Dear Stella, 4 1/2
Oh no oh no oh no! Four is almost half over. I love four. Hmmm....I wonder where you came by your utter aversion to growing up? I've finally stopped saying things like, "Don't grow up" because you actually stopped wanting to grow up and it was clear who was to blame for that. I am actually really excited to see the big kid and the teenager and the woman who you become. Well maybe not the teenager. Not if she slams doors and is mean to me, smokes cigarettes and stays out past curfew. But before I get ahead of myself....
For a kid who doesn't want to grow up, you are pretty enthusiastic about your half birthday. In fact, you have asked for a half birthday party which is curious since you don't even really ever want a birthday party. I mean you even want to invite some outside people. You only asked for this a few days ago so I haven't managed to get it together yet but I think we will (albeit a little bit after the fact).
In the past month, you had two really big days as a Silver Roomer. First, you got to take Silver Bear home for a weekend and what a weekend it was. When I got to school to pick you up on Friday January XX and saw you walk to your cubby holding Silver Bear and his backpack, you had the biggest smile on your face. So cute! All weekend you were very attentive to Silver Bear and made sure that you brought him along to all your activities. On Sunday night Daddy and I stayed up really late (I mean like ridiculously late as though we were helping you with your college essays or something) to write our Silver Bear report in his notebook. Here are some of the highlights:
First up was Stella’s great grandmother, Grandma Roz. Silver Bear enjoyed lunch at the Popover Café. Stella snapped a very artistic photograph of Silver Bear and Grandma.
Stella couldn’t wait to introduce Silver Bear to her baby sister, Vivian. At first, Vivian was a little scared of Silver Bear but she warmed up to him rather quickly.
Silver Bear enjoyed Shabbat dinner. His favorite part was the challah.
After dinner, Silver Bear and Stella had a bath, brushed their teeth and got into their pajamas. Before Mommy read books to Stella, Stella read Brown Bear, Brown Bear to Silver Bear. Then it was time for bed.
On Saturday morning, Silver Bear accompanied Stella and her dad to Chelsea Piers. Silver Bear enjoyed watching Stella in her first gymnastics class. After class, Silver Bear and Stella rode the mini-carousel.
Then Stella, Dad and Silver Bear met up with Mom and Vivian Bear at the Hampton Chutney Co. for lunch.
After lunch, we all went to pick up Stella’s pottery at Make. Silver Bear especially liked Stella’s cupcake magnet.
Later, we all went to Grandma Helaine and Grandpa Paul’s apartment where Silver Bear met Stella’s grandparents, her aunt Sonya and her cousin Clara.
Silver Bear had a great time playing with Clara and Stella and was very happy to hear that they were going to all have a sleepover with Grandma.
On Sunday, Grandma decided to take the troupe to see “Pinkalicous”. Silver Bear did not know the story and thought it was funny that a girl could turn pink from eating too many pink things. Bears don’t really like pink food so Silver Bear was relieved that he would never have to worry about pinkititis.
On Sunday night, Silver Bear joined us for a final family dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s before we returned home. Stella brushed her teeth and Silver Bear’s teeth and then the two friends climbed into bed together for the last time. We had a great weekend with Silver Bear and will be sad to see him go but we can’t wait to hear all about his adventures with the other Silver Roomers.
You were really sad to have to give Silver Bear back on Monday morning. You really have a hard time saying goodbye -- to me, to dad, to friends at the end of a playdate and, well, the brown stuffed teddy bear was no exception.
The weekend we had Silver Bear, Daddy and I brought your mattress into our room and you slept on our floor so that we could move Vivian from the bassinet in our room which she was outgrowing into her crib. At first you did not want to do this but when we told you that soon you and your sister would be sharing a room, you were totally excited and willing. And in the end, I think you enjoyed camping on our floor.
The other really fabulous day was on February 13 -- your turn to be the Shabbat Child. Daddy and I arrived a little early and looked in the window of the Silver Room. You were on the front rug doing quiet reading and you saw us in the window. You started kicking your legs and had the biggest smile ever. You were so so so so so excited and so were we. Soon the door opened and we were invited in to join you on the rug. When we sat next to you, many of your friends came crowding around and Beryl had to remind them to give you some space, not to crowd the Shabbat Child. You continued to read your book and when you finished, Samantha, one of your friends, asked if you wanted to trade books which you did. Then Beryl said, "If you're the Shabbat Child you can put your book away" and you got up and put your book on the shelf. She continued to have the rest of the class put their books away in a similar fashion: "If you painted with me today, you can put your book away", etc. Then everyone sang all the shabbat songs -- Friday is a special day, shabbat to Stella K, shabbat to Millie, shabbat to Carolyn, Shabbat to David, etc. etc. Then you led us to the candles and we said all the prayers. You knew just what to do. You handed us the wine when it was time to drink. You held the challah up over your head when we said that prayer. You lit the candles yourself (just in time!). Then Beryl invited you to choose which table you wanted to sit at and to lead us. Of course you chose the center table. Your friends were excited to come sit with you and us -- your table filled quickly. We all had challah and grape juice and good conversation. Then it was time for me and Daddy to read the book you and we had chosen, "Miss Nelson is Missing". Daddy and I read it together -- I did the narration, he did the voices and then you helped at the end by saying "P.S" then I said, "Detective McSmogg is working on a new case" and you read the final sentence, "He is now looking for Miss Viola Swamp." The class was very attentive and I think we chose a great book. After reading, it was time for us to leave and Daddy and I went and had a coffee together and then both picked up up after school. You and I went to Fiorello's for a special lunch. We chose that restaurant because it was right near Lincoln Center where Daddy was working so we all took a taxi together. After lunch we went up to Michael's and bought a lot of supplies with which to make Valentines and then we went home and worked on them. We decorated the little hallway outside our door. John and Amy who live next door even let us put some up on their door.
Speaking of John and Amy -- one of your new favorite things to do is to visit their apartment and play with their 19 month old twins, Violet and Delilah. You love to go their by yourself. We leave the door open and you travel freely between the two apartments. There is definitely mutual love between you guys. When it is time for you to come home, one of them -- Delilah, I think, cries hysterically.
You are a total delight in every way. You say so many adorable things but you are also getting really grown up. You've been thinking and talking a lot about heaven. When we tell you something that you aren't sure is true you will ask us, "Really? Really? In true life, really?" You are thinking a lot about what is real and what is not and asking questions distinguishing, for example, the actors in a movie from their characters. The other day you were asking about how Cinderella's mother gets into the tree in "Into the Woods" and I explained that it was really just her spirit because she died and was buried near there. This went on for some time before you clarified, "NO! I mean how does her mother get IN the tree???" and I realized you wanted to know how the actress physically got in there and so I told you that there was a hole in the back and explained what scrim was. Also, when Little Red Riding Hood told the baker that she would have her grandmother make a new cape out of the wolf's fur, you turned to me and said, "That's not true. Really the costume designer is going to make it."
You were a super fun sledding partner. You made terrific snow angels.
You rocked a super cool pair of snow-proof pants.
You have been having a great time taking gymnastics at Chelsea Piers.
You approach everything with enormous enthusiasm. Recently we were at the Mermaid Inn (favorite restaurant) and you asked if you could go and give the guy our coat check tags by yourself. I said you could and you started jumping up and down and saying, "Yay! It is going to be an adventure!" You are still torn between wanting to be ever-more independent and wanting to stay a little girl and you are doing both things really really well. I'm proud of you.
Love,
Mommy
For a kid who doesn't want to grow up, you are pretty enthusiastic about your half birthday. In fact, you have asked for a half birthday party which is curious since you don't even really ever want a birthday party. I mean you even want to invite some outside people. You only asked for this a few days ago so I haven't managed to get it together yet but I think we will (albeit a little bit after the fact).
In the past month, you had two really big days as a Silver Roomer. First, you got to take Silver Bear home for a weekend and what a weekend it was. When I got to school to pick you up on Friday January XX and saw you walk to your cubby holding Silver Bear and his backpack, you had the biggest smile on your face. So cute! All weekend you were very attentive to Silver Bear and made sure that you brought him along to all your activities. On Sunday night Daddy and I stayed up really late (I mean like ridiculously late as though we were helping you with your college essays or something) to write our Silver Bear report in his notebook. Here are some of the highlights:
First up was Stella’s great grandmother, Grandma Roz. Silver Bear enjoyed lunch at the Popover Café. Stella snapped a very artistic photograph of Silver Bear and Grandma.
Stella couldn’t wait to introduce Silver Bear to her baby sister, Vivian. At first, Vivian was a little scared of Silver Bear but she warmed up to him rather quickly.
Silver Bear enjoyed Shabbat dinner. His favorite part was the challah.
After dinner, Silver Bear and Stella had a bath, brushed their teeth and got into their pajamas. Before Mommy read books to Stella, Stella read Brown Bear, Brown Bear to Silver Bear. Then it was time for bed.
On Saturday morning, Silver Bear accompanied Stella and her dad to Chelsea Piers. Silver Bear enjoyed watching Stella in her first gymnastics class. After class, Silver Bear and Stella rode the mini-carousel.
Then Stella, Dad and Silver Bear met up with Mom and Vivian Bear at the Hampton Chutney Co. for lunch.
After lunch, we all went to pick up Stella’s pottery at Make. Silver Bear especially liked Stella’s cupcake magnet.
Later, we all went to Grandma Helaine and Grandpa Paul’s apartment where Silver Bear met Stella’s grandparents, her aunt Sonya and her cousin Clara.
Silver Bear had a great time playing with Clara and Stella and was very happy to hear that they were going to all have a sleepover with Grandma. On Sunday, Grandma decided to take the troupe to see “Pinkalicous”. Silver Bear did not know the story and thought it was funny that a girl could turn pink from eating too many pink things. Bears don’t really like pink food so Silver Bear was relieved that he would never have to worry about pinkititis.
On Sunday night, Silver Bear joined us for a final family dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s before we returned home. Stella brushed her teeth and Silver Bear’s teeth and then the two friends climbed into bed together for the last time. We had a great weekend with Silver Bear and will be sad to see him go but we can’t wait to hear all about his adventures with the other Silver Roomers.
You were really sad to have to give Silver Bear back on Monday morning. You really have a hard time saying goodbye -- to me, to dad, to friends at the end of a playdate and, well, the brown stuffed teddy bear was no exception.
The weekend we had Silver Bear, Daddy and I brought your mattress into our room and you slept on our floor so that we could move Vivian from the bassinet in our room which she was outgrowing into her crib. At first you did not want to do this but when we told you that soon you and your sister would be sharing a room, you were totally excited and willing. And in the end, I think you enjoyed camping on our floor.
The other really fabulous day was on February 13 -- your turn to be the Shabbat Child. Daddy and I arrived a little early and looked in the window of the Silver Room. You were on the front rug doing quiet reading and you saw us in the window. You started kicking your legs and had the biggest smile ever. You were so so so so so excited and so were we. Soon the door opened and we were invited in to join you on the rug. When we sat next to you, many of your friends came crowding around and Beryl had to remind them to give you some space, not to crowd the Shabbat Child. You continued to read your book and when you finished, Samantha, one of your friends, asked if you wanted to trade books which you did. Then Beryl said, "If you're the Shabbat Child you can put your book away" and you got up and put your book on the shelf. She continued to have the rest of the class put their books away in a similar fashion: "If you painted with me today, you can put your book away", etc. Then everyone sang all the shabbat songs -- Friday is a special day, shabbat to Stella K, shabbat to Millie, shabbat to Carolyn, Shabbat to David, etc. etc. Then you led us to the candles and we said all the prayers. You knew just what to do. You handed us the wine when it was time to drink. You held the challah up over your head when we said that prayer. You lit the candles yourself (just in time!). Then Beryl invited you to choose which table you wanted to sit at and to lead us. Of course you chose the center table. Your friends were excited to come sit with you and us -- your table filled quickly. We all had challah and grape juice and good conversation. Then it was time for me and Daddy to read the book you and we had chosen, "Miss Nelson is Missing". Daddy and I read it together -- I did the narration, he did the voices and then you helped at the end by saying "P.S" then I said, "Detective McSmogg is working on a new case" and you read the final sentence, "He is now looking for Miss Viola Swamp." The class was very attentive and I think we chose a great book. After reading, it was time for us to leave and Daddy and I went and had a coffee together and then both picked up up after school. You and I went to Fiorello's for a special lunch. We chose that restaurant because it was right near Lincoln Center where Daddy was working so we all took a taxi together. After lunch we went up to Michael's and bought a lot of supplies with which to make Valentines and then we went home and worked on them. We decorated the little hallway outside our door. John and Amy who live next door even let us put some up on their door.
Speaking of John and Amy -- one of your new favorite things to do is to visit their apartment and play with their 19 month old twins, Violet and Delilah. You love to go their by yourself. We leave the door open and you travel freely between the two apartments. There is definitely mutual love between you guys. When it is time for you to come home, one of them -- Delilah, I think, cries hysterically.
You are a total delight in every way. You say so many adorable things but you are also getting really grown up. You've been thinking and talking a lot about heaven. When we tell you something that you aren't sure is true you will ask us, "Really? Really? In true life, really?" You are thinking a lot about what is real and what is not and asking questions distinguishing, for example, the actors in a movie from their characters. The other day you were asking about how Cinderella's mother gets into the tree in "Into the Woods" and I explained that it was really just her spirit because she died and was buried near there. This went on for some time before you clarified, "NO! I mean how does her mother get IN the tree???" and I realized you wanted to know how the actress physically got in there and so I told you that there was a hole in the back and explained what scrim was. Also, when Little Red Riding Hood told the baker that she would have her grandmother make a new cape out of the wolf's fur, you turned to me and said, "That's not true. Really the costume designer is going to make it."
You were a super fun sledding partner. You made terrific snow angels.
You rocked a super cool pair of snow-proof pants.
You have been having a great time taking gymnastics at Chelsea Piers.
You approach everything with enormous enthusiasm. Recently we were at the Mermaid Inn (favorite restaurant) and you asked if you could go and give the guy our coat check tags by yourself. I said you could and you started jumping up and down and saying, "Yay! It is going to be an adventure!" You are still torn between wanting to be ever-more independent and wanting to stay a little girl and you are doing both things really really well. I'm proud of you.
Love,
Mommy
posted by Carolyn at 2/27/2010 10:07:00 AM
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