Tomorrow.
Yep. Jack goes to school tomorrow.
Can you believe it?
Last week I asked Jack out on a date because I wanted some final alone time with my favorite 5 year old before everything changes. His reaction was completely adorable and we have both been looking forward to it with great anticipation. The fact that he was so excited made me happier than I can tell you. I am incredibly aware that he may not always be so enthusiastic about a date with mom, and I am livin' it up while I can.
Our day started early. I dropped Alaster off at a dear friends house at 8:00am and Jack and I took off. On the way to our first stop he made faces at me through the rear view mirror that he knows I find hilarious. When we got out of the car he held my hand and chatted away steadily till we got inside.
When I asked Jack earlier in the week what he wanted to do for our date his biggest request was that it involve orange soda. He knows I abhor soda and it completely astonished him when I agreed. Hand in hand we walked into the store and soda in hand we walked out.
Next stop: The Park.
Events: Drink soda and talk. Play soccer. Drink a little more soda. Play a little more soccer. Take pictures. Take turns climbing a chain link fence. Drink soda. Spot Alaster.
What?!? Yep. My friend who was watching him with her little girls asked him where they should go play and he said "Burwash Park." She found his specificity so adorable that she loaded them up and went! She had no idea we were there too. It ended up just fine. They played on the baby swings while Jack and I hung out at the real ones. Then we all played for a few more minutes together before it was time to head on home.
At home I had a few things for Relief Society to accomplish while the boys played with their friends (It was a swap). Then Jack and I made his lunch for school tomorrow.
I, of course, had been planning this in my mind for weeks. Jack's first lunch at Kindergarten. Whoa. My mom always packed our lunches, and something about knowing I am about to start doing it for Jack makes me feel very grown up.
(And PS- Really makes me miss my mom! She's been constantly on my mind with this whole... school... business. I SO wish I could call her!)
I wanted to do something special... yet practical... and fun, but only if Jack was into it. I ran the idea past him and he was all for it. He happily helped make the whole thing although I only took 2 pictures.
Making the sandwich:
And practicing piping the frosting for on top of the sandwich:
He also: helped with all necessary toothpicks and poking, wrote the word "glue", colored the frosting, piped the frosting, gave the paper it's "holes," and offered artistic advice. We also tried a few things that didn't quite work out but were fun to try anyway, and here's how it ultimately turned out:
Paper peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I was really close to buying white bread which would have looked much better but I just couldn't do it in the end... and I think I could have actually cut out circles instead of doing the choc. chips... but I think it turned out alright), cheese pencil (with raisin lead-I knew you would ask) and a box of crayons (apples, orange bell pepper, summer squash and cucumbers), and my personal favorite: the juice box glue (halved marshmallow and cut orange slice on top).
Don't worry Jack has been sufficiently grilled about how to go about eating all this tomorrow- removing toothpicks first etc.
We packed it all up in his lunch box and stuck it in the fridge. Then when daddy woke up he took it out to show him... and when my RS presidency came over for our weekly meeting he had to show them too. He was very proud of his creations!
Corey put the boys to bed during my meeting, and as soon as the meeting got out I got working on the lunch box surprise:
A simple cupcake in his signature color. There is also a love note (another thing my mom used to do for me which I remember nostalgically) which reads simply:
To: Jack
We love you.
Mom and Dad
Something I knew he could read, although my heart had so much more to say. I hope he loves both surprises.
Now I am off to bed. We had a busy and beautiful day... one that I will never forget "... but we also have an early morning.
Say a little prayer for me, will you? I'm crying just thinkin' about it.
14 comments:
Wow, Ashlee! So adorable! Your little man is fortunate indeed to have such a creative mama.
That's it! You win the award for best and cutest mom ever. I think your mom would heartily agree. And I'm crying reading this post just so you know.
You are such a cute mom! And such a big day.
Wow! I can't believe he's starting school. Is it full day kindergarten? How fun!!! I'm sure he'll love it. And what a cute lunch idea. My kids just get boring normal sandwiches.
well I will be honest...I want that cupcake! haha. Your so such a cute mom. How fun!
How sweet! You are so good and I think Jack will remember this forever. Your mom must be glowing with pride.
I am crying just reading the blog. You have to know that while you are not with him while he is at school, you mom is. That is a blessing. She can be with those who need her.
You are such a cute mom! I love you and hope that Jack had a great first day at school.
Is it all day?
You are such a great mom! I love it! I definitely am going to have to come back here for ideas when Jocelyn goes to school
I'm with Katie and totally crying reading this post. I'm going to call you when Koa goes to school because I know I'm going to be a wreck, and I'll need some good ideas from a cute mom like you!
By the way, I laughed when I read about the orange soda. Koa is always asking for juice, and he knows it's a special day when he actually gets some :)
What a beautiful post! It brought back a lot of my own memories, and made me smile because Jack will have his own memories to look back on now.
Ashers you are the cutest mom ever :) I told my mom about this post and she said "I'm a failure" I tried telling her she wasn't, but you know my mom ;) so I got my everyday life Blog set up :D check it out if you want to ^_^ Love you much cousin wish you lived closer :( sigh maybe one day
Excellent stuff. Those home creations look pretty creative.
Just wait until they hit 3rd grade. Ugh. Then you will really feel OLD!
Beautiful, amazing. The notes will always be a treasure too. Lexi has saved everyone lunch note each year and they are now in an album. She says, "when I'm happy or sad I read them and they make me happy." You are such a wonderful mom. Your mom has got to be so proud!
Wow! Need I say more! :) Storing this one away in my memory log.
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