The First Day... in the books

(catch up post! the first day of school was a month ago! yikes!)

Well, we did it!

The first day of Kindergarten is officially in the books.

And, all I can say is... 6am is a beast. Especially, if you're the neurotic mom that has been up most of the night praying for her sweet little cherub who is about to go off into the big bad world of Kindergarten.... not that I would know anything about that.

::Ahem::

We got up and had breakfast and I made Jacob's lunch and put it in his brand new Ninja Turtle lunch box... that went into his brand new Ninja Turtle backpack. Listen, I have no idea where this new obsession had come from. The child has never even seen an episode of the Ninja Turtles.

I picked out his clothing. And, hooray for uniforms! Makes the whole morning/getting ready thing so much easier!

And, before I knew it, it was time to be off!


Here's Mr Scholar, sitting at his desk. Well, his space. They don't have traditional desks in his Kinder class, just big circle tables. If the smile looks a little forced.... it is. He was nervous.

(pardon the rest of the pictures! It was muggy and icky outside. My iPHONE camera was not having it's best picture day.)

Yup, the traditional First Day of School picture in front of our front door.

Me and Him, about to walk to school. I love that his school is in walking distance! Carpool lines are from the depths of Hell.

I wasn't quite sure what in the world I was going to do all day without Jacob! Fortunately, E stayed home and we went grocery shopping and hung out with the Tiny Human until it was time to retrieve Big Brother from school. It was quite warm and muggy as we all walked back home, but Jacob was full of stories about his teacher (She's pretty) and his new friends.

And, after a snack, he wanted to know all about earthquakes.
So, E pulled out Jacob's soccer ball & they had a short science lesson before going outside to play!





We had hot dogs for dinner, as per the request of the new school boy.
And, he was tired that night! He barely made it all the way to bedtime. I'm pretty sure he was asleep before his head it the pillow!
As first days go, this was one was pretty cool.

6 Years, Flown By

Dear Jacob,

You are 6. Happy Birthday, my sweet love.

You've been shaking with excitement over this day for a good six months. I hope being 6 years old is as fantastically awesome as you think it should be.

At this very moment, you've been playing the Wii w/your E. And you've just finished lecturing your little brother on the difference between his toys and yours. And I'm far too amused to mention the fact that Luke is just a month old & has no idea what you're talking about. 

I am so proud of you. And so proud to be your mommy. You are so smart and so funny. Every single day you surprise me with what you've learned or what you're learning. You are so much smarter and capable than you think you are! You're slightly bad about hiding behind the "It's too hard!" or "It's too scary for me!".... and a common phrase around our house is, "You can do hard things."

Sweet Boy, yes.

You can do hard things.
You are about to head off into a new adventure... without your mommy.
Kindergarten.
Good Grief.
It's hard for me to believe that you are anywhere near old enough for Kindergarten. And... I'm very sure that I'll be saying the same thing when you graduate high school... go to college... get married.... 

I'm seeing, more and more, how fleeting my years with you are. Specifically, my years as your "mommy." I know that, soon, you'll stop calling me that... at least out loud. Soon, it will be "Mom" or "Mama." I hope it's "Mama"... I like that far better. But, more than that... I hope that, deep in your heart, you will still think of me as your "mommy."


Sweetheart,

You are my first born. You've been my buddy and my wingman through all our adventures & I can't imagine a moment without you. I have a hard time remembering life without you. I love you, Kiddo. Always remember that you are loved... loved far more fiercely and fully than you'll ever really grasp... at least until you have a child of your own. Know that you are God's idea and that He loves you more than anyone.
(and that's saying something.)

If I could drill anything into your sweet head and heart right now, it would be this...
You can do hard things.
and...
Follow hard after Jesus.

I promise you it's the best advise I can give you.

love,
Mommy


(as I was writing this post, you came into my room and wanted a chip... and this was the show I was treated to. You're welcome for catching for all time.)

The Bunnies! The Bunnies!

If you in the DFW area & looking for an Easter picture that doesn't include some high school kid dressed up in an over sized bunny costume, I have an idea for you.

This past week, the 5 year old and I headed out to North Park Mall to run an errand or two. Bunny pictures were not on our to-do list, let me tell you. A fact that you'll quickly figure out when you see what my child is wearing! But... we walked out of Macy's and there they were.... the bunnies. Live bunnies. Real bunnies. And, small people can have their picture taken with them.

Naturally, Jacob wanted to check it out.

There was, maybe, a five minute wait & then it was our turn. Jacob took his shoes off and gleefully climbed up on the picture taking stand to get ready for the bunnies.

And, oh my goodness, the glee. He giggled and laughed and smiled through the whole picture taking session. The gentleman who took the pictures was very nice and arranged Jacob through about three poses.

There was one, small dark cloud that rested over bunny time. (well, for Jacob) We were finishing up and taking the last pictures and the picture guy was reaching for the bunnies when Jacob got a funny look on his face and squealed...

"WHAT DID THAT BUNNY DO TO ME??!?!?!"

It took a minute for us to figure it out.

One of the bunnies peed on Jacob.

The man-child was NOT amused. At all. There were tears. There was wailing.
At least until the promise of a trip to the Disney Store (conveniently located next door) to procure a brand new shirt so we could continue on our errand running. (And, let me tell you, the pride I felt when he picked out a Star Wars shirt was... Huge.)

Pee'ing bunny aside, the excursion was a huge hit & all the more fun because it wasn't planned! If you have a moment or two, I would highly recommend heading out to North Park Mall and getting a bunny picture for your own!

Here's the Info!
ps. if the name seems familiar, fellow Dallas-ites... it is! These are the same cats that do the famous Santa pictures here every year... 

Bunny Rabbit Days

Marc Robins Photography

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - Saturday, April 19, 2014
10:00AM - 5:30PM

Get portraits of your children with live bunnies in time for Easter! The cost is $34.95 plus tax ($5 ea. addt'l child). This includes the session fee and one 5x7 color portrait. Gift packages are available. Marc Robbins Photography is located near Macy's Court in the hall where Macy's and The Disney Store meet. Call 214-207-0649 or email marc@marcrobinsphoto for more information.

5

Be still my heart.

My baby boy is 5 today. 

Happy Birthday to my funny, sweet, smart, handsome little boy.

You make my life better every single day. 

I love you!

Getting Cowboy'd Up

For an early birthday present/any excuse to go do something fun event this past Saturday night, my dad took Jacob, me and E to The Mesquite Rodeo.

We had a blast. We got to sit up in the suites (which is the only way to go to *most* events, in my humble opinion.) Jacob and I rode the chuck wagon around the arena before the rodeo started. We had tasty bbq & free drinks, lol! We got to come and go throughout the arena at our whim, thanks to the trusty, red wristbands on our wrists! Jacob highly enjoyed the face painting part of the night- he got a Batman face mask & a Superman "tat". I really loved being up on the cat walk by the cowboys and the animals during the bull riding part of the evening. *That* was awesome.

My favorite part, though was seeing my little boy all "cowboy'd up" as he put it. It was very cute & super special to me- my family owned a 'country/western wear' store up until I was 13/14 years old. I grew up learning how to fit a pair of boots, what 13MWZ's are, and how to take proper care of a cowboy hat. So, watching my off-spring soak up and absorb a little of that culture made me a happy mama, indeed.

If you get a chance, get on out to the rodeo- it's on until the middle of August! But there's always something happening at the arena other times of the year!

The Sharp, Pointy Teeth of Kindergarten

So.

I gotta admit, there's been plenty of days lately when it feels like I'm running from this all day.

For what?

Oh, just the short one's Kindergarten future, that's all.

Good. Grief.

I'm telling you, this Kindergarten crap is going to be the death of me. I've been back and forth, back and forth, back and forth... for months. Public school or homeschool. Public school or homeschool. Both have advantages. Both have disadvantages. Private school just ain't an option- side note, really private schools? Must I pay you in with the the soul of my next born in order to pay for this child's KINDERGARTEN education?!

I had been searching for a 1/2 day Kindergarten around me. Yeah. Good luck with that. I don't want my just barely 5 year old gone for the whole stinking day. I just don't! And, to be honest, the school schedule would wreck havoc on J's visitation schedule (which is enough of a pain the hiney!). Homeschooling would take care of that issue! 

But.

Jacob does need the structure of a classroom. He just does. Being in a room with other kids that he has to get along with and learn from and with.... these are all things that I think would be very good for my little carpet commanche. 

However, I'm still not sure that Jacob is really ready for Kindergarten. His preschool teacher sure didn't think so! (she is a former Kindergarten teacher.) The private school that we had looked at one point didn't think he was seriously ready either... they suggested summer school to get him ready.

(really? summer school? for KINDERGARTEN?!)

I'm driving the neurotic bus on this one & steering straight into the crazy skid. Trying to figure out what works best for our family. What I WANT to do. What NEEDS to be done. What Jacob NEEDS to learn & to love to learn. What he needs to not become the next face on COPS. And, oh my goodness, I feel like I'm about to ruin my child's life & it's just about KINDERGARTEN!!!!!

This would be the point where this conversation takes place in my house:

Me: I don't know what to do! This is his education and future!

E: It's just Kindergarten, Babe.

Me: You don't understand! It's the foundation for his entire education! He could end up hating school and flunking out and then hating me for making the wrong decision all those years ago!!!!

(cue the increased hysteria)

E: Well, in that case. We shall neither sleep nor eat till all is decided!!!

Me: Sometimes I don't know if you're kidding or not.

(silence)

E: I'm going to bed.

The clock is seriously ticking down on me. I have to make a final decision & fast. 

whimper.

Hold me, y'all.

The Monkey in My Backseat

So, this Monkey graduates from pre-K tomorrow.

Sniffle.

Where did the last almost 5 (count them! 5!) years go? I'm so incredibly proud of him. So thankful to be his mommy. Allow me to brag shamelessly about him for a moment, huh?

Jacob is funny & he knows it. He's sweet and snuggly. He's kind. If someone around him is hurt or upset, Jacob takes it to heart. He will walk over and start to comfort the other kiddo (or adult). He's so smart. And I'm amazed on a daily basis on how much he knows and how much he's learning.

Jacob is a performer! He loves to be the center of attention, on his terms of course! He'll bust out some sweet dance moves or burst into song at the drop of a hat. And I love that. He loves to draw & it's a rare moment when a piece of school work comes home without one of his 'Jacob originals' on the back!

But the thing I'm most proud of is, he's already seeking out and working through his relationship with God. With Jesus. He has that childlike faith and curiosity that propels him to want to know more and more. I love that. Even though being the recipient of those questions scare the squeak out of me sometimes (talk about responsibility!)! I will say this, it's forced me to go deeper in my own faith, that's for sure.

Being a parent is the hardest, most terrifying & the most amazingly wonderful job, I think. And I love it.


With this face. How could I not?

A Day out with Thomas the Train

This past weekend, we had the chance to do something that has become a Spring-time *Event* for us.

A Day Out with Thomas.

We've gone every year for the past 3 years & I do believe that we will be keeping up the tradition for as long as I can convince everyone involved to participate! It's just a fun day. Around us, it's located in downtown Grapevine, Texas. Thomas the Train and his pint-sized followers take over the (working) train station for 2 weekends every year. 

The main event, naturally, is to take a ride in a train car, pulled by Thomas. But there are plenty of kid-friendly things to do while you are waiting for your train time. 

This year, Jacob's favorite tent was the one with the working train exhibit. I think he, E & my Dad spent most of our time in that tent. Jacob (and everyone else) was mesmerized by the trains going round and round!

There's another tent filled with trains for the ankle-biters to play with & another station (ha!, trains. station. get it?) for story-time when a little down time is needed for the junior engineers.

There's also a chance for the kids to meet Sir Topham Hatt. 

Jacob still won't walk up there by himself.

But. The center piece of the entire day really is Thomas.

When Jacob heard the whistle and saw Thomas coming down the tracks for our turn... well. 

Delight.

Thomas is a welcome event every year.

Don't forget to have your picture taken with Thomas! It's worth the wait.... at least for me & mine!

(You can buy the pictures they take or you can bring your own camera!)

Someone thought he was hot stuff when the conductor came around to check our tickets!

The Thomas ride, itself, is about 25 minutes long. We spent a grand total of 4 (count them!).... 4 hours there this time. If Thomas the train going rolling around you, go check it out! It's a lot of fun!

~Taylor

That moment when I want to be a ballerina

I knew this parenting gig was going to be harder than it looked.

But, good golly.... some times I think my youngling goes out of his way to prove my theory.

We go to church on Sunday. Just like every single Sunday of the child's life.

We dropped him off in Sunday school.... that can be something of a challenge at times. I cannot figure this one out. He does great at the drop off for preschool.... But. But. Sunday school and Wednesday night choir.
Oy. And, sigh. Sometimes he does great... other times he acts as though he's been asked to walk through the gates of Hell.

Anyway.

A couple of Sundays ago, we went to pick him up after 'big' church was over, as usual.

However.

His new Sunday school teacher pulled me aside.
(never a good sign, btw)

She asked me if there was something that she could do to make his time in class better. I blinked at her for a moment and inquired of her what she meant. Well. Apparently the youngling was 'mean' to the other children and had some 'challenges' listening.

Hmmm.

The 'challenges' part... yeah, I knew right away as to what she was referring to. It's the same issue we've been having this year.

The 'mean' part.... that required further investigating.

It seems as though the child decided that the best way to get his way would be to hit the other children and steal their toys and hide them from the other children.

Uh-huh.

My first impulse was to attempt to use all my mothering powers and call down fire and destruction upon this precious child, whom I carried in my body for 9 months. Instead. Instead, I took a *very* deep breath and turned to my child. He wouldn't look me in the eye. A very good sign that he has been on the naughty side of the street.

Oy.

Now, I should back things up a bit & reveal that Jacob has a fond & deep relationship with iPHONES, iPADS, and his VTech pad.

I hit 'em where it hurt.

All of his privileges REVOKED for a week.

It seems to have made an impression. He's been telling me (ever since) about how well-behaved he is going to be from now on, unto the end of time. And (except for 1 glaring moment in swim school) he has been.


Disciplining.
It ain't for the faint of heart, I tell you.

Counting the 2012 Blessings

This will be the post where I count down (with pictures!) some of the biggest blessings of 2012. 

(my deep apology for all the pictures.... yes, I know it adds to the loading time. But, I love pictures- my favorite way to tell a story.)

1)Another amazing year of being a mommy. But not just any ol' mommy.

This little boy's mommy.

My baby turned 4 in 2012. 

I love this kid with all my heart and then more. 

2) Another year with Grandmother Winnie.

The older I get, the more I appreciate how crazy lucky/fortunate/blessed I am to have had 3 of my 4 grandparents when I turned 30.... 

I just have 2 grandparents now.... and that makes the time with them all the more sweet.

Grandmother Winnie with 7 of her 8 great-grandchildren. 

I love this picture.

3) The 20 years I had with my fur-baby... 

Chester was my first 'baby' and my best bud.

4) The Rangers game with 2 of the 3 most important guys in my life.

E

and my Daddy.

5) Living the dream of taking Jacob to Disney World with my parents.

So amazing. 

(Mother, I had to use a picture with you in it. How else will people know that you're real?)

The greatest day of his 4 & 1/2 years, thus far.

Making memories... and taking pictures.

6) Another magical Christmas season for my son.

7)Saying 'yes' to marrying E.

2012 was a wonderful year.

I'm looking forward to an amazing 2013!

Easy Rider

So, the short one received a couple of big items from Jolly Old Saint Nick & his elves this Christmas. One was The Hummer.

The other?

The Big Boy Bike.

Oh, yes. The young lad is growing up & he'll be more than happy to let you in on that important piece of info... And prove it at the dropped a hat (sassy-ness often occurs in these demonstrations in varying levels).

Behold.... The Bike.



Trying it out for size on Christmas morning.



Posing with his mommy before taking it out for a spin.



Getting ready to take off.



And there goes the easy rider.




Yes, I know he doesn't have a helmet or any safety gear on. Sigh. Santa kinda forgot that little detail when he dropped the bike off... But when you have to assemble it, what do you expect?

Ah, well. A trip to Target is in our future......

Which will thrill the child- he loves that place. No, really. He does!


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