Preschool

So I'm a bit behind in the blogging, and now stories and events in our lives have gotten majorly backlogged. I feel like we went from not a whole lot going on to everything is going on in the span of a couple weeks. I was overwhelmed with how many things I've been wanting to blog about, and didn't know where to begin. And then, the wise words of Fraulein Maria to the Von Trapp children entered my brain and I realized, Duh. Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.

So we'll start with a whopping two weeks ago, a.k.a. Ben's first week of Preschool! This has been a landmark 4 years and 4 months in the making, and I cannot tell you the joy that the separation of 4 hours, twice a week has brought to my relationship with my boy. We actually have time now to miss each other, time to look forward to spending together. He wants to cuddle more than ever before, wants me to hold him on my lap after dinner and hug and kiss him. It's like he just realized that I'm not just the chef & housekeeper around here. I'm a mom with squishy parts that are probably really great to cuddle up to. Sometimes I wish I could cuddle up with me, too.

However, don't let all this cuddling fool you. This child did not show one second of sadness or separation anxiety when the big day arrived. Just because he's all lovey dovey on his days off does NOT mean he isn't enjoying preschool every second that he's there. The pictures from his first day of school depict this perfectly. Who IS this overly confident, Mr. Too Cool For School extrovert?

(Are you kidding me? The thumbs up and the squinted cool-boy eyes? Did I mention that he insisted on posing before I snapped any of these photos?)

Nope. No lack of confidence issues going on here.

Sissy never likes to miss a great photo op.

In front of the preschool, which just so happens to be the cutest little red chapel building you've ever seen. And yes, there's even a white picket fence around it.

In the classroom, ready to play with the tools. It's a shame he's so introverted and holding back his first day, don't you think?

And in closing, I leave you with the mother of all photos. There is so much to love about this picture, but let me point out my favorite's: 1) Ben. It's probably hard to recognize him, because clearly he's been transformed into a superhero with his new-found superhero cape, and his new best friend, Maizie. Maizie is awesome because she's always willing to play superhero games AND cars. This is obviously a match made in heaven. 2) Ella, my little mini-me multi-tasking wanna-be Mama. I love her. And at just under 2 years old, I am very impressed by her abilities to hold a conversation on the phone and keep her baby happy. She screams EVERY SINGLE TIME we have to leave preschool and doesn't get to stay. 3) Since it was his first day, Ben is wearing a name tag so his teachers could learn the new students names quickly. HE IS NOT THE ONLY BEN IN THE CLASS! I was shocked and slightly taken aback. We've never met another little boy named Ben! We've met grown-up Bens and have seen celebrity Bens on movies, but never another real life little boy Ben. According to his teachers, I needn't worry; he's already made quite a name for himself around there.

Busy Bodies, Part 1

I know, I know. Where the heck have I been the past 6 days, right? Oh my, I had no idea August would be so full of social engagements! I was starting to feel very un-social, and then August completely restored my popularity self-esteem! Thanks, August! I think it's about that time for one of my very general meander-ish type of blog posting today. You know, some pictures, a few random updates, perhaps a recipe link or two.

Here goes.

First of all, it sure is convenient when your children begin taking baths together! Thank goodness for this handy dandy bath seat apparatus that Ella now relaxes in during her spa-treatment of a bath time (every mother should invest in this. EDITH, THIS MEANS YOU. Though I suppose you do have a little bit of time). Also, Ben & Ella have sort of learned the art form of playing together! It only took 9 months, but it seems they're getting the hang of it. This is an answer to every prayer and hope I've had the last 9 months. If Ben could only be a bit more gentle, and Ella a bit less sensitive, it would almost be a playmate match in heaven.

Secondly, isn't he just the cutest? Whenever I feel anything to the contrary and I'm frustrated with him and on the verge of listing him on Ebay, ready at the post office to ship him out to the highest bidder, I force myself to look at this picture and count to ten. He melts me every single time. HOWEVER, it should be noted that Ben has picked up a nasty new little habit called lying. It's awful, and it's driving me nuts (and I'm sure my parents would call this karma). At first it was a little bit funny because when you're 3 years old, you have no concept of how to lie well. I mean, I ask him a question that I already know the answer to, and he is so transparent in his response. For example, "Hey Ben, did you just open Ella's door while she's napping." To which he'll reply, "Ummmmmmm.......No? No, I didn't?"
Hm.
Interesting.
You'd think after all the many years of experience working with children and the background I have in Early Childhood Education, I'd have some really great method or solution for this sort of problem. And yet, the only thing that this Mother of the Year is coming up with these days is: "Well, just remember what happened to our little friend Pinocchio. Lying didn't seem to work too well for him, now did it?"

I know. Impressive disciplinarian skills, right? Which leads me to this little side note: if anyone has any good solutions for this lying thing, PLEASE please please throw them my way. We need help. It turns out he's way smarter than we gave him credit for. But, this is just a small little phase and it will all be over in a couple weeks, right guys? Right???? WHAT????? Hee hee.


Moving right along, last Wednesday was a major event in me & Dan's lives. We went to see a Phish show! This experience in and of itself could be its own blog posting. In fact, perhaps I'll do just that at another time. You deserve to hear some of the hilarious details of the events that occurred that evening. It's a whole other world at these live shows, but I will say that it was one of my top 10 favorite nights of all time. You read that right. TOP 10, baby! It was SO WONDERFUL to have a night out with my wonderful husband (plus one of my best friends plus my wonderful bro-in-law, plus one of Dan's colleagues) and dance for hours upon hours with every hippie that resides in the Bay area! I did a lot of dancing and laughing and sweating, and when water bottles are $5 A PIECE (do they KNOW what water costs everywhere else in the world???!), I experienced some major dehydration. But it was all worth it. One of the best shows of my life. Thanks for getting back together, Phish!


Next, I should forewarn you that although this pretty baby girl looks sweet and oh-so-innocent- it turns out she's a little bit nutty! Must be those Dewig genes. Anyway, she is crawling like a crazy lady, and pulling herself up on EVERYTHING, and standing and oh my goodness are we in for it! She is so much busier than Ben was at this age. I don't know if it's the second child syndrome or that she's a girl, or a combination of the two. But we laugh at her pretty much all day long. These days she reminds me of one of those overly-zealous and overly-energized aerobics instructors that smiles alot and keeps yelling at you to work harder! Sweat more! Feel the burn! Go for the gold! That's Ella.

Last Saturday, my sister, mom & I went to a bridal shower for a very dear, long-time friend of mine, and I left the shower on the most wonderful high. I was completely overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for her and her precious family (who, by the way, should absolutely look into going into the shower-throwing business. Everything was exquisite perfection.) This is a family that we have been close to since before I was born- over 30 years now, which officially makes her my oldest friend (to clarify- not oldest as in she's 90 or something. She's who I've been friends with the longest). She & I practically knew each other in utero, and it just warmed my heart to see her so happy and so in love with a man who is actually worthy of a girl of her caliber! She is a rock solid girl, completely self-less and has lived a life devoted to helping others, cracking people up with her hysterical personality, totally committed to her faith, her family and loved ones. It's my personal opinion that people like this deserve all the happiness and love in the world! CONGRATULATIONS, MISS JENNY! We all cannot wait to see what lies ahead for you and your hubby-to-be. You guys are going to make the most fantastic team!

I'm going to end this right about now, as my tummy is violently growling at me, and nothing gives me Blog Block like a deep hunger. For the record, I think I will whip up some tuna salad, my current favorite go-to lunch when I'm in a pinch. Part 2 of this blog will arrive hopefully in the next few days. But for now, it's time for some tuna, some dinner prep and maybe even some (*gasp*) "me" time. Happy Monday!

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