Clothes Pins and Containers

This morning was supposed to be the first time I led a La Leche League meeting, but motherhood called me away and gave me another opportunity to choose my vocation. The kids and I are still sick, almost three weeks later. John's renewed conjunctivitis has not improved despite five days so far of antibiotics and now Mary's conjunctivitis is back after clearing completely following seven days of antibiotics. And we're all still sick with cold symptoms. Chris would have watched the kids for me this morning, but I decided to let my co-leaders fill in for me. My little satchel was packed with my reference books; handouts, agenda, and discussion topics were printed; my I'm-a-new-LLL-leader pin was ready; and brownies were baked to celebrate my and my co-leader's upcoming birthdays (which fall on the same day). Yes, I'm disappointed, but I think it was a good decision to stay home.

After all our holiday chaos, I've been trying to get back to doing some preschool activities for John. Now that John is in such a strong "I can do it all by myself!" phase, I understand more the aptness of the title of this Montessori book: "Teach Me To Do It Myself." Today we first did a little life skills activity with clothes pins. This teaches fine motor skills, strengthens finger muscles for writing, shows how springs works, and generally kids become absorbed in it. John loved it in all its simplicity and it occupied him for a good 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, I kept Mary busy by covering her clothing in pins, which she'd then yank off before I'd stick more on her.

John called this creation his "farm hat."

Our second life skills activity was opening and closing objects. This provided slight challenge for John so he didn't want me to take any photographs. It's really interesting to watch how he has performance anxiety, just like I did as a child (still do now). I spread out a bunch of containers with their lids separately arranged on the table, so John matched them correctly, then worked on learning how to put them together and to screw things righty tighty.

In another domestic matter for friends on the hunt for new recipes, Chris rates this new recipe I tried last night as "you could make that eight nights in a row and I'd be happy." I bought a huge pack of pork chops on sale at Costco and we usually have Granny Smith apples on the counter, so it's a meal that doesn't require much planning. I served it with simple egg noodles and a frozen green vegetable chosen at random from the freezer.

Lastly, but not least: Happy fourth wedding anniversary to Chris!