It’s funny to me the things you remember about your childhood. As Brittain’s first day of Kindergarten was approaching, and because she was attending the same elementary school that I went to, I began to think back to see what I could remember about my years at Crescent. While I have some specific memories, it turns out that when I think back to those years I get just a general warm and fuzzy feeling. I remember those years as feeling safe and secure and happy. Of course it wasn’t until 30 years later that I am finding out WHY I felt like that.

Because my pregnancy fell right in the middle of when I should have been thinking about teachers and where she would fit in best, and who everyone might be trying to request, I was engrossed in the fact that I was HUGE and I had ANOTHER HUMAN IN MY STOMACH and I FELT LIKE CRAP EVERY DAY. So, once the baby was out and I could actually think about something other than myself, I began to feel the stress double and I became obsessed with the upcoming year and how I was going to handle it. (Yes, me, not Brittain.) I made countless phone calls where I sounded like a huge idiot. I’m sure I burned many bridges in a matter of a day…but in the end it all worked out for the very best.

I did my very best to prepare for that first day and what I might feel like. But there was no preparing for that day. I woke up the first day of school and immediately started dry heaving…and it continued for the rest of the day. Fortunately Brittain was excited about going to school and there wasn’t a moment where I wondered whether or not we were going to be able to leave her there. Dan and I walked her in, gave her a kiss, and off we went. Lucky Dan…he got to go to work. Coleman and I were left sitting in the house the entire day just staring at each other wondering what we were going to do with our lives now. I counted down the minutes until 2:30 finally came and the moment Brittain got into my car I felt complete again. I didn’t accomplish a single other thing except making it through that first day, but I felt that it was accomplishment enough.

As far as Brittain goes, she had a fantastic first day and has continued to love school. I love being able to drop her off in the mornings and her getting out of the car with a smile on her face ready to tackle the new day.

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While Brittain and I seem to frequent Florida on a regular basis, it’s a rare occasion that Dan is ever able to go because of his work schedule. Plus, now that Coleman is here, both of us feel like a vacation with just the four of us is a waste because someone would always have to be in with the baby. Somehow we were able to actually make a plan. Dan had some time off and we were able to coordinate with the Parkers and plan an ACTUAL vacation. But don’t get the wrong idea…this wasn’t your typical vacation going out to eat at nice restaurants, getting massages, and sipping margaritas by the pool. Nope, we loaded up the cars with our own groceries, enough baby supplies to last us a year, and 2 very excited 5 year olds.

At least in my opinion it really was the perfect trip. There were a few points where we actually forgot we had Ava and Brittain. They were like a couple of teenagers who were completely self-sufficient. And even the babies seemed semi low-maintenance with all of us being there. We were able to take turns so Jenny and I got our relaxing beach time and Matt and Dan got their time as well. Then, once all the kids were in bed, the party really got started. And when I say party I’m talking about watching comedy on t.v. and the guys falling asleep on the couch. Talk about some fun times.

If you’re wondering to yourself, “Was it really that perfect?” Well, yes it was, besides the night I decided to teach the girls “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” right before they went to bed and somehow it riled them up to the point that they were jumping back and forth between the two twin beds (and I was allowing it!) and Brittain missed the bed at one point and fell to the floor. Oops…

We took LOTS of pics to document the trip. These are from my camera and the Parker’s so forgive the fact that they’re all mixed up.

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