How to Work a Party

The Brownies earned their Manners try it badge. It was a fun exercise on learning how to act in different situations. They really cracked up at the "how to greet people from different countries" portion of the badge. One of the tasks we did was to host a party for the library volunteers. The girls planned the party including invitations, menu, guests, decor and appropriate party talk. I was so impressed with questions they came up with for mingling: "When you aren't at the library, what do you like to do?" "What are some of your favorite books?" "What did you like to do as a child?" I told them if they continue to think up thoughtful interesting questions, they will be quite the desired hostesses or guests.

Goodbye to Ms. Bunny

We entered phase one of orthodontia today. Maddie has a very small palate and no room for any permanent teeth. She's already had 8 baby teeth pulled (she loves to tell people she's only "lost" 2 teeth!). The two teeth on either side of her top front teeth came in behind her baby teeth and were affecting her bite. So enter phase one of braces!

The pre-smile

One last look at the bunny teeth (Theo thinks they are hysterical!).

I really like Dr. Sonis, the orthodontist. He's funny and kind. We had to pick out Maddie's back to school outfit before her appointment so she could chose the bands that would match - pink and silver. She actually has all of her bands picked out through December! What a fun treat at each appointment. They didn't have that option when I was in braces.

Hooray! She made it. She was so very brave.

She had a lot of pain the first two days. And no wonder...

Look at how her teeth were before braces.

And two days later - the movement of the side and front teeth!

The Hat, Scarf, Headband, Sunscreen Applicator

I do love the Invention Invasion at Angier. It is such a wonderful night of ingenuity by the children. Maddie, Taraneh, Avery and Avery's sister Delaney got together again to invent. And the end result: a hat, scarf, headband with sunscreen applicator. This is quite an improvement from the hat, scarf, headband with make up applicator which us moms dubbed the anti-feminist invention. Anyhow, they had a lot of fun brainstorming and cooperating.

Here she is.

The inventors explaining their creation.

Theo and Gabriel loved exploring the gym. Theo is my independent one who likes nothing more than to be given a long leash to go off. He was very proud to be able to roam through the gym looking at inventions without mom breathing down his back.

I took the boys across the hall to see the Lego club display. The club had set up their Legos on a low platform. As I was talking to a friend, I heard the crowd gasp. In slow motion, I turned my head to see this small two year old in cowboy boots with a devilish grin on his face lift up his foot for the second time to stomp on one of the creations. I simply froze unable to process that it was my child doing the stomping! How horrifying!!! I finally sprung into action, scooped him up and gave him a stern talking to. Thankfully, they were able to repair the damaged piece. Theo kept saying incredulously, "He was smiling when he did it." Oh boy...

Mother Daughter Ice Skate

All the Newton Brownies got together at the rink for a fun mother/daughter ice skating hour. Maddie loves the ice. She whips around with great foot control. And I cannot believe this, she is interested in hockey for next year!

Maddie, Avery, Kira, Reghan and Ashley

We had a great time skating and then went out for sushi the two of us. She was such a little lady, enjoying her edamame and sushi selections. It was a great date for the two of us!

Snow Garden

In an effort to make our world a bit more springlike, we hosted a Safe Routes to School walk to school and plant a flower in the snow. The results were beautiful!

It's been fun chairing the Safe Routes committee. In fact, I was even asked to speak at the statewide conference, a daunting but invigorating experience. That said, I'm ready to move on to something else in PTO and plan to head up another committee next year.

Healthy Living and the Brownies

We had a great Brownie meeting with two special guests. A yoga instructor and a representative from Whole Foods. The girls worked through a 30 minute yoga class and then listened to the woman from Whole Foods talk about healthy eating complete with samples. The green smoothie was not a hit!

All Decked Out

Maddie and Abigail, a preschool friend. Maddie and Abigail had a rocky start in the 3-day class when Abigail bit Maddie and Maddie bit back. They became fast friends after their initial encounter.

Fashion show number two. Maddie in her own skirt, bag, headband and embellished shirt. So proud and happy!

Great 8

How did we get to eight so quickly? Maddie continues to be such a lovely girl. Joyous, helpful, and loves everything.

Eight brought us a Valentine's Day craft party. Get ready for some pink!

Maddie, Amelia, Edie, Isabel, Ashley, Louisa, Avery and Taraneh

Theo hanging out

Maddie was a bit concerned about the boys infringing on her party space, so she brought down Gabriel's table. The girls started here with special Maddie word searches.

Next up, making Valentines.

Decorate a heart contest.

Theo was the judge. Nathan gave him tips on how to properly judge seven and eight year old girls' work. He looked at both hearts and said, "That one is so beautiful." and "That one is so pretty." The girls stared at him and then asked, "Well, wish one is best?" He gulped and said, "I like this one best." And the non-winners were not so pleased!

Next up, making felted heart pins. The girls were very excited to "sew" the hearts and button together. They looked so cute in their pink t-shirts with pins.

Soap making - a very fun craft.

Cookie decorating (and eating).

Happy Birthday Maddie! From your color coordinated family (Maddie dressed the boys in the morning!).

Father Daughter Square Dance

The Newton Girl Scouts sponsored a Father/Daughter Square Dance today. Maddie was over the moon to go!I must admit, I love to square dance. Do you think I have a chance to get Nathan in on it regularly?

Troop 75174 square dancers: Isabel, Emma, Ashley, Amelia, Maddie and Taraneh

Structures

Maddie was so proud of her structures that she made at school. Thankfully, Ms Ross told the kids the gumdrops were not for eating!

Angier Holiday Fun

Can you believe Maddie was in school until December 23 this year? I couldn't. I feel for the poor teachers. Anyhow, we celebrated winter with a fun party in her class. I think Maddie had the most special visitors for the party!

Her cute styrofoam snowman.

Grammie has been to the past three snowman parties. Theo got to tag along too. Hard to believe next year, he'll have his own snowman party at Angier!

And the best treat of all! Daddy came into the class to sing carols. The kids loved it, as did Maddie and Theo. Three rousing songs later, Nathan was officially crowned a rock star dad!

Ornament Party

Last year I donated a Valentine's Day Craft party to be auctioned off for Angier. To say it wasn't a success, is an understatement. Maddie did not have fun. I hesitated this year but when at a ceramics studio, I saw an ornament party in a box which I thought would be fun. The girls paint their ornaments and then the studio glazes and fires them making for a nice gift. It was a much better party! We had yummy snacks, painted the ornaments and decorated gift bags.

From left: Rachel, Ashley, Bridgett, Amelia, Maddie and Avery. A lovely group of Christmas elves!

Project Runway Watch Out!

We are so proud of Maddie! She completed her first session at Hip Stitch, a new sewing studio in Newton. Not only did she learn to use the machine, she made a skirt and bag that she debuted in a fashion show. She was poised and confident and walked that runway with ease.

I love this picture of her peeking out to watch the show.

Proud parents (and yes, I have other sweaters, this one seems to pop up in a lot of pictures lately!). Nathan needed an emergency root canal which he postponed until the next morning to see his daughter in the fashion show.

The seamstresses, Amelia, Rachel and Miss M.

Welcome to Brownies!

One of my fondest grade school memories is of Brownies and Girl Scouts. I wanted Maddie to have the same experience so I started a troop. Luckily, I have three amazing friends helping out as troop leaders. We also have a group of 14 girls who are sweet, kind and enthusiastic about Brownies, very enthusiastic!

We'll meet twice a month at the Waban Library Center. Our first official meeting covered a lot of Brownie information and ended with the ceremony welcoming them into Brownies.

The girls are very proud and excited for each meeting. It makes all the work worth it!

Our Little Chef

What a fantastic treat! Maddie loves to pull meals together for the family. This was a bit of a sad time for our refrigerator with not many options, but, Maddie did so much with so little. A lettuce roll sandwich, artfully cut watermelon with raspberries, and a salad with pinenuts even. Note the shapes and layout on the plates. Quite the artistic eye!

Goodbye Mrs Brody

Farewell to 1st Grade! It was a great year with Maddie learning a ton and having a lot of fun. The years are, unfortunately, flying by. She's so big and grown up all of a sudden. We couldn't be prouder.

The Angier Golden Sneaker

As the Safe Routes to School chair, I wanted a fun promotion to get kids walking to school in May. Enter The Angier Golden Sneaker contest, four weeks of hidden golden shoes around the neighborhood (and on campus for bus riders), find one and you get a prize, walk, bike or bus to school and you are entered in a raffle. It was wonderfully fun and really created a buzz at school. The classroom with the most participants at the end of the month received a golden sneaker trophy.

Maddie really got into it! She was determined to find a golden sneaker on the walk to school. Looking for one as she felt she'd have better luck on the other side of the street from us!

Ta Da! Golden sneaker found.

We ended the promotion with golden juice (lemonade), music by the school orchestra, more prizes and the trophy award ceremony.

Two of Maddie's friends (Amelia and Taraneh) who found a golden sneaker. Yes, I know it is a very abstract sneaker but this was my month of illness and it was all I could do! The kids didn't seem to mind.