Arrival of elf on the shelf

I was avoiding Elf on the Shelf.  I didn't want to start this little craze at our house as first learned about it a few years ago and certainly not after it became a sensation that has taken over as this new Christmas tradition that everyone does. Plus, I don't want to tell the kids to "be good" just because an elf or Santa is watching them.  But, there is a story to share about how we came to meet Cheerio.

It started with Jingle, the elf that visits the kindergarten classroom.  He was an obsession for the class and if I only heard one story about the school day it was probably about where Jingle was hiding. Not only was there Jingle, but I think that every other child in Evan's class had a similar visitor to their houses.  The hiding places of those elves were the hot conversation topic.  After this started a couple weeks ago, Evan has said "we need to find our elf" in a way that showed he assumed that all houses had a magical elf that visited from the North Pole everyday and reported back to Santa each night and then took on a new hiding place.  I would then switch topics or tell we could do that after dinner or something.  Well, one day we were talking about how Jude told Evan that he was 6.  And I told Evan that I knew that Jude was 5 and that he may have told a lie and that sometimes kids lie even though it is not right.  Evan: "Mom, I told the kids at school that our elf was in the fridge."  That made me a little sad.  He wanted so much to share in the stories of the magical elves with his friends and lied to fit in.  I certainly don't think he should have everything that the other kids have.  But how can you explain why you don't have a magical elf that visits your house to a 5-year-old?  It is not like a video game can you can just say that we don't need to have that just because "so and so has it".  It is magic.  And why would magic avoid entering our world.  It is a little bit like if Santa didn't visit our house.  So, that night Tony went to but one and we put him in a bowl of Cheerios on the table so Evan would find him in the morning.  Evan was surprised and quietly amazed,mostly just staring at him during breakfast.  And that is how we met Cheerio!

a busy 4 months

I have been meaning to write down something since the first day Evan started kindergarten… almost 4 months ago.  It just seems there is always something else to do.  And this fall, most of my kid-free time went to working on the class I started teaching at NMC.  So most evening after bedtimes and during Colin's naps, I was cramming work into our busy schedule.  A nice, lovely busy schedule.  Busy, but enjoying the time.  

So, Evan started kindergarten without a bump.  Of course, I had my tears leading up to it.  And I held them in until I was in the parking lot after walking into Mrs. Rowney's class, the place he would be spending most of his days.  Evan walked in confidently and excitedly, and started life as a school-kid.  

It has only been 4 months, but looking at this picture brings me back to the feelings that day.  Excited and proud, and in awe that this is my little boy.  Here is in kindergarten!  How did this happen?!  I wish I could remember every story he has told me from school.  And of course, I want to know the ones that he didn't tell me too.  He has aced kindergarten to this point, and as far I as know never been in trouble.  I am amazed at this math.  He will randomly be seating in the back seat of the car adding 9+9, or counting by 4's.  He's confident, and walks in like he owns the school, and asks thoughtful questions out of nowhere, wanting to know how electricity works and how babies are made.  He wants to build a robot.   He swims in the deep end, brushes his teeth, draws and writes notes in his notebooks, and he saves everything.  His room looks a little like garbage pile.  But, he loves his life and I love watching him learn, explore, inquire, and grow!  

Dear kindergartener Evan

Dear Evan,

I am so lucky to be your mom.  I can't stop thinking about you right now, as I am teared up with thoughts of you going to kindergarten in 10 days.  I want to remember every moment of the past 5+ years that I have had with you.  I know… its just kindergarten.  But this milestone is a huge change.  I think that the 5 full days will be a little hard of you, but I know that you are ready for the ideas, friends, and new experiences ahead.  I just feel like I'm losing my baby boy.  This will be harder for me that you.  I knew that someday you would be your own person.  And I am amazed each day about the person you are becoming.  But, I just want to keep you little and snuggle you.  I am thankful for the time we have had.  I wouldn't have given up my opportunity to be home with you most days.  And have a front-row seat to watching your childhood.  There were moments and days that it was hard.  And it still is.  I just can't get into your Lego games.  I cringe every time that you ask me to "be the girls" and "is it one of their birthdays?".  I just want to sit back and watch you, and remember the way you look and the things you do.  I want to hold on to these days.  I feel guilty for wishing the hours by sometimes.  Because sometimes, I want time to stop.  Last week, I told you that you were going to turn 5 again on your next birthday.  Part of me doesn't want you to get older.  These exhausting days are such a mix.  I know that years from now I will wish that I could spend a little time with 5-year-old Evan again.  I will wish:

• that we could play some Legos
• that your random collections of rocks, feathers, ripped up papers, saved toy packaging, dirty clothes, and projects was thrown about your room.  
• I could watch you just run around the house with endless excitement and energy.  
• to look across the table from me and see you half falling out of your chair. 
• to see that cute nod you do after you ask me a life question
• have you reach for my hand when walking through parking lots or just because.

I know there is excitement ahead for both of us.  I just want to hold onto these days.  The ones where you don't want to get out of jammies or leave the house.  This was a special time for mom.  Our time.  Thank you.  Love, Mom 

end of June

Last day of the 30-day challenge.  I actually missed a day.  I just completely forgot.  Most days it was the last thing I had to do before going to sleep.  I actually put it off until laying in bed most nights.  It's not that hard to write a few sentences.  It is just one more thing to do after a long day of doing many things.  I know that I want to remember these days though; the days of messy faces, giggles, tantrums, learning to talk, learning to read, running outside to see the ice cream truck, digging in the dirt, pointing at bugs, splashing water, toys all over the house, and bedtime hugs.  And those are just a few of the things that I enjoyed about TODAY!  We really do have a good life.  Some moments I wish I out working in some fulfilling career and some moments I wish for more time for myself.  But, usually when I look at the big picture, home with the family is where I want to be.

Library

We have been going to the library frequently, at least once a week.  And Evan always wants all the Lego or batman books he can find.  Also, I signed Evan up for summer reading club, so we have been looking for books to meet those goals.  So we have a ton checked out.  I learned issue that the maximum is 40 books.  I was trying to check out an additional 3.  Instead, I had to use Tony's card.  So we currently have 43 items from the library at our house.  I hope I can find them all.

Running

Usually I just run to do it.  Not because I like it.  I just need to exercise and it's the quickest way I can get a good workout.  Today I had fun running a 5k race.  I did have to walk the hills as I pushed two kids in  stroller, but it felt good to run and be part of something.  That is why I likes the Bayshore half-marathon as much as I did.  Being part of it.  And it was a rewarding feeling to say "I did it!"

A good day

Not every day is a good one.  I don't really have any bad ones.  It's just that some are better than others.  Today was great!  Tony was off of work.  That makes for a better day.  And we had a lot of fun things planned.  Soccer camp, watching the World Cup game at the State Theater, park with friends, beach, family dinner, swimming lessons.  The moment that I consciously thought about how great of a day we were having was when I was pushing Colin on the baby swing and he pointed to the swing next to him and said "mama", meaning that I was to swing next to him, and I swung next to a happy baby with a happy 5 year old running around with his friends and lookin at the blue sky and bay.  I thought, this is living the dream.