Preschool Graduation

My boy graduated today. Okay, so it was preschool but it was a big step for Brayden and for his Mom. I am unexpectedly very emotional about it and so is he. I began thinking about it more when I was flipping through pictures that have been taken throughout the year. It is shocking to see how these cute little 4 year olds have grown into kindergarten ready 5 year olds. The difference caught me off guard and now I have to admit he is ready. Ready to send off to the "Big School"



Bunnies and Blocks Preschool kind of fell into our laps and we couldn't have placed him in a better little school. We are all happy there and Brayden doesn't want to leave. He made his first friends there and has taken great steps to write his name and learn about things that I could never do or think of here at home. Today he cried. He doesn't want to go to the big school. That's okay. I don't want him to go either. But he's ready. He just doesn't know it yet.



Time never stands still. It is part of life to go through seasons and years and things are always changing. It one of his first life lessons. I have to teach him how to work through this one while managing it for myself too. We are closing the preschooler chapter and beginning the school years. Am I ready? I am going to miss the cute, inquisitive, outgoing, somewhat strong willed preschooler. But I am also looking forward to watching to see what he can do with his talents and personality as he grows. I hope to be able to give him opportunities to help him figure out who he is as he develops into a big kid. Our job is to help him become a well adjusted adult, not a 45 year old guy who lives in our basement, right?



So, thank you , Bunnies and Blocks! You have given us a great foundation for the big school and we will always be grateful! We,re off to the next chapter! Kindergarten! Hurray!

Stopping the cough.

Tonight I am staying awake. Staying awake so that I can check in on my boy and his cough. I hate coughing. It doesn't matter who is doing it. It drives me crazy and I have to make it stop. I feel guilty when it is my kid and I am so aggravated. For some reason, the cough always seems to strike on Friday when I have less access to a doctor or when we have something fun planned. For all these reasons, I am obsessed with making the cough go away.

When Brayden was 18 months old he had a terrible case of pneumonia. His little chest was heaving and struggling for breath and we ended up in the ER. Since that time, I never sleep when Brayden is coughing. I am constantly checking in, making sure that he is breathing and giving him breathing treatments around the clock to ensure his airways are free.

Recently, I have begun to wonder if we need to push for a diagnosis. The pediatrician tells me he will outgrow it but to me, the coughing seems to have become more chronic. I feel like I need to be his advocate and make sure that we are not missing something. Maybe we are introducing allergens that are causing him problems. Maybe I should just clean my house more??? I want to move forward and come up with a more preventative plan instead of always being behind the cough.

Missing my Boy

I have always worked the evening shift, 3pm-1130pm. Most of the time I really enjoy it. I like the people that I work with and I like staying up late. Working exercises my brain and challenges me. I really like medical technology and what you can learn by looking at a simple blood smear. I'll spare you the details beyond this.

The problem is that I tend to miss things that I would like to be part of with my family. They tend to be evening people as well and we do a lot of things as a family, whether I am able to be present or not. I am glad the kids get lots of attention from their Dad too. Dad is fun. He comes up with lots of fun ideas.

This week two small things happened that I wish that I had been there to witness. A couple of days ago Norm was trying to get the lawn mowed before it rained and Brayden was out in his sandbox. About halfway through, it began to rain and Norm continued to mow. He contemplated making Brayden go inside but when he showed up back outside with an umbrella, Norm decided to let him stay out. After all, he was mowing in the rain, right? Brayden had a great time in the rain. He figured out how he could ride his big wheel while holding the umbrella. He was happy regardless of the weather! I wish I'd seen that.

Yesterday the kids called me at work to tell me about the "big tree" they pulled out of the ground with Daddy's truck. Norm had declared war on the burning bush in our front yard. He had been digging around it for days and it wouldn't come out. He told Brayden they were going to pull it out with the truck. Brayden was so excited! He went and got his bicycle helmet and climbed in the passenger side. It took a lot of work but they pulled it out and then together they filled the in the hole. I wish I'd seen that.

I guess I should remember that I witness a lot of the fun things the kids do and say and that there will always be things that I am sad that I miss. Everyday they grow and become more independent of me and that is how it should be. But doesn't every parent wish they could be a fly on the wall where their kids are involved, no matter how old they are.

22 Preschoolers

Brayden turned 5 last month. It is hard to believe that the time has gone by so fast. I decided, maybe because he's my firstborn and I didn't know any better, to have a big party including Brayden's preschool class. Evidently we chose a very convenient time because everyone could make it! Every time I checked on the Evite invitation, more "yes" responses. I did a quick math count in my head. 22 preschoolers

22 preschoolers and their parents. Where am I going to put them all? Norm and I have a bad habit of putting on big parties. I get stressed out and swear I will never do it again but I guess my memory dulls and the idea of having fun with a lot of people prompts me write a new Evite.

So, days before the party, I am running around collecting party favors and presents. Brayden is into Superheroes so we had Batman, Spiderman, and Superman themed party decorations. I made Batman cupcakes. Thanks to the party store sales lady! She gave me great ideas. It all started coming together except for the black icing. Brayden wanted black icing on his Batman cupcakes. I can't bake to save my life and I had no idea how to make black icing. I gave up and hoped the Batman insignia ring stuck into the cupcakes would distract him.

The day finally came. I think that is has rained on every April 2 in the last 4 years including the day Brayden was born so I expected the same on this day. Instead, we had record setting warmth and sun. What a gift! The kids came, some decked out in their own Superhero costumes, all ready for some fun. They ate, they "fought crime", and they had a blast running a playing in the yard. What a fantastic day for us all!

We will remember Brayden's 5th birthday just because it was his birthday and he's our kid but I will also remember it because God gave me an extra gift of a sunny day and a reminder that we are blessed with so many friends with which to celebrate life.

Happy Earth Day

I have been thinking about "green living" a lot since it is such a hot topic these days. Slowly, I have begun to educate myself about what it means to me and my family to choose good products and reduce the amount of chemicals we put into our bodies and into the earth.

What I can't figure out is who is just trying to market their products and who is really providing true "green" products. Today, I found out that one of the products I am using is really not so "green" It still contains some chemical ingredients that I didn't realize were also unhealthy. Arrgghh! This makes me really frustrated. I have a background in chemistry and I am still struggling with all of these compounds! I guess it isn't so easy as to go to the store and pick up a product that says "natural" or "organic" and be able to believe what is being marketed to me. I guess it is going to be a longer process than I had hoped.

Anyway, I am planting some irises tomorrow in honor of Earth Day. (It rained a lot today) So Happy Earth Day.

Kleptomaniac or shoplifter???

My daughter loves her purses. Like most women, she uses one for awhile and then she will change to a new or different one. She takes her purse almost everywhere we go and I have begun to notice that she will pick up small things along the way and stash them in her bag. I have not thought much of it since she is two and a half but I have lost a few things and ultimately found them in one of Sophia's purses. My five year old son has also found his poor Batman stashed in a glittery bag and we are beginning to wonder if this is a sign of things to come. I am sure that it is a developmental phase and that she is just enjoying having things to carry around like Mom. Only time will tell if she becomes a kleptomanic or a shoplifter but I tend to think she is just enjoying being a girl.

Blogging is hard!

Okay, so I am a little challenged when it comes to blogging but I am not going to let technology get away from me.

I am inspired by friends who blog so I am going to make more of an effort!

Today I am thankful. I am thankful for my family, our health, and good friends. I have recently been reminded of all of that due to cirumstances that have arisen in the lives of some close friends. I am focusing on appreciating every day and trying to take opportunities to make memories of the moments I have right now.

I could write a lot more but I want to spend time with my daughter. She won't be 2 much longer!