They Say...

The other morning before going downstairs for breakfast, I asked Adelie to pick up the toys she had out in her room.  She did it quickly and efficiently.  As she was finishing up, Staley walked in.  She said, "You should pick up like I do.  It's called playing and picking up.  You leave out one toy and make it walk around the room, sweeping all the other toys into the bag."   This explains a lot.  Creative she is.  Efficient she is not.

Most of my days home with the kids, I dress very casually and comfortably.  Yoga pants, t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops are my at-home staples in the summer.  The other morning, since we were going to be running errands and I was going to be volunteering at Staley's school, I wore a pair of jean capris and a nicer top.  When I came out of my room, Staley looked at me and said, "Why are you dressed so fancy?"  Maybe I'm setting the bar a bit too low.

We have neighbor kids a few doors down that the girls really like to play with.  They have two boys, one of whom is in Kindergarten like Staley.  We often walk to and from school with them.  Tonight at dinner, Staley said, "Blake and I want to go trick or treating together.  He's going to be Superman and I'm going to be Supergirl.  We'll probably hold hands the whole time."  Zach seemed concerned.  I just thought it was cute...for now.

The other day there were some men on our street getting ready to cut down a big tree.  We were walking home from dropping Staley off at school and stopped to talk with them for a minute.  One of the men had a long beard with several ponytail holders on it.  Adelie said, "Excuse me.  Why do you have a ponytail on your mustache?"  The man explained that he rides a motorcycle and the ponytail keeps his beard from blowing in his face.  He asked Adelie if she thought it looked good or bad.  She replied, "It looks bad."  Then, correcting herself, she said, "Actually, it just looks funny."  Oh, the honesty of a 3 year old.  (And yes, it did look funny.)

This morning was my dad's last Sunday as the pastor at the church where he has been serving.  We went to be there for his last service.  As my parent's church doesn't have a nursery, I packed some activities and snacks to keep the kids occupied during the service.  I told the girls that they could have their snack once the sermon started, or as I explained it to them, once grandpa started talking.  During prayer time, as we were all saying the Lord's Prayer in unison, I felt a big jab in my side and Adelie started pointing and loudly exclaiming, "Grandpa's talking!  Grandpa's talking!  Can I have my snack now?"

Briggs is talking up a storm.  He understands most of what we say and has a really big (and ever growing) vocabulary.  He refers to his shoes as "Briggy's shoes," which is just super cute. When the kids are watching an after nap TV show, Briggs will climb onto the couch and say "Ryder.  Marshall." to request the show Paw Patrol.  He calls Adelie "Addy" and refers to Staley as "Sissy."  He still gets a little confused, saying "down" when he wants you to pick him up and still generally saying "no" when he really means "yes."  If he says "no" calmly with a little smile, it usually means "yes."  And if he emphatically says "no" or "no-no"with a little more force, then he means "no." It's so fun the way he is learning more and more to express himself and be a part of the conversation.

The other night at dinner, the girls were telling knock-knock jokes.  Briggs, always wanting to get in on the action, made up his own joke.

Briggs:  "Knock knock."
Us:  "Who's there?"
Briggs:  "Butters." (Butters is my brother's dog.)
Us:  "Butters who?"
Briggs:  "Woof Woof."

Briggs was so proud of his little joke, especially when it made us all laugh, and so he did it over...and over...and over again. 

All my kids have their own little way of making me smile, whether it's with their plans and ideas, their honesty, or their jokes.  There is never a dull moment around here.

Question of the Day

The transition to Staley's all day, every day Kindergarten schedule has been rough...on Adelie.  She can't really verbalize her specific feelings.  I know she misses her sister.  I know she is jealous of all the new things that Staley is doing.  I know her days seem emptier, lonelier, and less fun without Staley to play with.  I know that Adelie doesn't have the capacity at 3 to understand and verbalize these feelings.  She has been doing what 3 year olds do when life throws them a curveball.  Driving me crazy! Since Staley started school, we've had lots more Adelie tears, Adelie not-listening, Adelie boundary-pushing, Adelie sassiness, Adelie defiance, Adelie attitude.

And so the question of the day:

If I just sent Adelie to school all day with Staley, do you think anyone would notice?  Because I think it would make at least 2 of us a lot happier.

I sure do love this little gal, but she's wearing me out!

Here's hoping this phase passes quickly.

Very, very quickly.

Big Week

What's the best way to top off a great first week of Kindergarten?

Losing your first tooth.

It's been a big week.

Well Rounded

Briggs is definitely developing into a little boy.  He loves cars, trucks, tractors, buses, and trains.  Anyone mowing is super-exciting.  Animals are great, especially dogs.  He likes to climb and wrestle and throw.  His favorite shirts and pajamas have trucks or tractors.  Balls are always fun.  Yes, he is definitely a boy.

But Briggs also has two big sisters.  Along with trucks and cars, he also loves Barbies, princesses, and mermaids.  He doesn't know the names of any super heroes, but he can always identify Elsa, Pocahontis, and Aurora.  He enjoys combing his hair and putting on headbands and jewelry and purses.  He loves books and coloring and stickers.  Yes, he definitely has big sisters.

I love seeing my little boy grow and discover his own interests, but I also enjoy seeing him want to be a part of his big sisters' world.  Trucks, trains, Barbies, and mermaids.  Yes, it's good to be well rounded.

Briggs with a purse over one arm and his truck under the other

All of Briggs's vehicles are being driven by princesses and mermaids.

He may like hanging with the guys, but he's one well rounded little boy.

Question of the Day

Does it make me feel good that my little boy often throws a fit every time I walk out of the room...

or is it just frustrating that I generally can't use the restroom, take a shower, or cook a meal without someone screaming about it?

I can't say that the screaming child on the floor outside the bathroom door is my favorite thing ever, but deep down at least part of me feels good that I'm needed...although I wouldn't mind him finding a better way to show it.

Kindergarten Quotes

After school Staley was reading aloud some very simple books that I checked out at the library today.  I exclaimed, "Staley, when did you get to be such a good reader?"  Staley responded, "Maybe I learned it at Kindergarten." 
#bigfirstday
#calculusbychristmas

At dinner tonight, Zach asked Staley what the best thing was about her teacher.  Staley's response?  "She had a beautiful hair-do."

When Zach got home from work, he asked Staley how Kindergarten was.  Staley told him, "Kindergarten is AWESOME!"

Zach took Staley out for ice cream after dinner.  He asked her, "So what was the best thing about today?"  Staley said, "Reading library books with Mommy." 
#Ineededthat

First Day of Kindergarten

My baby started Kindergarten today.  She was so excited.  She popped out of bed the minute I woke her up.  She posed for pictures.  She skipped and pranced the entire walk to school.  She happily lined up with her class in the gym.  No tears.  No clinging.  Just one happy little girl who was so excited to start her school journey.

I took my baby to Kindergarten today.  I woke up at 5:30 and couldn't get back to sleep.  I laid in bed, thinking about how quickly these past 5 years have gone.  I prayed.  I prayed for Staley...for confidence, for friends, for her teacher, for her day.  I enthusiastically helped her get ready for her day, walked her to school, and kissed her good-bye with a big smile...and then walked out of the gym and cried.

Did I miss Staley today?  Yes.  Did my day with Adelie and Briggs seem so quiet?  Yes.  Did I take Adelie and Briggs on a walk to stand at the corner of the parking lot and spy on Staley at recess?  Yes.  Was I so excited to go pick Staley up and hear about her day?  Yes.

Staley had so much to tell me about her day.  About her new friend and her 3rd grade buddy.  About how they are making a classroom book and how she got to make her own page.  About how she had a choice of white milk or chocolate at snack AND lunch...and how she chose chocolate both times.  About how she had a corndog for lunch but didn't eat any of her veggies.  About how she has twins in her class.  About how they did calendar and weather and art projects, but didn't really learn anything.

Staley loved school.  I knew she would.  Her teacher had us fill out a piece of paper at Meet the Teacher night, asking "What is your wish for your child this school year?"  My wish for Staley is to love school, to make friends, to learn lots, and to have lots of fun along the way.

If her first day is any indication, I think my wish will come true.