My Little Grasshopper

It was Charlotte's first day of the 2 day 2 year old program at Oak Grove YCS. She is in the Grasshopper room. She walked right into her room and never looked back. When I picked her up her teachers said she was just as sweet as could be. She saw me at the door, but was too busy singing the song to come to the door - so she ignored me until they were done with their song.

I haven't been able to get too much out of her as far as what they did. What she has told me so far is that she had animal crackers for snack and she had to go potty before she went to play on the playground.

We had a special first day of school lunch at Chick-fil-A then headed home. She cried and cried saying she didn't want a nap, but mid scream she fell asleep at the end of her bed.

All in all a very successful first day of school.

32 Weeks

Meet the Teachers

Dear Charlotte, The day had finally come, the day to meet your teachers. I had been building this day up all summer - just wanting you to love your new school. We picked out your outfit, I gave you choices - you picked your ladybug outfit. You said you wanted a bow in your hair, so I put a little ponytail in and clipped in a bow. You wanted to look in the mirror - I love how you are proud of the way you look. You talked my ear off on the ride over to school. Asking me lots of questions about what was going to happen - I did my best to answer, but there were some answers I just didn't know. You held my hand as we walked inside. We found your room - you are in the Grasshopper class. Your teachers immediately said "Hello" to you and said that you looked SO cute. You got shy and hugged my legs. I moved into the room farther and sat on the floor with you. It didn't take long for you to jump off of my lap and find the baby dolls. You found a baby doll to put to sleep and started to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" to her. I stopped worrying, I know you will be just fine when school starts. I talked to your teachers - they are VERY nice. I asked the questions I had and got all of the right answers. I think school is going to be a great thing for both of us. I emailed this picture to your daddy before we left to meet your teachers. He emailed me back and said, "She is SO big". When did this happen? How has our summer flown by and school is starting? How is it that you will be a big sister soon? Part of me can't wait for your school to start and to get on with the year, but there is a part that just wants things to stay the same. I wish I could describe to you how proud I am of the little girl you are becoming. How very proud I am that you are mine. You'll start school two days a week this coming week. I know you will have a great year, learning and playing. I can't wait to see how you grow - just don't grow too fast, OK? Love, Mommy

Cindy

Cindy, Charlotte's doll, has become a big part of our lives lately. She is starting to go almost everywhere with us. Some days I feel like I already have another baby to take care of.

We take her to the park with us, to the store, sometimes to the nursery at church. Usually whenever we take her somewhere, Charlotte has to pack her purse with all of the things Cindy will need: a bowl and spoon for Cindy's yogurt snack, a bottle, an extra diaper, and a toy. (Charlotte does all of the packing and gathering of items for the purse)

Yesterday, Charlotte wanted to ride her bike with Cindy. Charlotte really wanted me to unpack the infant car seats and use those for Cindy, but I refused. Instead I said we could make Cindy a sling and Charlotte could carry her on her tummy. Charlotte replied, "That's a great idea!". So, I went and got a scarf and fashioned a sling for Cindy. Worked like a charm, Charlotte carried her around like that almost the entire time we played outside. If only American Girl made a Baby Bjorn for Bitty Babies.

31 Weeks

Moses in a Basket

I got a call a month or so ago from our church asking Judd and I to be Sunday school teachers for the 2 year old class. We would be teaching with another couple, and could alternate Sundays so it wouldn't be an every Sunday commitment. After talking it over with Judd we decided to commit.

When babies are baptized in the Methodist church, like Charlotte was, the congregation makes a commitment to that baby to be active in their church life. I had always recited these words of commitment during a baptism, but never really thought about it until after having a child of my own. So, I feel strongly that Judd and I need to be more active in the lives of children at our church.

This past Sunday was my first Sunday to do the "lesson" for the class. I use the word "lesson" very loosely. With 9 two year olds, you get about 2 minutes of an attention span. But, I prepared with some songs, the story of Baby Moses in a Basket, an activity, and a coloring sheet.

As I prepared the lesson I realized that doing this teaching is going to be so much more for me than just giving back to the church. It is really going to help grow my faith. The lesson books that we are given really break down these Bible stories into one meaningful sentence that a 2 year old can understand. This week's sentence was, "God will keep me safe." But, sometimes, even a 31 year old needs the stories broken down into one meaningful sentence to really get it.

I brought a laundry basket with me to class and each child took turns getting in it and "floating" down the river like Moses. When they got in it, they were supposed to say, "God will keep me safe" just like he kept baby Moses safe. As I watched these kids jump in and yell, "God will keep me safe!", I thought to myself - "If only it were that simple!"

But it IS!

So, this week while Judd is out of town and I have my usual moments of panic as the house creaks and groans at night that someone is coming to get me and Charlotte, I am trying to remember that God will keep me safe too. But, it is harder for an adult. There is nothing quite like the faith of a child. There is a lot to learn from 2 year olds.

I won! I won!

I never win anything. Wait, I take that back - when I was in elementary school I entered a gas station giveaway and won a 3 foot tall Gund stuffed gorilla. So, besides that, I never win anything.

I enter all kinds of blog giveaways, but my comment is never the one that is randomly chosen.

That all changed a couple of weeks ago.

I entered a contest over at Fresh Art Photography for a set of Photoshop overlays from Vol25. I happened to check back at the post a couple of days later and I saw MY NAME! I won - whooo hoooo!

The overlays are super cool and really easy to play with. I put this together in about 5 min this evening:



Then, my friend Stacy over at Inkspot Workshop hosted a giveaway for a necklace from Christina Kober the same week. I entered thinking I would NEVER win because my comments were the first ones. No one ever wins when their comment is first, right? WRONG - I WON!!

I have my very pretty "C" initial necklace that I haven't taken off since it arrived in the mail last week.

I'm sure my streak is over. I'll probably never win again - but it sure was fun while it lasted!