Birdie's Latest Conference

Typical weekend get-up.  Berenice would like to know when she can order the same ensemble.
You can't see it, but there's a pink be-hearted tulle petticoat underneath what you do see.
(Grandma Connie may recognize Clara's topmost dress as a lovely silk shell from Talbot's that she got for Julie seven or eight years ago.)  

This past week brought us Clara's "spring" parent-teacher conference with her teacher Mr. Joe. We learned that she's on track to move up to pre-K (!!!!!) at summer's end when the current pre-Kers head off the kindergarten.  We saw how vastly Clara's writing has improved--smaller and more controlled letters; how many more letters she recognizes--the lowercase g continues to be troublesome and X because how often do you meet an X?; and how many more numbers she recognizes--things fall apart after 13. We also learned that she is a rule follower and the chief rule enforcer in the room after Mr. Joe and Ms. Lindsay. Remarkably, she is still loved by her classmates. When Julie asked what Clara's favorite thing to do was, he said--and we quote--"Ohhh, we looove home living." Home living is the area where you'll find the dress-up clothes and whatever other unit-related accoutrements there might be with which to construct various imagined scenarios. Of course Birdie loves the home living area! Birdie Brigade, the girl is in and out of all her princess gear and what all as often as is practicable--and, frankly, impracticable. She also loves story time. At the end of the day, if Julie or Ted arrives to pick her up in the midst of the end-of-day story time, she will announce--not ask, mind you--that she's going to stay until the book is finished. So Our Birdie continues to unfold. We can't wait see what happens next.

Strap on your goggles, Brigade, and don't leave home without your tulle.