Halloween costume update #1

So today both Leo and Sadie told me they want to be princesses for Halloween. I don't know how James feels about it, but I am more than happy to make them both princess costumes! What a great story for when they are older too.

Halloween costumes

Tis the time to start thinking about those costumes! I have this crazy opinion in my head that I need to make Sadie and Leo's Halloween costumes every year. I know that buying something from a store would save me so much time and energy, but I just can't do it! Probably comes from the same mindset that causes me to make and decorate their birthday cakes every year...even if I have to stay up all night to get it done. And if you think I am joking, just ask James!

For those that don't remember, last year Sadie changed her mind several times a day about what she wanted to be for Halloween. It was a dragon for a while, then a lizard, a baby turtle, etc., etc., etc. Once it got to be the week before Halloween I made her come to a decision. After all her ideas, she decided that she wanted to be a black kitty again (the same thing she was the year before!). This year, she doesn't seem to have nearly as many ideas, but they are very interesting...a kitty fairy, a baby horse, and a motorcycle just to name a few. I'll let her keep inventing new ideas for a few more weeks and see what else she comes up with...

Leo on the other hand has been saying he wants to be a knight. I think it is because Finn has a knight costume that he wears and Leo thinks it is pretty cool. Although today at school Leo told me he wanted to be a princess for Halloween. That made me chuckle and of course I had to call James and tell him. I think Leo was influenced though by the older girls talking about what they were going to be (princesses of course!). I don't know if he completely gets the idea of dressing up in a costume anyway. I could probably decide for him again this year and he'd be just fine with it. We'll see...I'll give him a few more weeks to think about it too.

One idea that Sadie and Leo talked about the other day was Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat. Now that would be cute, but I don't want to influence them. Maybe I'll just bring it up again and see what they say...stay tuned.

It's just kindergarten right?

This past weekend Sadie figured out the concept of simple addition and subtraction. For a while she has been putting things into sets and adding that way (very visual). At dinner on Saturday night, she figured out how to add in her head. I would ask "what is 6+3?" and you could see her counting to six and then slowly counting three more and proudly saying nine! We did lots of addition (she wanted me to give her "tricky" ones...23+2) and she got them all. I explained the concept of subtraction (or take away) and she sort of got it, but found it a little more difficult. I am amazed everyday at how smart she is. I know that I am biased because I am her mom, but I also spend my days with other preschoolers so I get to see what her peers are doing. This brings to mind the whole worry about where to send her to school. All we want is for Sadie to be challenged and excited about learning...and to get the most out of her education that she can. The public school that is closest to us (within walking distance) is not highly regarded or well funded. There are some other public schools in the area (less than 5 miles) that are much better though. I think we will also apply to some private schools and see if we can get in. There are a couple gifted schools (where you have to test above a certain level to get in) that we may apply to as well. All the touring of schools starts in November with applications due in January. I think most acceptance letters are sent out in March, so we have a while still before we have to make any serious decisions. I swear if you didn't know Sadie was four, you'd think I was talking about college!

Finally...I'm blogging!

Well...here we are, my first blog entry. I have been meaning to do this for a long time just to keep track of all the funny stuff Sadie and Leo say and do! Plus, it's a nice way to keep all the friends and family up to date. I hope people find this informative, amusing and maybe even addictive. Please post comments so I know who is reading this. I'll try to write something at least once a week, but don't hold me to it!