December the 26th

Well, another Christmas come and gone. The kids all had a blast and every one of us is exhausted, full-bellied and very happy.

Christmas was so much fun this year. The boys, being 3 1/2, were so much more "into it" than the past couple of years. Every present opened was met with squeals of delight and "Just what I wanted!!" and then an eager "Are there any more?". They were so overwhelmed I think and just kept opening and opening.

First at our house bright and early in the morning. Next at my parents house where we had a yummy Christmas lunch.

And finally at my in-law's house where we had Christmas dessert. By day's end they were exhausted.

And now, they are having a blast playing with everything. I am trying to keep from opening every new toy and saving some for the dull dreary days of winter ahead of us. But, they are kids and of course want to test out all their new loot. And their sister's. I swear, we almost could have bought the boys baby toys and they would have had a blast!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful day yesterday! Only one week left now of 2006. Can you believe it?

Happy Holidays

I have definitely let my blogging go lately. I have just been so busy between buying, wrapping, and baking not to mention general upkeep of the house and three children. It has been crazy.

The boys seem to have finally grasped the concept of our Christmas box. They are now practically out of their skins with excitement as they see there are only 4 doors left to open before Santa comes. Of course, Ciara is still oblivious. She only knows that she wants the candy her brothers are chomping on at 7:30 in the morning.

So, just in case I don't get a chance to post between now and Monday.... Merry Christmas to all!!!

Pornaments

You know...those things you hang on Christmas trees to decorate it.

At least, that is what they are called by my three-year-olds. Pornaments. Nice.

Flu shots

I took the kids to get flu shots yesterday. Iwas debating whether to tell the boys in advance or not tell them anything at all and wait until we got to the doctor's office. There were cons to each scenario.
If I told them in advance, I risked listening to "I don't want to go" overandoverandover and possible tears. Plus, I didn't want them dwelling on going to the doctor all day for a shot that was going to take all of 3 seconds to administer.
If I waited until we got to the office to mention anything, I faced a possible meltdown in the office with people staring at us. Also, I didn't want them to be afraid of the doctor's and think that everytime they go they were going to get a shot (or a 'pinch' as I call it).
So, I decided to just mention it nonchalantly when they inevitably ask what we are doing for the day. "We are just making a quick trip to the doctor."

Gavin (wheels immediately turning in his head): Why? Why are we going there?
Aidan (who takes everything we say at face value): Oh, that's good. My teeth hurt. (???)

I say we just need to get a really quick check up and that seems to satisfy them for the moment. So Gavin keeps mentioning it throughout the day and then asks me point blank "Are we going to get a pinch?" What was I going to do? I couldn't lie to him. "Um, yes. You will be getting a little pinch."

And let the floodgates open....

"I don't want to get a pinch!" Tears streaming down face. "No! No! I don't want to go!". And so it continued for about 20 minutes. He finally calms down and seems to accept the fact. Everyone is quiet on the ride to the office. Once we get there, they even play with the little beaded toy that seems to be in every doctor's office everywhere. When they call us, I decide to take the boys in first and get it over with and leave Ciara in the waiting room with my mother.

We get in the room and I say to Gavin "You go first and it'll be over before you know it." To which he promptly declines and volunteers Aidan to go first. Aidan, easygoing oblivious boy that he is, agrees. I plop Aidan down on the examining table and the nurse says "Are you ready?" Aidan nods his head and then opens his mouth. Oh my god, this kid. He still thought he was going to the dentist.

So, the boys get their shots with nary a peep from either of them. Ciara got hers with a little squeal. And now they are hopefully protected from the flu for the season.

The end.

'Tis the Season

And so the holidays are upon us.

My boys were so excited that they got to open the first door on the Christmas Box (as I have dubbed it since it is not your typical advent calendar). It is so much more fun this year with them. Last year, at 2 1/2, they would open up the door, get their chocolate and pretty much forget about the Christmas Box until I told them it was time to open up another door. Last night, before bed, they were all excited that the next day they would get to open a door and then this morning, that is the first thing they asked about.

Another good thing about this year is that they can actually begin to understand just how far away Christmas Day is by using the box. Of course, that still doesn't stop them from asking 65 times a day if it is Christmastime and when Santa is coming. I suppose I don't help it any because I am always itching to decorate the day after Thanksgiving and am often just as excited as the kids. I can't wait to get our Christmas tree and have the smell of balsam wafting through the house. Love it. Although, I must admit that with our unseasonably warm weather thus far, I am having a wee bit of trouble feeling like it actually is December. That should change with the cold front expected this weekend.

So, enjoy the season while it lasts. It will be gone all to soon.

Christmas Cards....check

Perhaps you remember reading about the great picture debacle of '06.

It all started back in September at a local apple farm. Sure, it was early. But, I figured if I could get a good shot of the three of them, then why not?

Then I tried taking advantage of the beautiful fall backdrops at a pumpkin festival in early October.

Next I decided to go the professional route, figuring they could use their expertise and silly props to at least get all three looking in the same directions with a smile on their face.

I decided to give it one more shot on a warm fall day in November.

And then I gave up. I just took photos of the three of them seperately and made a collage card at an online phot site. Trying to get a photo of Ciara was like trying to pin down a sheep for shearing. As it is her photo turned out slightly blurry. But you can't tell. That much.

p.s. I have no less than 11 boys holiday sweaters from various sisters-in-law whose sons have outgrown them. None of them are even slightly complementary to each other thus I had to take a picture of Aidan in a sweater, take it off him and put it on Gavin and then take a picture of him so the card would not be so "busy".

Note to Self:

Never leave almost-16 month old alone with 3 year old brother who is doing dot paints.

Not even for 6 seconds while you go to the kitchen (5 steps away) to get a paper towel.

3 years coming

Something happened today that I have dreamed about for three years.

The boys played together. In an organized fashion.

Normally they have such different interests. Gavin builds with Duplos. Aidan colors at the table. Gavin makes elaborate meals in the play kitchen. Aidan colors at the table. Gavin does puzzle after puzzle. Aidan colors.....you get it. Aidan does not have as much interest in imaginative play as Gavin does. Until yesterday that is, which is why I was so excited about it.

I announced the TV was going off and they would have to find other means to occupy themselves. I fully expected Aidan to withdraw to his crayons, pencils, markers and paper. But instead, he joined Gavin as he packed up our Little Tikes shopping cart and announced he was going on a trip. They then proceeded to make circles throughout the kitchen, dining room and foyer in an effort to get to wherever it was they were going (with Ciara in hot pursuit). All the while Aidan is trying to tell Gavin some of his ideas and Gavin is largely ignoring him. Suddenly Aidan stops and says in a stern voice "Gavin! Look at me, I need to tell you something." Gavin does so (surprisingly) and Aidan continues: "Gavin, do not talk to me like that. And #2, no screaming." I just about burst out laughing because Gavin was doing neither of the two. However, Aidan's words made me figure they really are listening when we discipline them as much as it seems they aren't.

The funny thing was, Gavin totally listened to Aidan and said "OK, I won't."

Maybe I should just have his brother discipline him from now on?

One year later...

Taken Thanksgiving Day 2005:


Taken Thanksgiving Day 2006:

Amazing how much they grow and mature in one year. Happy Thanksgiving! (one day late...).

Friendship Feast

Tomorrow, Aidan and Gavin's preschool class is having a Friendship Feast. They will stand on the "big stage" and say some cute little turkey poems and sing some cute little turkey songs. Then they will have a feast of turkey, stuffing, corn and cookies. Lastly, they will exchange Friendship Necklaces they have been working on in class.

I was telling someone (a much older someone) about this "Friendship Feast" and was met with a response I wasn't expecting. "Friendship Feast? What, now they can't call it Thanksgiving anymore? Now even 3 year olds need to be politically correct?" I was kind of taken aback because I thought it was such a good idea. Instead of focusing on Pilgrims and Indians, which is a topic way over their heads in my opinion, they are focusing on the importance of friendship. Helping, caring, loving.

I know the boys will learn about Thanksgiving, Pilgrims, Indians, Plymouth Rock, Squanto and everything in between for some 12 years once they hit Kindergarten.

I think Friendship is a good place to start.

Not the nap. Please. Not. the. nap.

As I am sitting here at the computer, Gavin is chitter chattering away to himself in his bedroom. I just peeked in and Aidan is passed out despite the noise in there. Gavin asked if it was time to get up. I told him he had to stay quietly in his room even if he wasn't going to sleep because it was Mommy's quiet time.

This is the day I have dreaded since they turned 3. I knew my days of silence at 2 p.m. were numbered. Ciara dropped her morning nap about two weeks ago so now all three are usually in bed at 1:30 or so. It is my sanity-saving time to recharge my Mom batteries. Now for the past four days, Gavin has not fallen asleep. But Aidan has. Which puts us in a quandry for bedtime. Gavin, having not napped, could easily go in at 7:15 or so but then Aidan is not tired at that time. And there is no way one would go without the other. So, Gavin stays up until the regular 8:30 bedtime and proceeds to have a full-blown meltdown somewhere in there. So clearly, if he is going to stay up until 8:30, he needs a nap.

Now, I could just have Aidan not nap so they both went to bed at 7:15 but he is asleep within minutes of hitting the pillow in the afternoon so he clearly still needs his nap as well. Not to mention, if they were in bed at 7:15 sans nap then Sean would spend less than an hour with them between the time he got home from work and their bedtime.

Also not to mention, I would go C.R.A.Z.Y . if they didn't nap.

Gavin is still chattering away to himself in there. Rats.

Being a mom just got a little tougher.

Stealth Baby

Ciara is so much worse at doing things she shouldn't be than either of the boys were at this age. And to top it off, she is silent when doing these things.

We have a jack and jill staircase so I need to have two baby gates preventing Ciara from roaming to the second floor. One of the baby gates is not properly installed because the baseboard on the bottom of the wall makes it uneven. So we must just fit it into the space at the base of the stairs and then prop a chair in front of it to keep Ciara from going up. I cannot tell you how many times a day I find her on those stairs. If I am changing the boys or letting the dog out the front door, she hightails it for that gate and silently moves the chair, then the gate and is up the stairs like a shot.

The other night Iwas in the kitchen making dinner and Ciara was with me. She then wandered into the dining room and was quiet for about 30 seconds. I walked in to find this:

Ciara had pulled a chair out and climbed onto the table to get her brother's Halloween stash. And I didn't hear a thing.

I am in trouble with this one.

15 months!

My baby is 15 months. I know I may be sounding trite but I just can't believe how fast the time has passed. Everyone says it does but you just 'yes, I know' them to death and wish they would leave you alone.

But it really does go fast. I can see that now.

So, here she is. 15 months. She seems to do everything so much faster than her brothers. Climbing, running, understanding every single thing you say to her. She loves when her brothers chase her through the house in huge circles. Dining room, kitchen, hallway, foyer. Over and over again. Sometimes she eggs them on by switching off the TV while they are watching and then run giggling from the room.

She is not talking much but she can sure get her point across. She walks over to the snack cabinet and points upwards and grunts. If the grunting does not elicit an immediate response, it turns into screeches. If her brothers have a snack she wants, she will walk up to them and point to whatever they are eating and say "mama"? "Mama" seems to be the universal word for everything in Ciara's world.

Ciara is a big hugger. Each morning when I retrieve her from her crib, she waves and smiles. I pick her up and she puts her arms around my neck and squeezes. I think that may be my favorite part of the day. She now gives kisses when you ask her to. "Can I have a kiss?" will result in Ciara coming at you, open mouthed, to plant one on your face somewhere.

Yes, the time does fly and you wish you could slow it down.

But with each new day comes new discoveries, new skills, new memories.

One last trip

My very favorite month is almost over so we headed out for one more trip to a farm stand. It was so great to be there during a weekday without all the crowds. The kids had fun running around and we actually got to take some good pictures because we weren't worrying about being in someone's way.

It was the very definition of a fall day in New England. A nip in the air but the warmth of the October sun on your face. Just cold enough to make your nose run a little bit but not so cold that it ruins the fun.

Sadly, there were no caramel apples yesterday. They only have them on the weekends. Looks like we might have to make one more trip before they disappear until next Fall.

Brotherly Love

This is my first time participating in Love Thursday !

Pictured above are my twin boys, age 3. When I found out I was having twins (and perhaps even more when I found out they were both the same sex), I was so happy that they would have built-in friends. I imagined them playing happily together for hours on end. And then they were born and it soon became apparent, even as newborns, how very different their personalities were. Aidan, the hugger in the photo, is very free with his feelings and is the one who will bounce over to cuddle on your lap as soon as you sit down. Gavin, the masked huggee, is much more guarded with his emotions and always holds back just a little.

And then I caught this moment in a photo. The sheer joy and love for his brother from Aidan and the acceptance of being hugged (and maybe even liking it!) from Gavin.

Happy Love Thursday!

Playing with dolls

Lately I have been pondering the subject of gender roles and the parameters that society places on boys and girls. My kids have free range over the toys they play with and want to own. I figure when they get to kindergarten (or perhaps even now, in preschool), they will learn soon enough from their peers what is considered a "girl" toy or a "boy" toy. Both boys are drawn to the Little Mermaid right now. And why not? The toys she accompanies are sparkly, shiny things that sing beautiful music. Meanwhile, the truck over in the "boy" section is black and makes loud noises. Maybe one day they will go for that but right now, they are in to the kinder, gentler toys.

Ciara on the other hand plays with everything. The boys' trucks, their helicopters and Thomas trains. But, she also has recently started seeking out dolls and hugging them or putting them in her highchair. I haven't made any attempt to push her towards the dolls. When I play with her, she leads the way and I just run with it. But, like I said, lately she is into the whole doll thing.

So my mother buys her a doll stroller yesterday. She has been dying to do this probably since Ciara was born. And Ciara loved it.
And so did Gavin.

The whole time we were at my parents' house, he carted that doll around and talked to it, sang to it, fed it. He and Ciara fought over that stroller all day. It was quite funny. And really, really cute.

There's one in every class

Each time I pick the boys up from preschool, we chat about their day as I buckle them into their carseats and on the ride home. They tell me what they had for snack, what they played with and what their job had been that day. And I also usually hear about John.

At first it was just little things that he did in class. Not listening to the teacher, running out of the classroom or trying to open the gate at the playground.

Then I started to hear:
"John took my toy away"
"John pushed a girl and then John pushed AIDAN" (Aidan hardly shares this type of detail so I rely on Gavin to fill me in)
"John hit me on the head with a car"

None of this bothers me too much, mainly because I realize, as a former teacher, that these things happen and the teacher cannot be aware of absolutely everything that goes on. I just hope that my boys do not retaliate but rather, use their words to tell the child to stop. On the last pick-up the teacher said to me "Gavin had sand thrown at him today and he was very upset about it." I asked Gavin what he did when he had the sand thrown and he told me he said "No!". I told him I was very proud of him for using his words. Later on the way home, I asked Gavin who threw sand at him and he answered as I thought he might: "John".

There is one in every class. I am just glad it is not one of mine.

An Irish lass

Well, a half-Irish lass. My in-laws got Ciara this sweater on their last trip to Ireland before she was even born. Ciara is their first and only granddaughter after 9 grandsons so they were pretty excited. The hat came from one of our many trips to Ireland and the UK and was originally bought for my niece about 5 years ago. I couldn't resist putting it on her with the sweater.

As evidenced by the photo, Ciara seems to have inherited none of my Italian heritage. As one person recently said to me: "Wow, none of your kids look like you, do they?". Thanks.

Growing too fast

Ciara is now a little over 14 months old. But, whenever I look at her and the things she is doing, she seems more like an 18 month old. She seems to be doing things so much earlier than the boys (except for talking). I am sure it is due, in part, to having two older brothers to toddle after and try to get in on the action.

The other day I asked the boys to sit on the stairs so I could get their shoes and socks on. As they sat down Ciara ran over to the steps, wedged herself in between the boys and stuck her foot up in the air. It was so cute. I am so amazed at how much she understands what you say to her. She has been doing that since about 13 months old. Much earlier than the boys.

Recently she has started picking through the toy box to find her dolls. These dolls were hand-me-downs from my niece and I really didn't think Ciara would play with them yet so I just put them in the toybox along with everything else. Well, Ciara loves them. She carries them around, hugs them and passes them off to her brothers so that they can hug them too. Never mind that they don't necessarily want to hug them, lol. And just this morning, when I said it was time for breakfast, she ran over to her highchair with her dolls and tried to put them in there. Sometimes she is so cute, I can't stand it.

Since she is our last, I find myself thinking lately "Where is my little baby?" But, as she grows and discovers more and more it helps me stop pining for the days of infancy.

Some conversations you just can't win...

Gavin is very persistent. He never gives up on anything. Which, I suppose, is a good quality to have but can be annoying at times, too. Here is a conversation we had on the way to the grocery store and stopped at a red light.

Gavin: Mama, what's that building?
Me: That is a bank.
G: Is it the dance center?
Me: No, no. It is a bank. It does look like the dance center building but it's not.
G: (Pointing) That building right there? (only building on the lot)
Me: Yes, that building.
G: It's the dance center?
Me: No, it is not the dance center. It is a BANK.
G: Oh.
(silence for about 4 seconds)
G: Is that the dance center?
Me: --huge sigh-- Yup, that is the dance center.

End of conversation.

Overheard

Aidan and Gavin wanted to watch the Heffalump Halloween movie before nap today. I was in the kitchen cleaning up from lunch and I hear Gavin:

"Pooh bear loves honey. Huh, Aidan?"
(silence from Aidan)
"He loooves honey."
(silence again)
"I don't like honey, Aidan. Because I am not a Pooh bear."
(silence)

It was so funny because Aidan totally zones out while he is watching TV. He was probably hoping Gavin would just keep quiet. Meanwhile, Gavin likes to discuss what he is seeing. These two make me chuckle.

Autumn in New England, part 2

Blogger is acting weird when I try to upload photos so I thought I'd try a new post.

So, as I was saying, we went to a pumpkin festival in Maine where the kids did some fun activities. I also tried to take advantage of all the lovely displays and get another pic of the three of them. I think I will give up for a while on this task.

Moving on to our next excursion...the Topsfield Fair. To some people this is the epitome of fall activities. I myself, have not been to the fair in at least 15 years. I am not one for crowds and overpriced food. But, my sister seemed to think the kids would enjoy it and so she talked me into it. Aidan (aka Ponyboy at this point) rode another pony.

And the boys and I rode an elephant. I wsa petrified the whole entire time I was up there. All I could think of was the circus elephant that went beserk and trampled several people. The things we do for our children.

And Ciara just enjoyed roaming free again.

As we were leaving the fairgrounds, one of the mounted police asked the boys if they had a good time. Then he turned to the adults and said "Do you have any money left? Are you sure you're ready to leave?". He was joking but my sister and I were not laughing as we had spent a hefty sum on parking, entrance fees, overpriced mediocre food, and rides. But, it's all in the name of fall fun, right?

Autumn in New England

Well, it is that time of year again. My very favorite time of year. Autumn. We have been busy the past few weekends doing some fallish things.

We have visited an apple orchard. Not that we actually pick apples. No, no, no. Not yet. Maybe when the kids are older. Our trip usually involves seeing the animals like this enormous pig. It was seriously the size of a small cow.

We also take a tractor-pulled hayride, visit the store for cider donuts and caramel apples, and check out the pumpkins. (Look at Gavin in the background looking for ants).

And I also took the opportunity to try and get a picture of the three of them with a nice scenic backdrop. No such luck.
Another weekend we visited a pumpkin festival in Maine in the town where we vacation in the summer. It was really fun. They had pumpkin rolling, three-legged races, stuff your own scarecrow and lots of yummy food and baked goods. Aidan went on his second pony ride of his life. He loves the ponies!

The boys got to pick out their own pumpkins and then paint them.

And Ciara got to roam free which she loves.

Start 'em young

I love books. Even though I hardly have the time and focus to read them lately. Still, I love them. And it makes me happy that my kids love them. One of Ciara's favorite activities right now is getting a book (preferably of the lift-the-flap variety) and bringing it to you to read to her. (Doesn't she look so old in this picture?)

And, if you happen to be too busy to read to her, she'll just thumb through it herself. She is so cute!

How hard can it be to get a decent picture of 3 small children?

Apparently very.

I cannot recount all the details of the doomed photo shoot. It would tire me too much. Suffice to say that by the end, none of the children were at their best:

Maybe I'll try again in a few years.

Well, I never

You know how before you have children you mentally make a list of all the things your child will never do? And then once you do have children, that list goes flying out the window as soon as you realize that something on that list might just buy you a half hour of quiet time? Yeah, that is what I have been doing for the past three years. Here are (were) my top five things that my children would never do ~said in haughty tone of voice~

1. My children will never watch much TV and even then it will be PBS.
2. My children will never eat a lot of junk food. Only for special occasions.
3. My children will never throw tantrums. I will reason with them and they will understand why they cannot have the item they are tantrumming over. (is that even a word?)
4. My children will never play video games before the age of 10.

Alright so I can only think of 4 right now. But there were 5, I swear.

So let us now go down the list and see just how delusional I was.

1. This one was broken by the time the boys were 6 months old. This was when I realized that Baby Einstein would gain me 30 minutes of "me" time every day and allowed me to shower.

2. After their first birthday, the boys had little bits of junk here and there. By the time they were two, they were dragging a chair to the cupboard to reach the Oreos. My theory now is that by giving them junk food, I take the mystique out of it and soon they tire of it. They actually snack well now--grapes, rice cakes, crackers. Not too bad.

3. Just try reasoning with a screaming toddler. 'Nuff said.

4. This is the one I am struggling with now. Sean has PlayStation2 and bought them an age-appropriate game (Madagascar). I caved once I saw how good they were at it. Strengthens eye-hand coordination, right? Right?

So there it is. All is fair in love and war, I say.

Oh my goodness...

I haven't posted a picture of Ciara in over a week! Why didn't someone tell me? lol
Her hands are always in her mouth these days. She must be teething yet again.

He's coming around

As I stated in an earlier post, Gavin sometimes has trouble conveying his feelings for us. He can be very stoic and projects a tough guy image even at 3 years old (especially in photos, lol). I am working on that. (Total opposite of his brother, by the way.)

Gavin is also a questioner. Wanting to know who, what, where, when and why on just about everything he comes into contact with. If we buy the boys a new toy or book or even a doughnut. Gavin will ask "Why you buy this for me?". To which I respond "Because I love you". At which point he gets a smug little look on his face and merrily skips away with aforementioned treat. This has become his thing.

Last week I purchased a small puzzle for the boys in celebration of the first day of preschool. When I gave it to them, Gavin asked his usual question and I gave my usual answer. Then today he asked me again why I bought him the puzzle and before I could answer he said "Because you love me?". I said "Yes" and he replied "Oh. I love you, too". I said "What?"--I know, can't leave well enough alone and just enjoy the moment. Now, usually he stutters over his words and backtracks not ever admitting he let it slip that he loves his mom. But today he repeated it loud and clear "I love you". I was genuinely touched.

I was jokingly telling myself that perhaps after a week of being out in the "real world" of preschool where not every adult thinks the sun rises and sets with him and his siblings, maybe he realized how lucky he has it at home. Maybe that is the case and maybe not.

But even if it is, I'll take it.

On the subject of Breakfast

Gavin came to me this morning at 8:15 and asked if he could have a Scooby Doo ice cream (in reality a Scooby Doo sherbet push-up). I said no, it was too early for that and it was not something we ate at breakfast time. This being said as I doled out donut holes to his brother for his breakfast. And ate a big slab of Sean's grandmother's lemon cake for my own breakfast. Gavin had, in fact, already eaten his breakfast--a cup of drink yogurt and two bowls of fresh fruit. A better breakfast than Aidan or I was certainly eating.

Which led me to think exactly who deemed it was too early for a Scooby Doo push-up? Me? My mother as I was growing up? Her mother as she was growing up?

When I think of all the sugary things out there that are considered breakfast food--Pop Tarts, toaster pastries, Frosted Flakes, donuts--a sherbet pop doesn't seem all that bad. Especially when you have already eaten a healthy breakfast.

So, at 8:20 a.m., Gavin had a Scooby Doo push-up.

I did it.

I pierced her ears. Well, not me personally.


I have only been mulling this over since, oh, March of 2005 when we found out she was a girl during the ultrasound. So yesterday a doctor at the family practice we go to did it. He was actually kind of comical making the dots on her ears, looking at her, mumbling to himself that 'no, no...that's not even', erasing them, making more dots... He finally called two female nurses in to check on the symmetry and then...it was done.

My guys

Well, according to their teacher, the boys had a pretty good first "real" day of school. No tears but lots of asking about me and where I was. I'll take that. It would have broken my heart if they had cried a lot.

I asked the teacher if they stuck together and she said not at all. They both went their separate ways in the class. I figured they would and I suppose that is a good thing. They felt at ease enough that they didn't need to be by each other's side the whole time. I arrived 10 minutes early and the class was at recess so I got to spy on them from my car. That was kind of cool. I have never seen them play before without me being at least 3 feet from them.

One last thing the teacher told me is how Gavin (orange shirt) asked questions all the livelong day. "What are we having for snack?" "Why are we having cheese?" "How many crackers do we get?" while Aidan just rolled with the punches. That is exactly them in a nutshell. This made me feel good because I felt the teacher really paid attention and got to know the children even on the very first day.

I am so relieved that they like it and dropping off was not as much of an issue as I had been preparing for.

The Flip Side

Well, the boys are at school, Ciara is napping and the house is strangely quiet. I find myself what they are doingnow, if they are asking about me or, worse, crying and upset.

As a former Kindergarten teacher, I know all about separation anxiety--from the child's perspective. I was the one who was gently leading the child away, calming their fears, telling them Mom would be back after school. Never, until this morning, did I appreciate what the parents must have been going through. Entrusting me, a virtual stranger who they have maybe seen a few minutes, to take care of their child for 6 hours a day. Trusting me to teach them, protect them, comfort them when they were upset. Which of course I did.

But now, here I am in their shoes. Leaving my boys with a teacher I (and they) have met only a couple of times. In the mad rush on this first full day of preschool (all 2.5 hours of it!) I couldn't tell the teacher what to look for that would let her know the boys were upset. I couldn't tell her little secret words we have to make them feel better. I know they are in totally capable hands but it still feels weird to have them not in my care or in the care of their grandparents. This is the first time they have stayed with non-family members.

So, how did they do you ask? Well, Aidan ran into the classroom after he saw the box of cars on the classroom rug. Didn't even say goodbye. I had to stick my head in the door so he would know we were leaving. Gavin hung back a little, sucking his two fingers, a little leery about entering the room. I knelt down and told him we'd be back for him and gave him a hug and a kiss. No tears from either and I am counting the minutes until I go pick them up and see how they did.

One more hour.

I better go enjoy the quiet while it lasts.

And tonight, for your dining pleasure...

...Chilled Little People.

With a side of.....Little People.

These boys, I tell you. I am always finding little things everywhere throughout the house. I can only imagine what I will find in their pants pockets as they get older.

1st day....a bit anticlimactic

So the first day has come and gone and I haven't even gotten just a bit teary. My mil called me again to see how I was doing.

We walked them to their classroom, stayed about 15 minutes and then went to meet with the director and socialize with other parents. They actually let us leave though for a few seconds it was iffy. When we came to get them about 45 minutes later, the teacher said they did ok. Gavin kept asking for me and when I was coming back and Aidan cried just a little but then was fine. She said both boys were "well-mannered" but then again, she only had them for 45 minutes. Hahahahaha. She'll see.

I suppose the real test comes Thursday when they go for a couple of hours. We are encouraged to give hugs and kisses at the door of the classroom and then leave. It is highly recommended you don't actually enter the classroom for fear the domino effect will have ALL the parents milling about in the small room.

Well, we'll just see how that goes over with A&G.

She just loooooves her bottle

On the eve of preschool

Well, tomorrow is the big day. Preschool. Only for an hour though and we will be in the next room. Thursday is the real deal.

My mil has called me twice in the past few days to find out how I am doing with the whole preschool thing. I am honestly trying not to dwell on it and she is not helping any. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a bit melancholy that my firstborns are expanding their horizons and I will no longer be their whole world. Or that I wasn't a little nervous that all of my hard work parenting these boys for the past three years will be put to the test as they interact with adults who may not think their every move is just adorable.

But, it is only preschool. And I truly think it will be good for them (and for me) to be away from me a few hours a week. Now I just need my heart to follow suit.

I just vant to be alone dah-link

Ciara has been sleeping poorly for weeks. But, oddly enough, she is very comfortable in our bed and will sleep there. Here she is napping her tired self.