Catch Up Time

Every time I sit down to write an update I seem to get distracted by PTO things, or MOPS, or Lenawee Great Start.  Clearly I took on a lot this school year and my beloved blog has been suffering.  So this post will be long with a lot of pictures, but I’m updating and making sure those important and/or fun happenings are being documented and cemented in cyber history.

My handsome, difficult, loveable, and magnificent Max started Thursday School recently.  This is a great program, developed many years ago by Preschool Homeschooling mom’s that wanted their children to get one day a week of structure.  Children do need to learn to follow directions, line up, etc. to get ready for their Kindergarten year.  It’s just enough time to get these little munchkins used to eating lunch, being in a typical classroom and around a teacher, that Kindergarten will be a great  transition next fall.  Max was BEYOND excited and a few weeks ago we headed to the Open House.  Max loved the classroom and set up, and I left feeling like I was making a good decision keeping him home most days, but letting him fly free on Thursday’s. 

 

When the 13th, the true first day, came he was ready.  Ready, yes, but many mentions of his stomach feeling weird and a bunch of apprehension was surfacing.  Noelle was kind, telling him before she left for school, that is was okay to be nervous and he would have fun and the funny stomach feeling would go away.  She was sympathetic and warm and Max needed that comfort from his big sister! 

  

As I walked him in, his hand was moist and his grip strong.  My boy was very nervous.  I stopped on our walk in, turned to him and got down on my knees.  I look into his warm, brown eyes and told him I was so proud of him and that he would have a great time.  I also reminded him that I would be there to pick him up when school was over.  He coyly smiled and threw his arms around my neck and really, I mean really, hugged me.  We continued to walk in.  He easily found his coat hook and put his backpack there.  It was deliberate and confident.  We were early so I was able to capture a few pictures of him in class. 

I gave him one last hug and he waved bye.  There were no tears!  My heart swelled with pride at his confidence and strength.  I was so thankful that he was not crying, as I’m not sure I could handle it with another child! 

When time came to pick him up I was talking with another mom and felt a tapping on my leg.  I looked down and saw the BIGGEST smile on his face!  He hugged me fiercely and said he had a GREAT DAY!  The teacher told me he was on the top of his game, completing with ease the day’s tasks.  He’ll flourish and soar in this great program, I just know it.  Insert big sign of relief!

Last weekend we decided to head over to Cabela’s to break up a lazy Sunday.  The fish, and taxidermy captured all their attention.  For the first time, in many many years, we left the stroller at home and let all the children walk.  This was big for us.  I actually shed many tears over this milestone, as it keeps hitting me, we are almost out of the baby phase of our lives.  Next we’ll be done with diapers, sippy cups, and diaper bags.   On the plus side, that also means tantrums will subside and a new found freedom will take the diaper bag’s place.  We’ll be able to make a rash decision, with minimal packing, to head somewhere and have a family adventure.  This dries my tears and gives me excitement for our future.

We’ve been hanging around at home, enjoying the beautiful weather.  We’ve discovered lately that our Zane is a little daredevil.  He’ll climb and follow the other three in whatever they do.  I’ll discover him yelling for help at the monkey bars, just about to try and reach for the first rung.  Disaster is mere moments away.  I am never far away and have been able to catch him before he falls each time.  It amazes me the courage the younger children posses.  They admire their older siblings and want to be like them in every way.

It has been an idea, bounced back and forth, over the summer, but we finally had a little camp out.  The nights had dropped to a perfect 45-50 degree range, but we have no sleeping bags.  After momentarily crushing the children’s hopes for a backyard campout, we made up for it by setting up the large tent in the basement.  We roasted marshmallows and made s’mores as the evening wound down and the darkness began to fall.  Hands were cleaned off from their sticky mess and blankets, comforters, and many stuffed animals were thrown down the stairs.  The children bounced around the tent, shrieking with delight and laughter.  Tom and I glanced at each others, sending a “what are we getting our selves into, they are never going to go to sleep” look to each other.  Zane kept saying, “me camp too” over and over as I ignored it, not wanting to disappoint my little man.  After some Christmas lights strategically hung to cast just the right amount of light and ward off any scary basement creatures, they all settled in.  We told stories and giggled.  A kiss and hug was given to each child and we crept upstairs.  Tom and I placed bets on who and when the first child would come up.  Zane was nursed asleep and left put in his own bed.  Max, Noelle, and Violette did fall asleep with minimal talking and giggles.  Much to our surprise, we never heard from them at all that night.  The morning came with the same happiness that they fell asleep with.  We heard the little pitter patter of feet up the stairs nice and early, but we were thankful it was 6:30am and not 2am.  The tent will again be pulled out due to it’s great success!

 

The coolness is just starting to become permanent and with it will bring, hay rides, apple picking, long walks, Zane’s 2nd Birthday, and countless Fall memories.  It’s a favorite time of year for a lot of people, including this Roehrig family!

 

Some Stories:

*Max ran up to me with his eyes wide and a gigantic smile plastered on his face.  He whips up his shirt and loudly says, “Look Mom, I have muscle boobies now!  Quick, call Uncle!”. 

*For the first time last week, Noelle went out for the bus, by herself.  As I began to step outside with her she puts her hand up and says, “I’ve got this Mom, you don’t have to walk me down anymore.  I love you.”

*Talking about when the children grow up Violette tells me, “I want to be a Princess with long hair like Rapunzel, and have lots of boys give me presents”.  Uh-oh…

*Zane brings a Princess gown to me, “Me be a Princess.  Please put it on Zane.”  I do and he proudly says, “I handsome” then throws on a polar bear cap and twirls around.

*The children are into Rock & Roll music, stating their favorite band is Metallica.  If something comes on that isn’t Rock and Roll enough for them they say, “This isn’t rockin’ enough.  We want to rock harder!”.  Zane will dance saying, “I rock”.  Totally Tom influencing them!

1st Grade or Bust

Last year’s transition to Kindergarten was long and painful for both her and I.  She cried, a lot.  I questioned my decision not to homeschool.  I cried a lot.  It was painful for both of us.  I kept telling myself that the next year would be easier.

The next year has come and I was right.  It has been easier.  Today was Noelle’s first day.  The last few weeks have been a mixed bag of emotions for her.  She has wanted to go back, has teared up and declared she doesn’t want to go back to the school.  She has been all over the spectrum.  I wasn’t sure what to expect this morning.

Around 5am I was outside letting the puppy go to the bathroom.  Fog was smothering the horizon, only allowing me to see, barely, the house next store.  I walked around, hoping that the fog would be a reason to keep Noelle home for just a few more hours this morning.  I brought Cyrus back inside, snuggled up in bed next to Tom and stayed awake, hoping to hear the vibration of my phone with the call that school was delayed.  That call came and I smiled. 

Noelle was overjoyed with the news when she woke up.  We relaxed and took our sweet time getting ready for school.  I was even able to put a few curls in the end of Noelle’s hair.  She talked and giggled as I gently wrapped her hair around the curling iron.  There was a nervousness in her voice as she speculated about this first day.  When a curl didn’t turn out curly enough she politely asked me to redo it.  I smiled and willingly curled it again.  When the hair reached the right bounciness she was satisfied.  Her new found vanity is cute and endearing at this young age of 6.

About a half hour before the scheduled bus pick up time she was ready to head out and begin the waiting ritual.  We are always early, and I was more than happy to accommodate her excitement on this day. 

We took lots of pictures, trying to document another milestone.  I did get teary, but kept them hidden as not to upset Noelle.  She seemed content, but clearly was uneasy.  Many times she commented on her belly feeling weird and being nervous.  I gently put my arms around her and embraced her slim body.  Muttering some comfort words, but trying not to make a big deal of it.  Our next door neighbor, who is in third grade, came out to wait with us.  She too, said that she was nervous.  Instantly I saw a relief flood over Noelle.  She found a commonality with another little girl at just the right moment.  All seemed well in the world of a six year old, despite the approaching leave time.

 

 

The bus rounded the corner and Noelle clung to me.  I was scared she would not let go and we would have repeats of last year.  This was not the case.  She released her grip as the bus approached.  I kissed her and she then threw her arms around my neck.  The bus pulled to a stop and she was let go turned and was off.  There was not a fight, or iron grip, just a lovely peaceful goodbye.  I watched her cross the street and board the bus.  I waved and turned toward Tom.  We both let a sign of relief as the bus pulled away.  There wasn’t a fight, she was happy, and ready for this first day of First Grade. 

The day went on, with Tom at home.  Last year he took the first day of school off, and we think this will become a ritual so that he can see the children get on and off the bus for their first day each year.  Because I am able to be around for everything, every milestone, every cute new word, Tom seeing them get on and off the bus is something we can both share.  I don’t have to hog one more milestone! 

Secretly, we both think of the that first day Zane goes to kindergarten and we cry for awhile, then hop back into bed and actually SLEEP!!!  After that we can do whatever we want, uninterrupted, for the first time in many, many, many years!  It’s still four years away, but that day will be one for the memory books!  I in no way want to rush it, but  also a part of me does look forward to it!

Max asked a handful of times when Noelle was going to be back.  Violette asked more than a handle of times the same question.  I listened to their disappointment when I gave them the response and it made me appreciate their bond with her.  They may fight, a lot, but they enjoy being together too.  Sibling bonding reached a high this summer! 

Eight legs arms, jammed together waited on the front lawn for the bus to drop off our Noelle. 

She sprinted across the street at break neck speed and leapt into Tom’s arms.  She was all smiles and stories of a fantastic first day.  It was a relief to see her so excited and happy.

This morning the excitement and love for school was still going strong and we had a morning of getting ready that was golden.  It looks like Noelle has hit a maturity level of a school aged girl. 

I look forward to being a part of this school year.  As PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) President I will be at and around the school a lot.  My volunteer time in class will not be much, but seeing her at the school will be an added bonus.  First grade is big time and we are ready for it!  All of us are ready, and I can proudly proclaim my sadness is fading and is being replaced with enthusiasm for growing and learning this year. 

Billy Ray Cyrus??

School starts tomorrow.  I’m not going to go into that. 

Instead I’m going to inform the blog world that we have added a new member to our family!  He’s black, furry, and supper cute!  Meet Cyrus!

On the day we brought him home:

One week later, puppies grow quickly:

He is our solid black German Shepherd puppy.  Soft, chewy, clumsy, he’s all puppy!  We picked him up last Saturday, as he turned 8 weeks old.  In the past week he has grown in size and in our hearts.  He is a lot of work, requiring constant supervision to correct the instinctual chewing and curiousness that is a puppy, but we have really enjoyed him.  The children, especially Noelle and Max, have been great helpers, always quick to take him outside and help get his energy out. 

As I have been taking him for mini walks, and trips to the park, I have encountered more than a couple of, “Billy Ray Cyrus?” questions after telling them his name.  No, Tom and I do not have a deep hidden love for the Mullet Country Singer.  Although I do remember belting out “Achy Breaky Heart” while dancing around with my little sister!  For some reason I cannot picture Tom doing the same, but there may just be a picture of a young Tom, sporting only Superman underwear and cowboy boots!  The name is actually a name Tom has liked for a little boy that I immediately vetoed several times during my pregnancies, but fits well for a solid black dog.  We went back and forth with the children throwing around names like Baron, Brutus, Roscoe, and more.  When Tom mentioned Cyrus, we all stopped bickering and decided it fit him. 

Aside from taking care of the puppy, we have been keeping busy with the warm weather.  Soaking up the sun on these last few weeks of warmth.  I do believe we all are ready for changing leaves, cool nights, pumpkins, apples, and everything else wonderful that comes with Fall. 

We creep, a lot, on our neighbor.  The children lined up these chairs with no help, just to watch him cut the grass!

Violette learned, with ease, to pump on the swing.  She will do it the entire time we are outside, just perfecting that pump, with great pride!

We even made a few crowns from the decorative grasses around the house.

Zane dressed up a bit, he’s got a shoe fetish!

Now we must begin getting ready for school in the morning.  The backpack will be dusted off, lunch will be packed, and the First Day Outfit carefully set out.  Sigh, this growing thing is just too hard.  Now we have another baby in the house to occupy our time!