Dear Blayne - 1st day

Dear Blayne -

Do you know how fast five years goes by?   I do.  Way to quickly.  I can remember when I was a little girl, it seemed like forever.  FIVE whole years?  I takes less time to get through high school!  Five years is such a long time when you are young, or when you are looking forward to something.  When you are a mom... it goes faster than I could ever imagine.

Five years ago, we we knew about you for exactly 7 days.  In my mind then, you were seven days old :)  Pre-K was so far away, I'm not sure I even thought about it until you were two.  I realized that I could fit your life in four sets of five years... Blayne, I only have 3/4 of my time left.  How did that happen?

This summer wasn't spent talking about going to school much.  We continued our schedule of chaos.  We went to bed when we were sleepy, we napped when we were sleepy, and we woke up to snuggle in our beds while watching cartoons.  Most days were spent in your underoos, rarely did I force outfits or outings.  We played, we colored, we snuggled.  You have the kindest heart.  Please protect it, son.

In April, we had our very first family vacation to Destin, Fl.  I'm fully confident that you would live there in a nanosecond.  You love the beach and the ocean.  While there, I started to realize that you were outgrowing the toddler age and you were becoming a little boy.  You changed so much this summer, Blayne.  It was such a joy to watch.

In May, Momma and Daddy decided that we wanted you and Emileigh to be Purple Pirates (like mommy) and decided to move to Bristow.  June 1st we moved into our "new-new" house.  You took the move in stride and we started to talk about school.  We started attending FBC mainly because I wanted to see how you would react in a classroom environment after being out for so long.  You THRIVED.  You loved the kids and all of the activities.

In August, we went to your school for open house/meet the teacher night.  Blayne, you cried when we left because you didn't want to come home.  melt.my.heart.

There were some talk among some that you would have trouble in school because you spent so much time home with Mommy and Emileigh.  The fear that you would have major separation anxiety was voiced to me more than once.  I knew you would be fine, buddy.  You were ready.

On August 16th, 2012- you started school.

You went to bed the night before like a champ.  At 7:00, I woke you up, you ate your breakfast, got dressed, and we went outside to start pictures.  You were so dang excited... I was just completely happy.
On the way to school, we called Daddy, Papa, and Doodah.  They all told you good luck and you said THANKS!

We walked straight to your classroom, you put your backpack on the hook and picked out a puzzle.  Officially a student.  

I walked out with a smile on my face.  Proud doesn't come close to the feeling I felt, but there aren't words available to adequately describe the feelings.

Right now, you are a happy 4 year old who loves school.  You love your friends and love making friends.  You play on the playground with "buzz-girl" who apparently is known as Olivia to non-superheros.  You have had your first run-ins with Big Jackson, and chose to protect "little Jackson" because your heart is so sweet.  Day 2 you tested Miss Keli, she won... you've been amazing every day since.

You come home and sing a new song every day.  You are excited about your shapes and all that comes with learning.  You are allowing yourself to soak up everything that is happening right now, I LOVE THAT.

I pray that I can keep this excitement about learning going throughout high school.  I'm so proud of you already Little Man.  So very proud.

Love Momma.

Tiny Dancer

Last Saturday, I joined about sixteen million other crazy moms, and took advantage of Oklahoma's tax-free weekend.  Big deal when you are school shopping and able to combine the tax-free offer with the mega-sales the stores have.   I ended up saving a pretty substantial pile of cash, and Blayne scored some great gear for his very first year of school.  Promise, this is a big deal, and I will no doubt be posting a sad/happy post.  However, this isn't about back to school shopping.

This is a post about a little trip to the cutest little shop on 71st street.

At this cute little shop... you buy things that come in packages like this:

Pink and Black :)

I can remember the day my parents sat me down on the couch and asked me if I wanted to take dance class.  We lived in Edna, in the school house a lot of my oldest friends remember.  I'm not sure why, but I was sitting on the arm and my dad was sitting on the cushion next to me.  My mom came into the room and said, "have you asked her yet?"  Dad said, "No.  Isn't this something you want to ask her?"  I was almost six years old.  I remember feeling a little bit scared.  

Mom asked me, "Jennifer, would you like to take dance lessons this year once you start school?"  I remember being SO SO SO excited.  Girls who took dance lessons got to wear pink skirts, and make up, and sparkles.  I couldn't jump up and down fast enough.  I jumped right into my daddy's arms and he laughed.  I remember him laughing like it was yesterday.  He laughed.

I remember the first year we danced to the Pink Panther theme, and Jean Ann taught me how to turn cartwheels.  When it came time for recital, the make-up was caked on, and the stage was set.  I don't remember actually seeing anyone in the crowd because the lights were so bright, but I do remember watching my beautiful teacher dance.  She was one of my first heroes.  She dated my favorite uncle, she was beautiful, and so kind.  She allowed my friends and I to have extra candy, and she gave us hand-made gifts.  She hugged us so tightly, and she smelled so good.  Oh, and her dance attire, beautiful.  She even looked beautiful in sweat pants.  I loved her. 

A few years ago, cancer took her away from hundreds of little girls, let alone her own.  She was much to young, and my own daughter was cheated from being a student of hers.  I know Emileigh would have loved Jean Ann. 

When we moved to Bristow, Dance was one of the first things I told Kevin I would be enrolling Em-J into.  I hope and pray she loves it.  I don't care if she is amazing or funny. I just hope she falls in love with the music and the friendships she will make.  I am still very close with some of the girls I started dance class with in 198-something. ") 

I couldn't help but be a bit emotional when buying things like ballet shoes, tap shoes, and leotards.  

I can't wait to see my baby the first day :)  Growing up.  I know Jean Ann is smiling.

   

Aren't these shoes and leotards ADORABLE?!? Small so small :)