Banter

Jenn, one of Emma Claire's teachers happens to be an Auburn alum. She is also a football fan. Ole Miss plays Auburn on Saturday.

Note Brad's response to the following:

"Hi Dino Parents,
After our conference last week both Cristy and I were talking about the children and the dinamics within the room. We feel like it would be best for us to start a zero tolerance policy with our children. We started implimenting it this week and are already starting to see some results. We have asked both Becky and Margaret to help us with this.
Zero tolerance is basically once a rule is stated to the child and they continue to disobey that rule they are automatically told to walk away from the area and take a break. We have rules at school to keep children safe and to make sure everyone is able to have fun. We are no longer giving two, three or four reminders. We feel like three and four year olds should be able to remember the rules to keep everyone safe and be able to have a fun time.
We highly suggest to make this easier on the child to start practicing this at home as well. We are all here for support and encouragement! Please let us know if there are any questions or concerns!
Teacher Jenn and Teacher Cristy"

"Thanks for the update. We certainly support this and will be consistent at home. I will say that the zero tolerance policy has been effective for us with Emma Claire at home and this is a good reminder to us to be consistent.

Thanks for all that you are doing!

-Emily"

"I concur with Emily’s sentiments, though let me add that for this week only we’ve told her it’s OK to curse if it’s pursuant to “Hotty Toddy”. We’ve also told her it’s OK to play rough with any stuffed Tigers or Eagles that may be at school. And finally, she’s only to use Red and Blue paints this week…no Navy or Orange. Thank you.

Bradley Kadue"

Halloween Costumes

Tuna - rainbow
Bean - a rainbow cloud


I was enlightened this week with the news that Bean is a boy... Who knew?!

Halloween Dress Rehersal

Last night, we went to the Westwood Nature Center Annual Halloween Party. This was the first time we had been and I think we may make it an annual event. Emma Claire and Arnold really enjoyed it.

Emma Claire has been excited about the Halloween Party for days. When she woke up yesterday morning (still groggy), the first words out of her mouth were "we're going to be late for the party!". She was in heaven when it was time to get dressed. It was like magic when she put on her Sleeping Beauty costume. She played the part. Arnold magically turned into a prince and she definitely felt like a real princess.

When Arnold had a loud fall, Emma Claire rushed to his side and told him "it's OK, Arnold, don't worry... I'm a princess!". There was much excitement (noise) and energy in the house.
Arnold is the cutest skunk I have ever seen "P-U", said Emma Claire. He was certainly the happiest skunk I have ever seen.

At the party, we walked through the nature trail and Emma Claire filled her pumpkin with treats from all sorts of animals and nature creatures (there was even the North Star). She did not like the red fox one bit, but I think we've come a long way with costumes since last Halloween. There were games and music (Emma Claire and Arnold both enjoyed dancing - I think Emma Claire liked it because that's what real princesses do).

We are looking forward to a fun Halloween.

Reading to Calin

Sophie

Livin' the good life..

Project Arnold Cam

The Arnold cam has been broken for a while now. Brad and Arnold are on it.

Mornings

Emma Claire is far from a morning person, so we have learned to approach her mornings with routine. It is just best for everyone present (and I have learned this through trial and error) if: Arnold does not sit in the orange highchair in the mornings, if I give her a polka dot spoon, if the Ipad is allowed and if we sort of just give her time to wake up. She, and now Arnold, sit at the end of the island and watch whatever the favorite cartoon of the week may be. Oh, it is also best if Arnold is just far enough away that he can't touch her. Arnold, on the other hand, wakes up with a smile on his face and a pep in his step.