Emerson's 1st Day of Preschool

Emerson had her first day of school on Monday. It was not a smooth or ideal morning, unfortunately. Landon was complaining all morning about not wanting to go to school as he is tired and not used to going 5 days a week. He still doesn't understand why. He is fine once we get there and seems to like it. Throughout every evening I get tidbits of all kinds of information about school, where when I pick him up he says nothing. He typically says, "Let me tell you something" every few minutes and goes on and on about something he did and he is so excited about it. He knows all kinds of names, songs, information, centers, etc. that I am clueless about. He even told me that, "The nurse is new and she is a doctor because her name is Dr. Powell and we go to her when we are sick or fall and hurt ourselves" and on and on. It's very obvious that he is a good listener based on all of what he tells me and he is so passionate about it as he really does love to learn and is so eager. He really is a sponge!

Monday morning Emerson began the same whining too, following in big brother's foot steps. Now, she doesn't want to go to school because she thoroughly enjoyed all last week playing by herself. She loves school but got a taste of what it is like to have the run of the whole house and toys and mommy all to herself. So she much preferred to stay home. She is also the slowest person ever when it comes to getting ready in the morning. Holy cow, what are the teenage years going to be like??? She never listens to me or follows directions and it ends up in me getting upset and stressed because we are always running late and then her crying/pouting. She also wants to do every single thing by herself....."I do it by myself!!" while yelling with attitude. We are starting a behavior chart and the use of a timer because it's getting old. But, she's a 3 year old so testing limits is what they do! So, we were running VERY late on Monday where I barely got Landon to school on time and therefore had no time for cute first day school pictures until in the car rider line and after school. Thank goodness the car line was ridiciously long so being late still didn't matter and we then had time to take some fun pictures in the car. Luckily she was fine by the time we got to the line as she quit whining and put her beloved blankie down. She's easy to distract and cheer up! I was worried how she would do with her first time getting out at car rider line especially with our rough morning, but she never skipped a beat. I talked it up big time with her being a "big girl" and getting to do all of the things that Landon got to the last 2 years. She of course loves to follow what big brother does! I still am in disbelief that she is now in preschool. I miss her "baby class"! :( This growing up stuff stinks! She seemed to have a good first day when I picked her up in the "big girl" car rider line. Something funny that she did tell me though in the car...when I asked her who she played with at school she held up her fingers and counted to 2 (1, 2, while pointing to each finger right in front of her face...so stinkin' cute!) telling me two of her girlfriend's names. She then proceeded to tell me that she only played with girls and not boys and that she doesn't like playing with boys. Tonight she then told me that boys are mean and she only likes girls and that the boys hit her (which I know they don't). Guess this is the effect of having a older brother?? When I picked her up today I had to sign an incident report (at first I panicked and thought she did something wrong) because she somehow hit her head on the table resulting in a bruise and a cut eyelid. It's not bad at all but I have no idea what happened except what Emerson told me and her story should be taken with a grain of salt. :) Oh well, at least she waited until the second day of school and school pictures aren't soon! Ha Ha! That's my girl.

More Birthday Fun

It seems like every single weekend we have at least one birthday party. Guess it's just the phase of life we are in right now! On Saturday we went to my 2nd cousin's little boys 4th birthday party at Houston Gymnastics Academy. It was a cute astronaut theme and the kids enjoyed it. They jumped, went through obstacle courses, bounced, jumped into the foam pits, and rode on the zip line. Both kids surprisingly got on the zip line with no hesitation, but then would not let go over the foam pit as they were then scared. Emerson didn't really get upset but Landon did as he is so tough on himself and was mad that he didn't "complete" the activity. I was impressed that he even did it but he was upset which made for a rough time. He is so tired and cranky lately from school. He has been falling asleep at night in literally less than 5 minutes. It's been an adjustment, but he is doing pretty good. On Friday and Monday morning he whined a lot that he didn't want to go to school but got out of the car fine and was fine when I picked him up. I just think he is tired and is not used to going to school 5 days a week as he knows that Emerson isn't and she is at home playing. Emerson has been tired too as her preschool class now doesn't take naps and she can't on the days we are home as we have to leave at 3:30 to go sit in the glorious car rider line at Landon's school. Poor girl only gets naps about 3-4 times a month! I guess I should say poor Mommy too! Naps only occur on weekends that we are actually home.

Little Builders

The kids went to spend the night with my parents last weekend as Jason and I went to an "adults only" surprise 50th birthday party. We found out later at the party why it was "adults only" as they had a belly dancer show up to surprise the birthday boy. Quite interesting! The kids of course enjoyed themselves making and decorating their traditional cookies and playing their little hearts out. This time they enjoyed building things for their cars which is what they typically do around here all the time too. Roads, parking garages, lines at Chickfila, bumps, wrecks, ramps, bridges, etc. They are pretty creative and I love listening to their dialogue. This week it's been waiting in line at Chickfila...so funny! They go through the whole scenario and it sounds all legitimate. Emerson was in heaven this week as she had the whole house and all of the cars to herself. As long as she was home she was "waiting in line at Chickfila"...for hours!! I need to remember to take some pictures again. Even today when we got home for a failed nap attempt I asked her if she wanted to leave again and go to the outlet mall and ride the rides as I had to exchange some shirts for Landon, she told me that she just wanted to stay home and play in the playroom. It has been awfully quiet around here all week, but I am sad that Emerson starts school on Monday as it's been nice having one-on-one time with her as Landon got that for 2 1/2 years. Why do they have to grow up so darn fast??

By the way, I am totally convinced that Landon will be in the construction/engineering field when he is an adult as he has always had a passion for it even when he was little. It really does amaze me! Such a smart and creative little boy. AND, he can go around fixing all of the things that Emerson destroys!! HAHA! Can you imagine her driving?? Some things just don't change! :) My sweet little Miss Priss....

Landon's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Landon had a great day today! He was in a good mood this morning and seemed excited. He did want us to walk him to his classroom which most of the kindergarten parents did as well. He was surprisingly able to show us right where his classroom was even though it's a big school with multiple wings/halls that all look the same. He walked right in with no hesitation, sat down, and began coloring. It did help that there were only about 3 or 4 other kids there so he wasn't shy or intimidated at all. We hung around just a few minutes for pictures and to give the teacher some stuff and we were off. Jason wanted to stay longer. Landon didn't even care as he continued to color and Emerson wanted to stay there staking a claim in a seat already as if it was her class too. Throughout the day I would get sad a lot (luckily I had Emerson to keep me distracted as she doesn't start school until next Monday) and pulled out his schedule wondering what he was doing and thinking throughout the day. I can't tell you how many times I looked at the clock and had many flashbacks of memories of the good ole' days. I sure do miss those baby and toddler days!! :( I'm not ready for the real world and real issues. When I picked him up after sitting in the car rider line with Emerson forever he still seemed happy. He kept all of his answers brief until we got home and then he told me about who he sat by in class and at lunch, what they did at recess, and the "3-2-1 Focus" that the teacher used in the class. He told me all about how he doesn't eat in the classroom now but the cafeteria instead. He seemed excited telling us all about it and showing us his stuff that he brought home. I'm so thankful for the wonderful preschool and teachers that he had last year as they have prepared him well in all aspects for kindergarten. I really think that is why he had such a great day.

The only thing not perfect about his day was that he couldn't find his snack in his backpack as it fell way down into the bottom so he didn't get a snack. As soon as we walked in the door home he asked me why I didn't send him a snack. I felt so bad for him. He said "it was okay" but I figured he would of cried and been upset as he would of at home. All in all, we couldn't of asked for a better day! Hoping and praying it continues and he can adjust to going to school 5 days a week instead of 3. The day is really only about 1 1/2 hours longer than his preschool but going 5 days a week is tough. I'm still in denial and disbelief that my first born is in kindergarten. It just can't be! Where did the summer go? Where did the past 5 years go?





Excuse my swollen eyes as I look terrible....I have not slept in about 5 days and have cried many a tears!!