It's amazing to me how three months can just fly. Like they never even really happened. As I look back on my blog, I see that the middle of June was my last entry. It makes me sad, but it gives me joy in writing TODAY. Gosh I have missed this outlet.
A lot has happened since then. In fact, I continue to have our "notes" or memories on my phone. Who knows if I will eventually officially make them into a blog. But for now, they are still recorded. Still captured. In hopes of not forgetting the past three months! Because my "mommy brain" is like that! Until then, let's move on.
This past week was our first week of school. For BOTH kids.
I'm still in awe at how smooth the transition went for the kids. (This Momma is a different story!)
Mallory* was elated to go....she couldn't get there fast enough! Jumped right into the playground and only looked back once to wave on the way into the school. She was beaming from ear to ear. When I picked her up from school that day she told me it was "THE best ever!" She kept telling me how much she couldn't wait to go back. Her favorite part of the day was Music. When I found out who her teacher was, it totally made sense to me. A fun, energetic lady who I know Mal will relate very well too! (I should also mention here that Clayton cried a TON. He missed her SO much and still does. I remember driving away from her school and he kept looking at her carseat and saying MeeMee. Broke my heart).
Clayton** was excited too...but a little apprehensive. He is MUCH more of a homebody. He loves home. And it's one of the words he can say really well. So he says it often:o) On the first day I kept telling him that I would be "back" and we'd have "lunch." He can say and understand these words very easily. He kept repeating them and all of a sudden it was like, "Okay, I got this." He walked right in and didn't even look back. The second day he held onto me a bit longer, gave me a tighter hug. But still in the long run, walked in with no real stress.
Now, I know most would think GREAT! How nice! No real stress on the kids. Etc, etc.
But this Momma thought--what have I done that my kids are SO willing to leave the nest? ME?
My VERY wise Mother put it in perspective for me (after I called her upset after dropping off the boy). We've prepared them for this day. We've taught them to be independent. To enjoy being around others. That school is important. And that's the next step in their life.
I didn't cry. I thought I might tear a little. But I didn't.
(Probably helped that I'm on an antidepressant again--a whole other story about the stress of summer that I'm sure will come out in other blogs!)
I pondered this a bit too. And came to the same realization as the kids. I mean, I'm sad. But I understand that this is the next step. The next chapter in our life. It's different. Hard to even explain but I know this is how it works. And it's inevitable.
I miss my girl terribly. BUT I know she needs this. Needs the interactions, needs the learning environment of school. I feel like I need to make a list of things that pop up in my head during the day that makes me think of her. Or the important things I want to tell her. And if I don't get my time in with her in the evening--I feel upset, like I'm missing something.
And I miss my boy too. But the few hours of not having to be on Clay duty is honestly a nice break. I cringe typing that...but after this summer, it's such a nice reprieve from the LONG days. And I still have my one-on-one time with him. And he LOVES this. SO much. We read books, cook, play, take walks, go to the store. He's my little sidekick. And mind you this is only the second week of school:o)
SO, my kids love school. So did I. And my heart keeps telling me that someday I will be back in the classroom where I know I'm meant to be. This week has truly given me insight into my love of teaching and the school environment.
However, until then, I will keep plugging along at my duties now:o) Miss Chauffeur, Miss Chef, Miss Maid, Miss Laudrymat, Miss Fix-It, Miss Organize, Miss It's-Amazing-To-Me-What-I-Can-Do-In-Two-Hours. And honestly, I wouldn't change it for the world!
*Mallory is attending my old school that I used to teach in for 9 years. I feel like everyone knows her. She loved all the special attention as everyone said hello to her. It's so comforting knowing my people are with her and watching over her. Such a blessing. Her teacher is Mrs. Ebeling--a good friend who I also had her daughter--I was pregnant with Mal the year I had her daughter. Her daughter gave me a build-a-bear frog that Mal STILL sleeps with to this day:o)
**Clayton is attending a special needs preschool where he will receive 2-3 days of speech therapy as well as see an OT. His class only has 8 kids with a full time teacher AND parapro. His teacher ROCKS! Sweetest thing ever. It's the perfect fit for him. I am SO glad that we decided to go here and I can't wait to see the growth in him this year.
Top 10 for the Week:
September 1st, 2014
10. Blogging. I'm blogging. BIG news. It's been forever. Feels GREAT!
9. HOME. There's something about home that makes me feel great. I'm comfortable. Happy. At peace. There's no other place I would like to be. And I think this feeling is rubbing off on Clayster. He loves home. It helps that it's one of his clear, you-can-understand-it, words.
8. Dance Started! Dance started this past week. Yes--the first week of school! Mal is taking tap as well as ballet. It was a bit rough. She was fooling around a bit with the other girls. I know she was tired. Her attention span shot from being in school. She loves tap. I knew she would.
7. Holy Clean People. Ummmm...I'm kind of a clean freak. But being home more, by myself, has caused me to go into spring cleaning mode. Like all those years, I've truly neglected doing the REAL spring cleaning are NOW taking place. I find great satisfaction out of this. I know, I'm sick. I like the smell of clean:o)
6. Tantrums Baby. Both kids. Multiple times. First week of school. I'm SURE it will get better. Right?
5. Weekend at Nana & Papa's. We had a great weekend at my parents. I was a bit nervous knowing my kids just came off of their first week of school. But it was a must. All my dad's side of the family plus my brother and his family were there. It was great to see everyone and especially my Grandma. We played cards, chatted, ate, had a great time together. It's nice to see them another time than just Christmas. Kids were beat. But they loved every minute of the social party.
4. Clayisms. He is such a different kid one-on-one. Much calmer. Sweeter. I know he missed Mal terribly. But he is soaking up his Momma time. And I'm letting him:o) Forgot to mention he also cut his hair this week with the scissors he got from the school fairy (Jay is blaming ME for this. Who gets a 3 year old scissors? Mind you, he was standing in FRONT of Clay when he did this). Several times this week, Clayton also ran downstairs to give Mal one last hug before she left for school. It was cute.
3. Malloryisms. She's so adorable. I heard many cute sayings from her this week. The first one was after school on the first day. I just had picked her up and we were heading into the house. I was a bit behind her and I heard "I missed you girl." She was talking to our dog, Tipper. It was the sweetest thing. And I totally get where she was coming from. On the second day home from school, Clay was pretty much telling her he didn't want her to go to school anymore. Her reply, "I have to go to school Clay so I can learn. Then I can read you books! Won't that be fun Clayton?" I still beam as I type this.
2. Jay's Birthday. Jay had a birthday. First day of school. That is all:o)
1. School. They LOVE it. I'm glad. But sad.
I did it! Completed my first blog in FOREVER!
Hope you people have a great week~!
Feels great to be back!
Even though this week is almost over...
And I'll be typing again REAL soon (hopefully!).
Until next week,
Mrs. Newell
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