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The Light Under the Door

15 Aug

“How did you know?” He asked me as I ushered him back in bed – a place where he should’ve been sound asleep some 30 minutes ago.

“I wasn’t making any noise. I was so quiet.” He adds, still confused about how I caught him with a baseball hat on his head, frozen mid-bend at his shelf – instead of sleeping. He was, “cleaning his room.” A room that was not a mess by any means.

I smile while tucking him in again, “Mommy will keep that a secret.”

I can’t let him know that it was because of the light glowing from under his door. How will I bust him next time?

His room was pretty clean though. He even had all his baseball hats sorted according to team. He made sure the one I removed from his head was placed in the appropriate stack.

Night-night, Delay Nate. Sweet dreams of a cleaner room and tidy baseball shelf.

The Tidy Shelf (My Cleaning)

He just felt like running…

13 Aug

Waving at the kids.

In the dark at 4 a.m.

That’s what time Andrew usually wakes up and leaves for his run – complete with a light he wears on his head (upgraded from the small flashlight he was carrying). He does it because it’s the best time for him. Cooler. Not as busy on the road. Great start to his day. But 4 a.m.

These before-the-crack-of-dawn runs are really paying off for him though. He feels healthier, lost weight, gained muscle and entered and succeeded in his first 5 and 10K’s. Now, his goal is to run in a 5K race each month. He says it’s motivation to help him keep running, since he pays money for the races. He signed up for a half-marathon in October and that’s what he’s working toward now (along with another 5k in a few weeks). I know he can’t wait to run on the beach during our upcoming vacation. He’s getting really tired (and somewhat creeped out) about running by the eerily lit cemetery on his typical morning route. That could help him run faster though…

So proud of you, Andrew. The kids and I love to cheer for you and now Nate wants to run in the one-mile kid races associated with your 5K’s. Such a positive example. I’m hoping it has that same effect on me – soon.

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A Closer Look at Bean

12 Aug

I think I know Nia pretty well. I have her favorite music, tv shows, foods, colors and movies down. I know she loves to play school and uses her stuffed animals as students, takes forever in the restroom, must hug mommy and daddy twice before night-night and then plays with her Barbies in her bed before finally falling asleep. She has such a caring and sweet heart and is so smart. I do know her well but I was able to learn even more special things about her all thanks to a simple homework assignment called, “ABC’s of Me!” I copied the answers she wrote to the prompted sentences below. My favorites are A through Z.

A – An adventure I would like to have would be to meet some famous celebrities.

B – One of my favorite books is I don’t know because I like a lot of books. I read all of the Diary of a Wimpy Kids books.

C – The craziest thing I have ever done is run and throw a little ball at my brother.

D – The most difficult thing I have ever done is to swim from three feet to six feet.

Swimming from 3 feet to 6

E – The easiest subject in school is reading because I usually get good grades on reading tests.

F – One quality I look for in a friend is kindliness because I only should be with a nice friend.

G – I think greasy hair is really gross because I don’t like the way it feels.

H – My hope for this year is nobody makes fun of me.

I – A topic that interests me is animals because most animals are friendly.

J – Something that brings me joy is seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time because I’m happy to see them again.

K – If I were king of the world I would donate money to others that needed it.

L – I love to eat my dad’s grilled pizza because I like to eat Italian food.

M – If I had a million dollars I would share it with my family.

If I had a $1,000,000

N – I will never talk to a stranger because I don’t know them.

O – When I play outside, I like to enjoy the weather because I think it’s fun.

P – I am proud of myself for not getting in trouble because I shouldn’t get in trouble on the first week.

Q – A question I have wondered about is to ask my dad what his favorite subject was in school.

R – I respect people who respect me because the golden rule is treat others the way you want to be treated.

S – A sport I enjoy is bowling because I like wearing the shoes to play.

T – I would like to travel to the beach because I like playing in the ocean and finding sea shells.

U – Something unique about me is I was born on my due date.

V – My favorite vacation spot is West Virginia because I get to see my family.

W – I wish nobody would be very mean.

X – I get really eXcited when I know someone’s coming to visit.

Y – I always say “Yes!” when someone asks me to do my work because I have to.

Z – If I were a zoo animal, I would be a zebra because I like their patterns.

Alphabet Bean, I love the way you think.

Lessons Learned

8 Aug

The first day of Kindergarten is now logged in Nate’s red “Homework Folder” with a smiley face in the no sticks pulled column. He said his teacher told him he would have to pull a stick if he didn’t stay seated on his purple square at one point in the day. I’m so proud of him for choosing that square over the stick. Some other lessons learned:

  • He learned what it was like to walk to the bus stop and ride the big yellow school bus like he’s watched his sister do for the past three years. He loved it.
  • He learned about coloring and painting. That was the first thing he told me when I asked him about his day. He apparently colored a skunk – he didn’t elaborate. (Turns out, it was actually a raccoon.)
  • He learned that next year is 2012. Andrew asked him who taught him that and he told us his teacher did. Andrew reacted to that with a supportive “your teacher is pretty smart.” Nate took it further. “Yep! She’s smarter than momma and Nia and me and daddy!” Well, there it is.
  • He learned that some people just don’t know how to play a game called Sharks and Minnows at after school. “I kept tagging them out but they wouldn’t sit out. I told them, ‘I tagged you. I tagged you. I tagged you.'” We assured him it will be ok. Don’t worry about it.
  • I learned that Nia is a loving caregiver even when mommy and daddy aren’t looking. She told me she had Nate sit by the window of the school bus and in between her and her friend on the after school bus so that he wouldn’t fall out in the aisle. I also caught her holding his hand as they walked to the bus stop. Sweetie.
  • We learned that Nate really enjoys his homework. He wanted to read his book over and over and he was so proud of himself when he got the words right. I cherish that I was able to capture his joy in this picture:

Happy Reader

I’m so happy our little buddy had a great first day. I hope to see those smiles and the excitement continue through the school year. And I certainly won’t object to more smiley faces in that no sticks pulled column…

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New School Year Odds and Ends

7 Aug

Some things I want to remember about the new school year that starts tomorrow-

Odds:

Nia is one of only six girls in her class. There are 17 boys. Seems odd to me but we’ll see.

I had to google what the school breakfast is for the first day. I have never heard of a “frudel” before. I suppose it’s good the kids are introduced to new foods.

Speaking of breakfast, we will be paying for Nate to have a daily “second breakfast” because he will eat at home and then may want to eat again when the rest of his class does. Second breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

This is not so much odd but more special to me – Andrew told me to sign him up for the PTO when I sign myself up. Just thought it was cool that he wants to help/be involved like that.

Ends:

I’ve completed the same paperwork information for each child three times. If you count the same info that I filled out in the previous years, you need to multiply that amount by four. (I need to go back to school to solve that math problem and know how to answer some of the questions on the form.)

Both Nia and Nate had three shopping bags each of school supplies to take to their classrooms. We brought it to open house because it was too heavy for any one adult to carry let alone Nia or Nate.

Andrew informed Nate that we want him to wear nice pants for three days of the week and his fast pants for the two gym days. Nate is not a fan of this mommy/daddy dress code rule…

I know I’m forgetting something.

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2021 and 2024

4 Aug

Class of 2021

It was just three years ago that Nia got hers. It really shouldn’t have been a surprise. A quick math problem in my head would’ve given me the four numbers. But it just didn’t hit me until her Kindergarten Open House when the child small t-shirt was handed to us. Class of 2021.

Fast forward three years. Another Kindergarten Open House. Another shirt. Another shocker and heart squeezer to see a similar set of four numbers for Nate.

Class of 2024.

Our baby boy is about to begin his journey in big kid school and I’m going through all of those emotions so many parents do. The same emotions I felt with Nia during those first few weeks (months) of her boarding the school bus. I tell myself, we already did this. 2021, remember? Now look at Bean. She’s not even phased about starting Third Grade and neither am I.

Ready to Learn!

You got this. Nate’s got it. He’s going to be fine. We’ll take it day by day. There will be challenges and there will be great days. He has Nia there now at school and after school with him. She watches out for him. He’ll be fine. He’s excited about starting big kid school, although he keeps reminding us, “I’m still 5 years old.” He’s a smartie. He’ll be fine. His teachers seem wonderful. He’ll be fine. He already practiced how he’s going to sit and be a good listener. (He wasn’t even blinking. So intense.) Again, fine.

And then, just when I think I’m going to out-argue my “fines,” I remember the little school mascot dragon footprints that are leading the way from the school bus drop off to the Pre-K and Kindergarten hall. He has fun feet to guide him. Fine.

Follow the Dragon Feet

Sweet boy. I’m so in love with your personality and passion for wanting to succeed. You will follow those footprints like no one else. And I believe, when you feel ready enough, you will make some of your own for others to follow. As long as you don’t lead them to the timeout chair, we’ll be – yes – fine.

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Found: Sweet Memories

1 Aug

Colorful Clues

Tiny, colorful pieces of paper tucked in secret places around the house and extremely giddy children and their Lola have welcomed Andrew and me home over the past week of work. It has been a hilarious way to separate our job and commuting from family time and leave it all behind. For while Andrew and I were in our cubes at the office, the kids and Lola were giggling while writing out scavenger hunt directions (“Go to the beer closet.” “Go to the Lola’s toilit.”) on paper they would soon slip into the porch swing, picture frames, dog cage, shower…

Lola got the wonderful idea from her friend, Sandy, and she loved every minute of it. She especially loved hearing the laughs of the children and our reaction as we all hunted.

They hid the clues so well around the house that I would walk right by them before starting the game and not even notice them. They were everywhere. Upstairs, downstairs, outside. The kids had us going up, down, left, right over and over again and they screamed and laughed and ran around the whole time. During one hunt, Andrew and I raced each other. He searched for his dad clues and I looked for the ones labeled mom. I was still in my fancy polka-dotted dress from work. The dog followed us, barking at the frenzy. Andrew and Nate may have won (due to dog interference, I must add) but really we all won. The memories are a treasure – plus – each scavenger hunt ended with a special sweet direction to us like, “Let’s get ice cream” or “Let’s bake something sweet.” Smartest and sweetest scavenger hunts ever!

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Treasure Found

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Sweet Scavenger Hunt

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Traveling Bean

23 Jul

Our Georgia-born Bean felt so at home and made so many memories during her two weeks of living where her mommy and daddy were born and raised. Her sweet, happy voice through the phone, (with some more detail given by grandparents) told us all about her West Virginia and Ohio adventures.

She used a shelf that held movies as a “hotel” for her Barbies at Lola and Papa’s.

She spent hours creating new stories with her Barbies in my old Barbie Dream House.

She got a mani/pedi from cousin Michayla while they talked about things they liked and what they would do after their nails dried.

She took a road trip with Honey to see her newly 16-year-old cousin Savannah march with her high school band in a parade. Carnival rides and games with cousin Gabbie, Aunt Sissy and Uncle Brian made for an extra special visit.

Big screen showings of “Zookeeper” with cousin Alexandra and “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” with Papa and Lola. “Gnomeo and Juliet” with Honey at her house. Popcorn for all three.

She watched, entertained, as her papa, uncles Anthony and Matthew, and cousin John Luke lead a stray goat back to its gated area at the Oglebay Zoo. Lola, Aunt Nancy, cousin Michayla and (soon-to-be Aunt) Cara all shared in the leaping goat fun.

She stayed up way past bedtime a few times – once until 1 in the morning watching a movie called “Aliens in the Attic” and another time doing who knows what but she sure was rubbing it in to me that it was 1:04 before she fell asleep.

She played Family Feud and Hang Man on her Grandma’s iPad and chased cats around a tree at Great-Grandma Nancy’s house.

Soaked with a garden hose when a threatening storm prevented a swim in Grandma’s pool. She got that swim the next day with Grandpa and cousin Alexandra.

Best friend necklaces with cousin Alexandra and shopping at Justice with Grandma.

Shopping spree to the extreme with Lola and Sandy – trying on clothes for an hour and loving everything your Lola bought for you.

Board games galore with Honey – along with a side or two of yummy spaghetti dinners.

Hugs and smiles for Great-Grandpa Domenick and Velma and Honey’s neighbors Callie and Jimmy.

Cookout with tons of family and good friends at Lola and Papa’s on your last night in West Virginia.

Squeezes good-bye and see you soon hopes for everyone after many sleepovers, snuggles, love and fun.

Hugs and kisses hello for us. We missed our Beanie Baby.

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In Between Seasons

19 Jul

Nate may not have a tee-ball practice or game to play in during these summer months but that doesn’t mean he’s not playing every chance he gets/invents. It’s been too hot outside to really quench his baseball thirst so he’s improvised. Some of has hold-him-over pastimes consist of:

  • Wii baseball. He will play that for as long as he can with us watching him like fans. Andrew doesn’t like him to play it too much though because Nate is changing his swing a bit because of it. Priorities, people. Priorities.
  • Toy baseball men that he has a field for and cards that tell you if the player singled, doubled, grounded out or crushed it for a home run. He even has a really cool, small, marble/skee-ball type baseball game that he continually wins.
  • Baseball books. Forget about reading anything other than a book with baseball as the subject matter. One in particular basically involves cartoon characters singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” which means you are signing it. Over and over again.
  • Trips to the stadium to see the pros play. We had some great times and I think we are all now hooked on our minor league team, the Gwinnett Braves.
  • Baseball on tv. He will watch it intensely but only for a few innings. After that, he feels the need to act it out and practice the plays the MLB players just did. After seeing some awesome dive and catch plays, he’s been requesting that we throw the ball to him out of his reach so he must dive to catch it. I was told I wasn’t doing it right because he never had to dive for mine. Fine. But if I can’t throw, I’ll capture it on video.

When are fall tee-ball sign ups? Not soon enough.

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The Usual at Table Two

17 Jul

We ordered our usual at our favorite diner and got a side of kindness from strangers. Although, the waitress/manager sure doesn’t treat you like a stranger. She has your coffee waiting on the table when she sees your car pull up outside. She sits down in the booth with you to take your order. That is, if it’s a new order because she’ll have your “usual” memorized.

Today, she was very busy because the diner was marking its second anniversary and she had to send the other server home because she came to work with purple and black striped hair and some on her skin. I love that she let us know this as she greeted us. What I love even more is that she too had a thin purple streak in her hair.

With or without the hair color obstacle, the celebration included a free blueberry pancake for customers and a whole lot of maneuvering chairs and tables to make way for the eager breakfast and coffee crowd. In one case, an older Navy veteran sitting at a table for three, gathered his coffee and mountain of individual serving creamers to move to the counter so that the family of 5 who just walked in could have a seat together. That same man soon generated giggles throughout the diner as his phone sounded a ringtone of an alien space ship.

Some customers helped clear the tables. Others made sure to let her know they were ok waiting, not to worry. They wished the diner’s staff a happy two years as they left to go about the rest of their Sunday, satisfied with full bellies and hearts.

See you next Sunday…

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