Farewell VPK

The school year started full of excitement and ended on the same note. Since starting preschool at SCA two years ago, I've watched my little guy grow and learn so much. I've been weeding through pictures and as I look back I see such a dramatic change in such a short time. His face doesn't have that 'baby' look to it, he looks like a little boy.

The pictures of his first day seem so vivid in my memory. I can't believe that he's already waiting for the first day of kindergarten.

I'm so grateful for the time we spent out SCA. Each of the staff members enjoy their jobs, and they truly care about the well being of our children. I'm also grateful for the Christian values, and lessons they have instilled in Carter. It truly blesses my soul to hear him singing to Jesus, or to hear him recite a verse from the bible. You can tell from these pictures where he's singing that he is a child full of spirit, joy, and pure happiness!

I look forward to seeing him start kindergarten in the Fall. It's just the beginning of a whole new chapter and adventure!  Thank you again SCA for your caring, compassion, and dedication to the children of our community. May God truly bless each and everyone of you!

Carter's starts VPK

The summer is over, and school has started back.  My little guy is in k4 now.  That sounds so weird to say.  It doesn't seem like I should have a child old enough for k4.  He was so excited to be going back to school, he loves it!  However he was very disappointed when he found out I would be picking him up before lunch time.

Our morning started with several bumps.  I over slept.  School starts t 8:00, we have to be there at 7:50.  Well, I didn't wake up until 7:20!!!  Tucker had a really rough night on Sunday, so when we finally did doze off, I was out!  To say the least I jumped up and immediately started rushing. Carter was up and ready, talking about how excited he was to go.  I was making sure I remembered everything we needed to get out the door.  Forget makeup, or getting dressed, I just threw on a pair of yoga capris and tshirt and prayed I didn't have to get out for whatever reason. I walked back to the kitchen to get Carter some breakfast, hoping that things would just start falling into place, when I smelled something horrible.  I thought, we took the garbage out last night what is that smell?  I walked around the bar, passed Tucker and realized 'the smell' was him!  Yep, you guessed it.  He had me a nice little package!!  I thought, oh boy... then when I got to his room I really thought, OH BOY!!  It was one of those up the back packages.  I did not have time for this.... I HAD TO GET OUT THE DOOR!!!  I get him cleaned, and put him in the walker so that I could finish with Carter.  While Tucker was playing, I ran Carter out to the truck, buckled him in, and came back for Tucker and my coffee.  My mind racing, did I have everything?  Did I sign the paper Carter needed, did I put his extra clothes in the bag, did I give him his medicine?  Check, check, unchecked!  I forgot to give him his medicine, so I grab it along with Tucker, and my coffee and head out the door.  I reach for the door handle when Tucker decides he's going to start beating me like a drum with his hands.  My coffee, it was everywhere!  All down the front of my clothes, all over the floor, but luckily it missed him!  I just shrugged and thought I'll have to get that later, don't have time for it now.  So yes, I left coffee puddled on the floor and off we went.  

I was flying down the driveway.  Carter says, "Momma, these people (our neighbors) are going to think you are crazy driving so fast!"  He has heard my mom say that on numerous occasions when she is with us. I just chuckled and said son, I am crazy! :)  On the way to school I was reminding him that he needed to make sure he listened to Mrs. Cicero.  Raise his hand when he wanted to speak, and be nice and share with the other children.  He said, "I know momma, I know."  We arrived at the school, and waited in line for a teacher to come walk him to class.  As he got out of the truck he said, "Bye momma, love you!"  and off he went.  He was so excited, and ready.  Another very bitter sweet moment for me.

Tucker & I came back home, and just did what we normally do on a Monday.  Clean, laundry, and play. 10:50, we left to pick up Carter.  When we got there, we waited in the line, and then here he comes.  All smiles!!!  The teacher helped him in the truck, and as she shut the door I asked how his day was.  He said, "Momma... (sigh), Mrs. Cicero turned my name."  I just looked at him.  She what?  "She turned my name momma, I was talking to Cody and she told us to stop, but we were still talking!"  I just shook my head and told him, son, it's the first day of school and you got your name turned?!  Great!!!  He said, but we were talking!!  Yeah, I got that.  :) 

He then brought up that he was still upset with me that I didn't let him stay with his friends.  I tried to explain that k4 is only until 11:00.  He said, then take me to Burger King. He's not hard to please! ;)  I looked through his folder while waiting in line at BK, and found his bible verse for the week.  "In the beginning, God created the heaven & earth."  Genesis 1:1.  We started repeating it and by the end of the day, he had it!!  I'm so proud of him.

We picked up some lunch from BK, and then it was home for some down time, then nap time. His first day of k4, a success.  He's a pro at leaving momma!  So glad that he is not afraid to be with other kids, and away from me.  It makes it easier to leave him.  I thought today while he was gone, how much will this year change him?  What new things will he come home and tell me all about?  How much will he grow and mature?  Starting school, granted it's only pre-K, is a big step.  It's the end of baby, toddler days, and nothing but big boy days ahead.  Soccer, baseball, football and all that other 'boy' stuff that comes.  It's so amazing to me how our children grow up, change, their likes and dislikes change but at the end of the day they are still the 'little' person that makes our day.  They can teach us so much if we let them. I look forward to what God has in store for us throughout this school year.  I pray that He will bless the school year, the teachers, and the students.   

Looking back....

Thinking back to a year ago, I think of how much my little Carter, my baby, has changed.  He's no longer a baby, no longer a toddler, but I my friends I have myself a little boy.  I have a child that is full of excitement, full of laughter, full of questions, and full of love.  Those are all things that have not changed in the last year.  I don't truly think those things will ever change.  But, the past year I've watched my toddler turn into that little boy that all momma's dream of.  He mimics his Daddy's every move, and wants so much to be just like the 'big boys'!  Even the way he talks has changed.  His conversations are so mature sounding, and the things he pays attention to I would think a three year old could care less about.

He started preschool last year at Sonshine Christian Academy.  He first started off in the k2 class, but quickly moved to k3.  His teacher was Mrs. Rose, and what a true blessing she is.  She has a knack for teaching young children and even better, she's a Christian.  She greets the children every morning with a smile, and truly won Carter's heart right away (mine too)!  I am so grateful for her patience, her time, and her willingness to teach.  It is so bitter sweet for me to watch him learn and grow.  He came home on Tuesday with his backpack and so excited that he had a "good day" and was able to get a sticker and a stamp.  That's a big deal, trust me! :)  That means he did everything he was told on that day and did not get his name turned. Preschool has taught him to share, to be kind, to listen, and the normal things you would expect as well (colors, numbers, letters, etc.).  The thing I love most, is the days I would pick him up and then the next day he would be playing and I'd hear him start singing "this is the day, this is the day, that the Lord hath made...  I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad!"  Or, to hear his sweet little voice sing Jesus loves me, or The B.I.B.L.E, truly melts my heart.  There's nothing sweeter then to hear a little child praying to God, or singing praises to His name.

When I dropped him off this morning, not sure if my hormones (which are still out of whack) got the best of me or if I'm just truly a sappy person but I cried as I told Ms. Rose thank you for being such a blessing in my life.  She has taught my sweet child things that I'm sure will stick with him forever.  I feel so blessed that God has let me be a part of Carter's life.  The small things like learning the alphabet, counting, or singing a song are priceless.  This week, knowing that come August he will be in Pre-K, has really shaken me up.  I've sat back this week, let him let loose and just be.  My baby is not my "baby" anymore, and that truly saddens me.  Oh, what I would give to go back and relive the past three years.  But then the other side of me is so eager to watch him continue to grow and learn.  I think about what kindergarten will be like. Watching him get on the bus for the first time... ooh, that one's going to be tough!  All these little things I never thought would get to me, well they are.  

I used to tell my mom, "you have to let your children leave the nest.  You have to let them grow, you have to let them be on their own and make their own mistakes!!"  I sit here now knowing just how desperately my mother wished she could keep us as small children.  There is just something about a child, a small child.  Their joy, their innocence, it's refreshing.  I'm already dreading the days when my children want to go elsewhere rather then being with old mom or dad.  The silence that will fill our home, I'm sure will be deafening.  I want the very best for them both.  I want their lives to be full, content, and memorable.  I know for them to be completely happy I have to let go and watch them grow, but why must it be so hard?  So bittersweet?  If only I could make time stand still.  

My cup runneth over

Jen

Carter bug...

Momma loves you more and more with each day that God allows me to wake up to your smiling face.  I am so proud of you, and want you to know that you have my heart.  You are my best pal, and I thank you for being my little ray of sunshine.  As this summer passes and you start back to Pre-K, I pray God's blessings on you.  I know you will have so much fun, and I can't wait to see what you learn and to watch you grow even more my big boy!  You amaze me each and everyday, and the joy you bring to my life is something I hope you one day understand.  I could never explain to you how very, very much I love you.  Thank you again, for being you!!

I love you to the moon and back.... momma.