Bubba

Realizing that I've posted a lot in the last week about Jack, I'll make this short and sweet.

on the plane to Florida

Maybe it's because the last week has left the two of us a lot of opportunity to be alone together, but I'm seeing parts of his personality shine through that just fill my heart with pride.  Genuinely.

taken by Ashley, our babysitter

He's a funny little boy with a wonderful sense of humor, and an even better giggle.  He's always telling jokes (even if the punch lines don't make sense), playing tricks and teasing.  He dishes it out, but also takes it with glee.  It's hard to tell what he enjoys more:  making other people laugh, or laughing himself.

riding the go-karts in Door County

He's stubborn and strong-willed, but in an endearing sort of way.  Actually, it's quite well-disguised.  Whenever he is asked to do something, he'll usually suggest a different or better thing to do, or a different timeline in which it should be done.  But none of this comes across as being disobedient.  It's just Jack being Jack, and 90% of the time he does it in such an unassuming way that you agree to his demands.

mini golfing in Door County

He's a smart little guy too.  He's been doing puzzles since a very young age, and we can't depend on the age recommendations on the box to help us figure out which ones are right for him.  Right now, he's as good at putting together a 30-piece puzzle as his sisters.  He has wonderful visual/perceptual skills, which clearly he gets from his mom dad.  He knows his alphabet and shapes, can count to 12, and asks lots of great questions.

July 2010

Like most 3 year-olds, Jack has an abundance of energy that may at times appear over-the-top, but not nearly as often as his peers.  He likes to run and climb and jump and play, but can take it down a notch and sit and play quietly for hours on end as well.  That part he gets from his mom, for sure!

August 2010

As we get ready for him to start preschool, I'm torn.  Torn between my dream of independence, even if it's only for 4.5 hours a week, and letting go.  For this little guy, the separation won't be difficult.  In fact, I don't anticipate any tears or resistance on his part.  He's eager to start school, and really looking forward to it.  He's just such an easy-going, social little kid that I think he's going to do great.  Mommy is just going to miss her little side-kick.

hanging out with mommy at home

I also think he's pretty great, my little bubba.  And I couldn't be more proud to be his mommy.

BLUE Monday

It's Monday again, and to tell the truth I'm feeling a little BLUE.  Each morning I strive to send my two little girls off to school with smiles on their faces, but once they leave I feel this strange sadness.  Don't get me wrong ... I've been looking forward to school starting, and I'm perfectly ready to have some alone time with Jack and time to myself.  It just feels kinda strange right now.  Kinda BLUE.

Today after they left, Jack and I went out to run some errands.  Our final stop was a massive all-encompassing shopping trip to the local Super WalMart.  After spending the better part of an hour shopping with me, I had a momentary weakness and allowed Jack to pick a treat near the registers.  Because mommy was feeling BLUE, I even went against every mommy rule and allowed the selection of M&Ms, despite it only being ten in the morning.  (in my defense, he was eyeing the new Pretzel M&Ms, and mommy had been curious about those and wanting to try them ...)

We left the store, loaded our massive haul into the trunk, and got ready to leave the parking lot.  I opened the package of M&Ms, and poured 1/2 of them into a little pile on Jack's lap.  Since I was BLUE, I decided to cheer myself up by eating the other 1/2 of the bag.  By the time we were out of the parking lot, Jack had eaten his share.  I reached into the bag of M&Ms that contained what was left of my share, and handed Jack one of the remaining two in the bag.  We drove another mile or so, and Jack mentioned that his fingers felt a little sticky.  And BLUE.  When I turned around, this is what I saw looking back at me from the back seat:

How could one little stinking M&M make such a mess?!
How could the candy that is supposed to only melt in your mouth melt all over a tiny little boy in the course of 60 seconds?
And, most importantly, how could I go on feeling BLUE after a good laugh like that?

I love my little buddy.

All Dressed Up, and Ready to Go!

A few minutes ago I announced to the kids that we were going out for dinner, and they needed to get ready.  Everyone went to the bathroom, washed their hands, and put on their shoes.  Jenna and Kara went a step further, and got out their special accessories for the occasion.

They're wearing more jewelry than the girls on Jersey Shore.

I feel so underdressed!

Preschool Orientation

Today was Jack's preschool orientation.  I took a few hours off of work this morning to bring my baby boy to his new school.  Well, new to him.  It's the same school where Kara did two years of preschool, and Jack has been waiting for the day when HE could start school there too!

We unpacked his supplies, turned in all of the necessary forms, signed mommy up for lots of volunteer work, visited the classroom, met the teacher and some new friends, and got to play with some of the classroom toys.

Jack was most excited about the fact that there is a cubbie with his name on it where he can hang his backpack and jacket.

Jack had a great time today, and was disappointed to find out that he didn't get to stay for school today.  Two more weeks, buddy!

Week 1: A timeline of despair

After school, day 1:  Kara can't wait to go on the bus to school tomorrow; Jenna up crying until 9:30pm about how she doesn't want to go tomorrow.

Morning, day 2:  Jenna is still fighting back tears; Kara gets on the bus without a look back.

After school, day 2:  Jenna comes home relatively happy; Kara comes home and proclaims, "Kindergarten was great!  I didn't go to the principals office, and I didn't cry!"; Jenna cries at bedtime again, Kara is excited about tomorrow

Morning, day 3:  Jenna is reluctant, but does well; Kara isn't quite as enthusiastic, but has no troubles going

After school, day 3:  Jenna had a good day, Kara reports that it was "fine"; Jenna goes to sleep w/out any tears, Kara mentions not wanting to go again tomorrow

Morning, day 4:  Jenna is fine; Kara begins crying shortly after waking up about not wanting to go to school; cries at bus stop, refuses to get on bus; has to be driven to school, and cries when I leave her.

Mommy cries.  Mommy hopes for a tear-free day tomorrow, because she's had enough tears this week to last for months!

The Cheese Stands Alone

It's just you and me, bud!  What do we do now?!

And Away we Go!

It was the morning that we had all been waiting for, and dreading for almost a year.  The morning that I would have to send Kara on a bus for her first day of kindergarten. 

Being the 2nd child, I didn't think it would be as emotionally difficult for me to put my baby on a school bus.  It couldn't be nearly as gut-wrenching as it was with Jenna, right?  My biggest fear was Kara herself.  There has never been one day in her life or one situation where you could accurately "predict" how Kara was going to react.  All I knew for certain was that this was the girl that cried when I dropped her off for preschool ... for about 5 months straight. 

Today was no different.  Oh, she didn't cry.  Or fuss.  Or whine.  She was nothing but excited, giggly, happy and anxious to get outside and ride the bus.  Totally unexpected.  Unpredictable.  She had her backpack on 20 minutes early, and was out at the bus stop with her neighborhood friends.

She posed for pictures with grandma, and took a special shot for daddy, since he couldn't be here this morning to see her off on her first day.

When the bus finally turned the corner and came into view, mommy gulped and took a deep breath.  She gave kisses to both of her girls, did our special "pinky promise" with each one, gave them each an "extra" kiss to take to school with them in their hands, and just watched as Jenna took her little sister's hand and led her onto the bus for her first day of kindergarten.  She didn't even look back.

Kara waved and smiled as the bus pulled away.  And mommy felt that same familiar wrench in her stomach that she felt 2 years ago when she watched her oldest baby pull away from the house for the first time. 

Kindergarten

Today was Kara's Kindergarten Open House! 

She was dressed and ready to go super early this morning, and ready to take some back-to-school pictures before Jenna had to catch the bus.

Mommy, daddy and Jack got to drive Kara to school for her first ever peek inside of her kindergarten classroom, and for a chance to meet her teacher.  We brought in all of her school supplies, toured the school, explored the classroom, and got really excited about kindergarten!

Kara can not wait to start school tomorrow, and to ride the bus with her big sister, Jenna.  But her little brother Jack is going to miss her something terrible (so will mommy)!

2nd Grader

Today was Jenna's first day of 2nd grade.  Being a big kid, she was able to ride the bus to school today, but her little sister Kara didn't get to ride with her just yet.

We took some traditional photos inside on the stairs ...

and some backpack poses outside while waiting for the bus.

We were all surprised when the bus came EARLY on the first day, and came from a different direction than it had in the past!  I'd imagine the students were MOST surprised though, because the driver apparently tried to bring them to the WRONG elementary school.  Luckily they protested enough to let him know that he had made a mistake : )

Later that morning, mommy, daddy, Kara and Jack got to go to Jenna's school to visit her classroom for open house.  What an amazing transformation the school went through over the summer!  All of the classrooms were remodeled and have new cabinetry, bookshelves, carpet, windows and smart boards!  It's like a whole new building.

Jenna has a really nice teacher this year, and already knows a handful of the kids in her class from previous years.  Jenna already came home from school with a new friend's name, and sat with her on the bus.  I think she's going to love 2nd grade!

'Twas the Night Before School Starts

'Twas the night before school starts and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Our back-to-school dinner at Pizza Hut was a fun surprise,
one last trip to Meijer for forgotten supplies.

The backpacks were set by the front door with care,

in hopes that the day would finally be here.

The kids were all showered and in bed by eight-thirty,

everyone excited, and nobody worried.

Their new clothes were chosen and carefully laid out,

the alarm clocks were set without even a pout.

May both my darling girls have great years,

may mommy be able to hold back her tears.

Cracking open some wine to celebrate right,
HAPPY SCHOOL YEAR TO ALL and to all a good night.

Babies Got Back(packs)

With just 3 days left until school, we're doing just what we're supposed to be doing:

1.  Getting to bed a bit earlier each night, and getting up a bit earlier each morning (which mommy is having the hardest time with).

2.  Spending lots of time lounging around in our jammies, enjoying our "free time" (i.e. spending lots of time at home hanging out and watching tv).

3.  Gathering our school supplies, labeling our goodies, and putting them in our backpacks (while mommy curses the fact that the kids' teachers are now sending home "revised" lists that aren't exactly like the ones we've already shopped off of).

4.  Being just cute and sweet enough to make mommy feel badly for wishing that school would start about 1,234 times this summer.

3 more days, and I'll have a kindergartner and a 2nd grader, and a boy just waiting to start preschool.  Sigh.

Happy Hour

Strawberry smoothies and chocolate brownies on the patio at the end of a warm summer day. 

Happy hour, indeed!

Forbidden Fruit

Today the kids were very excited to see that the neighbors behind us had ripe apples on their apple tree.  They excitedly asked me to lift them up so that they could pick an apple.

I explained to them that we couldn't just "take" the apples; rather, we would wait until the lady that lives behind us offers them to us, like she does every year.

Confused, Kara turned to me with a puzzled look on her face and said, "Then how come daddy just reaches over there and picks the pears whenever he wants?"

Sometimes, instead of answering a question, I just walk away.

Making Plans, and making believe

Today I dedicated the morning to getting organized.  Getting my affairs in order.  Sorting through piles of paper.  Filling out 1,234 papers for back to school.  Gathering all dates for religious education, Sunday school, preschool, kindergarten and 2nd grade, and jotting them on the calendar.  Adding in my work hours, Mark's out of town dates, and our babysitting needs for the next few weeks.  At the same time, wondering how on earth we're even going to be able to sign up for swimming like I had promised for the fall.  This calendar task alone now takes 2 hours and 5 markers in specific colors for every member of our family.

I was interrupted every 4.5 seconds by a child needing a drink, a snack, or a butt wiping.  I eventually shut off the television, and encouraged them to go find something else to do.  At one point though, everything quieted down.  I walked out of the office, and as I was passing through the playroom on the way to the kitchen I saw this:

I poured myself a cup of coffee, peeked back into the playroom, and they were still there.  Sitting perfectly still, quietly eating their bowls full of dry Cheerios. 

Curious, I said, "Hey guys, what's going on in there?"

The reply?

"Shhhhhh!  We're pretending that we're watching tv and eating popcorn!"

Yep, it's time to go back to school for sure!

(6 more days!)

Summer Breeze

For the first time since about mid-May, we turned off the air conditioning and opened the windows today. 

I love fresh air and summer breezes.  I also love how our bedroom turned out when we finally painted it this past spring.  I worked really hard to incorporate those maroon blinds on the windows, because they were the only operational blinds in the entire upstairs left by the previous owner.  I was determined to not have to replace them too, so I worked with them.  Luckily, the color also went well with one of the two framed art pieces that Mark and I have ever bought.

I even found a coordinating bedding set on super-clearance at Macy's to make my bedroom complete.

Oh?  Did you think that, based on the two photos above, that my room is neat and clean?

Well, here you go.  Full disclosure.

Maybe my piles of dirty laundry, baskets of clean folded laundry, piles of clothes to be ironed, and unpacked bags from our trip to Wisconsin LAST WEEK will make you feel better.  It's all in the way you look at something; depending on your point of view (or the direction of the camera angle), you either see the beauty, or you see the things carefully hidden from view.

Right now I choose to see the beauty. 

And maybe that fresh summer breeze coming in the window will actually inspire me to tackle all of those piles later on today!  Maybe.

Anticipation

Today is the day that the kids have been anticipating all summer: the day when you can find out who your teacher is for the school year!

Our school posts class lists on the front door, and Jenna and I have always taken a trip over there to find her name, identify her teacher, and see who else is going to be in her class.

This year, unfortunately, the lists were being posted on a Friday night. And I work Friday nights. And I had to take the van with me, leaving Mark at home with 3 kids, no car seats to transport them in his car, and lots of begging and pleading to head up to school.

Being the smart guy Mark is, he decided to stop on his way home from work, check the lists, and report back home with Jenna's teacher's name. Brilliant! Except that he forgot that Kara will also be starting school this year, and wanting to know who HER teacher was as well.

After a long night of tossing and turning, it was Saturday morning. Mark would be able to take them all in the van to school to look at the lists while I was at work again. I didn't want to miss out on the experience, so I left them the camera, giving Mark instructions to take some pictures. You know, the kind of pictures I like to post on my blog, like these:

Kara, registering for kindergarten back in March

I guess I forgot that Mark is a literal person, because I came home to find a few pictures like these on the camera:

Actual photos of the class lists, posted on the door.  God, I love that man.

Despite the difference in journalistic styling, the mission had been accomplished.  We now know who both girls have for teachers and who is in their class ... and we're counting down the days until school begins (8 more days)!

Wisconsin Road Trip: Take 2

Day 2 of our trip to Wisconsin was a busy one!  After some time swimming again in the morning, we headed out for lunch to Sonic (because mommy has always wanted to try one, and the Sonic near our old house didn't open until after we moved!)

After lunch, we played at an old favorite park, and took a quick drive to one of our favorite places to visit when we lived here:  Grant Park

While living here, I always loved that we could take a 10 minute drive to Lake Michigan, and enjoy the spectacular views.

Side note #1:  (No matter how many years pass, the one thing I will ALWAYS remember about Grant Park is the serenity it provided when Jack was an infant.  A crying, colicky, reflux-induced-insomniac infant.  We (the girls, Jack and I) drove here on countless occasions, with Jack screeching in the backseat, just to get out of the house)

Later that afternoon, after some rest-time back at the hotel, we headed out for the main reason for our trip this week:  The Wisconsin State Fair!

Mind you, despite living in Illinois for 99.9% of my life, I have never been to the Illinois State Fair.  Except for maybe once, in high school, just because a friend was driving there.  But the Wisconsin State Fair was a must-do event every year that we lived there, and every summer since!

Side note #2:  on the way INTO the fairground parking lot, I got "pulled over" by a State Fair cop on a bicycle for making an "illegal left turn" into the lot.  True story.  Even more incredible is the fact that, for possibly the first time in Wisconsin history, the officer let a person with an Illinois license plate off with only a warning!

After finally parking, walking 1/2 mile to the entrance, and paying an exorbitant amount of money to enter ... let the Fair begin!

Where else can you spend $40 on 5 carnival rides, eat lots of greasy, over-priced food, and enjoy the stink of farm animals on a hot, humid, summer night?

And seriously, where else can you sit on some wet, muddy grandstands with a few hundred sweaty strangers and enjoy a dog diving competition?

Only at The State Fair!  The same place where you can buy $20 worth of balloon cartoon characters that will be deflated before your heartburn even begins to fade on the ride home.

And who on God's green earth would ever think to spend that kind of crazy money to entertain 3 little people for less than 3 hours? 

Grandma and Pa, of course!