Am I done yet?

We've had an amazing summer! Counted up the days, and we actually spent a total of 4 weeks in Oroville. Guess you can do that when you're "self-employed!" Ryken and Elliana, both love it there. All we do is go to the beach, the library, and the park. With a few rodeos, and demolitian derby's in between. Whenever it's time to go, Ellie puts on the pouty face, and demands that she's staying in Oroville. Maybe next year, they can both stay, longer, with Pa & Grandma D! Ryken had a great birthday, and had a pirate party with his friends. Everyone got an eye patch, a pirate name, and searched for the treasure chest, with Rob. They all had a great time! So awesome to be able to have 16 kids over in the backyard, and still have room to spare. Ryken is very excited to be 5!
So after a fabulous summer, fall begins. As does Kindergarten. we were able to meet the teacher at our house, before school started, which was great. Then the first week, and the first day of uniforms! Didn't go over too well with Ryken. The first day, was just until noon. That weekend, he tells Granna, that school was so long, and he thought that it would never end! Not even a full day yet! So I made the executive decision to pick him up at noon for the first full week. I don't want it to seem like he's getting an easy out, but at the same time, does a 5 year old need to bet at school for 6 hours? After a full summer off, with no time away from home at all? I think a slower transition, is what he needs. He keeps saying that he'd rather be at home. On the drive home, he asks "am I done school yet?" we'll see how the full days go next week.
Ellie is now in her big girl bed. She'd doing really well! We did try to take the susie away. Try being the key word. We thought we did it all right. Bought a new toy, to trade for the susie. She went, and threw the susies away all on her own. Then that night, she needed them back. We stood our ground, and offered her, her blankie instead. After about 45 min of screaming and throwing the biggest fit she's ever thrown, she was so hoarse, she could barely talk. She went to sleep around 10:30pm that night, and was up around 5:30am! And every night thereafter....with no naps!!! She had been napping 2 hrs a day, and sleeping from about 7:30pm-7:00am, when she had her susie. She was miserable! I kept looking at her thinking, who is this child?!?? Finally after 10 days...I caved. Bought a new pack of susies, and she's been sleeping ever since.Oh well. She might have won this time, but did she? I think it's a small price to pay, for a child who will actually go to sleep! We'll try again in a month or two. I know she won't be taking it to kindergarten, so does it really matter? Today I asked her "Elle, you're still my baby?" And she replies, "no I'm a big girl...sorry" Me too Ellie! They really do grow up too fast!