February 18, 2005
Today is a big day for us. Annie is going to her first sleep over with a non-family member. She is very excited. For the past week she has been ready to get up at 6:30 am, and the first think she says is "Four more days until I go to Colleen's", "Three more days until I go to Colleen's"... ok, you get the idea. This morning at the crack of dawn it was "how many minutes until I go to Colleen's?" Suddenly, a few hours has become an eternity. She has busied herself packing for now, and is currently concerned with the necessities: "Daddy, how many horses can I take?"
To prepare for this big event, we have had a couple of play dates. Annie went to Colleen's after daycare one Friday, and the following Monday there was no school. So, we invited Colleen to spend the day here. They were so good together that I was able to work, with breaks along the way to interact with them. I was so worried that after a few hours they would be at each other's throats, but they never had an argument. I couldn't believe it.
The day started out getting Colleen familar with our home. Annie showed her all the necessary places. "Here's are TV, here's where the cats eat, here's the bathroom, here's my playroom, here's my bedroom." The last two rooms are such a mess, I was afraid they might get lost in there and never return. "Sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Winser - the girls went into the playroom and don't appear to have found their way back out. Probably got lost between the Barbie house and the 5,342 My Little Ponies. Maybe somewhere in the vicinity of the easle. An investigation is underway by CSI: Boulder Creek."
After settling in, thoughts of course turned to food. The girls went to the fruit garden and began pulling tangerines. They were kind enough to pick a bag for Colleen to take home, too. So, the first snack of the day was crackers... no, it really was tangerines. After a Blue's Clues it was time for me to get them doing something constructive. Annie got a window planter gizmo for Christmas designed so she could watch the plants grow. They decided to put it together. Being mountain girls, they enjoyed playing with the wet dirt that had to be made and put in the planter. They took turns stirring, putting the dirt in, and planting the seeds. If only adults could consistently be so cooperative... Left over seeds were planted in the vegetable garden with meticulous care.
After lunch, it was time to check on the chickens. They collected eggs with no casualties, and pet the chickens. The eggs were turned over to me so that they could go explore the barn. Unfortunately, they must have gone back into the coop when I wasn't looking. A week later I discovered that the gate was open, and the chickens had been having a blast scratching around the grass. Good thing the coyotes didn't find out. And yes, I am puzzled how I could be so oblivious to chickens running around for a week.
After the barn, my camera trigger finger ran out of steam, and I failed to capture the rest of the day. But, the day was full. They played dress up, rode bikes, played horses, read a few books, and finally I got them to settle at the table and do homework together. Colleen had finished hers, but was willing to do it again, so I made copies of Annie's. Colleen's mom and sisters arrived in the evening to two calm and dedicated five-year olds, busy with homework while classical music filled the air. She must have thought I drugged them.
It was a great day. To top it off I was still productive with work.
Maybe I could handle having two kids?
To prepare for this big event, we have had a couple of play dates. Annie went to Colleen's after daycare one Friday, and the following Monday there was no school. So, we invited Colleen to spend the day here. They were so good together that I was able to work, with breaks along the way to interact with them. I was so worried that after a few hours they would be at each other's throats, but they never had an argument. I couldn't believe it.
The day started out getting Colleen familar with our home. Annie showed her all the necessary places. "Here's are TV, here's where the cats eat, here's the bathroom, here's my playroom, here's my bedroom." The last two rooms are such a mess, I was afraid they might get lost in there and never return. "Sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Winser - the girls went into the playroom and don't appear to have found their way back out. Probably got lost between the Barbie house and the 5,342 My Little Ponies. Maybe somewhere in the vicinity of the easle. An investigation is underway by CSI: Boulder Creek."
After settling in, thoughts of course turned to food. The girls went to the fruit garden and began pulling tangerines. They were kind enough to pick a bag for Colleen to take home, too. So, the first snack of the day was crackers... no, it really was tangerines. After a Blue's Clues it was time for me to get them doing something constructive. Annie got a window planter gizmo for Christmas designed so she could watch the plants grow. They decided to put it together. Being mountain girls, they enjoyed playing with the wet dirt that had to be made and put in the planter. They took turns stirring, putting the dirt in, and planting the seeds. If only adults could consistently be so cooperative... Left over seeds were planted in the vegetable garden with meticulous care.
After lunch, it was time to check on the chickens. They collected eggs with no casualties, and pet the chickens. The eggs were turned over to me so that they could go explore the barn. Unfortunately, they must have gone back into the coop when I wasn't looking. A week later I discovered that the gate was open, and the chickens had been having a blast scratching around the grass. Good thing the coyotes didn't find out. And yes, I am puzzled how I could be so oblivious to chickens running around for a week.
After the barn, my camera trigger finger ran out of steam, and I failed to capture the rest of the day. But, the day was full. They played dress up, rode bikes, played horses, read a few books, and finally I got them to settle at the table and do homework together. Colleen had finished hers, but was willing to do it again, so I made copies of Annie's. Colleen's mom and sisters arrived in the evening to two calm and dedicated five-year olds, busy with homework while classical music filled the air. She must have thought I drugged them.
It was a great day. To top it off I was still productive with work.
Maybe I could handle having two kids?