School Days

Amelia started preschool this month, and while Tristan and I attending as often as she did the first few weeks, she soon became more comfortable with the teachers and kids, and now she is running in without a second glance back at me. Though she does make me solemnly swear each time before I drop her off that "Mommy come back." Currently I think it is a bit confusing for her because she can not understand a lot of what is being said, and while the teachers do use a little english for her now and then, again I don't think it will be long before that is no longer an issue. She is only going two days a week, but each time I pick her up the teacher tells me she is repeating a lot of Portuguese words and using some on her own. Apparently last week one of the more talkative girls in her class was overheard telling Amelia "não 'kids', meninos," so she has some help from her friends as well! Even with the language barrier, she loves going, and gets very excited when I tell her it is a school day, let's hope that love of learning continues for many years.

"Amelia Two Years Old"

(From September 7) This is the statement we heard over and over again today, along with "birthday party." And when I asked her what she wanted for breakfast she thought for a minute and replied "cake." Yes our little girl is now two, and while she has already had some moments of typical two year old frustrations erupting, she is still usually a happy, helpful, energetic toddler, and we hope that continues through the coming year. She is a wonderful big sister, and as soon as Tristan starts crying, she offers suggestions of "baby milk," "poopy," or "burp" (complete with delivery of burp rag), to try to help ease his troubles, and often she is right on target.

To celebrate the big day, I made a cake to share with her classmates and after dinner we opened some presents that friends and family had sent her. On Saturday we had a birthday party at our house, and we had a bouncy castle for all of the kids (and some of the adults) to play in. It was a beautiful day, and I know I had a great time, so I hope everyone else did, too!