News from the Newsoms: January 2015

Just consider this "Part II" from the previous post. Because yes, I am still losing sleep over kindergarten and I am quite certain sending Delaney to college won't be this stressful. Actually, I am sure of it! As I mentioned in the previous post, where to send Delaney was, well, decided "for me" (thank you DAVID!) You can't even believe the things that her dad already decided "for me" like how she isn't getting a hotel room on prom night (isn't that a given?) and how she is to be a registered Republican and how when she grows up she is going to be a professional golfer (lessons start in the Spring) and the list goes on and on..........................

I thought it would be fun to blog about this venture into kindergarten for when I want to look back at how crazy I was! You know what they say "be careful who you show your crazy to".....so, "here's my crazy"...........................................................................

Delaney's current school only goes to the 6th grade. The kids then transition to a school FAR AWAY! I'm talking about another zip code, another city, another county (pretty much another State)! I DON'T THINK SO!!!!! And don't think I haven't thought about moving close to the school....'cause you know I have!

I have absolutely fallen in love with Delaney's school and to say that the teachers love the kids is a major understatement. Every morning in drop off the teachers tell Delaney how much they love her (and her outfit-specifically her "pretty pink coat"), her smile, ask her to come home with them and tell her what a blessing she is to them. And they aren't even her teachers! So when Delaney brought home her re-enrollment packet, I reluctantly threw it away since that is not the school Dave wanted her to attend! (The school he wanted her to attend does not have preschool or I would have sent her to it).

Fast Forward to kindergarten orientation the other night at her "daddy approved school"............there is no guarantee Delaney will "get in"---I know, sounds a little like college doesn't it!? Who knew kindergarten is so competitive!!!!! Delaney's grandma said it reminds her of the people who live in New York and how they start looking into preschools when the women are still pregnant! I thought that was a good comparison minus the comparing me part to a pregnant woman because my word that ship has sailed. Even though Delaney asked me the other night where we were going to put the "new baby". I quickly muted the tv and asked her what she said. She said the one in my tummy that she "asked God for". I told her she better UNask GOD and that she was going to get a quick lesson in unanswered prayers because we are not having anymore babies! And then I informed her she would have to give up her playroom if we did!!! She also said the other day in the car all her friends at school keep asking her if she has any brothers or sisters. Have those kids never heard of only children???

Due to the uncertainty of enrolling Delaney at "choice A", I have to "apply" at her current school also so ~~I can sleep at night~~ she will be guaranteed a spot at one of them. I also just learned that her current school has half day kindergarten which I didn't even know existed anymore! Half day really isn't an option for us because momma's gotta get back to work since kindergarten costs as much as college!

Delaney is thriving in preschool and is even giving me Spanish lessons! And today she told me her months in order. I have no idea when she learned that! She loves books and today was book fair at school. We now own a new princess book with stickers and "trading cards" (i.e. Valentine's Day cards). This week at school they started breaking into reading groups. Delaney's is the Cheetahs. Or what she sometimes calls the "Lions". Maybe there's some type of hybrid I don't know of......they are divided based upon their reading skills. So of course I asked her who was in her group so I could determine if the other kids had "smart sounding" names. And, I admit, I wanted to make sure Luke wasn't in her group! She told me she was "falling in love with Luke". I told her I was 30 before I fell in love with her daddy and she said "well, I'm falling in love at 4". Delaney is very entertaining when she is "reading" like the other night she was reading her Bible story book and reading to me about Jesus and Bethlehem and how all the creatures were stirring "even a mouse"! Oh that girl is so much fun! Even our contractor doing our basement can't get enough of her and tells me how funny she is!

Speaking of the basement, the pink v. Mousse Mousse debate of 2015 is still ongoing. Mousse Mousse is a favorite paint color of mine and, well, you know who wants pink! Delaney said "well what if he can't paint it Mousse Mousse"! I love that she knows the name of the paint color. Our basement was gutted down to the cinder block and concrete floor so it is a full "take down walls, put up walls, take out a bathroom, install a new bathroom" project! I love home remodel jobs..............and do you know what I love even more??? Contractors who like to come late morning/early afternoon! I think the word must be out the Newsom girls do not like to get up early.

Since no one likes a blog post without a picture.....here is Delaney baking cupcakes for her great grandma's 85th birthday party....she stressed over which apron to wear (like mother like daughter!)

To bring this long, "brain dump" post to a close, if you don't hear back from us next week, you can assume I was arrested for sleeping outside a certain principal's office until he accepts Delaney in his school!!!! I can't be the only mom this determined over kindergarten........................can I....???? Maybe he needs to have an interview with Delaney and meet her in person...I know, I'll put her in her "pretty pink coat"!

Thanks for letting me show you "my crazy"....

It's no secret Delaney's daddy was, well, "a lunatic" when it came to her. Not a day goes by that I don't think and (ultimately laugh) at some crazy thing he said or would be saying. Today it was the particular Wal-Mart I took her to versus the one "across town" her grandma recommended that was "nicer" if that is an adjective you can use when you are talking about Wal-Mart. One of the things HE decided (while I was pregnant) was where she would be going to school. And, as I can vividly remember those conversations and thinking how far away 5 years would be....well, Father Time has caught up and tonight, this mom went to Delaney's kindergarten orientation (after I made an emergency trip to the mall for a new cardigan---I have no idea what "almost 40" kindergarten moms are suppose to wear!).

Can you believe MY GIRL IS ABOUT TO ENROLL IN KINDERGARTEN!!!

Delaney exclusively talks about kindergarten and college. I don't know if she is aware about ALL of the grades in between! Her aunt Catherine asked me if she would be going all day everyday and the answer is YES! It is going to be LIFE ALTERING FOLKS! And I'm not just talking about the fact Delaney has to be there at 8:00 AM!!! I can be sad and say all of the cliches we hear so often but the truth is, I am excited for this next season in our lives. I try hard not to look back, after all, it's not the direction we're headed.........

Kindergarten is where we're headed (albeit at 8:00 AM)!