Diary of a Preschool Mommy

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings I find myself wondering...imagining. Generalizing. Stereotyping. Wondering how bad the morning was to make a mother give in when her son wanted to wear a beach hat, sunglasses and cowboy boots to school. Although we have yet to walk out the door with cowboy boots on, I'm sure our day will come. Well, we don't have cowboy boots, but we have fireman rain boots. So I'm mentally preparing myself for what outfit will go with said boots.

Imagining. Imagining what each one of these women is off to do after dropping their precious cargo off for a few hours. I imagine that the plethora of women that show up in yoga wear are off to do one of two things. Half of them are actually off to bikram yoga or bar method as their perfectly toned bodies suggest. But I firmly believe that the other half just want us to THINK they are. Or maybe they have every intention of going, but then daily errands and housework get in the way. Next are the moms that are dressed to the nines, racing down the hallway already thinking of the day that they have ahead. Hoping they have time to stop for a caffeine fix before heading to the office. My favorite kind of mom to watch are the moms that are dropping off one, holding another by the hand and have one in their belly. I both envy and feel for these women. I envy the state that they are in, however, I feel for them because I can only imagine the craziness that they are about to embark upon! Last but not least, there are always a few moms that show up in their pajamas. They'd like to think that we don't realize that they are pajamas. But we know. We ALL know. I hope I'm never that mom.

While I'm on the subject of moms I don't want to be. I have already done what I have always said I wouldn't. I was the last mom there the other day to pick up Drake. While he didn't seem to mind, Mom, I vividly remember what it was like to be the last one at school to be picked up. Like, there were a few times that I remember the janitors were there to clean the school and I was STILL sitting there. Wondering when my mom would show up. I hated that feeling. So here it was, 11:40 and I was at the horse barn. 20 minutes away. I knew I was going to be late, but I also knew that no one would be in the office, so I couldn't call. I pulled up at 12:03 (pickup is 11:50). The parking lot was empty. As soon as I was in sight, I could see all of the teachers staring at my car. Wondering. Was Drake's mom finally here? Poor Drake was sitting on the ground all by himself, playing with dirt. My heart dropped. I felt so bad. He of course was fine. I apologized to everyone giving some lame excuse as to why I was late. And I vowed to myself and my son that it wouldn't happen again...

Drake has been doing great in school. When he gets into the car after school, we break it down. Did you sing? Yes. What? I don't know. Did you read books? Yes. Which books? I don't know. Did you eat your snack? No. What was it? Cheese crackers AGAIN! AND I had to drink water! Out of an open cup! Lol. Did you play? Yes. With who? I don't know his name. He had a dinosaur shirt on. But the girls wouldn't let us play with them....

That's what I like to hear. Good girls.
Every Friday he brings home all of his crafts. I find it quite humorous, as you can tell he did the bare minimum. Just enough to show the teacher he did it. For example, on a cutout cookie, he was told to put chocolate chips on it. There are literally two chips. Two little dots that say, "Here, I did it. Can I go back to playing now?" I get that. Matt doesn't. He's not nearly as impressed with Drake's drawings as I am. He claims that mediocrity won't be allowed in our house. Ahh. Men. I guess they just want better for their children. Want them to want to do the best they can- be the best- from day one. And I suppose I get that too.
I can't wait to look back on these days when Drake is grown. Well, I take that back. I can wait. I'm having too much fun to wish these days away =)

A Day All About Trey

A child's first birthday. I think that every mother can say that this day is a bittersweet one. On one hand we think- YAY! We made it through the first year! For most it means that we are sleeping through the night again, we are done breastfeeding, most of the teething is over with and we once again feel okay about leaving the baby with the sitter to enjoy a night out on the town. On the other hand we think- WAIT! Where did the year go?? Where is my sweet snuggly newborn with whom I could waste a whole day just lying around and staring at each other?? Why doesn't he need me in the middle of the night anymore? Why doesn't he need me to feed him? I want my baby back! 
It's because of this "other" hand I believe a lot of women keep having babies. We like to feel needed. Loved. Unconditionally. My babies never cared if I had showered, gotten out of my pajamas or brushed my teeth for that matter. If I was having a bad day, they were there to love on me and remind me that nothing could be that bad. For that, I am grateful. But I'm also realistic. Sure. I'd love to have a whole gaggle of babies (I think a gaggle relates to geese somehow...idk. I like the way it sounds). But right now we can house, feed and send the two we have to college. So for now, we are done having these sweet, adorable and cuddly babies. For now =)

So onto the topic at hand...Trey Jaxson! One year ago today at 10:44 am, we welcomed you into our family with loads of love to offer you. You made our family of 3 an even 4. Of course mommy and daddy loved you, but Drake absolutely adored you. My cup over floweth. I never thought I could love my second as much as my first. But you proved me wrong. From the get-go you were an easy baby. You would go to anyone, sleep like an angel and had the most laid back demeanor. Then all of a sudden you started moving...at what? 6 months? Crawling. At the speed of light. And as if that wasn't enough, you decided that you had to keep up with Drake, so walking was a must. At 9 1/2 months. We weren't ready for that! Trey Bird is your nickname...although often it's just Bird. Or lately, Monster. Because seriously, you are into EVERYTHING. Toilets? Check. Garbage? Check. Dog Bowls? Double Check. You want everything Drake has. And of course, that is causing major problems on the toy front. You love chocolate milk, grapes and peaches. Chili, spaghetti and chicken are high on your list too. You love to look at pictures of yourself and of course your brother. Drake started school last week, and on day one, you cried the whole time he was gone. You just didn't know what to do without someone to follow. But day two? We came home and you didn't know what to play with first. For the first time ever, the entire house was yours, toys and all. You aren't talking yet, but I'm convinced that Drake has something to do with that. When you have something to say, you'll say it. I'm not worried. 

Anyway, Happy Birthday Son. Mommy, Daddy and Drake love you more than you'll ever know.  

Busy Week!

Wow. It's been one of those weeks where you look back and think- "what the heck just happened?" Now that Matt's back at school, the boys and I have found that we like to get out and do things again (for those of you that know my husband, know that he's a lounge around the house kind of guy...and it's contagious!). So anyway, here are a few things that we tackled this week...

 

We went to a local horse stable...the boys adored the horses! And the horses truly adored them and loved the attention that they were given by them...we definitely want a horse now. Stella here (the horse with Trey) is up for adoption. Daddy please???

We went to another new (well not new, but new to us) park with Katie, Hazel and Allison. It's really fun to get out with other moms (and moms-to-be!) and just relax. The adult conversation is always a plus too! 

 

 Drake's favorite thing to do after eating at CPK is head to the water fountains at Waterside. He chucks pennies into the water and LOVES dipping his feet in through the bars...the things he's teaching his little brother!!

While Matt golfed, we hit the water park...I hope it wasn't the last time of the summer, but with schedules filling up and the park's hours dwindling, it just may have been. It was fun while it lasted though!

And last, but certainly not least, the boys had their first "costume party"! It was Addie's 3rd birthday and the kids were to dress as their favorite princess or super hero...I was shocked that Drake didn't want to dress as Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. Ahh, the whims of a three year old. And Trey, well Trey doesn't talk yet, so Trey doesn't get a say =)

So...that's that. Busy week. But we all know that I wouldn't change it for the world. What's up for next week? Preschool for Drake and Mommy's first football game...wish us luck!