Moving and School!

The girls and I have been a bit fatigued lately; moving day--or week--came and went only one short week ago. The girls have learned how to hide in little corners of large spacious cabinets, only to have their child like mansion invaded by pots, pans, cereal, and noodles. Nevertheless, they always find a way to clear their tiny dens for some cozy sitting room, leaving me even more fatigued than they look below. My Lydia has decided that naps are overrated--following the steps of her brothers who both decided that shortly after the age of two, they were "grown-up" and in spite of tantrums and fits, her desire, stated plainly as "I wanna' say up" far exceeds her need to rest her little mind and body. I do not fight her...I simply find that a routine car ride will give her just enough of a break from this chaotic life to deal with another few hours before her long break ensues with night fall.

Maya, my growing baby, loves to nap...

Momma' loves Maya!!!

The first two things we focused on upon moving in were

1. Hanging our favorite painting...always a #1 in our opinion

and

2. Getting the kitchen in working order. So far, over the last week we have had take out pizza, chicken nuggets and fries (with our treasured smurf toys!), Sonic soft drinks, slushes, grilled cheese and corn dogs, and movie theater popcorn. You might say the working kitchen has been worthless for us, but we indeed have baked cake and brownies!!! I am now of the mind that a family in transition with a major move and lots of little kids is a family in need of meals...I will remember this the next time I hear of a family moving.

But it's a lovely kitchen, I'd say! It took a day and a half to unpack and get it in order...that is record timing for me!

The move looked kinda like this from my view every day on moving week--two to three times a day! Steve and I took a great deal of work on our own shoulders in order to lessen the load on the Elder's Quorum who met us on Saturday. I was delightfully pleased when one man from our ward thanked me for having been so prepared with this move. He claimed it was the best move he has seen yet with how prepared we were...how ready we were. I felt relief as I heard those kind words...knowing that our hard work day after day after day was recognized.

I was proud to see the young fella's working so hard...and having fun while at it!

And wouldn't ya' know...the first day of school was the second day of moving week! But...for the first time in my children's schooling years, they attended the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! I nearly cried as I brought them into the classroom. My heart was sad to see them go, but my tears were falling because my sleep deprived Lydia stood in Aiden's classroom screaming at the top of her squealish lungs because, for some odd reason, she felt like she was being left at school. The teacher looked at me in concern as I tried to hug my Angel Aiden goodbye. He was frightened; he looked at me, his eyes grew wide in fear as his arms laid at his body's side and his hands drew their palms forward--tears swelled up in his big blue eyes as he said, "What do I do Mom?" I looked to the teacher for direction and could only hug him and tell him to follow his teacher's lead.

Connor, this year, was confident as ever. He has a fabulous teacher who seems to have an enthusiasm for teaching. I went to the Open House on the second night of school. I raced my boys down the side walk...passing every parent and child pair as we ran! It was so much fun; the boys begged me to stay at the school with them longer--to run and play!

Yes, dear Aiden begged me to take them to school on the first day...he was fearful of how to get to his classroom!

And on the second day, his same big blue eyes swelled with tears as he begged me to take him again. I reassured him that Connor would be with him and had Connor commit to walking Aiden to class. Connor, being the good boy he is, was happy to help his little brother!

And on the 8th day of school, Aiden was helping me unpack some boxes and ended up with another corneal abrasion; he has been home since...healing. For some reason, my baby's eyes are a major source of trial for him; perhaps he has eyes that can "see" and will see many great and marvelous things!

Lydia misses her brothers when they are gone. We allowed her to stay up late with them, playing in the boys bedroom tonight. She walked out, timid and sweet, with two built mini Lego people in her hands, stating, "I like to play!". Yes, little princess, you like to play, but you especially like to play with your brother's; I believe you will be very influential in their lives as they learn to respect and honor the girls in their lives....they love you so very much!

My baby is growing up! My short little Maya walked with me to the bus stop today, asserting her little feet every step of the way! This gal is a handful! Shew ate my deodorant tonight...and then vomited a mouthful only seconds after consuming it! Never a dull moment!