Back To School

Summer vacation is over and it was a pretty easy going (lazy) few months.  The funny thing is, I considered getting up at 7:30 every morning to be getting up "early".  Well, our daily schedule had definitely changed around here as the new school year has begun.  Now my day begins at 6:15.

My little second-grader, ready to learn and make some friends.

The morning rush includes walking my kids to school.    I'm happy to do it, I need the exercise.

My daughter had her first day yesterday and my son, today.  That means ... I had FOUR hours to myself!  I have waited for this day for SO long.  What did I do with all of that time alone?  Well, I had thoughts of treating myself to a Starbucks, or taking a walk, or catching up on unwatched recorded television shows; but instead I savored the silence, edited photos, and caught up on some paper work.  In the silence.  Did I mention there was silence?  Glorious!

You may not be able to tell, but my son really was excited for his first day of preschool.  Really he was.  This is his "I-know-you-are-taking-a-picture-of-me-so-I-am-going-to-be-as-awkward-as-possible" look.  What can I say ... he's four.

Ha ha!  But I snapped this while he was laughing at a funny face he had just made!

Figuring out our new schedule and the best routes to school might take a little time, but ultimately I am thrilled that school is back in session.  Now I'm just waiting for Friday when I can savor four hours of silence once again!

Starting To Feel It

This is the last Friday we will spend in our house.  We are beginning the moving process on Monday and by Wednesday we will be in our new house in our new town.  I'm excited - but today I felt very emotional as my daughter came home from her last day of school.  {blubbering as I write this}

Really, I think the move for her to a new school has been the hardest on me.  She has gone to a wonderful school where the care that the teachers and administrators have for their students is so evident.  It has been an excellent learning environment, and her taking the bus has given her confidence and independence.  She even got the teacher we requested this year and he expressed his sadness that she is leaving.  And I was so touched to see a large bundle of handwritten cards from her classmates wishing her well.  {sob}

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this move is for the better.  My husband's job is better, my emotional health will be better, and perhaps even my daughter's school will be better.  But, for now, I just need to cry a little bit.

Drowning My Tears

This morning started off bright and early.  It is the first day of school!  With my daughter going into first grade, she has expressed her independence in many ways.  When I told her that I would take her to school, she looked at me with an inquisitive expression and said, "Why?  I know how to take the bus."  I mentioned that I would like to take her to her classroom and she said that she knew where her room was and how to get there all by herself.  {sobs begin here}

She knew exactly how she wanted to wear her hair (with a swoop in the front, and a headband to hold it in place).  She chose her outfit well in advance and looked forward to wearing her new shoes.  She didn't want to wear her glasses because she felt she didn't "look as pretty" with them on, but Mom overruled.  After the first day photos, I drove her to school where she insisted that I drop her off in front of the playground where she confidently joined her class ... and never looked back.  {sobs getting LOUDER here}

And she will ride the bus home, where I was told that I don't need to wait for her at the bus stop, because she is a first-grader now.  {sobs are uncontrollable now}

So, my son and I went to Peet's coffee and I drowned my tears in a cappuccino and some lemon cake.  Still, I have had a constant well of emotion in my eyes all day.  So now, I am off to go sob some more until my baby gets home this afternoon.

Waiting to Shine

Isn't buying school supplies and school clothes so much fun?  Gosh, I wish I was headed back to school just to buy some new jeans and a pair of shoes (or two ... or three).  We are still about three weeks until the first day of school, and in the meantime these shoes are waiting patiently in my daughter's closet for that first day so that they can finally be allowed to sparkle and shine.

Oh what bedazzled tootsies she will have!

Graduation Day

This was the day of my daughter's Kindergarten graduation.  It was actually warm outside, when lately it has been unseasonably cold, and the school gym was packed with proud parents/grandparents/siblings.  This made it quite hot and stuffy in the large room, and the lighting was dim making it difficult to get some good photos of the event; but all of this didn't matter because my baby was graduating! 

She was easy to spot, located in the front row of the left group and wearing a blue dress with black Mary Janes ... she looked like Alice from Alice in Wonderland.  After the 60 or so Kindergartners sang a series of songs complete with hand motions (and curtsies from my daughter), the commencement ceremonies commenced.

It was a joy to see the kids walk over a white painted bridge on the stage to receive their certificates.  Some walked shyly, others with great bravado, my daughter - with quiet confidence.  A little tingle ran up my spine when I heard the principal call her name.  And I lifted my son onto my lap so he could see his big sister walking over the bridge.  {sniff, sniff}  It was a proud moment.

Receiving her "diploma" from her teacher.

Even her little brother is proud.

Boy, if I was this excited for her Kindergarten graduation, I'm sure I'll be outright hysterical when she graduates high school!

Self-Imposed Homework

It's the first day of Spring Break and my daughter decided to use it to "teach" her brother "preschool". That's not exactly my idea of vacation, but hey, they both had fun.

Kaput

"Kindergarten is just great Mom!"

Wednesday evening - 6:13 pm

And completely exhausting, it would seem.

Hard To Let Go

My heart is spilling over with emotion right now. Feelings of joy, pride, sadness and disbelief are overwhelming me - I just picked my daughter up from her first day of Kindergarten.

I sort of thought it wouldn't be such a big deal, that I probably wouldn't cry. I was wrong. As a family we walked her to her classroom and the tears began to well up in my eyes as we made our way down a staircase to meet her teachers. It just hit me that this little baby girl:


Is now a school girl:


When did that happen? Anyway, it was a total delight to hear about her day, the friends that she made and that she got chocolate milk at lunch (of course she would choose that kind!) She got a sticker for raising her hand before asking a question, and for obeying the rules.

Such a big day as this really IS harder on the parents. When we first got her to her classroom, she said "Bye Mom and Dad!" and immediately got settled right in. It is REALLY hard to let go sometimes.

Today especially.

Just Another Manic Morning

Having a child in preschool has really changed my life. I have to be more organized about getting everyone out the door in the morning; I start to get very excited over the thought of watching my baby in the upcoming Christmas program; and I volunteer to help out in the classroom from time to time. But nothing quite prepared me for the chaos that takes place when I take my daughter to school!

The preschool is run at a local church in my community and is located in a residential street. It is a very nice facility with good sized classrooms and a fun playground. But the parking lot is like Hades on a busy day. The parking spaces are very narrow, which wouldn't be a problem except everyone in this town drives an SUV, truck, or a behemoth-mobile of some sort (myself included, I drive a Honda Pilot). NOBODY knows how to park in these spaces! Most people just straddle the line, making it impossible for anyone else to park. And while this is a "Christian" preschool, some of the bumper stickers that grace these vehicles are not very "clean" in their message.

Then there are the cell phones. I never thought of my town as being tech-savvy, but everyone has a cell phone. And fellow parents like to use them ... a lot. I am amazed at while shuttling their children off to class, people can carry on complete conversations about "that guy Mindy is seeing on Friday night" or about "preparing for hernia surgery next week". Unfortunately this constant use of cell phones does not help in the challenges of trying to navigate through that parking lot, especially one-handed.

I am used to a slower pace and a more relaxed approach to things. And though I am still adapting, I have survived the last few months of getting my daughter to school. On a slightly different subject, I feel that I am raising a diva. Occasionally on the way home from school I will drive up to the Human Bean for a coffee, and when we pull up my girl will say "I would like a 'Not-So-Hot Hot Chocolate' with whipped cream and a bean"! Now that's a girl who knows what she wants!

Student of the Month

Okay, this one is for the grandparents ...

Yesterday when the mail arrived I noticed a letter from my daughter's preschool. I knew it wasn't a bill because it was on formal stationery. It turns out that my little girl was selected by her teachers as "Student of the Month"! I am so proud! What this means is that she will receive a special certificate that will be awarded to her on November 2nd. Apparently she is a very good student, is sweet-hearted, and does what her teachers ask (of course I already knew this).

On a slightly different subject, today was the last day for school pictures. There weren't many people to photograph, and because my daughter wasn't feeling too well she got to hang out with me today. She helped to gather kids to get their portraits taken, she passed out stickers, and was a big help in getting kids to smile as she laughed at the photographers silly antics. Much to my delight I think she liked hanging out with Mom today.

If we still live in this town when my son starts preschool I will definitely take him to the same school. They have an excellent staff and genuinely caring teachers. I can't wait to see what he will be like at four years old. What great kids I have!

The First Day

In previous posts I have mentioned that my daughter started preschool this week. Naturally, yesterday we had to take pictures. It was fun having her wear her backpack (although she got tired of it quickly) and she got to show off the outfit she chose to wear on her first day.

First day of school. September 3, 2008.

Just for fun I am posting this photo of my husband on his first day of preschool. Can you see the resemblance?

Her first day went very well. So well in fact that when I went to pick her up she said that preschool made her sad. I asked her why and she said because she wanted to stay at school and didn't want to go home. I guess that means she likes it! She was playing with other kids and informed me that she made some friends - of course she doesn't know their names yet.

I just like this photo. It's crazy and fun!

Blog Fodder

Not Exactly Motown

This Labor Day weekend we went to Detroit ... Lake that is! Detroit Lake, Oregon is where we go camping every year with my husband's extended family. I always look forward to this annual event because I love these people, they are all so full of character and have made me feel a part of their clan. I also have never had much of a relationship with my own aunt, uncle and cousin, so I can't help but enjoy being part of a big family.

Usually Detroit is a party lake and tends to get pretty loud between the biker conventions and large motor boats; this year it was unusually quiet. I couldn't quite figure out why until the weather changed and it was windy, cold, and yes ... rainy! It seems everyone else knew that the weather was going to be a bit crummy and went elsewhere. I am glad we have a tent trailer to escape to when it is wet, although the mattress wreaked havoc on my back muscles.

I enjoyed the trip but I am glad to be home. I am still trying to get the smell of campfire out of everything.

Here is my son (left) and his cousin wearing matching hats. It was in the 50s and 60s on this particular camping trip. Brrrrr!

Time Flies

My baby is starting preschool tomorrow - sniff, sniff. She is four and I knew this time was coming, but I can't help but feel emotional about the whole thing. I am amazed at how quickly time flew by and before I knew it she became this intelligent and beautiful young lady. Suddenly I feel old.


Sibling Mischief

My son is quite mischievious sometimes, but in a good natured way. He often will eat his dinner earlier than the rest of us so he is free to roam around while we sit at the table and eat. He loves to slither up underneath his sister's chair and tickle her feet. Then he tries to hide from her as he is giggling. I admit that I love to see my kids acting like typical siblings - he annoys her and she bosses him around. All is right with the world.


The Facebook Mentality

I have been on Facebook now for about a month. I have connnected with so many people and I love to see the photos that they post of their families and read up on what they are up to. I have realized, however, that many seem to want add you as a friend just to rack up the number of friends they have on their profile. They seem to like to nose around on your profile, but don't necessarily want to talk to you. I have mixed feelings about this mentality.

The Smell of Scotch Tape

Ah, autumn is in the air. Can you feel it? As the nights have been getting cooler and darker at an earlier hour I have been craving my favorite season. I love pulling out my wool sweaters, lighting my spice scented candles and making soup. I realize that officially it is still summer, but since my daughter will be starting preschool in a couple of weeks, I am getting excited.

The other day we went to an open house at the school my daughter will be attending. We met her teacher, discussed the curriculum and got the school supply list. Mmmm, I love buying school supplies! There is nothing like a new box of crayons, newly sharpened colored pencils, or the smell of Scotch tape. My daughter is most excited about getting a backpack. It will probably be pink and have flowers or princesses on it.

If I were shopping for myself, I would head over to Prize, a charming little shop in Ashland, Oregon. They have everything from fine glassware and home furnishings to vintage items like antique Little Golden Books for children and interesting travel books for adults. In fact, I found a little "prize" there myself once - a vintage "Learn to Speak French" book from 1932. I think I could live there, except I doubt the owners would appreciate that. I would eat their bon-bons and sleep on their beautifully upholstered couch and write from this desk:

But enough about me. I am really looking forward to taking my daughter out and helping her pick out her supplies. It almost makes me wish I was in school again ... almost.