Life with a 2 year old

We are in the thick of it-- those "Terrible Twos". Admittedly it could be worse (shudder) but it's a bit trying for everyone... including Millie.

Today I felt a little bad for her after she was being particularly difficult:

Millie: I don't want to wear a hat.
Mommy: Fine then you may be cold.
Millie: I don't want to be cold!
Mommy: Fine then wear a hat.
Millie: I don't WANT to wear a hat!

After her cold walk to the car with no hat on she said pathetically, "I want to be gooood."

It's like they don't know what to do with themselves. It made me think that sometimes she actually wants to cooperate but all the signals are getting jangled in her brain and she can't get the right choice to come out. I know parents have been through this through the millenia, but just like getting used to your newborn, it feels like we're all trying to figure it out a bit from scratch.

Parent Teacher Conference

So many little gems have passed that I don't know where to begin. So I'll just have to start with today.

Today was parent teacher conference at preschool. We lucked out again this year with great teachers in her current room- Miss Geraldine and Miss Sabiha.

The most memorable points were that the teacher says she continues to be astounded by Millie's language (maybe she'll be a writer?). It is entertaining to hear the things she says. Yesterday, as she was trying to think of what she wanted for dinner she tilted her head and said, "Hmm. What will it be she pondered. Fink fink fink." The teacher said that she loves art and science time. She looooves her books. Books have always been a powerful reward for her-- when we first started preschool she would cry at the drop-off... unless the teacher approached with a book. Then she was happy to leave our arms and settle into the teacher's lap for a story.

We did ask about.. eh hem... behavior issues. The teacher said that she really is a pleasure but at circle time she has a hard time sitting still. Unless a story is being read, she likes to hop up and listen with one ear while she checks out something new. Not hard to imagine as I did hear her daddy say to her just the other day, "You know, you don't have to be moving *all* the time." So we're going to try to work on that.

Interestingly, she said she uses the potty well at school without any fuss or having to be asked. It seems to be one of those mysterious things that happens at school that then seems to vanish at our front step... like eating cherry tomatoes or blueberries. Really- she did that? she ate that? After those reports I would rush to the grocery store and purchase said fruits or underpants only to have it hurled across the room with a cute but mocking giggle.

It's not easy dropping your kid off with strangers for a day. She loves it there though. She runs into the classroom most mornings. We debated all types of daycare when she was first born but in the end, if you can find a great preschool- you and your child are really blessed.