First Day of Kindergarten

We did it!! Madison started kindergarten today and it was a wonderful experience. Here she is in front of the house with backpack and lunch box, ready for adventures at her new school. I only had to call her name once this morning to get her out of bed. She was excited to start the day, having breakfast and then getting dressed without a word of arguement. Yes, I realize this won't last long, but I certainly enjoyed the experience.

The first morning was a bit overwhelming to the grown ups, but all in all we did ok. The children gathered in the cafeteria in designated areas according to which teacher they have. And then one class at a time went to their room. We found the designated area for Madison's teacher without too much trouble and then we saw her teacher. Maddie walked over, said Good Morning, and introduced herself again. Mrs. Voss told her where to sit and there she sat. While other children were crying and hugging good bye, Madison sat smiling for the camera.





I felt much better leaving her once Emily arrived. Emily is Madison's good friend from Emerson Academy and we are so happy the girls are together again.



Maddie walked to her classroom with her soon-to-be-friends, waiving at us and smiling her million dollar smile. We are so proud of her! I can hardly believe the morning went this well. All my fears and anxieties disappeared this morning when the time came to actually do it. As Kim pointed out in the car as we drove away from the school, this was our plan - to raise a confident, outgoing young lady who is charming and brilliant at the same time. I guess I can check that one off the to do list!

After taking Madison to school, I drove McKenzie to her school. There were many questions about Maddie's location. And then she tells me, "I want to be with Maddie." I explained Maddie had gone to big girl school this morning. McKenzie replied, "I'm big too!" It touches me deeply that they love each other this much given the number of arguements I listen to every day. The ride to school was very sweet with McKenzie.

Stay tuned for news from the first day of school!

Last Night in Pre-School

Well, folks, this is it. Tomorrow is the first day of kindergarten for Madison, my baby who came to us at 3 1/2 lbs. When did she grow up?? I know this is what every parent says as a child goes off to kindergarten, but this is different because this is MY child. I never thought I would be emotional about her going to kindergarten because I have always been a working mother and day care is just part of life. What I never took into consideration is what kindergarten means. Until now, Madison has been under our supervision. She is part of our family, she belongs. Kindergarten signals her entrance into the world. She will now be under the influence of a system larger than her family, bigger than her parents. Being part of this larger system will affect our entire family, dictating when we go on vacation, when we sleep in, when we stay up late, when we do so many things. Now we share her with a small piece of the world. Wow.

On the other hand, I am so stinking proud of my baby I can hardly stand it. While her listening skills leave much to be desired, she is hysterically funny, extremely outgoing, joyful through and through, and a generally fun person to hang out with. I know she will make lots of friends and have lots of fun at her new school. The whole world is open to her now that she can read and what she learns this year will be the basis for her entire education. As I write this, the first African American man is being nominated as the candidate for the Democratic party of the United States of America. ALL things are possible for Madison. Hope abounds in America and at Forest Creek Elementary.

Tonight, she had a bath, packed the lunch box and the back pack. We sat on the couch to read The Night Before Kindergarten again. We have talked at length about what will happen tomorrow and she is totally excited. I had so much fear as a child. I remember being terrifyed the first day of school, but Madison can hardly wait. Here she is modeling the back pack, which I predict is going to be too small, but we have to start somewhere.



Stay tuned for the update tomorrow. I can hardly wait to hear about her day. My baby - the kindergartener.

Braids

Kindergarten is a mere 36 hours away and all is quiet on the Round Rock front. Madison and McKenzie had their hair braided on Saturday. Maddie insisted on having beads in her hair and I found super, super cute tiaras (rather than actual beads) to use. They both look absolutely precious and I am extrememly pleased with the outcome. A huge thank you to Daricka Jackson for coming to our home to braid hair! I think we will have a long relationship with Daricka.



This morning we played with the Play-Do set Halee gave McKenzie for her birthday. It was a lot of fun.




Even Morgan joined in the fun by sitting on the kitchen table with us.



I played a game of Candy Land with Madison today while McKenzie took a nap. I casually asked her what she would say if someone at kindergarten wanted to know why she has to Moms.

She said, "They're not gonna ask."

"Yes, they are," I assured.

"No, they won't," she insisted.

"Let's just pretend they did. What would you say?" I pressed.

Indignantly she replies, "I will tell them I have two moms. That's the way I was born. You have your family and this is mine."

I smile.

"What will you say if they want to know why your moms are pink and you are brown?"

"They won't ask."

"Yes, they will."

"NO, they won't."

"Let's say they did. What would you say?"

"I would say that's the way I was born. I was adopted by two white ladies and they are my stinky moms who won't play a game with me, the bugger heads."

I think Madison is going to do just fine in kindergarten, don't you?

The night ended with McKenzie feeding Morgan a bottle and Madison falling asleep on the couch at 7:58 Pm. After Kim and I did the dance of joy around the living room, we started putting them to bed. I think kindergarten and the absence of naps will have a self correcting effect on our bedtime problems with Madison. A mother can only hope.

Meet the Teacher Night

Tonight we met Madison's kindergarten teacher, Ms. Voss. She is very young and is very energetic as all kindergarten teachers must be. She has been an assistant the last couple of years and is now a lead teacher for the first time. Her room is sandwiched between two 15+ year kindergarten veterans, so I feel like we are in good hands.

It was an absolute zoo at the school tonight, which offers grades K-5. Walking into her room was a peaceful experience. The room is beautiful with 5 small tables, each holding about 4 kids. There are 3 computers, a reading corner (Maddie immediately recognized one of our books on display Lola at the Library), and lots of stuff to look at on the walls. I took a picture of the room, but it doesn't do it justice. Ms. Voss did a great job! The school itself is beautiful.



We were so excited to see 2 friends walk into the room. Emily and Aiden will also be in Ms. Voss's class. Maddie and Emily are great pals and we love their family. This is a very good thing. Here are Madison, Emily, and Emily's little sister, Katie.



We even got a picture with Ms. Voss!



It was very exciting to sign the volunteer sheet and join the PTA. I can hardly believe it is time for all of this! This is a new era in our family, a new frontier for us. We're off the map and I am excited, though slightly terrified. I think that is how I am suppose to feel. I feel closer to Kim right now too. I want to scream, "Look what we've done together! Isn't she amazing?" I just hope we've given Madison the right tools to cope with whatever lies ahead. She is a black kid being raised by not 1, but 2 white mothers. She will have a lot to put up with in life and I am so worried I have kept her in a bubble until now where all is safe. All I know is personality has gotten me everywhere in life and my sweet baby has more personality than I could ever hope for.

School officially starts on Tuesday. I am feeling a little sad about leaving Mt. Sinai; however McKenzie will still be there for another year. Monday is Maddie's last day at Mt. Sinai and I continue to be tremendously thankful for this school. I love these people so much and appreciate all they do for my children. It is the best school we could have EVER chosen for our family.

Kim and I took Maddie to a special dinner after Meet the Teacher Night. She has to be the only kid wanting soup on a 100 degree day in Texas. Ms. Fronisha kept McKenzie and Morgan at home so we could focus all of our attention on Maddie. I even had a little present for her. I found the sweetest little book at Barnes and Noble called The Night Before Kindergarten and we read it together over dinner. It was a wonderful night.

So, kindergarten, here we come!

Happy Birthday McKenzie!

McKenzie turned 3 on Monday and we finally celebrated with friends tonight. I brought cupcakes to her classroom this afternoon, which was fun. And then we had the neighborhood and close friends join us tonight for another celebration. McKenzie had the best time! I think all the children did, but McKenzie was in her element. She has been looking forward to this celebration for over a month!

I have to say how proud I am of McKenzie. She has changed so much in the last year. She has changed physically (taller, thinner) and truly come out of her shell. We still see glimpses of the shell when she is nervous or afraid, but for the most part she is an outgoing, loving, sweet little girl. This is especially true at home, where she clearly feels the most comfortable. I cannot believe God has brought this bright light into my life. I love her so much and cannot imagine my life without her for even a minute.

Now, on to the pictures. Here are my girls waiting for the guests to arrive.



It was nearly impossible for McKenzie to greet people without ripping open the gifts in their hands. When it finally was time to open gifts, we discovered a few had already been "examined". She was so excited!

Here she is opening books from Uncle Carl and Aunt Colleen. Huge hit!



Nanny sent a beautiful princess dress that we love and a matching tierra.



Becki and Becca gave her a beautiful dress and matching tights that will be perfect for church. Thank you!!



Lucy from next door gave McKenzie the first of three princess costumes. I believe McKenzie is now sleeping in this one as I type :) Thank you Lucy, Christi and Danielle!



Karen and Lisa headed North to share in the celebration. We definitely appreciate their drive! They brought McKenzie the biggest piggy bank I have ever seen and she loves it! Karen even had money ready to deposit! How smart! Thank you Karen and Lisa!




Morgan was well loved during the party. We were shocked she could fall asleep on top of Lisa with the roar of all the kids! Danielle is so good with kids, all kids, and she is no different with Morgan. The first time we ever met Danielle and Christi they didn't even have kids yet and we were like, "Who is that nut on top of the monkey bars with the kids?" Now she and Christi are the mothers of 4!!



And finally, the moment we have all waited for ... the song. You know the one.

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The cake turned out beautifully, though I did have seconds thoughts at the check out counter when I looked down at the cake with new eyes. Maybe having a giant rat put on the cake wasn't the best idea after all. Luckily, no one minded and McKenzie was able to share her favorite movie with her friends. And used Aunt Pat's "Special Day" plate to serve the cupcakes. Thanks Aunt Pat!



We were so glad Aunt Becky Bumpass was able to join us! She gives the best hugs!



And now all is quiet. McKenzie is sound asleep upstairs dressed in a beautiful princess gown. I was able to wrestle the tierra off her head in order to lay on the pillow. Madison reluctantly went to bed a while later. Tomorrow night she meets her kindergarten teacher for the first time, so it will be a big day. Morgan had a fabulous bottle and fell asleep in Mama's arms. The cake has been put away. The dishes are loaded in the dishwasher, the wrapping paper has been thrown out and the tissue paper is folded. And I sit here watching the Olympics and thinking how truly blessed I am. For someone who never thought she would be a mother, I marvel at how much my life has changed. Yes, my house is a zoo most of the time, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Good night!

Kids on Soda

WARNING: THIS CAN HAPPEN TO YOUR CHILDREN. CAUTION!

Madison discovered soda tonight. Specifically, Fanta organge which I can't imagine anything more disgusting. We noticed a strange noise coming from Maddie. See if you can hear it.

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End of Summer Blow Out

Yesterday was the last official day of summer at Mt. Sinai Christian Academy where Madison has spent her days since she was 14 months old. The other children at the school will advance to their new classes, but the 10 children in the Solomon Class will prepare for kindergarten in public school. Fortunately, kindergarten doesn't start until August 26 and Mrs. Fowler, greatest director in the world, is allowing the Solomon class to come back for another week until we go our separate ways.

There was face painting.



There were tricycle races, snow cones, relays of all kinds, and pony rides.




Even Morgan was able to enjoy the festivities from her stroller. Later, everyone had a major bath. We had major stinky children on our hands after playing outside for so long. It was a great day.