Keeping Up With The Joneses

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

New Beginnings

Today it is silent as I sit here typing. I am the only one home (besides the animals). School began today - for all of the kiddos. They were so excited and the only one who showed nerves was Bear. LOL That boy is so much like his mother, except everything he's thinking about comes out of his mouth instead of staying in his head. The kiddos were up bright and early today 6:45AM. I forgot that Wednesdays are a late start day for us, so we really didn't need to be up until 7:45AM, but that's okay. We had plenty of time to get ready and take some back to school pictures. We also had time for a morning prayer. Clad in their backpacks, we stood in the kitchen, holding hands in a circle and prayed for God's blessing as they start this new adventure.

(They held hands the whole way to school. It was so cute!)

I remember the day I took Brayton for his first day of Kindergarten. I was about 7 months pregnant with Cavy and when we got to his classroom, he rushed over to join the other kids. I stood there, watching him, and couldn't belive my "baby," my first-born, my miracle child was off on his own and so eager to spread his wings. When I walked out of the school that day, my emotions overwhelmed me. I'm sure the pregnancy hormones were not a good combination with normal mom jitters. As the tears slid down my cheeks, I rubbed my swollen tummy. Another parent, a dad, who followed me out of the school doors asked me if I had just dropped off my first (child). I told him yes, and he said, "Wait till it's your last - it's even harder." Those words have stayed with me for six years, and I heard them in my head this morning as I left Cavy in his Kindergarten room. I didn't want him to know I was the least bit sad. I wanted him to feel how excited I am for him, and I am. As I deposited each child in thier proper location, I was feeling a bit empty inside. Bear didn't want me to come in his room with him (but I did anyway).

(I told him if he'd smile for one more picture - I'd leave. He smiled!)

I checked on Mr. B before I left the school. He was waiting for the bus with the other 6th and 7th graders. I guess it's not cool to have your mom hang around (and even worse with a camera). Mr. B decided to go outside with some friends and wait (you know, where mom wouldn't come). So, that was that. At least the little ones didn't mind my hugs and kisses. I walked home...by myself, thinking of all the stressful days I've had - with kids screaming and fighting, and how often I dreamt of this moment. Now that it's here, I'm not sure I'm ready for it. I guess we need to be careful what we wish for. I will say, though, it felt great to have four kids that were ready and exicted for a new year to begin. They are confident, smart, good looking (I can say that, I'm their mom), and sweet. I guess that goes to say - I must've done something right. ;)

(Brayton this morning on the left, and 1st day of Kindergarten 2004 on the right.)

(Mr. B chatting with a buddy while waiting for the bus.)

Today marks a new beninning for our good friends, Heath and Tanya as well. At 1:11AM this morning, they welcomed their daughter, Alexandria Lynn into the world. She was 7lbs, 7ozs, and 20.5" long. I can't wait to meet her tonight and to hug the happy parents!! I am overjoyed for them - what a blessing!

Parenthood is quite the ride, and I am appreciating it fully today - the ups, the downs...it's all part of a truly amazing journey. I'm haging on to each day as tightly as I can, because I know, they fly by all too quickly. Here's to new beginnings!

Blessings~
S

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Meet The Teacher Night!

Last night we had "meet the teacher night" at the little ones' school. Bear gets miffed when I refer to the elementary school as the school for the "little ones" because he does not consider himself a little kid anymore, but I can't help it. It is what it is. :) All six of us went to the school last night - even Mr. B, who will no longer be going to that school, but will be off to the BIG middle school (mom is having a little difficulty with this adjustment - he IS my first baby, after all).

Cavy was super excited for meet the teacher night. He's been asking me everyday (for several days), "When do we go to my school, Mom?" "Is it tomorrow, is it tomorrow?" I'm also having a little difficulty knowing that my BABY will be off to all-day kindergarten tomorrow. Ugh...where has all this time gone?? All of my kiddos will be in school. I will have only have one week to be sentimental, and then my days will be filled once again with classes and homework too. I'm so glad I will have school to keep me busy. It's probably a good thing that we are unable to have any more babies becuase I would be lobbying for another one, just so I could indulge in the miraculous and amazing journey once again. For now, I will be content and thankful to drink in the excitement and happiness exuding from my blessings as they joyously begin another year of school.

Cavy and his Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Edsen.

Checking out the reading rug.

Looking pretty comfy!

Miss Shay and her new teacher, Mrs. DePhillips. :)

Jaron standing next to his desk. Look at all those books!

In the reading tub (media center).

No pics of Mr. B - he and the hubby had to head to the middle school for a band meeting.

Cavy thought the school was soooo cool!! :)

Welcome back to school! :)

Blessings~

Put Me In The Zoo!

With everything going on this summer, we didn't have a "proper" family vacation. We were feeling pretty guilty about it, especially when the hubby was on his vacation week (last week) and we weren't doing much of anything besides enduring endless thunderstorms, flooding of neighboring towns, and adventuring to eye appointments (through the floodwaters). So, in spite of heat advisories, we packed up the gang and headed to the Omaha Zoo.

It has been ages since I've been to the zoo. The last time I was there was with my neice (who is now 17), when she was very small. The kiddos LOVED it, and even though we were sweating like no one's business, and my poor knee was so sore (thanks to all the walking in the humidity). It was worth it though, anything to see their faces light up. Here are some pics from our hot, sticky, sweaty, humid...fun! :)

Ready to explore!

Checking out the butterflies.

Bees!

The sign said not to worry about these spiders as they never leave their web. Hmmm....

Cavy didn't buy it either!

Then, he saw a tarantula - that was the final straw. He bawled!

Did you notice that someone is missing?

Cavy was still peeved about the spiders. ----------> See?

Finally - cooperation! Hooray! :)

The little lady wanted her pic taken alone too.

Daddy joining in the fun.

The hubby having as much fun as the kiddos.

The kiddos spent a lot of time worshipping the various sprinklers that were on - it was HOT!

A post-sprinkler pose. What a bunch of goofs!

I thought this was so cute! My little monkey.

Some visual fun - that would be a very small bird on the hubby's arm. LOL

Hmm...a little more fun?

We could not keep Cavy out of the water - he loved it!

It seems we took lots of pics posing with the statues.

Cavy decided the elephant should serve as a backdrop and a hat holder. :P

Feeding the fishies.

Look out below!

There were some swans who tried to get in on the snacking action too.

One of these little jokesters peed on a zoo employee right in front of us. The hubby thought is was hilarious!

I wanted to lend this poor guy my lotion.

This fella was having fun playing in the water and tossing his tire around.

Cavy was excited that we found a train!

This guy didn't look too comfortable to me. LOL

My big boys & I.

The gorillas were amazing!

A baby...awww!

Comparing "paws."

Mr. B - wanting to be part of the process of evolution!

This guy was fun to watch. He played in the water and posed with a leaf in his mouth.

I caught him here in a big yawn (look at those teeth!!).

What a crew!

We escaped to the IMAX for some air conditioned relaxation. We watched a 3-D movie about Tahiti and surfing. It was pretty cool, even had some good environmental information.