First Day...

Today was Ally's first day of the Second Grade!  Wow..... yesterday was one long day.  Ally was crazy excited for today to just hurry up and get here. She and I spent the day getting organized, getting her name on all her supplies, getting her bag put together, laying her clothes out... and making her favorite meal for dinner!  It was a long day.... half of which she spent wearing her backpack.  ;-)

Then... came bedtime.... the kids go to bed here around 8:00 pm.  I knew Ally would have a hard time falling asleep..... I was not prepared for her still being wide awake at 1:00 am!  UGH!!!!  The 6:00 am alarm sure came early!!!!!!

When I went in to wake her a bit before 7:00, she jumped right out of bed!  Happily put on the outfit we had laid out for her... and happily brushed her teeth and allowed me to do her hair!  What she couldn't do... was eat breakfast.  It appears Ally gets a bit of a nervous/excited stomach. So, we didn't force the issue.

We took some pictures outside.....

We jumped in our car... and made the drive to school!!!  Things we going so well.... then, we pulled up to park.... and the first day jitters started in. The tears came next.  :(  I was worried....

As soon as we got out, we ran into a familiar face, and then, the rest of the girls that Ally had met with prior to starting school started to show up.... things started to look up!

But.... the bell rang and it was time to line up... and all of this was so new and different to Ally that she started to lose her confidence.  I helped her the best I could. Stayed with her.  Walked with her as far as I could, but then I tried to let her walk in with her class alone..... it didn't go so well... she came running back out.  :-(

At this point, I am not doing so well. My heart is breaking for her and I am just trying to help her make this transition.  I take her into her classroom, and there are other parents there, doing the same thing.  Not everyone is making the transition so easily.  Ally is not alone in her trepidation.

We go to her seat and she is trying to be strong.  I am so proud of her for how she handled this.  While there were friendly faces, it was still a whole new place... and the newness of it all is very overwhelming for a seven year old.  I know this. I know it's even harder for someone like Ally.  I take a deep breath and walk out of the room.... leaving her behind....

Thank GOD for kind mothers in the hall. Thank GOD for the moms who watched Ally after I left and reported back that she was just fine... and smiling.... and reassured me that, while it will take a bit of time, this transition..... she will get through and will be flying high soon enough.

The decisions that we make for our kids..... schools, changes, trying to do what's best.... this is the hardest part right?  ;-)  I find myself so engrossed in the "trying to do the best thing" and I find myself second guessing myself all the time.  I want to make her life so perfect.  I want her to experience no hardship... no pain... damn this parenting is hard people!  :-))))))))

I went over to Jane's after dropping her off... and we talked and drank coffee... and the "big" kids played and she got a shower in before noon.  :-)  We all (two moms and four kids) walked to pick Ally up...... and I will say this:  A much happier, smiling Ally emerged from that school.  Not the Ally I know and love.... not 100%. But close. And I will take close for a first day. 

She walked out, excited to give me notes from the teacher... and tell me about a girl who reached out to her that she totally connected with. They had the  EXACT same book in their "All About Me" bag. They both love gymnastics. They both love silly bands and Camp Rock... and the the list goes on and on. But, more than anything else... this girl truly reached out to Ally and was empathetic that she was new and afraid. She told her she would stand with her in line in the morning.  She chose her to be her "buddy" so she could show her around the school.  She was just genuinely KIND and Ally hasn't stopped talking about her yet.

There are good-hearted girls of all ages out there... they come in the form of moms who support other moms in times of need... and little girls who can sense when another needs a smile and a hand.  I love these girls.......... and thank them all.........

It was a good first day.... it will be a better second day... I love you Allison...... and I am SO PROUD of you!!!!!

Another Oil Spill...

While Luke was taking a bath today, he got a hold of a bottle of tea tree oil and proceeded to empty the entire bottle into the bathwater!!!!  Talk about oil slick!  You could smell the bath for a mile (at least it's minty fresh!) and you could just see all the oil floating on the top.  Luke, himself was quite slick!  Ally reached over to touch him and said... "EWWWW!"  To which Luke responded, "What Ally? That's just my muscles?"

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

The things kids say.........

Bye Bye Summer!!!

I cannot believe that summer is coming to an end!!!!  Ally starts school at Queens tomorrow!  8:10 am... Monday, August 30... Ally becomes a Second Grader!  Holy Hannah!  When did THAT happen????

I am so excited for her.  She is giddy and has been bouncing off the walls to start for the past two weeks.  I just hope that everything goes as well as she thinks it will.  It still is a NEW school and I have no doubt there will be a period of adjustment for her.  New friends to make, new buildings to get used to.... and let's not discount the fact that she will be adjusting to a Catholic school... with the addition of religion into her daily studies.

I am truly excited for her in every regard!  I am so thrilled she is as excited as she is. I hope we can both fall asleep tonight!  :-)

We have had such a great summer. We didn't go on any big vacation or anything like that, but it was all the little things we did together that added up to one great summer break!  It was the first summer I was working part time and we were able to do SO MUCH more as a result of that. We took many trips to Nixon Pool, The Treehouse, Kids -n- Stuff, hands on museums, Cascades, Java Jungle, BRIARWOOD, and the zoo just to name a few. We had lots of fun playdates and hung out with Kristen and Rhen a TON!  It was just a really, really great summer... and I hope we can continue the fun into the school year too as I will be working just three days during these coming months!

With Ally in school in town, I have some flexibility with the time I have to leave work!  I don't have to leave half an hour before she gets out... add to that Queens gets out later, and we can add some hours to my days..... VOILA.... three working days.  It will be stressful in some ways, trying to get everything in three days... but leave me the time I need the other days to do other things.... and allow my in-laws the much needed break they need from Luke.  ;-) Three days doesn't seem like as much to ask... or it feels better anyway... they do so very much for us....

So, I plan to work Mondays through Wednesdays... and we shall see how it goes!  Most of Ally's days off during the year are Fridays... with some half days on Thursdays... so that works well.  I hope to be able to attend the events in her classroom that I want and need to be at.... very much just looking forward to the year! (if you couldn't tell!)

I will leave you with some parting pics... from recent events.... as we bring our summer to a close!  Here's to the Second Grade.....

Devastated........

It's only Tuesday and I have already had the worst week.  Many things have made it bad... but this morning's events take the cake.

This morning, after arriving at work, I look down and notice that the diamond in my engagement ring is gone.  It has fallen out of the setting.  It is gone. Gone.  Gone.  GONE.

I almost throw up immediately.  I start to hyperventilate.  Then, within seconds, I pull my shit together and start to THINK. Think McIntosh.  THINK.

I empty my purse and go through it inch by inch.  I get a huge bright light and start scouring the floor in my office... the desk..... one of my coworkers comes in and sees me in tears. I tell her the story. She is off and running..... looking too.  I look in my office for a bit. Try to stop crying... and head to the car. When I get outside, I see some of my coworkers walking all around the parking lot, heads down, searching. This of course makes me cry harder..... I love them.

I get to the car and holy crap my car is a mess. I am just waiting, waiting, waiting to find it sitting inside a cheerio.......

No. Such.  Luck.

I call my in-laws and inform them of the news. They start the search at their house.... they go to my house...... things are not looking good.  :-(

Every morning, I take my ring off when I get ready. I don't like getting lotion and such in it...... so, the last thing I do before I leave the house, is put that ring on.  I know the stone was in the ring when I put it on.  As soon as I put it on, I only went two places..... walked through my room, stopping to grab Luke's shoes off the floor...... made Luke some warm milk and grabbed him, put him in the car and left.

We went to my in-laws.... I chatted for a moment...... and left.......

Came to work and within minutes of being here, noticed it was gone.

It's still gone.  People are coming up to me, offering their condolences.  Women who understand.  Men who just feel bad.  Everyone is still walking around with their head down.........

I went home mid-day and looked for a couple hours....... I could not find it either........

I have had that ring, that stone for 13 years.  Scott and I picked it out together. The stone. We chose it loose and then had it set.  I am so sad. I know it's just a "thing" and something like this reminds me that I should be thankful for every"thing" that I do have (health and all that crap).... but for now, I am going to mourn the loss of the diamond that Scott and I bought together......

Back to School Survival Kit...

Ally got a goodie bag at her Open House yesterday when she met her new teacher and I was reading the note that came with it. I thought it was pretty cute and thought I'd blog it since we will surely lose the note. :-)

To help put your best FOOT forward this year, I'm giving you a Back-to-School Survival Kit!

SMARTIES to boost your smart brain power!

A BOOKMARK to remind you to READ, READ, READ!

A pencil with an ERASER on the end to remind you that everyone makes mistakes and that is ok!

A STARBURST to remind you that each student in our room is a star and shines in his or her own way!

A BAND-AID to remind you that you can go to any adult in school for help!

A STICKER to remind you that in our class we stick together and help each other out!

A POM-POM to remind you that warm fuzzies (kind words) are always better than cold pricklies (mean words)!


Isn't that last one the truth people.....  ;-)

The Final Countdown....

Wow!  One week from tomorrow Ally starts SCHOOL!!!!  Where did the summer go? I cannot believe it. I cannot believe she is going back.  She cannot WAIT! (which is of course, a really, really good thing!)

I haven't blogged about school because we took just about the entire summer to decide where to send Ally to school this fall.  We know we will be moving out of Concord eventually and I knew she would have to change schools.... and I just couldn't wait any longer to make that change for her.  Ally is a super sensitive girl.... and changing schools in the second grade versus changing in the fifth is a world different!  So, after MUCH thought and decisions and decisions changed again and again.... we decided that Ally will be attending Queens in the fall.

I went to meet the principal some time ago... and take a tour of the school.... and maybe because I, myself went to Catholic school, it just felt like "home" to me.  Add to that the fact that my amazing cousin just got a teaching position there (who has babysat my kids since birth) and the fact that I kept stumbling upon moms that had daughters in her grade.... I just knew it was the right decision.  The week we made the decision and I made that first payment.... I felt overwhelming peace with the decision.

Then, one after another, we met with mom and girls that will be in Ally's class and everyone has made her feel so very welcome and she has been getting more and more excited for the first day of school!  I have met some amazing women/moms in the process... and I am looking forward to school just as much as Ally is!

In fact, with my part-time schedule.... I am able to be one of the room moms for Ally's class and I could not be more excited!  I ran into a girl I went to school with one day... who not only has a girl in Ally's class.... but was in need of a Second Grade Room Mom.  :-)  I am really excited to be a bigger part of Ally's school year and she is pretty thrilled to have me around.  Let's hope that feeling remains for as long as possible...... when is it that she will be asking me to drop her off around the corner so her friends don't see me?  ;-)

Today, we attended the Open House at Queens and met her new teacher, Mrs. Engemann.  The two teachers at Queens are brand new and came from Our Lady of Fatima that just closed last year. They have a theme all laid out for the school year.  Second Grade Safari!  Ally's class are the Engemann Explorers and the entire classroom is decorated to the hilt!  The best part is that Mrs. Engemann is a bit reading obsessed and has a zillion books all set up in a super cozy reading corner with big comfy chairs and pillows....  Ally thought that was cool.... especially because she had two huge baskets of Magic Treehouse books and one of American Girl.  She has won Ally over already.....  ;-)

And... she is going to keep a blog for the year!!!

Ally received a homework assignment today - to decorate and fill a bag with things and words and pictures that will tell her new classmates and teacher "all about Ally."  She has been obsessively working on this project since we got home today.  She is one excited little girl.

I am still nervous about the transition.... but feel I have done everything in my power to this point to help her with the transition. The rest is going to be up to her.... and I will just continue to hope and pray for the best!

The best part about Catholic School????

Why the uniforms of course!!!  Here's to mornings that are free of SKINNY JEAN drama!!!!!  Two choices girl........ this here plaid skirt.... or these navy pants.... and take your pick of white shirt... you have 30.  :-)))))))))))))

Wish us luck!

Ally's Song

Ally is in her room, singing a song she made up..... And Luke is copying her every word. It's adorable. The song goes a little something like this:

Oh Perry, I love you more than dairy
Oh Perry, I love you more than scary
Oh Perry, I love you more than Mary
Oh Perry, I love you more than Harry (or is it hairy?)

Wow. Wonder who this Perry person is???? Haha!


-- Post From My iPhone

My Daughter, the Party Planner...

We are busy today, getting ready to have a group of our college friends and their families over Saturday and Sunday.  I was sitting down with my coffee this morning, making a list of things we need to do and things we need to get at the store today. Ally sat down next to me.... got her own paper and pen and made her own list.  It is worthy of sharing.

Ally's Party List:

Disco Ball

Concert Lights

Dance Contests

Stage

Sparklers

Balloons

Fireworks

Mini Golf

100 Toothbrushes

Lots of Tooth Paste

Big Tooth Brush

Big Tooth Paste

Ice Cream

Chocolate Bars

Kit Kats

$100.50 for the kids

HAHAHA!!!!!!!  I love the party list from her perspective!!!!!!  :-)))))

Water Cowboy....

Luke has discovered the hose this summer.  He loves the hose. Spraying anything and everything in the backyard - including anyONE - is a new favorite past time. Give the kid a bucket and a hose and he's in heaven.  He takes his spraying very seriously.... he usually has a pretty stern look on his face as he zeros in on his target.  But, sometimes, we get a smile...

Luke's World...

Seriously, Luke says the funniest things. I know I've said this a zillion times, but it bears repeating. It's not what he says so much as just the words he uses! His vocabulary constantly impresses me! Just today, I took something away from the dogs that they had chewed. He says "Ewwww! That's disgusting!". Seriously. What two year old uses "disgusting" in his daily vocabulary?!?!

His absolute favorite word lately is "actually". He uses it all the time. This morning he told me he needed his diaper changed and as we walked to his room, he decides and says "Actually, no change me right now"

Hahaha!!! Actually is used a million times a day. And it always makes me smile for some reason. Some other faves are:

"That's not fair!"

"I go to the libary (library)"

"Cock (clock)" - and he calls my watch a cock to! Ha!

Earlier today, we dropped Ally off at a camp for the day... and as we pulled back into the driveway, he exclaimed "Mommy!  We can't come home without Ally!!"  Sibling love.

And right now he just sang the entire Elmo's World song just about word for word. And we have watch Elmo exactly twice in his life that I can recall. ;). He's not feeling 100% today so we are taking it easy. He asked to have an "apple bar and watch some cartoons and snuggle" today. How do you say no to that?!?!


-- Post From My iPhone

Slow Down Summer...

Does anyone else feel that summer is just flying by??  I can't believe the speed at which time travels when the days are warm... the work is less... and the kids are generally happier just because they can get OUT so much more. It's these good, good days that get us through the winter blahs.... and man, do I hate winter.  :-(

It's been quite some time since I posted. We've just been so darn busy - which is a good, good thing! I was reading Leslie's blog the other day and she was saying how since she is home more and working less, that she feels she can DO so much more with her girls.  I could NOT agree more!!!  It hasn't been that long that I've been part-time and I really, really appreciate the fact that I am part-time so much more than I thought possible!  It truly is the best of both worlds.  (pardon the Hannah reference!)

On the days that I am home with the kids, I have pretty much given up on trying to get too much done around the house or otherwise. We try to get out a lot more... go to playdates so my kids can play with other kids - especially Luke who needs this interaction.... go to the pool.... the playground... even running some errands and making that process fun is better than being cooped up with my kids in my house!  They are not home-bodies in any way..... usually the words "stay home day" are met with moans and groans.

The days we DO stay home... we try to make it fun around here.  Slip and slide... the baby pool.... games of Go Fish and Memory... and having picnics on our deck.  These are the things our summer has been filled with lately.......

Last week, Scott was able to take a couple days off and we got to do some pretty special things as a family.  How much easier is it to do these things with a partner??  :-)  So, Thursday, the kids and I went to a playdate at Nicole's while Scott did some things around the house so we could play the rest of our long weekend together.  We came home and took naps (me included!) and went to Klavon's for dinner.  We came back cuz for some reason I was feeling pretty wiped out (fighting some sort of bug that lasted days) and Luke and I went to bed and Ally and Scott went on a bike ride.  Ally got her love of bike riding from her Daddy and I could not be more proud! She can ride the Falling Water Trail with the best of 'em!!!

Friday, we decided to take the kids to the East Lansing Aquatic Center AND Jumpin' Jax, a bounce house up in East Lansing as well.  We kicked off our day at the Aquatic Center and the kids loved it as they always do.  My kids were born to swim!!!!  The sand area was also a HUGE hit... my kids were also born to get dirty... unlike their Mama who can't stand the feeling of dirt in my hands (I'm sure there is some psycho-analysis that needs to be performed on this one!).  :-)

The biggest hit, as always, was the snack bar... the nachos and pizza. Such healthy food at the pools ya know?  ;-)

After we left the Aquatic Center, we went to Eastwood Towne Center to get a snack and hit up the bookstore.  We are a family of avid readers.... Ally got a new Ramona book (her current fave) and Luke made a mess of all the stuffed toys.  Good times.

We went to Jumpin' Jax after the snack and bookstore... a bounce house just down the street from Eastwood.  Ally loved it. LOVED IT!  Luke - not so much. It was a little too "big" for him and even the toddler area overwhelmed him. Luckily, they have a bunch of Little Tykes toys (kitchen, slides, etc) set up as well, so he enjoyed those things while Ally bounced her little heart out!

We left East Lansing and decided to travel home so Luke could at least get a little nap in. For having no nap at all, he was being quite the trooper!  So, we decided it was a nice night to sit outside at Los Tres and enjoy some Mexican food!  It was a perfect ending to a great day!!!

Saturday, it was supposed to be rainy, so we decided that we would head up to the Grand Rapids Children's museum where the Curious George exhibit was just waiting for us!  :-)  Luke (and even Ally) loves Curious George.... so we put on our George shirt and made the trek up to GR!

The museum is the best children's museum I've been to yet!  We walked in the door and the kids were just OFF!  Luke was so giddy he just ran from thing to thing..... it was adorable.  I didn't stop smiling at them the entire time we were there. They were just so excited and happy to try everything!  

Good, good times at the museum!!!!  We closed the place out.  We golfed, made bubbles, played drums, sent and sorted mail, played grocery store, played restaurant, read, created a puppet show, played with mirrors, played with rocks, saw honey bees and found the queen, created shadow puppets, learned how to use a conveyer, went fishing, played in a barn, planted a garden... whew... the list goes on and on....

After all that, we decided to hit Chuck E Cheese on our way back home.... we have never been, and honestly, I don't think we will go again.  Not our kind of place.  Horrid, horrid food.... and at least the one in Lansing, was not very clean. The kids had fun though and we got them in and out of there in about an hour.  ;-)  I'm glad we tried it at least!  Live and learn!

Sunday... we laid low and stayed home.... oh and Ally and I ran out to do a little shopping in the afternoon while Luke and Daddy napped. What weekend is complete without a little shopping???  :-)

We are going to continue to eek all we can out of the rest of our summer!!!!!!