Mommin' It Up!

June 3, 2013June 2, 2013

School’s OUT for summer!

SCHOOL’S OUT! I can hardly believe it. And, happily, I am not feeling nearly as nervous about it as I was a couple of weeks ago. We have joined a pool, I’ve got Jonah’s therapy schedule set, I’ve come up with some rules and a schedule, and I’m going to have a sitter one morning a week. I think we’re going to have a very FUN summer! Now, on to how very proud I am of my school kids!

Untitled — We’re both just a little proud!

Sophie’s kindergarten graduation was May 24th. Now, before I attended Joshua’s kindergarten graduation three years ago, I was all, “Why do they have kindergarten graduation? That’s dumb.” Then I attended his, and I was like, “Ohhhh! They have it because it’s TOTALLY ADORABLE!” Sophie’s was no less adorable. I loved every minute! In addition to receiving their diplomas, the kindergartners sang three songs for us and played one on the handbells. It was awesome!

Sophie is excited about first grade, but she’s really going to miss her teacher, Miss Kelly. She was a great match for Sophie and I’m so glad she was in her class.

Here’s a pic Miss Kelly took of Sophie’s class – happily she will see most of them next year in first grade! She made some really special friends!

Lastly, I have to show you the *official* graduation portrait, which KILLS me. I mean, cue the UGLY CRY people! Look at my baby!

Class of 2025! It will be here before I know it.

This past Friday, May 31st, was Joshua’s last day of 3rd grade. This was a really GREAT year for him!

First day of 3rd grade on the left, last day on the right.

Friday there was an awards ceremony for all the elementary grades. Sophie, Jonah, and I attended Joshua’s ceremony (Bobby was in Chicago for work. Sad face.) I was SO proud of Joshua for being chosen for the “Christian Citizenship” medal. It goes to one boy and one girl from each class. It makes my heart so happy that he was recognized for his sweet spirit and good character. (Naturally I walked around the rest of the day with a smirk on my face because my kid is so much holier than everyone else’s…that’s the proper reaction, right?)

Joshuamedal — I got to go on stage and give him his medal (surprise! With Jonah, ha!) so I don’t have any photos of him receiving it.

This year was great for Joshua because he solidified a friendship with two awesome kiddos, Braden and Alex. They are great kids and we love having them around!

Joshua's best buddies. We are so thankful for their friendship. — Joshua’s best buddies. We are so thankful for their friendship.

I wish I had gotten a pic with Joshua’s teacher, Mrs. Robertson. She was a great teacher for my sensitive boy! She is retiring this year so we will miss her at school, but thankfully she is a good friend of my mom’s so I know we will still see her.

Joshua really excelled in art this year at school as well. His poster was chosen from the entire elementary to be used to advertise the school’s Family Fun Fair and we were SO proud!

School’s out, and as excited as I am to see what the kids will accomplish in school next year, I am also excited for some summer fun! We’re kicking it off with a trip to The Beach waterpark today, even though the high is only 70…because Daddy took the day off work so we’re GOING!
Are your kids out of school yet? How are you kicking off summer?

December 20, 2012

She’s got your number.

I don’t know what it is about kindergarten, but when Joshua was in it, he became really worried and obsessed with the concept of dying. It was not so much fun, answering all those questions and trying to give him reassurances.

So a couple weeks ago when Sophie, who is now (coincidentally?!) in kindergarten, asked me, “Mom, why do people die?” I was afraid I was in for another few months of fears and explanations.

“Well, honey, at some point our bodies get too old and they just don’t work any more,” I said. (Good one, right? Clearly I am a genius mom.)

That seemed to satisfy her curiosity for the moment, but clearly she kept thinking about it. Because the next morning at 6:30 after Bobby woke the kids for school, when they both crawled in bed with me for a minute or two like they do each morning, Sophie immediately said, “Mom? How old is Grandma Burns (my and Emily’s grandma)?”

“She’s 87,” I answered sleepily.

Sophie sat straight up and said in yelled in a voice that was not even kind of sleepy, “WOW! She’s ALMOST DEAD!!!”

I clapped my hand over my mouth to hold in my laughter and horror. Then when I had composed myself, I answered, “Well not really honey, it’s just that she’s lived a long time and she probably has less time to live than most of us.” (Really, it was SIX-THIRTY a.m. I am not at my sharpest!)

“Yeah,” she answered matter-of-factly. “Probably like three years, or two, or one.”

So there ya go folks. Sophie knows the number of your days. At least if you’re an octogenarian. Sheesh!

August 30, 2012August 29, 2012

School Rules! My world.

Last Tuesday was the day I had been waiting for, nay, DREAMING ABOUT since June.

The first day of school!!!

As I have confessed before, I am not a very good summer mom. I just don’t enjoy having all the kids under my feet ALL DAY. And in the big kids’ case, in each other’s faces all day. The reality is that we are all much happier when the kids are in school. And, since Sophie was starting full[day kindergarten, Jonah and I were finally going to have our chance to be one-on-one, and I was truly, truly, anticipating that with joy.

But let me back up a little bit. As I mentioned, Sophie was starting kindergarten!! This is major major major, because almost two years ago when her developmental delays were first diagnosed and I sat at the table with a team from our local public school district, they asked me, “What are your goals for Sophia?” and I answered, “I want her to be able to go to regular kindergarten.”

And she is going to a regular kindergarten. Entering it reading at a first grade level, knowing her sight words up to fourth grade.

All I can say about that is praise the Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you God! We are so grateful.

Sophie was SO excited to go to kindergarten. She ran right into the room and hugged her teacher. She sat at her desk and happily kissed us goodbye. She was so thrilled and happy to be in that classroom that I didn’t even get teary-eyed. I could be nothing but happy for her!

sophiefirstday2012 — Sophie at her desk on her first day of kindergarten

She loved every minute of her first day and every minute since! I love hearing her blow-by-blow reports when she comes home. At parent information night, her teacher said to me, “I think Sophie is going to be a teacher when she grows up.” Which to me, is code for “Sophie enjoys telling everyone in the class what to do.” It made me laugh and did not surprise me one bit!

Joshua, even though he is entering third grade, was a little bit more hesitant about starting school. My sensitive guy was so afraid of the unknown, he would have rather just stayed home with me. But, he had a great day and is having a great year so far, just like I knew he would!

2ndday2012 — They are so darn cute I had to take their pic on the 2nd day of school too!

So, after a week, my big kids are doing well in school and enjoying it. And even though I have taken on a part-time work-from-home job, Jonah and I are really enjoying having our alone time, too!

I love my one-on-one time with my boy, just me and him without our lives being ruled by the arduous preschool drop-off/pick-up schedule. I love having that special time with just HIM that I was able to have with Joshua before Sophie came along and with Sophie after Joshua went to school and before Jonah was born. It’s finally the baby’s turn to have mommy all to himself! So far, it’s been awesome! I love, love, love, that baby boy. He and I are having so much fun together, and when the big kids come home from school, we are all happy to see each other and it’s fantastic.

I love school. It rules my world!

Are your kids off to school yet this year?