Who Invited My Mother In Law? A Moderately Deluxe TR All New X 3 & PTR Link 2/3 !!

[RGirl]

I really am the same way-I could be in the parks 24/7 if they'd let me. Since Bryan won't commit to going every year. I'm always worried about how long it will be until we get back.

After Maddie's first trip, Bryan said he really wanted to take some time to relax. It made me nervous, but I'm glad that we did it. Especially the more grown up meals that we did. It was really nice to still be on property soaking in the magic yet slowing down just a little.

Luckily for me we aren't the types to want to re-do too many rides, so we are usually pretty happy with what we get done. There are things that we all want to do in each park that we've never gotten to, but we try to make sure that we hit the biggies so that we're not disappointed.

I really need to learn how to do this. I hope that I can. I just get into this insane state of go-go-go!

And we do have the problem that Willow does want to do her favorites over and over and over. I mean, she would ride ToT 300 times a day if it were possible. So managing to hit something once won't fly with her - especially because, pre-kindergarten - we were able to go at slow enough times that that was very do-able. That won't be the case anymore. Yikes!!!!

I'm not going to lie-today was tough. Maddie's school's policy is that no parents could take the kids inside (there was a little get together last week to see classrooms, bathrooms, etc). One of the hardest things I've ever done is to let my baby get out of the car and walk into that big girl school all by herself. Luckily (I think) it was storming this morning, so I couldn't let myself get too emotional. Didn't want to wreck the car.

Last night Bry asked why this was so hard for me. I said it's because I have to face the fact that she'll never be my baby again. Today I was cuddling Mads and said "I guess you're a big kindergartener now, you're not my baby anymore" She said "Mommy, I'll always be your baby".

From Maddie's point of view, today could not have been more wonderful. (She did crawl into bed with me last night-having a little anxiety I think. I don't blame her, literally everything in her life has been new in the last 3 months) She hopped in the car this afternoon and said "It was GREAT!!"

I think I'm most worried about silly things like older kids picking on the little ones, Her getting lost in the big school, etc. I know that kindergarten is usually pretty separate from the other grades though. She's most worried about making new friends and what to wear.

You can do it MOM! It's not as bad as I thought it would be. The morning was hard, but as soon as she told me how wonderful it was I calmed down a lot.

OMG - you didn't even get to go in???????????? I would have passed out! We don't have the actual schedule for our first week yet (yes, I am beyond irritated - it is two weeks away), but as I understand it, they ease the kindergarteners in - e.g., I think the first two days are half days, and I know we have an appointment on one of those days for a meeting with the teacher and assessment. Yeah, this sure plays havoc on working parents!

Honestly, I think I'm freaking out most about the bigger picture - her life has been this wonderful self-confident innocence up until now. Starting school, for me, means the end of all that. It means the possibility of getting picked on because you like the wrong character, wear the wrong shirt, say a word wrong, etc. It is the beginning of all that and what it can do to a person - that breaks my heart and makes me tear up every time I think about it. I need to get a grip! Willow is beyond excited and can't wait to start kindergarten, but on the inside, I am just an anxiety attack disguised as a human being!

It does help to hear that Maddie had such a great first day. I hope Willow will have as great a time!

 

[amandaw]

We haven't done the luau since 2004 & I feel no need to do it again. We had an okay table & view but it was still hard to see & hear.

But, I do sincerely thank you for taking your job as a Trip Reporter seriously & getting the EXTREMELY important pictures of the male dancers. I'm sure it was a sacrifice for you but it's much appreciated.

Sounds like y'all made the right decision to leave. I absolute love the picture of Maddie dancing on the dock!

And it sounds like y'all had much more fun back at the resort! Maddie is cracking me up about her Moves Like Jagger! Reid just recently got hooked on the "Call Me Maybe" song. He was so into the USA swim team during the Olympics that I showed him the video of the team on YouTube dancing & singing to that song. Now he loves that song! And the video....he asks to see it over & over. I think he has a crush on the swimmer Missy Franklin.

Isn't it so much fun when your child gets into a silly mood? Some of the best memories are made then.

 

[RGirl]

But, I do sincerely thank you for taking your job as a Trip Reporter seriously & getting the EXTREMELY important pictures of the male dancers. I'm sure it was a sacrifice for you but it's much appreciated.

I can't believe I forgot to thank you for this sacrifice! Amanda, thank you for reminding me. Those were some EXCELLENT photos!

 

[shan23877]

I really need to learn how to do this. I hope that I can. I just get into this insane state of go-go-go!

And we do have the problem that Willow does want to do her favorites over and over and over. I mean, she would ride ToT 300 times a day if it were possible. So managing to hit something once won't fly with her - especially because, pre-kindergarten - we were able to go at slow enough times that that was very do-able. That won't be the case anymore. Yikes!!!!


OMG - you didn't even get to go in???????????? I would have passed out! We don't have the actual schedule for our first week yet (yes, I am beyond irritated - it is two weeks away), but as I understand it, they ease the kindergarteners in - e.g., I think the first two days are half days, and I know we have an appointment on one of those days for a meeting with the teacher and assessment. Yeah, this sure plays havoc on working parents!

I was thinking about Willow and ToT when I wrote that. At least with ToT you can probably still get multiple rides per day in. Thank goodness TSMM isn't her favorite!

That's terrible! We weren't told about a meet and greet at the school that took place yesterday. Apparently kindergarten parents should know that some info is available on the website only?

I can't imagine how frustrating it is for you. I'm lucky enough to have most of my days free, but they are springing evening activities on us that I simply can't get to. Just not enough notice.

Honestly, I think I'm freaking out most about the bigger picture - her life has been this wonderful self-confident innocence up until now. Starting school, for me, means the end of all that. It means the possibility of getting picked on because you like the wrong character, wear the wrong shirt, say a word wrong, etc. It is the beginning of all that and what it can do to a person - that breaks my heart and makes me tear up every time I think about it. I need to get a grip! Willow is beyond excited and can't wait to start kindergarten, but on the inside, I am just an anxiety attack disguised as a human being!

It does help to hear that Maddie had such a great first day. I hope Willow will have as great a time!

You just voiced my main anxiety perfectly. Maddie went to preschool at a private school at a church and there was a mean girl there!

I am so worried that she'll get picked on for silly things. Sometimes I want to discourage her from watching 'younger' shows so that she won't be into stuff that other kids think is for babies. (she's gonna love Disney Jr. no matter what I say anyway. ) I know I'm crazy.

I worry that she doesn't have the killer instinct to stand up for herself. You put it perfectly-she's got so much confidence and self esteem that I worry that mean girls will destroy it.

You are so not alone in your anxieties. I have all of the same fears. I got picked on a bit (all kids do) but I had no problem standing up for myself. I really hope that Maddie will find a good balance of confidence and kindness. Bryan and I were both really Alpha type kids, so I'm hoping that Maddie will be similar. Public school can be such a scary place.

I flat-out refuse to let her ride the school bus as it seems to be the place that I remember the most awful teasing taking place for kids.

It may seem silly to some people, but I've already made it clear to Bryan that I will do my best to 'keep up with the joneses' too. I grew up poor, and I remember how hurtful kids can be to someone who isn't wearing the right thing. It probably sounds totally materialistic and wrong, but to me it's a simple way to make things a little easier for her.

If it makes you feel any better-Mads was on the fence about the Lalaloopsy, Pinkalicious, or Princess pencil case so I think you're good on the school supplies. I asked Maddie today if anyone else had a princess backpack. She said there was an Arial and a Barbie backpack for sure. I told her that those girls might be a good start for potential friendships.

Thank goodness for DISfriends. I don't have anyone else to share these things with! New to the area=no mom friends. Thanks for being there!

I so hope that Willow loves it, I'll bet she will though.

 

[amandaw]

I hope both Maddie & Willow do well with starting school. I can only imagine what y'all are going through with them starting "big kid" school. That will be Reid in 2013 & I'm already quite anxious about it. So many new things to worry about.

Shannon - I agree with you about the bus! I feel so lucky to stay at home with Reid so that I will be able to drive him to & from school. The school bus just seems like the place where bad things happen. The bus & the bathroom. Wish I hadn't thought about the bathrooms. Now, I'm going to have to tell Reid next year that he's not allowed to pee at school.

I can't believe I forgot to thank you for this sacrifice! Amanda, thank you for reminding me. Those were some EXCELLENT photos!

The horror! That what the single most important part of her update!

 

[shan23877]

I hope both Maddie & Willow do well with starting school. I can only imagine what y'all are going through with them starting "big kid" school. That will be Reid in 2013 & I'm already quite anxious about it. So many new things to worry about.

Shannon - I agree with you about the bus! I feel so lucky to stay at home with Reid so that I will be able to drive him to & from school. The school bus just seems like the place where bad things happen. The bus & the bathroom. Wish I hadn't thought about the bathrooms. Now, I'm going to have to tell Reid next year that he's not allowed to pee at school.



The horror! That what the single most important part of her update!

I promise that I'll respond to the TR comments too, but his is more fun for now.

One of the first things I asked Maddie today is if her classroom has it's own bathroom. I know that some Kind. classes do, but not at her school. Luckily it sounds like her teacher is planning group outings to the bathroom. Safety in numbers I hope, at least the teacher will be standing right outside the door.

The school bus is terrifying. Did either of you reed Nineteen Minutes? I think that book+my own memories= the bus being the devil.

Amanda I hope we're not giving you even more to worry about. Do you think that boys pick on each other less at that age? It always seemed to me that they'd just slug each other and get over it. Much more simple than the way girls do things.

***

Ladies--those men were something else! I swear the bodies on them are some not usually seen in nature. It was fun!

 

[RGirl]

I was thinking about Willow and ToT when I wrote that. At least with ToT you can probably still get multiple rides per day in. Thank goodness TSMM isn't her favorite!

Good point about ToT - I have always been a bit GAH! about Willow not loving TSMM, but I think I may soon be thankful for that.

That's terrible! We weren't told about a meet and greet at the school that took place yesterday. Apparently kindergarten parents should know that some info is available on the website only?

Oh, that is just wrong! They should be doing everything they can to make sure that kindy parents know what is going on - I mean, how do we know where we are supposed to find info?????

I can't imagine how frustrating it is for you. I'm lucky enough to have most of my days free, but they are springing evening activities on us that I simply can't get to. Just not enough notice.

Thankfully, I have a lot of leave, and my boss is AWESOME about granting my leave requests. Today, I gave her leave requests for every date on the school calendar (which are numerous - at least one to three per month for various reasons), and she methodically went through and granted every one of them.

You just voiced my main anxiety perfectly. Maddie went to preschool at a private school at a church and there was a mean girl there!

I don't want their spirits crushed! It scares the heck out of me!!!! One of my friend's at work has a child the same age as Willow - as a result, Willow and this child are very close friends. Anyway, the mom and I were talking about all this this morning, and she told me that her daughter, J, has already been teased (at preschool - you may recall that we had big drama last year at Willow's school, and I pulled Willow and was lucky to land a spot for her at the best preschool in town; my friend pulled her child too, and has her at another school now) about what she was wearing one day. That makes me sick - little kids like this should be able to put together any crazy mismatched outfit they want!

I am so worried that she'll get picked on for silly things. Sometimes I want to discourage her from watching 'younger' shows so that she won't be into stuff that other kids think is for babies. (she's gonna love Disney Jr. no matter what I say anyway. ) I know I'm crazy.

I hear you. I struggle with this too. I have come down on the side of letting her be who she is, dress how she wants, watch what she wants (she almost never gets to watch anything because we don't have much TV time - that in itself will probably get her made fun of! ), etc. But I am so about the day she comes home and doesn't want to do something she loves because some jerk kid has made fun of her for it.

I worry that she doesn't have the killer instinct to stand up for herself. You put it perfectly-she's got so much confidence and self esteem that I worry that mean girls will destroy it.

You are so not alone in your anxieties. I have all of the same fears. I got picked on a bit (all kids do) but I had no problem standing up for myself. I really hope that Maddie will find a good balance of confidence and kindness. Bryan and I were both really Alpha type kids, so I'm hoping that Maddie will be similar. Public school can be such a scary place.

You know, I went to a small private school, and I can't imagine a more horrifying place - there were so few of us that, if you were not spot-on every day in every action you took, you were OUT. It was HELL. At least in most public schools, they are big enough that there is room for most groups. I hope.

I flat-out refuse to let her ride the school bus as it seems to be the place that I remember the most awful teasing taking place for kids.

Really????? I didn't experience that, but my school was very different. I have had to open-enroll Willow in school outside our district - they re-do the lines of the districts after I bought our house, and our new district school was voted one of the top 5 worst elementary schools in the state! She will NOT go there! So normally, she couldn't take the bus, but I am considering asking to drop her off with her best friend to take the bus because she really wants to and because it will allow me to get to work a little bit earlier and therefore pick her up a little earlier. Still don't know how that will work. Of course, with open enrollment, I won't even know if she is going to the school where we enrolled until the second week of school!!!!!!! Can you imagine???? Stress......

It may seem silly to some people, but I've already made it clear to Bryan that I will do my best to 'keep up with the joneses' too. I grew up poor, and I remember how hurtful kids can be to someone who isn't wearing the right thing. It probably sounds totally materialistic and wrong, but to me it's a simple way to make things a little easier for her.

You know, this is similar to a conversation I had yesterday with a friend. If DD is made fun of for something she wears, I will, first, encourage her to be herself, but if she is clear that she does not want to wear something, I will NEVER make her wear it to school. NEVER. I am afraid of how bad the bulling has gotten. It is too easy now with all the cyber-stuff. Now way.

If it makes you feel any better-Mads was on the fence about the Lalaloopsy, Pinkalicious, or Princess pencil case so I think you're good on the school supplies. I asked Maddie today if anyone else had a princess backpack. She said there was an Arial and a Barbie backpack for sure. I told her that those girls might be a good start for potential friendships.

That is so cute! Which backpack and lunchbox did Mads choose? Willow chose a Pinkalicious backpack, a sparkly Hello Kitty lunchbox, and two Minnie Mouse thermoses.

Thank goodness for DISfriends. I don't have anyone else to share these things with! New to the area=no mom friends. Thanks for being there!

I so hope that Willow loves it, I'll bet she will though.

I am thankful too. I have a couple of Mom friends here, but in all honesty, I am a lot older than most of the moms of kindergarteners, so other than having kids that age, we don't seem to have a lot in common. I know you and Amanda are a lot younger than me too , but we seem to get along!

Hmm, I just hijacked your whole TR - I should have kept it to PM - sorry!!!!!

 

[amandaw]

I promise that I'll respond to the TR comments too, but his is more fun for now.

No worries....and I agree!

One of the first things I asked Maddie today is if her classroom has it's own bathroom. I know that some Kind. classes do, but not at her school. Luckily it sounds like her teacher is planning group outings to the bathroom. Safety in numbers I hope, at least the teacher will be standing right outside the door.

That's good that they're going to do group outings to the potty. I never had anything bad happen to me in a school bathroom but I always had nightmares about it.

The school bus is terrifying. Did either of you reed Nineteen Minutes? I think that book+my own memories= the bus being the devil.

YES!!! That is seriously one of the best books I have ever read! Horrifying if you have a child. But a terrific book. I like how it really got you to look at & think about ALL sides of the story.

Amanda I hope we're not giving you even more to worry about. Do you think that boys pick on each other less at that age? It always seemed to me that they'd just slug each other and get over it. Much more simple than the way girls do things.

Even if y'all weren't talking this stuff, I would still worry about it. I'm a worry wart. I've gotten better over the last few years. But, when it comes to my son & my husband, I always worry about their well-being. I can't help it.

I think at this age boys aren't as petty as girls. My worry with boys (as they get older) is they tend to easily talk each other into doing stupid stuff. Seems like boys are more easily convinced to get into the partying, drinking, pulling bad pranks on other kids. Reid loves to be the life of the party & the center of attention. While it can be cute & fun now, I worry what his middle school & high school years will be life if he stays that way. For right now, I worry about him being picked on at school, not fitting in and having difficulty with learning. I have no reason to have these fears. I'm just neurotic.

***

Ladies--those men were something else! I swear the bodies on them are some not usually seen in nature. It was fun!

They are lovely specimens!

 

[shan23877]

We haven't done the luau since 2004 & I feel no need to do it again. We had an okay table & view but it was still hard to see & hear.

I'm glad it wasn't just us.

But, I do sincerely thank you for taking your job as a Trip Reporter seriously & getting the EXTREMELY important pictures of the male dancers. I'm sure it was a sacrifice for you but it's much appreciated.

Any time. It was for the good of the TR.

Sounds like y'all made the right decision to leave. I absolute love the picture of Maddie dancing on the dock!

And it sounds like y'all had much more fun back at the resort! Maddie is cracking me up about her Moves Like Jagger! Reid just recently got hooked on the "Call Me Maybe" song. He was so into the USA swim team during the Olympics that I showed him the video of the team on YouTube dancing & singing to that song. Now he loves that song! And the video....he asks to see it over & over. I think he has a crush on the swimmer Missy Franklin.

Isn't it so much fun when your child gets into a silly mood? Some of the best memories are made then.

That's hilarious! It's such a catchy song. Missy Franklin sounds like an excellent first crush. She's remarkable.

Maddie heard "home" on the radio the other day and knew all the words. She yelled from the back seat "That's the gymnastics song! Is this the 'Merican Idol guy?" It really cracks me up how much the absorb. She and I can listen to the same songs, and she knows the words in minutes. I'm usually still trying to figure out if I've heard it before!

Maddie was on a youtube kick when we were at the hotel. Her obsession was Rainbow Connection by Jason Mraz. I liked it the first 100 times too!

 

[amandaw]

I am thankful too. I have a couple of Mom friends here, but in all honesty, I am a lot older than most of the moms of kindergarteners, so other than having kids that age, we don't seem to have a lot in common. I know you and Amanda are a lot younger than me too , but we seem to get along!

Hmm, I just hijacked your whole TR - I should have kept it to PM - sorry!!!!!

Stop it! I am not that much younger than you!

 

[amandaw]

That's hilarious! It's such a catchy song. Missy Franklin sounds like an excellent first crush. She's remarkable.

It is a catchy song! It came on the radio last night as we were leaving karate. Him & I were both dancing & singing in the car.

I was happy with his choice of a 1st crush. She is remarkable indeed! He gets all excited every time she comes on the YouTube video.

Maddie heard "home" on the radio the other day and knew all the words. She yelled from the back seat "That's the gymnastics song! Is this the 'Merican Idol guy?" It really cracks me up how much the absorb. She and I can listen to the same songs, and she knows the words in minutes. I'm usually still trying to figure out if I've heard it before!

Love it! They are indeed like sponges.

Maddie was on a youtube kick when we were at the hotel. Her obsession was Rainbow Connection by Jason Mraz. I liked it the first 100 times too!

I'm going to have look up that video. I love Jason Mraz! You should show Maddie the USA swim team's Call Me Maybe video if you haven't yet. It's cute!

 

[RGirl]

Stop it! I am not that much younger than you!

Hmm, did you know that I am turning 43 next month????

Because if you did, you are one up on me - I thought I was turning 42 until recently. Somewhere in there, I lost a whole year!

 

[shan23877]

Good point about ToT - I have always been a bit GAH! about Willow not loving TSMM, but I think I may soon be thankful for that.

I would be!


Oh, that is just wrong! They should be doing everything they can to make sure that kindy parents know what is going on - I mean, how do we know where we are supposed to find info?????

I was so upset. The website is now on my daily to-do list.


Thankfully, I have a lot of leave, and my boss is AWESOME about granting my leave requests. Today, I gave her leave requests for every date on the school calendar (which are numerous - at least one to three per month for various reasons), and she methodically went through and granted every one of them.

That's awesome. You really hit the boss jackpot. Good for you!

I don't want their spirits crushed! It scares the heck out of me!!!! One of my friend's at work has a child the same age as Willow - as a result, Willow and this child are very close friends. Anyway, the mom and I were talking about all this this morning, and she told me that her daughter, J, has already been teased (at preschool - you may recall that we had big drama last year at Willow's school, and I pulled Willow and was lucky to land a spot for her at the best preschool in town; my friend pulled her child too, and has her at another school now) about what she was wearing one day. That makes me sick - little kids like this should be able to put together any crazy mismatched outfit they want!

I know! Maddie is really all about putting together her crazy outfits-they make her happy. It's sad that she might be picked on for doing it. AT FIVE!!


I hear you. I struggle with this too. I have come down on the side of letting her be who she is, dress how she wants, watch what she wants (she almost never gets to watch anything because we don't have much TV time - that in itself will probably get her made fun of! ), etc. But I am so about the day she comes home and doesn't want to do something she loves because some jerk kid has made fun of her for it.

Last year Mad's frenemy would pick on her clothes a lot. Maddie plays that stuff really close to the vest and would rarely tell me about it, but when she did I asked "Do you like your shirt?". She said yes, so I told her to tell frenemy that she liked the shirt and that's all that matters, but I also told her that if she decided that she didn't like the shirts that she had, we could always go get some different ones.

I am dreading the day that she decides Disney Princesses (her first love) aren't cool because her bratty classmates called her a baby.

We had to fill out a little "all about Maddie" questionnaire before school started. One of the questions was List 3 things your child is interested in. Bryan and I decided on princesses, dancing, and WDW. I asked Maddie what she would answer and she said "princesses, WDW, and sharing snacks and making new friends" At least we were close!


You know, I went to a small private school, and I can't imagine a more horrifying place - there were so few of us that, if you were not spot-on every day in every action you took, you were OUT. It was HELL. At least in most public schools, they are big enough that there is room for most groups. I hope.

I can kind of relate--I was a cheerleader. When one turned on someone, they all did. Luckily I escaped that most of the time.

That's one reason that I'm glad that Maddie will go to a large school. A group for everyone.


Really????? I didn't experience that, but my school was very different. I have had to open-enroll Willow in school outside our district - they re-do the lines of the districts after I bought our house, and our new district school was voted one of the top 5 worst elementary schools in the state! She will NOT go there! So normally, she couldn't take the bus, but I am considering asking to drop her off with her best friend to take the bus because she really wants to and because it will allow me to get to work a little bit earlier and therefore pick her up a little earlier. Still don't know how that will work. Of course, with open enrollment, I won't even know if she is going to the school where we enrolled until the second week of school!!!!!!! Can you imagine???? Stress......

OMG! You must be freaking out!

At least if she rides the bus, she'll be with a friend. Safety in numbers.

The school Mads would have gone to if we hadn't moved had the worst test scores in the district. I likely would have been driving her to a different school.


You know, this is similar to a conversation I had yesterday with a friend. If DD is made fun of for something she wears, I will, first, encourage her to be herself, but if she is clear that she does not want to wear something, I will NEVER make her wear it to school. NEVER. I am afraid of how bad the bulling has gotten. It is too easy now with all the cyber-stuff. Now way.

I am truly terrified of her entering Jr. High. I can't imagine all of the new mediums that kids have to torment each other.


That is so cute! Which backpack and lunchbox did Mads choose? Willow chose a Pinkalicious backpack, a sparkly Hello Kitty lunchbox, and two Minnie Mouse thermoses.

she's half day, so we didn't need a lunch box. She settled on Princess backback (disney store-it's really cute) princess pencil box/bag, and cinderella folder and notebook. She just couldn't choose and finally decided that they all should match.

She insisted on the Sketchers Bella Ballerina shoes for school. There's a turntable built into the toe of the shoe. Pirouttes for days!


I am thankful too. I have a couple of Mom friends here, but in all honesty, I am a lot older than most of the moms of kindergarteners, so other than having kids that age, we don't seem to have a lot in common. I know you and Amanda are a lot younger than me too , but we seem to get along!

Ummm, seriously? I just look really young.

I'm older than most of the parents too!

Besides, age is just a number!

Hmm, I just hijacked your whole TR - I should have kept it to PM - sorry!!!!!

It's my TR and we'll highjack if we want to.

 

[amandaw]

Hmm, did you know that I am turning 43 next month????

Because if you did, you are one up on me - I thought I was turning 42 until recently. Somewhere in there, I lost a whole year!

I am constantly having to do the math to figure out how old I am.

It's my TR and we'll highjack if we want to.

 

[shan23877]

It is a catchy song! It came on the radio last night as we were leaving karate. Him & I were both dancing & singing in the car.

I was happy with his choice of a 1st crush. She is remarkable indeed! He gets all excited every time she comes on the YouTube video.

That's so cute!

Love it! They are indeed like sponges.



I'm going to have look up that video. I love Jason Mraz! You should show Maddie the USA swim team's Call Me Maybe video if you haven't yet. It's cute!

She saw it during the Olympics, and loved it. Check out Jason Mraz, I love him too!

No worries....and I agree!



That's good that they're going to do group outings to the potty. I never had anything bad happen to me in a school bathroom but I always had nightmares about it.

Me too.

YES!!! That is seriously one of the best books I have ever read! Horrifying if you have a child. But a terrific book. I like how it really got you to look at & think about ALL sides of the story.

That's a great book, and that's exactly why I liked it. Her books really force you to think about all perspectives. My faves of hers are My Sister's Keeper, the Pact, NIneteen minutes, and the Amish one. I don't read all of hers, but my mom and MiL do and they always give their copies to me. I have a bunch that I haven't even read.

Even if y'all weren't talking this stuff, I would still worry about it. I'm a worry wart. I've gotten better over the last few years. But, when it comes to my son & my husband, I always worry about their well-being. I can't help it.

I think at this age boys aren't as petty as girls. My worry with boys (as they get older) is they tend to easily talk each other into doing stupid stuff. Seems like boys are more easily convinced to get into the partying, drinking, pulling bad pranks on other kids. Reid loves to be the life of the party & the center of attention. While it can be cute & fun now, I worry what his middle school & high school years will be life if he stays that way. For right now, I worry about him being picked on at school, not fitting in and having difficulty with learning. I have no reason to have these fears. I'm just neurotic.


That's a good point about boys. My boy cousins have all had like 100 stitches a piece from doing silly stuff with their friends. Me? Nary a stitch. Lots of curling iron burns from back then tho!


I think we all are. It comes with being a parent.

They are lovely specimens!

Stop it! I am not that much younger than you!

Right? It's like she thinks we're 21.

Hmm, did you know that I am turning 43 next month????

Because if you did, you are one up on me - I thought I was turning 42 until recently. Somewhere in there, I lost a whole year!

I almost always have to do the math to figure out how old I am. Pretty much stopped keeping track after 25.

I have no idea what year I got married either. That requires me to look at a t-shirt I got on our first anniversary trip and subtract one. That or ask DH, but he usually doesn't appreciate it.

And, I'm that person who can't remember the new year until March every year.

 

[RGirl]

It's my TR and we'll highjack if we want to.

GAH - "quote" didn't work for your responses.

I didn't know Mads had a "frenemy" - what happened? I think that is how I would classify Willow's "lotion" friend (you may recall ). I hate the way Willow actually listens to this kid, and I honestly don't get it, because she is so herself and kind of a leader with her other close friends. I guess I should just be glad that this is the one friend who will be going to a different school - of course, assuming that Willow will actually get to go to the school where we open-enrolled!

I love how your questionnaire answers matched - that is a very good sign!

I can't even think about junior high - I honestly think that is 95% of the worst time in any girl's life.

Wow - half days! I wonder how prevalent that is now. I know there was a suggestion about going back to that here due to budget cuts - I'm so glad they didn't because I would have been s-c-r-e-w-e-d!

Hmm, I supposedly look young too, but at my age, "looking young" doesn't mean much anymore!

Regardless, you know what I mean. I have nothing in common with 20-something moms.

 

[RGirl]

Okay, okay, girls!!!!! I'm just saying I actually lost an entire year of my life!!! I was telling people that I would be turning 42. Weeks later I realized I was actually turning 43! That was horrifying - seriously, I should get a year do-over!

 

[amandaw]

That's a great book, and that's exactly why I liked it. Her books really force you to think about all perspectives. My faves of hers are My Sister's Keeper, the Pact, NIneteen minutes, and the Amish one. I don't read all of hers, but my mom and MiL do and they always give their copies to me. I have a bunch that I haven't even read.

I didn't read My Sister's Keeper but I saw the movie. And I had a friend tell me how the book ends. I read the Pact & really liked that one, too. I'll have to look into the Amish one. I have Salem Falls by her as well but I can't get into it. It's a little different feeling from her other books. It involves magic, which I would normally really like. But, I don't know I just can't get into it.

That's a good point about boys. My boy cousins have all had like 100 stitches a piece from doing silly stuff with their friends. Me? Nary a stitch. Lots of curling iron burns from back then tho!

Reid got his 1st set of stitches on the bridge of his nose the day he turned 18 months.

Right? It's like she thinks we're 21.

I won't speak for you, but I am definitely NOT 21!

I almost always have to do the math to figure out how old I am. Pretty much stopped keeping track after 25.

I always have to do the math, too. And then I do the math to figure out Ed's age also.

I have no idea what year I got married either. That requires me to look at a t-shirt I got on our first anniversary trip and subtract one. That or ask DH, but he usually doesn't appreciate it.

For whatever reason, the year we got married is one thing I can always remember. But, I still have to do math to figure out how many years we've been married.

 

[ladylyons]

I'm not going to lie-today was tough. Maddie's school's policy is that no parents could take the kids inside (there was a little get together last week to see classrooms, bathrooms, etc). One of the hardest things I've ever done is to let my baby get out of the car and walk into that big girl school all by herself. Luckily (I think) it was storming this morning, so I couldn't let myself get too emotional. Didn't want to wreck the car.

Last night Bry asked why this was so hard for me. I said it's because I have to face the fact that she'll never be my baby again. Today I was cuddling Mads and said "I guess you're a big kindergartener now, you're not my baby anymore" She said "Mommy, I'll always be your baby".

From Maddie's point of view, today could not have been more wonderful. (She did crawl into bed with me last night-having a little anxiety I think. I don't blame her, literally everything in her life has been new in the last 3 months) She hopped in the car this afternoon and said "It was GREAT!!"

I think I'm most worried about silly things like older kids picking on the little ones, Her getting lost in the big school, etc. I know that kindergarten is usually pretty separate from the other grades though. She's most worried about making new friends and what to wear.

You can do it MOM! It's not as bad as I thought it would be. The morning was hard, but as soon as she told me how wonderful it was I calmed down a lot.

I've read along and want to say your daughter is adorable!! I have my own princess so I can understand what your talking about with attitudes and just being a little girl. Mine is turning 4 next month and has already informed me we will be having a princess party and all her friends will be invited in their princess/pirate bests. The girls have to be princesses and the boys have to be pirates. Why not princes I have no idea I think she has a thing for pirates like her mommy!!

I wanted to comment on your first day of kindergarten experience. My 5 year old son is starting Kindergarten on Aug 28 and our school here in California has the same policy. Pull up, drop kid off, Leave! I know I'm going to cry but luckily we have a meet and greet with the teachers and get to check out the classrooms on Aug 27 so hopefully that eases the pain for me a little bit. I have no worries about him because this is the kid that says "Bye Mommy, I'll see you later!!" and runs off. I'm more worried about myself!! One of the best things is our kindergarten classes are completely seprate from the older grades, they have their own playground and their own bathroom inside the classrooms so they never really leave the Kindergarten area.

You are so not alone in your anxieties. I have all of the same fears. I got picked on a bit (all kids do) but I had no problem standing up for myself. I really hope that Maddie will find a good balance of confidence and kindness. Bryan and I were both really Alpha type kids, so I'm hoping that Maddie will be similar. Public school can be such a scary place.

I flat-out refuse to let her ride the school bus as it seems to be the place that I remember the most awful teasing taking place for kids.

It may seem silly to some people, but I've already made it clear to Bryan that I will do my best to 'keep up with the joneses' too. I grew up poor, and I remember how hurtful kids can be to someone who isn't wearing the right thing. It probably sounds totally materialistic and wrong, but to me it's a simple way to make things a little easier for her.

I also get scared about the thoughts of the mean kids but we've been really lucky with the preschool we went to that all the kids were really great. They had their moments but included new kids more often than not. I've heard really great things about our new school (from other parent's who's children attend the school, one being a mom of a girl in my daughter's class).

I aree about the "keeping up with the joneses" theory. We live in a very rich area but we aren't rich by any means. We live in a 2 bedroom condo where everyone else lives in 4 -5 bedroom, 3,000+ sq ft homes but I make the best of what we have. My kids don't go without at all and luckily so far we haven't had issues where we've been looked down on thank goodness. I don't think my son is going to have any issues fitting in since he's a pretty easy going kid and most everyone likes him thankfully. Now my daughter on the other hand is very high maintance so we'll see where she is once she starts kindergarten in Sept. 2013. I say do what your able and I'm sure you'll end up raising a very smart little girl!

 

[laura74]

Oh my gosh Shannon. I've been so behind but I'm all caught up now. I have to say this relaxing day of your cracks me up. I'm exhausted reading about it!

we got DD’s daily stuffed animal as well. Lotso it was ( “Smell him Mommy! Strawberries!” All. The. Time).

Did you guys have to bring an empty suitcase with you to bring all these stuffed animals back?

She and I are so much alike and so stubborn—sometimes it can take us both a little while to really calm down.

LOL. Poor Bryan.

The bus was on it’s way to one of the water parks when Maddie uttered the words that no parent wants to hear when trapped on a bus that will be making a minimum of 6 stops—“Mommy, I have to go potty”.

We’d be getting off at the very first resort stop.

That resort ended up being the Swan or Dolphin (which one is next door to the BWI?). We’ve never been to the Swan or Dolphin, and my impression of the hotel was that it was very nice. The kind of place we’d be happy to stay at in almost any major city—just not at WDW. There was no magic, no smiling CMs, nothing that really said Disney.

You know, that I think about it, you're right. It's beautiful there but it doesn't have that Disney magic.

After a bit of effort we finally found the ladies room (the employee that we asked for directions simply pointed, didn’t actually speak to us). We left the resort through the back thinking that we’d simply walk to DHS since we were so close, but we got turned around again outside. Again we asked some people working how to get back to the walking path, but they pretended not to speak English until it was obvious that we weren’t walking away. Then they begrudgingly told us to “go that way”. So, not a great first impression of the Swan or Dolphin.

Wow! You would think the managers would take a page from their neighbors at the Disney resorts and train the employees to be nicer to the guests.

pushing 50 pounds of princess in an umbrella stroller

Priceless description!

Eventually we did make it to DHS. We noticed right away that there were still TSMM Fast Passes available –at 2pm! This is really the time of year to visit! However, the return time was 9 pm, and we’d be long gone by then.

Bummer.

Doesn't the palm tree look like a little pom-pom on top of the hat?

Yes!

And, Bryan actually likes bad pizza. This is the guy who’d been willingly sampling pizza from the kid’s section of every buffet we encountered.

So, Pizza Planet. With a Deluxe Dining Credit.

You mean the dining credit where you could eat at a table service!!!? That kind of dining credit!!!? Omg! Getting apoplexy. Calm down, Laura.

Bryan and I both got cheese pizza with Caesar salad, and DD got cheese pizza with grapes. I’m pretty sure that we got 3 cookies for dessert.

For a deluxe dining credit.

The food wasn’t too bad! I’m not a pizza snob (though I’m not sure that I could ever wrap my mind around folding my pizza in half before eating it) but I thought that the pizza was pretty good. I am kind of a Caesar salad snob though, and the salad was not good. Neither was the cookie. But, it did the trick. We had food in our stomachs, and had taken a much needed 30 minutes to sit and relax.

For a deluxe dining credit.

One Friday night when she was about 3, Bryan and Maddie were talking about what movie they’d like to watch. Having already grown tired of Disney Princess movies, Bryan asked, “Hey Maddie, wanna watch a new movie? It’s got a princess in it!” And so began her Star Wars fandom.

Clever Bryan.

And Toddlers and Tiaras? Only once he’s gone to bed.

I have to watch this. And that Honey Boo Boo or whatever she's called show looks hysterical.

So anyway, as we approached Star Tours Maddie and Bryan noticed the vehicle photo op thingy outside of the ride. Clearly they knew what it’s called and I did not, but even after they told me I continued to refer to it as “thingy” in an effort to drive Bryan crazy. (Which it did of course, it’s not my first rodeo) After a few minutes of malicious (but funny!) pestering of Bryan, it was Maddie who finally broke. “For the last time Mommy, it’s a Speeder!!” I laughed so hard that tears were rolling down my face, and all of the people around us were cracking up too. After all that we had to get some photos.

The wait time for Star Tours was posted at 20 minutes, but we walked right on. I really like the effects of the ride even though I’m pretty much lost on the story part.

Me too.

This is how Maddie travels too

Especially with all those stuffed animals.

We wandered over to the gift shop to see if there was any cool Statler and Waldorf merch for DH (nope)

That would be awesome if they had that!

Since it had taken so long for me to get on, Bryan decided to skip the ride for that day and we headed toward the exit.

You know about that baby swap thing you can do, right? Maybe next time you guys can do that.

(I really wanted to wear that dress darn it!).

I feel for you.

The fact that our table was right outside of the kitchen door may not have helped either. This is an all you care to eat affair, so servers were understandably going in and out of the kitchen constantly. Also not helping? The large pole directly in our sightline. At Wrigley Field you’d get these “obstructed view” tickets pretty cheap.

That's too bad.

They took a break, and then the main courses were served. I was a little confused because I assumed that the show would flow with the courses of the meal, so to me we should have been getting into the meat (see what I did there?)

Very clever.

Dessert-the only food pic we took. Guess we didn't want to keep switching camera lenses

Impressive. We just have a point and shoot.

The dancing was pretty entertaining, but mostly –as I wrote in my trip notes- because the men looked like Chippendale dancers. Bryan was getting a little annoyed at how many pictures I was taking of them, but I told him that it was my duty as a Trip Reporter to do so.

And we thank you.

15 minutes later, Maddie’s eyes had glazed over, and Bryan and I were bored too. We’d made 6 trips to the Ladies’ room for something to do

That doesn't speak very well for this show.

Dancing on the dock

Awwww. Better than the show I'll bet.

We took a boat from the Polynesian Resort and headed toward the Magic Kingdom. Even we aren’t crazy enough to do DTD and 2 parks on our “relaxing day”, we caught a bus to CBR.

Phew.

Maddie asked us how to say “Sorry I was a bad girl” in Hawaiian, and we asked why she needed to know that since she hadn’t been bad. She just wanted to know in case she was bad in the future.

So cute.

I'm not going to lie-today was tough. Maddie's school's policy is that no parents could take the kids inside (there was a little get together last week to see classrooms, bathrooms, etc). One of the hardest things I've ever done is to let my baby get out of the car and walk into that big girl school all by herself. Luckily (I think) it was storming this morning, so I couldn't let myself get too emotional. Didn't want to wreck the car.

Last night Bry asked why this was so hard for me. I said it's because I have to face the fact that she'll never be my baby again. Today I was cuddling Mads and said "I guess you're a big kindergartener now, you're not my baby anymore" She said "Mommy, I'll always be your baby".

From Maddie's point of view, today could not have been more wonderful. (She did crawl into bed with me last night-having a little anxiety I think. I don't blame her, literally everything in her life has been new in the last 3 months) She hopped in the car this afternoon and said "It was GREAT!!"

I think I'm most worried about silly things like older kids picking on the little ones, Her getting lost in the big school, etc. I know that kindergarten is usually pretty separate from the other grades though. She's most worried about making new friends and what to wear.

You can do it MOM! It's not as bad as I thought it would be. The morning was hard, but as soon as she told me how wonderful it was I calmed down a lot.

Wow! School starts early for you!

I remember putting my daughter on the bus for kindergarten and it is really hard. It gets easier as the year goes on and luckily in kindergarten there are lots of opportunities for the parents to get involved in the classroom.

I can't believe my little girl is going into fifth grade. I have to keep reminding myself to enjoy each new stage she goes through and not get sad about the baby years behind us.

Great updates Shannon. And I love, love, love your photos!