Scholastic Happenings

I've decided that x22022 is my lifeline. I call Izzy's classroom no less than 3 times daily to check in. Her teachers are probably pulling their hair out from my persistent mommyness, but they sure act nice about it! Today is her best day so far (3rd day's a charm?). Even though she wails for a few minutes at drop off, her primary teachers- Ms. Jenna ("Nennah!") and Ms. Mandi- tell me that she does really well after about 5-10 minutes- hooray!

Isabelle's "quiet spot" is in the book corner- shocking- our little bookworm! I guess she likes to read when she's sad, and that couldn't make me happier! Let's see... what else?

Oh, this morning was the first time it was warm enough to play outside. Mandi said she liked being outdoors, but got sad when it was time to come in, so she trotted off to her book corner for a few minutes to collect herself. Today is also the first day she didn't take a morning nap... might've had something to do with the fact that she slept 11 1/2 hrs straight through last night... :)

In any case, life is good for Miss Izzy, and it will be even better once her molars are fully in, her congestion dissipates, and her Amoxycillin is all finished. Woohoo!

Off To School

Day one of day care: 6.5 hours down, 1.75 hours to go. Whew. The umbilical cord is officially stretched.

7:35 a.m. Drop off went remarkably well-- the little bean toddled her way right over to the huge blue bunny on the floor and gave it a good, tight squeeze. Then she made her way over to a new friend, Addie, and introduced herself by patting Addie on the head (pics to come). Good start, Iz!

8:30 a.m: Call #1 (What?! It had been almost a whole hour!) I could hear her wailing in the background, but Ms. Kalynn assured me it was only because she got up to get the phone that Izzy was "a little bit sad." Fair enough.

10:05 a.m: Call #2. Ms. Kalynn reported that she was sleeping peacefully in the nap room. Apparently at 9:30 she decided she'd had enough, and crawled into the lap of Ms. Kathy, curled up, and went to sleep. That's our girl.

1:01 p.m: LUNCH! Picture me at a full sprint across the parking lot to my car. Yep, it's true.

1:08 p.m: Peeked around the corner of Izzy's classroom, where she was being cuddled next to her cot by her teacher. Her eyes were getting sleepy, and I got to just stand there and spy on my sweet girl for a good ten minutes while she drifted off to piano lullabies. Like mashed potatoes for my soul, I tell ya. Once I looked at the time and abruptly came back to reality, I hustled out of there and zoomed back down the highway, to arrive at my desk only 2 minutes late. SWEET!

2:17 p.m: I am one proud mama. Our girl is being so brave and so big at her new school! My heart is bursting, my eyes are watering, and only 103 more minutes til I get to pick her up. Not that I'm counting, or anything...

Sunshine On My Shoulders....

Ahhhhhh. The first taste of spring is always SO refreshing- the tulip bulbs, the GREEN blades of grass, and even the mudpuddles (better than ice patches!). We have taken every opportunity to soak up the glorious sun this week-- in the evenings after I get home from work, in the front yard exploring tree bark with Daddy, on a walk-run Saturday morning, at the playground this weekend... It's been a long winter, weather-ly and emotionally speaking, and we are more than ready to delight in the sunshine and new life that accompanies spring. Also, perhaps it's coincidental, but Isabelle seems spunkier than ever recently... she now struts down the sidewalk with glee, exploring each blade of grass, tree trunk, and twig. She still insists on holding on to somebody's finger while walking, but I have a feeling that, with all the new things to explore outdoors, she'll be on her own any day. Craziness.

Speaking of change, we've had an abrupt shift, well, acceleration in our plans this weekend. Reg got a call last night asking if he could come interview for a management position in Fort Collins this week. After some thought, prayer, and a lot of discussion, we decided it would make sense for him to drive out there this week, and spend some time interviewing and networking. Isabelle and I look forward to joining him as soon as possible... In the meantime, I will continue to work, and Izzy will make her entrance into the world of preschool. Again, CRAZINESS. How is our little girl ready to march off to school by herself every day? (Okay okay, it's just the one-year-old room at daycare, but it feels like she's getting on the school bus with her lunchbox, or- GULP- walking into her freshman dorm. I need to go get a tissue!).

Thankfully, it won't be EVERY day, as Saint- I mean Uncle- John has volunteered to spend 1-2 days a week with his niece here at our house. Hopefully this will ease the transition for her, although it will still be a HUGE change, as she's been with her dad almost every week day for the last 10 months. Hopefully she'll be more adaptable than her mother. My Grandma Shirley says the Norwegian in us hates change. I have found this to be comically and painfully true in my own life... Norwegian though I may be, it's one trait I am not proud of! But, I read a quote recently that said, “Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." So onward we march, and I will try to pry my heels up out of the dirt and put one foot in front of the other as we enter this new phase. And I know that no matter what time zone we are in, tomorrow the sun will rise just like it did today, and we will be blessed with love, and emerging tulips, and God's grace.