You Never Know Who You Can Trust...

As the very first week of school wraps up - the Chaos seems to be doing well. Jackson thinks 5th grade is "way cooler" than 4th and tries to ignore his mother when she might be walking down the hall. (of course that just makes the waving and declarations of my love all the worse!) Grace loves it all - loves the homework- loves art - loves music - loves her teacher - loves lunch - loves her new purple pencil sharpener - it is ALL good!

Then .... there is the newest school attendee ... Miss Maddie. She comes home with a smile (and a ginormous appetite) But after 5 full days, we have discovered something is just a little bit amiss with her experience. At the dinner table after the first day of school she tells us that the "pretty vice-principal lady" told her she was going to the principals office. Knowing the VP, we knew that something didn't add up as we were trying not to laugh out loud in front of her. Turns out Maddie made a little boy in her class get his napkin out of her face by yanking it out of his hand and throwing it on the ground and then staring him down (can anyone say Aunt Angie). The VP saw it all and went to their table warning the little boy he would have to visit her in the office if he did not keep his hands and items to himself. After getting the real story and explaining it to Maddie all was well.

However, to top off the week, this morning when I handed Maddie her money to buy her first ever hot lunch, I put it in the appropriate bag and told her to give it to Miss Miley and she would give it back at lunchtime. To which her reply was: "Momma, if I give her my money, she'll use it for herself!" Well, ......OK. It took a few minutes but we were finally able to convince our sweet five year old that Miss Miley could buy her own lunch and was not going to need Maddie's money when she got hungry.... go figure. She's such a trusting soul.

Just Me and "Homer" .....

Our first walk to school - Why are we all following Homer?

Maddie and her new teacher Miss Miley

They're devastated to leave me..... right.

This morning had the audacity to show up whether I wanted it to or not and despite my efforts to make summer last longer, the troops headed off to school today. As you can see it was a big event as usual especially since we have a brand new school one block from our house with a great staff that we have known and trusted for the past two years at the old school (God is so good.) It was a beautiful sunny morning and even Mimi came (as has become our custom) for the walk over!

As I was following my kiddos down the street (and trying to be a big girl about it) I was reminded that I am lucky enough to still be left with the one we affectionately call, "the beast". I am sure he and I will find many ways to fill our days.

When I was thinking about how weird it was going to be to only have one munchkin at home, I was reminded of some infinite words of wisdom stated by my oldest daughter when she was only 3. She and her Nana were having quite the in-depth discussion the summer before she started pre-school. The intelligent conversation came to an abrupt halt when we doubled over in laughter as Grace labeled everyone appropriately by saying, "Nana, Jackson is going to be a Fioist Gwader, and I am going to be a Pwee Schoower." Nana's reply: "What about Maddie?" Grace: "Maddie - she is staying home - so she'll be a 'Homer'. " Well, now my Maddie is in Kindergarten (sob). So here I sit ignoring chores and waiting for the latest "Homer" to get up from his nap!

"I get it... You're Sentimental."

I had those very words said to me yesterday by a dear friend who decided she had finally figured me out. Feeling perhaps a bit guilty over being excited that school was starting she wondered if there was something wrong with her due to the fact that I do not share those same feelings. In fact, I love summer. Don't get me wrong, having them home with "All Mommy all the time" does have its red-head spinning moments, but I love having no schedule to follow but our own and being able to go swimming, bake brownies, or trump up a game of "Uno" on a whim.

So, with the beginning of school approaching ("3 more sleeps" as Maddie says) I do have a knot in my stomach. On Monday - it all changes for her - the start of Kindergarten means now I have to share her. (I no want to sare) But, the excitement on her face puts my selfish feelings at bay and I move on .... in tears... but moving on. But as long as we are dealing with change why not torture ourselves with ill-timing........ Walker asked for a big boy bed "like Dackson's" .

Granted, it is time. He is 3 1/2 and has feet hanging out of the baby bed but he has not even attempted to climb out and well.... he is the 4th...... and the baby..... and ..... quite honestly being "parents of the year" most of the time we would just forget he needed a new bed until we put him in the crib every night.

So, as I watched, Kevin began to disassemble the baby crib that has been assembled for 10 years. I looked at all the teeth marks remembering their evil grins as they chewed on the railings, saw a few dings and scratches from heaven knows what toys they had snuck in, and even an old orange tag with a number on it that the movers had put on it before they loaded it onto the truck for our move to Texas from Seattle. So many memories that all seemed to happen way too fast. Ten years ago as I sat on the floor in our tiny home in Maple Valley, 8 months pregnant watching Kevin put it together I could not have begun to imagine what all God had planned for us and that bed! Yeah, ... I am sentimental.... and I have a baby bed neatly tucked away in my attic now to prove it.

Welcome

OK - here it is- write it down, take a picture, I'm sure I'll even be getting a few phone calls about this (Ashley). I have created a blog. I have had too many people from near and far want to see pictures, etc... of all that is going on - so here you go. I made a blog. I can say it has taken me waaaay to long to figure this out, but I think I may have it by now and will try to keep you (whoever that may be - I find it hard to think anyone really wants to know besides those who are closely related and are required to love me) informed. If anything - you can see what the kids are doing and be updated since I AM NOT COOL ENOUGH FOR FACEBOOK.