Playing catch up

So, once again, it's been a while....

Jason said, "Um, so are you not writing our family blog anymore because you're going back to work?"

Truth is-- I'm thinking of a blog post as we speak for my professional blog... (required piece to the puzzle of working here)-- I'm stuck and over-analyzing what I'm writing *shock* so I decided to take a break and go back to my first love--- my PERSONAL blog :)

What's happened since the beginning of July??

TONS.

We went to Colorado.  Post and pics to come.

I've been back at work since August 6.

Jack transferred to a new school.

Sarah started 5th grade, and she is definitely acting like it's her senior year in elementary school.

Caroline is in 1st grade.  She has the same teacher Sarah and Jack had so it's kinda like revisiting an old friend when I get an email from Mrs. Salmon.

We have a babysitter in the afternoons.  The kids call her their nanny because it sounds fancier.

And... I'm tired.

The most tired I've been since my babies were little.

But... I'm so happy!

The happiest I've been in a long time.

This is the best first week (with kids) of a new job I've ever had.  I have no idea what I'm doing most of the time.  I'm winging it, faking it til I make it, and learning as I go.  But I feel so supported by the staff that I'm not scared to ask questions or mess up.  It's incredibly freeing and empowering to work in an environment like this.

................

Huge milestones today--

I got my very first parent phone call.  So exciting :)

I even ventured into the lounge today and ate with other people. Super proud of myself :)---

The past 3 days I've eaten at my desk. Partly because I've been busy.  Partly because I didn't have anything to heat up so going to the lounge seemed unnecessary.  And partly because I still feel new and was scared to eat with everyone else.  Very "new girl in the cafeteria/ Do you mind if I sit here?" type feelings.   But I pushed myself to be brave enough to commune with others. ;)

Yay me!!

One of my biggest parenting fails

 Good grief! It's been a while since I've blogged.  I've said it before and I'll say it again... I like this therapeutic rambling journal I call "my blog".  So I hate when I'm too busy or tired to log on.

 

Weeks ago I alluded to this parenting fail.  I have a million fails every week, but what makes this one particularly bad is that I thought I was a parenting hero... until reality and humility smacked me upside my head.

 

Here's the scoop...

 

Caroline came home from school and asked if she could write her friend, Taryn a letter and mail it to her.  (Taryn lives about 100 yards away, but who doesn't love getting mail, right?!)

 

Sarah has mailed letters before.  Jack has mailed letters before.  This is not an unusual thing for my kids to want to do.  

 

So I said, "Sure!"  And then probably went outside to work on my tan. 

 

Which brings me to this point... With each kid, I'm more exhausted and seemingly less tuned in.  It's not ok, I know.  But the lines of "laid back parent" and "bad parent" get reeealllly blurry by Kid #3. 

 

When Jack and Sarah used to write letters to their friends, I would read them before we sent them off.  Now when Sarah has an issue with school that she needs to address with a teacher, I encourage her to email her teachers.... BUT the rule is: "You can't hit 'send' until I've read the email." 

 

But when Caroline decided to write a letter, I gave her a marker, a piece of paper, an envelope and a stamp. What is wrong with me??

 

She asked me to write Taryn's address on the envelope.  So I took it from her and did just that-- addressed the envelope.  Without a care in the world about what was INSIDE the envelope.  Seriously WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

 

Look how sweet the back of this envelope was.... 

 

 

 

 

Taryn is Caroline's best friend. 

"Love Caroline" on the outside of the letter. 

Let's put this thing in the mailbox.

 

 

Around 7:30, I partially awoke from my bad parenting stupor and had the wherewithal to ask, "Hey, Caroline, what was in that letter that we put in the mailbox?"

 

Caroline said, "It was an apology letter.  I was mean to Taryn at recess, and I wanted to say sorry."

 

My 5 yr old....  My sweet, precious, 5 yr old ANGEL BABY.  Writing an apology letter.  Taking responsibility for bad choices and making it right.  I'm fairly certain I wiped a tear from my eye.

Dang, I've got some sweet kids.  Must be my all-star parenting.  I. am. AWESOME.

 

A few minutes later, Caroline asked if we could pull the letter out of the mailbox. 

 

Ok, now I'm WIDE AWAKE from my bad parenting stupor.  I give her that squinty, Mom look.  You know the one.  The "what's going on?" look.

 

But otherwise I played it cool.  "No problem! I'll go get it right now."

 

I went out to the mailbox, pulled the letter out, and opened it.

 

 

 

"Thanks for ruining my friendship.  Mean Fat Taryn.  Love, Caroline"

 

The "Love Caroline" throws me.  I need to teach her to commit to the anger.  And while I appreciate the darkness of the black heart-shaped butterfly, it is still smiling. And colored a pretty purple. ;) Kidding 

 

Y'all.

 

I had addressed this envelope.  Taryn's name and address were in MY handwriting, implying-- of course-- that I knew exactly what this letter was and that I fully approved sending it.  (Because most parents WOULD know what was in the envelope.)

 

I was embarrassed about how BAD that would've been if the mailman had delivered it.  Horrified that I had fallen asleep at the proverbial parenting wheel.  And angry that Caroline would write such mean things, especially when I thought she had been writing an apology letter.

 

And THAT'S when the REALLY big whammy hit me.  Not only was she not writing an apology letter, my "sweet angel baby" had looked me in the eye and lied with an elaborate, yet convincing, cover story.

 

An apology letter because she had been mean to Taryn at recess???  I mean, that took some thought.  It's not an "Oh it's a picture" lie.  It's a lie with a backstory to make it more believable!!!

 

Yikes!!!

 

I laid into her.  And I was deservedly knocked off of whatever arrogant pedestal I had put myself on for the last several hours.  And was reminded.... DON'T GET LAZY.  Don't "dial it in" and assume that the kids are doing the right thing. 

 

My mom always says, "Trust. But verify!"  No joke.

 

Caroline has always kept me on my toes. And this is no exception. 

 

.........

 

P.S. Sorry about the dirty fork in the second picture. I was sampling a red velvet cupcake just before I decided to blog.

 

 

 

 

 

What a crazy week!

Long time, no blog. This has been a FULL week. 

On Monday, I went to my new school, got the key to my office :), and took a tour of the building.  I CAN NOT express in words how much I love my principal, the people I've met so far, and the idea of being the K - 2 counselor.

No words.  Honestly.

I'm nervous, but I think it's a "healthy" nervous.  I feel so supported already and was met with a thousand "We're so excited you're here!"s.

...................

On Wednesday, I met to discuss decorations for Vacation Bible School.  Thrilled to help out and NOT be in charge.  Sometimes it's fabulous to be an Indian rather than the Chief. 

Am I right?

On Wednesday, I also got an email that Caroline had been selected to receive the Principal's Proclamation Award for the last 9 weeks.  So proud of her!!!  She's a great kid!

....................

On Thursday, I got an email from Jack's teacher that he has qualified for Math Rocks.  Math Rocks is a pull-out Math program in which, essentially, students can complete college math (depending on their intended majors) before they leave high school. 

High School Honors Algebra and Honors Geometry are completed by 8th grade. 

The University of Texas at Dallas developed this program.  And they offer dual credit to these kids starting in 9th grade.

Math Rocks is for incoming 4th and 5th graders, but they will invite incoming 3rd graders, like Jack, into the program if they are more than 3 standard deviations above the district mean on their Math MAP scores.

(I read "blah blah blah" when I read that last sentence, but in reality, it means Jack is in the top 0.3% of 3rd graders in Plano ISD when it comes to Math.)

He was SO EXCITED to qualify.  We were excited for him!!!

The catch?  He has to transfer schools.  From Barksdale to Brinker. 

Brinker is a FANTASTIC school five minutes away from us.  But my sweet Jack doesn't like change.  Who would really want to switch schools halfway thru elementary school??

So then the internal angst starts for me as his mom....  Should I force him to transfer and seize this opportunity?  Does it really matter if he's challenged and accomplishes all he's capable of accomplishing at such a young age?

And then I thought of Shelton.

A private school for students with learning differences. I know of at least 3 families who, without hesitation, pulled their children from their home schools to give them an opportunity for an education more tailored for them.

So yes.  Jason and I have decided to have Jack transfer schools.   This is an educational opportunity we don't want him to forfeit.

And school is his sport. 

Parents don't hesitate to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on private coaches and special equipment for students who show athletic promise.  Why should I hesitate to allow Jack to be pushed (for FREE) to his full potential when he's showing academic promise?

................

Next year will be a big year for all of us.

I will be working full time.  I will miss Meet the Teacher and Open House for my kids.

My kids will be at 2 different elementary schools. 

Jason will have to step up in a BIG way to make all of the logistics work.  (And he's willing and able to do just that!)

We have hired a babysitter to help every afternoon after school.  I've NEVER been away when the kids are home from school.  Big difference!

..................

But can I tell you.... AGAIN... that I'm excited?!

I'm excited that we're all growing up as a family.  We're taking chances and seizing opportunities that we've worked for.

I'm relinquishing control to Jason and our babysitter....  (That's not easy to do, by the way!)... but is healthy for me and positive for Jason. 

He deserves the chance to be "fun dad".  And the dad that is here when they're sick.  The dad that volunteers for field trips and the first one to find out about report card grades.

He's willingly handed all of that over to me for 10 years.  But I'm not so sure he really understands what he's been missing while he's worked VERY hard to provide for us. 

Now-- we share responsibilities like never before. 

I help provide.  He helps with the kids.  And I think he's going to appreciate what I've been through the last decade a lot more...but he's going to LOVE those kids in a new way too.  I'm excited for him!!

And I'm excited for me!! I'm earning more than ever before! I'm going to be doing something I love! I'm going to respect what Jason's been doing for the last decade like never before.

BIG changes for the McGlamerys are ahead!!

But change is not always bad. :)

Playing on the driveway

It's always good to be home!

A post for my kids

As a middle child of 3, here's a post for my 3.  Read it when you're grown, and it will make sense. Normally this is the type of thing I would write in your journals, but I'm online... and I type faster than I write.  Forgive me. ;)


I am not oblivious to the dynamics of the three of you at this age... (9, 8, and 5)

I acknowledge that dynamics change.

I am WELL AWARE that there are things, have been things, and will be things that I don't see that will affect the way you feel about each other.

But let me go "on record" with what I do see.

First, let me confirm the "beefs" you have with each other that you think I don't see.

Sarah--- She takes over.  Jack and Caroline, you can be playing alone or together.  If you introduce her to the mix, she will make up new rules, talk louder than the two of you combined, and make it hard for either of you to contribute.  You say she's bossy.  I see where you're coming from.  You're not crazy.

Jack--- He thinks he knows EVERYTHING.  Sarah and Caroline, he will correct you.  He will ask you questions that he knows you don't know the answer to just so that he can tell you the right answer.  You say he's a know-it-all.  I see where you're coming from.  You're not crazy.

Caroline--- She acts entitled.  Sarah and Jack, I see that she cleans up slower than anyone else so she has to do less work. She will fein incompetence when she doesn't want to do something.  She has fewer expectations put on her than you older 2 do.  You say she's spoiled.  I see where you're coming from.  You're not crazy.

.........

"So why don't you step in, Mom??"  That's what you're asking, right?  If I see it happening, why don't I intervene?

First, let me say that I do interject sometimes.  But it's not my job to make every road smooth sailing for you. Your siblings give you GREAT practice at resolving conflict and standing up for yourselves.  There are times I hear the arguing and then watch and listen to what happens next.

THIS is how I know what your problems are with each other.  THIS is how I know what your strengths are and where I need to coach you on how to either back off or stand strong.  I wouldn't know your dynamics if I stepped in every time before the powder keg exploded.  Things have to bubble over sometimes.  I can't nip every conflict in the bud.

........


Now let me remind you of the sweet things you think I don't see.

Sarah--- Sarah will drop what she's doing and take you to the park, Caroline.  She is so proud of you and impressed with how smart you are, Jack.  She toasts your Pop Tarts for you and fills your bath water for you, Caroline.  She laughs harder than anyone else at your jokes, Jack, because she understands you in a way that no one else possibly can.  She would WITHOUT QUESTION go to bat for and defend either of you in a HEARTBEAT.  She loves you both!!!

Jack--- Girls, Jack notices when you look pretty, and he tells you.  Caroline, Jack will play games and teach you things and play school with you when no one else will. He lets you spend the night on his top bunk when you have a hacking cough, and it's a school night.  He'll lose sleep to make you happy. He LOVES being your big brother and takes it very seriously.  Sarah, he knows a lot... this is true... but he looks up to you! He knows that you've done more and experienced more in your 9 years than he has in his 8 years.  He may fight over pecking order with you, but ultimately he knows and respects that you're the oldest.  He would WITHOUT QUESTION go to bat for and defend either of you in a HEARTBEAT.  He loves you both!!!

Caroline---  Caroline just wants to keep up with you two.  She loves you both so much!! She knows she can count on you to walk her to class or buy a book for her at the book fair when she's unsure of herself.  She follows you both around because she's studying your every move.  I've heard her repeat jokes and talk like each of you... because she's always watching... which means you have an incredible responsibility to her.  She will likely never be able to give to you the "role model" aspect that you give to her, but she gives you a reason to be the best you can be.  And you have to know that she looks up to you both!  She would WITHOUT QUESTION go to bat for and defend either of you in a HEARTBEAT.  She loves you both!!!

................

A dynamic of three is SO complicated.  Everyone has options.  This one's mean to me so I'll go play with that one.  This one's my favorite. That one was always rude.  It's not just you and one other kid against the world.  There's always room for someone to be the odd man out.

I want to remind you, though, that whatever issues you may feel towards each other as you grow--- while likely valid and grounded in some sort of truth--- MUST be tempered with the unwavering love you show each other daily.

Conflict is normal and natural and healthy.  But you three are a TEAM.  You love each other.  You are bound together-- growing up in this family, this neighborhood, these times.  You give each other understanding and support that Dad and I could never give you.

Hold on to Truth and Love.
Know that I understand that the irritations and injustices you've experienced and will experience are real.
But LET IT GO.
Choose love and friendship, and y'all will make it through whatever life throws at you.

You're good kids, and I'm SO blessed that you're mine!! xoxoxo

First tooth necklace

The first McGlamery kid to lose a tooth at school and get the coveted tooth necklace from the nurse.

It's a big day!!

Knock it out in a day

Since all 3 kids are at the same school, I've become a "See you at 2:45!" kind of mom.

I don't want to volunteer in the classroom.

I don't want to work the school store.

Need a mystery reader? Ask someone else.

If you need parents to send in more glue sticks, I'll hit up Walmart for you.

More Kleenex for allergy season?  I'm your girl.

But I've served my time holding 2 positions on the PTA Board.  I've served my time spending every waking minute with my kids. 

 Now that they're all elementary age, I'm 100% OK with giving them a hug and a kiss and not seeing them again until 2:45.

However, now that I'm not working, I signed up to help with Field Day this year.  First time ever.

I also helped last week with 2nd Grade Measurement Olympics.  

So. Much. Volunteering. I'm exhausted. ;)

Anyway, every year I promise I will eat lunch with them at school... once.  

Today was that day.  And I knocked them all out today.

.......

Jack eats at 11:00.  Sarah is 11:30. Caroline is 12:30.

I worked out this morning and laid on the ground... a sweaty mess.  I finally peeled myself off the ground, looked at the clock, saw that it was 10:08, and realized that I needed to:

~ shower

~ shave

~ get dressed

~ makeup on/hair done

~ get food 

~ and get to school

in 52 minutes.

I realize you might be thinking, "If you're in a rush, why waste time shaving?"  

Because I NEEDED to shave.  Trust me.

You might be thinking, "Well then, just put on jeans or wear a maxi skirt."

Shut up.  Stop making sense.  Hindsight logic is obnoxious.

I was frantic.  And then I started sweating from the shower, the hair dryer, and the flat iron.  There is nothing more frustrating than sweating when you're getting cleaned up.  Am I right?

Somehow I got ready, bought food at Whataburger, and pulled into the school parking lot at 10:59. 

Nothing short of miraculous.

.........

JACK

Jack's goal for 2015 is "to try new sandwiches".

Don't ask.  

But, hey, at least he's goal oriented.

He's added a Reuben and a Philly Cheesesteak to his list of new sandwiches this year.  He wanted me to buy him a Club from Potbelly, but they weren't open at 10:50.

So I got him a Patty Melt from Whataburger.

..........

SARAH

Sarah came out next and she had her Whataburger, ketchup only.  

Her 2015 goal is most definitely NOT trying new sandwiches.  

...........

CAROLINE

Then I had 30 minutes to kill before Caroline came.  So I went to get myself Chipotle, and she had requested McDonald's.

I headed back to the school and got there with time to spare.

..........

I feel accomplished. :)

But I CAN'T WAIT for them to go to school tomorrow so I can get a few things done!

"See you at 2:45!"

Kicking the ball around

Since we drove to soccer practice and suspiciously no one was here, I decided to check email.

They canceled practice an hour ago.

Guess I'm the only dummy who didn't check messages.

I would argue that a texting system might work better to notify parents of cancellations. But oh well.

Might as well play a little since we are here.

Jack + Caroline

This sweet big brother played Twister, Candyland, jumped on the trampoline with, and gave a piggyback ride to Caroline today.

He deferred to her, let her win, and didn't argue.

It was heartwarming! (And saved me from playing Twister and Candyland.) ;)

Daddy/daughter date night

Caroline's turn to go out with Jason.  She chose to bowl as well. :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes a Dad has to prove to his scared 5 year old that bad guys can't break in by coming down the chimney.

#irrationalbedtimefears

Victory!!

Back at Archgate.
Second of three soccer games this week.

But today?

Today we experienced the sweet, sweet taste of victory.
5 - 0

Yippee!! And Caroline is AWESOME!! So coachable. Tell her once and she will make the adjustment and remember the correction.

Love it :)

Encouragement

My love language is words of affirmation.  Quality time is a close second, but by far, encouraging words will fill my heart faster than anything else.

Because of that, I try to be an encourager, and I sincerely appreciate when I see or hear folks affirm my kids.

Tonight the team received the following email from Caroline's soccer coach, Carlos--

Please tell your girls--

That was a fantastic game last night.  They all looked really good at different things, and most importantly they looked like they had a blast!!!!

 I have never before seen a bench with so much spirit and enthusiasm for their teammates.  At one point in the 3rd quarter, i could not hear myself think they were so LOUD...and i totally encourage that!

 Please let them know that I am very proud of them, as i had to leave before the end of the game.  They work so hard and meet/exceed my rather high expectations during practices.... they should hear that we ALL are noticing their EFFORT.

 Hopefully we win a soccer game here soon, but for sure they are proving to be a great group of young ladies.

 C


Don't you love the "Hopefully we win a soccer game here soon..." part? :)  Needless to say, we haven't won yet. 

Carlos did not have to send this email.  He didn't have to appreciate their hard work.  They're 5 years old.  And they're girls who like to spin around and do cartwheels.  They lose.  Repeatedly.  But that's not important to him.  Their effort is.  And he took the time today to lift them up and affirm them.

And now my heart is full. :)

"Kind words are like honey-- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24

First tooth.... GONE

Photo cred: Sarah

jamming to despicable me

I didn't start filming soon enough.😄

I was laughing,  which made my hands shake.

And I'm far away because I feel like she has a sixth sense when I am recording.

Love the natural smile ;)

Caroline's first game

After 2 practices the Lightning Bolts were ready to play their first game yesterday.  ;)

Our coaches are really great.  They don't take this too seriously.  They teach the girls as we go along, but they never yell at them. They seem to understand that part of coaching Kindergarten girls is being patient with kids who want to talk, dance, and twirl on the field.

The only time I heard either of them yell was when Carlos said, "Girls, run the other way!" An important and necessary redirection.

The team we played? Wowsers. Their head coach was intense, to put it politely.  He screamed at them for everything.  He was in a huff about all of it. 

At one point, we were losing 4 - 0. Our parents were laughing about it. Our sweet girls were having fun... not necessarily excelling.

But then we started to catch up! 4 - 3!! :)

At this point,  the other coach stripped the jersey off his goalie and put someone else in. Then he yelled, "If they score one more, we'll be tied. Get it together!"  The goalie was crying;  we parents were watching in disbelief at the way he shamed this kid.  It was painful.

Much to his relief, I'm sure, we did not score again. We lost 4 - 3. 

At the end of the game, when our girls took a knee to listen to our coach, he said "Did you have fun? Y'all did a good job. And we'll keep practicing so we get even better."

Thank you, Carlos, for TEACHING and ENCOURAGING. :)

GO LIGHTNING BOLTS! 

Valentines

Valentine's Day is near, which means the Valentine's Day... er, I mean, Friendship Day... school celebrations are fast approaching.

Of course "Friendship Day" turns into Friendship WEEK in elementary school.  Do you think they're going to pass up an opportunity for a theme week?? Nope!

And with theme weeks come dress up days.  With dress up days comes the responsibility to remember what the heck the kids are supposed to dress up as today.  With that responsibility comes almost certain failure to remember.  And failure to remember results in either pouting-- or at the very least-- a passive aggressive comment from the peanut gallery in the backseat of my minivan when I pick them up from school.

"Today was "dress like a rock star" day.  Guess who was the only kid in my class not dressed up."  [overly dramatic sigh]  "Hopefully next year they'll have a rock star day... but there are no guarantees."

Speaking of no guarantees, there are no guarantees I won't kick you out of my car and make you walk the rest of the way home! Watch out for the busy intersections! Remember to run when the bright red hand starts flashing "stop". 

One thing all elementary school theme weeks have in common--- a pajama day.  It never ceases to amaze me how they can work that one in every time. 

Red Ribbon Week:  "I won't let drugs keep me from achieving my DREAMS."  Wear pajamas.

College Week:  "College helps me reach my DREAMS."  Wear pajamas.

Howdy Week: "No, you're not DREAMING. School is back in session!" Wear pajamas.

I think this week they're dreaming about being good friends or something.   All I know is Friday they're not getting dressed for school.  I'm over changing out of overnight PJs and putting on school PJs.  I dream of a day of one less thing to wash... and I'm making that dream a reality.

This year the girls wanted to make their Valentines.  Sarah is making Rainbow Loom something-or-others.  Caroline drew pictures for every classmate.  All 22 of them.

I thought it was sweet how much she knew about each of her friends.

Just a small sampling...



"Mwango loves ballet so I drew her doing ballet."

This is not a post about the names of the kids in her class, but I know a few of you are waiting for me to make the joke.

"Aiden likes police officers.  That's why I drew this."

And from the stories I've heard about Aiden, this might be a picture that foreshadows.  Except if that's supposed to be a picture of Aiden, he won't be a cop... and he won't be smiling.

Additionally, I have neither met nor heard of a kid named Aiden that is anything less than trouble.  If you know a sweet, respectful Aiden, you just may live in a parallel universe.

"Kennedy loves Christmas."



"Elliot loves recess."

That's a picture of the playground.



After approximately 15 drawings, she grew understandably tired.  And moved to sticky notes.

"Luke likes trains."



"Ethan likes Minecraft.  So I drew a Minecraft pig."

I labeled it.  Because honestly I don't see a pig.  I see dots.  But there is apparently a yellow outline of a pig.  And Minecraft pigs are spotted.  You learn something new everyday.



In order to make her homemade Valentines more appealing, she attached candy to them.

She was very careful to not tape the peanut products to her two friends with severe peanut allergies.  Again, thoughtful... and necessary!  I wonder how severe is "severe".  Hopefully it's ok that the peanut M&Ms are wrapped and in a Ziploc bag.

The candy she found was old Halloween candy.

Did I tell you the story of the missing Halloween candy?  I swore I bought a HUGE bag of candy but couldn't find it.  So I sent Jason out on Halloween night to buy candy.  And he came back with 3 packs of jumbo candy bars, which equated to about 15 candy bars.  Not extremely helpful, but I guess I should have been more specific about what I needed.

Anyway, as I was cleaning out the laundry room over Christmas break, I found the big bag of candy!  It made me feel so much better that I wasn't imagining buying it back in October.  And ashamed that it went missing for months.

Well.. that's the candy she used for her Valentines.

Listen...I understand there's a certain "ick" factor in homemade things.  Especially when it involves food.  (And I know it doesn't look great for me that the candy Caroline is using was purchased-- and lost-- 3 months ago.)

One time Caroline made some brownies and cut an oddly shaped piece for her teacher, Miss Rushing.  When I picked Caroline up from school, I asked her if Miss Rushing loved her brownie.  She said, "Miss Rushing told me she was going to save it for an after school snack."

Mmm hmm... I know what that means. I'm giving the side eye as I type. 
(We're clean!  I swear!)
When I saw how wacky that brownie looked, I should've told Caroline to watch Miss Rushing eat it.  Don't walk away until every morsel is gone. 
Pound your fists on the table while chanting, "Eat it! Eat it!"
Don't let her get away with "saving" it for an afternoon snack.
I'm on to you, Rushing.  And I don't like it. ;)

But I'm hoping that the homemade quality of these Valentines is endearing. 
Sure, there will be some parents who will see the drawn pictures taped to Ziploc bags with random candy inside, and throw it away when their kids aren't looking.  Protecting them from the nastiness they fear lurks inside the bags.

But surely there will be some that will appreciate her effort. 

I know I do.

She put a lot of work into her Friendship Day treats.  And I think she did a great job!

I'm officially a soccer mom!

Caroline had her first practice today. She loved it!!

And I learned that soccer is a sport I know nothing about.

Turns out that soccer cleats are different from softball cleats.
Hmm.

And shin guards are necessary.
Interesting.

Apparently I'm supposed to bring a ball to practice for drills. I guess I'll be going to Academy.

Questions I was too embarrassed to ask:

Do shin guards go on the inside or outside of the socks? From looking around my money is on "inside". But I'm not certain if those were socks with built-in shin guards.  (That is a thing, right?)

Does it matter what size soccer ball I get? My inclination is to go small... And cute. Do you think they make any with butterflies on them?
......

It works well that Caroline is aggressive and not afraid to go after the ball.  It's fun to watch a kid shorter than the other kids fight for the ball... And then think, "Hey, that's MY kid." :)

She was slow dribbling... (check me out with my official soccer terms).... around the cones but had control at all times, which I thought had to be a good thing.

Or is speed better?

Heck, I don't know.

But yay for Caroline! She has completed the minivan mom by turning me into a soccer mom.

At least for the next 6 weeks. 
It's a short season.

Caroline's 5th Birthday

(That was 6 months ago.)  Oops.

So it seems I forgot to post about Caroline's birthday back in July.  I have a few excuses for that...

1. It was REMARKABLY similar to her 3rd birthday party. (Same place, just a little less afraid of Chuck E. this time.) It felt like I had posted about it already.

2.  The pictures were uploaded to Jason's computer so I forgot all about them.

And...

3. I think it's important to forget about each of my kids at different points in their lives so that they know I love them (and forget about them) equally.  I wouldn't want anyone to feel like that he/she is the sole target of my absentmindedness. ;)

With Sarah--  I forgot to get Sarah off the bus when she was in Kindergarten.  Because of that, she took a mini tour of Plano before the bus driver realized she was still on board and returned her to my house.  It was traumatic.

With Jack-- I forget his name all the time.  I call him "Jason" a lot. And I've called him "Sarah" a few times. He's the only kid who's never had an extra curricular activity.  He wanted to play basketball once, but I forgot to sign him up.

With Caroline-- She's been harder to forget since she's been my sidekick at home and at work her entire life until she started Kindergarten.  But I managed to forget to post about her 5th birthday on the blog. This may not seem like a big deal, but-- trust me!-- she'd notice later and give me a hard time about it.  She's a bit of a score keeper when it comes to things like this. ;)

Truthfully, I'd have never documented her birthday if it weren't for Stefani reminding me that I totally forgot!

So without further ado, here are pics from Caroline's 5th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's.  (Or as I like to think of it "Her 3rd Birthday, Part 2".)