The Eve Before School

What do you do on the "eve" before school starts?

First, you declare the night before that tomorrow is "Trial Tuesday", send the kids to bed by 9 and set alarms for 7 a.m. The kids are attending a new school this year and their start time is 8:10.  Last year their start time was 8:40. We are also attempting to have the kids wake up to their own alarm clocks.  Matt's went off earlier than 7. Emily was out of bed like a bolt.  Matt was out of his bed and laying  on his floor - that is still out of bed!!

Second, head to the doctor to get yearly checkups. After all, you need to have those documents in hand when you step into school.

Third, grocery shopping. When you've been away on vacation the week before school starts you come home to an empty fridge.  Supplies for school lunches are a must.  I have to say I am looking forward to doing the food shopping alone again. Plus I KNOW the bill will be much less seeing little hands won't be adding items to the cart. :)

Fourth, have the kids clean their rooms while you get the house in order. Once again, being on vacation the week before gets you a little behind on housework.  Plus, the kids need clean spaces to chill and do home work now that school is back in session. The many unnecessary papers are tossed to make room for the year of paper that will fill our home. 

Fifth, make a treat to eat now and pack in the lunch boxes. 

The kids were happy to help in the making of some "lazy cake cookies".  Emily melted the butter while Matt cracked the eggs and beat them. Both of them helped in putting in the mini chocolate chips and mini m&m's. They enjoyed licking the bowl clean and were very happy to sample the finished product. 

Sixth, continue with a little more clean up and get uniforms ready. Emily already had her uniform out and ready early this morning. Matt, well, I pulled  his out for him.

Seventh, get in as much Wii as you possibly can because you know that after today it will only be a weekend occurrence and an "achieved" privilege on a weekday. 

Eighth, you get all the items for your lunch tomorrow pulled and put together in the fridge for lunch box transfer in the morning.  

Finally, you get in you pj's and watch some TV until you are told "time for bed".

It has been a very full and busy "eve" before school. Now we just have to pray that sleep comes easily for both kids. Tomorrow starts a whole new adventure - 4th grade for Emily and 2nd grade for Matt. 

How Ironic!!

Earlier today I blogged about how quickly the kids were growing up - literally!

Today the kids each had to do some organizing of their rooms in preparation for the busyness of school starting and the new "work" they would be bringing home. While I was working in the kitchen, Emily came to show me this scrapbook page she had made of her and Matt at the beginning of Spring. What she wrote under the picture is so poignant for today's event "Growing Up like flowers".

I like her take on it so much better than the familiar saying "growing like weeds".  After all, I pray that as they grown up they become caring, loving people who encourage and uplift others and not mean, choking people who hurt and damage others. 

Oh How They've Grown

I'm not an overly emotional mother. A case in point would be that when Matt (our youngest child) started Kindergarten, I didn't cry as he walked into school - he did though and that did tug at my heart but I pushed him in the door. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with a mother showing emotion, I'm just saying that isn't me. It isn't out of lack of love for my children, they are my heart, but I live in the moment. 

Yes, I reflect on the past and see how far they have come and the strides they have made and it brings me great joy but I don't dwell in the past. I know that "life" means growing up and entering new and different stages. 

What does happen to me are "slaps of reality".  They come in the strangest of ways and times.  Today, I had such a slap.  

Today's slap came courtesy of their Pediatrician. Emily and Matthew had their annual checkups. Well, the nurse weighed them and measured them and there it was, the slap.  Both kids in the last year have grown 3 3/4 inches.  Its funny people tell us all the time how tall the kids are when we say there ages but living with them I just don't see it.  The nurse turned to me and said "Emily is 4'9"". What?  No!!!!  Okay, I knew she was gaining on me in height (5'2"+a little) but this means that she needs to grow just 4 more inches and she will pass me by and she is only 10 and 3 months.  Then she told me "Matt is 4'2" What? No!!! That means that one more foot and an inch and he will pass me too and he is only 7. 

I remember back to when I was a kid.  I got to about 4" something and stopped.  My Uncle when he came to visit asked me when I was going to grown and I told him very matter of fact "Saturday".  Well not too many Saturday's came as I only got to the 5"2' mark.  I also remember when my brothers became taller than my mother and her scolding them from "below".  It was funny as a kid to see but now as I am going to be the mother in the situation, I am not finding it so funny. 

It was just a slap. A slap of growing up.  Emily is changing what seems ever so quickly into a young lady.  Oh the moods that come in waves!  She keeps telling me "I'm almost a teenager" and me I say not yet, living in the moment of 10.  Matt he is changing too but still remains my little comic relief.  

On a side note, both kids are healthy and doing well.  Emily was most upset to find out she had to get 2 shots (a 2nd stage of HepA and a pox booster) thankfully her doctor did them asap to get them "out of the way".  We are very thankful that they are growing healthy and strong. 

Me? I know there will be more slaps along the way and I am sure in the year (hopefully two) to come I will be the mom being looked down on at at least one of my kids. 

Oh how I missed you!!!

Today we returned home from a fun filled 7 day vacation on Lake Wallenpaupack in PA.  What a great time!  

What made me smile most as I walked in the door? The Keurig coffee maker.  

No, seriously!!!  This past week I've had to make full pots of coffee each morning. I was brutally reminded that unless I have a pre-packed 12 cup coffee package, I fail at making coffee. Also, the amount I wasted making those prepacked packages just makes me sad.  So, I bid a happy "hello" to my Keurig which makes me my perfectly blended one cup of hot coffee several times a day.  

Now, I do have to tell you that about 7 miles from our lakeside resort "home away from home" was a Dunkin Donuts but to try and explain or get two kids in the car upon rising to drive and get coffee just wasn't worth the aggrevation.

I did however partake of a cup here and there as I had to pass through the town. Those cups were lovingly sipped ever so slowly to make it last as long as possible.

There was another coffee option about 9 miles away. A small coffee shop called Cocoon. They make excellent lattes - hazelnut, cinnamon and maple spice were sampled personally. Cocoon is an intresting name I know. Well, here is the history.  The little building the coffee shop is housed in is outside of an old silk mill that has been converted into shops and offices.  Cocoon is where the silk worms were house for the silk mill. What a clever way to pay tribute to the place it once was.
Yes, I'm glad to be home and have my Keurig to provide my daily need for cups of coffee. 

My Birthday "Treat"

Today my birthday present from Dave was stopping on our way back home from our vacation in PA at my FAVORITE store - Hobby Lobby.

The people in the cars surrounding mine must have thought I was a certifiable when I started clapping uncontrollably as I saw the store in the distance. My excitement got even stronger as I pulled into the parking lot. I don't think I could get out of the car fast enough.

This store is awesome!  Their selection is CRAZY! I was able to get supplies I need for one of the banners I've been asked to do and a few other "items" to create some new treasures.  

I was taken back by all their fall items as fall is my favorite season.  The only "bad part" was that I would have liked to been there a little longer but I kept in mind that Dave and the kids were not as stoked about being there as I was - even though both kids did find a craft project to purchase (okay, Matt is more of a toy - but it was on sale). 

This was an awesome gift!! Thank you!!!