Week One

The first week of school has come and gone. Thank Goodness! In a nutshell, here is how it went...

Jacob was very nervous the first day but has adjusted nicely. By the second day, he was insisting that he walk himself to class. I am enjoying my alone time with him on our commute and after school. He comes to my classroom at the end of the day and is my little helper. So far, he loves his class, his teacher, and his school. What more could I ask for???

Olivia is enjoying her new school as well. By the end of last week, she was no longer crying when Daddy dropped her off but instead saying "Bye Daddy" and waving him on. I cannot believe it!! Tomorrow her actual Mother's Day Out program will begin and I am excited about that. These past 2 weeks have been a bit tough with no real structure to her day. I am glad she will be with her teacher a majority of the day and settling into a daily routine filled with circle time, outside play, chapel, music & movement and Spanish! She will be one busy little girl!

As for me, lets just say I survived. Barely. I had forgotten how absolutely EXHAUSTING that first week of school is. It is totally draining. Not to help matters, I got sick mid week. It was tough. Really tough. By the end of each day it was all I could do to pick up Olivia, get both kids home, fed, bathed and in bed. My house was a wreck. No laundry was done. There wasn't much time or energy for much else. Thus our weekend was spent catching up. The house is now clean again, most of the clothes are washed and we are ready to start Week 2. I know it will get easier. I have to keep reminding myself of that!!

So, first a kindergartener and now this one... who is turning 2 in a week??!!

Please help me!

Wordless Wednesday

First Day of Kindergarten

It was so early, that it wasn't even light out yet!

Poor thing was sooooo nervous!!!

Enjoying an "I survived my First Day of Kindergarten" snow cone!!

He had a GREAT day!!!

And guess what?

This morning he didn't even want me to walk him to class! I can do it myself, MOM!

Too bad, I am walking with you anyways! It is a duty I am proud to do!

Is it Possible??

How is it possible that this little guy

Turned into this little dude
And is starting Kindergarten???!!!!

The past five years have flown by!

It still seems like yesterday when I remember holding you for the very first time.

I had tears streaming down my face.

And tomorrow when I drop you off in your classroom, I will have those same tears once again.

Thank goodness I will just be around the corner from you!

I hope you have a great first day of school, Jacob.

Mommy & Daddy love you and are so proud of you!!!!

Ch Ch Ch Changes...

I feel like we are in the midst of all sorts of changes in our life right now. It is a bit overwhelming to be honest. My life as I knew it has changed in A LOT of ways. I am so busy I don't have much time for family, friends, phone calls, email, etc. Feeling a bit disconnected from my "old world". But we are making it. So if you haven't heard back from me, please don't be offended. It is nothing personal! This week was a long one. I had teacher in-service every day finalized by "Meet the Teacher" this afternoon. Kids start on Monday. Which also means my little guy will start Kindergarten! Just in case you didn't know...I have only mentioned it 500 times!! We've had a few kinks to work out with Olivia's pre-school. Nothing major, but just adjusting to having someone else care for her and not necessarily doing things exactly as I would do them. (This is a tough one for me!) I can't say that I am honestly adjusted to all that is going on. I don't feel like this new way of life is "normal" yet, but we will get there. Looking forward to feeling like we are in a "groove".....just not quite there yet.

Wordless Wednesday-Olivia

These were my attempt at getting Olivia's picture on her first day of school. Well, you can see how well THAT went! She loves her new backpack and as soon as she put it on, she was ready to GO! She did not want to stand and pose for pictures!

But at least she didn't do THIS when she got there!!

She is adjusting sooooo well! I am so proud of my little girl and thankful she loves her school!

Better than Expected...

Olivia's first day of pre-school went better than expected!! Hope that I am not totally jinxing myself here, but honestly I am so proud of my baby girl! Daddy dropped her off and she didn't even cry!! Granted, she was busy playing with new toys and he ahem just slipped out but it was not the crying screaming fit that I had imagined in my head! After about 30 minutes of being there, she realized Daddy had left and she did cry but only for about 5 minutes. Or at least that is what they told me so I am choosing to believe it!! She cried again right before nap time when her morning teacher left, but they were able to calm her down and get her to take a nap. I could NOT get there fast enough this afternoon to pick her up! She grinned from ear to ear when she saw me and ran over to give me the biggest hug. I had to hold back the tears! Overall, it was a fairly good day. Mommy definitely shed more tears than she did but I can deal with that! Now here's to hoping the rest of the week goes as smooth. Oh, and the transitions don't end here...next week Jacob starts Kindergarten!!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

The Week

Just a quick report on how our week went.....surprisingly well! My sweet "MeMe" (the kids' great grandmother) came to babysit and she was such a blessing!! I knew my kids were in good hands, I came home to clean house and dinner cooked every night!! It definitely made my first week of work easier. Love you MeMe!!!!

This week was just meetings, new teacher in-service and working in my classroom getting it set up. Next week is all staff development a.k.a. meetings and time to finish getting your room ready. I have to be honest and say that I forgot just what a BIG job that is!! I am nowhere near being done with my room, so a sweet friend is going up tomorrow to help me for a few hours. Hopefully we can get a majority of it knocked out!

Jacob had Kindergarten screening this week and did well! He met his teacher and got to see his classroom briefly! I had a meeting with Olivia's school to discuss her hearing loss and transitioning to school. It was a good meeting and I am very pleased with what I have seen so far of the school. They seem like very caring people and I know my girl is in good hands! What's left is just the small task of dropping her off next Monday and leaving her there all day!!! Thank goodness that is going to be Daddy's job! I think it would be a disaster if it were me! I got the better end of the deal and get to be the "hero" and pick her up in the afternoons!

Thank you to those have left supportive comments, sent emails and texts this week! I have wonderful friends and family that always make me feel loved! Thanks everyone!!!!

Not so Wordless Wednesday

Last Friday we met some of our best buddies at the pool for one last "hoo-rah" before Mommy went back to work. We had a great time playing, splashing and visiting (well Mommy enjoyed that part, at least). Thank friends for coming to play with us.

Olivia was quite enamored with Emma's Dora beach towel. She couldn't stop touching it and talking to it! It was pretty funny!
Jacob LOVED going down the slide. I was able to get this fun shot and then my camera got soaked! The rest of the pictures were foggy after that =(
The whole crew! And for those of you wondering how our week is going, it has been pretty good so far! Jacob did manage to get sick but as of tonight, seems to be on the mend. My MeMe (grandmother) is here and the kids did really well with her today! Even Olivia! It has been a nice adjustment so far with getting my feet wet with working again. Next week will be more challenging as Olivia starts school and Jacob will be staying with some very generous friends and neighbors! But I am handling the separation part, so far so good. I do miss them and think of them all day long but I only called home 3 times today to check on them so I think that is pretty good, right???

Hi Ho Hi Ho...its off to work I go!

Most of you reading this already know, but in case you haven't heard, I am going back to work! After 5 years of being a stay at home mommy, I am entering the working mommy world full time to be a teacher again!!! (I did teach Pre-K for a year when Jacob was 2 1/2 but I don't count that because it was only 2 days a week!) This week I am going back to the same school where I began my teaching career 10, yes TEN, years ago! I am very fortunate to be able to go back to a place that feels familiar, despite all the new faces and changes since I left. It almost feels like I never left. Almost. I have spent this entire weekend washing, cleaning, organizing, moving furniture, etc etc. Why I decided to wait until my last weekend before work after being home for 5 years to do these projects is beyond me. It is almost like I am "nesting" as you do when you are pregnant! I guess its because I know one chapter of our lives is ending and a new one is beginning. I have all sorts of emotions about the changes that are happening. Jacob is starting Kindergarten, Olivia will be going to pre-school for the first time ever and I am going back to work. Nothing like making ALL our changes at once! But I guess its now or never! I know our daily routine and schedules will change and I am anxious about all the adjusting we are going to have to do. But I also know that with time, these things will get better and easier. And looking back on it, it won't seem so bad. Right???

So, in the midst of trying to help myself cope with going back to work, here are the things I am looking forward to: adult conversation, an excuse to buy new clothes, then having those said professional clothes back in my closet again, having a job outside of being mommy all day long, finding a new purpose, being in the same building as my Kindergartener (Jacob is going to school with me), watching Olivia blossom in a new environment, afternoon trips to Sonic on the way home and last but certainly not least a paycheck!!!

So, stay tuned folks and I will do my best to update as we start this new chapter! Wish us luck!!!

Beat the Heat

I am taking a quick break from my "cleaning out organizing rearranging project" to write this post! Needed to take a breather!

Without further adieu, here are some shots from a few days ago when Craig took the kids outside to have some water fun. He got a little crazy with the water hose. In the Texas heat, and boy has this summer been a scorcher, you have to find ways to beat the heat!

Due to water restrictions, I am pretty sure that doing this is a big no-no but I won't tell if you don't....Shhhhh!

Heather's News

My friend Heather has some great news to share! In case you haven't heard, hop on over here and check it out! Thank you for all the kind words and encouragement you have extended to her and her family!

Snip Snip

Last night I brought home a new pair of scissors for Jacob. This morning when I walked into the kitchen, I found a surprise on the floor. He had decided to use his nice new shiny scissors to cut up some paper and also..... HIS SISTER'S HAIR!!!!! Yes, Livvy Lou got her FIRST HAIRCUT EVER by big brother! I was mortified when I saw the lock of hair on the floor and couldn't help but freak out. Why? Why? Why did you cut your sister's hair??? Where is she? Oh my goodness! Let me see what she looks like!!! Thankfully it is not that noticeable because her hair tends to be a curly swirly mess but I was sweating there for a minute! Oh, and when I asked Jacob what possessed him to do this, his answer was "I wanted to practice cutting hair because I want to be a haircutter guy when I grow up." Really? Isn't this the same kid that screamed bloody murder until he was 4 every time he had to get his hair cut?! Seriously!

ALMOST Wordless Wednesday

He chose this pose and said,"Take my picture!"
Yes, those are crackers in her mouth, sorry!
The two fakest "we don't really want to smile" smiles!

Swimming Lessons

Jacob took swim lessons the month of July. It was a very good experience and he had the most wonderful teacher, ever!!! He has always been hesitant when it comes to the water and NEVER would put his face under water. Well, not anymore!!! My little boy is swimming, will jump off the side (still some fear there, but much better) and will put his head under! I don't know if it is the combination of his age, the lessons or just that he was finally "ready", but nevertheless, he has come SO FAR! And I am so proud of him!!!

Swimming to Ms. Hazel

Floating on his back...not his favorite part!
Such a SWEET teacher!