First Day of Pre-K

Luke and Maran were very excited about the first day of school. Getting them up two hours earlier than what they were used to was not as hard as we thought. Of course we started them going to bed early about a week before so it wasn't horrific. It was worse for mommy. I was really nervous about the drive and not knowing how long it would take although we mostly go against the traffic flow. I wondered if they (mostly Luke) would throw a fit when I drove up and they had to get out of the car. The drop off was easy. The hardest part was the 16 minute wait in the parking lot. We had a great talk and once again I told them what I did every morning of Mother's Morning Out..."Be a good friend and a good listener". Then we did our knuckle buster, lock it and blow it up handshake and our 'TEAM GIESER' cheer.

After drop off I pulled around the corner of the school and thought 'wow that went well' and then I immediately decided that I didn't know how I felt about it. I kept driving though. I then figured it was a good morning to have some breakfast (not a breakfast fan am I) so I did. After getting to the office I kept wondering how they were doing. Our information packet said that we could call and see how they were doing and it was all I could do to not call.

The teacher said to be in carpool line at 2:20. I left the office and was in line at 2:07. (Timing definitely had to be worked out). I waited for what felt like an hour for them to come out. They came bouncing out and were so happy. After loading the car they were both talking over each other and couldn't get it all out quick enough. Luke showed me his stamp that he received and asked if he could eat his sucker. I said yes. I asked Marant if she wanted to eat hers and she said she didn't get one and Luke quickly said that she was 'bad'. Turns out Maran didn't get a sticker either. If I would have guessed the one who would have come home with 'no treats' it definitely would have not been Maran empty handed. Luke is a very outgoing gregarious fella who often ends up in the wrong place and enjoys being the 'fun one in the group'. (Not sure where this comes from.......). The story continues to grow on what exactly happened and if any of the portions of it were true then I am pretty sure I would have heard from the teacher. Who knows what did or did not happen but one thing is for sure the 'over pleasing' child in the group was the one who came home empty handed. I kind of talk it up as Luke having a good day of 'not getting caught'. He is not a bad little boy by any means he just likes to be somewhat of a prankster. Such a charming quality for a 4 year old.

Here 's to hoping that the fun of Pre-K continues. If it is anything like Day1 then this will be a very good year!

A Choo Choo Ride with Thomas in Bryson City, NC

...and here we go again off to another "Day out with Thomas".  We didn't tell Luke and Maran what we were doing but told them we had to go to bed early...and I won't let you know how that worked out for us. 

Off we went at 8:45 in the morning to Bryson City.  By far this is not a ghastly hour but when you have well over a three hour drive with two toddler of which one who gets deathly car sick you just have to prepare for it all.  Dressed in their new Thomas outfits we hit Brueggers and then hit the highway.  It is/was a nerve wracking drive.  I felt like every three to seven minutes we were asking Maran if she was OK.  Of course in our journeys we now have to plan for numerous car sick stops and we take the route that has the LEAST amount of 'Stop and Go'.  So Route 66 basically has been replaced by I 85.  It's no big deal but the 'waiting in anticipation for it to happen' is the worst.  Last time it occurred I was able to tell.  Not sure if it was my ONE AND ONLY PERFECT MOMMY MOMENT but the color in the face, the expression and all told the FULL STORY. We were able to get the bag (compliments of US AIRWAYS) front in center just in time. 

We decided not to tell them until we got really close. Of course Luke had already pretty much figured it out. When Daddy handed him his new "THOMAS DAY OUT" hat it just confirmed what he already knew and had confirmed from the grimace on my face.  Then Daddy gave them their lanyard's that allowed them to hang their ticket around their necks.  The complimentary Thomas whistles never made it out of the bag and left the car and went straight to the recycle bin. Call me bad mommy and gasp in horror but how many whistles do you really need?  Allow me to help you on this one..... WE DIDN'T NEED ANY MORE AT ALL".  So there you have it and truth be known we never needed the first one that my sister felt so inclined to give to Luke a few years back.

Maran had ridden the POLAR EXPRESS at Christmas but had never ridden Thomas. She jumped up and down and put her hand over her mouth in awe of him.  We had our pictures taken, went to all the stands to get the much needed stamps for the so called 'FREE GIFT' and sweat  like there was no tomorrow.  Finally it was our turn.  We got on, we rode, we sang all the Thomas songs of which everyone stared at us as we even know the 'less popular tunes'.  Luke and Maran immediately befriended the railroad attendant and collected their "Junior Conductor" certificate. 

We walked around the quaint little town and checked out a Bed and Breakfast which will be perfect during the holidays for our Night time Polar Express ride. (We take Nammy and Pop Pop with us this time). 

We ate lunch (late) at the Mexican restaurant and finally hit the road back to Charlotte.  The train pulled back into the Charlotte station around 8 pm with two very tired conductors.  

The surprise worked out well and we even got our "REPLACEMENT THOMAS FAMILY PHOTO".... it's about time.  (To be posted on Main blog).

Keep on Chuggin'.......

Choo Choo!  (Day out With Thomas July 31, 2011)