Pigtail Tyrant

One of Josephine's teachers, Ms. Toni, started to put some kids' hair into pigtails in the afternoons. It seems to provide entertainment for both the teachers and the kids and has become a favorite activity for Josephine. On Friday as I arrived to pick her up, Josephine was jostling and elbowing another little girl to get the next turn in front of Ms. Toni. All evening, Josephine would periodically pat her head to make sure that her two stubby pigtails were still in place. It always amazes me how such a small change can make such a big difference - with pigtails in Josephine looks both older as its more of a 'big kid' hairdo, and younger as it makes her chubby cheeks seem even chubbier.

Madeleine spent Saturday afternoon at the opera with her Nana. Nana is a big opera fan and had learned about a family performance where the regular performers would do selections from Don Giovanni and also provide background information on how an opera is staged. While Nana raved about hearing Placido Domingo conduct and explain the music, Madeleine like the sword play and getting to see some of the women's costumes from La Boheme. Afterward, they came back to our house for dinner set to La Boheme and shared a chocolate cake. Nana bought Madeleine a doll from the Kennedy Center gift shop with the promise that Madeleine would remember the name of the conductor. I tried to help by teaching her a rhyme but the evening ended with Madeleine raving about the conductor, Placido Flamingo.

Both girls enjoyed a visit from some preschool friends yesterday. While Michael and I enjoyed hanging out with Claire and Laurie, Madeleine and Aidan played as if they'd seen each other the day before instead of two and half months ago before kindergarten began. Josephine was thrilled to see Neve who is in her class. I realized that Josephine hasn't had many of HER friends over yet and was really thrilled to have another toddler on the scene. Well, thrilled until they both needed the same musical phone...and the same book...and to both sit in the same seat next to Claire.