Last summer weekend, then Kindergarten Bound

On the last official summer weekend, we got to go to Waco for a cousin's wedding!  We decided to make a stop at the Cameron Park Zoo in the afternoon since the wedding wasn't until evening.  Kidd hurt his back, so I had to single-parent the adventure.  Note to self:  Keep the husband around, even if only to assist with child management. 

Sorry the picture is so far away, but I was trying to get the whole sign in.  It's one or the other, right?

For being a fairly small zoo, we saw ALL kinds of great animals and creatures---fish, bears, monkeys, alligators, birds, bison....the list is endless. We did skip the giraffes and elephants to go to the Splash Pad.  I'm pretty sure it was their favorite part of the trip!

Then it was time to get ready for the wedding.  Aren't they the cutest?! I'm not biased, or anything. The picture below on the right is from the photo booth at the wedding.  My cousin, OJ, his holding up the kids so they can peek through.  Isn't that a fun idea?!

So, Monday was the big day.  Kindergarten!  Never have I seen a kid so excited about going to school (and probably never will again). 

These two are sure going to miss seeing each other on the playground and around school for the next few years! (and mommy is going to miss one drop off stop...)

With all the hustle and bustle of everyone arriving at the same time, Mrs. Kellen was wonderfully organized with things for the kids to do when they got to school on Monday, so there was no confusion.

In his seat and ready to learn!!

 

 The sweetest Kindergarten teacher ever, Mrs. Kellen! 

This pic is from Meet the Teacher night, which I did NOT make.

And this little gem is courtesy of Miss Sarah Giles of Butterfly Chaser Photography!  We took pics in June, and she made this and posted it to my Facebook page the night before Kindergarten started. I LOVE it and can't wait to see the rest of our pics from that shoot!  Of course, I will share when we get them...

Day 4 of Kinder and he is loving it!  Today was the first day I had to drop him off and wasn't allowed to walk him in (his rule, not the school's).  Nobody told me that would be harder than the first day!!  He was just mad that I insisted on dropping him off at the building rather than across the street so he could do the cross walk.  He did great, and we may explore the crosswalk option next week.  He's got plenty of time for that, since he'll be at this school for five years. 

We are so proud of him, and love hearing his daily adventures in Kindergarten.  May he always be so willing to share his daily experience in the evening when we get home (with some pointed questions).  I hope he continues to have such a love of learning, that school is always enjoyable to him.  I know it probably won't be, but I think this year is off to a great start and we can just hope for the best!

Wednesday's Winning Words

KINDERGARTEN!! 

I could stop there.  Really.  But, that would just be mean.  As you may know, Justus started Kindergarten on Monday.  Talk about one seriously excited little boy!  Don't fret, for those that aren't on Facebook, more pictures are coming in a subsequent post.  It's been a busy week.  We have heard about all of the wonderful things about Kindergarten and Kids Klub (after school program), so there could be a lot to share on this Wednesday.  Instead, I will share with you the conversation that I was never prepared for.

It's Tuesday morning (one day of Kinder under his belt):

Justus:  I have to go outside and check the weather!
Me (and Kidd):  Why?
Justus:  Because I'm going to run to school today.

We completely disregarded this because we had never discussed it...and frankly I figured he meant when we got to school, he was wanting to run in the building.

Then, a few minutes later when he and I were about to leave:

Me:  Justus get your things and let's get in the car, please.
J:  Awww, man.  (breaking down into whiny child) I was going to run to school today.
Me:  Justus, we live over a mile from the school and you are five.  There's no way you are walking or running to school by yourself right now....and frankly, probably not this year.
J:  I wasn't going to go by myself.  You could come with me.
Me:  Well, how would I get to work then?  I wouldn't have my car.
J: You could come back and get it.

Clearly, he overestimates my ability to walk in the August heat (even at 7:30 a.m.) and not get sweaty and gross...and he thinks I'm very fast...

To cap it all off, Little Mr. I-Can-Do-It-By-Myself insisted, this morning, that I no longer walk him in the building.  I have to drop him off. 

I. Am. Crushed. 

(all the while, truly appreciating his independence)

Three days?  I thought I could get at least a week of walking in with him. 

When did he become such a big kid??

Wednesday's Winning Words

The Language Explosion has taken over our home and I LOVE it.  Delaney has really started using her words (which is nice because Little Miss Drama Queen can throw. a. fit.).  Of course, an almost 2-year-old speaks their own language and says our words they way they can and it's about the cutest thing I've ever heard. 

My current favorite is that she says "Ah-wite" for "alright" instead of "o.k."  So, it goes like this:

Me: Delaney, will you please put your dirty clothes away?

D: ah-wite.

Me: Delaney, let's brush your hair."

D: ah-wite.

..and a million more like it.  I'm not sure what got her saying that instead of "ok," which was a favorite of Justus, but I melt when I hear it.  Hearing that sweet little (*cooperative*) voice just makes my heart smile.

Double fail

Last night, Delaney *properly* used this little gem for the VERY. FIRST. TIME!!!

While I was somewhere on the road between San Antonio and home.

Awesome.

....and the working mommy guilt sets in again.

Might as well be something both kids get to experience, right?

Truth be told, as a working parent, it's to be expected that when you pick your kids up from daycare, you may hear about the first time something happened and know you weren't there.  That is not all that uncommon, and I'm pretty sure Delaney's teachers have just been kind enough to let me think I've witnessed most of her firsts.  This one stung because it happened in the evening at home, when I would normally be there.

Funny thing though--Kidd wasn't there either.  Only Shanon got to celebrate the moment.  Is Kidd all heartbroken about it?   Of course not. 

Working Mom Fail

There was never a time in my adult life where I contemplated not working.  Sure, I dream of having a sugar daddy who toils away while I spend my day lunching, shopping, exercising (not really, but I'd feel really guilty if I left this one out), volunteering, and going to the spa, but in *reality* I knew I would always work.  I admire stay-at-home moms and sometimes wish for that life, but I love my job and I love my kids and this is the life for us.  I know that I am a better parent because I work, for a number of reasons, the details of which I will spare you.  It's a decision we made years ago and haven't looked back or even tried to find a way to make it work otherwise.  Side note:  I'd love to say that the working mommy gig is also why I don't post to this blog as often as I would like, but several of you supermom friends of mine put me to shame as full time mommies with full time jobs, all the while managing many more blogposts than I.  So, I won't go there.

You know by now that I occasionally travel for my work.  It's not often, but it does happen.  And when I travel, it is not close.  It's not cross country or international, but I'm not getting there in a couple of hours either.  It is also not always negotiable, as to time and date that I need to be somewhere.  It is rare to find a judge who asks if a hearing date or trial date is "good" for me.  Now, if I had a conflict of the legal kind, arrangements could be made, but not this time.

Having said all that, I write to you today about what happens when the working mommy guilt sets in.  First of all, I am writing about this now because the events I speak of are next week and if I write about it next week, I will cry.  Don't you already feel bad for me?

So, Justus starts Kindergarten on the 27th.  It's been on my calendar for a year, nothing else happens that day.  Period.  What I didn't account for was that there would be new parent orientation and meet the teacher nights the week before school starts.  I found out recently that I have to be 6 hours away on Meet the Teacher day, which also makes me miss Orientation the night before because I have to be there at 9 a.m.  There's a small chance I can fly (and by "fly," I'm talking about driving a rental at warp speed because I do work for the government and we rarely get to literally fly) back and make part of Meet the Teacher, but it all depends on the judge.  The judge that I heard just yesterday sees his 9 a.m. docket settings as more of an advisory, and it really means 9:30 or 10:00.  Sinking in the pit of my stomach sets in firmly.  I'm seriously not going to be there when my son, my first born, finds out who his first "real" school teacher is and when he meets her for the first time, and when he walks into his kindergarten class for the very first time.  Major life event and I won't be there because I have a Motion for Summary Judgment hearing that morning on the other side of the state.  BOOOOOO! 

Generally, the fact that I work is not an issue and I know it's the right choice for our family.  But at this moment, when I think about missing this monumental moment (Justus is totally unaffected, by the way), I just writhe with angst.  I worry that he's going to, as an adult, look back and be completely disappointed in me as a parent.  Might he think he takes second chair to my work?  That I would rather be working than doing fun things or school functions with him?  Did I mention he's totally unaffected by the fact that only his dad is going to Meet the Teacher?  So yes, I understand that I'm somewhat delusional in my concerns, but that guilt gets ahold of my heart and just takes it to the depths I never knew existed.

So, those of you who deal with the working mommy guilt--know that you are not alone.  I know you already know it, but in this moment, feel very much that you are in good company.  And please pray that I get back next Thursday afternoon by 4:00.  Even though it's a longshot.

Raising an Olympian

Like many people I know, we've been watching a lot of Olympics in our house lately (or "the sports movie" as Justus calls it).  I've always loved the Olympics, but for some reason this year, I have been more emotional as I watch.  Maybe it's the P&G commercials as an ode to moms.  Well played P&G. Well played.

Anyhow, all this Olympics business has gotten me thinking about the quality of character we are seeing, for the most part, from our Olympians.  And to take it a step further--makes me want to be sure I am raising Olympians.  Now, let me be clear:  every fiber of my being knows that my kids can do anything they want to if they try, but I have no expectation that they become *actual* Olympians (but it would be pretty awesome if they did!). What I mean by raising an Olympian is that I want my children to have the work ethic, drive and character I see in so many of these athletes we are watching.  I'm a huge fan of competitive sports as it is, but I've always said I would never push my kids into it if they weren't interested.  So then, the question becomes how do make sure they learn the valuable lessons of competition?  Better yet--competition at the highest level on the world's biggest stage?

Examples:
Jordyn Weiber--defending world champion in women's gymnastics, finishes 4th overall at qualifying, but she fails to qualify for the individual all-around (accepts 24 ladies, I think) because of a crappy rule that only 2 from each team can compete.  How does she respond?  Tears, of course.  Then she pulls herself together, gives her interview with nothing but positive things to say about her team.  She helps them to win gold, and is there as the loudest cheerleader for her two teammates that did get to compete in the all-around.  Class act on so many levels!

Oscar Pistorius --South African runner.  He has worked and worked, like so many to get to this level and then is accused of having an advantage because instead of legs, he has these "blades."  He undergoes rigorous testing to prove that, in fact, his lack of real human legs is not an advantage because some "able-bodied" schmucks were pissed they were being beat by a guy with a disability.  His point--if it were an advantage, don't you think there would be more of us doing this?  He did the testing, which was very difficult, so he could continue to compete at the level he worked to reach.  He ran in the semifinals of his event!  The winner of the semifinal race had so much respect for Oscar that after the race, he asked to trade race bibs with Oscar.  Gave me chills!

Michael Phelps--of course we could go on and on about his many accomplishments (but NBC has beaten that horse pretty well), and while I was disappointed with how dissatisfied he looked at getting a silver, I admired that, in his press conference, he said there were no excuses for not getting the job done and that he basically just needed to let it go and focus on what races were left.  Mental focus at its best.

There are undoubtedly thousands more stories like these amongst the Olympic athletes, coaches, families and others.  Whether my kids play a day of competitive sports or not, I want them to know:

**Your dad and I will always be your biggest fans!
**You will lose.  Do so graciously.
**You will win.  Do so graciously.
**Hard work is the root of success (but raw talent helps).
**Ambition can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
**Don't assume you can't do something.  Just try it.
**The easy road is usually very short and goes nowhere good.
**You recognize other people's efforts and contributions to your success.  Your fiercest competitor pushes you to be better.  Acknowledge that about him or her.
**Yes, there will be hard days and you will get through them.
**Ask for help.
**Mental focus is essential.  Keep your eye on the goal and don't be distracted by shiny objects.
**Don't worry about everyone else and what they are doing.  Just think about doing your best.
**If you are doing your best, you will never be disappointed in yourself, only in a negative outcome.  That is a lot easier to face in the morning after.

I don't always very rarely have the right words in the right moment, but I hope that in the midst of our kids' many successes and failures, they will always feel our support and pride in them.  When I watch the Olympics now, I look at look at the parents in the stands who sacrificed so much so their children could train at the best facilities in the world, travel to competitions, get new uniforms and gear, etc.  I want my kids to know we would do anything to help them be successful at whatever they want to invest their energy into, but there's so much more to it than what we can do to help.  How do you teach sportsmanship and motivation to children?  Or do you?  Do you just let them learn the hard way?  Or see what they latch onto as an interest?  Of course, all of this teaches them to be better people, not just better athletes or competitors.  I think the question then becomes this--God, will you please help me to identify teachable moments and use them wisely, so that I can raise children in your image, who grow to do amazing things in this world you have entrusted to us?

So, Olympians they will be!!

Once I get this parenting thing figured out...

If you are raising an Olympian or have raised one, I'd love to hear what you did special that contributed to their Olympian status.

Wednesday's Winning Words

Justus has been on this "take the easy way" or "settling" kick lately.  I guess ambition and motivation are not always intrinsic (or at least not at age 5), but I realize now, we are going to have to work on how to instill this in him.

After seeing The Lion King, we were talking about the production one day.  I pointed out the kids in the show and how they weren't but a few years older than him.  We were talking about what it must be like to get up on stage in front of all those people, sing and dance, remember lines, etc. I asked him if he thought that would be fun.  He started talking about all the stuff he would say and do, and I pointed out that they have to learn specific things to say and sing, and ways to move. 
He thinks for a second or two, and replies:

"Well, maybe I could just be a zebra." 

I see a long line of tree and rock costumes for school plays in my future.

As one only thinks to do every four years, we have been talking with Justus about the Olympics as we watch them (because we're kind of Olympic junkies).  He's been asking great questions about the teams and why only certain people get to go to the Olympics.  We asked him if he could be the best in the world at any one thing or sport, what it would be.  The answer: Soccer.  Without hesitation.

Fast forward to the next morning:
J: "Mommy, maybe instead of being the best in the world at soccer, I could just be an astronaut."
Me: "Sure, buddy, that sounds like a pretty awesome thing to be too, and it's a very important job."
J: "Do astronauts get to go to the Olympics?"
Me: "Well, no.  There's no astronaut competition."
Silence.  I could see the wheels of reconsideration turning....

Please don't misunderstand me.  No matter what he does, as long as does his very best and he his happy, we will be beyond proud of him.  It's just funny to hear what is or isn't worth the effort in the mind of a 5-year-old.


In other news, we have new words for Ring Around the Rosy:

She did this a million times the other day, when I didn't have my camera, of course.  It took her a few times this morning.  There was this waffle that had to be eaten too.

"....Ashes, Ashes...GET DOWN!"