Computer Learning

I have no idea when kids start reading, but Hayden is showing an interest in starting to learn about it. For example, she has been asking us to read various signs to her, in the grocery store or on a bottle. I think it's a result of a couple of things. One: she knows most of her letters now, both small and big. Two: Her flat computer, when it reads books to her, highlights each word, as it's read. So she's starting to understand how a sentence works and how each collection of letters together, makes up a word.

I've taught her "me" and "no," so when we read books and I get to those words, I stop and let her figure out which one it is. We also loaded up this computer game that Sean got for her when she turned three - it teaches rhyming words, letter sounds and I think more too. Anyway, she really likes it and I've been impressed at how well she's doing. She seems to really understand the concept of rhyming and knows a lot of letter sounds too. It's great!

Weekend Visitors

This weekend Sean's Dad came to visit us and we did all kinds of fun things. First thing when he arrived, Hayden had to show him all her new holiday toys. She even made him play a few games.  Of course, she also had to teach him a thing or two about her new "flat computer," which she plays just about every day.

Saturday, it rained almost all day, and I was gone, so I'm not completely sure what they did. But I do recall stories of Hayden loving a strawberry purse and making everyone she was with try it out. Apparently she even slung it over her shoulder and talked about how she could put her money in it. :)

Sunday, we went to the Children's Museum in downtown. Hayden did decently well, better than before, though she still didn't want to try everything. They had this little maze that she really liked and she also spent time in their "rain house," where it always sounds like rain is coming down. She also really enjoyed using the clay. Grandpa Pat and her made a variety of things together, but I was most impressed by the elephant. (Wow, right?)

Hayden was quite focused while making things - this is her concentrated face. Tongue out!

We said that before she left, she had to try this climbing wall, and once she started, she did pretty well. She made little scared noises throughout and needed help of course, but she did climb higher than I thought she would.

Gaby Pictures

Our nanny is so awesome that she sends us lots of pictures, almost every day she's with Hayden. I've been saving some and thought I'd share them. Just normal days, but still fun to see. And especially fun for us to see.

After Sean and I had a frustrating experience with Hayden not wanted to do a single thing at the park, Gaby has been taking her almost every day and she's doing so much better at trying to do everything.

Fun beach day. A day in the life of a San Diego child. 

Making friends at the park

Art Soup - a drop in art studio for kids. She has only been a few times but always comes home with really creative projects. 

Happy to be getting up from nap time. At least when she's at home, she still sleeps at least an hour normally. At preschool, we aren't sure, but it doesn't seem like she sleeps at all.

Quick Updates

No pics, but wanted to let you know that Hayden was promoted from a Level Three Penguin in swimming, to a Level Four Seal today! She needed to be able to:
(1) Swim freestyle 25 yards across the pool, unassisted with <5 sec breaths
(2) Instructor must be at least 10 ft from student while swimming across pool
(3) Streamline push off for Freestyle
(4) Introduce fingers closed

I'm so proud. I'm in the SF Bay Area but wish I were home to celebrate with her!

Also, she's feeling much better by the way and the antiboitics we got for her ear appeared to begin working within hours of her first dose. Yay.

A Mixed Day

So last night, as Hayden tried to sleep, she twice companied about her ear, which she said hurt on the "inside" (her word, not mine). We gave her Tylenol both times and even let her spend a few mins in our bed. I was pretty sure we would need to take her to the doc the next day (today).

But in the morning, she said it wasn't hurting at all and was all better. I was surprised, but carried on with our plans, which were to see the new Beauty and the Beast 3D movie. She did great in the movie and stayed through the whole thing. (And she didn't even know too much about the storyline.) She loved the popcorn too, but the best part was at the end of the movie, when the beast turns back into the prince, becuase she actually started clapping! It was so adorable. I think she had fun.

As soon as that was over though, she started acting weird again and complaining about the other ear. We struggled a bit to find an open office, but we did and sure enough, she has an ear infection. (She's had a cold, again, but I honestly can't remember the last time she had an ear infection.) It wasn't her usual pediatrician, so the antibiotics don't taste very good and we may struggle with that over the next ten days, but I just can't wait for the meds to kick in. It's hard to feel like there is so little we can do to help.

Trying Gymnastics Again

Hayden really liked soccer actually, but the class was just a little lame and not very active, so we decided to try something else while we wait for Hayden to get old enough for a better soccer class.

For gymnastics this time, we signed her up for classes at the YMCA, which has an actual gymnastics center. Hayden and I went to check it out last week and she had her first class today. I was expecting her to be fairly timid and want to mainly observe, but I'm delighted to say that wasn't true at all! With a little encouragement, she played in the foam pit while waiting for class to start, and actually enjoyed it.

Then, when the class started, I'm so proud to say that she tried just about everything! She couldn't do it all, but she gave it all her best and she seemed to have fun the whole time. I'm just so impressed that she participated in all of it, so happy. Honestly, that matters so much more than what she actually did.

Sorry, these pictures are a little terrible (and I tossed the really bad ones!), but everything was pretty far away, so they were all dark and needing a lot of cropping! That's why they are so bad, but maybe I'll get some better ones in the future.

Swimming Update

I know you are probably tired of me talking about Hayden and swimming, but it's still one of my favorite things she does. Lately, she's doing three new things, one of which I don't have a picture of.

1) Hayden is diving in! First she learned it from a kneeling position, but even then, I can't believe she was willing to go in head first.

About a week later, Rebecca had her standing to dive in!! It's really a dive straight down, but it's certainly head first and with her arms at her ears. Video of it later.

2) A couple times, Hayden has used the kick board to focus on her kicking, which is getting better bit by bit. In my opinion, Hayden could use more of this.

3) Today, Hayden learned a little backstroke, including pushing off the wall in a backwards position (so she goes onto her back). Her arms are still moving a little backwards, but it was really the first time she had done it. Practice, practice! (Sorry, no pic.)

Working

Not much news from this weekend, but I've had these pictures forever and wanted to finally post them. They are of Hayden, playing "work." I know I posted a few before, but don't these look more realistic? You may recognize the set up from the video I posted awhile ago - same day! I love how she moves her fingers like there is a keyboard.

Follow-up Christmas Photos

My step-sister Erin is a budding photographer and she took some great family photos over Christmas at my Dads. Thought I'd share before they got even more out of date.

We Don't Like Ellie P.

Today Hayden went to preschool and when she came home, she told us a disturbing story. There is a kid in her class, Ellie P., who apparently put sand in Hayden's eyes and her mouth, even after Hayden asked her to stop. Hayden said she started crying, and then a teacher came to pick her up and get her some water to wash out her mouth. She recalled this situation very clearly and could tell us lots of details, so I'm inclined to believe it.

This is upsetting on a variety of levels. One is that another kid is deliberately being mean to Hayden - that's problem one. The second is that Hayden wasn't successful in defending herself, whether that was telling the teacher, leaving the situation, asking for help or even pushing Ellie P. away. The third is that I can't really figure out how the sand was able to get in her eyes/mouth, but Hayden must have let Ellie P. do it somehow, because she also said Ellie P. didn't just throw the sand.

Needless to say, we are upset, but Sean is particularly angry about it. He has had a bit of experience with bullying and can't help but imagine the road he fears Hayden is beginning. He's adamant that she learn how to stick up for herself, and I agree. So this evening, he did a little role playing with Hayden to help her remember what to do if someone is mean to her again. It included loudly asking them to stop, telling the teacher and if needed, pushing them away from her. She was laughing and giggling the whole time, so it's hard to be intimidated when she looks so cute.

I know we could be overreacting, but she's IS our only kid...