Today my son wanted me to take him to kindergarten instead of daddy. I have been avoiding this because I knew exactly how it would turn out...and it did. He was brave until I told him I was leaving. I picked him up to give him a kiss goodbye and he plastered himself to me. Legs around my waist and arms around my neck. Death grip on my shirt. He put his nose on my nose and kept repeating "I WANT YOU!" What is a mama to do? Finally a teacher notices what is going on and comes over to ask if I want her help with the "situation". She then trys to peel Ian off of me. After a few seconds, she says "Boy is he strong!" The harder she pulls the louder Ian screams. All the other kids are watching in astonishment. The school secretary has to come over and help teacher #1 get Ian off of me. They take him to his classroom, where he calms down quickly (Supposedly!).

Needless to say, I felt sad all day! We had a ladies bible class this morning and then we all went out to lunch. Since I was already all the way down town, I went ahead and picked Ian up after lunch. We live on the far northwest side of town and the kindergarten is on the far southeast side of town. It takes 15-20 minutes to get there. I wasn't about to go home for half an hour and then turn around and drive back down there. Plus he has lunch from noon to 12:45 and then rest time from 12:45 to 1:30. THen it is time to get packed up to go home. So what was he missing - nap time, which we did when we got home!

Daddy is going to have to go back to taking him to school - my heart can't take this everyday!

Well, there is a lot to say for peer pressure! In this case, I am hoping that the pressured person considers it positive peer pressure. Me and several friends have talked my sister into joing pleonast! Yeah! With her having three kids and me having two, it is hard for us to have a telephone conversation. So now maybe we can feel a little more in touch. So all of you who know her, run on over to Naomi's page and say hello. She is on the bottom of my friend's list - as "mi hermana".

Well, we have survived the first two days of school. When I picked Ian up on Wednesday, I told him that I was glad he was done with kindergarten. He said "mama, I have to go back tomorrow." I couldn't convince him that kindergarten really lasted only one day. He is a little upset that he hasn't gotten to play on the play ground equipment yet! I keep asking if he has learned how to read yet and he keeps saying "No, she hasn't taught us that yet!"

Maddie's 2nd grade teacher is wonderful. Maddie likes her as much as I do. Mrs. Arnold suckered me into being one of the room moms. I have plenty of time for this but I get a little tired of trying to get money out of the other parents for gifts and party goods. Maybe this class will be more helpful.

I am also the troop leader for Maddie's brownie troop. I know what you are thinking! She surprised me the other day by saying that she did not want to do scouts this year. I was a little excited about being able to get rid of this responsibility. So today I spent two hours filling out the financial report I would have to turn in to the council in order to get off of the troop checking account. Not a fun time! Then tonight I was trying to organize all the badges and such. Maddie walks in and looks at it all and says "OK, I'll do Brownies again!" Now, how can I talk her out of it again? Am I horrible?

Ian and Stacy are signed up to play (coach) soccer. Hopefully Ian's girl friend from church will get put on the same team. Notice I did not say girlfriend. Watching 4 and 5 year olds play soccer is such a hoot!

Only one more day till my baby goes off to kindergarten. I keep telling him that I have changed my mind and he has to stay home with me. So far he's not falling for it! Tonight we go and meet both the kids' teachers. We already know who Maddie's teacher is and I am thrilled! She was the top choice of a family friend who used to teach 3rd grade at Maddie's school. Ms. Arnold individualizes everything - so she should be able to keep Maddie challenged.

We won't find out till we get to the kindergarten which teacher Ian got. Auburn does their kindergarten in a unique way. Every single kindergartner goes to ONE school. Yes - they have about 450 5-year olds in one school. It is amazing! When we get there tonight we get to fight our way through the crowd to see the lists they have pinned up on the wall. Kind of like the scenes from a movie where everyone is fighting to see the list of who made it into the school play. I am hoping against hope that Ian miraculously gets the teacher Maddie had. I wrote a letter to the principal, trying to explain how very shy Ian could be in new situations, and telling her that he would be more comfortable in a situation he was already familiar with. They group the classrooms into 5 different pods - so maybe he will at least be in the yellow pod, like Maddie was. Keeping my fingers crossed - and yes I said my prayers!

Guess I should go get dressed. If we don't go meet the teacher, does that mean he doesn't have to go to kindergarten?

One of my favorite things to do is make quilts. A few years ago I ran across an organization that was collecting quilts for injured soliders. Me and a friend have made one quilt together. We recently spent a week together at my parent's house and we each pieced another "Quilt of Valor". My quilt is going to a family friend who is in the Army. He is a blackhawk helicopter pilot and has served several tours of duty in Iraq. Thankfully, he has come home safely each time. My friend's quilt is going to a solider who worships with my friend's cousin. I think he has been injured.

Please remember our troops in your prayers. And if you get the chance, tell them thank you.