Back To School

Today was Jack's first day back to school. He is in the 2 year old room this year two days a week. I'll enjoy my two free mornings while I can pending Maggie's arrival.

We went to Open House last week where he met his new teachers, Ms. Inga and Ms. Paige. He saw some of his old friends and met a few new ones. He even got to test out some of the toys and manipulative's he will be enjoying this year.

We've talked about our "first day" several times since our visit last week. And each time Jack asks me, "Mommy go too?" I re-explain the dynamics of school and then he responds with "Mommy be riiiiight back!". "That's right Jack!", I say, reassuring him each time.

We took our annual "First Day" pictures on the front porch this morning. Jack was all smiles with his new school bag. We drove to school and Jack talked about his yellow building and seeing Sophia. All was well, until...drop off came.

It wasn't too terribly bad. But, definitely not what I expected after such a happy morning. We hugged goodbye and as soon as he looked up and saw his teacher in the doorway he lost it--full tears and a look of anguish. Ms. Inga swooped him up and into the door he went. Before I could even get his bag hung and sign him in--he was quiet. Within 2 minutes tops, I peeked in and he was playing at the work bench with all of his "fwens".

I couldn't help but leave with a little bit of a heavy heart. Why did he have to do that? If the tears were going to subside in about a minute, then why even waste them? It just made it harder on both of us.

I thought a lot about him this morning. I missed him terribly. Much more than I did last year or even at camp this summer. There's this part of me that truly believes that Jack and I both sense a very big change coming on. No more just Mommy and her little man--we have a baby sister coming and she's coming soon. Lately I seem to hug him a little longer, smile at his antics more often, and spend much more time just talking to him. It's all so bittersweet and going "back to school" made me realize just how much.

I couldn't wait to pick him up this afternoon. I, of course, knew he was fine and happy, but I was really ready to see him. I walked up and he was standing by the number poster counting and reciting numbers. "Mommeeee", he squealed as soon as he saw me. The teachers said, "he had a great day, was very happy, and had fun". Nice to hear.

On the way home he told me all about his day with a little prying on my part. I learned he "payed sides (slides) ouside", "ate cheese and gween gapes", "hewld the bue and yellow wope" on the way to creative movement, listened to a "bahr (bear) book" while sitting on the "mouse on the bue wug", and his favorite..."payed wace cahs (race cars) on the woad that went wound and wound and awound". He said he had fun and even talked about going back "next time".

So here's to another school year and all of the new and exciting changes it holds...for both of us!

Now, do either of these pictures look like a 2 year old worried about going to school?

The race is on to our "yellow scool".

We made it and are so excited (temporarily).

It sure is nice having a "favowit frewn" in our class.

Timmmberrr

Clay and I were putting Jack to bed the other evening when we heard this most incredible thunderous sound. I'm not really even sure how to describe it. It was so booming that it almost sounded like it was close enough to be in the house, but at the same time it was clear to tell that it wasn't. We finished bed time kisses with J and scurried downstairs to see what it could be. And this is what we found...

A tree from our neighbors yard had fallen flat across our "field" (as Jack calls it). It tore down the fence that separates our homes and our back fence that separates us from the creek. It wasn't raining or storming and actually hadn't in a while. I think the first thought that ran through Clay's and my mind was--thank God we weren't playing back here (which is something we usually do before dinner or bedtime). Then the second thought was--thank God it wasn't the house. If you look closely you can see the tree only fell one foot away from the play set--another thank God moment.

In this catastrophe, I learned something new. Apparently the owners of the property the tree lands on are responsible for clean up and repairs, not where it originates from. So after several estimates, we finally have someone coming out Monday to clean up the tree. From there comes the fence. Our neighbor has graciously offered to rebuild it for us. Clay accepted and is going to help him out--so it looks like we will both have learned something new from this experience. Once we get our yard back in tip top shape, we were hoping to host a cook out and Boccie Ball evening. Hopefully it won't be long!

Big Boy Room

At last, I finally have pictures of Jack's big boy room! Although, this is a whole month in advance according to my original plan. So, let me start by telling you how this all began...

On Friday July 24th, I dropped Jack off at Summer Camp for half a day. I headed back home to meet the delivery guys with J's new big boy furniture. Once the bed and dresser were in place, I began pulling all of the odds and ends that I had been collecting over the past couple of months. Now, mind you there was no way this room would be complete by the time Jack got home. I wanted to see the bed made, put a few pictures up, and add some vehicles here and there. I was still missing window treatments, two pictures, a window seat cushion (which is still not completed--long story), bed rails, and all of J's necessitates (like clothes, books, diapers, etc.) I wasn't really in too big of a hurry...or so I thought.

My plan was to help Jack warm up to the idea. Over the month of August, we would begin getting dressed in there, reading books in there, and playing. He could s-l-o-w-l-y watch the rest of the room come together and hopefully spend his first night in September. That would give me the months of September and October to work on Maggie's nursery.

So after picking Jack up from school, I mentioned to him his big boy furniture had arrived. I talked it up like any parent does when a big change is coming. He smiled, but that was about it. Then, we pulled into the garage. Immediately, he belted out, "I want to see it!!!". It took me a minute and then I realized...the room, duh! Okay, so up we went.

Now, from here on out I can only wish I had had the video camera on. I never would have expected the reaction I got. Saying it was love at first sight would be an understatement. Jack's face was beaming with a GIANT smile from ear to ear. He went through every detail of the room and chanted..."and this is Jack's pillow, and this is Jack's bed, and this is Jack's airplane, and this is Jack's chair, and this is Jack's light, and this is Jack's ____ " (just fill in the blank with every item in the room). I was in shock, I assumed the theme would be a hit, but this? I couldn't have asked for a better reaction from him.

Of course, nap time was looming after a long morning at camp. And wouldn't you know, he begged me to let him sleep in the "bih boy bed". I just couldn't without rails, but I promised he could at night. With that, he reluctantly headed off to his crib.

When evening came, we for sure thought Jack would let it go. But, oh no. He wanted to be in that big boy room. So Clay scrambled to get the rails assembled and up while Jack waited patiently bedside.

Jack slept like a champ his first night in his new room. He was a little confused with all of the pillows, but once we explained that he didn't have to use them, all was okay. I, on the other hand, paced the floor and checked the video monitor 100 times. When morning light came, he was sitting right were we left him, waiting for someone to come get him--just like we had told him to do.

Since then, he hasn't looked back once. He calls the nursery/his old room the "baby woom". And now that it's covered in pink, he really doesn't care about it. He would MUCH rather be in his room playing cars and airplanes. And that is just what he does on a daily basis.

Here are a few shots of Jack's 1st encounter with his new room (half finished). Daddy just happened to be working from home that afternoon and got in on the fun...

Now for the finished project (minus one minor detail)...

We had bead board and a ledge put up in June. Note the duvet is turned down for Jack's sleeping pleasure. He just snoozes on top of the sheet with his blankie (that so does not match the room) and all of his "frewns" as he calls them--which is his collection of Sesame Street characters. I searched EVERYWHERE for airplane sheets in this color scheme and could not find them. I finally just opted for the stripes, but I haven't given up hope yet:)

His night stands are distressed navy blue nesting tables. Above each one is a framed vintage airplane picture. On the ledge next to this one is the taxi car I brought him back from my trip to NYC in May. He insisted on putting it up there...so sweet!

A close up of the print on the right side of his bed. This one is my fave. You have no idea how long it took me to decide on two prints.

This is the collection of "vehicles" that we started him with. The plan is to leave a good amount of blank ledge so he can build on. I'm hoping he will find things on vacations (i.e. the NYC taxi) and maybe get some as gifts over time. I really want to help him find a little train too.

The roman shades and curtains with the airplane rod that we have been waiting on FOREVER! The shades didn't turn out as cute as I had hoped, but they will do. Just a little funny...Daddy made a comment that he 'really liked the black airplanes' and Jack immediately corrected him with "blue aihpanes Daddy"--that's my boy! (and p.s. the walls are really khaki although they look super green in that pic)

This was suppose to be our chair for bedtime books, but it seems Jack prefers we read in his bed with him. (Which, I must note is not easy to get in and out of with a huge belly and side rails.) So, J has been using the chair for daytime reading and lounging (ha!-a 2 year old version of lounging).

We had the window seat/ book shelf built back in June when the other work was done to the room. Jack loves this nook, although we are still missing a seat cushion! We've gone through 3 different ones and nothing seems to work right. So I have one ordered to be custom made--it should be here in 2 weeks. It's going to be red canvas with navy piping...do you think that will look okay? I debated on the piping long and hard. Let's just pray I measured correctly.

The airplanes hang just above Jack's head when he sits in his window seat and reads. He loves telling me the parts of the airplane!

Just a last view from the left corner. I'm thinking that star on the ledge is going to come down, move the Texaco sign over to the ledge and get J a little bulletin board to hang above his side table. He loves looking at pics of his friends and family, so I thought we could fill it up with some of his favorite memories. If you see a small board with red or navy trim anywhere, please let me know. I'm on the look out.

"Mommy Not Mad Anymore"

I put Jack down for his nap today at 1:45. At 2:30 he was still in there playing and talking. I opened his door and sternly stated, "Jack, it's nap time. Lay down and close your eyes. If you don't take your nap, we won't have yogurt when you get up. (yogurt with a straw being his ultimate after nap treat).

Half an hour later, I still heard him talking to his "frewns" (aka his Sesame Street Characters, his lovey, and his baa baa blanket). This time I quietly opened his door again to heed the same warning as before. Only this time the little rascal closed his eyes and layed flat pretending to be asleep. I stated sternly, "I hope Jack is sleeping so he can have yogurt with a straw when he wakes up".

Finally at 4:15, I gave up. He was still talking, rolling around, and playing. I guess no nap today and an early bedtime were my thoughts. I walked in his room with the most serious face I could muster up. And again I very sternly spoke to him. This is how it went...

Mommy: Jack, I am very disappointed that you did not fall asleep and take your nap. Unfortunately you can't enjoy yogurt now. Let's get up and tonight you are going to bed early.
I helped him out of bed and stood him on the floor while he just stared at me. I got down in front of him and sat indian style to be eye level with him.

Mommy: Jack, why didn't you take your nap? I am very disappointed. (while holding my most serious poker face)

Jack: (still staring at me with his chin down and looking a bit ashamed) Mommy is mad?

Mommy: Yes Jack, I am mad and disappointed. You didn't listen to me when I asked you to go to sleep.

Jack: grabs both of my cheeks with the palms of his hand and intensely pulls my face to his and gives me a giant kiss

Mommy: still keeping that serious poker face and let me tell you it was NOT easy

Jack: pushes my face back and stares me in the eye, when he sees no response, he grabs my cheeks again and plants another big wet one right on my lips

Mommy: this time I had to smirk

Jack: very proud of him himself and with a BIG smile he squeals, MOMMY NOT MAD ANYMORE !

The Sprayground

What else could a kid ask for?....water, fountains, sprinklers, and kiddos galore. That is exactly what Jack had at his fingertips on Thursday at the new "Sprayground" after a generous invite from Erica and Miller.

I had never heard of it before. But, apparently it opened last month just a few miles down the road from our house. A wet playground with free admission. I was in awe and surely thought J would be too. But, not so fast. My often cautious and sometimes can even get a bit overwhelmed 2 year old was in awe alright, but only from a distance.

"Mommy come too", was his frequent request. And I did, clothes and all, with his sweet little hand clinched around my pointer finger to the point I thought my circulation was going to be cut off. He'd dip a toe in and then he was back to dry land. You could just see his desire to dive right in, but he played it safe for about 90% of our visit.

Somewhere in the last half hour, he took a leap of faith and sprinted through the edge of the fountains a couple of times. There was no denying it...he liked it.

The ironic part of it all ...after dry clothes, lunch with Miller and the Micca girls, and some fun on the dry playscapes, Jack decided he was ready. Yes, ready for the "tunnel fountains". On our way to the car, dressed and all, he looked up at me and asked so sweetly, "do tunnel please?". How could I resist? He finally had gained the courage to give it a try. So who was I to stop him? And the rest is Sprayground history...

All of this....

...and Jack wanted to do this...watch a digger outside of the Sprayground move dirt. Such a boy, although he made it clear that the digger was too loud for his liking!

Okay, so finally, a little leap of faith. As short lived as it was--he liked it!

(Do you recognize that alligator, Grammy?)

The Sugar Shack

Too many fun memories of our vacation at "The Sugar Shack" in Sea Grove, FL to just include a few pics. So I opted for the ol' slide show. Bless you if you make it through all 74 photos.

But, the kiddos did great! Jack wasn't too sure about the sand initially, but warmed up to the idea over time. I'm sure his favorite part of the trip was waking up to a household of little ones. The parents had a blast...and we are hoping to make it an annual trip. We even got a grown up night out which was quite a treat.

Thanks to the Heilmans and the Miccas for making our first multiple family vacation a memorable one. We are looking forward to many more summers at the beach.

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