Last night, we did our grocery shopping as a family because Wegmans is like a night out, right?!!? 😉 Oh how different our lives are from ten years ago when my husband and I started dating while living in New York City!
Anyway, we did the food shopping on Saturday night for two reasons:
- My husband is working this weekend, which means he cannot take Isabelle out for breakfast and to the grocery store on Sunday like he usually does.
- Our community’s Purim Carnival was scheduled for today.
With all the snow we’ve had this winter, I’ve ceased telling Isabelle what we’re doing the next day if snow is in the forecast since our plans have changed one time too many this winter. She didn’t know we were planning to go to the Purim Carnival. I’m thankful I didn’t tell her because I woke up to SNOW. Again.
The Purim Carnival went on without us. (I’m not sure how big it was, but a friend posted a photo of her and her daughter there on Facebook.) Instead, we stayed home in our pajamas while my husband went to work. We had a leisurely breakfast and snuggled in front of the fireplace. I even let her watch a couple of episodes of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.” However, I wasn’t as available as I typically am when I’m home with Isabelle because today is the first day of the Slice of Life Story Challenge. I spent a lot of time moderating comments, answering questions, and sending e-mails regarding some issues a few people were having. And while I didn’t mind the extra computer time, Isabelle did. After hanging out in my office with me for a bit, she decided enough was enough. Isabelle went to work in her office (i.e., her playroom) at her desk (i.e., her craft table) too. But five minutes into her office work, she called for me.
“Mommy!”
“Yes?” I walked from my office to her play room.
“Why don’t I have a door on my office?” she asked.
“Because you don’t,” I replied. (Yeah, I couldn’t come up with anything other than it’s a play room, which I didn’t think would help the situation.)
“I want a door,” she said.
“Unfortunately, I can’t put a door on this room. Would it make you feel better if I left the door to my office opened while we both worked?”
“Yes,” she replied. “You leave now.”
I stuck out my lower lip. “Is there another way you can say that? The words you used kind of hurt my feelings.”
“May you leave–” she paused. She knew that wasn’t right. “Can you leave me alone?” She stopped again. “Can you leave please?”
I figured I should take it and not be a nit-picker for perfect speech. So I headed back to my office.
“Sure. I will let you do your work. Thank you for using nicer words.”
* * * * *
A special thank you to Betsy, Dana, and Julieanne who helped me a tremendous amount today. Also, a big thank you to my husband who took over for me when he came home from work so I could head back to the computer with less guilt. Without the four of these folks, Isabelle would’ve been really mad at me today.
Raising Literate Humans 
Nice kick off Slice. Seems to me that Isabell is making great language strides😄
HAHA “May you leave -” I’m laughing because I use the same tactic with my daughter. When she is using a tone of voice I don’t appreciate, or rather than I don’t think a daughter should use when speaking to her mother (or anyone!) I tell her that her words are hurting my feelings and ask her who she could say it in a nicer way. Usually, responds by saying, “It’s OK, Mommy. I still love you!” I love 4 years old so far. 🙂
I love so many things about your slice- the reality of it.. the day to dayness- finding something ordinary to write about, the simplicity of Isabelle’s moments ( I know they don’t seem simple, but I promise you they are.) But what I love most is how much she is conversing. Wow!
Me too, Lisa! Intensive speech therapy and home practice is really paying off. When I think of where she was a year ago…
She still has issues with getting her words out properly (which can range from stuttering and disfluency since her mouth can’t keep up with her brain), but she’s come so far!
Yes- but for those of us who have never met her and just read about her in your posts, the gains seem huge and oh so exciting!
What a wonderful teachable moment for your daughter as you build her character. When my children were little I loved having snow days so we could spend the day together.
Stacey,
Isabelle is speaking so clearly. I remember when her words were only a few. It has been years since I read your stories.
I have missed you.
xo
Pamela
We are so thankful for her growth. As I mentioned (above), she still has a long way to go until her talking is confident and clear to others, but I can understand her so much better now. All of the home practice and time spent in speech therapy is surely paying off.
Glad you’re joining us again this year, Pamela!
Love how she searched for the right words to say! Honestly, I don’t know how you made it through day one of slicing with a child around…I spent too too too much time reading posts yesterday! [Thank goodness Day 1 was a weekend day.] This line stood out: “I’ve ceased telling Isabelle what we’re doing the next day if snow is in the forecast” – our crazy snow winter has had the same effect on me in my classroom with preschoolers. I don’t dare say, “Tomorrow, we will…”
Thanks for the time you are putting into this work, Stacey. It makes a difference for many! I love that your daughter calls her play room “her office”. And isn’t Wegmans a lovely thing. I live in Rochester, the home of Wegmans.
Thanks for ALL of your hard work getting Slice off the ground yesterday. I couldn’t believe it when I checked last night and saw that over three hundred people had posted! HOLY COW! And I love watching your sweet girl grow up! So amazing to see people’s children change from year to year!
I can’t imagine how much time you put in to make sure all of this runs smoothly. I think that we should all have a special prize for Isabelle who shares you! (Maybe a door????)
Your response to your daughter’s tone was one of the biggest pieces of advice I give to parents. My catch phrase, even to my 13,18 and 15 year old is, “Can you try that again?” They never get to old for this lesson. Since I keep my students for first and second grade we get very comfortable with each other. This tends to be a phrase I use quite often the second year. But, now that you mention it, I think I am going to put it in my newsletter today!
a) she has a writing/creating desk–awesome
b) it is much neater than any writing/creating desk I’ve ever had–awesome
c) it looks like she prefers the very trendy standing desk–awesome
d) and I like that she keeps a friendly book nearby (Polar Bears)
My writing/creating space is lame compared to hers–and I don’t have a door either!
Her words are coming to her more readily. She shared many different versions of her request (demand) to share what was on her mind. Hope you get a little more together time today!
They are, Aileen! Thanks for always being so supportive and asking how she’s doing. Progress feels good!
She’s at preschool today. I’m picking her up early for a medical appointment. So not exactly the time she’d probably like to have with me, but at least shots aren’t in the cards for her today. 🙂
Isabelle did a nice job rephrasing what she wanted. I have some kids in my class who could use a lesson from her. Thank you for giving up your personal time for moderating, especially these first few days. I know that I consider my time at home sacred and I am loathe to give them up.
I try not to sit on my computer or iPhone when she’s around. However, I know a few days of this won’t do her any long-term harm. Perhaps she’ll become a Slicer in a few years!
Another great Isabelle story. I love how she is using words and thinking of different ways to say what she wants. great progress.
We love to go to Wegman’s when we visit our daughter and husband. There’s nothing like it where we live. Love how you and Isabelle settled in for a pajama day. Please tell Isabelle how grateful we are that she worked in her office while you worked in yours. We’re off to a grand beginning, but I know there are many folks putting in hours to make it happen. Thank you!
I wish my desk was as neat as Isabelle’s! Thank you for all the time you put in to making this Challenge possible!