My last day in Kindergarten

Where has the year gone?  Today was my last day helping out in Madison’s class.  Instead of the normal writing assignment, the kids painted butterfly wings.  The other Mom who rotated weeks with me all year was also there.  We met up in the office by chance as we were signing into the school.  The Kindergarten building is actually made up of 2 different buildings due to additions over time.  We have to sign in at the main building, then walk to the next and buzz in.  As we were signing in a massive storm was rolling in.  Of course as soon as we walked out of the door the skies opened up.  We did not have to go far but I am sure the sight of the two crazy middle-aged woman running down the ramp was a sight to be seen.

It was a nice day with the children.  As we walked in the class, a little soggy, the kids all thanked us in Kindergarten unison.  Madi’s teacher even gave us a little thank you gift, totally unnecessary!  If she only knew how much I have enjoyed the time in the class! Her teacher was a wonderful young woman, I can only hope we run into more like her along the way!

I took Madison home with me which was a big wish list item for her.  Thankfully by the time we left the storm had rolled through.  I can not believe that next week she will officially be pre-first grader! My baby is growing up.

On a totally different note, Megan’s piano recital is next week.  Her father recorded her this morning so she could see herself.  I still remember her little baby fingers banging on the red plastic piano with multi colored keys as a baby.  You have come a long way Megan!  Just beautiful!

Brave…the movie

While I was in the Hospital after my  prophylactic mastectomy, Frank and the girls went to the movies to see Disney’s Brave.  I remember when they got to the hospital the girls hugging me and telling me that they all cried at the movie. I was not too aware of the plot.  The girls told me that they thought of me when the princess almost lost her mommy which is why they cried.  Frank compared me to the momma bear.  I was intrigued  but I was still on the pain pump so details of any conversation from that time period are a bit hazy but it stuck with me for several reasons.  One because I was happy that they were out doing things together.  Another because whatever had struck them about the movie caused them to talk which is something that the girls did not often do with their father.  This movie was an important bonding time for the three of them that has continued nicely to this day.

Since the movie was important to them, especially to Madison, I wanted receiving it to be just as important.  For Christmas, 120530_XX_MeridaBraveEX.jpg.CROP.rectangle3-largeMadi received the DVD and a play set that included both Princess Merida and Angus (her horse).  She was very excited!  Usually when we get a new movie there is a big rush for the girls to watch it but not this time.  The three of them agreed that we all needed to watch it together.

So today was the day.  I made hot chocolate for the girls and I and the four of us settled in for movie time.  The girls even took turns sitting on my lap, which is not normal nor it is easy these days with their sizes.

The movie was very good!  There were no tears this time but I understand imageswhy there were the first time.  In the movie due to decisions made by the princess, the queen is turned into a bear and unless the bond that was broken can be repaired, the spell will not be able to be reversed and her mother will be lost forever.  She needs to be Brave to save her mother and protect her from hunters while trying to reverse the spell.  Even in her darkest day with hunters upon her, the momma bear still protects the princess fully knowing that she is in the situation because of her daughter. My baby girls explained that when they saw it while I was in the hospital, they thought of me as the Brave momma bear who they would never want to lose and that they needed to protect me.  Pretty cool!

As I have stated many times throughout the process, the babies who I was so worried about somewhere right in front of my eyes grew into beautiful, caring young girls.  I am so proud of them both!

And as a movie review, I would give Brave 2 thumbs up!  A great family movies that can spark even better life lesson conversations!

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From the mouths of babes…

Yesterday was like any other.  Get the kids up and ready for school.  Bus stops followed by normal daily function.  In the blink of an eye it was time back to head back to the bus stop for Madison.  That is when it all changed.

Madi is my active, hyper even crazy at times child.  Since Kindergarten is only half day she gets home bouncing off the walls.  So when she got home yesterday we had some lunch and discussed her day.  She does so enjoy school.  After lunch she decided it was time to dance.  Around the living room she flew laughing as if performing for an adoring crowd.  That is until she lost her balance and landed with her mouth into the back of a wooden chair.

I heard the impact and jumped.  I was next to her just as the shock turned to screaming and tears.  I pulled her with me to the freezer and got ice then noticed the blood.  She was in a total panic.  I got her mouth washed out and finally calmed her so I could inspect the damage.  Thankfully, my toothless little cherub just lost her two top teeth.  That was actually where the blood was coming from and I am sure that if the teeth had been there they would have been broken or knocked out.  He lip is purple and a size larger than normal but all in all not as bad as I initially thought.

From there it just continued, a trip over the dog landing her on her belly followed by landing a bit too hard on a bean bag chair and banging her head on the wall.

By 8:30 my baby,  looking tattered and a little bruised, looked at me with a shutter in her voice and asked “can I go to bed now?  It has been a bad day.” Tears followed as did a big hug and off to bed we went.  I think the poor kid passed out as she hit the pillow.

This morning started off well…the bus will be home shortly.  We can only hope this is a better day!