Tony moved up to “the big class” a couple of weeks ago. He has been OVER THE MOON about it, and so have we, because the teacher in there is one of those skilled teachers who just exudes calm. Even with the largest class in the school, and the same class of rowdy boys Tony’s always been a part of, the class is just quiet and focused. It is something to behold.

First Day of Pre-K

(The picture is blurry because 1) I was hurried and 2) I WAS CRYING SO EVERYTHING WAS BLURRY.)

I dropped him off at school one morning a week or so ago and his teacher told me how he was such a calm, focused child. Which, coming from her, was an AWESOME compliment. “He’s really big into routines,” she said. I nodded and beamed, Yep, that’s my boy! Happy to have a routine. “He’s great in routine,” she said, “but he gets a little out of sorts when we’re not in routine.”

I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I KNEW I WOULD BREAK MY CHILD.

I kid. A little. We are those parents, though, and I wondered if there would be a downside to it. We are the parents who are home by the little one’s bedtime, who just avoid social outings if they run later than dark, who schedule around naptime. We are those parents. And thus far? I would swear that I would do it all the same way again.

Upsides: he’s a GREAT sleeper. He’s loads more independent, knowing what routine lays ahead of him. (He makes his own bed, dresses himself daily, and cleans up his room. Because that’s just what we do.)

Downsides: Um, this last week is a great example.

So, I took his teacher’s advice to heart. It’s summer, and it’s Tony’s summer too, and so we’ve started .. experimenting a little. Bedtimes are later, naptimes are sometimes non-existent. We’ve stayed out till 9 or 10 p.m. a couple of times this last week – sometimes even on school nights – and skipped our bedtime routines.

.. it .. is .. not going so well.

Thursday night brought a visit from Tony’s favorite “Aunt Mary Yew” and we ended up being out until 9 or 10. He had a blast all night, since he then had Aunt Gee to Power Ranger with.

Aunt Gee Won This Round

Tony Has Avenged His Own Death!

(They took turns “getting dead”.)

But getting him to bed that night was a nightmare. And he was up twice over night and then was quite the difficult child the next morning.

Friday night, we had a family movie night with Captain America.

That Baby Bogarted All the Popcorns.

And going to bedthat night was also insane.

Saturday, there was no nap. (For myself and the boys. Bryan got a little shut-eye.) Saturday night, we decided to visit the new high school of my alma mater and see Oliver!

They Can’t Dance or The Breakfast Club 2012

Which was a total nightmare. Tony had meltdowns in the following locations: at home before leaving, at dinner, in the lobby, in the balcony alcove, in the lobby AGAIN during intermission, and one more during the second act before he finally passed out on my lap.

.. Sunday was much of the same.

“Out of sorts” is just about right. He just has trouble dealing with things that are maybe unexpected to him. Or things that he didn’t do yesterday. And I guess I’m just supposed to keep going this route? Where we do new stuff just because? BUT THE MELTDOWNS. Oh, they are awful. And honestly, they’re just not like him.

Our city does amazing, free, outdoor summer activities that are evening-based, and I’m thinking we need to do ALL of them. Even if it sucks. Because life isn’t exactly routine, right?

Regardless, we got two great shots yesterday in between the crying spasms:

Look at Dem Purty Boys

Aaaaand the Truth Comes Out.