The Girl Can't Read--words.

Naomi started Violin lessons over the summer. There's a notion that most public schools don't embrace and that is that when a child is ready for something, they'll do it. A year ago an hour of time spent trying to teach Naomi how to tie her shoes was fruitless and frustrating. Last week I demonstrated it twice and she walked away knowing how to tie her shoes.

Back to violin. Naomi has been taking 'music' lessons for some time, but they were introductory and more about rhythm and getting them comfortable with looking at notes, hearing tones, etc. Now, though we weren't sure until she began, Naomi is ready to play violin. She picked it up, and can even read music after only a few months--it's amazing. I expected to suffer through months, if not years of cat-fight-sounding screeches, but most of what she plays is actually pleasant. Not to say it's all on key, or that she's some sort of prodigy, I am just very pleased with her ability to enjoy it so quickly. The groundwork was laid and now she will be able to progress, not without instruction, but it's coming very naturally to her--like with the shoe-tying.

I'm not embarrassed to say that Naomi can't read. She'll be 7 in a few weeks and though at times it's been difficult not to feel like we're doing something wrong by NOT forcing it, I really feel that we're still in the foundation-laying time. Drew and I both read, we read to her constantly; her vocabulary is huge and her comprehension fantastic. When the time is right we will be ready for her readiness; but now, as always, I remind myself that late readers are often the ones who enjoy reading the most (according to a recent article I read), and what are we trying to prove anyway? I'd rather she know how to be kind, so I'll force that learning on her instead for now...

Weekend Fun.

We have had a traumatizing morning. My ears are literally ringing from all the excitement. Somehow--we cannot figure out the logistics, and it happened in my peripheral sights--Leviah fell, holding a bongo and cut straight through her fingernail. The nail fell off completely and she had to get some stitches.

Anyway, we spent all morning either at the pediatricians or the cosmetic surgeon. These type of events are not good for pregnant women...

Leviah is a trooper and even the doctors were impressed with her composure. I'm a different story, but someone's got to do the crying. She's napping now, so we're just hoping that when the numbness wears off she'll be able to manage the pain alright.

Ugh. But, on an upbeat tone I wanted to share these internet things:

Craftgawker. There is a whole 'gawking universe' and it's amazing to peek through. Anyway, look around when you have a minute--you're sure to find something of interest!

and second, this is the sweet song. Leviah was getting the drum to play along with this one...

{this moment}: Impromptu Jam Session

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. See Soulemama to play along

this was all Naomi's idea ;)

How to make curls with rags: like the Ingalls

For months (since this post), we've been planning to see Little House on the Prairie the musical.

Finally on Saturday night the big day was here. To prep Naomi took a quick bath & before a little nap (which she couldn't get out of on account of the late night ahead) we tie her hair up with rags from an old t-shirt. It was so simple & the curls have lasted until today--reveal: we're not daily bathers.

Here are pictures of the process:

So with wet/damp hair, take 2x2"-ish sections of hair & wind around a 3x1"-ish piece of cotton rag, winding toward the scalp. Tie at the top keeping the hair wrapped around. Repeat until all sections of hair are wound.

Let them dry--sleeping helps kill the time. Ma would do them the night before trips to town or other fancy events:

Untie & unwind & enjoy!

Adorable under a bonnet.

& while cutting your pancake at the Flying Biscuit.

& with our whole group. Aunts, Grandmas & great Grandmas...

(it was a great time. I wouldn't expect to see any mention of this new musical at the Tony's or anything, but fun. & WAY more fun than the stomach bug that greeted us as soon as we got home...ugh.)

little girls just wanna have fun

so, I heard Naomi singing some Cindy Lauper the other day while we perused a local thrift store--this really is the life I've always dreamed of; & while I almost blogged about my pride of her eclectic music repertoire--which includes your choice of any one of a thousand traditional kid riddles, it also consists of family faves like the Decemberists, Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble (her favorite man), Sound of Music, newly added The Princess & the Frog, Sound of Music--did I mention Sound of Music?

:butterfleviah:

BUT, it occurred to me that the clearly charming & adorably mischievous personality of Leviah rarely gets mentioned. Below is a tune that reminds me of her by an artist I just noticed today to be completely delightful--we must download more! (listen to "dream")

so. here are a few things about our little lioness that are really beginning to shine.

1. she gets everything. you say, "go give this to da-da"--she complies

2. she is clever. she plays tricks on us & looks out of the corner of her eye to see if we noticed.

3. she's insane. she climbs, falls, jumps, walks, falls, screams, shouts, tickles, dances, prefers to be upside down, falls...this girl climbs to the top (spotted of course) of our attic ladder with NO assistance & in very slippery footie pjs--might I add.

4. she's sweet. she hugs, kisses, snuggles (temporarily), senses others' pain, welcomes guests.

5. in so many ways I see her dad which is probably why I am much more patient with her sometimes frustratingly strong will than he. But she's a delight to watch grow.

As far as I can tell Naomi is most definitely our pleasantness & Lev is our strong loving lion cub--let me tell you, she can roar!

the hills are alive

a girl's dream came true on Tuesday evening. Her grandmother bought tickets to The Sound of Music in Raleigh & it was fantastic. All dressed up, jeweled, & lady-like, Naomi couldn't sit still, after all she is only 4.5, but she didn't miss a thing. She whispered in the middle of the first song, "can I sing along with them?" to which I said no, & she didn't. She listened--and critiqued!

Mother Abess was stunning, tear-jerkingly awesome.

She stayed awake through the whole thing, even though it started at 8pm & her nap that day left something to be desired. & she sang along with the soundtrack on the way home. The girl knows EVERY word. I didn't even realize how much she knows, but I'm pretty certain she thinks she would have outperformed every actor. "let them bring on all their problems...I'll do better than my best..."

We ran into a Greensboro talent, and the lead for our Birth performance in September last year--Pauleen. She was amazing then, and mentioned that her son is going to be the lead in Batboy. It's always neat to run into people you recognize.

Anyway, Naomi was great. & WHILE WE WERE THERE WE SAW THE MOST EXCITING THING!!! a poster for a show coming in March. I'll let you try to guess. There's only 1 show in the whole world that could be on par with the Sound of Music for Naomi. Comment with your guesses as to what it is.

Clue: We had NO idea it existed--it might be brand new.