Last day of preschool

Oh boy, what a day!  Miraculously, I only cried a little bit.  This was accomplished by keeping a lot of distance from Bode's teacher, Miss Amy. 

Bode had a fantastic last day of preschool.  

But it's not over yet....we are still celebrating!
xo

Race day

Bode and Gianna, after the race

For the past 4 months, I've been working on the race committee for the Emma Foundation 5K and Kids Run, which is hosted by Bode's school.  Volunteering is important to me and to RWF, and so when the request came out for volunteers, I took it as a sign that it was time for me to roll up my sleeves and help. I also volunteered in order to meet more people, and to 'stretch' out of my comfort zone.  When I signed on, I had no idea how much I would be stretched!  It was not easy to do this gig with a 7 month old, and two toddlers.  And my respect for working parents grew once more. In addition to attending weekly meetings and posting advertisements, I was given the task of asking for sponsorships ($). Asking people (companies) for money made me very uncomfortable!  I wouldn't say that I was a complete success, but I did get a few companies on board to help us.  So it did stretch me, and I am glad that I did it. It also helped that RWF was very supportive of me volunteering, and did what he could to help me attend the meetings.  (Thanks, RWF!)

I was especially happy today, watching everything come to fruition. I've run in many races, but I've never been behind-the-scenes. It was great to see all of our hard work being enjoyed by so many children and adults.

Nico, not a runner, but sporting a very dangerous looking scratch

The best part of course was when my little family showed up. I was working the children's registration table, and when I saw my husband rolling up with my baby and two toddlers in tow, I left my post, and ran off to greet them! Everyone in our family was registered to run, but nobody did (because of timing issues - hello, we do have a 7 month old baby!).  But we supported the run by just showing up! Bode and Gianna wore their race shirts all day.

Later in the afternoon, Bode and I went to Starbucks together.  Downtown was packed with people walking around.  At one point, Bode hopped on a garden inset, and walked its curb. While I was watching him,  he bent over to pick up a cigarette butt.  I SCREAMED and smacked the gross garbage out of his hand.  My reaction was so violent, I  think everyone in a 5 foot radius of us stopped and looked. Bode's face crumpled, and reddened, as he started to cry.  I hugged him, and tried to explain why I had done that (and spoke loud enough for concerned passerby to understand that I didn't just randomly smack my child!). I felt terrible, but I was more horrified that he had picked up something that had been in someone's mouth and on the ground. ICK.  I made him promise that he'd never do it again, which he did. (I am still grossed out about it.)

Tonight RWF and I have a date! I am so excited. We have no plans. And as we have just discovered, Saratoga is mobbed for the Preakness and graduation, so we might just be out of luck on an actual restaurant dinner date!

Happy Saturday.

xo

May Day Celebration

Return of the "ghost" looking children (covered in zinc oxide!)

This morning, we went to Bode's school's May Day celebration at Congress Park.  It was nice to mark the start of Spring with a fun celebration.  First, we stopped at Starbuck's for refreshments. Then we walked over to the park, hand in hand. Once there, we parked ourselves under a shade tree to watch the Maypole dance. The lower school (grades K-6) all participated in a Maypole Dance.  Each class got up and skipped around the Maypole, weaving colorful ribbons around the pole while a music group played drums and flutes.  The girls and boys wore wreaths and crowns made of flowers.  (Bode's class had their celebration on Wednesday.)

We participated with the Kindergarten class.  Bode stopped midway through the dance.  I was at a loss as to what to do.  Luckily, one of the Kindergartener teacher's encouraged the children to continue dancing on, around (without) Bode.  Gianna did great, and loved being a part of the big kids' dance. She also seemed to pretend like she was not related to Bode when he stopped the Maypole. (Just kidding.)

It was a nice start to Spring, a nice start to all of us getting out together in the sunshine as a family again.

Happy Friday.

xo

This morning

This morning, Nico napped. A miracle!  I guess I timed it just right because he went down without a hitch.  So that left me alone with Gianna (rare).  We colored for awhile.  And then I started feeling antsy, like maybe I should fold the mountain of  laundry piled on our dining room table.  So I asked Gianna to bring her coloring into the bedroom while I folded laundry.  (I went into the bedroom to minimize the noise level so that Nico would stay asleep.)

As I was folding laundry, I looked over at my little girl. She was intently scratching her blue crayon across the surface of the paper.  I noticed how her chubby little hand curled awkwardly around the crayon. I saw the look of concentration on her face, her pursed lips, and her body bent over her artwork while she colored.  It was such a peaceful moment. And I thought, "Is it ever going to be this simple again?" 

I've been thinking a lot about Gianna growing older. She's going to be 3 in a couple of months! It is crazy.  And, I've been thinking about her going to school next year.  I went to the school office and signed the contract this week, so it's on my mind.  The school director kept talking about Gianna, and I kept having an urge to correct her, "No, you mean Bode."  Because in my mind, Gianna is not a part of the school. 

So I had to pull out my camera and capture this moment. A snapshot of my still 2 year old baby girl, soon to be 3 year old school girl.

Happy Wednesday.

xo

Fall festival

This weekend, we went to Bode's school for their annual fall festival. They had pumpkin decorating, apple cider, sheep shearing, a puppet show and many other activities.

Bode and Gianna joined the drum circle.

Gianna really enjoyed drumming!  The little dude next to her (in the shades) could really drum. I think she wanted to hang with him all afternoon and pick up some skillz.  RWF and I decided that we're getting Gianna a drum for Christmas!

Or maybe she is just intent on being the "star" of any show.  Later, RWF took both of them to a puppet show in the school.  He had Bode and Gianna seated in the front, and he sat in the back of the room.  He said midway through the puppet show, he heard Bode very loudly and very distinctly announce, "I didn't know Gianna was in there!" Gianna had kicked off her shoes and made herself a part of the puppet show! RWF couldn't do anything until after the show ended, so he just sat there and waited it out! (so glad that this happened on his "watch" and not mine!)

Hope you had a happy weekend. Happy Birthday to THREE of my sisters!!!

xo