Independance

Monday was technically A's first day of Kindergarten. Last week was a teacher/child interview and a meet and greet but this week was official-even though its a gradual entry into a full day kindergarten.
I was a little apprehensive-but mostly excited! So sue me. I'M EXCITED!  I will scream it from the rooftops! I think the thing that excites me the MOST-is that the teachers are going to give her all the 'good job's and 'nice work's and the 'A+'s that she always tries to get out of me. I'm not sure if i'm not doing my job as a parent in giving her enough attention, or maybe it's all normal. To all my friends with 4 yr olds: Does attention seeking -in your faceness- happen to you? If so-do you think it is normal? Or do you have guilt like me?
Either way-my daughter is well on her way to independence and there is NO DOUBT that we are both ready for this new phase in our lives!
 A was so excited her first day. She woke up at 630am and greeted me in my bedroom fully dressed and ready for school. I looked at her with my one morning eye...congratulated her and then begged her to play a computer game til I had a chance to wake up. Later, she was so excited to use her new lunchbag (and I have to admit...I'm a nerd and I was excited too.) Too much time on Pintrest has caused me to have pride in my coolness of sending a bento box style lunch -ideas compliments of Pintrest- Did that make sense? I'm cool and it's all cuz of Pintrest. There...that's better. So-off to school we go...but unfortunately my children have lost my camera so the only picture we got was one on the iphone. Once we got there we found her door. Goodbyes were not hard, she just wandered into her classroom navigating herself among all the kids standing around clinging to their own parents. It's like she knew what she was doing-and she definitely didn't need my help. I stood at the door watching her go, happy that I was the cool and collected mom that had the confident child. Then-I had a split second of sadness (my daughter doesn't need me!! Waaahhhh!) and i called out "A, do I at least get a kiss?" She looked back, shrugged her shoulders and reluctantly kissed me goodbye. She obviously had better things to do.

These are my hopes for her for this year:  I hope she will make friends. I hope she stands up for herself. I hope she has FUN. I also hope kids don't make fun of her. I remember (Grade 3 maybe?) bringing a pickle for lunch once. The torment that ensued lasted...well...at least that whole school year! Really? Torment for bringing a pickle? I still remember that day and it was a sad day for me. All for something really stupid. So...I think 2 things about that. 1-It doesn't matter how much I try to protect A, kids will ALWAYS find something to tease about. and 2-Don't ever send a pickle to school for lunch!
 So thankfully all went well her first day...and her second day. I haven't gone as far as thinking i'm in the clear though. I am feeling the adjustment. O is feeling it too. The first day he kept asking where A was..giggling mischievously I would say "at school". We went for a nice walk after dropping A off. We went to the park and played and it was SO GREAT playing with just him! It's a whole different experience. He is a different kid when A isn't around. He listens better, there is less whining, he laughs more, he is more inquisitive and he seems to learn more. I think when they are together they are just so obsessed with being naughty to each other...it's bordering on destructive! We explored in the Garrison Forest, finding rocks and leaves. He loves to run! I love it when he runs...it works out well for me at bedtime! We played at the park and he could actually play without fighting with A! I even got on the playground and played with him! SO FUN! Then we walked home and he helped me make macaroons. Look at all I can accomplish with only 2 kids. It almost feels like only 1 kid cuz R is so content and sleeps most of the time. It's like I'm in heaven!
Well...I'm excited. Excited for A to meet new friends, get encouragement and praise from someone that isn't me and for her to have the opportunity to grow and become her own person.
I'm excited for Owen...that he'll have more time with just me. That we'll have more time for Boy stuff-u know: dirt, rocks, bugs, running... that sort of thing. I'm excited that we'll get more alone time to learn, practice his letters/numbers, colors, shapes etc. And that he can be my little helper without the distraction of his older sister for at least 6 hours a day!
I'm excited for R. That I'll have more energy and time to just stare into her eyes and try to burn that memory into my brain. If she is my last baby...I need those memories to stick..(Mental note: Buy a new camera instead of waiting to find the old one.)
And finally...I'm excited for me!!! I'm excited to have a little more freedom to get out of the house...it's just easier with two than it is with three. I'm excited to see my kids growing and learning! I'm excited for the extra time and energy that will be added to my day.
Well...life gets busy now...glad I started a blog. Cuz if i don't blog it...i probably won't remember it.