For one reason or another, we have never been able to make it to the Family Movie Night at church until tonight. I think all of us were excited to go. It's been a rough week for me, since I have to be completely off caffeine by next Thursday, and had to immediately reduce my coffee intake to one a day(!!!). So, when we got there, I was tired. We saw some friends, they have 3 boys, one of whom Sarah just absolutely loves. We sat by them, and Sarah and he played, oh, let's call it "follow me", for quite some time. Emma was disappointed because I was under the impression that we were going to see a different movie, which she was very much looking forward to seeing together. She did not complain, though. Then, as the movie got going, Sarah had a hard time settling down. I had to speak with her several times. Finally, I had to tell her that if I had to talk with her again, we would have to leave. (This is how I parent, I let the girls know they have choices, they can choose to behave, or they can choose the consequences). Anyway, less than 2 minutes later, Sarah was acting up again. I had to pick her up and carry her out of the fellowship hall. I told Emma that I was sorry, but we were going to have to leave. I felt really badly for Emma because she was getting into the movie. However, and this is what really makes me proud, Emma never complained. She never whined or cried, she just took it all in stride. Wow, that kid is growing up!

School started last week. Emma's in 2nd Grade this year, Sarah started "big girl" preschool. There are pictures on my flickr of the first day of school for both of them. Emma is, of course, into the hectic-ness (yes, that is now a word) of homework. Her teacher does not believe in weekend homework, which is nice, but the weekdays are a different story. Emma is so excited to learn cursive this year! I remember when I learned cursive. I thought it was so pretty! Emma also got her planner. In it, we found out there is such a holiday as "Grandparents's Day". Huh, I never knew that. We went to Target, and sure enough, there were "Grandparent's Day" cards. I don't know how this holiday has escaped me before. We went ahead and got cards for their grandparents. The ones we had to send won't get there until this week, but since I didn't even realize that such a holiday existed, I think we'll be OK!

Sarah has been funny with school. She has been so excited to go to her school (1/2 day preschool 3 days a week). The first day that I took her, she wanted me to drop her off in the parking lot. She was quite sure she could find her own way in. Obviously, I had to disappoint her, and actually walk her into her classroom. She was so funny. Even once we got to the doors of the school, she said, "Mommy, you leave me here." 3 times I had to brea, the news to her that no, I would walk her all the way to the door of her classroom! At least I know she feels confident enough in my love for her that she doesn't need to have me around to prove it! She is a funny independent one, though!

Sorry, I realize this isn't very well written. I just wanted to make sure I got up those 2 stories! I'll try to do a better job at keeping this updated!

knb

The girls and I went with some friends to Bush Gardens yesterday evening. There are pictures on my flickr, but I don't know how to link that, so if you don't know how to get to my flickr, well, then you can simply appreciate the fact that they are there somewhere!

Anyway, Emma is tall enough now that she can ride several rides without me. Sarah is tall enough now to ride a roller coaster and several of the cooler rides with an adult. While Emma enjoyed her freedom on the swings with her friend (Dorsey, her friend's mom watched over them), Sarah and I went on the Big Bad Wolf together (a roller coaster). She absolutely loved it. She wanted to go again and again.

After we made it through Germany, we ended up in Dragonland. Sarah cried on the baby dragon flyer things (sorry, don't remember the real name for it). Emma and Carly went on all the baby rides in Dragonland without us even waiting in line with them. We could see them from where we were, but they felt very independent.

When we left we could see parents coming in to pick up their older kids. I'm glad I'm not at that stage yet. There is a certain amount of pride, though, in allowing Emma to take a little responsibility on - and watching her do it so well. I probably watch too much CSI or Law and Order, letting her go just a little bit makes me nervous. I know I can trust her, it's all the other psychos out there that I'm not sure to sure about!

Sarah has this duck, "duckie", who she is very attached to. Actually, it was Emma's first (poor Sarah IS a hand-me-down girl). Sometime after she became so attached to "duckie", I bought another one, as a backup. Sarah was aware that there were 2 duckies, but could be comforted by either one.

Those of you who have kids will recognize that Sarah is of the age where not only does she love band-aids, but she likes to decorate with them. Currently, my dishwasher has been "upgraded" (my quote, not hers) with 3 (or maybe 4) Barbie band-aids.

(Believe it or not, that was NOT an aside.)

So, she has decorated her "duckie" with band-aids. Tonight she only wanted the "duckie" with the cars band-aid. Unfortunately, I could only find the "duckie" with the Hannah Montana band-aid. It was an ordeal. It involved a lot of crying. I have no idea where car band-aid "duckie" could be. I was quite sure he/she/it was in the van, but an exhaustive search of the van could not produce the correct "duckie". I looked in all the usual places, too. No car band-aid "duckie".

So, after my search, I headed upstairs to let her know that I could not find the proper "duckie" and that Hannah Montana band-aid "duckie" would have to do. On the way up the stairs, I felt something was wrong, or missing somehow. I grabbed "Ringo", her brown dog, just in case, sometimes she will allow me to substitute. I got upstairs and she wasn't crying. She was quietly laying in her bed with the Hannah Montana "duckie". I sat on her bed and said, "Sweatheart, Mommy is so sorry, but I couldn't find car band-aid "duckie". Could "Ringo" help?"

OOOPS! I don't know why I did that. I'm acting like I'm new or something. She was quiet, she was snuggling with Hannah Montana "duckie". She was almost asleep.

She sits straight up and yells "I don't want "Ringo". I want "duckie". So, I asked her if she could remember where she last saw "duckie", as if the 100th time of asking would somehow produce an answer other than "I don't know." What she said though, was . . . "silly Mommy, "duckie" right here", and she held up the Hannah Montana "duckie".

Luckily, I had enough sense about me to agree with her that I was, in fact, silly, and that clearly she had her "duckie".

Ok, a friend just sent me a website that seems great. It rates movies and (it appears) non-judgementally describes movies so you can have more information in choosing which movies you will let your kids watch. I am so impressed by this site that I'm passing it on whatever way I can. You can become a member by donating (lowest price seems to be $12.00/year), or use the site for free with ads. This had to be created by a parent! Check it out! (you'll have to cut and paste until I can figure out how to make it a link!)

http://www.kids-in-mind.com/