Preschool Promotion

Once upon a time Janessa, you finished traditional preschool the same way as your brother and sister who had gone before you.  The only difference was a battle wound on your face from a skate board injury that had happened two days prior.  Always beautiful and so full of joy, you completed preschool the same way you started: confidently excited to see what TK has to offer.

My three littles, all gathered on the same stage, blessed by the same teacher who molded each of your lives in her own way.  Each of you so unique with your gifts, but your foundation so similar and the memories of Miss Jackey to carry in your heart forever.  This year was just the right mix of special and sad as Miss Jackey retired after thirty-two years.  I feel so blessed that you, Nessa Bessa was able to experience her loving guidance for the time you did.

Mom and Miss Jackey have a special bond.  Both are survivors.  Both have fought the cancer fight and come out victorious.  For that we are all especially grateful: more time for more lives to touch.

Miss Debbie had some big shoes to fill and you warmed right up to her and let her encourage and guide you as well.  You went from virtually no interest in coloring to writing your name overnight.  Miss Judy coming back to help in Miss Jackey's absence was another gift.  She knew the program well as she was the assistant for the big kids too.  Someday you will look back at this time period and understand that this is what friends do: they support and help in your hour of need.  I was so impressed by the relationship these three women shared.

Your entourage was there to cheer and show their love for you.  Daddy may have had to work, but he was there in spirit and loves all that you have accomplished already in preschool.  Miss Shelly took so many pictures with my good camera, that we forgot to get a picture with her too!

This guy has been your right hand man for the past two years. Well, actually even before that as you knew each other in the womb!  Linky, your best friend, your sidekick, and now your homeschool buddy!  I am so excited to see what adventures you two cook up next!

My baby bird, your biggest fan. . .I feel so incredibly blessed to be home with you next year.  I am thrilled by the prospect of learning about letters, numbers, and all things life together!  This day marked your last day as a preschooler and my last day as a teacher in the AUSD. I can not ever tell you what this milestone means to me but I'll spend the year showing you through all our adventures and misadventures doing this homeschooling thing together!

Week in Review

Our new normal feels like a bit of an extended vacation.  Even though the kids went back to school, and I went back to teach my one day this week. . .we are, for the most part together a lot.  With Ernie home, the two of us work together to tackle breakfasts, lunch making, homework help, dinner and clean up.  I have nothing to complain about.  We had a play date with one of Nessa's besties, went to Jumpin' Jacks with imoms, participated in Toddler Time at the library, and thoroughly enjoyed walking to Parent Participation pre-school this week.  AND we even braved the cold yesterday and resumed our weekly Friday park dates.

A spontaneous meetup with a friend resulted in Ernie and my brother attending a book club at a local church.  The three of us stayed up late leafing through it and I sat quietly listening to them excited and hopeful for what the book and the fellowship might offer .  Thursday morning several woman gathered at my house and a new Good Morning Girls Group was formed, which I felt called to lead.  I am so excited because also on the agenda is a Moms in Prayer group with these moms who attend the same school as my kids!  We are also working out the details for a book club, but we just don't know what to read:  Mission to Motherhood, Desperate, or A Thousand Gifts.  We will pray about it and what it needs to look like. . .but we are women who are inspired and inspiring other women.  How awesome and beautiful is that? I feel so grateful.

This morning I ventured out with my mom to a couple estate and yard sales and found a couple treasures AND tonight we will celebrate a friend's fortieth birthday at a fancy schmansy country club.  Awe.  Life.  It is so deliciously good--and about to taste even better starting tomorrow: )
My list is made as I head off to the grocery store to get a jump start on my resolution to cook more and plan ahead better.  Knowing Weelicious and Not Your Mothers Make Ahead and Freeze cookbook have helped!  I feel like I'm off to a great start and am looking forward to church and time in the kitchen tomorrow.  Week one of our "new normal" complete.

November 8, 2012

This week included the election, which was spent in front of the television at our house.  The kids stayed up until nine o'clock tracking the number of electoral votes each man received.  The next morning they were surprised and excited to hear the winner.  Explaining the election process to them, meant a little research and reviewing for me.  Government class seems a lifetime ago.
In other news. . .
This week also marked a new beginning for the baby.  I'm thinking it may not be a good idea to call her that any more since she started her first day of preschool today.

Yesterday I went to put her on the waiting list since she will be three this month, and there was no line so she could start immediately...like today.  I may have shed a tear or two or twenty yesterday as the realization hit me that she is NOT a baby any more.  As sure as I am that this is the best place to tame her little wild spirit and help her learn and grow with other kids her age, it didn't make the letting go any easier.

It is not about the academics for me.  It is about the structure she needs and it is the answer to her daily plea, "Mama, I have Miss Donna's today?"  Ever since we began the Mommy and Me one day a week program in September she has asked for more.  As difficult as the first month in that class was for me due to her lack of wanting to transition from play time to rug time, I have seen such tremendous growth.  She loves learning.  She loves being with other kids her age; She loves having something to call her own.  So, we decided to take the plunge. 

Today she went in eager to discover.  She left me with a kiss and never looked back. . .

When I returned she was happy to see me, told me she missed me and then I asked her teachers how her day went.  They didn't tell me anything I wasn't expecting.  She knows how to turn it on and off--not with tears, but with arms crossed, shaking her head, and saying no.  She wants to do what she wants to do--and she is fiercely independent. FIERCEly.  The thing this young thing will soon realize, is that her teacher Ms. J is no pushover.  She taught  our other two.  Her consistency, nurturing, and firm but gentle discipline is what brought us back here yet again.  So, we shall see.  After class we drove thru to pickup a cheeseburger, small fry, and milk.  She talked non stop.  I asked her if she wants to go back, "Yes!"

I think the hardest part about letting her go is admitting to myself that I don't have everything she needs--I can't be what she needs by myself at home.  I can teach her, no doubt but she is a social beauty of a beast who desires company and activity and likes to be on the go.  It shouldn't surprise me since she is the only one of my kids that has only had grandma as a babysitter.  Those two were always busy!!  She likes to be on the move, she is interested in what's going on around her. Her eyes light up when then are more than two kids gathered similar in age to her.  She's ready. 

Maybe the reality of the situation is: it's still hard for me to accept my children's flaws, attitudes, or bad character trait moments and not somehow view them as a reflection of me. That age old caring what someone else thinks--how I am perceived as a parent, as an educator, or whatever the title may be. . .still cripples me.  As hard as I strive not to care, the reality is I struggle.  It is there. I don't want to work full time so I can be with my kids, but how does that fit into this equation?

I don't know.  But I do know, He knows.  I've been seeking Him and He is revealing himself to me, showing me the way, guiding me down this path.  It might change.  It might not.  For now we are all right where we need to be: Jeremiah 6:16 
 This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest for your souls.

September 15, 2012

I may or may not be behind on my blogging.  The construction zone, also known as our house has been a busy work in progress.  Trying to keep an almost three-year-old confined to the upstairs is only easy during nap time.  So, blogging has taken a back seat as I still search for that weekly rhythm that Fall usually brings.  I think we are almost there.  Almost.

A couple weeks ago my mom and I ventured to take Janessa and her cousin to the Chino Youth Museum.  It is the perfect place for little ones who love the land of make believe.  They both spent a lot of time in the play house and at the Farmer's Market toting pretend food to the table and fridge.  My nephew loved going in and out of the kid-sized doors at the front of each new play area.  I think he liked that even more than what the actual play rooms provided!

It's hard to believe that days like this could be numbered as the decision looms whether to send her off to preschool in the Winter or wait until the Fall of next year.  These days together make me long for more of them.  I've never been home before like this. It is such a blessing to hold her hand and journey through these beautiful days of life together!