1st Grade

I don't remember who my first grade teacher was, but I remember my kindergarten and 5th grade teachers really well. I'm actually friends with my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Almon, on Facebook! Mr. Almon was my favorite teacher and I have very vivid memories of him. He lived across the street from our house and would come over for dinner on the weekends, we would go out for Mexican food and one night he called me and my mom and had us come outside to see Orion and some other constellations. At the time, it seemed perfectly normal that my teacher was kind of like family, but now looking back I can see how lucky I was to have a teacher that taught me inside and outside of the classroom. I don't think Mr. Almon will every really know how much he impacted my life. He taught me to love to read, to appreciate good flan and on a clear night, I can still find Orion. Fifth grade was a long time ago, but all of these things have stuck with me.

Kendall started first grade yesterday and she said it was the BEST day ever. She told me all about Mrs. Hopkins and how she used to be Mrs. Jackson, but she got married this summer and changed her last name. She told me about her rules and if you get too many tickets, you'll have to see the principal. And she told me that Mrs. Hopkins let them choose their own homework folder and that she is soooo nice. I was thrilled to hear that her first day went so well and that she liked her teacher. I wonder what Kendall will remember about Mrs. Hopkins 20 years from now. Will she be her favorite teacher? Will she do or say something that changes her life forever?

Disney World - 3 kids, 14 hours, 'nuff said

Kindergarten is Over?

We survived Kindergarten....barely. I was so not prepared for all the lunch packing, homework, parties, field day, bring a muffin, eat a muffin, mystery reader and parties galore! I plan to be way more prepared for 1st grade. Who I am kidding? There is no amount of preparation that can be done when you're a parent. The to-do list is endless, I spend so much time with my washing machine, I think we're dating and I'm certain my back will go out any day now since I spend at least 2 hours every night bending over to pick up whatever Kendall has thrown on the floor. So what exactly is the upside to parenting someone may ask? (that someone being me, of course). Well, everyday I get to learn something new from someone who has been in the world for only 6 short years. She reminds me to stop and be silly for no reason, to dance in the middle of the grocery store, to eat candy and not think about the calories and to smile even when I want to cry. And although I'm absolutely exhausted most days, and no amount of Starbucks will give me as much energy as my child has, I really cannot imagine my life without her in it. She gives me a reason to push through the tiredness, the exhaustion and the everyday stuff that is life. When I think about the idea that we, as mothers, "give life", it seems so ironic because Kendall really gave life to me, and I will be eternally grateful to God for giving me such a wonderful gift.

Our wonderful babysitter!!

Our carpool buddy!!


Kendall and her dad

Sunday Morning

Someone brought it to my attention that an update on this blog was way overdue. I won't mention any names like Cathleen ;-)

I had the best of intentions when I started this blog, but like everything else on my to-do list....well, it just stays on the list. Kendall woke me up at 7:30 this morning ready to make blueberry muffins. I do not know where this child gets her energy. It seems like I'm getting less and less energy everyday. So now we're eating blueberry muffins, I'm updating this blog and Kendall is coloring Tiana (princess & the frog) with color wonder markers. This is what I call a perfect Sunday morning. I don't get them every often since I enrolled in co-parenting 3 years ago and I realize that I don't savor my 2 weekends with Kendall enough. Usually I'd be running around this morning tackling that infamous to-do list. But it seems like the older Kendall gets (and the older I get), I realize how few of these Sunday mornings I have left. Kendall will be SIX on Saturday - I can't really wrap my mind around that. Six years ago this child came home with us and all I remember thinking at that time is when, when, when. When will she stop crying all the time; when will she walk; when will she talk. And now I want to know when time will stop!

Yesterday I had our pictures taken (after realizing that I've never had professional photos of the two of us) and Kendall couldn't figure out why we were having our pictures taken. I told her that I wanted pictures to remember her when she leaves home and goes off to college. She told me she was never leaving home and if she did she would buy me house near her college. It's so sweet that she thinks this is all life has to offer - her family, school and playing - and I think I'll let her keep thinking that for as long as possible.

Christmas 2009