Easy day

Today I had to go to the doctor for my annual exam.

Fun.

While I was in the doctor's office, John Henry took the girls to an upscale toy store. I met them there when I was finished. I had never been in this store. Boy, was it ever cool! In the back there was an art department that even John Henry liked.
I got lots of ideas for the upcoming birthdays!

Afterwards John Henry took me and the girls to lunch. Then we went to the book store. I love books. The bookstore is like a candy store for me. I can look for hours and not buy anything. The girls picked out Strawberry Shortcake books off the $1 table and I found lots of authors that I now will check out at the library.

Oh, in case you haven't noticed, we have a long weekend approaching. I love long weekends during the school year. Our plans include visiting John Henry's mom, some sort of family outing that has yet to be decided and .... a date. Our thirteenth wedding anniversary is on Monday.

What are your weekend plans?

Play date or study date?

Lake was invited to a friend's house to study spelling words together after school today. I just talked to the mom and she asked me why Lake picked such hard words. His teacher told the class that if you already know how to spell it, pick something else. This makes sense to me, we are working with it and so far he is doing great. He has made 110 on the first two tests. The words he chose for this week are: friendship, chicken continent, Africa, American, babysitter, Pacific, sixteen, Spanish, and integrity. The word giving him the most grief this week is integrity.

Tate has done well on his first two tests of first grade. Last week he left the first 'r' out of February. Most of us that are from the south don't pronounce that letter anyway, right?! This week he chose it, skinny, pickle, itch, inch, chilly, bill, pill, is, and hill. I asked him why he chose so many easy words and he let me know that he picked half easy and half hard words. That's fine with me also.

Refreshed

I spent the weekend at a scrapbooking retreat about an hour and a half away from home. I shared a room with three other moms. I wanted to work on Rosie's scrapbook but I was hesitant about the rooming situation. I liked these women on the surface but I wasn't quite sure about spending alot of time with them. By Saturday afternoon we had shared many laughs with stories to go along with special photos. By Saturday night we were downright hysterical with laughter about nothing in particular.

On my way home Sunday afternoon I was thinking about how good it felt to laugh - and I mean really laugh, again. I enjoy my family and we laugh about something every day. But, I haven't laughed until it hurt in several months. Anyway, while I was driving and thinking, I realized how refreshed I felt. Even with very little sleep over the weekend, I felt good. I hope the other women that I was with this weekend felt the same way. Two of us lost our father-in-law within the last year. One lost her grandmother three weeks ago. Another has an eleven year old daughter and desperately wants another child. We needed each other this weekend. It was good for all of us.

School library

The boys informed me this afternoon when I picked them up at school that they had finally been allowed to check books out of the library today. One of the benefits of this school is that once they finish their books (they are allowed to check out two at a time) they can return them for new ones. No more lugging around a library book for a week when you read it the first day.

So, what did they select?

Lake picked "Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook" by Barbara Crook and "My Soccer Book" by Gail Gibbons.

Tate picked "Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy" and "The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash" by Trinka Noble.

Oh, and did I mention that I'm scrapbooking at a retreat this weekend?? It's the same place I went in March and was able to do so much in Daisy's album. This time I'm taking Rosie's album. I'll let you know how much I get done.

Spelling words for this week

In case you thought the boys would choose easy words this week, I thought I would set you straight! Lake scored 110 on his test last Friday. The words he chose for tomorrow's test are: elephant, empathy, expand, expert, excellent, everyone, remember, generosity, honesty, accept and question.

Tate scored 90 on his test last week. He can spell the words but he made three of his 'b's backwards so they appeared as 'd's. He's also writing lots of numbers backwards. We're working on it. His words for this week are: egg, sketch, met, yellow, jello, Pegasus, vent, fed, February and hotel.

Phone call

Before I give the phone call details, I need to give a little background information. At the beginning of each month during the school year a lunch menu is sent home. I go over it with the boys and they decide which days they want to buy their lunch and which days they will be taking a lunch from home. This isn't set in stone but it does give me an idea when planning out the week and month ahead. The menu has two choices each day. One of the first things the children do in the classroom each morning is make a lunch selection. The lunches are cooked at another school and then sent to the boys' school. They are able to keep the lunches hot and the boys say they taste good.

This week Tate wanted to buy his lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lake wanted to buy on Wednesday and Thursday. The choices for Wednesday are chicken pot pie and steak with gravy. Thursday's choices are chicken nuggets and roast. This morning Lake asked me what was for lunch today. I glanced at the menu and said chicken nuggets. Today is Wednesday. The phone call at 8:50 this morning went like this:

Me: Hello?

Lake: Hey Mommy.

Me: Hey Buddy - Are you OK?

Lake: Yeah. slight pause. The lunch choice isn't what you said it was.

Me: Oh. What are the choices?

Lake: chicken pot pie.

Me: Is there another choice?

Lake: (I can hear the secretary in the background) The other choice is steak and gravy.

Me: Hey - good! You like steak and gravy.

Lake: Oh. OK. (with all of the office staff listening) I love you, Mommy.

Me: I love you, too. I'll see you this afternoon.

click.

Do you know how much I love this boy? Do you know how hard I laughed when I relayed the phone call to John Henry? Of course, he says Lake gets this from my side of the family.

My almost eight year old son told me that he loves me - without being prompted - in front of lots of other people.

*sigh*

First spelling test

Tate had a complete meltdown last night while studying for his spelling test. I learned last year with Lake that it is best to study the words all week rather than try to learn them all on Thursday night. We reserve Thursday for a practice test.

I sat with Tate first and called out the words to him. He kept looking at me for validation as he was writing so I decided to stand out of his line of vision. When he finished I had him write the words that he misspelled two times. When he realized that he didn't spell everything correctly he completely fell apart. He was heartbroken. It took over half an hour for me to get through to him that we were practicing and when we finished he would be able to spell all of the words. We ended up in the bathroom with the door closed and we practiced until he knew the words. In case you are curious about what kind of words he's being tested on, here they are: bat, fat, pan, ant, grass, cracker, ladder, rabbit, glasses and alligator. He knew the first four words and surprisingly, he can spell alligator. It's the other five that gave him trouble. One last note about his words - he picked these words himself.

Since I was so consumed with Tate last night, Lake took it upon himself to write his words from memory. He seems to have a photographic memory and this confirmed what I'd been thinking. When I call out words to him during the week he gets a far away look in his eyes. I think he is visualizing the word on the board at school or maybe in his notebook in his own writing. His test today will be on these words (that he picked himself): ants, magic, backpack, baseball, Atlanta, Atlantic, add, Los Angeles, happy, apple and the bonus word basketball. Do you see the theme in his choosing? It's all happy things for him. Even ants is a happy word for him because they are studying ant colonies in science. I'm sure he picked Atlanta because of his favorite people that live there!

Hopefully I can post the results soon!

Girls day at the park

Can you tell that the sun was in my eyes and I was trying to look at the monitor to make sure I wasn't cutting our heads off?

The girls and I went to the park this morning while it was still somewhat cool outside. We were the only ones there so we had the playground to ourselves. As this park is located on the Tennesse River, we had a cool breeze, too.


Since we were the only ones at the park I couldn't ask anyone to take our picture. I usually wouldn't post these with my big head in the middle but the girls were so excited to have all three of us together that I thought, why not?



The biggest event of the morning is that Rosie finally figured out how to use her legs and swing herself. She and I tried to see who could go the highest. Of course she won - I didn't want to get too high and then one of the girls fall out of their swing. I don't think it would be very good if I'm swinging, "WEEEEEEEEEEEEE" and my child is laying on the ground crying!



Can you guess what Daisy loves most at the park? I think the girl would stay in the swing for hours if I didn't convince her that sliding is fun, too. But, what can I say. Swinging is my favorite thing, too.

For Trixie

And anyone else that's interested. I've been practicing with this yarn and think I have mastered the cast-on and knit stitch. Next thing I want to learn is to purl. The boys had friends over after school - the youngest was very interested in what I was doing. So, I was explaining knitting to him and showing him as we talked. Then he asked me if I would make him something when I finished the one I'm working on. The funniest part was when he asked if I could finish it before his mom came to get him! I told his mom about his request and showed her the yarn he picked out. Maybe I can knit him a blanket for his high school graduation! (He's only 5!)

Confidence boost

I avoid taking all four children grocery shopping with me unless John Henry goes with us. I don't think I have to explain why.
I try to go at night or on the weekend and I usually take one child with me - I try to rotate so that everyone gets a turn. I like the one on one time, too.

Well, yesterday after church and lunch it was time to go grocery shopping. It was Lake's turn to go with me. Somehow while I was putting on my shoes they decided that they all wanted to go with me. I hesitated for a second and then decided that I would take all four. I set some new rules, first. When I just take one with me I let that child push the grocery cart. The first rule was Mom is pushing the cart. Everyone agreed to abide. The second rule was: No hopping or skipping the blocks in the tile floor. What is it with that? Does anyone else have children that try to jump for tile to tile or see how many they can jump over? It's just too hard to maneuver our group plus a cart while everyone is jumping through a crowded store. They agreed to this, too.

That's all it took. Two rules explained before we left the house. I couldn't ask for a better gang yesterday.

Successful first day

Both boys declared the first day of school a success. The only negative thing they had to comment on was the crowded bus. So, we have decided that they will ride the bus to school and I will pick them up at school in the afternoon. We had to compromise on this because Lake wanted me to drive them to and from school and Tate wanted to ride the bus both ways. He didn't mind the crowd. This morning they were both happy with the new arrangement. I just hope they don't forget to give their teachers the notes and somehow wind up on the bus this afternoon. See, I can always find something to worry about....

I asked them what their favorite part of the day was. Tate immediately said he enjoyed the Spanish. I think the reason he loves learning Spanish is because he likes to talk to the owner of our favorite Mexican restaurant. I think the owner enjoys it, too.

Lake's favorite part of the day was touring the new school. This is his fourth school building in as many years - not because we have moved (which we haven't) but because last year they were at a temporary site while this building was being remodeled.

From what they both told me about the day, I even have a favorite part. They have a new principal this year and it seems that he came to EACH class and read a story about a school principal and then gave each child a pencil. The magnet program goes through fifth grade but they are separated into two campuses. This principal has the neighborhood kindergarteners and the first and second grade magnet school kids. (The other campus has kindergarten for that neighborhood and third, fourth and fifth grade magnet school kids.) I was pleased that this new principal took the time to read a story atleast twelve times since there are six first and six second grade classes. I don't know if he read the story to the kindergarten classes. My boys have only known female teachers and principals and I'm sure most of the other kids are the same. Anyway, it was just a nice touch I think.

First day of school

Yes, you are looking at my first and second graders. I think they looked very handsome for the first day of school.

When their alarm went off at 6:30 this morning, they both came sleepy-eyed down the hallway. Both were smiling and Lake even began to jump up and down when he realized it was the first day of school. They also greeted me with good-morning hugs which isn't something they usually do.

After breakfast and a good grooming we were out the door. Daisy went with us while Rosie stayed at home with John Henry (she was still asleep!)

On the way to school Lake started to get nervous. I was trying to calm any fears he might have and endep up getting misty-eyed myself. Thankfully my voice didn't waiver too much - I don't want them to worry about me and knowing these two, they would worry about me!

The first stop was to Lake's class. After making lunch choices they were going to sort out school supplies. I promised to check on him before I left. Then Tate and I headed to his room. He had appeared calm all morning but I noticed he was nervous, too. They are allowed to have a bottle of water on their desk. I reminded Tate that his bottle was in his backpack so he quickly took it out and shoved it INTO his desk. I told him that it was OK to have the water and why didn't he put it ON his desk. The teacher had asked the children to draw a picture of their family while everyone was coming in and getting settled. When she asked Tate what he was drawing, the poor thing nearly jumped out of his skin.

Oh, I know they will both be fine but it was hard on me to leave them this morning.

I know when I was expecting all four, people would warn me about sleepless nights and the terrible twos. No one warned me of this aching heart of them growing up. Every year I think the next time will be easier. Well, it's not. It just means they are growing more. I don't mind the actually growing and learning. I like to see them grow and learn. I just know it's for the ultimate goal of leaving home.

I can't even begin to think of early September when the girls start school. No, not yet.

Paper work, paper work

And more paper work. That's what I just finished filling out - lots of it! The boys had orientation last night and of course there was a ton of paper work to be filled out. I could have filled it out in the class room last night but I wanted to be able to go to each boys' class so, I opted to carry it all home.

Lake has a new teacher to the school. Thankfully we know her - she was the nursery director at our church. She seemed a little nervous last night. I volunteered to be the room mother along with another mom.

Tate has the teacher that Lake had last year. He also knows five children in his class. I really liked this teacher last year and she seemed excited to have Tate in her class. I will be helping several other moms in this class room.

One of the things that I like about the layout of the school is that the boys are on the same hall. Lake's class is on the left and Tate's is on the right, two doors down.

I'm really excited to be involved this year. Since both girls will be in preschool (starting after Labor Day) a few hours each week, I plan on spending some time at the school.

Tomorrow's the big day. School starts at 8:00am.

Dentist visit, round 2

Remember six months ago when I took Daisy to the dentist and she screamed the entire time? Well, it was time for her to go back and there was some improvement. Notice I didn't say lots of improvement.

She was fine to play in the playroom. When it was her turn I had to carry her down the hall. She sat in my lap - I had promised her I would hold her. When the gloves came out of the box is when the screaming started. The hygienist didn't touch Daisy. She handed her a toothbrush to which Daisy replied, "Thank you" (she paused from screaming to receive the brush and atleast showed that she does have manners.)

When the dentist came in to check her teeth the screaming continued. I'm being to harsh when I say scream. It's actually a cry with real tears being shed. At certain points the crying reaches a very high pitch and sounds like a scream.

Thankfully the whole event only took fifteen minutes, especially since I had all four children with me. Also, she doesn't have any cavities. I just hope that one day she will love going to the dentist as much as the other three kids. They actually argued this morning on the way to the dentist because it wasn't their turn!

It figures

Yesterday was the last day for us to swim at the water park until next year. It is closed during the week and open on the weekends until Labor Day. With John Henry still in the cast it is unlikely that we will go back. It's just too crowded for me on the weekends to keep an eye on all four kids. We may swim one day next week at the Hartselle pool since it is open next week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
So, since our swimming is going to be limited it figures that Rosie would figure out how to swim yesterday. With the boys, the thing that made a difference of not swimming and swimming was the use of goggles or a face mask. Once they could see under water, the boys took off like fish. I finally convinced Rosie to use the goggles and just LOOK under the water. Within a few minutes she was floating and then kicking her legs.
Also, by the end of our time at the pool, Daisy was jumping into the pool with her float. She even asked me to back up because she didn't need me to catch her.
Swimming has been one of my favorite things to do with the kids the last three summers. Everyone is in a good mood. The warm sun feels good on my skin. The cool water feels even better.
I'm not ready for summer as we know it to be over yet.

Sam

I have had so many emotions running through me. It is that time of year when I worry about which teacher my children will have for the year, will they know anyone in the class, how will they change this year and so on. I know this worrying doesn't help - it only stresses me out.

On top of this, Wednesday night I decided to have a crying spell. I had gotten into Rosie's bed because I was trying to get her to sleep. I had been watching the clock and as it turned 10:14pm the tears started. You see, 10/14 is my father-in-law's birthday. He died on October 19th, nearly 10 months ago. I thought that I had dealt with it. Instead, I had swept the reality of it under a rug and had been pretending it didn't happen. I feel like much of the family has done the same but I can't answer for them.

You see, my dad and I don't have much of a relationship. He left my mom when I was four. Neither of us knows how to work through 32 years to get to now. I'm not at a place in my life to write about him, yet.

John Henry's parents took me into the family. There were many nights when we first were married that JH had to work late and his mother had things to do and Sam and I would order pizza and talk or watch tv. He treated me like a daughter and I know without a doubt that he loved me like a daughter.

He had been a kidney transplant recipient before JH and I were engaged. JH's mom and dad told the nurses that I was their daughter so that I would be allowed to see him immediately after the surgery. He had numerous medical problems but always pulled through. In October when he went into the hospital I expected him to come out in a few days and life would be back to normal. While he was having a scan, he suffered a spinal stroke. He had no movement from the shoulders down. He couldn't speak because of the breathing tube. He could answer by blinking his eyes for yes and no questions. He KNEW what was happening. When the doctor told him there wasn't anything that could be done to help him, a tear rolled down his face. He had a living will. The machines were turned off at his decision. I wanted to fight him on this but was unable. I was numb with shock at how fast this was happening. Now I'm angry with myself for atleast not telling him I didn't like this decision.

Now he's gone and I just want him back.

Where did this come from?

It is summer and I thought we were safe from illness until the fall.

I wish we were safe from illness until the fall.

Yesterday Rosie complained of stomach pain off and on. Then the diarrhea started but by mid afternoon she seemed better. I thought it was just something she ate. The boys had a game last night. The diarrhea started back as soon as we got to the park. As we were leaving, the vomiting started. On the way home Lake was complaining of stomach pain.

What about Tate? He sounds like he's getting a cold. In the morning he has the 'dog cough' (his name for croup) and then has the sniffles and 'regular' cough for the rest of the day. Thankfully there is no fever.

What a way to end summer break.