Turf Tykes Time!

Today Will started Turf Tykes soccer through LYSA.  It's a great program specifically designed for 3 year olds to teach them basic soccer skills.  They spend 45 minutes playing games to teach them skills from kicking to trapping the ball, then spend the last 10 minutes in a little pick up game.  Last night, we had a little dress rehearsal in which we decked Will out in his soccer attire from his jersey to his cleats.  He was so stinkin adorable.  With the uniform came his transformation into "coccer (soccer) man."  He was running around the house kicking his soccer ball and scoring goals, falling to the ground dramatically after every good kick.

We were hoping coccer man would show himself today on the field, but it was quite the contrary.  As we got to the field, sweet boy got nervous and shy and took a while to warm up to playing with his new turf tykes friends.  After much encouragement and much help from Eli (who ended up playing the entire time with him) Will finally started getting a little more comfortable with kicking the ball around and even cracked a smile once or twice.  It was quite hot too, so that may have played a factor in his lack of eager participation in the days events.  When all was said and done, he did score a few goals and left the game anxious to go back next weekend.  So, we shall see what the next session holds. 

Chef William

Whether it's making homemade salsa or baking a batch of cookies, I can always count on my sidekick to help me out. As soon as he hears me in the kitchen, he runs to grab a chair, pushes it over to the counter, climbs up, and says, "I'm helpin Mom!" So. Much. Fun.

First Day of School!

I can't believe I am actually posting this blog, but yes it's time for Will to start school.  Well, Pre K 3 that is.  And yes, the waterworks have been flying (from mom) for the past few weeks!  He is going to be attending Asbury Day School, and will go Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to noon.  I know most of you are thinking whoopie, 6 hours a week, but that's a long time for this stay at home momma to be away from her 'baby.'  I don't know what I'm going to do with my time!

The First Day:

I must admit, one of the hardest parts about the first day of school was actually trying to get Will to bed at a decent hour in preparation for the dreaded alarm clock at 7:15 in the morning.  Mind you we have now had 3 years of going to bed when we felt like it and waking up the same way!  I'm talking 9 or sometimes even 10 am wake ups.  I know I was spoiled.  So, before we knew it the alarm clock started ringing and the waterworks immediately started for me before I could even wipe the sleep out of my eyes.  Just staring at our 'baby' sleeping peacefully made me weep just thinking about not having him home for those 3 long hours ;)  Thank goodness he woke up in better shape than I did and seemed to enjoy getting ready for his first day of 'cool' (school).  He eagerly got dressed, ate breakfast, and posed for the obligatory first day of school photo in the front yard.  While it brought tears to both mine and Ben's eyes, our little guy seemed as happy as could be so we were optimistic that he would go into class with a smile and never look back.

Well, that hope quickly faded away.  Unfortunately Ben had a meeting that morning, so I was left to take Will by myself, but we all know that wasn't going to happen so Mom and I went together as she was dropping off Elena as well.  (They are a few classrooms away from each other.)  So we walk into the school, the nervous energy everywhere and Will was still fine until...we get to the classroom and I hug him goodbye and the light bulb goes off in his head that I am actually going to leave him there by himself without me!  The tears started flowing, both from him and me, and I knew I had to hug and kiss quickly and just leave.  Seeing that pitiful face and hands reaching out for me as I took one last glimpse of him from around the door frame was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I know I am sounding a little dramatic, but I'm telling you it was pitiful!

Anyway, after we left and my tears stopped flowing about an hour later ;) Mom and I went to the shop to pass the time, and yes we practically counted down the minutes before we could get both he and Elena a few short hours later.  Before we knew it the time had come.  When we pulled up I don't think we have ever gotten out of a car that fast!  I snuck up to the door of his classroom and to my relief he wasn't bawling like a baby, but sitting on the carpet on the letter W listening to a book being read by Ms. Yvonne, the assistant teacher.  And when he looked up he caught my eye and his face just lit up, which of course made me feel like the luckiest person in the world!  He gladly got up and gave me the biggest hug and kiss he could muster.

So, there you have it.  That's our story about Will's first day of school.  I know it's the first of many and quite honestly I don't think it will ever get easier as the years go by, but we are so proud of the sweet little boy our son has become and can't wait to see what the future holds!