ms. Eliza and Ms. Anneke, but I love you more.

FRIENDSHIP DAY (5 1/2)

AHB celebrated Friendship Day, Feb 9, instead of Valentines Day. Everyone brought in a special bead and strung up a friendship chain. S brought in flower shaped pony beads. Afterwards, S's classmate wrote special notes to each other. They had to write one for their 3 o' clock partner (their reading buddy)and then after that they could write to anyone. S received four notes -- Ian (3 o'clock buddy), Maria, and 2 from Clara, not including the special notes from Ms. Anneke and Ms. Eliza. There was a lunch-time trip to Shipe park and some moms brought in some afternoon snacks, i.e. muffins and fruit, for a mini-party in the afternoon.

S came home thinking it was the best day ever. She read her "love" notes several time before going to bed to mama and herself, especially the notes from Ms. Anneke and Ms. Eliza.