Back to School. Yay?

Farah has been so excited to go to first grade. She hasn't had any of the back to school blues or jitters that I feel, and hopefully she never will. Her first grade teacher is Mrs. Steele, and she's in class with a few friends from kindergarten and preschool. Unfortunately, her best friend from last year, Isabella, has a different teacher. None of this has seemed to bother Farah though. School usually means major clothing struggles each morning. She has done so well with clothes this summer and has picked out some really cute outfits for school this year. I have had high hopes that we're moving out of this phase.
On Farah's first day of school, both Heath and I were able to take her to Trisha's and watch her get on the bus for the first day. I was able to be there when she got off as well. She was happy but tired when the day was over. She reported that her favorite things about school were art (which is new this year) and being able to go on the swings at recess (another thing she couldn't do last year). It seems that she likes being a year older and having someone "under" her too!

Unfortunately, there are no cute second day of school pictures, because the second day included kicking, screaming, and tears. Why you ask? PE! She had to wear tennis shoes. These were tennis shoes that she was okay with in the store but obviously not okay once it was time to really wear them. She was fine all morning, and then I heard Blake say, "Farah's crying." This was followed by Farah's signature high pitched, grumpy noise that I cannot even attempt to imitate. I realized it was the shoes. I tried to give her a wide berth, distract by talking about other things, but just like in years past, it was no use. She got increasingly worse as it neared time to go. I tried to put it back on her. I asked her what she thought we should do, but at that point she was inconsolable. I was much more calm and collected than in the past, because I didn't have to be at work today. When I have to leave the house at seven and she's throwing a fit at 6:59, I find it really hard to maintain my sanity. 

She didn't get better when we got to daycare. I had to get the other kids in the house and literally drag her out of the van kicking and screaming. She was screaming and completely wrapped around me when we walked inside; I can only imagine what the new kid must of thought! It was the kind of scene I would have shaken my head at before I had kids. I left her with shoes half on at the bus stop (with the babysitter) crying uncontrollably. The babysitter reported that she stopped trying to kick the shoes off when I left. It took her a few minutes but she also stopped crying and managed to get on the bus in one piece. 

Now, the problem lies in how do I cope with this every Tuesday and Friday (last year it was just Tuesdays). Last year her kindergarten teacher let her wear flip flops to school and change before PE. It was a life changer! I don't know if I should approach her first grade teacher about this or try to find a way to make it work. I did find some slip on, flexible sole tennis shoes today that don't require socks. Maybe that will help. My mother in law said she hopes there is a firm consequence in place for this behavior. I wasn't even thinking clearly enough to consider that. I was just in survival mode. So, perhaps, try the new shoes and create a future standing consequence if that behavior should arise again? 

Another layer of this problem is soccer. In talking to colleagues last year about their children and students in general, the importance of team sports was really stressed to me. I've never considered Farah a team sports kind of girl, but my friends at work assured me that it would be a good thing to try, especially while she's young. Soccer is supposed to be a "low risk" way to introduce team sports. I signed her up. She was not particularly excited about this, but she didn't throw a big fit either. We've talked about some of the fun things associated with soccer, and I think she's most excited about games and the prospect of friends coming to watch those games. She doesn't know about shin guards and cleats. If this morning was any indication, we'll be lucky to live through soccer season. 

Summer's Coming To An End

I'm so sad to see this summer end. At the beginning of the summer, I committed to going and doing with the kids. I wanted to just wake up and pack up and go on little "field trips," have play dates, and get out and explore. I've been so limited in the past by pregnancies, morning sickness, babies taking morning naps, and Farah's unwillingness to get dressed and leave the house. But now with that behind me, I pledged to have a fun summer....and we actually did!
A little run down on the highlights: my favorite trip was the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton (just the kiddos and me). We also did Dinosaur Land, Clearbrook Park, public pools, hiking Skyline Drive with Grammy, River park with Grammy (including a two night cabin stay), a great trip with Heath, Joyce, and kids to Jellystone Park in Luray, two nights in PA with Joyce and kids to do Dutch Wonderland, four days at VA Beach, including the VA Beach Aquarium. We had some fun birthday parties, we did a bicycle parade with the neighbors, went to Sarah's lake house, visited Skyline Caverns with Grammy, did Marker Miller orchards, had a fun day at Holly's house with Kacie and her crew, and we kicked off the summer with a backyard campout.
All in all, it was a great summer. I can't think of any major problems. This beach trip was about a hundred times better than last year's, too. The only bummer was the kids weren't as into the ocean as last year. A few minutes on the beach and Farah would ask when we could go to the hotel pool. She wouldn't let up, she would say, "Okay, how many more minutes?" Not exactly a good way to relax on the beach.

The big news of the summer is the acquisition of two new members of the family, Lucy and Cleo. I saw Lucy's picture on Facebook. Melinda Walters was posting the cutest pictures of this little calico kitty with her daughter, Bella, who is Farah's age. They were curled up in bed, the kitty was poking out of purses, and in general being mauled without seeming to mind. She couldn't keep it because her dog wanted to eat the stray kitty and had apparently already eaten its litter mate. I casually told Heath about her and asked if maybe we could get her for Farah. Instead of the "no" I was expecting, he said, "Let me see a picture." After I showed him, he said, "Do whatever you want." So, not only did I get her, but a week later I got a friend for her! Cleo was a cute grey and white kitty from our babysitter's. She had been found on the side of the road as a very tiny kitten and was living at Trisha's as an outdoor cat. The two get along so well and bring a lot of fun to our house, without the commitment that a dog brings. Of course, they bring the added chores of litter box cleaning and pet hair removal. It's no big deal right now, but when I got back to work (sigh, tomorrow), I might feel differently.

As I type, Lucy is purring in my lap. I hope they stay this sweet and playful as they age. Right now, Lucy purrs so loudly and is very frisky. She loves to climb and is definitely the boss of the two. Cleo is very loud; the vet said she's part Siamese, which explains the "talking." She is tolerant of the kids, but probably because she's looking for food. Now, as I type, Lucy is biting me and chasing my arm with the claws. They are both total pigs, maybe because they're strays?

Farah also learned how to ride her bike without training wheels this summer. It only took about three lessons with Heath before she mastered it. 

Another cool thing this summer, was I continued the tradition I started last year of doing a special day with each child. I took Farah roller skating in Purcellville and to Franklin Park. Blake and I went to Chantilly and toured Udvar Hazy air and space museum and then went to the Kid Junction (or something like that). It had an imagination town, climbing towers, and arcade games. Lenah and I spent some time at home playing one on one and went to the Wilson's Wild Animal Park, where she clung to me for dear life the whole time. 

Had to take a "selfie" with Lenah because she wouldn't let me put her down!

My most favorite thing to do is to say to Lenah, "Do the Lenah." She instantly starts her little Lenah dance. I need to get a good video of this! I have a half hearted "Do the Lenah video."


The worst thing about a good summer is when it comes to its inevitable end. This is my last summer with a baby, if you can still consider Lenah a baby (which I do). Next summer, if all goes well, I'll have no one in diapers. Lenah may even be ready to move out of her crib. Farah's first few years went by slowly, probably because I was so engrossed in her every move. Things are now flying by. I'm trying to enjoy it and push the nostalgia off.