Today is Henry's 8th birthday. Evelyn and Vivian were talking about how much they want a dog. Evelyn shared that she wished for a dog on her birthday in April. She said she wishes that every birthday! She asked Viv if that was her wish too. Her response was awesome! "No, I wished to fly. That's what I always wish." Oh, that is a good one.
This morning Henry opened an astronaut costume. He really wanted a helmet too, so he got out our packing tape and fashioned our globe topped plastic lettuce keeper into a space helmet, complete with mask. He and Viv posed together, and I think it may end up being a favorite pic of their sibling friendship. Over the weekend he marked her forehead with a cross similar to what we Catholics receive on Ash Wednesday. He used green pool cue chalk. I love the impulsive creativity.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
The First Day of School - Mommy's New Normal
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - Today is BIG! Robbie and I just walked our four children to the first day of school. Mr. Steve, the crossing guard, commented on how much the children have grown over the summer. The big girls went into the gym to wait with their friends for the bell, declining a photo by the classroon door with the new grade-level teachers. We walked Vivian to her 1st grade classroom with Mrs. Ledom, and I was hit with emotion. My baby will be at school all day with her older siblings this year, and the tears started rolling. I tried to control myself for sweet, happy Vivian's sake, but along the tears rolled. She's in fine hands, but I will miss her something fierce. Our time together last year during half-day kindergarten was so special. We'd walk home for lunch hand-in-hand with birds singing. We'd meet friends for picnic park lunches. We spent a lot of time snuggled up with storybooks. She was my little companion on the necessary errand outings. Even at home as I prepped dinner or completed household tasks, she'd play in her joyful way. I think sometimes she relished the quiet while the older siblings were at school.
Henry has grown a lot this summer, and he has a short haircut like Robbie. He looked so handsome, my little man, in his glasses, brand new running shoes and school uniform today. He was a little shy with his teacher, Mrs. Thomas, but he showed his good heart. Yesterday, we made banana oat appleasauce muffins together, and he greeted her with the homemade treat in the classroom. He's a good boy.
So here I am after a lovely summer with my children. The house is so quiet. I feel kind of sad and weapy, but only because I miss my children. At this point it is easy to romanticize having them all under the roof. I can forget about how they fought over certain island chairs or complained about the chores that were required of them this summer.
It was a good summer. We grew a garden, and the girls had a flower bouquet business. The children were all on a swim team, and we experienced many swim meets with kiddos on pre-competitive and competitive teams. Everyone enjoyed many baseball games watching Henry's team win a seaon and a tournament. We vacationed to Michigan with family and spent each day at the Lake Michigan beach. We climbed amazing sand dunes and took a canoe trip on a river. We took Aunt Dana from Dallas to the Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City, which was amazing. The chldren had a lot of sleepovers, movie outings and pool time with the grandparents, who moved here in May to be close to us. They road crazy fast go-carts in Branson. Henry and Vivian went off the high dive at the city pool for the first time this summer with friends. We spent time with cousins and saw old friends from out-of-state. It was a good summer.
Now, a new chapter begins for me, the mother. With the children in school from 8 am to 3:30 pm daily, I will need to adjust. For the moment, since they naturally are dismissed before noon on this first day, I am going to relax in the quiet for a bit. I'll even read some Dr. Zhivago during the DAY! Maybe I'll even stay awake! The next few months will afford me an opportunity to reflect on how to contribute to the community around me in a rewarding and meaningful way. I can tackle a few necessary organization type home projects without feeling like I am ignoring my children. I've had little ones underfoot for over 13 years, so I can take a breather if I need one. When school is dismissed, I will greet my children with joy in my heart, and we will take off with after school activities like piano, cross-country, soccer for Evelyn, and flag football and fall baseball for Henry.
My favorite prayer comes to mind, we said it on the way to school this morning, and I think it may be my mantra as I adjust...
"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be..."
Henry has grown a lot this summer, and he has a short haircut like Robbie. He looked so handsome, my little man, in his glasses, brand new running shoes and school uniform today. He was a little shy with his teacher, Mrs. Thomas, but he showed his good heart. Yesterday, we made banana oat appleasauce muffins together, and he greeted her with the homemade treat in the classroom. He's a good boy.
So here I am after a lovely summer with my children. The house is so quiet. I feel kind of sad and weapy, but only because I miss my children. At this point it is easy to romanticize having them all under the roof. I can forget about how they fought over certain island chairs or complained about the chores that were required of them this summer.
It was a good summer. We grew a garden, and the girls had a flower bouquet business. The children were all on a swim team, and we experienced many swim meets with kiddos on pre-competitive and competitive teams. Everyone enjoyed many baseball games watching Henry's team win a seaon and a tournament. We vacationed to Michigan with family and spent each day at the Lake Michigan beach. We climbed amazing sand dunes and took a canoe trip on a river. We took Aunt Dana from Dallas to the Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City, which was amazing. The chldren had a lot of sleepovers, movie outings and pool time with the grandparents, who moved here in May to be close to us. They road crazy fast go-carts in Branson. Henry and Vivian went off the high dive at the city pool for the first time this summer with friends. We spent time with cousins and saw old friends from out-of-state. It was a good summer.
Now, a new chapter begins for me, the mother. With the children in school from 8 am to 3:30 pm daily, I will need to adjust. For the moment, since they naturally are dismissed before noon on this first day, I am going to relax in the quiet for a bit. I'll even read some Dr. Zhivago during the DAY! Maybe I'll even stay awake! The next few months will afford me an opportunity to reflect on how to contribute to the community around me in a rewarding and meaningful way. I can tackle a few necessary organization type home projects without feeling like I am ignoring my children. I've had little ones underfoot for over 13 years, so I can take a breather if I need one. When school is dismissed, I will greet my children with joy in my heart, and we will take off with after school activities like piano, cross-country, soccer for Evelyn, and flag football and fall baseball for Henry.
My favorite prayer comes to mind, we said it on the way to school this morning, and I think it may be my mantra as I adjust...
"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be..."
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