1st day of school

It has taken me a while to write about this day.

“Awwww, poor thing – you were sad to see your baby go?”

No. Well yes, but no that’s not my reason for needing time to heal.

This was one of those days that was SO BAD it was actually funny. Kinda. Sorta. In a sick and twisted “It really couldn’t get any worse” sort of a way.

Let me share!

I was quite lame and didn’t get my stuff together enough to buy Willsie his “first day of school” lunchbox the weekend prior to starting. Organized people do this sort of thing. I am not currently very organized.

On the night before I was more tired than ever as I had to wake at 5AM anyway to get ready for WISH (our homeschool co-op). So instead of driving all the way out to Target like I wanted to I went to the local drug store – who (of course) was all out of lunch boxes that fit my picture of the perfect "1st day of school" fantasy lunchbox.

Discouraged, but still too tired for Target, I packed him our family lunchbox as best I could (but was really upset about it) and searched for this shirt – which is the same shirt Lucas wore on his first day of preschool. The next morning we posed for pictures really quickly and dashed out the door.

I dropped him off and we went along our merry way.

20 minutes later I get a phone call from the school. Gulp.

The principal is on the phone to tell me one of the teachers discovered a HUGE pocket knife in Will’s lunchbox. This would be the large fishing knife I keep in the family lunchbox’s front pouch to cut up fruit when we are out and about. The kids never go in there – so it never crossed my mind.

OK – HOLD IT RIGHT THERE. I JUST ALLOWED A 5 INCH, VERY SHARP, POCKET KNIFE IN MY 2 YEAR OLD’S LUNCH BOX!!!!!!!! PLEASE DELETE MY EXISTENCE FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH!

I get pains all over my body and soul just recounting this experience. It was horrible. Ghastly. I wanted to crawl in a hole for 77 years and cry the whole time.

Of course I profusely apologized and promptly got off the phone and cried my eyes out for about 2 hours thinking of all the things that could have gone wrong. I called my BFF Calyn and BALLED like a baby. I called John and balled like a baby. 

I begged John to create a united front with me at pickup time. So together we went to face the principal - who in every respect could have 1) called the police 2) called Child Protective Services 3) Kicked us out 4) All the above (gulp - more mind&body&soul pains just thinking about it). Turns out she was incredibly gracious and kind and said that since she knew me so well - all was forgiven and forgotten. I cried once more for good measure in her office – and vowed to forget this day forever (but always double check the lunchbox). 

I thought this was an educational story to share. I want you children to know & remember – bad things happen to good people. If this is you - fully & quickly own up to those things you have done wrong and forgive those that do wrong to you. This is key, key, key. If there is one thing I have learned from your dad it is that. Please remember to forgive, forgive, forgive. But don't forget.

Willsie – I am so happy you are doing so well in school – and I’m sorry about your first day debacle. I think this was all over your head though. Thank goodness. 

Homeschoolers

Homeschooling has gotten a bad wrap amongst "regular" folk I think.

Some may see it as a way to unnecessarily shelter children from all the ways of the "outside world."

Or a way to drill in one's religion to the exclusion of otherwise healthy interactions with other people.

Or a way to keep your freak show away from the prying eyes of Big Brother.

Sometimes it's easy to spot a homeschooling family.

But I think mine is the exception, don't you? 

My son is excited to demonstrate his ability to blow air from his nose into his mouth. Thrilling!

BFF

Dear Skylar,

I couldn't have asked for a better friend for my girl. You are amazing. I have never personally met a person who gets more excited for the happiness of others. That is a very rare quality and I hope it remains with you forever. You are such a blessing.

Love, Allie

"One plus one equals two you see

But somehow it's different with you and me

When we're together we share one mind

A happier pair you'll never find..."

"...I'm only complete when you are near

To lose you someday is my biggest fear

You know my dreams and my every thought

No stronger bond could ever be sought..."

We have a lot in common it's true

But who'd have thought, who ever knew

More than friends, I can't explain it all

With you by me I feel 10 feet tall

"...As friends we're quite a pair

One soul, one mind is what we share

You make my world a better place

I live each day to see your face

It takes two halves to make a whole

My heart and yours we make one soul"

(parts taken from a poem by Debbie A. Burrous)

Moosh pot

Did you ever play that game as a child where you would be in a circle of kids and some how you ended up in the center and the kids all said "moosh pot moosh pot Allie's in the moosh pot" Well - some strange way this makes me think of that.

Savannah - you are sooooo in the moosh pot.

It's not our fault you are so cute and mooshy.

Aunty and I just love ya.

For keeps

My sweet....you are an answer to a prayer. The balance our family needed.

You are sweet, and beautiful & loving.

I always wanted a baby that played with their feet. You have been the only one to do it (I think your brothers were too fat! hehe) and I love it beyond sanity.

You are for keeps.

Pushover gone extreme

I believe we have discussed John's pushover tendencies. He would have what one might call "extreme pushover syndrome" 

When the kids ask - they receive. My favorite story is when John watched Lucas and Charlotte when they were 3 and 18 months respectively. I was gone 2 hours and when I came back the kids had a new large toy each. When I questioned this John said "Charlotte pointed at the car and said 'ehh!' what was I supposed to do?!"

In modern times - let's inspect the bedtime routine. Specifically bedtime attire.

Muuuhahahahaaaaaaaa - take it ALL in baby. Army shirt, underwear over the pants (inside as well I found out the next AM) shoes with no socks.....

Willsie you are a vision. A vision from a fashion nightmare. A vision from a roll of bloopers of a magazine spread. A vision of proof that you have your father wrapped around your fat, pudgy, squishy little toddler finger.

You were not pleased I was making you pose. hehe 

I love you right down to your frown face and outside underwear booty.

(P.S. no that is not chocolate milk. that is homemade formula with extra molasses at your request)

Halloween 2012

As you might know I dig Halloween. And am a sucker for a good theme.

This year I only spent 5 hours scouring the web for family costume inspiration and it proved hard to find a theme that had an easy-to-buy costume for everyone.

I failed in that way (getting the whole family on one theme) but I did succeed overall I think.

Can you stand that face? Geez Savannah - you take things to a whole new level of adorable.

Oh my how I do love this picture......once I had dressed and was picking you up from your crib it was a total out of body experience.....I could so vividly imagine what it was like in that time period. As I was changing your diaper and getting you dressed I imagine the difficulties of raising children back then (cloth diapers, laundry nightmares, everything was major effort, the cold and damp conditions, etc.) and was thankful in a whole new moment for all the conveniences we have.

I could die with happiness when I see this picture. I just love you two babies.

One Grecian Goddess at your service. This makeup and hair was super fun for me. I forgot how much I love doing that kind of stuff. Before I had pressing responsibilities I actually spent TIME doing makeup and hair. My, my it felt loverly. We have your fab father to thank for the precious minutes we spent baby free doing this. We love you Mr. LeBaron!

Originally I wanted to do something fun and different. We were going for monkeys and bananas.

I was INTO it!

And then I searched for costumes and promptly slapped my forehead with an accompanying "doh!" as there was nothing cute, pretty or flattering in that theme. Why had I not foreseen this?! 

This did not stop Luke though.

My son, you made a perfect banana.

My sweet ladies!

Sir William - you are my handsome knight.

                     I WILL slay you!                                                          My knights in shining fake armor :)

My nieces - Dorothy & Masquerade Witch

Our friends Deedee witch & Randall vampire.   And the Pink Gaines Ladies

Luke's buddy Demon Jackson & his ghost busting brother.  Grammy taking Sir William trick or treating.

With a group of 12 kids pounding the doors down we made quite the parade.

Happy Halloween my loves.

One man's snack is another man's punishment

Dearest Oldest Man Child,

Boy is my soap box HIGH and important today. I thought I would record for all time your dislike of alive, nourishing, health-giving sustenance.

This snack (which also included a string cheese) was met with a wide-eyed look of disgust. Upon which I gave you the mother-eye-you-will-do-what-I-want look. Upon which I got distracted (as is common). Upon which you snuck the string cheese and slithered off.

You puzzle me. You defy my understanding. You make me want to shake sense into you. You have made me give you the "starving children in other countries" speech. You made me sink into mother cliche hell. It's all your fault!!!!!

Ok, not really. But if your hair starts falling out or your legs spontantiously shrivel up - don't say I didn't warn you!

Your Loving Mother

PS Who in tarnation gave you permission to get so handsome?!?

Don't leave me - but you could disappear for a few hours :)

I have always struggled to find balance in my mothering.

To stay home full time?

To work full time?

Part time?

At night?

During naps?

Homeschool?

Public school?

Private school?

I thought I had things all figured out for a while there. And then I had William :)

And then I thought I had things worked out pretty nicely. 

And then I had Savannah.

And now I have all four at home and am homeschooling and have yet to find my 

balance, bliss, and routine.

I know it's coming.

It will be right around the corner.

And then I will take on the next big challenge.......no - not another baby.

Homeschooling two children and mommying two babies ain't no easy job.

Some days it's an impossible job.

Some days I teach rad science lessons, captivating history lessons and am super proud of myself.

Some days I want to hide or cry or send your dad woeful texts (he loves those).

Some days I knock off my whole todo list and then some.

Some days I merely clean, wipes noses and grade a few math pages here and there while I grumble and complain inwardly and outwardly.

But then I see these pictures and I think to myself

"DON'T LEAVE ME!"

(but maybe disappear for a few hours now and then)

LOL!

Sorry note

My dearest and oldest daughter,

These days we are working on attitude. As you know - it's everything!

I started singing you the song I was taught years ago. And it goes something like this...(said in snazzy jazz voice)

"Put a smile upon your face 

You'll soon find something funny

You can turn a rainy day

Into one that's sunny.

You may lose or you may win

You decide the mood you're in

There's Joy in Creating

Put a smile upon your face

You'll soon find something funny..."

There are more lyrics. But it gets the point across.

So....the other night we had a pretty crazy disagreement. Ok fight. Ok, were were both fairly hostile.

I asked you to write me a letter of apology explaining what you did and how you would prevent yourself from doing it hence forth. 

Your note goes something like this (typed as written)

"I talked meanly to you

I will never do this thing beuase I will get alot of sleep and remeder

Love,

Yor best 7 year old girl

How precious are you?!? Darling you really are the best 7 year old girl.

I love you to pieces.