Tuesday Thoughts

I could sit here and write about how I ordered a shirt from a small business and they sent me the wrong one. And how disappointed I've been with the way the entire situation has been handled. 

I could write about how I had book club last Thursday and it was probably the least enjoyable book club night I have ever been to in my almost 7 years of attending because a new member joined and we (she and I) are not going to be a good mix. 

I could write about how C just doesn't like Kindergarten at all and the meeting I have on Thursday with his teacher and principal to see what we can do to make this year successful both with his sensory needs and his academic ones. 

Those are all challenges in my life right now. Ones that bring me to tears and prayer and while they range from the trivial to important, I just can't focus on them too much right now because I will spiral negatively and I just don't want to ruin my entire Tuesday. But since I use the blog as a memory of what's going on I don't want to forget that September 2018 is not without its own challenges.

So instead, while I wait for Aldi to open I am going to think about this girl and her new rainbow hedgie socks. Knowing that underneath that sweatshirt is a Vampirina shirt and she is off at preschool probably having a gay old time. 

I also have no shame about the Costco box of mac and cheese behind her. 

I realistically know that things are going to be fine. Because they are. At some point here, they will send me the correct shirt. (I hope anyway, if not that is what credit card chargebacks were invented for.) Book club will figure it out probably. And school... well I will advocate for my kid to the best of my ability. 

It's all going to be fine. It may not all be perfect but it's going to be okay. It feels so isolating right now. The internet is a weird place. Everyone talks about "their village" and then at the same time the internet is all like:

But you know what? It's okay to struggle sometimes. It's okay to face disappointments. That's called real life. And real life, my life, with my family is honestly my favorite. That little girl. My sweet boy. My husband. They make it all worth it even when they are frustrating me because they are humans.

Happy Tuesday!

Rainy Thursday

It is rainy rainy rainy. And cool.

We did get the air conditioning fixed on Tuesday. (Yay!) Just in time to not need it. But the system sucked out all the humidity in the house and that was such a blessing. The reading was our humidity was at 73% inside so no wonder we were all so uncomfortable.

These days of rain are causing me to be all introspective and homey. I made oatmeal for breakfast this morning. After the kids were at school. I just sat, ate my oatmeal and read my book for book club tonight.

I am also pleased to say that after 4 years of ownership of a water table, we have figured out that by using the lid to cover one side and pulling the plug on the other, you don't have to dump it out after every rainstorm. #obvioustoeveryonebutus

It's hard to believe it's already Thursday but I am so thankful it is. The rain makes me just want to cozy up with my people. I am still getting used to having time to myself but slowly I am sure I will start to utilize it well.

M is just thriving at school. She loves it. She also had her first soccer practice on Tuesday night.

Guess who is the assistant coach? It's me. Which is hilarious. Because I am so unathletic. But I am good with names and kids so there's that. She was in her element at soccer. (I ordered her some different shorts.) I can't wait to see how she will do in a game setting. 

It's crazy how watching your child shine can really change your perspective of something. I am so not a soccer person but I love watching her play. Even at age 3! 

Life is pretty sweet. 

September!

Hello and happy Tuesday!

Our Labor Day weekend was pretty uneventful which is okay by me! We celebrated my birthday on Friday which was nice.

Saturday was super low-key. We went out to dinner at my new favorite place on Saturday night. So the grocery stores here, some of them have Market Grilles which are sit down restaurants. Ours has kids eat free for all of September, plus half-off appetizers before 6, and $5 off steaks over the weekend.

When we go out to eat, we go early. And we took advantage of all the sales and it was good. The restaurant was mostly empty, the way I like it. There are lots of TVs and we went during the Iowa Hawkeye game which we don't care about but it kept it noisier than my kids. (Always a plus!) The whole experience was awesome!!

Afterwards, we went to Old Navy to get M a dress and then to the bookstore. My heart's greatest wish has been fulfilled since my kids think the bookstore is the best store on the planet. We had to get the Miss Nelson collection because the kids had never read them. And I'll give you 25 guesses what C's teacher's name is?

Which I mean, come on! If you are going to be a Kindergarten teacher and you're named Miss Nelson, your Halloween costume is forever figured out. 

Sunday after church we spent the afternoon in the backyard playing water table and swimming pool. I, of course, took no pictures because I was trying to be in the moment with the kids and not have my phone with me. Camera phones were genius and also terrible. But no matter. 

It was rainy and humid all day yesterday! Today we have the guy coming to fix our AC. Finally. It's been out for 42 days. We will all be much more pleasant with it fixed I am sure. Maybe one day we will look back at August 2018 fondly, as the year with no air conditioning and how we bonded together as a family over cold showers and Sunday drives. Time will tell. 

But for what it is worth, I can believe it's September and I am 100% ready for fall! I also love that we are that much closer to the weekend. Schools and work really should always do the 3 days off, 4 days on thing. I bet job satisfaction would skyrocket!

831!

Last night I went with some friends to hear a speaker. It was at a beautiful winery and we had a lovely time.

We were joking that the sun flare was the Holy Spirit joining us. It was a nice talk with a positive message. Kind of a wonderful sentiment for this weekend and today because... I am getting old! It's my birthday. I love my birthday and have no problem with the getting older part, but it's still nice to hear sometimes.

The kids got me cards and we have some cake for later tonight which will be fun.

I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

How We're Doing

We are settling into finding our new normal. Everyone has big changes and that's okay, it's just an adjustment.

So, this year our school started "Kindergarten Camp." For the first three days of school, the kids rotated through all the teachers, were individually assessed and gave the counselors and teachers a chance to look at the group dynamics. Then they would form the actual classes.

On Monday afternoon, we got C's actual class assignment and I have no complaints. I am super duper curious how they came to the conclusions they came to because the lists didn't really change that much. As I suspected, the two girls with the rhyming names (that start with M and N respectively, though they don't look like they'd rhyme) were in different classes. But otherwise, it felt like they moved a few kids just to move some. (Only 5 kids were switched from each original group.) C got switched but again, I am not complaining. I honestly didn't know which teacher would be the best fit for him. And now he is in a room with his good friend, which makes me very happy.

So today is actually only the second real day of kindergarten, and yesterday we had a two-hour early out because of the heat. But it seems to be going well enough. C hadn't been sleeping well because it's been SO INCREDIBLY hot and humid. And our AC continues to be dead. (Soon it will be fixed.) But the heat broke last night and he is well rested, thank the Lord because he could not have another successful day on so little sleep.

M is starting to get used to hanging with me all day. She is deeply looking forward to school tomorrow. Her teacher, C's teacher from last year, was diagnosed with breast cancer so their room also has a long-term sub who is assigned to the room, who is very sweet and wonderful. She will be there tomorrow for day 2.

Getting into the new morning routine and even the afternoon has been a big change for me. But I know in about two weeks it's going to be second nature. Luckily our public district (with whom we share bussing so we are intrinsically linked) shifted the bell times for everyone this year so literally, everyone at our school is also trying to find the new normal. I feel like they start so early (7:45) and go for so long! (2:55) But it's all new to me so what do I know?

And since all posts need a picture, here is one that M took. She likes to walk around with my phone. 

Happy Wednesday!!

Her Day

Guys, my mama heart can't even take it.  

M's first day of school ever. Oh. She was ready. And excited. She had no cares. 

She hung her school bag right up and just ran off to play. Which is okay. Truly. I actually don't think I could've held it together if she was sad. I shocked myself by holding together in the first place. 

She did great! (It was a super short day just to practice being at school.) Back again on Thursday! 

First Day!

And he's off.

 My big guy started school and I am sure he is having a good time. M has already asked when we can go pick him back up so it's going to be an adjustment for all of us.

We're not even going to talk about the crying mess I was last night. (Or even a little this morning.) I wore sunglasses to help the situation but I cry like Charlotte York so there's really no hiding it.