Jasmine and Francesco.

That's what they're calling themselves these days.

As of today, they are officially Kindergarteners!!

 

Today was their first full day after being home with me for 5 1/2 years. I am going to be THAT mom.

 

 

 

Bittersweet tears, not knowing what to do with myself, counting the seconds until they're home... no, not that mom. The other mom- the one who shouts, "Hallelujah, I survived! I deserve a cookie and a nap."

Look y'all... I worked hard those 5 1/2 years to get these two to this day.

I love my kids. They are smart and funny and entertaining for sure, but just think about how much smarter and funnier and entertaining they will be now that they are in school seven hours a day?! I am beyond grateful to have had this time at home with them... I am.

It was time for a change. For all of us!

They are going to grow SO much this year and I'm going to be a better mom having some time to organized my thoughts life and get things done without the circus in tow.

The last few weeks have been killer.

Granted- our days were a mess with the school delay, we are selling our house, (Sweet Oz, someone buy our house. Please.), buying a new house, in school/out of school- it's a lot to handle for little ones (and big ones, to be honest).

But today starts a new chapter!

 

 

 

Brynn did great! She was just slightly bashful and only momentarily clingy, but SO excited.  Brynn's teacher went into early labor Monday and delivered a healthy baby boy. I hope Brynn is still able to get the "help" she needs from an interim. We were/are counting on working with a teacher to get Brynn the tools she needs to succeed and get her ADHD under control. I hope this doesn't effect that :/

Aside from that, I am so so excited for this little girl. She has waited very patiently to get her turn to go to school. She will finally have the opportunity to develop her own interests and her own friendships separate from her brother's and sister's interests and friendships.

Cale struggled a little bit during the testing day. Actually, he did great. But the second he walked out the door, all the anxiety he had been holding in exploded out of him. I left the school black-and-blue, but we got through it! He did much better on the half day, with only a slight tantrum on the two minute drive home. He told me this morning that he is excited to try kindergarten and play outside (HUGE deal, not only for him to feel it, but to recognize it and say it with words!).

 

Let's not forget our third grader!

 

 

She may (still) have her heart set on paleontology, but for now- she's pretty much rocking the big sister gig (and loving third grade).

 

 

 

 

I will say, it is nice to know she is there to keep an eye on Brynn and Cale. We haven't asked her to, but she has willingly volunteered ;)

 

This morning was chaos at our house. I expected the rush of three kids, three backpacks, three lunches, etc. I didn't really plan for Layla announcing she had extra work to finish, lunchboxes leaking all over the kitchen, Brynn trying to drill a whole in the window, Cale painting with toothpaste, Anna Gray dumping a bowl of oatmeal/flax seed on herself...
 We will get our new routine down soon enough, but now it includes Mama having time to clean it all up! (Except, I better do it fast before our next showing.)

I'm sure WFE's newest Wests will come home exhausted today and likely meltdown from overstimulation at some point, but I'm also sure that they will have grand stories to tell and grass-stained knees from playing with friends, and backpacks full of colorful creations! And I can't wait.

Until then, I am forced to spend all my time with this little munchkin!!

I'm digging this new chapter.