Lots of running around trying to make sure every kid knew how they were getting home. (our school has 1250 kids) I managed to forget my keys, so tomorrow's goal is to bring both my pump parts AND my keys -we'll see what else I can manage to forget.
We headed out bright and early and got to my friend Patti's house about 8:30 so we could park nice and close and free. We borrowed Nana & Grandpa's wagon and tricked it out with a bungee cord for Felix's car seat and a homemade canopy featuring parts from an old hamper, clothespins, and a bunch of zip ties.
One of our first stops was the photobooth. I knew the clock was ticking on behavior, and didn't want to miss this tradition. It is hard to tell, but in the last frame Felix has ahold of Relia's hair.
Relia & Felix both had check ups yesterday morning.
Relia is in the 50th percentile across the board. Her hearing and vision screenings were great. She even impressed the nurse with her ability to identify the letters on the vision chart. Now we just have to get her to the dentist. That will probably have to wait until after open enrollment at work.
The 4 sessions I taught were a little bumpy, but nobody seemed to mind too much. They took place in my High School French room, and my third grade teacher, who I idolized as a kid, was in one of my morning classes. Talk about weird.
When I went to pick Relia up from my Mom's after work, it hit me how little I get to be around her now. I miss her. Not in the moment, while I'm working, but when we come back together, I realize it.
I need to cut myself a little slack. This is a new routine for us and will take some getting used to.
Everything inside of me collapsed this afternoon after my first official day back at work. I've never felt this wiped by the first day. Chills, and a headache I can't seem to shake. Plus sadness and insecurity.
I guess I'm feeling overwhelmed by responsibility. Even though I got lots of specific "we really missed having you here"'s today, I left feeling not at all up to the task. But tomorrow is a new day.
A new day where I am leading a District wide Staff Development session. I feel REALLY unprepared for that.
But it will be fine.
I'll figure it out.
is technically tomorrow, but we acted like it was today. This is the first time her real B-day didn't fall on a weekend, so we've always celebrated on her actual day. For some reason this was difficult for me. Do we tell her? (why would you?) Does it matter? (of course, not, silly, she can't tell time) We decided that there was no reason for us to deal with her anticipating for days & days, so she knew her birthday was coming, but didn't know when. We didn't tell her until about 2 hours before her party.
She had a good morning, took a super nap, and when she woke up, there were pink streamers in the dining room, and a wonderful balloon. When she saw it, she told FP "I think it's my birthday". People came, we had tacos, and cake. It was truly wonderful to have so much of our family come to celebrate. We hardly ever have other little kids at our house, and it was fun to have Marshall there.
Aunt Heidi, Marshall making friends with Ozzie
The ladderball championship tournament
Grandma D playing with the giraffe tunnel, Felix & Heidi
Relia got so many amazing gifts. FP remarked that he'd never been to such a girly birthday party. I don't think I have either. She is 100% girl.
The one thing she asked for: a pink umbrella from Grandma D!
Felix with Pat & Liz
Our little Elton
Pink angelfood cake with strawberries & whipped cream made by the fabulous Nana.
Lots of time was spent outside on the swingset
Pat catching me with my camera aimed squarely at her
Grampa rocked Felix much of the evening.
Marshall loved to mow. Where was he when I was working on the yard this morning?
This series of my mom makes me smile
The three year old!
