The problem about getting behind in writing is not remembering everything that happened in the month and resisting writing what happened after that month. We also did many things that have already been documented in December,. Disney World in particular was a great experience for the girls and though Curie couldn’t ride Star Tours again (it was in a different theme park than the ones we went to) she did get to meet princesses and ride other rides. The pearl she got was particularly special, as was the bubble wands that Alice and Derek graciously bought for the girls.
For Christmas, Curie got her big horse from Target. It is something she has been asking for for a year, and though Albert was resistant to have a toy so big in the house, she got it for her present. We got the girls their tablets which have been great for many things, but also addicting and distracting, so a mixed present.
So Curie is starting to grow out of the whiny phase and works on helping more and taking care of Elia. She is still six though, and she still wants time with us (thankfully) and asks for play dates with us, and can still be jealous of Elia’s time somewhat.
Elia’s birthday party in particular brought a few frustrations. She couldn’t have all of her friends at Elia’s party as she has had in the past since Elia’s party was at Busy Bees which has a height restriction that many of her friends have exceeded. She did have one friend come which was good, but after when Elia was opening presents Curie struggled. We did buy Curie her own present after, but while we limited presents for Curie’s party, we did not for Elia (for fairness since Curie got presents at her fourth birthday party), so when it came time to open them, Elia was protective of them and Curie felt that that was unfair.
On the other hand, Curie continues to grow, be sensitive, and hilarious. She is reading well when Erin reads with her, but is distracted by Elia, so Albert spends time with Elia while Erin and Curie read. It will be interesting to see how these roles are interpreted by the kids later. The amazing thing is to watch her learn to read. One day, Albert paused the TV for something and Curie came by and read the subtitles that were on the screen. Simple words to be sure, but still pretty cool. Most books she will interpret through context as much as read, so the fact that she could read the subtitles was a great surprise.
Curie’s new favorite animal is the peregrine falcon after seeing it on Planet Earth II. She is impressed with its ability to be the fastest animal on earth and as a predator as well. Albert told her that predators had eyes in front and prey had eyes on the side which she took fully into account in looking at other animals. Animals with eyes in front are hunter meat eaters and animals with eyes on the side are herbivores (sharks are an interesting exception). Elia asked what we were and because we are omnivores, we told her both.
Curie’s teeth have been changing too. Her spacer in her mouth came out in December and again in January which leads us to believe that the pressure fit is not as tight anymore – her jaw is getting bigger. Many of her friends have lost teeth already, but we have not had that yet. Her spacer has caused her to be more self-censoring about what she can’t eat. She knows she can’t eat sticky and chewy things and tells Elia that she can’t eat certain kinds of candy.
Work is pretty stressful lately and the holidays did not help. Perhaps all parents are similarly stressed, but it feels very overwhelming at times and the need to keep it from the kids is important. Albert mentioned that one of the jobs was to preserve innocence as long as possible as a parent leading Octavio to say that he has a very honorable/idealistic view of parenting. An interesting comment. The reality is that we can now understand why parents need to get to know each other again after the kids go to college and leave the house. Live becomes transactional as we get each step taken care of, and at the same time the kids are the reason for what we do and we are blessed and grateful for the time we have with them.