Days with the Dorans

Sean had his first day of school a day after the rest of us.  My dad came early (he comes on Wednesdays to get kids on the bus) because we never know what "Sean" will greet us in the morning.  I had been wondering how the first day would go.  Sean is quite the Mama's Boy, perhaps even more so than the other two boys (may be his age?).  He always needs a cuddle or sugar (kisses) and 9 times out of 10 Jeff and I find him sleeping between us when we wake up.  Reminds me of the early days when Pele' used to do that and we'd wonder how we'd sleep through someone new in our bed.  To my surprise (and delight), Sean got into the car eagerly.  It did help that I promised to let him play with my phone on the drive.  When we got there though he happily handed me my phone and went to school.  I tried really hard to get him to stop and smile so I could get a first day picture but the only picture he did this for was the one with his lunch box in f...

 We debated going to Sean's Christmas Sing at school this year.  On the one hand, when he last sang at church he laid on the floor underneath all the kids, so you really couldn't see him... On the other, he did just visit Santa and participated and was great.  So we found ourselves in the car and off to his school (with fingers crossed). Sean was NOT happy when he realized we were going to school at night.  I don't know what he thought was going on, but he didn't want any part of it.  He refused to go into his classroom and so he just followed us into the church.  I asked him if he was going to sing and he said, "Ok!" and went up and sat on the stairs (where the kids would later sing).  We tried to get him to his class, but had no luck.  When the kids finally came in, Sean decided to join them.  He actually joined the older kids (I guess he knew where he wanted to stand on those stairs).  He stayed up for a minute... came down...

With all these posts about first days, I couldn't possibly forget my non-public school kiddo! Sean is back at school three days a week with Nana and Papa each taking a day to watch him. His first day of school was a Friday and I wondered how he would do. Shockingly, he was ready to go, waving to Nana and saying "Bye Bigs" long before I was ready to actually get out the door.  I thought for sure that would change as we got closer to school... He is after all two (and quite terrible many days...).  The way to school was awesome.  I thought I'd miss Z's Zachisms (which of course I will) but instead I had Seany singing me "Call me Maybe" (his version) and pointing out all the yellow school busses he saw.  I also heard all about the colors on his lunch box and he pointed out Nana and Papa's house as we drove by their street (and thankfully didn't cry to go there). I thought I would have to pinch myself it was going so well, but then... we di...

It is hard to believe that this is Z's last "Christmas Sing" (the word sing to be used loosely) and that next year he'll be in kindergarten. Joe and Sean have fall birthdays so will be the oldest in their grades per our choice. Al has a December birthday so is the oldest in her grade per the state's choice. And then there is Zach. He has an April birthday and though that is perfectly 'normal' I like having the 'oldest' kids in the class because I know they are 'ready' for school. One of the best things about where my kids go to school is that it is not overly academic! I think that some preschools are not developmentally appropriate because they are responding to paranoid parents who watch infomercials like "My baby can read" and stress out! I remember for years telling parents that the ONLY thing they needed to do with their children was read to them and talk with them to get them ready to read. As an early educator (with l...

Our Saturdays are always busy with soccer but this Saturday we also had the Pumpkin Festival at the Littles ' school and with all our focus on the Bigs (or rather their activities) it was time to do something for the Littles . I was worried the Bigs wouldn't want to go to a little kid party, but since it involved dressing up they were all about it. We didn't put on any make-up because we had soccer later and Jeff and I only put the head-wear of our costumes on (he being the wizard and myself the witch- and contrary to what my students may think, I did not dye my hair dark for Halloween.). Ali stayed glued to my side but the boys had a great time! Joe loved that he got a little pumpkin to decorate and Z had fun putting stickers on a pumpkin. Sean spent all of his time playing a ball game (figures). They did all of this while Al and I were watching a magic show. Ali loved the magic show, though I was tired after remembering the same show (and jokes) from the past year...

Like last year, the Littles will be going to school three days a week because my mom will watch them one day, and my dad the other. Today was their first school day- the first day of the last year Z will be in preschool! He has been very excited talking all about Ms. Beth (who also taught Joe and Al) and how happy he is to have her as a teacher. Sean of course, had no idea what was in store for him this morning. He was excited when he got his shoes and coat on (it has been chilly in these parts) and waved to the Bigs and Papa saying, "Goodbye!" and I pretended for a moment that leaving him would be easy. But- I knew it wouldn't be and it wasn't. I am not an emotional mom really. I haven't cried leaving my babies at school ever- probably because I know I'll see them later in the day. Maybe this is because I am a teacher so know what goes on during the day- or maybe it's because I am a teacher with little down time to think of much of anything oth...

Again we were excited to go to the Christmas program where the middles go to school. The place was PACKED with excited parents and grandparents, uncles and aunties and so I stayed in the very back. (Again thanks to my zoom camera I did get some pics... not easy with all the movement though.) Ali Jane was thrilled to wear her new dress and blue (yes I said blue- though there was no blue anywhere in her dress...) headband that she insisted she put in her hair herself. I am proud to say that she did sing this year and I could even hear her quite loudly for the first song especially. Now if only we can get her to look like she enjoys singing... so serious! In a way, this was Zach's first time participating in the Christmas program. Last year he sang and did all the movements from the safety of my lap. This year, he had fun 'Rocking the Baby Jesus' (a song they sang) and looking at baby Jesus' eyes, and ears and then holding the baby Jesus up to the wall when he realized th...

I've decided to do two posts to describe 'Back to School' for the Dorans . Because we're both teachers and couldn't miss our first day of work, my mom came to take Joey to Kindergarten, while I took Ali Jane and Zach back to preschool. The first day went so smoothly! Zach went right into his classroom with his 'backpack' (See the next post) and waved goodbye happily. This was good for me since I was a little emotional at seeing my oldest baby off to kindergarten... Zach's always been one to separate easily from his mom and Dad. I have to admit that the rest of the week didn't go quite as smoothly and he has been a bit clingy with me when I have dropped him off and even shed a few tears... (sigh) And then there is my sweet Ali Jane- who has/was and probably always will be clingy when I drop her off. There were no surprises here... She doesn't like to go... and she doesn't like to leave... She was especially angry when I picked th...

This was the second year the kids were in the Hearts & Hands Christmas program. It's always interesting to see what actually will happen. Last year (if you read my blog) Al spent most of the time looking at her nails. This time she just stared into space. We did see her occasionally mouth the words though. Jonasen however was very excited! While he really can sing in tune he really wanted to make a joyful NOISE for God and no doubt He must have loved it! When I picked up the kids from school on Tuesday I was told that they were asked to be Joseph and Mary and both said no. Ali Jane didn't surprise me. Jonasen however did- after his stint in that commercial last summer I felt like he was a born actor. When I asked him about it he said, "Well mom, I want to be a wise man instead." When I told him that there weren't any wisemen in the show he said, "O.k.- I'll be Joseph then." Whoops- someone else already was standing in as Joseph... I told him ...

Last week was the kids first day back to school. This year Joey is in the young 5's program (because of his September birthday and I'm a teacher and know better) and Al's in the 4's. It was so great dropping them off because all of Joe's little friends were already there and said, "It's Joey!" and I turned around and they were all hugging!!!! It was the cutest thing I've ever seen, but I couldn't turn my camera on fast enough! Ali Jane had a harder time watching me go (just as she did last year), but her fantastic teacher told me that she was fine a few minutes after I left. Unfortunately, her second day of school she was super sick so stayed home with a horrible cold! Each night, when we go to bed and the kids pick out what books they want to read, they "read" the book first. It is the best thing ever and I recommend it to everyone. To hear a preschooler "read" the pictures of a book is priceless and it is so wonderful ...

One of the highlights of December was the Christmas Program that Joey and Ali Jane were in through their school, "Hearts & Hands" which is a preschool/daycare that is an extension of their church. They go there two times a week and love it! On this night Joey wore his suit, and Ali Jane her black velvet Christmas dress to sing. Mommy and Daddy and Zach were there of course- but Nana, Great-Nan, Uncle Dan, and Auntie Steph were also able to come and watch us sing! Besides being the best-dressed little boy in the whole program, Jonasen proved himself to be quite the peformer. While most of the kids knew none of the verses to the songs but belted out the choruses at the tops of their lungs, Jonasen knew the words to almost all of the songs and sang everything in one volume... LOUD! He made all of the adults so proud singing up there and smiling at everyone who was watching. He also waved the blue angel that he made high into the air as he sang. This tugged at mom's hear...