Learning From the Best

Today is the 36th anniversary of the day my husband was born. Okay, it's his 36th birthday. I guess there's no need to get fancy. I wanted to wish him a happy day and thank him for all he's done as a husband and a father. Especially, I wanted to thank him for all he teaches the girls. Everything from how to throw a ball to painting the swing set. He helps them to learn their letters and numbers and teaches them to ride their bikes. He's always trying to spend time with them and teach them as much as he can. Then again, I guess he isn't the only teacher in this house. No, I'm not talking about myself, although I do take some credit for what my girls know. No, the other teacher in the house, as much as I hate to admit it, is the TV.

Yesterday I was putting together one of Georgia's birthday gifts, I hadn't finished yet, while the little girls were sleeping. Sonya was helping me out by handing me the screws and the hammer when I needed them. At one point I realized what I needed instead of a hammer was a rubber mallet. I wasn't sure Sonya would know what a rubber mallet was, so I asked her to go out to the tool bench in the garage and get me anything that looked like a hammer. She came back inside carrying another hammer we have and the rubber mallet.

"Thanks Sonya! That's exactly what I needed," I said as I took the mallet from her. Then she looked at me and rolled her eyes like a 15 year old. She sighed and in a condescending tone said to me,

"That's not a hammer, mom. That's a rubber mallet."

"I didn't know you knew that!" I said surprised. "Who taught you that, Daddy?" I asked. I assumed he had showed her the difference between the two at some point when he had used it.

I was feeling proud once again that my husband was teaching his girls everything he would teach a son, but that feeling soon disappeared when she looked at me and said,

"No. I learned it on Mickey."

Oh.

Well then.

I guess I should be thanking the television for all the hard work it's done to help teach my children as well. Although, it still can't show them how to throw or catch a baseball. THAT will be left up to Andy. And I have to say, Sonya can throw and catch better than I can at this point, so well done hubby. (Although, I'll admit that's not saying much. Still she IS pretty good)

I hope you have a great day and a wonderful year teaching the girls new things. I love you! Happy Birthday Baby!

To The Letter

For the past few months, Andy and I have been trying to get Lana to learn her letters. She doesn't learn by osmosis, like her sister does, apparently. We actually have to WORK with her to get her to learn something. People tell me this is normal, but I prefer the way Sonya did it, which was show her once or twice and she knows it. I know I shouldn't compare, and I'm not really. It just seems Lana doesn't really CARE to learn. Nonetheless, we are still trying to teach her. We have flash cards that we show her and test her when we feel like putting the energy into it, which to be honest, isn't nearly as often as it should be. Still, she does seem to be making some progress. She knows the three letters in her name no problem, and also a few random letters like 'O' and 'B'. Sometimes she'll recognize a letter on a sign I didn't even know she new, so it gives me faith that she's at least paying a little attention.

This morning I took her and Georgia to the grocery store for our weekly stock up. Sonya was at school, because I do everything in my power to not bring all three of them shopping. I can't even begin to tell you how nerve racking it is. I was getting Lana out of the car when she shouted out,

"Q!"

"What? Where?" I asked.

"Q" she said again, and pointed in the direction behind me.

I didn't know she knew this letter and was skeptical at first. Where would a Q be in a sign around the Ralph's parking lot? I spun around and saw where she was pointing. It was the side of the CVS, which is in the same parking lot, and indeed there was a Q in a word on the side of the building. She DID recognize a letter I didn't think she knew! She IS paying attention! I was so proud. Then I saw the word in which the Q resided...

LIQUOR

Nice.