The New School Year

Today was a BIG day for a lot of our friends. It was the first day of a new school year. We chose to have ours last week. We started on Thursday after being up late the night before having the end of summer movie in our backyard for "daddy's big kids". It wasn't a big deal for anyone but us. We got down to the business of learning. 

Ginny practiced being Ginny. She colored, looked at books and screamed. She added to the chaos to say the least and will have to learn (quickly) that sitting on the table and taking the pages people are working on is NOT a productive way to spend her school time!

Murray worked on the letter F, a few mazes and some number activities. 

Lucy opened new books, tried her hand at 1st grade math (easy!), science, spelling and READING! We were VERY excited at the end of a long day when we finally found a quiet moment to curl up on the sofa and try out the new reader I had bought her. She was very nervous insisting she couldn't and I urged her to just try. So, try she did and she did it! She read! I had only planned on her reading the first 1/2 of the story, but she just kept going. She read on and on and on. 

She tasted sweet success and in that moment I was thankful for having her home. Thankful for moving at her pace. Thankful for seeing the pride in her eyes and being able to share that moment with my daughter. 

While our neighborhood kids had their first day of school we had our first day of home school co-op. It was a hit all around! Murray loved his preschool class, Lucy came home excited about P.E., her other classes and the new friends she had made. Ginny successfully stayed in the nursery (and even took a nap) during 3rd hour when I couldn't be with her. I enjoyed some adult company and hearing other moms talk about what they do for school. I also really enjoyed helping out in a classroom of older kids and seeing where they're at in their home school process. 

All around our school year is off to a great start. 

Life is busy right now, but it's even more full. We have a lot of good things going on and it's fun to be the mama watching these kiddos grow. My hands may be full, but they're full of love and goodness and with that, I don't have much time for anything else. 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I'm hoping with the return of a schedule this week, and moving out of my first trimester that this New Year will also bring renewed energy....I'm hopeful, and optimistic...but still skeptical! So far this pregnancy I've lost 2 lbs, gained a belly and taught Lucy the joys of breakfast in bed....even if it's only slightly buttered toast. She's also learned that sometimes mommy's get sick when a baby is in their belly. Murray is still oblivious to what is going on. Oh well, he'll figure it out soon enough, if not as my belly grows he'll be in for a rude awakening in July with this one decides to make an appearance and turn his world upside down.

New Year's is a mark for new beginnings for so many people, but it's also a time for reflection. I tend to usually fall into the reflection category. It's hard for me to see the new calendar as a new beginning, I feel like life adds "fresh starts" in more natural ways than a day on the calendar. It is however impossible as a mom to not look at a "holiday" and remember what the past year was like with your kids and be in awe of how they have grown and changed.

We had New Year's Eve at a friend's house about an hour away. Last year they came to our house and spent the night. Last year she was newly pregnant with their son, and didn't even know it yet! We spent the evening drinking wine coolers and reorganizing my kitchen since Nick had just "finished" the remodel. The boys looked after the kids and when they were tucked in their beds brewed Nick's first batch of bear.

Last year we celebrated New Year with an almost toddler (Lisa's), a 1 year old (Murray), a 3 year old (Lucy) and a 4 year old (Lisa's). This year we had 5 kids ranging from 6 to the newest one who is just 4 months old. What a difference a year makes! The kids could play all by themselves. The toddlers are true second children and are much better at sharing and interacting than their older sister's were at this age. At one point the adults were eating dinner with the baby nearby and all the other kids were playing in the basement!

Lucy and Julia had their first official "sleepover". We've spent the night at each other's houses many times, but last night the girls slept in sleeping bags on the futon in the basement. They went to bed watching a movie after getting their finger nails painted and eating popcorn.

I look at Lucy and Murray and can't believe the independence they've each gained. I can't imagine Murray not being able to tell his jokes, and communicate so effectively. Lucy is looking bigger and bigger every day. She colors in the lines, and is starting to show personality of a true little girl...both the good and the bad! (she's even started talking back on occasion!) I know every Mom says it, but I really wish I could just pause time for a moment, just freeze my children as they are and keep them innocent and snuggly. At the same time I look forward to what this next year will bring and the memories I'll have to look back on as we ring in a new year again!

What a gift each day is! Right now I will enjoy Lucy singing loudly her version of "Away in a Manger". My favorite line in her medley is "the cattle are flowing". I know next year she will probably be big enough to know that's the incorrect word....but right now she can just sing her little heart out and Nick and I will just cherish her honest love for our Lord.

I'm doing my best to cherish and enjoy Murray's need and desire for Mommy to help him do everything. It may make the days long, but there will come a day when he won't let me kiss him goodnight or help him button his pants. I know when these days come I'll look back and yearn for the moments I'm enjoying now.

2011 will certainly bring many new beginnings at our house. We'll reach each one and cherish the changes, but right now I'm happy to remember how far we've come in 2010.