Oh happy day!

I don't like surprises. I despise them actually. I agonize over Christmas and birthdays. Not only do I want to know what is in a package for me, but if I'm giving a gift to someone else, I hate the suspense of them not opening it. It kills me!! If it were up to me, I'd let the kids open all of their presents 5 minutes after I put them under the tree. It's just how I'm wired. I can't help it! LOL!! And, I've been known to worry a time or two about things I can't control... I waste precious moments thinking about things which I can't influence, or try to find ways in which I can control them.... I know, it's a lovely personality flaw!

One of my recent obsessions was Katherine's preschool teacher for NEXT year. Yea, I know I'm early on this one!! LOL! I LOVE her teacher this year. Mrs. Schramm (Penny) is great with the kids. She's my age, scrapbooks, has two kids and wants more, is super upbeat... She's a wonderful teacher, a great influence on the little people she teaches and truly cares about them. She's *everything* I want in a preschool teacher for Katherine. Most importantly, Katherine loves her, and as a result she loves school. What more could I ask???

As it turns out, the teacher who currently teaches the class Katherine will be in next year, is pregnant and due in the middle of November. I wasn't crazy about her (as a teacher) to begin with -- nothing personal, just not the type of teacher I envision for Katherine. She isn't as warm as Penny. She doesn't have the outgoing, bubbly, warm personality that instantly welcomes the kids into the classroom and motivates them to learn. She's a fine teacher, but quiet and withdrawn, and doesn't encourage the children to really explore.... (i.e. they sit and are "taught" to for 2.5 hours, rather than doing art projects, singing songs, interactive play etc... ) Not sure if this makes sense or not, but she's just not who I'd want to teach Katherine. And on top of that, Katherine would have to endure a teaching change in the middle of year. Again, not something that thrilled me. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled for her that she's pregnant (for more reasons than the obvious), but just didn't think it was the optimal learning environment for Katherine. So, being the worry wart that I am, I started checking out other preschools and actually enrolled Katherine at a different place in case I decided to move her. I needed a plan B! HA-HA!

*** OK -- I wasn't planning on including this much detail, but to put things in perspective... The teacher that Katherine would have next year, lost a little boy who is the same age as the kids she is teaching... So teaching is difficult for her, the loss of her child is very new, and it's just a tough situation all the way around....

So this afternoon I had to call Penny, and our "quick" conversations always turn into an hour or more. Anyway, Penny and I had discussed next year at parent/teacher conferences a few months ago, so she knew I had concerns... In light of the pregnancy and inevitable teacher change, I brought up the subject again. Big surprise there!! LOL! As it turns out, Penny's son is going to be in the Pre-K class which meets 5 days a week, so in addition to teaching the 3 year class on T/TH, she's also going to teach the 4 year class in the mornings only on M/W/F. Guess what??? That also happens to be the class that Katherine is in!! Oh happy day!! Katherine gets the teacher of our dreams! I am beyond thrilled. This made my day if not the week!

On a different note...

Tomorrow is picture day. We are off to see Holly at her studio in Ankeny, and I know she'll take great pictures. Let's just hope Caleb cooperates. He's been difficult the last few months, so I haven't gotten any great ones recently. I'm hoping to get some of each of the kids alone, and then some of them together. Holly rocks, so I've got high expectations!! She used to take their pictures every month, so the kids know and like her... I haven't been to the new studio, so I'm not sure how it works, but if you all can view them on-line, I'll send the link. Oh -- and guess what... tomorrow is her day off. She's opening the studio for us, so we can take as much time as we want/need. AND -- she's giving me a great deal on the pics. See, I told ya she rocked!! I'll shamelessly plug her studio as soon as she sends me the link. As horrible as this sounds, I can't remember the name -- but it's not about the studio, it's all about the photographer, and Holly is tops! Love you girl!

After we dropped of Katherine at preschool, Caleb and I hit the mall to find some new duds for the big picture day. I NEVER have any luck finding him clothes in Gymboree, so I started off at Children's Place and got him some cute polo shirts. Pretty plain and classic. They should look nice in the pictures. There wasn't really anything for Katherine at CP, so I did make the trek to Gymboree. They have the cutest things for little girls! Back in the day when I was working and we had two incomes, I wouldn't have been able to get out of there without a couple of big bags. But today.... I walked in and looked around. I couldn't have bought tons of stuff even if I wanted to. Totally cute stuff, but everything I picked up seemed to babyish for my big girl. I couldn't believe it! When did this happen? When did my little baby girl grow up? It hit me today -- hard. It was so sad! I guess every mom has moments when they realize that their babies are growing up. Today was one of mine.

So many random thoughts tonight...

So after dinner the kids and I went over to my parents house so that Matt could study in peace and quiet. The kids had a blast. They adore my parents, and are always giddy to go over there. As soon as I turned into my parent's development, Caleb started yelling, "MAMA, MAMA... GO GO GO GO!!" Does he know the way there already??? Katherine was laughing to the point of crying. She finally said, "That's right Buddy, we get so see Grammy and Pop-pops".

My parents got this toy horse that the kids can ride on, and for Caleb it was love at first sight. He rode that thing practically the whole night -- yelling "HOOOOORSE" and 'patting' it on the head. Pretty cute!

After we got home it was straight into the bath tub. Matt started filling up my whirlpool for the kids (not sure how they keep abandoning their tub and work their way into mine), while Katherine and I were sitting on the floor taking off her old nail polish. Matt brings in Caleb totally naked, and I immediately tell him to put a diaper back on while he fills the tub. I've made this mistake too many times!!! LOL! Matt insists he'll be fine. Right!!! I hate to say "I told you so", but sure enough... as soon as the water starts up, Caleb pees all over -- the floor, the rug and my foot! UUUUUUGH! Maybe he'll listen to me next time...