peace & harmony (at 8am!)

• These photos may not look groundbreaking, but they mean the world to me.  For one, it's REALLY hard to get all four of them in a photo together without posing it.  It's even more difficult to get a picture of them together being kind and interacting and relaxing together.  It was like the stars aligned this morning.  Jane was helping Katie study for her spelling test and a French quiz, and Lila and George were busy playing together quietly.
• Lila, we went back to Strong Start this morning.  You remembered that I had promised to take you on Wednesday...how did you know it was Wednesday today???  Anyway, my whole purpose in taking you to Strong Start was to get you kindergarten ready.  I sat back and just observed you today.  You walked confidently into the room and greeted the teacher, helped set the chairs at all the tables, made a beautiful craft all by yourself, printed your name, shared with the little ones, happily helped clean up, lined up for a turn, walked down the hallway quietly, sat and ate your snack, enthusiastically participated in singing and dancing at circle time, answered a math question correctly, and then said good bye and thank you to the teacher.  You, my dear, are ready.  And I'm breathing a big sigh of relief.  I've always known it was the right decision to stay home with you and take you outside everyday and skip the whole early learning thing.  BUT...I also feared that I would deliver you to kindergarten ill equipped to deal with that world.  I'm delighted to see that you can adapt so well
• Katie, you went to the Select soccer try outs tonight.  We were treating this like a learning experience.  You tried your best, and are hoping to make the division 2 team.  It's one step up from where you're playing right now.  You're so sad when you think about leaving the team you've been playing with for the last few years, but you're ready
• George, your screaming has gotten out of hand lately.  We're working on it.  Slowly, slowly, slowly, it's getting better.  I love to hear you use words to describe your feelings.  You're actually quite articulate for a three year old.  "I'm so mad to you", "I'm weawwy fwustwated wight now", "My feewing sad.  I need a hug"
• Jane, you and daddy had such a nice conversation about a deep subject near and dear to daddy's heart.  You were lounging on the bed talking and I was working at the computer.  I enjoy hearing your insights.  You're so genuinely interested.  It's touching