Stella Does Rudolph

You never know what your tax dollars may be paying for.

With the approach of the holiday season, it's become time for the girls to start watching their favorite holiday movies. Tonight Stella and Marni picked "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" as their dinner time entertainment.

As we reached the end of "Rudolph", the famous Burl Ives tune began to play. To our surprise, Stella jumped off the couch and began to perform a choreographed dance number to the song.

Evidently the 1st grade music class at P.S. 39 has been working hard to choreograph movement to at least one classic Christmas song. We would never had known this if we hadn't put on one of our favorite holiday films. Who knows what other performance gems have been programmed into our children?

Only time will tell.



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Shepard University

It could be worse.

At least the girls aren't choosing to mimic daddy's bio-noises. Well, actually they are. But that's not what I'm writing about here. The more interesting mimicking is the mimicking of their teachers.

Ever since school started in September, Stella (and to a lesser extent, Marni) has become obsessed with playing the role of teacher. She teaches her dolls. She teaches her sister. She teaches her parents.

Sometimes it's at the easel. Sometimes it's on the rocking chair. Or on the couch. You name the location and it's pretty certain that Stella has set up a classroom.

Lately she's all about tally marks. She loves the tally marks. And she loves teaching about them. Luckily, her little sister loves to learn about tally marks. It's a win win.

But don't mess with this educator. She has learned all the tricks of the trade when it comes to dealing with difficult students. Cross this girl and you may be sent to the principal, or have a note sent home to your parents.



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The Radio City Christmas Spectacular

I know that the holiday season has officially begun when the Radio City Christmas Spectacular commercials begin to air on TV. It usually brings a tear to my eyes.

But I've never actually been to one of these shows. This year I decided it was time.

I took advantage of a special low price for early performances and bought 4 tickets for November 14th.

There was a lot of excitement this morning as the girls dressed up in their favorite dresses. Our subway ride got us to Rockefeller Center early, so we had time to check out the newly erected (but still undecorated) tree. After watching the skaters for a while, we headed in to Radio City. The girls (and their dad) were wide-eyed as we entered the beautifully decorated lobby. I had forgotten how amazing Radio City is.

Our orchestra seats were fantastic and, precisely at 9:59 a.m., the lights dimmed and the show began.

And what a show it was!

The girls (and their dad) were blown away. The Spectacular was truly spectacular. And more tears appeared in my eyes as I watched my girls having the time of their lives.

I think we have a new tradition here.

Pumpkin Time

Last year the girls missed out on Halloween because we were returning from our trip to Germany.

This year we were back in the game!

Marni chose to be a princess and Stella wanted to be a ghost. The princess part was easy. Just grab something out of their dress-up box. Mommy created the ghost costume using a pillowcase, white hat and gloves, and white face paint.

We did our usual trick-or-treating before the Park Slope Halloween Parade with special guest Nana Audrey. Then we watched the parade and eventually joined in as it wound its way to the Old Stone House.

Plenty of candy. Plenty of spooky costumes. Plenty of fun.



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