Animal names

Anya's animal names have evolved thusly over time:
Stage 1: Animals are called what they are. Elephant, lamb, giraffe...
Stage 2: Animals are named their species plus a diminutive. Girfuffi, or lamby, (animal name)+y-Anna. Puppy-Anna, pheasanty-Anna, peacocky-Anna.
Phase 3: Actual names. She just told me her new butterflies are called Pink poppy, red rose, and flaps.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Anya and I had a fun mother-daughter outing today. I told her it was a surprise. We hopped on the bus (I wish I was as excited about riding the bus as pretty much any kid) and headed down to Seattle Children's Theater to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar (which was actually 3 different Eric Carle books into short plays). Kiddo was excited and surprised when we got there. And as a bonus, we met up with her friend Jules and family and sat with them. The show was well executed and entertaining. The kids loved it. Anya was really well behaved. I think it helped that I asked her to do 50 jumping jacks right before the show started to get the wiggles out. She actually did them, and happily. 

At the end of the show, the performers asked if anyone had questions. Of course, Anya's hand shot up quickly. This time, fortunately, she asked a relevant question (instead of about the Japanese Tsunami like last time). She asked them how they made the caterpillar move. Good question, kid. She got lots of kudos from various adults seated around her for asking a good question, and being loud and clear about it too. 

After the girls had a light lunch and parted ways, we headed to the fountain at Seattle Center for a little while and caught the bus back home. Note to self: taking the bus from Greenlake to Seattle Center is the way to go - quick ride, no worrying about parking, and Anya loves it. 

All in all, a really fun mom-kid day.

funny faces with Jules

Zahra, 5/18/02 - 6/8/12

Bye bye, sweet Zahra kitty. You were a good cat. And loved.

I'm going to miss how you taunted the neighbors' dogs, how you loved to snuggle up after coming in from the pouring rain, you coming into bed at night just in time to hear the stories being read, and your affection. All of the neighbors loved you; everyone knew you.

But you had a good life. You were free to come and go as you pleased. Were always fed, always given love. Sweet cat. I'll miss you.

Kid quote of the day

This one comes from Anya’s preschool teacher.

Yesterday, during Thursday Fieldtrip, the kids and teachers were in the U. District waiting to catch the bus back to school. A homeless man walked up to them and asked, “OK, which one of you kids is going to grow up to be a loser?” The teachers gave him the stink eye. Homeless guy says, “What? It’s a valid question. Statistically speaking, one of you will end up being a black sheep.” The teachers shooed him away and continued waiting for the bus, thinking none of the kids heard what the man said.

After a moment, Anya speaks up. “I don’t know. Maybe Santi will be the loser?”

She apparently took some time to ponder this question. Poor Santi (who is a sweet boy and an unlikely candidate in my opinion). 

Disequilibrium

Awhile back I wrote about equilibrium and disequilibrium right here. Yeah. I'm pretty sure she is re-entering a state of disequilibrium. Time to stock up on more wine and some earplugs.

Anya makes her first purchase

Today Anya took her very first allowance ($4) and combined it with the cash in her piggy bank ($11) and bought her first thing. A butterfly garden. You send away for caterpillars and put them in the garden and they make cocoons and turn into butterflies.