A good student

Yesterday was the holiday party for the center where both girls take taekwondo. There were awards given out and food. I wasn't planning on going, because honestly, rooms full of people I don't know make me crazy. However, I got a heads up that Hannah was going to get one of the awards, and I figured she deserved some spotlight. Sure enough, Hannah got a rather large trophy for Student of the Year. I was told she was their obvious first choice. She is very proud of herself, and we of course are proud of her too!  Norah is a little sad that she didn't get a trophy also, but I think she'll get over it. Of course, there's always next year.

Much Better

Norah's visit with the pediatrician went well. She agreed with me that it didn't seem broken and said she thought it was a serious skin irritation. Hydrocortisone twice a day and a generous layer of aquaphor at night and her toe looks MUCH better than it was. Not enough to stop using it at the moment, but even she seems to feel better about it.

We are gearing up for Christmas here, with a load of gifts under the tree already, everyone is looking forward to the big day. We're deciding on a menu for all of the 3 gatherings being hosted here, and I'm hopeful we can have a fun, peaceful time at all of them!

Questionable Injury

Sunday evening I noticed one of Norah's toes was all swollen and red/purple. She didn't say she had hurt it, and while it looked bad, it didn't seem to bother her much. She walks normal, and basically doesn't complain about it at all unless she can see it. I figured give it a few days and regroup. Last night they had taekwondo, and it still looked bad. So today I'm taking her to the pediatrician to have it looked at. It always looks VERY bad at night, but by morning it just looks like a red bump and hardly swollen at all. I don't know if it's related to her shoes, or how she walks, or the fact that her toes point inward toward her big toe. I guess we'll find out today.

Ho Ho Ho

When I was pregnant with Hannah we decided that we would not do Santa. We would make sure that our kid(s) knew that we chose and purchased the gifts they received and glory and disappointment would be distributed accordingly. I never once told either of these girls that there was no Santa, because I didn't want my kids to be *those* kids. So we simply told them that Santa needs help, and that since he doesn't come to our house, we buy the gifts. It has totally worked fine up until this year. This year when Hannah would normally be right on the edge of when it's socially acceptable to still believe in Santa. When she might be questioning things. This year they ask to go see Santa at the mall. Since the line was short, I indulged them. They climbed up on Santa's lap and told him exactly what they wanted. Dreamlights and The Lorax topped the list, which is funny because I knew that and they are getting both. So I wonder what prompted this. They have seen the wrapping paper I bought for them, so when Hannah rips the paper off The Lorax joyously, there will be no question who wanted her to have it. Yet she trusted us so little to get something she would enjoy, she asked a disturbing old man she's never met who plays with elves.

 

Surprise!

Last Monday at Taekwondo, Norah got her final tape that meant she was ready for testing. Then they were closed until this week. We normally go on Wednesday, so we headed over last night for their regular 6:30 class.  The instructor informed me that he was testing other kids, and since Norah was ready, did I want to test her too? Sure, why not. I just happened to have enough cash to pay the testing fee, and so it was. She was thrilled, and is now the proud owner of a green belt. The test was shorter than some of the others, since it took place during normal class time, but she wowed everyone still. We're so proud of her, she's the smartest four year old I know.

After Green....

Comes Blue :)  Hannah is testing for a new belt at Taekwondo tomorrow night. She's excited, and she definitely knows her stuff. It's been a couple months since the last test, and I think she knows what they want her to more solidly than she did last time. I'm looking forward to a longer break between belts coming from her.  In the last six months she has breezed through white, yellow, orange, and green.

Norah isn't quite ready to be tested. She's finding the increased requirements for the orange belt more difficult, either because she is four, or because she is also difficult. She is getting there though, so I am sure it won't be too long before she's also ready for a new belt.

Score!

At the very end of the first half of the last soccer game of the year, Hannah scored her very first goal. Ever since last year I've been telling her that everytime she scores a goal I'll buy her a donut. I've never had to make good on that bargain, but yesterday we stopped at Dunkin twice.  Once on the way for warm drinks to keep mommies and cousins warm while we cheer, and once on the way home to fill her wish for a chocolate frosted donut. She is so SO thrilled to have scored, and it just so happened that she scored the only goal for the whole game, making it a tie at 1-1 instead of a loss. She is hoping to be able to do some indoor soccer over the winter, and then spring soccer next year.