It's half the population

I think I have made a big mistake. Whenever the boys have screamed or squealed, I have said, "Wow, it's like I have two daughters. Ya'll sounds like a couple of girls." This may be why I heard Drew shouting in a really ugly voice, "Go away, no, I don't like you." I couldn't believe he was talking to his brother this way. Well, nope, he wasn't. He was talking to a commercial for a Strawberry Shortcake DVD. It was just too yucky, he couldn't stand the sight of it, it made his stomach sick.
Drew won't bother to try and make friends with any of the girls in his class. It's no use reminding him that there are a few girls he loves. He feels they aren't worth befriending. Go figure.
David is a slightly nicer, but still, he steers clear of females. With only two exceptions. We got a happy surprise on the first day of school- a little girl named Peyton is in the other pre-k class. Peyton and David were in Mother's Day Out together twice a week for almost two years. David adores her. Their nap mats were always side by side and they seem to have a mutual fondness for each other. She has huge eyes and skinny little legs. Poor Peyton has terrible food allergies. David is constantly telling me that Peyton can't have peanut butter. As if I were just going to go find her on the playground and offer her a jar. He's really protective of her. So he likes Peyton.
And our kindergarten neighbor. Here is what he told us last night, "Lily is the only other girl I like. So I call her Lily Pad. Then she moves away from me."
Better learn to live with them boys. They're here to stay.

The downside to nice weather

We have spent $80 in allergy medicine this week. The upside to the unbearable heat has been that the boys have been allergy free. The runny noses, wheezing and itchy eyes have come back with a vengeance. Ask me how fun it is to give a three and a four year old two different kinds of nasal sprays. They also take a Singulair at night and a Children's Claritin in the morning. Drew brought two ice packs to bed for his "hurt eyes." He played outside with his Dad and brother for a little bit and came home with burning eyeballs from all the pollen.
You know all the pictures I have on this blog and the boys just happen to be wearing only their underwear? It's because during the spring that became our habit. Strip off everything that came in contact with grass and trees outside and just wear underwear. Roll around on the freshly vacuumed floor that usually doesn't come into contact with shoes. Go play in your rooms where your air purifiers are constantly running. Take a shower to help your stuffy noses and get all of the grass you rolled in out of your hair. They are outside kids who would feel better if they stayed indoors.
It's not going to stop us though. I am getting back on the full court press against allergies and I predict that in a few days everything should kick in and it will be better. After all, David is starting fall t-ball and Drew will be playing soccer in a week or two. In addition to this all of the animals at the zoo have missed us and we have about four different parks we have been absent from.

And I have the pictures to prove it.

Albeit crummy pictures, they prove that Drew had a great first day of school! The morning started out well. They were in such good spirits that all I could get were goofy pictures. I think yelling at them to make normal faces would have been counterproductive.

Drew got a new shark backpack and was excited to finally wear it on his day of school!

My neighbor distributed fliers on Friday asking everyone with school kids to come over for "Doughnuts in the Driveway." How cute is that? Her husband went and got doughnuts, she made sausage rolls, and another neighbor (stay-at-home-dad) decided to carry over his waffle maker.

Hopefully, it will stay a tradition! It was very fun.

This is Drew with one of his teachers. All of the centers were set up and the kids had free rein to explore as they walked in.

Drew hung his shark backpack up and found his best friend. He didn't need me. And I'm glad.

When David and I walked over to his classroom, he was playing on the playground and peeking through the fence watching and listening the drum section of the marching band practice. (Doesn't every preschool have that?)

By the time we got back to the car both boys were tired. Drew is taking a rare nap right now and David is whistling in his bed.

I feel so relieved that both boys love their schools. I could almost cry typing this. Nah, think I'll just read a magazine.

Dear Other Parents,

I know that you may be busy, but hey, we all are. So while you may not like waiting in the carpool line, it is not acceptable for you to drive past everyone else and cut in at the front. I don't care if your SUV is shinier and newer than everyone else's. You shouldn't do that. Not nice.

Oh, and Mom That Accosted the Teacher's Assistant for twenty minutes on the first day of school, that wasn't nice either. Yes, your kid may need to ride the daycare bus some days and ride home with her grandma on others. We all got to hear about it. But stick a note on her shirt and write a note to her teacher. That's what normal people do. Were you expecting V.I.P. treatment? Sorry, it's public school. You probably won't get preferential treatment with private school either. If you homeschool your super star, then and only then can she be favored in the eyes of you, her teacher, and her principal/dad. You are headed down a road of frustration if you are already getting your knickers in a bunch over things as small as this.

Perhaps the Cutter and The Time Monopolizer could get together and sign up to be home room parents. Because as it stands there is only one name on the list. And I really don't want to do all of it on my own.

On second thought, scratch all of that. I was mildly annoyed, but I'll get over it. I know a secret. And that's this- kids with parents who abide by the rules and are involved follow suit. Those parents usually have great students.

To end much more positively. David's first day went great!!! He loved every second of it.

You're gaining a treasure Mrs. T.

David's been super duper whiny the past three days. I'm talking throwing himself on the floor and saying, "No, I don't want a Popsicle and to go swimming," whiny. You know when kids just act as though nothing will please them? That's been my eldest at my house these past few days.
And it may be that his little arms are sore from tubing on Table Rock Lake last weekend. Or that the downside of the temperature not being 105 degrees is that his allergies have come back with a vengeance. Or the discontent may be that he is nervous about starting school. Probably a combo of all three things. This isn't like him.
At David's "Meet the Teacher," his teacher told the kids and parents that she would read, "The Kissing Hand" and then each Mom would put a kiss in her child's hand and leave. She asked that we promptly exit. I was reiterating this to David while he was taking his bath this evening. I also added that I would put my sunglasses on before I left his classroom and he would know when I put them on that I was going. This added step is because I know he won't cry, I more than likely will. Don't want him to freak out if there are tears in my eyes.
There looked like there will be multiple kids crying in David's class. Several wouldn't leave their parents side for a second. And, since Drew will be with me in the morning and I don't want tears to rub off on him, I was trying to explain that some kids have never been away from their moms to go to Bible class or the nursery at workout or VBS or stayed with a babysitter like they have (both boys started saying that those places were so much more fun without me.) So those kids might cry, because they don't understand that mommies always come back. David's eyes got wide and he started unconsciously scooting towards Drew and putting his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Well, Mom, hey Mom, I'll be the one that cheers everyone up. I know just what to do."
The thing is, he probably will be helpful like that. He started asking each kid at his table during "Meet the Teacher" what their favorite color was and distributing the counters that the teacher had set out for them to play with. Very nicely and diplomatically.
I am not saying that he won't roll around on the floor like a dog. He may giggle when the letter "P" is said. Sometimes he sticks his hands down his pants, just cause. But his joyful spirit and ability to compromise and get along with other kids will be an asset to his class. He's going to make two pre-k teachers very happy.

Some tips, maybe they'll work this time

David is starting school on Thursday. New school, won't know a soul in his class, but he is pumped and counting the hours. I think I am going to have to work really hard to keep it together as he walks into that big elementary school building. He's ready for pre-k. I am glad it's only half day.
If I cry, I'll be shooting myself in the foot because Drew will be with me. And he'll start school the following Monday. Anyone remember what a colossal bust his five weeks of mother's day out were? I think half day preschool will be much better for him. After all, his teachers have already come to visit and shown him pictures of the classroom. Oh, also, he'll have an open house on Friday and get to go play in the classroom. Did I mention his BFF with be in his class as well? Drew seems pretty excited.
All the same, I am pulling out some old tricks.
1) Read "The Kissing Hand" and "I Love You All Day Long"
2) Give as many choices as possible on the way to school (what do you want to listen to on the radio, who do you want to sit beside, do you want to open the door, etc.) Ultimately, they'll go into their classrooms, and feel like it's their idea and that they are in control the whole way.
3) Spend a little extra time laying stuff out and doing prep. work so that their is absolutely no hint of rush or stress in the morning.
4) Continue praying for a good school year for all of these kids and teachers and ask you to pray specifically for David and Drew as well!

Please. Stay. This. Age. Forever.

Because sometimes I laugh so hard my sides hurt. David is either funny, very happy or really sweet these days. I'll take it.