She's Getting Her Kicks

Brigid has taken to the child care center like she's been there her entire life. With very little if any argument, she happily goes, wants to see Jen and Sarah (her teachers) and Sally Bubbles (Sally, the director) and the kids. She enjoys the toys, likes the structure. She has taken naps without the sling -- she has actually gone to her cot on her own. She enjoys when they take the kids out in the buggy -- a six-seat contraption that has three rows of two seats so the kids can all be taken somewhere at one time. There has been no more biting incidences, and the other kids all seem to like giving her hugs and all wave hello and goodbye to her. She seems to do likewise.

When it's time for me to pick her up, she's ready to go. There's no hanging around. It's like, OK, I've had it here for the day, let's get my coat on and let's go. But she isn't weepy like she's been waiting for me by the door. All in all, we'd have to say it's been very positive.

She isn't overly tirely at the end of the day, but you can tell she's more subdued, especially when you compare her on the weekend. The structure has been good for her.

She still enjoys screaming at you; she'll scream right in your face. And we've been having some trouble getting her to stop hitting or striking out when angry or frustrated. She'll also hit and kick at me (or attempt to) when she's nursing at night before bed. Last night I had to stop her and scold her. She cried, and then she said, "No kicks" as if to say she gets it. But this kid has been kicking me since she was in utero. When she climbs into bed with us, she pummels whoever is in the direction of her feet. Kicking is a genetic component of our Brigid, I'm afraid.

We've been running running running for the last two weeks, between chorus concerts, music festivals, play rehearsals and social studies projects. Patricia and Margaret were both in the combined chorus concert last week. Patricia then had a music festival with select chorus students from all over the area last Saturday. Then her "gifted and talented" program, called Odyssey, had its Global Village program last night where she had to share her research on the country she studied -- Nigeria. Tonight, she has her drama club play; tomorrow, Margaret has her social studies project for all to see. This cram-everything-into-the-end-of-the-school-year thing is for the birds.

We'll be having company this weekend. Uncle Chris is visiting us from Montana. He's scheduled to arrive tomorrow night and will stay through Sunday. The girls are beside themselves with excitement to see Uncle Chris. Should be a lot of fun.