It's great to be 8!

I think when you have a child that turns 8, you are officially out of the young-moms-with-small-children category. Maybe I've been out of it for a while, but it's finally becoming a reality for me. He's not a toddler anymore. He has turned out to be quite a fine boy, if I do say so myself -and I do. He is kind, out-going, very thoughtful of others, eager to excel, athletic, quick to laugh, nurturing, easy going, smart, and can build one heck of a... well, anything from a jumble of legos. His desire to make good choices makes him an excellent team captain for our outfit. We celebrated him today with breakfast and a banana bread cake (he was getting the real stuff later), gifts, playing the Wii (not a common allowance), and most importantly his baptism. Pretty neat for him to be able to be baptized on his actual birthday.

Though his baptism was absent of family and friends, the ward showed a lot of support and there was quite a good turnout. He was baptized in English, but the talks were given by the missionaries in English and Spanish -not an easy thing to do. Maybe those in attendance will have some idea what it's like to not understand what's going on. It was very nice, and even though no one spoke English, they were very warm and friendly. Gavin received quite a lot of smooches. Yep, it's great to be 8. To my surprise, they even sang Happy Birthday to Gavin in English, then Spanish.

We finished off the evening at Foster's Hollywood per Gavin's request for whatever dinner we could possibly fit in, after all the baptism refreshments.

And of course, an 8th birthday wouldn't be complete without a romp in the park at 10pm. I mean only 2 more hours until it's just another day, gotta live it up while you can.

Another First Day

Today was Cohen's first day of school. There wasn't any walking him to his classroom and settling him in, or convincing his teacher how precious he is and could he (Mr. Cooper) PLEASE, take extra good care of him. No, we said our goodbyes in the lobby, as far as we were permitted, amongst many a crying youngster (seriously, uniformed 2 year olds with pacifiers). Cohen didn't seem phased by the unhappy chaos, and gave kisses and then was escorted down the hall by the secretary. His class is at the end of a very long hallway. He never even turned around -and it's a long hallway. Are you really that ready to leave me? I mean, yay, good for you.

As much as it may hurt that he's "ready", the "not ready" is so much more heart wrenching. I checked on him at 12:45 (I thought that's when lunch was over), and the lower lip started trembling as soon as he saw me. I had to talk him back into class because lunch didn't START for almost an hour. Yes, I sent that starving, wet eyed, chocolate milk wanting, brave little boy back into his class until after lunch when I was allowed to then take him home. Picking him up at 2:30 brought more tears but also hope, as he referred to "tomorrow at school...". So he's still planning on returning tomorrow. The sad details of the day were filled in by Gavin, Eli, and Addie, who share patio (recess) with him.

Warm chocolate chip cookies greeted the kids yesterday on their first day of school, so to celebrate Cohen's first day, my very skilled next door neighbor came over to make whatever balloon creation Cohen's little heart desired. An orange sword, just the right length (she had to make it 3 times to accomplish this), and as a bonus, a sword holder.

When I was tucking Cohen in to bed, I was reinforcing how great it was that he gets to play with his brothers and sisters during school. He told me that it was good when he was crying he got to sit with Gavin outside. After tucking Cohen in, I went to Gavin and let him know how much Cohen and I, appreciated him taking care of Cohen. I gave him a few pointers, to comfort, and then distract. He said "Okay, I didn't know, so I just rubbed his head while he laid on my lap". Oh.... okay, just disregard everything I said and keep doing what your doing. How did I get such sweet kids?

Tick-tock

I couldn't help checking all day. I wonder what they're doing now? Is Eli okay? Did they eat their lunch? Are they starving? Are they using the bathroom? Are their heads spinning with all the Spanish? Are they ruing the day we moved to Spain?

So here's to the relief I felt seeing 3 sets of cheeks free of dried salty tears on their first day of school. Not all smiles, but mostly. Neither 6 year old were able to relieve themselves all day. Unbeknownst to me, the gender neutral restrooms are 4 toilets, and some sinks. Absent are the stalls, or any sort of divider. So I suppose My little Addie could be sitting doing her business next to Eli, while making a couple new friends. Even before we lived in a house with 7 bathrooms, they still liked their privacy. So I can't blame them for looking so uncomfortable when it was time to go home. They had a good day. Each knows someone in their class who speaks English, and they even liked their Spanish comida which consisted of:

Lentils with rice and pork

Hake puff pastries

salad

fruit

bread

Today was also a good day for Cohen and I. It helped me remember why he's going to school, and I think helped him realize why he'd rather be at school as well.

In the car after dropping the kids off:

Cohen -"Mom, are you sure this is the way home?"

Me - "No, I thought we'd go to the pirate park to play."

Cohen - "Just us?" (sounding a little doubtful as to how fun this could be)

Me - "yeah, just us" (trying to make it sound really special, and cool, but knowing on the fun-o-meter, I could never compete with 2 six year olds and a 7 year old.) But gosh darn it, I was going to try.

Now as far as an exciting atmosphere goes, it didn't help that this really cool park was void of any life other than a suspicious sanitation man picking up litter. So we played. All the while, missing the squeals and screams of the rest of Cohen's posse. When Cohen got back in the car after, he so thoughtfully added, "Well, that was fun". Cohen you are too kind.

As we walked up the steps to the house, Cohen asked, "When are the kids getting home?"

Ditto.

Not that I wasn't having fun, but I just couldn't stop thinking about what we were putting them through. Cohen and I spent the rest of the day distracting ourselves. Together. Good times.

As ready as we'll ever be.

48 socks, 32 shirts, 14 pairs pants/shorts, 7 smocks (or around here, labcoats), 4 blazers, 4 ties, 4 bathing suits, 4 swim caps, 4 backpacks, 4 combs, 4 toothbrushes, 4 cups, 3 estuches, 3 belts, 2 jumpers and 2 pair of tights, all individually labeled with each child's full name. Our first school night has officially brought to close a spectacular summer. One final salute to, road trips, the beach, orange shovels, Los magos, Camp Ross, Legos, pool, books, visits with family and friends, pajamas till noon, and Brett. Brett, you will be missed immensely (summer work hours 9-3, normal 9-10? or so).

Here's a peek at a few of the many labeled items. The late spring/early fall sport uniform. Our own synchronized swimming team. Their version of the uniform.

Finally, the "labcoats".

What now?

Summer shouldn't be over yet. We haven't had the lull of boredom. I've only clutched my knees rocking back and forth in the corner chanting some dribble about finding a happy place, a handful of times. I have been dreading the start of the new school year. Anxiety for me and anxiety for the kids -which I feel for them, so more anxiety for me. It is the year of change. The kids started the American School here last November. For various reasons, we thought it in their best interest to switch schools this year to a nearby, Spanish bilingual, school. So among the changes of language, location, and friends, they will start wearing uniforms, eating a Spanish lunch (a big deal for my picky eaters), attending school from 9-5, changing clothes publicly (also a big deal for one of my very private children), and swimming lessons at school. There are a couple of changes which cause even more stress. Gavin will be skipping 2nd grade and going straight to 3rd, in which math and Spanish (equivalent to an American English class) will both be taught in Spanish. Our only consolation is that it's a new school so there are only 13 students in his class and a few others in similar language situations. The biggest change and most heartbreaking and stress inducing however, is (tears are falling freely now), Cohen. Our Numero cuatro, our happy catalyst, our last little birdie, will be leaving the nest for THE WHOLE DAY!

After being denied several times by the headmaster, I put my foot down and told them Cohen WOULD be attending half day, versus the required full. The Spanish school system starts kids at 3 years old, so in their eyes, Cohen is a year late and well able to manage a 9-5 day (he's still 3 for a few more months). I've also heard of the level of (or lack of) nurture given -but that's just here say. So I've gotten approval to pick him up after lunch for the first 3 days. Baby steps -but that's better than nothing.

So why are we sending him? He needs interaction. Needs that I just can't fill, try as I might. Because the Spanish start school at 3, everyone ends up sending their kids so that they have playmates. Americans too. Everyone is in the same bind because everyone is moving here at different times. We went to a mostly British playgroup last year, but it maxed out at 2 and a half. There just weren't any older children. A first or only child wouldn't have the same need. But Cohen has a posse. He has 3 siblings very close in age that he runs and plays with all day. He needs noise, excitement, running in circles, and chaos. I just don't cut it.

So selflessly, we are letting him go. But I am green with envy of those that will be basking in the sparkle of his eyes, infected with the contagiousness of his giggle, and hoping that his cute misunderstanding of words are not lost in a language barrier.

Little Entrepreneurs

A little down time on the long flight stateside. A proud moment for Brett.

Phase 1 -Shipping and Handling

Addie has been planning and scheming all day, how to get a hamster into her posession.

"We can just carry it on the plane." -"I don't think we're allowed to."
"Well, then we can put it in the suitcase in a cage." -"It would get awfully hungry in there."
"I'd put a carrot and the water thingy with the silver straw in the cage" -"They jostle and throw the suitcases around, it would probably get hit on the head with the carrot."

...a few hours later...Addie and Eli (two minds working towards a flawless plan)

"Okay, we could drive to the end of Spain, then take a ferry to the U.S., then drive to Ohio, buy a hamster...and a cage, and drive back to the ferry, then we could hold it on the ferry, and drive back home, right mom?" - "Uhhhh, hmmm, sounds like you guys have thought of everything."

"Yes!!"

Phase 2 -Raising Funds I could only think of so many "pay" chores, as most of the chores they are capable of, they just have to do. So, Addie began making flyers for "her store", in which she would sell off her toys. Smart girl. She was reeling in the masses with the "free things", and would catch them with the "not free things". The boys had to start some competition for her, so started their own stores for their own hamster. Cohen, knowing the real way to get business in his store advertised, "Come to my store, EVERYTHING is FREE!" The public (the other 3) then made a beeline for his store and wiped him out of everything. Somehow they took his money, all his toys and just left him with his smile. He was just happy that everyone came to his store. Oh, and Addie is well on her way to parenting a hamster with the $0.15 she earned from her business endeavor.

Guido

4 kids with a little less hair, mom wiping the sweat off her brow, and Eli's thumb touting a new "stache". Haircuts get a little stressful around here. What, with all the wiggling, complaining, and "oops" 's due to wiggling. Guido appeared just in time for a little giggle.