The Kindergarten Kid

Well, it's official. I lovingly packed her back pack, stocked her lunch box and dressed her in a cute outfit for day one of kindergarten. Check, Check, Check!


The short drive to the elementary school is usually only about 5 minutes, but yesterday? Man! It was a zoo to get on the main road, much less into the school parking lot. A policeman was directing traffic, along with many of the support staff at the school. This all in an area that doesn't usually have traffic issues, except for when a tractor is slowing down the cars behind him on the road to town.

Momma came along and helped with Cub, and as we finally got parked to go inside I thought Elizabeth might be getting a case of the jitters? If so, she sucked it up quickly and hopped out of the car. I had a case of the jitters, but decided if my little girl was gonna take it in stride, then I would (try) too!

EJ walked in the door and remembered which hallway to take all by herself... she followed the correct "color" on the floor right to her room. I only had a brief moment at the door to hug her and tell her "I love you - you are such a big girl!" before she was swept inside to color a cowgirl picture.... I could see all that because I looked in through the window. I must have looked like she sometimes does with my head pressed up to the window, looking inside with wide eyes to see what is going on. Except she usually makes faces at me when she is doing this, and sticks her tongue on the window... I wasn't that distraught.

She shed not one tear, and had a grin from ear to ear. I was a mess myself... I had tears streaming down my face as I turned to head back down the hall. It's not I don't want her to be there, not at all. It's just I am not so sure when she got old enough to be there.

As I looked around, I was comforted by the fact I wasn't the only one... it was if for a moment we Mommies had switched places with our kids. They were fine and dandy, being "big girls and boys" and trying something new. We Mommies were all crying in the hallway, trying to get a grip on things and not doing a great job at it.

Momma, Aunt Runelle, Cub and I went to Cracker Barrel to have breakfast after, partly to keep my mind off of it. Then we did a little antiquing (found nothing of interest) and came on home.

Cub needed a nap, so Momma stayed with him when I went to pick up EJ. As she came out the door for car riders I saw my sweet girl with that great ear to ear grin, obviously still loving her new school.

I got out of the car to open her door as she ran over to me. She held her arms up like she has since she was a baby, wanting Mommy to pick her up for a bear hug... she may be a big girl now... a kindergarten kid even... but she's still my sweet Elizabeth, my first baby, and such a part of my heart.

"Mommy! Mommy! Let me tell you what we did today!"

I am so proud of her!

*** I am participating on the Blog Train over at My Sweet Life with this post.... I'd post the cute train "button", but again, I am a technical dummy. Go check it out!

Wordless Wednesday

I have to say that I am not sure whether my husband took this photo or I did, but I love it. It is located close to my late Grandma's home place, in the heart of Georgia. Great sign with an even greater message...

Check out more Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom!

EJ's Kindergarten Orientation

Okay, first of all, when did kids begin getting "jipped" out of a real summer vacation? I am just now really coming to the realization that tomorrow is Elizabeth's first day of Kindergarten. Yep, on August 6th! When I was growing up, right here in this same school district no less, we started school at the very end of August. Then we had a little break at Labor Day.

But August 6th?

As there is nothing that I can do about it at the moment, I did what any Mommy with a 5 year old would do... I freaked out. I spent the morning looking for other alternatives to a full day of kindergarten that begins tomorrow, but at this late date she is on a bunch of long waiting lists.

So, I gathered myself together and got everyone dressed for orientation to be held at noon.

After I dropped Cub off at Momma's, EJ and I headed to the elementary school down the road... we had a bunch of supplies that are required of the students to bring, and so with 3 bags of that in hand we walked into the school.

I have to say I was impressed... as we neared her teacher's room, EJ began to cling a bit more to my legs, but I could see she was interested. The teacher was excellent and very nice - she immediately understood EJ's shyness, and tried to put her at ease. The decor/theme of their class this year is Cowboys and Cowgirls, which is a hit at our house anyhow, so EJ was thrilled with that. I could see her taking it all in, and not soon after she was grinning from ear to ear.

Tomorrow morning will be one of those milestones in her life, as well as my life as a Mommy... I am excited for her, but sad that she is really old enough to go to real school and is such a big girl now. I am praying the length of the day will work out just fine, as I want her to enjoy her after school activities too.

Anyone else out there having issues with back to school? Is everyone starting this early, or is it just us?

A New Look!

I just have to say THANK YOU to Reynie, my Sister in Law, for fixing the layout of this blog while I was away! She is the one who helped me start "blogging", and I appreciate her help very much! I am a technical dummy, so I am thankful that someone knows what to do...

Southern Sun, Sand, Pirates and a Lighthouse

Last week we went on a beach "get away" before the school year begins again. This is a milestone in the life of my daughter, as she will begin kindergarten on Wednesday, and though she is beside herself excited, I am not as thrilled. I just can't believe she is old enough for this!

Anyhow, we left on Tuesday morning, after a couple of false starts the day before. Finally on our way, I could tell it would be a nice week, but it wouldn't be very relaxing in the true meaning of that word. The kids are at the right age to play well together, but when they are on each others nerves? Well, lets just say mine are shot! The ride down was long, even though it wasn't all that far away in distance. I was praying for sanity (or some medication) when we finally rolled into "town" at the beach shore of Tybee Island, which is not too far from Savannah.

Tybee is a little over 4 hours away from our home, but it used to be a "second home" to me while I was in college. I went to Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, and on any given day during spring and summer quarters, my friends and I would find ourselves headed to either Tybee or Hilton Head, SC.

So, I was impressed as we drove into this little beach community and found it to be in much better condition than what I remembered. (I heard it was... supposedly Sandra Bulloch has a beach house there somewhere?) It was once a sleepy little place that all the college students would flock to for the beach, and then leave. In the years since I have graduated from college, Tybee has been in a process of restoration, and there were many families there on vacation. The cottages have been remodeled, and the pier was rebuilt as well.

On this trip were Momma, Aunt Runelle, the kids and myself. We enjoyed the sand and sun in the morning hours, and then after lunch we went out for other activities. One afternoon I stayed at the condo while the others went to Savannah to see Kung Fu Panda, and that was a "real" relaxing afternoon. I read a book (!!!) and sat by the beach, and watched people.

Here is a sweet picture of Momma and Cub one morning while we were walking down the beach.


The next afternoon we went to Savannah again, and this time saw WALL E... I liked it well enough, but the kids didn't get it. They loved the robot WALL E , but the plot of the movie was lost on them. After leaving the theater, we went to River Street. Now, I can tell yall LOTS about River Street, but we just do not have the time. I will have to save those college tales for other posts, but stay tuned as they are doozies! Suffice it to say it is a nice place to go with friends, and watch out on St. Patrick's Day. They turn the river, and beer, green!

We decided to go eat at The Pirate's House, which was a huge treat for the kids. I have been there a few times with my parents, and once on an elementary school trip, but it was so much fun to take the kids. It dates back to 1753 as an Inn for seafarers, and quickly became a place where blood thirsty pirates met and stayed telling tales from their adventures on the Seven Seas. It now is a great restaurant, with awesome fried green tomatos, and a Pirate who gives tours of the place... a very interesting "must do" if ever in Savannah.


On our last afternoon there, we went to see the historic Tybee Lighthouse on North Beach. Another beautifully restored piece of history, the lighthouse still welcomes ships today. It is the oldest and tallest in Georgia, and has way over a hundred steps to the top, going in a winding twirl all the way up.


Momma, the kids and I climbed it, and the view from the top is amazing. All of the historic support buildings are still there, intact on the 5 acre site. Below is EJ as we were going back down the stairs... I was a bit worried as the steps were steep, but the kids didn't seem to notice!


Saturday morning we got up early to pack the car and leave... we hoped to get to Savannah early enough to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady and Sons, but by the time we did arrive she was booked up for the entire day! Momma has eaten there with Diddy, and said it was delicious, so we will put that back on our "to do" list!

As Savannah is really busy on a Saturday in the summer, we decided to go to Statesboro and eat there. We ate at a 'Boro staple, El Sombrero, or "The Hat" as it is known... it was as good as I remember from my college days, and being back in Eagle Country brought back many good times. Things have changed a lot, but not so much that I can't feel the roar of a Simply Southern Saturday (famous GSU football games) and the chants of "Our House", "One More Time", and the Marching Pride Band playing "Brown Eyed Girl".

We had a wonderful time and I enjoyed the break... now it's time to focus on EJ's first day of kindergarten, and really getting down to the nitty gritty of potty training Cub!

A Little Break - Back to the Beach

The kid's bears, CB and Cocoa, at our favorite place, Cocoa Beach!

We are headed back to the beach for a few days... I will be without a computer, which will be both a wonderful thing, and a frustrating thing at the same time. You see, I will have my camera, and I love to take a picture or two. Or a hundred... or two.

I need a computer to download the pictures on, so that I may take a few hundred more. We only have one card, which I can get about 350 pictures on, but I know I'll need more... we'll be at the beach for goodness sakes!

Before we go we may need a destination... my Momma is at their house right now looking for us a condo on a nice quiet beach somewhere. I just am not sure where it will be! I love little surprises like that. This is a "Girl's" trip, with the exception of Cub... he'll be our token little man.

And, I'll also need to wash the kid's clothes, pack the kid's clothes and "stuff", as well as mine. I've not even done that yet. I like to procrastinate, hmm? I can almost hear the laughter from those of yall who know me. I am laughing with you, because if I don't I might begin to stress out... but, probably not. It'll get done!

Oh, yes... and we also have a birthday party to go to tomorrow morning! EJ's best friend from PreK is turning 5 and is having a swim party... we actually showed up for it on Saturday, but then I realized it was tomorrow. Silly me! That bought me a trip to Burger King and their play area to appease two very sad kids who wanted to swim and see the birthday girl... I am not a big fan of this particular play area, or the food there (I am a vegetarian - long story!), but it made the kiddos happy. And that made me happy.

So, I hope everyone has a wonderful week. I'll be back the beginning of next week, right before my big girl begins her first day of kindergarten... I can't even think about it right now, but she is so excited!

God Painted Us a Picture

This was our view over the old pasture between Momma and Diddy's house and ours last night... it was so pretty! BB had picked corn and we were all down at Diddy's barn as they shucked it. It was getting late, and a storm was brewing, but the sky was gorgeous.

Yesterday was also my Momma's 65th birthday - Happy Birthday Momma!

Yes, we do have a lot of family birthdays this month... as a matter of fact, I call it the birthday season around here. Both of our kids have a birthday in July, along with Momma's and Aunt Reynie's . Geoff's is in August... and Diddy's is then right around the corner in September (beginning of dove season!)... right now we are all on a sugar high from birthday cake!