"Three more days," my three-year old tells me, quite excitedly and holding up three fingers practically inside my nose they're so close to my face. He's both new at being able to hold up certain fingers which makes him proud and also quite excited when he's doing so because he's usually counting down to something that he's ready to do NOW.
We went through this routine when it was time to go to the beach with Grammy. And when we were going to the lake to visit with Grandma and Pa. And while we were waiting for Pappy to come get him for his overnight visit to Grammy and Pappy's house. And until it was time to go to the pool with Kelly. And . . . well, you get the idea. We count down to a lot of things these days.
Tonight, when I almost had fingers up my nose, we were laying down after his bath and getting settled in to bed, which is when a lot of interesting conversations take place while he's trying oh-so-hard to put off "night-night" time.
"Three more days, Mommy!" he said again, holding the same fingers back up even as he was laying his head on the pillow.
Tonight, we were counting down the days until it's time to go back to school. We're pretty sure he's loving it, at least at this point!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
"Connor Pay For It!"
Preschool is already doing it's job, after only one day! After taking the twins in to get Connor (and the wonderful scene that it turned into), I decided we could all use a little comfort food on the first day of school. That means Donal's, in case you were wondering.
Well, one of the things that Connor brought home from school was a little fun pack of toys that included play coins. As we're sitting in the drive-thru, waiting for our turn to order, I'm pulling my wallet out of the passenger seat to see if I have any cash or if I will be using the credit card. Out of no where, my three-year old pipes up from his seat (in the middle row behind me and to my right).
"I got it, Mommy. Connor pay for it!" he says, holding up two fake gold coins and a rather proud expression on his face. "I got pay for it."
Okay, so maybe school didn't teach him all of that. We've slowly been working with him about money and having to pay for things first, like when we take him to the grocery store and get him a toy to occupy him for the duration of the trip (a toy that can't come out of the package until we "pay for it"), or when we go into BestBuy and pick out a new movie for the kids and he knows we have to "pay for it" before we can leave.
But still, it was funny that he said it the first time after his day at school. I guess he hasn't really had any money to hold lately - his birthday and Christmas are pretty much the only times he does - because he's not quite old enough to earn an allowance yet. How long before he starts asking for one, though?
Well, one of the things that Connor brought home from school was a little fun pack of toys that included play coins. As we're sitting in the drive-thru, waiting for our turn to order, I'm pulling my wallet out of the passenger seat to see if I have any cash or if I will be using the credit card. Out of no where, my three-year old pipes up from his seat (in the middle row behind me and to my right).
"I got it, Mommy. Connor pay for it!" he says, holding up two fake gold coins and a rather proud expression on his face. "I got pay for it."
Okay, so maybe school didn't teach him all of that. We've slowly been working with him about money and having to pay for things first, like when we take him to the grocery store and get him a toy to occupy him for the duration of the trip (a toy that can't come out of the package until we "pay for it"), or when we go into BestBuy and pick out a new movie for the kids and he knows we have to "pay for it" before we can leave.
But still, it was funny that he said it the first time after his day at school. I guess he hasn't really had any money to hold lately - his birthday and Christmas are pretty much the only times he does - because he's not quite old enough to earn an allowance yet. How long before he starts asking for one, though?
Photo Flashback
A messy meal of sweet potatoes and corn for Sawyer. (September 5, 2006)
An even messier meal for Xander. (September 5, 2006)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A Bad Sign
Today, in addition to seeing how Connor did on his first day of school, I also got a small glimpse of what it's going to be like on the day I try to ship my other two children off to school. You know, the two-year olds who are still on the waiting list for pre-school. It wasn't pretty, not at all.
Lucky for me, Josh was able to be home this morning to look after the little guys while I took Connor in for the first day. We knew there would be paperwork and that he might be a bit shy at first, so I got to take him by himself and get everything settled. It took over an hour and a half, so it was nice not to have the little guys tagging along for that.
However, Josh actually had to go to work before it was time to pick Connor back up at noon. That meant I was going to have to do it with two toddlers in tow, two toddlers who have a lot of separation anxiety and who are not all that social. Sounds oh-so-fun, doesn't it? It wasn't, not at all.
I was that mother. You know, the one with the screaming and inconsolable children in the hallway. Other parents looked on, some with sympathy and others with less cordial looks (like why can't you control your children kind of disgust). And many simply averted their eyes. It was painful to watch, two miserable and unhappy little boys screaming and crying and trying to escape the terrible halls of the preschool. And the really sad part of it all, is that they weren't even there to go to school. They were just there to pick up their three-year old brother from school.
You see, in this day and age, preschools are apparently getting tighter on security. The doors are closed and locked from the outside during class, where only teachers and directors have keys. The door opens at 12 noon, sharp, and parents are lined up in the halls waiting. Children are released one at a time, to ensure they're going with the right person, and you must sign them out.
We waited (I wish I could say quietly, but clearly not) until the end. I kept the little guys as far away as possible from the other parents and siblings (who were all quite calm), and came to get Connor last. I knew after leaving him happily playing earlier in the morning that he would be fine. If anything, he was sorry to see us (especially his crying brothers) and not at all ready to go.
My big boy came out with a smile on his face and a wistful look back over his shoulder at the classroom and all the wonderful new toys and things he was leaving behind. He had a new carrying bag with his name and handprints that they had made that day (all the kids made one, so they all have the same backpack). He had a brand new yellow t-shirt with the school's name on it, and a small box of goodies - bubbles, toy coins, a plastic slinky, and a magnifying glass. He was in heaven. And when I asked him if he liked school, he gave me a big grin and said, "I like it! Connor maybe go back tomorrow?" Not quite, my big boy, but soon enough.
Oh well, at least the one who is actually enrolled in school seems to like it. The other two, however, did not seem at all pleased with even the idea of school (even after Mommy explained a thousand times at the house, in the car and on the way there that we were just going to pick up their brother, not to stay). A rather bad sign, I imagine, for the future.
Perhaps next week we'll try taking them in the stroller. With suckers. Surely they won't scream around the suckers in their mouths, right? Let the other parents think what they will. And as far as actually taking them to school, well, we'll just wait and cross that bridge when we actually get to it. That is, assuming the little guys don't burn it down first, which is probably a really strong possibility. Good times ahead . . .
Lucky for me, Josh was able to be home this morning to look after the little guys while I took Connor in for the first day. We knew there would be paperwork and that he might be a bit shy at first, so I got to take him by himself and get everything settled. It took over an hour and a half, so it was nice not to have the little guys tagging along for that.
However, Josh actually had to go to work before it was time to pick Connor back up at noon. That meant I was going to have to do it with two toddlers in tow, two toddlers who have a lot of separation anxiety and who are not all that social. Sounds oh-so-fun, doesn't it? It wasn't, not at all.
I was that mother. You know, the one with the screaming and inconsolable children in the hallway. Other parents looked on, some with sympathy and others with less cordial looks (like why can't you control your children kind of disgust). And many simply averted their eyes. It was painful to watch, two miserable and unhappy little boys screaming and crying and trying to escape the terrible halls of the preschool. And the really sad part of it all, is that they weren't even there to go to school. They were just there to pick up their three-year old brother from school.
You see, in this day and age, preschools are apparently getting tighter on security. The doors are closed and locked from the outside during class, where only teachers and directors have keys. The door opens at 12 noon, sharp, and parents are lined up in the halls waiting. Children are released one at a time, to ensure they're going with the right person, and you must sign them out.
We waited (I wish I could say quietly, but clearly not) until the end. I kept the little guys as far away as possible from the other parents and siblings (who were all quite calm), and came to get Connor last. I knew after leaving him happily playing earlier in the morning that he would be fine. If anything, he was sorry to see us (especially his crying brothers) and not at all ready to go.
My big boy came out with a smile on his face and a wistful look back over his shoulder at the classroom and all the wonderful new toys and things he was leaving behind. He had a new carrying bag with his name and handprints that they had made that day (all the kids made one, so they all have the same backpack). He had a brand new yellow t-shirt with the school's name on it, and a small box of goodies - bubbles, toy coins, a plastic slinky, and a magnifying glass. He was in heaven. And when I asked him if he liked school, he gave me a big grin and said, "I like it! Connor maybe go back tomorrow?" Not quite, my big boy, but soon enough.
Oh well, at least the one who is actually enrolled in school seems to like it. The other two, however, did not seem at all pleased with even the idea of school (even after Mommy explained a thousand times at the house, in the car and on the way there that we were just going to pick up their brother, not to stay). A rather bad sign, I imagine, for the future.
Perhaps next week we'll try taking them in the stroller. With suckers. Surely they won't scream around the suckers in their mouths, right? Let the other parents think what they will. And as far as actually taking them to school, well, we'll just wait and cross that bridge when we actually get to it. That is, assuming the little guys don't burn it down first, which is probably a really strong possibility. Good times ahead . . .
The Big Day
"Connor go school!" Today was the big day, and we of course had to wake him up to get ready. He's like Mommy - he likes to sleep late! He had a little breakfast, then we loaded up his new Thomas backpack and headed out the door.
We had to get there a little early to fill out some paperwork, to meet the staff and take a mini-tour. He was shy and hesitant at first, clinging to my hand with his and hiding his face in my side. But, as we moved around he got a little more comfortable. I stayed in his classroom (the "Yellow Room") for about 15 minutes, most of it before the other kids came in, while he looked around. We played with a little kitchen set (can you tell we have no girls at our house?), looked at books (about fish and dolphins and whales, of course), and then made our way over to the classroom fish "Bubbles." He looked in the bowl a minute, then said "I like that, Mommy!"
As the other kids streamed in, he looked a bit hesitant again, especially when they started wanting to play with "HIS" toys. But we moved to the back of the classroom where there was a little "sand" (actually white rice) box, and that's where I quietly left him. Once he started playing there with two other little kids, Mommy said a quick "Bye-Bye!" and asked if he liked it at school.
"Okay, Mommy, I like it," he said. "Mommy no leave without Connor in Mommy's truck?" he added, almost as an afterthought.
Um, well. A little white lie never hurt, right?
"Mommy's here. Mommy will be right here to get you when school is over." And, thank goodness, it seemed to be enough.
I actually wasn't leaving just then. I had to go back and finish up the paperwork. And when that was all done, the director and I walked back down the hallway to check on him. I stayed out of view, not wanting to cause the hesitancy and uncertainty to return by his seeing me again. She said he was talking and playing and seemed completely fine. So, we closed the door, and it was time for Mommy to go. He doesn't have to know that Mommy left in her truck, only that she's going to be there at noon when it's time to leave again.
My big boy, he's at his first day of school!
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