Friday, August 14, 2015

We Made It Through the First Week of School, TToT113

I made it through my first four days alone. Gotta say, I did not find it enjoyable. It wasn't as horrible as Sad and Pathetic Me, but it wasn't all sunshine, either. I'll tell you my thoughts about it later this week.

For now, the thankfuls...

1. Cuckoo had no trouble at all starting kindergarten.The first day, he walked into the building like he owned the place, waving to all the staff as he made his way through the halls. We were there early, so we were supposed to wait with everyone else in the cafeteria for a few minutes. He turned to me and said, "Do I have to sit with you?" He even told me I should go. He is the only kindergarten student who didn't have a parent take him to his room. And that means no photos. He was thrilled. (Do me a favor. In about 30 years when he asks why he doesn't have any first day of school photos, remind me about this post.) Day 2 the PE teacher made a point of finding me to tell me that Cuckoo talked to her more in the one PE class he's been to than all of my five other children combined through all these years of school. Yeah, he's fine.

2. I spent almost the entire first day with friends to distract me so I wouldn't have to go home to the empty house. I had breakfast with one, went on an hour and a half walk with another, and had a late lunch with another. We talked and laughed and talked some more. It was the perfect way to spend my first day without kids.

3. I am thankful that my oldest three are OK. Soon after leaving for school, Buttercup called me to say the car was shaking and smoking. As soon as it happened, Phoenix drove slowly to the next turn off and stopped the car. He did the exact right thing. Fortunately, it was only 5 minutes from our house, and it was only a flat tire. Bryan showed the kids how to change it and they were on their way.

4. They even managed to get to school before the tardy bell rang.

5. I had been preparing myself for a mostly lonely day at home. All that was scheduled was an 8:00 vet appointment. But, thanks to the car trouble, that plan changed. After the vet I had an hour at home (to take the photos for Wednesday's post and pack a lunch) before I went to take care of Phoenix's car tires.

6. The kids have started out strong in school. They all have at least one class they really like, and none of their classes are horrible, which is saying something when discussing teenagers' likes and dislikes.

7. Bryan has been very understanding throughout the week. He calls each day to see how I'm doing. He doesn't pressure me to do anything or figure out what I want to do. He just gives me extra hugs when he gets home from work.

8. I have been able to make it to the gym to get a workout in. While I prefer to be outside to do cardio, the gym is my place to build some muscle.

9. We've had some hot weather lately, but the humidity doesn't seem bad. In the shade, it has been quite pleasant. (We'll be at the (unshaded) high school soccer field for approximately 10 hours on Saturday, so this thankful does not apply to that day.)

10. I've had lots of reasons to laugh this week. I'll always be thankful for laughter.

How about you? What made you laugh this week?

And if you blog, link it up!

Have a lovely day!

Ten Things of Thankful


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30 comments:

  1. So, there is his photo grinning at me as I type this. I am sending you all kinds of mama love across the distance. That last little one to venture into the big world really tugs at your heart. Of course, there are so many great things to come, but this week is for sentimentality. Hugs

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    1. Thank you, May. I will take all hugs that are offered. :)

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  2. Oh, how wonderful that Cuckoo jumped in with both feet and is doing so well! Much to be thankful for here - quite a week and a bittersweet one, I'm sure. Sending you lots of love.
    Laughter, yes - always. My Zilla makes me laugh. Always. And for that, I am very grateful.

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    1. Thank you.
      He had no trouble whatsoever. The youngest kids rarely do have trouble. They practically grow up in the building, so it feels like home.

      Delete
  3. Cuckoo...
    Ginormous enigma in a tidy little package of charm he is!

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  4. school started for you guys already...lately i feel like I am living under a rock; truth is I am avoiding at all cost "time" because here it is August and for us school is just a couple of weeks away (before labor day) where did this summer go....here it is I have two teens (young teens; but teens ) and my heart aches too - where are those little ones that came home to us 5 years ago!
    your little guy sounds like he got kindergarten all worked out he was taught well, or observed well (you know big brothers and a big sister and all)
    perhaps he feels he has big shoes to fill quickly ----- oh how i wish we can say to our kids; hey slow down and they do...
    glad to here the the first week of school went well...hang in there it all be OK!
    wishing your kids a great successful school year filled with fun times too!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. The summer just disappeared. Back on June 1, it feels like we have soooo much time to do whatever we want, while in the back of our minds we know that it won't be long enough. Time is a-flyin'!
      He wasn't taught well. It's a combination of personality and older siblings. He has basically grown up at the school, so it feels like his second home.
      Thank you! Enjoy these last two weeks!

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  5. First day of kindergarten is a big milestone. Glad all went smoothly.

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    1. It is a big milestone for him. For me, it's a whole different kind. :)

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  6. 1. I had no doubts about any of this. None. Oh, and we tell Kyle constantly that one day, he's going to be sorry he was a pill and never wanted his picture taken.
    3. Buttercup is still a peach.
    6. That's worth 10 right there! I don't think I shall be so lucky.
    7. As long as he doesn't come home and ask what you've DONE all day, it's all good.

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    1. Star is really going to be sorry. He is even worse about getting his photo taken.
      I concur.
      Why? Your kids do well in school.
      Ha! Funny you should say that. A couple of days he came home and asked in a kind way, really trying to be supportive. I told him not to ask me ever what I did. I'll let him know if I did anything worth talking about. How pathetic am I?

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    2. PERFECT answer to the What did you do all day question!
      And Emma has one AP class, three DC classes, and another weighted class. Only two "regular" credit classes, and second semester, that drops to one. It's going to be a LOOOOONG year.

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  7. Christine, I know I seldom say it, but I think that you're a fantastic mum. Raising teens and small ones is definitely not easy, but you've hit it on the button. And you've got an independent kindergartener there!

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    1. OH, Michelle! That is such a nice thing for you to say. Thank you.
      yes. He is the most independent one we've got.

      Delete
  8. I knew you'd do fine. It's hard and I remember it so very we. You kept busy and that helped.

    I'm happy because yesterday we set up an appointment to have the first part of our boat facelift. I'm so excited. The curtains are gone, and in the next several weeks the carpets will be gone and replaced with beautiful wood floors. My heart is happy.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Keeping busy will be key. I have got to do something outside of this quiet house a few times each week.

      Yeah! Being on a boat is fun, but it's even better when there are new curtains and wood floors!

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  9. Cuckoo sounds like a real go-getter! You'll find your new rhythm.

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    1. He most certainly is. :)

      I'm sure I will. At some point I'll be thinking that the day just isn't long enough to do all that I want to do.

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  10. Ohhh I'm so glad you managed :) That's awesome. And Cuckoo's a TOTAL scott. Heheeh what an awesome kid.

    Can't wait to meet them all :D And to SEE YOU AGAIN! :D And I smiled all warm and happily when I read how Bryan's supporting you :)

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    1. Oh, he's a scott alright. My only one.

      You'll be here SOON!!!

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  11. In a few weeks, you will wonder where the days go and maybe even resent the fact that school is closed AGAIN??? Enjoy, laugh, share with friends and you will have even more to give your family. Have a good week. Love that Cuckoo.

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    1. I'm sure that's true. I'll get there eventually. :) Thank you for the encouragement.
      I'm pretty sure everyone loves that Cuckoo (for at least a little while). :)

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  12. times of 're-arrangement of the world' can be daunting, both to the positive and the negative... sounds like, from this Post you totally have the positive going for it... the exercise opportunity time has got to be huge, and enjoy the 'free time'... surely you'll be seeing ads in the paper* for substitute teacher positions' and they'll be, somehow, hard to ignore.
    and still the weather is warm, how bad can that be?

    *yeah, I realize that the newspaper ads are sorta a thing of the past...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I've been offered a job, and I turned it down. I'll get into it all in a post later this week. :)

      It isn't bad at all. I didn't complain once about the massive heat we sat in yesterday, made worse by the fact we were sitting on shiny metal bleachers.

      They are, but I am old enough to know the reference. :)

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  13. Sounds like a great start to the school year! I think that I appreciate the TToT posts the most when things are not exactly easy. Those "thankfuls" are always more meaningful then.

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    1. You are exactly right. It is easy to be thankful in a good week. It is most beneficial when you really have to think about it, as it always helps me get in a better frame of mind.

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  14. It sounds like you had a great first day of school! What a supporting husband too. I'm sure he understands what a transition this is for you. I think the teachers of your youngest is going to really enjoy having him in class. Ten hours in an unshaded area watching soccer games sounds like an invitation to getting a terrible sunburn. I enjoy reading your post each week.

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  15. Wow! Your Phoenix is definitely very mature! I should make sure that my kids know how to change tires when they learn how to drive! Basic life skill!!

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  16. It is always a melancholy time when the kids start back to school. Especially when it is your last one headed off. I bet before you know it your days will be flying by while they are at school!

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Thank you for taking the time to tell me what you're thinking!