smooth sailin’ today

Posted on August 8, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

I was mostly worried for Dexter today because he’s really never been away from Theo, but especially since he’s been old enough to know what’s going on in the world around him. For example, his brother going to an ultra cool new preschool while he returns to the babysitter. Alone.

There were no tears this morning. None from Dexter, none from mommy or daddy, and certainly zilch-o from Theo. He was pumped to get to school and get to playing.

And that he did.

When I picked him up, they reported that he was wonderfully behaved, kept very busy, and had them in stitches with his humor. Couldn’t ask for a better report than that. Ms. Darcy, one of his teachers, said that during circle time, they were teaching the new/little ones about raising their hand before speaking. This is new to him, as he’s never been in this kind of structured classroom setting. Ms. Darcy said that after being instructed, Theo did raise his hand to speak one time, but did not feel that it was necessary subsequent times. She said he kept saying “but I already DID raise my hand.” ha.

Ready to play. See ya, mom and dad!!

I can’t wait to see how much he learns and grows from this new experience.

pre-school’s eve and a fun-filled weekend

Posted on August 7, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

Tomorrow, Theo starts pre-school. Up until 2 months ago, I hadn’t really planned on sending him. Our long-time babysitter decided to close so we were forced to come up with an alternative. Nothing felt perfect until we stepped foot inside the Montessori school just down the street. We feel so lucky because it’s only a few minutes away and there are parents that drive a long way there so that their children can attend. We loved it, we signed up, then almost 2 months went by. That feeling that I had when we were there the first time faded over time.

Friday it came back. Hard. We attended a New Student Open House and let me tell you. Theo is obsessed. He had never been there until Friday night. He was excited to go because we’d been telling him all about it – how there’s a huge sandbox and how he gets to take turns setting the table for lunch and so on. Well the open house was from 6-8 and we pretty much spent that entire time there. He didn’t want to leave. When we did finally pry him away, he ran up to his teacher and declared that he would see her next week when mommy and daddy were going to drop him off “for a loooooong day!”

Monday night was the Parent Orientation. Wellllll. Maybe Theo thought that was the LOOONG day, but it turned out to be a short hour. He was not happy when we told him it was time to go. So he did what any ballistic threenager would do and threw the most embarrassing fit in all history of fits. “YOU SAID I COULD STAY FOR A LOONG DAY AND YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO LEAVE ME HERE! I’M STILL PLAYING. LEAVE MOMMY!!!”

Cooool.

In front of all the other parents and classmates and, oh yeah, the teachers. One smiled encouragingly and said, “well at least he’s not crying because he doesn’t want to come.” Heh heh, yeah. In the meantime, my face was probably 56.8 million shades of red. Needless to say, he’s very excited to go to school tomorrow. The first week is half days so he doesn’t have to take his lunch – that may be a problem because he’s already insisting on taking edamame, grapes, and chicken. Okay, kid. Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to have every last thing we need to make his first full day perfect.

Saturday we went to the state fair for some fun and Sunday we had Ryan’s work summer picnic at the Colts’ practice facility. Lots of fun for the boys (and just as much or more for this mommy and daddy too!).

Here’s what it looked like:

Mapping out our route.

My posed pictures are terrible. Like every time. But this is obligatory! We’ve done some version of this pic since Theo was a baby.

Do all boys love tractors? Or is that just an Indiana boy thing?

That moment when your 3 year old realizes he didn’t get his own 20 oz. milkshake.
I DON’T WANNA SHARE! I WANT MY OWN!!!

There’s a really cool animation exhibit this year.

My favorite – the chicks and bunnies barn. Also known as the Poultry Barn.

The best of many failed attempts…

Watching the Monster Truck Rally from afar. I’m still mad at myself for not making sure we made it to the show. They loved it from 10 miles away so I’m sure they would’ve had a blast in the stands.

Sunday…

You better believe we were the first ones to eat!

Funky, funky dance moves. Poor, poor, awkward boy.

Snuggling up with some pretty Colts cheerleaders.

Theo had to make sure she spelled his name correctly.

Again. Fail.

Hi there.

The end.

xo,
~C~

their first month is behind us now.

Posted on August 2, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

One month ago, we turned a page and started a new chapter in life. The boys went to their new babysitter for the first time on July 1st. It was rough. It’s been a rough month, sorta. Dexter, just in the last several days, has stopped crying every night at bedtime. It took about three weeks before he stopped crying at drop-off more often than not. Theo did great the first week then had a rough patch that seems to be fading now.

They are adapting. We all are. Everyone told me kids adapt so easily. They are so good with change. It will be so much harder on you than it is for them. Yeah, yeah. I dunno. I wouldn’t say they’ve moved on completely. They had a deep bond with our first sitter. We drive past the road we turned on to get to her house and they ask if that’s where we’re going. Theo sometimes stares out the car window and asks when he can start going back to her house, as if this current situation is just temporary. My heart aches every time they ask for her or to go to her house. It’s not over.

It’s been an adjustment for me as well. The new place is ran much more like a daycare center (although she’s a licensed in-home sitter) than the previous. The amount of communication is little to none in comparison. There are many things I don’t know. There’s no daily sheet and I don’t want to be obnoxious or redundant asking every day how they napped, what they ate, or when they pooped. Maybe those things aren’t critical any more. Sometimes they can tell me what they ate for lunch, sometimes they just say “cookies.” While I trust that they are 100% safe and that the care is appropriate, I’m having a hard time letting go. It’s hard not knowing. I’m their mom. I guess I feel like I’m entitled. They are my everything, but to tell you the truth, I couldn’t tell you what the hell they do all day.

I had hoped that this would feel a little less new by now. Theo starts pre-school next Wednesday and that means that Dexter will be at the new sitter’s place alone (without Theo) 3 days a week. Three days a week that I’ll have no clue what goes on. I know I can ask a million questions, and I do if I have concerns, but it’s just the basics that I miss. The transition hasn’t been all negative, but it’s been hard. More transitions are coming and this last one is still tough.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Theo does at his little school. I truly believe he’ll thrive in the Montessori environment. We’ll just continue taking it one day and one week at a time. Eventually this new awkwardness will be the new normal and things will be fine. I just wish I could speed up the process a little, that’s all.

Okay, that felt a little hum-drum. Let’s end this post with some fun pictures from this past weekend. Not to be a Negative Nancy or anything but summer weather this year has been sub-par…just saying.