bowling, cheerleading, studying, and surgery?

This title is a synopsis of my kids lives right now. As I look at their terrific report cards, it is evident to me that it doesn't come easily. Stephanie sits for at least 2 hours a night doing homework that is above me (with almost a masters degree!) so I am unable to help. Dad helps sometimes with the algebra, and my niece helps with science on occasion. Stephanie started bowling tryouts yesterday and said to me, "Mom...I am not a good bowler." "Do you want to quit?" I asked, "No, I'm just not good." I told her to stick it out through the week as they play 3 games a day for 5 days and after all that practice she may surprise herself. The bowling coach said that they are not necessarily looking for the best bowlers but the kids that are teachable and have a good attitude. That is definitely Steph, so time will tell.

We got Kristina's cheer leading practice schedule and it is on Saturday's from 1 -3. Hooray! I will be able to go....love that. Last year, Grandma had to take her every week, and I was only able to make a few games, so I find this very exciting! Will post a million pics once she gets her new super cute uniform....Kristina has applied to join the book club. Stephanie was in the book club in middle school and liked it. Kristina reads every day, some times for hours. If I had the time...you'd find me with a book all of the time! Right now, I can be found with the DSM-IV (the book that diagnoses mental illness--that I have for class right now) It is not very exciting reading, but I am learning a lot in this class. Next semester I start electives so that will be great. I'm taking the exceptional child and family violence. Oh, I shouldn't say that family violence sounds great, but these two classes will teach me what I need to know to help struggling special ed kids and families that live within the confines of domestic violence, so that is a good thing. Both girls are feeling better after the 24 hour bug, but I am not---hope I don't get it.

Yesterday I worked, ran Brennan to the Dr., dropped off Steph's latest fund raiser at RVC, dropped her off at bowling and then went to CHASI. After that (whew!) I came home to crash. I had planned to do laundry and clean the cat box, but really needed a nap. Kristina announced dinner was ready (kudos to my husband!) and I said I'm not hungry...what are we having? Steak she announced.... hmmmm, maybe I'm hungry after all! So, we all ate Steak and corn together (yes that was the menu, but one doesn't complain when it is made by someone else:). After that I felt renewed, I cleaned the cat box aka poop cage, swept the basement floor, folded two loads of laundry and washed two, read a chapter of homework and got a bit organized for today. Hooray! I farted around a bit on my new face book page, which I really don't know anything about, but am trying to learn, and also tried once again, unsuccessfully, to add a photo to the title of this blog. Just can't figure it out. My brother will be in town this weekend, so hopefully he can help with that.

Brennan is having custom orthotics made hence the Dr's appointment yesterday. My insurance doesn't pay for them of course, but he desperately needs them, so to the Dr. we went. Wow have times changed. When I had mine made, they made a casting of my foot. Now, they have a digital pad that you stand on, and then walk on so your orthotics will be custom enough to adjust to your gait. Amazing. I believe surgery is down the road for Brennan's poor right foot, that is all but collapsing and causing him pretty constant pain. I will know more when we meet with the Dr. again. I think he will have the surgery this summer, either at UW Madison or at Mayo's to have an implant put in his foot to support his collapsing ankle. Crazy! Poor guy. He's not excited about surgery, but would be excited to live without pain. What's neat is his Dr. just had the surgery over the summer, so she knows first hand all about it. Surgery is scary and a bummer for him, but I do think its necessary. At this point, his ankle looks as if it goes to the left of his foot instead of into his foot. Doesn't sound very comfortable does it? Hence....the impending surgery. On a lighter note, Brennan has gotten very good notes from his teachers all week (last week) and is making a renewed effort to "keep" the A+'s he started the quarter with. We always give him the talk that at the beginning of a semester you have A+'s. Wether or not you choose to keep them starts and ends with you. He seemed excited about this concept and is working hard to keep those A's!

Finally, we started catering at work, finally so my kitchen duty is greatly reduced, which gives me a chance to catch up on my desk. Feeling much better about that thankfully. It was a busy, busy Monday, and I'm ready to move onto a busy, busy Tuesday! Have a great day!

Feeling so lucky today...

There are definite times of the year when I feel especially lucky to live in the Midwest. Today is one of them...no jacket required, warm enough to have the sunroof open and to feel the cool breeze. Every year this tree in our front yard never ceases to amaze me with its beautiful colors. I wondered if it would change this year with the weather being so warm. Up until last week, it was still totally green. As you can tell, it was worth the wait. This tree was the "standard" front yard tree installed when these houses were newly built. Fortunately they are beautiful and almost all of the houses around me have one in their front yard :)


This morning Kevin, Brennan and I went out to breakfast. Sadly, the girls are both vomiting today :( We dropped Brennan off at his Pokemon tournament and looked around at the ISC at all of the various types of war gaming going on. We were then off to Home Depot to stalk our new refrigerator. Kevin wants Stainless, I want bisque. Good news is bisque is cheaper, so I do believe I'll win, besides, the stainless is just ugly. Sorry all you stainless owners out there, it's just not my taste :) The true problem lies in the fact that we just replaced the stove, dishwasher, and microwave in bisque, so really why would we buy a stainless fridge? I don't know either. I think that today's refrigerators may cook the food for you if you asked it to. At least I hope so. There has to be some reason they cost $2000. It certainly can't cost that just to keep your food cold. For $3000 you can get LED lighting inside. Odd...looked like something from outer space. For $4000 a TV in the door. Do you just stand in front of the fridge to watch TV then? I guess I don't really understand that concept. I believe the $2000 will adequately chill our food, and with the french door design, I'll even be able to fit a frozen pizza in the freezer. What new found freedom that will be! So....envision this soon in my kitchen in bisque :D
After home depot, I was off to Sarah's upper case living party...what terrific things they have! For all of you AU readers, I will be having a window decal for purchase that says George Williams College School of Social Work available for purchase. I'll bring a sample to class next week. I'm also having a book party and will be stalking my friends for orders...I know you're all looking forward to that already, but really...it's the coolest stuff. Check out the link to the right at Upper Case Living to check out their really cool stuff. So, now I'm home and off to laundry, cleaning the kitchen, and homework....if my current migraine allows (2nd day of this one) It would be fine with me if it would leave soon. Got some new meds from the Dr., but they knock me out, so I need to get some required items done before taking that. At least it's bearable today. Hope you all had a great weekend....for my scrap club friends, I'll see you all Saturday at Sarah's....can't wait.

Grades

Gee, I almost missed a proud moment...I love that Harlem has family access. It allows me to log in to see my kids grades the day they're posted...no more waiting for report cards. So...Stephanie's grades looked like this... AP Writing Enrichment A, AP Intermediate Algebra B (89.7% which personally I call an A, but they call it a B :)). Choir B,PE A, AP Experimental Physical Science A. Really couldn't be prouder. She had college visits today at Upward Bound. If I had to choose today, I'd send her to Wesleyan. Looks like they have a great Pre physical therapy program there and also many minors available in the fine arts. Right up her alley but time will tell.

Kristina had her best report card ever...Conduct/Effort A, Reading A+, English A, Math A+, Spelling B (A GREAT accomplishment here), Science A+, Social Studies A+, Handwriting B+, Art B+, Music E, and PE S. In work habits and social development she got all E's :) which stands for excellent by the way. When I was in school we got E's where now kids get F's...She also had perfect attendance. That's my little mini me! Kristina wants to be a teacher when she grows up...no surprise there! Think what a cute classroom she'll have, and how lucky kids will be to have her for a teacher.

Brennan...well let's just say he's adjusting to middle school and has some work left to do. After his last conference I think we are all on the same page and I have seen marked improvement in his performance already. He passed 2 classes and failed 2, so I am looking for a much better report card next time. He has adjusted well to changing classes, having a locker, a new huge school, and getting himself on the bus on time. First things first for him:) Good that I love him in spite of himself. He's preparing for his pokemon prerelease tournament tomorrow and is seeking a career in game design or testing. Time will tell on that also.

Feelin Groovy

Yes, I'm feeling so much better. Nothing like a drive to Lake Geneva with blaring music to clear my head :) I finished school this morning, caught a quick nap and headed down to Rochelle to watch Krisitna's performance in the Orff Ensemble. They had a great mix of African drums, choir hand bells, folk dancing, choir and Orff. Stephanie drove there and back so she has 2 hours to add to her required 50. Now that Stephanie drives, the funniest thing has happened. You know how when you get ready to go somewhere and one of your kids "calls" the front seat? Well, it's now Kevin or I "calling" the front seat and then racing to the car to see who gets there first to get it! No it's not pretty, but it IS necessary, since I don't really care to sit in the back :) We had dinner at our new favorite Mexican Restaurant--and no I can't think of the name of it...Tomorrow, laundry catch up, naps, homework, housecleaning, going to Sarah's for a party, and perhaps shopping for a new fridge if time allows. So glad to be feelin' groovy again:D

Guilty

Yesterday, I worked 6a til 8p. My daughter called to see when and if I was actually coming home. Guilt. My brother called to let me know he was broke and his cat had no food, could he borrow some? Guilt. My professor sent a 130 page assignment yesterday due today. I have no time to do it. Guilt. I cannot afford to sign my daughter up for bowling and my other daughter up for cheer leading, yet I am working 70 hours a week, every week with no end in sight. Guilt. I feel really tired, and dizzy, and weepy, I assume due to the schedule I am keeping. When I don't take care of myself...more guilt. Today, I have on a white sock and a grey sock...who knows what the kids are wearing. I hope it's clean. Guilt. My desk has 36 portfolios on it that have been sitting there waiting for me over two weeks. Guilt. The program teaches us to "screw guilt". Sometimes that is very hard. For me...most times that is very hard. Usually, I would say something to lighten the mood, perhaps crack a joke. Today....not so. Just a lot of guilt.

The cutest kids ever

I rushed home from work to make Brennan's costume. I really wouldn't consider that too last minute, would you? I worked 6 a - 5p and still had the costume done by 6p. I knew it wouldn't take long, it was really pretty simple. So anyway, he was pleased as punch with his costume, said it was perfect and that he would be wearing it "a lot". Where he will be wearing it to, I don't know. (Please God, don't let him have it on at school today!) He chose to be his Pokemon hero Ash Ketchum this year instead of the traditional Pikachu or "anything with a sword" as he has chosen in previous years. I purchased Kristina's pieces for her costume last Friday at 3:30 when I happened to be at the mall at which time she called to remind me she needed her costume for a party at 5:30 that very same day. It all worked out. I got the costume, she made her party and a good time was had by all. Now, I know you find it surprising that I think my kids are cute...but really they are. Last night they loaded up with cell phones and were on their own. I enjoyed staying home with Kevin and just answering the door...different, but peaceful. I only had to call Brennan once when I began to worry about him being out alone, and Kevin only had to call Kristina once to let her know that Trick or Treating was indeed over now and she would need to come home! Stephanie (being too old to trick or treat) was my great nephew Robert's chaperon. We borrowed a costume from my friend Angie and he was the CUTEST care bear ever! He walked around the block with Stephanie until he began screaming cookie, cookie, cookie, and had to be brought home to indulge in some candy! He wasn't sure what it was, he just knew he wanted it! After everyone returned home and settled in, I decided Robert (who had no nap that day and was on a slight sugar high) should have a bath and get ready for bed. Stephanie ran the tub for him and determined he was poopy and that I should change him before bath time. While telling me this she was leaning on the door jam with her fingers in the crack of the bathroom door. Guess what happened next...Robert, in his excitement for the bath, shut Stephanie's hand in the door and climbed into the tub, clothes, diaper, poop and all! Stephanie was screaming hysterically (note to self....child does NOT handle pain well, tell her to never have children) Kevin was running toward her, not sure why she was bellowing so loudly, and Robert (completely clothed) was happily splashing in the bathtub. {pause for a moment to picture the scene} Got Steph some ice and hugs, assessed the damage and assured her nothing was broken and it would be ok, gathered the soaking wet Robert out of the bathtub who then began screaming because his bath was interrupted, cleaned the tub out, stripped him down, refilled the tub, put him in, washed his hair (more screaming here) and played with him a bit in the tub. I checked on Steph again who was now covered in band aids, and headed off to collapse in bed. All just a part of being mom to the cutest kids ever :)

Kristina aka Hannah Montana
My great nephew Robert

Brennan aka Ash Red and Black spidey Jason and Ethan

And of course, Zoe Hope you had a happy halloween~

Ye Olde Punkin Carving Tradition

We improved upon our timeliness this year and actually got the pumpkins carved the day before Halloween this year. (Am I the picture of organized or what?) {Everyone chuckles to themselves here!} With my sensory defensiveness, I cannot possibly clean out a pumpkin. OK, when my kids were little I used to do it with the enormous latex gloves on, but now, I have them! Perfect! Kristina and Stephanie gutted the pumpkins after I cut the hole in the tops. They drew on the faces and did their best carving without any injuries and without losing any fingers. Kristina has always wanted to buy the little tiny pumpkin gourds to go with our big pumpkins and this year we could actually afford the 79 cents each for the baby pumpkins. Perhaps her world is complete now! The best part of this year's display is the pumpkin light that Sarah & I got off ebay a few years ago. The shipping took forever and I believe they arrived after Halloween that year, and then of course I misplaced it for a few years, but the last time I found it, I put it on top of the fridge so I'd be ready this year! Lo and behold, there it was when I went to get it! It changes 7 different colors and flashes and there's no candle to worry about the house burning down...Here

are the girls' creations for this year...