It's about this time of year when I get really tired of winter. And ol' Punxsuhtawney Phil didn't help matters any by predicting six more weeks of winter. Of course, when you live in the north you know better than to think that winter will be cut short no matter what some groundhog says. I think it's time for a trip to the Domes. It's where we go about this time every year when we are sick to death of this:
And really begin longing for this:
But for now, the cold weather seems to be dragging on forever, and if that isn't bad enough, the sun has gone on strike and is refusing to brighten the gray days. And our little guys are a continent away.
Humbug.
But then, no matter what the sun has chosen to do (or not do), Elasti-girl brought a smile yesterday with reports of Dash and JackJack's first day at preschool. She had been preparing them for a week following their visit to see the place and meet the teachers. While they were there, a little boy started throwing sand from the sand table at Daddy, and was swiftly corrected by the teacher, who explained that throwing sand is not a good idea because it can get in a person's eyes. JackJack ever thinking on his feet commented, "It's okay. My daddy is wearing glasses. They protect his eyes."
So, anyway, they started yesterday. Elasti-girl had been talking to them about their first day, and offered to stay for the sake of Dash, who has a little separation anxiety at times like this. He woke up feeling pretty good about life, and said, "You don't have to stay, Mommy. I will be fine." "Are you sure, Dash? I'll stay if you want me to..." "No, it's okay. I'll be fine." When they got to school, Dash took one look around and said, "Mommy, you can stay." No big surprises there. But then, five minutes later, he spied her at the back of the room and said, "You can leave." Now that WAS a surprise. She was prepared to stay the whole morning and had not brought along anything to do to occupy her time. She stepped out into the parking lot, feeling a little "dismissed", feeling a little unneeded, feeling a little lost after spending most every waking moment for the past four years caring for their needs, and she shed a few tears. Then she enjoyed a walk through town, hitting some thrift stores and relaxing for a cup of coffee and figured she might be able to learn to enjoy this kind of down time.
And then she sent these.
Mommy, how many pictures are you going to take???
And finally, outside their new school...
And despite the distance and the dismal weather, I am smiling again.
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