First Day of School!

 

As much as I prefer to have my kids home with me, and these days of letting them go little by little to Pre-school, then Kindergarten, then first grade...tugs so much at my heart.  I do love the excitement of first day of school.  I am not putting off this post and am writing it as the day goes on so that I will remember all the details.  Especially since we have a Kindergartener this year!

Kaitlin literally bounced into my room this morning as I was getting ready in the bathroom.  Bounce, bounce, bounce, in the door ~ SO excited.  Which makes the day so much easier and fun.

As I was getting Kaitlin ready she started to say that she felt nervous and shy and I said, "Kitti, there is a little girl in your class that loves Princesses and Unicorns and you are going to have so much fun with her."  (Isn't there one in every Kindergarten class?) She said, "What's her name?"  I said, "I don't know, you'll have to tell me when you get home."

Dan went to work late so that he could be part of the morning.  He also surprised the kids with making a doughnut run for breakfast.   (You're welcome, teachers.)  The kids were SO excited.

 

The kids got ready and we did our traditional first day of school photos on the front porch, and they were really cooperative!











We headed to school where lots of families were gathering.  We did our first day of school photo with the Fox....

 

Fox Rocks!

And then walked Kitti inside.

 

The boys said goodbyes (you can see them to the left in the photo ~ they had already made it down the hall) and were off to the playground to meet their friends.

It was fun to run into Ben and Ella and give them first day hugs and best wishes.  They are small group friends who just were moved to our school.  Ben is in class with Andrew and was looking way cool in his hat.



The Kindergarteners went to the Library to hear a story and learn what they do on the first day of school.  And look who ended up sitting next to Kailtin?



A princess backpack girl!  :)

After stories the kids went outside to learn where to line up before school and the parents were allowed to go to the classroom and wait for the children.  Kaitlin got in line next to the spanish girl that volunteered with her mom when Andrew was in kindergarten (Kaitlin called her, her "Spanish Best Friend".  She speaks very little English, if at all.  Kaitlin walked up and said, "Hola!"  And then proceeded to chat away telling her, "You're going to learn a lot of English this year.  English is a language....."  While the little girl just looked around the room.  :)

 

The kids made the "Fox" sign as they were walking out into the hall.  They do this in Kindergarten (I'm guessing to keep their hands occupied) and it's a sign for them to walk quietly.  Kitti has watched Andrew do this and so she was all ready to go with her little Fox hands.



On a side note, Kaitlin recently grew a lot ~ look how tall she is next to her peers!

When they returned and were lined up outside the room I heard the teacher said, "That was a really good job walking quietly.  Wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a big hug!"

I love Kindergarten.

We waited in the room, and the Bug returned, all smiles.



We helped them hang up their backpacks, get their planners (Kitti was not happy that it looked like a boy planner, "I don't like it.") and found their seats. (I noticed the princess backpack girl, who was also wearing a bow headband and a dress with a tulle underskirt came to check the seat next to kitti hoping she was seated there.  I think a friendship has already begun).  

Mrs. Sawyer seated the Spanish girl next to Kaitlin to help with her transition and it was so funny when she sat down, Kitti immediately started in again.  "Hi, Spanish Best Friend (yes, she really said that) Are you riding the bus home?  Because if you are, you can sit next to me on the bus...."  The poor thing doesn't need to learn English as Kitti will talk enough for the both of them!



It was time to go, so I said goodbye....

 

And took one last photo.

 

Kaitlin looked at me at one point and said, "Mama, are you crying?"  I think my eyes were glistening all morning as it's just a really big milestone.  And as I sit here and record these sweet memories, my heart aches and the house is so quiet.  The kids have fantastic teachers, they are at an excellent school, I am so thankful for all of it.  I just know there's no going back...that precious time in our life is over.  I loved it so much and can't help to be sad to see it end.  We will have a great year.  I will embrace this next stage and I'm sure I will love it (I already do) ~ but this morning, just for today, while Kaitlin is at Kindergarten, I'm having my "Mom" moment. But when the kids arrive home, they will be greeted with big hugs, a happy smile and apple cupcakes, ready to celebrate! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was happy when Kitti's bus pulled up.  (It stops right in front of our house.  Talk about convenient!) The doors opened and we met her new bus driver who was really nice.    I was grateful she made sure that each of the children had parents waiting for them before they let them off.

 

Kitti came happily bounding off the bus.

I gave her probably 10 hugs as I made lunch.

She had a great day and was really happy.

And the princess unicorn girl I told her about?

It turns out, her name is Sydney.

She was the princess backpack girl and sat next to Kitti on the bus on the way home.

We had an afternoon snuggle on the sofa and very soon it was time to get the boys.  They are "Walkers" this year.  After begging to walk home, I finally agreed.  However, when 3:30 rolls around, my plan is to start walking up toward the school myself and meet them half way.  So Kaitlin and I set out.  There was a lot of happy skipping.

 

 The boys appeared and were surprised to see us.  Not in the "Yay!  Mama is here!" kind of way that used to happen.  But more in the, "we were doing this really cool thing and now it's not so cool anymore because you showed up" sort of way.

Sigh.

I was greeted with..."I thought we were walking."

"You are walking...I'm just walking with you part of the way."

Andrew happily held my hand and we chatted about their days as we walked home.  We're still not exactly sure how Andrew's day went.  Other than he liked his teacher.  I'm not entirely sure he made good choices as his response varied from "yes" to "I don't know, you'll have to ask my teacher."  Oh well.  Matthew had a great day and reported that his teacher is funny.  Which means Matthew will love her.




See?  No running to hug Mama.

That's ok.  I can take it.

This is exactly why it's hard to see Kaitlin go off to school...I know what happens next.



We made it home and even though I wasn't cool for walking up to meet them.  I did make them happy with our 1st day of school apple cupcakes. 







Kitti finished off her first day of school with her first day of soccer practice which she was equally excited about!



Especially since she's playing with her BFF.

 

I think it's going to be a good year.  We have great teachers.  And I have to say, it was really nice just having one calendar of the same school events for all the kids.  I've made it through the pile of "First Day Folder' paper work.  Filled out forms, written checks, and they are tucked back in backpacks.  Lunches are packed and we're ready for round two.  And so it begins....

Last Day of Pre-school

 

The end of May brought the last day of pre-school.  It was the passing of an era.  I remember so clearly balancing a baby Andrew on my hip as I hugged a 3 year old little Matthew so tightly as I said goodbye.

Here is Matthew at 3, when we started Circle of friends seven years ago.   Kaitlin wasn't even a part of our family yet!  I remember how my heart ached on that day to let him go.  He was fine, but I struggled to hand him over.



I had no idea on that day what this sweet school would grow to mean to our family.

We started attending Columbia Pres. (where our pre-school is housed) because of COF.  When I was in the hospital with complications after having Kailin the pre-school director called one of the church pastors who came and sat with Dan while I was in surgery.  We joined the church shortly thereafter.  Through this school we have made dear friends.  We found a church home & a church family.  Our faith has grown and blossomed as a result.   This little school has meant a lot to me ~ more than I ever would have anticipated when looking for a pre-school.  I loved the teachers.  Loved the director.  It was a wonderful experience and I am sad to see this precious stage in our life pass by, because really, there are few things in life sweeter than a pre-schooler and I will miss having one at home.

We didn't do carpool on the last day of school and so I just had Kitti with me.  As soon as I turned into the parking lot the tears started flowing. 

Another thing we will miss at pre-school is this darling girl.

 
 
We do not attend the same elementary school as Shannon's kids.  Andrew struggled a bit to not have his Claire there taking care of him in Kindergarten.  While I know Kitti will really miss Grace, I know she'll be just fine next year. But we will miss getting to share our days with Shannon and Grace.

Kaitlin had a loose tooth and she sat down in circle time and she and Gracie were so cute comparing their teeth.  Grace has already lost quite a few so Kaitlin was excited to join the ranks.

 

It was an emotional morning for me.  I loved this stage in our life, and I am sad to see it go.  Our life has followed the routine and rhythm of the pre-school school calendar for a long time.  The school traditions have come to feel like family traditions and I will miss them.

I know new traditions will form and there is so much fun to be had and new friends to make when Kaitlin steps through the doors at Fox.  We will embrace and enjoy our time there just as we have at COF.  I look forward to that and will make the most of that time.  But for this one day, I allowed myself to acknowledge and feel the sadness of seeing this time go....

I walked down the hall from my last pre-school drop off with one of those familiar "mom" aches in my heart.  A "heartstrings" moment that you read about but never really made sense to me before.  I get it now...that pull on my heart that happens when I feel like I deposited a piece of my heart somewhere have had to move on and leave it behind.

Don't mess with the F.

(Potos from this post are random ones from this last summer that I never posted).



We were driving to pre-school for the "Meet the teacher" day and the boys were correcting Kaitlin on how she would say her teacher, Miss Beth's name from last year. 

Katie calls her, "Miss Beff."  With an F.
I love it.
Just like "everything" is "EveryFing."
The boys were correcting her, and yes, I told them not to worry about it.
Don't mess with the F, boys.



Andrew used to say, "I Yuv you."  For the longest times his Ls were Ys and it was SO sweet.  I remember he day he said it correctly, Dan and I were both a little sad to see that sweetness go.  And tonight at dinner as she was saying the blessing, I noticed she said, "Thank you God, for EveryTHing."  :(


(She was praying at Hopper the frog's memorial service this summer).

No worries, there are sill many cute things that she says.  Today we were finishing "It's a Wonderful Life."  Matthew and I were watching it together yesterday.  I love that movie and there are so many wonderful lessons in it for the kids.  At one point at the end someone says...
"To George Baily, the richest man I know!"

Kaitlin said in response...
"I don't want to be rich!  I think it's mean to be rich!"  :)
(Because Mr. Potter is mean in the movie).



One of my favorites is how she adds -ed to everything she does in past tense.  Tonight she said,
"I'll show you what I did-ed at school."


(Matthew took this of us while we watched Andrew play tball).

And then there's her joy, that when she feels it (often) it comes flowing out with all sorts of funny statements.  Yesterday she was outside singing at the top of her lungs about how she loves to sing every day.  Tonight I wrote down a few of the things she said when she was happy with me.

"I can just snuggle you up forever and ever!"

"I'm so happy my heart is full of dancing!"

"I'm going to scream into your heart because I love you too much!!"



And then the other day when she had the hiccups....

"If you walk up behind me and surprise me it will give my hiccups away."

Thoughts of a 4 year old

(A game of "Follow the leader" with Nana). :)

 I was just sorting dirty laundry in the boys' bathroom. I told Kaitlin to go get her jammies on.

 She went to her bedroom and shortly thereafter I arrived with my arms full of clothes to see her rocking in her rocking chair (while standing on her head).

"Kaitlin! What are you doing? I told you to go get your jammies on.  I need to wash those clothes."

"Oh. I'm sorry, Mama!  I'm sorry!  I was just finking about rainbow dresses."

Just in case Kaitlin ever wonders about what consumed her thoughts at the age of 4.

And Now You Are Three.

My Dear Kaitlin,

Your birthday has come and gone, the cake has been eaten, the candles blown out (a few times) and now I am left with my 3 year old little girl.  Why, my love, do you insist on growing up?  Wouldn't you like to stay two just a little bit longer?   So that I could soak in your sweetness just a bit more?  You see, I'm not done enjoying all that "two" was for you.  I know the changes that happen this year.  I've seen them unfold twice before.  Every day you inch forward toward four and I wish that we could just slow things down a bit.   

The other night I got home and you were already tucked into bed.  I opened the door so I could put a good night kiss on your cheek and you were still awake.  You greeted me with a tired but oh so happy, "Mommy!"  My heart could have just melted into a puddle on the floor at the way you said the word.

Even if I had spent every minute of the last three years holding you, playing with you and absorbing all that you are ~ I would still have this sense of bitter-sweetness, as I have loved (nearly) every moment.  Aware of this fleeting time, since you were born I have spent hours rocking you in your nursery, first cradled in my arms, and then snuggled into my chest with your legs around my waist, and now with your head on my shoulder, knees bent underneath of you to accommodate your ever growing legs, and some day ~ all too soon ~ you'll be too big.  But let's not talk about that.  In the mean time, you'll find me every afternoon, clocking more time with you in the rocking chair.

And loving every minute of it.  It's our alone time together, when I can sing to you, rub noses with you, snuggle and kiss your cheek and tell you how much I love you.  Occasionally, you'll take my face in your two little hands and touch my nose to yours.

You have changed so much this year.  You have gone from barely not a baby anymore to a little girl.  You know your alphabet, many letter sounds, you can recite nearly the whole Lord's Prayer, you sleep in a "big girl" bed.  Pre-school is right around the corner for you, and you are ready.  I know you will love it.  Well, that is if we can ever convince you to give up the diapers.  :(  You are so not co-operating with potty training.  We'll get there.  We have 5 months to get it done.

One night you took my baby bedding out of the linen closet. My Dad selected it when Mom was in the hospital after having me. They have a photo of me when I came home from the hospital laying on this blanket. I planned on doing the same with you, but wasn't able to because of my back surgery. But I seized the moment when you had it out, and while it wasn't what I had originally pictured, you were happy to lay in it and I took a photo of you. You were also acting like a baby at the time. :)

You love all things girly.  You love pink, dolls, princesses,  twirly dresses, bows and dress up.   You love to change your doll's clothes and are partial to the ballerina dress.

You like to have a bow in and if it comes out, you'll say "Oh no, my bow!" 

And bring it to me to put it back on.

You love pretending to be some sort of a cross between a cat and a dog so we call you a "Puppy-cat."  As you'll pant like a dog and then meow and lick your paw like a kitty.  It's so funny. You also will take a drink and spit it out onto the table or in a bowl and lick it up like a kitty. This is not allowed. But I did take your photo one day when you did it because it is so you right now.

We still call you "Kitti."  Andrew's nickname for you has just stuck.  But I sat in front of the pre-school application and debated the "Name your child goes by" line for quite some time.  At home, you are mostly called, "Kitti."  Do we want you to be known by that?  Probably not.  It'll probably always be your family name, but after discussing with Dan, we decided on "Katie."  It sounds very close to what we call you at home and is a name we also use.

You love to color. The pink and purple markers are finally being put to use in our house.

You speak quite well but still say the cutest things.  One of my favorites is that you call Matthew, "Maffrew."  I wish you'd never stop.  It makes me smile every time I hear it.

You are starting to emulate Andrew a lot.  (For better or worse). :)  The two of you are pals and I love to hear and watch you play together.  He is so sweet to you.  Although he has taken to teasing you lately.  But being a big brother is so good for him, and the two of you are close.  However, if Matthew is home he tends to play with Matthew and then you become my helper.  "I help with you, Mama."  Is what you'll often say.

Matthew loves you, but now that you are communicating more he gets frustrated that the things that you say are not 100% accurate.  You are teaching him how to give the gift of grace, however painful that lesson is at times. :)  But he looks after your well being.  I'll see him make sure you're not doing something that can cause you to get hurt and he'll talk to you in a sweet high pitched voice ~ it's cute.

You love to sing, and will sing to yourself as you play.  It is SO cute.  This is one of my favorite things about you.  One of the songs that you sing is "Return to Pooh Corner" a song I've sang to each of you as babies...But you don't know the correct words and have made up some of your own and your Daddy and I always exchange smiles when you sing this and it just makes your Daddy's eyes twinkle.

You love pretend play.  While I'd really prefer to have your kitchen upstairs I know you wouldn't use it as much because you like to be with me.  So we keep it in the kitchen where your high chair used to be.  You love to play here while I am cooking.  It works out great.

You have an imaginary horse named "Diamond." 
We think Claire introduced you to that name.  :)

Your most favorite thing to do though is to dress up.  Every day you are transformed into a regal princess or a dancing twirling ballerina.  You love to dress up and spin and twirl until you are dizzy and stumbling around.  And I'm happy to stop what I'm doing and be your audience.

You are such a picky eater.  We are 3 for 3.  (I have only myself to blame for this trait though).  I think you have been our most challenging.  One day you tasted some jam and said, "That's yummy!"  Then you tasted some peanutbutter and said, "That's good!"  Daddy then made you a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich.  You took a bite and said, "I no like it."  Par for the course.

You are starting to put up personal boundaries and not allow everyone in your space like you used to.   While I know this is good and healthy and I'm glad for it in some respects, I do miss that sweet smiley girl that would greet and charm everyone.  A stranger complimented your shoes the other day and you hid your face and said, "You not my friend."  You are starting to distinguish between friend and stranger. 

You are still a very confident and self assured child. 
It's my goal to do everything I can to see to it that doesn't change.

You are a relatively easy child to parent.  For the most part, you follow rules and do as we ask.   You do get fussy and will cry when you don't get your way especially in the afternoon when you're tired, but you're easily calmed or distracted.  You aren't a difficult child to discipline, and I'm hoping you stay that way.  You seem to want to please us and get upset if we're not happy with something you've done.  You're pretty easy to reason with considering your age.

Your Daddy will call and meow on the answering machine like a kitty for you.  When you hear it you will shriek and run to the machine.  You LOVE it.

Your Daddy is so sweet to you and takes you to the store that has the really "pretty" big dresses for sale to pass the time when I'm shopping.  You love that. You will point and say, "I want to wear that one....I want to wear that one..."  :)

You have a sweet tooth.  Just like your mama.

You still love to snuggle and cuddle.  I am so glad.  I can snuggle your cheek with mine and you don't pull away.  You love to be held, and one of my favorite sentences to hear is, "I want you, Mama."  That means that you want me to sit and hold you for a while.  Then all is right in your little world again.

You are a good sleeper, but are not much of a napper anymore.  You are good about staying in your bed, but only nap maybe twice a week.  The rest of the days you spend your time singing, yelling random nonsense :) and playing in your bed.  Then when I walk in to get you, you'll cheerfully exclaim, "I woke up!!!" even if you haven't slept a wink.

You are often doing and saying funny things.  One day,  Andrew went to use the bathroom and then laid down on the sofa. You had been waiting on him to finish so that he would play with you.  Not having seen him leave the bathroom, I heard you go into the bathroom yourself and then yell into the toilet, "Andrew! Andrew!"

Silence. Then very matter of factly,

"Oh, no. He fell into the bafroom." :)

(Perhaps this explains your potty training fears). 

This past year has held big things for you.  You transitioned out of your crib (very easily).  You no longer eat your meals perched in your high chair.  You have joined us at the table, which is wonderful as we are able to hold your little hand as we bless the food, and hear your sweet voice chime in with a prayer from time to time.

I know this year holds many changes to come, and while I feel nostalgic for the time that has past, I truly do delight in your growth.  As the days pass on it is fun to see more of you revealed to me...to get glimpses of what your personality might hold.  I celebrate that you are healthy and growing and changing every day, just as you should.  I truly would not have it any other way.

You are my joy.

You make my heart light.

I adore you, my sweet.

Love,
Mommy

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

~ John 1:16 from NIV