Big Day!

Today was a very big day.
Vivian said Mama for the first time.
Apparently while this mama was still asleep, Stella and Daddy were feeding her O's and she said "mah mah mah".
They asked, "More? Or Mama?" to which she distinctly replied "Mama". I, of course, missed this in favor of an extra hour of sleep. But then throughout the day, she kept saying it. Clear as day. After nine months with nary a letter m sound issuing from her little mouth, she finally got it together. She has been saying "dada" for ages so it is about time.


(Given that she is now saying my name, I thought it fitting to include a picture of her in what was my very first dress.)

And not to be outdone by her little sister, Stella learned to ride her bicycle with no training wheels. I missed this one too. I was shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding. David assured me that it would probably take all day to teach Stella to ride although I mentioned that I thought it was going to be very quick and easy. Usually he is right about these things so I figured I wouldn't miss too much. Apparently, she got on the bike, told David to let go and basically rode off.
I did receive a joyous phone call whilst in the dressing room of a little store on the Lower East Side. I did hurry home after purchasing a dress. And I did get to witness the splendor that is a little girl pedaling off experiencing a glimpse of freedom. It was very beautiful to watch.

I like the matching tongues sticking out in these pictures. Sisters indeed.

Silver Room Year End Party

Dear Stella,

Today Daddy and I got to spend about an hour and a half in the Silver Room for the year end party. We were very proud of you and had a wonderful time. Your teachers had written something about each student -- what they will remember -- and Beryl read yours which I think made you very happy. You really have gotten so attached to her. She said some lovely things about you -- that you are a true bar star (your prowess on the monkey bars is apparent to all), that you are so enthusiastic about all the things that happen at school -- even sledding which you did not want to do initially but which you ended up loving. That you have lots of stories to tell about Clara (some apparently not PG) and that you are always the last one out of the classroom -- even if you have been dismissed and gone out, you always want to go back in. When I spoke privately to Robert he told me that you are fantastic, just the kind of kid a teacher really wants to have in his/her classroom, that you attack school and take it all in. Daddy and I already know all of this about you but it was really nice to hear. It is so obvious that your teachers adore you. You really are something special. They know it and so do we.

When we walked into the classroom, all the Silver Roomers were in a circle singing "This Little Light of Mine" with Jody playing the guitar. Your body language was precious, swaying to the music and so happy to have us in your classroom. You sang a lot of songs and then got to show us some things in your classroom. You were really excited for us to see the planet you created in your solar system book -- Planet Rainbow. I was happy to read that you, me, Daddy and Vivian all live there. It looks like a very happy planet with its rainbow colors, rainbow moon and sparkly silver ring. We ate a mini bagel and a cookie and then your class sang "Country Road" which is about the most precious thing you could ever hope to hear.

We are delighted that you have had such an amazing second year of pre-school. You have learned and grown so much and we are feel very privileged to be able to watch you grow up. Just please don't do it too quickly.

We love how proud you are of yourself and we are so proud of you too.
Love,
Mommy