Bedtime Reading: Clifford Saves The Day

Now that she knows how to read most of her books, I get a break from bedtime reading. I'm now the audience and she, the actual storyteller. :)

QOTD: Why Is There Night and Day?

Original post started in mid-July 

Yesterday, (probably due to sheer exhaustion) I swallowed a tiny pill of optimism and believed that I can forcefully put a hyperactive kid to bed at 6pm. The sun is still up and shining so brightly that even a thick curtain in our bedroom cannot hide.

The kid was trained that long sleeps are for nighttime and from where she was lying it just wasn't night time yet. So she just had to ask:

"do i really have to nap, Mommy? it's already late afternoon."

For which, I had to slyly reply:

"no, this isn't naptime. it's early bedtime little girl. now, close your eyes"

But Mr. Sun is still up. And I can't go to sleep yet. I'm not sleepy.

Here we go again. I thought I'm now a proud graduate of this phase. Apparently, that was all wishful thinking now.

But we can just talk here in bed, Mommy? Why is there day and night anyway? (bakit may araw at gabi? kelan ba nagiging gabi?)

Photo grabbed from here

Ahhh, an opportunity I can seize finally. So I briefly explained to her why there is night and day. I tried my hardest to provide the simplest explanation. And while I am far from calling my attempt on early bedtime a success, I seem to have hit the jackpot on this one.

I made a fist, placed an invisible pole in between my palms and told her that pole is what holds the earth. And everyday, the earth revolves around that pole while the star that is the Sun is in a fixed position. So to simplify, some places are lighted (DAY) and some places are not (NIGHT). She understood my simple explanation but I know complicated questions are going to start pouring soon. (Note to self: start investing time to do more science research.) I hope when that day comes, I'll be armed and ready.

For now, I can only wish it doesn't come real soon. I just do not want to be caught unprepared.

Found a useful link from Ehow by the way listing a few experiments you can do with your preschoolers in relation to this topic. Bookmarking it here as well for future use. :)

Ang Paboritong Bedtime Story ni Maia

Eto ang buod ng paboritong kwento ni Maia. Minsan hindi ito matapos tapos ikwento ni Mommy nya kasi ang dami-daming nasisingit na detalye. Nakakatulog na sila bago pa man umabot sa ending. May panahon din na hindi nya ito naging paborito. Ewan ko kung bakit, nalulungkot daw sya pag naririnig ang kwento. Siguro yun ang panahon na binubuo pa lang ni Maia ang bokabularyo nya at hindi nya gaano naintindihan ang ibang parte ng kwento. Pero ngayon, kayang-kaya na nya ito ikwento ng mag-isa. Kabisadong-kabisado na nya ang mga detalye. Sana hanggang sa kanyang paglaki, maalala nya ang masayang araw na ito. 

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Isang araw, doon sa malayong bayan ng DC may isang batang nagngangalang Maia Isobel. Pinanganak sya noong Oktubre 18. Ang pangalan ng Mommy nya ay F at ang pangalan ng Daddy nya ay T.

Madaling araw noon ng bigla na lang naisip ni Maia na kumatok sa tyan ng Mommy niya. "Knock, knock, knock Mommy ko. Palabasin mo na po ako dito. Gusto ko na po makita ang mundo!" Malakas ang katok niya pero hindi agad ito pinansin ng Mommy niya. Bakit kamo? Sabi kasi ni doktora dalawang linggo pa ang aantayin nila. 

Pero sadyang makulit itong si Maia. "Mommy ko, Mommy ko! Naririnig mo ba ako? Ready na akong masilayan ang mundo! Palabasin mo na po ako dito!" Nilakasan nya ang katok at ayun napansin din sya ni Mommy nya. Inumpisahan bilangin ni Mommy nya ang katok nya. Aba! At mukhang handa na ngang lumabas para makita ang mundo ni Maia.

Alas kwarto nang umaga nag umpisang kumatok si Maia. Pero alas-8 na nung umalis sila Mommy at Daddy nya para kitain sa ospital si Doktora. Pagdating ng alas-11 nakahiga na si Mommy ni Maia at handa nang ilabas sya. Pero nakatulog ata si Maia at inabot ng alas-9 ng gabi bago sila magkita ng personal ng Mommy nya. Natagalan man, sulit na sulit ang bawat segundong inantay. Inuluwal na malusog at malakas ang batang si Maia.

Nakakatuwa, sino mag aakala. Pagkatapos ng siyam na buwan ayan na si Maia. Nagkamustahan na rin sila ni Daddy at Mommy nya. Hindi mapantayan ang galak sa mga taong matagal nang sabik makita sya. 

Currently Playing: Rainbow Connection

We've been playing this version for days now. On repeat. During bedtime. I look forward to the day you can sing this to me, Maia.

RAINBOW CONNECTION

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

p.s. I can't find a nice video to share but really wanted to bookmark this song because next month she might have a new favorite.