Overheard #6 (Marni)

Last night I had to pry Marni away from her drawing in order to put her to bed. Of course, crying ensued.

Once she quieted down in the rocking chair, I started to read her a Clifford book. After I couple of pages I heard her mumble something. Then she repeated it... "It's not fair". Not believing what I was hearing, I asked her to repeat herself. "It's not fair" she said.

"What's not fair?" I asked.

"I want to draw" she replied.

We've never heard the "it's not fair" concept before. Not even from Stella. Not even from Lisa! So this was a bit mind-blowing.

Marni repeated the "it's not fair" line a few more times that night and again this morning when Lisa asked her about it. It just goes to show you how these kids are sponges and they pick up things not only from in the home, but from school too.

Wild Weekend

This past weekend was action packed...

Saturday we headed up to Hartsdale to Joel and Adrienne Belmont's 2nd Annual (as far as we know) Pool Party. The pool was warm and the dogs were a-jumpin'! Stella took to the water like a fish. Marni, not so much. Nana and Papa Hoffman; Carol and Norman; Jill, Brian, Tyler and Delia; Carol Solomon; and Jill and Bea Schaffer were all in attendance.

The highlight of the day for me and Stella was when the youngest dog, Cody, jumped into the pool, swam over to Stella, and pushed her under the water. I rushed over and pulled her back up to the surface. She was sputtering and soaked, but luckily not traumatized (although I was a little traumatized). Later, Stella recounted the incident and said that I resuced her and pulled her to shore, just like Ariel and Prince Eric (cute).

The food was plentiful, delicious and never-ending. The evening came to a close with a chocolate fountain which did quite a job on the kids' faces. Then... into pajamas and into the car. We transferred the sleeping girls into their beds at 10.

Thanks Joel and Adrienne for another wonderful visit.

Then... Sunday we went to the Asanovics along with Baby Stefanoff and Cherches. First stop, a carnival in Westport. Stella was all over the carousel and ferris wheel. Marni, not so much. The Asanovic boys were all over the scary rides. Then, a delicious lunch of pizza, hot dogs, french fries, sno cones and funnel cakes.

Back at the Asanovics the kids played in the pool and in the backyard. The adults drank and talked. Dinner was chicken on the grill prepared by Chef Tomo. After some ice cream desert the girls were back in the car and then transferred, alseep, into their bed (and still in their clothes). Another fun summer day. Thanks Lisa and Tomo.

I Want To!

Marni's favorite phrase right now seems to be "But I want to".

This usually occurs when she wants to do something that we don't want her to do. For example, if she wants to go upstairs and we say no, the next thing you will hear from her (over and over) is "I want to".

I want to!
I want to!
I want to!
I want to!

Over and over again until she bursts into tears.

Together At Last

On July 8th, Marni joined Stella for summer camp at Raindrops. Look out everyone, the Shepard sisters are together at last!

Stella was very excited to have her sister with her. Marni was just kinda going with the flow.

Day 1 went smoothly. Stella went out with the big kids and Marni stay with the younger bunch. Marni took her nap on the floor with everyone else. Stella, as part of the big-kid group, had no nap at all.

According to Yvette, "Marni is no Stella". She has a mind of her own and is not afraid to tell you what she wants to do. Ms. Marni told Yvette exactly where she wanted to go when it was playground time and what she wanted to do. According at Yvette, "Now when I come to work, I really need to work... thanks to Marni".

When Stella got home, she was exhausted. No nap for the big kids. Part way through dinner, she excused herself, went to her bedroom and put herself to sleep.

And so ended day 1 of the Shepard sisters at summer camp.

Marni Graduates

Marni's last day at Kiddi City was June 27th. It's finally time for her to join big sister Stella at Raindrops. The decision to move Marni was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. She loved going there every day. She loved Magdalena and Aksana and all of the other kids (especially Milo and Gilbert). When I dropped her off for the last time, I was so upset I couldn't even tell Magdalena and Aksana how appreciative I was for all of their love and guidance. What a wuss!

Marni started at Kiddi City at 4 months old. We would drop her off in her car seat and hope she didn't get trampled by the other kids. Now, it's Marni doing the trampling! She was one of the senior students. The mayor of Kiddi City!

But most children at Kiddi City are young. Marni has probably reached the end of the road there. Raindrops is geared more towards older children. She will have plenty of room to grow. And, at least for the month of July, she will have her big sister to show her the ropes (although she is already very familiar with Raindrops).

How time flies!

Stella Graduates

On June 20th Stella officially "graduated" from Raindrops Daycare (Her actual last day of school was the 26th).

The ceremony was very sweet. Dancing and singing and speeches, and handing out of "diplomas". Stella, as usual, preferred to sit out most of the activities on Lisa's lap.

Our big girl has come a long way in the past two years. Still occasionally shy, but no longer mute. Carlos, Yvette, Jacy, Maria, Javier, Devine, and Stephanie have done a great job of taking care of Stellie.