This morning you went to the polls twice – once with Daddy and once with me. You can only get away with that because you are 7 😉

How does it work?

1. We stopped at one table to tell people what our address is. They directed us to the next table “under the basketball hoop” the helps people in our legislative district.

2. At that table, they found my name and signature. The volunteers covered up my signature, and asked me to sign right next to her hand. Then they uncovered my original signature to make sure they match – Yes, it is me! This will also make sure every person only votes once… to keep it fair.

3. We were then given my ballot in a folder to keep it secret. We sat behind a screen to fill in our bubbles. You realized that your Daddy (who you voted with earlier) and I “did the same row.” After we filled in all of the bubbles completely – without going out of the lines – we put our ballot back in our folder.

4. We went up to the scanning machine with our ballot facing down. The scanning machine sucked the ballot up – putting it in the machine. And the little screen said that the ballot was successfully submitted.

5. We got “I voted today” stickers, and we were on our way!

Why vote? It matters. It matters that we participate in the decision-making for our country. It helps us know what’s going on. Voting and participating in who runs our country helps our leaders make decisions that take care of poor people, our earth, make sure everyone has good doctors to go to, and that schools do the best job possible for all kids. It matters. Always vote.

All in one day!!

Last night your best friend Siobhan came over for a play date/sleep over.

You decorated Halloween pumpkins with Kate. You went to Sticky Lips with Daddy Jim. We climbed trees in the morning… but the highlight of the night?

You got to change your earrings for the first time. You have taken GREAT care of your ears for 6 weeks!! Last night, you and S tried on my earrings and giggled!

You said, “I can’t do this Mama!” As did S. It was just one of a million times when I could remind you that, you will be able to in a heartbeat as you work on it. 5 minutes later, you both could take your own earrings out; 3 minutes after that, you were both able to put your new ones in. 🙂 it’s so so SO fun to watch you grow!!

Here are some pictures of our adventures! I love you sweet one!
Mama

And the new earrings display…. (well, these are mine, but they were the first you 2 put in when you could change them)…

SO FUN!

Wednesday night, you were almost asleep. Out of the blue, you said,

“I took a test today, Mama.”

“What? Really?’
“Yeah. It was on a computer.”
(stay calm, Mama) – “Was it fun?”
“No, I hated it. We had to sit there for an ENTIRE hour.”

Sigh and ugh…

Why is your Mom not happy about testing? Here are a few reasons:
* kids spend WAY too much time doing these tests; test-taking is not a fun, engaging, supportive learning experience that helps you develop critical thinking skills, collaboration skills, communication skills – in other words, your time is too precious to be sitting in front of a computer for hours
* the tests are too often used as a measure for how capable one is – which is ridiculous as it is ONE type of way to know what someone knows
* tests are often very flawed – privileging a small group of people and discriminating against others
* results get misused to judge teachers without concern for many others important factors or misjudge kids resulting in all kinds of hurdles to jump to feel “successful” or “capable”
* teaching and learning become much less learner-focused; much more test-focused

I love you Baby – You and I can work together to change things.

G’night

Enjoy the picts! Beautiful day – SOOO much FUN!
* Blue sky & orange pumpkins
* Zip lining – all 5 of us at the same time
* Sending small pumpkins FLYING!
* Climbing all over some huge army truck
* No Jo Jo allowed – sigh
* Cider doughnuts, apples with caramel & cider
* Lost in a corn maze and then found again
* Rolling around in corn 🙂
* Running, wrestling & laughing

“I can’t believe it.”

“I got my ears pierced!”

“This is so exciting!”

“I just can’t believe it!!”

You just kept repeating these things to yourself. Way too cute.
You and Siobhan pondered whether or not you like your choice in earrings – “Maybe we should have gotten diamonds.”
Siobhan’s answer, “These are good. They match my backpack.”

You were both totally brave. After you got yours pierced (you went first), Siobhan asked you if it hurt. You said a little. She proceeded to pinch your arm, and you made QUITE the face “OWWWW! That Hurt!! MUCH more than my ears!!” Ha!! LOL

With Johanna’s permission, Daddy Jim pretended to be Siobhan’s Dad – and our mischievousness made us both very, very nervous!

It was so awesome that you two got to do this together.

BFF for sure!

first day riding the bus
first day at a new school with a new teacher
first day eating hot lunch
so many firsts…

So much fun to love you through all of them!!!

And I don’t even know the story!!

I know you went to Art Camp today with a VERRRY wiggly tooth – and you were super excited about it for about a week now – We all have been so excited with you!!

And you came home so happy to show me!!

And I was so excited to see you and your sweet hole in your face that I forgot to ask how it happened!! I’ll ask you next time we talk and edit this blog post.

Check out that happy holely/holy face!! So love you!!

(Photograph courtesy of Jo Ann Morreale iPhone Photography)

Let’s see what I remember about our summer together – Summer 2012

First major hair cut
Cooperative Play
Learned how to jump rope and ride a 2-wheeler like a ROCK STAR!
Taiwan
Vacation Church School & Sewing Camp
Seabreeze with Jimmiqua & Da-Da
Delaware and the Beach

Doing a great job reading – next week is Cape Cod with Dad, Jen & Dan

Hey there Sweetie –

Tomorrow will be your first night in your new home. You and Daddy moved in with Jen and Daniel in their beautiful warm home. You have an incredible neighborhood with kids and sidewalks. You are a short walk from the Eric Canal. The play set in the back has all the normal stuff AND a hand-over-hand ladder thing that you are so good at! The backyard is spacious and green. You have baby robins nesting on your front porch – how awesome is that!!

You and Daddy and Jen created your room JUST for you out of what used to be a toy room. You chose the paint colors and the bedroom furniture and everything!! So sweet -so you!

After the tour you gave me of your home today, I said “I love it!!” You smiled up at me and replied, “I love it too!”

I am soooo glad Peanut Butter – I am so so glad.

(Pictures coming…)
G’night Precious – Mama