My 20 children

It's funny how someone who used to loathe public speaking (namely, me) turned out to be a teacher whose entire job involves doing just that. Apparently, after a good 6ish years of this, I've finally come out of my shell, and a couple of weeks ago I made up a long division song/chant/cheer/whatever routine to help my kids remember the steps. I even performed it for them several times before I got them up to try it, and those precious little angels didn't laugh at or mock me once (though they definitely should have, and there's NO way I could have gotten away with this when I taught 5th grade). Furthermore, they think it's the coolest thing EVER and go around singing/dancing about long division on the playground at recess. So behold: my adorable 3rd graders, aka my other 19 children:

And here, of course, is my favorite child in the universe, demonstrating her new catch phrase: "Eeeeew, gross!"

I'd like to note here that Keira is developing some very strange fears. She is apparently terrified of the following:

1) Band-aids (OK, I see the doctor/shot connection there)

2) Stickers of any kind (thanks anyway, gymnastics teacher!)

3) Play-Doh (what???)-She won't even touch it, and cries and runs away when we get it out. Yes, I laugh. I can't help it. What could possibly be threatening about Play-Doh?!

4) The old cell phone Poppy gave her, which she played with endlessly for weeks before deciding that it's evil and out to destroy her

5) A picture of Thumper from "Bambi" rolling on the ground giggling, in a board book my sister bought her. Every time she sees this page, she starts whining and saying, "Noooo!" and closes the book.

Do they have therapy for toddlers, I wonder?

Here are some recent pics:

Eating with Grandpa at Passover last weekend:

Stylish action shot! Walking with Grandpa at his company picnic today:

She was obsessed with Grandma's water bottle:

House update: Things are ahead of schedule (I didn't even know those words could apply to the home-buying process!) and we might close as early as next week! We still won't move until probably the end of May, but at least we'll be able to get started painting and all that. Yippee!