New realm of "Parentdom"

Tonight we are going to our first ever “Back-to-School Information Night” for parents.  Granted it’s for preschool, but still!   It makes me feel more grown up.  Not like I didn’t already consider myself "grown up", but it’s a new grown up feeling.   

We are no longer newbie parents.  It’s like we’ve become seasoned parents, or something like that.   It’s kinda weird.  I can’t totally described the feeling, but we’ve entered a new world of parentdom.  A parentdom that says, "My kid is involved in the world outside the home.  I have become immersed in the world of backpacks, packed snacks/lunches, buses, art projects, home notes, and school events.  My social life centers around my kid's friend's parents, playdates, and Facebook (cause that's how I spend time with my adult friends).   I worry more about what my kid looks like going to school each day than myself.  My life is really run by my kid, not me."

But it's a good feeling, even though a weird one.  And hey, what parent can't admit that at moments, they resent the fact that their life is run by their kids?  But in the end, it's all worth it and the rest of the time, we love our kid-run life.  Well, maybe love is too strong, but you know.

First day of School!

The day finally came and Miss Aberly started school.  Well, PRESCHOOL, but still here at our school in Oman!  She gets to come to school every day now for half a day.  She is in Mrs. Carla's class with three wonderful aides.

Let's just say Aberly has been ready to start preschool since half way through last year.  Not only did she want to go, but let's face it, our busy bee needed way more interaction and stimulation than these exhausted parents or working nanny could offer.  All summer, she was focused on starting school after coming back to Oman and these last few days of being home while we did inservice, she told me each day "I don't feel like staying home with Eunice today".  I felt so bad for her!

So, last night, we built up her going to school by picking a back-to-school outfit.  She said she would pick her outfit out herself and bring it down.  I was envisioning her coming down with one of her many new clothing sets in her drawers.  Nope.  She came down with her favorite outfit the last few months.  The jogging pant and hooded-long sleeve shirt I got her for the "cooler" days back in America. 

Us:  "Oh honey, I know that is such a wonderful outfit, but it would be too hot to wear to school."
Aberly:  "But it's cold in the school."
Us:  "Yes, but don't you want to wear something more nice and fancy for the first day of school?"
Aberly:  "This is fancy.  The shirt has the big, sparkly heart on the front."
Us:  (laughing at this point) "You've got us there, Aberly.  We have nothing else to counter with."

Well, luckily, we still convinced her we should look at some other options and save that outfit for when the weather cools off a bit (i.e. below 90 degrees).   We went upstairs and I laid out five outfit choices, one that included another shirt she chose.

After weighing her options, she picked a dress my mom had bought with a cute pair of purple lacey capris we bought her, and a headband.

The next morning, she was up and ready to go at 6:45.  "Is it time to go yet???".  "No, you're not even dressed and we haven't had breakfast."  Let's do that first.

Finally, we were ready and she was even more ready.  We got outside a few minutes before the bus was set to arrive, which she was super jazzed about riding after seeing her friends, Izzy and Marin, leave on for school all last year.  We snapped a few "first day" photos and waited. 

When the bus headed down our street, she was poised, ready, and waving to it as it approached.  Hand in hand, she and Marin walked to the bus and she promptly found her seat.  No fear, and no fear that she was surrounded by kids of all ages, up to high school.  She was stuck in her glow of excitement to be on the bus.

Since the bus arrived the same time Colin and I were ready to leave for work (it was a bit early), we literally followed it to school and into the parking lot.  I watched as Aberly got off and hand-in-hand, walked with the bus attendant to her classroom (they are awesome!). 

I met her and she immediately hung up her backpack on her hook (which we found at registration the week before), and went right in the room.  You could tell she was so in heaven FINALLY at school.  She had one of those tight, little coy smiles the whole time.  She was probably thinking "I can't believe I am finally here!"  The kind of excitement when you don't really know what to do with yourself, you know? 

The year will be great.  She has a wonderful teacher and the whole EC (early childhood) teaching team has a great system and curriculum in place.  She has three friends in her class (Noah, Nadine, and Ava) and her friends, Isla and Luca, are in the next classroom over, so she will see them on occasion for combined activities.  Our good friend, Liz, is a teacher across the hall, and Aberly loves her, so she will be another friendly face to see each day.  Liz gave her a huge hug this morning.

As I write this, I get a little lump in my throat because as any parent will remember, there are moments when you step back and are amazed at how grown up your child has become.  She is almost 4!  She is a little girl and no longer a toddler.  In a few years, she'll be in kindergarten!  Seriously, where has the time gone?  We are so proud of her and she has developed into such a wonderful, caring, thoughtful, insightful, aware, and active little girl.  She truly loves learning, growing, and being a part of everything.  We are so blessed by her.  Tears!  Okay, that's enough. 


So, to end on a smiling note, here are a few of Aberly's funny recent "sayings".

Reading the story of Noah:

“And they landed on Mt. Ararat.”

Aberly:  “Huh, there must have been lots of rats there”

“Jesus is watching us from heaven.  That’s kinda crazy, right?!?”

(after watching Mt. St. Helen’s explode on a video):  “It’s going up to Jesus.”

(after talking about not spreading germs we all have):  “My germs are REALLY dirty.”

(age comparison) “Was that when I was big 2 or little 2?”

Bowling Shoes Optional

First, I'll say that we are back in Oman!  We had a very smooth trip here and were so blessed by two awesome traveling kiddos.  We were worried about Emalyn since she is now 4 1/2 months and much more aware and awake, but she did great.  Aberly was stellar as usual.  Even the stewardesses were gushing about our wonderful travelers.  The harder part has actually been the jetlag.  The first few nights were rough, especially for Emalyn.   We had some screaming nights, and nights that were like days.  Naps with a few hours between.   BUT we are on the upswing and almost back to normal.

So bowling. 

Looking for a fun thing to do with our friends, Jeff and Amanda, Amanda suggested bowling since I had mentioned how much Aberly liked it.  And since it's currently 90 degrees with 75% humidity, we didn't want to be outside. 

As soon as we arrived, I knew we were the most serious bowlers there.  And my average is around 110, so that should be an indicator.

My first clue was just hearing what was going on.  You know when you go to a bowling alley and you hear that awful thud when someone accidentally drops a ball on the lane too hard?   Well, that was pretty much what was happening on every lane, each time.  I literally watched a kid heft his ball over his head and throw it down.  Multiple times.  I may not be a pro, but I respect the alley and it made me cringe.  Cringe so much that said something to the desk attendant.  He wasn't fazed and nonchalantly said it wasn't his job to do anything.  His job was the desk.  It wasn't until I said I would go say something that he made the floor attendant go talk to them.

Everyone's form was terrible; people got up for their turn and didn't take a second to prepare any type of stance.  I don't think they even used the same ball each time (by the way, those balls had so many dings and nicks I can't believe they actually rolled smoothly).  

After getting our lane and paying, we were asked if we WANTED bowling shoes.  We didn't have to get them.  Really?  Apparently it's optional.  But being a serious bowler, of course I wanted them.  And I didn't cringe too much because since they are optional, they were barely used and in pretty nice shape.  We were the oddities.  Most people around us were in their normal shoes, sandals, and yes, there was a lady in sparkly heels.  No joke.  They flashed from under her abaya when she turned after a very awkward bowl.  I guess when you have no approach, it doesn't matter what your shoes do.

Bowling etiquette was not followed.  People edged into our lane.  There was no courtesy waiting when the person next to you bowled.  People walked part way on to the lane.  It was a free for all.

I kept thinking that the poor people at Brunswick would be dying a little inside if they saw how their products were being used and treated.  I mean, I was dying a little inside! 

I realized near the end of our time that we were being watched.  I mean, since we were the most serious bowlers there, our over 100 scores probably stood out.  And the fact that Colin and I have an approach and small leg swing when we release the ball probably made us look like semi-pros. 

And although Aberly was using a ramp, she was poised behind it and pushed smoothly and seriously.  Actually, they were probably laughing at us being so serious. 

One thing that did make me feel some comfort was that no matter what alley you are in, where ever it is in the world, it will look just like home.