Things to do...

I think that I will make a list of things to do with Eowyn... something that I can refer back to when I am drawing a blank...

1. Counting
Normally Eowyn and I practice counting every day. Currently she can count to 10 in English, Spanish and French. She can sometimes get to 13 in English... so working more on counting seems to be something that will be fun =)

2. Letters
Eowyn is getting better and better at identifying her letters. We have a few sets of flash cards that she likes to use (sometimes), but really has to be in the mood. She loves finding letters that she knows when we are out and about... "LOOK! There's an M for MOMMY!!!"

3. Writing
My mother got Eowyn this amazing little Leap Frog toy that has all of the letters (uppercase and lowercase) on it. It has a little writing pad that lights up with dots showing you how to write the letter. Eowyn picked this up very quickly and likes using this toy. I think it might be time to pick up some lined paper to see if she can start duplicating the letters without the aid of the little lights.

4. Talking
Eowyn is not afraid to let you know if she is not happy with you. We have been working on her manners and she is very good at using please, thank you, you're welcome, bless you and excuse me... but her interactions with me make me very sad sometimes. If I raise my voice to her when she has misbehaved, she yells at me and responds with such things as, "no, YOU need a COOL DOWN!" And she gets very embarrassed if she accidentally hurts you and you request an apology. She hides her face or refrains from making eye contact while ignoring the whole apologizing thing completely. I have started taking her in my arms and holding her (like a baby) and explaining that it's okay that accidents happen, but if you make someone sad, you should let them know that you are sorry. I hate to force her to look at me, but holding her this way is the only way that I can get her to focus on the issue at hand and eventually she WILL make eye contact and apologize. I just want for her to be able to interact with me on an appropriate level. I hate having to raise my voice at her and I feel that I am doing it a lot lately... =(

5. Outside Fun/Learning
a. Eowyn showed a great interest in bugs this summer... She would bend over and watch an ant scurry around and seemed to really enjoy putting a few different bugs (spider, ant, centipede) in her bug box to watch them. I love to see that she is so inquisitive about things and need to sit down and think up different fun learning things that we can do... With fall coming up, I think that she would really enjoy going for a walk and picking up leaves and learning what tree the leaves came from.

b. Recently, I purchased a GPSr and Wendy brought Shayne, Eowyn and I out on our first Geocaching trip. We went to a local forest park and found 3 different caches. Involving Eowyn was such a great experience. She enjoys nature and after finding the first cache ('treasure box') she was doubly excited to find the next. She LOVED trading her items for things in the caches and while walking down the trail, kept saying, "Where iiiiiissss it? Where is the treasure?'' It was adorable and a great way to get outside for some fresh air and excercise.

c. I am hoping to get some really good pictures of Eowyn in the fall scenery this year. Though she is shying away from enjoying having her picture taken, I am still able to get some adorable pictures of her. I picked up the most adorable red peacoat for her at Target that I can't wait to have her in. She already looks as cute as a button in it, so I cannot wait to see how wonderful the pictures will be when I am able to get her outside with some beautifully colored leaves as the background.

d. I'm also looking forward to apple picking and the corn maze this year. Last year, Eowyn and I had a great time apple picking, but she was a little too young to do the corn maze. I think she will enjoy it this year!

6. Professional Pictures
Normally, at daycare/school they have a photographer come and take a class picture and a picture of your child. I am looking forward to seeing how her pictures will come out this year =)
Also- Last year, Eowyn and I went and got our pictures done together. I think they came out really well, and eventhough we went to the photo studio at Wal*Mart, I was please with the results (and price). I am debating (more financially) on whether we can afford school pictures, Eowyn's pictures done elsewhere and pictures of us both together.

I suppose... that's all I can think of right now... Feel free to leave comments with any suggestions that you may have =)