First Day of Preschool

Such a cutie! I'm ready to go to school! The sun is bright!

Today was Caden's first day of preschool.  These past three years have really gone by.  I am pleased to say that it went great!  Caden had a lot of fun and I think he is really going to enjoy his time at the Ark.  He didn't cry or come after me, he went straight to the table with where the other guys were and started making magnetic crafts.  He has come a LONG way!  This is the child who cried and cried and cried when I used to leave him in the childcare in MOPS and PWOC in Germany.  He would cling to my leg and chase after me.  I never "snuck" out because I wanted him to always know I would be back for him.  I think part of that had to do with the childcare workers. Also more times than not, I would just keep him with me.  I could not bear hearing my baby cry out. It was if he was crying for help.  So this is really new to us.  Since we've moved back to the U.S. he has really loved his Sunday school teachers and now his preschool teachers.  Some of the childcare workers in Germany were really good and some were not.  They were all paid for by the military chapel and it depended on who was working that day.

Walking upstairs to preschool with my cute backpack

Ms. Susan said he did really good today.  The only problem he had was keeping his shoes on.  Yes, welcome to my world.  He takes his shoes off everywhere we go.  We don't wear shoes in our house, we carried that tradition from Germany and I think it really keeps away germs.  But we would like him to wear shoes out in public.  If he's up walking and playing around he keeps them on but once he sits down at a restaurant or at church, for example, off they go.  Hopefully his preschool teacher will be successful.  She said she told him he couldn't play if he wasn't wearing his shoes and she said he was pretty good about putting them back on.  Sometimes a little positive peer pressure helps.

Caden said he had a lot of fun.  They played outside, read stories, played with play-doh and did some crafts, and he said his teacher made him a boat.  I asked if the boat was on water and he said no.  Maybe it was a paper boat or something, I'm not sure.  Meanwhile, I went to a doctor's appointment, had a date lunch with Collin at Red Lobster, returned a faulty item to the grocery store, went by Lifeway, and enjoyed 45 minutes at home to get some work done before picking Caden up.  It's amazing how fast I can shop and return items when I am alone.  I love having Caden with me but I think he had more fun at school.  I'm hoping this will help my stress level.  Spending nearly every minute of over three years with your child is a lot of parent/child time.  I have loved it but am a little run down and am looking forward to hearing stories from Caden about his time in preschool.

Caden and Mrs. Susan, his teacher

Caden and Mrs. Michelle, his art and music teacher

Doing a magnetic activity with some classmates

Meet the Teacher!

Ready to meet my teacher

Caden is starting preschool this fall.  Today was Meet the Teacher Day at his school.  His teacher's name is Ms. Susan (I'll try and get a picture Wednesday).  She seems like a wonderful woman and I'm excited about him having her as his teacher.  She has 4 kids, one single and triplets, all grown.  There are eight kids in his class and we got to meet most of them today, we already knew one of the kids and hopefully Caden will become better friends with him and the other kids this school year.  After we met his teacher and saw his classroom Caden and I went on a picnic to celebrate the upcoming year of new friendships and experiences. Below Caden's enjoying fruit.

 

I have had mixed feelings about Caden going to preschool.  We already do preschool things at home and he's ahead academically, according to his doctor.  However, after prayer and talking it over with Collin we decided that socially, preschool would be a good idea this fall.  We had hoped that we would have more children by now and he'd have a sibling to play with, fight with, and learn with, but that is not God's plan for us right now. Currently, Caden and I meet with other moms and kids at least once a week outside of church.  But I felt like he has not been able to really connect with anyone set of friends.  Mainly because our outings and the people who come are different each time.  So I thought preschool would give him a chance to make some closer friends like he had when we were in Germany.  And it will give me a chance to get some things done that I have not been able to do since moving here.  He also loves other kids so he'll have fun spending more time with them.

 

Our church has an accredited Christian preschool that meets three days a week.  The school is less than 10 minutes from our house which is perfect.  Caden will only be going two days a week because it's kind of expensive and we are a one income family.  They give a 10% discount if you pay the year upfront so that helped some too.  There's an inside playground (for rainy or bad weather days) and an outside playground (they use most days).  He'll be able to learn Spanish at school (Collin has been teaching him at home), kindermusik as well as other forms of music, art, Bible, attend chapel, math, science, language arts, and enjoy lots of playing with the kids.  I was pleased to learn that they have centers because I really like centers and having an organized approach to things.  In Germany I did centers with him pretty much after bringing him home from the hospital.  Then we went to activity trays.  He is very independent and I'm hoping this will give him a chance to learn to better work with others his age, I think he'll do great but he hasn't really been given the chance.

 

Caden's first day of school is Wednesday.  Collin asked how today went and I told him Wednesday will be a little harder.  Today wasn't too bad because I was with him and we were together the whole day like usual.  I'm just praying that he'll enjoy it (I think he will) and this will be a fun experience for all of us.

MOPS Convention

This past week I have been wanting to write about this but I rarely have time to sit at my computer.  I have been in MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) for over 3 years.  I started going to a few meetings while I was pregnant with Caden.  Some of my dear friends I met in MOPS in Germany were true life savers.  While we lived overseas, it was in some ways like college all over again.  Collin and I ended up meeting friends for life.  Most likely we'll never live in the same city again, but our friendship will forever remain strong.  Most of my friends I met through MOPS, PWOC (protestant women of the chapel) and at church.  My closest friends in Germany besides my next door neighbors who were awesome, were the ladies I met in my military MOPS group.

I have been wanting to attend a MOPS convention for years.  In fact, last year, I almost attended with my MOPS coordinator but the funding fell through and it didn't work out.  This year the convention was in Texas.  I really wanted to go but honestly had only attended one MOPS meeting since arriving back in Texas and didn't really know the girls very well I met there.  This was before I had my 3rd miscarriage in the spring and then kind of dropped off the face of the earth for a few months while we moved and got settled and I wept about my loss.

A week before the convention, my good friend, Jane, asked me if I was going.  She said if I went I could stay with her and share her room at the Gaylord for free.  Wow!  Registration was kind of expensive but in my opinion the learning opportunities were priceless.  Being a mother of a preschool is my full time job, so of course going to a convention that is about my job could only be beneficial.  Collin gladly agreed and even took a day off work so he could watch Caden.  This was my first time ever to spend the night away from Caden.  I know he's 3, but I still had a difficult time.  Thankfully I knew he was in great hands and was able to sleep peacefully at night and enjoy the convention and some girl time with my friends. 

Collin and Caden had a blast together.  They cooked out, had one of Collin's friends over for a guys movie night (Caden went to bed), played games, went to Chuck E Cheese, took a long hike around the fields in our neighborhood, and really enjoyed their guy time.

I greatly enjoyed the convention.  Besides staying with Jane, who used to live 5 minutes from me, I got to see another good friend from Germany, Rachel.  Her son, William, and Caden are around the same age.  She also has another daughter.  Both of these ladies now live back in the States, one in Virginia and the other in Colorado.  I also met up with three of the ladies in my new MOPS group and we had a late night Thursday night talking and hanging out in their room. They are all very nice and I look forward to hanging out with them more as this year continues.  One of the girls even has chickens!  

One thing that I feel was laid on my heart at the convention was to start a MOPS group at my church.  My church has never had one.  I have talked about this with several ladies and asked why we don't have one.  One said she didn't know and told me I should start one.  A few others said it was a great idea and another one said she would sign her name with mine and help me start one.  I have talked with one of the ministers and need to fill out some paper work.  There's a process, like everything else, to start a group like this.  We are new to our church and don't know very many people very well yet.  But we're starting to and I'm very excited about this new ministry possibility.  Our church is very outwardly focused so I know MOPS would be a great fit.  While we're getting the MOPS group set-up at my church, I'll continue going to the MOPS group I joined last spring.  Please say a prayer that everything works out if it's God's plan.   

A year ago in Germany, Jane stepped down as coordinator.  At that time I thought about stepping up but did not feel ready.  This year is different.  I feel like God has prepared me for this.  And I know, if this ministry does not work out at our church, I'll continue to be in my current MOPS group and will serve in other ways at my church.  The coordinator in my current MOPS group asked if I would join the leadership team.  I told her I would pray about it and let her know.  It was nice of her to think of me and I'll gladly help out.  Her MOPS group is new and I was on the steering committee in Germany so I think I'll be able to help them build their group as well.  If you have a preschooler and have never been to MOPS, consider finding a group.  It's a great ministry for both stay-at-home mamas and working mamas.

Summer Vacations

At church, Caden climbed on NeeNee's
walker and wanted a ride!

The past three summers we visited many exotic locations around Europe.  This summer has been different.  Our summer vacations have been to west Texas to see Collin's wonderful parents.  It seems like prices have really inflated since we lived in Texas 4 years ago.  Therefore, family vacations have to be planned quite a bit in advance.  No more spur of the moment trips to France or last minute airfare to Portugal for example.  It could just be that cheap airfare is something only Europeans enjoy.  Which is a huge bummer for us Americans.  In fact, besides flying to west Texas when we first moved here to visit his parents, we have found that it is a little cheaper to drive.  So we pack Caden in the car and take off for the 8-hour long car ride and use some of Collin's vacation days to stay a little longer each time we go.  You would think it would be cheaper to fly from one Texas city to another than from Frankfurt, Germany to London, but it's not.  We even spend more in gas than we did on plane tickets.  Thankfully our room and board is free and the company cannot be beat.

Two weekends ago we headed off to Collin's parents.  Collin had a high school reunion as well so we got to see some of his high school friends, tour his old school, and hang out at the local country club.  Collin's parents seem to be doing pretty good.  His dad even joined Caden and I in a little miniature golf before needing to sit down.  His dad is 86.  Collin's mom was doing good most of the time except for a little high blood pressure problem Saturday.  But it didn't take too long before she was up and at em again.  In fact, she insisted that she watch Caden while Collin and I went to dinner with his high school classmates.  She's almost 78.  Caden is one active 3-year old boy and trust me, he enjoys getting into everything and has more energy than my VitaMix blender.  I'll have to update how my life has changed since a year ago.  Needless to say, she did fantastic and Caden had a great time with his NeeNee and Granddad.  He loves them so much and they love him too.

Rather than be sad that we are not enjoying the Italian Rivera this summer or taking a boat from one Greek Isle to another, we are feeling blessed that we have family we can see on a pretty regular basis.  Thankfully my family lives close by so we do not have to divide vacation time up with visiting them.  Many of my friends in Germany never went home to see family while overseas or have family visit them.  Almost all of them had spouses that were deployed for many months, sometimes over a year at a time.

To some, west Texas may seem exotic, especially if you have never been to the desert. To others, west Texas is home, it is where family lives.  And sometimes vacations with family are the best kind to have.  Not to mention, the kindest people in the world live in west Texas. 

VBS Day Camp

This year Caden participated in his first VBS.  Our church had a VBS day camp which was Monday - Thursday from 10am-3pm, for kids age 3 to 5th grade.  This year's theme was chasing the light, the light being of course Christ!  I was blessed with the opportunity to teach his class.  At first we thought there would be about 20 kids, the morning of we found out there would be 43 kids in the 3-4 year old class.  What a blessing!  Almost half of them will be going to preschool with him the fall.  This was a great opportunity to get to know some of the kids better.

Everyday I did a little skit with one of the teens.  We talked about how God made us (creation); God loves us (the Wise Men follow the star that leads to Jesus. God gives the best gifts); Jesus wants to be our friend forever (Jesus heals the blind man, Jesus helps people); and God thinks we're special (parable of the lost coin).

Throughout the week the kids got to participate in a lot of fun activities that went along with the theme for each day.  They got to ride ponies, pet some animals at a little petting zoo, meet police officers and go through their car, jump in some bounce houses, and do lots of other activities and crafts.

On Wednesday night the kids did a program.  Caden was super tired and so he kept rubbing his eyes but it was fun to see the kids sing some songs. 

A few things I really like about our church is how much they serve and love people.  Every Tuesday they have a community lunch where they serve between 150-200 people.  I look forward to taking Caden to help serve when he gets a little older.  They have a building dedicated to sharing goods with those in need.  We have a community garden to grow fresh produce to give to people in the community.  Many people in community help with this as well.  I love the fact that everyone who walks in the doors is welcomed.  In fact, Collin met a homeless child one Sunday after we had just started going.  They met in the bathroom where the child told him that he and his family were living in a car.  I love that our church welcomes those who are in need or who have nothing and they feel safe coming in the doors.  Isn't that what Christ's love is about?  Serving and loving one another?  Everyday before VBS started children in need could come an hour early for breakfast and get to read with an adult one-on-one.  I was able to help with this neat ministry one morning and the kids loved it.  We are so blessed to be part of a church family with people dedicated to sharing God's love with those in the community and abroad.  If you are looking for a church home, please let me know and I'd love to welcome you to ours.

Here are a few pictures we took at the program.

The kids singing "This Little Light of Mine"

Picture of the slide show showing Caden riding a pony

Flying Trampoline!

Collin and I went on a date tonight, which we don't do often.  Thank you, Kristyl, for watching our sweet boy.  We ate German food and ran into a bunch of our friends we use to go to church with.  It was really good to see them.  When we were on our way home, Kristyl called to let us know we had no electricity and our trampoline was in our front yard!  This is NOT something you want to come home to.  On the positive side, at least it jumped over our fence and we don't have to replace or repair a broken fence and thankfully nobody was injured.  This will be a fun problem to fix tomorrow...anyone free to help?  I can't wait to see Caden's face in the morning when he sees his beloved trampoline in the front yard upside down.

It really flew a good distance!  We were shocked at how far it went.  If only someone had filmed that, that would have been interesting to see.  Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?  Glad our swing set is still in place.

I want to play!

The other night we took a family walk.  When we got home Collin said he would just put Caden's bike in the backyard under the patio.  Caden and I were waiting and waiting for him at the back door. 

After a few minutes, I opened the front door and yelled: "Collin, Collin, do you want me to just open the garage?"

Caden then said: "I want to go outside and play with Collin!"

Then he saw Collin in the backyard and said: "I want to go outside and play with Daddy!"  Love this boy!