Tuesday

Today Gianna had gymnastics. It was her last class, but the first class that Bode has ever been in attendance (because he is usually in school).  I was worried about Bode wanting to participate, and being jealous that Gianna got to do something that he didn't get to do.  I set him up on the bleachers with my iPhone, and Nico in his car seat nearby.  All went well until halfway through the class, when Bode caught my eye.  I smiled at him and waved.  He yelled, "Mommy!  I want to be with youuuuu, Mommy! I want to be with youuuuu and Giannnna!"  He sounded pathetic, abandoned. But I knew that he was okay. (And, he was not alone, as there was another little girl in the bleachers waiting for her sib to finish up her class.) I put my index finger up, as in "one more minute" and then turned my attention back to Gianna.  After that, I didn't hear anything from Bode. As we were leaving the gym, I thought, "That went well!"  And then.  Then we exited the building. Big crocodile tears from Master Bode Wm.  "I want to do gymnastics!" he whined "Please! I want to do it, too!"  He was so sad.  Big tears spilled down his little face. I suggested that we all get a treat instead.  

The thing is, I tried to get them both into gymnastics this morning. Today was sign up day for the next session.  It is very competitive and difficult to get into the program.  Sign up opened at 7 AM.  I woke up at 6, but remembered that RWF was going to sign them up for swimming (first).  So I fed Nico, and then went to the computer to sign up for gymnastics. It was 7:12 AM. Waitlist only!  Bah.  I'm so mad at myself.  

At least they are both in swimming, right?  Swimming is a life skill. This is more important. (I tell myself this so I won't feel as bad about gymnastics!)

And this one:

He is doing his own gymnastics these days. He gets around by scooting, flipping, and turning himself this way and that. And I shut my eyes to it. I tell myself that I don't see him moving around. I tell myself he is not thisclose to crawling.  I tell myself that I don't know how he got from one end of the room to the other.  

I just don't know.

Happy Tuesday.

xo

Cupcakes for graduation

In the late afternoon, we went to Bettie's Cupcakes for a preschool graduation treat.  It was a great way to end the day, and the school year.
Happy graduation, Bode!
xo

School's out for....Bode!

Before school ended for summer, Bode's class had a picnic in the park (across the street from his school).  It was a pretty crazy time for me before the picnic, involving feeding a baby, getting myself dressed, cutting up a watermelon, and a last-minute errand, when I got a call from a mom for help with the teachers' gifts. 

Miss Amy and Nico

We arrived late, and Bode was thrilled to see us.  "There's my mommy!" he announced, much like he did at the Mother's Day Tea (where I had also arrived late).  Again, there were chuckles from other parents.  After some time, Miss Amy approached me and asked, "Since this is the last day of school, do you think I could hold this beautiful baby?" (meaning Nico, of course, since he was the only baby present) She walked around, holding Nico, for a very long time.  Nico knows her, in that she always talks to him at drop off and pick up. So I think that Miss Amy has been waiting for the opportunity to hold Nico for awhile!

Bode, Derek and Gianna

The park has a sprinkler area.  A couple of moms had brought swimsuits for their daughters.  I didn't think that the sprinkler would be turned on, so I hadn't even given this any thought.  That did not stop my son and daughter from running in, around and over and over this sprinkler!  They had a blast, as did all the children (who also joined in, fully clothed).  

We love Miss Amy, Bode's teacher.  She is a gentle, loving person who just seems to give everyone  that she encounters respect and her full attention.  I am curious to know how much time passes before Bode asks about Miss Amy! She has been his teacher for 2 years now, and I know that her gentle ways are a balm for Bode on his school days. 

Miss Amy Lee, and Miss Amy looking at the scrapbooks

Like last year, the children decorated scrapbook pages for their teachers.  Each child had 2 pages with photos of himself, and was tasked with decorating the pages any way he wanted.  Bode wrote his name (he's really into writing his name everywhere these days!) and plastered the pages with stickers of planets, stars and moons. 

As a going away present, Miss Amy gifted Bode a very special necklace that she made for him.  She explained to me that she had picked out special charms for each child.  She winked, and said, "When you see Bode's, you will know..."

He loves it.

When it was time to leave, Miss Amy gave me a hug and a kiss, sadly saying, "I love you all..."  I swallowed the lump in my throat and said, "We will see you next year. Remember, you have Gianna!"

We will miss going to preschool, and we will miss Miss Amy and Miss Amy Lee. But, as I said to Miss Amy, we will see her next year.  And Mr. Bode Wm will have a whole new adventure at a new school,  with new teachers, as a KINDERGARTNER!

But first, let's enjoy the summer.

xo

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

Nico: 8 months

Dear Nico,

Happy 8 months! 

You are such a happy little guy.  Your smile is frequent, and infectious. You make everyone happy with that beam!  You are discovering new things every day. It is so fun to watch you. You, in turn, love watching us. You learn so much from your sister and brother.  You are by far the most active baby we've had.  It is most likely due to the fact that you  have older siblings that take what they want and ignore you, and the fact that your parents are often too busy to respond quickly to your needs. In other words, you're on your own. (not really!)

You are thisclose to crawling. This evening, I set you down in the kitchen while I fixed some bottles.  I saw you move from a sitting position to all fours, and then saw you make two distinct forward movements (and I panicked, and thought, "I didn't see that."). Suddenly, I felt a tug on my pajama pants, and I looked down to see you smiling up at me. (I won't call it....yet. I don't want to call it....yet....not until you are very mobile.)  

Lately, you have been consistently napping once a day. This is because I've been diligent about being home by 10 AM in order to get you down for a nap.  You will sleep for about 2 hours, and then you are up for the rest of the day.  (Now that I've documented this nap, it will no longer happen.)

The other night, I put you in the bath (sink) and you were fascinated with the flow of water. You kept trying to grab it. When it rushed through your one hand, you would switch hands. And then you just stared, transfixed.  I loved watching this discovery. 

Your father went to Germany last week. When he returned and kissed you hello, you gave him the biggest smile. He said, "Hello, my little Gummi Bear!"  And I thought, "What a great name," because you have such a lovely, gummy grin (and because Gummi Bears are my fav!).

Happy 8 months, "Gummi Bear."

Love,

Mommy

xo

One week left

Bode has one week of preschool and then he will done. Graduated. Over. Fini. Fin.

He has grown and changed so much this past year.  This past month. This past week. Today.

I have a ton of thoughts and lots of emotions about this year. And I keep telling myself, "You need to write this down."

But mainly?

I'm just happy to be with him. Happy to watch him grow. Happy to watch him be.

Happy Wednesday.
xo

Park

Here are lots of photos highlighting my children's happiness today. Their mother finally had a good attitude and the energy to take them to the park.

- Three (!) babies in swings.
- Bode's hair looks funny because he wore 2 pigtails earlier in the day.
- At first, Bode insisted on swinging in the baby swing. I reminded him that he swings on the big boy swing. When I refused to lift him into the baby swing, he got mad and climbed in by himself!
- Bode has been wearing 2 watches for the past several days.  I showed him how to use the timer function on my running watch (that he's wearing). Any time something is about to happen, he hits one of the buttons (that beeps) and announces, "I'm going to have to set the timer for that."
- I am reminded, once more, that I keep forgetting that Gianna is almost 2 years younger than Bode. She just does everything that he does. It is easy to forget. She got on the seesaw easily for Bode when he asked her to play with him. But when he started pumping it up and down, I could see a bit of anxiety.  She was very happy when I explained to Bode that "Gianna might not like that, Bode." She got off quickly when I stopped the seesaw for her.
- Nico loves to swing.  He was awake for most of the park visit before nodding off in the stroller. We were there for a long time. It was nice to not have to worry about having to feed him while at the park! Now that he is older, he can go longer between feedings. This frees me up for the other babies (emotionally and physically).

It was nice to have the energy and to be mentally "up" for a visit to the park today. I hope that I can take the children more often! They certainly deserve it.
Happy Tuesday.
xo