An explanation

I thought you might appreciate an explanation for my extended absence.... which is different from my previous extended absences...and who am I talking to anyway, if you actually read this blog, then I'm sure you have come to expect extended absences from me. So as I was saying (or over-saying as the case may be), the reason for my prolonged absence is that I have a NEW JOB! I was at my old company for going on 14 years and due to a variety of circumstances which can only be credited to the creator of all circumstances, I decided to move on and move forward. This is my second week at the "new job" and everything still feels a little awkward. Not bad mind you, actually really great considering that change of any kind is always hard and after being in the same place for THAT long it is even harder. I don't see how people change jobs every 3 years - I don't know if I could do it. I consider myself a fairly free spirit but man I realized what a hermit I can be in some ways too. Getting out of that comfortable skin that I had been living in so long...a challenge for sure.

One of the best parts about my new job is that I have the opportunity to pick Jackson up from school every day. There is something about seeing him running out of the gymnasium door where the sea of car-rider kids wait for their number to be called. He comes bounding out, backpack flying behind and then he looks, his eyes searching the line of cars for that familiar silver shape. There are few tings (aside from that first sip of coffee) that have give me such a palpable sensation as his reaction when he finally sees me and I wave. If I could bottle up that look on his face and the sparkle in his eyes...ugh - I could live an utterly fulfilled and happy life!

Yesterday when I picked him up I asked about his day and had no idea the story that I was about to hear. He had art class and I said "so tell me about art - what did you do?". As close to word for word as I can remember it - this is how the conversation went:
"well mama....say like that your legs didn't work and so you were retired and you lived in Mexico..."
"wait honey start over what did you say?" (because surely I didn't hear right since A. You don't know what it means to be retired and 2. why would we be living in Mexico)
"I said - say that your legs didn't work and you were retired and you lived in Mexico."
Biting my lip to keep from laughing out loud - partly out of humor at how serious he was and partly out of sheer confusion I said "uh...okay - go on"
"so you're retired in Mexico and your legs don't work so you have all the sisters take care of you"
(okay right because NOW the story is making sense!?!?)
"and since the sisters were taking care of you, I wouldn't have anything to do to help so I would go to the silversmith and get a 'milagro'..." (okay are we even talking about ART class anymore - I'm confused!?! He has A brother - not sisterS and while I have one sister, I'm pretty sure she doesn't plan to live in Mexico with me. He used words like 'retired' and 'silversmith' that I don't think he even understands and words like 'milagro' that I'm quite certain I don't understand! PRICELESS!)
"...and then I would get a milagro in the shape of a leg and put it on the miracle tree and then I would bring the other milagro to you and everyone would say 'wow it is a miracle'..."
Through a bitten lip to keep from bursting out laughing I said "so that was what you did in art class??" (you know - just checking to make sure I asked what I thought I asked)
"yeah...we're gonna finish tomorrow."

And with that - the story was over. I resisted the urge to call the school and ask for the phone number of his art teacher....and her parole officer who should know about her recent drug relapse.

Kids - I tell ya...if it isn't the look on their faces that melts your heart it is their stories that leave you in stitches. Either way - it is really good and really cheap therapy when you are feeling a little out of sorts...like me.

NOTE - I did go home and check that he wasn't completely in left field and "milagro" does mean "miracle" in Spanish. Not that it explains his Mexican retirement plan and strange injury tree - but I'm just saying.

First Day of College

Just thought I would go ahead and admit how long it took me to make this first day of kindergarten post since he might be in college by the time you read it. It was an awesome milestone and being the perpetual crier that I am, I was very surprised and proud that I didn't even shed a tear (cue the flying pigs). The only time I got a lump in my throat was when I heard the principal come on the intercom for the morning announcements and pledge of allegiance. We were walking back to the car and we could hear him on the outside speakers. Just made it all seem so real and so "old". But no actual tears (cue the devil's home freeze over). Truth be told there were probably two reasons for my ability to keep it together, one was that I was WAY too busy taking an obsessive amount of pictures to cry over later (I'm only subjecting you to the highlights) and Jackson could not have been more excited. When I went into his room to get him up, he was already awake and said to me "mommy this is the day that I've been waiting for"...I don't know where he gets his dramatic tendencies (ahem).

We had our first day of school breakfast - the requested "triple stack" pancakes

Then we went outside to take the obligatory first day of school pictures. These are just a few of the ones before his smile started to take on that "I'm smiling because I have to" look.

We woke Gavin up at the very last minute and he couldn't quite decide what all the fuss was about with pictures and pancakes but everyone seems so excited so he thought - hey I'm game for whatever.

Then it was off to the school and into the cafeteria to wait for the teacher to come get them (the standard morning routine). Jackson has a boy from his baseball team in his class and was excited to have him to sit next to while he waited.

Then Mrs. McNulty came and took the class down the hall and back to her room. Once there, they put stuff away in their lockers and Jackson showed some chivalry by helping his lockermate Ashley put her backpack away. Mrs. McNulty started the day with a little playdough and Jackson was excited about that. I tried not to linger too long since CLEARLY he didn't need me.

I could hardly WAIT for the end of school to pick him up. Normally he will be a "car pick up kid" so I let him follow the usual instructions of going to the gym (all the while his camera crazy mom snapping pictures). Then I just walked into the gym and got him. I was so proud of him and he just handled it all like a pro.

The first day of school has turned into the first week and he absolutely loves it! Thanks Mrs. McNulty - you're the best!