First School Days

Took the kids to kindergarten Monday. Porter said, "I'm a little bit nervous, Mom."
I know Madison was anxious too, she just hid it better. But, because they went to the "meet and greet" on Friday, I think they were a little bit more prepared. They have gone two days and are doing fine--so am I!

It's been fun spending the time they are in school with Lane. He is a character already, and when he has my full attention I am laughing most of the time. He is so fun to hang out with. He doesn't seem to be bothered at all that he's left alone. He still gets his backpack together though--just to take them to school. His nickname of "Tookies" for the twins has stuck. He makes up words all of the time and thinks it's hilarious.

Madison has been very insistent and particular about what she is going to wear and how she wants her hair done. Her second day she wore all hot pink--her favorite color. She went in head-to-toe pink--literally. I tried to talk her out of it, but was not successful. I did manage to convince her that she couldn't wear her dress to school every day. That was her first choice. I also talked her into the rainbow necklace--to break up the color a bit.

The kids think their teacher is nice and amazing. And, they said they haven't gotten in trouble at school. For some reason they thought they were going to get in trouble at school. Porter has been proud to report that he can sit still in his seat. We were actually worried that he wouldn't be able to. The kids sit at different tables so they can make new friends.

Madison though they were being separated so that they don't fight. We were trying to explain to them that we wanted them to have the opportunity to develop separately from each other and not be compared or competed with. I guess we didn't explain it very well because I heard her telling Porter that if they got caught fighting she would deny it--so they don't in trouble or have to get separated. Little allies. I'm on to them.

The chalk drawings were made my their teacher for the first day of school. She wrote everyone's name on the ground. Because Grandma Rhonda has been working with them they immediately found their names. They thought that was pretty cool. They also got to wear clip-on name tags.

Last night Madison told me that "now that she knows school" she really likes it. She said she wasn't sure if she would like it or not before. That's exactly what I told her was going to happen. She's just like me.

Porter likes making new friends and comes home with a new name everyday. They love school. Yeah! Hopefully, it will stay this way for let's say the next 19 years!

Back to School

Yes, I am a nervous-nelly about my kids going to school. I realize I am not the only mom sending kids to school. And that I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. But, hey, that is what I am good at!

I keep trying to get some kind of sense of how nervous my kids must be too, but they just laugh at me. Porter told me yesterday, that he was 5 and that is really, really, old. I told him that there are kids who come from homes that are, let's just say, not as healthy as his. (i.e. they use bad words, and do bad things!) He just said, "Mom, if there are any bad kids I will just be their friend. Even if they are mean to me, I'll still be their friend." And as if a final reassurance he said, "You know I am really good at making friends."

I told him that mom, dad, or grandma won't be there to help him make decisions or to protect him. He said, "Mom, Jesus will be there and I know how to pray."

Okay, I guess he passes. I didn't know Jesus was starting kindergarten, but I sure am glad he's going to be in Porter's class.

***

Madison is already a mini-mom. I really could let her take over. I caught her outside yesterday pointing a finger at the boys and telling them what they weren't supposed to be doing. They were all in swimsuits--well Porter was in his underwear, but the other two had swimsuits on. (At least he wasn't naked.) They were playing in the pool and running on the slip and slide.

I peeked out at them. When I saw Madison, I stopped her and bent down to her level. I cupped her face in my hands and said, "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you just have fun and be a kid for once?"

She looked up at me quizzically and said, "Why?"

****
When Lane gets tired he turns into a little passive-aggressive monster. He wanted more popcorn. We were watching a movie and eating popcorn. He picked up the bowl full of nothing but corn kernels and slowly poured it onto the ground while he looked at me. I was furious. I told him he had to pick it all up by himself.

I got so mad, I announced time out for myself. I didn't want to yell at him, although I really felt like it. I went in the other room and sat on the bed. Madison came in. I said, "Okay, miss Mom. How am I supposed to handle this."

She said, "You need to apologize to him first."

Exasperated, I said, "I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't yell at him. That's why I am in here. Because I don't want to lose it on him."

She stopped and thought. Then said, "Then just pray until you're done being angry."

My kids are fine. I'm the one that's nuts.

Monday blues

I always want to post something uplifting and life-changing on my blogs so that I can change the world...but that really never happens. I don't even anything special to report. In fact, it's mostly anxiety and challenges. Allbeit small challenges. My car is still in the shop, but I should have it by the end of the week. How happy and thankful I will be to have transportation again. It has been six long months.
School starts for the twins--college for me--on the 29th of this month. I am so eager to finish my degree, but have to do it one slow semester at a time. I don't know why I am anxious about the kids going to school. Maybe because they leave the safe protection of being watched only by people who love them enormously. I don't know that their teacher can love them as much as we can. I also don't like the milestone of kindergarten....because at the end of that road is graduation. At after graduation, they are gone. I wish we could keep them small forever. Oh the heartache and happiness of your children.
I started at a new store this past week. It has been a great source of anxiety for me. I do not like the new boss. He seems snide and insincere. I was so loved at my last store, I hate not feeling valued. I am also getting too old for rude customers.
I really want a desk so that I don't have to type sitting on the floor. I will get one soon, just have to finish paying for my expensive car! Oh well, such is life. I'm off to start the week.