Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Kindergarten 2014

First few days of kindergarten have been an adjustment to all!  Kids had a great first two days despite the early waking hours. We haven't set an alarm in 6 years so 6:15am is early for the Green household! The mornings are very hectic trying to get the kids out of bed and ready before the bus comes.  Very strange to come hope to an empty, quite house at 7 am. The evenings are just as hectic as it is stressful to get them into bed by 7:30 since they are so hard to get out of bed so early.

Kiley loves her teacher and her class, and very glad that she has a good friend with her in class and on the bus. We are so blessed that she seems to have a perfect match for a teacher with her personality. She comes home everyday with stories about her classmates and new friends, along with endless stories about the class guinea pig Pepper. She rarely talks about the work they did, but loves to share the songs they sing and what her friends are up to. Her favorite part of the day is recess and riding the bus! She does not like P.E.- her nana will be sad! She loves eating at the school and says the food is much better than the lunches I pack. She had a major meltdown Monday am after I got upset that she wouldn't wear her new tennis shoes. She cried for 30 min and Paul had to carry her to the bus stop crying "I don't want to go to school."
So hard on me I started crying after the bus pulled away. Lesson learned- if the clothes and shoes are almost right in the am, don't make a big deal about it not being perfect!!

Cason likes his teacher but is still saying on day 5 of school that "is class is terrible."  He is such a rule follower, doesn't like change and kids that don't obey so it has been a bit of a struggle for him. He tells me everyday that his teacher has to keep the lights off almost all day b/c the class is too loud and misbehaving. He says he has made a few friends, Anderson, Audrey, and Spencer but all of the other kids "are bad."  He also says riding the bus and recess are his favorites. He has a cough and some congestion, and told us he got it from the girl "Finley" that sits next to him and coughs on him all day long. Kiley backed him up by saying "yes mommy even in the hallway I saw her coughing on him and told her thanks for getting my brother sick."  He informs me everyday of the traffic back-ups in the am and how long they had to ride the bus for. He also said one day the bus driver turned down "Genary Gap" road then turned around and that he was pretty sure she was lost. He is so funny. He asked me on the way to the bus today if he could just go to school some of the days:(

Praying for adjustments for the whole family as we manage new schedules, routines, and activities.  I realized yesterday on my first day off that these teachers are getting much more time with my babies now that I will not have with them. Made me sad!

On a funnier note, Cason informed us at the dinner table a few nights ago that he didn't believe in Santa anymore b/c there is no way reindeer's can fly. He then said well maybe he did believe in Santa, just not the flying reindeer, then said that maybe Santa really takes a plane. He thought for a minute, then said "are you sure that it isn't you and daddy that put the presents under the tree, mommy?" Of course this is all in front of Kiley. I tried to avoid answering the questions so I wasn't lying, but he is too young to stop believing!!!!

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Summer 2014

Lots of travel and memories this summer:

- Memorial Day with the Mizerany's at their lake- kids learned to kayak with mini kayaks and loved it. Chill weekend of grilling out, swimming, hanging out with friends and kicking the summer off to fun start.
- Left next week for Pensacola with Paul, it rained the whole time but kids and I still had fun shopping, playing games, and swimming some. Came home that weekend and took kids to Baran's game with my work. Had a good time and Cason enjoyed watching the game with Paul while Kiley played in the jumpies.
-Next weekend we enjoyed our anniversary by going to dinner with friends then Sister Hazel concert. Drove home in hurricane like weather!
-Next weekend Kiley and I left for Tampa leaving the boys at home to enjoy some daddy-son time. Kiley got upset on plane crying that she wanted Cason to come. Had fun hanging out with Holly, stayed at her parents house on water, enjoyed some beach time, girl time, playing with the baby, eating out on beach, swimming, and boating.  Cason and Paul had a busy weekend going to the Baran's game, playing 9 holes of golf for the first time, and going to long bike ride in Ross Bridge.

- Boys met us in Gainesville on Tuesday and we left for Disney World Wed-Sat. Was hot and crowded but had a blast. Kids rode roller coasters for the first time, Cason was a not a big fan and Kiley loved it. Both had melt downs when we were by ourselves on Thursday on new Snowhite ride after waiting in line for 65 minutes. Cason didn't want to ride and Kiley didn't want to ride w a stranger. Disney worker came to the rescue and sat with Cason while Kiley and I rode. 2 minute ride for 65 min wait!  Kids made it until almost midnight that second night, fireworks, electric parade, and movie on the castle were amazing. Watching kids faces and hearing the excitement in their voices, especially Kiley, was priceless. Water park at Gaylord Psalms hotel entertained us for the last 2 days. Biking ride around UF for last night in Gaineville completed the trip. Great times!

-Came back to VBS at Mt Top the next week, best VBS in town for sure. We carpooled with Drennan, Ashley, and Sheena's kids and hit movies or pool in the afternoon.

- Went to Smith Lake the week of the 4th to Drennan's lake place. Kids tubed by themselves for the first time, Cason didn't like it but Kiley it. She is definitely more adventurous than Cason! Enjoyed golf cart rides, swimming, boat rides, tons of great food, fireworks to Katy Perry's firework song, and a big crowd!  Left Sat for Atlanta- stayed with Sean and Erin and got to catch up with them. More swimming and pizza. Downtown Atl on Sunday- Kiley and I rode the huge Farris wheel, which stopped on the top and rocked, glad the boys were not on!  Met Pam and and Frank Sunday afternoon at Sally's, got to met Lillie Grace for the first time and the twins got to play for a few days with their cousin. Brought them back on Wednesday and think the grandparents were ready!

-Went skating for the first time the next week, have walkers on wheels to help kids learn now. Cason caught on quicker than Kiley, she was very cautious and worried about falling!  Cason fell at least 30 times, we got a good laugh!

- Last week of July we headed back to Fl for Paul's 20th reunion, highlights included riding bikes around campus, eating out, long bike ride Sat am, Sean's lake place with own beach- kayaks, paddle boats, jet ski, pontoon- lots of fun! Fri and Sat night reunion activities included Dragon Fly, the donkey dance, meeting Daniel twins, Paul wining aging most gracefully. Sunday spent the day on St. Augustine beach catching up with Melanie, Cammy, Beth, and Andy and their families. Ate Barnical Bills on way back! Monday ate lunch with Paul's grandma and Tuesday left for Pensacola. Had great rest of week on beach, swimming, eating out, and enjoying lazy river.

- Came home on Sunday and spent our last few days with Hadden and Spencer!  AL splash adventure, movies, park, and Ross Bridge to wrap up the summer.  It went by so fast but we did so much and had a blast!!