Mercury Report

Dear Sabrina Banana, Around 3 months ago, you were asked to report about Mercury. It was quite exciting because you really love planets. The thing is, I don't want you to memorize things. I think memorizing things will not be effective in reporting because if you forget one little thing, you lose the entire flow of your presentation. Also, the point of this is to teach you something, not to get you to repeat random facts. What I did was I pasted questions on the board that you would read. Then you can answer the question as you would want to. You had so much energy while I was shooting this video it was hard to capture it. You said, you weren't as "jumpy" during your classroom presentation though so YAY! Love ya, Momma

 

Read Here, Read There, Read Everywhere

Dear Sabrina,

I was just telling Daddy how much easier our lives have been since you started reading whole books by yourself. You're addicted!!

Here you are in Starbucks as we meet up with Gramma. (Water, comfy couch, choco chip cookie with macadamia and a book?....ah, this is the life!)

Here you are in the car on the way to Sunday worship.

You know, I'm going to have to start imposing rules on where you can read. You'll probably be a bit sad about that, but I really need to take care of your eyes sweetie.

Love ya,

Momma

Favorite Author

Dear Sabrina Banana,

Ever since you found out what the word author meant, you have been going around telling anyone who would listen that Dr. Seuss is your favorite author =).

Last Sunday, while we were in the car with Daddy you had this conversation:

Sabrina: Daddy who's your favorite author?
Dad: When I was a little boy I like Franklin W. Dixon and Hans Christian Andersen
Sabrina: He's the author of Thumbelina!

Wow, I didn't even know that. Hahaha. I don't know why you know that but good on you!

Love ya,

Momma

Random Special Day

Dear Sabrina Banana,

We normally don't allow you to sleep with us at night. You see, we think it's important that you learn to sleep on your own plus Mom and Dad need the night time to catch up with each other. We do allow you to sleep with us during "special days"

Special days are birthdays, Christmases, New Years, etc. Last night, I asked you if you wanted to sleep on mommy and daddy's bed. You said "Is it a special day?". I said YES! And you wanted to know what the occassion was. I said "January 11 is Mommy loves me so much day". You dug that!

Is is hereby decreed that January 11 will be the official "Mommy loves me so much day"

Love ya,

Momma

Princesses and Knights

Dear Sabrina Banana,

You don't want to be a princess. You cried when your nanny said you should be a princess. You said princesses don't do anything except stay in castles. You said you want to be a knight, because they keep the princesses safe.

I respect that. Heck...I applaud that!

I guess not exposing you to Disney princesses has its perks. There's a study that shows that children who were not exposed to disney fairy tales have happier and more satisfying relationships than those who were. I can see why. Imagine being lead to believe that love happens at first sight and from that point on you don't have to do anything...you will be swept off your feet and your life will be perfect. BALONEY!

This is why I like the story of Beauty and the Beast. Belle is smart, she cared deeply for her father, she bravely looked for her father, she took her father's place in the dungeon, she didn't fall in love based on appearance. She had more depth and substance than the other princesses.  The other princesses aren't as interesting for me.

You on the other hand, don't care at all for any of them. Funny how you care more about Dopey than Snow White for example. =)

Love ya,

Momma

How to Eat Ice Cream

Dear Sabrina Banana,

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple activity to remind us that life is fun.

Thanks for the reminder.

Love ya,

Momma
p.s.
Crazy cause you love the cone more than the ice cream

Sharing as a Way of Life

Dear Sabrina Banana,

The psychologist in me knows that it's normal at this age for kids to start becoming a bit selfish. I am grateful that you are not as selfish as you should be developmentally, you are actually quite generous at this point in your life. You understand the concept of sharing, but truth be told, it's more often understood as others sharing their toys with you rather than you sharing your toys with others.

Dad and I are constantly trying to find ways to make you understand the value of sharing. Last December we got the chance to join Tita Joy's annual Christmas charity where her family buys toys and gifts for children. All 3 of us tried to help put goodies inside the bags (we were able to stuff 1000 bags!) but unfortunately we had to leave before all the bags were packed.

True, you got tired halfway through our shift but at least you were able to experience doing something for others. I know it was tough not opening the toys you saw around you....but you didn't and we couldn't be more proud.

Last week, we went a step further and we went through all your toys and you made a pile of things you were willing to part with to share with other kids.We are now going to find kids to share these toys with.

You know what honey, even I struggle with this sometimes. I think it's such a blessing to have you in our lives because it reminds daddy and myself that we need to be good examples to you.

Love ya,

Momma