Minnie Mouse, the social butterfly

"Jennie Mosca" - sing to the tune of the old-school Mickey Mouse song

Whose the princess of the house, where we eat and play? 
J-E-N, N-I-E, M-O-S-C-A!

She's pretty and she's bossy, and she'll always get her way. 
J-E-N, N-I-E, M-O-S-C-A!

Jennie Mosca.... Jennie Mosca... forever will she wear her smile wide, 
Wide, WIDE, WIDE!

So come along and sing our song and play with us all day. 
J-E-N, N-I-E, M-O-S-C-A!

Cleverly composed by a loving Daddy months ago when we realized "Jennie Mosca" lines up perfectly with both "Minnie" and "Mickey" Mouse. 

These days, I have trouble keeping up with Jennie's social calendar. In fact, I keep a separate Monday through Friday note pad on the fridge just to keep track of her weekly commitments. Between play groups, play dates with friends (which also means mommy friends!), walks to the park, swim time on Fridays, and family visits she is quite entertained! She knows which regular events occur on which days. She loves her play group so much, that most mornings she asks me if its Tuesday yet. She looks at me expectantly, and says, "Mommy! Tuesday? Play group?" When Tuesday "finally" rolls around each week, I have to line up a series of things to do in the morning until 11 am when play group starts so that she doesn't ask every 5 seconds if it is craft time or circle time. Its certainly a labor of love, entertaining a toddler!

This past week, Jennie was especially busy with Halloween events and parties. On Thursday, she had her first class at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club in the morning with her pal Nathan. They had some open gym time with lots of new toys to mess with. Then, Jennie's favorite part of any play group or class, circle time! They sang songs, used a parachute, and also got to use instruments. At the end, Jennie got her first Halloween goodie bag complete with a bracelet, pop, and mini play dough. She was thrilled! My favorite part of Jennie liking lolly pops is that she doesn't eat them. She sees "big kids" having them, and wants one, but just likes to hold it. She'll lick it once or twice and get furious if you take it away, but doesn't really eat it. It is amazing how quickly kids copy each other, and innately learn from each other. I am so thankful that Jennie has so many opportunities to interact with other kids - even if a few of the things she picks up are not so great, she gets LOTS of positive experience.

Decorating cookies with Dennis

Later Thursday afternoon, Jennie attended the VHB (Justin's company) Annual Halloween party. They set up the gym in the office with tables from each department with crafts, treats, and other fun things. There was even a professional story teller this year. Jennie decorated a pumpkin, a cookie, had candy, pizza, and juice. She made a Halloween card, played ring toss on a witch's hat with her pal, Lily, and told anyone who would listen that she was Minnie Mouse. What an amazing party!

On Friday, Jennie had another party to attend, this time sponsored by the Watertown Family Network. First of all, I have to say that this organization is the best! They also hold her weekly play group and lots of other wonderful events (for free!) for Watertown families. I have met lots of other moms (and all their kids that are Jennie's age) through the network. Lots of towns have Family Networks (they are partially funded by MA early education money) and I highly recommend that you look into it. Jennie dressed up in her kitty-cat Halloween outfit, and had a blast at the party. 

Waiting for the concert to start

Intently listening!

There were more crafts to do, snacks, and even a band! Debbie and Friends played a concert for the kids. If you have kids, and can't stand listening to the songs that are sung by little kids (I personally have no tolerance for it) then check out their website. Great tunes for tots. What a joy it was to see her watch her first live concert! Sometimes she just sat and stared at the band, listening and soaking in the lyrics. Other times, she was a dancing machine and laughing and giggling.  I loved every second, sharing this experience with her, just as she loved every second.

Last, but not least of course, came Halloween! Jennie was so excited about being a trick-or-treater. We had been practicing what to say, and what would happen (preparation is always key!). While at the grocery store in the morning, the deli clerk asked Jennie what she was going to be for Halloween. Jennie's face immediately lit up, and she burst out with, "Minnie Mouse! Knock on door, say Trick-or-treat, get candy! Say thank you!" It was hilarious - the deli lady was a little surprised at the narrative, and delighted. I was laughing out loud telling her, "She's not excited at ALL about tonight!"

Great-Papa's house

We started by visiting her Great-Grandfather's house, then hit up her play group pal Maddy's (lives across the street from great-papa), and then went to her Great-Aunt Lynn's house down the street from there. When we visited the first stranger's house in the neighborhood, Jennie assumed that you just go inside and visit and play with that person's things. I mean, I couldn't blame her - this was really her first trick-or-treating experience, and the first three houses she went inside to visit! It was too cute. She got the hang of it after a few more houses, and really was enjoying herself. After each house, she would say, "Next house now!" I have to admit, it was super fun stopping by all the houses, and having people oogle over her and tell us how cute she was, and polite. She said "thank you" and "Happy Halloween" to every person. Justin and I were certainly proud parents!

More Candy!

Off to hit a few houses with her cousin Owen

I am cherishing every moment I get to share with Jennie. Although her social calendar can be busy, I think it is so important that she is able to interact with lots of kids and grow socially. I love seeing the look on her face when Tuesday finally rolls around and I love how she will sit in anticipation at the craft table, waiting to see what she'll get to make. I love seeing her copy the older kids at the play ground. I love observing her "concentration" face when she is learning a new song. It is incredible to see her wait her turn patiently for a toy, and turn to me and ask "Jennie's turn?" when another child is all done. But you know what's best of all? Simply that I get to experience all of this with her. I am incredibly thankful for our situation, and feel so lucky that I'm able to stay home with Jennie... even if we are rarely "home."