It was kind of a wild adventure getting the kids started in school this year. We had planned to send them to different schools and at the last minute we decided that it would be a better fit for them to both be at the same one. They go 5 days a week, for half day. I drop them off and watch them walk in together down the very long sidewalk leading up to the front door, and pick them up being greeted by hugs and "Can we play at the playground?" each day. The school has a small play area where the kids get out their extra energy before lunch on nice days. They are both really enjoying the time they have in class. Their teachers are great and we have been very happy with it. Peter is obsessed with letter sounds and how to spell things. They do "The Letter People" and each week he has a new letter that has a name, a story, and a song. i.e Mrs P and her Pointy Patches. Ella is doing well with the start of reading and learning to write words. She loves for me to write things down and have her copy them. Her class has frogs and ladybugs which they've watched grow from tadpoles and larvae. A few nights a week she brings homework to complete and I think it makes her feel like a big kid. It sure makes me feel like I have a big kid! Ella has started meeting with a friend on Wednesdays before AWANA to paint and learn from her. This has been great, she loves it. I appreciate all the fun they have while learning at the same time.
You may ask what John and I do during the mornings they are at school? Well, I could pretty much fill in each morning with some kind of playgroup or activity, but there are a few where we just come home and hang out. He doesn't prefer those so much. He begs to go get the kids and won't play on his own. Friends have said, "John must love all the attention." No. He hates it actually. I've tried to play with him, read to him, even hide and seek, which I can't stand, and he gives it one try and asks me, "how much longer till we leave?" He's not used to being on his own and I'm thinking having a baby around come January will be a great thing for him. (I hope I'm right). He's already telling me how he's going to play with brother and make sure he never goes up the stairs. (Not that he will move around much) I recently told one of my friends that I use the time for John and I to get errands done with just one kid, or take him on little dates. I said, "John and I, we go places. We don't just sit and wait for things to happen." Ha!
Even with my kids in only one activity, somehow I feel like we are busy. Andrew's schedule is finally letting up a bit and having him around more is always good. I still get behind on everything though, no matter what. Resting when they do has a lot to do with it. I'm always on catch up mode. I've just learned to deal with it and be glad when I do get tasks done. The kids are helping a little more too. They also have the ability to sit still for longer periods of time, coloring, reading, watching a TV show here and there, allowing for little breaks in the day. Every night, no matter how hard the day has been, how many times I've had to discipline, or have found myself wondering how I'm ever going to make it through parenting, I am able to pray and thank God for the little blessings He's given me. How the kids have the ability to make me crazy and yet make me so thankful is beyond me. Their hugs, kisses, smiles, and "I love you's" make up for it. I am thoroughly enjoying watching them grow and learn and can't wait for all that's ahead of us.
