The Clock Is Not My Friend...

Can I share with you my latest challenges? I am TIRED! I don't know who is more tired at the beginning of the school year, me or my girls? Let me explain my day....

6:30am- Wake girls up to get dressed, brush teeth and make beds.
6:45am- Breakfast and devotions.
7:00am- Shoes on and fix hair, relax with any additional time.
7:30am- Leave house.
7:50am- Drop Tenly at school.
8:00am- Drop Lupe off at work.
8:25am- Back home. Begin To-Do list- watch Today Show in between (HA!).
9:15am- Gianna's snack.
10:00am- Brianna arrives (Little girl I babysit).
11:00am- Gianna eats lunch, Brianna eats lunch.
11:15am- Take Gianna to school.
11:30am- Brianna's nap.
12:00pm- I eat lunch. After lunch, continue To-Do list.
2:15pm- Pick Gianna up from school.
2:30pm- Pick Tenly up from school.
3:00pm- Girls eat snack.
3:30pm- Homework and Reading quiet time.
4:30pm- Start dinner, girls clean up any messes.
5:00pm- Eat dinner, feed Brianna.
5:15pm- Bathe Brianna.
5:30pm- Bathe Girls.
5:45pm- Leave to pick Lupe up.
6:00pm- Pick Lupe up from work.
6:30pm- Home, clean kitchen, Brianna picked up (except late nights, I keep her until 8:30-9:00).
7:00pm- Girls snack time.
7:25pm- Girls in bed.
7:30pm- Lights out for girls, finish straightening house and tying up loose ends.
8:00pm- Hopefully by this time I am collapsing on the couch relaxing with Lupe- if I'm lucky!

I like to be in bed by 10:00 when that is possible (which is happening less and less). 

Obviously, one of our biggest difficulties is having one vehicle- which is why I often feel like a taxi service- but I am so thankful for that one vehicle that I try very hard to stay positive about it despite the challenges.

I absolutely love Blogging, although my "Hot Momma's of Broward County" Blog takes a pretty good amount of time trying to keep all of the South Florida activities and events listed. I am in the midst of trying to  figure out the best way to balance out my Blogs with everything else (the reason I have not been able to update this one as frequently the past 10 days).

After looking at this crazy Monday - Friday routine, I can understand why I have had no problem falling asleep at the end of my day lately.

Next week marks the third week of school, and I am trusting my mind, body and soul are going to more adjusted and accepting to our new routine! My friend Joanne and I are going to start rotating drop off/pick ups with our girls (they are in the same class at school), and I know that will take a good half hour off of my afternoon routine.

Has anyone else had challenges like this? Are you as tired (or more) than your kids? If anyone has any advice, it is greatly taken and appreciated!

The Drama Queen Has Taken Stage...

Here in South Florida, we are back in school! Tenly is going into first grade and Gianna is beginning PreK (only 3 hours a day).

About a week before school began we went back to rigid 7:30 bedtimes and began going over our "Morning School Routine". The girls wake up around 6:30, potty, brush teeth, make their bed, get dressed and then we all eat breakfast together while we have our morning devotions.

Monday morning arrived and just as I was about to get out of my bed a little before 6:00- two perfectly dressed little girls greeted me as I sat up...WAY to early!

Typically I may have sent them back to bed until 6:30, but they were so excited and proud that they had already completed everything on their schedule...I was quite proud as well.

They have continued to do this every day this week, although not quite as early, that is until today.
You want to talk about DRAMA...not only can I give you drama, I can give you a drama QUEEN: Tenly Maria! And to make it worse, I had to have some fasting blood work done...that means I had to endure the said drama coffee-less- that is never a good thing!

The day started with a change of mind about her clothes that was communicated very dramatically, a little to dramatically for her to get her way. She was sent back to her room to continue her routine privately out of my sight.

We then continued to breakfast. She informed us she did not want bananas in her cereal- but for some reason her Dad was suppose to understand that she was only saying that because she was mad about her clothes and should of given them to her anyway.

As Lupe began to talk about the devotion we read out of the Bible, she found it necessary to dramatically say, "I know!" to everything he said.

Of course, by this time- she has had way too much grace and chances and I was trying to stay out of the way because I could feel my annoyance rising and I was about to take my place on that drama stage.

From that point on, Tenly was mad if her sister spoke or even looked at her for any reason at all. Everything I asked her was answered with a sigh, grunt and the one thing that drives me crazy- the rolling of the eyes- WHERE does a first grader get this stuff??!!

I hit the limit while trying to fix her hair- she was disciplined.

I am proud that I held my patience to that point; my grace usually does not extend that far (God has really been working on my heart in those two areas). I just hated to send her to school right after disciplining her- what a horrible way to start the day. I was also very aware that she was adjusting to the long days and new schedule and was tired.. Although those are all reasons for her behavior, it did not excuse it and it was not okay.

After I disciplined her, she was in the bathroom and I was sitting there hating how that morning had gone and wishing I could rewind it. Who wants to send their child into school after crying all morning?

My heart sank as she came out of the bathroom and literally collapsed into my arms, sobbing, telling me she was SOOO sorry.

I gripped onto her as tight as I could about to fall off the edge of my emotions. It was horrible morning, but I was so proud that she took responsibility for her actions and said sorry all on her own. As she walked out the door with her Daddy she was smiling and Mommy was left holding back tears.

The dreaded back to school adjustment period is beyond tough. Praying that this year it is shorter than it was last year. Also praying that tomorrow morning comes drama-less....

Mommy Competition(s)

School! The kids are heading back to school next Monday! I am so ready for predictability and a schedule. Tenly will be starting 1st grade and Gianna is starting VPK (Florida PreK) for 3 long hours a day. Not sure how it is going to feel to be without both of them 5 days a week for a few hours- although I am excited to find out. I also love that Tenly has to wear uniforms this year, no more tug-a-wars over outfits and shoes. I am looking forward to these parts.

What am I not looking forward to? 

- The outrageous amount of money to spend on school supplies.

$$PART of the school supplies$$

- The adjustment period for them (averaging 3-4 weeks). You know, they come whiny and tired- pretty much- FRIED! 

- Me losing control- again! I hate not being there to watch and protect their every move as much as I am excited to have them safely out of sight and independent.

- *Learning all of the "new" systems and procedures and people and kids.

- *Being "evaluated" and on display.

Okay, now I will get to the point of all of that.

*Those last 2 I mentioned are the ones that I, as a Mom, hate the most- it's something that my kids must face but it is also something that I face (and I am sure I am not the only one...I hope!).

As most know, I HATE the unknown- change repulses me. That is one of the reasons I am HATING that both of my girls are in new schools this year and I am going have to relearn all of the new systems/procedures: drop-off, pick-up, volunteering, PTO, office staff, teachers, pretty much everything!

I had a horrible situation last year that is haunting me this year. First day of Kindergarten for Tenly, I was both excited and terrified for her and could not wait to pick her up. I felt pretty good about the pick-up procedures, it had been explained and I even asked additional questions to clarify. I felt good until I arrived and something just wasn't making sense- it did not seem like the car line should of been THAT long! I sat in the line anxiously waiting and checking the clock. 

Then, my cell phone rang- it was Tenly's teacher asking where I was...I am IN this CRAZY long car line! She informed me I was in the wrong line, to go around all of the cars and into the loop, as I did what she said I was on the verge of tears! How could I screw up that terribly on my babies first day of Kindergarten?????

As I drove up, there she was- the only kid left standing with the Vice Principle alone. I could see both relief and tears as I got up there. Talk about Mommy guilt, and what a great first impression to leave to the administration and teachers! I felt a pretty big "fail" that day.

You better be sure that even if I know nothing else at the first day of school, I will know about drop off and pick up!

On Friday (for Tenly) and Saturday (for Gianna), we have school orientation. I always feel as if I am being evaluated by everyone for everything. How you look, how your kid looks, what you say, what you do, what you don't say, what you don't do, and every move you and your child make is on display for evaluation. First impressions- yuck- to much pressure.

Who wrote the rules and criteria that goes with this "Mommy Competitions" that we all seem to be on at one time or another? It's pretty sad, as much as we all need each other for support we seem to be always try to "one up" each other. I am ashamed to say that I am not innocent, I have done the same thing to other Mom's that I hate being done to me.

As a Christian it sure is not okay to find myself participating on either side of this unproductive "game". What type of example am I setting if I am giving an unfair evaluation and/or trying to display myself correctly for one- which will usually come across as fake. Most important, what am I teaching my girls as they observe this behavior- because believe me- they notice!

My girls do not have to better than any other, nor do I- as long as our focus is where it needs to be, I think we will be okay. I am really trying to display myself as no one else but Tenly and Gianna's Mom that loves them (and others) unconditionally. I want others to see God's love in myself and in my girls and be drawn to that- not pushed away by me trying to measure up or one-up. Isn't this special time supposed to be all about my kids anyway?

30 Days To School Memories

Tenly's 1st day of Kinder

I know I am not the only one thinking about school getting ready to start as August approaches. The school supply lists, what teacher will they have, who will be in their class, the backpack and lunchbox shopping, etc.

I also know I cannot be the only one who is excited to get back into a routine, but is also dreading losing control once again. Tenly is going into the 1st Grade this year and Gianna is starting PreK- for 3 hours a day I will be without children- what in the world am I going to do (don't worry, I think I will manage to find things to do fairly easily). The hardest part of my kids beginning school is the fact that I am not in "the know" at all times. I am having to put my trust and most precious gifts into the hands of others. "Will they have friends?", "Will they be scared?", "Will someone be mean to them?", "Will they stand up for themselves?", "Will their teachers 'care'?", "Will they remember where everything is?", "Will they ask for help?", my list could go on forever. 

I saw a post on another Blog (forgive me, I did not write the blog down, so this is not my brilliant idea- just my list) last year after Tenly had started Kindergarten. It was "30 Days To Kindergarten"- I hated I didn't see it in time, but vowed that it was something I would like to do every year counting down to school starting. So, I made my list last year- and although I haven't been able to really do it this year (I am babysitting an infant at home now), I still love the idea and think it something we implement more and more. So here it is for the Mom's out there who want to live life to the fullest before their babies begin their "big kid" journey...

You and your child (or children) make a list for every day of the month, each day there will be something that you do that is special or out of the ordinary. I remember the Blogger that the idea came from documented each day with a picture, which would be wonderful (I can see a great Shutterfly Photobook now!). An important part of the process is towards the end, you interview your child (I also think it would be fun for your child to interview you at the same time), ideally you will interview them with the same questions each year to watch how they change/develop/grow (I will put some questions at the very end of the Days). I know we are a little short of the full 30 days- but you could do a 20, 15 or even 10 day countdown.

[By The Way, I ran across this Blog, 30 Days To Kindergarten, (while trying to find the link to the other) that the Mom wrote something special to her son every day while making memories in every moment- it is a very touching read.]

31 Day Kindergarten (or School) Countdown

Day 1- Ice cream date to make our 30 day lists.
Day 2- Barnes 'N Noble Bookstore
Day 3- Fort building
Day 4- Artists Day: Coloring Books and Drawing 
Day 5- Scavenger Hunt 
Day 6- Swimming with friend of choice
Day 7-  Sidewalk Chalk
Day 8- Makeover
Day 9- Mani/Pedi
Day 10- Daddy's Birthday Celebration
Day 11: Movie Night with Blankets, Pillows, and Popcorn
Day 12: Visit Michael's for "Crafty Night" stuff
Day 13: Make Cupcakes
Day 14: Tea Party
Day 15: Bowling
Day 16: Bake a Cake
Day 17:  Pool time fun
Day 18:  Library Day
Day 19: Cook Dinner 
Day 20: Park Play Date and Lunch with Friends
Day 21: Play Do
Day 22: Lunch Date at Sweet Tomato's
Day 23: Game Night
Day 24: Mini golf adventure
Day 25: Canvas Painting for Bedroom Decor
Day 26: Museum Day
Day 27: Fishing
Day 28: Interview Questions (look below)
Day 29: Living Room "Camping"- continue Interview (look below)
Day 30: Beach Day
Day 31: Jaxson's Ice Cream

Interview Questions

Favorite color:
Favorite foods:
Favorite thing to do:
Favorite Friend:
Favorite thing to wear:
Favorite Toy:
Favorite thing to do with Mommy:
Favorite thing to do with Daddy:
Favorite movie:
Favorite place to visit:
Favorite book:
Favorite trip:
Favorite day ever:
Worst day ever:
Something funny that happened to you:
Something sad:
Something happy:
What I’m most thankful for: