Wish Us Luck

Today is our first day of kindergarten. New school. New friends. New everything. Buby is psyched as far as I can tell. We'll see how the morning goes. Speaking of which, I better get to bed because my alarm is set to ring in 5 hours and there is no snoozing allowed.


In order to ensure a relaxing breakfast {Buby and Bleu are big on breakfast} all three of us took showers at bedtime. We set out our clothes and shoes, and I organized the all-important hand, snack, camera and book bags by the door. I need to be driving at 7:45.


The really sweet part of back to school this year is that it comes in bits and pieces, allowing us to ease our way into fall. Today and tomorrow will be half days ending at 11:30, so Bleu and I will just waste time in that area and then take the Bubster out to lunch to celebrate. Monday is a holiday. Tuesday and Wednesday will be regular full days, but next Thursday and Friday are holidays again.


So we have lots of time to refine our routine before school becomes an every day deal on the 13th. That's when the rest of our fall schedule kicks in, too. With the new baby coming sometime next month I was careful not to overload our family with commitments. But by the same token, I want to keep things flowing around here. Classes run 6-10 weeks long, so we can re-evaluate schedules again shortly after the baby arrives.


Swimming lessons are non-negotiable because of the in-ground pool right off our living area. The kids enroll every fall, winter and spring. They love it, and this year we're trying a new facility. In addition, we let them sign up for any one sport or weekly activity of their choice {ie. dance, gymnastics, tennis, t-ball, horse riding, art classes, whatev}. There is no shortage of incredibly fun enrichment programs for wee ones in this area, so narrowing it down can be difficult.


Bleu chose gymnastics for 2-3 year olds {a 45-minute parent-participation class every Wednesday morning}. She test-drove a bunch of gyms--since hers closed in June--and I am thrilled with the one she chose. This place is going to be a blast, and she'll be joined by at least three of her little friends {Ella, Addy and Sean}.


Buby will take tennis on Thursday afternoons at 3:15 at a different facility. There is an awesome viewing room right above the court, so the two younger ones and I will be able to watch him in his glory for an hour every week. Then the separate half-hour swim lessons every Saturday morning. Can you believe our girl tested into a class for 3 1/2 to 6 year olds? At 2 years and 4 months I fully intended to enroll her in the next level down, but the aquatics director said "Oh no, she's ready!" Why am I not surprised? After all, this is Bleu. She's crazy like that.