Looks Like Only One is Going to Fly the Next

When I asked Lila what she wanted to be when she grew up, her first reponse was, "A Pumpkin."  Funny how we were just looking at a pumpkin Savannah had drawn.  After a couple of pensive moments, Miss Lila said, "I can't be a pumpkin, it would get in my mouth."  I guess this is how a mind a four year old works?

We moved past the pumpkin and tried other options but she didn't bite.  Finally, I asked her if she wanted to have a baby when she was big like me and she said, "Yes."  Then she hesitated and asked, with wondering eyes, "Will the baby poop?"  I told her yes and she was thrilled.  Poop is in every round of the Baby/Mommy game that is played non-stop in this house.  I asked Lila if she was going to snuggle her baby and she said, "NO."  The baby will be stinky, YUCK."

Lila Grace ended the conversation a few seconds later with, "Actually Mommy, when I get big I just want to snuggle you. Okay?"

During this conversation, Adeline poked her head in my door and told me, "I am going to drive a BIG bus when I get big Mom." 

Looks like Lila and Savannah are planning to live with me forever, while their sister cruises through life driving a big bus.  Only time will tell. . .

Interantional Peace Day 2010

Today, West Chester Friends celebrated Peace Day 2010. The entire school comes together for a peace parade.  This year, the school participated in Pinwheels for Peace , which was a nice way for the students to feel a part of a larger communtiy. Because Savannah's school is Quaker, peace is a very serious subject.  The children don't just talk about it, they really try to put it in to action.  Some students are more successful than others, and I can tell you that Savannah takes this day seriously.

I had the pleasure of bringing Adeline, Lila and Charlotte to the parade.  Adeline wouldn't let go of Savannah's hand and assimilated to the first grade line nicely.  It is very excitng to be a first grader on Peace Day because each first grader holds a paper mache peace dove while leading the school on their 15 minute march.  This parade is a silent one as students are called to think about their community and communities across the world and how they can make a peaceful impact on both.  The three little girls did a great job respecting the silence and treking along with T. Connie's class.  Adeline was most proud of her big sister and wanted the entire school to know she belonged to Savannah.

After the parade, students placed their pinwheels in front of the meeting house in order to be a public display reminder to all those who drive by - and there are MANY cars each day.   Next, we came together as a circle of Friends and were recognized by the Mayor and Head of School. The celebration ended with some touching songs that were accompanied by four year old dancing.

Watching these three march with the big kids, sing, and dance was rather inspiring. Four years ago all three were figting for life, side by side, in the NICU. Never did I imagine that it was life where all three girls would walk, talk, and function independently. Imagine how I felt today watching them walk hand in hand with Savannah, so proud to be a part of the big kids! While they warmed many hearts today, mine was the warmest! I was the only one that knew the magnitude of their march.

Manners!

My friend Miss Sara brought Lila home from school today.  When I walked out to get her, she stood up in Miss Sara's van while looking her straight in the eye and said, "Thanks for driving me home in your car."  Her words weren't in the proper order and I don't know exactly how they came out.  But I do know that she was trying to say the above without any prompting from me.  I am thrilled that she recognized the need for a proper thank you!

Getting Older

On the way to school this morning, Savannah asked me if I remembered how she used to take Santa gifts.  I told her I did and that I always thought it was so sweet.  She responded with, "I think I am getting a little too old to do those kind of things now."

Two minutes later she told me that she wasn't sure that she wanted to have kids.  "I think I would just rather live with you and daddy when I grow up."

She is getting older but she isn't ready to fly the nest just yet.

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 . . .