The Sound of Philosophy

Today's lunch conversation, while listening to S.O.M., went something like this:

"Maggie: Why does 'Climb Every Mountain' come after the over-mission?
Me: Do you mean intermission?
Maggie: Yeah, why do movies need intermissions?
Me: So people can go to the potty. (Climb Every Mountain now playing)
Maggie: Why do people have to follow their dreams?
Me: God will tell you in your heart what you should do and you need to listen. Then you will be happy in life. Do you know what I always dreamed of being? A Mommy!"
Maggie: Did you have to climb every mountain?"

I love this kid!

The Hills Are Alive

Maggie and Claire have fallen in love with The Sound of Music! Listening to the soundtrack is an every day occurrence in our house. It has an amazing calming effect on them. Claire will just sit on the floor and stare at the radio, as the sound of Julie Andrews fills the room. Maggie provides constant commentary about what is happening in the story as each song is played. Claire's favorite song is "Do-Re-Mi" while Maggie's top three are "16 going on 17", "My Favorite Things" and "So Long, Farewell." I am thrilled that they are finding such joy in one of my favorite musicals. I just wish I didn't keep getting "The Lonely Goatherd" stuck in my head when trying to fall asleep!

Here's a sample of one of Maggie's spontaneous outbursts into song after dinner:

More Firsts

Both the girls are having some big growth spurts, developmentally and physically. Claire's vocabulary is just exploding and she repeats most everything Maggie says. Her motor skills and coordination are improving and we're finding she's quite the climber. She's also becoming very independent, leaving us to wonder if she turned 2 when we weren't looking. In fact, the other night at dinner Jim said, "Claire, did you turn 2 without us knowing?" and she replied enthusiastically, "Yes!"
First pigtails

Maggie's imagination is at full speed most of the time and her curiosity endless. If I had a penny for every time she asked "Why?" Jim and I would never have to work again. She can hardly contain her questions while reading bedtime stories. We're practicing not interrupting and she tries to save her questions till the end of the page. Her inquiries range from very specific, "Why is that Daddy putting his hand on the Mommy's shoulder?" to very general, "Why did the witch want to hurt the princess?" She is also extremely interested in writing and brings home volumes of writing samples from preschool. Until now, it was mostly scribbles and the practicing her name. Today at school, she wrote her first word and it was "Mom." Later in the day, I was thrilled that, when asked, she could spell both M-o-m and D-a-d. Maggie's first "report card" came home from school last week and the teachers confirmed what we already knew, our girl is pretty special!

First written word M-O-M, with a few other Ms for practice

Gaining independence

After lots of lazy days in PJs, getting dressed became quite the struggle for Maggie. So a couple of weeks ago, Jim and I created a new rule that before coming downstairs for breakfast everyone would get dressed. I think I'm having a harder time adjusting to the new rule than Maggie, as I love having breakfast in my pajamas. The new rule is super effective, though, and has mostly eliminated our morning battles and, as a result, the tone of our day is much more positive.

This morning, I went to wake up Maggie and she was up, PJs in the hamper, diaper in the trash and was picking out her clothes. This was the ensemble she chose. Look at how she's beaming with pride!