The school parking lot

Having picked up and dropped off my daughter at school for 3 weeks now, I have made what I think is a significant anthropological observation.

Station wagons are so 20th century; these days, it's either the minivan or the SUV (or CUV, but to me they are the same).

See, I drive a late-model Volvo wagon and I love it. I had always viewed the station wagon as a typical family car. Apparently, my views are outdated.

These days, it's either minivans or SUVs. Even the nannies drive one or the other. Seldom is there a sedan, but if there is one, it either belongs to A) Dad or B) grandparent. I have not yet seen a wagon to date. Not a single one. Other than my own.

When did it go out of style? Some of the SUVs that roll into the parking lot are large enough to cross the Sea of Reeds before Moses split the water. Do you have to have a special license to drive those "tanks"? Does one really have that much more stuff they need to tow?

I am proud of my wagon. It's safe, it does its job, it has enough room for my family, and I think it looks good. Go wagon go!

Birthday weekend

This past Shabbat/Saturday, my girl turned 2. T-W-O. Her age is now in years - it's PLURAL!!

Crazy.

My husband's dad and his wife flew in for the weekend and we had a fantastic time. They sponsored a lovely kiddush at our shul, which was followed by a great lunch at our house, which was followed by a too-brief nap, which was followed by playtime with my nephew and my sister and included a special post-Shabbat party so we can light a candle and sing Happy Birthday to my daughter for the second time that day (although the candle actually burned itself out so then we sang it a third time, albeit in a different language).

Sunday morning we met friends and all headed out to the zoo. We had more cupcakes.

This morning was her birthday celebration in school. I think she actually got tired of all of the hoopla because she had a bored look on her face the whole time. And I captured it all on video.

I'm so proud of my little girl.

Happy birthday to me

Today is my birthday and I can definitely say that last year at this time, I did not think I would be where I am today. I have two beautiful kids, and my girl is in preschool and loving it. My boy is growing rapidly and already has two front bottom teeth! Although I am unemployed and haven't worked at all this calendar year, I am delighted to have the opportunity right now to be home with the kids, even though it is a bit of a financial stress for us. So many things have changed, and at the same time, so many things have stayed the same. Every day is an opportunity to do something new, learn something new, and to redirect my life towards the greater good.

Modeh ani lefanecha...

Snapshot: Things found in my purse today

In addition to the usual wallet (need a new one)/cell phone/pen:

• A fruit leather strip (never leave home without a snack - for the kid)
• A baby sock (only one?)
• Mouthwash
• Tons of receipts
• A toothpick (used? not sure)
• Loose change
• A hairband
• A hair clip that mostly operates as a toy
• Photos of kiddo #1 that are over 18 months old
• Ultrasound image of kiddo #2
• A highlighter (for highlighting on the go? Not sure why that's there)
  

A milestone today

I feel like lately there have been lots of BIG THINGS going on in our family life. I had a baby, returned to work from maternity leave, got laid off a week later, sprained my ankle a week later (my first injury!), Rosh Hashana started a week later, and now today. Today marks a new chapter in our life, for today is the day that our daughter started preschool.

That's it. No more full days at home with the nanny or with mommy until holidays, school vacation, or, Gd forbid, an illness.

My daughter is attending the Jewish Montessori school every day in the morning. My nephew is also attending and they are in the same class. I *heart* the Montessori method. So, I was very excited for her to start school.

In fact, I was so excited that I was slightly un-prepared lunch-wise. I had to improvise and grab my husband's old lunch sack (black) and make up a lunch from whatever is in the house (dairy/parve only). I intend on getting her a proper lunchbox VERY soon. Although - my daughter was VERY proud of her lunchsack.

Me? I was anxious about this. My baby is going to school! From now on, time will FLY along with the school schedule. Before I know it, she'll be coming home with arts and crafts, telling me stories (in a language I can understand), participating in school plays, going to first grade, going to high school, getting married - ACK! I can't deal. As we were walking in, the head of school was outside and asked, "Are you ready for school?" I have no idea if she was talking to me or to my daughter, who was holding my hand (can she hold my hand forever?), but I shook my head no because I couldn't speak because if I would open my mouth, I would have cried since my eyes welled up with tears.

When I picked her up from school, she was happy as a (kosher) clam. I think I can do this.