Transition #1: Grace & Isaac are now in week two of pre-school. How did my little munchkins get to this point already - SCHOOL?! They're going to pre-school out at our church, which has helped tremendously in easing them into this new routine. They were already comfortable in the setting, knew a few of the teachers & even a couple of the students before the first day. They have been eager to start school and hardly let me hug them as I dropped them off the first day. Eli thinks he is ready too. I had been carrying him and put him down to hug Grace & Isaac good-bye, when he began to walk off, but stopped to smile, wave & blow me a kiss! Sorry buddy, you're stuck with me for another two years. :) Really though, I am looking forward to have a couple of mornings each week to focus on Eli, while knowing the other two are learning, growing & enjoying their time away from us.
Transition #2: A few weeks prior to the start of school, Grace & Isaac made the switch from toddler beds to "grown-up" beds. Sleep had not beeng going so well & these two were ending up in bed with me far more regularly than I care to admit. So...sticker charts, a week of rough nights, and viola! They're now doing well sleeping all night in their own beds & I am a much happier mama with better rest! Once the kids filled up their sticker charts, they were able to pick out their own new bedding, pictured below.
Transition #3: With the start of school, we did have to face one sad realization. Grace & Isaac are on the complete opposite pre-school schedule as their buddies Olivia & Isabelle. We've had a nearly weekly playdate with the Jones girls since the twins were born. I knew the day would come when school would prevent our treasured playtime, but I didn't expect it to happen just yet! We'll somehow figure out a way to see each other, but Julie & I are both feeling bittersweet about what this next stage means for our time together.
Transition #4: Our dear Kelli, who was with us all summer, decided to move to North Carolina at the end of August! We are excited for the journey she has ahead, but miss her already.
Transition #5: Because I know a few of you who read this are parents of toddlers, I have to mention one last transition. I recently read Love & Logic Magic for the Early Childhood Years, by Jim Fay & Charles Fay. It has honestly changed things around here in a matter of days. I love the respect, empathy & choices these parenting techniques give children while ensuring that the parents are the loving authority figures. There is plenty more I could say, but I'd rather just encourage you to go check it out for yourself. It is a relatively expenisve little book, so I just checked it out from the library, but may be ordering a copy of my own to keep!
