First day of Pre-school

Wow, what a day! All three kids gone for 5 full hours. It was amazing.

We got up early this morning, prepared 3 lunches, packed 3 backpacks, got 3 napmats covered and packed into the car, ate breakfast, got 3 little ones dressed, brushed teeth, combed hair, then 2 of them had to change clothes because of toothpaste of their shirts, took pictures, went potty, changed a diaper, and loaded the minivan for preschool.....whew.

Everything was going great as we walked into the building. Adam was clueless about what was going on, he is used to dropping Regan and Dylan off at school, then coming home with Mom. We dropped Adam off first, and he went right in to blow bubbles with his teacher. I was able to put away his stuff, sign him in, and talk a little to the teacher aide before I went over to tell him goodbye. I said "Mommy's going now, I will see you later okay?" He said "Okay momma". As I started to walk away, he followed saying "wait mommy, wait". I told him to go blow bubbles with your friends, and I will see you later". He said okay and went to blow more bubbles. We left for Dylan's room.

Dylan froze at the door. I had to about shove him into the room. He was very quiet and withdrawn, but no tears. I told him I would be back right after rest time, and he said okay. He didn't want to sit at the table, so his teacher aide came and sat with him to help him write his name. He seemed fine when we left for Regan's room.

Regan stayed attached to my leg the ENTIRE time I was unpacking her stuff. We met a couple of friends and talked to the teacher a little, but she was not budging. I had to pry her off of me while she cried and I gave her to the teacher. She always has a hard time in the beginning, but experience has shown that she is fine after a while.

As I walked out the front door of the school, I felt a huge sense of relief, a little sadness, and a lot of trust in the school and teachers. St John is by far the BEST preschool. I just can't say enough about it. Regan and Dylan have been there since they were 18 months old, so everyone knows us well. It feels like family.

When I went to pick them up this afternoon, I thought I would start with Regan since she had the hardest time this morning. She was still napping, and the teacher said she had a GREAT day! She cried for about 5 minutes and then was fine the rest of the day. Same story with Dylan. He had a GREAT day, but did shed some tears after I left earlier. He was fine after a few minutes.

Adam was a different story. He was in the teachers arms when we got there, and apparently had been in her arms most of the day. She said "he really missed you mommy". The teacher was able to distract him a little on the playground to watch the birds, and then again at lunch, but that was it. Poor baby was so sad. His voice was hoarse and his eyes were so red. Friday is going to a rough drop off. Hopefully it will get better with time. His teachers are great, so I know he is in good hands.

When we got home, we celebrated with some ice cream cone cup cakes. Everyone was in a great mood before we even drove up the driveway (3 minutes from the school). I think we will all sleep good tonight.

Love, Wendy

Meet the Teachers!

Tonight was meet the teachers at the kids preschool. They did such a great job! I read the teacher cards to them on Friday, letting them know that Regan and Dylan would be in different classes, and they didn't really even flinch at the thought. Dylan has said once that he wants to be in Regan's class, and after tonight, Regan mentioned that she wanted to be in Dylan's class, but no fits, crying, drama...you know....the typical Yamasaki kids reaction. I was SHOCKED, to say the least. I guess it was more my anxiety than theirs....THANK GOODNESS! Let's hope and pray that Wednesday goes equally as smooth! Enjoy the pics!







Tomorrow evening we have our first Free Trial TaeKwanDo class. It should be very interesting. They keep talking about karate, and practice kicks on each other (I know, scary!), so I figured this might be the route to take. The hard part for them will be deciding which sport they want to continue with, Karate or gymnastics. Adam will stay in gymnastics because he LOVES it, and he is too young for TaeKwanDo. I will keep you updated with their selection.

I ran a little over 3 miles this morning, and about died. I am starting to think that this is an awful lot of pain and exhaustion just to say I ran a "half marathon". I told my friend that if we were running the FULL marathon, it might be worth it.....she said "well, we just wouldn't be alive at the finish line to tell anyone that we ran a full marathon!" She is so right. As I was STILL struggling this morning after my 3 miles of torture, Mark came be-bopping in the house after his 9 mile run. And, he even goes when I get home, which makes it harder because it is hotter outside by then. I am not giving up, just venting. It has got to get easier. On the brighter side, I do feel healthier and more tone than before I started running. Next weekend will be 4 miles...wish me luck!

Take care!

Staying busy this summer!

Last weekend we went to Austin to spend time with Dave, Kim, Cole & Ryan. Everyone had a great time playing the Wii, X-box, DS, Rock band hero (or whatever they are all called!) Dave has it all!! Now mine want it. Thanks! We woke up bright and early Sunday morning and made our way to The Schlitterbahn! Whoo Hoo! Of course, when you are with my brother, you are organized...so we were early and were able to ride several slides before the crowds hit. Dylan was brave enough to take on the body slides (soda straws) and another I don't know the name of. We all rode the tube shute ride, and Adam was less than thrilled. He cried the whole way down, and unfortunately, I couldn't do anything about it until we made it to the bottom. Regan on the other hand, laughed the entire way. She loved the tube slide. Most of the day was spent at the smaller kid areas. Thanks to Dave and Kim, Cole and Ryan for a GREAT time!

On our way out of town, we stopped to visit a couple of long lost friends - Anna and Darrell. Anna and I were roommates/sorority sisters in college. It was great to see them and catch up while all 3 of mine and one of hers slept.

This week we are trying to get ready for back to pre-school! I am SO READY to have a few days to myself each week. I think I will sleep for the first couple of weeks, and then start on all the projects I have planned. It is amazing what can be done in 5 hours without kids in the house! Regan and Dylan will be going into separate classes this year. I have yet to tell them that part...I think it is best to wait until the day before "meet the teachers". I know that if I tell them now, they will spend the next week stressing over it and building up a fear of starting school. It is the best decision for them (to be in different classes), and I have no doubt that they will be okay with it eventually.

Mark and I will be enjoying a much needed trip to Puerta Vallerta (sp?) at the end of the month. With all of the traveling he did last year (4 days a week), he earned enough Marriott Rewards points for an all-inclusive vacation for the both of us. Had there only been enough points for one of us, I would have been lonely on the beach by myself! :) It was a rough year for both of us, so this trip will be a nice reward.

I need to get back into the habit of taking pictures like I used to. Actually, I need to get a smaller camera to take with me in my purse. Mark would KILL me if he knew I was wanting a different camera after the investment he made in the one I have. But, realistically, I can't carry that huge camera with me everywhere I go. Any suggestions on a good purse size digital camera (not too pricey) would be great!

Last month, we celebrated my friend and neighbor's 40th birthday at a party down the street. The hit of the party was a cartoon artist drawing all the couple's pictures. Can you find ours???

I hope everyone is doing good! I promise to get better at posting more! :)

Love, Wendy