SCHOOL!

Meet your teacher day was a big hit last week, Ava was timid but curious and

actually didn't want to leave.  I was happy about that.  The picture is her first "homework" assignment completed.  A picture of herself (and daddy).  She is to bring this on her first day.  It kind of makes us laugh.

This morning I woke up to this notice from my IPad

(and no, class didn't start at 12:20AM) and my heart skipped a beat.  I am timid now, but make a big deal about her first day and she says "NO" when asked about being excited.  Now I'm worried.

  Despite the "No's", she wants to get dressed for school right away.  She picks out her own outfit.  Whew!  Some of you have seen the get-ups she sometimes wears.  12:20 comes up fast and she was eager to get her back pack on and head out the door.  My eyes are misting and she talks the entire time.

 That's Buzz Lightyear of course.  I am starting to think he has given her the courage.  She seems so at ease about going to school.  My eyes...still misty.

 "COME On Mom!."  I am clearly going too slow as I take pictures and wipe my eyes.  I pull it together, walk her to class, stay for 20 minutes and worriedly say good bye.  This is Ava.  She never wants to be left in a strange place.  SHE DOESN'T BLINK AN EYE and I have to ask for a hug bye.  I leave feeling happy. She made me so proud and wasn't scared.  The sadness sets in as I am walking down the hall. I am leaving her behind in a strange place after three year's with people I barely know.  (can you see where she gets her worried side from-ha).  I walk to the car, call Dejan in tears.  He is a much bigger person than me.  He says it's OK.  She will do great.  She has to go to school.  Hang in there honey.  We hang up and THEN I turn on the radio.  WHY!?!?  They are playing that stupid song from Titanic and I just lose it.  Don't worry I am totally laughing at myself, so you can too.  I turn that crap off, go home, and find this in her room...

Her favorite blanket, that goes everywhere, is just laying there on the floor.  So you know, I cry again.  I blog, exercise, clean a few windows, and am ready to go pick her up.  I know it will get easier, but today was sad and I can't wait to see her cute face and give her a big hug.

Some people say, "You and Ava need time apart.  You are too close, and she is going to have a hard time."  To those people, mind your own business.  I admit, I have some really bad moments, and when I need to cool off, I go.  There's not a lot of places to go where I live, but I go.  Leaving allows me to breath.  But let me tell you why you should mind your own business.  Do you know all the things I would miss, and all the things she's not going to want to do with me later.  Stay at home life is not all peachy, but most days are fun and full of love and laughter.  I hold her tight and feel this will eventually give her the courage to face the world head on, full of confidence. 

I enjoyed capturing a few moments from a fun day in the life of us...

Woody got a lot of play time this day and finally got left behind (just like that). Flowers ("for mommy") and a rock ("for daddy") picked during a walk through the woods.



         Ava was adamant about learning to crush walnuts through my old school chopper,

 and I just love tripping over those shoes and sweaty socks.

Picking out her own outfits, with seer delight, is allowed on most days (even though they make me cringe, she needs some space to be Ava), and her "so cited (excited)"

face just makes me giggle...EVERY TIME.

Not an overly exciting day, but each moment was delightful to capture and a gentle reminder how we should all be more like kids.  Enjoy your children, but remember to take some breathing room, as needed.  :-)  I am just fine staying home with my daughter and she seems pretty darn happy to me...I also wish people would stop worrying over how shy she is.  She's not shy, just around people she doesn't quite trust yet (and frankly, I am quite happy about that).  She will go to preschool in a couple weeks.  Things will change.  I will hold tight to every hug, sweeties, cry, dance party, and yes, even the bad days we have had.  They too are lessons to be learned in some odd way.

On a side note...this is my new ride. I LOVE it and know it totally geeks me out even more, except for the fact those bikes are worth some money. I wheeled and dealed it down to twenty bucks and hauled it home in the trunk of my car...you can imagine the big eye roll I got from my husband.   Ava told me it was going to be "my bike, I will learn to ride it and you can give it to me, okay?!"  :-)  Okay.