two weeks later...

Two weeks of getting ready for school everyday-- no more part time preschool schedule.
Two weeks of a new school with new rules and new teachers.
Two weeks of making new friends.

Today when she got off the bus, this is what was waiting for her...

Her very own fast scooter, just like the big kids.

And this is what the rest of the afternoon looked like...

The highlight for me was the spontaneous hug and the "Thank you Mommy, Thank you sooo much" that I got an hours after the box was opened.

We are proud of you Abby!

advice for victums of hand me downs, from Claire, age 3

Has this ever happened to you?

You walk out your front door in a new dress chosen from your closet. The eight year old across the street exclaims "Aw, you look so cute. I remember that dress!" Her five year old sister chimes in "Me too!"

Apparently in addition to your sister's hand me downs your mother is also dressing you in the neighbors hand me downs. Your "new" dress is third hand!

You hold your head high because, well, you are cute and you just adore your eight year old neighbor, but still, something has to be done.

Well, I am hear to tell you how to get a brand new wardrobe on a three year old budget!

Do you like the color pink? Puppies? Cars perhaps? Then why wear anything else?

Personally, I am a big fan of cats, so I put my foot down. From now on, only cat clothes.

It all started when mommy bought me a couple of shirts with cats. They were my absolute favorites so on vacation this summer mommy bought me a dress with a cat on it and some really cute cat socks.

Then my Oma took Abby back to school shopping and even though all I really needed was a pair of pants or two, she bought me everything in Gymboree with a cat on it, including a cat pocket book, cat tights, a cat skirt, cat underwear, a cat nightgown and cat knee high socks. I placed my hands firmly on my hips and declared only cat clothes when ever any one held up a non cat item for my review.

Now my mom is getting calls like this "Hi Beth, it's mom. I am at Target and I found a orange Hello Kitty shirt with a cat and a moon. Does Claire have it yet? No? Okay, I am buying it and will bring it by for her tomorrow."

Second children with dotting grandmas and mom's who love a shopping mission, you don't have to settle for hand me downs! Simply put your foot down and make your demands known.

And soon, you too will have a closet like this:

that would be nine cat shirts for anyone who is counting, plus the one I am wearing at preschool as my nutty mom takes pictures of my closet

cat socks, seven pairs, four of which arrived yesterday in the mail because they are only available from Gymboree online-- my mom really goes the extra mile

and of course pajamas, eight pairs of cat pajamas

All brand spanking new. And just wait until I show you my room!!

xoxo
Claire

for her portfolio someday

What happens when my five year old picks up a camera and starts shooting. Also, rare photo evidence that my children really do have a mother.

school, week two

One full week of school down, and it would seem that we are settling into a nice little routine around here.

Claire gave the following report following day two of preschool: "Mommy, I did not cry this time because I did not miss you!! I did all the parts and I made a new friend who was wearing a cat shirt. She stood next to me in line." And better yet, two full days with no potty accidents!!

Abby cracks me up on a daily basis with comments that I can't seem to manage to write down. Things like "Don't worry. I am wearing a great shirt, so it is okay if my hair is a mess" in response to "You need to brush your hair before school".

She loves her new teacher and pretty much everything about going to school. I think the routine was sorely needed after a summer of freedom. And when she is not in school or at soccer, Abby can be found roaming the neighborhood with her pack of girls. Aside from the occasional dramatic meltdown, life is good.

As for me, I have volunteered to be a room parent for both girl's classes (a decision I am fairly sure I will end up regretting), my October is pretty much booked up with fall photo sessions, my house is strangely well organized (for my house anyway) and I am very happy to be cooking up soups again.

And finally, because no post is complete without pictures, apple picking. It just would not be fall without it.

boy crazy

Two years ago, my daughter was terrified of boys. Whenever she saw one coming, she tried to hide.

Last year she grudgingly accepted their right to exist, but certainly wanted nothing to do with them.

So this year at kindergarten orientation when I saw she was sitting at a table with another girl and two boys, I assumed it was the girl that she would be interested in meeting and becoming friends with.

I thought wrong. Apparently it is the boy who sits next to her that has captured her attention.

"I like this boy Ryan in my class. He is soooo cute."

"Ryan eats gold fish at snack. *sigh* I want to date with him"

"Ryan has dark hair and boy clothes. I told him and want to kiss with him but he said no. And he is on my bus to and the bus goes like this and then around and then it drops him off?"

She summed up the situation for one of the neighborhood boys as follows "So, I have a new boyfriend at school that does not want to kiss me"

I love that she is total unfazed and undeterred by the complete lack of interest on the part of this little boy.

I feel like as a responsible parent, I should probably be more alarmed, but honestly? She cracks me up. However, I have told her that school is not a place for dating or kissing. At least not until high school. Ghesh.

hello school

So with potty training down, it was off to school this week.

Abby was a little disappointed that she does not have the same teachers that she had the past two years for preschool, but very excited to ride the bus for the first time.

Here she is in her carefully selected backpack, matching brown dress (apparently it is very important that the dress match the backpack) and the sensible school shoes that I forced upon her.

And here she is, very excited to be on the bus at last.

About fifteen minutes after she left, my husband called "How did it go? Any tears?", he asked.

"No, she did great!" I replied.

"No, I meant you."

HA HA

But the truth is, I sent my first born off to Kindergarten with no tears, partly because she was so very ready and so very excited to go and partly because I had a three year old loudly demanding my immediate attention.

In all honesty, I thought it was the next day, Claire's first day of preschool, that would be hard for me. After all, when Abby started preschool I was a wreck and this was my baby. My last baby. My shy, just potty trained, not so excited to start school, baby.

Thursday morning came. I dressed her in her oh-so-cute red school dress and sweater with apple buttons, matching pony tails and new school shoes. I loaded up her brand new hello kitty backpack with a change of clothes and off we went.

As we neared the classroom door that she knew all to well after two years of bringing her big sister there, she grabbed on to me. The teacher brought my terrified little girl into the classroom, where she stood for a few minutes in terror before starting to cry. And cry. When I finally left fifteen minutes later she was still crying. Or crying again, I am not really sure.

The strange part? I was not panicked. I was not crying. I was chatting outside the gate with two other moms I knew from Abby's class. Turns out it is just plain easier with your second child. I know she needs this social interaction. I know she will have fun. I know she will grow in so many ways from this experience. I know she is at a great school with great teachers.

When class was over, she summed up her day as follows: I cried three times. I watched on the playground. My teacher read a story with a monster, but it wasn't a scary monster.

Her teachers said she was very quiet, and mostly watched. My little people watcher. And I know that within a couple of weeks, she will open up and be her happy, chatty, charming self.

Phew, what a week though. And did I mention I am sick already?

bye bye diapers

Claire turned three back in May.

Her thoughts on using the potty? "I'll use it on Sunday" or if you informed her is was in fact Sunday "I meant Saturday". Pretty smart, that kid.

"Doesn't she have to be potty trained to start preschool in the fall?", my husband asked.

"She will do it when she is ready" I said. "I am not going to worry about it until July."

July came and went. We were busy. We went on vacation. Claire flat out refused to so much as go near the potty.

August came. We were busy. We went on vacation. Once back home, I reluctantly instituted mandatory potty time. Meaning she had to sit on the potty until the timer beeped.

Reluctantly, she sat. And held it. Every. Single. Time. Not so much as one drop went into that potty despite offers of candy, stars on a chart, fancy big girl underwear, a new toy cat and finally the offer of a real live kitten (which should have been a huge deal, given her obsession with all things cat).

Then yesterday, out of the blue she decided.

"Mama, I want to wear my underwear. I am a big girl. I am going to give my diapers to baby Will."

Just like that.

The underwear went on and we headed outside, potty in tow. And for the last two days she has been excitedly going all by her own self when she needs to go.

I am so proud of my big girl!

And just like that, I can change that box on the preschool questionnaire from "attempted" to "recently completed". With four days to spare. Phew.

On the day she decided to use the potty, sans diaper, heading off to share her treats.