picnic conversations

The kids are sitting on the living room floor having a peanut-butter-and-jelly picnic.

The first 10 minutes were spent talking about school. Carly told us about a little boy who had to sit at the naughty-table during lunch. We decided to pray for this little boy at bedtime. Isaac announced that we don't have to bring anything with us to Heaven except our heart. "And we don't even have to carry it!!" he exclaimed.

After my sandwich was finished, the kids continued to have deep conversations and entertainment on the picnic blanket.

Carly: Are you supposed to be eating or talking?

Isaac: Talking.

Carly: Who went to kindergarten or preschool today?

Isaac: I went to preschool today.

Carly: No you didn't! I went to kindergarten!

Carly: (whispering innocently) You need to shut up and eat.

Myra: What did you say?

Carly: (blank stare)

Myra: Where did you hear that?

Carly: _____ said it.

Myra: And _____ apologized for it afterwards. Those are harsh words that we never say.

Carly: Isaac, you need to zip it!

Isaac: Mommy! Carly told me to 'zip it'!

----

Carly: Look! I'm making a snow angel.

Isaac: Aren't you supposed to be eating?

Carly: (singing) IIII aaaaammmm a man and a horse. God made us special. Go GREEN! Go RED! Go RED!

Isaac: Go GREEN!

----

Carly: Let's play a game. When I say 'GO,' whoever says 'God' first, wins. Whoever says 'Satan,' loses.

Isaac: Okay.

Carly: On your marks, get set, GO!

Carly and Isaac: GOD!

Carly: We both won!

It's a wonder anything was eaten.

first day of school

first days of school

It makes me feel old to consider how my anticipation of the first days of school have changed over the years.

As a new kindergartener...no recollection. As a young kid...excitement for using really sharp pencils and new crayons. Ahh, the smell of those crayons! As an adolescent...tremendous excitement! We always thought it would come faster if we went to bed reeeeaallly early. That didn't work; we could never get to sleep. As a high schooler, I loved going back to school, mainly for social reasons.

As a college student...I'd wince at my checkbook as I prepared for the first day of school. Being in college was fun, I guess, but being away from Jared was a big drawback. My main goal in college was to get done as soon as possible.

As a new teacher...gut-wrenching anxiety. The principal had told me my kids were "the classroom from hell." As they strutted into the building that first day, I crossed my arms across my chest. A teacher on my team walked with me and said, "Don't cross your arms; if you don't look confident, they'll eat you alive." The first days were indescribably educational.

As a parent...10% excited for this new opportunity. 90% wanting to hold on a little bit longer. In a year, I'm sure the inside of my cheek won't be so bitten raw.