How Natalie teaches me not to sweat the small stuff

She: "Can I put some jam on my pancake?"

I: "I'll do it for you" (thinking she might spill on the table cloth, which would irritate me, and I prefer to avoid irritation)

She: "OK"

I take some jam and accidentally spill it on the table cloth.

She: "Oh, that's OK, papa"

Monkey bars

Natalie is making incredible progress. She reads a children's (level 2) book every evening now. When I ask her questions about a story she can pretty well articulate the answers. Apparently at school (Kindergarten!) there are several kids in her class who are further ahead. They set a great example - putting the bar high works well for Natalie. This week she told me she could do the monkey bars at school and this weekend she showed me. So also physically she is improving rapidly.

Unlike her little brother she needs praise for things she creates. If I fail to applaud her work, she complains to her mother about my lack of interest. Her brother simply works on what he wants and does not want to talk about it. So she wants me to show more interest and he wants me to have less. And I want her to be less dependent and him to share more.

I sense there are lessons to be learned here, so I'll stay tuned.

Ready!

This month Natalie starts Kindergarten. Last week I told her that she is ready for Kindergarten. The look on her face taught me that I could not have made her happier with anything else. I intend to tell her little brother a few months earlier.

Today I gave her a journal book to collect words and she happily started filling the first page. There are a gazillion ways of stimulating one's child to explore the world and I hope I can discover and apply them all.

5 and counting!

Natalie had a breakthrough this week. When she turned four she was able to do simple additions like 7 + 9, but in a mechanical way. She'd draw seven lines, then nine, count the number of lines, and write down the resulting number.

This week, however, she was able to figure out 6 + 1, and then 6 + 2, and 8 + 3, without using any tools but her brain, truly understanding addition.

It feels like I have been trying to create a fire for two years with a mirror and sunlight, and now I see some smoke. When I blow I see it glowing. Soon there will be a blaze. Exciting!

Who taught her that?

Dad> Natalie, what number comes after 39?

Natalie> Papa, I don't want to have a conversation about that right now.

Character Sandpapering

Child> Can you get me a drink, papa?
I> (Whispering) You forgot the magic word.
Child> Can You get me a drink, papa?
I> I did not hear the magic word.
Child> (Shouting) I WANT MY DRINK!
I> That does not work.
Child> ...
Child> Can you get me a drink, please?
I> Sure!

As you sow, so shall you reap

Months ago I tried to teach Natalie's little brother "The grass is green, the sky is blue, and I love you." It seemed too hard for him, so I let it go. Last night at bed time I said: "I love you." His reply: "The grass is green, ky blue, and I love you."