Jackson's First Day of School!

Ugh, today was the day I've been dreading for months: Jackson's first day of preschool. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 7 a.m. this morning he said "I go to school today?" And then proceeded to tell me that he wanted to ride the bus, even after I told him mommy took the day off work so I could take him. "No," he said. "I will ride the bus!" Apparently, the school bus must be like the Ritz Carlton and my simple Honda Accord is a Motel 6.

I took some pictures this morning at home and then it was off to school. He's going to Maple City Christian Preschool at the Alliance Church. I think everyone I know up here has sent their kids to that preschool. We got there a little early, so he got to play in the gym with the other kids. So far, so good -- no tears, and I'm talking about me.

Then, as we walk down the hall towards his classroom, I feel myself getting choked up. With each step, the more tears that well up in my tired eyes. We hung his new book bag ("It's gotta big tractor on it, Mom!") on his hook and put his name tag around his neck.

We enter the classroom and he's off like a cannon. I just kind of stand there for a second, then tell him good-bye. He's too busy playing and just kinda waves and says "bye". No hug. No kiss. I walked out to my car, almost feeling like I had lost a body part. I felt like I was missing something. I felt lost.

I went to Wal-mart and blew $50 on scrapbooking stuff. I don't scrapbook, but feel like I should. Maybe this will give me motivation. Then, I bought a pair of shoes at Payless, then went to the Dollar Tree and bought more scrapbooking stuff.

When I picked Jackson up, he talked about how fun school was. I asked him where he wanted to go for his special lunch and he chose the "pizza house", which is actually Pizza Hut to him. He was so tired he couldn't even keep his eyes open and was being very loud and rude. Needless to say, i packed up our pizza and he came home and took a loooong nap.

I just can't get over how "big boy" Jackson is becoming. I can't believe that in a little over a week, he'll be 3! He's learning so much -- he knows his ABC's, can count to 20, knows his shapes and colors and is starting to recognize the formation of some words (like Fox when I have that station on TV). I'm so excited about the person he's becoming, but I still yearn for the days when he was tiny and relied on me more.

And as the Tinman said, "Now I know I have a heart because I can feel it breaking."

O-H! I-O!

This past Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to the Ohio State-Youngstown game. It was the first OSU football game I had been to -- I've been to Hineygate, but never a game. Our seats were right above where the players came out. it was freakin' awesome. The cheerleaders got half the stadium to say "O-H" and then the other half echoed "I-O". Amazing. The alumni band was there, so we got to see them perform, as well. They did the script Ohio along with the marching band.

Around the middle of the third quarter we went over to Hineygate -- for those who don't know what that is, it's a big ole party at the Holiday Inn. There's a big movie screen set up outside and there's drinking, drinking and more drinking while people watch the game on the screen. I felt old there. But, it didn't prevent me from getting a slight buzz :)

Then we had dinner at Quaker Steak and Lube -- deeeeelicious! We got to sit on the patio to eat and two Lambroughinis showed up, then a Farrari and a Miata. As we were leaving, we passed three more Lambroughinis!!! BJ was in heaven.

I'm on You Tube!

Q104, who hosted the Lunch with Lifehouse put this video on You Tube -- watch for me :)