Caedon thinks he's ready...

Tonight I went to the PTA meeting at Caedon's soon-to-be elementary school.  The boys went to the school with me where they had games and pizza while the parents were in the meeting.  I told Caedon earlier in the day that we'd be going to the school where he will go to kindergarten next year and he mistook that to mean that today was his first day of kindergarten.  

We got to the elementary school and Caedon immediately turned to Gavin and said, "You can't come in...you are not old enough for kindergarten."  "Caedon," I reminded him, "you are not going to kindergarten tonight.  You are going to play with other kids and have pizza in the school where you will go next year."

After the meeting, I went to pick the boys up and Caedon ran over to another child and announced, "My mom is here.  I have to go now.  I'll see you tomorrow in kindergarten.  I do need to call Mrs. Halligan (preschool teacher) and say Goodbye now that I'm a kindergarten kid."  

On the way home, Caedon asked me, "Mom, will the bus pick me up tomorrow when I go to kindergarten?"  Somehow, I don't think he's getting the concept of next year.

What Santa Says

As we were driving home today, Gavin spoke up, "Mom, Santa has a beard."  "That's right." I said and continued, "Do you know what Santa says?"  I was expecting the typical Ho Ho Ho, but instead Gavin piped up, "He says, 'Hiya Folks.  It's good being here.  I'm glad you're my friends.' That's what he says to me."

Date Night

Last night, after an extremely long two weeks, Dan and I found a babysitter at the last minute (a miracle in and of itself) and went out on a date.  Oh, how I needed this.  I love my children and I love my life, but it feels so good to get a little break every now and then.  Fancy dinner, adult conversation, no spills to clean up, no screaming children to shush...it is really refreshing and so necessary.  

The kids stayed home with the babysitter.  Aislynn was already down for the night when we left and the boys were settled in to watch a movie.  We went to Mothers Bistro and had a delicious meal and then went to a movie.  We talked about things other than the kids and discussed the underlying themes of the movie all the way home.  When we got home, the house was quiet!  

It can be so hard to get away.  With three kids, it's hard to find a babysitter and expensive too!  But, whenever we do, I feel more connected to Dan and more alive for my kids.  I guess the old saying is true that if we don't take care of ourselves, we can't take care of anyone else.

Conversation Over Carrots

Caedon and Gavin are sitting on the couch eating some carrot sticks.  Dan asks, "Can I have a bite of your carrot?"  Caedon responds, "No because then you'll get your slobber all over it and you have grown up slobber and it will make me grow up too fast if I eat your grown-up slobber.  I don't want to be a grown-up too fast."  

Dan continues this fascinating conversation, "Why don't you want to grow up too fast?"  Caedon looks at him like he's completely clueless.  "Because I have to play with my toys a lot while I'm waiting to grow up.  And watch shows on Noggin.  And play with Aislynn when she's awake.  Then when I grow up, I'll go see what heaven is like.  I don't know what God looks like."  Dan replies, "No one knows what God looks like until we meet Him in heaven."  

"Well, let's all hold hands when we leave for heaven and we can go together."  At this point, Gavin pipes up, "Jesus is God's son."

What a deep conversation considering it started with Dan asking for a bite of carrot!