Nina's Back to School Party!

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Pre-K Homework

It has begun. Homework for everybody which, of course, includes ME! The Pre-K assignment: a book about me. I tried to turn this one over to Ben, but something about him wanting to make one and then copy it for the other, discouraged me.

I like to make a statement. Especially with school projects. So, under my watchful eye, Caleb and Joshua created a masterpiece. Today they presented them to the class. The teacher commented when I picked the boys up from school about how well they had done and the class clapped for them. I was surprised and asked if they actually said anything while "presenting" the books. She said, and I quote: "Oh yes, one of them told the class he had no idea why his Mommy put that spaghetti on his favorite foods page, cause he doesn't even like spaghetti."

Good job, buddy. You get your Dad next time.

Day 1

Look who got Day 1 pictures!!

I thought at first that Hayden's lack of enthusiasm was nerves mixed with pre-teen Mommy embarrassment. Unfortunately, it was a virus. She's home sick for day 2.

Ally, however, is ready for the day. She even thought it would look more "official" if she was reading something. It only took 10 minutes to get that notebook back in her school supply stuffed backpack, I mean, messenger bag.

Get ready, Middle School, cause here WE come!

Yep, she's that old. I can't believe it. My little baby is going to 6th grade. On one hand I'm a little sad, but on the other I'm so pumped for what is to come. You know, battle of the hormones, me competing for most embarrassing Mother, me staying all up in her business, me letting her know that height doesn't matter(she's 2 inches from me), me having a presence on "her" turf and Ben, well, just trying to hang on for the ride. I can't wait!!!

Getting passed.

Drop off for preschool just isn't the same. In the olden days, you would pull up to the door and the teachers would unbuckle and drag your child to their classroom. Now, we have to park, unbuckle, gather our gear, wrestle kids out, dodge cars across the parking lot, walk in, maneuver up the stairs, get to the classroom and spend 15 minutes convincing the boys that their teacher can flatten play-doh as well as I can. Nothing really stressful until the convincing part.

Today, the stairwell became another "stress-zone" for me. I get it. The boys are slow, not because they aren't familiar with stairs, they are lingering in the stairwell for extra bonding time with me. I am slow, not because I want to be, but I am following 2 lingering boys and I have 2 backpacks. There was a Momma today that didn't care what my issues were, she wanted up the stairs. After bumping me in the rear with her son's backpack several times, I asked if she wanted to pass. Affirmative. The boys and I huddled against the railing while she hustled her son up the stairs. One of my favorite people at Mt. Zion made a face and I could tell she was thinking the same thing as me. "Take it easy, lady. I know your freedom is minutes away, but really? Really?" Another friend, laughed and joked that I got passed. No kidding. Not like it's my first time.

After delivering the boys to their teacher, I had to show out. It further encouraged my immature behavior that my friends were still laughing and the stairs were empty. At first I hogged the stairs, then I decided to walk as close to the wall as possible. Imagine a mix between Spiderman and spastic Mommy. Everybody thought it was funny until a high school friend's husband entered the stair well. I no longer thought that it was funny, more embarrassing. My friends . . . no longer funny either. Hysterical.

The Goodes make the paper . . . again.

We've done it again. This time the scrapbook section where activities from schools in the area are highlighted. It was really a fun day and Ally got a big kick out of the safety glasses.

The journey of OUR EMBA.

Our wondrous journey all started  just 2 short years ago,

Twin 1 year old boys and 2 pre-puberty girls: sure honey, to college you must go!

An Executive MBA from Vanderbilt he needed,

"Couldn't you have done this before kids?", I desperately pleaded.

No, the timing was now, it would help him move up the workplace ladder.

So after he was accepted, funded and taken for a shopping trip to Staples; he couldn't be gladder.

I, on the other-hand, was a little more reserved in my emotion,

I know what my life looks like with four kids in constant locomotion!

They kicked off the program in New Harmony with a week long retreat,

"Oh, we're working hard" all week to me on the phone he would repeat.

Yeah, right, I'm no fool, I can hear in the back ground,

lots of laughing and talking and goofing around!

We must persevere and complete what we've begun.

So off to Vandy every other weekend for long, strenuous days with no fun.

Back in Huntsville, four kids and a wife

were making the best of our "living with a grad student" life.

When Daddy was home, he spent a lot of time studying and on conference calls with his team,

Keeping 4 kids quiet for a 3 hour conference call on Saturday morning, I could just SCREAM!

It was a stressful 2 years filled with frustration and sometimes tears,

WE MADE IT, WE MADE IT I can shout in everyone's ears!

Graduation was Friday, the big horrendous grand finale of this lengthy event,

It was outside in what the girls described as a circus tent. 

My parents and I with the kids in tow,

 arrived 15 minutes early to witness the show.

Who forgot to tell the main speaker at the coliseum to cut it short?

I think they decided to start the ceremony 1 hour and 15 minutes late for sport.

I wasn't amused as I entertained 2 2-year old boys,

with nothing but me and some sticks for toys.

The girls kept their cool as they tried their best to see,

Our family have it's minute of glee.

The ceremony ended and we headed for a drink,

the place didn't have anything strong enough for Pop pop I think!

Ben joined us and I wanted some proof of us being there,

All that I can see in the photos are tears and disheveled hair(except Ben)!

I know Ben sacrificed time with his kids and me and worked really hard,

late nights, early mornings shows in our added pounds of lard.

Relax honey, enjoy time at home with me, the girls and the boys,

You can cook, do laundry, iron, settle disputes, fix toilets, clean out disposals, cut the grass and each night pick up toys!

You will have plenty of time to bond with us,

Cause I'm the one catching the next graduate school bus!

Just a final note in my lengthy rhyme,

Thanks Mom and Dad for taking the time,

to be there for me on Friday morning,

and sorry Dad, the po po  should have given you a warning.