And fueled with only two pumpkin spice lattes

For my family, this was a weekend of celebrating.

On Friday, I took the day off so I could join in taking Kara to her first day of school.

 

All morning she was so excited to wear her backpack, hold her lunchbox, meet her teachers and friends. Meanwhile, Luke and I, pits in our stomachs, couldn't stop rambling about the importance of telling her teachers when she needed to have potty time. Because she is wearing big-girl underwear now. Because she really is no longer a baby.

 

Posing for Luke's "First Day" shot, relying on a confused sense of direction.

 

Okay, that's REALLY the wrong direction, honey.

 

Luke and I were 20 minutes early for drop-off, so we hung out and read stories and snapped pictures in the hallway to kill time, OMG, what great big newbie nerds we are.

 

Kara, on the other hand, was a champ, with not a nervous bone to be found anywhere. No sooner did the classroom door open than she was running to the activity table, checking out the toys, and overall forgetting she'd left two anxious parents eating her dust. I was so happy we could make this happen for her, and so grateful she could adjust that quickly, but those warm feelings weren't enough to keep me from sobbing on my way back to the Outlander.

And she continued to do well, and even came home with a glowing first progress report. "Kara settled quickly," stated the templated letter, our hearts swelling with pride over all the affirmative check marks. "Kara was friendly." "Kara did have a snack and juice."

That's our girl.

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Later that evening we attended our third wedding reception in four weeks, this time for my high school best friend. Can you believe this was the first one where I thought to take a picture?

 

It has been...interesting, to say the least, making time in our schedules to enjoy a meal in honor of our friends embracing the sentiment of life-long commitment. There have been hiccups, to be sure. But I don't regret a minute of it. If anything, I wish I could have done more.

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On Saturday, we drove to Chicago to be with my dad on his 50th birthday. When you're eight years old daydreaming about Fred Savage, fifty sounds old and decrepit. When you're thirty and planning for retirement? Not so much. From 'lil Frema, deepest apologies.

 

My father and mother have had a difficult year, taking on leadership roles at the local American Legion, caring for my dying grandfather who's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia, my dad continuing to put in time as a firefighter and independent contractor. Despite the ups and downs, he will always be the hardest-working man I know, carrying the heaviest weight on his shoulders. It was good to see him (them) smile.

I also scored some quality time with my sweet little niece, most of it spent on my parents' couch, just breathing her in.

 

Kara was enamored with her, too, and rejuvenated my fantasy of giving her a sister so she could experience the type of bond I've been lucky enough to enjoy since before I was two, times three.

 

Kara totally getting the phrase "so adorable I could eat her up" and in fact coming close several times.

 

Nathan and Danny could have cared less about the joys of female cousinhood, focusing instead of the speed of matchbox cars as they travel along a windowsill. Sometimes I still can't believe they're just five months apart.

 

Nathan wearing the toddler equivalent of a lampshade to celebrate Grandpa's big 5-0.

 

The family resemblance is shining through, yes?

 

Three generations of women, one shared love. These are their stories. (Clunk clunk)

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Throughout the weekend we spent time with Grandma and Grandpa D, who consistently, graciously offer their home and baby-sitting services as one or both of us grown-ups bounce from rehearsal dinners to wedding receptions to birthing hospitals and the like. They are two of my children's favorite people, and it shows during every visit.

 

Testing Grandpa's hearing: "Come on, tell me what you REALLY think of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."

 

Testing Grandma's tolerance level for literature pertaining to beetles, ants, and duck lice.

 

Kara and Nathan have the type of relationship with Luke's parents that everyone wants for their kids. Miles and Molly send postcards to the children that say, "Feel better soon" or "We thought you would like to see this frog near our pond." Their house is always stocked with macaroni noodles, fishie crackers, and sidewalk chalk. They are intimately familiar with their hobbies and bedtime routines and the only ones I would trust completely to watch them for the weekend. And they are involved, joining us at the apple orchard, the zoo, and Thanksgiving, present for every baptism and birthday party. We are so lucky to have them in Kara's and Nathan's lives, and of course ours, too.

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I hope your weekend was equally awesome.

Comments

[Jen L.]

These are the weekends that make us all happy we have a blog so we can document all the action! I"m so glad Kara likes school. I imagined she would love it. And don't worry--I still cry at drop-off sometimes and Dean's been going to school for over a year now. It's almost as though I get insulted when he doesn't cry.

I'm sure I knew you had young parents, but I guess I'd forgotten! Happy 5-0 to your dad! My parents are also young, which is great for the grandparenting gig. Our kids are so, so fortunate to have all their grandparents. I always love seeing pictures of your kids with your parents and Luke's mom and dad. It's such fun to see our parents operating as grandma and grandpa.

[Must Be Motherhood]

Hold the phone. Your father is only 14 years older than I am??? My god. This makes me feel ancient. He looks great! Happy 50th to him!

And oh, to hold a sweet little infant again. I need a close friend nearby to have a baby so I can get my fix...

[Cluelessmom]

What a truly sweet and wonderful post...thanks for sharing and making such a bright happy spot in my Monday. I TOTALLY understand the first-day experience (oh, the nostalgia)...I guess it is one of those motherhood rite-of-passage tropes, and thus everyone has their own story to tell. Mine included tears, panic attacks, and messing up my niece's paperwork! Go, go clueless mom! http://whatdoyouwantfordinner.com/2009/02/27/lets-talk-about-preschool/

And you have so much to look forward to...like that first parent-teacher conference... http://whatdoyouwantfordinner.com/2009/04/28/another-first/

Or the day that YOUR kid starts lecturing the whole class on anatomical reproductive functions of the human body. Yep, sending the kids off to school is an awesome adventure :)

[rkmama]

Go, Kara!
You guys are rockstars for making it to all those functions with two small kids to tote around. It's so awesome that your kids share a unique bond with each of their grandparents.

PS your Religipalooza archives were very helpful this weekend.

[Erica]

1) Pumpkin Lattes are the best. Totally addicted to those too.
2) Way to go Kara!
3) My son loves, loves, loves the exact same insects book. (he also loved vacuum cleaner manuals, go figure)

[Operation Pink Herring]

I'm sorry, but that cannot possibly be Kara. I remember when you announced you were pregnant with her! She CANNOT be that beautiful little (BIG) girl. (Sunriiiiise, sunset.)

[Grandma Molly]

And we love having you and the grandchildren visit. We love every single minute, insect book and all. :)

[daddyd]

Family is very important. We love being our part of the family. Joy all around. "For saftey hand grandpa's hand."