A Pr-Emotional Week

This past week has been a blogging DREAM, giving me so much to write about.  The problem was, though, I didn't have 5 minutes to sit down and even attempt to write something because I've been so darned busy.  So, instead, I'm going to write about it now and moving forward being that I'm almost done with school for the year.

Last week was the kids' last week of school. With the last week of school comes promotions.  Specifically kindergarten promotion and 8th grade promotion.  And, I was lucky enough to have two children that were participating in one or the other.

Jelly officially graduated from kindergarten.  My baby girl is now going to be a 1st grader.  The event was very cute.  Hubby, P-Momma, and I met at her school to watch the short assembly.  Jelly was so excited to have her Mommy, Daddy, and Grammy at the event.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin

Happy girl with Daddy and Grammy

So proud of my little graduate

Best friends for life

Our sweet girl with Mommy & Daddy

Once that was over, it was back to work for me.  Until the end of the day, when it was time to prepare for the "BIG" event.  The events of events.  The biggest ceremony of the year:  8th grade promotion.

It is the prom of ceremonies for the 8th graders.  Girls spend tons of money on hair, nails, and dresses.  Guys get dressed up in tuxes and spit shined shoes.  Hours are put in, practicing, to make sure the event goes without a hitch.  It's been a year in the making for the day to finally arrive, and when it did, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing.  My baby girl was moving up in to high school, and the school made sure that the kids got the biggest of send-offs.

And the best way to explain the wonderful night is through the pictures...

There was the breakfast that was put on for the 8th graders by the local Methodist church...

Peanut helping herself to the yummy food

Peanut and her BBF (boy best friend)

Then there was getting the hair and make up done for the big night...

Hair's done

It was absolutely beautiful

Side view

After make-up had been applied

Then came putting on her dress.  It was so hard not to cry seeing her so dressed up...

Isn't she absolutely STUNNING?

Before the actual ceremony, the kids were invited to a pre-promotion reception.  All the kids were treated to cupcakes and apple cider.  No parents or families were allowed in to the reception room, but being a teacher in the school helps get some rules bent.  I was allowed in for a couple of minutes to shoot a couple of pics...

After the reception, it was time to get the show on the road.  The kids filed in to the gym to the graduation processional music.  They all looked very spiffy and professional in their graduation gowns.  The ceremony kicked off with recognizing some of the accolades of some of the students.  With each recognition that was given, it made me tear up to see Peanut stand.  She had been one of twelve students to take the high school Algebra class, and then made an advanced score on the final test.  She also ranked in the top 10% of her 8th grade class, which was one out of seven from the seventy students in her class.  An honor that earned her honor cords to wear over her robe.

Another honor that Peanut was given was the chance to sing the dedicated graduation song with one of her best friends, while another friend accompanied them on the guitar.  

If ranking in the top 10 percent of her class, receiving advanced in a high school level class, and getting to sing the graduation song wasn't enough, Peanut also got to do one of the highest honors of 8th grade promotion:  Give the commencement speech.

Now, in years past, the recognition/commencement speech was given by the class' valedictorian.  But, last year, the county decided to no longer have a valedictorian.  So, this year, the opportunity to give the speech was opened up to all 8th graders who wanted to give the speech.  The interested students had to write a speech and then it was selected by a panel of judges.  Peanut's speech was selected, and she couldn't have been more happy.  It's something she'd talked about doing since the beginning of 7th grade.  

She did an absolutely AMAZING job with the speech...

After the speech, it was time for the reading of the names.  I couldn't have been more proud to watch my little girl walk across the stage to receive her diploma...

It was such an emotional night, and I couldn't have been more proud.  Her father and I, along with Grammy, Jelly and Butter all sat in the bleachers cheering her on.  I cried like a little baby as I thought about how in just 4 short years, we'll be doing this all over again.  Except, next time, she won't be moving on to another grade, she'll be graduating from high school.  

I cried thinking about how she won't pop in to my classroom at some point throughout the day to tell me something, ask me something, or just to say hi.  She won't be in the same school with me anymore.

After the ceremony, we took some time taking some pictures...

Peanut and her very special teacher.  Peanut absolutely adores her.

A quick pic with Momma

Peanut with one of her friends

The girls.. missing one 

The whole gang... LOVE all of these girls

The line seems to keep getting bigger

Such a cute pic of Peanut and one of her guy friends

After all of these pics, don't you know we didn't get a SINGLE pic of her and the family.  I managed to get a picture with her, but we missed out on pictures with Dad, Grammy, and little brother and sister.  It makes me so sad that we didn't get those pictures.

The night did end with one spectacular photo, and that was of Peanut receiving her graduation gift from Grammy.  It was quite the set-up situation.  Grammy gave her a card that contained a pass card to the aquatic center.  Peanut was given the choice to trade that gift in for another gift that was located in the trunk of Grammy's car.  Peanut, after some serious deliberation, decided to make the trade.  And then this happened....

A NEW LAPTOP!!!

What a priceless photo.  I was so happy for her, as it's something she's been wanting for a very long time.  It was the perfect way to end a perfect evening.

The following day, I spent almost all day in tears.  It was so hard to think about it being the last day my little girl would be in the same building with me.  She is now a freshman in high school.  She will be riding to school with me each day, jumping on a bus, and riding to the high school.

And next year, I'll be doing it all over again when Butter goes through 8th grade promotion.

Tomorrow is my last day of work before my summer starts.  I have a lot of work to do in my classroom, but I'm ready for the summer to begin.  I'll be teaching summer school in a couple of weeks, but between now and then I plan on getting some serious R&R.

I also plan on spending some time blogging more.  I'll have a lot more time, now, to write more and that's something I am very excited about.  I've missed blogging.  I've missed sharing what's going on in my life.  And now that the summer is starting, I'll have plenty to talk about.

Hark the Herald Angel Sing!!!

                         

Look at that sweet, beautiful, angelic face.  Isn't she cute?  

That's my baby girl after receiving her first ever Terrific Tiger award.  A highly coveted award that's handed out to one student each month beginning in kindergarten all the way through to 8th grade.  

There are only nine Terrific Tiger awards given out each school year, and there are always around 20+ students in each class, so it's not something that all the kids get.  It's earned, fought for, and honored.

Each Terrific Tiger receives a certificate and a special t-shirt.  

When I received the email on Sunday that Jelly would be receiving December's award, I was super excited.  It means a lot to me when my kids earn special awards.  This is Jelly's first academic award she's ever received, but being that she's only been in school for four and a half months, I think she's off to a great start.  

Peanut has received countless awards for reading and other academics, yet she still hasn't been able to snag a Terrific Tiger award yet.  Which upsets her.  She tries hard for it, but never seems to make the cut.  I was so happy for Jelly, but I felt a little bad being too excited about it around Peanut, because I know it's something she's been trying to get for over a year.

I made sure that Jelly didn't have a clue.  After I received the email, I kept it very quiet.  The Terrific Tiger award is supposed to be a surprise.  Yesterday morning, our routine stayed exactly the same.  She rode to school with me, and then got on the bus that takes her from my school to her school. She had absolutely no idea.

Even when I arrived at her school.  I watched her file in to the cafeteria and take her seat on the floor.  She was completely oblivious to me even being there.  They started the ceremony off by recognizing all the December birthdays, and Jelly got to be a part of that.  Here is a really fuzzy picture of her standing up in the front while everyone sings "Happy Birthday" still completely missing that I'm sitting in the back of the room taking pictures...

                            

After the birthday song, she sat back down in her seat and the award ceremony started.  

Jelly's teacher was the first to go.  She stood up and told everyone that the person she chose for the award could receive the award each and every month.  That the student she had selected was hard working, super smart, and always did what she was asked to do.  She explained that her Terrific Tiger loved to write, could draw amazing pictures, could count very well, and was able to read stories to her teacher.  

All this time, Jelly was sitting completely unaware that she was the child being spoken about.  I watched as other students in her class were trying to figure out who the Terrific Tiger was as the teacher was speaking.  Jelly just sat.  Then, when the teacher said Jelly's name, it took her a second to realize that her name was the one that had been called.  She jumped off the floor and rushed up to the front with the most excited, goofy smile on her face.

What made me laugh is the fact that even as she was receiving her award, and I had moved up to try and get a better picture (failing miserably because there wasn't very good lighting), Jelly still hadn't noticed me there...

                              

Finally, her teacher pointed her in my direction, and I received a very shocked and excited smile as she realized I was the one taking pictures of what was going on....

                               

Once the ceremony was over, I was able to go over and give Jelly a big hug.  She was so happy to see me, but the first thing she said was "Why are you here?"  She didn't ask in a mean way, it was more a very excited but she wasn't sure why I would be there way.  When I explained that it was a big deal for me to see her get her award, she gave me another hug and thanked me for coming. *Insert heart melt*

I took a few more pictures and got in a few more hugs before I had to head back to work, and Jelly had to head back to class.  I was a little nervous that she'd get upset about me having to leave, but she didn't.  She was super happy I'd been there, but was OK with the fact that I had to leave and she had to get back to learning.

The morning set the tone for the rest of the day.  It was a great first day back to work after being off for ten days.

The kids weren't as crazy as I expected them to be.  They didn't complain about picking up right where we left off, and worked hard trying to remember everything we had done before the snow hit.  I had Christmas music playing for most of the day, and the kids all seemed to enjoy that.

I think it helped when I told the kiddos that we just had to finish up all the loose ends from before we left, and then we could focus on doing some fun Christmas activities.  They realized that it would take a couple of days to finish up our math and reading units, and to review and take a test for social studies before we were a go for Christmas themed arts and crafts.  They understood that the work we didn't get to before the snow was still waiting for them, and wasn't any less important.  They still were going to be receiving grades on it all, and even though we are all excited about Christmas only being a week away, there was still some work to do before the fun could begin.

I'm still trying to get my mind around the fact that one week from now, it'll be Christmas Eve.  It'll be the day we go off to P-Momma's to enjoy our Christmas together.  

Which also means I really need to get my butt in gear with wrapping and making sure all those loose ends are taken care of.  I had planned on doing some wrapping last night, until I remembered that I had bought wrapping paper, but had forgotten the tape.  Very hard to wrap Christmas presents without any tape.  I plan on picking that up after school today, and then tonight I'm going to make a dent in getting the wrapping done.  

Right now, though, it's time for me to get ready for work.  I'm going to wear jeans today.  It's not a jean's day, but thanks to some jean coupons I'm holding on to I've decided I'm going to use them up this week.  I might as well.  

OK, have a terrific Tuesday everyone!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Well, after getting 10 1/2 days off because of snow, I'm finally going back to work.  And even though it's been ten days since it snowed, there is STILL snow on the ground.  Not very much, but enough to tell that we had snow at some point or another.  I have never known snow to last this long...well, being that we only got about 6 inches of it.  Anyone would have thought we got about 2 or 3 feet of snow the way this past week has been.  Even driving home yesterday, I still encountered some slush on the roads.  Not enough to be dangerous or cause any sliding, but still visible on the roads.

This week, we are supposed to see clear, sunny skies and temperatures in the 50s.  I am not going to complain about that, because being that it's the last week before Christmas break, we are going to need our recess time each day to calm some "crazy" that will be going on.  For some reason, kids have a hard time focusing the week before Christmas break.  It's gonna be worse being that we've had over a week off beforehand.  Friday, the cold weather is supposed to come back.  Right in time for school to break up.  There's even a small chance that we might get a white Christmas this year.  I just hope that it doesn't interfere with our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day traveling.  

But, today really is going to be a wonderful day.

My mom will be going home from the hospital.  The doctor thinks she's doing well enough to be at home, and I have to admit she is doing really well.  My mom is a little worried about going home, because she's still in a lot of pain but she also knows that it's going to be a while before the pain goes away completely.  She's just going to have to take it really slowly, and make sure she gets plenty of rest once she gets out of the hospital.

I took the kids up there to see her yesterday, and she was able to get up for a shower and even walked around the unit with us for a little while.  She told me that she had finally gotten around to catching up on my blog the night before.  She didn't elaborate more than that, but I could tell that she was touched by some of the things I had said.  Plus, my brother informed me that my mom had gotten a little choked up as she read what I had to say.  I felt good knowing that I hadn't upset her by revealing too much, and that my words were able to let her know how I've been feeling.  

It upsets me that it's taken something as drastic as my mom going through life threatening surgery for her and I to repair and rebuild our relationship, but I'm also happy about it too.  Up until this all happened, I never really told my mom I loved her.  The only time I actually said the words to her was on New Year's Eve.  The same can be said for kissing and hugging her.  Every year, on New Year's Eve, we welcome the new year by a kiss, a hug, and telling each other that we love them.  Since going in to the hospital, almost every time I've spoken to her on the phone I've told her I loved her.  Every time I've left the hospital, I've kissed and hugged her goodbye.  

Again, it's sad to know that it took all of this for me to feel comfortable kissing my own mother and telling her that I love her, but I'm also glad that we have gotten that close again.  I feel like I have taken my relationship with my mom to a whole deeper level, and even though the woman has been my best friend for years and years, I feel closer to her now than I ever have.

It is no secret that for the past few months, the last year in fact, my mom and I have been drifting apart.  We went from talking to each other every single day on the phone and seeing each other almost every weekend to a few phone calls each week and seeing each other every other weekend to a phone call maybe once a week and seeing each other maybe once a month.  Time got away from us  most of the time, but in all honesty I just kinda got tired of talking about the same old stuff each time I called, or being surrounded with so many people when I went over there.  

When push comes to shove, I can admit that I resented my mom not because she became a foster mother, but because she took in SO MANY kids.  Having two kids of her own, two of her grandchildren that she has custody of, and then four foster kids was and is WAY too much in my opinion.  I still feel that way, in fact more now than ever.  But, with everything that's happened, I was able to get over that resentment and realized that no matter how many kids lived in that house, none of them would ever take my place as her daughter.  The one she can turn to.  The one there for her whenever she needs me.  

I still wish that she would lighten her load at home, but will stand by her with whatever she decides.   

Moving on, I also received more good news yesterday.  Before taking the trip up to see my mom yesterday, I received an email from Jelly's teacher.

This morning, her school is having it's monthly award assembly.  Jelly has been selected as December's Terrific Tiger.  That's the same thing as Student of the the Month.  I was thrilled to read the email.  I've been hoping that she'd get the award at some point, and I even said that to my mom not even a few days ago.  It's kinda funny that not even two days since I said something about it, it actually happened.  

Thankfully, I was able to find someone to cover my classroom this morning so that I can go.  It means a lot for me to be there.  Jelly has absolutely no idea.  They don't tell the kids that are getting the award until the actual ceremony.  Parents are contacted, and it's all kept very hush hush.  She'll get on the school bus this morning like normal, and then I'll show up a while later to watch her receive her award.  

Tomorrow I'll share all the details and pictures, and try and come up with a Christmas song that somehow relates to it. HA!

I have to say that as much as I absolutely LOVED the extra time off we had this past week, I am very ready to get back to work.  It's finally time.  I was able to use the time off to relax, get my mom through her surgery without having to take time off, spend plenty of time with her, spend time with the kids, and finish up all of my Christmas shopping.  A lot of that wouldn't have happened had I been at work last week.  

I would have had to take off Wednesday for Mom's surgery.  I would have had to drive to the hospital each evening after work to see her.  I would have had to fight mass crowds to get my Christmas shopping done this past weekend, while finding time to go and see my mom.  Luckily, I didn't have to do any of that.  It was a perfect time to have the snow days, and now that everything has been taken care of I can get back to work and finish up the last week of 2013 with my kiddos.  

I have to admit, though, I'm really hoping that this week flies by.  Now that my Christmas shopping is all done, and I don't have to worry about anything else, I'm ready for Christmas to actually get here.  Of course, I still have to get all the wrapping done.  I think that I'm going to start doing a little each night after the kids have gone to bed.  If I break it up over the week, I won't get so tired of it, and I think I'll actually get it done faster than if I wait and try and do it all at once.

Alright, I think I'm ready to get this wonderful day started.  

Have a wonderful Monday, everyone!!

Since We've No Place to Go...Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

                               

This is a picture of my driveway at 9AM this morning.  My driveway is under there somewhere, although you can't tell due to the 5-6" of snow that's sitting on top of it.  

It's absolutely beautiful.  It's that thick, snowman building type of snow.  Butter and Jelly can't wait to get out in it and play... but being the overprotective mother that I am, I've asked that they hold off just a little while.  It's currently 18 degrees outside, and it's still snowing pretty hard.  I would like for them to at least wait until this afternoon when the temperatures get up in to the lower 20s.  

The snow is supposed to keep coming down until early this afternoon, but the temperature won't be getting above freezing until the middle of next week.  In fact, we're even supposed to see some negative numbers in the next day or so.  Brrrrrr!!!

As of right now, there's even more snow in the forecast for Sunday, but being that Sunday is still a few days out, I'm not going to really think about that until Sunday is here.

Thankfully, yesterday, I didn't have to drive in bad weather.  We all did have to go to school yesterday morning, even though every school in a hundred mile radius of us had closed...in Arkansas and Oklahoma.  Missouri schools were still in session.  At first, I was a little upset about it.  All the other schools were being proactive.  No actual bad weather had come in yet, but they knew it was coming so they figured it just easier to cancel for the entire day.  My school district didn't.  But, when we got to school they decided to do an early release at noon.  It was exactly around noon when the ice rain started coming down, and it wasn't until about 1:30PM or so that it started sticking to the roads, so everyone was able to get home from school safe and sound.  I left thinking the early release was a much better idea because we still got half a day of school in, and I don't think we have to count it as a snow day now.

We had only been home a little while when the call came that there'd be no school today, and if things keep going the way they are going right now, I very much doubt we'll even have school on Monday.  There's going to be about 7-8" of snow when it's all said and done, and with temperatures not even getting in to the 30s before Monday, I don't see how it will melt enough to allow for school.

Jelly had a great birthday.  She was able to be at school to have her birthday cupcakes, and have her class sing to her.  Then she was able to get home early enough from school so that we could make her birthday cake, and she could play with her new ponies that Mommy and Daddy got her.  Being that she loves to bake, I wasn't surprised that she wanted to make her own birthday cake.  The original plan was to make two strawberry cakes, put them on top of each other with strawberry icing in the middle, and then cover the entire thing with chocolate ganache.  However, because Momma waited a little too late to start baking, and we only had one cake pan (didn't think about that when I was at the store), she opted for a strawberry cake with strawberry icing for her birthday, and then today we're going to make strawberry cupcakes with the ganache icing just for fun.

                      

She got to pick what we had for dinner last night, and went with her absolute favorite...breakfast for dinner.  Biscuits, gravy, sausage, and bacon. I swear, that kid would eat biscuits and gravy every single day if we'd let her.  Once dinner was over, it was time for her to ice her cake and do the candles and singing.

                                 

Here she is with her finished cake.  She put some icing on her nose because she thought it would better show that she was the one to make the cake and ice it herself.  How she'd end up with icing on her nose, I don't know... but we all thought it was pretty funny.

                                 

This is while we were singing "Happy Birthday".  As you can see from the expression on her face, she's  gotten to the age where it's kinda embarrassing to sit there while people sing to you.  She was ready for that to be over before we even started.

                                  

She was so dainty when it came to blowing out her candles.  She wanted to do one candle at a time, despite the fact that wax was dripping all over the cake.  I tried to tell her that if she didn't blow the candles out all at the same time, she wouldn't get her wish.  That didn't bother her, and she flat out told me she didn't wish for anything because she already had everything she wanted.  Oh yes, that's my daughter.  HA!

                                   

Finally time to sit down and enjoy her creation.  However, because she had been testing and licking bowls and leftover icing while she was cooking, she was a little too full to eat the entire slice.  Which didn't surprise me.  She's always like that... much rather make the stuff than eat it.

Other than baking a cake with Jelly, I spent my day digging out my crocheting stuff.  I'd been meaning to do it for a couple of weeks, but a snow day was the PERFECT day to start my winter crocheting.  I even found an app that has tons of cute little creations I can make that don't require a lot of time.  My hope, like every winter, is to make a few things to sell and to give to my kiddos in my class.  I found patterns for infinity scarves, hats, ear warmer headbands, and I think that this year I'm going to try and make some flowers that are attached to bobby pins.  That way they can be added to the hats, headbands, and scarves without requiring me to have to sew them.  They can also be sold separately so that people can buy them and add them to stuff they already have.

In addition to the crocheting, I also have the first book in the Divergent series to read.  I've been dying to read them, and I made sure to pick up the first book last weekend.  Of course, Hubby just informed me that he bought all three books for his iPad so I actually have all three books available to read.  Plus, there are TONS of Christmas movies to watch.  It doesn't usually take long for cabin fever to set in with me, but I'm really thinking that I am going to enjoy my snowy weekend.  I have tons to keep me busy, and as long as the kids don't start driving me nuts because they are bored, I should be OK.

Speaking of Hubby, thankfully he didn't try and drive to work last night.  It always scares me when we get weather like this, because he has that attitude that he can drive in anything.  While it's true that he remains very calm while driving in bad weather, and has great control of the car...it still scares the crap out of me when he tries to drive on snow and ice.  There are a lot of crazy drivers around here, and just because he's quite skilled in driving in bad weather doesn't mean the people he meets on the road are.  I'd much rather know he's safe her with me and missing a day of pay than for him to get in a nasty wreck.

  

Right now, I think I'm going to grab another cup of coffee and get started on my snow day activities.

Have a great Friday, everyone!!

Happy Birthday, Jelly!!!!

                            

Look at that cute, little face.  

That adorable smile belongs to my baby girl...who's not really a baby anymore.  Today, she is 6 years old!! *Sniff*

I just can not believe that my little munchkin is growing up so fast!!  She's already doing things like reading, and writing, and doing math problems.  When I go through her backpack every day, I'm shocked and amazed at how much my little baby is already able to do.  

At six years old, she's already ahead of her years.  She's so independent.  She fixes her own cereal, makes her own sandwiches, pours her own drinks, sets up and plays on the computer, and plays video games almost as well as her dad.  She also loves to cook, helping anyway she can, and is a great helper when it comes to cleaning (when she wants to be).  

Her current obsession has become writing.  Now that she's able to write complete sentences, she spends a lot of time sitting on the couch, with her Magnadoodle, writing.  She writes about our cat, and writes all of her sight words and spelling words over and over and over.  If she gets anything from me, then I hope it's a love of reading and writing.  

Of all my kids, I see Jelly being the one to follow in my footsteps.  She already does the same things I used to do at her age... like pretending to be a teacher, and spending her evenings going over all the stuff she learned in school that day.

But, she also has a very active, rambunctious side to her.  She enjoys playing outside and running around just as much as she does playing video games, reading, and writing.  She's active and creative.  Two traits I'm very glad she has.

She's also the first of my three kids that would much rather make her own birthday cake than get a store bought one.  

Last night, ahead of the winter storm that's coming in today, I made a run to Walmart to pick up everything we'd need to prepare her birthday cake whenever we get home today.  She requested a strawberry cake, and we're going to make chocolate ganache icing.  Yep.  Just like her dad.  Loves to cook, and is pretty creative.  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to ask for a chocolate covered strawberry birthday cake when I was her age.  The only options I could of come up with would have been chocolate or white...because white was a flavor back in my day.

Being that I might not be able to take her out to shop for a birthday present this weekend, I went ahead and picked her up a pony set and a writing notebook.  She asked specifically for a pony for her birthday.  Not a real one.  One that she can brush it's hair and carry around.  Hopefully, I picked out what she was talking about.

It's tough having a birthday so close to Christmas.  I don't want one to overshadow the other, but I also don't want to give her something for her birthday that I've picked out to give her for Christmas.  Being that she only asked for two things for Christmas this year, I wanted both of those things to come at Christmas.  Thankfully, she came up with the pony idea just a few days ago.  That helped take some of the pressure off when coming up with ideas for a birthday gift.  

And, it appears that she's going to get snow for her birthday.  Actually I'm positive she will.  I don't know if it will be enough to go outside and play in, but I'm sure that any amount will peak her interest enough to at least run around in.  

I wish I had time to write more... because there's so much I could talk about this morning.  My baby girl has given me so much happiness and joy, and I have so many wonderful memories to share.  But, somebody (me) didn't get out of bed until late this morning.  And now I have to go and get ready for a very scary day at work.  I know we're going to get out early today because of the winter storm that's heading this way.  I'm scared to death of having to drive in snow and/or ice... but I'm praying that everything goes smoothly, I'm able to get out of school before the roads get bad, and then the kids and I can come home and enjoy Jelly's birthday.

My little girl deserves it.  But, she also insists that she go to school long enough today to eat the cupcakes that she bought for her class.  

Gotta love that sharing, caring personality.. right?

OK...local peeps, stay safe out there.  And warm.

Gotta Love a Tear Free Day!!

Yesterday was a very momentous day.  One that I just had to write about, even though I told myself that I was going to cut back on the Jelly Goes to School Drama.

For the first time in 9 days, Jelly did NOT cry when it was time to go to school!!!  The first week, she did just fine.  But, that changed once she realized that kindergarten wasn't all coloring and playing games.

Since Monday of last week, I have had tears from her EVERY single day because she didn't want to go to school... but yesterday?  NONE.. NADA.. ZILCH.

And you know what it was that made the difference or should I say, who it was?  Yep.  My principal.  

It wasn't Momma, or Peanut, or just deciding to wake up and make the decision that she wasn't going to cry anymore.  It was the intervention my principal had done the day before.  Just like that.  All this time I've been struggling and starting my day on the verge of tears because I had to put my heartbroken Jelly on a school bus while she cried...and all it took was one morning of my principal stepping in and taking over for me.

I told you all yesterday how upset I'd been when the principal had sent Peanut away when I'd asked her to stand with Jelly while I did car duty.  I told you all that my principal had told me why she did it.  I told you all that the first thing Jelly told me when she got off the school bus that same day was all about the the fact that the principal had hugged her and talked to her and had made her feel very special.  

I've just decided I don't like calling her "principal" anymore... from now on, I'm going to refer to her as Mrs. P (for principal, duh!).

Anywho, the first thing out of Jelly's mouth yesterday morning when I woke her up was "Momma, can I go to Mrs. P's office this morning and just wait there for the bus?"

With a few flicks of my fingers, I sent a text to Mrs. P asking her...and she responded that Jelly could go to her office that morning. 

I should point out here that Mrs. P has a son that rides the same bus with Jelly to school each morning.  They have become pretty good friends, and Jelly liked the idea of waiting with him and going outside when he went outside...as long as they were waiting in Mrs. P's office to do so.  

I got excited about the fact that Jelly was already showing signs of growth with her request, but I stayed cautious to the fact that once we did get to school she could very well change her mind...and the tears would quickly start to flow.

But luckily, that didn't happen.

The minute we arrived at school, Jelly wanted to know if Mrs. P was there.  She wasn't.  So we took all of my things down to my classroom, and then Jelly asked if we could go and wait for Mrs. P by her office.  I told her we'd wait a few minutes and then head down there.  I couldn't believe how excited Jelly was.  No signs of backing out, or getting nervous, or suddenly realizing that going to Mrs. P's office would mean I wouldn't be there with her.

When Mrs. P did arrive, I took her in to the office, she kissed me goodbye, and that was that.  I left.  No tears.  No hanging on for dear life refusing to let go.  A simple goodbye and she went straight in and sat down next to Mrs. P's son.

I was dumbfounded.  Shocked.  And ecstatic!

All this time, I've been trying to think of something that would make Jelly's transition easier.  I knew that once she got to school, she was fine... but it was that darned goodbye situation that got her every morning.  I was basically at my wit's end.  Besides just dumping her off at the door and running away before she had a chance to catch me - I just didn't know what I was going to do.

And Mrs. P was able to fix my problem in a matter of one day.

Jelly has always thought it was super cool when Mrs. P would talk to her.  In Jelly's mind, a principal is a very important and almost famous person.  I remember one of the first times Mrs. P did talk to her - last year, when Jelly would come back to the school after daycare.  When Peanut came back from practice that day, she recounted her super special encounter with Mrs. P like she'd just met the queen!  And, now it's so obvious that the one person who could make Jelly feel better about going off to school each morning is that same person who makes her feel super special with a simple "Hi Jelly! How was your day?"

Last night, I sat in Jelly's bed with her and read her three books.  When I kissed her goodnight, she asked me if she was going to go to Mrs. P's office again this morning.  I told her she would.  She smiled, told me she loved me, and just as I walked out the door she said "Momma, I think I like going to school now."

*Insert celebratory music and crying (from me)!*

I took the opportunity yesterday morning, once school had started, to thank Mrs. P.  She thinks it's no big deal.  I don't think she realizes how much she has done for me.  How much suffering she has taken away from me...or my baby.  What I'm sure she considers a minor gesture on her part has completely transformed my Jelly's outlook on school.  

She's basically handed me my happiness back.  And I honestly think she has no idea.

I hope that she, at some point, stumbles across this post.  I hope she's able to read this and really realize how amazing she is.  And the gratitude I have.  Because just saying "thank you" doesn't cut it.  I owe her so much.  Seeing my baby cry each and every morning was like daggers to my heart.  I had honestly started to think that Jelly would spend her entire school year sad, and scared, and stressed to the max.  OK, so maybe that's a little exaggeration...I know that, over time... Jelly would have probably gotten used it it.  But, having no idea when that time would come caused me the same sadness, fear, and stress. 

And it appears that I might not have to worry about that anymore.  And that's a gift that has no monetary value, it's just priceless.  

Jelly and my lives (each morning) are now different.  Better.  Happy.  All thanks to Mrs. P and taking just a few minutes to show how much she cares.  And while Mrs. P will probably go about her days being none the wiser, she is a rockstar in my household.

My Jelly is finally happy.  And that feels like the two ton weight that has been resting on my shoulder has finally been lifted.

Waiting nine days to say that has felt like an eternity.  And now, all is good in the world.

Thanks, Mrs. P.  Hopefully one day, you'll know the impact you had on my family this week...and that I will forever be in your debt for it.

I Am a Mother, Hear Me Roar!

Yesterday got off to a rough start.

Well, that's not exactly true.  We got off to a great start.  Everyone got up on time, got dressed, got their lunches made, didn't argue or fight or forget anything.  All was good in the world of Home.

The drive to work was a good one.  Hardly any whining or arguing.

Then, we arrived at school, and Jelly immediately started crying.

The day before, I had my first day of car duty.  Meaning, it's my job each morning this week to stand out by the parking lot and greet students as they arrive.  It happens once every four weeks, and this week just happens to be my turn.

Of course, Jelly didn't like it ONE BIT.  That meant that I had to leave her waiting for her bus.  I figured I'd remedy the situation on Tuesday by having Peanut stand with her.  Jelly still cried, and wasn't happy.. but Peanut said that once I walked away, Jelly did just fine.

Yesterday, I figured we'd just do the same thing.  Jelly had already started crying the minute we arrived, and asked if Peanut was still going to stand with her.  I assured her that Peanut would, and I managed to get her outside without having to peel her off of me.

Peanut had been standing with her for a couple of minutes when the principal came outside for her duty.  Every morning, the principal oversees the kids getting on and off of buses.  The kids that get off at the elementary, and those that getting on to go to the high school or to the primary school.  

I kept looking back every few minutes to check on Jelly, and I noticed that my principal was talking to Peanut.  A few seconds later, I saw Peanut walk away and heard Jelly start crying.  Loudly.  Peanut looked at me and shrugged...I had no idea what that meant.  I assumed that the principal had sent her on her way.  I couldn't see Jelly after that, the principal was blocking my view.  But, I heard her.  Oh goodness did I hear her.

I stood at my post on duty, tears welling up in my eyes.  I did everything in my power to put a smile on my face as each child arrived.  I heard the crying stop a few minutes later, and looked back...still couldn't see Jelly.  Then, I checked a few minutes later...and Jelly was gone.  On her bus.  And that was that.

I went back inside after duty pretty upset.  Peanut explained to me, once I got inside, that the principal had sent her on her way and offered to watch over Jelly.  Peanut said that the principal didn't want her out there each morning with Jelly....that Jelly needed to adjust to doing it on her own.

Momma Bear was Mad.  Momma Bear was Upset.  Momma Bear had to Cry.

To add some fuel to the fire, one of Butter's teachers came to see me.  Can you say wrong time, wrong place?  I was NOT in the mood to hear anyone say anything about any of my kids at that point.  I was in Momma Bear mode, and needed some time to cool off.

Unfortunately to the unbeknownst teacher who choose that time to inform me of some issues she was having with Butter.  I didn't go all crazy and start yelling or anything like that... but I did take what she said personal, and immediately acted upon it.  Again, wrong time and wrong place for the teacher.

I got the situation with Butter handled.  And during the process of working on it, I had to see the principal.  She's not a stupid woman, she knew I was upset.  And she laid it right out there why she'd done what she'd done.

Yes, Jelly is having a hard time.  Yes, Jelly is currently crying when she has to wait outside for the bus. But, after Peanut had walked away, the principal had talked to Jelly...asked her some questions, got her talking.  Jelly proceeded to tell my principal about the plans we'd (her and I) made to read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom when she got back that afternoon.  She told her about what she brought for lunch.  And by the time Jelly got on the bus, there were no more tears.  My principal then told me that each morning, she'd do the same thing with Jelly...reassure her, talk to her, distract her from her worries.  And with me or Peanut there, Jelly would just continue being stressed and sad.

My principal isn't just a principal.  She wasn't just a teacher for several years.  She's also a mother.  A mother who knows how hard it is to send a child off to school that's scared and sad.  She knows how hard it is to say goodbye, or to walk away when her child is crying.  But, she also knows...as do I, even though I didn't want to admit it...that Jelly and I both need the distraction.  We need to be able to separate in the morning on good terms.  No tears involved.  And she's promised to help make that transition easier for us.  

So, yeah.. my first reaction was to get all bent out of shape, all Momma Bear ready to defend her cub. But, listening to my principal made me realize how right she was.  It may have seemed harsh or like she was "torturing" my poor baby.  Yet, I know that's not what her intentions were.  She knew what she's doing.  She knows that this is just as hard for me as it is for Jelly.  And instead of turning her head the other way and ignoring the fact that I was using Peanut to fill the void that I felt like I was making...my principal took it upon herself to step in and provide some intervention.  

What was more surprising was Jelly's first tale she told to me when she got back from school that day.  Not about what had happened when she got to school, or what she'd learned, or what she got to play... but she told me about how the principal had hugged her, had offered soft words of encouragement, had asked her about her lunch, and had helped her stop crying before getting on the bus.  What I had thought would be a devastating moment of Jelly's day just happened to be the highlight of her day.  It made her feel special.  She couldn't wait to tell me about it.

I asked Jelly if she would be OK with the principal doing that for her each morning.  Even though she was a little apprehensive, and shaken by the realization that I wasn't going to be there again today or tomorrow...she agreed that it would be nice to have the principal there for her.  She was OK with it.  She thought it was pretty awesome that the principal was going to do that for her again each day... until Jelly is ready to stand on her own and wait with the rest of the kids.  

Today we will see how ready she really is.  

I'm sure there'll be more tears.  The problem won't go away over night.  But, knowing that I have someone out there keeping an eye on things, comforting Jelly, and watching out for my child..even though she doesn't have to and there are a couple hundred other kids that the principal also has to watch out for...makes me feel so much better.  Jelly needs someone with her, and someone will be.  Despite how crazy busy her mornings are, my principal is willing to stand in and take on that role.

And even though there's really not any more room to add anything to my list...here's another reason to add on why I love where I work.  Because I know that my principal has my back.  And the backs of my own, biological children.  

Gotta feel good about that!

OK, time to get to gettin' for another awesome day!