Charlie's first Mother's Day Out

Today was Charlie's first day to go to Mother's Day out. When we started taking William to school at the beginning of the week, Charlie would whine a little because he wanted to go, too. I kept telling him that he could go in a few days. Yesterday when we were on our way home from dropping off William, I reminded Charlie that he was going to get to go to his school tomorrow. He enthusiastically said, "Bubba school?" And I told him, "No, you don't go to Bubba's school, remember, you go to see Ms. Sharon across the street." He sat there for a second, shoulders slumped, and then said, "Oh.......maaaaaannnnnnn!" In his most disappointed voice. He got over it really quickly, though, and was super pumped to go this morning. He has the same teachers that William had at this age, and we LOVE them!!! I know it helps that his school is our church. Just so happens that his Sunday classroom is the same as his school classroom, so he's already familiar with it. This child has gone from screaming bloody murder the whole time at church to practically running down the hall to get to his room. I think this is going to be a pretty easy transition for him, he's growing up too fast!

So excited, he just might pop! :) One of these days, I keep saying I'll do a "many faces of Charlie" post, because he truly has so many. He is such a funny kid.

I don't understand how I keep seeing all these other people's pictures of their kids on the first day of school. They all look darling, well posed, and acting normal. Then, here are mine. Can't get a good one of all 3 to save my life!

Charlie the disciplinarian (for once it isn't William)....

followed by Shep throwing himself on the ground. Drama. I put shoes on Sweet Baby for the first time today, even though he's been walking for almost a month. He loved them and would NOT stand still. Actually, he never does, anyway. I just realized he didn't even have them on yet in this picture, he just didn't want to stand there. This little monkey certainly has an opinion of late.

What.

Charlie walked right in, put his backpack in his cubby and went straight to the toys. Hardly blinked when we left.

He only stays until 11:45, and he was sooooo excited when I picked him up. He pretended like he cried for Momma, but he didn't. His teachers said he did great and never whined one bit. He came home, scarfed down his lunch in about 10 seconds, went to read "I Spy" with me, and was asleep before I even had the book closed. Love that little boy. ;)

I survived my first Kindergarten drop off!!

So......today is William's first day of Kindergarten!! To say he was excited is an understatement. This child was ready. Ready to be in big kid school. Ready to eat lunch at school. Ready to finally get to go to school ALL DAY. Ready to play on the new playground. Ready to learn. Ready for so many things!! I can honestly say that I am not sad, and I didn't shed a single tear. Not even close. Sounds heartless, I know. But I'm so happy for him because HE is so happy. My sweet William is growing up! In a (kind of dramatic) way, I do feel like it's the beginning of the end. The "babymoon" is over. No more total freedom over my days. No more leaving early for a long weekend or staying until Monday because we can. No more staying home from school because we feel like it. We are now molded by the big kid school schedule. And that's okay. For now. I might be singing a different tune in a few weeks. Not to mention that I will be doing this first drop off with Charlie and Shep before I know it, but enough about that or I WILL cry. :)

This new schedule is going to take a little getting used to. I was out of bed by 6:00 this morning. I washed my face and put on my clothes so I would be ready before the little people got up (but of course, Charlie and Shep were both up, anyway). I managed to get dressed, feed Shep his bottle (I know, he's 1, but I can't quite give up the last bottle....he's my last baby!), and fix breakfast for everyone. I even squeezed in a cup of coffee for yours truly. Daddy woke up William at 6:45 (of course, the one day he's still asleep then), and he said, "Dad, I slept in a little because I wanted be rested enough for my first day of school." Love that boy. When they came down, Daddy Wm told me that when he said, "William, time to wake up" that it wasn't him....it was his Dad. Dredging up some memories. :)

Eating breakfast....cinnamon toast with a banana and glass of milk.

His lunchbox. For his first day, I fixed him peanut butter and honey, pringles, curious george snacks, and water in his transformers thermos. I threw in a peppermint, too. I have also quickly learned that he needs a bigger lunchbox. This one is great for some lunches, but if I need an ice pack, too, it won't fit. So, I've ordered a Transformers one, too, and he can use both!

Note to self for tomorrow and future years, we did not get up early enough! We were racing out the door, barely enough time to snap a few pictures. I thought I was prepared, too. I knew what I was fixing for his lunch and breakfast. I had everyone's clothes set out, too. We pulled out of the driveway at 7:24, school starts at 7:40. But by the time we went the whole half mile up the street and got all the way inside, William sat down as the tardy bell rang!!!!! Bad Mommy. I know a lot of it was just the first day of school, extra traffic, all the dads, all the siblings, yadda yadda, but dang!

His little chair. Sniff. The little boy behind him is Grant Allmendinger. So cute, they were fast friends when we went to meet the teacher and see the classroom. I know his sweet parents from college and church, too. :)

I didn't get a picture of the other side of the room (remember, we skated in at the last minute), but there is a treehouse type thing with a reading room underneath. The first thing William said when he first saw his classroom yesterday was, "Mom! Look! It has a front porch in here!!"

Have to show off Shep's chunky thighs. :) When we were leaving, Charlie wanted to stay. He is soooo ready to go to school, too!! He wants to be big like Bubba! Charlie will start going to mother's day out on Thursday...just two mornings a week. I am thankful that I get to have a few days to figure out the logistics of kindergarten before I have to add the logistics of Charlie's class, too. Even though their schools are right across the street from each other (and a half a mile from my house), it's going to be a lot of coming and going. And waking up little people from their naps early, which Mommy is NOT happy about. But what can you do?

All in all, this morning went GREAT. I know that William is going to have a great year. He's been gone an hour, and I already can't wait to hear all about his first day!!!

Friends at the lake

A few weekends ago, it worked out for us to go to the lake with the Tompkins. It's been hard enough for us to make it over there much this summer, so to get to have friends was a double treat! These boys had soooooo much fun! William and Parker are two peas in a pod, and the two Charlie's (Pistol #1 and Pistol #2) were happy as clams together, too.

William and Parker

Three of the four Williams.....my two are Daddy Wm and William, then Will is really William and Parker's first name is William. Funny, huh? ;)

Every time I looked up, Charlie Tate was jumping.....I mean, flying off the dock. It. Was. Hilarious. He came up choking almost every time, and then he'd climb right back up and do it again. That child has no fear!

Charlie Tate loved Shep. He was oh-so-sweet to him and always wanted to know where the baby was. :)

I don't have many pictures of Dr. Will cause this is where he was most of the time. At the table stuffing his face. With cheese dip.

Oh, what a bath this was!!!!

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Wrestle buddies. Love these little monkeys!

Fun times, and an extra special thanks to the Tompkins for making the drive!!