baby tossin’

 

At first, we weren’t sure what she’d think.  He tossed her a bit higher… a bit higher…

 

then, the BIG one!

 

And she loved it (although, I’m not sure which one loved it more, Daddy or Sara)

 

What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

Alex’s new preschool

 

 

 

 

Alex started another preschool 2 weeks ago.  It was a tough transition, considering he was really looking forward to “big kid” school.  Some of his other friends had left his preschool and Alex talked and asked to go to “big boy” school.  He wanted to go so badly!  We looked around in December, but choose to keep him there at his current preschool.  He would be the oldest kid there, but it would be an opportunity for him to step up.  Unfortunately, they decided to close down end of January (it was an in-home daycare/preschool). 

 

So, the decision was made for us! 

 

We choose Evergreen Montessori in Kirkland and so far it has been great!  I love that Alex is in Montessori type school since he is SO smart and this will allow him to really fly off in whatever direction, and level, he is at and wants to go. 

 

The transition has been rough.  I had been doing pick-ups (the easiest to do) for a long while, but with this new schedule of having to get to school by 9AM since that is when school started, I would do drop-offs and Lance would do pickups.  His office is literally 100 ft away from Evergreen Montessori. 

 

The first week (except for the first day) was horrible.  Alex was screaming the whole way to preschool, sobbing with big tears coming down his face saying he wanted to go back to “little kid” preschool.  Once we got to the school, he would hold on to my legs so tight and not let go.  We would drop off his bag, sign him in and wash his hands.  I would try to get him interested in something and then leave.  I would physically have to unwrap his arms off my legs (he’s stronger than you think!) and close the door behind me to get out.  It was so hard! 

 

But, I’m not unfamiliar with the stages:

1) honeymoon – everything is new and fun

2) transition/adjustment – the rough part

3) acceptance of the new routine and the rest of the time at the school

 

Little did I know that the honeymoon would be one day!  I finally got it out of him that he wanted to go back to “little kid” preschool since he knew everyone’s name and new all the rules.  He talked about the new rule of having to put something away before taking something else out.  No matter how much reason/logic a child has – they don’t have enough at this stage to realize (even though you say it) that they will make friends and know everyone’s name. 

 

So, after almost two weeks of this – on Friday – we talked about what was going to happen, and since it had happened that whole week, it wasn’t a surprise. 

 

We go to preschool

Drop off his bag

Sign him in

Wash his hands

Say bye bye, hug and kiss

Mommy has to go “working”

 

Finally – on Friday after 9 days – we had a very nice drop off. 

 

Mind you – teachers would tell me that ~1 minute after I left he was fine. 

 

So, now we are on to week 3.  Here’s to Monday morning drop off!

 

 

 

 

Alex was even featured in their weekly newsletter!

image: Evergreen Montessori

2010–looking back

 

1). What was the best thing that happened to you?

Both: Sara’s birth and her joining our family.  Our family is complete.

 

2). What was the most challenging thing that happened to you?

Allison: Balancing two kids, two full time jobs, time for ourselves and time together.  Something’s gotta give!

Lance: When Alex was in the ER with apparent appendicitis and I was in San Francisco on business

3). What was an unexpected joy?

Allison: The boat (trust me on this – this was totally unexpected for me!)

Lance: trip to Leavenworth was much more fun than I thought

 

 

4). What was an unexpected obstacle?

Both: Changing care for our kids more than expected

5). Pick three words to describe your 2010

Allison: adjust/balance/delegate

Lance: tired/rewarding/no-time

6). Pick three words your spouse would use to describe you

Allison:  strong/caring/planner

Lance: tired/supportive/provider

7). Pick three words you would use to describe your spouse

Lance about Allison: tireless/dedicated/motherly

Allison about Lance: busy/stressed/no-time

8). What was your biggest personal change?

Both: Adjusting our life with two kids

9). What was your most enjoyable part of your work (at home and at work)?

Allison: teaching Alex things, laughing, playing outside and being QC lead for a project at work

Lance: playing with the kids, getting multiple raises

10). What was your most challenging part of your work (at home and at work)?

Allison: lowering expectations, trying to “do it all” and returning to work after maternity leave

Lance: dealing with mood swings from kids, working late into the night for deadlines

11). What was your biggest time waster?

Allison: computer, facebook, reading blogs

Lance: iPad “research”, channel surfing

12). What was the best way you spent your time?

Both: playing with kids, games, talking, together time

Allison: taking pictures, cooking for family

13). What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

Allison: that I can’t “do it all” – not even close!  I’m stronger than I thought I was.  Trusting my instincts as a mother.

Lance: Can’t be the perfect Dad all the time

14). What word, phrase or statement best describes 2010 for you?

Allison: Adjust

Lance: Sara

Next up – goals for 2011!  And beyond.