Kindergarten, here we come!!!

Well, all was good until the bus came. The kids have afternoon kindergarten so we played all morning, talking about school, getting ready for school and doing everything we could to make it as easy as possible. Keith was here and they were fine when we took them to the bus stop. They were playing around all excited. As soon as the bus pulled up both broke down into hysterics, clinging to our legs and screaming on the top of their lungs. The monitor basically took them (better yet, helped us peel them from our legs) and put them on the bus. As soon as they got on the bus they had to talk to the driver and have her change something on their name tag. (Don't get me started on the craziness that is the bus company....)I was watching through the window of the bus and saw that they weren't crying anymore. That made me feel a little better. (ok, a tiny bit better) I had told Keith ahead of time that I wanted him to leave once the kids left. I did not want to entertain him...he has a house 5 minutes away! So he left and I kept myself busy for the afternoon by draining my pool and mowing the lawn and grocery shopping. Keith and I went back to pick them up. The first bus came by which was their morning driver and she said that Zachary was left behind at the school. She recognized him so she brought him home. The whole time I'm thinking she is talking about my neighbor's son. Never did I think it was MY Zachary! Off he comes like it was no big deal! Finally Sarah's bus comes and Keith and I talk with the driver to find out what happened and to make sure it never happens again. I guess the school lines the kids up based on the bus number on their name tag (what they had fixed when they got ON the bus earlier!!). Either he was put in the wrong line or just not put in any line, but thank god the other driver noticed him. His afternoon driver said that she knows him now and would make sure he is with his sister on every drive home. Sarah didn't seem to care that he wasn't there. That shocked me since she has always been lost without him. One day separated and all of a sudden she is Ms. Independent? She said "I told her that Zack was missing." AND??? Whet the hell? I'm going to write his teacher a note to send in his backpack telling her what happened and to make sure it doesn't happen again. I don't know who's responsibility it is to NOT LOSE MY SON!!! Ugh. So, when they came home Sarah wouldn't stop talking about her day. She made a friend named Jordan who she talked about constantly. She told us what she did, what the teacher said, what the kids were like, what everyone wore, even what snacks they brought! Zack, on the other hand, said nothing. Everything was "I don't know." Or "I don't remember." At one point when Sarah was talking about doing something he said "I didn't get to play at all. Only learn." He was pouting. They did said that neither cried in school, which was good, and both said they liked their teachers. Sarah seems excited to go back tomorrow but Zack is already telling me he doesn't want to go. He told me at bedtime that he doesn't want to go and I can teach him so he gets smart. He won't need school to get smart. I tried to reassure him that he did the same thing in preschool but ended up loving it. I told him that mommy would never put him in danger or make him do something he didn't want to do, but school was something he had to do. He seemed ok after talking about it, but we'll see what tomorrow will bring. I know it's a tough transition and the first time he and Sarah are separated but I hope it isn't something more. We'll see! Here are the pictures I took of them before they got picked up. I HAD to take a picture of the actual bus because I had wanted to take a picture of them boarding the school bus, but it wasn't possible. Oh well. Enjoy!

Hanging my head in shame...

Wow! Ya think after a month it's about time for an update?!?! Gosh, everyone! I'm sorry!

Let me go backwards because it's easier for me...Zack and Sarah are now 5 years old!! I can't believe 5 years ago I held tiny (and I mean teenie tiny) newborns in my arms and began the wonderful journey of parenthood. (Bear with me for a minute while I gush...) I would not have changed a single minute of the last 5 years. Of course I would have changed how many times I yelled rather than stayed calm, how many times I jumped to conclusions, how many times I said no before really thinking it though, how many times I struggled with my discipline, let them do things they really shouldn't have, rushed when I should have reveled in the moment or spent too much time dealing with me and missing opportunities to make new memories with my angels. But, really?! Who hasn't?? So, it's not news to me that I'm less than worthy for the mom of the year award, but when it's all said and done, I think my kids are pretty damn great!

Zachary is just as laid back as he was at a week old which is good and bad. Sometimes I wonder if anything bothers him..."Zack, go in time out! Ok mom!" With a smile on his face! Other times I see him watching and studying things, learning how to do everything to the best of his ability. This includes sports. The little man is already hitting well to overhand (faster) pitches and will run and adjust himself to catch all the pop-ups he can. He amazes me with his athletic ability. We just signed him up for hockey and he will begin that in September. If he takes after his father, he will be better on skates than on his own two feet! He loves to build...anything! Legos, blocks, rocks, playing cards...anything he gets his hands on he will build something with. His imagination amazes me!

Sarah is very much the girlie-girl. If it's not pretty, lacy, sparkly, shiny, ruffled or jeweled than it's not good enough for her! She has definitely found her sense of style and takes pride in dressing herself up to the nines! She has also perfected her "mommy" ability with all her "babies." These include her new pride and joy Nathan, Jacob, Sally, Big Baby, Lucy, Steve...I'm sure I'm missing a dozen or so. And she knows exactly who is who and what goes with what! Her patience is non existent lately and she is beginning to grow into her personality, her very loving, caring and stubborn personality. She is also the most inquisitive child I have ever met. She is constantly asking me questions...and very thoughtful questions! It's always why, why, why, how come, how come, etc. I know it's a sign of learning and growth, but it tries a mom's patience. Now we make a joke out of it, but the last thing I want to do is quash the curiosity she has. I think it's wonderful! I want her to keep asking...keep dreaming and keep pushing for bigger and better. Speaking of which, we signed her up for dance (tap and ballet) and she will begin this Saturday. If any of you remember, we've tried this already. The separation anxiety was too much and after battling with her for months, we allowed her to quit. Granted she was 3 years old...but now I am lightly holding my breath. She's been saying all summer that she wants to dance and be a ballerina. We went to the studio, she took the tour, met her instructor and is all ready to go...keep me in your thoughts this Saturday morning when I bring her for her first class.

Their birthday was the 14Th. Keith and I took them to Water Wizz...a water park about 45 minutes away. I definitely have one dare devil and one chicken! Bet you can't guess who is who?! :) All in all, the kids had a great day. We finished the day at my favorite restaurant...Japanese Hibachi style. What a treat for mommy as well. It's become my birthday spot with them. The three of us even went for MY birthday! Their party was yesterday and was a huge success! We even had a bounce house (again) but this time it wasn't picked up until tonight. Needless to say that's where we were at 7am all in our pj's! My poor neighbors...that's all I have to say.

Zack and Sarah begin kindergarten officially next Wednesday the 27Th. I am ok with the whole kindergarten thing, but not ok with the school bus. The thought of handing my children over to a stranger to drive them around without seat belts, car seats, nothing, scares the crap out of me. To say here you are...drive carefully...you are carrying precious cargo! We go this Thursday for their orientation. We will hopefully meet their teachers, see their classrooms, practice using the bus and hopefully meet some new friends. Thank goodness they got afternoon kindergarten. Now I can stay with them all morning each day, drop them off at the bus and then head to work when they go to school. Every day except Friday, but that's ok. Also they will have a new babysitter for after school. They will be going to my neighbor Michelle's house who will pick them up at the bus stop and keep them until Keith gets them at 6pm. Only a few hours 3 days a week. Not bad! She has 3 kids who Zack and Sarah play great with and I get to have peace of mind and save some money. It couldn't have worked out better!

Otherwise we all are well. Been spending way too much time with Keith lately because of their bday stuff and preparing for school. It ok for the most part, but than other days I notice how screwed up our boundaries are sometimes. I'm between a rock and a hard place because I want him to be a part of bday planning and school shopping (because I know I would want to be a part of that) but there are other days when I can't stand him! I notice more and more the reminders why I'm divorced from him...there is no doubt I'm better off! My house continues to come along slowly. It was helpful having the bday party here. Definitely lit a fire under my ass! I put up curtains, 2 pictures and finally put away more boxes. Ok, so some were just put in closets for the sake of the party, but hey?! They are away! :) It's getting there...definitely need to update with some pictures! In the meantime, enjoy these of my big girl and big boy!