First Day Of Kindergarten

Today (August 28th) was Luke and Maran's first day of Kindergarten.  Since Mommy's life has been in "CRISIS MODE" lately I feel bad that I didn't feel so bad when I took them and left them.  They both said they had fun and that they met new friends but they couldn't tell me who the friends were... hey maybe we will catch those names when we go back Friday.

Since they got in bed so late the night before I was surprised at how well they both did in the am.  They both ate some breakfast and we were out the door in plenty of time.  My mother MADE us eat a full breakfast before we went to school EVERY DAY and it now kills me to eat breakfast.  I need to be up a while before I can get anything 'down the hatch'.  After some eggs were consumed and some bacon was played with we drank some juices and were out the door.  Below is the "ANNUAL" picture.  We started it in PRE-K.  I feel bad that my back to school flag was packed in our 'GET THE HOUSE READY TO SALE" stage and is in a PACK RAT POD.  So we had to stick with the summer flag of "HOT HOT HOT".

To a wonderful school year full of laughs, giggles, friendships...oh and I guess some learning too!

Twas the Night Befoe the First Day of Kindergarten

Let's hope the start of the "Night before the first day" is NO INDICATION of how the year will go. Today we were supposed to go to the movie but we ended up at my office all day.  The air was out at the office so it was hot but since I have been out for almost two weeks (one week of business trip and then a few days with my brother's surgery) I just had to. We left the office late and so dinner was late and it just got crazier from there.  So Luke and Maran were in bed almost two hours later than they needed to be.  I know BAD MOMMY PLANNING.  We'll just have to see how bad the morning is and go from there.  Here's to tomorrow night being a much earlier one... you can bet it will be!

Back to School -- Really?

August brings back to school among final summer wrap ups. I find myself trying to finish the "to do's" if you will.  We still need to hit Carowinds, the Columbia Zoo, Discovery Place Kids (again) and more pool time is a MUST!  School shopping is done and new lunch boxes are ready and waiting on the dining room table.

I need to figure out some "HEALTHIER LUNCH OPTIONS THAT WILL BE CONSUMED" and feel that I need to make sure my kindergartners can recite the alphabet backwards -- not really but I feel like we are behind. While I know we are not I still feel that way. I wonder if I have done a disservice by letting them be True Kids this summer and play over reviewing as much as we should have.  My "LETTER OF THE DAY" concept was a good one but it remained just that-- a concept.  Part of me just wanted them to be free if you will as I think this is indeed the LAST FREE SUMMER.  With Luke turning 6 in October and both of them starting Kindergarten on August 27th where has time gone?  I feel like our freedom is almost gone. Gone are the days of vacationing "whenever you want".  Gone for sure are the summers that "reviewing and keeping the mind fresh with new knowledge" is not a must.  I know we should have been better with the reviewing this summer but we had fun. We played games that reviewed numbers and letters and we picked out letters and numbers while traveling.  We read books and laughed and giggled.  It wasn't enough though. 

I am nervous about school. I am nervous for Luke  and Maran. I remember how hard life was as a young kid at times. I am scared that they will be teased and chastised.  Their mommy and daddy don't look like them and they are siblings and they don't look alike --with the exception that they are absolutely adorably cute.  I don't want them to feel hurt by others and on the same note embarrassed. I am fearful of the bullies.  As a bullied person (something I never talk about) I will do all in my power to ensure my children and others will not have to endure being bullied.  For now I have to wait and see how they handle situations and tell them every day what I was told "BE SWEET KIND & LOVING" ---  as well to be "NICE TO EVERYONE".  While that is often easier said than done it will continue to be instilled in my children as it was in me.  For now mommy needs to be a big girl and stop worrying.  Let them be what they are and let them grow and learn with us finding the right amount of "pushing".  

For those who are following our JOURNEY with my Brother Chip's L IVER TRANSPLANT please see my blog

http://www.mywarpedchildhood.blogspot.com

Our trip to DISNEY!

Disney heard that Luke & Maran were returning to the Magic Kingdom but they still weren't prepared.  Seven days of Geezer's at the parks was just about all Mickey & CO. could handle. 

While I am not one to PLAN details for a vacay I must say that this trip was different.  I am the type that goes on Vacation and the plan is "TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.  Daddy decided that we were going to go to Disney and chose the time frame.  He told me that he chose the week that is typically the least crowded during the summer.  OK that made no sense to me but I said OK.  I mean Summer, Disney Least of the crowds? He then tells me that he must have read it wrong but that we are going on one of  the most crowded weeks of the summer.  REALLY?  You plan for us to go to DISNEY first of all during the summer and then on one of the most crowded weeks?  My feet already hurt thinking about it and I was already ready for every stroller to be thrown out of the park  of course except for ours... after all it is our vacation right?  It is about us right?  Yes it is and in fine Disney fashion the cast of Walt Disney World made us feel like it was all about us and the thousands of others that were there with us.  We were just one big hot sweaty family running over small children and grandmas with strollers.  Merrily we stroll along!

We opened up the park two mornings and closed it down one night.  The Disney EXTRA MAGIC HOURS (EMH)...you know you have to be in the proper lingo.....did us right.  Who says it can't be fun waking up at 6:00 am during the summer & while on vacation to open up the Magic Kingdom? All Disney property residents get to go into the park an hour early on certain days.  It is a cool concept but you have to plan. 

Since our "WE ARE GOING WHEN IT IS SLOW" turned out to be the opposite Daddy downloaded a DISNEY GUIDE for me to look at.  Immediately this "I SEE WHAT POPS UP ON VACATIONS AND TUCK & ROLL" kind of girl became somewhat short of Nazi about this trip.  Park plans were downloaded, new sneakers were broken in, complete Mickey attire donned and the adventure begins.  One EMH morning we had ridden six rides in 35 minutes & had acquired a Fast Pass for the coveted SPACE MOUNTAIN RIDE.  Turns out Luke & Maran loved it...despite us not knowing if they would but that wasn't going to stop us.  We were ALL going on that ride as we knew it would be cool us down.  It did ...as good as it could for somewhat smelly sticky water.  Hey... Disney can make you happy and want to tap your feet and make you have a nice you know what eating grin on your fact and you don't know really why.... but they couldn't take the heat away.  It is darn near impossible to go to Disney and not have fun.  If you can do it...then I question if your pulse is even working.  So for as much fun as we had riding many things numerous times and waiting in very few lines on one of the most crowded weeks the heat was tolerable and the $4.00 diet cokes were worth every cent we paid for them.  (Yes we did take our own stuff into the park but sometimes you just have to have a drink with ice in it...at least to keep my world happy you do).

We braved the rain that came down in sheets every day.  We covered the kids but chose to get wet ourselves (Like we had a choice).  Just can't understand those who want a rain poncho on them when it is 100 degrees outside and raining.  I have a limit to the amount of STICKY that adheres to my body and a rain poncho in sweltering heat doesn't come anywhere close to making the cut. We quickly realized that EVERY TIME we have been to Disney it rains so it was only appropriate for us to get a new Mickey antenna adornment.  Now Mickey has on a rain hat and jacket and rides on top of Gangsta'.

We laughed, played, got wet and rode lots of rides.  We had pirate and princess makeovers and we strolled around in strollers. Although I personally think five year olds are too old for strollers, this rule does not stick at DISNEY.  In fact, the kids can be 18 and I will have a stroller just to haul around the "STUFF".  My passive aggressive mommy stroller tactics had to come out and stay out at Disney but that's OK.  It was the worst of any issues we had so be it. 

Princess Make-Over

GRRRRR....

aargh...Matey!

We had so much fun that we left it all at the park.

We can only hope that Mickey is a part of your future plans.  It was so much fun and well worth the 'we are exhausted feeling' once we got home.  We look forward to doing it again in the colder months.  Until then we will "SEE YA REAL SOON" and keep a song in your heart and have a

ZIPPIDY DO-DA DAY!



Lil' Miss Sassy turns 5!

We woke up on the morning of Maran's birthday & the disbelief that she is 5 is unreal.  I tell her how I can't believe she is 5 and that she is growing up so fast.  She looks at me and says ........

"Mommy, it will be OK, you know I have to grow up...otherwise how can I ever become a Heart Doctor".   Well, there you go.  Happy Birthday to a cute 5 year old.  May a smile always be upon your face and love in your heart.