White Halloween

So it's the 29th of October...and we have several inches of snow on the ground!!  It's not the most horrible thing in the world, just a new experience for me.  It was amazing to watch it come down, to tell the truth.  The snow started not long after 8 in the morning and continued with a vengeance until sometime after 5pm!  The flakes were like more like chunks, globs even.

 However, I was the "not so prepared" mom on the block.  I looked up and down, side to side for the better part of an hour and could not find Reese or Logan's snow boots.  I had every ones snow suit's but only could find Logan's hat and cloves.  I finally decided that after lunch we'd just put on two pair of socks, tennis shoes and some socks on the hands too.  Okay great, we have a plan!!  And then about that time, the power went out.  Well we cant very well go outside where it's cold enough to snow and then come inside to a cold house.  Poor Logan had to have me explain to him "one more time" like 7 times.  He was crushed.

  But what's new, right?  It starts snowing in October, and I'm not prepared.  But we made due with puzzles, a game of match, some Polly Pockets, and finally a late nap all together in my bed to stay warm.  The power finally came back on.  And by then Jeremy came home and had taken all 4 kids to his parents.  So, I enjoyed a nice bath with some bath salts...okay, okay, I used some of the kids bubble bath too!  It was nice.  So, here's to snow days.  Today was fun, but I'm hoping that the next one is a good month or more away and I plan on being more prepared.

The first week photos

To sum it all up, Reese loves school and momma is getting used to the idea.  Nothing that I originally had thought would be hard,  was actually as hard as I thought it would be, but then again nothing I thought would be easy, was really all that easy.  It's hard to explain the little girl that has been under your wing for the past 5 years all of sudden doesn't need you in the same way any more.  I'm sorry, I need a moment of silence..............................................................................................................................................................
  K!  So, here are the rest of the weeks photos.  Enjoy :)

 Wednesday

 Thursday

Friday

Round two!

I mean, is she ready or what?!  Needless to say Miss Reese is excited about school.  Did you notice her shoes?  Don't forget her name means "trend setter" so watch out...lol!

 So day two was easier than the first.  We went right in together (she settled for holding my hand today, poor thing).  We meant a new friend at the doors of the gym.  Samantha's mom and I talk and introduced ourselves's and then off Reese took off with her new friend and teacher.  It felt much different than yesterday.  But I'm still processing that Reese is already in school..wow!

  But my happiness would end before I would even get back to the car.  As I exited the school house doors, I hear a member of the staff talking very loudly to someone else about how this needs to be the last day of walking kids into school.  "It's time to ween them off" I hear her say.  "Tomorrow is it, no more walking them inside."  Mmmmmm.....my thoughts are all over the place.

 I did make brief eye contact with the woman making the bulk of the comments and I decided not to interject because she's not actually talking to me, but I can't help feel as though the comments are directed at me anyway.  I was after all one of very few parents today not dropping my child off from the car.  However, lets get real here.  First of all it's only the second day of school.  Secondly, I'm offended that anyone would judge me for my decision to walk my daughter into school.  It's my decision to make. And I'll make that decision not to walk her in when I'm good and ready.  Like when I feel secure and absolutely sure that Reese knows exactly where to go.  Which let me just state, that the kindergartner's aren't even walking to their classrooms at this point.  Their meeting their teacher in the gym and then walking together to the classroom. Which is fine.  I completely support the decision the faculty and staff has made. But until  I know  Reese knows where her classroom is, I'll be walking her there myself.  I'm her parent, and  it's my responsibility to ensure her safety.  So I might just walk into that school house until she's in the 3 grade if I feel it necessary. 

 And believe you me, that's exactly what I plan to say to the next individual whom thinks it's their place to under mind that decision a parent has made weather it be to walk their child into school or not.  I'm just frustrated that I already have a bad taste in my mouth and it's not even the third day of school.  They better be treating Reese well...



Firsts Con't

                                                                       



Okay so today was the day.  Reese's very first day of school.  It was a test for all of our emotions.  Here's the low down:

 7am: Wake up call for the whole family.  Time to feed everyone and get dressed.  By 7:30 Jax and I were the only two not dressed and there was more excitment running around the living room than a 3 yr old's birthday party, clowns and petting zoo included.  Reese made sure I buttoned every botton on that crisp, purple plaid dress. We fixed her new hair band 86 times and she made sure her pretty purple necklace was on during every hair band replacement. 

8am: Everyone is ready and accounted for and out the door we go.  First we drop off Jeremy's car at the shop for and inspection and oil change and then down the road we go to Fayeteville Elementary School.  We were a bit early but alas the clock hit 8:45 and I walked Reese through the parking lot and up to the school house doors.

 It was when we hit the doors that everything changed.  Suddenly her sweet, soft, little hand slipped right out of mine and for a breif second I thought she was having a change of heart and making a run for it.  But when I looked down at her, she continued her little lady walk towards the doors and the I asked "You can't hold my hand?!" I really thought it was a mistake on her part and I'd feel her warm hand back in mine any second now...Ummmm, no.  Instead I hear, quite calmly I might add, "Mom, I'm growing up."

 Wait, excuse me?!!!!! I mean, I figued this day was coming. In a year!! The first day of school, of KINDERGARTEN?!  Well, not that I would ever tell her so, but I thought it was quite rude! Umph!
 We filtered through all the other parents escorting their children in, and found our way to the gym where her class was meeting.  It was time to say good-bye.  So I knelt down and said with a smile on my face, "This is it Reese.  I love y.."    Reese: " Mom" as she grabs both my hands into hers. "Your going to be just fine without me.  And trust me, God is going to be with you.  You may not be able to see him, but I PROMISE, he's with you today"
 
 I couldn't believe it and I couln't hardley keep myself togother.  I had to hurry up before I lost it completly.  We hugged, we smiled (some of us faked it) and off I went.  I totally did a look over my shoulder and there she stood waving hystericaly and smiling at me.  I turned back around and pulled my sunglasses down over my eyes and ran out of the school as fast as I could, tears rolling uncontrolably. 

 The next couple of hours were spent rather queit between Jeremy and I and once he held me and let me cry it out.  I think Reese leaving on such a good note made it easier for me to get through the day.  I had a couple of moments here and there but overall I was rather proud that I never had to find my way to the pantry for a paper bag to breath in.

  Finally! 3:00 came!  So excited to pick her up, Jeremy and I were!!  Logan and Brooke were too.  I don't think they really realized how much they missed her until we went to go get her.  Logan said "I hope Reese doesn't have to go back to school, I want her to stay at home so I can love on her all day."  Sweet boy!  And there she was.  That little sparkle of sunshine was patiently waiting for us with still a smile on her face.  I think she was as excited to jump in the car as we were to have her.  After all, she had a story to tell!

 Oh, did she ever gab!   We heard it all.  From the moment she, herself almost lost it right after I left the gym that morning to how excited she was to see and get to play with her friend Jake on the playground.  She had a great day and we enjoyed hearing every moment of it over a cake I baked in honor of her first day of school.

Firsts

Reese 09'

I Trust You'll Treat Her Well

World, I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress.. with two blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I Trust You'll Treat Her Well.
She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school.
And never again will she be completely mine...
Prim and proud, she'll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodbye and walk with little-lady steps to the nearby schoolhouse...
Gone will be the chattering little hoyden who lived only for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world.
Now, she will learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called...
She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for deadlines...
She will learn to giggle and gossip... and to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue.
Now she will learn to be jealous...and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside...and now she will learn how not to cry. 

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a crack in the sidewalk...
Or will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. 

Now she will worry about important things...like grades...and what dresses to wear...and whose best friend is whose.

Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time... and staying after school...and which little girls like which little boys...And the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls. 
And she'll find her new heroes.  For five full years I've been her sage and Santa Claus...her pal and playmate...her parent and friend. 
Now, alas, she'll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right).
No longer will her parents be the smartest, and greatest in the world.

Today, when the first school bell rings, she'll learn how it is to be a member of the group...with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too. 

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies don't laugh out loud...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or watch ants scurry across the cracks in a summer sidewalk...
Today, she'll begin to learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. That "the group" can be a demanding mistress... and I'll stand on the porch and watch her start out on the long, long journey to becoming a woman.

So WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL.


Author  Dan Valentine

More from my kitchen

A little story coming from Big Dan's kitchen.  I was super excited when Shay gave me a super easy recipe for Chicken Pot Pie.  I made and not only did I enjoy it, but my kids did to!!  That's a big deal because quite frankly, I'll eat just about anything but my kids are a bit more picky.  Of course so is the rest of the world.  But honestly, it was good.  I may not be a picky eater by a long shot, but I do know when something is worth eating again.  My next proud moment in the kitchen was when I made another Hinson favorite and barbecued some pork chops.  Again, a hit.  Then the next night I pulled something out of my butt and fixed a little shrimp, pasta, and veggie dish.  It was simple, true but the fact I could come up with something on the fly is where I could really pat myself on the back.

  But what goes up most come down...like my confidence.  So it's been a few weeks since we had chicken pot pie and because it was so easy and so good I tempted fate a second time.  This time though I was running a little short on time AND the kicker, Jeremy was home for dinner and for some odd reason decided to try my dish.  So,the kids were getting picked up for VBS and I had to pull my dish out a few minutes early.  It smells de-lish and the kids and I are tearing it up.  I know a few bites into it that I should probably say something when Jeremy beats me to it and saids:  "My wife, I love her.  She tries."   Me: "Hun, I know the dough is a little under cooked.  Can you not just eat it anyway?"  Jeremy: "Hun I love you, but no."  I mean, why?  Why do I even try?!  Well really, why does Jeremy have to eat my dinner the night it's not perfect.  I swore up and down to him that I really do know how to make chicken pot pie, but needless to say he doesn't believe me and he went and got a burger! 
Umph!

Early Days

Dear Friend,
  I titled this one "Early Days" because these memories go pretty far back in my up bringing.  Jr high, I guess is when we met.  I say I guess because it's hard to pinpoint "Jr. high" when you attend the same school from grades K-8th.  But those were the days!  Gosh, I can't even remember what grade we actually met it anymore.  You hadn't always attended Farm you, so it must have been 6th or 7th grade.  I'm thinking 7th.  I only remember us hanging out your house a lot on the weekends.  I feel like we had so much in common back then.  It was an awkward time for us both.  It's hard when your no longer a girl, but not quite a woman...hahaha, gotta love when you quote some Brittany Spears.  We are both the first born, coming from pretty strict backgrounds (good parents, just stick) and we were both pretty responsible for our younger siblings.  Lets see, I remember listening to a lot of Boyz to Men.  In fact I always think of you when I hear them.  You sang alot, I always thought you had a beautiful voice.  You still sing now as I understand it and I'm so glad because I know it's something that makes you happy. Oh! One of my most favorite memories was going away on some church re-treat type thing.  I have no idea where we were, but we really did have a good time.  You, me and your oldest of two brothers.  The two of yall usually fought a good bit but on that particular trip we were all just having a really good time.  It was good, clean fun and I don't remember any real details, just laughing the whole trip!  Oh, another good one.  You were the very first person the give me the nick name "Danny".  Actually we both had nick names and yours rhymed with mine.  LOL!  It didn't stick then and it's funny now, my husband and his entire family call me by that name.  But again, I will always think of you because your were the first person to call me that on a regular basis.  I probably never told you this but what I got most out of our friendship was being true to myself.  It may not seem like I did a very good job of being confident then or even later in high school, but I firmly believe if it hadn't been for you and I being friends I probably would have tried WAY harder than necessary to fit in.  We were just young girls trying to get through the most awkward time of life, adolescence. We drifted apart while at Union Pines but we have re-connected over the years thanks to FB and blogging.  And although we haven't seen each other face to face in long time, I feel like if we would share lunch, it would be one filled with alot of laughs and smiles.  Your blog makes me smile and for whatever its worth, I'm very proud of you and just want say "Thank You" for your friendship.  Thank you for great memories and truly, one of the most important lesson in life..."be true to thine self".  I write this letter to you, friend.  Hope you enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane.