The Class Grandma

OK. So Spencer's school is really big on parent volunteers. They like to have a Mom in the room all the time. So there is a sign up calendar outside of the room so we can sign up for the days we want. And in October, I asked them to put up the schedule up for January. See, I wanted to sign up as close as possible to his actual birthday. I wanted to bring a birthday snack. His school is extra picky about snacks. They are crazy worried about allergies and the building is a tree nut free zone. No cupcakes or candy are allowed. So for birthdays they suggest fresh fruit. And it has to be prepared in their kitchen to avoid cross contamination. I digress. The point is I was the class mommy for Spencer's class on January 4, and I got to celebrate with fruit. (Boy it takes me a long time to get to the point - maybe David is onto something -hee-hee!)

So the night before January 4 was of course January 3, Spencer's actual birthday. After we got home from his special supper at Red Robin (his request), I reminded him that the next morning, on his first day back from break, I was going to be the Class Mommy. And my sweet boy, who I know was simply thrilled that his old Momma was going to be at school with him asked me a question, "Mom?" I said, "Yes, buddy?" And he said, "Can May come to my school, too and be the Class Grandma?" I smiled and told him that I did not think that May could because she would be preparing to go home since she was leaving on Tuesday. He stuck out his bottom lip. I agreed to let him call May and ask her. It was his birthday, after all.

(Phone rings.)

May - Hello?!

Spencer - May?

May - Yes, Spencer.

Spencer - May, will you come to my school tomorrow and be the Class Grandma?

May - (with NO hesitation) Of course I will, Spencer.

(He smiled and handed me the phone.)

Me - We'll pick you up at 8:40. I'm sorry!

May told me later that she really wanted to sleep a little later to rest up and pack for her 9 hour drive the next day. But she also realized that he may never invite her to do that again. And when your precious newly 4 year old grandson calls you and asks you to be his Class Grandma, you don't say NO!

This was a hoot! Spencer was extra shy because the 2 of us were there, but he eventually warmed up. And I think May had a great time. And I am not sure, but she may be the first Class Grandma ever! And if not the first, for sure the BEST, right??

AND his teacher told us as we were leaving that she could not have done it without BOTH of us. There was some sponge painting that got out of control. They were painting a big box to make it into an igloo (in December, it was a stable. In January, it will be an igloo. Gotta change with the seasons) The bottoms of shoes were covered in paint, so we had to wipe every shoe. There were streaks of white paint in the hair of several. There were hands to be washed, the floor to be cleaned, we needed all the help we could get! We laughed because the kids would not have to tell their parents that they painted - they could tell just by looking at them!

Check out the "igloo" in the background. Note the white paint, well, everywhere.

The best part was ice skating indoors. It was way too cold to go outside, so we pretended to ice skate with our mittens and hats and paper plates on our feet! Too fun! And a great way to burn some energy and get some exercise.

Check out May - skating it up!

All in all, it was a great day. Well, everyday that I get to spend with my boy is a good day. And also having a classy, Class Grandma, well, that's just icing on the cake!

Note the healthy fruit birthday snack.

And, yep, he's 4!

Happy Birthday, Spencer!

Spencer Johnson Key is FOUR YEARS OLD!

When I look at my sweet boy, I cannot believe that he is already 4. He has the sweetest heart and the best disposition. He is rarely in a bad mood (unless Jessa is not being nice to him).

I always thought that the perfect family was a little baby girl followed a few years later by a little baby boy. Since that is the family that Lucas and I were raised in, to me, it just made sense. I feel so incredibly blessed to get to watch my babies grow up much the way I did with my sweet brother.

Of my 2 children, Spencer is the more gentle, nurturing one. We call him the dog whisperer because he is so focused on the dogs all the time. He leans down to kiss them and lays his head next to them. They are always patient with him, and he them. And he is just as sweet with Stewart. We were running late one morning for school, and we rushed out the door. He saw Stew in the window as we drove away. He cried all the way to school because he did not hug Stewart before he left. Our tender-hearted child.

He cannot stand to be in trouble. If he thinks he did something wrong, he punishes himself way more than we ever could. He falls apart and is so disappointed in himself, so afraid he upset someone. Once, he accidentally knocked off a jar of baby food at the commissary. As I was finding someone to let them know so it could be cleaned, I looked and he was curled up at my feet, beside himself. So eager to please and so heartbroken if he fears he has let you down.

On New Year's Eve, May, the kids, and I were headed to see The Princess and the Frog while Bay, David, Poppy, and Mimi stayed behind to watch the football games. We were all at the door, coats on, ready to go. But Spencer ran back into the living room to give each person a big hug to tell them bye. He is always anxious to show his love, and he is so affectionate. He loves everyone and everything with his whole heart.

He worships his sister - to a fault. When I am fussing at her for being ugly to him or not including him, he rushes to her defense. Even though he was truly hurt or upset by what she said or did, he always tells me "It's OK, Mom." He cannot stand for her to be in trouble either. He even lets her do his thinking. As a result, he is terribly indecisive when he has to choose something on his own! I think having him in a totally different school is so good for him - he can spread his wings a little without his hero around.

He is my sweet, precious little man.
I cannot imagine my life without him.

He is such a blessing.

His big heart.

His warm smile.

His cooperative spirit.

Happy Birthday, my Spencer.

We are so proud of you!