E's 1st Day of Pre-K Class

I promise to dedicate an entire post to R's first day and I don't want to jumble it with E's first day…

The day kinda started out like this.

E was up super early to check on the pancake progress. At which point I realized all the butter was in the deep freezer and the recipe called for 1 3/4 TABLESPOONS of baking powder not 1 3/4 teaspoons. So I quickly realize and do the conversion and then just dump all that we have because we definitely did not have enough. 

So much for planning ahead. 

Then I ended up with .5 million leftover pancakes but overall we were on schedule to get done praying 10 minutes EARLY so we could take pictures. E was dressed by 7:23… Sometimes she has not decided on her breakfast until that time! I got all the bags packed… Yes the bags… all 3 bags. Small little detail I did not mention the other day because I didn't want to is… M's first day of MMO was Wednesday too.

Yeah… Yeah. It kind hurts my feelings that she's now 10 months old. I still cannot believe it. MMO is such a 'right of passage' in my mind because somehow… one way or the other it means that my babies are big and it could be time for another family member. But let's not go there because currently there is not one to talk about… See all the crazy stuff I think of in one single moment? Here's a post about E's first day of pre-K and now I'm off thinking about children we - don't even / might not ever - have! I'm crazy… I know. Just ask Lee

Moving ON…

We prayed in the chapel as usual.

And then it was time for pictures. Obligatory first day pics.

E got her shoes on and R realized she would not be able to wear her new ones, she kinda melted down using her best 2 yr old meltdown form

I got E's pictures snapped and then I threw R and M into pics for good measure - those only got taken on the real camera

About that real camera.

Well funny thing about that camera. Amongst the iPhone, M and real camera getting juggled into position for stair climbing, guess which did not get fully secured. Yep.

The real camera. The one that we finally settled on last year after the Christmas program focusing problems and stuff. FORTUNATELY the real camera's retractible lens is a bit rough for the wear but still works.

So between the camera incident and R's meltdown and E's excitement and the kitchen looking like a freight train came through but spared everything except the clean dishes in the dishwasher - I was able to drop everyone off to their respective rooms and not cry. I knew I had to hold it together for M at her drop off so I really just gave her a kiss and plopped her on the floor. R was in her 'normal' spot so not big deal except M was there with her. E got organized in her class and I stole a glance or two or ten into the MMO rooms to check on M (because I did hear her howling when I was in the hallway with E) and she was great.

Then I went my merry way to work… sans bebe - in or ex-utero. I hadn't done that since October 2012.

Five Favs - First Day of Preschool Checklist

Everyone else has gotten their first day-o-school pics and posts pounded out… Here goes an eve of one of two

1. Bookbags = check

Notice R's will not be in action tomorrow but it is an exciting addition on our coat rack… (side note for anyone who cares - totes go to MMO; book bags go to 'class' - just so there is differentiation in their minds)

2. Snack made the night before = check

Because I can set the standard overly high for the first day and crash and burn by the end of the week and be throwing snack together during breakfast and wondering where the cups are as we are walking out the door.. that's me every day EXCEPT tomorrow (and maybe Thursday for R's first day)

3. First day of school breakfast = check

Tradition in our house I make breakfast. Me being totally on top of my game actually realized we were low on flour and purchased some today. Hopefully pancakes won't be nearly as messy as last year's waffles : ) #kitchenawesomeness

4. First day outfit = check

With a coordinating bow… Again I'm lucky to get a bow once a week and towards the end of school once a month but we're ready for tomorrow.

5. Homework = check

So E got some homework at Open House. Put (only) four things in this little bag and be able to share them with the class. E was not really sure about what to take so it has been a hot button issue all weekend. Goggles? Necklace from VBS? Legos? Have all be tossed around but she decided on

1. A seashell
2. A rock
3. A piece of plastic cheese
4 A plastic hamburger patty family picture

I SPECIFICALLY printed a family picture (since we have about none in the house) so that she could bring it to show her class her family - and also so the teacher know that we actually put some thought into this bag because seriously? A plastic hamburger patty????

Papa got a sneak peek at the stuff and he noted 'Hey that looks like Sonic the Hedgehog on the bag' and corrected him "No Papa! It's Dora"

E is so ready to get back into preschool. She has been talking about it for most of the summer. Tonight I was brushing her hair and we were talking about her new friends but she was very happy that 'her lovely Landon, who was in my 3-yr-old class' was going to be in her class and sit next to her… but she still wants to marry Harrison - as of this afternoon.

Liar, Liar... and how I got my feelings hurt

So it came to pass last night that I asked E something... Something that really is nothing worth remembering - what she ate for snack.

I was cleaning out her snack box from school and the snack was still in there from the morning. I asked her what she ate for snack and E said she did not eat anything.

I'll be honest. I did not believe her from the start.

I asked her a few more times. I asked if she was telling the truth and she maintained that she has nothing but her drink.

I found out from the teacher that she in fact had snack - just not snack that I had packed her.

We went upstairs to talk to Papa. He asked her what she had and she said she had nothing. I told him that the teacher said she gave her something. We told her that she would lose privileges if she was not telling the truth, but she maintained she was telling the truth.

Later she was lying awake in bed and said her tummy hurt. I thought she may want to actually tell me the truth and get it off her mind... but she didn't.

I went to bed that night hurt because my four year old was lying to me. I knew I had caught her in the lie. I so badly wanted her to be telling me the truth and the teacher just got confused - BUT I knew truth. I prayed that she would just tell me the truth

The truth that my little, innocent 4 yr old felt the need to lie to me (over something completely silly, mind you) really hurt me.

Now, I have told my fair share of lies in my life so I get it... sometimes you think something is worth lying over. But I wish I could have convinced her that snack was not lying over and NOTHING is worth lying over but the truth always comes out.

Well the truth did finally come out this morning before school - before we were going to have a chat with the teacher. Privileges were lost but there were some consequences that were avoided. I was so glad when she finally decided to come clean about it.

Parenting decisions are hard.

How to handle un-virtuous actions by your children is even more difficult.

Where do you draw the line of overreacting versus under-reacting?

Post Dinner Activities According to a 10 month old

Sooo this is how M's evening shook out….

Say what… you are leaving me here??? You have to give the big girls a shower?!?!? WHAT ABOUT ME?????????????????

Oh well I guess sitting at my high chair is not so bad but I hear R screaming in the background about her post-shower towel, potty, pajamas problems etc etc etc

WHY?!?!? Is this taking her so long? Oh that's probably because E is screaming in the shower about how she got soap in her eye and didn't use conditioner (even though we did) and how there's a problem with the towel

I'll probably stop crying now because I'm not being heard

Oh yeah… now she comes and wants to take pictures of me 

Let's get this bath time party started… because she's finally getting me out

Oh I'm almost 10 months and stuck in the bebe bath tub

I'll bet my sisters were outta this thing when they were 6 months (truth)… 

This is the life!

Oh sweet… She could not find a a bath towel in the laundry room? Oh that's nothing new… So what'd she do? Grab the towel from the baptism from Sunday… A little extra Chrism anyone? 

So that's a wrap. Survival of three 4 and under has it's challenges (and that was just 13 minutes of the night) BUT that's not NEARLY what my cousin is going through with his little man who was diagnosed with leukodystrophy - a super rare, genetic disease. If you got an extra minute spare a prayer for him and his family and if you have any interest in doing #burpeesforbobby here's what you do. 

Seven QTs - Coffee, Hair Trims and Bookbags

Whoa… I have not done one of these in a while….

--- 1 ---

Yeah last week was kind of a bust - for no good reason. By Friday morning before 9 am I spent $10 on 14 Dunkin Hazelnut k-cup and I didn't even care - seriously what's wrong with me - oh and then I proceeded to down two k-cups at the office after drinking a cup of coffee at home. 

A cup of coffee a day per kid? I'm behind on rationing myself a third cup… 

--- 2 ---

Friday night we headed to Raleigh-world for a weekend with my parents - sometimes I think we should just get an apartment to live in on the weekends and then I realize that would be an awful idea. 

Late Friday night E was complaining of an ear ache and at 11:45 I was sure she had an ear infection and would totally turn Saturday's plans upside down - but then she woke up fine. 

First up Saturday was a bebe shower. Who does not love a good baby shower? Well this baby girl got showered on so so so much. It was great and she got tons of cute/fancy handmade hairbands. Excellent girl baby shower activity! E and R came with Grammy when it was time for the shower to start. They did well. Obviously the cake was a serious highpoint and as well as the several bowls full of candy on hand and eye level that I gave into often were also fantastic. 

--- 3 ---

Then it was off to haircuts (which is why they are still in their nice party dresses)… No no hair TRIMS E repeatedly said. It was the first time either one of them had their hair cut. E was super not excited about it but got through it when she realized it did not hurt and mama could not get more than the bare minimum taken off just so it would be even.

R is at that crazy funny 2 yr old stage and I love it! Tonight she pitter-pattered up and down the hall checking on E who was in the bathroom and giving Papa reports about her status that he could not quite understand

No I did not save either of their hair from the first cut. I have ENTIRELY too many other things that clutter my life and I cannot have one more thing! See #4

Then we hit up school shoes after stopping by to visit M and Papa and company… I don't like buying new shoes especially for kids who are rough and tough on them but I give into new ones for a new school year. I told E before we walked in that I had all veto powers over every single pair of shoes. Let's just say the $55 pair of neon light up shoes stayed on the shelf. (Bring on the commentary Nani : )

Saturday night at my parents was great - dinner, wine, mint chocolate Dove candies. We found a house to buy that is insanely massive so that my parents and Lee's mom don't have to move into retirement home (aka 'being put out to pasture' - Grammy's words not mine!). Everyone would have their own space. We could have set days for dinner gatherings. We could basically have our own mini-commune with me in charge of laundry and Grammy in charge of dessert.

--- 4 ---

Toying with the idea of a one toy rule at Christmas… One toy/one outfit (shoes, bathing suits, socks, parkas, dresses… whatever) /one (set of) book… Any other toys I reserve the right to leave them at the house who gave them so that the girls can play with them there? Okay that sounds super super meany. But the house is FULL of toys…. Maybe I just need to be better organized...

Why does it take kids 5 minutes to make a mess and 45 minutes to clean it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I was running around the house to get the house semi-not-disasterous and get teeth brushed, pjs in the wash, clothes on, toys put away (kinda) and Lee was leaving for work:

Lee - Are you ready for another body?
Me - Errrr… You mean ready for another soul?

Kinda changes the perspective on things when you think about the eternal rather than the temporal, no? 

--- 5 ---

R's 'booook-baaag' came yesterday...

She loves it. And proceeded to tell Grammy all about it. And yes the speakerphone light on the phone is on so that I can decipher R's part of the conversation and relay it to those on the other line.

--- 6 ---

How about this kid? I'm trying to entertain her with just about anything to keep her out of MMO. I cannot stand it. I cannot believe she's 9.5 month old. It makes me sad that she's so big and not a teeny baby. Don't get me wrong I love my sleep-filled nights it just hurts my feelings that she won't be a work with my much longer (it hurts my bank account too!). Nani and I almost had a moment over it. 

With E I knew I needed to cut the cord and my half day daycare option was the happiest, livable medium for us - not full time working mom and not full time stay at home. So I was anxious to try MMO out - and then I cried like a baby the first day I left her. 

With R, she was so loud and not a great morning napper so I was kind of ready for her to go to MMO because I knew she needed the stimulation. 

With M, she still takes a great morning nap and she's super quiet but she's just a squirmy worm before and after nap so it is time. I'm just not ready...

--- 7 ---

Here's to sprinklers and water slides and sandboxes for a few more weeks of warm, humid, muggy weather...

Just not for M… yet

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

                               

Answer Me This - Fairy Rings, Soapy Mouths and TV shows

Mushroom circles anyone? We've been having a weird week around here and the lawn is apparently no immune. Last week everyone was just a little off. E wants to go back to school. R is 2.5 yrs old so that means everything is glorious or the world is ending at any moment in time. M is desperate to pull up and get into stuff. I don't know it's been weird. Oh and E called R 'stupid' so I washed her mouth out with soap to make a point (because she had a warning about that word about 7-8 months ago). She freaked so I think the point was gotten. I felt really old school and kinda bad when I was doing it - though it lasted for all of 12 seconds maybe. I mean I don't remember having my mouth washed with soap. Any one else do this? I cannot say I would do it again but seriously blatant mean-ness is not tolerable. 

Also we went to church Thursday and did not pack up into the van until 9:45. Yes in the P-M. A solid 2.5 hours late for bed. The girls did not seem like they were going to fair well - which I was giving them a nearly free pass on behavior because it was 6:30 on an off week to begin with but then things got better and one nice lady took M so that freed up my hands - which is always welcomed by R.

Anyhow the winds of weirdness be gone… We headed to Raleigh for a weekend full of activities which was super fun and exciting. 

1. What is your favorite room in the house?

Hmmm.. I kinda like my whole house especially after last year's reno. Except for the garage because I found a snake in it once and now I cannot go out there without reliving the moment. 

2. Do you subscribe to any magazines or other periodicals?

Funny you ask. We just got our first National Catholic Register in the mail last week - it is part of a trial. We still have not decided if we'll keep it but it was neat to get. 

Lee gets Our State magazine which is about NC. That is usually a good one. 

E gets High Five and used to be SUPER into them but the novelty is fading BUT they still have good stories

3. How do you feel about the sign of peace in Mass? Enriching? Awkward? Overdone? Just right? Some combination of the above?

Hmmm.. yeah. We don't do that in the DL but when I do go to Mass it is only awkward because I'm not used to it anymore and my kids are totally clueless about it so yeah. 

4. What is your least favorite sound?

M's screaming has recently hit my nerve in the wrong way. She's on a screaming-in-her-crib-before-rest-and-night-time kick and it drives me cra-zee. I cannot listen to it because I feel bad that she's crying but I know she's tired and it makes me want to snuggle her up (and sometimes I do). But then I realize I should not complain because Morgan's boys outcry my girls every day of the week (so say a prayer for them!). 

5. What was your favorite TV show (or shows) growing up?

7th Heaven. Enough said. 

6.  What are your favorite TV shows now?

I hate to say because as soon as we find a show to watch together it gets canceled or weird or something happens and I don't like it. 

- 19 Kids and Counting - don't agree with some of their principles but whatever
- The Great Food Truck Race - one of the only shows we'll watch on the Food Network and it is only 6 episodes a season
- Downton Abbey - Loved it until the car wreck and my favorite character was killed off. I have not gotten back into it since
- A Beautiful Mind - Was on for a season and got cut
- Person of Interest - We religiously watched this and DVRed and everything but then something happened and things got too weird and creepy and that got axed

The Sisters - A Quick Update

I should periodically update what each of the siblings are doing… so here goes!

Currently E is anxiously awaiting the start of pre-K. I got her a pre-K workbook from Sam's and she is almost done with it and her efforts will be rewarded in the form of new markers (her pick) and possibly some new Legos (my pick). She is so scared of bugs and dogs it kinda drives me crazy but other than that she likes going outside to play in the Sprinks and swing and make water slides on the playset. Of recent E has gotten into a whiny - I don't like this, that and the other thing - mood sometimes and we are working through how to deal with it. I'd heard dealing with your kids character issues can be quite the challenge so here's to a long road of character training. 

This picture pretty much sums up R. She is in this generally carefree 2.5 yr old mode. She like her big sister is afraid of dogs and bugs and she cannot be reasoned with so usually it does not end well. She continues her laissez-faire mindset about using the potty - which drive me cra-zeee. But I'm taking a I-got-bigger-problems-to-stress-over attitude which has resulted in some potty successes. She is getting so stinking big. I looked a pics of her from last fall and I think where has my toddler gone? She recently spent the night a Jibbes and she packed up and waived bye to everyone and gave everyone a squeeze and was on her way {tears}. She is attentive to M. Whenever M is crying, R brings EVERY single toy of M's that is in sight and piles them up in her face which is hilarious and usually overwhelms M and then M forgets why she was crying in the first place. 

Gah! The cuteness of this kid. I pretty much cannot handle it. M is still going to work with me - for now but I imagine her days are numbered. The only reason why she is able to is due to the fact she still takes a good 2 hour morning nap - in the bathroom with the lights off and fan on. {insert mom judgement here : ) } E and R were not as into their morning naps so they ended up going to Mothers Morning Out around 8-ish months maybe. M now holds the record for longest nursing bebe. Again E and R had dropped nursing at 9 months (nearly to the day). M does not seem ready - though I think that will change when she started going to MMO. I'm ready for her to wrap it up but it is not about me. Currently M is doing an Army crawl on the hardwood floors and getting around quite well. She loves to find a cord and pull on it and chew on it - which is currently a problem. We have maneuvered several cords out of her reach. Overall, she like here sisters, are getting way too big, way too fast.

Answer Me This - Pools, Poems and Pies

1. What do you still want to do this summer?

Summers are currently overrated in the Kibbe house because well you know the whole our papa is a pool man issue. Nothing changes too much with the girls schedules in that they go to the same school - just that it is much less structured and they are not divided by age. 

Moving on from my whininess. I would like to go back to Jibbes pool and swim one more time. Yes we have only swam ONCE this entire summer. 

Also, I must order R's book bag for 2 yr old class. 

2. What's your favorite kind of pie?

Derby pie. Mainly because it has chocolate in it and I am so addicted to chocolate it is not funny. Fortunately my sister in law only makes this around Thanksgiving  

3. How much sleep do you need each day? How much do you get?

I need and get about 6-8 hours a night. I WISH I could sleep less and still be a productive functioning human being - but I cannot. Well when I'm pregnant I don't sleep as much and then I'm exhausted but then I guess I can justify being exhausted on the pregnancy and not on the lack of sleep. 

4. Do you prefer to swim in a pool, lake, river, or ocean?

E in the ocean last year

Pool. Pool. Pool. I like being able to see the bottom and know nothing creepy is in the water. I can handle the ocean but I HATE when a piece of seaweed or other creepy, slimy object brushes my leg. 

Probably my favorite pic from The Beach Trip 2013

5. Do you know any poems by heart?

No. I know a bunch-o kids books by heart. Does that count? Goodnight Moon (English and Spanish), The Foot Book, etc etc etc. For the record if I were to memorize a poem it would be Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

Pretty much sums up my life.

6.  Do you use the public library?

No and I am slightly embarrassed by it but I'll move on.