A First & A Last

Yesterday was a first for Sophie.  Her first field trip.  First bus ride.  First.

Yesterday was a last for me.  Last Kindergarten field trip.  Last kid I'll experience freaking out with excitement to ride a bus.  Last.

(Sorry, I am feeling a little sentimental that I am "graduating" to a new phase of motherhood.  A wonderful and still enriching phase, but a different stage nonetheless).

Despite my nostalgia, yesterday was so great.  Sophie's class got to go to a local pumpkin patch for a day on the farm.  It was so fun and we had so much fun together.

We rode on a hayride pulled by a tractor, picked our own pumpkins right off the vine, played in a corn maze and pet some fidgety goats.

We ended our date at Chick Fil A with some other moms who are also "graduating" with their last kindergartener.  So fun.

 

It was a perfect day.

I am finally feeling better.  My back is healing.  I found out that I tore a muscle in my back.  I have had to literally stop all activity, but I am getting stronger everyday.  I feel that it is a great sign that I am no longer aware when the next 4-6 hours has arrived for another round of ibuprofen.

So...I guess I am not a granny afterall...well, at least I was thinking that until last night.  Sophie and I were watching TV and a lady in her late 60's/early 70's came on the screen. Sophie told me that I kind of look like her.  I asked her, "Really?"  She replied, "Yeah mom, your skin is getting all wrinkly like hers."

Awesome. 

Thanks for that Sophie!! The joy of motherhood......

(I guess my years of perfectly bronzed skin is catching up with me???)

Best Mom Award?...Maybe not Today

August 22nd.
We have known about this day for months.
We have dreaded it.
Longed for it.
Anticipated it.
Prepared for it.
August 22nd...the first day of school.

Romney is traveling until Tuesday, so I wanted to be sure to eliminate as much stress as possible for our little family as we jumped back into school, routine, etc., so we were ready.  The kids had their clothes set out.  Their backpacks were stuffed full of all the supplies we have gathered over the last few weeks.  We were all in bed at a decent hour.  We were ready.

Everything was set in motion...until 7:46 this morning.  I woke to Thomas stumbling into my room asking me what time we needed to wake up.  Lauren and Christian were both in bed with me and covering me with their arms and legs.  It was a horrible night and to top things off, my two alarms did not go off.

Let's just say that my stomach dropped as I realized that the last bell rang at 7:45.  We were going to be late on the first day of school.  Barf.  Have I mentioned that we live across the street from the school??  I just about died as I peeked out the window and saw all the nice/"on the ball" parents casually walking back to their cars with their cameras in hand after just dropping their children off at school...on time. 

So, it was not the nostalgic, picture taking, healthy breakfast, calm walk to school morning I had hoped for.  Christian and Lauren were nearly in tears as they felt my stress as I ran like a crazy lady getting them out the door.  I kept laughing and apologizing to them.

I had to do the walk of shame into that school 25 minutes late.  Somehow we made it and the kids ended up having a fantastic day.

 

Thomas going into the 7th grade.

Lauren our 5th Grader

Christian our 2nd Grader

Sophie started Kindergarten today.  I can hardly believe that my sweet little baby is ready to leave me everyday.  Man I am going to miss my little buddy Sophie.

Let's just hope that this morning is 1) not a reflection of my mothering skills and 2) not an indicator of the type of year that is ahead of us.  We live across the street from the school for crying out loud!!!

Happy First Day of School!

A 12th Birthday & The Gift of Motherhood

During our years in Boston, this week in April was always a highlight.  The weather was finally warming and the city came to life on Patriot's Day, the state holiday for Massachusetts, the third Monday in April.  This historical day, April 19th commemorates the start of the US Revolutionary War.  There is a re-enactment of the Paul Revere's ride, Battle at Lexington and Concord and on this day every year, runners from all over the world run the beloved Boston Marathon. Our friends would always gather on heartbreak hill to cheer on the marathon runners and then end the day at a local favorite, Kimball's Farm for delicious slow-churned ice cream.

Twelve years ago today, I ran my own version of the Boston Marathon when I gave birth to Thomas.  He was born on Patriot's Day, April 19th, at 8:45 AM.  The hospital sat just less than one mile from the famous finish line at Kenmore Square in Boston.

It is hard to believe that was 12 years ago today! What a journey it has been.  Thomas has been a determined and strong-willed child from the second he took his first breath.

I'll never forget how scary and vulnerable I felt as Romney and I walked out of that hospital with him in our arms.  I could not believe that the hospital staff was just going to let us walk out of there with a baby.  Didn't they know we had no clue what we were doing? I felt like I was stepping into adulthood as we drove away.  I think I was right.

On this day, Thomas gave me the gift of motherhood.  In a way,  we have been guinea pigs together--a first for both of us.  But, I'll be honest, being Thomas' mom has been a joy beyond measure.   Thomas and I are great friends...we have been from the start.  What an honor that I am the one who gets to watch him blossom into the amazing person he is.

12 is a big one.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for my darling Thomas...the sweet kid who will somehow always be my little guy with huge blue eyes and munchable cheeks.  I'll admit that I get a lump in my throat when I think about how quickly his childhood is flying by.

 Happy Birthday Mr. T!!

I hope it's okay to brag about this one....

At the end of last November, Lauren brought home a flier announcing district-wide auditions for the play Annie.  Lauren said that she wanted to try out and I figured why not.  Several weeks later, we showed up and were clearly novices surrounded by 90+ girls, many who had been professionally trained, all clamoring for a part in the beloved musical. (The only thing we did to prepare for Lauren's first acting experience was to watch the 1981 movie "Annie" a few days earlier...)

Well, as I already mentioned here, after hours of auditions and a call back a few days later, Lauren was offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play the leading role of Annie.  The practices have been long and hard, 3-hours a day M-F since last January, but her attitude has been remarkable.  She has never made one complaint about the demanding schedule.

The "Annie" production was last week and it was incredible.   I could not be prouder of my little girl who was given the chance to bloom in a way that blew my mind.  She was amazing and I am still in awe of her confidence and ability.

Sorry to appear boastful, but it was an extremely proud moment for me.  Here are a few highlights of the show.

 

 

 

Lauren with the director Rene Dill.  Rene played "Annie" at this same high school when she was 11 years old.  Lauren got to wear the same red dress she wore when Rene played the part.

It was an amazing experience for all of us.  She was great and won the hearts of her audiences...standing ovations, autographs and countless photos and not to mention the front page of a local paper.

Congratulations to my darling Lauren!!  Now...if we can somehow get these songs out of our heads!!!