Green--Rose got an American Doll scarf making kit for her birthday. She's spent the last few weeks making yarn pom poms and threading them into a person size and doll sized scarf. Maybe she noticed me wandering about with a hat and scarf on. . .in the house, but she gave me the green and maroon scarf. It's not classy, but it's delightfully cozy. Rose made me a present.

Black--David decided he had to wear solid black for the school photos. At least David agreed to take the school photos. We have many photos of him being held by his teacher, straining away, his back to the camera. The shirt had red spiders all over the front, so he insisted on reversing it. I get pretty tense at photo time and negotiating the outfit is part of my tension. However, he handled the wait for our turn well, and even though he didn't want to touch his hair to Rose's because the school has drilled into them lice avoidance etiquette, I think he actually smiled.

Yellow--Rose has grand plans for a grand show. She wants to put on a play, a variety show, there'll be some gymnastics, Christmas carols. . .it's an extravaganza. The last time we were at the library, I happened to notice this book with a bright yellow cover: short plays for children. I don't mind that she wants to pick her character. I do mind that she wants to have auditions. Consensus. We're promoting consensus in this theatre troup.

Pink--David remembered to bring home his pink flashcards this week. I am philosophically opposed to homework and yet when it walks in my door, I find myself nagging about it. Can you say cognitive dissonance? I know that he doesn't need to do homework to advance academically at a totally appropriate pace. I know that, in fact, fighting over homework can slow academic progress. But I also see the obvious: memorizing more words at home will give him more words he can read. I am working really hard at not mentioning the homework, but when his behavior needs to be redirected anyway, I consider them an option. We had a good time with cod, rod, pin, bun. I can't wait to see a story that you need the word cod for.