MOM UNDER ATTACK

Laurel likes to test her boundaries occasionally. This week she tried a few new tactics. Laurel had some snacks after school. Arriving home, she wanted a granola bar right before dinner. Mom said, "not before dinner." Laurel takes after her mother...the wicked witch of the west appears when she's hungry or tired. This time the witch told the mother that she was going to break all of the mother's things. To the witch's frustration, this did not provoke the response Laurel wanted. Mom ignored her. So Laurel disappeared off to her room for a few minutes and resurfaced with the following portrait of her mother.

GIRL GRADUATES, PROFESSES CITIZENSHIP

Laurel climbed into the van after school today and her mother couldn't help but think how grown up she is. She doesn't like to wear barrettes any more, she's graduated to headbands. She also wants to wear her heeled boots to school as often as possible (well, at least until she took a spill in them at recess.) She's growing more image-conscious each day, and puts together some downright fashion-forward ensembles. As she buckled herself in, she kept singing, "Who Da! Who Da! Who wants to stay in the United States?" Can you tell this state is crazy about the Super Bowl?

MONTESSORI MAKES SENSE

Maren spent a long time at the kids' school today. Laney was pretty burned out when the day was over. Maren learned a lot, though. She watched Brant in his Montessori environment and was thoroughly impressed with the materials and the tone of the classroom. Keep in mind that the Cupit kids go to a public school, in Louisiana no less. During Maren's visit, Brant and a few other children were on the rug with the teacher using the movable alphabet box and some pink cards and some small objects. Brant's in a classroom with ages 3, 4, and 5-year-olds from varied socio-economic backgrounds. The kids are grouped for learning purposes according to ability rather than age, allowing each student to move at his own pace. While one group is learning with the teacher, the other kids are using other materials all around the classroom. Brant's favorite thing to work on are the puzzles. He's not thrilled about fine motor activities, but that may change as time goes on and his confidence increases.

After the visit today, Maren is convinced that Brant is where he needs to be. The drive into the city is worthwhile.

Maren also helped Laurel's class in the computer lab today with Laney in tow. That was a bit of a challenge. Despite Laney's periodic protests, the kids appreciated it and Maren learned a new cool website to add to our list of "allowables" for Laurel and Brant. internet4classrooms.com is worth a look around if your kids are computer savvy.

QUESTIONS CAN'T WAIT 'TIL MORNING

Brant took a long nap today. As a result, he has a very difficult time falling asleep.

So far his reasons for coming out of his room tonight include:

"My fingernails are long. We really need to cut them."

"Can you make cookies with red icing for Valentine's Day?"

"Can I give my teddy bear a name?" Dad says, "What do you want to name it?" Brant: "Fruit Salad."

LITTLE ONE SAID "ROLL OVER"

Three in the bed

BOY TUMBLES, MOM PANICKS

As the weather improved, the park beckoned. For a nice after school treat, Maren took the kids to City Park on the way home from school, hoping to help them burn some energy and sleep better. The good idea turned sour as Brant ran towards his mom, tripped on the edge of the concrete slab and threw his forehead into the corner of the picnic table bench.

Within seconds, Maren ripped off her nursing cover and tied it around Brant's forehead. She called Brad and said, "Brant split his head open; we have to go to the hospital." After the whole ordeal was over, Brad offered that perhaps next time she shouldn't use those words. She admits she panicked just a little bit. The family battled the traffic and headed to the ER later realizing that the urgent care center probably would have been just fine. Brant screamed out of fear rather than pain for almost the entire ride.

The ER staff was super fast. They had Brant in a room very quickly where he stayed on a bed gripping his green sucker solidly but hardly interested in eating it. After the physician's assistant washed off the wound, the M.D. came in and told us about skin glue. In the next few minutes, Brant's forehead was superglued together, Mom paid the copay and the family was homeward bound. So Brant has bad luck with picnic tables. This is what it's like raising a boy!

LANEY LAUGHS AT 3 MONTHS