1st of 1st

Hey there 1st grader,  
Today was your first day of 1st grade!  The week before you were all over the place in your behavior; talking back, laughing, challenging, testing, having fun, working so hard at swim lessons, resistant, loving and SO EXCITED to start school again.  No chalkboard markers for the start of the year for you.  You had to create your own sign.  We picked out the pieces and placed them together.  

I didn't even ask you to get it this morning as you readied yourself in the speedy way a race car reaches its finish line.  We got your pictures and you wanted to include Hazel, who was less than excited to be up a bit earlier than in the past 8 weeks.  

 

We loaded up all of your supplies and pulled up with time to spare.  We all unloaded the car and entered a very excited classroom of kids and teachers entering the 1/2 classroom.  

Greeted by Ms. Alana, experiencing growing pains of her own as she leaves her newborn son to return to work...and I am so grateful she is and is teamed up by Ms. Em who will be a team full of care, concern and enthusiasm with no tricks getting past them you sure to have a sensational year.  

You played with a crew of old buds making dinosaurs attack pigs and then tossing them aside, and you had no concerns allowing little sis sit in and have a go at it took.  As we were leaving at the last chime moms and dads were standing to the side waiting to detach and leave our babies to start their newest acquisitions of knowledge, friends and experiences.  

Mommy Brook, Lily's mama, left and we caught eyes...and forever we know our stories of becoming families and forever we share the honor of being the mamas and papas to be able to see you off through your firsts, our eye catch pulled out some tears of gratitude and honor to be there in this moment.  You and Lily are next to each other in your circle spots.  

It seems like yesterday we were bringing you home.  We know you are going to have a wonderful year.  I can't wait to see you when you get home!
Love, Mama

First Day of Kindergarten, HOLY COW!

Dear Peep, 
My sweet, exuberant, humorous and intelligent boy you are now out of my daily care and in the care of two sharp, caring and thoughtful teachers in a room with 39 other kids, one of which is a pretty and creative little blonde named Lily.  When Daddy and I dropped you off for your first day you weren't showing any nervousness, any reservations.  You walked in donning a new and shiny Minions backpack, you won't allow me to call it a book bag.  You don't really need this bag as your school doesn't give homework for kindergarten and first grade, but you carry it proudly into your first day.  

Daddy, Hazel and I stuck around for a while with lots of other anxious parents checking to see if our little chicks would make it in the new nest.  

You, we didn't have to worry about.  You immediately saw your preschool bud C and following directions you both sat down to play with some blocks together.  Picking up where you left off, we stuck around for our own hearts.  

If we could have picked on kid for you to grow up in school with it would be C, he is such a wonderful, kind and joyful kid.  As I watched the big kids in the room and looked at you and Lily I felt pretty emotional.  I was having strong flash backs to the day we brought you home and the evening our adoption support group sat around a dinner table listing to a cell on speaker catching all the details about a two day old baby girl named Lily waiting to come home.  

It is overwhelming how fast the last 5 years have gone, after more years than that waiting to be your Mommy and Daddy.  You made it through the day pretty easily, except for lunch.  You weren't going to eat lunch.  You didn't.  You were not in a good mood after school.  I came to pick you up and received a very bright smile of recognition and a solid squeeze.  By day two you were hyper overwhelmed and were crying, screamin' and laughing all at the same time!  Exhausted eyes and a restless body were more than you could handle and you went to sleep quickly each night.  Now we are at day 4.  
You're a super star at getting up quickly and totally dressed.  Yesterday when I picked you up day 3 and you proclaimed, "The burrito was great!  I loved it!"  I am so proud of you because you also came up with a smart compromise to the lunch at school stand off.  You proposed that we read over the menu and on the days when it is something you like you will eat there and on days you don't you bring lunch.  Reasonable, verses refusing to eat lunch at school at all.  You're coming around, getting comfortable and enjoying yourself, even if you won't yet show us that.  As circle time was called you found your name and sat, a little stress showing on your face, checks puffed out and head hangin' a little low.  It is a big adjustment for all of us but looking forward to all of your accomplishments that will happen this year.  My growing boy.



Love, Mama

Creek Walkin'

Dear Peep, 
We've had some great times with friends this summer.  I've really enjoyed our times in the creeks around Bloomington.  One day we hiked up the waterfalls at Cascades Park and you played for a couple of hours with a group of boys there redirecting the water down to the small stream.  I felt like a kid along with you, helping with the heavier rocks and log moving.  The boys, a few years older than you, thought you were really cool and puffed up your chest by commenting on how strong you are at only 4.  Before they left the oldest requested you all get a picture together.  We've spent a couple of afternoons in Sylvie and Etienne's creek with Keegs and Lily.  That was a fun day.  

You were all turning over rocks trying to find new creatures.  Searching for tadpoles and little salamanders made you all hungry and tired.  

You enjoyed making and sharing banana bread with your buds and playing crazy kids on the deck.  I can't look at these pictures without smiling or laughing out loud.  

We've also returned to Olcott Park a couple of times too.  

We even bumped into JoJo, Tommy and Jacob, a birth cousin at Cascades one afternoon and you all played together in the water there.  Luckily JoJo had an extra life jacket in her car.

I love these times of pure discovery and excitement.  I am grateful we have such wonderful friends to enjoy it with, and when they can't be their you easily make some new ones.  
Love, Mama

Buddy Round Up!

Dear Henny (and sleeping Hazel), 
You both may not know it yet but you've been getting to grow up with the most amazing kids and adults around you.  Henry, in the same time period as your adoption three other families adopted too (and later 4 when Nissy and Jim adopted their daughter).  It has been a giant blessing in our lives to have these families a part of ours (as well as Doug and Peter who's journey to parenthood took different paths and concluded with a decision to not to become parents.)  Without these ladies Mommy would be much more wack-a-doo.  We can all now say we've met at least once a month for the last several years and more accurately in recent years it has been at least once a week. You do not tolerate long stretches with out your buddies.  Soon you will all be on a preschool schedule of Tuesday and Thursday and I see Wednesday becoming our regular play date.  Last week we met up at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis.  We all have passes so when the power went out and we had to leave early we didn't sweat that we basically watched you guys load and unload fake rocks in the Egyptian for an hour and a half while we chit chatted.  This week we met up at the park and for lunch.  

Keegan and Etienne dancing

A great time running in the field, throwing rocks and playing on the playground makes for a sleepy Peep at bedtime.  I love seeing how much you all care for each other.  

You had to bring granola bars for everyone

Zombie babies

Even if you scare Keegan by playing too rough or Sylvie bonks you in the head with a stick or Etienne sits up at the lunch table with a ring on his forehead from leaning on his straw or Lily runs away from you to play with her new girlfriends she made on the playground you're all still buds.  

Next week we plan on having movie afternoon at our house complete with popcorn and juice.  We can't wait!
Love, Mama