2014 Oxford Kinetics Festival

2014 Oxford Kinetics Festival

Emotion Regulation at Mini University

This report, written by one of Cora's current teachers in Yellow Room, was too cute not to share.  Josh and I are in the midst of writing a research paper on aging and emotion regulation, so this was a particularly timely message to receive :)

Date:	March 31, 2014, 12:33 pm
Author:	Erica Ekvall
Recipients:	Elise Clerkin, Josh Magee
Subject:	Calming Corner
Children:	Cora Magee

Hello Magee Family! I am writing to tell you all about the new addition of "Calming Corner" to our room. You may have noticed it already, but it is a place we have set aside for our friends to go when they are feeling sad, angry, afraid, or upset. It is located in the back left corner of the room, and we have filled it with soft pillows, stuffed animals, and puppets to help calm our friends. So far, several of our friends have utilized this space and have learned to discuss and even manage their feelings. Having this safe space set aside strictly for calming our bodies has proven to be very beneficial to our friends! I just wanted you to be aware of this new concept, so that you might be willing to reinforce it at home. I have seen Cora utilize calming corner once already, and she did a great job with it! She was feeling sad because she wanted to play with a doll that another friend had already claimed. She walked herself over to calming corner and pointed to the sad face on the wall to let me know which emotion she was feeling (I was vey impressed with this!) I talked to her about sitting in calming corner to calm her body and give herself time to feel happy again. It is important to emphasize that she is not in trouble, and that this space is not a time out. Rather, it is there to help her and the rest of our friends to be aware of their emotions and learn how to manage them. Cora seemed to grasp the concept quickly and use it to her advantage. After a few short minutes of resting in calming corner, she stood up on her own and returned to free play and chose a different toy! I have even noticed that Cora will suggest to her friends that they visit calming corner. She has great empathy and is able to tell when her friends are upset. You've got a bright child on your hands :) I hope this is helpful to you at home, and I'm excited to see how calming corner betters the yellow room! -Erica Ekvall

Cora Ann Turns Two

On January 26th, Cora turned two!  We had a wonderful weekend with Grandma Mel and the Nonnos.  It began with some birthday pancakes, and was capped by a visit to the Cincinnati aquarium and a tasting of Cora's beloved apple pie (which as it turned out wasn't quite as beloved as the ice cream that went with it).  Thanks to everyone for the celebration and presents, we were very appreciative of your help making Cora feel celebrated.  She has a lot of love in her life.

From the aquarium:

 The birthday celebration back at the house:

Uncle Patrick

One week ago, I lost my older brother, Patrick.  Cora lost her uncle.  This video was taken about a month before Patrick died.

"To the outside world we all grow old.  But not to our brothers and sisters  We know each other as we always were.  We know each other's hearts.  We share private family jokes  We remember family friends and secrets, family griefs and joys.  We live outside the touch of time." 

Patrick, we will always love you and be proud of you, and we will always hold you deeply in our hearts.  I will never stop missing you.  

Thanksgiving 2013

"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully everyone is blessed."  -- Maya Angelou

This Thanksgiving, we were thankful to celebrate with delicious food, and great friends and neighbors.

Nanna and Grandpa videos and photos (November 2013)

Thank you Nanna and Grandpa, for watching Cora while mommy and daddy were at ABCT!

A few videos from Baba/Grandpa:

Brushing Jack's teeth

Grooming Jack

Dancing with baby doll

Cooking with Nanna

Merry Christmas 2013!

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” 
― Charles Dickens

Merry Christmas!

wrapping mommy's present

excited for visitors!

fun with Nanna and Aunt Maggie 

Christmas morning!