Big Man on Campus

So today was the first day of kindergarten...we all survived!

As long as I have been dreading this day, Will has been counting down. He has been so excited to go to kindergarten. He's been ready for a long time. I know that, I've known he was ready, but mommy not so much! He actually cheered yesterday when he asked me when the last day of summer was, and I answered today. So last night, he picked out his clothes, and we got his backpack ready!

It's funny because, he's actually going to be gone less than he was for preschool, but I have been emotional nonetheless. I think it's because I've past the point of no return. I can't pretend that he's a baby anymore. I mean it's KINDERGARTEN!! He is in elementary school, he carries a backpack and rides the bus! (Well, he rides the bus home, I still drop him off in the mornings...Mom was not quite ready to let go of all control!) I know he'll love it!

This morning about 5 minutes before it was time to get in the car, he told me he didn't feel good. I guess it was just nerves, which did not help my already frazzled state of mind! But we loaded up, and drove (the whole 5 minutes!) to his school. He was excited when we got there, and we all filed to his class. Once in there, he greeted his teacher (she's really nice!) and put his bag up, and started coloring. I took a couple of pictures, (just a couple, I didn't want to prolong anything!) and said goodbye. I was fine the whole time...then I walked out of the doors. I could feel my chest ache, and my eyes get full, and a huge knot well up in my throat. As the tears fell, I dropped on my sunglasses so Olivia wouldn't see me cry. I don't want her to think it's sad to go to school! (Her turn is coming soon!) Anyway, it was good that I had Olivia and Caroline to worry about, otherwise I'm sure I would've been a mess. By the time we got back to the car, I had composed myself. I took the girls to a fun princess party, so that was a good distraction!

Since I'm going to be taking Olivia three days a week, we made the deal that I will take him in the morning, and he can ride the bus home. For some reason this freaks me out! My husband (he used to teach elementary school, and he's the practical one anyway) thinks I'm nuts. But, I guess the right of a mom right? He only goes to school for half the day, so when he comes home, it's only kindergartners on the bus. They told me what time the bus will drop him off, so I made sure that I left the princess thing early enough to be here a good 10 minutes before his bus was supposed to be here. So, as I'm pulling up to my driveway, the bus (with my kid still on it!) is pulling away! I met the bus at it's next stop where the bus driver informed me that on Tuesdays & Thursdays, they will be a little early. Good to know...too bad they didn't tell me that yesterday!

Oh well, he was fine, and LOVED school! He had a great time, and is excited to go. I'm fine, but I'm glad it's over!

The Great Debator

Ok, I think I've said before that Will needs to be a lawyer when he grows up. Seriously, the kid loves to debate...he might as well get paid for it right?

I'm not sure if it's his age or what but he argues with us about EVERYTHING! Some days it is incredibly frustrating...like today I told him we needed to go to the grocery store for a few things, and then go get our pizza for dinner. So we pull into Shop 'n Save, and he says "Mom, I thought you said we were going to the grocery store." Ummmm.... my response? "we are at the grocery store bud." Will, "No, we're not, we're at Shop 'n Save." Really? What do I do with that? I don't know if he likes to get a reaction out of me, but he seems to argue too when I ignore him. So I'm at a loss. If anyone has any advice, let me know! I guess we were asking for it when we named him Will, he definitely lives up to his name!

On the flip side, he is super thoughtful (when he wants to be!), and sweet. He will do stuff for us, just because he thinks we'll like them. If we are outside playing, he will bring out drinks for Olivia & I. He's funny, and loves to tell jokes. He has a great laugh, and makes us crack up when he laughs at his own jokes and stories. He can be a huge helper when he's in the right mood. He's super smart, and learns things really easily. I think he will do great in Kindergarten, because he loves to learn and ask questions. He is very social, and friendly. Anyone who knows Will knows that you don't ask him a question without having time for his response!

There are some days where I am at my wit's end, but I'm so thankful for Will, and wouldn't trade him for the world. I know one day he will be incredibly successful at whatever he does. Until then, I'm sure he will continue to debate his old mom!

The Tooth Fairy

Well, we are officially a stop on the Tooth Fairy's route! On Saturday Will lost his first tooth! This tooth has been loose forever, it was one of those that was just hanging...I don't know how it survived this long! Jason tried several times to talk Will into letting him pull it out. Will wasn't buying it. In fact he got a slight look of terror when Jason suggested tying it to a door knob and slamming the door! My friend even bribed him with some nutter butters if he'd pull it out. Will was having none of it. He actually thought about that one though!

So Saturday morning we were getting ready for family pictures. I told him to go to his room and get his shoes on. He jumped off our bed (which he's not supposed to do!) and ran to his room. He came tearing back in about 2 seconds later yelling "MOM, DAD!! LOOK!" We looked, and in his hand was a white little square! I think it took us a minute to realize it was his tooth. Seriously, I thought this tooth was the indestructible tooth, I mean it had even survived corn on the cob! (one of our attempts to get it out!) He was so excited, and couldn't believe it came out.

Well without a doubt, the Tooth Fairy showed up at our house that night. She left Will an envelope with his name on it, and a 5 dollar bill! I know, I know generous Tooth Fairy! (Actually there was a choice between a 5 dollar bill & a 1 dollar bill.) However she did make a disclaimer to Will (via Mommy) that the $5 was a first time tooth only deal. Because you know as well as I do that my smart firstborn would be telling everyone of how the Tooth Fairy gypped him out of $4!

I can't believe my "baby" is old enough to lose a tooth! He doesn't have the normal gap toothed grin though. His permanent tooth is already pretty much in! Indestructible baby tooth remember? Now my only question is what does the Tooth Fairy do with all the teeth she collects?

Teeth Trouble

We took Olivia to her first dentist appointment back in January. It was supposed to be just a normal cleaning with nothing exciting to report. Well her dentist noticed her back teeth looked like they were breaking down. After feeling like the worst mom in the world, the dentist assured me that it was nothing I did or didn't do, she just had weak enamel on her teeth. They compared it to using chalk...the more you use it, the more it wears down. The dentist told me that it was just the way her teeth formed, and they are not sure why. Now this does not mean we will have the same problem with her permanent teeth. We then took her to a pediatric dentist, and they told us that we needed to have her teeth capped, and because of her age, she needed to be put out completely. We decided to have a second opinion because we weren't totally OK with that option. We went to a second dentist who told us the same thing except he gave us another option of doing it in the office where she would have two separate visits, and she'd be under a local anesthetic & laughing gas. We were pretty conflicted about what to do. After lots of prayer and discussion, we decided to put her under. We felt this was the best option because Olivia is almost always happy, but she definitely has a stubborn streak. The dentist's office called me and told me that our insurance didn't cover the hospital visit, (which is strange since I had three kids in a hospital!) so we'd have to do it in the office after all.

Her first appointment was awful. There were lots of tears and resistance. I had to physically hold her down and fight back tears myself. I was not looking forward to having to do that with her again, so I told Jason he had to do round 2 with her. Today we went back to the office for her second appointment. She chose me (again!) to go back with her, and I of course obliged. She did great! There were still tears, but no resistance at all! Olivia was so brave and we are so proud of her! She got some special presents from Mom & Dad, those really made her happy. You can't go

wrong with a Princess doll and chapstick! :)

It was really hard for me to sit there and see my child in pain and know that there was nothing I could do about it. I had to totally give it up to God, and know that she was being protected by Him.

It also really made me think of how God must have felt to watch His only child suffer and die for me. From the bottom of this mommy's heart, I thank God for his sacrifice, and also for keeping my baby safe today!

Batter Up!

Tonight was Will's first baseball game! He was so cute in his uniform! He's playing machine pitch, which is a big jump from tee-ball. He got one hit, and then made the classic move...nothing! He just stood there for a second, and then remembered he had to run. He didn't beat the first baseman, but he got a hit. He also had a good throw from the outfield. He was hard on himself (after we got home) and was saying that he did horrible. He's a slight perfectionist, maybe it's a firstborn thing.

Other than that, he had fun...he was playing around for a lot of it, but I guess that's what happens when you're five! I think his favorite part was after the game when his team got slushies at the concession stand.

So based on that game, I don't the Cardinals will be calling anytime soon, but a mom can dream!

Olivia & Caroline had fun cheering for their brother too. Actually Olivia was too busy making friends, I know big shocker, I have a social child! She had about 5 new friends by the time we left the park.