A Tea Party to Remember!

This week I got a very special invitation. My husband and I were invited to my son's classroom tea party. The invitation was absolutely adorable. A construction paper tea cup and inside a tea bag with the details of the event. (This is why I could never be a teacher. So not creatively wired.)



Lil man talked about it all week - it was very special. We discussed what he would bring to the tea party (cookies of course), what would happen there and the best thing - that both mom and papa would be there!



When I entered the classroom, I scanned the room (glancing by parents and kids galore), and then I spotted him!! He was handing out cups to all of the kids and parents. He ran right up to me and held me tighter than he has in a long time. I was so proud to be there with him and picked him up and hugged him.



We found our seat and he proudly sat in my lap, hugging me. I was so proud to be there and to be with him! Soon, papa walked through the door and I saw my son's joy erupt again. We spent the rest of the afternoon making decorating cookies, sipping ice tea and lemonade and sharing a special moment. One that could only be complimented by going out for chips and salsa afterwards.



I love my lil man!!!!

From the mouth of a pre-schooler

My son is going to be 4 year old in May, and I must say that he is in his prime of saying the best things. I am really enjoying his explorations and discoveries - and then hearing the perception of the world through his words. And I think the best are yet to come!!



From the mouth of a pre-schooler... memorable quotes from the week:



"MaPa!" - his favorite new way to call for mama and papa. I love how he has combined them into one word. Very smart as it's a sure fire way to get a response!!



"Look Frank, I got a new train!! We need to buy Frank a doggie train." - today we went to the store and yes, I hate to say it, but I needed to resort to a bribe. Not typical, but a reality. He picked out a train, Douglas - from Thomas the Tank Engine series - and the first thing he did when he got home was to show it to Franklin, the dog. Talk about no truer sense of man's best friend - or maybe it should be pre-schooler's best friend. It was endearing and I love that he did it!

"Can't go to school today!" - This statement alone proves that he is my son. While it might hold little significance to you, it speaks volumes to me. I have never been a fan of school, and that is putting it mildly. In fact, the only grade I liked was kindergarten. When I got to first grade I use to lock myself in the bathroom stall and cry, refusing to come out (until coaxed or threatened by an impatient teaching assistant that I would be sent back to kindergarten if I did not come out and rejoin the class). I love that he enjoys to spend time at home with us, playing with his toys. It is a special moment as I know that someday he will want to trade at-home time for friend time.

"Where's his mommy? She must be at work!" - This quote is hard to write. Lately when we're watching one of his shows and he sees a child character he always asks, "Where's his mommy?" His response sums up the reality of our situation - "His mommy must be at work!" You seen, I am a working mom. While I really enjoy what I do (and I do), it's moments like these that tug at my heart. In just this one statement he is reflecting on life as he knows it and that is hard for me.

Sign of a great vacation!

It was the first day after the holidays. We had all taken the time off to spend time together. We had family in town visiting too and had many wonderful adventures.

When the Monday after the holidays finally came, my son turned to me and said, "We can't go to school today!"

At that moment, two things happened...

First, I saw myself. You see, I have never really been a fan of school (OK, that is being gentle). I often joke that the only grade I ever really liked was kindergarten. It's a half day and you get to play. What's not to like about that?

When I got to first grade, I clearly remember not wanting to be there. I would go to the bathroom and cry (really) in a bathroom stall. I remember one of the teacher's or teacher's aides tell me once, that they would send me back to kindergarten, but I was too old. (Yes, really!) I remember this so clearly. I hated being at school all day and only having one recess. And this was my normal feeling. After being on vacation, summer break, etc. I can only imagine how challenging it was for my mom to stay strong, tell me to be positive - and always smile - and then have to send me off to school. I always would tell her that, "I don't want to go to school!"

Now, time warp back to present day - with me being the mom... the second thing that my son's words said to me - also reminded me that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

By saying that he didn't want to go to school - it was a sign. A sign that he had a truly wonderful vacation. Looking at the words in this way, while the words themselves made me sad, they also made me feel good. Good that our time together over vacation was extra special and that he didn't want it to end. That made me feel so good as a mom that I'm doing something right - and that my lil man had a wonderful vacation.

Whenever I get close to the end of vacation, I too always say - "I don't want to go to school." I too have a very difficult time with saying goodbye to vacation with family. I guess I am sentimental and cherish the time that I have - and love the fact that my son does too. He's clearly a loving, sensitive, sweet lil guy.

I see so much of myself in my son. It just amazes me some days. This was one of those days. Maybe we will just have to stay home from school. :)

Big Brother Quotes

"Santa is going to bring Siena some teeth and a toothbrush!"

"That is my baby sister!"

"Feed my baby!"

"We can't go to school!"