Sunday, August 30, 2015

sentimental sunday

A visit from friends equaled a really fun night for all of us.
 

And they brought along an extra special visitor! Tucker! Paisley was so excited (so were the rest of us) to play with Tucker again!


This week is going to be a big week for us. The start of school. A second grader and two new Kindergartners. I've been extra emotional this week. I've been thinking back, thinking forward, and trying to think in the moment, which is really hard for me.

I love this picture of our family. For a while, this is exactly what our family was. Chaos. Complete and utter chaos. Honestly, I hardly remember it. I think I was just in survival mode.
I felt like that would be our life forever. People said it would go fast. I believed them, but I was so looking forward to the day that I had one second to myself. To the day I didn't have to get four pairs of shoes on kids, just to have the first two rip them off before I finished with the fourth. I was too busy thinking about life calming down to realize how fast it really does go.
 
The first realization that life is moving fast? Our dancer.  It seems like yesterday Paisley took her first dance class. You can see those pictures HERE. She was so cute.
Well this week, we got an email requesting that Paisley join the big kids (3rd through 5th graders) at training camp. What would this mean? It would mean that she's trying out for competition team. This means more focused practice, traveling for competitions, and that dance becomes life. Being a year younger than the other girls, Paisley and I had a long talk about this. What disappointment might be like. What discipline and hard work being on a competition team takes. And after all of that, she still wanted to try out.
And with much excitement, smiles and practiced turns, say hello to the newest dancer on the Pink Competition team.  
 
She hasn't stopped dancing since the minute she found out. She's been turning and leaping and stretching. She's been (accidently) kicking her brothers in the face, kicking high and smiling from ear to ear. She's so proud of herself. And me? I'm once again holding back tears. Dance means the world to me, so to watch her develop that same love makes my heart explode. So cheers to bleacher butt, hotel stays, pink lipstick, and a whole lot of 5-6-7-8's.
 
As we prepare for school to start for all four kids, (Everleigh starts next week though) I couldn't help look back at little Craig and little Brook. I told you, I've been looking back a lot lately.
 
 
As I mentioned, Everleigh will be starting 4K this year. She'll have her moment to shine next week, as she starts after Labor Day. So for the next week, this is how I'm going to think of baby E. Because after next week, there's going to be nothing baby about her. :(
 
Speaking of babies. These two babes are heading to school in just two days. I just want to type over and over how I can't believe they are heading to kindergarten. I'll spare you that...but that's what I'm really thinking.
These two...the twins...H Bomb and Mad Mike....Hudders and Mad Man....
They have a bond like I've never known. They get along incredibly well. They hug. They squeeze each other. They giggle in their room at night. They are best friends.

 


And this week for the first time, they will be apart. It makes me want to bawl. Yet, I know it's what's best for them.
And just as I did for Paisley when she started Kindergarten, here is my letter to you, Hudson and Madden...

Boys,
This week, you begin kindergarten. I'm so excited for you to learn and grow in so many new ways. I'm excited for you to fall in love with your teachers, make new friends and gain confidence academically.
And even with all of the excitement, it's okay if you're scared. Because guess what? I'm scared too. I'm scared that you're going to miss me. And I'm scared that you won't. I'm scared that you'll miss your twin. And I'm scared that you won't. Hudson, I'm scared that you'll be hesitant to make new friends. And Madden, I'm scared you'll walk around with your shirt tucked in your undies all day. You're both going to do just fine. I just know that you'll do great. You're both smart, and sensitive, funny and creative in your own ways.
For the first time ever, you will be apart from each other. I hope that some day, you understand why we made this decision. I've listened to you plan a spot to meet on the playground, and I hope when you do, you're both smiling from ear to ear.
Now, it's my job to challenge you to be the best you can be. To encourage you, push you outside of your comfort zone, support you, tell you are great when you are, and discipline you when you are not. I promise to be your biggest cheerleader, to listen, and to try my hardest to understand your homework.
My hope is that you love school. That you treat everyone kindly and with respect, and that others do the same to you. And when they don't, don't hold it against them. I hope you grow to be open minded, adventurous, and that you both find something you love...and that you do it every day.
You're only five. And this is only Kindergarten. But you're my only boys. And this is a big day.
In just three days, so many things will change. However, what we have, that will never change.
In just three days, I will send you each off to a room full of people you have never met.
In just three days, I will think about you and worry about you the entire day.
In just three days, I will be so proud of the Kindergartners that you are.
I wish you the most amazing first day of school, Hudson and Madden!
You have the whole world ahead of you. To be able to walk behind you in your journey gives me so much joy.
Love you always,
Mommy

So soon enough, off they go...looking fly with their fresh new hair cuts. I look forward to sharing first day of school pictures from our second grader and our kindergartners!
 
Teary eyed mama,
B
 
 

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