Big A, little a

Since Daly started going to school, we have been looking for ways to get Reese out and about on her own. We know how important it is for the girls to have play time away from each other {besides the fact that Reese cries and screams, 'I GO TOO!!' every time Daly leaves for kindy.} So yesterday, Ryan took Reese to basketball. This meant some fun one-on-one time for Daly and me.

We had a mid-morning snack, played dress up, and skyped with my mom. Daly had so much fun performing in her 'ballet class'. She spun and jumped and danced around the living room...'Watch me, Gramma!' {I even had a chance to get dressed and ready for the day while my mom watched Daly...babysitting all the way from California!}

When it got to be time to leave for school, we said goodbye and got ready to go. Ryan had accidentally taken both sets of car keys with him, and it was a beautiful day, so we decided to ride the bike to school. It made me realize we should do this more often. Driving the car sure is convenient, and quick, and warm...but I never noticed how much I'm missing by strapping her into the car seat.

Daly asked about the flowers, the cars, the trees, that cat over there. As we drove past St. Peter's, the local Catholic school, Daly pointed out the huge cross that stands in front of the office.

'Look at that cross, Mom!'

'I see that. Who died on the cross?'

'Jesus!'

'That's right, Jesus died on the cross for us because He loves us so much.'

'Yeah, Jesus loves kids, and He loves me, and He loves my house. He comes over on His bike!'

I can guarantee we would have never had that conversation in the car!

In other Daly News, she's finally getting excited about writing. This has been a source of frustration for us lately, but parents hear over and over again, they'll do it when they're ready. 'No child goes to college with their binky, still sleeping in their crib, not writing their letters.' We found a super fun letter workbook with lots of pictures and places to color and we started on page one. Big A.

Ryan sat down at the dining room table with Daly, the workbook, and lots of crayons. I took Reese upstairs to play, but could still hear their lesson. It was pretty clear that Daly followed the arrows and drew a few 'A's, and Dad was a great teacher. Then she got to color in the big Alligator. That's about when the excitement ended, when the fun and new wore off and it was time to practice.

She was not having any more of it, and I could hear the frustration in Ryan's voice. He got one more 'A' out of her and they were finished. I'm pretty sure I heard him say, 'I don't know how anyone does this!' Blessed be those kindergarten teachers. He was sure she wasn't listening and didn't learn anything new.

The next morning, the girls were in the shower, and I asked Daly if she could remember that letter she had learned with Daddy yesterday.

'Yeah! A A A! One line down, and another line down, and one across!'

I know it's not easy to see, but she drew

her big A in the steam on the shower door.

Can you see it, right in the middle?

We were beyond excited. It made me remember exactly why I loved being a teacher...and Ryan was so proud. Even when you think they're not listening to a word you're saying, they are truly hanging on every letter.