Smart Cookies: Young and Old

I woke up early and headed back to the preschool. This time, Roberta wanted me to help with testing some of the children's abilities to categorize objects. They could choose between animals or fruit, but most of them picked animals. First, Roberta would ask them the names of the animals, to see if they could get that far. Then, she'd hold up a card and ask if it was a certain animal for a yes or no answer. If they passed both those tests, they would sort two animals in boxes, and then be asked, "Are there more dogs or more cows?" or "Are there less sheep or less cats?" and have to count and decide. A few of them were quick to understand, while others struggled with the concept. I was recording the data, so while Roberta would set up the trial, I'd talk to the kid about his/her favorite animal and why. I got some pretty great answers, considering that the kids are 3 and 4. When we went to the garden, I taught them how to play duck duck goose. That soon became a class favorite, though some still didn't get that you can't be the person who says duck duck goose and win.

After school was let out, I headed to the grocery store to pick up ingredients for a cake, since it was going to be my room mate Kat's birthday. The town was really busy, for everyone was headed home to vote in the referendum on gay marriage. People were all over the street and in their cars to go back to their home towns to vote.

When I got home, I saw that I had received a message from my Saint Mary's friend, Elise, who is also studying here. Her boyfriend had come to visit and proposed to her the day before, and they wanted me to take some engagement photos for them while we were still in town. I told her that I could take them on Saturday, and it became a date. I was really glad my skills could come in handy!

I was extremely disappointed that I was missing Ashley's birthday and the graduation of Heather and Nikki. All three have been my close friends for the longest time, and not being with them was incredibly hard. I am incredibly proud of all they accomplished though, with Ashley and I both now juniors in college, and Nikki and Heather surviving high school at the top of their class. I was bummed I missed out, but I know I'll be able to celebrate with them once I get home!

Ah, memories