It's not very often that I find myself without my camera but last night was one of those times. Jay and Jackson have this secret code, or so they think it is a secret, for deciding that tonight should be a Dairy Queen night. And sure enough when I walked downstairs and saw the look on Jack's face I knew what was coming. Now don't get me wrong, I love ice cream...but apparently not as much as my boys. So, we went again for the sought for summer treat. We had been trying for at least a half hour to convince Drew to come downstairs with the rest of the family. What do you think happened when Jay yelled up, "Andrew come on, do you want ice cream?". I could hear the pitter patter of feet immediately! He makes the sound for ice cream and raises his hands and claps, do you think he's excited? We couldn't get out the door fast enough.
Jay thinks this is a riot, and continues to ask him and we all laugh at his response. Here is the drill, we apparently can't just park and go in like normal people...normal being what I would do, perhaps that's not a good definition of normal. Anyway, the boys want to go through the drive thru and then park the van to eat. Weird, I think, but they think it is the biggest thrill. Between my mom and Jay, the biggest DQ fanatics I know we have spent a few evenings like this. Drew has it down to a science and doesn't spill a drop, doesn't talk, acknowledge or move during his feast. Jackson's favorite part is giving the "ice cream girl" the money and then sitting in front with mommy to eat. As I watched them all last night I realized that this is now part of The Sabine Family traditions, mmmm ice cream!
**p.s. both Jay and Jackson were submitted to my lecture on diversity and inclusion last night when Jackson saw a "little person" for the first time. I was fine until Jay added to my, "god made her different b/c she is special" speech... "or he just ran out of time". Jackson thought that made the most sense. Thank you, daddy! **
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Last Day
I found the last day to be similar to the very first. There were feelings of apprehension and excitement, joy and sorrow. For then too we were leaving a chapter behind in order to enter the next. The kids were full of excitement and I'm pretty sure even though all the adults were telling them it was the last day that they didn't really get that they wouldn't be coming back sometime. :) Jackson was proud to show us his notebook of adventures, stories, pictures and crafts that we can keep to remember his year. We said our temporary goodbye's, some of the kids we'll see in Kindergarten and some we'll just be in touch with because of the relationships our kid's have formed. Overall it was a wonderful day, one that I have stashed in the memory bank for the "sitting on the front porch in my rocking chair" days. I'm sure then it won't be quite as clear and the lump in my throat will be smaller as I swell with pride and disbelieve that my first baby just isn't a little thing anymore.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Countdown, Day 2
Wednesday
Well I'm happy to say the day started out on a much happier note all around on Wednesday. Jackson was so excited about the day's surprises that he sprung out of bed with a smile. Rare, but I was thankful. We actually had a relaxing morning since we didn't have to be anywhere until 10:30. That too is rare, and we all enjoyed the change in routine.
The program was darling, my favorites were definitely the unrehearsed humor of live 5 year old entertainment, that is truly priceless! But they were all so proud of their accomplishments and sang with zest and vigor. The teachers wrote a song/poem about all of the kids, so four by four they would stand up with their handmade name tags and listen to the description of themselves, again they were so proud! As the class sang the nursery school favorite, "Love Grows" I looked around the room saw the twinkling glimmers in many mother's eyes, now friend's of our family. My heart strings tugged as I realized again that these kids have been together now for 2 years and really will miss each others company.
Delaney and Jackson of course sat front and center, side by side. Giggling and talking, singing and smiling. The two of them are quite a pair. Amazing the connection that they have and the friendship they have developed. Just wait until you see the pictures they posed for after the celebration!
It was a wonderful day and a great finale to a special few years and a great kickoff to the new beginning ahead.
Well I'm happy to say the day started out on a much happier note all around on Wednesday. Jackson was so excited about the day's surprises that he sprung out of bed with a smile. Rare, but I was thankful. We actually had a relaxing morning since we didn't have to be anywhere until 10:30. That too is rare, and we all enjoyed the change in routine.
The program was darling, my favorites were definitely the unrehearsed humor of live 5 year old entertainment, that is truly priceless! But they were all so proud of their accomplishments and sang with zest and vigor. The teachers wrote a song/poem about all of the kids, so four by four they would stand up with their handmade name tags and listen to the description of themselves, again they were so proud! As the class sang the nursery school favorite, "Love Grows" I looked around the room saw the twinkling glimmers in many mother's eyes, now friend's of our family. My heart strings tugged as I realized again that these kids have been together now for 2 years and really will miss each others company.
Delaney and Jackson of course sat front and center, side by side. Giggling and talking, singing and smiling. The two of them are quite a pair. Amazing the connection that they have and the friendship they have developed. Just wait until you see the pictures they posed for after the celebration!
It was a wonderful day and a great finale to a special few years and a great kickoff to the new beginning ahead.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Countdown, Day 1
Monday
And so, as it typically goes, Monday morning is the morning that I have to DRAG Jack out of bed. This one started no different. Drew was already in the car, eating more cereal and watching Toy Story, which is a whole other story...how I rely on a DVD player, shameful but true. I can only take so many minutes of him standing by the door crying to go out! So, he finally makes it downstairs with his teeth brushed and his jammies still one. Okay, deep breath. I can help him get dressed, even though he is FIVE! Dressed, shoes, hat, coat, bucket (the COW version of a backpack, each kid decorates their own bucket that carries what they need to take and brings home all of the messages and art), oranges and cereal, I think we're set. And then he remembers that today is his sharing day, his last sharing day before summer vacation. Fine that we are now 10 minutes behind schedule, really after 5 I'm a bit anxious...and today Drew is still in the car. But he is right, he should take something for sharing. Never mind that when we talked about it last night before bed he wanted to take his Dino Pets book that he can "read" aka memorized. Not anymore, so we settle for the pea plant that he had planted a few weeks back, perfect. At this very moment not one iota of my being is sentimental about the Monday morning preschool routine. By the way, Andrew is fine, actually happy in the car alone for 10 minutes! Don't worry mama, the doors were locked and I was in the Dining Room looking out the window :)
So, we drop off Andrew at Daffy's. He is happy because his girlfriend, April is still getting ready for her college finals and will be home with him this morning. AND he has a new cow blanket for nap time, to match his cow pillow. Bliss! Okay, so now I can think a little more clearly. Even though we are still late, we're getting closer. I am still fine, really fine, like wondering how nice it will be next Monday to only make one stop before going to the office. Honestly, feeling guilty thinking about how nice it will be...
But then we get there and I see all of his friends and his teachers and the classroom and I think I looked at it all differently today. Drinking it in so that I don't forget that feeling when we walk in and the routine that we have and the girls hugging my legs and the visit to Pokey the turtle. And the smell of paint and reading the sign about the day's activities. Today, Maddy gave Jackson a hot wheels watch that the poor kid has been trying to get out of cereal for 6 months. He somehow winds up with Barbie or pink flower watches every time! I think all the girls in school have watches from him :). You would have though she gave him the world! So, I took a minute to thank her and tell her how happy she had made him. Talked with an old classmate of mine who has a son that goes there as well, hugged another girl and made my way out. And then it hit me, so I called Jay before I teared up. He only replied with, " I wondered how long that would take! " And then, of course, followed it with comforting words that made me feel better.
I will miss that little school and how happy it made him and how many fun times he had there. I will especially miss seeing all of the wonderful friendships he made. What a bittersweet time. I am so excited for him to move onto Kindergarten and yet you never want to leave behind something that is so good. Even though I know that soon enough I'll be back with Drew...crazy, it is still the end of Jack's time here. Wednesday is his program and lunch with mom and dad, so we'll be able to see them all together performing in their glory. What fun!
And so, as it typically goes, Monday morning is the morning that I have to DRAG Jack out of bed. This one started no different. Drew was already in the car, eating more cereal and watching Toy Story, which is a whole other story...how I rely on a DVD player, shameful but true. I can only take so many minutes of him standing by the door crying to go out! So, he finally makes it downstairs with his teeth brushed and his jammies still one. Okay, deep breath. I can help him get dressed, even though he is FIVE! Dressed, shoes, hat, coat, bucket (the COW version of a backpack, each kid decorates their own bucket that carries what they need to take and brings home all of the messages and art), oranges and cereal, I think we're set. And then he remembers that today is his sharing day, his last sharing day before summer vacation. Fine that we are now 10 minutes behind schedule, really after 5 I'm a bit anxious...and today Drew is still in the car. But he is right, he should take something for sharing. Never mind that when we talked about it last night before bed he wanted to take his Dino Pets book that he can "read" aka memorized. Not anymore, so we settle for the pea plant that he had planted a few weeks back, perfect. At this very moment not one iota of my being is sentimental about the Monday morning preschool routine. By the way, Andrew is fine, actually happy in the car alone for 10 minutes! Don't worry mama, the doors were locked and I was in the Dining Room looking out the window :)
So, we drop off Andrew at Daffy's. He is happy because his girlfriend, April is still getting ready for her college finals and will be home with him this morning. AND he has a new cow blanket for nap time, to match his cow pillow. Bliss! Okay, so now I can think a little more clearly. Even though we are still late, we're getting closer. I am still fine, really fine, like wondering how nice it will be next Monday to only make one stop before going to the office. Honestly, feeling guilty thinking about how nice it will be...
But then we get there and I see all of his friends and his teachers and the classroom and I think I looked at it all differently today. Drinking it in so that I don't forget that feeling when we walk in and the routine that we have and the girls hugging my legs and the visit to Pokey the turtle. And the smell of paint and reading the sign about the day's activities. Today, Maddy gave Jackson a hot wheels watch that the poor kid has been trying to get out of cereal for 6 months. He somehow winds up with Barbie or pink flower watches every time! I think all the girls in school have watches from him :). You would have though she gave him the world! So, I took a minute to thank her and tell her how happy she had made him. Talked with an old classmate of mine who has a son that goes there as well, hugged another girl and made my way out. And then it hit me, so I called Jay before I teared up. He only replied with, " I wondered how long that would take! " And then, of course, followed it with comforting words that made me feel better.
I will miss that little school and how happy it made him and how many fun times he had there. I will especially miss seeing all of the wonderful friendships he made. What a bittersweet time. I am so excited for him to move onto Kindergarten and yet you never want to leave behind something that is so good. Even though I know that soon enough I'll be back with Drew...crazy, it is still the end of Jack's time here. Wednesday is his program and lunch with mom and dad, so we'll be able to see them all together performing in their glory. What fun!
Friday, May 2, 2008
PB&P
You read right, not PB&J. For Andrew, it is PB & P. Peanut butter and pretzels, yum. I think it is great, sometimes I even join in on the munching. Jay, yeah he thinks we are all strange. I really think anything with peanut butter is much better than without, apparently so does Andrew. For him, if you can dip it in PB or ketchup it's got to be good. I love to see that I'm passing along my food preferences to someone, Jackson never really went for the chocolate ice cream and saltine cracker fetish that I have, but Drew definitely is with me on the peanut butter front. Don't you love it?
Beware to all that get irritated with my sentimental side, next week is Jackson's last week of pre-school...I'm sure I'll be blogging away about the end of the era and how the preschool years are behind us. So, that is your warning to skip next week's blog :) !!
Beware to all that get irritated with my sentimental side, next week is Jackson's last week of pre-school...I'm sure I'll be blogging away about the end of the era and how the preschool years are behind us. So, that is your warning to skip next week's blog :) !!
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