It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want to!

Yesterday was Callie's fun filled extravanga little mermaid under the sea birthday party! Whew! Ma, Pa, and Veronica came from McMinnville for the event. I'm not sure of the exact number, we had around 35 people able to celebarte with us. Callie's family, friends, their siblings and parents made for quite the group. Unfortunately, it was a similar group to the swimming lesson crowd. Callie arrived at her party took one look at the guests, the pool, Grandma (the swimming lesson teacher), and burst into tears. "No under! I don't want to go off the diving board!" No amount of convincing made her feel safe enough to venture over to the water.

Here's Ma snuggling her.

Eventually Callie said her famous line, "I'm hungry," and the true party began.

Of course, she had to have a mermaid cake. (Yes, I made it. No, I don't ever want to see frosting again.)

Here's Dave's sister, Veronica, and my friend, Joleen. Little bit of a height difference...

Callie's Daddy was able to get a picture of the little girls by the pool.

She opened her gifts.

The guests received princess purses with gloves and a necklace. (I found a steal at Target.) Here's Saige modeling hers. Thanks for coming, everybody!

The enormous cake was almost gone by the end of the party. There was just some extra frosting left over. Chandler was happy to take care of it for us.

The "After Party", an impromtu ring-around-the-rosies

I hope no one's tired of reading about Callie's birthday, because she isn't actually 3 until Tuesday. Langstraat family tradition involves several days of celebration. Callie received lots of dress up clothes as presents and we're planning on having a fashion show. Here's a preview!

Happy Birthday, Callie Grace! We love you!

We Did It!

As you read the above headline, please perform the "we did it" dance featured at the end of each and every Dora episode.

Chandler's first day of kindergarten is complete! Here are some of the things that I was worrying about last night that did NOToccur:

1. The alarm does not go off. We are late for our first day. Or I somehow forget that today is the first day of kindergarten and we just stay home all day, remembering about 3:00 that afternoon.
2. A stranger offers him candy or a ride.
3. He gets on the wrong bus.
4. School security guards have to remove me by force from his classroom, as I refuse to leave and cling to Chandler's pant leg.
5.The principal calls to tell me that Chandler was the first kindergartner to ever start a food fight in the cafeteria on his first day.
6. His mountain of school supplies is not complete. I know this may be old hat for some of you, but look at this. For Kindergarten? Really? I hear they need a lap top for 1st grade....

I'm going to stop there before I come across as crazy. Maybe it's too late...

Anyway, here's how the day DID go:

Chandler got to watch the "Curious George" PBS show as he ate his breakfast. He was very excited because he is usually not up early enough to catch it. I told him that he could watch it every school day and when it was over, it's time to head to the bus stop.

He posed for a picture with his new backpack.

We loaded up his aforementioned plethora of school supplies and said good-bye to Daddy. Daddy was looking a bit teary and sentimental. I am proud to say I held it together. Or it could have been that my tear ducts were just empty after last night's poetry ridden sob fest. (See previous post.)

We headed over to the school and took a picture out front.

We found his classroom with little trouble and met his teacher. She was really sweet and glad to meet Chandler. I eventually tore myself away, again with no tears, even on the way home. (Man, I am a rock!!!) Chandler gave me a hug and didn't bat an eyelash. I kept my cell phone in my pocket all day long, but there were no calls from the school. The only hiccup happened about 3:15. I was pacing my kitchen waiting for time to go meet him at the bus stop. I had my camera ready to take his picture as he got off. And then there was a knock at my back door. It was my boy! His bus was almost 20 minutes early! He had gotten off the bus and walked home with no trouble! And I was worried! He's so big. Anyway, he walked in the door and I said, "Well? How was it?" And he said, "Mom, it was so much fun, I forgot to learn!" Does it get any better than that? Of course, then I asked him what his favorite part was. "The bus!" We sure love our big kindergarten boy!

Kindergarten Eve

'Twas the night before Kindergarten, when all through the home,
Not a creature was stirring, except for the Mom;
The new school outfit was lain on the dresser with care,
In hopes of a timely arrival on our first day there;
The children and father were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of worry danced in my head,
I set the alarm clock and prayed for relief,
Knowing that tonight would be short on sleep.
When from the boy’s room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the door I flew like a flash,
Turned on the light and saw with a gasp
Chandler sleeping soundly, which was a rare sight to see
My imagination once again was running away with me.
When, what to my wandering mind should remember,
But a tiny blue bundle, looking just like his father.
It seems like just yesterday, I first held him close,
Now I’m sending him to school, this boy I love most.
I blow him a kiss and then quickly shut the door
And head down the stairs, to check the supply list once more.
It’s all here, the items we’ve been collecting
I wonder if a pack mule is available for the hefting.
I hope the morning brings a new sense of perspective
If not, I hope the waterproof mascara will be effective.
I feel as I pray my burdens seem to fall.
Now dash away worry! Dash away all!
Lord, I will trust in thy plan
Please keep my boy safe in the palm of thy hand.