Growing Pains

I know I haven't posted all summer. Did you miss me? Probably not. You were probably enjoying summer as much as I was.  But summer has ended, school has started and brought with it (ironically) the hottest weather of the summer. 

Rebecca started third grade and got off the bus proclaiming: "I LOVE my teacher!"
Joseph started Pre-K at Rebecca's school. It was a miracle that he got the very last spot they had to offer. He was very nervous but let me go without a problem, so it was successful!  

I love my kiddos.  It made me emotional to let each one of them go.  I'm so glad they're a part of my life.

1st day of 2nd Grade

Oh where, oh where has my little girl gone????
It was just yesterday we were here.

"Treasures"

One man's trash is another man's treasure.
For the first couple of weeks of school I gathered from Rebecca that she spent most of recess walking around by herself. One day I found all of the above items in her backpack front pocket. I asked: "What is this stuff?"
R: "Oh, those are my treasures. I like to collect treasures."

Today I asked her, "what makes something a treasure and not trash?"
She replied, "if it is beautiful to you it is a treasure. Like you are beautiful to me, so you are my treasure."

Melt my heart. You can collect treasures all you want. But I do hope you make some friends.

1st Day of 1st Grade

Rebecca home from 1st grade

Hard to believe it's been a year since Rebecca started Kindergarten. She had three Kindergarten teachers because we moved and her new teacher was on maternity leave. Hopefully there will be more consistency this year. It was very non-dramatic in comparison to last year. We never even managed to get to bed early to get her on a schedule before school started. Oh well, she'll adjust now whether she wants to or not. We just got up, got dressed, ate, packed a lunch, said a prayer and off she went with her daddy. After I picked her up she told me, 1st grade is like Kindergarten. I can only take that as a compliment, meaning, she felt comfortable with the people and the activities. She told me she took the girl who sits next to her to the bathroom, so "she's my new best friend." Guess that's a good thing. She has a sweet teacher and everything seems great. I think we're going to have a good year.

Kindergarten Graduation

I can't believe the end of Kindergarten is here already. When the principal got up after all the names of the kids had been read and said: "I hereby present to you the 1st grade class of 2010" I actually got a little emotional. It's been a big year for us. Two schools, three kindergarten teachers, a big move, changes in our life...
Rebecca had a great year and I am proud of her and how well she adjusted to all the changes. She made friends wherever she went, was admitted into the Principal's Math Club for writing her numbers from 1-100, received a Principal's Award, won third place in her track and field event and had a great year.
Above all, she is and always has been a sweet big sister to Joseph and a loving daughter.

A quick visit to LA

Rebecca has been begging me ever since we moved to take her back to her old kindergarten class. I felt like she needed this closure, so yesterday we made the trek out to LA and visited her old friends. I was totally unprepared for what happened. Her kindergarten friends were having their lunch recess time. When we stepped on to the playground they ran over to her and mobbed her with a huge group hug. Everyone was shouting her name and trying to get in on the hug. It was one of those moments I regretted deciding to leave my camera in the car. She was completely overwhelmed and looked shocked. I have to admit, it made me cry a little bit to see how happy they were to see her. She was like some sort of celebrity and they wouldn't let go of her. The TA had to tell them to give her some space, but even after that they jealously guarder her. Changing schools is never easy, especially in the middle of the year, and although we are totally happy at our new school, I was surprised at how emotional it made me to be back at the place my first child first started school. I tried hard to learn all the kids names and they were surprised I still remembered their names!
We spent the rest of the afternoon playing at our favorite old haunt, Mar Vista park with a few of Rebecca's little rascals gang. It felt just like old times and felt completely normal to be there, yet at the same time I knew this wasn't my life anymore. It's hard to explain. I cherish those times and but I'm also glad we have made our move. We miss our friends but luckily we're not too far away!

Thanks for the good times, Ladies!

Mom failed

Yes, I arrived at school today to find my little girl with her head in her arms. I walked over to ask what was the matter and she burst into tears: "Today was my sharing day and we forgot to bring something to share." Oh boy. Life is certainly dramatic. I vow to do better and learn the ropes of Kindergarten. Luckily it's her share day EVERY Thursday, so maybe she'll forgive me eventually!

Later today Rebecca called me into the bathroom where she said there was an "Emergency."
Judging by all the laughter I didn't know whether to be moderately or majorly worried about what I would find. Well, Joseph had his toilet paper unrolling moment. Don't they all have one of those? And the normally paparazzi shy Joseph proudly stood there and posed for the camera. It's as if he wanted to take the credit. After all, Sister thought it was entertaining, right? Who wouldn't?

Kindergarten homework: I'm stumped

We're still adjusting to this kindergarten thing and you'll probably hear about it for awhile.  Today on the way home from school we looked at the homework while we were walking.  Our first set of homework.  Yippee! Instructions: Draw an X on the object in each row that does NOT belong.   Easy, right?  One of these things is not like the other.  I think I heard that on Sesame Street before.  First line.  Carrot-tomato-horse-corn.  Rebecca: "The horse!" Right. Easy.  Next two lines just as easy.  Last line: Eggs-loaf of bread-barn-container of milk.   My head was thinking: eggs are found on a farm, you make bread on a farm, you milk the cows on the farm, a barn is on a farm, what in the world  doesn't belong there?  I couldn't figure it out!!!  As soon as we arrived home I had my a-ha moment and realized, oh yeah, it's the barn. That's a place to live, the other things are things to eat.  Not wanting to give away the answer I point to the eggs and say to Rebecca: "Is that a place to live or a thing to eat?" Rebecca: "A place to live!" Stumped again.  If you use my logic then there isn't even a correct answer.  Am I smart enough for Kindergarten? We shall see....

misty...

Okay- I was so proud of myself for not crying yesterday, not even feeling tearful at all. But today it was harder. Rebecca still didn't want me to leave and that really tugged on my heartstrings. I'm so glad that I've had her around full time as long as I have. I don't regret my decision not to do formal pre-school with her. On my walk home from dropping her off I suddenly thought of my little girl in the big world and realized, who will make sure she's not too hot, too cold, hungry, thirsty.... I guess it's time for her to learn to take care of herself and she will do just fine. But it doesn't mean that I can't get a little misty while I'm adjusting to this new independence. Big girls DO cry, even when they feel right about the decisions they've made. It's all part of this thing we call life.

1st Day of Kindergarten

Rebecca and I have been nervous about this day for quite some time. I got all my tears out last week though, so by today, the actual start of school, I was fine and didn't even get misty. Rebecca was still acting pretty shy and nervous when I left but seemed to have adjusted by the time I picked her up.
In Germany, on your first day of school your parents fill a "school cone" up with treats. The children take them to school. They are usually pretty big, almost as big as the kids themselves. It is a cute tradition. Rebecca saw a picture of them in a German book we have about starting school. So last week she said: "Mom, the night before school starts, when I'm sleeping, will you make one of those cones for me?"
So last night, mommy the school fairy made a "school cone", daddy supplied the favorite treats (Oreos, Starbursts, lollipops and marshmallows) and Rebecca and Joseph enjoyed the outcome.

Before school got out I ran over to the grocery store and bought 3 dozen helium balloons. I made little cards that said: Happy 1st Day of Kindergarten. I pulled them, literally, through the wind to pick up Rebecca from school. Most of the parents were there early. I handed each parent a balloon for their little kindergartener. I think some people thought they were just being handed out through the school. Some parents didn't seem to speak English, some asked to trade colors, but all the kids were thrilled. Rebecca and one other little boy accidentally lost theirs, and one popped, but luckily, even though I guessed the number of balloons, I ended up with one for every one and one extra. What a happy balloon day!



Waking up to find the "school cone"



Ready for school!



I'm nervous but trying to look excited



Listening to the teacher for the very first time



Mommy with 36 balloons



Rebecca on the playground



Rebecca and Mr. Lapiad



Rebecca's seat



I did it!!!



What a great yellow (and pink) balloon day!



Telling Daddy all about it....