mommapalooza

a girl and her girly dog

Haven't had much to post lately, so here's a photo of Madeline's cross-dressing stuffed doggy. At least, the doggy looks kind of boy-ish to me. Madeline obviously thought that a Cinderella dress was the best fashion choice for her Build-a-Bear* creation. Her gift, her choice. C'est la vie.

My girl has been home these past few mornings, instead of going to preschool. She has a bug of some variety. Something viral. The pediatrician at the hospital didn't think that she had malaria or dengue fever or anything like that. Just the kind of illness that makes the rounds at schools and childcare centres. I naively thought that she's miss maybe one day of school, and then bounce back the next day. We're on Day Three here, and my fingers are crossed for no fever, no puke, and no other lingering symptoms. I'm sad that she's missing out on seeing her friends!

* I was really surprised to find a Build-a-Bear at the Central Chidlom shopping centre here in Bangkok! Turns out there are no less than three locations, with two more opening in the next two months ... Who woulda thunk?

the shaggy dog goes to school

This is a small sample of Madelines' hair clip collection. Her stash contains cheap plastic and metal clips, and then a few pricey handmade clips. She couldn't really care less about their credentials. A hair clip is a hair clip and not anything that she wants to keep in her hair for more than twenty minutes.

Each morning, I ask her if she'd like to wear one of these, or one of their friends, in her hair. No, she says, so she goes to school with a shaggy fringe that nearly tickles her nose. Growing out bangs is ever elegant, I guess. I wonder what her teacher thinks?

Speaking of teachers and school, Madeline's gone for ten mornings now. I've gotten used to the idea that I just won't know much about how she spends those four hours of each weekday, until Madeline warms up to the idea of sharing. Usually she tells me what she was served for a snack, but the other details remain a mystery. I know that she has art class, music class, creative movement, etc., but she's not talking. Chris and I really look forward to the bi-weekly newsletter.

One of my friends asked me if I cried on Madeline's first day of preschool. I didn't; instead I was grinning broadly. Chris and I were so excited and thrilled that our little girl was going to have some playmates her own age after a four-month drought.

must be one-eighth mermaid

I don't have to ask Madeline what she likes the best about her new home - I'm pretty certain that she's say the (gasp! in-ground and unfenced) swimming pool.

Madeline hadn't logged many hours in water, aside from baths, prior to moving here. We had access to a beautiful indoor pool while we were hanging out with her nana in Sherwood Park before flying to BKK, and it took a lot of convincing to get M into that pool. And it was full of enticing pool toys, too! Here, all anxiety is gone.

I think that when I think that Madeline is playing quietly in her bedroom, she's really plotting her next aquatic escapade, and she seems to prefer ones that cause my heart to skip a beat. I just recently got used to her preference to practice jumping in the pool in the deep end (thank goodness she wants me to hold her hand!). And seeing her big grin when she stands on the second lowest step into the deep end, her chin barely above the water line. Yesterday she wanted to show off another trick - attempting to doggie paddle on her own, all the while urging me to increase the distance between us. Arm-length was a far as I was comfortable with! Crazy kid!

First Day

  Madeline @ ELC 
  Originally uploaded by goingdomestic.

Today is Madeline's first day of preschool, and the three of us arrived at eight o'clock. Madeline was a little shy with the director and her teacher, but she was excited to see the other kids, and even more excited to admire their respective backpacks (Nemo! A turtle! A ladybug!). Her teacher gave her a quick tour of their classroom space, and showed Madeline her cubby. She has a great spot, right on the end, waist-high (Madeline's waist, that is). Her teacher started the day with circle time on a carpet, and Chris and I ducked out when we heard Madeline's little voice answering a few questions. I don't have to pick her up  until noon, and hopefully she's having fun ...