Molly

Molly's teacher sent a card home last week with "homework" for the parents. We were to write who Molly was, what defines her, how she lives, and our dreams for her. Scott was apposed to it ("...they should observe her and figure her out themselves...") So I had to write it alone. Here goes.......

Molly loves all things beautiful. From the time she could walk, she would collect flowers and shiny rocks. In the evening, Molly would point to the moon admiring its silvery color and design. Today, she surrounds herself in things she finds beautiful. Her room is filled with pictures of loved ones, paintings, drawings, and treasures collected over time. She not only sees beauty in things but also in the people around her. She notices their smiles, kindness, and sweet words.

Our hope for Molly is that she never loses her positive outlook on life. That she always smiles and sees the joy and wonder in all things and people.

I love you sweet Molly.

Soccer

Molly started soccer a 2 weeks ago. She was so excited for her first practice. Scott and his brother Marc are coaching the team and my nephew Russell is also on the team. The league breaks them up by age-U6 is theirs (under 6 yrs old.). Our team is the youngest of the U6 teams. Everyone is 4 except Molly and no one has ever played before.


The first practice they had to come up with a team name. One little girl mentioned the Unicorns and Russell mentioned the Spiders. All the girls except Molly thought that was to scary and they became the Unicorns. (which Russell still hates!!) Molly liked soccer (or the idea of it) until they had a practice game against another U6 team, the Yellow Jackets. In her words..."it was mean. A boy pushed me when I was kicking the ball. It's not a nice sport." She wasn't sure how she felt about going back, but she did and had a lot of fun the second time around. The Unicorns played the Yellow Jackets again and lost 7-1. The Unicorns played hard and had fun anyway. Molly was more aggressive and even brought the ball down the field where she passed it to Russell who unsuccessfully tried for a goal. It's going to be a fun season!!! :)

Russell and Molly before the practice/game.
Marc (in white) Russell, Scott, my other nephew Hill is beside Scott, and Molly.
Molly..."Go Unicorns!"

Russell.

During the game. Molly is taking the ball towards the goal.
Fans cheering the mighty Unicorns!!

Ouch!

I was working in the yard today pulling weeds and such when I felt this pain on my pinkie finger. thinking it was a thorn vine I missed, I went back to get it and got stung again. My finger was really hurting now and I was feeling strange all over. I had a tingling feeling in my face, arms, a chest. I also felt very sick to my stomach. This freaked Molly out, who was doing yard work with me, and she went to go get Scott. At this point, I felt awful and Scott could tell. I remembered seeing something in the bush and this is what it was. A saddle-back caterpillar. (I didn't take this picture, VA Tech did.) I went online and went to the VA Tech extension website and found out some info on this fella. They sting and cause the most pain of the stinging caterpillar variety. If you are sensitive to bee stings, they advise you seek medical attention. The reactions can be similar. These caterpillars are out now feeding so beware! I feel some what better, but not great.

Reason 652...

Why Wachovia Securities moving their headquarters from Richmond to St. Louis, Missouri sucks....when Scott has to attend trainings, he has to go there! Before, he'd go downstairs to a meeting and that was it. Scott has been gone now for 2 days. He won't be be back until Thursday.

I shouldn't be complaining. There are woman who have it much worse. But I miss him and I don't sleep well. I think I am going to get Molly and Jack out of their beds and put them in mine with me. I seem to relax and actually sleep better.

As Emily says, GN. (good night)

How things change...

This picture was taken the first week Becca was home from the hospital. This was last night. Is she a ham or what?
Molly and Becca. I could eat them up.
I could hear Becca talking to herself after I put her to bed. I crawled in her room to turn on her humidifier and she totally knew I was in there and spied on me. :)

Jack's First Day of School

Jack had his first day of school last Monday. He bounded out of bed in the morning, got dressed, and was downstairs ready for breakfast before I had brewed my coffee. The week before at "Open House", I had prepared his teachers for a little boy who would cry and cling to his mom. NOPE. He proved me wrong. He kissed and hugged at the door and walked right in. Never looked back. My baby boy is growing up. Today, Monday the 15th day of September, he was able to go in the carpool line. They opened my passenger side door, and out he went. As I slowly pulled away, I saw him climbing the steps to the door of his school and I got a little weepy. He seems so grown up to me now. I can't wait to pick him up.

Big School

My sweet girl is now in Big School. Granted, this year is Junior Kindergarten, but she is still in a big school. (for those who don't know Jr. Kindergartner is not pre-K. we were told this up front and very matter-of-factly! I have come to learn that it is a program for girls who turn 5 in the summer.) The JK girls at St. Catherine's have their own house, yard and playground. They, like the other girls in the Lower School, have PE 3 days a week and Library once a week. She will have Music and Art next year, but no formal classes this year. She goes from 8am until 12:30. A longer day than she's used to.

I have been so nervous about her going to Big School. She seems so little to me. I am now on the other side of the classroom door and understand completely why I had mother's wringing their hands the first week of school. They didn't know me and yet their child was going to be in my care for 8 hours a day. WOW! Now, I fear that her teachers will not see how special she is, how creative and inquisitive she is. I know there will be good teachers and great teachers and they will all shape her for better or worse...

This is Molly standing outside the JK house on the day we met her teachers.
This is her first day. She told Scott walking in this morning that she was , "... a little nervous daddy. I hope I make a friend."
I cried when I pulled into the carpool line to pick her up. She yelled out my name and was so happy to see me. Her teacher told me that Molly was, "...all smiles and seemed excited about everything we did today." I think her teacher is going to get Molly. I could tell by the things she said and the ease in her voice as we chatted. As we drove off, Molly yelled good-bye to Peyton, her new friend. It was a good day! :)