Friday, August 15, 2008

Friday

Today we went to Jonathan's Open House. He went right for the bristle blocks, settled in and got to work. When we were at parent orientation last night, I predicted that he would love the bristle blocks (although I did not know what they were called; I think I referred to them as those wierd block things). A parent of another child in the room praised him for what he made, and he just said, "I have Legos. I already know how to do this stuff." I love the way kids have no idea how to humble (fake).
His teachers seem fantastic. I really think they seem great and I am looking forward to him having a fun year. We looked in the Wee-3 room, where Anna will be attending, and where Jonathan went 2 years ago, and I was shocked at how tiny the little chairs were! It was hard to believe how much he has grown, in reference to the little toddler chairs. Although, even then, he was the tallest kid in the class, and looked a tad silly perched in the chair. Today I decided to add to my feelings of weepiness (my babies are going to school! my baby boy will be going to school EVERY weekday morning! my babies are growing up too fast!) by cleaning out all of their old clothes. This reminded me of how much they really have grown since last year. Even Anna, who still seems so petite to me, is so, so much bigger. Sigh. Sob.
But don't get me wrong, I am going to ENJOY my 9 hours a week where they will be at school at the same time. And I think it is going to be very beneficial for them. And I feel very confident and safe with their school and their teachers. And, let's face it, they really drive me nuts all of the time, and I should be dancing in the streets. The irony of it all is that I am always looking forward to the next milestone, and then rejoicing it and cursing it at the same time when it comes along. One more thing is checked off the list on their way to becoming independent of me. That is my ultimate goal as their mom, after all... to let them go. But being their mom gives me this overwhelming instinct to hold on to them, to cling to their babyhood and toddlerhood, to keep them safe and innocent as long as I can. But it is nearly impossible to keep them completely safe and sheltered and let them do the growing up they need to do. So everyday, I invest time in these sweet, chaotic mini people, in the hopes that they will turn into happy, functional, responsible adults. I just hold my breath and hope for the best. Who knows? (Yeah, yeah, I know it's only Pre-K...)

Jonathan was thirsty yesterday so I used it as an excuse to go through Starbucks. He got his very own bottle of water, which was icy cold and sweet. (In response to Lara's comment, water is too sweet, if you are really thirsty. So there! I stand by my choice of adjective!)
He took several sips. I glanced at him in the rearview mirror, and he said, Oh, my teeth are in winter now, Mama.
I love the way he phrases things! Not just, this drink is cold, Mama. No, no, no, this drink has transported his teeth into a whole different season! It was totally worth the $2.50.
We were reading a book the other night, about a bad cat named Nicky that is always making mischief. I kept asking the kids, oh, no what will happen if Nicky drinks that dishwashing soap, etc? When we got to the part of the book where Nicky was considering playing with an electrical outlet, I said, What will happen if you touch an outlet? Jonathan promptly said, with wide and serious eyes, You'll get lasered.
Whatever keeps him away from the outlets!

2 comments:

Jones said...

Maddy starts pre-k monday too. I have very similar feelings...however I'll still have one...and soon 2 at home with me, but wow, it'll be different not having Maddy around ALL the time. But it's only 3 hours a day... no big deal!

I've been gone so long, I've got to go catch up on your blogs!!!

Lara Anne Morgan said...

water is NOT sweet. Just so you know...it tastes like nothing. Kool-Aid is sweet, coke is sweet, water is nothing. :D

But I love that "my teeth are in winter" insanely cute!!!

I guess I am over the bitter sweetness of school moments now that I've had one go through Kindergarten...now I just want them to start!!!! TODAY!!!