School Update . . .

Dallas is doing so awesome at school. He LOVES it so much and it just makes my heart swell with pride. In the past weeks I have seen him just bloom. He is usually so shy around new people and new things and preschool has cracked him open a bit. We got to storytime at the library and for weeks he wouldn't participate in the songs and a week after starting preschool he started to join in. He also answers proudly when a stranger asks him a question where before he would clam up and not say anything. He is learning new things and loves to come home from school and sit on the couch and tell me about his day. They are having a Veteran's Day performance and I hear him singing songs from it and I can't wait until I can see him perform it in two months.

My very heart goes to school . . .

I have read the above quote several times. It always struck a chord with me and I felt like it spoke to me. I have always felt that my children were a part of me completely. Today, it took on a whole new meaning.

Today I had to send my sweet little boy to school and it felt like I was sending part of my heart away. I have been trying to prepare myself for this day. I knew it was coming but I have been in denial that my sweet little boy wasn't ready for school. I kept telling myself that he wasn't old enough and that it wasn't his time. Wasn't he just placed into my arms yesterday, where did the years go? I finally realized that he needs this and so do I in many ways. He was showing me that he was ready and I had to get ready too. I searched for a great school and I finally found one that I loved. I waited another week to convince myself I should do it and I finally got the nerve and registered him. We read books about going to school and talked about it how he would handle the transition. All the while I was wondering where my instruction manual was to get me through these changes. Everything we were doing was preparing him and I felt so unprepared. I feel like I know Dallas so much better than any other person and I was scared to send him to the unknown. Would his teachers understand his shy personality, would they force him to do things he wasn't ready to do, would he feel like I left him alone, would he be comforted if he was hurt? The questions just went on and on.

With my questions unanswered, his big day finally came. He was ready and excited. I was nervous and scared. Daddy was able to get off work so we could take him together. I packed his bag and off we went. When we got to school I signed him in and I was able to take him back to circle time where the children were singing songs. He went into the room very cautiously and I told him to sit on the carpet with the other children. I sat behind him and watched him take everything in. I was trying to see everything in his eyes. He didn't look scared. He was just taking it all in. I sat with him for a few minutes and I could feel myself start to tear up. I didn't want him to see me cry because I didn't want to pass my emotion on to him and have him get upset. I told him that I had to go and that I would be back to pick him up when school was over. I told him to have fun and be a good boy and that I loved him. He just told me bye. I barely got out of the room before my tears were flowing. All I could see in my mind was my sweet little baby boy with the crazy hair. We were able to watch on the TV for about 10 minutes. He never cried or got upset. He just sat on the carpet and watched the other children sing songs. He didn't join in or get excited but that is exactly him. I know it will take him time to warm up to this but I feel happy that he isn't afraid. When circle time was over they split the kids up and I heard the teacher say that he was going to go and do art. I watched him walk off the screen and knew it was time for us to go. I was so proud that he did so good and I truly felt like I was leaving a huge part of my heart behind.

When school was over we all went to pick him up. My stomach was in knots wondering how he did. I was afraid he wouldn't have fun or behave himself or perhaps have an accident. When we got there he came running up to us with his bag and his artwork from the day and I can honestly say I don't think I have ever felt more proud. My son, the big boy, survived his first day of preschool. He was excited to tell us about all he did and the great thing is that he wants to go back! When we got home he and I were on the couch and he was telling me about his day. He looked up at me and said, "mama, you're my best friend" and I about melted to pieces. Thank you Lord for blessing me with this amazing child. I don't know how I was so lucky to be picked to be his mama.

The TV that is in the lobby so all the parents can watch to see how their kids are doing. Such a great thing to have!

Dallas James . . .

I love this boy so very much. I can't even put into words how proud I am that

he is my son. He is such a kind and gentle soul. He is always so cautious of new things and his gentle spirit amazes me. He is doing well at our new house too. He loves his new room and likes to swim in our pool, very cautiously of course! He doesn't want to go under the water or get his face wet. We have been going to story time at the library and I let him check out 10-15 books each week. He loves it and it has really sparked his interest in books all over again. He wants to read and read and can't wait to go and get new books. He is starting a daddy and son soccer program on the 9th and it is five weeks long. I really am excited for him to experience something new and special with just Daddy. I think he is going to love it. I am still waiting on a spot for him for preschool and should know at the end of the week. But if all goes well he will be starting next Tuesday. I am nervous and excited for him. I hope he does well because I really think he needs to meet some new kids. I feel bad because I hinder his artsy side at home because Phoebe wants to do everything with us and even simple things like coloring are difficult with her involved. I love this kid more than he will ever know and am truly blessed to be his mama. God was smiling on me when he handed me Dallas' precious heart.

Phoebe Joy . . .

What can I say about this girl of mine...She is truly my test and challenge. She is talking so much it amazes me. She is far ahead of where Dallas was at the same stage. I think she is trying so hard to be like Dallas that she can't learn stuff fast enough. She is putting together 3 words at a time. She learned the word please and now uses it all the time. I have a no paci rule unless it is bedtime or naptime but she asks me all time, "paci, mama...pleeeease" It is hard to say no to her when she says things so sweetly. She is thriving at our new house and has finally learned to sleep through the night. It only took 17 months, but who is counting. She likes to come up and down the stairs by herself and when we come upstairs she likes to make sure both dogs come with us. If just one dog is there she gets off the stairs to go find him and hollars at him to come. Today Oscar didn't want to come and she was standing over him in his bed saying his name over and over. I had to finally get her and try to explain that he didn't want to come up the stairs. Boy was she mad. She is eating so well and I am so happy. Anything I cook she will usually eat. We go to the doctor for her 18month check up on the 3rd and I am anxious to see if she has hit the 20lb mark. She is so cute and tiny and people are so drawn to her. Even though she challenges me so much, I am thankful everyday that she calls me Mama. I couldn't be more blessed to have such a sweet baby girl.

Neighborhood Park . . .

We live in this amazing neighborhood that has like 1,800 homes in it. There are parks and fields all over and the all the streets have sidewalks. Some mornings, if it is below 85 degrees, we try and walk to the park and play. Dallas rides his bike and I push Phoebe in a stroller. It takes about 6 minutes to get there. The funny thing is I can see the park from the back of our house. It is directly behind us but to get to it we have to walk to one end of the street and back track back to the park. The kids like to swing and play in the sand. I can't wait for the weather to cool down so we can use it all the time.

Some Randoms . . .

Phoebe sleeping in her bed. She looks so sweet!

Dallas and Phoebe always watch one TV show before bed together. They usually sit really close together and drink their milk.

The cutest boy in the world!

Yee-Haw!!

You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the girl!!

Making a mess....I mean making cookies . . .

What is a mama to do when it is sooo hot outside and the kid want to stay busy. Well, we bake cookies. The kids really loved playing with the flour and making a big ol' mess.

Both kids loved using the rolling pin. I think I need to get two small ones for next time.

So serious!

Dancing, Dancing . . .

Being that it is usually 110+ degrees outside during the day, my kids usually get pretty antsy. They have loads of energy and no way to burn it. Until I started afternoon dance time. I let Dallas pick songs off my iPod to dance to and we all just have a blast. It is usually the same batch of songs everyday but it keeps them happy. This is our cheap entertainment and it gets them sleepy for bedtime. Which is what I am after, Enjoy!

That's Phoebe . . .

What can I say, the girl has a temper!! I don't know who she gets it from...

Superman . . .

What can I say, all boys want to be superman. I am not sure how he even knew about superman as we have never watched a superman show or read a book about him. It must be instinctual.