JD's first day of Kindergarten!

JD, I am so proud of you today, I can barely stand it. I just want to shout it out loud how much I love you and how happy I am for you! It's your first day of Kindergarten and you got on that bus like a champ this am.  Daddy, Cole & I walked you to the bus stop and you cried for just a second as we turned out of the driveway and then you were fine. 

While we waited for the bus to come, you chatted and seemed like you were just a tiny bit nervous. And then the "big yellow cheese wagon" (as you like to call it) came around the corner and you got on like you had done it 100 times before.

You got to sit in the very front seat, and there weren't too many kids on the bus yet so it was perfect. You met Ms. Deborah, the bus driver, and off you went.  I waved frantically with tears in my eyes but I held it together for you baby. I did.

As we watched the bus drive away, a part of my heart went with it but I know you were on your way to big, new things.  All I wanted to do at that moment was to see you one last time, for one last kiss and good luck wish. But you were gone.  I knew it would be one of the longest days of my life, waiting for you to get home.

You are such a confident, friendly boy and I know you will flourish in Mrs. Sayres class. You have such a bright future ahead of you and it's going to be so much fun seeing you grow and learn this year. The hardest part is letting you go. You are now in someone else's control for most of your days - and that's so hard. Although I know you are in good hands, trusting others to watch over my most precious boys is not easy. You're smart though - and you'll watch out for yourself. And you'll make good decisions, and learn from your mistakes. You're just, like that.

You have paved the way for your brother for tomorrow. He watched you be so brave. And you did it.  It was hard on the two of you not to go together today - but it's showing you both that you can stand on your own and make your way by believing in yourself. You can do anything.

Here are a few pictures from your first day of Kindergarten. I don't know that I have ever been more proud of you my love. You are truly my sunshine.

Fun family Birthday Day!

We had a great family day today! What a rarity on a weekday that we could make this work like we did. It was awesome!

 

Early morning after their new gifts - iTouch for both. Lucky kids.

 

 

 

We started out by dropping off our collected donations at the Lighthouse Shelter for the Homeless. When we went in, we told the lady there that the kids had collected the donations in lieu of getting birthday gifts and they were so excited to see the boys had done this. They took pictures of the boys with the gifts. She explained to them that she hoped that other kids would see this and be inspired to do more of the same. I'm not sure that JD & Cole understood completely but I'm hopeful that experiences like this will allow them the opportunity to start understanding how to help others.

 

 

We stopped at their favorite restaurant for lunch - Double T Diner and we sat at the breakfast bar there. Milkshakes, chicken noodle soup and breakfast for lunch.  Perfect right?

 

Then we went on to the hospital to deliver our collected things to the NICU.  We were lucky enough to catch a few of the first nurses we had when they were born 6 years ago. They were all so genuinely compassionate and happy to see them.  Although the kids didn't really understand the magnitude of that either, it was fun to have them see where they were hospitalized in their early days and meet the people who essentially saved their lives.  What a journey they witnessed six years ago.

 

 

 

Putt putt was next on the agenda - always a favorite afternoon treat.  After only one lost ball and one hole in one by Mommy, we went home to have dinner and wait for company.

 

We had a little dessert party with the Grandparents in the evening at our house. They launched a 7' rocket (into a tree) and enjoyed spending time with their grandparents.

 

 

 

 

It was a full, fun day - one for the books for sure. 

 

Another big day tomorrow...

Mommy Tears

What a day. Lots of Mommy tears today on so many levels. I always forget how much this day affects me in a sad way too. It sneaks up on me and once I start crying and feeling sad, I remember that I'm missing Calvin, and celebrating the other two.  Calvin tears are healing and usually don't last long.  But they always come....

We gave the kids iTouch's for their birthdays (jury is still out on whether or not this was a good idea) and I heard the kids singing to themselves with head phones on for a good part of the day. It was awesome.  The best song I heard was their Bible camp songs. They were belting them out, knowing every single word, having no idea how loud and carefree they were singing. More tears.

The love and support we had today from our friends and family was amazing. My facebook page was lit up all day today and the kindness overwhelming.  Many posts brought me to tears of joy and thankfulness. We are so lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

We had the best family day today. C. was able to take the day off of work today, despite his pending trip and it was so much fun.  We had a great family day - details to follow.  I didn't take one minute for granted all day.

The anticipating of sending my first baby off to Kindergarten has been looming all day - but I won't lie, it's weighing heavy on me and I'm not sure I'm ready. We'll see in the am.  Regardless, we had a wonderful day today and I am so thankful for it.  Feeling like a lucky, happy Mommy with a full heart.

SIX today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

SIX years ago, I had this news to share.

http://www.ajourneyofthree.blogspot.com/2006/08/theyre-here.html

Today, it's hard to believe that my babies are six and starting kindergarten. There were many days in our early journey that we weren't so sure...

There isn't a day I don't think about my boy Calvin in heaven. And there isn't a day that I don't count my blessings for JD & Cole. Happy Birthday to my two little miracle babies - you guys are amazing and make our lives unbelievably happy, fun, challenging, loving and wonderful.

Happy Birthday boys - lets have some good old fashioned six year old family fun today!

Side note: Cole, you are adamantly refusing to turn six today. You want to "attend" the celebration, have cake and get gifts, but you don't want to be six. Only five. Again. I think you think that if you are still 5, you wont have to start school....I keep explaining that it doesn't matter but you're not buying it....so, we have agreed that I will celebrate on your behalf since its my favorite day too.

Tracker Dog (aka Dog Dog)

It looks like Tracker is going to be able to make a few trips to school with you. You're really happy that he's going to be keeping you company. You love this little doggie. Aunt Kathy gave him to you years ago and he's been a favorite ever since.  This is how I normally find you snuggling with him EVERY night.

 

 

So, in prep for the bus ride, we went out yesterday to find a special holder for him so he wouldn't be so obvious in your backpack. The rule is, he can come, but he can't come out while at school.  We found the perfect little bag for him (a pencil case) and he fits just fine.

 

 

Then, to make it even better, we found a little secret compartment for him to stay in at the bottom of your backpack.  We packed him up just to test it out and it is going to work out great. Nobody will even know he's there.  You were relieved and excited Cole. The small things like this are going to get you through your first few days. YOU CAN DO THIS!

 

Meet and Greet Conference

Today went great meeting your teacher and learning a little bit about your first day. You both are ready. Your teachers are awesome!

Cole, now that you know you can bring Dog Dog, its all good. Phew!!

JD in Mrs. Sayres Class

 

Cole in Mrs. Saunders Class

 

You're almost SIX and we had a party!

It's so hard to believe that you are really almost SIX! We had a fun outdoor "sports" party planned for you but mother nature had other plans. So, we quickly changed venue and ended up having a bowling party. As disappointed as I was, you were ecstatic and loved it!  We had a great couple of hours there, with no clean up for Mommy. It was a win-win for all.  You both relished in having all of your friends and family there.

 

Cole, it became evident again that you do not like any fuss made over you. When it was time for birthday cake, you froze and started to worry that everyone was going to sing to you. Which of course, we did.  You promptly got out of your seat and hid behind me with tears in your eyes while everyone sang to you both.  You got a little stage fright and wanted nothing to do with the singing and hoopla.

You said afterward:

"Mommy, I want to come to my birthday party's but I don't want to grow any more years". Ah, you're so wise at such a young age my love.

 

Instead of birthday gifts from your friends, we asked you each to pick a charity that you wanted to donate to. We asked everyone to bring donations instead of gifts. Cole picked the AAMC NICU and JD picked the Lighthouse Shelter for Homeless in Annapolis.  We raised over $125 for the NICU, and $85 for the Lighthouse Shelter. Some people also brought clothes and toys to donate to both. What amazing generosity we felt from everyone who came.  And you never said anything about not getting gifts for yourselves (except when I originally suggested it, JD said "wait, why would we be giving other people gifts on OUR birthday?").  We will deliver the donations on your real birthday this week and you can proudly tell them that you collected these donations in lieu of gifts. I'm proud of you for doing this and taking it in stride. 
There is a great joy in giving, which you will see soon.

 

 

What a great day we had. I love you my big almost six year olds!

 



Kindergarten on the horizon

WOW. We’re on the cusp of your 6^th Birthday and Kindergarten. What a huge milestone time for all of us. For the last several weeks, I’ve been scared of what this change was going to bring. I am beyond excited for you both, and this new chapter of your lives. But selfishly, I’ve been having a hard time imagining you being big enough to be out on your own at school.  And Kindergarten is just the beginning of the letting go process – where you learn all about life and the good, bad and ugly.  You’re going to have to make decisions on your own now that you have never been faced with before. You’re going to learn so many new things that you have never learned before.  You’re going to have so much fun – like you never have before. You’re going to meet new friends and some wonderful people that you have never known before. You’re also going to run into some not so nice people, who may throw you for a loop.  These are all part of growing up – and I just know how hard that can be.  But it’s also so much fun. The good times will far outweigh the challenging ones. I just hope we are preparing you and giving you enough tools to handle whatever you are faced with….

We went to your first “meet and greet and see your seat” at Windsor Farm today. You both walked around like you absolutely belonged there.  You were confident, not shy, inquisitive and excited. I know you will flourish there. You met your teachers, walked around and found your seats, found your lockers and enjoyed every minute.  I think you have a better feel for what things will be like now – and the fear of the unknown is a little less daunting.  I’m so relieved.

Cole, for weeks you have been telling me that you are not riding the bus. You don’t want to go to school. I never should have signed you up and you don’t want to go, ever. Then today, we got to school and you saw some friends and it was like a switch flipped.  There was a visible difference in your demeanor. You were excited!

JD, you were so confident and comfortable that you decided to go to the meet and greet with your face painted like a skeleton.  Crazy as it is, you didn’t care that you looked like it was Halloween….I loved that you did that! Your teacher was a bit taken back but she liked it too.

It’s coming fast – and we’re all bracing for the changes. I guess it’s good that it’s coming in small steps. This way, we all have time to adjust.  I read this yesterday and it captured exactly how I know I will feel on your first day.

 

 

Pre-K Graduation - check!

Well, you're officially graduated from pre-school at Bay Country. Bittersweet! I knew I would be emotional and unfortunately, I couldn't hold my tears. I cried watching you both relish in your "program" that you put on for all of the parents. It was awesome - and when you sung "You Are My Sunshine", it made me fall to pieces.  For years, we sang that song together.  What sweet memories I have of you as babies smiling as we sung that to you.  And now, you're singing it back to me. My heart was bursting.  I am so proud of the boys you have become. Your smiles are contagious and I will never forget the image of you walking into the room with your little graduation gowns on, being so proud of yourselves too.

You have some big things to come - we're off for a fun summer now! Lets make the most of it before school starts again in the fall.

Words can never describe how much I love you and how proud I am of both of you. You are amazing!

 

Ms. Simmons - Room 4

 

Mrs. Koppa - Room 5

First ever, summer buzz cut!

JD, you told me the other day that you wanted a buzz cut! I was shocked. And I was excited to get you one. Just for the summer. So, yesterday afternoon, you declared that today is the day and we needed to go NOW. Off to the barber we went.

BEFORE

And off your hair went.

It took about 10 minutes and when it was over and you saw yourself in the mirror, you looked upset. But you smiled for a picture anyway.

AFTER

I think you look adorable. You, on the other hand, don't like it much. You said "I didn't mean THAT short!". I'm not sure what you thought a buzz cut was.  You held back your tears until we got home. And when we got out of the car, you cried because you thought you looked bald. And that was not what you wanted.

But hair grows. And as the hours of the evening went on, you were convinced that it was growing by the minute. The final convincing factor that made you like it suddenly, was when we didn't have to comb it after your bath. You laughed hysterically when I towel dried it and you were off and running. The small things right? You look incredibly cute with your new haircut - I can't stop smiling when I look at you! And I love to feel it with my hand and my cheek. That's driving you a bit crazy but I love it.

-Mommy

P.S. - I wonder when Cole will be so brave and give it a try? We'll work on him!