Maura is seven... how did this happen?

I have resigned myself to the fact that at every birthday of every girl, I will ask, "How did that happen?" I now know what those crazy "old" people were talking about when they said, enjoy it, it goes so fast (and I scoffed in their faces). Holy moly. It DOES go by so fast. And I am honestly tired just thinking about it let alone living it. The good news is, it is all good news right now, so for that I am grateful. Everyone is loving their lot in life right now. Everyone is basically happy and content, dare I say, even thriving!

Sean is busy at work, which is a good thing, but is still able to coach two of his daughters' soccer teams, make it to Donuts for Dads, go to Back to School Nights, and sign up to be a mystery reader here and there. Yeah for him. The other night I emailed KJ's teacher to tell her what fun Sean had and the Donuts for Dads and how excited Kerri was when Sean came in the door after work "still" wearing the tie she made him at school earlier that day. Her email reply, really made me stop and fall in love with Sean a little bit more (I know, sappy). She said: "Well, your family truly is special! When a daddy knows how to make his daughter's day that is something to be revered!" And you know what. She is right. Now, if only Sean read this blog so her could enjoy the compliment.

Maura's birthday party was a carnival theme. We had a clown do balloon animals and a magic show, we had carnival games (in the basement due to rain) and a homemade pinada. Lots of prizes. lots of candy. lots of fun. lots of relief when it was all over... oh, and one of Maura's favorite things... lots of presents.

We are knee deep in soccer season with Maura and Maggie both playing. Maggie is really loving it. She loves having all her girlfriends on the team with her. She even scored a goal at the last game. Maura is still in love with soccer too. We are now working on modesty with her. She seems to really excel at it (last game she scored 17 goals!). She is not at all bragging to her team or the other team, but wants a "prize" or a "treat" from me. Not sure how to handle that one. Really, I do not know what to do. When she only scored a goal or two, or sometimes did not really touch the ball, we would say, you can get something from the snack bar (or something small like that) if you score or block a goal (even if she did not we still gave it to her). This year at her first game, Sean said he would give her a dime for every goal she scored. I think she scored four. The next game she scored 7... now 17. I know a dime is not much, but it is probably not a good lesson. Really, again, I am torn.

Mags and B are doing dance again this year. They love it because it is with their friends Eva and Marin. It is nice because KJ goes to babysitting and I get to work out during it.

Daisy meetings start this week. I am Maggie's leader this year, so that will be pretty neat. It will be interesting to see how she acts with me around.

Again, all is good, and that is good!

GOAL!

Just a little bragging... Maura scored 7 goals at her soccer game today! Way to go Maura. The best part... she had a smile on her face the whole time!

Some more firsts.

Well, this momma is exhausted from all the firsts that have happened round these parts for the last three weeks. Maura started school August 31, then Mags started September 7, then B started September 12 and KJ started September 13. Won't it be nice when one day they all walk off at the same time... hopefully hand in hand, smiling and loving each other fiercely!

Well EVERYONE is doing great. I was most worried about B. She is definitely momma's little girl, and cried a lot even when I leave the house with Sean at home or one of our parents, so I thought going to school this year might be tough. Not the case. She is really doing a great job and feels very proud of being in pre-K and of all the new things she is learning. I am sure it helps that she has an awesome teacher. M and M both and her and I just adore her. She made such a big deal out of Bridget writing her name and cutting her circle at the "lifestories" (aka meet the teacher), she really made B feel so proud of herself. And me so proud of her too. B is definitely starting pre-K at a different skill level than M and M (she is almost a year younger than they were and has a different set of interest (and had a mom that was very busy with two older sisters and a baby sister on the way-poor middle child). I am just so happy for her though. She really is doing great and feeling great about herself. She is asking for playdates and wanting to have her own social life. Another thing that I think got neglected as the middle child. I am going to love watching her grow this year, and hate it at the same time. I am ready for a "freeze in time" I love the kids this age and would keep it ere for a while if I could.

KJ also is loving school. I kind of knew she would. She was so excited to hold her book bag. If you asked out loud in a room who was starting school tomorrow, she would excitedly raise her hand and say (in her deep voice) "ME!" She calls her teachers Miss Cammy (which is right) and Kristen (which should be Miss Mary Chris. Oh well. She loves them and loves school. SO far no tears and no accidents. Yea Kerri. I hope you fall in love with school this year and never look back!

We have another kindergartner

Yes we do! Mags started kindergarten today. It really just kind of went like any other school day would. She wasn't nervous, not really excited, just ready. At the last minute yesterday, they added another kindergarten class to her school and moved some kids around, so I wanted to be sure to take her up to school today and make sure she went to the right spot, alas, I was met at the door by the "escort" who stole... I mean, took, her away from me and walked her to her classroom. I still have a hard time adjusting to our elementary school and the lack of every day communication with the teachers, but I am trying.

3 hours later I picked Mags up in carline and she had a huge smile on her face. She was happy. She said she had fun with her friends, got to color and her teacher was nice. I guess that is really what it is all about. After last year's experience with kindergarten, I am looking forward to a fresh start and a whole new perspective (mine) on things.

Mags, I am very proud of who you are growing into. I can't believe the little girl who cried every day at drop off and would not go in front of the classroom for the holiday show, or even talk to your teacher for months, just two years ago, now runs off to kindergarten without a thought. Your confidence and willingness to try new things (with a dear friend nearby of course,) is a pleasure to watch. I am looking forward to this exciting new chapter with you!

School Days

We officially have two grade-schoolers. Holy Moly! Maura started first grade last week without a hitch. Despite her pleas to homeschool, she is back in the public school system. She seems to be liking it a lot. She did, however, mention that second grade she is definitely going the homeschool route because school is interfering with her social life, and by social life, I mean 5 day visits to Oba and Grandad's house!

Her teacher seems nice, although I have not really met her, which does bother me a bit. She has class with two of her "BFFs" from last year and two boys she was in class with too (not BFFs, but friend none the less). She will be playing soccer this year, which she is ecstatic about.

After the first day of school she informed me that the next day she wanted to ride the bus too and from school (she would not ride the bus at all last year) and wanted to buy lunch. Little Miss Independent. Maura has actually always been a easy child. She was an easy pregnancy, and easy, easy baby, easy toddler and now is a easy, I don't know, what do you call a 6 -almost 7- year old, young girl?!?! I sure am proud of my girl and everything that she does.

Mags will be starting Kindergarten tomorrow. She is super psyched. She has her lifelong BFF Eva in her class and her newest BFF Marin in her class. We even noticed that all three are sitting at the same table! They will be psyched! We met with her teacher today. She seems very nice and very friendly. She mentioned numerous times that it was kindergarten and we could relax a bit. So much different than last year's experience. I am looking forward to a great year.

Homeschooling

I was a teacher in my previous life, this is true. However, I taught HS English. People hear that and assume I can teach a child to read or write. I cannot. This is obvious from the reading/writing abilities of my children- and my patience level when trying to work with them. Despite all this, Maura has asked, rather begged, me to home school her next year. Apparently I agreed.

I am pretty sure the conversation went like this...

LOTS of background noise, yelling, crying, singing inlcuded

Maura: Mom

Me: (ignore)

Maura: Mom, Mom, Mom

Me: (ignore)

*there are probably five other "mom"s being said at this time

Maura: MOM

Me: WHAT?

Maura: WIll you homeschool me this year?

Me: Sure, whatever Maura.

Maura: (walking away) Thanks mom

Me: (also walking-the other way) Your welcome Mo

And so it happened. Apparently I promised my soon to be 1st grader to homeschool her this year. At first I thought if I ignored it, it would go away. I realized that was not working. So, I tried and tried to convince her it was a bad idea. Mommy, barely knows how to read herself, you know? Then we even did some sample lessons. She loved them. The popcorn and drinks probably did not help! What can I say? I even made popcorn when I really did teach.

We went "Back to School" shopping the other day. I said these clothes were only if she went to real school. She said she needed to look good at home to do good (I know- well). WHen we were checking out with piles and piles of clothes, the saleslady asked if these were her back to school clothes, she proudly said YES, I am being homeschooled this year. The lady looked at me (kind of strangely) and said, "wow, that is great. Lucky you." When my friend Meghan asked her what she is most excited about for 1st grade, she just said, "Well, I was supposed to be homeschooled."

When I did tell her (I assumed she knew) that she would not have the same teacher as last year, she did sigh a sigh of relief and say "oh, well, then I don't HAVE to be homeschooled, but I would still prefer it." She also mentioned she had nightmares about her teacher from last year. When I asked her why she never told me, she said, "you would just say, She's fine, Maura, go back to bed"... poor thing!

SO I have about 3 weeks to convince her that having me as a homeschool teacher would indeed NOT be a good idea. at. all.

There is someone for everyone.

This summer I worked at a summer camp at Episcopal Academy, which is right down the road from us. Jenn Smith and I "job shared," one of us worked, while the other watched the little ones. The older four (Isabel, Maura, Mags and Chloe) were able to go to the camp. It really worked out well.

Anyway, Jenn had the kids last week and took B, KJ, and Brady to Dunkin Donuts. In walked some men in suits. B turned to Jenn and said, very seriously, "Jenn, those men are very handsome." Now, I wasn't there, and who am I to judge anyway. However I have a reliable source that tells me they were well over 60 and at least one of them was bald!

To each his (or her) own!