Look out Kindergarten Here I Come!!

Well after counting the days for the last 2 weeks, Sarah's first day of Kindergarten has finally arrived. The anticipation and excitement leading up to this day was almost too much for her. Last night at supper time she had a minor meltdown all because she didn't know how to write. Nothing could convince her that she didn't need to know that until Grade 4 - she was devastated. Upon awakening this morning however she was recovered and back to pure excitement about the day. As you may have guessed she has had her 1st day of school outfit picked out for months now. An early birthday gift from the Jacksons, Karen new the dress would be a hit and it was. She has been trying to wear it for days now seemingly paying no attention to the rule that it was to be saved for today. Each day she has put it on in hopes that miraculously I have changed my mind. Too her disappointment she has had to take it off each day until now. Getting up quickly and having a good breakfast she jumped in the shower and finally was able to put on her new dress.

Since the plan was for us to drive her this morning she didn't get to take the bus with the other kids on the block. She did however have a chance to run out and see them before we left. Connor and Christian (seasoned veterans in Grade 4 and Grade 1) appeared far less excited than Sarah announcing that this was the worst day in the world (part of me thinks Christian was a teeny bit excited for Grade 1 but couldn't let that show in front of his big brother!)

After dropping Ethan and Megan off at the sitters for their first day there, Trevor and I took Sarah to school. Along with all the other parents of kindergartners we wandered around not quite sure where to take them and not quite sure we were ready to let them go even if we could find where we were supposed to be. We soon made it to her classroom however and her day began. I was overcome with a few tears off and on and have no real reason to explain myself. I wasn't sad she was there or scared for her but just emotional. The teacher got her to pick out her name tag and when she did I felt this proud moment even though she has been able to do that for 2 years. It was all strange but luckily I held it together (and so did Trevor - hee hee like there was any chance of him tearing up- that I would have loved to see but he's not a sucker like me!)

After getting her settled at her desk we slowly made our way out the door and while I felt the urge to linger outside the class Trevor had to be to work so I reluctantly gave him a ride and continued on to the gym. A morning free for me- hasn't happened in 14 months. I figured a good workout would energize me for the day. I was doing great on the elliptical for about 40 minutes when a commercial came on for a new birthing program on TLC. In it the dad announces "It's a girl". I instantly flashed back to when we had Sarah and all of a sudden couldn't believe that time had gone so fast. It seems like just yesterday we were telling people "it's a girl" Now we are saying "she's a kindergartner". Needless to say I got all teary again. Yes there I was on the elliptical, tearing up hoping that those around me were thinking "wow she must be working out hard she is sweating from her eyes!" I know - they likely were thinking 'man if it upsets you so much to do the elliptical maybe you should get off" . Luckily there weren't many around and I pulled it together quickly.

Along with the rest of the eager parents I was back at the school with plenty of time to spare. Sarah came out with her little friends all in a line, smiling and happy but announced that boy she was tired. And she was exhausted. I think this is to be expected as it is such a big transition and adding French to the transition makes it even more tiring. On the way home she talked about playing in the tool center and the food center. I asked her if she learned any French and wondered out loud how you say good bye in French. She thought about it for a moment and said " Du ta vay" I said " Oh I thought it was au revoir" to which she giggled and replied "oh yeah that's it". Silly girl!! Thankfully she had a great day and is looking forward to going back next week. Until next time -- Au revoir mes amis.

Getting ready

Official Door Picture- the ladies at Trevor's office advised him that he needed to have a door picture so each year you can see how much they have grown- assuming you take the picture in front of the same door each year.

Can you tell who the Kindergartner is?

Sarah in front of the school

Sarah in her new desk

Ethan's favorite time of year

This spring when we first arrived at the cabin Ethan ran around to the front with a look of great anticipation. When Gramps asked what he was going to do he excitedly said he wanted to throw the apples from the apple tree into the lake like last year. Much to his disappointment we had to break it to him that the apples wouldn't be ready to throw until the END of summer!

Well that day arrived and Ethan was as excited as ever! After picking up all the semi-rotten ones that had fallen to the ground he stood at the edge and let them fly! At one point I started having serious concerns that he may end up throwing like me. One try landed the apple in my eye and I was directly beside him! Another landed an apple 2 yards behind him! Trevor arrived on the scene however and determined it was all in his release so with a little coaching the apples were (generally) makin' their way forward into the lake.

The highlight of the day came however when Ethan ran out of apples to throw. After some beggin' he got his dad to agree to one more bucketful. Trevor wandered over to the try and jumped up to grab a few from the branch. Unfortunately he grabbed the whole branch and it broke right off. Branch -actually limb better describes it, apples and Trevor landed on the ground in one big thud. While I laughed, Ethan delighted as he now had more apples than any little apple thrower could want.

Ready

Set

Fire

Done

"They" were right again

Whoever 'they 'are were right again. In the potty training world, 'they' say that your child will do it when they are ready. Well Friday morning morning Ethan awoke ready. To my amazement he announced at breakfast that the "pee was comin" and so after rushing to the bathroom -- he went. An hour later - same announcement, same race to the potty, same result -Success. 7 times more that day same story - "the pees comin -- run run run - pee pee pee- cheer cheer cheer. He woke up dry and stayed dry all day. Not foolish enough to think that this was a miracle I awoke Saturday full of anticipation for what the day might bring. Except for a couple of accidents when he knew he had to pee but didn't want to leave the toys he stayed dry all day again. Sunday and Monday - nothing different. If I wasn't a miracle believer before I sure am on the road to being one now. He appears to get it and that is that. Wow - I thought boys were supposed to be harder than girls- he is 5 months ahead of where Sarah was. If Megan could be five months ahead of him then I could potentially be diaper free in 16 months, 15 days and 2 hours. Ahh I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Here's some cute pics of our proud big boy. Note the underwear is backwards on purpose so as to see the picture on the back. I can't see how the butt would be comfy but it's apparently the only way to go !

The Newest Edition

After much anticipation and some predictions by Sarah as to when her new cousin would arrive, the day finally came when Karri and Rob welcomed the first edition to their immediate family and the newest edition to the Black family. Today Karri gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Dylann Alivia Cales weighed in at 6 pounds 13 ounces, is 22 inches long and has a bit of dark hair. After seeing the pictures this morning, Megan squealed with delight and started waving at the computer. Sarah claims to have known she would be a girl and was only off by 6 hours on her predicted date of arrival (had their been a pool going I am sure she would have won). We are thrilled to officially be an uncle and aunt and can't wait to meet Dylann in person at Christmas time( that seems so long to wait) We hope that all goes well as they bring Dylann home and start this new journey as a family together.

Hangin' out at 3 days old waiting for G & P and lookin' just like my daddy

Tidbits of Conversation

Sarah came into the computer room while I was updating the blog. She was playing dress up with her friends from next door. This is the conversation that occurred

Sarah , holding up two dress up dresses: Mom which one would look better for radio?
Mom , laughing to herself: Do you know what radio is?
Sarah: no
Mom: It is something that plays music but no one can see you
Sarah : Oh .... I think I'll wear a crown too!

Hmm do I feel old today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In an effort to attempt the potty training with Ethan again (we let off on holidays because there wasn't much point-- well there is a point but who wants to stop on the side of the road 10 times in an hour when you have 14 hours to drive home). Anyway what I have started to do is put Ethan on the toilet with a potty seat every morning. This morning he was sitting there and squirming around when he bumped himself on the 'splash guard' of the seat. All of a sudden he was in tears and he yelled out " I broke my penis". Well what is a mom to do? I am sure I took the wrong approach but I couldn't stop myself. I burst into laughter. Truly it was uncontrollable laughter which only upset him more. He told me to stop laughing - his penis was broke. Again I tried my best to hold it together and to assure him that his penis was fine but he was distraught and I was barely keeping the tears back. The poor little guy! Sorry buddy - I should have offered you more support during your trauma but I couldn't help myself.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sarah came into the living room the other day and sat down on the couch. She said "Mom the marker dropped on the floor and colored all over my feet" As I glanced at her multicoloured feet I asked if that was the truth. Sheepishly she said " No, I colored on them". I may be sleep deprived and suffering from a general lack of brain cells most days but even I wasn't going to buy that the marker jumped up and colored her feet! Nice try though Sarah. (and kudos for fessing up without any cajoling from me!)