Firsts

There have been many firsts in the last week. Firsts that have made me laugh. Firsts that have made my heart swell. Firsts that have made me realize how quickly my children's childhood is slipping through my fingers...

The first time we had uninvited guests at a birthday party...

Jackson was able to pick 6 friends to come to his 6th birthday. This number, in all actuality, is really silly since so many of his friends have siblings that are the same age as some of our other kids. So really, 6 had already grown...

Forty minutes before the party was to start, I so brilliantly decided to climb on the internet and check out why in the world my sweet girls cheeks had been BRIGHT red for the past 3 days. Now, I'm no Dr., but the fact that she looked JUST like the pictures and the fact that Caden had had a similar rash earlier in the week had me in a bit of a panic. Seriously. Friends were arriving in 40 minutes!

After making many phone calls, we ended up losing 3 friends who decided not to risk it. No worries though, like I said, we had WAY more guests than we thought...

As the neighbor boy, who was invited made his way over, he was followed by another neighbor boy that I have NEVER seen. Jackson and his friend asked if the other boy could come too. I explained that his mommy didn't know us and that I didn't feel comfortable having him come in without talking to his mom first since we were possibly contagious.

Minutes later I notice the sweet neighbor boy crying quietly while sitting on the curb down the street. I called him over and told him he could take my number home and have his mom call me. After I talked to his mom he came on over and all was good.

Ten minutes later Cory noticed a girl walking down our stairs and said, "who is that??" I had NO idea. I asked her name, "my name's Emma. I'm Jackson's best friend". Oh really? I'm thinking, "I've never seen you. Never heard of you and you look to be about 10. I highly doubt you are Jackson's best friend." Of course, I did NOT utter those words and realized from her name that she was sweet neighbor boy's sister...

Then, the phone rings, it's the neighbor boys mom who WAS invited. His older sister is upset because her best friend is Emma and Emma is playing at our house. Their mom asks if older sister can come too. Sure. Why not? So, along comes older sister with little sister in tow. Thankfully, we had plenty of food and the kids had a blast. I was so thankful to have a house fully of fun while we celebrated Jackson...

Ella had her first trip to the dentist...

She was so stinkin' excited she could barely sit still. She made it look so fun that Brenton can't wait to go too! He's got his appointment scheduled for next week.

Jackson left the nest for kindergarten...

I cried as I watched him walk on the bus. I miss his smile when he's gone. However, I realized, he's only gone 2-3 times a week as our kindergarten goes all day 3 days one week and 2 the next. I took a big sigh of relief when I realized I still get some time with him...

He, however, wasn't as excited for time with me. While getting his clothes out for school before going to bed Wednesday night, Cory told him he didn't have school on Thursday. He lost it. Started crying. And said, "I don't want to stay home. I want to go to school!! It's boring at home!" Wow. And while I was sad he was done being home, I was overjoyed that he loves school THAT much. He was up before 6:30 this morning and couldn't wait for the school day to start.

While filling out a form for his teacher there was a question that asked, "what are your hopes and expectations for your student this year?" My answer? That school would live up to Jackson's expectations. He is so excited to learn to read. He's just plain excited to learn. He's so curious and I pray that his teacher and his school embrace him and that it's all he wants it to be...

Cole and Caden headed off for their 1st day too...

An 8th and a 2nd grader. Holy cow! Seriously. Where in the world has the time gone?? Cole was not so ready for school to begin and Caden couldn't wait. And, for the first time in weeks, he really took the big brother role VERY seriously and was sure to take care of Jackson...

For the first time, I realized that having only 2 at home could be a very nice thing. Moments after saying goodbye and drying my tears, I realized how quiet the house was. Yes. Quiet. After weeks of hearing the kids fight and scream at each other, the quiet was music to my ears.

For the first time I heard, "I forgot to get up when my alarm went off." Really?? You forgot? Or you chose not to get up. Oh the excuses have already begun...

And finally, when I had Ella put jeans on this week, instead of a dress, I heard, "Mom, this part (while pointing to the seam in her pants) hurts my bagina." Jackson used to claim that jeans and carseats were not okay because they hurt his penis and NOW I've got Ella claiming jeans hurt her too?? Man. What my kids won't do to stay in the clothes they want to wear!

What a week. What fun. What craziness. Praying as school gets going that God would protect my children while they are at school. That he would surround them with good friends who are good. With teachers that love to teach and care about their students. And that I would be able to take advantage of the time that I do have with my children.