Don't Blink

First things first: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Or, as my friend D and I say, Happy New NO Year; see, we both need to get a little better at saying, "No" from time-to-time.

Anyway, I've never been one for resolutions, really. They just seem like so much pressure. If it's important enough on January 1st, it's important the other 364 days, too. Ya know?

I have broken my own rule this year, however. I am taking the advice of Kenny Chesney -- yes, that Kenny Chesney. His advice? Don't blink.

It's a great song, if you are unfamiliar:


Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth
I've been tryin' ta slow it down; I've been tryin' ta take it in
In this here today, gone tomorrow world we're livin' in
Don't blink
Life Goes Faster Than You Think

I just have one thing to say to that: AMEN!

I woke up one morning and my world had - changed.

Princess is reading. It's been something at which she has worked, and is still working, but she's doing it. She's reading. Like, entire books. Sounding out words she doesn't know and everything. It still makes me teary to see her eyes light up when she not only reads an entire book, but completely understands what she has just read as well.

Princess has her math homework completed (correctly, I might add) these days before I've even had a chance to read the directions. (Don't judge me. Yes, it's first grade math worksheets, but I still feel the need to read ALL of the directions at the top of the pages.)

It seems like just yesterday I was reading "Goodnight Moon" to the bump in my belly as I anxiously awaited her arrival.

Don't blink.

Little Man had his first FULL DAY at preschool yesterday. He's been going 2-3 mornings a week for over a year now, but he's never spent a whole day - including nap time - at school. We talked about it, packed up his "night night" stuff in the morning, and he was genuinely excited for his new adventure.

Of course, at 12:15 (the time at which we'd usually be home snuggling), I texted Ms. J at the school to make sure he was not causing unnecessary trauma to the other kids due to all the screaming from missing his mom, and his unwillingness to nap in unfamiliar (sleeping) territory. (And, yes, I was secretly hoping I would hear "I WANT MY MOMMY!" in the background.) She informed me he was doing great and was SUPER excited to be there for the whole day. (Sheesh, throw the mom a bone, lady - at least tell me he misses me a little.)
At pickup, I was told he actually slept, and, that he'd had a blast.
That night, as I ushered him toward his bed and said it was night-night time, he announced, "NO, MOM. I SLEEP AT SCHOOL NOW!"

Umph. Low blow, kid.

Don't blink.

Today, since Little Man had asked to, once again, stay at school for the whole day, I was able to retrieve Princess from the bus and hang with her for a bit before picking up Little Man at school. When I told her we needed to get going, she asked, "Mom, can I just stay here by myself while you run and get him?"

*Language alert*
I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at her -- and in my head, two replies popped up:

1) ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME???
and
2) NO EFFING WAY!!!

What came out of my mouth, however, was "Um. No."

She also asked for a diet coke today (we don't give her soda to drink, by the way), and proudly announced, "Mom, I only need a 1 before my 6 til I can drive!"

Holy. Shit.

Don't blink.

I mean, seriously, DON'T BLINK.