How Did I Not Realize Sooner?

After watching "It's A Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" on television last night, it hit me like a ton of bricks.
My kids are Lucy and Linus....

Always Providing Options...

I bought the kids some "all natural, no sugar added" blueberry applesauce at Target this morning. They were all excited about it at the time. However, at lunch, no one ate one bite of it.
As I was cleaning it up I said casually, "Boy, mom is sure sad I spent money on this."
Lucy: "That's o.k. mom. We still like it. Just not right NOW. But thanks for the option!"

So glad that was clarified....

I Am So Sure....

For the love of god, can we at least get through HALLOWEEN with no snow???!!!!

Big Bed Rock Star....

Tommy continues to amaze us with seamlessly moving over to a "big boy bed" like it is no big whoop. In fact, the boy is napping BETTER than ever now that he's made the move! Oh Tomma...what a guy....
I caught his adorableness during the end of his nap yesterday....his wad body on the huge bed. And since I have never posted pics of Tommy's new big boy room, I thought I would share...

Nothing Like Deflating the Wind from His Sails...

Tommy, all wide eyed and excited: "Mom! Mom! Dad is making me a waffle and it is so hot!"

Lucy, all monotone while playing with a doll and not looking up: "That is not even exciting, Tommy."

Welcome to Events Central...

Whew! All the events of this past week are behind me. And they were all a grand success, for the most part.
My jewelry party on Monday night was, at first, a bit of a bust. Some RSVPs did not end up coming and there was very minimal ordering of lovely items. In the end, my friends like to chat and drink wine instead of buy jewelry when the economy has gone to poo. Can you blame them?
However, things got better when I used all the leftover food at two more events this week AND was able to treat myself to a very cool necklace with my "free jewelry" gift.
Niece's birthday party? Real nice. Preschool family night? Real nice. Homecoming tailgate? Real nice.
Based on the saga going on around here, that shall remain nameless, I decided God gave me all these distractions to allow me to survive the week and not go absolutely "coo coo!"
And with that, I leave you with yet another photo session of our family at an orchard. Seriously...even I, the ever-loving orchard woman, have to admit I am a little over the orchards.
Oh who am I kidding, pass me a pumpkin spice donut.

Just So They Know...

When they are listening to bedtime stories in Lucy's bed, the kids are downright adorable. Lately, Matt and I have made eye contact, wanting to die from the sheer cuteness happening.
Last night, Lucy laid head to head with Tommy and he stroked her hair while Matt read the stories.
Tonight, I walked in to find them holding hands and Lucy rubbing her cheek with his little hand.
It happens almost subconsciously, when the stories are being read.
I hope they always love each other this much...and I hope they are always connected in a special way that no one else understands.

As if I Need to Explain....

I haven't had too much time to blog lately...as you can tell. This is not due to a lack of blogtastic material happening day to day, but more me feeling like I am flailing. I apologize.
Here...look at my girlfriends and I at our Alma Mater. 'Aint we sweet....
Now please go talk amongst yourselves while I prep for out of town guests for the weekend, and a jewelry party I am hosting Monday night, clean dog hair, and deal with a son who isn't into napping all of a sudden, and a preschool family night I am semi-coordinating, clean more dog hair, and my urge to try and keep making nice meals at least 3-4 times a week, and a homecoming party, and clean more dog hair, and, um....peace be with you.

What Happens When I Leave for the Weekend...

A Compliment...

At preschool pick-up this morning, Lucy's teacher said to me,
"I told Lucy that she doesn't wear walking shoes..she wears fancy shoes. She always dances around, completely excited about everything."
I told Lucy what Ms. Sherri said in the car. She agreed about her shoes.
"I think that's a sign you are a happy girl, Luce," I said.
"Yep...I am," she said.

"School Kids"...

So here we sit in the middle of week four of preschool. Each kid has rolled into the school year very successfully. I was kind of surprised how nervous I was for them both during week one. The anxious emotions came over me unexpected, especially for Lucy.
Not surprisingly, Tommy has taken to school like he's been going for years. He almost always is the first kid to bound into class once Ms. Gloria opens her door for the day. He barely has time to give me a final kiss and hug before running to his favorite teacher and jumping on his little push truck. He never looks back for me. I've noticed things when he doesn't realize I am listening...new hand motions to "Twinkle, Twinkle"....the "Clean Up" song under he breath as he picks up toys...pointing at pictures he has drawn and talking about his artwork.
Today I chaperoned his field trip to the library. He sang and did the hand motions like he owned the joint. He hugged school buddies spontaneously and said, "hello" to teachers - shocked that they lived outside of school and were at HIS library?! Always confident, always secure, very animated and full of excitement in his eyes.
What will you do with your life, my smart, confident little boy? For now, one thing is for sure...the boy can really work over a toddler preschool class. :)
Lucy started school pretty easily, as well. A little apprehension on the first couple of days (definately wanted to have that final, reassuring hug before entering the classroom). However, she would quickly jump into class herself, ready to choose an attendance sticker and say hello to familiar faces.
The first week or so of school, she didn't say too much about it, nor did much paperwork or artwork come home. It was a bit of a mystery. I knew she liked it (she definately lets me know is she doesn't like something!), but there wasn't much discussion about it, even when probed.
Truth be told, after hearing my friends with children in "Young 5's" talking about homework until 8:30 p.m. and evening art projects, I was even thinking, is she going to be ready to hang with these kids next year?
Well, those worries have definately faded over the past two weeks. Suddenly, something has clicked and she is back to an obsession with spelling and letter-writing. She has ebbed and flowed with her interest in letters, but she is definately into it at the moment. Every day, she enjoys spending some time with a notepad and pen, writing letters and asking me how to spell things. We sound letters out and spell words she requests. Two nights ago, she surprised Matt and I with a sheet of paper that read, "Tommy." She just decided to write her brother's name all by herself! She's been telling me about raising your hand to talk, washing your hands to the "A,B, C's" and gets excited about her manners chart being completed. She says she loves the kitchen area at school and loves to play with Catherine and Allie. She is very independent - hanging up her backpack and her coat without being told, and picking up her items at the end of the day. So off she goes...and well-prepared she will be.
Why do I let myself fall into that trap of worrying a little? I guess we all just want our kids to do well and be ready for "the next thing." I have a feeling this 4-year-preschool school year will be a HUGE one for Luce...definately a year in which many things are clicking and moving forward for her.
I am truly excited for them both and the new developments this year will bring. I've said it before but I have to say it again, I LOVE the 2 and 4-year-old phase of life right now!
As for me, when I walk through the grocery store child-free on a Monday morning, it still doesn't feel quite right. But I do love luxuriating with a latte and a girlfriend for a while. In the end, I think we will all adjust to this just fine.