Reunited

So, while us girls were here getting ready for back to school (and handling the first week of school), Matt was in Paris. Yes, Paris. He's on my list. The International Skeletal Society rudely decided to move the usually held late September meeting to early September, which meant that Momma didn't go to Paris with Dad. Boo hoo!

Here are a few shots of his adventures (outside of conference).

After 9 days and 8 nights (yep, counted), our main man returned bearing a few gifts. The girls get so excited when he hands out the gifts, they can hardly stand it!

Some darling shirts from Petit Bateau

A fun book for kids on impressionist art.

A Paris landmark pop-up book

And of course, snow globes. Jillian now has 12 in her collection from Dad's travels.

Momma got a little somethin' too.  I was a good girl.

Kindergarten

Sweet Adrienne Elizabeth started kindergarten on September 8th. I survived, while she thrived. Her joy was truly palpable, and really made the whole thing much easier on me. I made it through drop off tear-free, then cried all the way to the RAC. Thankfully, I had intentionally planned a full day of fun and pampering for myself. Coffee with Jenni, boot camp, massage, shopping, shower, and power nap...and it was time to go back to school.

Jillian offered to take our picture, but declined to pose in one with Adrienne.

Stopped in the drop off line and ready to hop out of the car. "Mom, I just can't believe it's time!"

This is what I see every morning now. Be still my heart. There they both go...

At pick up---first day was a big hit!

Mom Goals

Welp, I just tucked the girls in for the night. When I wake up tomorrow, it will be a new phase of mom life for me. My baby is going to kindergarten. All day. Every day. Just like that. My heart can barely take it, but I know it is time. She is ready to flap her little 5 year old wings and fly off into the land of big-kid school. Her confidence and excitement are palpable. "Why is this so hard?", I think to myself. Isn't this what I have wished for? Isn't this what I have dreamt of? This "freedom", and quiet, and peace, and time run errands alone, finish a though to completeness, and eat lunch sitting down? The answer is yes. Yes, this is what I wished for, and yet, the answer is also no--not yet! It's funny how when your children are very small, and you are drowning in poop and puke and tantrums you just CANNOT wait for some breathing room, for that glorious never-approaching day when they are both in school. And then something starts to switch in your heart when that last one, your baby, gets to be about 4 and you send her to preschool. You think, "OK, I've got this. This is good. A little time away, this freedom is fun. But man I'm glad this isn't every day. I couldn't handle it yet". And then the dread starts to creep over you slowly so that all year you talk about how sad you will be when she goes to kindergarten next year. (Ask me how I know this). You even go so far as to ask her (many, many times) if she's SURE she wants to go to kindergarten next year (summer birthdays do make going to kindergarten seem 'optional' when one is 5).  You do this because you are afraid. You aren't afraid that she won't do well, you know she's going to flourish. You are simply afraid for yourself, for this change (darn that 'c' word), and for what is going to be the first big identity shift for you in almost 8 years. You start to realize this identify shift is actually a real thing when everyone you meet asks, "What are you going to do with all that time?" There's your clue--that word, "time". You are going to have it, and the world expects you to fill it. If you have no children at home, and no job, then what in the world is your purpose?! No one asks you this, of course, but deep down you know THAT is really the question--what is my new purpose? Now, don't get me wrong or start to panic--I understand my purpose in life. But I am also a person who wants purpose and intention within her days. I am blessed with the resources to not have to fill this time gap with paid work (and the answer is 'no', I am not going to get a job--nor do I want to), but how can this gift of time be used to love others, honor God, and serve my family? These are the questions I've been asking myself the last six months. And while I don't have all the answers yet, I feel nudged to just be available. Just be. Be still. Have some calendar white space. I intentionally declined some leadership opportunities for this very reason. Until I know how this new schedule shakes out, and how the girls are doing settled in school (and what the classroom needs are--volunteering there is a big priority for me), I'm saying 'no' to just about everything outside of scheduled regular exercise and attending Bible study. This is not at all comfortable for me; I'm a busy bee and a people pleaser by nature. A full schedule makes me feel productive and accomplished. I recognize, however, that this usual way of living leaves little to no room for the unexpected, for the spontaneous, for the opportunities to serve. For the chance to truly be present. I have a good friend who is also a busy bee, and I often think of this quote she has printed and once mentioned to me--"If you want God to overwhelm your life, you have to underwhelm your calendar".  So, this is my chance; a break in the action that I want to seize. If nothing else, it's an intentional perspective shift. I'm going to put on my positive pants and take my sweet baby to kindergarten tomorrow. My eyes will be weepy (like they are right this second) and my heart will be hurting, but my face will be smiling and beaming with joy as we both start our new adventures...kind of like Adrienne's face when she realized that today was her very last day to sit and wait in the school pick up line. She's done her time, folks, and she's moving on.

2nd Grade

Jillian started 2nd grade today! She thought this day would never come, and by last week was BEGGING me to take her to school. I suppose there are bigger problems. Anyway, she was up and at 'em and came downstairs to show me she had done her own hair--made a braid in her bangs. She also asked to borrow my "special giraffe necklace" that she gave me in Kindergarten for Mother's Day. I of course obliged. It looked perfect with her outfit selection.

While she was excited to go to school, she knew she'd need some safeguards against the typical first day jitters. In addition to wearing my necklace, she asked to put a family picture in her backpack. Be still my heart.

I tried to get a picture of her as she was leaving the car, but she had no time for that. She was focused on the goal and nearly jumped out of the car! I did at least get a kiss.

She came home to say she had a great day, but "Second grade isn't what I expected". I still haven't figured out exactly what she expected, but I do think school just got real...she now has a school issued planner that she has to write her homework in every night. Say what??

Summer Fun--Week 12

I think it's safe to say this was the longest week of summer. All us Howes are similar in that when a change/new thing is coming, we just want to get to it. And Jillian wants to get to second grade like you wouldn't believe. Frequently heard this week: "I hate summer". "I am sooooooooo bored. I just can't live!".  Here's a snippet of how we wrapped up summer this week....

We loaded backpacks with school supplies to take to meet the teacher. We did this on Monday. Meet the Teacher was Thursday. Anxiety management at its best.

Jillian is taking lots of "friends" to school

On Wednesday we celebrated my birthday. The girls were very excited to give me my surprise breakfast when I woke up...Pop Tarts! They know how much I loved Pop Tarts (frosted brown sugar cinnamon) when I was a kid, and when I was pregnant with both of them. It was their first time eating a Pop Tart. Blew their minds.

After a workout at the RAC, we met the Tauntons for lunch at Pi, and then headed over to their house for some play. The big kids dressed Jack up, so when we left, I was sent off by a sweet little Yoda.

Birthday dinner selfies...

We went to Terza, and it was a great choice. The girls had never eaten there, and since everyone likes Italian food of some sort I assumed (correctly for once) that we'd hear no complaints. Dessert was the biggest hit. The girls decided on S'Mores Bread Pudding, while I enjoyed my Tiramisu.

We opened presents after we got home, and the girls picked out some great stuff for me. Among other things, I have a freezer full of Flapdoodles Ice Cream, and this hilarious graphic tee that Jillian hand selected. She told Matt she thought I'd get mad, but Matt assured her I would find it funny. I laughed so hard I cried when I opened it. This kid knows me well. I say some form of this all the time to them--"Girls, I just can't deal with ____(insert whatever madness is occurring)".

Thursday finally arrived! Meet The Teacher wasn't until 3:30 so we had a loooooong day to survive until then. After the RAC and lunch, we had Adrienne's followup x-ray for her previously broken clavicle (it's healing), then killed some time at Target for a cake pop.

We got to Gibbs ten minutes before the doors opened and had to wait in an insane line to get in!

We finally made our way into the gym to get teacher assignments, and both girls were very pleased! Adrienne has Mrs Dyer (Jillian's kindergarten teacher), and also has one of her best buddies (Charlie) in her class. Jillian has Mrs. Erpenbach (who we loosely are acquainted with from a RAC camp years ago. This makes J happy), and has her very best friend Noah in her class! She also has a former preschool friend (Cora) in her class, who is building a house behind us and will move in this Fall. Lots of blessings in the classroom arrangements for the Howe girls!

We bought some new Gibbs spirit wear at the PTA table. Officially ready to rock.

The holiday weekend was a long one with no structure or plans. We did our very best to have some fun and break the rules as much as possible to close out summer.

Farmer's market trip ended with homemade cinnamon rolls.

Some time being dangerous at the school park.

We had a big dose of ice cream after we went to Target for a ($20/each) shopping spree in a made up celebration of a summer of completely successful chore compliance!

A word about the chores. I have to document the only thing that's ever worked for me. I left these chore buckets on the girls' bedroom doors each night when I went to bed. They had to complete all the tasks on them (most were gimmes--getting dressed, brushing teeth, etc, and some were funny--sing a song, hug your mom) before they were allowed any screen time. We did this on weekdays only, and it was wildly successful. The bucket was the boss, not me, and that worked for J. Adrienne says her favorite chore was watering the plants. Jillian says hers was putting her laundry away. We are going to try a modified version of this plan in the afternoons during the school year. Three cheers for chore buckets!!

We hit outdoor brunch at Chester's. Adrienne selected the waffle special that included gobs of whipped cream and fresh peaches. Of course she did.

Brunch Babe selfies.

Today, the official last day before the start of school, we woke to rain. So I declared a relaxing day. I surprised the girls with a pancake breakfast on the china.

After lots of play, coloring, and a movie, I broke more rules and served them up an enormous shake (from my Flapdoodles freezer stash) for snack.

Jillian is all ready for tomorrow--clothes are laid out amidst the mess (see photo below), backpack ready, lunch packed. When I tucked her in at bed she was just giddy with excitement.  Thanks for the fun, Summer 2016. Bring on the school year!