LA Tech Football Game and Texas State Fair

After the birthday party, we came home, and then Wayne and Nathan hopped in the car and headed for the Cotton Bowl at the fair grounds to watch the Louisiana Tech football game. They actually drove to the DART train station first, and then took the train down, which Nathan thought was fun. We didn't know it at the time, but Nathan actually had strep throat! He said he wasn't feeling great, but we thought it was because he had just gotten the flu mist the day before. The next day, Sunday, Nathan's throat was still hurting so I took him to the doctor. I was right, it was strep! At least he felt good for the fair. 

So the boys went to the football game, and then Charlotte and I drove down to the fair that evening. It rained off and on all day, and the game even had two rain delays. I was kind of disappointed with the rain, thinking it wouldn't be any fun to be at the fair if it was pouring. But Wayne said just to bring our raincoats. It poured the whole drive down, and I looked at the forecast which said there was a 90% chance of rain all through the night. Great. 

Well, as soon as I parked, the rain stopped. The skies were still really dark, so I just knew it was going to pour again. The kids think it's fun to get wet, but Mommy does not. We parked and then walked to the stadium and found Wayne and Nathan. The game had just ended so once we met up, we went to ride some rides, play games, eat food, see the animals, and all without one drop of rain!!! It ended up being the most perfect trip to the fair we've ever had. There was not a huge crowd so we never had to wait in line. And it was slightly cool. Last year, we were so hot that it was kind of miserable. I was so glad that Wayne didn't let me talk him out of going! Nathan and Charlotte had so much fun on the rides. Last year, Charlotte wasn't big enough to ride everything, but this year she could do everything with Nathan. The two of them were so cute together. Their favorite thing to do was the fun houses. And Wayne said that Nathan loved the football game. He really got into it and was asking Wayne all about what was going on. Wayne said he never got grumpy or whined or wanted to leave and was the perfect football buddy! What a great day.

Top Golf

We had so much fun this last weekend. First, Nathan went to a TOP GOLF birthday party. It was the neatest place! It's an outdoor driving range. You have your own little section where you can order food and drinks and then practice your golf. Nathan has never really played golf, so I was his "instructor." He got a little tired of listening to me telling him how to do it, and just did the best he could on his own. His style was a combination of golf and baseball! At least he hit the ball though! Papa, you've got a potential student ready for instruction! The best part about the party is that the kids all got a khaki colored hat with their initials monogrammed. How cute is that?!

After the party, Nathan and Daddy went to the Louisiana Tech football game at the Cotton Bowl, and then Charlotte and I met them after the game to go to the fair. Those pictures are next.

Sewing and Tea Party

Mama and I have been having weekly sewing lessons. Sometimes I'll go over without Charlotte, and sometimes I'll have her. I have made a pair of pants for Charlotte and also a little dress. At first, I was very nervous about doing everything just right. I still like to be cautious, but I'm getting more comfortable with mom's sewing machine and my ability, that I'm able to go a little faster. I know the more I practice and keep doing it, the better I will be. The good news is that I love it! Why didn't I learn how to sew before?!

So on this day, Charlotte was with me, and she and mama had a tea party. Charlotte had so much fun drinking her tea, pouring the milk in, and adding a little sugar. It was so cute to see.

My Lunch Date

As a reward to Nathan for having a great week (after his two meltdowns), Charlotte and I met him for lunch at school. Nathan loves to buy his lunch, so my initial plan was to go through the line with him. I thought it would be fun for us to see how he does it. The night before, I was going over the lunch menu with him, and he very sweetly said, "Mommy, can we not go through the line tomorrow?" I said, "Would you rather me bring you lunch from somewhere else?" And he said, "Yeah, I just think I'd be a little embarrassed because none of the other moms buy their lunch with their kids." Of course, I didn't care at all how we did it. And I thought it was so cute that he had been thinking about this for a while and then finally spoke up. So Charlotte and I drove through Sonic that morning and brought that for lunch. Nathan was so happy to see us! We had a great time eating together. He told me all about his day so far and was very talkative. At the end of lunch, his class was lining up to go back to their class. I told Nathan he could wait at the table with me until his class got closer to the door and then he needed to hop in line with them. I have to admit, I was a bit worried that he would get sad when it was time to leave, but he was so good! He started waving to his friends and telling me who everyone was. They all waved back to him, and it was so obvious that he was fitting right in and was well liked. When it was time for him to get in line, he gave me and Charlotte hugs and kisses and walked out. As Charlotte and I were walking out, we saw Nathan's class lining up for a bathroom break. Nathan came over to give me one more kiss, and another little boy, Aiden, came over too. He put his arm around Nathan and said, "He's my best friend!" That just made my day! It was really fun to eat lunch with him so now I can't wait to go back!

Visiting Grandma

We usually go to see Grandma every other week and meet Mama there. Mama and Papa were out of town last week so the three of us went on our own. Nathan and Charlotte have so much fun with Grandma and all of her friends. We bring a lot of excitement to that place! And Nathan and Charlotte love seeing Grandma's roommate, Mary. The first thing Nathan and Charlotte do is head to Grandma's nightstand and open the drawer to find what treats Mama has left there. Sometimes there are Hershey Kisses. Sometimes there are M&Ms. And usually, there's nothing left when we leave except for the wrappers. Nathan and Charlotte love telling Mary and Grandma stories, singing songs, and playing with each other. On this day, there was a game of bingo going on in the lobby. I told Grandma she should go play sometime. She said she didn't really like bingo, and then Nathan agreed that he didn't like it either. He asked Grandma why she didn't like it, and she said, "Because I never win!" Nathan said, "Yeah, I know what you mean Grandma...bingo just isn't for me." But really, Nathan loves bingo. So I thought the next time we visit, we should all go play bingo together, and Nathan and Charlotte would have fun helping Grandma. We had a great visit. Everyone was in such happy moods, and they were so sweet to Grandma, giving her lots of hugs and kisses.

Adjusting to Kindergarten

We are starting the 4th week of kindergarten. The first two weeks were great. Nathan was always happy to go to school and happy when I picked him up. But two Fridays ago and the Monday after were very bad days. On Friday, Nathan had Mrs. Holditch (his English speaking teacher). We normally walk with Jake and his mom but Jake was running late this day so we had to go on. As we were walking to school, Nathan started to get sad, saying he didn't want to go to school. I told him every kid has to go to school and not going wasn't an option. I told him just to think good thoughts and that he would have a fun day. I honestly thought he'd snap out of it once we got to the doors. But the tears just started coming and wouldn't stop. We were at the front of the school, and I tried reasoning with him, comforting him, but he wanted nothing to do with walking into the school. Finally, Mr. Martin, the principal saw our struggle and came out to help. Sweet little Nathan took one look at him and bolted for the door. Seriously?! I grabbed his backpack but he put his arms back and let it fall right off into my hands. Once outside, he sat down on the bench (after hiding behind a concrete column) and Mr. Martin and I sat next to him. Mr. Martin was very sweet to Nathan and not punishing at all (which I think Nathan was kind of afraid of at first). He told Nathan to just sit there a while with me and calm down and then said that he could either walk to class with just him or with me and him. Of course, Nathan chose me. Now, remember that when we first started out that morning, I wasn't planning on walking into the building, just dropping off. So, Charlotte is in her nightgown with a full pull-up and no shoes. I am dressed...but not nicely. We walk down the hallway with Nathan squeezing my hand so tight, that I'm losing feeling and I'm holding Charlotte with the other arm. When we get to Nathan's class, Mr. Martin leads him in, stands in front of the door, and then waves to me behind his back. Thank goodness! 

After school, Nathan was happy as a lark. He had a great day, was happy it was the weekend, and said "I think I was just tired Mommy." So all weekend, we prepared for Monday and Nathan assured us, it wouldn't happen again.

Monday gets here, and he does the same freaking thing! He starts crying before we leave the house. Wayne talks to him to get him calmed down, and Nathan tries hard to settle down, but just can't. I text Jennifer that we are running late and for her and Jake to go on. It doesn't help that we are having to rush now. We've got 5 minutes to get there without being late, so we rush out the front door and speed walk to the school. Of course, Nathan is lagging behind. When we finally get to the front door, he just breaks down. Not again! Half of me is frustrated and half of me is sad for him. I realize kindergarten is a big change, but we have no choice! He doesn't understand why we can't just go home. On this day, no one is standing at the front doors, so I have to go to the office and tell them what's going on and ask for help. As they are getting the counselor. I go sit with Nathan, trying to comfort him and pretty much BEGGING him to calm down and go to class happily. Nope. 

The counselor (an older lady who has a sing song voice) comes out and says in a happy, chipper (annoying) voice, "Are we having a hard time? You know Mom, kids really need to get 10-12 hours of sleep...could that be the problem?" Nathan was not the least bit comforted by her and was hugging my arm as tight as he possibly could. We both tried to reason with him a little longer, but then she said, "OK mom, you're just going to have to go." I nodded, feeling the tears well up. It was so awful to have to pry his fingers off of my arm and clothes and see him crying so hard. I had to just walk out hearing him cry for me. Charlotte and I walked home (me crying) and as I told Wayne all about it, I got just as upset as Nathan! 

We both worried about him all day. The counselor did call me later that morning and told me that he did eventually calm down. And his teacher let him and a few of his friends play on the computer for 10 minutes until he was ready to join the class. I could not WAIT for 2:40 to get here!!!

When I picked him up, Sra. Melendez (his Spanish teacher) said he was wonderful that day. And she was do proud of him for bring brave. Nathan beamed. Nathan told me he was so sorry again and that he really does like kindergarten. I took away the tv and iPad that day as a consequence (which he didn't like, but didn't argue about). Nathan wrote a letter to daddy that said, "I'm sorry that I cried." It was his idea and he wanted to put it in an envelope in the mailbox for Wayne to get when he got home. We ended up having a nice afternoon - reading, writing, drawing. When Daddy got home, he had a great heart to heart with his buddy. He had gotten his letter, which really touched him. Nathan PROMISED us that he would not get upset tomorrow, and we all agreed that we need to get in bed at 7:30, read a few books, rub backs, and be asleep by 8. 

That is exactly what we've been doing and we haven't had another incident like those two. Thank goodness! Now Nathan is getting to know all of the kids and getting into the groove of things. Plus he now knows no matter what, he has to go to school. 

He is such a sweet boy and loves his mommy and daddy so much! He just wants to be with us.

Charlotte at the Dentist

Charlotte went for her first real dentist appointment yesterday. She went when she was two for a practice visit where Dr. Ty just looked at her teeth but didn't actually clean them. She cried the entire time on that visit so I was a little nervous about this one where they were going to take X-rays and do the cleaning. Well, Miss Charlotte was absolutely perfect! She was so happy and they all commented on how cute and sweet she was. And she got an excellent report! The hygienists and the dentist went on and on about what perfect teeth she had! I was a proud mommy! He said he could already tell that she may not need braces...daddy was sure happy to hear that!

Meet the Teacher

Charlotte met Mrs. Peggy today...she starts school next Wednesday. Charlotte was quiet but happy. Mrs. Peggy seems like the perfect fit for Charlotte because she is very sweet and loving. She used to sub at the school when Nathan was there and she said she always loved him. Nathan told Charlotte that Mrs. Peggy was really nice. 

Charlotte had fun getting all dressed up to meet Mrs. Peggy and asked if Mrs. Shelley (her teacher last year) would be there. I told her we could go say hi if she wanted to and she got all excited! So after our visit, we found Mrs. Shelley. I walked in holding Charlotte, and she got all shy! She buried her head in my neck and never looked up! I couldn't believe it! Mrs. Shelley and I talked a bit and when we left, Charlotte popped her head up and said, "lets go play on the playground!"