Bedtime Rules

Patrick had a lot of catching up at work so that meant no help at bedtime tonight. No big deal. Done it plenty of times. After a horrific hour, I had finally managed to get Will and Sam asleep. I then went to get Jack out of "bedtime-thinking time" (his first time in there-- Will had already been in there twice). I picked him up, sat him in my lap and asked him what does bedtime mean. He answered. I told him he was right, that Will and Sam were asleep so it was time for him to go to sleep...quietly. He said ok and then began to lecture me--ever so sweetly on the "bedtime rules," as he called them. I apparently had broken the cardinal rule of not reading a bedtime story which causes them to "suddenly get wild," and "pop out of bed." Defeated, tired, and with vomit in my hair (Sam), I acknowledged my shortcomings and began carrying him to his room. His arms wrapped sweetly and gently around my neck, legs hugged tightly at my waist, he smiled and whispered with his face just inches from mine, "Mom, Dad's missing all the fun." I laughed...yes he is.

Breakfast Date!







Ever since my date with Will, Jack had been asking when it would be his turn. I knew exactly where to take him. When Will was in preschool, Jack and I would go to a Walmart located close by. Inside this Walmart they had a McDonalds. Jack would always ask to go, but it never worked. Before we left on our date that morning, Jack was a little hesistant to leave with me. He was excited to finally have Will and Daddy both home (he's been lonely since Will started school). When I would ask him if he was ready he'd say with a sheepish look, "But I might get newvous." Love that stinker! and will be so sad when he loses the toddler talk.

 

School Boy

I have dreaded the end of summer since spring. I knew in August my baby would no longer be considered a baby by nearly everyone but me. The things I hate about Tennessee Kindergarten public schools--well, the brief list-- 1. No longer a half day, but a full 7 hours. 2. Social development takes a backseat to academics. 3. So. Much. Wasted. Time.

After talking with a lovely lady who I admire a lot, I decided on Eagleville Elementary. This was not the school we were zoned for, and pretty inconvenient. But I felt like, after lots of prayers, lots of thinking, and a lot more talking (sorry, Honey), it was best place for him. And if it didn't work, I could always home school. :/

All through the summer, every time I thought about him being away from me, I was nauseous. I would pray and remember the little mercies that the Lord had sent or was sending to help me feel at ease and peaceful with this change. I don't want to forget those so I'm going to document them here. I was concerned about the distance from a hospital and how long it would take an ambulance to arrive. The first time I went there I noticed that the ambulance station was right next to the school. With Will's seizures and some of his personality he tends to have a higher anxiety about things. The smaller school size and class size felt so so good to me. When I met the principal for the zone exemption he was kind and mentioned that when he was younger he had epilepsy. I could have Gretchen Solomon as Will's first introduction to school!! Can't think of another person outside of family who would love my baby and make him feel special and safe.

The night before his phase-in day we went to his school's open house. I was feeling nervous and apphrensive again about this change and how he would handle it. At the Kindergarten meeting the teachers gave the parents a handprint cut-out. We were to write a note to our child that would be read to them on their phase-in day. Just looking at the handprint made me get tear, so I decided to bring it home so that I could blubber in private instead.

We got home and quickly put the kids to bed in order to get everything ready for the next day. I went to find Will's new backpack to put his supplies in. When I unipped it I saw a couple pieces of paper that had been drawn on and decorated with stamps, a stamp, a paint brush, and an Elmer's glue stick. This filled my heart with so much happiness and sadness. He was excited. So was I. When did he grow up?

The next morning, Patrick woke up early and went to Hardee's to get the boys gravy and biscuit for the first day of school breakfast. Patrick went with us, because I was scarred. He sat in the car with the Jack and Sam, while I took Will in. He was excited. He went right in. He kindly obliged and let me take some pictures, and then went to play. I spoke with Gretchen for a few minutes and then called Will over to give me a hug and a kiss. I walked out feeling happy and at ease. I had a few happy tears--grateful tears. It was easier leaving him than I thought it would be. I think partly because I am just so so grateful he is well enough to go to school. It was hard to be sad when I thought about how far we'd come. I'm so happy we can add this to his milestones.

Dino Dig

Bunk Bed Fort

Date Night!

I've been wanting to take the boys on individual dates for a long time. Will going to school and leaving me is what it finally took to make it happen. Will and I went on a date to pick-up his kindergarten supplies and afterwards we stopped by Baskin Robbins to pick up a double chocolate oreo ice cream cone. I love this boy and loved spending one-on-one time with him. Definitely need to do this more often.

 

 

"I'm gonna go mow."