School Starts

First days of school. This has been an exciting week for Cianna and I. I'm not sure which was more excited. My first baby finally going off to school. The significance of this event has not escaped me. Justin found out 2 days before school that he would be able to attend the same school as Cianna for the next three years and he was thrilled. This would definitely help the transition for Cianna too, not to mention a convenience factor for me. The day before - I taught Cianna how to pack a lunch, set out her uniform for the next day, decide how she wants her hair done, got her bag ready and talked about the first day. She said she wasn't nervous because there would be lots of kids there. She slept well and was definitely ready for the next day. Day 1 - She got dressed while listening to music in the morning to help wake up. She looked so adorable in her cute school uniform, which has varied slightly every day so far as she sets out the next outfit. Her hair was in a headband matching the white button down blouse and navy skort. We dropped off Peyton first, then parked the car to walk in together. They let the parents stay with the kids in the morning all the way to the classroom and for the first 15 minutes. She sat in the gym and started talking to a little girl in her class, character backpacks are apparently a great icebreaker. She recognized her teacher and we followed her into the classroom. Cianna put her backpack in her cubby and found her name at the red desk, where she sits across from a little girl named Peyton, how convenient. She started coloring the morning worksheet and settled in pretty well. The only challenge was her decision over whether or not to take breakfast that morning. She settled on a milk and said goodbye. I love that the teacher sends me an email every day about what they learned and questions to ask to prompt discussion. When I picked her up, I couldn't wait to hear, but all I got what "I don't rememember." She did remember how she loved it and couldn't wait to go back. She said "I want to go to school forever." Day 2 - A little rough because she didn't understand that I couldn't go to the classroom with her this day, so she didn't want me to leave. I convinced her that I couldn't go to school because the chairs were too small for me and I had to get to work. She was a bit sad, but okay saying goodbye. Then Justin arrived and she ran across the gym to hug him. That definitely helped. She's also happy to have a friend from her soccer team that is in first grade there. They sit by each other in the morning and are becoming good buddies. They were inseparable at the back to school picnic. We are definitely settling into the routine and it's all been positive. Today is her first day of girl scouts so more to report soon.

Peyton's favorites

Peyton's favorite hat Last night Peyton found daddy's hard hat from work and brought it to him to wear. She put it on his head and told him how handsome he looks with his hat. This morning, I found her wearing it around the kitchen while picking out her breakfast. Well, good to always be cautious, right? LOL! The artist emerges I think Peyton has a secret desire to be an artist when she grows up. Anything that can color goes in a secret stash in her room. This has been going on for a while, remember back to the day I found a mural of diaper cream on the wall in her room. She finds markers and colors all over herself, walls, carpet, tables, chairs etc.. thankfully I discovered Mr. Clean's magic eraser when I realized that crayon doesn't just wipe off walls. She also loves makeup and keeps a special collection of my make-up in a secret stash in her room. I finally made her a make-up bag of her own with brushes and lip glosses etc... she loves it and keeps it handy in her purse, reapplying often, but still takes my make-up bag and hides it from me, at least once a day. She is getting a little organizer for her birthday so at least I'll know where to look for it. When asked recently, what do you want for your birthday, her answer was chocolate cake.

Chores

All the kids are learning their responsibilities around the house and having to do chores on a regular basis. The girls get paid a quarter for doing a chore and they usually volunteer without complaining or expecting anything. When mommy was sick a few weeks ago, Peyton went and got me "winnie the pooh ice" to help me feel better, then asked me "do I get a quarter now?"

Daddy's Braces

Matt got braces earlier this week and the girls' reactions were very cute. Peyton asked "how did daddy get those sparkles in his teeth?" Cianna told me that they were "SO COOL" and then told dad "If I keep sucking my thumb, I get to have those too when I get bigger!!" Woops, backfire.

Feeling Sick

Peyton has been unfortunate enough to have diarrhea for the last few days, poor baby. She hasn't complained much about it and stayed her happy little self. Last night she came and told me "my poop is broken and I don't know how to get it fixed again." This interpretation was too cute not to share. Almost as good as when Cianna was about 2, she would tell us that she had quesedilla (because she couldn't remember the word diarrhea). Peyton's solution to fixing anything is her winnie the pooh ice pack. Mommy has a headache, "I'll get you winnie the pooh ice." Daddy's not feeling well, "I'll get you winnie the pooh ice." Peyton got a bee sting the other day "I need Winnie the Pooh ice."

Cute Kiddos

Peyton walking around with Matt's x-box live headphones says "I look like a hockey talkie girl"

Cianna was repeatedly getting out of bed last week, so I got out the wooden spoon and threats were enough. She finally stayed in bed and I left the spoon on the ledge outside her room. Last night, she was having another rough night and I realized that the spoon was missing. I asked them both and both girls blamed each other. I asked Cianna if she took it and she said, "No, I didn't take it but I'll help you look for it." Within seconds she found it neatly tucked in a basket in her room and her explanation was "look I found it. Peyton must have hid it there." I tried so hard not to laugh and tucked her back in.