Back to School

This is it! One of my favorite days of the year. Why is that? Well, it's not because I don't love my children and want to be rid of them. It's really because I DO love my children. And want to be rid of them. (At least for a bit.)

Today is also one of the only days they are excited to get up early and get ready to go...which makes my job easier. (Their exuberance for mornings wanes quickly, and dramatically, as the weeks continue.) I like to enjoy it while it lasts.

See? Happiness. Exuberance. At 8:40am. Unheard of!

They both got new backpacks this year. It was a momentous occasion for my two girls. (Their enjoyment of these babies will also wane...but I managed to find them at such a great deal this year, I'll get over it.)

Have I mentioned how much I love the bus? Well...I do. I love it! And not just because the bus stop is right in front of my house and I can send them out the door, stay in my PJ's, and then go back to bed (if I wanted) without having to step outside. No wait...that actually IS why I love the bus!

The new driver told the girls they could call her by her first name. Lindy is still struggling with this unexpected gift of familiarity. She thinks she will still call her Mrs. Lewis...which makes me think I've done at least something right.

Now...for the picture I didn't get: I stood on the sidewalk, across the street from my house, saying goodbye to my fearless girls. As the bus drove away I saw The Boy standing in front of our house, hands on hips, and GLARING. Glaring with all the indignant might his little five year-old self could muster. He'd been asleep and was apparently VERY put-out that he'd missed all the fun.

I paid for it for a couple hours.

Next week: his turn! (Wahoo!!!!!!)

Picture Time

Smiles and cooperation courtesy of Camera Shy...they NEVER do this well when I'm behind the camera!

The Graduate

He made it. We made it. (More surprisingly, Ms. Heather made it.) That's right, this handsome kid has officially graduated from preschool.

Tonight was his Preschool Graduation. Ms. Heather had an incredible program. Curtis had been reluctant (I should say unwilling) to practice during class the week or two before. (I found out that other kids from his class were actually praying that Curtis would "be happy" and do his parts at graduation. Yikes!) So, I spent an exhausting day trying to make sure I delivered a happy, well-fed, un-moody boy. Mission accomplished!

The tie? Well, it was a nice touch that lasted up until the program started. But he went up on stage without a fuss...so who am I to argue about a little tie?

He had three lines: "Yellow duck, yellow duck, what do you see?", "My favorite part of preschool was playing on Ms. Heather's swing set", and "I know that purple stands for grapes." I sat in the audience, holding my breath, as he perfectly delivered all three. A miracle.

A quick back-stage change and they walked out in full graduate regalia. He was beside himself with joy. (Mostly because he was convinced that he was dressed up as an angel...and kept flapping his "wings".)

A quick thumbs up to the audience!

Delivering his final line: (His favorite part of the evening was talking into the microphone.)

Ms. Heather gave them all a candy-lei (perfect!) and a book that chronicled their year. Curtis LOVES that book. It made me cry. Then laugh. A lot.

I can't say enough wonderful things about Ms. Heather. She is a kind and patient woman. Seriously. Somehow she managed to survive the strong-willed antics of my boy and teach him a myriad of things I'm surprised he sat still enough to learn. Miracle.

Now we're on to kindergarten!!

FHE

We've really been trying to be good about Family Home Evening. I know that it has helped our family to draw closer together...and I'm hoping it will continue to help us to develop unity...especially as our kids get older and start going other places. So we do it.

At first, it was hard. Little kids just don't like to sit still. Sometimes the prayer/lesson/song setup is a little tough for them. But luckily for us...it doesn't always have to be that structured. Sometimes it's just a night for us to spend a little time together. Tonight's FHE was at the park!

We chased each other around.

We were goofy.

Some of them pretended to be sharks that wanted to "eat mommy".

And it was FUN! Lots of fun.

Side note: My good friend, Emily, has some awesome ideas here: Reality FHE. 

Mother's Day

I'm the luckiest.

It was a wonderful day. I'm so grateful for these little munchkins!