November 28, 2007: Where do I start?

It's November now and Christmas is approaching. I knew this year would be even better than last year, but I'm thinking I have no idea. Veronika understands now the concept of future, which has incredible impact on the present. She anticipates things like making the advent wreath or presents or putting up a tree. I can see the thought of some of it is just too much for her to handle. At this age her feelings are still all out in the open and I am riding the waves of excitement with her. It is so exhilarating that I'm not sure I can really bear it all and I'm worried because life gets busy and I could miss something.

Veronika loves to do crafts with me, basically any kinds, cutting or glueing or sewing (there is more watching than actual sewing going on, but still) or baking. I don't know if this is a stage or if it's really a preference of hers. I don't dare to imagine she could end up liking it for real, because that would be too wonderful a thought and I don't want to put pressure on her, even if just unconsciously. But anyway, she is very earnestly participating in picking out decorations and craft supplies.

We were going to make a wreath for the door and still have to make an advent wreath with candles. It took a while to explain the difference, but she wanted to know everything. She also asked why we did this, so I just said it's to get ready for Christmas. Turns out, she really remembered it. When we went to the grocery store the other day, she was completely taken by the lights and decorations. She stood there with her mouth wide open... then she said: "They are getting ready for Christmas! Everyone's getting ready. We just have one thing, but we're getting ready!"

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She is doing great in preschool. Her teacher says she is basically ready for kindergarten. She can write her name and last name and counts to 100 and can do even some basic adding and subtracting. She loves to do art and always comes home with some kind of drawing or card she made. Her drawings are getting more recognizable and it's really fun to see what she thinks of emphasizing (hair/ponytail, face and toes). She adores Ms Kelly, her main teacher and suggested she live with us. ("Maybe when Ms Kelly's bed gets old she can live with us and sleep on the couch?")

The teachers in preschool also tell me how motherly Veronika gets with new and younger kids. She takes them by the hand and tells them what to do and says encouraging things like "Don't cry, your mommy is coming back soon" or "You can do it, just try again!". I've witnessed this once when I came during school hours to take pictures. There is a set of triplets, who are younger and smaller than everyone else. Veronika takes them by the hand and helps them wash their hands etc. "I have to help the babies!" she tells me.

Veronika also did a two-months pre-ballet class this fall, which she enjoyed a lot. She's quite taken with ballerinas lately, but I'm not sure if this has more to do with the outfit than with dance. I will enroll her again at some later date, because the timing didn't really work for us, the class starts when Ivan has to nap.

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In general there is hardly anything toddlerish about Veronika anymore. There are some potty accidents and the occasional crying fit, but overall her demeanor and her speech are kid-like more than anything. She's ready for almost any activity and will love to assist with Ivan whenever she can. She loves the big-sister-role and wants to do everything for him, which most of the time he doesn't appreciate because he is almost two and wants to do things by himself. Veronika has high hopes for the new baby to be far more cooperative. I hope for her sake she doesn't get too disappointed...