We took Ian for his first day of Kindergarten today! It was strange getting him up after 3 weeks off, but my son is nothing if not consistent. He rolled right back into his old routine and was ready to start the day.

There were some tears though. He was upset that he couldn't bring his new Pluto toy, his night-night... and then he totally fell apart when we got there. He wanted to go back to his "smiley face class" and couldn't understand why we were going to the same building but could not go to the same class. He cried through the parking lot, cried in the office, but then straightened out when we were walking to his class. He was a bit shy, but once we got into the classroom he grew about 2 inches when he learned that he would be the teacher's "helper" since he had been to the school for pre-K and knew his way around already. The teacher showed him to his seat and he went right over, sat down, and got right to work. I was happy he adjusted so well, but I can't quite get rid of this knot in my stomach yet.

He's going to be picked up by the after-school program today and I'm nervous about that. His best friend will be on the van with him so I know he'll be fine, but I have a feeling that I'm going to be doing some drive-bys today!

We did Epcot today. I thought that Ian would die of boredom, but it seems that he loved this park the most. I guess I didn’t think too hard about it because of course it would be great for him, considering his love of everything interactive.

 

When we got to the park the first thing he said was, “I want to go in the big goof ball!” We did the Planet Earth ride and played all the games, then went over to Innovations. Ian was in his glory playing all the games, and he adored the Pig game, which consisted of interactive games that teach kids to save money (not a surprise there). From there it was the Space Mission ride. It was raining and we found out that Roo couldn’t go on that ride, so she and I head to the gift shop. Ian and Sean came in about 5 minutes later because they felt badly for us, so we got a FastPass to return in about 30 minutes.

 

We head over to the countries then, and in the process Ian lost his right to the ride for being obnoxious (what is it with the smart-mouths of 5 year olds anyway?!), which he was devastated about. We told him he could try to earn it back, so he was mollified at this point.

 

We “did” Canada first where Ian made a mask in the Kid Zone, then we went to England where I got my first beer of the day. I don’t know if it was the heat or the fact that I haven’t drank in a while, but I was pretty tipsy by the time England was complete. We wandered through Japan (where Ian asked if he could try Snushy olls), Germany, Italy (where Ian watched an “Italian” street performer with rapt adoration, and America.

 

Somewhere in there we found Belle! I think I was more excited than Ian was; I could barely contain myself, LOL! He didn’t want to go near her at first, but she actually left her post and walked over to us. Ian hid behind me, but she was wonderful and spoke to me and Reilly first, so Ian was put at ease quickly.

 

As we wandered we also saw Jasmine and Mulan, but each time we went to get in line they were at the last family and we couldn’t get them to sign Ian’s book. I was disappointed for him, but he took it well because he knew that we were going to have lunch with the Princesses!

 

At 2pm we went to Mexico and rode the boat ride, then headed back to Norway and rode the Troll water ride before our 3pm lunch. That was fun, although it took a bit longer than anticipated, and then we go into line for the lunch.

 

It was fabulous!!!!! The first Princess was Belle, and this time she was all Princess! They were posing everyone with her, and we got some absolutely beautiful pictures of Ian with her. He was totally embarrassed by her kissing him, but I managed to get a picture of the lipstick that she left behind. We sat down after that and were able to “meet” Aurora, Cinderella, Snow White, and Ariel. Ian got his book signed and I got my girly childhood remembered for a short while. Reilly was fascinated by everything, but I think it was a bit early for her to be adequately impressed by the whole experience.

 

After lunch we saw Donald Duck so we posed for those pictures, then we head for the exit. We had one more side of Innovations left to do, so Ian and Sean did most everything there while Roo and I walked around and looked at stuff. Finally it was time to go- it was about 6pm by this time and Sean and I were d-o-n-e. However, there was no line for the Planet Earth ride, so Sean and Ian did that ride one more time while Roo and I sat outside and practiced clapping.

 

We got back to the room around 7pm, had showers, then had dinner. We got back to the room and both kids passed out pretty quickly after that, and Sean and I followed soon after.

 

I have to say how impressed I am with the kids. They have been (for the majority of the time), absolutely wonderful. We’ve gotten complements on what a sweet boy Ian is, how good his manners are, what a great big brother he is, and people are just swooning over Roo. There have been strangers taking pictures of her, and the park photographers have loved taking her photo too. Makes a mother’s heart swell with pride!!!!

Sea World was HOT today! We had a good time, but man it was hot.

The only crimp in the day happened within the first 5 minutes we were there. Why do people think it's a good idea to handle wild animals? I don't get it. There was a guy at the stingray tank who was grabbing the poor things by their "wings" and lifting them out of the water for his daughter. I was furious! I watched him do it twice and, seriously, if an animal could look embarrassed this one did. So, being the loudmouth I am, I marched myself up to the staff and advised them of this guy's inappropriate behavior. I mean, really. What goes on in people's heads?!

After we checked into the hotel for the night we hit the Boston Lobster Feast for an all-you-can-eat lobster et al buffet. Ymmy! I ate 5 lobsters and am not embarrassed to admit it, LOL! I received a war wound for my efforts though and it is still not healed, but it was totally worth it. Ahhhh, I am SO FULL!

We strolled around Old Town after that and Sean got me a salt rock lamp. I'm pretty excited!

I'm in one of my wonderful moods again, so it's a good thing that I'm leaving to go on vacation for a week.

I'm trying very hard to figure something out in regards to my outlook on things. It involves friendship and what that means to me, what I expect when I consider someone my friend, how I want to be treated, how I feel others should be treated, etc. It's convoluted, and it involves a lot of parts to a whole that I've been trying to figure out for about a year (or so) now.

Usually I'm OK when it comes to my friendships. I know where I stand with most people, have figured it out with others, and yet I'm still confused about my expectations and what I do and do not accept in terms of people and their behaviors and responses.

I find myself having a hard time some days with figuring out my friendships and where they sit with me. For instance: The other day something happened with my son and I picked up the phone to call someone. I had a list of names that ran through my head, but I didn't dial the phone for one reason or another. Why? A few people I knew weren't around or were super busy, but I still could have called just because. I did post the situation to a message board that I used to feel was a safe haven, a place with women I could (and would!) share everything, but after a few hours of no responses I erased it because, well, really?

Funny thing is, I wasn't mad or upset that I didn't have anyone to call or the fact that no one on this board cared enough to answer or respond. That is what's bothering me. Have I become so confused and tangled that I just don't give a shit anymore? Have I been hurt so much and so often that I find it easier to detach myself completely from people? Or am I just so comfortable in my life that people can either be a part of it or not; that's up to them and either way is fine with me? Or is it that I love the people in my life so much, that I'm so secure with my place in their life that it doesn't matter if I talk to them daily, weekly, monthly- I know where I stand with them? Or, there's also the possibility that I know I don't have the people in my life that I used to and I'm OK with that...

A lot to think about.

I am full of mommy guilt. I signed Ian up for after-school care because I have no idea if I'll be able to leave early every day like I was. I'm not sure how this new supervisor is going to look at things, and I can't keep leaving early every day because I know that I was causing myself a lot of stress by doing that. Usually I wouldn't mind because I know that he really enjoys the martial arts, but it's expensive, and it goes until 6pm. I could pick him up early, but the actual Tae-Kwon-Do lesson runs from 4pm to 6pm so that would be a dis-service to Ian to miss the class portion. I signed him up yesterday and I asked if I could start him late (October, when I go back to work), but the Sensi pointed out how far behind he'll be if I do that.. sigh His best friend will be going to the same after-school place, and by doing it this way I'll be able to get a LOT of studying done (and hopefully graduate on time and get a job), but part of the reason I wanted to do FMLA was to be with my son, not have him busy until 6pm every night!

This parenting thing sucks sometimes. I'm trying to figure out if I'm upset becasue I feel guilty putting him somewhere until 6pm, or if I'm upset because I truly don't think that's the best thing for him...