My little big boy graduated today.

He sang his little heart out (with gusto I must add) on the stage. He accepted his diploma with confidence and posed so sweetly.

He treads with caution

and uncertainty at times.

Today he stood proudly with his best friend. 

Bittersweet was the feeling.

We went for pizza and then played in the pool with Grandma for the rest of the afternoon.

An angel boy.

Now this one will be next…

It looks like he will ease right on into preschool, right?

Let’s take it slow.

It is a pretty BIG deal if you are in pre-school.  You have to wait till your name comes up alphabetically and you know that could take forever.  My Monsta?  Not even fazed. 

Me:  What is that sticker on your shirt?

Monsta:  Oh, I was line leader at school today.

Me:  Oh!  That is so cool.  What did you have to do?

Monsta:  Nothing really.  You get to sit next to the teacher and be first on line.

Me:  Awesome!  Did you feel important?

Monsta: Eh

Me: Eh?  That’s it?

Monsta: (in the other room playing)

So that is Line leader in a nutshell. 

My two cuties in the yard.

Some kids found some snails on the fence in front of school and asked Monsta if he wanted to hold it. He said no and as we walked away he added…

Thanks for offering though.

I <3 him

Went to the trouble of creating Valentines for all of Monsta’s classmates and was told that they couldn’t be handed out because of the lollipop attached. Me, who doesn’t even approve of giving candy! I can’t believe I did that. Does anyone have an idea of something else (that is not food/candy) that I could use? It must be on a stick though.

Totally aggravated.

Ok, happy again!

Monsta had school pictures taken last Friday. I had him all ready the night before with the suit that his TiTi gave him for Christmas. He was pretty excited to wear it. Next morning came and it had snowed during the night. We listened to the cancellations on TV and it said that there was a two hour delay. Now…his school is two hours and 45 minutes….what would you do? We figured that it had to be closed. Why bring them in for 45 minutes? We called and called and no answer. That confirmed it, no school. Craig calls once again before leaving for work and guess what…they say Hello. Of course school is on, we always open when it says two hour delay. What???!!!! How come we are always the last to know. Now I’ve got to kick it in gear because we were all in pajamas and just started to eat breakfast. Ugh!

Tried to fix bed head
Threw suit on with sneakers – ack!
Bundled up the cub and
Flew out the door.

We were so late. We arrived at 10:15 (school starts at 9). Luckily, they waited for him. I ended up just driving around for an hour and half (Craig hates when I do that). Picked him up and asked him if everyone like his suit. He replied, “Nobody said anything but I know they really liked it.”

Gush – that kid is something special.

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He sort of sang….

Max was crowned King of all the wild things…

He looked older by the end of the ceremony…

But, he is still my baby…

and always will be.

When the Monsta started school, I knew that it would be a wonderful thing but what I didn’t know was HOW wonderful.  When I pick that kid up he has this new light glowing from within that is just incredible to see.  He has always been amazing (spoken like a true Mom)….I could go on and on about all the awesome things he does and says but now it is a tad different.  He now carries around these bits of knowledge that he is learning in school and whether I know what those bits are or not, when I look into his eyes, he is a smarter more mature child.  Wheels are spinning faster in that beautiful brain of his.  He recalls things from school that he will talk about and I’m all like WOW, you know that?  or You did that?  or You are learning what song from the French teacher for the school show?  It is a new level of learning and socializing and it is doing wonders.  We are so proud of that kid. 

Lately he has been kissing my belly…

Ben - Mommy, it will be soon now.

Me - Yes, sweetheart…it will be soon…

I <3 him!

***

just stumbled across this site: http://www.rollip.com/ - It is fun – try it.

Are you sick of my poolside flowers yet?

It is now Thursday and I realize that I never discussed the Holiday weekend.  Briefly…..Friday: Went out to dinner with Craig and had delicious filet mignon at the Grill Room.  That place is great a couple of times a year (no more).  Saturday:  Had a bunch of friends over for a bbq.  That was really fun and relaxing.  Sunday:  Took a ride to visit my BIL’s new home.  It was a lovely day and they were perfect hosts.  Thanks Corey and Marti.  Monday:  Totally exhausted, we napped (or at least I tried) and hung around the house all day.

back to today—

Ben is at school again right now.  I still can’t get used to the fact that he is doing stuff that I can’t see or hear.  Is that weird?  When he stays with family (which is often) at least I get the scoop when I get back in detail.  Now it is just not the same.  I’ll get over it I’m sure.  It is the beginning of many things I won’t know – Good God…I need to have this conversation in a few years!

 Off to pick up my little cutie.

Last night I attended a Parent/teacher meeting to prepare THE PARENTS for school today.  It went fine but I didn’t sleep at all because I kept thinking of all the scenarios that would go down today.  Last month, Monsta had his first orientation and when we dropped him off, he totally cried.  It was rough to leave him but we did and when we picked him up, he was fine and happy.  He has been talking about how he cried for a month.  He even told me that he would cry when I dropped him off today (heart dropping).  Well, we went in and everyone was so friendly.  He spotted an Elmo workbench right away and started playing.  I introduced him to one of the Teacher aides and she asked him to go over to the magic wall to hang his balloon.  I asked for a kiss and told him that I would be back soon and left.  I never looked back but as I was walking out, my hearing turned Bionic.  I was listening for some type of cry or scream from my baby.  There wasn’t one.  There wasn’t a peep or wimper.  I walked out feeling a BIG relief.  I went shopping at an Italian Specialty shop to pick up some goodies for dinner tonight.  Dropped the stuff off at home and then started thinking again that, Oh My God, he probably started crying after I left the building.  How come my Motherly sense didn’t pick that up?  How could I be out buying freshly made ravioli and marinated flank steak while my little boy needed his Mommy?  I pulled it together and set out to pick him up.  When they opened the doors, it was like I was the three year old trying my hardest to get in first.  Everything was quiet and all the kids were standing holding a butterfly they had painted.  I saw Monsta scanning the crowd for me and when he caught my eye……well, it might have well been the 4th of July.  He was beaming!  He ran to me and showed my his bootiful butterfly and said he just ate a chocolate chip cookie that was delicious.  Could I be more happy?  I asked everyone how he made out and they said that he was completely fine.  Not a tear shed.  He then told me how his favorite part was playing outside and the cookie.  I can’t tell you how I feel right now.  I am busting, I’m so proud.  On top of that, the teacher aide I mentioned before, turned out to be one of my best friends from Junior High School.  I couldn’t believe it.  I picked a great school with great people and I have a great kid that had a great day.  YES!

Sidenote – When I dropped Monsta off, I got into my car to find this little guy crawling on my hood:

                                                                  It is something special to see today of all days.  In memory of my Uncle’s Stuart’s Birthday.  We love you!