And then she was a 1st grader...

I can't believe today has come and gone. I feel like this day has been in the back (middle?) of my mind since Madi was born. I remember saying I didn't want her to start school because there is so much involved - early mornings of actually having to get dressed, lunches to pack, homework, and early bedtimes. But as I saw her grow and challenge herself in kindergarten, I started getting excited for 1st grade. I have never been one of those sappy moms when it comes to a kid growing up. To me, and I don't mean this offensively - we all have our own opinions/mindsets, it is a happy time when a kid turns a year older or goes to the next grade in school. This is something I'm getting to experience alongside my daughter so it is definitely exciting but shockingly, it was nerve-wracking, as well. I REALLY didn't anticipate being so anxious about her first day of "real" school. Last night I was so on edge about it. I was asking Paul if he thought I'd packed enough in her lunch box and asking him if I thought she would be okay after I dropped her off. I double and triple checked two alarm clocks. I prayed that she would wake up on her own this morning. (I really did. She's SO much more pleasant when she wakes up on her own versus when I have to nudge her awake.) I made sure her name was written on everything in her book bag. I made her an adorable binder cover. (She made me take it out when she saw it this morning.)

Well, all that anxiety and all those nerves were just silly. In the words of Madi: "Shouldn't I be the one all stressed out? I'm the one going to school!" Yes, she is right.

Were there zero hiccups this morning? Did I breeze through the first day of school routine without a hitch? No, of course not because life isn't perfect. Did we both make it without a huge disaster? Yes, absolutely. We got to school right before the tardy bell (had some shoe issues...) and I even managed to get a smile.

I snuck this one as we were walking to her class. 

Turns out - she loved first grade. LOVED it. She couldn't stop telling me things. She wanted to keep her cool...that's just how Madi is. But she kept calling me into the room she was in and telling me more things about her day. "Ms. B is 22. And her favorite food is mac & cheese!" "We had 11 minutes to eat lunch. ELEVEN." and "I saw Courtney!" and "Carmen and I were SO close to getting the Hershey kisses." Also, "Math was soooo easy."

These are the moments that make me smile. And the moments that help me remember what God promises - that we don't need to worry or be anxious. It is a wasted emotion.

I'm so happy I was given this lesson in this way -- my girl is happy and that makes me happy.

after school...

bribed with chocolate milk...

and later I realized we were out of chocolate syrup. #momfail

Challenge #2: She's riding the bus tomorrow morning. First time ever. I have no idea how she talked me into this... #cueanxiety #ididntlearnathing

Apples in the trashcan.

Something very monumental in Madi's timeline of life happened yesterday.

She lied.

Yep, it was the first time. At least the first time that I know of and the first time she looked me directly in my face and told me a lie.

I had a hard time not laughing actually.

I told her she had to eat her apples before getting something else to eat. She told me they tasted better if she walked around while eating them. Ummm okay Madi. So every time she grabbed an apple she walked down the hall, where I could not see her. I knew she was lying right away but gave her the benefit of the doubt. I played into a bit too. What mom wouldn't?

I told her I was proud of her for eating them. I was really surprised when she just said okay and smiled.

Since I'm new at all of this, I called Paul for some advice before addressing it with her. He gave me some good suggestions on how to handle it. First things first - I had to find the proof. Sure enough, when I checked the bathroom trash can there were the apples. That's just how innocent she is and kids in general are. She didn't try to hide them in the trash. She just put them in there and didn't think I would notice.

So I sat her down and told her I saw the apples in the trash. I didn't really have to do much after that. She immediately started crying. It was very sad!! I wasn't too hard on her because well, we all did that as kids. It's just part of growing up. But I did pull out the whole "you really disappointed me" thing. I also said "didn't you learn it's not okay to lie from church?" She said "no, we haven't learned that yet." Haha! Well darn!

I don't think she'll be doing that again. It was a shock to me though that she's already old enough to do stuff like that!

Had to document for her to read later and laugh. :)

Clemson & the Woods

 

This past weekend was SO much fun!

 

I took the day off of work on Friday, so I drove up to Virginia Thursday night after work. Let me just tell you – I’m surprised I’m alive today. That drive SUCKED. Like major. It rained the entire trip, but not like pouring rain, more like annoying drizzling rain. The traffic was pretty bad too.

Friday morning Paul had to work so I slept in. We really didn’t do much at all until that evening. We went to a local restaurant for appetizers and then went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the Clemson vs. Ohio State game. Clemson won of course!!

 

We left at halftime though since we had to be up the next morning at THREE AM. I am not made for that mess. J But it was well worth it. Paul has been asking me to go hunting with him so I went, on the last day of the season. It was actually really fun and I will definitely go with him again!

 

I planned on giving you all the play by play but I don’t feel like typing all that. Quick highlights - it was 17*, I had to pee once we got in the woods, they were real woods. 

Search hashtag PBHunt2014 on twitter & Instagram to read some pretty entertaining stuff. Also try p&bhunt2014 because I used that before realizing the & removes the hashtag. L really though… my tweets are awesome.

 

Needless to say after the hunt we just slept, got up for dinner, and slept some more. Then that morning my sweet boyfriend took me to breakfast before I had to hit the road. It was really a wonderful weekend! We always have fun together and this time was no different. We laugh more than I’ve ever laughed with anyone. And mushiness over! :)

OH and duh – he got a deer! I bring him good luck.