If Sammy were in Charge of the World

This is the text of an assignment Sammy had
If I were in charge of the world, I'd cancel:
waking up ele (early)
alarm cloks
hete indekis (heat indexes) over 90 degrees.
rpeding sons (repeating songs) over and over intl (until) they get anoying.
If I were in charge of the world, there'd be
pets in your Crimus (Christmas) stoking
playtime with your frens evreday
4 day wekins (weekends)
If I were in charge of the world, You wouldn't have
bad days
yuky things for diner.
skary wether news
Or ruls like "be qite (quiet)"
You wouldn't even have peple that drive you crazy.
If I were in charge of the world A box of choklis (chocolates) would be a vegetable.
All vary funy movies would be G.
And a person who sometimes forgot to wash and sometimes forgot to flaws (floss) would still be allowed to be In charge of the world.

Dealing with death in children's media.

So we got Bambi from the library. We've had the movie for a couple of years, but decided Sammy probably couldn't handle it since The Care Bears Movie freaked her out. We read the book to them. I think Emily did the first run through. They seemed to handle it, though of course were a bit upset (or confused) at the death scene, and during the fire.

Peter pulled out the DVD last night when we had Pizza. Charlotte was SO excited that we had the movie version of the book. Sammy was quite nervous, but after some prompting agreed to watch it. They enjoyed the movie, though they were a bit upset during the "traumatic" scenes. But Charlotte was under the impression that "The Men took Bambi's mommy away." So I guess she doesn't quite get death yet.

Then today we were listening to "My darlin' Clementine" in the car. She keeps telling me that it's her favorite song, which has really surprised me. Then today she announced during the song (a couple of times) "She's not really lost, she's just playing." Again, I think she doesn't get it.

Sammy I'm not sure about. She internalizes a lot, and she's never asked us about death. I think she knows that death is gone forever, but I'm not sure what she gets beyond that.

So anyway, Here's a fun picture. Baba sent some fun lollipops for Valentine's Day, and the other day Sammy tried her out.

Also, I finally finished the Vandy sweater I was knitting for Peter. Of course it's too warm for him to wear it, but I might steal it during the tournament. I am very proud of the sweater, but I don't think I'll do another adult one unless I get a knitting machine. I started it sometime last summer. I thought I might finish it for our anniversary (HA) or perhaps Christmas (HA)! I was sure I would finish it in time for the Kentucky game. Or at the very least the home game against Kentucky. But it's done now! Also, I just have to say my teeth are killing my. I have the worst sinus infection I can remember. And I always get sick on Fridays. Well, it started yesterday, but today was the first time I thought I needed antibiotics, and of course I couldn't call the doctor's office because I also have laryngitis. So I ended up driving to the Urgent Treatment center, which was remarkably quick (though I felt bad about exposing the very pregnant doctor to my germs), and I got a Z-pack (which is great because I only have to take it once a day). Now if only it would kick in. Now.

I don't suppose anyone actually reads this, but Ned made it through surgery fine and is home and feeling better.
A few quick stories:
Sammy loves the Magic Tree House stories where Jack and Annie travel to different places and times in a magic tree house. Charlotte wants to be just like Sammy and asked us to read one. This one was about dinosaurs. The main characters meet a pteranadon, and Annie decides to call it Henry. Charlie announces, "I think the dinosaur's name is Pteranadon, not Henry."

Peter was talking to Sammy the other day and was talking to her about what the word biology meant. He told her that Dad was a biology professor. She was surprised and said she didn't know he was a professor. Peter asked her what she thought he did, and she responded, "I just thought he was really smart!" :)

Sammy gets to be in the Festival of the Horse parade this Friday! Her girl scout troop will be walking in it. We'll take pics!

Charlotte has recently become enamored with our little scarecrow "Skippy". She will go out on the porch and talk to "her" (because it has long hair) for 5 or 10 minutes. The other night she brought it in, gave it a bath, put it to bed and walked around the house telling us all to be very quiet. Then when it was time for dinner, she insisted on washing Skippy's hands too. (We insisted this be done in the play kitchen, not the bathroom sink). Skippy spent dinner at her feet. (Under the table). The whole thing was adorable.

Sammy on Horseback

Sammy LOVED Horseback camp. She even learned to trot a little. She was dissapointed that someone had to lead the horse, but the camp was only a week long!

I'm from China!

Sammy and Chalie have been playing a game all morning that they are now calling "China". It started as "house" while we were in PA. Sammy (the mom) sent Charlie Dot to school. She came into the bedroom with her lunchbox and announced "I'm from China!" She repeated this several times while "riding the bus" and "eating her lunch" and then "going home". Now the game is called china instead of house and the girls are wearing blankets like long skirts to get ready for a ball of some kind. I think Sammy is stretching Charlie Dot's patience a bit though. Plus, it is WAY past naptime!