Beginner's Day

A day of anxiety and excitement. 

My brave boy overheard me and Maya talking about her first experience with Beginners Day.  Nothing bad, just surprising and a little traumatic for a five year old and a new-at-this mama. He internalized his eavesdroppings and had a minor freak out nights before the big day.

"I do not want to be separated from you!" 

"Buddy, you are away from me a lot and you do great. Remember how brave you were when you went to VBS last summer and did not know anyone?!  Remember when you started TK and did not have any friends? Now you are friends with everyone.  Remember when you went to Gopher Buddies at a different church?  You love Gopher Buddies. Not to mention you know the principal at the school and know where the stamps are for visitors..."  

Turns out he was not the one that needed reaffirming.  Even though he had a little hesitation in the car, when he walked in the school and was approached by a safety patrol wearing a lei who asked his name and then told him it was a cool name, he grabbed her hand and followed her to the gym to 'play fun games' and didn't look back.  On the other hand, I teared up as soon as we walked into the school and I heard the second grade choir serenading us from bleachers in the hallway.  I tried to put on my brave face for Alekzander and my friend, but I had to choke back an overwhelmed sob when a friendly face from the neighborhood welcomed us and asked if we were doing ok acknowledging the overwhelming feeling.  I cried and laughed when the nurse explained that if you send a child to school with a belly ache and tell him to go to the nurse to call you if he gets to school and it still hurts, he will 100% go to the nurse to call you the second he steps off the bus.  I had tears when the assistant principal explained how she fights for our kids and argues with the state board over the definition of "chair" for those children who are more comfortable doing standardized tests on a stability ball.  My tears turned from overwhelmed to overjoyed and thoroughly impressed at the environment facilitated for the well being of my child.  For sure there will be more tears in mid August when all of this becomes a reality, but after an hour and a half, Alekzander and I were reunited, and he was happy that he had a poem in his pocket and had made a rainbow fish craft and played in the gym. And I was happy for him.

 

One Family Celebration

A perfect birthday for a 30-something...

A half day at work.

Museum discoveries.

A city exploration.

Dinner at a favorite spot.

Family time.

Perfection.

Twenty-One Months {and Ladybug Love}

Always exploring.

Exerting independence.

Soaking it all in.

My sweet side-kick accompanied me on a special errand.

On Maddie's birthday, we left purple flowers for her 

to see from Heaven on a special bench at CCDS.

My little Anderson Maddox was a little grumpy, and so was I.

But his presence was necessary - better to diffuse the mood of a 

grumpy 21 month old toddler than really focus on my own feelings.

{We had to stop to pick out some perfectly purple flowers, but 

before leaving the house, Alekzander noticed a ladybug on my sideview mirror.

We watched it fly off, but when Anderson and I got to the store,

we found a(nother?) ladybug on my car window.

We walked across the parking lot and over to the flower section inside Fresh Market.

I quickly found some purple tulips, 

but also wanted to find a potted plant that could be enjoyed longer.

A (third?) ladybug friend landed on Anderson 

and then flew to a pot of purple hyacinths.

Without looking anymore, I knew that was the plant to get.

The ladybug hitched a ride on the plant all the way to CCDS and then disappeared.

We spied a beautiful butterfly too almost immediately near her bench,

and I cannot help to think Maddie sent them to share a smile.}

 

Storm clouds moved in to cap off an emotional day

that included giving thanks for the toddler trials 

we face with this healthy, strong-willed little boy

and missing a precious little girl.

Easter Hat

TK Family Homework :: 

Create a/an Spring/Easter Hat for the Easter Parade

Our very literal, Jesus loving 5-year old wanted to make an Easter hat.

Easter to us is not about an Easter Bunny hiding eggs.

We celebrate because Jesus died on the cross for our sins

and rose three days later so that we have access to Heaven 

and can stand forgiven, from grace upon given grace, 

before our Heavenly Father one day.

{This good news is something that we can celebrate all year long.}

To help teach this truth, we bought Resurrection Eggs two years ago.

12 eggs filled with symbolic trinkets that tell 

the story of Jesus' last few days on Earth.  

Alekzander can explain and order each trinket and tell the Easter story.

It was his idea to illustrate the symbols for his 'hat.'

We worked together and created a hat

which he proudly during the entire Spring Festival/Easter Egg Hunt.

His statement of faith did not go unnoticed at the YMCA

whose mission is to put Christian principles into practice 

through progrmas that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

We were so proud of his heart and his hat.

Preschool Easter Egg Hunt

Brotherly Love

 

Tractor rides,

Rockets fly.

A brother's love never dies.

Tie-Dye and Sunshine

Warmer weather meant spontaneous water play with Ms. Maya.

Water play quickly turned into soaked clothes that had to be changed.

With three girls in the house, baby boy clothing is hard to come by.

When I picked up Anderson and Alekzander after work, 

Anderson was wearing an oversized, tie-dyed school t-shirt and a diaper,

and I do not think I had seen him much cuter.

He rocked the t-shirt while we played outside,

soaking up the sunshine on the first day of April.

Mommy and Anderson selfie

{with Alekzander captured in the background}

Tractor driving...

Pretzel eating...

Sunshine swinging...

Tie-Dye wearing

April Fool.