August

So this is about to be a crazy exciting/ busy month.  I am a teacher getting ready to go back to work and my daughter starts kindergarten.  I also thought that it would be fun to sign her up for cheerleading.  She has practice Monday thru Friday from 6p-8:30. I am hoping that I didn't bite off more than I or she can chew.  She is used to having gymnastics for an hour several nights a week but this will be an entirely new adventure.  I also am depending on my parents because while she has practice he will hopefully be hanging out at their house across the street.  I think they were seeing my mini-panic and thats when the volunteered to keep him.  I am up for any suggestions that you can provide for dining.  I really don't want to be that mom who drive thrus every night to feed her family.  I am not a very good cook but I can handle PB&J and cheese sandwiches (again not the gourmet dinner my kids planned on I'm sure).  I am thrilled and a little nervous for what August brings.  I am beginning a new position at a new school and don't know many people there.  So far everyone that I have met has been super nice and helpful.  I am laughing as I am typing because I am sure my daughter is thinking the same thing...being excited about a new school but a little fearful that she only knows one other boy who will be joining her there and we don't know if he will be in her class.  Every day this new adventure becomes a little bit more real.  She now has a book bag and school clothes and we will go supply shopping soon.  The first week always scares me sometimes the second too.  It seems that once you have made it beyond those two weeks it is smooth sailing for the most part.  Drop off issues, going home issues, and kids crying about missing their moms have all subsided and the educational aspect can begin.  Bring on September.

End of Summer As I Know It

The wonderful smell on the beach and sunscreen is about to be replaced by that of pencil lead and crayons. I'm excited to get back to work so I can start collecting a pay check but I have loved my time off with the kids and am not looking forward to being separated from them for nine hours a day. My daughter is beginning kindergarten this year so I am excited that she will be joining me at work but it's bitter sweet. My baby girl is growing up and heading out into the world of public education. She is of course very excited and optimistic for this year to come and I have done a great job of holding back the years and telling her stories of all the fun activities she will get to do in kindergarten. We have gone clothes shopping and will have her book bag on Wednesday. She can't wait to get her supply list and complete the going back to school rituals. I am hopeful that she will adore her teacher and that the teacher will adore my baby equally and that she makes nice friends and will be brilliant. I am so proud of the person that she has become and need to let go of the baby and embrace my big girl. Ugh parenting definitely pulls on the heart strings.

Love Pinterest

So many of my friends have been talking about this site so I decided to check it out.  I love this site!  I have spent an hour or two each day for the last two days just exploring.  I am being a good mommy and investigating once the kiddos are asleep for the night.  I recently fell in love with a pin about things that you can mail.  The blogger explained that as long as it was 13 ounces or less just about anything is fair game.  Some of my favorites were mailing a flip flop to a friend... sending the second to finish the pair a week later; mailing a bouncy ball to a child on their birthday (it read I hope your birthday is a ball); and finally mailing a plastic Easter egg with little goodies inside.  As an Elementary school teacher this is something that teachers could do as a class project or parents could do with their kids on a rainy afternoon.  My adult friends would probably enjoy a random mailer as well.  There are so many depressing things in life that I love these fun ideas to make someone's day.

Guilt or No Guilt That Is The Question

We are now officially into day 4 of our trip with the kids staying with Grandma and Grandpa. I am enjoying my time with my husband and partaking in activities I would not even think about if I were with my children (having a drink for instance). The hard part comes every time I come across something my children would like to eat or do I immediately miss them like crazy. My parents are awesome and send updates and pictures regularly but I still feel this sense of guilt for not being with my babies. I agree with my wonderfully patient husband that these date days have been few and far between so to treasure the time we have. With that said...Cheers.