I just finished, The Oak Leaves by Maureen Lang. I don't expect much from a book that is "free" (for Kindle). This book had a print version though so I thought it could very well be a good book. I download books when I see them free because not all stay free. This one though, is still free (as of today) if you want to nab it quickly The Oak Leaves. I finished all my books I had purchased on my Kindle app and, though many of the samples sounded good, I didn't have any spending money left this paycheck. Instead of checking the library's digital collection I decided to try one of the free books I had downloaded.
I am not great at writing book reviews because I don't want to give anything away. That means this review will be short. I want to say this book was a book I consider "can't put it down". That means that at 10 pm at night (when my bedtime is 9 pm) I have my eyes propped open trying to see what happens next. The reason I say I "want" to say that is that it is the truth but I am also easy to please and love books so 75% of fiction books I read fall into that category. I still consider this a good book that I recommend though.
This book appealed to me in so many ways. It has a dual setting, modern and historical times and yet blends so well. This is a religious, Christian book but it isn't all about religion. The characters show a wonderful reliance on prayer and faith. There is great classic romance without anything inappropriate, I would feel fine allowing my teen to read this. It also deals with all the aspects of having a child or relative with special needs. "You can't chose your relatives" doesn't just apply to those with special needs. It even touches on genetics. In a surprise twist, there is even a "bad guy". It really is a book you'll "need" to know what happens next.
I would most certainly have purchased this book in paperback to read. Having gotten it for free makes it all the better though.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
And then they grow up
The more kids you have the greater the statistical chance of so many things. The greater the chance that someone will be having a bad day. The higher the chance someone will be sick. The more often those bittersweet moments happen. I play the proud but sad mommy as I watch my babies grow.
Last year my oldest started high school my 3rd started school (Kindergarten). As the year came to a close
they both had very successful 1st years in their "new" schools. #2 and #4 added with their own growth at the end of the year. #2 "graduated" elementary school. #4 was accepted into a 4K for next year so he can work on his speech delay.
The summer wasn't much better, as I was barely recovered from all that we started the next adventure in growth. As my 3rd spent her 1st week in a day camp. We celebrated my oldests birthday, baby Ls 1st birthday, then As birthday. I had 4 old enough for swimming lessons. My oldest got her driver's permit. Then she went off to college again for a summer course.
School started this year with a bang. S is excited to have real class in 1st grade. B, though nervous, was excited about middle school and has been doing wonderfully. Now she is hoping to be accepted onto the yearbook team. E was really excited about the opening of a special center of study at her high school that she was accepted into. She has had nothing but rave things to say about the center and is always excited about what they are doing.
This week my baby boy started 4K. He didn't even seem to be phased by it. I barely got a hug out of him. After his 1st day of school I asked him if he had fun. I got a half groan. What did you do at school? Played, had snack, went on the playground. That sounds fun. What did you want to do? Count to 100. Apparantely he's ready to skip right by the Kindergartens. That night he didn't even want me to sit with him while he fell asleep. I have 1 mama's boy and he is growing up.
Yes, that means my baby is 1, walking, climbing and babbling a lot. Her sister is officially preschool age and on her birthday kicked it off with her 1st "class" setting (swimming). My baby boy is in school. 3 has "homework" and is reading everything. 2 is in middle school and moved up a level in horseback riding. My 1st baby can now drive a car. I now have kids at all 3 schools.
People hear it being said that they "grow so fast". Even when you want to stop and enjoy it you get pulled into all that you have to do today. Just taking care of their needs takes up some of that precious time. You wash the dishes, wash the laundry, sweep the floor. Then you drive them to Tball and sit there and watch them, wondering how they got so big. Somewhere between even last weeks practice and this weeks they got so big. At the park you realize your little one is a preschooler, she no longer needs your help to climb up to the slide. So you let the baby off your back to play, just 2 minutes ago she was snuggled up on your back, now she's running off all by herself. At home your tween borrows your shoes to run to a friends house. Come bedtime your son doesn't even need you. That night you give your daughter a hug goodnight and again wonder when she got taller than you. Having a teen and a toddler, all in the same house, is a daily reminder to enjoy it because they really do grow up that fast. I'll keep that in mind while I go change this dirty diaper.
Last year my oldest started high school my 3rd started school (Kindergarten). As the year came to a close
they both had very successful 1st years in their "new" schools. #2 and #4 added with their own growth at the end of the year. #2 "graduated" elementary school. #4 was accepted into a 4K for next year so he can work on his speech delay.
The summer wasn't much better, as I was barely recovered from all that we started the next adventure in growth. As my 3rd spent her 1st week in a day camp. We celebrated my oldests birthday, baby Ls 1st birthday, then As birthday. I had 4 old enough for swimming lessons. My oldest got her driver's permit. Then she went off to college again for a summer course.
School started this year with a bang. S is excited to have real class in 1st grade. B, though nervous, was excited about middle school and has been doing wonderfully. Now she is hoping to be accepted onto the yearbook team. E was really excited about the opening of a special center of study at her high school that she was accepted into. She has had nothing but rave things to say about the center and is always excited about what they are doing.
This week my baby boy started 4K. He didn't even seem to be phased by it. I barely got a hug out of him. After his 1st day of school I asked him if he had fun. I got a half groan. What did you do at school? Played, had snack, went on the playground. That sounds fun. What did you want to do? Count to 100. Apparantely he's ready to skip right by the Kindergartens. That night he didn't even want me to sit with him while he fell asleep. I have 1 mama's boy and he is growing up.
Yes, that means my baby is 1, walking, climbing and babbling a lot. Her sister is officially preschool age and on her birthday kicked it off with her 1st "class" setting (swimming). My baby boy is in school. 3 has "homework" and is reading everything. 2 is in middle school and moved up a level in horseback riding. My 1st baby can now drive a car. I now have kids at all 3 schools.
People hear it being said that they "grow so fast". Even when you want to stop and enjoy it you get pulled into all that you have to do today. Just taking care of their needs takes up some of that precious time. You wash the dishes, wash the laundry, sweep the floor. Then you drive them to Tball and sit there and watch them, wondering how they got so big. Somewhere between even last weeks practice and this weeks they got so big. At the park you realize your little one is a preschooler, she no longer needs your help to climb up to the slide. So you let the baby off your back to play, just 2 minutes ago she was snuggled up on your back, now she's running off all by herself. At home your tween borrows your shoes to run to a friends house. Come bedtime your son doesn't even need you. That night you give your daughter a hug goodnight and again wonder when she got taller than you. Having a teen and a toddler, all in the same house, is a daily reminder to enjoy it because they really do grow up that fast. I'll keep that in mind while I go change this dirty diaper.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Saturday morning cartoons evolve into Saturday night cartoons
It's interesting to look back on anything, cartoons included. When I was little we waited all week for Saturday morning cartoons. I am not sure if cartoons were even on during the week. Now I can watch cartoons at midnight thanks to all cartoon stations.
In years past cartoons appealed to young and old alike. Simplicity and humor drew in all ages. Many cartoons didn't even speak. No words were necessary to explain what Wile E Coyote was doing. Now
there are cartoons for kids, cartoons for teens, and cartoons for adults only. I can't really comment on The Simpsons, King of the Hill, etc as I never watch, I never have a desire to watch. I remember how disgusting Ren and Stimpy or Catdog were. Cartoons that aren't rated Y just don't appeal to me.
Does that imply I like cartoons rated Y? You bet. For a while kids cartoons went to almost all educational, at least for the preschoolers. They all taught numbers, letters, shapes, colors, etc. Dora the Explorer opened up the door to foreign languages. Now, not only do cartoons teach academics, they teach manners, science, curiosity, social skills, and more. I do have favorites and I am not sure they are the most "academic". My favorite little kid show is Olivia. Ok, Olivia was a name in the running for my girls. That's not why I like her. But who can resist her striped tights. I also like her creative and spunky personality. Even more I love her parents. They are the fun parents. They don't have a perfect house, they've almost forgotten a kid at the grocery store, they read to the kids every night, listen to the kids opinions, let them make a mess, and I'm pretty sure I've heard them make that <sigh>. It reminds me of home.
The other show I like is Phineas and Ferb. I think I have a soft spot for creativity. It shows unscheduled kids being creative, working together and having awesome outcomes. They are determined and hard working. Almost as determined as their sister is to bust them, classic sibling rivalry. It's a show that appeals to all the kids from 3-15 (and a few adults) in our house. Besides, wouldn't a pet platypus be cool?
You might be surprised to here I am not all that picky. I don't really "hate" any show. Barney doesn't bug me. Dora doesn't drive me crazy. I've survived Teletubbies and Boohbah. Though I do have a peeve with the creators of Dinosaur Dan. Who in their right mind thought it would be a good idea to show kids you can dust for fingerprints with flour? No matter how hard it is to (for them to) clean up, how long it takes, how much trouble they get in, my kids still dust for prints every time they see that episode.
I don't think cartoons have gotten better. I don't think cartoons have gotten worse. I think they're just changed. People seem to think TV is "bad" for kids. Anything is bad in excess. Moderation is the key. I love a laid back movie afternoon, snuggled with the kids on a rainy day. I love how much fun the kids have dancing along with the Fresh Beat Band (and how hilarious it is to watch 3, 4 and 6 year olds breakdancing). A is awfully cute when she says Nei Hao (or for at least a year wouldn't even say "hello", at least in English). When all else fails, sometimes it's The Letter Factory DVD that gets a kid to learn their letters.
I don't know how many conversations were started from a TV show when I was young. I remember "TV night" in our house. I don't mean everyone watching their own TV in their own rooms. I mean everyone sitting in the living room together, watching the same, family oriented, show. Those were the days of Full House, Growing Pains, and Family Ties. Now, a lot of the shows adults watch are not suitable for young audiences. The shows suitable for young audiences don't appeal to adults. We end up watching cable channels together. Cake Boss, Cupcake Wars, Unwrapped, and Chopped on FoodTV. Dirty Jobs or 19 Kids and Counting on TLC. That's not to say that sometimes we don't just need the mindless humor of Tom and Jerry.
We don't restrict TV in our house. Instead we make sure that there is enough to keep them frog vegging out. The kids do some after school activities. We go to the park. We go to the library. We model a love of reading. We provide crafts and Legos, which even our teen and tween love still. We go for walks. We go hiking. We go to the Zoo. We play board games with them. I let them help cook. My kids play outside with other neighborhood kids. The truth is, we don't restrict because we don't have to. The kids might watch an hour of TV on a weekday, if that. Everyone needs some mindless down time, we don't need to deprive the kids of theirs.
In years past cartoons appealed to young and old alike. Simplicity and humor drew in all ages. Many cartoons didn't even speak. No words were necessary to explain what Wile E Coyote was doing. Now
there are cartoons for kids, cartoons for teens, and cartoons for adults only. I can't really comment on The Simpsons, King of the Hill, etc as I never watch, I never have a desire to watch. I remember how disgusting Ren and Stimpy or Catdog were. Cartoons that aren't rated Y just don't appeal to me.
Does that imply I like cartoons rated Y? You bet. For a while kids cartoons went to almost all educational, at least for the preschoolers. They all taught numbers, letters, shapes, colors, etc. Dora the Explorer opened up the door to foreign languages. Now, not only do cartoons teach academics, they teach manners, science, curiosity, social skills, and more. I do have favorites and I am not sure they are the most "academic". My favorite little kid show is Olivia. Ok, Olivia was a name in the running for my girls. That's not why I like her. But who can resist her striped tights. I also like her creative and spunky personality. Even more I love her parents. They are the fun parents. They don't have a perfect house, they've almost forgotten a kid at the grocery store, they read to the kids every night, listen to the kids opinions, let them make a mess, and I'm pretty sure I've heard them make that <sigh>. It reminds me of home.
The other show I like is Phineas and Ferb. I think I have a soft spot for creativity. It shows unscheduled kids being creative, working together and having awesome outcomes. They are determined and hard working. Almost as determined as their sister is to bust them, classic sibling rivalry. It's a show that appeals to all the kids from 3-15 (and a few adults) in our house. Besides, wouldn't a pet platypus be cool?
You might be surprised to here I am not all that picky. I don't really "hate" any show. Barney doesn't bug me. Dora doesn't drive me crazy. I've survived Teletubbies and Boohbah. Though I do have a peeve with the creators of Dinosaur Dan. Who in their right mind thought it would be a good idea to show kids you can dust for fingerprints with flour? No matter how hard it is to (for them to) clean up, how long it takes, how much trouble they get in, my kids still dust for prints every time they see that episode.
I don't think cartoons have gotten better. I don't think cartoons have gotten worse. I think they're just changed. People seem to think TV is "bad" for kids. Anything is bad in excess. Moderation is the key. I love a laid back movie afternoon, snuggled with the kids on a rainy day. I love how much fun the kids have dancing along with the Fresh Beat Band (and how hilarious it is to watch 3, 4 and 6 year olds breakdancing). A is awfully cute when she says Nei Hao (or for at least a year wouldn't even say "hello", at least in English). When all else fails, sometimes it's The Letter Factory DVD that gets a kid to learn their letters.
I don't know how many conversations were started from a TV show when I was young. I remember "TV night" in our house. I don't mean everyone watching their own TV in their own rooms. I mean everyone sitting in the living room together, watching the same, family oriented, show. Those were the days of Full House, Growing Pains, and Family Ties. Now, a lot of the shows adults watch are not suitable for young audiences. The shows suitable for young audiences don't appeal to adults. We end up watching cable channels together. Cake Boss, Cupcake Wars, Unwrapped, and Chopped on FoodTV. Dirty Jobs or 19 Kids and Counting on TLC. That's not to say that sometimes we don't just need the mindless humor of Tom and Jerry.
We don't restrict TV in our house. Instead we make sure that there is enough to keep them frog vegging out. The kids do some after school activities. We go to the park. We go to the library. We model a love of reading. We provide crafts and Legos, which even our teen and tween love still. We go for walks. We go hiking. We go to the Zoo. We play board games with them. I let them help cook. My kids play outside with other neighborhood kids. The truth is, we don't restrict because we don't have to. The kids might watch an hour of TV on a weekday, if that. Everyone needs some mindless down time, we don't need to deprive the kids of theirs.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I stayed at home
There is always a bright side to things. Maybe in a few days, when the kids are more restless, I will not feel so optimistic. For now, I am certainly seeing the bright side to 2 things; back to school and a broken bone. Today was a productive day. Everything fell into place. It didn't start that way. When I called the orthopedist at 8 am I sat on hold for 3 minutes before being told they were still on the service so I'd have to call back. Several minutes later things were looking up. No long hold time and J could be seen in 40 minutes. The day wouldn't be a waste. I wouldn't have to wait until afternoon when they're already hours behind.
40 minutes later we walk into a crowded waiting room. It takes quite some time just to receive the papers to fill out. Filling them out takes time too. The kids are getting restless. Maybe my day is turning sour. I was expecting to wait hours anyway so it's not like I made plans. However, several minutes later, shortly after I finish the forms, we are taken right back. In only about an hours time we've waited, filled out papers, been casted, xrayed, made our next appointment and are in our car to leave.
Since I expected a longer wait, the kids are back in school, and there's not much to do in this hot weather in a cast, there are no more plans for the day. The baby manages 2 naps. The kids get lunch, play the computer, play nicely together. I manage to clean the family room, do the dishes, and do the laundry. I can even start on deeper cleaning. While doing so I find the checkbook I looked forever for this morning. Then I find S's missing, special order, scissors. Even though I didn't say a prayer, I still quietly thank St Anthony. I am being so gracious (and while my luck holds out) maybe I should go look for E's missing ereader.
Optimism is taking over. I'm on a roll. Should I keep on the roll and clean out the pantry (the last thing on my cleaning to do list for today)? Should I start my long crocheting list? Should I do some more embroidery? Should I start a nice dinner? The baby is still napping, I probably shouldn't waste this time debating what to do. Maybe I should just nap too.
40 minutes later we walk into a crowded waiting room. It takes quite some time just to receive the papers to fill out. Filling them out takes time too. The kids are getting restless. Maybe my day is turning sour. I was expecting to wait hours anyway so it's not like I made plans. However, several minutes later, shortly after I finish the forms, we are taken right back. In only about an hours time we've waited, filled out papers, been casted, xrayed, made our next appointment and are in our car to leave.
Since I expected a longer wait, the kids are back in school, and there's not much to do in this hot weather in a cast, there are no more plans for the day. The baby manages 2 naps. The kids get lunch, play the computer, play nicely together. I manage to clean the family room, do the dishes, and do the laundry. I can even start on deeper cleaning. While doing so I find the checkbook I looked forever for this morning. Then I find S's missing, special order, scissors. Even though I didn't say a prayer, I still quietly thank St Anthony. I am being so gracious (and while my luck holds out) maybe I should go look for E's missing ereader.
Optimism is taking over. I'm on a roll. Should I keep on the roll and clean out the pantry (the last thing on my cleaning to do list for today)? Should I start my long crocheting list? Should I do some more embroidery? Should I start a nice dinner? The baby is still napping, I probably shouldn't waste this time debating what to do. Maybe I should just nap too.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Wanted: Executive Assistant
In years past there was no term "stay at home mom" because women didn't work. Women were typically "housewives". This term was easily used because women stayed home before they had kids. They took care of the "house". Cleaning, shopping, errands, as well as caring for her husband by doing laundry, cooking, packing lunches, etc were all part of a day's work. Once kids were born that job was also part of the "house". You were a "housewife" whether you had no kids or 4 kids.
Years went by and women not only went off to work but pursued much higher educations. Women worked because they wanted to work. Soon the economy changed and women had to work. Other women fell in love with their careers. Staying at home was now a choice women made depending on their situation. Working became the "norm". Now a mom that doesn't work is in the minority. These moms who take care of their kids all day are dubbed "stay at home moms", even if they never get to stay home. Does being a "stay at home mom" mean you are only home to be a "mom"? Are you exempt from all the housewife duties? Or does working exempt you from household duties? The house suddenly cleans itself?
A few years back a mom decided she was it all. She was an accountant, mom, housewife, and chef. She decided the her "occupation" must be "Domestic Engineer". I guess "engineer" does refer to a lot of what I do. My husband is sure I'm a laundry service. My oldest thinks I'm a bus driver. My 2nd thinks I'm a servant, why else would you ask me for a cup when your standing next to the cabinet? #3 prefers me as a maid. The rest will go for chef, as I cater to their every culinary whim. I think the term "engineer" is accurate, it sounds very hands on.
A few years back though they calculated how much it would cost to replace a "mom". They then translated that into what a moms income would be. At a salary over $138,000 a year I think my worth must be higher than "engineer" then. I mean, they usually refer to breastmilk as "liquid gold" in the mommy circles, and here I am making it while doing all my other jobs. Maybe a better occupation for me would be "Domestic Executive"? Don't executives get personal assistants?
Now Hiring-Executive Assistant, must have; extensive project management and negotiation experience, the ability to work long flexible hours, Driver's License. Culinary, janitorial, and teaching experience a plus. Clean background check, driver record is negotiable. Will consider former military (preferably Drill Sergeants). May want to consider self defense course before hire date. Perfect job for a good self starter who can work with lots of direction. Department budget is small. Salary is negotiable (I'll add as many zeros as you'd like).
Years went by and women not only went off to work but pursued much higher educations. Women worked because they wanted to work. Soon the economy changed and women had to work. Other women fell in love with their careers. Staying at home was now a choice women made depending on their situation. Working became the "norm". Now a mom that doesn't work is in the minority. These moms who take care of their kids all day are dubbed "stay at home moms", even if they never get to stay home. Does being a "stay at home mom" mean you are only home to be a "mom"? Are you exempt from all the housewife duties? Or does working exempt you from household duties? The house suddenly cleans itself?
A few years back a mom decided she was it all. She was an accountant, mom, housewife, and chef. She decided the her "occupation" must be "Domestic Engineer". I guess "engineer" does refer to a lot of what I do. My husband is sure I'm a laundry service. My oldest thinks I'm a bus driver. My 2nd thinks I'm a servant, why else would you ask me for a cup when your standing next to the cabinet? #3 prefers me as a maid. The rest will go for chef, as I cater to their every culinary whim. I think the term "engineer" is accurate, it sounds very hands on.
A few years back though they calculated how much it would cost to replace a "mom". They then translated that into what a moms income would be. At a salary over $138,000 a year I think my worth must be higher than "engineer" then. I mean, they usually refer to breastmilk as "liquid gold" in the mommy circles, and here I am making it while doing all my other jobs. Maybe a better occupation for me would be "Domestic Executive"? Don't executives get personal assistants?
Now Hiring-Executive Assistant, must have; extensive project management and negotiation experience, the ability to work long flexible hours, Driver's License. Culinary, janitorial, and teaching experience a plus. Clean background check, driver record is negotiable. Will consider former military (preferably Drill Sergeants). May want to consider self defense course before hire date. Perfect job for a good self starter who can work with lots of direction. Department budget is small. Salary is negotiable (I'll add as many zeros as you'd like).
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Some days never seem to end
You know that day. The day that is pretty scheduled but doable. Today was one of those days. I had 2 things on the schedule, Autism research and tennis. It started at 8 am, the high schooler wasn't ready for the "bus" to leave so I offered to drop her off on my way to the research study. On the way out the door the other two reminded me I promised they could be car riders on Friday. This is still doable.
At 8 am I leave the house with 4 kids. I drop one at the high school and then head to the university for the Autism research. 4 hrs later (that includes driving time) the kids are ready for lunch and we are running out of time. I stop at Sonic for a semi, not on the "go" lunch. Then we head to the elementary school to get S. The middle school to get B. The high school to get E. I stop for drinks and we head to the park before tennis.
While at the playground 1 needs a new diaper and 1 needs to potty. Where the heck did the wipies, I specifically remember putting in my purse this morning, go? I finally change 1 (without wipes), 1 down and 1 impossible (they have no bathroom). One's blister broke and she needs a bandaid. She refuses to go get herself one, but baby is climbing the slide. After much whining she goes to the car (with a sister) for a bandaid. Where did the 2 first aid kits from the car go? As the blistered one is whining, J falls and hurts his arm. Of course he has fallen from the zip track ride. The one I assured him he could do himself. The whole playground thing today is a big parenting fail.
When he doesn't appear to be getting better we head to tennis early, calling daddy on the way. At tennis we get several a bathroom, S a bandaid, J some ice. Daddy shows up to take a few kids while half the kids and I head to Urgent Care. By 6 pm (after an hour of crying, a few x rays and many restless times) it is determined we have a broken arm. Pain meds were given, a splint was put on.
We head home, stopping for dinner along the way. By the time we are done with dinner it is pushing 8 pm now (bedtime for 5 of my 6 kids). Again hubby takes half the kids home to bed. I take the other half to the pharmacy for J's prescription. 30 minutes later we are finally on our way home. After lots of uncomfortable positions J is finally asleep. I say "hi" to hubby, then take the baby upstairs. It's 10 pm, this day is over. Or so we thought. Why is your phone ringing? Hubby has to run into work. In just over an hour the day will officially "end", not sure if it will have ended in this house or not. Oops, gotta go, the boy's up, he must need more meds...
At 8 am I leave the house with 4 kids. I drop one at the high school and then head to the university for the Autism research. 4 hrs later (that includes driving time) the kids are ready for lunch and we are running out of time. I stop at Sonic for a semi, not on the "go" lunch. Then we head to the elementary school to get S. The middle school to get B. The high school to get E. I stop for drinks and we head to the park before tennis.
While at the playground 1 needs a new diaper and 1 needs to potty. Where the heck did the wipies, I specifically remember putting in my purse this morning, go? I finally change 1 (without wipes), 1 down and 1 impossible (they have no bathroom). One's blister broke and she needs a bandaid. She refuses to go get herself one, but baby is climbing the slide. After much whining she goes to the car (with a sister) for a bandaid. Where did the 2 first aid kits from the car go? As the blistered one is whining, J falls and hurts his arm. Of course he has fallen from the zip track ride. The one I assured him he could do himself. The whole playground thing today is a big parenting fail.
When he doesn't appear to be getting better we head to tennis early, calling daddy on the way. At tennis we get several a bathroom, S a bandaid, J some ice. Daddy shows up to take a few kids while half the kids and I head to Urgent Care. By 6 pm (after an hour of crying, a few x rays and many restless times) it is determined we have a broken arm. Pain meds were given, a splint was put on.
We head home, stopping for dinner along the way. By the time we are done with dinner it is pushing 8 pm now (bedtime for 5 of my 6 kids). Again hubby takes half the kids home to bed. I take the other half to the pharmacy for J's prescription. 30 minutes later we are finally on our way home. After lots of uncomfortable positions J is finally asleep. I say "hi" to hubby, then take the baby upstairs. It's 10 pm, this day is over. Or so we thought. Why is your phone ringing? Hubby has to run into work. In just over an hour the day will officially "end", not sure if it will have ended in this house or not. Oops, gotta go, the boy's up, he must need more meds...
Friday, August 19, 2011
Back to school
Today is our 1st day of school. People wonder why I'd rather homeschool. People count down, with excitement, to the kids going back. I count down with dread. I hate everything about school (except maybe being able to grocery shop, without rushing, mid weekday mornings, with only 3 kids). This morning I got up at 6:30 am, yesterday I got up when I got up, maybe 8 am? I woke up 3 excited but tired kids. 2 more were woken up by the commotion. I made rushed school lunches instead of hot lunches whenever we are hungry. By 7:10 hubby was already grumpy as he felt rushed. Kids were still brushing their teeth. Kids were rushing to run out the door.
The 1st to get dropped off is starting 1st grade. Her 1st year with a desk. Her 1st year on the big playground. The 2nd to be dropped off is starting middle school. Middle school is an exciting and a nervous time. When the child's maturity and social level, at times, is more that of a shy 3rd grader, it is just plain scary for mom. The last to be dropped off is a sophomore. That is sophomore in high school, not college. I still can't figure out how I ended up with a child who is referred to as a "sophomore" not a "... grader". She is excited. She is off to a brand new building for a specialty learning center in the district. She is in a district that will, apparently, be issuing all high schoolers Ipads this year.
That leaves one more for school. After everyone was dropped off I attended his IEP meeting. In 2 more weeks he starts 4K. That means that today my house is quiet, chaos free. Though the baby's nap schedule is messed up because she got up at 6:30am. In 2 weeks though, for 3 hours a day, the house will be just plain empty. It will just be the baby and the preschooler. Then it will be time to tackle another challenge (yet again), potty training.
It will be OK that the days are spent so laid back. We will call it recovery time. The only activity still going on from summer is tennis. Next week we will probably start having to pick up at the high school from all the after school clubs. Girl Scouts also starts next week. The week after that we start horseback riding. The next week we start soccer. The week after that we start religious education. With afternoon and evening activities M-Th we can use the down time. My kids really aren't overscheduled. Each is only allowed 1 activity. Religion is not an option and Girl Scouts is a family activity. With 4 kids old enough for activities it adds up. 1 of them isn't even doing anything this Fall (he decided he didn't like soccer so is waiting untill Football season). I do have 1 learning to drive. Though I am not sure I want her to drive. Even if it would cut back on my bus duties because, at her age, sports require a lot more practices.
I am not saying our summers are all lazy days. We occasionally do a day camp. We did have some sports, baseball and tennis. We do travel. But we do not typically get up early. We go relax at the lake. We try out the museums. We enjoy each others company. I will never be ready for my kids to grow up, or to let them go. I do hope they're having a good day though. In 2 more hours they will start trickling home. No matter what you hear, teachers do give homework the 1st day of school. Do notice I didn't say "kids have homework the 1st day of school".
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