PMES: Field Day

Tyler's field day was this week and we had fun.  It was very different from the field days that I remember as a kid - a lot less "competition" and a little more making everyone feel good kind of day.  We used to get dirty on field day and yearned to be the championship class.  We didn't have that so much this time.  Maybe there was the competitive nature on the field that I did not notice through the lens of a parent rather than a child.  The did compete hard in the tug-of-war at the end of the day and came in runner's up.  There little hands were tired after competing for 30 minutes and they are winners nonetheless!

 (please note this is not Tyler holding his sister's hand - Todd loves Sarah and the feeling is mutual)

Madi and Tyler

All Things Stone Mountain

We have been to the laser show a few times and the kids always want to do the other activities but it seems that once you lug everything to that coveted spot on the lawn that you are just tired.  We usually pick one activity when we are there but don't ever do them all.  Tyler coaxed Papa and Gran to taking us to Stone Mountain to do everything and we did.  We did the sky hike, the ropes course, the sky buckets, the barn with the jumpy things in it (cannot remember what this was) and the train.  Here are some pictures of the day - we were on top of the world or at least Atlanta :)

Elisha Winn House: Annual Visit

We made our annual trip to the Elisha Winn House for their little fair that is put on every year in October.  For me it seems to signal the beginning of Fall.  They always have little crafters booths, a few food items and usually some clogging....good country things!  The big thing that the kids look forward to (well Tyler at least) is the Civil War reenactments where they shoot the cannon.  Sarah is not as big of a fan of the noise but has fun nonetheless.  Fun day in the country for everyone!

Team Ball

Tyler finally got the team ball at the game this week.  He was over-the-top excited about this and it actually made him like t-ball for a minute or two.  Even though every kid will get the team ball at some point in the season, they all feel like a rock star for a little bit when it is there turn.  Here, of course, are some pictures.

Three Years Old

It is so hard to believe that three years have already passed since we were blessed with Sarah.  It doesn’t seem like that long ago we were headed to the hospital for our induction, yet, I cannot remember life without her here.  Sarah has been such a special, sweet addition to our lives and has definitely brought us much joy, excitement and fun.  I feel so lucky to have been chosen as Sarah’s mother.  She teaches me new things every day.  Things about patience, love, understanding, compassion, stubbornness, being headstrong, loving the little things in life, embracing the power of a popsicle and even that ice cream really is a good breakfast food.  I have enjoyed the last month that Sarah and I have spent together 1:1 as Tyler started Kindergarten.  It has been such fun to have some girl time and some “mom & me” time that we have never been afforded until this year.  I have so many hopes and dreams for Sarah and what she will become, but for now, I just leave it with her favorites for now…..she has so many!

• ·         Although you fight, you adore your brother and you actually stood in the middle of the yard when the bus took Tyler to school and screamed “Why are they taking him again?”
• ·         You LOVE candy of any kind (just like your mom)!
• ·         You are my coffee buddy and love to snuggle up with a cup of coffee and a movie.
• ·         Your favorite movies are Shrek, Dennis the Menace, Little Rascals and Harry and the Henderson’s.
• ·         You like to be scared and live for that little feeling of fear (even if you watch something scary with your head under the covers).
• ·         You keep moving from sun up to sun down.
• ·         I often say that you have ‘muddy toes and hair bows’ which pretty much sums you up.  You like to be prissy as long as you can still get dirty.
• ·         You love to ride the Gator in the backyard.
• ·         You have great affection for Mack, Molly, Bella and especially Lucy (even if she doesn't really like you back).
• ·         Favorite Foods: Popsicles, Chobani yogurt (peach and strawberry), olives, pickles, cheese and Sun Chips.
• ·         Favorite Songs:  The Children’s Song (We Are the Children), Country Road by James Taylor and any other toe-tapping gospel.
• ·         You love to cut paper, you know your ABC’s, 123’s and we are working on recognizing all the letters and sounds.
• ·         You are often found playing store or taking our “orders” for an Italian or a sandwich and asking us to recite our phone numbers for payment.
• ·         You are headstrong, passionate, loving, creative, respectful, thankful and most of all wonderful.

I am blessed beyond measure to have you in my life and I cannot wait to see all that you become.  Thank you Sarah for just being 100% you!

First Day of Kindergarten

We are finally here.  The first day of kindergarten.  The day that everyone always talks about with mixed emotions.  The day that every child longs for with that sense of adventure and independence.  And, the first day that this mama really has to let go and see what happens.  I have been excited about this day for some time and really was not sure what to expect.  My anxiety certainly did not let me down.

I spent Sunday night holding Tyler until he went to sleep and then held him some more.  I came to realize in that moment that there would not be that many more days he would want me to hold him while he drifted off to sleep.  There would not be that many more days that he longed to twirl my hair and have me wrap my arms around him so he felt safe.  The days slip away all too fast and you realize this in an instant.  So after Chad took him to his bed I did what any other mom would do on the night before your baby starts Kindergarten, I cried and then cried some more.  Not because I was sad but because I was proud, excited and nervous all at once.  I reflected on the days when we first brought him home and all those feelings that are surrounded by those moments.  I reflected on the days when he went to preschool for the first time and the separation issues that were all too real.  I reflected on the last year that I ended my career so I could soak in every moment of him while he was still "little".  And I reflected on how I am immensely grateful that I had the opportunity to be a full time mom and soak it all up.  Chad and I reflected and cried together which was great.

So now it is Monday and I have my game face on.  My little guy is ready for this new journey and I can see in his eyes that he is terrified, excited and curious.  With tears streaming down his face, he made the walk to the top of the hill to catch the bus and we were right by his side.  As I stood in line with the other kids and Tyler standing with me, I was trying to be encouraging as I was breaking on the inside.  Those little tears almost killed me and I so wanted to scoop him up and snuggle on the couch.  But, I didn't.  The bus stopped and the neighbor took him by the hand, his big 8-year old hand, and told Tyler that it was going to be a good day and everything was going to be alright.  The doors closed and in that moment I knew he was going to be just fine.  I came home with Chad and Sarah and cried some more.  Nobody can prepare you for the feeling you have when your baby rides away with a stranger to an unknown world.  So you just trust that they will be there to give him a hug when he needs it and encourage him that it will all be okay in a way that only you can.

I have never longed to see a bus drive down my street the way that I have today.  The absolute best feeling was to see those doors open and my smiling, full of pride 5 year old bounding down those stairs.  He smiled from ear to ear and told me of all the friends that he made that day.  How he went to the cafeteria and ate lunch, he went to recess and music, learned math and reading while I sat at home wondering.  I am so proud of Tyler.  He is such a sweet, caring, loving little boy with just the right touches of bravery and apprehension.  And each and every day he carries my heart in that book bag.  Here are a few pictures of the day:

Waiting for the bus.

Sarah was excited until he left.

Heading for the bus line.

 Nervous getting on the bus.

 Right before I completely lost it!

 Waiting for her best friend to come home.

 Best thing I saw all day :)

 Tyler in all his silly glory!

Love you buddy to the moon and back!  Cannot wait to see what this year holds for all of us.