Banned Phrases

One of Mac's favorite shows is The Five on FNC, Ok, my liberal friends don't get all judgy on me, it really is a funny show you might be entertained by it, if you try. A popular segment on the show is "Banned Phrases." Greg Gutfeld chooses a popular, overused phrase and will deem it banned.

Stealing Greg Gutfeld's clever idea, I have come up with my own banned phrases for 2014:

1. Minecraft- Sorry A1, I really don't want to hear all about that game! I have no interest in hearing about the diamonds you have found.  I don't want to see the chickens you spawned. I don't want to watch you jump from brick to brick building who-knows-what. Minecraft makes me want to throw a two year old's temper tantrum.

2. No, Mama do it. A3, why does Mommy have to do it? Why can't Daddy hand you the cup of water that is sitting right next to him? Why do I have to get up and walk across the room to pick it up and then hand it do you? Why do I have to hand you the toy you dropped in the car? Why can't A2 bend over and pick up the toy that is at her feet? Why do I have to serve you your dinner? Why can't A1 bring you your plate? WHY DO I HAVE TO DO IT? 

3. Saboteur- Just stop with this one. 

4. Thrown under the bus-Rarely does anyone in my real life use this, but I hear it all the time on our favorite game shows and reality shows.  This saying is over used and just blah!

5. At the end of the day- At the end of the day; nothing.  This is another cringe worthy overused phrases. I just don't like it at all. 

6. I'm just going to be at the Muni for a little bit- No explanation needed. 

7. Can I have a sleep over? -Why do the girls ask over and over to have a friend spend the night? What could be fun about letting your friends in on the secret of how crazy your family really is, or how mean your mom gets when she doesn't get her sleep? The answer will almost always be "no" unless I am caught during a moment of weakness. 

8. Dag Nabit -Really, A1 are you 80? Is this what all the young whippersnappers are saying these days? Who are you!?!

9. It's not fair- I will show you what's not fair.

10. Anywho...- This sends shivers down my spine. Why would anyone want this to be in their vocabulary?  If anyone on the A Team ever says this, they can expect to get vinegar. Several of my friends know how much I hate this "word" and love to toss it into a conversation. To them I say: "I hope your rashy, moist, feet, don't require ointment."

Friends and, especially, family, if we could just eliminate these phrases, 2015 could be the best year ever!

M.I.A

It seems that I have been MIA. I was reminded last week that I hadn't published a post for quite sometime. I honestly didn't think it had been very long; maybe a couple of weeks. After looking back, I realized I haven't posted anything for a little over 3 months. I guess it has been awhile.

Actually, I have have been writing , but not pushing that "publish" button.  I would start out on a great writing adventure and at some point I would get bored or distracted by life and just not finish. The ones I would finish I realized were more of an emotional dump and I did not want to burden someone with my feelings, that now seem silly.

I plan on going back through all the posts I have written and finish them. Maybe I will even end up pushing that "publish" button on a few.

All About the Pirate

This morning we were listening to the radio, as we do every morning while, we were getting ready. Unfortunately, the only station we can get without static is one I find to be questionable at best for the girls to be listening to in the morning. I decided to risk it, since we need to music to get moving. Plus, I often make questionable parenting decisions that totally backfire, but that is what makes my life fun. 

As I was brushing A1's hair, All About The Bass came on. Now I have heard it many times and I actually enjoy it, but I often question the message. Maybe I'm a prude, but I just don't think the girls need to hear that boys like girls for their booty. Even though I have had that feeling in the out of my stomach that the girls really shouldn't listen to the song, I listen to it, and A3 and I jam to it on the way to school almost everyday. 

Today I realized I shouldn't have ignored that feeling in my stomach. A1 said, "Just what exactly is this song about?"  Oh no! The girls were about to find out mommy likes songs about bad things... So I did the only thing a mom in my situation could do. 

I lied. 

I totally and completely lied to all three girls and it wasn't even a good lie. I told the girls it was about a pirate bringing his booty back after a long voyage. A1 didn't buy it. She wanted to know what the bass and trouble meant. In order to buy time I told her the word was actually treble, not trouble. Then I told the pirate was in a band and he sang bass, which means he sings low. Honestly, I have no idea what treble actually is, but I'm sure it has something to so with music because we have a "treble choir" at school, at least I think we do...

A2 totally bought it. She started pretending to be a pirate as she sang the rest of the song. A3 really didn't care. A1 was still skeptical. She started to tell me that she saw the video and they were tweeking so she knows they aren't talking about pirate booty. I told her watching videos was bad for her mind so she needed to stop. Then I left the room before she could ask anything else. 

Tonight on the way to Brownies she had me cornered. She wanted to know why it was bad to watch videos. I stalled and then told her because it would ruin her creativity and ability to interpret her own meanings from songs. 

Then I realized I was a genius. I no longer had to feel guilty for my lie earlier in the day. I was simply coming up with my own interpretation of the song. The song IS about a deep voiced pirate who is bringing his loot back to his band. I'm. A. Genius! 

And I will no longer let the girls listen to that radio station. 

Growing Up Isn't Hard to Do

The A Team did some major growing up this weekend. In addition to A1's mood swings and friend issues, she also found time to perfect her culinary skills. She made her first box of Macaroni and Cheese with minimal assistance. She was so proud of herself! I made her tell me everything she was doing before she did it and I made her reread the directions when she was about to mess up. The only step she had to read twice was where she had to add the cheese... I know it is a little confusing that you would add cheese from a sealed white packet, but that is how lazy parents do it. Get used to it! She served everyone and watched as we ate it. She was full of smiles and happily accepted our compliments. 

A2 wasn't as happy about her growing up moment. I forced it in her. I was a mean mom and made her wear jeans. She hates wearing pants of any kind. She hasn't ever worn jeans because I can't stand the crying and temper tantrums that come when I try to make her wear them. She only wears leggings and the closest thing she has ever gotten to wearing jeans is when she slips on a pair of jeggings, the tighter the better. I'm a Pick Your Battles kind of mom and I decided Saturday my battle was going to be A2 putting jeans on and wearing hem for 2 hours. That was all I asked. She put the jeans on and her body immediately twisted and contorted. She became a human worm rolling on the floor. She began to come up with things she wouldn't be able do it I made her wear the jeans. She wouldn't be able to do the splits, leap through the air, sit, or walk. She began limping and dragging a foot behind her. She became a 95 year old in seconds. I wasn't backing down though. She was going to wear the jeans no matter what. She did have the option of staying home. Once we got to the Apple Barn she forgot all about how horrible her pants were and enjoyed the day. When we got home she even admitted that the jeans weren't that bad. She said she would wear those to school, if it was an early out day. 

A3's growing up happened on the potty. She used the potty twice. She was in the shower and started to panic because she had to go. I put her on the toilet and she started to freak out a little because she really wanted a diaper, but I was not going to do that. I just waited her out and then we celebrated. She told me later that night she had to go again.  I know this isn't the end of diapers for us, but I see we are a little bit closer and that makes me happy! 

Most of the time I get weepy when the girls hit milestones, but these milestones are so glorious! No tears here, I'm ready to celebrate!!! 

My big girls and me, check out A2's jeans!

Judgement

Tonight A1 had one of those tough growing up moments. One second she was my sweet little girl the next second her head was spinning, flames coming out of her eyes and smoke out of her ears. 

She was mad because her life is horrible. I asked her to put her clothes away. She screamed. She shouted. She stomped her feet. She pounded her fists in the air. She pushed A2, who just laughed at her sending A1 in to a new level of rage. She ran to the garage and said she was sleeping there. She came back in and yelled that we all hate her. She stomped up the stairs. She hid in her room. 

Fifteen minutes later she was back downstairs, a sobbing puddle of eight year old girl curled up in my lap. She was ready to unload whatever was bothering her... 

Everyone hates her. This seems to be our theme this year. Her friends all judge her. She hates being judged all the time. Why do people have to judge other people? 

I sat and listened. Finally she got a little more specific. According to A1, all of her friends have been making fun of her for still playing with Barbies. I had a hard time believing it was all of her friends, so I questioned this statement a little further. Turns out not ALL of the girls have been making fun of her. She wanted to know if it was ok for an 8 year to play with Barbies. She wanted to know why someone would make fun of someone else. She wanted to know if the rest of her life was going to be like this. 

Honestly, I wanted to tell that people do this because they suck. That some people are just jerks. I thought about telling her to get used to it because a lot of girls at catty }!+€%£>, but I didn't. 

I didn't because I have hope that she won't have to deal with this all the time. I have hope that at some point girls will stop tearing each other down just because they can. I have hope that people will accept others in spite of their differences. 

I didn't want to tell her all the negatives because that would crush the hope. I would make it true that people suck and girls enjoy being mean to each other. I would make it acceptable. I would make it be what she expects. 

Instead I told her that it is perfectly ok for an 8 year old to play with Barbies. I even offered to play Barbies with her. Thankfully, she said no. I told her that only creative people with good imaginations play with Barbies. I told her that sometimes people can be mean if they don't feel good about themselves or if they don't understand something. I told her that sometimes people in groups will pick on one person to make the others in the groups think they are really improtant or smart. I told her she wouldn't have to deal with this the rest of her life. I told her to choose friends who will love her no matter what toy she is playing with. I told her to walk away if she felt like people were judging her. I told her to do what makes her happy, as long as it follows my rules. I told her to remember this when she is dealing with other people and their feelings. 

I told her to love herself and it wouldn't matter what other people thought. I told her I love her no matter what. I told her God loves her no matter what and is on her side. 

I gave her a hug. Then I told her to go to bed because she was going to have to put her clothes away in the morning. 

Unplanned Plans

I'm a detail girl. I like to plan. I like to have all the details worked out for my plans. I like to know what to expect. Sometimes my planning switches into an anxiety inducing compulsion.

Before a vacation, or even an outing, I do hours, who am I kidding? I do days and sometimes months, of research. My research transforms into scheduling every minute of fun. By the time the event actually takes place, I'm so stressed and exhausted, I can't enjoy myself. I'm grumpy, short tempered, and ready to cry at any given moment. Basically, I'm no fun. 

I'm slowly seeing the value in not planning. I'm working on living in the moment.  Tonight I did something I don't normally do; I made impromptu plans. I even had to change out of my elastic wasted shorts, but I managed to go with the flow and let whatever was going to happen, happen. 

45 minutes before A3's regular bedtime we were invited to join some friends at the park. My initial reaction was to stay home. The girls hadn't eaten, they weren't ready for bed, I was tired. The excuses poured out of my mind. Then I realized tonight was the last official Friday night of summer. I wasn't about to spend it sitting at home arguing with the girls. We were heading to the park. 

I'm so glad we went. I received some much needed laughter therapy with a friend who gets it. A friend who had a week that mirrored mine. A friend who has 2 amazing girls who mesh well with my 3. 

The girls ran and played with minimal tears, aside from a few "injuries" it was a dry eyed night. A1 got to see a romantic sunset. A2 was reunited with her besties. A3 proved again and again that she was no longer a little baby. 

Pizza Hut was the final stop on our impromptu adventure. We brought so much beautiful chaos. We increased the volume in that place to concert level. The 7 of us have quite a gift. For some reason the manager brought us a cup of crayons and blank paper while we waited for our pizza. The joke is on him, because this table of talented girls is able to multitask; color and cackle. So much talking and laughing. 

I was starting to stress about the fact that when we got home it was almost 2 hours after A3's bedtime, but she made it better by saying, without any promoting, "Yaya, had fun today." 

Unplanned plans are the best! 

Now, I need to plan our day for tomorrow...

Late Night Stories

I was inspired by an article I read on FB tonight. Instead of getting angry with A2 after her 17th bad excuse for being awake at 9:00, I decided to cuddle with her and ask what was bothering her. 

Of course her discussion proved to be entertaining. "Well, you see, I'm mad and angry because A1won't let me sleep in her bed. I wanted to sleep in there because I heard a cricket. Last night, I had a dream about crockodiles. They kept trying to bite me. Now I'm afraid of crickets. They probably want to eat me face off." I tried to reason with her...

After 30 seconds of silence, she went on with her bizarre conversation. "There was a boy at school who smashed a caterpillar. Why would he do that!?! Another boy cried. He cried real tears. He wanted to touch the caterpillar and watch him bloom. Isn't that funny that he said bloomed? Caterpillars don't bloom, they get winged. Everybody knows that." 

At this point A2 was getting whiplash from my earthquake laughter. No sound, but lots of shaking. She had one more thing that was bothering her, "Mom there was a boy who had to go to the bathroom. He asked to go to the 'Men's Room.' I told him he isn't a man and he needs to go to the boys bathroom. Mom men aren't in kindergarten are they? He is a boy. I know he is!" 

I'm so glad I decided to listen instead of yell. I would have missed some of the best stories. I think that was the first time this week I laughed, a real, can't breath, laugh. It was refreshing. Plus, she fell asleep within 5 minutes of her final story. 

Weekend Hermit

I have a bad habit during the school year of becoming a weekend hermit. I come home on Friday change out of my casual Friday Spirit wear and into my weekend uniform; some type of elastic wasted pants and an over stretched stained Tshirt. Once I shut the front door Friday evening, I have no itentions of leaving my house until Sunday morning at the earliest. Typically, my only exception to this rule is when we have a long weekend. I will sometimes make plans to leave the house to socialize. 

I tell myself I do this as a way to cope as an introvert in my extremely extroverted world. I say it is a way to recharge after a week of very little quiet time to myself. I make myself believe this is what is best for me. My well deserved downtime. 

What is really going on? Really I'm drowning in self pitty. I'm so overwhelmed by my weekend to-do list, that I do nothing. I clean, and yet seem to get nothing done. I do school work, but never get caught up. I prepare for the up coming week, but I'm never ready. 

This weekend I allowed myself to take a different approach. With the help of some great friends, I was able to change my normal weekend of isolation plans. Saturday night the girls and I went to a birthday party. Even though it was a party for one of A1's friends, I ended up having a great time. The girls played and played and played while I relaxed, laughed, watched a movie, laughed, picked up a new hobby, and laughed some more. Today we had some other great friends stop by to visit and drop off dinner. It was a welcomed treat! It is nice to be spoiled by people who don't mind chatting while being surrounded by 15 loads of clean, unfolded laundry. 

I'm much happier tonight. I haven't had the "Sunday Night Blues" kick in yet. I don't have everything done right now that I had planned on having finished, but my batteries are recharged. I feel ready for the week, at least I'm ready for Monday.  Next weekend I'm planning on trying my best not to be a weekend hermit and actually enjoy the weekend. 

My new hobby. 

Calgon Fixes All

Dear Calgon,

       

Please, take me away. The amount of emotions I have dealt with today should warrant an extended vacation, even if it is just a bubble bath. 

A1 has been dealing with some "heavy" issues this week. Her lunch table talked too much; she ended up on red. Boys were wrestling during indoor recess. She tried to pick up a cabinet they knocked over; she got yelled at. She was playing with an ant on her desk; her friend turned her in, she got yelled at. Math homework was hard; she had to spend more than 15 minutes working on it. I used a different detergent, she got a rash. I gave her Benadryl; she was tired. She sat down during dance; she got "yelled" at. She hates dance; I'm making her finish what she started. She is short; people think she is a baby. Her teacher hates her. Her dance teacher hates her. Her bus driver hates her. She is a bad dancer; the worst.  

Calgon, all of this came out in a tearful 15 minute ride home after dance. I know most of this is due to the fact that she is exhausted, but, Calogon, I'm exhausted too. I have been sick for over a week. I'm taking care of three girls. I'm teaching full time, well, kind of... I have had to use several sick days to stay with sick kids and nurse Mac back to health. I have had to do all the cleaning and parenting on my own. I'm almost over my data plan on my phone. My wifi isn't working. I have a hang nail. My life is rough. I'm sure there are people who hate me, but, honestly, I'm too tired to even care. 

Calgon, I deserve to be taken away. 

Actually, now that I think about it, I really don't like baths, bubble or otherwise. In fact, baths disgust me, sitting in a puddle of your own filth. Nasty. I put baths right up there with birds and hair. Showers really are the way to go. Calgon, please leave me alone.  If you really want to take someone, how about A1? She likes baths and has had the worst day ever. She would really like it. 

Calgon, thanks for listening. You really did make me feel better. 

Love, 

Carrie

Parenting Fail 5,168

In a not-so-rare moment of parenting frustration, I was weak in my parenting choices. Looking back I would have done things different for a number of reasons, the biggest being; I was once again out smarted by A1.

It was bed time a few nights ago and I, once again, tripped over the same exact American Girl Doll I had asked the girls to put away numerous times. To be fair to the girls, they probably didn't see the doll since she was buried under a mixed pile of clean and dirty clothes. And to further confuse the girls, the pile of clothes was camouflaged by a collection of books. THE ROOM WAS A MESS. 

I had had it with them. After I sort of regained composure and picked myself up of the floor, I said under my breathe, but still intentionally loud enough for the girls to hear, "Well, I hope we don't have a fire tonight. It will be hard to get you out of this place." 

Boom! That did I had the girls' attention now. A2 just stared at me. No comment. I made my point by lightly threatening suggesting my kids were going to burn in a fire for not cleaning their room. Nice. 

Oh well, I won. Tiny victory dance. Not so fast... Before I could leave the room, A1 had something to say. She say up in her bed and questioned me. "Are you saying we could die if there was a fire?" I became a little mousy, "Well... Kind of." She went deep in thought and came out with something truly frustrating. She used my past words against me. 

"Really Mom, that wouldn't be so bad. You said when we die we will get to see Jesus. We want to see Jesus. It isn't bad to die. You said."

Great. Thanks for listening to me. I bit my tongue before I told her that dying in a fire would be very painful before she got to see Jesus. I'm proud of myself for showing such restraint. 

Sister Bracelets

A1 has always been my sensitive one. Generally, she is a kid who doesn't want to leave others out. Not always... Sometimes she is an 8 year old kid, but most of the time... She is usually the first to get her feelings hurt or the first to know when someone else has hurt feelings. She feels bad when she hurts someone's feelings. Not just a little bad, but really bad. Guilty for days, bad. 

While she has this great deal of compassion for people who don't live at our house, the members of our family are fair game. This is especially true for A2. That girl can't even walk into a room without A1 criticizing her for something. Breathing; she does it wrong. Moving her eyes to follow a butterfly; wrong. Sitting on the floor; completely wrong.  She can't do anything right, ever. 

Needless to say, I was shocked when A1 returned from her Nana and Papa back to school shopping trip with a little something for A2. While they were at the mall, she found "Friendship Bracelets" that say "Lil' Sis" and "Big Sis". She was so excited and proud of her find. She told me, with a slightly shaky and emotional voice, that she wanted to give it to A2 so she wouldn't be scared or alone when she goes to kindergarten. 

A1 was a little teary eyes when she was talking about A2 going to school. PROOF! She really, actually, truly loves her sister.  I need to chairish this moment for as long as I can, at least until I'm distracted by their arguing. 

A2 was so proud that her big sister picked out such a thoughtful bracelet. She insisted we put it on her right away. She kept looking at it all morning. Then she would look at A1 and smile. She was thrilled! 

She wore the bracelet for two days until she noticed the charm was missing at dinner tonight. There was crying, lots and lots of crying. She just knows someone stole it. She just knows it went down the drain at school. She just knows it fell off in the garbage cans at lunch. She just knows it is on the playground at school. She just knows it is on the bus. She just knows it is at the neighbor's house. She just knows it is in our yard. Really, she just knows she lost one of her most prized pocessions. 

It has been a very sad night at our house. We are mourning the loss of a bracelet charm. If anyone finds our charm in any of those places she just knows she lost it, please return it. OR, if you just so happen to be shopping at Justice, shudder, please pick one up. I will pay, as long I don't have to go in that place! 

Yes Day 2014

"Yes Day 2014" was very successful. All day it was yes, yes, yes. We started off sweet and ended with a bang, literally.

A2 woke up like she does every morning; starving and begging for food. A2 was in luck when she asked to bake muffins for breakfast. Yes. "Can I help?" Yes. "Can I have 2?"  Yes. 

A2 asked if she could pick out my clothes for me. Yes. Although, I did say I had an outfit already picked out for when we go shopping. She was fine with it. A2 found a Tshirt, shorts and creative socks. A3 liked the idea of picking out my clothes so she added shoes. 

After a quick trip to the doctor's office, we made our first real stop. My happy place, Barnes and Noble. Here is where "Yes Day" has rules. I told them before they went in they could have $5 to spend on any book they wanted. Their guidelines were clear. I didn't have to say no to any if their choices because they knew it had to be a book and $5 or less. They did great! 

Next stop, Target. Again, before we went in I told them what we were getting and what they could pick out; finger nail polish. We walked through the store got everything on my list and then headed to the fingernail polish. Once again the girls were great. No one asked for anything other than fingernail polish. 

Our last stop before going home, Baker's Square. It was Pie and Fri Friday. A little tradition we have to celebrate fun things. We skip the actual meal and head right for the fries and pie. The girls were excited when I let them have Pepsi at lunch. That is almost always a "no," but it was their lucky day. 

Heading home, my favorite "Yes Day" request was, "Can we ride if the windows down?" Yes. Who knew this would bring so much joy?

Our "Yes Day" came to a screeching halt when I was rear ended at a stop light. After waiting in the car with the girls for 45 minutes I was too tired and grumpy to continue with the fun. 

Even with the "bump in the road," I would have to say we had another successful "Yes Day."  Some of my friends have criticized my idea. They say it over indulges the kids and gives them too much freedom. I really think it teaches the girls valuable lessons. While they are in charge for the day, they are doing it with boundaries. I would like to think I'm giving them the freedom to make the right choices. 

Summer Time Failure

It is that time if year, again, where I develop a sever case of the August Blues or August Angst. I can't help feel sad for the summer that is almost over as I start to prepare for a new school year.  Please understand, I'm not complaining about my job. I really love teaching! I just also really love no schedules, free time, sleeping in, staying up late, and, most importantly, hanging out with the A Team. 

As soon as August 1 hits, I start getting serious anxiety thinking about the unrealistic list I set for myself in June. All the things left undone. All the things I have to do. All the things I want to do. 

There was a small part of me that knew I wouldn't accomplish all the goals I set for myself. I knew I was setting myself up for failure, but I did it anyway. 

I planned on reading. Not kid books. Real, grown up books. My favorite librarians loaded a bag of books for me. Books they recommended. Books that looked really good. Books I couldn't wait to crack open as soon as I got home in June. Well, I did do some reading. I read 1 book. 1 flipping book. Way below my goal of 13. Fail. 

I planned on getting my house organized. That should have been laughed right off my list. I hate cleaning and organizing. I get overwhelmed before I even begin. I can't stay focused long enough to finish a task. I'm pretty sure I have adult onset ADD, which is, coincidentally, brought on by having children. I had a plan on how I was going get my house in order. I did get some organizing done. My downstairs bathroom is super organized, at least, it was a few weeks ago. Fail. 

I planned on having everything ready for the musical in the spring. I wanted to have the show ready for auditions. All paper work ready. A fundraiser set. Prop list ready. Costume list finished. Set designed. I have, at least, read through parts of the show. Good news Act 1 scene 1 is ready. Fail. 

I planned on taking the girls on fun trips. I wanted to go places. I wanted to make special memories. I wanted them to have a vacation they would always remember. We went to the Abraham Lincoln Museum 15 mins away from our house and that was the extent of going anywhere. Fail. 

I wanted to lose weight. I wanted to start the school year wearing clothes that aren't snug. I wanted to eat healthier. I wanted to exercise more. I am exercising more, but we had Taco Bell for dinner. I have lost no weight. Fail. 

I'm tired of being a failure. It just adds extra weight to my August Angst. Tonight I decided, next year, I'm only going to have one goal. It is just to simply enjoy myself. No more setting myself up for failure. 

After we cleaned up our dinner mess, which mostly consisted of throwing away wrappers, I decided to go outside with the girls and just enjoy. We started with a very unfair game of 3 on 1 soccer. I might be complaining, because I lost... Then the girls and I lounged on the hammock and told a group story. We each took turns adding to the story. Of course, once A2 took a turn the story turned into an adventure with "poop flowers," but I was enjoying the story time, so I just let it go. 

We ended up having a great time. We stayed out until we became a bug feast. The girls were happy and giggly. It may have been the best night of the summer, simply because I decided to enjoy myself. 

Kindergarten Supply List- The Expanded Version

Next week we will be sending A2 off to kindergarten. It isn't any less emotional kicking your second baby out of the nest, but I feel so much more prepared. We know things now. Things we didn't know three years ago. Things that will make this kindergarten year easier in many ways. 

The first thing we had to get us ready when A1 went to kindergarten was her supply list. We bought all the supplies, but soon found out there where things left off the list first time kindergarten parents may want to buy. 

Kindergarten Supply List

The Expanded Version 

1. Sunglasses: You will want these for the first day or two of school. These aren't for your kindergartener. These are your tear hiders. No matter how much of a toughy you are, seeing your baby climb the steps of a giant bus with a backpack on his/her back will bring a tear or two to your eyes. The sunglasses will hide the tears and block any potential eye contact from other parents at the bus stop. Sunglasses are a wise investment and I will be wearing them next week, even if it isn't sunny! 

2. Pajamas: Pajamas seem like a strange necessity, but trust me you will want to purchase at least one pair of nice warm weather pajamas and one pair of nice cool weather pajamas as soon as they are available. It never fails "Pajama Day" will fall on a day with freakishly unseasonable weather. It will be  late October and it will be 80* and the only thing you can find in stores will be flannel pajamas. Or it will be May and 40* and only short light weight pajamas will be available.  Also, if you are somewhat disorganized, like I might be, you won't be able to find a pajama shirt that matches any pajama pants. You will end up stressing WAY too much about being that parent who either sends his/her kids to school in regular clothes or in unsightly, unmatching pajamas. Buying new pajamas when you see them will help you on the long run!

3. Variety of color in wardrobe: The school year will be filled with a variety of special days where students are encouraged to wear certain clothes. These special days can be a lot of fun, if your wardrobe permits. We found that all of A1's clothes were pink, yellow, or purple. This made blue, green, and red days a challenge. It never failed I would have to make a run to several stores the weekend before in order to find the designated colors. 

4. Spirit Wear: This goes with #3. Your kindergartener will have days where he/she will be asked to wear clothes supporting the high school team. I love this, but we didn't have anything when A1 was in kindergarten. I taught in a different district than the district A1 attended. We had tons of "Bullet" wear but nothing for the "Titans."  I ignored the PTO table selling "Titan" shirts, but I should have stopped and picked up at least 1 shirt. I shamefully sent A1 to school without any spirit wear on that day. I promise she was ok, but it would have saved me a lot of grief if I would have bought 1 stinking shirt. 

5. Team shirts: Again this goes with #3 and #4. We aren't a sports family. We don't have a certain team we follow. We don't go to games. We don't own any team shirts. Once A1 got to kindergarten I began to worry that we were doing a disservice by not "having a team." On team day I was lucky enough to find some mystery sweat pants for a professional football team. We have no idea where they came from, but for one day A1 was a football fan. Don't be like us. Pick a team. Buy a shirt. Be prepared. 

6. Water bottle: Kindergarteners are thirsty little people. Most of the classrooms are difficult to keep cool, so students are encouraged to bring a water bottle. The nice thermos water bottle you purchased over the summer will no longer be good enough for your new sophisticated kindergartener. I recommend taking your child with you to pick out this prized water bottle.  

7. Safe Place: As the year goes on you will be the proud owner of a bunch of papers and passwords. Many of them are actually improtant, so you will want to designate a safe place in your house where these papers can be stored. You will thank me when it is a month after the quarter ended and you remember you haven't checked the online report card yet. You will save time and be happy you have saved time when you are trying to remember your assigned username CWARJSUEJSVAGK092737$$. As soon as I find this safe place in our house, I will let you know. 

8. Easy dinners: The first few weeks of school will be rough on your little kindergartener. He/she will be exhausted and starving by the time he/he gets home. You will want easy dinners you can serve within minutes, so you can avoid a sobbing meltdown. Keep in mind, your child might also be crying, so you won't be alone.  

9. A friend: Your kindergartener won't be the only one making new friends. You will want to make a few new friends as well. It will be helpful to find someone to go with you through this new adventure. If you are lucky enough you will be able to find someone to stick by your side k-12. I found a couple of friends in kindergarten and we are still friends going into 3rd grade. 

10. A Journal: You will want to keep track and remember all of the fun new adventures you will have with your kindergartener! 

Are all of these items necessary for kindergarten? Nope, but I promise they will make things easier.  These week I will be doing some shopping for pajamas, because if anyone actually saw the stuff A2 sleeps in, I might be embarrassed. 

E. T.

For 1hr and 55min, we had peace and harmony in our house. For 1hr and 55min, we had happiness in our house. For 1hr and 55 min, we we got along in our house. For 1hr and 55 min, we watched one of the first movies I saw in the movie theater, ET. 

The girls loved every minute of it. A2 was our expert question answerer, because she saw this movie one other time. For the most part, she actually knew what she was talking about. 

A1 was very emotional. She cried. She laughed. She yelled out. She was grossed out by THE KISS. She was consumed by the movie. I was just happy she wasn't on Mine Craft!

A3 was also really into the movie. She asked questions that related to what she was seeing happen. She laughed at things that were actually funny. She yelled at the guys to go away. Although, she was a little scared the entire time. 

I love when I can share things from my childhood with the girls. I, especially, love it when the girls enjoy it enough to stop arguing! 

Learning Different

I am really worried about A2.  We are less than 15 days away from sending her off to kindergarten and I don't think she is ready.  Socially, she is ready, but academically she is behind.

I am still fighting an internal struggle with the fact that someone could be behind academically before they even start their real academic career. I am not saying that preschool isn't real, but in my opinion preschool should be about playing and getting along in the world without their parents hovering.  But that is for another day...

Back to A2

When A1 went to kindergarten she knew all the letters by name and sound, she could write her first and last name, she could read the first 50 Frye Sight Words, she was able to count to 100 and identify all of her numbers.  She knew our address, my phone number, her birthday, and the birthday of A2. She was beyond ready for school. She didn't struggle with anything academically. School has been a breeze for her.

I know I shouldn't compare the two girls, but I haven't ever been one to always do only what I am supposed to do. A2 shows very little interest in learning memorizing these little facts.  She sometimes can write her name and remember to include all of the letters.  Some days she can identify uppercase letters. We have worked every day this summer on identifying numbers.  She has mastered all 0-10 except that tricky 8.  She doesn't recognize any sight words. She doesn't know my phone number.  We have been working on that, as well as our address, since last March. 

A2 learns different than A1. This special education teacher mommy picked up on that many years ago. Our entire family has gotten behind A2's learning differences. We have created songs and chants to help her remember things. A1 even came up with a trick for our address.  She told her to picture a boat floating in clean water with one of our babysitters sitting in the boat.  This caused a lot of giggles, but my goodness it worked! She could at least remember our street name.

Even with all of the extra help we have given her, nothing seems to stick.  I worry that she is going to struggle the entire time she is in school.  I don't want things to be hard for her.  I don't want her to hate school.  These are all the things I worry about when I am not sleeping. I have already diagnosed her with a learning disability and ADD. I can't be the only special education teacher to diagnose her own children, right!?!

Last night, she wanted to sleep in my room. Usually I would have her sleep on the floor, but since the floor is covered with laundry baskets filled clean laundry, I knew it wasn't an option. I told her she could sleep in my room, if she answered one question correct; "What is our address?" At first she pouted.  Then she started tapping out the beat of our chant.  Then she closed her eyes, she was picturing Lane in a boat in clean water. Then she smiled and she proudly recited our address.  Not only was excited about getting to sleep in my room, but she was also proud of herself. She got to experience the thrill of working hard at something and then seeing all the hard work pay off. I was proud of her too, even if it meant Mac was sent to the couch and I was sentenced to a night of getting kicked in the back. No matter the pain I had to endure during the night I was so happy for A2.

Maybe next year, if she is still struggling we can arrange a sleepover at her teacher's house.  That isn't unreasonable is it?

Unhappy Birthday To You!

It is funny to think that in this super musical family we have girl who hates hearing people sing. *Now, I am not bragging by saying that our family is super musically talented.  All I am saying is that someone is always singing, dancing, or banging on the piano.  I just had to add that disclaimer, in case you have every had the... pleasure of being entertained by one of our daily concerts. 

We have made a lot of progress in A3's hatred of all things live vocal music.  She can now sit through and enjoy a musical at the Muni. She will tolerate and join in singing with her sisters. She demands requests special friends sing songs like, "Twinkle, Twinkle."  She will even ask me to sing songs to her.  

For some reason, we haven't made any progress with one song. A3 HATES "Happy Birthday." It doesn't matter who's birthday it is or who is singing; A3 becomes an angry agitated tiny terror.  She screams and cries while the serenading is taking place. As soon as the singing is over, she calms down and returns to a happy-ish 2 year old.

Hopefully, she learns to get over this or she will have problems at school when kids in her class have birthdays!

Thanks for capturing this special moment Crystal!

Hostage Situation

Hostage negotiations are not going well; however, I see our hostage standoff coming to an end very soon. 

This summer our family has been held hostage by a tiny abductor. Upon first glance she doesn't fit the stereotypical description of a criminal, but once you get past her cute looks and beautiful blue eyes you will encounter a criminal mastermind. 

Our entire summer has been dictated by multitude of mood swings of this explosive toddler. In a matter of seconds, she can go from a happy giggling curly haired girl to an angry fire breathing dragon. Her anger triggers aren't predictable, with the exception of our singing, we never know what will make her spin out of control. 

Last night's dinner conversation went something like this:

Me: "Do you like your chicken?"

A3: "I like chicken. Yummy chicken. I like chicken."

Me: "Eat your chicken."

A3: "Like chicken no! I not eat! No chicken!"

Me: "Eat your chicken."

A3: (in a growling voice) "I not eat chicken! Like chicken no!"

Me: (ignore tantrum. Talk to A1 and A2)

A3: (Eats chicken) "Yummy. No like."

These events happen daily, therefore we stay home. No restaurants or visits with friends, if it involves meals. 

She also thinks she needs her way. All. The. Time. When she doesn't get her way she will either grab the side of your face and pull you nose to nose to hypnotize you into getting what she wants or she will yell. Although, it isn't just a yell. It is more of a bellow. It is a deep husky demonic demand that starts down in her toes and doesn't stop until it has reached every ear within a mile radius. 

This bellowing happens hourly; therefore we stay home. No trips to the store or park. 

Our little captor has held us prisoner in our house all summer. 

Today I had enough. I was no longer the submissive prisoner she was accustomed to controlling. The tables were turned on her today. 

As soon as I heard, "I no like p jelly!" The food was removed from table, as was A3. I did allow her to return to the table as soon as she apologized, which happened faster than I thought. As soon as her demonic bellow escaped her mouth, she was sent to time out. After the third yelling episode, she apologized immediately. 

Tonight we played a game I picked and she didn't even argue. I think we are making progress. She was unwilling to negotiate, but the hostage situation is almost over, as soon as I'm ready to transition out of the house. 

Check out who is in charge here...

And here...

And here...

Ready to get this sweet girl back! 

*photo credit to the amazing Jill Gum, who, even though she was 9 months pregnant, followed the girls up and down the hill at the Muni and kept a smile the ENTIRE time! 

Staycation

Summer 2014 is the summer of the Staycation for the A Team. We originally planned on taking a trip with the girls, BUT the more we got to know the 2 year-old A3 the less we wanted to spend multiple hours in the car with her. 

I know this sounds awful, but seriously I have my reasons:

1. She WILL not sleep in the car. She will stay awake all night if she has to, but she won't sleep in the car. 

2. She hates listening to anyone sing, unless it is her. When we do sing she screams and cries. It is funny and entertaining for a little bit, but several hours of her yelling at us? No thanks!

3. Potty Training: she isn't ready to be without diapers, but she wants to be changed as soon as she goes in her diaper, even if it is every 5 minutes. 

4. I think she uses her free time to plot against us. A road trip would give her WAY too much time to plan!

See, I have my reasons. 

We have been taking the girls to their favorite places and trying new places in Springfield. Today we went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. A1 went when she was a baby, but that doesn't count, so this was a new place for the girls. 

We had fun, but are all exhausted. A1 had the best time, because she is a history buff like her dad. She enjoyed being able to read all of the signs. A2 and A3 were both a little scared. A2 didn't like how all the eyes followed her. She said the eyes were creepy. A3 just wanted to walk, be carried, and walk all at the same time. It really created an internal conflict that was displayed externally. BTW... Thanks fellow museum patrons who decided to stare every time she screamed, cried, or threw herself on the ground. I have a hard time believing A3 is the first 2 year old you have ever meet in public. 

When A3 wasn't angry, she was mostly interested in the shoes all of the people in the displays were wearing. 

We will go back, but A3 will have to be older, much older!

A3 checking out the shoes. A2 keeping her distance. 

A2 doesn't trust that boy. 

Playing dress up, our favorite thing to do! 

Zucchini. Again.

This morning I told the girls we would be making the last zucchini recipes for awhile, because the 3 that are still in the garden were too small to use yet. They celebrated with chant of "Woo hoos" and high fives. 

Today we made zucchini bread and zucchini chips. Mac and I thought both were delicious, but the girls didn't agree. 

A1 helped with the bread. She grated the zucchini like a champ. She told me it was her favorite job in the kitchen, because she felt like she was hurting the zucchini. Great, my attempt at making my family try new foods is turning A1 into a psycho. 

When the bread was finished, A1 and A2 swarmed the kitchen. The smell over powered their desire to hate zucchini, almost. A1 loved the bread! She said it was one of the best things she had ever had in her whole life. A2 didn't feel the same. My little foodie rejected another recipe. She said it would taste good if I would have left the zucchini out...

The zucchini chips came highly recommended from Arizona. The recipe had been approved by several nonzucchini lovers and it even converted a few. The girls loved the smell once again, BUT none of them like it. Our dinner music has become a chorus of gagging. The girls will at least try a bite without us begging or threatening first. I'm making progress. It is just a very slow process. 

I went to the garden to check on our cucumbers. I was surprised to find a hidden zucchini. I was really excited since a friend sent me a recipe that I wanted to try. The girls didn't share my excitement. 

I just hope this doesn't make A1 want to hurt the farmer...

A Team's take on Zucchini

This summer I have been continuing my on going battle of feeding my family healthy food. It has been difficult breaking 8 years of bad habits. I have implemented all the suggestions of the "experts".  I have included the girls in all aspects of the meal from planting, planning, and preparing. Nothing is helping improve the attitudes of these fast food lovers. BUT I'm going to keep trying, because it is important. 

This week our zucchini was ready to eat. I knew this squash, which made A2 gag last year, because she thought she was eating two piece swimwear, was going to be even harder to pass of as delicious this year.  I had the girls help me pick the zucchini from our garden. I tried to have them help me select recipes. They didn't have the attention span for that... I even had the girls help with the cooking. 

Dish #1:

The girls hated this recipe! A1 cried. A2 smiled as she chewed, but spit the food into her napkin when she thought I wasn't looking. A3 didn't try to hide her disgust for the zucchini as she stood up in her chair looked me in the eyes and spit her partially chewed right back onto her plate. Mac and I loved it, so we will have it at least one more time this summer. 

Dish #2:

Tonight's dinner was another zucchini creation. We had Stuffed Zucchini Boats. It was either the fun name or the fact that the zucchini was drowning in marinara and cheese that convinced the girls to try the meal. A1 was my biggest cheerleader. She took a bite and said, "Hey, this isn't as bad tonight." A2 decided to try it because A1. She ate the entire serving and asked for seconds. Then she told me it was disgusting. A3 returned to the standard chew and spit method. I also saw her swallow 3 pieces of zucchini, so I will count that as a win. 

As the girls were getting ready for bed, A2 asked if she could tell me the truth. There is no good way to prepare yourself for any thing that will follow that question, especially when it is from A2.

"Mom, the zucchini didn't taste disgusting. It was good tonight. I just think thinking about zucchini is disgusting. It grows outside in the garden. It is from the dirt. That is disgusting. What if I just ate dirt?  Disgusting!" 

I am so thankful for all those experts who suggested having the kids help plant. :D 

Duderant

I have been trying to ignore all the signs and symptoms of the girls getting old. Most days I am successful at denying the fact that my girls are no longer babies. This summer the task has been a little bit more difficult.  Every time I turn around A1 is throwing it in my face.  She is getting older whether I am ready for it or not.

Today as the most undeniable proof that A1 was no longer a baby.  I had to buy her first deodorant; or as A2 calls it, "Duderant." My sweet little girl all of a sudden has become a stinky little beast.  No longer does Johnson's Head to Toe Baby Wash keep her smelling fresh all day long. SHE IS GETTING OLDER AND HAS OLDER KID SMELLS.

Luckily I had the A team with me while I made the saddest purchase of my entire life. A1 danced and pranced down the aisle. Her excitement for first grownup purchase was contagious. Everyone who passed us couldn't help but smile and laugh at her. A2 continuously sang, "Duderant, we are buying duderant." A3 held the deodorant, cuddled it like a baby, and talked to it. How could I be upset with the purchase of this tiny item when it was clearly making the entire A Team so happy?

I have always had a difficult time with the changing of stages of the girls.  It is hard to watch them grow up and feel like they no longer need you.  A1 is leading the charge and well on her way to becoming a tween. I will just need to slow down, take in changes, and let the girls guide me through this.  Growing up stinks, but they know what they are doing...

"Duderant, we are buying duderant!"

 

Warning Signs

In one of my many driving adventures, where I end up getting lost going someplace I have been many times before, I mistaking chose a questionable driveway to turn around.  A barbed wire fence surrounded either side of the driveway.  The fence was littered with multiple "warning" signs; "Beware of Dogs," "No Trespassing," "No Solicitors," and "Keep Out." My initial reaction was something along the lines of, "Oh poo! Get me out of here!"

Once I was safely back at home I started wondering what warning signs we should put on our house. I decided that because we don't have a fence surrounding our driveway I could just post all the warning signs on our garage door. I am sure the neighbors would appreciate that, but I am sure they already think we are crazy, so it really doesn't matter at this point.

The list I came up with was ridiculously long so I made my top 6:

This really should go without saying, but this sign is necessary for anyone who isn't familiar with the A Team. Coming into the house you are subject to all types of questions and comments.  You will become a plaything for them. You are their entertainment. Some of my favorite comments that have been made to some of our guests include; "When will you die?" and "Wanna play dead mermaids?" I swear they are perfectly sane children, they just have active imaginations...



We have dance parties on a regular basis.  Some days we only have one, but other days we have multiple parties.  Some dance parties last 30 seconds while others last up to an hour. Sometimes our dance parties get crazy and we include choreography and belting out Broadway Musical Tunes.  Last week an unsuspecting visitor quietly excused herself to the back deck while I joined the girls in singing songs from Shrek. I make a fantastic Fiona BTW! She stayed outside until the song was over and then begged A1 to go play at her house.

 

The girls love it when door-to-door sales people show up, fresh meat. They talk to them, tell them stories, and entertain them with singing and dancing. Most sales people just stand with their mouths opened in awe of the show they are witnessing. These poor sales people have no idea what is really happening on the other side of the door.  One time I was busy so the girls broke a rule and opened the door and brought a man selling cleaning products in to the living room.  He had trouble making eye contact and was quickly making his way back to the door once he saw I was hooked up to my pump. He never came back.



We have constant singing, dancing, and performing going on in our house. As soon as a guest sits in the living room the girls head off to rehearse. A1, of course, is the director and begins teaching songs and routines. A2 often "writes" her own songs and is excited to perform her songs with added interpretive dance moves. However; as soon as you accept the fact that you will be entertained by these two, the show will end.  Sometimes it ends because they forget the words or the moves. Other times it ends because A2 gets embarrassed if the audiences has a reaction that she deems inappropriate, such as laughing or smiling. Most of the time the show ends because the girls get into a fight.

 

Seriously people! These are sleeping hours for our 2 year old. Our 2 year old who needs sleep. Our 2 year old who is evil if she doesn't sleep. Most of the neighbor kids are trained and know better than to ring the doorbell during these times. Actually, most of the neighbor kids know better than to ring the doorbell, ever.



No matter what time you stop by there is a good chance you will find at least one of us in bad pajamas. Most of the time it is me wearing whatever ugly pajama pants I find that are clean, "matched" with any shirt. There is also a possibility that I will be wearing mismatched socks to finish off my attire. I hate bare feet and I am really only comfortable in my socks and shoes.  It is weird, I know. The girls will also most likely be wearing some type of unmatched sleepwear at any given time. Don't be afraid, just go with it.

My warning signs would be helpful to unsuspecting visitors, but then again, they would kind of take the fun out of shocking our innocent visitors.

You can make your own Warning Signs at www.warninglablegenerator.com, have fun!

 

Read Her Like a Book

A1 is very predictable. I can read her like a book. Her thoughts and feelings flow across her face like words in a well written book. Fibs and fibblets escape through wide eyes with lifted eyebrows.  Guilt emerges from a stiff face with wide statue eyes. Happiness pours from slightly squinted sparkly eyes. Sadness creeps out of downturned gloomy eyes. 

Tonight I returned home from a secret dinner run with A2, finding A1 stiff faced with wide statue eyes. I watched and waited. She began babbling. "I didn't know where you were. I couldn't find daddy. I thought you guys left me and A3 home alone. Don't worry I am taking care of A3. I have it all under control."  

The wide eyed stiff face statue look continued. I reminded her that her dad was upstairs and continued to watch her. She continued to babble, "I didn't think you would be back so soon. Please don't be mad at me. I thought you were gone. I thought daddy was gone. So I did something I shouldn't have..." Her eyes relaxed and her face softened. "I... I ate a strawberry."

Well, that is a relief. My rule follower ate a strawberry without permission. The guilt was written all over her face. I had to work hard to hold back the laughter. I can't let her know that it wasn't a big deal. I need her to feel some guilt because I know that soon enough my little easy to read book will become a book written in a foreign language, I just hope it comes with pictures! 

                     Happiness!

Middle Aged-ish

I'm not exactly sure at what age a person becomes "middle age," but at 35 I'm pretty darn close. Tonight I went to a movie targeted at a much younger teenage audience. Tonight was the first time I felt middle aged-ish. 

10 Reasons You Might Be A Middle Aged Person At A Teen Movie 

1. One of the previews is for Step Up Something or Other. You don't plan on seeing that one since you haven't seen any of the other 334 other Step Up movies. The first one came out after you already had your first child...

2. Previews for all the other movies look rentable at best, they are all agansty teen melodramas concerning young love, early death, high school, and of course football. Although, the football movie has some potential...

3. The preview for the scary Ouji Board movie is funny to you until something freaky jumps out from under a table. A youngster shouts,  "I almost pi$$ed myself." and you worry because "almost" doesn't exist for you anymore. 

4. Text messages fly back and forth before the movie starts. Your fellow movie patrons are texting "YOLO" is that still a thing? and making plans for after the movie. You text your hubby asking him to restart the dryer to make sure your youngest's sheets are dry before her bedtime. 

5. While everyone in the theater is swooning over the baby-faced male lead, you just don't get it, however; the father of the lead looks delightfully handsome. A little shifty, but definitely handsome

6. You wear minimual makeup knowing you are about to watch a tear jerker. Your first tears coming during the movie when you are laughing so hard at the disturbing behavior of your fellow movie goers. In case you were wondering, propping your leg up in front of you and picking at your feet during a movie is not appropriate. 

7. The movie does make you cry, but not in the way everyone else is sobbing over two star crossed lovers whose lives end too soon. You cry for the unused swing set. You cry for the parents. 

8. You wear long sleeves and bring a sweatshirt because theaters are always COLD. You start to sweat and worry that it is a hot flash. Good news, it was just hot. 

9. You sit awkwardly in your seat while all the others are cuddled up comfortably. You are worried about lice. Your kindred movie watchers have no idea the hours of laundry those little bugs bring or what a tedious task it is it hunt for nits in fine blond hair. 

10. You are no longer wiggly in your seat because you are hyper with too much energy. You now move to find relief for your aching knees and sore hips. Which you never find, but that is ok since, "Pain demands to be felt." and you are feeling it and will probably feel it tomorrow. 

Don't get me wrong I enjoy the Young Adult genre, but I think it might best be enjoyed from my own home where I can sophisticatedly sip wine while I read or watch. Just kidding, I hate wine! 

Summer Time Success

Summer Day 1 was a success!

A1 has one major goal for the summer; learn to ride her bike without training wheels.  Who knew she would accomplish it on the first day!?!

I know, I know, an eight year old still riding her bike with training wheels seems old, but she was TERRIFIED of trying. She was afraid of breaking her arm again, even though she broke her arm two years ago doing cartwheels and she doesn't have a problem flipping now, somehow she has decided falling from her bike will have the same results.  I wasn't going to push her, only encourage her. I knew she would come around when the time was right for her. 

The time was right yesterday, after one of the training wheels fell off her bike and a neighbor kid encouraged her by yelling that she was a baby because she still had training wheels. Thank you peer pressure... A1 came into the house and declared she wanted the other training wheel off right now.  She was done being a baby.

As soon as Mac got home, she met him in the garage begging for the removal of the training wheel. Within minutes the training wheel was gone.  A1 hopped on her bike and just took off.  She was riding like an expert in no time.  She is so proud of her summer accomplishment.

Since she is an expert at this bike riding stuff, she has been teaching A2 how to ride the bike too.

 A3 isn't ready to even reach the pedals, but she loves hanging out with the girls.

Answer to My Prayer

Today was emotional.  After a long night listening to the weather radio alert me to EVERY watch and warning starting the minute my eyes closed, I knew it was going to be a day filled with ups, downs, and almost-tears. There were plenty of things that I expected to give that lump in the throat feeling: saying good-bye to the students I have spent every day with for the last two years or saying good-bye to the teachers I have worked with everyday for the last two years. I also had a few unexpected tear jerkers.

I was greeted this morning with a VERY generous gift from one of my students. The gift alone almost made me cry, but then she added, "My mom wanted to give all of this because of everything you have done for me and we feel sorry for you because of everything you have to put up with everyday and because you have to move to a new building." Sometimes it is just nice to hear you are appreciated!

Later I was sitting in the awards ceremony and I got a little choked up.  This is typical.  I usually get teary eyed when people are recognized for their accomplishments, especially kids. This ceremony was particularly touching because I realized almost all of my students received awards. This is an awesome feat for students who receive special education services. Typically these students get over looked or are uninvolved in extracurricular activities for various reasons.  My students received a variety of awards: sports, band, chorus, musical theater, student of the month, and exceptional homework completion. My eyes sprung a leak of pride tears!

After the awards ceremony the students had free time to sign year books.  This is a big deal in Jr High! You have to open yourself up to possible rejection in case you ask the wrong person, "Would you sign my yearbook?" WHAT IF THEY SAY NO!?! You also have to be open to the possibility that no one will ask you to sign their yearbook.  This simple activity involving a pen and some paper has huge social implications.

I scanned the crowd several times to make sure my students were doing what they should and being treated well. There hasn't ever been an issue, but I kind of become a momma bear with my students!  I noticed a student,who is painfully shy, sitting alone in the bleachers.  I watched him for a long time.  No one talked to him.  No one noticed him. No one asked him to sign their yearbook.. No one signed his yearbook.  He looked miserable.  A group of students walked up to the bleachers.  I was silently relieved, but then they sat a few rows in front of him. No one said anything to him. 

I felt like he was invisible to everyone, but me. I was starting to feel panicky for him.  I started to get that tight feeling in my throat.  I hate the idea of anyone feeling excluded, even if it isn't intentional.  I said a little prayer for this kid.  I asked God to help me help him. I looked around the gym of 100 kids, searching for a kind and outgoing kid who would be happy to ask him to sign his/her yearbook without making an awkward scene.  I didn't see anyone.  I felt so alone. I considered walking up and talking to him but that would only make things worse for him. Not very many 7th grade boys would feel better about themselves chatting with a teacher, especially a teacher he doesn't know.

I scanned the room again, still not seeing anyone to help make this guy feel comfortable. Then I glanced up at him and saw a student talking to him.  In that moment I knew this kid was an answer to my prayers. I got goose bumps and teary eyed when I remembered a few months ago I was visiting a new church and was feeling so out of place and uncomfortable. This same student tapped my shoulder that night and said something about being glad I was there. I am sure that night his mom encouraged him to talk to me, but it still meant a lot. 

I continued to watch the happenings in the bleachers. I noticed the shy boy seemed to relax when the answer to my prayers was talking to him. The boys exchanged yearbooks, signed them, and said a few words to each other.  Then the answer to my prayers went to talk to another group.  No one else talked to the shy kid, but I saw his demeanor change after the answer to my prayers talked him. He was sitting a little taller and didn't look like he was trying to fade into the background.  He even looked happy.

I know that I sound like I am an emotional wreck, but well... I am. Ok, so maybe emotional wreck  is a little too harsh, but I am extra sensitive right now and that is just fine. I had several great things happen today. I was appreciated. I saw my students succeed. Most importantly, I got to witness God answering my prayer and that is always an awesome experience.