I Hoped To Inspire Charley to Question Things Today

This morning we had hoped to do an outdoor September activity...the apple orchard etc....but we woke up to rain. So after a quick breakfast we decided to go to the Minnesota Science Museum. Charley has been wanting to go to a museum where he can see "DINOSAURS" (said with a growl). I knew he would be a little young for the museum but he does seem to show interest in learning so I hoped that today he would get into the theme of the science museum...a place to question the world and figure out how it all works. I giggle now because the museum seemed to be overwhelming and a bit much for him...which I knew. Like every child he just moved from one thing to the next pushing the button furiously hoping for something to happen.

However, on the way he did question once again - his new preschool teacher. He fired these questions at us:

Does my teacher shower?
Does my teacher have kids?
Does my teacher have a house?
Does my teacher have a baby?
Does my teacher have a husband?
Does my teacher have a car? I have never seen it.
My teacher wears a different shirt everyday. Yesterday she wore a brown shirt with twirly things.

For most of these questions we guessed at the answers but told him he had to ask her. I wonder on Tuesday if he will greet her with his questions or if he will once again arrive at school ready to sit "Cris Cross Apple Sauce" ("because that is how we always have to sit, mama") and just be in awe of this new and magical person in his life, who he still insists that I know her name so he doesn't need to tell me. I wonder if he knows or if this is his way of avoiding the answer.

So our day of scientific questioning wasn't all that we dreamed but he did question his world.

I turned to Ed after this conversation in the car and explained that it is so fun to be on this end of the experience. For the last 8 years I have been the teacher and now I can only imagine what my students went home wondering and telling their parents.

By the way Ed and Charley worked hard at changing voltage, he used his sense of smell, and was in complete awe of the large dinosaurs...seen in the picture by his posture! We also all saw the Omnitheater movie that was all about the Great Lakes. Both Ed and I loved this and Charley has a new found love for his stuffed Sturgeon that he got from his Aunt Sara!

An Early September Morning Playdate

Last year when I chose to take a year off of teaching I joined a Mom's Club. It connected me with mom's from the neighborhood that were looking to support each other through this journey of motherhood. It was one of the best things I could have chosen to do. From this group I have made many great friends. Two of the closest friends I have made have girls that have become Charley's pals. So here are a few pictures from this mornings September morning walk. We are all dealing with sending off our kiddos to preschool this year. So we treasure these morning playdates where we can watch and listen to them interact. During which we get to vent, share, and enjoy some adult conversation. Thanks ladies...let's do it again soon!

Sponges...

For the last two weeks we helped out friends and watched their little girl. For the last two weeks Charley had a playmate and it was really fun to see where their imaginations took them. They played: fancy dinner, school, house, etc. I stayed out of it most of the time and just listened while puttering around the house.

Charley of course takes on the roll of daddy. McKenna was of course the mommy. They sometimes took turns being the baby or kid. What I have to admit to hearing...things like "I am going to grill, I am going to nurse the baby, I will pour you some wine, Would you like a beer?" All things that are said at our house. Our children roll play and all of a sudden you get a good look at what you must look like to them. What a reality check! I can guess that he will play this at preschool because after the first two days of preschool Charley informed me, "The kitchen area was still closed mama, Why?" The teacher doesn't know me and I am not there to defend myself. I only hope that the teacher realizes that I don't drink wine with breakfast and the daddy in our house doesn't nurse our baby, and wine and beer are an occasional treat here...not a daily replacement for milk and water. They are sponges soaking all that we share with them up.

Happy Birthday Raina!

I have a sister, her name is Raina. I sometimes call her Raina Bird. She isn't just a sister she is my friend. We talk every day numerous times through email. She has shown incredible excitement in milestones in my life. She is special to my boys. She is too far away but we make it work. My favorite place in the whole world is the cottage with my family, especially my sister. Here are a few moments that we have shared together. Friday, September 12th she turns 28! I am jealous that she is still in her upper 20's and not in her early 30's like me. But I know that what awaits her next couple of years are more adventures with her fantastic husband Andy. My sister seems to sometimes ...well often times get stressed out about big things and little things. This weekend she is flying to Colorado for a friends wedding. I wish her a get away weekend full of relaxation. You have a great life! Celebrate! We all love you in Minnesota!

Proud to announce...

I have some great friends who always comment on things I come up with to do with my boys. I was a teacher, and still am a teacher, just not practicing with the public education system at this time. It is hard to turn off the creativity that drove me to enter into the field of education. So when silly crafts, games, and other projects come to me, I go with it. My son, Charley, loves projects. His grandma Barb, can attest to his love of projects because she has been here when he begs for a project. Anyways...with the encouragement of some good teacher friends and mommy friends I contacted the Prior Lake-Savage Community Ed office and proposed a class idea. So this winter, starting in January----if I get 10 moms, I will be teaching a class. The class will revolve around my job right now...being a mom. It will be a chance to keep "teaching" while also sharing my silly ideas that, pardon my language, are pulled from my a&% when needed. The class will offer mom's a place to share ideas, hear about the silly things I do with my son, and to make and take materials to keep their little tots busy. Anyways, kind of excited, kind of scared, but know that with the friends I have I will learn and grow from this experience. If you know of someone who is looking for things to do with their 2-5 year old keep your eyes on the Community Ed winter catelog. I am working on the description and title for my class next week. EEEEEK!

Conflicted in letting her boys grow up-

So today I need to admit a few things. I may be having trouble letting both of my boys grow up. First off, Daddy arrived home yesterday to witness Henry's mastery of crawling (as quoted in yesterday's blog) and only witnessed an attempt to crawl. He has not mastered crawling yet. He does move forward in a crawling motion but he is not quick or a master. So why was I so quick to celebrate him crawling when selfishly I have to admit to the most wonderful summer. Henry sat on blankets, laid in strollers, and even hung out in a little beach tent thingy...No worries that he would venture far.

Charley's second day of preschool was today. We hopped in the car excited. While pulling in and parking Charley informed me that he wanted to walk in by himself. Being the mama who isn't ready to let him go, insisted on walking him in today - promising that next week he can journey in by himself.

Two sons...both growing up way to fast. I am trying to enjoy every moment and not rush them to the next milestone. So sad to think this time is going so fast and yet it is so exciting to cheer them on. Being a mom is hard.

Watch out world here comes Hank!

Yesterday Charley's world expanded as he began preschool. This afternoon Henry's world opened up as he mastered crawling. His curiousity (shown by the furrowed brow), his excitement (shown with flapping arms), and his pride (shown with a smile when he catches your eye in mid-crawl) can keep his mother entertained for hours. It amazes me how these little beings enter our world and it continues to amaze me how they master the world all on their own. Daddy will rush home from work today to witness his sons accomplishment and watch as Henry finds every unsafe thing in our house. Our job as parents has just gotten a lot more difficult, now that we no longer have a baby who is happy sitting on a blanket cooing. I wish Henry many safe journeys as he figures our world out. He looks forward to showing off his new skill...come see! Come see!

Breakfast conversation

This morning Charley and I blended up a smoothie with peaches, frozen Bayfield strawberries and raspberries, and a banana...oh and we tried a little flax in there too. Then we sat down with Henry to eat breakfast. As Charley devoured his scrambled eggs, toast, and smoothie he said,
"Mama, does my teacher go to bedtime?" I replied,
"Yes, she does." He then said,
"But mama, she doesn't have a bed at our school."

This reminded me that for children, their teachers are these magical people who LIVE at school. Charley doesn't quite even remember what his teacher's name is yet, Ms. Heather, but already she takes up a space in his mind which creates out of the blue conversation at our breakfast table about her sleeping habits.

To end our breakfast conversation I explained that mama used to be a teacher and that I came home to him at night and slept at our house. "Oh," he replied, "but she will be at school on Saturday and Tuesday and everyday!"

I am thankful to have these breakfast conversations with my three and a half year old. But I also miss being that magical person who sleeps at school. Someday!

Mama, I am stuck!

Henry is on the move...he isn't quite crawling yet but he is getting himself caught in all the little nuks and corners in our house. Anyday now he will be full speed ahead.

Charley's first day of preschool

This afternoon Charley ventured to his first afternoon at preschool. He packed up his backpack, grabbed the flowers and chocolate for his teacher, and hopped in the car. Ed and I didn't know what to expect...would he cry, cling, or go off and wave good-bye. We raised him ready to love school because he gave us each a hug and headed down the hallway ahead of the pack (you will see in the picture). I would of course love to be a fly on the wall and see how it all goes...but I know my boy will tell me all about it in his own time. Daddy came home to tag along and he looked very proud of his oldest son. A friend said, if they leave without tears it is a good thing. It means we have raised him to be strong enough for new experiences. A big day for our family .... and now it is time to relish the quiet as Henry sleeps. I can only imagine what Charley is doing with his classmates. His world has just expanded a whole bunch this afternoon.