First Day Of Kindergarten

Our day went perfectly.  Bryce & Drew woke before their alarms excited about their big day.  They ate a good breakfast, we snapped a few pictures and then hopped on the golf cart for our 6 minute drive to school. 

Jimmy made sure to get this day off!

One of the golf cart parking lots at school..such a funny sight!

The 3 Kindergarten classes met in the cafeteria, with each individual class and teachers at their own table.  18 kiddos with all their gear - backpacks, lunch boxes and nap mats and their parents!  Once everyone was accounted for, they lined up in a single-file line and headed down the long hall to their classrooms.  The boys said with big smiles on their faces...."Bye Mom & Dad.  We love you!"  No tears.  No anxiety.  No fits. 

They are SO READY FOR THIS! 

Unlike the scene 34 years ago when Jimmy and I cried and clung to our parents...HATING the idea of being stripped away from the comforts of our Moms & home!!

I am so thankful that our boys are confident, outgoing and very adaptable.  I've often wondered if those are truly innate personality traits, or if it's becuase of the "twin relationship?"  Regardless...as a parent, it is such a blessing!

And, I'm so thankful Mrs. Dunham and Mrs. Clarke are so sweet and will do such a good job caring for our precious boys 6.5 hours a day!

Off to Kindergarten!

Today begins an exciting new chapter in the Richardson house.  Bryce & Drew are starting Kindgergarten!!! Thankfully, both boys are excited and eager to start. 

We got to "meet the teachers" the other night and tour the school.  Mrs. Dunham and Mrs. Clarke are very nice.  The boys are also thrilled that their buddy, Cole, will be in their class.

Bryce & Drew are more than ready for Kindgergarten.  They have been doing really well with reading and math for quite awhile.  They love to learn.  They are very social.  And, they love structure & routine. 

For months, I have been hearing other Mom's say, "I can't believe my baby is going to start Kindergarten."  Or, "I'm so sad!  What am I going to do all day?"  Or, "It seems like just yesterday that I brought my baby home from the hospital.  How is this possible?"  Hmmmm...I can't say I share those same sentiments!  There is no sadness here!

I ADORE my boys.  I think they are AMAZING children.  They are so SWEET, FUNNY, SMART and an absolute JOY to be around.  I CHERISH them and I'm so BLESSED to be their Mom.  BUT...
This Mommy is excited for a little break!

One of the challenges I have as a Stay at home Mom is trying to balance everything I need to do at home while engaging and spending quality time with Bryce & Drew.  Trying to get it all done is simply impossible.  There is just not enough time in the day for laundry, cleaning house, cooking, meal planning, shopping, pool maintenance, appointments, errands, etc all while taking care of the boys -  playing with them, doing learning time with them, speech therapy with Drew, play dates, swimming, sports, doctor appts, etc.   It is a really hard balance and something often "gives." SO, with 6.5 hours of Kindgergarten, vs. 2.5 hours of PreK, I think I will actually be a better Mom.  I can better manage my day and get all of my "To Do's" checked off my list while they're at school.  Then, when I pick them up at 2:30, I can simply focus on spending time with them.  With the hot Georgia weather, we will still be able to swim for at least 2 more months. Bryce & Drew will also be starting Baseball and AWANA at church.  Our days will be full!

Of course, I plan to be very involved in their class and school, volunteering as much as possible.  I want to see what they're learning.  I want to see them interacting with others.  I want to hear their conversations with friends and teachers.  

With the hours left over, I am looking forward to quality time for ME and for JIMMY.  I'm excited to get into a regular workout schedule at the gym.  I'm looking forward to getting involved at church and starting a Bible study.  Also, looking forward to spending time building relationships with new friends.

When Jimmy is home, we are looking forward to spending quality time together.  Coffee in the morning with uninterrupted conversation!  Going to the gym together.  Kayaking Lk. Peachtree.  Going on daytime dates!  And getting home improvement projects done together.    

My dear friend, Christy(also a Mom of twins) told me soon after my boys were born to "Embrace and enjoy each phase of life with your boys. Don't be sad to start a new one." 
 
I am not sad.  I embrace this new phase of our lives.  It will be a positive experience!
Praying today for my little boys...that they will feel safe, secure and happy in this new place!  Also praying for their teachers....for extra energy, endurance and blessings as they guide and teach 18 little 5 year olds!

Chicken Tetrazzini

A yummy pasta loaded up with shredded zucchini & carrots.  Drew said, "This is my favorite pasta you make Mom.  I even want it for breakfast!"
Chicken Tetrazzini
Source: The Happy Housewife

• 1 box noodles ( I use Barilla Plus Thin Spaghetti - about 3/4 box)
• 2 cooked and chopped chicken breasts
• ½ cup shredded zucchini (I double up)
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup milk or heavy cream
• ½ cup parm cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

While the noodles are boiling, melt butter on a low heat in a frying pan. Add garlic, onion, zucchini and carrots. Saute for about 3 minutes. Add soup, sour cream, milk, cheese and chicken. Stir over low heat, until noodles are done boiling. Drain noodles and add to the mixture. Toss well and serve immediately.

EVEN STEVEN!

At birth...
Baby A (Bryce) weighed 6# 11oz.
Baby B (Drew) weighed 7# 2oz.
Throughout infancy and young toddler-age Bryce weighed the most.  However, Drew passed him in height and weight a few years ago and has worn a size bigger in clothing and shoes ever since. About a year ago, it became a huge topic of conversation and a source of competition...as is everything with twins!  Of course, both boys want to be "the biggest twin!" Drew loves to point out that he weighs the most...Rubbing it in so frequently that Bryce would get really upset and even cry!  When Drew topped the scale at 3# heavier about a month ago, I asked them to stop weighing!

This has prompted many conversations. "You are 2 completely different children - just born on the same day.  God made you exactly how he wanted you to be.  And, we do not judge someone on their size, looks, etc....."

SO...today when they pulled out my scale, you can imagine how thrilled Bryce was to see this number!

BRYCE

DREW

THEY WEIGH EXACTLY THE SAME.  What a happy day for my Bryce!

MY "Brown Thumb" is turning Green!

I have always LOVED the idea of having a garden, but HATED the idea of gardening!

There is nothing "green" about my thumb.  I kill all things living...plants, that is. Even the little plants Bryce & Drew gave me for Mother's Day....dead!

Until now...

Dad and Shari planted me a small garden back in May.  Several tomato, bell pepper and blueberry plants.  ALL I HAD TO DO IS WATER AND WEED.

And much to my surprise....it's working!

I am so proud of my little crop and definitely motivated to learn more about gardening.  Lesson learned...even brown thumbs can turn green!

SPRING VISITS

Nana & Papa Richardson flew to Georgia to help us move from our rental house into our new house.  Unfortunately, we had some delays so they graciously helped us work around the house.  Cleaning.  Working.  Cleaning and more working!  Not many pictures taken during that time! :(

We got to spend more time with the Richardsons later in May.  Unfortunately, it was for Jimmy's "Grandpa Frank's" funeral.  We were really glad we got to be there for Denise and her family.  It also gave us a rare opporunity to have the whole family together.

We just love Stacie, Jeff's girlfriend.  She makes a wonderful addition to our family!

The Richardson BOYS...

Later in May, Dad and Shari drove to see us and timed it just right to be our "first house guests" in our new home!

The boys got lots of attention and play time with Papa Rick & Gammie while we were still unpacking and getting settled in.

Jimmy and I are very blessed with 3 sets of loving parents and grandparents for our boys!

A New Chapter

Sharing a room is all Bryce & Drew have ever known...

This is how it all started...

When they were born, they shared a "twin crib" in the hospital for 4 days.

When they came home from the hospital, they shared one crib

but we had to split them up after a few days.  SOMEHOW, my little 7 pound Drew was able to "scooch" himself over to Bryce.  He would be practically on top of him or covering his face.  I had no idea 39 week old babies could move like that!  Now I know why.  Drew LOVES his brother and LOVES to be close to him.  I guess after 38 weeks of sharing a womb, that's all you know!
After squeezing 3 1/2 years out of their cribs, we finally said goodbye to them and gave Bryce & Drew our queen size bed.  I think Drew was thrilled to be able to sleep right next to his brother, again!

Soon it became clear that Bryce was needing his own space.  Drew was always encroaching upon his space.. holding his hand, kissing him, wrapping his arm around him, hogging the bed, etc.  And for a boy that is VERY SERIOUS about his sleep (like me!)...it's not fun! So, when we finally got moved into our new home, we decided it was time to split them into their own rooms.  BRYCE WAS THRILLED.  DREW WAS DEVASTATED! 
Drew LOVES his stuffed animals so to help him get excited about his new bedroom, we told him he could sleep with 10 babies every night!  THANK GOODNESS THAT WORKED!

Drew kept the queen size bed and Bryce got a whole new bedroom set.  He is very proud of his new room and keeps it very clean and organized. The smile says it all!

So far, it's working out pretty well.  Bryce is getting a lot more sleep.  Drew really misses Bryce and looks forward to having "sleep overs" with him!  The bond that twins share is TIGHT!

ONTO THE NEXT CHAPTER!