Colonial Times

Clara must think that it's time for another trip down to Williamsburg. "Colonial" things have been popping up all week. First, she finally got to do one of the activities from her Colonial Kids book. For anyone interested... it's "Colonial Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in the New World" by Laurie Carlson. She and Jason worked together to create some candied grapefruit peel (p. 46). She had been wanting to try grapefruit (I think the name garners attention... a citrus that tastes like grapes?). Jason bought one grapefruit to serve two purposes: she gets to taste it and she can use the peels for a project. Well, I think it probably goes without saying that she didn't like the taste at all... although I must give her credit... she ate the whole segment without complaint, just politely refusing any offers for more. The project couldn't be done in one night, so they did just a little bit each night and finished it on Saturday morning. He didn't want to complete any steps without her involvement, which was nice (and she had her hand in every step... even watching and measuring to ensure that each strip of peel measured exactly one pencil width wide). They turned out really yummy (although Lucas did not like them one bit). Here is what the finished candied peels look like (they kind of look like french fries).

And second, Clara is determined that for her birthday party, she is going to wear her colonial dress. She calls herself the "colonial queen". The funny (not-so-funny) thing is that with her input, we have decided on a fairy theme for her party this year. Why doesn't she want to dress up like a fairy? Well, I guess it doesn't matter in the end... as long as she's happy and her party is fun. Below is a picture of Clara in the colonial dress that we bought off craigslist (it's quite big). What she doesn't know is that Jason's mom is making her a brand new colonial dress as a birthday surprise... shhh! It's a secret!!

In other, less colonial-related news... Lucas is reading better and better each day. On Saturday, at the dance studio, I brought some books to occupy him while Clara was in class. He read Hop on Pop, In A People House and part of One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by himself (with very minimal help on a handful of words). He is funny when he reads, though... if he comes upon a word with a silent E at the end, he'll say the word then look at you and announce "you don't pronounce the E at the end"... it is too cute!

Eli has begun the ritualistic grabbing/fighting with Lucas. It's hard to remember back, but I'm pretty sure Lucas didn't start that until much later. A minor milestone occurred this weekend when we took the tray off of Eli's high chair and moved the high chair so that it sits at the table like a regular chair. Well, Eli's position at the table is right next to Lucas... so it's constant. Eli tries to take Lucas' placemat, Lucas' milk, Lucas' utensils, and even Lucas' plate. I'd move him to the other side of the table if I thought that would help, but then he'd be next to Clara and we'd have the same issues (except a lot more spilled milk). No... I just think this is something that will work itself out (maybe after the novelty of having Lucas' things so close wears off). I mean, if I eventually plan to have them share a bedroom... isn't this just one of those hurdles we must clear?