School Days

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 was the VERY first day of school for Kiss and Cookie.  Yes, there will be many, many more "First" days, but this will always be the FIRST, first day.  I can be a bit sentimental like that, and in this case was!  It was a great first day.  It was filled with growth and love and new friendships. It was exactly what a First Day should be.

It was also filled with tears and crying, from Kiss, from Cookie and from Mommy.

Here are some highlights!
The kids are attending Christ United Methodist School For Little People (SFLP) on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.  They are in separate classrooms!!  Kiss has Ms. Sylvia & Cookie has Ms. Whitney.  I really love the school and their teachers.  This is a GREAT place.  The SFLP is about 1/2 mile from our house so we also know a lot of the kids that attend.  This is very nice for Mommy since I have 2 classrooms to get to know and 22 kids to remember!  We are the only set of multiples that have "split" but Cookie has a set of triplets in his room (we know them from Kindermusik & gymnastics).

Daddy & Cookie at SFLP Open House

Miss Kiss had a good first day.
There was excitement on the way to class, but then a few tears when Daddy said goodbye.

Monkey (Kiss) & Frog (Cookie) backpacks courtesy of fairy godparents

The report was that there were a few more tears as the day went on (lot's of "new" kids and some younger two's as well in her class) and she was more than ready when I arrived to pick her up 4 hours later.

Go home!

When we got home she went straight to her night-night (blanket) and told her all about her day!  Ms. Sylvia, a BOY named Jake (not just a dog name - interesting) and that she was home just like she had promised!!  It was seriously priceless!

Night-night, school was so fun!

Day two was rough!  She knew what was going on and wanted little part of it, but when I went to pick her up she was too busy helping clean up to want to go home!!  Yippee. Back home to see night-night and fill her in on the day.  She did tell night-night that it was "pretty fun, uh, huh"!


Day Three.  No tears at drop off, ate most of her lunch, finished an art project and had a grand day.  Ms. Sylvia said she was a super helper and also soothed Cookie on the playground.  When we left she said "More Church, More Church!!" (we also go to church as CU so she still associates it more with church than school).  This was music to my ears!  Now we just need to get her to nap after school and we will be in business.

A GREAT first week of school for Miss Kiss!!

Master Cookie was not quite as on board with school as Kiss and not so eager to even get out of the car!  He didn't start crying until I walked into the classroom where he had to be peeled off me like a barnacle and proceeded to carry on like a Howler Monkey!  It was lots of tears for me and Cookie as I said goodbye and beat a hasty retreat.  I had gotten the sage advice "like a bandaid".
Ms. Whitney called around 10am to say that, although he still had a death grip on the backpack & lunchbox, he was no longer crying.  He & Kiss share outside playtime and once he saw her was much calmer!  We said NO! to blankets & paci's at school so his "comforts" from home are the lunchbox, backpack and ,of course, his sister!  He couldn't wait to get out of there when I went to pick him up, but said it was "Ok". (His classroom has mostly older twos and many kids that attended the toddler room last year - Kiss & Cookie were too young to attend last year, they are middle two's as they turn 2 1/2 in Sept.)

Ready or not, here I come!!

Day Two.  Howler Monkey from the time we walked in the door.  Screaming in the hallway and refusing to move.  Once in classroom resumed death grip on backpack & lunchbox.  I left streaming tears and sick to my stomach.....

Ms. Whitney called around 10am to say that he was chill.  That he and Kiss said howdy on the playground, switched sunglasses and were then off to do their own thing.  He had relinquished his grip on backpack & lunchbox and was doing pretty well. When I went to pick him up he wanted to stay and play with the wooden blocks.  Smile!!!!

Day Three.  A few tears, but there was no real drama behind them this time.  We all knew that he was going to have a fun day.  He was willing to give up the backpack but the lunchbox was still a must have.  At pick up he was good to go.  Waved goodbye and was all smiles.

SFLP rocks!  Kiss & Cookie Rock!  Pre pre-school Rocks!!  I'm exhausted.....

Exhausted and ready to be back home!

As for Mommy.  It has been a long week.  In addition to starting school we began a new bedtime routine.  At 30 months I had hit my limit of 4 hour bedtimes.  I just can't rub backs for two hours - so we started the dreaded "sleep training".  It has been hard but tonight they both feel asleep after just a little fussing and no full on screaming (they are clearly exhausted - note above, me too!).  On top of all that I am pretty sick and my Fall allergies are in full swing.  Bummer.  All that aside, it was another great week in Mommyhood!

This latest "first" was awesome.  I am always awed by the great blessing that  have in Kiss & Cookie and the amazing responsibility that I have to them.  It can be hard for me to let go.  Each "first" is also a last and only for me.  I treasure these moments beyond measure and they are bittersweet.  My babies have left the "Bubble".  They are being influenced by kids that I haven't handpicked, teachers that I haven't done full personal history checks on, activities that I didn't personally select.  They will make new friends and have new experiences that I will not be directly involved in.  This is exactly what I want and yet it is HARD to acknowledge that they are not babies anymore.  It is days and moments like these that re enforce the biggest lesson parenthood has taught me.
This is the only moment of its kind.  Cherish it, love it, hold it -oh so briefly - in your heart, and then wish it goodbye as you prepare to embrace the next moment.

Goodbye my babies.

Hello my pre-schoolers!

Back on the Blog Wagon

It was a great Summer. Filled with new amazing growth, physically, spiritually and cognitively. The life and times of two very busy two year olds makes for some exciting days ( and nights) and also can make it tough for Mommy to keep up with the blog. But I've missed documenting all the daily little things and although I like the instantaneous nature of FB, it doesn't have the same "scrapbook" nature as a blog. I know that I won't remember everything but am going to try and post the most memorable events of Summer - but first I am going to start with today! I long ago learned that if I start at the beginning (past) I may never get to the present and therefore forever remain "catching up" instead of Being. And Being is what it's all about!!
I think there is a way to link blog posts to FB.... If any one knows how can you tell me? Also, for you bloggers- if u link ur blog to FB then I'll know when u update!! Slick!

FAQ readers .... We are Back!!

Happy 26 month Birthday!

Wow! It's hard to believe that two years ago our lives changed so dramatically with the arrival of our tiny bundles of joy. It has Been such an amazing and blessed experience. As they have grown, so have I. They teach me something new everday. We are blessed beyond belief and I want to thank the Universe for the gift of these terrific two year olds. Thank You!!

So I wrote this and forgot to post it in April. Crazy how much has changed with them in just two months. 28 month update to come shortly!

It's been a fun and crazy year. Miss Kiss continues to be the driving force in our house. She makes sure that we are on our toes. She is curious and very observant. One of my favorite stories of late is when she began to notice that all people were not the same. She began by pointing out who wore glasses, who didn't. Mommy doesn't, Daddy does. This is a favorite game of hers - pointing out differences. Then at bathtime, about a month ago, she observed " No penis! Nope, uh uh. No way!". Yup- officially not babies anymore! I just love that girl. She is incredible.
Beyond noticing differences she is learning her letter, numbers and colors. So far she has the alphabet song down and recognizes most letters. Elemeno is her favorite letter! (L M N O). She lives in the land of yellow. It's her fave color and eveything is yellow, regardless of it's actual color. What color is an orange? You guessed it - yellow! She has her numbers pretty down pat. She can count up to about 13 or 14 consistently and recognizes groupings up to 4. Any more than 4 is "more". As is, 1,2,3,4 more!
She has too many words to count. If you can say it then so can she (yup, this means really watching what you say around her!). Dressing herself and flirting with potty training are our latest adventures. She is super active and prefers to be outdoors whenever possible. Favorite foods at Two include; pizza (pastees), gummie anything, tomatoes and sweets of any kind. She is a good eater & will try most things, including spicy foods. So far , knock on wood, we haven't had a fit of the finickys... She continues to love on her one & only special blanket and for the life of me I can't seem to break them of the pacifer- so she still has that too.
Swinging and going to the park top the list of her favorite playtime activities. She is very very busy!!





Master Cookie stays as sweet & kind as always. He is always willing to "trade" with Kiss and is an excellent sharer and giver of hugs. He continues to be a bit selectively active when it comes to chewing and I often wonder if comes from the House of Slytherin (he's a bit snake like in his desire to swallow his food whole!!). His favorite food is fruit of any kind. He also really likes Chocolate milk!! He too is a pretty good eater. He loves the water and in TX in April it's hot enough to get the hose out & get wet. If I could get the paci out of his mouth he would be talking up a storm (or screaming for the dang thing!). Super paci addict, but also really beginning to be more verbal. Still loves to bang things with a stick and jump and DANCE! A total joy and about as cute as they come.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Big kid beds - the final chapter

The saga has finially come to an end (at least for now)! After about twenty different variations (and moving beds about a thousand times) I decided on keeping the kids in one room and getting two twin beds.
Let's not gloss over how long it took me to decide on twin beds. FOREVER!!
After much discussion I decided that 1) if I wanted to keep them in one room we had to have twin beds (nothing else would fit) 2) bunk beds were the way to go (probably never use them as bunk beds but only one bed will fit against the wall and wanted the rails that are on the top bed) 3) didn't want to spend a fortune since I don't think they'll be in them for more than a few years. The answer : Wal-Mart. I know, I hate it there too, but I got a very nice all solid wood bunkbed in Honey Oak for just $199. I also found fab all natural latex mattresses (no out gasing) for just $125 each PLUS organic Cotten no PVC/BPA waterproof mattress covers for $12.99. With site to store pick up = free. Hate Wal-mart but gotta love this deal.

Last weekend one of my BFF's was in town visiting (miss you already! Need to get to WI soon) and we hit the Target for some cute bedding.

Today we picked up the final pieces and during nap time I assembled the new Big Kid Beds!!!!!
Check out the toddler digs!


They even got their "aquariums" back. They had missed them.


Sock monkeys from Auntie A, wall art & crotched do dads from Aunt N, pictures from NC and "special (pop up) book from Disney Land) make a room filled with love!!
Big kid beds are a success!!


Sleeping like the angels they are (giant animals curtesy of GramA &P)


Sweet dreams big kids!!!


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First day at the pool

It's finals week for Miss A&B so Mommy got to spend the whole day with her babies. Best Mother's Day gift ever!
We had a fun filled morning going to gymnastics, having lunch with last summers nanny (Miss N), getting ice cream and resisting naptime. What to do with our afternoon on this 90 degree Texas day?? The pool!












Just like old times! They ran right into the water and had a blast. Pisces for sure!! Looks like we are in for a splashin' good time this Summer.

Of course after the pool they spotted the park and since Daddy was pulling a lab all nighter - why not?








Where do they get the energy!?

Homeward bound to get some dinner (&hopefully fall into bed)

Strawberries

What a FUN DAY we had at the strawberry fields. Being from WI I think of June as strawberry season, but here in TX it's early April and it officially kicks off SPRING. Picking strawberries brings back all kinds of childhood memories. Shortly after school was out and my Birthday we would head to the strawberry fields with my Mom. She would pick flats and flats of berries (we would eat pounds and pounds) and then she would make Strawberry Jam, Strawberry pie, shortcake...the list goes on. My memory goes mostly to the Jam.......

Kiss thought the berries were very pretty....Cookie thought they were delicious!






Check out some of the highlights of our Berrylicious Adventure.

What a wonderful experience. Can't wait to do it again next year.....

This is the stuff memories are 
made of. 
Sunshine, Strawberries and lots of Love.



PS. We made yummy Strawberry Jam......and some day hope that they make it with their children too....

Happy Mother's Day!

Blessings! A thank you to the wonderful people in my life that make my experience as a mother so complete.
Happy Mothering Day to my amazing friend and best Fairy Godmother ever. Thank you for the shoulder to laugh and cry on. Thank you for your support and love. Thank you for your laughter and advice.

Happy Mothering day to my Mom. An inspiration and loving example of how to get it all done. Thank you for being the strong and dynamic woman that you are. You are such a fun and silly Grandma.

Happy Mothering day to my terrific Mother-in-law. The woman that has shown me what it can mean to make family the center of your life. Thank you for your open heart, loving arms and love. You are an amazing GramA.

Happy Mothering day to my Sister. A woman that is much like the energizer bunny. What would I do without your advice and experience?

Happy Mothering day to my sister-in-law and partner in toddlerhood! What a wonderful experience to share these short days and long nights,wonderful moments and guilt ridden freak outs with you! You are a cornerstone and I treasure our friendship!

Happy Mothering day to Miss A and Miss B. You make such a tremendous difference in the lives of the kids and in MY life. Simply, Thank you! Your assistance and your dedication to Kiss & Cookie help me be the best Mommy I can be.

Happy Mothering day to all the women in my life that create the Village of Love that surround me and my children. Thank you for your support, your shoulders to lean on, your laugher and your love.

Thank you to my precious babies for the opportunity to be a Mommy and for fulfilling my dreams. I have loved you from the day you were created and always will.

Last, but never least, thank you to my husband. He is a tremendous father and helps to make the entire Mommy experience remarkable.