Homework

For a 4-year old, Elise talks about homework a lot, and I'm pretty sure she learned about the concept from her daycare teacher's daughter who comes home every afternoon to do her homework.  Last night, Elise comes to me and says, "Can you teach me how to do homework?  I want to reading, spelling, and math". 

Drawing

Elise LOVES to draw.  Today she said, "You know what Mama?  I like coloring better than watching shows now."  This is HUGE news.  :)

4 year old interview

1. What is something I always say to you?
I love you

2. What makes me happy?
When I'm a good listener.

3. What makes me sad?
When I don't be a good listener.

4. How do I make you laugh?
When you say funny stuff.

5. What was I like as a child?
A kid who played.

6. How old am I?
26

7. How tall am I?
medium

8. What is my favorite thing to do?
Spend time with the family

9. What do I do when you're not around?
That's a hard question. I can't answer it.  (deep, kid, deep)

10. What am I really good at?
Cleaning.

11. What am I not really good at?
Doing the laundry

12. What do I do for a job?
Get money.

13. What is my favorite food?
Salad

14. What do you enjoy doing with me?
Making some valentines cards and playing with my wonderful toys and snuggling with my pretty animals.

(Elise said she needed to ask me questions)

Why do I like to play with you?
Because you love me.
BEEP! Wrong answer!
Because we have fun together
DING! Right answer!

Why do I not like to sleep?
Because you just want to play all the time.
DING! Right answer!

Perfectionist

Elise had a mini-meltdown today because when she asked me if she was perfect, I said, "no".  She was crying, "But I am perfect...  I'm perfect..." and I kept explaining to her that while she was a very good girl, that nobody was perfect and that everybody makes mistakes.  This really bothered her and she continued to ask me why I didn't think she was perfect.

Oh boy!

Zila, our first pet

Elise's teacher bought elise a small acquarium and a gift card to Petco so that we could buy a fish. Elise loves all of the animals at school and so she was super psyched for our first pet. We bought "Zila" on Monday and she lived a short 2 days. And yes, I was freaking out the whole time. 

Anyway, the reason why I'm posting is because tonight, Elise asked what homeless people so when it rains (we are in the middle of El Niño).  In this conversation, I explained to her that when people don't have homes or food, that we should think about giving them homes or food. And then she immediately said, "Ms. Courtney cared for us because we didn't have any animals and so she bought us a pet".  

Spilt Milk

Elise loves pouring milk into one of the tiny measuring cups but sometimes it will spill.  Just now, Elise kept asking Bry if she could pour the milk into the tiny cup, and he repeatedly said no.  She pleaded and begged for about 3 minutes, promising that she wouldn't spill.  Finally I came in and told Bryant that I actually let her do it a lot but that I do it with her.  So Bryant said that she could do it as long as she cleaned it up if she spilled, to which Elise responds, "I won't spill, Dada!!"  After Elise poured it (Bry and I were in different rooms), we heard her feet running to her bathroom and then I saw her carrying her step stool.  I asked her what happened, and she had this totally guilty look on her face, with her head cocked to the side and said, "I just spilled a little tiny bit.  I already wiped it with a wipe and now I have to get a paper towel to dry it".  I asked her, "Did you spill a lot?"  And she said, "No, just a little.  A little much.  A little a lot."

Christmas Surprise

Elise has been working on art project that involves ribbon, glitter, and other crafty things.  While she was making it, she looks up at me and says, "This is for Esther Eemoh" but says it in a really funny way and is about to burst into laughter.  The rest of the conversation:

Elise: (walks up to me): Actually, it's not for Esther eemoh
Me: Oh really?
Elise: (whispers) It's for someone else.
Me: OK
Elise: It's for someone really special who lives in this house.
Me: Is it for daddy?
Elise: No.
Me: Is it for me?
Elise:  NOOOO!!!!  (almost crying) It was supposed to be a surprise!  Why did you say that??  You're not supposed to guess!!  (falls to the ground rolling around)  You're not supposed to guuuueeeessss.....  Nooooooo....  I don't like you anymore....