Schoolboy

At the beginning of September, Frazier started school! We found one this spring that we liked, and I spent the summer collecting gear, and talking up the experience to Fraz.

  I knew it would be good for him, and that he'd enjoy it, but selfishly, I thought about how much I'd miss him.  Since he has a "class" he goes to during MOPS meetings, and BSF and Sunday School and Cubbies, he has some classroom experience, but none of those exceed much more than a couple of hours.  The 5 1/2 hours that school stretches over was bound to be an adjustment for both of us. The night before Day 1 I packed his lunch and thought about how he'd eat it without me...and how few times he's eaten lunch without me.  We got all his gear ready and I gave him "If You Take A Mouse To School", which we read several times before bed.

First day of preschool pic:

He was so anxious to get into his classroom he ran right in and I had to chase him down to kiss and hug him good-bye.  I didn't even cry, but I didn't want to go back home just yet without him.  There are plenty of times he stays at home with Josh while I have to go somewhere, but I'm rarely home without him and wasn't anxious to spend the whole day that way, so I took N.G. to The Corner Bakery for breakfast.  As soon as we sat down with our muffin "Just The Two Of Us" came on.  So fitting.  We had a really nice morning just the two of us, though we were both, I think, at a bit of a loss as to what to do without Frazier.  I realized how seldom I actually talk just to Norma Grace.  Frazier, because he can talk, dominates so much of our conversation and so much of my attention.  I've been  trying to remember what we did when all the time when Frazier was one and it was just us.  I forced an early naptime for N.G. and actually got dinner going and the house clean while she slept.  She woke up just in time to go get Frazier and we were certainly ready to go get him!  His first comment about Day 1 was that it "took [me] a long time to come back".  Then he told me that naptime was too long.  And that there was a different potty [urinal] in the boys bathroom in which they were NOT allowed to poop. :)  Overall, he's had fun, and N.G. and I make the most of our time together just us.  He only goes Tuesdays and Thursdays and Norma Grace and I are perfectly happy with that.  If possible, I think she is happier to see him when we pick him up than I am.  We go through a pick up line in the afternoons and when he gets in the car she squeals and kicks her feet and laughs. I like his teachers (there are two) and there are only ten kids in his class. They have gross motor, music (or "songs" as Frazier calls it) and chapel, plus recess and they walk down to a little cafeteria for lunch.  Last Thursday was bring-your-bear-to-school-day and Frazier took my old bear, Gundy, who has become a fast friend to him as well.  They both had a good day, except that apparently, Frazier forgot to tell Gundy he'd be back when they left for lunch.  He almost cried telling me about how his teacher wouldn't let him go back and tell him! Sweet kid. I love the routine of it, and the opportunity I have to be just with N.G. like I was so long with Frazier.  I like that I can plan errands for those days that I know Frazier wouldn't want to have to do with me...like Hobby Lobby and grocery shopping.  He comes home with a new worksheet and craft every day.  They'll have little parties for every holiday (and since I'm room mom, I'll be in on all those).  He's making new friends and learning something different every day.  I'm so glad he gets to go..even if I feel a little incomplete when we're apart. :) 

A Berry Good Time

Isn't She One-derful!?

Today is N.G.'s first birthday! It feels to me like she has been with us for so much longer than a year...like it's always been the four of us.  She seems less like a baby every day and while it's fun to watch her become a toddler, it's still hard to see each stage come and go.  

Happy Birthday, Norma Grace.  I know Dad and Fraz would agree with me that everyday is so very much better for having you in it.  You are so loved and I hope you know how much we just enjoy you! You're really that great and we won't let you forget it.  For every kiss you give us, we will give you three.  And no matter how grown-up you get, you'll always be my baby.

As ever,
Mom

Fiesta Like There's No Manana

And I found these pictures on my phone after the slideshow was made! Birthday breakfast. :)

Catching Up- July 4th

Where the summer went, I do not know.  It was brilliant and everything lovely a summer should be.  It seems like it began a long time ago, a big embrace of warm, happy days.  Handfuls at a time they were scattered over weeks and months until suddenly there were none left and they lay like a glowing blanket behind of us.  A tapestry of memories all sweet and sweaty and smiles.

I'm currently attempting to wade through the endless sea of pictures I took in an effort to retain the summer in stills.  Installment 1: pics of our 4th of July weekend.  I apologize for the lack of music.  Inexcusable, I know.

Next installment? Frazier's birthday parties!

Four He's A Jolly Good Fellow

4 years ago today- the world gained Frazier. 

And what an acquisition.

 Statistically, he is 36ish lbs and 41ish inches tall, strikingly handsome and brilliant.  I'm not sure where that puts him percentage-wise because we haven't had his 4-year check up yet.  Though in looks and smarts I  think we can be fairly certain he falls somewhere between "awesome" and "outstanding". ;)  And on a scale of creative to imaginative he's a solid exceptional-point-seven.  His ability to play pretend...and accessorize accordingly?  Unparalleled.  

 One day as we were checking out at the health-food store Frazier was talking as he had been continuously since we walked in the door.  I guess the woman who works there had noticed he hadn't stopped and said smiling, "Someone to keep you company, huh?" I loved the way she put that...because so many people in a similar situation will prod you to complain about the three year old that won't stop talking, but her phrase so perfectly describes how I feel.  I don't mind the incessant-ness so much...it keeps things interesting.  When I go places without him, more often than not I just wish he were there.  He is my someone to keep me company and for the brief time I have him to do so, I'm going to soak it up.  It can be exhausting, in a good way though. Too soon he will be a big kid...perhaps with less to say and more people to say it to so I want to get my fill now.  Some well-meaning  man told me (again as we were checking out...and as I was [calmly] addressing some whining that, well, needed to be addressed) that and I quote "you don't realize it now but these are the best days of your life." I smiled it politely away and nodded because I believe I just mentioned I had a whiny kid, but what I wanted to say was "Au contraire, old man, I am aware."  Acutely aware. I do know how wonderful these days are.  These are beautiful days... the very best, and I cherish them.  Even the whiny ones.  And every birthday is a precious but somewhat painful reminder that they are fleeting.  I don't need people to remind me of that at Wal-Mart, though I guess if I did need reminding, God knows Wal-Mart would be the place.

The questions are the best.  "Does the sun have a shadow?" "What is it like in the drain?" "Do bees sleep?" "God didn't make bricks, did He?" "What kind of room did you have when you were a little girl?"

He's really an extraordinarily sweet, sensitive, kid which makes him an excellent big brother.  When he gets up in the morning and N.G. has been up for awhile already...she's practically beside herself that he's finally awake.  And he hugs her good-morning before me.  Case in point, today he was playing with a new birthday train when she crawled over and derailed several cars scattering the dinosaurs that were riding in them.  "Oops!" he said. "Train off the track! That's ok, Norma Grace." and put them right.

I asked him the other day if he was ready to go and he answered, "More or less." Which I found meant that he was dressed, but did not have on shoes. :)

On the subject of footwear, I've learned from Frazier that rubber boots? Go with anything.  And your wardrobe, contrary to popular belief, is not weather dependent.  Sweater in July? Swimsuit in February? Totally acceptable.  And fire gear...can't be beat for any occasion.

We have a book called "But No Elephants" about a woman approached over and over by this man selling unusual pets.  She takes each one he offers saying, "Very well, but no elephants." Of course, she ends up with an elephant, but anyway, one morning as we were discussing breakfast I suggested mini pancakes.  "Very well," he told me.  "But no elephants." Another time I insisted he try something and after much prodding he did so then smiled and said, "I do so like these, Mom! They are so good, so good you see!" Kid loves to be read to.

He's equally domestic and outdoorsy.  He'll go from baking to playing football.  Climb a tree, paint a picture.  He's nothing if not well-rounded.

 Happy Birthday to you, my someone to keep me company, brother of the year, mustachioed little man of mystery, Spiderman, Batman, Superman, SuperFraz, super chef, pirate captain, book boy, herder of hedgehogs, astronaut-football player, midday cowboy, firefighter/kitten rescuer, tub artist, composer of silly songs, comedian extraordinare, tomato aficionado, dragon slayer, dreamer, Tortilla-and-Cheese Man, climber of trees, runner of races, King of the Popcorn People.  Forever may you reign.

Happy Birthday, dear Frazier, Happy Birthday to you!

with love as ever,
Mom, Dad, and Supersidekick, N.G.