The end of an era....

Today is Maddie's last day of daycare. K4 starts on Tuesday. When Maddie was about 6 months old, I had to remove her from daycare because of bumps and bruises, the final straw was that her elbow was pulled out of her socket. I should have trusted my instincts, but I didn't. waited until her arm was just hanging painfully at her side until I finally realized she was being neglected and abused. I will always carry that guilt.

Thankfully I found "Grandma Janet", she was right down the road from work and she was starting a daycare. She came highly recommended and Maddie has been there ever since. Grandma Janet has been very generous where we've been concerned. She doesn't charge me for the days Maddie doesn't go and always makes sure I'm covered if they are closed for vacation. When I started working from home (about 40 minutes from daycare) I made the decision to keep taking her because I trust them with my child. We wake up extra early in the morning so I can drop her off and drive all the way home to start work, then again in the evening.

I'm not sure I'll cry on Maddie's first day of school. I've been dropping her off for almost five years and it has been painful to do at times, I had to. Today, I have been crying all day. All of a sudden, I feel very vulnerable, like I'm losing my safety net...The one constant I've had in my life. I will not miss the drive and certainly not the expense but I'm suddenly overwhelmed.

I think it takes a very special person to create a loving, warm, creative, and nurturing environment for other peoples children (I don't think I would have the patience)...Today, as I look back at the last four years, I am very grateful.

Liar!

I lied, and its about to blow up in my face.

For the longest time, I have been unable to get Maddie to sleep in her own room. And by longest time, I mean years. I'm tired of being kicked in the head from my sleeping wild child. She sleeps sideways, I sleep longways, as most people do. Stuffed animals litter my bed.

So...I told her that I got a letter from her school, which she is very excited to start, that said they were excited to welcome her to school, but wanted to remind everybody that this is a school for big girls and kids who don't sleep in their own room wont be able to attend. At first she didn't believe me so I showed her a letter (she can't read) and she's been in her bed ever since.

The other morning when I went to wake her, she was sleeping at the end of her bed with no blankets and I asked what happened...she said she was hot during the night. Her room has no fan so I asked why she didn't come in by me. "Because I want to go to school"...yes, I feel like a jerk.

Maddie is so proud of herself and so am I.

Tonight we have open house at her new school and she cant wait to tell them....the jig is up!

Olympic Hopeful...

We are watching the opening ceremony tonight, which has been outstanding, and I told Maddie maybe someday she could be in the Olympics. Maybe a swimmer. She started jumping up and down very excited and said "Can I wear my floaty things(water wings) on my arms so I don't sink?" Hmmmm.

I'm bbbbaaaacccckkkk!!!!

Thank the good Lord that my new computer finally arrived. "Flamingo Pink" in color and glorious!