One week to go

Before Kindergarten starts!  It's bittersweet.  I am so excited for Madelyn, she CAN NOT wait - and that makes me so so happy.

I have been OK all summer, her excitement as driven me - it has calmed me and sort of pushed away the "no, not my baby" boohoos.  Until last week.

A few nights ago, I lay in bed, restless - felt the tears starting to fill my eyes.  I couldn't stop thinking of when we brought her home, sleepless nights, poopy diapers, sippy cups, first words, potty training, big girl beds, preschool, making little friends...ugh it was heart wrenching!  And I let it rip - it all just flowed out all over.  At 1am, I went through a box of tissues and tiptoed up to her room to sleep with her in her bed.  It helped - and then I laid with her staring at her sleep and I cried more.  HA  Now I can laugh, if she woke up and saw me she would've screamed because I looked like a monster!

The next day I had the worst headache and my eyes were so puffy - coffee only made me jittery, didn't help the eyes!  I felt groggy all day.

But I've settled since then.  We have a busy week planned, end of summer playdates and looking forward to us spending some quality time together this weekend.  Next Tuesday we'll get up and load her on that big yellow bus and she'll be off....but she'll be back.  I don't know who will hug who bigger and harder when she runs off that bus!!  I can't wait!  I'll have my busy little bee with me to keep me grounded during the day, I love my Em and will treasure these few years of "our" time before we're sending her off to kindergarten too!

A few weeks ago, my Grandparents from Missouri visited.  It was such a special visit, it was the first time they had met Emily.  Madelyn was only 1 1/2 when they saw her last, so it was quite an exciting time for all of us.  I'm so very thankful they are healthy enough to travel and came all the way to see us.  We can't let the time pass next time, 4 years is way too long.

Our summer is winding down.  This last week means the Chesterfield County Fair - our end of summer tradition.  It started slow but sure did come to a quick halt at the end.  I'm so very thankful for all the day trips and weekend getaways, our beach vacation, our family and our wonderful friends who helped make some treasured memories!