Who's the baby?

Yesterday, the twins had the most phenomenal day together.  Alex and I sat out on the deck researching cars while the twins played a solid 5 hours together.  One must brace him/herself for this one. . .  THE TWINS LEFT US ALONE THE ENTIRE TIME!  Yes, they never fought, never checked in, and never needed us for one thing.  They played and played and played some more.  They made up games, role played as a mommy and baby, cooked food (Thomas Train track pieces) and laughed their little heads off.  They even tried to play a board game together.  It was so cute, very endearing and, most notably, rare.  My friend always tells me that we have the kids we raise.  Suffice it to say, we don't raise very independent kids.  Somehow, our kids are always sharing our space, attaching themselves to our hips or, if ignored, biting at our ankles.  This was clearly not the case yesterday.

A day later, the tides have changed.  While sitting at the dinner table, Adeline played the mommy card.  Alex and I are always encouraging Lila to eat but tonight, Adeline felt that she needed to be the boss.  After telling Lila that she needed to eat her chicken or go sit in her bed, I turned to Adeline and said,

"Adeline you are not the Mommy."

A:  (very serious) Yes I am

Me:  Are you a Mommy Adeline?

A:  Yes!

M:  Well who is your baby?

A:  That girl right over there.  (pointing across the table with a very straight face)  Lila Grace is my baby.

We were all laughing hysterically which helped her bypass the point I was trying to make.

First Full Week

School has officially begun.  Savannah and Adeline had a full five day week and Lila Grace had her typical three day week.  It has been exhausting and exciting all at the same time.  Here are some of the highlights - if I can stay awake to type them.

Adeline started the first day of school at her mainstream preschool.  It was very hard to not walk into Mrs. Stueve's classroom.  She has been her teacher for two years now and part of the family as well.  Luckily, Adeline is my go with the flow girl when it comes to school.  After expressing over and over again in the car that she wanted to go to Mrs. Stueve's classroom, Adeline put on her happy face and walked in to Mrs. Feinstein's classroom.  She didn't have any nerves and happily joined some boys playing with cars.  I should note that Mrs. Feinstein was Mrs. Stueve's assistant when Adeline was in the twos program.  It is clear that she is proud of my little girl.  I look forward to watching Adeline fall in love with her all over again!

All of the feedback has been positive for Adeline. Mrs. Feinstein says that she is very independent, rarely wants help, and is engaging in all of the activities. They made an art display of rainbow feet and out of 14 colored feet, Adeline was able to pick out hers (honestly, they all looked alike to me). I was thrilled.

On Tuesday, Lila Grace started swim lessons. I was expecting a lot of push back from my not so flexible girl. She powered through with no tears. I have her enrolled in a 30 minute weekly private session which is over the recommended time for 4 year olds. Lila hung in there and I was very pleased. It is my hope that swimming helps strengthen her core as well as enhance her motor planning.

Wednesday and Thursday were spent looking at new, or new to us, cars. Daddy's car has sprung a fuel leak and, unfortunately, the part is no long manufactured. It looks like the car I brought all three of my babies home in, is going to be replaced. Existing as a one car family isn't really working for us but lugging all three kids to a car lot isn't so great either.

Our week ended with Savannah running in her first race.  Elementary schools from around the area gather in a local park for half mile runs.  Savannah was very excited to run this morning.  However, when I picked her up this afternoon, she had changed her mind.  I believe that her nerves were getting to her since she didn't know how the run was going to play out.  I encouraged her to give it a try and she did.  Luckily, her friend Ella was there to be her running buddy.  Actually, there were a lot of West Chester Friends students running by her side.

Savannah ran the entire way at a nice pace.  She and Ella heeded the "slow and steady" advice and crossed the finish line in the middle of the pack.  I was pretty proud of my big girl.

I think we are all excited that the week is over.  It was full of fun activities but all three of my girls appeared very tired this evening.  We will be sleeping in an taking it easy tomorrow.  I'm exhausted and this is only week one. 

First Day of 1st Grade

How different first grade is when compared to Kindergarten.  I was an emotional wreck last year.  This year was a different story.  It appears that my once shy and timid girl, has grown into quite a strong and confident girl.  Savannah was not nervous for her first day of school in the least bit.  She couldn't wait for the day to come.  She loves T. Connie and has heard that students learn a lot and do many interesting projects in first grade.  Savannah is my girl who loves to learn!

So, as I tucked my not so little and shy girl into bed, I read her, The Kissing Hand, just like I did last year.  The difference was that, this year, she only thought it to be a cute story.  Last year, she needed to believe that she held my love in her hand throughout her days at school.  Yes, I know, this is all just a simple step in letting go (just a little bit I hope) and starting to carve her way through the world without her Mommy with her every second of everyday. 

Savannah woke up extra early on her first day of school.  I didn't matter much because she was still the LAST child to arrive and found that her line had left her behind.  It rattled me a bit but not my girl.  She was happy to take staff member's hand and be escorted to class.  With quick wave and goodbye Miss Savannah Mae officially entered first grade!

The traditional Quaker handshake at end the day with, Head of School, T. Matt.

I should mention that she loved every minute of the day and told me, once she was in the car on the way home, "Mommy, this is the first time that I am not excited for you to pick me up.  This is the first time that I would rather stay at school."  Of course this is what I have wished for but you know the saying that goes something like this:  Be careful what you wish for . . .

Miss Lila's First Day of School

Lila started school today.  She was so excited that she went to sleep wearing her backpack.   Lila didn't get all the glory that she would have typically gotten because her preschool is devastated by the loss of Aidan.  The moms tried to put on our brave faces and leave the tears at home but the attempts were futile.

Lila was a little nervous upon entering her classroom and froze like a statute.  She had no desire to move or put her name in the basket.  Luckily, Lila's good friend Miss Hayden was already there and upon realizing this, Lila promptly picked out her name, deposited it in the the basket, and sat down to play cars.  I asked Lila if I could have a hug and kiss goodbye and she said, "No Mommy.  I just busy playing."  I squeezed on out of her anyway and went on my way.

She looks so old!

Dentist and Special Day Out with the Big Girl

After dropping Adeline at school, both Savannah and Lila had dentist appointments. I was pleased to hear that they are brushing well. I think I can allow Lila to brush without my coming in behind her to ensure the job was well done.

Lila was referred to an Orthodontist. She has a very small palate which is going to need expanding if the upper jaw is to grow along with the lower jaw. I knew it was coming but didn't expect it so soon.  It is common for preemies to have high/small palates from all the tubes that were in their mouths for weeks on end.

Later that evening, I had our babysitter come over to watch the girls (Daddy is gone) so that I could take Savannah on a special night with mommy before her first day of school. She chose a paint your own pottery place. We were both very excited to get away together.

Unfortunately, we received some devastating new on the ride there. One of Savannah's old classmates collapsed suddenly and died on Saturday. I was a sobbing mess upon hearing the news and was forced to tell Savannah. We held each other and cried together. We prayed and cried some more.

I knew I had to push forward with our plans and am glad that I did. Savannah recovered and really enjoyed herself. She understood the tears that were running down my cheeks during our painting session. She went back and forth with her conversations. Questions about sweet Aidan and why he died and then on to her birthday party plans. I guess it was age appropriate under the circumstances. I was happy that she wasn't devastated by my sadness.

Here Savannah is working on her ladybug plate that is meant to hold her ladybug cake for her upcoming ladybug birthday party.

Adeline's First Day of Preschool - school #1

Adeline's developmental classroom started up again this week.  Miss A was so excited to go back to school that she would name off her teachers one by one randomly during the days before.  There are five of them!  She was equally excited to see all five. 

Adeline couldn't fall asleep the night before and was chatting up a storm until 11:00 p.m.  No worries about being cranky in the morning.  Once I extracted her from the bed (not and easy task) she perked up and couldn't wait to wear her backpack. 

Here she is, Miss swollen sleepy eyes!

Adeline was the first to arrive at school.  Yes, that was a first for her as we are always the last.  She got the undivided loves from her teachers.  Once she spotted Miss Lois, she broke free from my hands and ran - really ran - chanting, "Miss Lois, Miss Lois."  I caught the loving embrace! 

Unfortunately, her day ended on a sad note.  Miss Louise, her beloved bus driver, was rerouted and Adeline was assigned to a minivan.  She was beside herself.  The little yellow bus is the best part of her day.  Last year, if I picked her up and didn't let her ride the bus, I had to drag a kicking a screaming Adeline to my car.  This day, I was holding a sobbing and sad Adeline who was chanting, "I want my Louise, I want my Louise."  It really broke my heart.  I suspect I will be her transportation home as a minivan with a who knows where this car seat has been ride is not my idea of safe transportation for my four year old. 

Speaking of Faces. . .

This girl has one for every occasion!  She is adorable one moment and has her tongue and eyes popping out of her head the next.  I think she is the queen of funny faces.