Veggie Tales

This week, Beth learnt to peel potatoes and carrots under supervision.

It makes me nervous to have her so near knives and such, but she has to learn to deal with reality, and I have to learn to let go.

The other day, she stunned CA when out of nowhere, she started telling him, "If Mummy dies while cooking, I will turn off the stove and dial 000."

This came about because we'd had a conversation about how dangerous gas stoves can be if left unattended, and what she should do if Mummy suddenly faints or has a fit or some other medical emergency in the midst of cooking.

Except my medical emergency was escalated - in her fervent imagination - to the worst kind. :p

Speaking of death, Beth continues to surprise us with her choice of reading material.

Sometime back, I wrote about being upset by all the Death-and-Dying books she borrowed and then made me read to her.

She's been at it again. One recent book was on the title character losing his big brother in a car accident and how that affected the family. Another was about Grandpa being struck with an incurable illness.

I suppose it's a good thing that she's emotionally ready to deal with life and death.

At least we're not skirting around the topic as nothing's taboo in our house.

Baby Meets Dog

Lately, J has become aware that there is one other member of the family. Someone who's usually out in the yard: our furry, salt-and-pepper mini schnauzer Scottie.

Scottie has now become part of J's daily routine.

If she's sitting on her high chair and I say, "Where's Scottie?", she looks out into the yard.

One of her favourite things to do is to make contact with S by crawling to the sliding door that separates our living area from the yard. She taps on the glass and goes "Eh! Eh!" at S.

Just as S watched keenly over Beth when she was little, he's now doing the same for J.

Cold Days Are Good!

Spring shouldn't be this chilly, but if J sleeps as much as she did today, I'm not complaining.

2 hours in the morning, 3 hours after lunch. It doesn't get better than this.

I'm even feeling engorged, which is rare these days.

The cold always brings out the best in J It induces her to settle down for a sleep, and stay asleep for hours.

Should I check on her?

But if I open the door, she's bound to wake up and ask to be carried.

Maybe she's already awake and playing quietly by herself?

Think I'll stay in this zone of denial for a bit more.

Till after I've had my Owl Brand Teh Tarik anyway.

English Made Easy

15 minutes before ABC Kids was to start, Beth plonked down 2 books in front of me.

"Mummy, can we do this?"

I stared vaguely at the titles. English Spelling Made Easy and English Handwriting Made Easy by Dorling Kindersley.

Horrors! We'd borrowed it from the library 2 weeks ago and I'd yet to get round to teaching Beth.

Arranging muddled-up alphabets was easy.

So too was arranging animals in order - with help.

Beth got the consonants, but teaching her vowels was something else. Will probably have to drill the a-e-i-o-u into her till she memorizes it.

12 minutes after 3, I announced the time and Beth was happy to head to the lounge for her daily dose of Bottletop Bill and his best friend Corkie, Peppa Pig and Play School.

What a relief. :p