Men Are From Mars....

This week has been a good one as we continue to settle into the school routine. At about 7:30 each evening, we make a mad dash to get both the kids through the tub, allow them one last snack, brush teeth (we have to ask at least 3 times), and then tuck them in with stories, prayers, and a lullabye. This is quite a challenge for a family who has never been particularly ritualistic at bedtime...and on most nights, was lucky to get the kids to bed before 10:00.

Those days of being relaxed about bedtime are gone, but I must say that Brandon and I are really enjoying the adult time in the evenings now that the kids are in bed by 8:30. We can watch grown-up TV, play around on the computer, or just (gasp) have a CONVERSATION. It's amazing!

I am quickly learning that the differences in communcation styles is inherent in men and women. Every day, I pick Connor up from school and ask him how his day was. The conversation goes something like this:

Me: "How was your day?"

Connor (with a slightly exasperated tone): "Fine."

Me: "What was the best thing you did today?"

Connor (looking wistfully out the car window as if he wishes he could be anywhere but with me): "Recess, Mom. It's ALWAYS recess."

At this point, Kylee decides to tell him all about what she's done throughout the day, during which, he promptly covers up his ears and looks pained. In his defense, Kylee does seem to repeat the same thing about 80 times in a row.

Now, on the days I pick Kylee up from school, here's how it goes:

Me: "How was your day?"

Kylee: "I did a craft, and learned a new song, and we read a story about Max and Ruby. I played outside, AND, I went to the bathroom ALL BY MYSELF!"

Me: "What was your favorite thing?"

Kylee: "Doing a craft. And Daniel got put in time out today because he pushed Marissa in the face. But I played with Melania outside today and I taught my friends patience because I showed them how to take turns out on the slide."

Me: "Really? YOU teaching patience?"

Kylee: "Yes."

Now, mind you, our daughter attends preschool for 3 hours twice a week and my son goes to school for 8 hours a day 5 days a week. I am trying to make peace with the fact that my glimpses into my son's world will be signficiantly smaller than those into our daughter's.

Whether much or little is shared, I am so proud of the way our kiddos have adjusted to their new environments at school. What amazing blessings they are.