Kindergarten Claire

Claire started kindergarten a few weeks ago.

Now that I've stopped crying every day when I drop her off, I can see the humor in the situation. She's got an entirely new set of people to influence and terrorize with her Claire-logic.

I received a voicemail from the Assistant Principal at Claire's school recently. I would receive a discipline notice on Claire's behavior. She apparently hit, and then bit another student who would not give her the book she wanted. That weekend we had many conversations about making good choices and the consequences of poor decision-making. She told me the boy's name in her recounting of the events.

Yesterday I met the "victim". I think I would have bitten him too.

What am I?

Claire: "Am I Schultz?"

Me: "Um....sort of. You're a Wilson."

Claire: "How is Mama Sue a Schultz and you're a Schultz, but I'm not a Schultz. I must be a Schultz because I belong to you."

Me: "Ok. Good logic. Go to bed."

Bom Chick-a-wah-wah

Claire has a new stuffed kitty cat she calls Peaches, her chick-a-wah-wah. I thought it was cute she made up this new animal-type.

This morning we were watching "Handy Manny" and Manny's neighbor, Mrs. Portillos, has a Chihuahua (I'm not sure it is spelled correctly, but you get what I mean).

Claire looks at me and says "She has a chick-a-wah-wah too."

The light finally comes on in my head (I know, it took longer for me than most). I'm not even going to explain to her that her new little friend is a cat, not a dog.

And I'm still going to call every little Taco-Bell-looking dog a "chick-a-wah-wah".

Italian Ellie

Even though John and I do not have any Italian in our heritage-family-tree-thingee, Ellie has some Italian in her. Her Italian-ness is evidenced by:

1. She talks with her hands. If I hold her hands, she stops talking. Try it; it's kind of fun!

2. She is passionate about EVERYTHING. She loves her food, her stuffed animals, and her sister. She is very passionate about these things in her life. I pray she continues to be passionate about her sister.

3. She loves d.r.a.m.a. LOVES it...with a passion (see item 2). With Claire, I'm not worried about the pre-teen years, but Ellie...oh yeah, I'm having nightmares about it already.

4. She loves "basketti" and "beatballs". I realize that is a stereotype, but I love to hear her say it. It makes me giggle.

I love my little Ell-Bell.

Multi-language children

Claire showed me the alphabet in sign language. I was blown away! She is extremely smart. I don't know who I feel more sorry for....myself, her teachers, her friends, or future boyfriends.

Claire, the proud patriot

John is a good man. He will often get up early with the girls on Saturday so that I may sleep in. This past Saturday, John was watching the Olympics while Claire and Ellie were playing Legos in the dining room....where they have taken up permanent residence and decided to multiply. Anyway....John realizes that Claire is stuck in an endless loop of a song...what is it? The Star-Spangled Banner. Seriously. No lie.

Claire sang the first half of the first verse over and over...ad nauseum. My little American. So proud!

For all you singers out there who volunteer to sing the National Anthem before athletic events, but yet don't quite know the words (or tune) for The Star-Spangled Banner, shame on you. Next time, call Claire for help.

An afterthought about this topic: Carrie Underwood at the Super Bowl was pitchy. My friend Robb would have done it proud. So there. I'm just sayin'.

Foreign Languages

Now that Claire is reading (and writing!) and Ellie knows most of her alphabet, the girls have decided (apparently) that foreign languages are next. Claire is painting with Ellie. Claire finishes her picture and says "Voila!". Ellie, in her relentless pursuit to be like her big sister says, "Walla!" So cute. Seriously though, ask Claire to count to 10 in Spanish. She can do it.