Kindergarten has been a tough adjustment for Anne. She loved Kindergarten the first day, but that was a half day. When I picked her up after the first full day, her eyes filled with tears and she said, "I just miss you too much." We assumed this would pass, but halfway through her third week of school the tantrums began. She began climbing to the back of the minivan and hiding where I couldn't reach her. When I managed to get a hold of her, she screamed, kicked and screamed some more. Twice I was at school for around two hours before the staff could successfully separate her from me. The second time, she later informed me, "You ditched me."
Anne's outbursts have impacted her sisters as well. Meg is mortified when her friends see Anne throwing a temper tantrum. Clare never lets anyone cry alone, so when Anne cries, she cries too.
Emotionally, we are all exhausted. We have found comfort in making our time at home incredibly cozy. After a particularly tough day, Anne and I cuddled on my bed and watched The World of Peter Rabbit. If you aren't familiar with this fantastic 1990s BBC production of many of the most-loved Beatrix Potter stories, you must watch it immediately. Each story begins with a scene of Beatrix Potter at Hill Top Farm painting and eventually finding her way back home in the rain to write a letter. Beatrix Potter's stories began as illustrated letters to children she knew.
Everything about this series is relaxing. The music at the beginning is beautiful. Children often mention the sound of the paint brushes hitting the glass water jar at the very beginning of the scene as if it were almost mesmerizing. The animation itself is strongly reminiscent of Beatrix's Potter's artwork--much more so than more recent adaptions.
As Anne and I watched, Clare heard the music from the bathroom as she finished a shower and yelled, "Is that Peter Rabbit I hear?" As quickly as she could, she joined us. We were all so happy snuggling and watching this family favorite, I was inspired to to wake up the next morning to bake scones and make chamomile and lavender tea for the girls. Clare later told me she had the best day at school because her morning started out so nicely.
Anne's outbursts have impacted her sisters as well. Meg is mortified when her friends see Anne throwing a temper tantrum. Clare never lets anyone cry alone, so when Anne cries, she cries too.
Emotionally, we are all exhausted. We have found comfort in making our time at home incredibly cozy. After a particularly tough day, Anne and I cuddled on my bed and watched The World of Peter Rabbit. If you aren't familiar with this fantastic 1990s BBC production of many of the most-loved Beatrix Potter stories, you must watch it immediately. Each story begins with a scene of Beatrix Potter at Hill Top Farm painting and eventually finding her way back home in the rain to write a letter. Beatrix Potter's stories began as illustrated letters to children she knew.
Everything about this series is relaxing. The music at the beginning is beautiful. Children often mention the sound of the paint brushes hitting the glass water jar at the very beginning of the scene as if it were almost mesmerizing. The animation itself is strongly reminiscent of Beatrix's Potter's artwork--much more so than more recent adaptions.
As Anne and I watched, Clare heard the music from the bathroom as she finished a shower and yelled, "Is that Peter Rabbit I hear?" As quickly as she could, she joined us. We were all so happy snuggling and watching this family favorite, I was inspired to to wake up the next morning to bake scones and make chamomile and lavender tea for the girls. Clare later told me she had the best day at school because her morning started out so nicely.
Since then, I have made a pot of tea each morning and tried to have something special to offer for breakfast. Luckily, Trader Joe's has stocked their fall pumpkin items, so a special breakfast can be as easy as popping pumpkin waffles in the toaster. Pumpkin products from Trader Joe's has been a comfort food for us for many years.
When the girls are at school and I am still reeling from an emotional drop off, I have found comfort in rereading the light mystery series The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. These books ground me in a sense of home and comfort so that I can hopefully offer the same to my children.
When the girls are at school and I am still reeling from an emotional drop off, I have found comfort in rereading the light mystery series The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. These books ground me in a sense of home and comfort so that I can hopefully offer the same to my children.
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