Gracie Can Walk

Our little Gracie is walking now. She is a cross between a drunken sailor and Frankenstein. Watch out she is unstoppable now.

Haydens first day of preschool

So I am feeling a little bittersweet happiness right now. Today is the big day. The 12th seems to be a big day in the Jennings household. It seems almost a bit mystical in fact. Hayden was born on 04/12/04, Gracie was born on 07/12/07 and today on 08/12/08 Hayden has his first day of school. It does seem to add a sense that today was meant to be, That everything has fallen into place correctly. All this time worrying and wondering about the logistics of finding and picking a preschool. The fact we missed out on the other public school registration and just couldn't seem to figure out what to do. By chance I happened to call one of the high school preschool programs and they said we don't offer part time. But, she had seen something in the paper about a public school program that was still open to registration and they offered part time. So I went online and found the article and lo and behold there was just the right program with all the flexibility at a great $$$. The whole experience seens to me to personify the meaning of the word Serendipity.

Last night he actually went to sleep early, apparently being possessed by the devil all day will wear a guy out. School could not have come a moment too soon. Yesterday had to be our worst day to date!!! In fact at one point I just sat down and started to cry. It is almost impossible to explain how a four year can be so naughty and difficult it causes you to temporarily lose your mind. But anyone who has had one will know what I mean.

This morning he just about shot out of bed, well not completely he does take after his Mother when it comes to mornings. He got dressed in a flash and proceeded to ask every five minutes if it was time to go to school yet.

So we all got into the van and drove the whole 10 minutes it takes to get to school. Hayden immediately made a little friend even before we got in the door. They both had Spiderman backpacks which in 4 yr old lingo makes them simpatico.

Two seconds after we walked in the door, well maybe one second. Hayden found where to put his backpack and was off like a shot to go play. He never looked back.

I talked to his teacher as long as I could drag it out. But it was really hard to leave. It is almost as if by leaving it makes it more real. It became clear to me that Hayden going only part-time in the mornings to school is more about me than him.

I told myself that he had never been in a structured school setting. He might need some time to adjust and get used to it. He will be going full time soon enough when kindergarten starts. It's all BS, it is that I will miss him. He has to be at the babysitters when I work and it feels wrong to not see him all day when I am not working. I may have to just suck it up and let him go all day, cause in the end being at school is going to benefit him more, than being at home. Ouch that realization has a little sting to it. In the end my job is to have him, love him, teach him and let him go. I will keep working on that forever I think.

Dani

August in Paradise

So here we are enjoying the Dog days of summer, ah the sweltering heat of 105 degrees. What the heck!!! I have been out of Washington now since what, 1994. Holy Cow. Where did those years go to? Anyway I digress. You really don't get used to the heat and I don't care how dry it is. It is HOT!!!! Okay enough about the weather.

Today was a landmark day. The kids and I went and toured a preschool for Hayden. It was fabulous. In a great location. Reasonably priced, so to speak. And flexible so that Hayden can go to school on days I am not working. All and all a very successful day.

The funniest part was when we walked in, Hayden just took off without a word to me and started playing. That was when I noticed there really was only about 7 or so kids there, and they were all GIRLS. That is my boy, he loves his "grills" just the way he likes it. The teacher assures me that on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (when Hayden will be going to class) there are 3 other boys that will be there.

Where did the time go, seems like just yesterday he was a baby. ahhh time flies when you are having fun.

Dani