What's In a Name: Part 2

I hope Griffin is prepared for the wife that he is betrothed to, because she has already decided on their childrens' names. And by "prepared", I mean willing and able to accept without question. Because these names, well, I'll just let you decide.

According to Ray, they are having one boy and one girl. The girl will be the oldest (hmmm...wonder why) and her name will be .....

Jua.

I made her spell it for me so that I knew I heard it right. She likes how it sounds.

The boy's name will be Jariff. I'm guessing on the spelling, because she couldn't spell that one.

My guess is as good as yours as to where these came from.... at least they are creative!

School Daze: Day 1

For exactly one year, Ray has been harassing me about starting Kindergarten. "When will I start Kindergarten?" "When I turn six, will I be in Kindergarten?" "When I go to Kindergarten, I'm going to ride my bike to school." And, every morning for the past week, "Mommy, can I go to Kindergarten today? I know today is the day!"

Ray chose her (ugly, in my opinion) first day of school outfit and was prepared to ride her bike to school this morning. Why did it have to rain? She was so disappointed, but I promised her that the first sunny morning that she could ride her bike (luckily, we live less than a mile from the school so that's easy peasy). I'm just going to have to walk it back home, so that little adventure won't happen all that often.

She was all attitude walking into school. When her vice-principal said "Hi!", I told her his name. When I tried to tell her her principal's name, she was all uppity, "You know, Mommy, you've told me this before. You don't need to keep repeating it!"

Yet, she asked me five times on the way to school what her teachers name is. Go figure.

Miss Attitude

Once we walked into her classroom, Ray took control. She listened well at the meet 'n greet. Knew just what to do to check in and found her desk right away.

I was feeling all emotional this morning. I'm not supposed to be a mom of a school kid. Ever. They are supposed to stay babies, which means I'll never age. But, Ray is clearly ready to move on.

Don't most kids cry when their parents leave them on their first day of Kindergarten? Mine just straight up kicked me out of the room. But I didn't leave without a fight...

One last picture - with an attitude

What's In a Name?

Ray has been betrothed to a boy named Griffin since she was four and he was five. Griffin's parents are good friends of mine and E's, and we all love this idea. Hey, we already like our inlaws and they like us. The wedding would be one big party, and that's all that's important, right? Oh, and their daughter, Reese, has been promised to Chay, as well. The best of both worlds. For now, all four kids are on board with this idea. We'll see how they feel in, say, 20 years.

A day at the beach today led to a conversation between E and Ray about maiden names. She asked and was told my name before I married E, Nana's name before she married Papa, and Grandma's name before she married Grandpa.

Ray: What will my name be when I marry Griffin?

E: L***

Ray: Hmmm.... Ray L***. I like that. Ray... what was that name again?

E: L***

Ray: Oh, OK, Ray L***. Will Chay's name be Chay L*** when he marries Reese?

E: No, he is a boy, so he'll still be Chay M***.

Ray: Oh, I get it. So he'll be Chay M*** and Reese will be Reese M***. I hope Chay's mother-in-law will like that.

Of course, I immediately had to call my future inlaw and let her know that my daughter is already concerned about her feelings on their future marriages. Ray will make a perfect daughter-in-law one day. I just hope Reese is just as perfect. I have a feeling she will be.

Princess Peach and Bowser

Ray and Chay received a birthday party invitation today. The theme is Super Mario Bros. and the party is for two little brothers who are turning 7 and 4. The boys' mom is super creative and created these little cards for the kids to rub off lottery ticket-like thingies and discover which characters they will represent at the party.

Being a Super Mario Bros. novice, I had to rely on Ray and Chay's identifying the characters for me. Birthday boys' mom wisely made Ray a Princess - Princess Peach, I have been informed. Chay scratched off his card and found out he was Luigi. Fits have been thrown over this one.

Turns out Luigi is a good guy, and Chay has decided that he is a bad guy, through and through. He wants to be Bowser:

Because "He's got spikey things on his back and wikes to wun over cars." He makes me so proud sometimes.

When asked why he likes Bowser's spikey back, Chay responded, "Cuz I's gots staples in my head and dose are spikey!"

I have relented and told him he can be Bowser. Ray was the mediator and the agreement was reached when Chay agreed he wouldn't run over any cars or hurt anyone. I tried to throw in a no fit throwing clause, but I lost that argument.

So, Bowser it is.

Frankenstein (aka The Bull)

Chay has earned his nickname, "The Bull," many times over.

Originally, we started calling him Bull because he would indiscriminately run into something. A glass sliding door? Walked right into it and left a perfect face print on it.

Another time, Chay took off running head first into the TV cabinet. Bounced off of it and landed flat on his back. He just laid there and stared up at the ceiling. I watched him, praying that he didn't knock himself out. He didn't, I guess he was just thinking about what a stupid move that was. About a minute later, he stood up, shook his head and took off running full speed ahead directly to his right. And directly into the wall.

Friday night, The Bull was was rough housing in Ray's room, and he decided to dive off of her bed into a pile full of toys. I was in the living room hanging out with friends when he came out crying. Being used to it his antics, I didn't think much of it and figured it was just another bump or bruise. Until I found my hand covered in blood.

Head wounds like to bleed. And they don't stop easily. I took him to the ER at Gulf Coast Memorial Hospital. Thankfully they weren't crowded, but we were still there for five long hours. Chay was a trooper...he played and laughed and entertained everyone in the waiting room. You never would have known that his head was spewing blood. Well, except for me having to chase him down constantly to wipe it up.

In the end, it took two male nurses and the PA to hold The Bull down to treat him. He can be strong when he wants to fight you (which, truth be told, is often). They put four staples into the gash in the back of his head. He really didn't like that, but he did like the gummy bears I gave him. I normally wouldn't give my three year old gummy bears at 1:00 in the morning, but it seemed like the thing to do at the time.

The staff at Gulf Coast Memorial ER were awesome. They put four staples in a fearless three year old's head professionally, gently, and amazingly, pretty easily.

The Bull even earned a new teddy bear. He is proud to say that its the second teddy bear he has been given from an emergency worker. I say that's a trend that needs to stop.

A Little Ray and A Little Chay

Ray

Ray likes to make up songs, the sillier, the better. She made this one up in the restroom at Chili's today:

(Sung to the tune of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town")

I'm going to poop,
I'm going to pee,
I'm going to poop,
And I'm telling you why,

You need to get out of the bathroom, right now.

________________________________________________

Chay

Chay has been in a goofy mood lately. Silly boy, 100%. He's been in the best of moods, and he is making up all kinds of ways to cuddle.

Today's version of kissing:

Mommy, let me kiss you on the lips (Kisses me on the lips)
Mommy, now the cheek (Kisses me on the cheek)
Mommy, let me kiss you on the nose (Kisses me on the nose)
Mommy, now the forehead (Smacks me in the forehead with his hand.)
Mommy, now THAT'S funny!!!!

Yeah, not so much.

VPK Graduation

Leading up to Ray's VPK graduation last week, I was hesitant and slightly negative about the whole thing. Graduating from VPK? Really? I only graduated from high school and college. VPK seemed a little like overkill. I looked at it like it was just a reason to pay $35 for the honor of hearing my baby sing songs I've been hearing her sing for six months.

I am happy to say that I take all those thoughts back. VPK graduation rocked.

Ray's teachers did a great job. They put on a beautiful, fun, and emotional ceremony. Ray's graduating class had 52 students and six teachers. Six absolutely fabulous teachers.

The entire class sang songs like Fifty Nifty United States, Macarena Months, My Florida Alphabet and Hip Hop Hokey Pokey. Ray headlined the school's theme song and loved being in the spotlight. Because of these songs, my baby can name all fifty states in alphabetical order, all of the U.S. presidents in order, and the days of the week and months in both English and Spanish. She is beyond brilliant (yes, I am biased.)

Ray stood proud after she received her diploma (not the real one to be sure, that was placed safely in a folder for us to take home later). Her teacher announced that she wanted to be a teacher when she grows up, and my baby grinned ear to ear.

The VPK teachers also put together a book called, "Recipes from Imagination Station." Ray's entry, verbatum:

My Dad's Great Waffles
2 Waffles that you buy from Publix
Put the waffles in the oven for 5 minutes. Take out and put them on a plate. Put lots of syrup on them. If you don't want syrup you can just eat it whole.

Classic.

They also showed a slide show containing pictures from all the years the kids were at the daycare. It brought tears my eyes and made me appreciate how well Ray's school took care of her. Ray started there when she was two years old, and it is truly more than a daycare and VPK school. They have taught and comforted and helped my baby grow. They help make her who she is today.

I also cried because I realized why I had not been the most positive towards the graduation, and its why I delayed writing about it. Because it means my baby is no longer my baby. She's going to Kindergarten next year. Kindergarten! I have never looked beyond this point. Its quite odd. And I like it.

She may be growing up, but she'll always be my baby. No matter how old she is.

The Funny Things They Say

Chay is starting to come out of his shell in a major way. He flirts with his teachers. He disagrees with Ray when she tells him to do something. And, man, does he grunt at me when he's not happy. My little Bull has developed his own sense of humor, and its a pretty good one.

He is also coming up with some doozy sayings.

Take this conversation, for instance:

Chay: I want watamewon. Pweese? Can I have watamewon?

Me: Let's work on this. It is WATER MELLON. You aren't Elmer Fudd.

Chay: I just want watamewon. Pwease.

E: You kinda look like Elmer Fudd, with that new hair cut and your ears.

Chay to me: That's messed up. (And you will need to picture his face, with his eyebrows all crooked and face scrunched up, the perfect facial).

********************

Chay has been wearing his sunglasses EVERYWHERE. And when he puts them on, he is a "rock star." And he will tell everyone he sees that he's a "rock and roll rock star."

As much as he loves his drums and guitar, I do see a future in music, despite the cheesy sunglasses.

********************

And then there's this sweet compliment he paid me last week after I ran six miles:

Chay: Mommy, you stink.

Me: Chay! I'm the stink monster. Give me a hug!

Chay: Oh, no. AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! Get away stink monster!

Me (after a shower): Chay, will you give me a hug now?

Chay (after smelling my arm): Mmmmm....mommy, you smell good now. Before you smelled like a trash can. Now you smell like a rose.

Me: Well, I aim to please.

Ray and Chay's Great Grandma

Ray and Chay have been lucky to have their Great Grandma in their lives, and they are her "Pride and Joy." She loves them with all her heart, even if she couldn't keep up with their energy the past few months.


Great Grandma and The Bull



Great Grandma swears that Chay is crazier than a bed bug. Her nickname for him is "The Little Shit." She knows crazy best...she's the oldest of 14 crazy Canadian brothers and sisters. Great Grandma is a hard working, hard headed, and absolutely beautiful woman.



Great Grandma and Ray at Easter

Ray is Great Grandma's love of her life. My grandpa is Ray's namesake, and therefore, a constant reminder of my Grandma's great love of her life. Ray and Great Grandma were so sweet together, always giving hugs, holding hands and blowing kisses to each other.

Great Grandma passed away yesterday morning. While we were sitting with her saying our final goodbyes, Nana wondered how I was going to explain Great Grandma's passing to Ray and Chay. My response, "I'm going to be honest."

I received the call from my mom at 6:30 Monday morning, so the kids weren't awake yet. I raced around getting dressed as quickly as possible, and Ray woke up and was curious why I was leaving and not getting ready for work. I explained that I was going to see Great Grandma and had to hurry. I didn't have time to sit down and tell her fully what had happened, and I planned to do it later in the evening when we could all sit down and have a serious talk.


Ray had a different plan. She is so perceptive, it throws me off sometimes. Later that afternoon, I went to pick Ray and Chay up from their school, and the first thing Ray asked after we pulled out of the parking lot, was this: "Mommy, what happened to Great Grandma?"


Luckily, I was at a red light, so I could glance into the rear view mirror. What I saw shook me. Beauty had tears in her eyes. How did my baby know?


I told them there and then that Great Grandma died and was now in heaven dancing with their Great Grandpa. Then I handed out presents that I told them Great Grandma had left them. I gave Chay a stuffed dog that Great Grandma's brother had given her that has USA stuff all over it, and I told Ray that Great Grandma gave her the PURPLE blanket she had been using to keep her legs warm.


Chay carries that stuffed dog with him everywhere, and Ray now sleeps with that blanket. They are sad, but not fully understanding the concept of death. Yet, Great Grandma will be with them forever, and I cannot think of a better way for them to remember her than through her many gifts that she has passed on to them, whether they be stuffed, metal or just memories.


Cheers, Grandma. You are already missed, but I know you are dancing with Grandpa in heaven. I love you.

Mother's Day on My Wrist

I received extra special Mother's Day presents from Ray and Chay; gorgeous and expensive bracelets with colorful jewels and meaningful charms that represent just how much they love me. I am a lucky woman.

OK, maybe not so fancy and expensive. And, not so gorgeous either. But truly made with love.

Ray walked me through every bead on her bracelet and explained to me what each one represents (her bracelet is the one closer to my hand). From right to left:

*A purple glass bead - She loves purple and it was the fanciest there was.

*A small silver rose - She's the baby rose.

*A gold bead - Because its GOLD, mommy, and really expensive!

*A big silver rose - I'm the mommy rose.

*A hot pink dolphin - Because its a dolphin and they are cute.

*A red heart - Because she loves me. Duh.

*A pink butterfly - They are pretty, just like us.

*A purple bow - Because she loves purple and hair bows. It just made sense.

*A silver flower - Flowers are pretty and I wear a lot of silver.

*A black bead - I also wear a lot of black and its one of my favorite colors (I do, in fact, wear a lot of black. But I never made a deal about it, so I'm impressed that she is working on her observation skills).

*A sparkly pink heart - Her teachers didn't have any diamonds, so this heart was the sparkliest thing she could find. And its pink.

I love the thought process that she went through as she put it together. I can just imagine her facial expressions and the conversation she had with CG while they made their bracelets.

I asked Chay to explain his bracelet to me kind of in the same way that Ray did. He said, "It has a dice on it," then walked away. So, I guess it represents that I like to gamble? Great! (I don't have a gambling issue. I swear.)

He came up to me last evening and told me he was happy I was wearing his bracelet. I said, "Of course, I'm wearing it. Its beautiful and its from you."

His response was, "Its beautiful just like you, Mommy," and gave me a kiss.

I truly am a lucky woman.