Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to school we go...

I woke up at 6:30 am this morn to get myself together so I could be ready for the kids and Sophie was already in the hallway completely dressed waiting at the window for the bus. So excited! Her school requires all the kids to wear a baseball cap of a certain color (all classrooms have a different color) so when they got off the bus, the staff can quickly identify the newbies and get them to the right classrooms. She will have to wear it for 3 weeks until everyone knows each other and comfort has set in. It's pretty mind-boggling..8 classrooms with 20 kids a piece..can make for a confusing drop off!

The backpack was ready, the lunch was packed. We were all ready. Brian went in late to work today to see her off on the bus. This was a definate can't miss moment in her life..so we were ready with the camera and the camcorder.

So, the bus rolls up and Sophie steps on the bus and didn't even turn around. I had to yell to her to blow me a kiss goodbye, but she ignored me as she boarded the bus. All my neighbors told me this is exactly what you want her to do..but I still felt jilted. I'm just happy to see her so excited to go to school! The one glitch is the bus had to pull over at the corner to make sure all the kids were seated. I just hope she had a seat before the bus started rolling..I think that would have got her upset!

Later that morning I hosted a "coffee and kleenex" breakfast for all the rookie kindergarten parents in our MOMs club. Suprisingly the coffee ran out, and we didnt really even need the kleenex!

I can't wait for her to come home to hear about her day!

Here We Go!

Today was the day we have been counting down to all summer. The first day of kindergarten! It wasn't exactly a full jam packed day..it was gradual entrance and mom got to go with her. We had the afternoon session and Sophie was wearing her backpack for a good part of the morning, busting at the seams to go.

Sophie got Ms. Devivo for her K teacher this year and I couldn't be happier so far! She is so sweet that her classroom should have been made out candy. She was really great with the kids. The kids got to do a getting to know you activity while the parents filled out all of the paperwork. They got to take a little field trip to the cafeteria to get a drink and learn that routine. Before you know it, the 2 hours were up and it was time to leave.

We hit the ground running tomorrow with the school bus. They give all the kindergartners baseball caps with a color that goes with each homeroom. So, as they get off the bus, they can escort the kids to the right class.

No homework for Sophie tonight, but I have many more forms to fill out...
Report back tomorrow for the "official first day" in my opinion..bus and all!

One Lump or Two?

When you have a child you start thinking of things you want to experience with them as they grow up. For Brian, I'm sure he can't wait to go to a football game with Mason, or share a beer with him (when he is 21 of course!). Having a girl, I have several things on my list of things to do with Sophie. Pedicures and manicures, shopping, the American Girl Store, and going for tea.

Tea by Two is a great tea room in Bel Air that I have been to a few times with my girlfriends. It's cozy and only has about 7 tables. I knew this would be a fun thing to do with Sophie before she heads off to kindergarten this week. Sophie had a great time and the wait staff got a kick out of the little customer they had. The tea room only allows kids 5 year old and up so Sophie was the youngest customer there today. The offer a really cute kids tea which included pb&j finger sandwiches, chocolate chip scones and a teapot shaped cookie. She was able to get lemonade which they served in a teapot. She also loved my cucumber sandwiches as well. Her favorite thing that she tried was lemon curd. She was eating it by the spoonful.

She was very well behaved and really looked like a young lady with her sophisticated new hair cut and her earrings. Although as soon as she came home she begged to change back into her shorts and t-shirt. The girl is really not about the dresses. She really had fun and I'm really forward to starting this as a tradition with her before she heads off to school each year!

For a Good Cause...

Cancer has unfortunately been part of our family. I remember my aunt dying from breast cancer at the age of 38. My grandfather died from stomach cancer and my dad has had both thyroid and prostate cancer. Brian's family has had it's share too..his mom is a survivor of breast cancer and his grandfather died of cancer. I myself had a big breast cancer scare in 2004. It has been an affliction we have been unable to avoid. When it comes to charitable contribution, the American Cancer Society always takes priority in our family. For the past 18 months Sophie has been growing her hair in order to donate to "Locks for Love". The charity takes donated hair to make into wigs for people who have lost their hair through chemotherapy. It has been a long 18 months and it seems like it took forever to grow..but today was the day we did the big cut. We figured the timing was right..starting school next week with a fresh new hair cut.



She was very excited to lop off the ponytail. She knew she was doing good for someone else, plus she was ridding herself of the long mane that always seemed to knot up and put her in tears when combing.

Afterwards we went to the mall for some shopping. Sophie worked up the nerve to get her ears pierced! Once I paid, she chickened out and started crying. Her response to the technician was "leave me alone, I never did this before, I'm only five years old!". With some coaxing and bribing I was able to calm her down and get her to sit in the chair and get it done! She barely cried and was quite pleased with the end result!

What a day for Sophie!

We interupt this Program for a Very Important Message...

Sorry for the delay in blogging. We have been away for about 2 weeks. A week in Vermont and nearly a week at the beach. Details of the trips and pictures to follow when I catch my breath...

However, this can not wait....

Mason is toilet trained!!!!! Oh yes! We got the peeing down 100%. Pooping I'm sure will remain a challenge as I experienced with Sophie and other kids I know..but what a milestone for us! He has been consistent for the past 2 days, scarfing down the skittles, m&m's and collecting Thomas trains..and I am close to tears. It has really been a battle the last few weeks and it had me so frustrated.

Oh yea!!!!!!!!!