School days...

So I've been slacking on the blogging. I really really like to write regularly, because when I go back and read, I'm always disappointed when there are no stories to remind of the way they were. News flash: I write this thing for myself. So for the rest of the week, I am going to write a post about each of the chillins...just a little grouping of stories.

So...first up...Lillian!

Oh, you guys, after that first wonderful day of preschool, Lily has slid back farther and farther into insanity. Here's a time-line:

Sept 16: First day. Lily doesn't look back and at the end of the day comes running out full of happy stories.

Sept 21: Second day. Lily cries hysterically when it is time to get into the car to go to school. She cries the whole way to school. But as soon as we pull into the parking lot, she gets excited. Runs in without looking back and at the end of the day comes running out full of stories.

Sept 23: Third day. Lily cries hysterically when it is time to get into the car to go to school. She cries even more hysterically when we pull into the parking lot. She begins SCREAMING as we enter the school...to the point that I am actually holding my hand over her mouth so the windows won't shatter. After succeeding in getting the other 11 students amped up and also crying, I carry her kicking and punching and screaming at decibels that humans can hardly tolerate. The teachers whisk her away from me, and I can hear her screaming as I walk through the two hallways and out the front door. Let me repeat: I could hear her screams through 3 sets of doors and down two long hallways. When I went to pick her up, she ran out full of stories...but she also mentioned that Mrs. G had to calm her down.

Sept 28: Fourth day. Lily cries hysterically upon waking up...because she knows it is a school day. She cries and screams off and on for the rest of the morning (she was also very tired because of our busy weekend). I gave her the option of school or in bed for the entire school time. She chose bed...and never complained to get out.

Sept 30: Fifth day. That would be today. She isn't even awake yet, but I think I'm going to force her in. Goodie.

I don't know how much to push her. This is supposed to be fun. It is a *bonus* year of pre-school. Now that I know Kindergarten is really just another year of pre-school, that means this is the first of 4 years of pre-school. It is unnecessary. It is a pain in my tooshie to take her and entertain the boys for 90 minutes while we drive around and kill time. But at the same time, she has a great time once she's there. But at the same time, her little dramatics have a domino effect of the rest of the class.

Ugh. Totally didn't have this the first time around.

Other Lily stories?

--- We were standing around waiting for the school bus, when a neighbor drove by and stopped to talk. She asked Andrew and his friend Lauren how they liked school. Lily cocks her hip, puts her hand on her hip and says (with attitude), "Hey! I go to school too!"

---We were walking back home from the bus stop and Lily asked me what Andrew's teacher's name was. I explained that the bus driver wasn't his teacher, that the bus took him to school where his teacher was waiting. Lily said, "Well, I have LOTS of teachers. Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Gulla, and...what's that teacher's name? I like Mrs. Gulla the best because when I was crying and crying she gave me a hug." All in one breath.

---Lily is quite disturbed by the fact that it is dark when she goes to bed at night now. She likes to read books in bed, and it is too dark now to even see the pictures at all. So she regularly cries and calls out, "Mommy! Daddy! Please come turn my window on!"

---Her new phrase is "That is crazy." Except she says it, "Dat is Cw-azy!" Find her shoe under the table? "Dat is Cw-azy!" Michael hair blows in the wind? "Dat is Cw-azy!" You get the idea...

---We have recently introduced 2 new CDs into car rotation. Elmo is officially out of rotation (yippee), although Michael's infatuation with all things Sesame may bring him back in soon (boooo). Our 2 new CDs are the They Might Be Giants ABC's and 123's. Jeff and I enjoyed TMBG in college, and their kids CDs are fantastic. But one of my favorite parts is that Lily sings them now. We were hiking in the woods and Andrew pointed at a tree and said, "Mommy that is a conifer." To which Lily started singing, "C is for conifer...more than 900 kinds..." She sounded really smart as we walked through the woods ;) I also love it when we are in the grocery and she breaks into, "One plus one is two. Two plus two is four. I can add...I can AAAAAAddddddd!" Or when we point out the geese and she sings, "Flying V! Flying V!" Makes me look like such a freak-a-zoid parent...except the songs are really really good...TMBG stayed true to their song-writing and making style.

---Lily is fast approaching 3 (next Tuesday!), and so we are getting the, "How is potty training going?" Um...it is going nowhere. She has zero interest. She also has zero interest in sleeping in a big girl bed, eating new foods, or playing new variations of pretend games. This child seriously likes what she likes and has no interest in broadening her horizons. I guess I'll start encouraging the potty more. I guess. But those of you crazies who purposefully had kids this close together...honestly, what did you DO with the younger when you were in the bathroom. Lily doesn't want to be alone while she tries, but Michael is constantly getting into the toilet/unrolling the paper/crawling behind the toilet/emptying the trash/tickle-tickling Lily's naked legs. I can't leave him alone outside the bathroom. I can't bring him in with me. I can't leave Lily alone in the bathroom. Solution? Lily can either learn to go to the bathroom three times a day (before Mikey wakes up, during his nap, at bedtime), stay in diapers, or I can potty train Michael now too.

Lily, on the first day of school telling her Daddy about her day. Happier times...

Poconos!

We may have had a little TOO much fun this weekend. It is Monday morning, and Lily did not make it to school today...she had issues last week, which I didn't write about in hopes not to jinx it. But after our weekend, she woke up in such a horrific mood, I couldn't send her to school today. Andrew is covered in hives...well, his belly and thighs are covered...and he is grouchy and clumsy and out of sorts. Michael is already down for his morning nap...and he hasn't taken a morning nap in about 3 weeks. Andrew has no school today...for which I am alternately grateful and disappointed.

-sigh- It's going to be a long day.

But it is our fault (although Jeff doesn't have to live with the fallout today...hmmm). Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early (as usual), and headed off to the delightful little mountain chain just north of us, the Poconos. Jeff had scoped out 2 parks with possibilities...one with better mountain views and vistas and the other with playgrounds and shorter hikes. Since this was our first foray into the area, and since we were taking a 1 year old, 3 year old, and 6 year old (almost)...guess which one we choose.

The kids did AWESOME. The park was beautiful, but it wasn't really "mountainous". We could have probably driven 15-20 minutes and found a similarly beautiful park. But the kids were great and enjoyed themselves, so the 90 minute drive there and back was a bit less painful. But it WORE US OUT. Next time we are totally going to the other park. Now that we know how good the kids can be.

We didn't really know where to start...unfortunately we started at a beach. In the woods. Weird. And Michael and Lily DESPERATELY wanted to go swimming. Did I mention it was 52 degrees and windy?

Jeff...trying to hold back the restless toddlers while I happily snap pictures. Perhaps I deserve dealing with the fallout from this weekend?
Lily bundled up. By the lake it was really cold and windy...she peeled off her layers later on.

Oh, the caterpillars. We walked through this little picnic area/field place, and saw half a dozen black and white caterpillars crawling around. After picking up one with a stick and putting it on this stump, we decided it didn't have any spines or prickly things and let the kids play with it.

Upon coming home, we went on the Internet to find out more about our caterpillar friends. Turns out the hickory tussock moth can cause an allergic reaction in many people. Too bad Michael actually kissed it at one point, Andrew had it crawling on his face, and Lily carried it around for a while. Good parenting.

Lily making silly faces during our picnic. My kids like picnics so much that they insist upon having it the moment we get to the park. I had hoped to break up the hike a bit with a picnic...but nooooooo. Must. Open. Lunch. NOW!

Michael also loves picnics. And isn't he cute in his little coat?

Andrew climbed a little tree. We think this may be what caused the hives. I know the caterpillar is the obvious...but he doesn't have any hives where those critters crawled on him. But we think his shirt could have ridden up while climbing this and maybe he is allergic to the tree. ? Jeff tells me he was allergic when he was a kid. Whatever.

For the hike, Michael cooperated and rode in the backpack. My hair band had broken, so I look a bit like a hippy...a greasy hippy. All day, my hair drove me crazy. Once we were back home that night, I realized that I had put an extra one around my wrist. Which I neglected to discover...obviously. Jeff had better start looking into homes for me.

Part of our trail. Andrew LOVED it. He followed those orange diamonds and hopped from rock to rock, and pointed out ferns...and just generally enjoyed himself.

Purple mushrooms. We did NOT let the kids play with these. See? We aren't THAT bad.

Lily walked an amazing amount of this hike. She didn't even trip that much. Just happily pointing out trees and singing the They Might Be Giants song, "C is for conifer." So cute.

So that was Saturday. Wiped us all out.

Then Sunday we went to church in the morning (oh, yes...that's right...went to church...more on that later). Got home and ate a quick lunch. Andrew went to soccer...in the rain...only 5 kids on his team showed up so he had to play the entire hour. Michael slept for about 45 minutes, Lily not at all. Then we drove 45 minutes to Jeff's cousins house to visit with them and his aunt Dottie who was visiting. We all had a great time visiting, Cousin Elle had crafts and cookies to decorate and Cousin Lily shared her toys really really well (Lily is Lily's age too...a bit confusing...but my Lily thinks it is really cool). Had a hard time leaving because we were having such a good time and ended up not getting home until 8:30...2 hours past Mike's bed time and 1 1/2 hours past Lily's.

Wake up this morning same time as usual. Begin day of punishment.

I still think it will be worth it. We're already planning the next several weekends...

New parenting strategy...

The good thing in Texas

I often ponder where life will take us next. I have a hard time even entertaining the thought that we may be in Pennsylvania forever...in part because of our past history and in part because my husband enjoys torturing me with uncertainty. He often tells me that Houston may be in our future, because apparently every chemical company in America has a huge processing facility there due to...ya know...the oil. ;) Houston may be one of my worst nightmares. No offense to you Texas folks...it's just HOT there. And I hate the HEAT. A lot. Also? One of my least favorite parts of California was the lack of seasons. Except that California was stuck in the GOOD season...not my least favorite season.

Anyway...I digress. When I am torturing myself with future visions of living in TX, there is one shining light. Family. Jeff's brother and sister live in Texas, and every time I get to see them with my kids I have moments of thinking that Texas wouldn't be so bad after all.

Chad came to visit this weekend...it was a blast. He is such a good uncle...up for anything, never complaining about the mind-numbing boringness that comes from playing with young kids. Smiling gamely when we take him on an "exciting" outing to an apple farm. Going to watch 5 year olds play soccer and then feigning enthusiasm. Playing Land Before Time with Lily...even though he is not familiar with the movie. Being woken up at 8:30 with the loud exclamation, "Why are you sleeping so long, Chad-eo?" Thanks for visiting, Chad. You are welcome anytime...our kids love you. ;) We do too. :)

Chad in a pile-up on the couch.

Chad passed out on the couch while Andrew played with his phone. Andrew was OBSESSED with his iPhone...I'm pretty sure he called a few of Chad's friends and then promptly hung up on them.

Michael was a most enthusiastic apple picker. He got the award for putting the apples in the bucket the gentlest. I'm not being sarcastic. You should have seen Andrew lobbing them in. Yikes.

Andrew picking apples.

Lily taking a break from her monster tantrums to drink some milk. It was "too sunny" and "too many bugs" and "I want to go home now". She managed to find every apple possible to trip on. We should've named her Grace. Or perhaps we should have left her at home.

Michael finds a low branch.

Andrew finds a slightly higher branch.

Our family and someone else's. A very patient family that smiled when Michael invaded their buckets. Buckets, plural. What are they going to do with all those apples?

Lily finally gets into the action. After much repeated yelling, "Watch where you are walking!"

One more time...because it's just so cute...

And, finally...a video of what uncles are for. And why Chad is so tired. ;)

Okay, so today was the first day...

Well...today was it.

I woke Lily up and got her dressed...and she immediately started in on me...

"Today I go to my school? And you leave?"

All morning, she was ready to go. She just wanted to go. Screams ensued when I tried to explain that school starts at a specific time... Just the first lesson about how life doesn't run on Lily-time.

We went over how some of the kids would cry. And that was okay...they just missed their mommy. And that Lily could tell them she was sorry they were sad and share her toys to make them feel better.

We took pictures...

And then they opened the doors...and she RAN into the classroom. I asked her for a kiss and a hug, and she didn't even hear me. She was in her element...Mama already forgotten in the first millisecond of school life.

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Andrew, Michael, and I walked out to the car to go to the grocery (because, really? What else can you do for 90 minutes?). Andrew got a little teary-eyed and said, "I wonder how she's doing. Do you think she's okay? I really miss having Lily around." Honestly...I don't think I could love this child any more. He had all my emotions out in the open...what a sweet sweet boy.

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When we came back to pick her up, I was the first in line. (because, really? 90 minutes is too long to go shopping). She hollers "Mommy!" and Andrew barges in the classroom to give her a huge hug. She then runs out to me hugs me and says in one breath, "We had COOKIES and we played play-doh and we made hearts and we read a book with Cookie Monster and we had COOKIES." I hugged her and told her I was proud of her. And then she said, "Mommy, thank you so much for leaving me at school." Sweet little thing. I told her that she'd get to go again next week and have more fun. And she said, "But you stay with me?" I told her that I can't stay because Michael will eat all the toys, so I have to leave her there alone again. She said, "Oh! Great!"

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How can I be sentimental with that much enthusiasm and pure joy about school? The teachers kind of waved me off, because they were busy talking with the poor parents that left screaming children in their wake. Lily was a pro. On her very first day.

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Love her.

Lily...unleashed

Lily in her beautiful linen dress. Holding our caterpillars. We finally got them in the mail. We'll see if they can survive the fact that Lily wants to carry them everywhere.

I forgot to take pictures in the morning (shocker). So this is after nap. I had to get her in this dress...but the hair...dear Lord...the hair...

Lily had her first day of school yesterday. But it was one of those lame-o, parents go with you days. And unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone to watch the boys, so I brought the whole swinging crew with us. Didn't feel quite right...but what are you going to do?

I think Andrew was just as excited as Lily. Ever since June, we've been waving at the school and calling it "Lily's school." We have to pass by every time we go to the library, and since we go to the library every week, she's had a lot of practice. Andrew most enthusiastically has transferred "his" school to Lily. Yesterday was finally the day. I dressed her in a beautiful linen dress that my parents got her from Greece and that I've never had the heart to actually put her in. She will probably never wear it again. ;) She insisted on bringing her "pack-back"...it has been hanging next to Andrew's in the front hall and she has been desperately jealous every day that he has gotten to wear his. Her back-pack is from Ireland...where her other grandparents got it for her. Andrew, of course, told everyone that we saw where both were from. Dress from Greece, bag from Ireland...sound pretentious much? Every time Andrew announced this I felt like adding, "And her shoes are from Tar-Jay." Just because.

Anyhoo, I got to the school early because they have finally finished all the renovations (that made me cry last year, because it made the drop-off/pick-up so much harder), and I wanted a look around. Lily was not patient, and wanted to "Go to my school." I explained that this WAS her school, we just were looking around a bit. At that moment she spied a yoga class going on in the sanctuary, and she started walking quickly over to the ladies saying, "I go to school." I had to drag her away and explain that we needed to go to her classroom. Which we did.

Andrew of course knew the teachers. He had them for the "On My Own" program 3 years ago, and then he had them again for "Jump for Joy" the little PE program that he had every Friday last school year. They had him introduce his little sister and generally exclaimed over him. He beamed. Lily sat down on the floor and gave the teachers the papers from her "pack-back", and then started playing with some blocks. I tried desperately to keep Michael and Andrew away from the 2 year olds that were there for orientation...but it was too hard. Eventually, Michael was sitting in the mix, eating every block he could get his hands on. One of the other mothers was particularly nervous about the swine flu (AND asked what temperature do they stop letting the kids play outside AND complained about the parking lot AND requested that there be no peanuts in the classroom even though her children don't have peanut allergies, she doesn't want them to develop any(?)...) and was practically wringing her hands watching him. I felt bad. But not too bad, since she was obviously a nervous wreck about everything anyway. Andrew did AWESOME...playing but letting the 2 year olds run the show. Michael...well, he was 17 months old, and in desperate need for a nap. I had to keep dragging him back towards me, and trying to keep him quiet enough that we could hear the teachers talk.

Being there again makes me realize why I picked this school. The classrooms are bright and beautiful and welcoming and warm. There are 3 teachers for 12 kids. The teachers are mothering and nurturing and love kids. They stressed over and over that this program is not for academic learning...their goal is socialization and fun and exposure to new things without Mommy always around. That these kids have 3 years of pre-school before kindergarten and they really just don't need the academics as much as the fun stuff. I love that...I mean...they are TWO. They are only in school for 90 minutes. Make it fun! It also makes me realize why I'm so disappointed by Andrew's kindergarten...for the opposite reason. But I'm not going THERE again in this post. ;)

They spelled Lily's name differently. Which makes the irrational part of me agonize over our choice of Lily vs. Lilly. Her legal name is Lillian, so the logical choice (to me) for her nick name was Lilly. But when we were discussing it before her birth, I wanted to pick the most natural spelling. I didn't want her to constantly be spelling her nickname for everyone (scarred from childhood much, Gazebo...I mean, Gazelle...no, wait, Janelle...uh huh...Jerome?). Anyway, we finally decided that she would more than likely be called Lily in everyday life, and people wouldn't know her full name, so spelling it like the flower was probably the more likely spelling to John Q. Public. And here we are...her first foray into public life...and I have guessed incorrectly. Even though on the registration forms, I clearly wrote L-I-L-Y as her nickname. And it really doesn't matter to me, it is only her nick-name after all...and I like it L-I-L-L-Y...I even think it makes more sense...but Lily now knows how to spell her name...and I hate to have to reteach her. And she has Christmas ornaments and etc. with Lily. So I'm going to just stick to my guns and have them change everything. But it just stinks because the only reason I went with this spelling was because I thought everyone would spell it this way. Obviously I don't have a finger on the pulse of society. ;)

Lily only cried once during the whole orientation...which is a miracle considering the mood she woke up in. When it was over and we had to leave, Lily yelled, "NO! YOU GO HOME, MOMMY. COME BACK LATER AND PICK ME UP." So I'm guessing she'll be fine on Wednesday. :) But think of it from her perspective. For as long as she can remember, she has stood on the threshold of these bright beautiful fun rooms, but she has never been allowed to enter. Now it is HER turn. That's pretty exciting. I'm excited for her. My beautiful, strong-willed, funny, wonderful Lily. It is definitely your turn...is the world ready for you?

Couldn't you just EAT these feet?

Seriously...are these not the CUTEST shoes you've ever seen? I just want to eat his feet when he's wearing them.

Marshmallow man. Got a handful of the squishy sugar cubes after dinner and promptly shoved ALL OF THEM into his cheeks like a hamster. But doesn't he just look like...I don't know...a KID in this picture? Where is my baby going?

All pictures of Michael seem to look like this lately. Pointing to look at the camera. Can't really tell he is literally bursting with marshmallows.

I asked Michael to smile for the camera and this is what he did. Looks like we've got another naturally photogenic child on our hands.

Smiles all around

Today was one of those days. You know...one of the GOOD days. Actually...we've been having quite a few good days. I find myself...really really enjoying my kids. Sure, they are constantly tackling/chasing/screaming...which is annoying. Sure, they whine and moan and complain whenever I serve them food but also whine and moan and complain all day that they are hungry. Sure, they have some bad habits. Like Lily has started shushing me the minute I start in on her. Yes, she shushes me...finger to the lips and everything. I made the mistake of laughing the first time she did it, and so now she thinks it is acceptable. Heaven help her teachers.

But mostly I am enjoying them. I enjoy that I don't have to wait for Lily to go to bed to do fun things with Andrew...they are starting to be able to do it together. Now just a year or so until Michael is one of the gang as well. (Just. Stop. Eating. the Crayons. And the chalk. And the dry pasta...seriously...stop it). I can't believe how much I enjoy my 2 hours to myself in the afternoon. And how quickly I've come to expect it. Michael only slept for 45 minutes on Wednesday and when I heard him, I was all, "Say WHAAAAAA? Nuh-uh, honey, dis is Momma's time. You be trippin'" Or something like that. Needless to say, he "played" in his crib for a while longer.

Here's how our successful day went today.

6am-9:30am...get up, serve breakfasts, nobody complains, clean the house for playgroup, realize that my house is actually not that bad due to the 2 hours sans children I have in the afternoons each day, get kiddos dressed and threaten their lives if they wrestle/chase/tackle/scream while our visitors are here.

9:30-11:30...playgroup. Almost kill Andrew and Lily for wrestling/chasing/tackling/screaming while visitors cringe in fear. But after pouting because he got yelled at and separated from his sister, Andrew gathers all the children together in a circle and they take turns making up stories. ALL CHILDREN...in a circle...quietly telling stories. For like an hour. Moms sat in another room and drank coffee. It was a small miracle from heaven.

11:30-12:30...lunchtime/tv time. Children zombify in front of Harold and the Purple Crayon and eat lunchmeat and peanut butter (not together...one child had the one...you get the idea). Children love this DVD from library...we had the book last week and got the DVD this week. They are in wonder and awe. I am appreciating the change from the 24/7 Peep marathon.

12:30-3:30...drive to bus stop due to torrential downpour, Andrew gets on bus, 2 littles take naps, I do nothing...sweet sweet nothing. I cleaned in the morning, so I took the afternoon off!

3:30-5:30...get Andrew from bus stop, children come in and happily play their wrestle/chase/tackle/scream game. Give all 3 baths. Leave to pick up Jeff from the Honda dealership where he's gone from work to get serviced.

5:30-6:30...got to Wendy's for dinner. It has been...MONTHS since we've gone out as a family and sat in a restaurant. The kids were so excited and behaved so well. Lily said, "Oh snap." when she dropped a french fry. I literally thought I broke a rib I laughed so hard. Then I followed Michael around the nearly empty restaurant while everyone ate their Frosties. He waved at the employees and hollared "Da!" when he saw Jeff...every single go around. Andrew finished his dessert and came and started following Mikey with me. Then he earnestly said, "You go sit down and enjoy your ice cream, Mom. I've got Mikey. I'm serious." So. stinkin'. cute. Oh! And Michael wore his "winter/fall" shoes for the first time. They are so cute I might just eat his feet. I'll have to post pictures. The cutest thing of all is how pleased he is with his shoes. He just exclaims with joy as he points to them.

Other highlights? Lily pooped on the potty today...she asked me out of the blue if she could use the potty. She did the same thing 2 days ago. I haven't changed a poopy diaper (for Lily) in 5 days. A girl could get used to this.

Michael is officially in love with books. He is always bringing us books and wanting to sit up on our laps to read them. He is saying all these animal sounds...kind of out of the blue. He comes up with new words every other day or so. Yesterday was "sit". Last week, "down". He is saying "tan" for thank you and "mo" for more. I can't think of any more at this minute...but it is so fun.

Andrew is doing awesome in school. My friends report that their daughters (in the same class) are always mentioning the things Andrew does. Like there was a bus altercation, and they were trying to figure out who hit who. Andrew suggested that they line up and let the victim pick out his assailant. So that's what they did. I didn't even know this had happened until my friend called to let me know her daughter couldn't talk about anything else. All Andrew had said was that he didn't like indoor recess. Didn't mention he was the mediator for the class ;)

Jeff is really enjoying his job. The commute kind of stinks, but he appreciates that he doesn't have to drive it. He's really trying to get back into fencing, but just generally seems pretty content and happy.

Life is good. We have awesome kids and we are just really really happy. And I really suspect that my 2 hours in the afternoon while the littles nap play a very big part in me noticing. ;)

Downright crafty

Yesterday I planned no crafts or activites. I executed no crafts or activities. The children drove me MAD until 12:50 finally rolled around.

So today we did noodle pictures. Which led to bean and noodle pictures. Which was Lily's first ever glue experience. Truly.

Note the newspaper on the kiddie table. Note the pajama top that got paint on it last week and so is now our designated "Lily can ruin this shirt" craft shirt. Mama is learning.

But sometimes crafts just aren't as fun as skinny-dipping in the backyard. Actually...usually crafts aren't as much fun as that. But we can't ALWAYS be naked...

Back to school

Tonight was Back-to-School night. We got to meet the PTO president, the principal, and sit in our child's classroom and listen to his teacher give a shpeel. Is that how it is spelled? Shpeel. I think not. Whatever.

Here's what I learned at Back-to-School Night:

1) I have not received any information. This is because our district is "paper-free"...and when I signed up for the district list-serve, I apparently didn't actually sign up. So my lack of info is my own damn fault. Although Jeff did it again when we got home and showed me how it is kind of f-ed up...so not completely my fault.

2) Our district is paper free...their big push to be more environmentally friendly. They have recycling in every room, send home almost no papers, etc. But as I walked around the school to get to the front door (it was really really crowded, and we had to park in the back), I noticed that the 30 year old "temporary" trailers have insulation falling out of their roofs and siding molded and peeling and with big gaping holes showing. Perhaps we should spend less time setting up our list serve and more time maintaining the facilities...because I'm pretty sure their heating and cooling bills must be MONSTROUS.

3) Andrew's class has 27 students in it. The AM class has 28. That means there was the potential for how many parents at Back-to-School night? Packed into teeny tiny kindergarten chairs. It was comical. And Andrew's teacher handled it like a pro. She also reassured us that she has a full time assistant teacher (who wasn't there last night because of illness), and they have been told that no more students may be added to the classes. As in, if a new student moves into the district, they will be bussed to another elementary school for Kindergarten. I have my doubts about that, but it sounds nice.

4) Andrew's teacher also addressed how she is going to be sure that the quiet kids don't get lost in the shuffle of this huge class. To illustrate how not all the kids are intimidated by the large numbers, she told a story of a student who shared his summer vacation almost too well...talking and talking and talking. After the presentation, I went up to offer my assistance, and she told me that she was actually talking about Andrew. How ironic that I was the most vocal parent at the Back-to-School night...at least she knows where he gets it from.

5) My husband and I are quite different (shocker). I was asking questions about the assistant and their reading program (I am a little worried it is Whole Language based...she didn't give me a satisfactory answer) and just one other thing. 3 comments/questions. Which was about 2 more than any other parent, but still? I didn't think that was too bad. Jeff apparently was fighting the urge to kick me or step on my toes to get me to stop talking. Luckily for me, his lower extremities were paralyzed by sitting in a kindergarten chair.

6) God bless Kindergarten teachers. Just describing their short short day makes me tired. Imagine getting 27 5 year olds to come in the classroom and take out their folders and get out any papers. Imagine one child needing the restroom, so all the children need the restroom. All 27 of them. Imagine helping 27 children get into their snacks. Imagine listening to 27 five-year olds describe their summer vacations. Imagine leading 27 five year olds who have NO CLUE down to the library or the music room. She was saying that she has to pay close attention, because they'll just follow anyone...just leave the line and follow another teacher if she doesn't watch. Children leave a sweater behind...and have no idea if it belongs to them. 27 of them. Just imagine. It is why I chose to teacher older grades...and that was too much for me. ;)

7) I went into teaching because I love schools. I walked through the brightly painted hallways and smelled the industrial cleaners and wanted to start teaching tomorrow. It has been TEN YEARS since my first year of teaching, when I had my back-to-school night with 2 crying parents and no books and no desks (they forgot to order them for my classroom). TEN YEARS since I wanted to drive off the road in depression and hating the parents who hated me and the principal who called my classroom a "jail cell" and gave me no support etc etc. I was a MISERABLE teacher..and yet one stroll through a school and I'm drooling to work there again. What the HELL is wrong with me? Talk about no self-awareness. ;)

Anyhoo...I enjoyed back to school night. The PTO had their tables set up in a horrible spot...I couldn't even make my way back to the corner table. So I managed not to get on any committees or anything ;) I didn't get a chance to check out the library, because the line to get back to the PTO table was blocking the door. Also? My curmudgeon husband probably would have died of embarrassment if I'd dragged him in there and started looking at their collection. He is so ashamed of me. ;) That's why he keeps me pregnant and barefoot at home. Except there will be no more pregnancies...so he will soon have to deal with me being unleashed into the general public. Poor guy.

And I quote...

"I don't like this water. It's too watery."

End quote.

Do I really need to tell you who said this?

Just a guy

Andrew has his first day off of school today. I know! Weird, huh? I never got a 4 day weekend for Labor Day. Whatever. He NEEDS a weekend. Between the cold and actually being active in the afternoon...this boy is WIPED OUT. He cried for 40 minutes at our playgroup yesterday because he was "tired, and I want to go home". Poor baby.

Every day after school, I grill Andrew for details about school. He is obviously enjoying himself...but he has very few details. Let me rephrase...he has very few details that I am interested in. Just like his father. After 10 years of marriage, Jeff has finally learned that when someone we know is pregnant or is going to have a baby, I might be interested in finding out SOME DETAIL. Like...if the child is a boy or a girl. It has taken TEN YEARS to get this much information noticed by Jeff. So I guess as far as getting school info out of Andrew, I might as well wait until high school. By which time he'll probably be barely speaking to me at all...other than grunts and eye rolls.

So I pepper him with questions. Who did you sit next to today? Did you talk about letters today? Did you talk to anyone at snack? What are their names?

Andrew has told me about several games that they played this week to help learn each others' names. Like in music, they counted to the beat...1-2-3....1-2-3...and then interjected their names into it...Andrew-2-3....Lauren-2-3....Olivia-2-3...etc etc. I have to say etc, because out of a class of at least 25 (I still am not sure of the number), Andrew has only told me 2 names...Jagger and Olivia. I know Lauren, because she gets on the bus with Andrew. He knows NOBODY'S name. He doesn't talk about playing or talking with anyone. And yet? He seems totally happy about this.

Yesterday gave me a little insight into this. He told me that everyone was supposed to sit criss-cross-applesauce on the rug at the end of the day. The child that did this the quietest would be called first to go get their bookbag off the hooks. Andrew was BEAMING that his name got called first. And his teacher complimented him on being such a good listener.

BEAMING. He was.

And suddenly, I have a vision of what Andrew's week has been like. He has been concentrating so hard on doing what the teacher wants...on figuring out the new rules...on being the perfectly behaved child that he is...he probably hasn't said 2 words to anyone else. I can just see him tuning everything else around him out as he focuses on saying his name PERFECTLY to the beat of that music. Of focusing on sitting quietly so his teacher will be proud of him. He is so Type-A/People pleaser, it isn't even funny. I hope he relaxes soon and starts enjoying the other kids. But in his own good time...

He is noticing other random details that I DON'T care to know about. (again...just like a man...) We saw a bus, and I commented to the kids that "there is a bus like at Andrew's school!" Andrew told me that the number on that bus indicated that it was NOT a bus from his school. He then informed me that there are only 11 buses that come to his school. He proceeded to tell me all of their numbers and which bus was always called first and which was always last. This was after 2 days of school.

So he may never know his friends' names...but by golly...he could run dismissal at his school already.

Have I mentioned that I love this kid? And all his quirks? 'Cause I do...

Crafty...help...

Mornings are LONG, dude. 12:50 is when Andrew's bus comes. I was used to putting everyone down to bed at 12...so this is extending my morning an hour.

I am determined to watch less tv. Determined. And I am also determined to enrich Andrew's Kindergarten experience by trying new things in the mornings. Why should I pay for Kindergarten enrichment? Why can't I just do it myself.

Well, Michael is one reason why. Most things just aren't appropriate for a 1 year old. Once he stops eating/taste testing everything in sight, the story will change. But for now, we are limited a bit. So during his nap-time we have been getting busy trying new things.

This week I got a lot of my ideas from...-gulp-...tv. My kids are currently obsessed with Peep, a show on TLC. I actually find this show quite funny, and in between vignettes, they show kids doing fun explorations of their world. So we've tried some of them.

Here is our shadow experiment. Andrew was FASCINATED by this one. And it was so easy. Chalk! Sun! Done.



Yesterday, we decided to make footprints with paint. I moved this experiment outside. Of course, Andrew didn't actually want to get his feet painted...but he had fun mixing colors...since I only had red, yellow, and blue. I did have to stop him from shouting at Lily, "WHAT DO RED AND BLUE MAKE? TELL ME!" I explained that she was only 2, and painting, so give her a break. He solemnly replied, "I'm just trying to teach her." Lily only wanted to paint with blue. Just blue. She tried red once after my urging...after one paint stroke, she told me that red is yucky and to give her back the blue. Okay, then.

I am NOT crafty or experimenty...so I need your help. Any favorite books? Web-sites? Magazines? And I need easy. I don't want to need ingredients like "soap flakes"...because where in Sam Hill do I find soap flakes? Seriously. Where do you find soap flakes....I have some really cool things in my book that call for that.

Thanks in advance...