May 2005

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Monday, 02 May 2005

This week my school is holding its parent-teacher meetings. Here's my "child observation record" from my teacher Ms Esther. This is for the period I've been in the Toddler class - from December till now.

1. Sense of Self

Development summary: Zoe has a strong sense of who she is and is aware of her limitations on what is safe and what is not. She has developed a bond with her new classmates and both me and Ms Latesha.

Supporting anecdotes: Zoe knows all of her classmates by face and can say several of their names and point to who they are. Zoe knows her body parts and can point them out. She can wash and dry her own hands. She does well using a spoon and when she is finished with her food, she stands up and says "done".

Parent observations: Over the past month or two, we've noticed she's becoming more independent and showing that she can do things herself. At home, she often prefers to feed herself at mealtimes. She'll refuse to take a mouthful of food you provide, preferring instead to take the fork or spoon herself.

2. Social Relations

Development summary: Zoe is a very sweet and lovable child. She is full of energy and very eager to participate in all classroom activities. Zoe is very social and plays with everyone in the toddler program. She likes to give hugs and kisses to her friends and her teachers. She is a joy to be around.

Supporting anecdotes: Zoe shares with her friends. When her friends are sad or crying, she will walk over and give them a hug or pat their back. Sometimes, she will get two baby dolls and take one to Olivia.

Parent observations: Zoe is a very sociable little girl. She loves playing with the little girl Ellie next door (9 months older) and the two dogs on the other side. She knows the dogs' names and squeals with joy when they come out to play. This is always followed by a very insistent series of "outside" and her either running to the door or requesting "down?" if she's in her high chair. When meeting new people (or people she hasn't seen in a while) she's a little shy at first, but then quickly becomes very friendly.

3. Creative Representation

Development summary: Zoe spends a lot of time looking at books. She points to the pages and names the items she recognizes. Her favorite book is "Red Shoes, New Shoes". Zoe also loves doing sensory and feeling the different textures we offer in our sensory table. She really loves the water play.

Supporting anecdotes: Zoe enjoys all of the different art projects we do in the class. When I say "let's do artwork", she nods her head yes and comes to the table and sits down. She seems to enjoy working with paint the most.

Parent observations: She likes playing with her toys in her playroom. She has crayons and markers and likes drawing with them at every opportunity. We haven't tried paints yet, however. She has a number of favorite books at home.

4. Movement

Development summary: Zoe has very good motor skills and control of her body. She loves to climb the foam mountain in our classroom, on top of the sensory table and the steps to the slide out in the playground. Zoe loves the outdoors and playing with balls. She is well rounded with it comes to playing with a variety of toys.

Supporting anecdotes: Zoe will slide for a while, then she will go and get a bike. A little while later, she goes to the sand box, get a bucket and shovel, and play with whoever is there. Zoe loves the outside games that involve singing, dancing, and marching.

Parent observations: She certainly likes her mobility and loves to climb stairs and run (fast walk) all around the house and outside. Her most recent thing is the desire to sit in big chairs, especially the deck chairs we have outside and our neighbor’s big deck chairs. Once we put her in the chair (she can't climb up yet), she points to the other chair and says "Mummy" or "Daddy" (whoever's closer) insisting that we sit too. Bubbles and balls are her favorites.

5. Communication and Language

Development summary: Zoe has a good understanding of language. She responds to commands and will follow simple instructions. Zoe is learning new words at a steady pace. When I work with her on language, she always makes and effort to repeat what is being said. This week, she is starting to point and say "diaper" during changing.

Supporting anecdotes: When we talk about songs or take requests, Zoe knows what is being said and tells us "E-I-E-I-O". She is starting to identify the farm animals with their sounds. Zoe enjoys the keyboard and tries to sing along with the new songs we are working on.

Parent observations: If we're in the kitchen and we say to her "go to the bedroom and get Mummy's brush", she knows exactly what to do. She says a new word just about every day and seems to understand many more words and phrases than that. She is a great mimic when it comes to saying new words. Her current favorite songs are "Old Macdonald", “ABC” and "Row Row Row Your Boat" - singing those to her always results in a big smile. The latter also includes the holding hands and rocking back and forward just as she learned at daycare and oftens ends in a "Yay!" and clapping hands.

6. Exploration and Early Logic

Development summary: Zoe enjoys playing with the building blocks, building tall towers and knocking them down. When the tower falls, Zoe claps and says "yay" at her accomplishment. Zoe is also doing well with the shape sorters and knows where the puzzle pieces fit.

Supporting anecdotes: Zoe does well knowing how to put objects that are alike together. Zoe is learning how to put things back in the correct place during clean-up. Zoe pulls out toys that interest her and play with the toy she picks. She has a good concept of how things work.

Parent observations: The shape sorter at home is a favorite toy. She seems to be quite nimble with her little fingers and likes to examine things closely. She has worked out the TV remote and can undo the baby locks on the cupboards.

Monday, 02 May 2005

I had a fun time Saturday afternoon and evening. We went to see Amanda in her play Grease. She and Abby played two of the Pink Ladies and they were both fabulous. I watched most of it (it was two hours with intermission), but towards the end I wanted to get down from my chair and run around. So Daddy took me out to play.

Then after the show, we went to Winston's for dinner. Amanda and Abby couldn't come because they had another show in the evening. Still it was a great dinner. Gerrie and Dick were there (of course) plus Gerrie's Mom, Amanda's two cousins, Dick's daughter Kimberly and Kimberly's husband. It was a great evening - thanks for dinner, Dick and thanks for the tickets to Amanda's show, Gerrie!

Sunday, 08 May 2005

Today is Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day Mummy! On Friday, we had a little party at my school for all the Mummys. We had ice cream and juice and I gave Mummy this little card that I made. That's my little hand print on the cover. Nice huh?

This morning, I gave Mummy my present - a picture frame with this photo in it. She really liked it. And I got her a dozen tulips too (Daddy picked them up for me). Daddy and I went out for a walk so Mummy could have quality time. I then got to play some bubbles and be outside since it was such a nice weekend.

We were going out for lunch, so I had an early nap. We had a lovely lunch with Gerrie and Amanda at Caffe Luna, an Italian restaurant in downtown Raleigh. Of course we had some champagne to celebrate - even I had a sip or two! I had some nice pasta (plus some of other people's food too).

In the afternoon, I did some drawing with my crayons and some new markers. That was fun. Then we spent some time outside on the deck. It was a really great day.

Friday, 13 May 2005

This week at daycare was colours week. Each day, we all wore a different colour - it was fun! Here's what I did all week:

Monday (Orange): Today, we made an orange collage and listened to the book "color zoo". Tomorrow will be green day so everyone plan to wear something green. Today I had a rock and gave it to Ms Ester and she kept it. I followed her around saying "my rock". She told me rocks are not safe so I went on the slide.

Tuesday (Green): Today I enjoyed a felt board story and picture of green art. I also had fun feeling lettuce but I did not taste it. I did eat my lima beans at lunch, however. Tomorrow we are wearing blue.

Wednesday (Blue): I enjoyed playing with musical instruments and coloringg with blue chalk. I had fun singing and dancing with Mr Kenny. I also had a great time playing in the sensory table with water.

Thursday (Yellow): I had a good day! I played with the yellow school buses loading and unloading the people. I had fun playing will yellow balls in the sensory table in water. I also enjoyed singing and dancing to "Wheels On The Bus". We also sang my favourite song E-I-E-I-O. Today I said Ethan's name. Tomorrow we are wearing red.

Friday (Red): I enjoyed the color name game on the playground. At snack time, I enjoyed feeling and eating fresh sliced apples. Today at circle time, I enjoyed two stories about colors. Today I said "red apple". On the playground, I started my own rock collection. Different colors and sizes. I really like rocks.

Ms Ester agrees with me about rocks. They are my current favourite thing! I have a pretty good collection at home too and when we're out in the car, if I see them I point them out to Mummy & Daddy - "rock"!

Monday, 16 May 2005

I had a fun weekend. Here are some highlights.

Saturday lunchtime we went to a groovy place called Cheeburger Cheeburger. It's a great burger place that also makes great milkshakes. I had a toasted cheese sandwich and a chocolate milkshake. Nice!

Saturday night, while Mummy & Daddy were at the theatre seeing As You Like It, I went out with Katie, Jouhana and Kate. You can read about what we did on Katie's blog.

Ellie showed me the lovely flowers that her grandparents, Ken & Jean, grow

During my nap on Sunday, my staff finally did the paperwork to apply for my Australian citizenship. I wonder if I get a certificate or something? It will probably say "Oi Oi Oi" or something. Anyway, that should take a month or so to process and then I can apply for an Aussie passport. I'll then need an Akubra of mine!

Sunday afternoon, Ellie was over next door visiting her grandparents, so Daddy and I went over there and I played with her for a while. Here's a short movie of me and Ellie on the swing, with Mummy, Ken & Jean and Jean's sister Doreen in the background. (6.3 MB AVI)

We couldn't stay long because it started to rain, but I still found time to play on their swing, and with Ellie's toys and some rocks (of course). Then back home, while it was raining, we had fun making chocolate chip cookies. They were really yummy.

Thursday, 19 May 2005

Thursday, 19 May 2005

A bit of trouble...

Update: I've corrected my Web lackey: I was the one with the toy and the other kid wanted it from me!

I got into a little bit of trouble at school today. Miss Ester caught me biting one of the other kids in my class. They wanted the toy that I had and I wasn't interested in giving it to them. Still Miss Ester said it wasn't very nice at all and that I shouldn't do it (Mummy & Daddy agreed when she told them later). It wasn't a bad bite - no broken skin or a mark, and the kid I bit didn't cry, so Miss Ester didn't have to write me up -- otherwise it would have gone on my permanent record. I've been bitten twice before but I guess that's not the point is it. I'll try not to do that any more.

Saturday, 21 May 2005

I don't keep still when I sleep at night. I'll start out where Mummy & Daddy put me - on my back under the covers, but throughout the night I'll be all over my bed facing all directions. One of my favourite sleeping positions (still - I've done this since I could roll over) is lying on my tummy and my knees, with my bottom stuck up in the air. After a while, though, I'll have rolled over and onto my side or something. Still, I sleep well, going to bed by 7:30pm and usually waking up around 6:30-7:00am. And I have a 2 hour nap in the afternoon too.

When I wake up, I'll play with my bed toys for a while, then when I've had enough, I'll stand up in my bed and call out. I'll also usually evict some of my toys and my schnooley (pacifier) too. Eventually someone comes up and gets me - I have them well trained.

Wednesday, 25 May 2005

Friday, 27 May 2005

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to my Daddy for yesterday! I got him a present (Star Wars DVDs) and I made him a card too (with Ms Esther's help). Inside it reads:

It's great to have a daddy like you -
You're the best in every way.
Thanks for all you do and Happy Birthday

I love you with all my ♥
Zoe

He said the card was really lovely and just perfect. We're going out tonight to 518 West to celebrate.

Saturday, 28 May 2005

Feeding the birds

Saturday, 28 May 2005

I had a fun time out last night. We went to 518 West to celebrate Daddy's birthday - me, Mummy & Daddy, Bob & Charlene, Katie and Gerrie. Unfortunately Dick and Amanda went up to New York to visit Dick's son Kip because he's not well. Still, we had lots of fun and I stayed up till after 8:30pm. And I slept in this morning until 7:25am!

This afternoon, we're having the Trents over for a BBQ - Liisa, Bill with Elizabeth and Harrison. Gerrie might be coming over too. And since Katie is staying the weekend next door house-sitting and dog-sitting with Mea and Baylor, maybe she'll be over too. Should be good, even if it rains.

Go to: Archive index | April 2005