Rascal, 2 days old I can hardly remember the days before Rascal was part of our lives. He has something to do with that - the lack of memories - because he's kept me pretty busy the past 5+ years. The better portion of the first 3 years of his life is a complete blur and that's probably a good thing.
He came to us by surprise. My rapid labor and his flying entrance into the world was nothing like I had expected or experienced before. He became known as "brother", and Domino became known as that too. Interchangeable those 2 at times - and others as different as night and day. Just when I thought I had the hang of the parenting thing, Rascal would prove me wrong.
Rascal listened closely that very first morning in the hospital. I layed down the law pretty thick and quick. "You'd better get the hang of the breastfeeding and sleeping quick kiddo. I don't have time for games" I leaned into the hospital bassinet and warned him. He respectfully obliged as well as any infant could. It was still a struggle, 2 babies under a 1 1/2 years old, but we all came through it a stronger, if not completely exhausted, family.
Rascal, Mom & Domino, winter 2005 (age 2) Rascal has been eagerly talking about going to school with his brother for a few years now, begging and pleading. He's crashed school field trips, dressed up on school spirit weeks, and has been included in all playdates with the big kids like he was part of the group. Rascal has even gone so far (on several occasions) as to bring a back pack with him to Domino's school and then "blending in" with the other kids who are shuffling off in line to class. He's squeaked past the teacher on more than once, disguised in Domino's hat and jacket, and is always sad when I silently grab his hand and walk him out the door to leave. "But I want to go to kindergarten!" he would cry out. "Soon enough." I'd tell him, "You've still got some learning to do at preschool first."
Rascal and Domino, school spirit "sports day", 2009 (age 5)Rascal will be starting kindergarten next week. We "gave him the gift of time" and kept him another year at preschool. I can see now he's ready to go, can handle the academics and his emotions (for the most part). We've been talking about going to school with brother for months now, and I must confess even using it as a threat at times ("you can't sit like that if you want to go to kindergarten!"), and Rascal has been counting the days down on the calendar.
That is, until T-10 days and counting...
I found him in his room this weekend crying, listening to a CD I had made him for his preschool graduation. He told me he missed his teacher. He missed his school. He missed his friends. He missed his cubby. He didn't want to go to kindergarten. He only wants to go to his old school. Forever. My heart crumbled into a billion pieces as I held his little crying body against my chest.
I reassured him the best I could and just held him and rocked him. He's not such a big boy after all.
I arranged "to bump into" his preschool teacher Mz. Lori at the Farmer's Market this morning. She took his hand and they walked around the market together, her chatting nonchalantly, but with a pure intention of putting him at ease. She explained to him in ways that he could understand that's he's ready for the next phase of his life. She's truly a miracle worker with kids because when we were leaving he promised to tell her all about kindergarten "because we're always going to be friends and part of each others lives forever." Knowing his Mz. Lori, that is very true.
Rascal and Mz. Lori, 2009 It got me thinking - what's next? I have been home with 1 or more kids underfoot for over 7 years. I can't imagine what I'll do all day without Rascal. With his silly smile, his goofy dances and his company.
Rascal at soccer camp, summer 2009Will my new life at home without kids be as cool as going to kindergarten?!
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