Preschool Graduation

Friday, June 3rd was Leo's preschool graduation. We were all so excited, even Leo. At home we had been doing cheers and chants in preparation. Leo was so proud but not sure what it all meant. Aidan got to stay home from school to attend because we think it's a big deal and wanted Leo to have the support of his whole family. Aidan was excited to see Leo's school because he'd never been and has asked about it numerous times.

When we first arrived Leo was happily playing puzzles with a couple of his teachers and other students. Then it hit, they had to line up and march across the classroom and sit in front of dozens of parents and siblings. He did not like that! He cried when they were lining up and his teachers were trying to console him but he didn't like all the fan fare and attention. Still he put on the little cap and marched out, crying, and sat down in the chair. One little girl said loudly "why is leo crying?!" It was heart breaking. He was crying, and gasping for breath and he shut his eyes and sat until he was calm. I almost thought he was sleeping. I wanted go up and grab him and say "you don't have to participate in this! Who cares anyway, let's go home and have ice cream and celebrate!" When they handed out the diploma's they were supposed to walk up and shake the assistant principal's hand and take their certificate. The principle just bent down and handed Leo his. Thank goodness.

But he made it through. I'm not sure if he is better for it but he did it. Some times I don't know why we have to do these things. I guess sometimes you just don't know how they will react and other times they are important moments. I know how he and Aidan both feel about this kind of stuff. I don't like it at all.

On Sunday, Aidan had one of this last soccer games and afterwards the team and the parents went out for pizza. It was nice but those types of events are really hard for me too. I don't feel comfortable in these situations either. I think about them a lot afterwards and later I feel completely exhausted and drained. Jason is amazing. You could drop him in the middle of a room with 20 strangers and he could stay for 2 hours talking. It's really a gift. A gift, I think he gets from his mom.

I'm really not ready for Leo to go to Kindergarten. He's ready but I am not. Check back with me at the end of summer.

Leo and his preschool teachers: Ms. Alayna, Ms. Emma and Ms. Pokeress

Fun in the Sun

I wrote this post weeks ago but didn't have pictures to add so I never posted it. Well here it goes...(last week really wasn't mother's day)

We have had some really fun weekends over the last couple of week. After Easter, Jason and I went to a Nats game with Auntie Thotlady and her sister and brother-in-law who were on business travel from the midwest. They love baseball and every where they travel try to get in a game or two or three. Embarassingly enough they have been to more Nats games than we have (and we live here!!! Shameful, I know). The Nats lost. They were down 2-1 in the last inning, bases loaded, two outs, 2 strikes, 3 balls and the guys struck out! Now THAT is shameful. I'm on a diet but the half-smoke, cheese fries and 3 beers I had are not! But it was good and fun.

Our good friends Becs and Jake were brave enough to agree to watch the boys while we went to the game. The boys had a super great time. They played outside almost all day and night, made personal pizzas and loved them (even Leo), they went walking around the neighborhood with flash lights (even a head light) and played games. They were happily exhausted when we picked them up (so were Becs and Jake, I think!) and they fell asleep immediately when we got in the car. I don't think we even got a block away from their house before Leo fell asleep.

During the week DC United played the Seattle Sounders. Sorry friends and family but DC United ended their 6 game winning streak! Surprisingly, I was really wanting to see DC win and a group of Seattle fans sitting behind us were annoying the heck out of me. A couple of times, after DC scored, I wanted to turn around and yell "in your face!" but some how I found it in me to control such urges. I'm sure you are all thinking their is now way your sweet little Amy could think such things. I know, shocking isn't it?

Last weekend was Mother's Day and we had such a nice weekend. Aidan played soccer on Saturday and did really, really well. He was mad at me after the game because I kept "coaching" him during the game. I apologized afterwards and said I wouldn't do it any more but it drives me crazy, almost to the point that I can't watch. Can you "competitive"? Ha! Aunt Cindy knows because she watched his game a couple of weekends ago and she yelled just as much as I did.

After soccer we stayed out at a hotel near Dulles Airport. It was rather cheap and a wonderful way to get away from the Laundry, dust, dirty bathroons, unvacuumed floors, clutter, etc. and just be a family. We had a wonderful dinner in Reston and were reminded of when our friend Sarah had her first baby Liam almost 2 years ago!! and it seemed just like yesterday. We also went to a gelato shop which makes the best gelato in the US. Pitango. I don't know really but it seems like it. I had gianduja and cinnamon, Leo had vanilla, and Aidan had lemon and crema and Jason had vanilla too. Amazing!