Is This Normal?
The chaos that is the KerbersArchive for preschool
Daddy’s night
Tonight it was finally time for Emma to bring Dave to Daddy’s Night at Tomorrow’s Promise. She had been looking forward to this for weeks…well, actually probably years if you count how jealous she was when Ben got to take him the last two years. Dave, on the other hand, was not really looking forward to it too much. But of course he acted very excited and when 6:30 rolled around they were off.
Sadly, Emma didn’t write a Daddy story like Ben did the last two years. Her teacher made Facebook pages about their dads. So the kids were answering the same types of questions about their dads, but it wasn’t put into one succinct story. 
The best part, by far, is the status update where Dave is saying, “Why is there always something to fix around here?” That is perfect for his status lately. I also love the part when Emma said that she didn’t know what he did when she wasn’t around because, “I’m not around, how would I know?” That’s my little critical thinker. :)
I know that Dave enjoyed seeing Emma in her school environment, even if it was a bit chaotic and crazy. Most importantly, though, it meant the world to her having her Daddy go to school with her.
Being brave
Tonight the kids are at an overnight at Tomorrow’s Promise. It’s a great event where the TPLC student and their siblings can come and spend the night at the preschool. They do all kinds of crafts and play games, and it’s a pretty awesome time for everyone involved (especially the parents!) The kids are there from 7:00 pm until 9:00 am. We’ve had our fair share of issues with these in the past, as Ben has always been much too nervous to attend. The last few times we’ve let him go but had to pick him up before they actually went to sleep because he was just way too terrified to stay there.
This time, though, he really wanted to go. I could tell that there was a little more peer pressure on him since Ali and Boyden were going, as well as AJ and Danica. If two three-year-olds could do it, I knew Ben could. He really wanted to go, and finally on the last day we were able to register him he agreed to go. But he was nervous, for sure. We kept talking it up to him and I really tried to play the angle that he could help AJ because this was AJ’s first overnight. In reality, I think it was AJ who helped Ben, but whatever works, right?
We made it through dinner pretty well, and he was excited to talk about going and to get all of his things ready. But when it came time to go upstairs and gather the things they wanted to bring, I heard crying from Ben’s room. He was just so scared to stay there. I got him talked down pretty quickly, though, and he somehow pulled himself together enough to head to TPLC. Once we were there he was doing pretty well. He started working on the craft they were doing as filler while everyone got there and got settled, and although his face was really, REALLY nervous looking he held it all together and told us good-bye. We did get a few extra hugs and kisses from him, but there were no tears and not one suggestion that we come back later to pick him up. I did leave my cell number with one of the teachers just in case, though.
Right now we’ve heard nothing from them and we’re thinking that the kids would have to be asleep by now. Dave and I are both so proud of how brave Ben was for sucking it up and staying there even though he was very scared to do it. We keep trying to make him understand that it’s completely ok to feel scared, but when you do something even though you’re scared, that’s the true definition of bravery. Tonight, Ben was very brave.
Run around
I never wanted to be one of those parents who over-schedules their kids. Many of my friends and family spend literally every evening running around to activity after activity. It always makes me wonder whether they’re doing it for their kids or for them to feel better about themselves. So I was adamant that we would never have the kids involved in more than one activity at a time. This fall it’s soccer for Ben and gymnastics for Emma. But then Emma is also involved in choir at church. I guess that doesn’t “officially” count in my mind or something. Who knows.
Regardless, our new fall schedule is as follows:
Monday–nothing
Tuesday–my class
Wednesday–Emma choir
Thursday–Emma gymnastics, Ben soccer practice
Friday–nothing
Saturday–Ben soccer game
Sunday–Both Sunday School
I literally feel like we are running around like a chickens with our heads cut off some weeks, and the kids are only in one activity each! But I also feel like it’s so very important for them to participate in things like this because it is helpful to their social development as much as it is to their physical development.
I know it’s just going to get worse as they get older, but I’m already exhausted by keeping the schedule straight. Thank goodness for calendars in our phones; I don’t know how we lived without them before!!
Emma’s first day
Finally, the day that we’ve been waiting for since Ben and I went to school on August 18th has arrived…Emma’s first day of preschool. She’d attended Tomorrow’s Promise for summer camp in ’10, so it wasn’t a complete unknown thing for her. Even if it was, though, i think she would be fine. Unlike her brother, the unknown doesn’t really scare Emma too much. In fact, I think it kind of excites her. She’s getting a ride to school from yet another person she doesn’t know this year, but that didn’t seem to bother her, either. A co-worker of mine has a daughter in Emma’s class again, so we’re sponging rides off of her babysitter. Thank goodness Danielle lives so close to the preschool. Otherwise I fear it would be much more difficult to find a ride for her. The way things are now, it’s very easy for someone to pick her up and drive the half mile to school.
Last night Emma was so excited that she was extremely wound up before bed. I was worried that she’d be up super late because of the anticipation of the big day today. But she did pretty well. I think that she was just so excited that she crashed as soon as the lights went out. She was up and happy this morning before I left, so she must have gotten a good night’s sleep.
I have mixed emotions about our kids being only one year apart in school. Next year we’ll be sending Emma to Kindergarten and our preschool days will be over. That is definitely bittersweet. So this year I’m going to try t make the most of all the preschool activities we have with Ems. I don’t want to forget these days.
The last day
Today was the last full day we lived at 1520 Augusta Dr. in Normal.
We had lots of packing to do, and Dave and I were up and at ‘em early to get started on it. Thankfully, the kids were content to play with each other most of the morning. And after lunch our neighbor Maxon came out so they all played outside together.
We had planned to grill a nice dinner and then have our last family movie night in the house. However, the kids were having so much fun playing with their friends that they wanted to stay outside after dinner. That was fine with us, because there was plenty of packing to be done, anyway. As the evening wore on, Dave and I kept on packing things up while the kids were having a blast with their friends. It was kind of bittersweet, as we knew it would be the last time they could simply run outside to play with Maxon and Elijah, who live behind us. Yet we didn’t want to make too much out of the fact that it was our last night, either, because we didn’t want the kids to be too emotional about it.
We ended the evening by lighting some sparklers that were left over from the fourth. The kids all had a ball with them. Unfortunately, though, we waited just a little bit too long to head inside. By the time we did, both of the kids were at defcom 12 and we were experiencing some major meltdowns. That wasn’t really in the plan for our final night at 1520, but it was kind of fitting, too. It’s just our life.
As we put the kids to bed, Ben told me that he was really glad they chose to play with their friends instead of watching a movie. “We can watch a movie anytime,” he said, “But we won’t be able to have Maxon and Elijah as neighbors ever again.” I’m glad that he understands, but am definitely sad that his statement is true. We’re going to miss a lot about this house.
Outnumbered: the end-of-the-year field trip
Dave gets what State Farm refers to as an “educational” day off each year. The purpose is to give employees a chance to attend something with their kids or to volunteer in a school program and/or activity. Last year Dave used his to take Ben on his end-of-the-year field trip. The had a great day together, so they were both excited to go again this year. This year’s trip was to the Decatur zoo and children’s museum, and they even decided that Emma could go with them. The plan was for Ben’s BFF Boyden and his dad Aaron to ride with them, which made both Dave and Ben happy. Unfortunately, Aaron found out last-minute that he had to go on a work trip this week, so those plans were very quickly changed. Through a very complicated string of phone calls, texts, and emails, the group somehow completely changed to include our babysitter Danielle and three more kids.
So this morning the van took off from Tomorrow’s Promise Learning Centre with Dave, Danielle, and six kids in tow. The car seats were crammed in there tight, but somehow they all fit.
Since I wasn’t there, I could only get a second-hand account of hte trip, but it sounded like everyone had a great time. The weather didn’t totally cooperate, as it was cool and rainy for most of morning, but it did clear up pretty well, so the day wasn’t completely spoiled by rain. Below is one of my favorite pictures from the day:
I love how Ben and Emma are getting a core group of friends. It’s even better that we really like all of their friends’ parents, too. Dave also told me that our kids got along really well and that Ben seemed to be happy that Emma was there with them all. I love that she is part of his group of friends.
Although it really makes me sad that I didn’t get to go to the field trip, I absolutely love that Dave could spend that time with the kids.
Graduation–Preschool style
Tonight the graduation celebration at Tomorrow’s Promise Learning Centre. I was looking forward to it, but was concerned about a few things, too. I knew it would be a bit emotional for me and a bit long for Emma. I was hoping that both of us could make it through in one piece. With a lot of hopefulness, we all piled into the van and headed to TPLC.
The program consisted of three different classes performing dances to songs. They were all very cute and included props, costumes, and choreography. 
The best part for me was during one of Ben’s class’s songs when they all jammed out playing air guitar. Ben even got down on one knee he was rockin’ so hard. I loved it and we were all cracking up.
After the songs, each class marched out during a good-bye song holding a sign with the name of the school he or she would attend next year while waving. 
Even though there were way more “Grove” signs than anything else, Ben was very proud to display his “Prairieland” sign. At this point Emma’s interest started to fade. Thankfully Dave was able to entertain her with some games on his phones. You can say what you want about the silliness of smartphones, but his was a lifesaver at this point of the night.
After each class had performed, it was time for the kids to walk in dressed in their caps and gowns for the graduation ceremony. They were absolutely adorable. Unfortunately, Ben walked in on the opposite side from us, so I wasn’t able to get a picture of him. 
But they did call each student up to the front and present him or her with their diploma. At that time they read what the student wanted to be when he or she grew up. Ben said he wanted to be a racecar driver. ”He would drive really fast and win every race.” Somehow I think that will change a few times before he actually decides on a career. Let’s hope so, anyway.
After the ceremony was over we had a chance to get a couple of great pictures of Ben and one of the teachers he’s had for two years. I know he will miss everyone at TPLC even though he’s looking forward to Kindergarten so much.
The evening ended with cookies and punch. I was proud of Ben, proud of Emma for behaving so well, and proud of myself for not getting too emotional over the whole thing. Maybe we’re all ready to move on to the next stage of our lives.
The mother’s tea
This afternoon I attended Ben’s Mother’s Tea at Tomorrow’s Promise. It’s a sweet event dedicated to how much the kids love their moms. They write a story about us, and this was Ben’s:
My mommy’s name is Geri. She is about forty years old. She has curly hair. In the morning her face is all wrinkled, but later in the day it gets unwrinkled! I think it gets wrinkled from sleeping! she likes to wear pink lipstick. Sometimes she wears her fancy dress to special parties and weddings. She works at the library at a school. She has to teach big kids.
At home she has to put clothes in the washer and dryer and she has to make lunch and dinner. She has to go to stores to buy things…like clothes and food. Her favorite restaurant is Joe’s.
I like it when I can snuggle up with her on the couch. Sometimes we watch movies and play the Wii together. I love my mommy because she is the greatest mommy ever!
I especially love that last paragraph. 
During the program, the teacher read what each student thought was what his or her mom did best. When it was Ben’s turn, she said that I make buttered noodles best. What can I say, I’m a true gourmet.
It was a very special afternoon, albeit bittersweet. It was one of the last preschool events with Ben…but who’s counting?
*sniff*
The Easter story by Ben
This afternoon while we were driving home from Danielle’s we were talking about the weather. Because we really want to have our egg hunt outside we’re all hoping it will clear up before Easter Sunday. But we all keep telling ourselves that it will be okay if it rains, because we can still have our egg hunt inside. That’s when Ben said, “But Mommy, Easter isn’t just about egg hunts. It’s about Jesus dying on the cross.”
“You’re very right,” I said.
“Yeah,” he said, “And he had to have a crown made of thorns on his head.”
“Right,” I said. I was being cautious about what I said because to be honest I wasn’t sure how much he knew about the Easter story. I think it’s a very complicated story for kids to understand.
Ben continued, “And then when he died they put him in a big tomb and put a boulder in front of it. But when they went back to the tomb, Jesus wasn’t there.”
“Right,” I said, “Because Jesus had come back to life and then went up to heaven to be with God.” By now I was impressed that he had paid attention so well in preschool.
“Yeah,” Ben said, “Cuz God is Jesus’ father.” I was smiling in the front seat with a feeling of pride swelling up inside me. Without skipping a beat he added, “Just like Darth Vader is Luke’s father.”
And then for the first time Emma chimed in with, “Yeah, and just like Zuhg is Buzz’s faduh.”
I couldn’t help but busting out laughing at that one. Almost the same, guys. Almost.
Fanks
Last Thursday, Emma brought home a little cup that looked like a puppy filled with colored sand. I’m not sure exactly how they did it, but she told me that they used their hands to fill up the cup with sand. She loved that thing, and was “playing” with it after school. I did tell her to make sure that she didn’t take the lid off, because the sand would spill and we wouldn’t be able to pick it back up. Of course, I didn’t tell her that she shouldn’t throw it down the stairs. Silly me. She did, the lid fell off, and of course there was sand all over at the bottom of the stairs.
She was hysterical…literally beyond consolation. The poor little thing was heartbroken that her sand was gone. We tried to pick some up, but the sand was so fine that it was nearly impossible. I had to vacuum it up, and the hysteria continued. I finally got her settled down when I told her that I would ask her teacher, Mrs. Thomas, for more sand.
Tonight, I finally brought some home from school and we refilled her puppy cup. She was so relieved and happy about it. Such a simple thing was like the greatest gift she could ever get. So she wanted to say thanks…or in her vernacular, “Fanks”. Together, we wrote Mrs. Thomas a note to do so:
By the way, the lips represent a kiss. I’m so glad that she wanted to thank her teacher for going the extra mile. I hope that instinct never goes away.
