My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

Happy New Year!

We actually managed to get out of the house by 8:10 and take pictures with all four kids (and a mama) smiling.

I did have some help though.

Mark now takes off work for every first day of school. It just may have something to do with the fact that our first first day of school was a total disaster that left a mommy and several children upset for the whole day (he may have received some tearful calls at work…maybe…in between my drives over to school to check on our son…maybe). Or, he may have just decided he likes to have the first day of a much quieter house off from work. It could be that. 
I swear I didn’t tell him to turn around and pose. But, I was quite proud that he knew to just do it for his mother.

There he is, basking in his prime position in the next-to-last seat in the bus, without a booster seat or even a seatbelt. Pretty cool to a 5 year old boy. He didn’t even seem to mind me wiping a tear or two in between camera clicks.
We worried that the one left behind would have a rough day.

Ummm…yeah…I think she’s going to be just fine.
No more late nights for me though. I’m off to decorate a door with streamers (don’t you all celebrate the second day of second grade?) and collapse in bed.

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New Year’s Eve {Drew’s Kindergarten Book}

Teeth have been brushed. Outfits are out, and shoes are begging to be worn. Lunches are made. Prayers have been sent up. Kisses have been given–the normal ole lip kind, butterfly kisses, and eskimo kisses. We got all the bases covered.

Because tomorrow is the first day of school.

It’s a big day for Evan — starting 4th grade. It’s a big day for Ashlyn — starting 2nd grade. And, it’s a super big day for Drew; he’s starting kindergarten.

And, when kids start kindergarten around here, they get a sappy mama and a pretty neat book as a reminder that they are loved. It may have taken some late nights, but Drew got his book. And, he got it today.

And, he loved it. 
which I loved to watch.

Sunday Snapshot

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Images of Summer

In case you didn’t know, it’s raining here. Oh, just a little bit of rain. About 6-10 inches, that is.

I got into the spirit of things, taking a mad dash to Wegman’s to get the supplies we couldn’t live without to weather Irene — things like sliced cheese, deodorant, and ice cream. And, yes, thanks to the woman ahead of me in line, I realize that if we lose power, we will also lose that ice cream. But, I’m pretty sure we could all grab a spoon and make use of it if need be. And, having another family over for pizza tonight helped a little bit with that.

After a couple On Demand episodes of Parenthood, while Mark counts the leaks in our garage and checks the basement for flooding, I’ve been busy recounting our summer and getting all nostalgic. Somehow the hype about Irene has shadowed the hype about Monday for some. But, this mama is very aware that Monday marks the end of summer for us — school is starting.

To reminisce, I thought I’d share a few (okay, it was really hard to limit them) of my favorite images from this summer. Some are neat shots, and some just tell a story and are neat to me. Posted in chronological order, they don’t tell the whole story of our summer — but they are some of my favorite moments.

Love that I caught this shot. And, it’s proof that she really does love him despite her frequent, “No, Drew Drew, No”s.
My friend Julie took this one at a splash park–clearly at the beginning of the sun-kissed season. He’s a handsome boy. I can’t believe he’s starting kindergarten Monday (sigh).

Now, this is summertime. Eating fresh popcorn with your Granddaddy while watching a cheesy local circus. Every kid needs this experience. Check.

And, I may venture to say every kid should have this experience. But, you can’t come by this one everyday. The weekend at the Comic Con in June was a serious highlight of the summer for my children. And, I scored some major cool-mom points. 

Our new play set off freecycle = fun summer

I regret that I’m not a mom who gets into letting my kids play in mud and finger paint and do paper mache. But, I’m glad I’m married to a man who doesn’t mind them doing messy things sometimes–but remembers to take their shirt off when they do. I love that man.

Anybody else think slip-n-slide water fountains rule?

Just because she’s so stinkin’ adorable.

And, just because she is too.

Perhaps the sun is a little quirky, but I love the shot and her cute purple and lime outfit anyway. And, I love that her smile is just about as big as the sun’s.

Evan came alive this summer. Relaxed. Happy. Silly. Enjoyable. I really like this kid. And, I can’t wait to see him rock 4th grade.

And, this kid. He’s crazy. And, I love his crazy. Love that he dreamed up this mask and that his Daddy was willing to help him make it. 

My single most favorite shot of the summer right here. A face plant in the sand made her a sand monster.  And, she proceeded to chase the kids around as they yelled and screamed. I love the shot of her. And, I love the memory of watching them play for the few minutes after this was taken. 

First catch. Big whopper and big whopping pride for my girl.

She is seriously cute. And, I love the shot not only because of her cuteness factor and super adorable crooked smile but because of her modeling one of the African animals we’re selling to benefit the adoptive mothers in Kenya and The Sparrow Fund. I’ve spent a lot of time this summer working to sell this stuff. And, my kids have rallied and have started to engage with the cause — even Lydia, in her 2-year-old way.

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Orienting Ourselves

Seems like I just did this for another boy — the one who is now creeping up on my whopping 5′ 2″-ness. And, sending your little one off only gets slightly easier with each child–though I imagine sending off my last will be tragic (friends, prepare for many blog posts and lots of tears and drama, I’m sure).

Drew was not so happy about this (note the top picture of him literally pushing the camera away). As we were brushing our teeth to leave for school, he said to me as he left the bathroom, “Don’t forget…I hate school.” Off to a great start.
Anticipating going to his class without me, he sat in that gym and gave me a good number of “I am not going”s. I was sympathetic and consoled…for a while. Finally, I just said, “Drew, you don’t have a choice” to which he answered, “I’m the only kid in here who does have a choice.” Really? Interesting.
But, when it was time to head off to class, he didn’t even turn to look back at me (sigh). 

After the parents heard all about policies and procedures and how we are no longer allowed to bring in treats for kids’ birthdays because of allergies and childhood obesity, we went back to gather our children. And, go figure, Drew was doing just fine.

I’m thinking his teacher may nix his creative name writing though.

The every-kid-needs-this kindergarten picture. Love how all the little girls wore their pretty dresses for the occasion and my guy was wearing some crazy monster shirt. 

A trip to Dunkin’ Donuts to celebrate the day was in order (no childhood obesity issues here). And, somehow, that smile returned. And, I think I even heard him say, “I can’t wait to go to school again.” 
Phew.

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