Farewell to Fours

Cooper participated in Farewell to Fours last week. They sang some songs they had learned in music, including "I am a Promise", so cute. We watched a power point with pictures of all his friends, and then, the moment, his teachers gave them all a cap with a tassel. Each child's name was called and they received a Bible from our pastor. A lot of parents were tearing up, I held it in quite well I thought. I am too excited about him going to kindergarten to be sad about leaving preschool.
Later that day though, Cooper asked me how many graduations he would have in his life. We counted up 7, including kindergarten which some schools have, and graduate school (no pressure). That I did not want to think about. I am excited about kindergarten, but there's no reason to think past that right now.
We went to register him a few weeks ago. I am so thankful to the Lord for where we have moved, the schools are excellent, and He led us to a house that will put him in a wonderful elementary school. The principal went to high school with Jason (which could be really good or really bad), one of our other pastor's wives is an administrator there, and one of the kindergarten teachers is a church member. So, Ms. Kay took Cooper on a behind the scenes tour while I was filling out paperwork, introduced him to the librarian and the art teacher, and showed him where he would eat lunch, and go to music. Then we were able to go to the kindergarten "pod" and see Mrs. Kinsey, hopefully his future teacher. She told me the secret code to put on the registration sheet so she can request him. So that is a relief. Her class was marching around the room singing, and at first Cooper confidently stepped in the room like he was going to join them. Then I think the realization hit him that there were 18 children much larger then him staring as they marched. He stepped back into the protective shadow of his mother. I still have him for a little while longer. I'm trying to enjoy each day with my baby who isn't a baby anymore.

First day of summer

I'm watching the last few minutes of the Bachelor, even though I watched not one minute of this season. What is it about seeing a man propose to a woman that attracts women so much, even when we do not know one thing about either of them?

We got out of school last week, so today was my first day of summer... at home with my children... all day, with my husband out of town no less. It really wasn't too bad. Today I remembered a big lesson that I have learned before, but when you really put it into practice, it is amazing... its ok to stop doing something around the house to spend a few minutes playing with your kids. I played Skipbo with Cooper today. I had a really good time, and it brought me back to the many hours I spent playing Skipbo with my grandmother as a child. Very good memories.

I also learned another lesson today, when in a public place with your children, watch them very carefully! We were in a drug store, and I was talking to the sales person about getting some pictures developed. The boys were right next to me, browsing through the candy, and Cade asked me if I would buy some really big gumballs, and of course I said no. And I turned my back... big mistake. A few seconds later, a lady tapped me on the back and wanted to tell me that she had bought the gumballs for him because he was so cute, and out the door she went. So for the next 20 minutes I argued with both the boys about if they had asked the lady to buy them the gum (its been done before) and I still really don't know the answer. So don't turn your back! In the midst of the discussion, there was some minor lying involved, and I had already told them we were going to McDonalds for dinner (did I mention my husband was out of town?). So I wasn't sure how to punish them because I needed McDonalds for me! So Happy Meals all around! It was one of those moments as a parent that I'm not sure I handled correctly, but I did the best I could do. So, first day of summer. If its any indication of the rest of the summer, oh boy!