Heading back to Kindergarten

Today is going to be an interesting day.  At back to school night for Madison, we were presented with a form asking if we would be available to help with several different things.  I am not the “room mom” type.  Megan was also very independent and did not want Mom hanging around school.

Now with Madison in Kindergarten, I have nothing special going on until she gets home for lunch.  With all of the surgeries that were still ongoing when school started, I could not commit to anything but said that if they needed help with things throughout the year I may be able to step in.  So I received my first request last week for today…assisting the process of “kid writing journals”.  If you do not have children, this is the beginning of the kids learning to write independently even though they can not spell.  They are charged with attempting to write as they hear it basically.  Some are really something but everyone starts somewhere.  Today I will meet with the writing specialist to make sure I know what I am doing and will assist one hour a week every other week I believe until the end of the year.  Wish me luck :-).

Then I received a phone call a few days ago from another mom.  Seems she is one of the actual room mother’s who was not expecting all of the different responsibilities.  She asked if I could fill in for her at the Holiday party Thursday.  As long as I do not have to bake anything I am in!  Madison is SOOO excited because I have to be there first thing so I will be taking her to school with me and bringing her home.

I remember my Kindergarten days, they were not happy.  Neat that I get to replace those memories with some good ones with my own baby.  And to do it this week, well I think it helps the entire family feel just a little more safe.

Normal.?!

Normal.

Woke the girls this cloudy, damp morning and started the normal preparation for school routine.  I hugged them both as they got out of bed.  Breakfast eaten, teeth brushed lunch packed, school bags readied.

Normal.

I hugged them both in the kitchen. We looked for Ernie our shelf Elf, he left a note last night.  The girls loved it.  I hugged them.

Normal.

We walked Megan to the bus stop, I hugged her as she got on the bus.  I stood with the other Mom’s..starring at the bus, I waved goodbye.

Normal.

A few minutes later stood at the bus stop with Madison.  I hugged her tightly. The bus arrived, I kissed her head as she stepped on, I stood and watched her get into her seat then waved.

I came in side feeling empty.  Pulled up FB to pictures of babies from CT.  Closed the computer.  Turned on the TV to a press conference from CT.  I grabbed the remote and flipped on Netflix.  Now watching “Weeds”..somehow seems appropriate.

There is nothing normal about today.

Fa La La La La

Christmas time is around the corner.  This is really my favorite holiday.  Frank and I don’t exchange gifts per say.  We buy something we want then say it is for Christmas. I love this time of year because of how the kids react.  They still deeply believe in Santa and I want to keep it that way as long as possible!  If that means I sneak around in the dark hiding an Elf, so be it! That brings us to Ernie, our Elf on a shelf.  He became part of our lives in 2009 and typically arrives right after Thanksgiving.  The girls wake up so excited to find him every morning.   I believe he was named after the Ernie from Sesame Street.  We do not get too crazy with him for the most part he just moves around each night.  People havebeen posting pictures all week of what elves have been doing in their houses….I think folks are spending a little too much time on Pinterest!  But hey, if it provides family enjoyment I am all for it!

Just hanging out in the stairwell
Just hanging out in the stairwell