I blinked... and Dylan isn't class troublemaker anymore

Two short months ago, drop-offs were a nightmare. I had no idea what to try and little hope my little man would be one of the quiet, well-behaved munchkins getting folders and their name card to put in the basket and then calmly walking to the carpet.
Now I grant you, he's far from flawless in his execution. Dropping Dylan off at Headstart today, he was telling me his belly hurt. But as we pulled up, we were stuck behind the ATA bus for his classmates and an employee who works in the same building waiting for access to the parking lot. Someone behind him didn't understand they could go around, so we ended up in a five-car traffic jam on a narrow street. As we are waiting, one of Dylan's classmates begins holding up the already tenuous process of getting the line of kids into the building. He is moved from the middle of the line to the end with the teacher. Still struggling, they try to use logic, pointing to the cars and explaining they need to get into the spot where the gaggle of kids is currently located. Failing with logic, the teacher employs the next logical method - pick him up and away the line goes into school.
I told Dylan one of his classmates was having a rough day, and suddenly the repeated "My belly hurts. My belly REALLY hurts." ceases in the back seat. Suddenly he wants to see who is having a bad day. We park the truck and go into the building, following another classmate and adult. We go into the room and I accidentally almost knock over this classmate, who thirty seconds in has had enough school for the day and is fighting to get back out. The teacher is once again employing logic. Again, fail. This little boy's mom opts to take him home. The other little boy is already on the carpet with the other kids.
Dylan demands I take his jacket off, takes care of his folder and then the hesitation starts. But this morning, distraction works and there is no screaming, minimal disagreement and Harper and I are out the door.
Compared to his classmates, Dylan is the quiet and well-behaved one.
My gratitude for this realization knows no bounds.

Another day for Gratitude

First day back to school after Thanksgiving break for Dylan and Lilly. Minimal issues getting everyone up and off to their respective learning environments.
Meanwhile, we are low on staples, like bread and butter (and Ironman fruit snacks!), so it's a trip to Walmart for Harper and myself. She is excited to pick out the cart and go speed walking through the store. As we go, I realize I am grateful today for many reasons.
1. Shopping is much easier with only one munchkin in the cart. She can't reach much and we move at my pace rather than the pace of dragging feet and arguments.
2. In deference to all those ads and commercials, I keep up a running commentary as we zoom through the store. As we hit the juice aisle, Harper disagrees with something I said.
"No, no no" she tells me in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
"But yes, yes, yes" I say back as we head for mid-aisle. the conversation repeats... and repeats.
 A heavy-set man perusing juice selections at the end begins chuckling, and somehow I do not imagine it is at the crazy cartoon character on the Hawaiian Punch. I could be wrong.
3. We finally get everything on the list (+10 or so), and we enter the checkout lane behind a thin man with a baseball cap and long, semi-scraggly beard. Harper begins her cheerful babble, noting the "cookie!" as well as sharing her opinions on who knows what else in her own unique dialect. The man in front of us turns and smiles in appreciation.

These are the people I am thankful are in the store at the same time as myself. They are the ones who know how to enjoy life, can appreciate the entertaining moments and even discover them amidst potentially annoying situations. I realize some people don't enjoy children. I am extremely grateful not to be one of those people and enjoy running into others that are not of that mindset as well.
Yes, my kids have their screaming terror-wish-I-could-disappear-in-a-hole-and-die-of-embarrassment- moments, but they are still gifts. On Monday, we had tons of fun sled riding and playing on the swingset in the snow. Today, Harper and I got through a shopping trip sans meltdowns AND had two people smile and enjoy our presence.
I cherish these moments.

Dylan, my proud little patriot

We made it to the Memorial Day Parade today. And among the moments of candy throwing, restlessness and awe at the firetrucks, Dylan became a patriot. I was so proud.

We were watching the parade, oohing and ahhing at the firetrucks and respecting the veterans. The dance team did some stunts in front of us and had Lilly impressed. Then, the SPCA came along with the dogs available for adoption. We can't adopt any more dogs, we have 4, three of whom spent a brief sojourn at the SPCA. Still, the dogs get my attention.

The SPCA mascot, a human in a dog suit, got Dylan's attention, and apparently Dylan got the mascot's attention too. Suddenly, the mascot is handing off a flag to Dylan, who waves it proudly. It did my heart good.

My daughter, the game show host

Lilly has a lot of talent. She may never be the head of NASA, but she is constantly surprising me with her humor and creativity.
Today has been all about cheese, because Terry had a large amount of cheese two days ago to sell because a pallet tipped over in the truck and the receiver refused the cheese in that pallet. So, now that we have managed to sell a significant amount of the cheese and things have calmed down, the kids show the effects.

Lilly is on a roll this morning. First, she is delivering cheese/ operating a game show?
Lilly: Mom this cheese is for you.
Me: Thanks. How much do I owe you?
Lilly: 50 bucks
Me: Ok, here you go (wave hand in her direction. That is how she pays me).
Lilly: Thank you. And since you paid me, you won this.... piano. (shows me toy piano)
Me: Thank you. Why don't you hang onto the piano for me.

Now that the intriguing cheese scenario has been handled, it is apparently time to get philosophical. Her powers of perception are going to catch me soon, I have no doubt. 

Five minutes after the cheese game show conversation:

Lilly: Mom, when we do bad stuff, who is going to watch us?
Me: What? What do you mean?
Lilly: Who is watching us right now, the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus?
Me: Oh. Santa Claus. The Easter Bunny only watches you close to Easter, but Santa is watching year-round.

Bert's new baby

Bert let me know today that she and Dale are having a girl. At bedtime, I realized I had not yet shared this info with Lilly and Dylan.
Me: Guess what Aunt Bert told me today?
Lilly: What?
Me: Aunt Bert is having a girl. So Brit is going to have a little sister.
Lilly: And we get to go to the hospital.
Me: Why?
Lilly: To meet the baby
Me: No, the only kids that can go to the hospital are the baby's brothers and sisters, so Brit can go to the hospital, but you and Dylan can't.
Dylan interjects: So Aunt Bert and Brittany are both having a baby?!
Me: NO. Brit is going to have a little sister, like you and Lilly have Harper as a little sister. Aunt Bert is the only one having a baby. She is having a girl.
Lilly: So we are going to their house.
Me: To meet the baby? (Lilly nods). Yes, you will have to go to their house. But it is going to be awhile before Aunt Bert has the baby. They just found out it is a girl. She isn't ready to be born yet. She will be born after it is summer, after we go camping and see fireworks.
Lilly, with eyes lit up: I like fireworks.
Dylan frowns: I'm scared of fireworks.
....

30 minutes later, Lilly comes downstairs.
Lilly: I think Aunt Bert is going to name her baby Cinderella.
Me: I doubt that very much. Goodnight.
Lilly goes back to bed.
I filled Bert in on these exchanges and told her that is why I let her fill my kids in on the important stuff in her life. They aren't quite as goofy when she tells them.