Carving Day

Pumpkin Patch

Every year we go to Rombach Farms Pumpkin Patch as a family and we each pick out a pumpkin for Daddy to carve into Halloween Masterpieces and put on the front porch.

Opening Prayer

Before dinner, we always let one of the girls lead grace by saying a little prayer that they have learned in preschool. Something simple, but serves its purpose. Before bed, I lead the girls in nighttime prayers asking the Lord to watch over our family and then I have the girls say whatever petitions they come up with -- usually a blessing for grandparents, cousins and friends. That has been the extent of our prayers because they are so young. In the back of my mind, I've wondered when the right time was to start teaching them the prayers necessary for church, anxious to use these prayers in our daily rituals as well.

Last night at dinner, we got on the topic of things that my kindergartner, Barrett, is learning is school. For some reason, my husband asked if she had ever heard of the "Hail Mary" prayer. Barrett proceeds to recite it perfectly. Then my husband threw out "The Our Father". Again, Barrett smiles and delivers the Lord's prayer word for word. I was floored. Not only did I assume she was too young to remember all of those words -- she had learned this without my knowledge. I beamed with pride...and told her so.

Both in School...

I can't believe it...now both my girls are in school and for three mornings a week -- I am on my own. I was not sure what I was going to do with myself -- but it turns out those 2 and 1/2 hours of alone time go very quickly...too quickly indeed!

Peyton started preschool wonderfully. On the first day we visited her classroom together for about an hour...and she cried...WHEN I TRIED TO TAKE HER HOME! The next day she went by herself for an hour. When I dropped her off, she simply said "Bye, Mom" and when I picked her up she asked if tomorrow she could stay longer. And so she did. On the third day she had her first full day of preschool from 9 to 11:30, and she loved it!

Her reaction to all of this is so different from her older sister. For now...knock on wood...there is no separation anxiety, no nervousness and she is embracing becoming a big girl better than I could ask for. It is such a relief!

Breakaway Barrett....

Barrett had her first Kindergarten Soccer games over the weekend. Her school had a tournament over Saturday and Sunday and she got to play in 3 games. She really enjoyed herself and seemed to get the hang of it fairly quickly, considering they have only had a couple of practices.

A few times she was able to get the ball and dribble in front down to the goal. This excitement made her enjoy the sport even more(however, no points made yet). I heard a few of the moms on the sidelines calling her "Breakaway Barrett" when she would do this...saying she was small and quick and nobody could see her. I hadn't realized what a cheerleader I would enjoy being for her games -- I am surprised I still have my voice! I am a very proud mama.

Before her last game of the tourney, Barrett asked..."mom if I make a goal this game, could I get a really BIG ice cream?" I, of course replied, "the biggest one you've ever seen!" Maybe next time.

Kindergarten....

Barrett started her first official full day of Kindergarten today. She loves it already. She began Wednesday with a half day in her new classroom. There was much anticipation built up for this day and whenever Barrett was confronted with the question of "Are you looking forward to Kindergarten?" Her response has always been "I'm not excited about it...let's not even talk about it." Her biggest concern was the long time period away from home.

When I brought her in that first day, surprisingly, there were no tears from either of us. Little Peyton seemed to be the only one to express sadness for this huge occasion. Barrett's classroom was adorable, we couldn't have asked for a nicer teacher and my nephew Jaden occupies the seat next to her in class. So far so good. When I picked her up from school that day, Barrett said "I don't even think I'll notice the long day because I've made so many friends." What a pleasant surprise. My little girl is even braver than I expected.

Today, she walked into school like it was old hat. She put her things where they belong, started her coloring and didn't even flinch when we bid her farewell. She even brought lunch money to purchase the meal at school. I can't get over her maturity! She's decided that she is really going to like it there -- I think she'll actually miss it over the weekend. All that worrying for nothing. Yay!

Fun...Lake of the Ozarks Style!