talking, singing, and running (practically)

The last few weeks have seen a huge transformation in how many words Kate says & learns each day. It seems like it takes a much shorter time for her to learn a word (that she's ready to learn) than it used to. Of course, I've tried to teach Please & Thank You, but she must not be ready for those yet.

"What does a cow say?" Moooo
"What does a monkey say?" Oo oo
"What does a dog say?" Wow Wow

Of course, she's having a hard time realizing that not all animals make one of these three sounds. We were reading Goodnight Gorilla and she wanted the giraffe to say wow, wow. I told her that the giraffe didn't say "wow-wow," so she insisted that he must say "mooooo" then. Of this sound she would not be dissuaded.

She says "ni-ni" when we read one of our copious books about nighttime. Listen to this list,"Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Gorilla, I Love You, Good Night." We have more, too, but they aren't the favorites. We also have an inordinate amount of books about cows, too. I guess that children's book authors know a good thing when they see it. Moo Baa La-la-la, Moo Moo-moo Brown Cow, etc. I must tell you all that if you do not already own Goodnight Gorilla you run to the store & buy a copy for your child or children for Valentine's Day! It is the cutest children's book that we own. It's whimsical -- listen to the list of characters: gorilla (of course!), armadillo, hyena, lion, giraffe, mouse, zookeeper & zookeeper's wife. I have two favorite parts of this book. One, there is a page that is completely black & has only two small eyes staring out at you! How great is that! The other is that the mouse & gorilla are friends, and the mouse carries a banana on a string wherever he goes!

We haven't added any new songs lately, but she sure loves to practice them. She can actually listen for her part in the song & then say her word at the appropriate time. Example:

Mama: Old MacDonald Had a Farm (waiting......)
Kate: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai
Mama: O! And the on that farm he had a cow. . .... . . . . . (whispers ee-ai to Kate)
Kate: Eee-Ai--Eee-Ai
Mama: O! With a . . ... (whispers mooo)
Kate: mooo

You get the picture. Another favorite is POP goes the weasel. Of course, she inserts her pop in lots of places that aren't right, but usually gets one it on the right beat.

Mama: Round & Round the (Kate interrupts: Pop) Mulberry Bush, the (Pop!) Monkey chased the weasel. The monkey (pop!) thought twas all in fun (Now, Kate, Now!)
Kate: POP!
Mama: Goes the weasel
Kate: POP!
Mama: Goes the weasel
and REPEAT.

The favorite song of all is Row, Row, Row your Boat. I never knew that I could sing so many permutations of this song. I practically deserve a DJ name like L-mom or something. I'm so hot. I always start out traditionally, but then I just tire of singing the same old thing, so I spice it up. The best person at this little game is Josh. This is usually a night time activity when Kate is soo tired & fussy and just can't wait to get home & get to bed. So we distract her with our awesome rap mixes & we usually arrive at home a-okay. If I had a tape recorder... you'd all get to hear, just so you could laugh until your sides ached.

Also, Kate's confidence in her own walking skills have increased tremendously. Unfortunately, this has meant a sight more bonks, bumps, and bruises. She has handled these with aplomb most of the time. My favorite thing is to see her do a 180 degree turn. She plants one foot & then "spins" almost out of control, but somehow manages to land the other foot on the floor. She then regains her balance & proceeds to toddle in the opposite direction.