big sister reads little brother stories
they snuggle up and watch TV together too
(as cute as they are, Leo usually lasts about 5 minutes!)
they like to wear coordinating M&M shirts too!
Since this post is all about the kids I figured I'd take this time to have a nice (read lengthy) update about the goings-on in our life!
Sophia: Sophia is starting pre-school next week....yay!! It is exciting, but I must admit, it's not that exciting since she will have to have 2 years of it. We had her orientation a few days ago and it was set up so that the kids would have some alone time in the room while the parents had a meeting. Sophia was the only child who said, okay, see you later and went about her business. It was bitter sweet, let me tell you! I was glad I didn't have a clingy, crying mess on my hands, but I mean a hug or something would have been nice! She will also be taking a computer tots class once a week after school. I think she'll enjoy it and it'll be nice to have her get some much needed skills, especially since she's becoming more interested in computer stuff at home.
She has also begun soccer again for the fall. It was harder than I expected to find a soccer team for her to be on, but I guess it's usually one more year before they do actual team play. I kept her in the Challenger program that she was in this summer and so far so good. They learn great skills (soccer and educational) and she has fun. The coach is nice and there is a good group of kids on her "team". They meet once a week for 8 weeks where they mostly just do skills and no games.
She continues to love reading and dramatic and pretend play. She makes up songs about anything and everything and performs them in true diva fashion with a stage and a microphone. I am considering signing her up for a theatre or dance class this winter when soccer is over. Shelby took a theatre camp this summer and did very well, so it got me thinking about Sophia too. She also continues to be a perfectionist when it comes to just about everything and it's kind of annoying! ;) I have tried working on letter writing with her but it just ends in frustration (another reason why I'd never home school by the way!) because she insists she can't do it, it isn't perfect, doesn't look right, whatever. Ugh. Although, the last time she actually did very well and did every letter in her name (except for one) all on her own and it looked great! She recognizes the alphabet and can count to 20 but she isn't as interested in math as she is reading...she really is my child it's scary sometimes. She's very observant and loves to spot Beetle Bugs while driving down the road. She also loves to listen to the radio and enjoys singing along to pop songs! Her favorite right now is Moves Like Jagger and although she says the name of the song correctly (we've even talked a bit about Mick) when it comes time for the chorus she always says "moves like Jackets!"...funny, although not quite as funny as the previous "applesauce and cheese sticks" for " riding in a G6". She does know her favorites right away though and will jump on it from the opening beats.
She is a joy to be around and although we are certainly always going through a phase where she tries to assert her independence, for the most part she makes good choices and has fun. She has given up her nap, which is a bummer, but is very good about "resting" each day in her room. On the flip side, she gets crankier and harder to deal with later in the afternoon, but hopefully when she gets used to her new schedule it will be better.
Leo: Leo, Leo, Leo....whew, he is my little stinker for sure! Leo continues to give me a run for my money each and every day. He has the sweetest little smile and is so easy going that I try not to get upset by his destructive nature, but some days are better than other! If Sophia is a mini-me, Leo is definitely a mini-Charlie, not only in looks but personality. He is just so ornery. His speech continues to move slowly, too slowly for my liking, so I've had his tested and he qualifies for speech therapy. He has to have a 25% delay to qualify and he's just on the border. In fact, they questioned whether or not to even qualify him b/c he has shown that he can say at least 50 words, but the problem is, he uses them so infrequently and only has about a 10 word vocabulary on a day to day basis. Our therapist has come twice already and is really great. She's given me a couple of good tips thus far but even she says our work is cut out for us. She has observed that Leo just doesn't really feel the need to talk, which is so, so true. Sophia talks for him most of the day and the rest of the day he's just content to go about gesturing or getting whatever I give him. It is frustrating to say the least.
As far as play time, besides "loving" everything that Sister does, he continues to love each and every kind of ball. Every time we open the garage door he wants to run out and play basketball or get in his Cozy Coupe. He cries each time we have to come in and would be outside all day if he could. He also enjoys playing with the Little People farm and all his big trucks. Recently he's gotten into blocks as well, but mostly he wants to destroy whatever Sophia is working on. He desperately wants to ride a bike, but he just isn't motivated to learn how to pedal. We've tried working on it and it's surprising considering how physical he is otherwise, but he just hasn't mastered pedaling yet. In the last six months or so he's gotten so much more interested in reading...yay!! He has a few favorites that he wants to read all day long (all though none as much as I read Sophia Go, Dog, Go, thank God for small miracles! ;) and I often have a kid on each leg reading stories all morning long. However, I'm still not patient or brave enough to go back to the library with him. I want to, I really do, I think Sophia would love the library, but honestly, he's such a destroyer that it's a 2 person job for sure.
Leo starts Parents Day Out this fall so I'll have one day when both kids are gone! WaHoo! He will go on Mondays from 9-2:30, same as Sophia as she's in Extended Day on Monday so she'll have the same hours as him. I'm very excited for this. I think he needs some more structured play and needs to learn to share a bit better. I know he's developmentally appropriate on the whole sharing thing and I know it's not something they really "get" for a while yet, but I think being around other kids his age will be really great for him. Both his teachers are two of Sophia's former teachers and I like them very much so I know he'll be in good hands! I am a little worried however that when I leave him on the first day, he'll be my crier. Let's cross our fingers it goes smoothly!
Leo is a daily challenge, but also a true joy. He is so happy and loving and always up for adventure. I know that turning 2 brings both more challenges, but also easier times (I can hope) and once we get this talking thing rolling, I sense thing will be easier for everyone.
Baby Bro offered to keep her company in Mommy and Daddy's bed
