Star Student (and Star Brother, too)

This week at preschool, Lorelei was the star student. She got to create a poster about her favorite things, which I should be keeping track of every so often. So, here it is... Lorelei and Gryffin's favorite things Fall 2009:

LORELEI'S FAVORITES (at 3 1/2):

Hobbies: homework Mommy gives her, reading, playing in puddles, being a big sister, dancing

Toys: baby dolls, Mrs. Potato Head, Legos, art supplies, mud and shovels

Games: Candy Land, Hide and Seek

Books: Berenstain Bears, The Grublin, The Three Little Pigs

Movies: Harry Potter, Ice Age, Leap Frog, Bolt, Incredibles, Horton Hears a Who

Foods: Peanut Butter & Jelly, carrots, lots of fruits and veggies, chicken nuggets

Animals: Zebras and lions

Something Special: I love how you sneak into our bed and want to snuggle at night, even if Daddy doesn't get a great night's rest. I love snuggling with my girl! And I love the sweet things you say to me and the way you say them--you make me laugh all through the day, Lorelei! Oh yeah, and I love how you're a spitting image of me--I'm so proud of my girl!

What I can do: Right now Lorelei is beginning to read with Hooked on Phonics. She's already finished the first two stickers on her chart, mastering -at words and -an words. She likes cutting with scissors and is beginning work in handwriting and connect the dots. In dance lessons, she is learning to follow along with the teacher in a sequence of moves. She loves jungle gyms, parks with big slides, inflatable bouncers, "scary" movies, and anything to do with art projects. She is still a fashion queen, always sporting her signature feathers in her hair. She attends preschool three half-days per week!

GRYFFIN'S FAVORITES (at 1 1/2):

Hobbies: Music class with Miss Beth, dancing, reading, throwing food, manipulating objects, playing in dirt or sand

Toys: toothbrush, blocks, balls, magnetic balls and rods, sidewalk chalk

Games: Peek-a-Boo with Lorelei, tickle

Books: I Love You Stinky Face, Goodnight Moon, The Lost Treasure of Skull Island

Movies: Barney Sing-Along, Leap Frog

Foods: Mommy, spinach lasagna, oatmeal, bananas

Animals: Dogs (always points at them on walks and says "Dog!")

Something Special: I love the way you squint your eyes and flash your goofy gummy grin at me with a squeak--it always makes me giggle. I love the way you pronounce all your "s" letters "sh" and how you speak with such sincerity and determination. And I love the faces you make when you poop (too stinking cute)!

What I can do: Gryffin can run like a devil, do somersaults on his own, trot, knows how to work the TV and DVD players, and puts his Barney Sing-Along DVD on for himself in the playroom each morning. He has a varied list of words, including "Lorelei" and "ridiculous," and often speaks simple sentences (i.e. "Look at that!" and "I did that!"). He loves to show off dancing, and has his own signature moves in his high chair (dubbed baseball and churn the butter). His fine and gross motor skills are advanced for his age, especially manipulating objects and fitting things together. He is still nursing at least 3-4 times a day.