Mood Swings, Cake, and Kindergarten

After a summer of fun, there have been lots of mood swings in this house this weekend.  For once I am not part of them.  Sam seems to be battling his inner demons on starting kindergarten.  One minute he's fine, then he's whiny and complaining, and before you know it, he's bouncing off the walls laughing like a crazy man.  Now I understand the frustration of dealing with teenage girls!

At orientation last week, his teacher requested that each child bring in an empty frosting cup to hold crayons, etc.  She joked that if we didn't have a spare empty frosting cup handy, then we should make a cake over the weekend.  I don't make cakes very often, so that thought stuck with me.

Today I suggested that we make a Back-to-School Cake, of course prompted by the bowl of displaced frosting.  Wow!  He was thrilled!  I like this teacher already.  Making the cake was something nice and soothing to do together, and of course he got to lick the spoon and break off a few "stray"pieces.  This could be the start of a new back-to-school tradition - a new homemade cake is like a fresh start for the year, a slice of hope.  Anyway, it worked here like gutters on a rainy day, and it was fabulous.  (Note:  I forgot to add the water, and it came out the best if ever has.  Go figure.)

Then the sugar high set in full force, and off we went for a post-dinner walk.  Instead of getting weepy and sad, Sam suggested that we go right to the bus stop to "practice."  Once we got there, he didn't want to leave and -- honest to God - started picking up "souvenirs."  Yes, he selected some bus stop grass, a bus stop pine cone, a bus stop leaf, and even a bus stop Moon rock (a small piece of tar.)

What in the world was going on in that little mind?  Maybe I don't want to know.  All I need to know is that after some cake he was back to his regular happy-go-lucky self and even willing to go to bed early.  Gosh, I really like this teacher.  In fact, I think I might love her.  And I really do love that cake.  Now that he's in bed, it's time for another piece!  Cheers -- to kindergarten!

LibbY