It went something like this:
The setting: 1:20 am, Sheldon is sitting at the desk, working hard and diligent, preparing Chase’s Ipod for the big reveal, wanting it to be all set up when the boy received it. A few curse words here, a few curse words there. A few memories of the days of putting toys together on Christmas Eve and thinking that was a pain in the arse.
Here is the way the conversations leading up to the exciting opening of Santa’s loot.
1:30am- Michelle: Sheldon, please just give up, let me wrap it and let’s go to bed.
Sheldon: Heavy sighing, little mumbling….
Michelle: We need to go to bed; it is just a matter of hours before we will be summoned by the kids.
Sheldon: Fine, but it is not ready, so I will just leave it hooked up, I will set the alarm and get up in one hour to make sure it is complete, then you can wrap it.
Michelle: Fine
{The time is now 2am}
Mackenzie: Mom, is it time?
Mom: NOO, go back to sleep.
{The time is not 2:14}
Chase: Mom is it time?
Mom: NOO, go back to sleep.
{The time is now 2:45am}
Mackenzie: Mom, is it time?
Mom: NOO, go back to sleep.
{The time is not 2:57}
Chase: Mom is it time?
Mom: NOO, go back to sleep.
At this point, I realize that there is no sleep in my future, so, get up…but wait, the Ipod is still not wrapped. I must sneak past the kid’s bedroom, retrieve it, go into kitchen and wrap it. I feel like I am a guest character on Mission Impossible as I work my way to the kitchen passing both of their rooms. I get the present wrapped, and head back to bed, thinking maybe I have at least a half hour.
{The time is now 3:16am}
Mackenzie: Mom, is it time?
Mom: NOO, go back to sleep.
{The time is not 3:24am}
Chase: Mom is it time?
Mom: NOO, go back to sleep.
Realizing that I will never get any sleep now, I roll over, nudge Sheldon, telling him to wake up, he grumbles loudly IN HIS SLEEP, cause he has escaped all this fun of waking every time my eyes closed. My theory was if we just got up, let the kids have their loot, perhaps I could get at least an hour of sleep before having to get up to go to D2’s at 8am.
The next time Chase entered, (3:30am) we got up. Sheldon was still grumbling as we made our way through the house to get to the living room.
The kids were way excited, the smiles and shouts of enthusiasm made it all worth it…mostly.
We laid back down for a catnap around 5am, arising again at 7am to go to our next designation to receive a few more cool presents. It is now 1:19am, now December 26th, and I am so tired, I cannot sleep…yeah me. Sheldon apparently does not have the same problem as he is snoring, sucking all the air out of our room…maybe I am not sleep deprived, maybe it is the air I am deprived of????
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Memories
The day is finally here. CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!! The kids are bouncing with excitement. I am excited that they are excited.
Monday night they were talking about how tomorrow (Tuesday) they could say it was the day before Christmas Eve. So yesterday morning, they stumble out of bed, sleepy eyed, but only for a couple of minutes. Then they seemed to wake fully and start with the today is the day before Christmas Eve chant. I can hardly wait for them to wake this morning, knowing that the excitement will be 10 times more intense.
Chase and Mackenzie are planning the sleeping arrangements for the tonight. What time will they go to bed, when they will get up, who will wake who up...
In fact, Chase has set the alarm on his cell phone to wake him up at 3am. Note to self, I have to remember to sneak that away from him and cut that off.
Every Christmas I think back on two memories from my childhood, one not so good and the other is probably one of my favorite memories of my brother and I.
Not so good...My mom and my dad, when we were all together, would let us get up whenever we woke, reasonably, anytime after 3am would be a fair guess. It was always so fun for us. We would get up, open presents, then most of the time we would all curl up on the living room floor and go back to sleep. I would always curl up with my new doll, since I got one every year!!! (I loved dolls so much.)
After my mom and dad separated, our Christmas mornings were traded, one year with mom, the next with dad. The first year we were at dad's, my new step-mother was listening to me and the excitement that I was bounding with. When I got the part of getting up anytime after 3, she burst my bubble so bad. She looked at me, her smile gone, and told me, "OH NO, you will not get up until after 7." I was totally crushed. I almost could care less about Christmas that year after that moment. I am not sure what happened between mom and dad, but that was our last Christmas morning there. (I loved my step-mother very much, this was just a bump in the road.)
My favorite memory...and it is a favorite, possibly one of my favorite childhood memories. Once my mom and dad had separated, and it was just mom, Tim, and myself nothing changed about the early waking. But the waking happened like this:
Mom and I shared a room. I had a small bed on one side of the room and she had her bed on the other. My brother had his own room. Every year, I would be sleeping, dreaming of sugar plums, when someone would grab my toe. I would look up, and there would be my Tim. He would motion for me to go wake Mom. So, I would. Do you know how heavy an adults leg weighs? Well I do. I do because she would ALWAYS have me lie down beside her, and she would wrap her arm and leg over me and begin rocking back and forth, trying to get me to go back to sleep. She would doze off, but I would be trapped. All the while, Tim keeps coming to the door and making motions for me to wake her up. Every time I would try, she would say, "Shhhh, go back to sleep honey." This would go on for maybe an hour before she would give in.
When she gave in, she would tell me to go wake Tim. Now we all know he has orchestrated this whole scheme. I would go into his room, and "wake" him. EXCEPT, he would pretend to be sleeping and wake up grouchy and disrupted that I would be waking him at a God awful time of morning. He would do the big brother bashing the little sister act. EVERY YEAR we did this. He always denied it, and what proof did I have? I was the little girl who was way more (or expressed way more) excitement about Christmas than he had. UG.
This continued on year after year. The funniest one for me now is the Christmas that he had first been married. He and my sister in law spent the night at our house. Yes, he did the same thing early in the morning. When I ran around waking everyone, he pretended to be sleeping. My sister in law was in shock that we were up so early, she did not "wake" for a good 30 minutes. Do you think anyone would believe the younger sister, when Tim was a married man and all? Well, let me tell you, NO NO NO.
To this day when this comes up, Tim will grin but still will not confess. I think by the time we were grown, Mom and D2 knew but played along.
I fully expect to be up in the wee hours of the morning. My husband never really did big Christmas' as a child so this is all foreign to him. He grumbles and says crazy stuff like, "I cannot believe..." and that is where I stop him. I like getting up, it is what we do, and I will never be my step-mother and squash that for the kids. Sooner than we can imagine, Sheldon and I will be waking up alone on Christmas morning, we better savor every part of the fun now. If they want to get up at 3, we get up at 3. I mean really, they have been excited about this day for 364 days!!!
Merry Christmas to all, and I hope you too get woken up at the crack of dawn. Have fun.
Monday night they were talking about how tomorrow (Tuesday) they could say it was the day before Christmas Eve. So yesterday morning, they stumble out of bed, sleepy eyed, but only for a couple of minutes. Then they seemed to wake fully and start with the today is the day before Christmas Eve chant. I can hardly wait for them to wake this morning, knowing that the excitement will be 10 times more intense.
Chase and Mackenzie are planning the sleeping arrangements for the tonight. What time will they go to bed, when they will get up, who will wake who up...
In fact, Chase has set the alarm on his cell phone to wake him up at 3am. Note to self, I have to remember to sneak that away from him and cut that off.
Every Christmas I think back on two memories from my childhood, one not so good and the other is probably one of my favorite memories of my brother and I.
Not so good...My mom and my dad, when we were all together, would let us get up whenever we woke, reasonably, anytime after 3am would be a fair guess. It was always so fun for us. We would get up, open presents, then most of the time we would all curl up on the living room floor and go back to sleep. I would always curl up with my new doll, since I got one every year!!! (I loved dolls so much.)
After my mom and dad separated, our Christmas mornings were traded, one year with mom, the next with dad. The first year we were at dad's, my new step-mother was listening to me and the excitement that I was bounding with. When I got the part of getting up anytime after 3, she burst my bubble so bad. She looked at me, her smile gone, and told me, "OH NO, you will not get up until after 7." I was totally crushed. I almost could care less about Christmas that year after that moment. I am not sure what happened between mom and dad, but that was our last Christmas morning there. (I loved my step-mother very much, this was just a bump in the road.)
My favorite memory...and it is a favorite, possibly one of my favorite childhood memories. Once my mom and dad had separated, and it was just mom, Tim, and myself nothing changed about the early waking. But the waking happened like this:
Mom and I shared a room. I had a small bed on one side of the room and she had her bed on the other. My brother had his own room. Every year, I would be sleeping, dreaming of sugar plums, when someone would grab my toe. I would look up, and there would be my Tim. He would motion for me to go wake Mom. So, I would. Do you know how heavy an adults leg weighs? Well I do. I do because she would ALWAYS have me lie down beside her, and she would wrap her arm and leg over me and begin rocking back and forth, trying to get me to go back to sleep. She would doze off, but I would be trapped. All the while, Tim keeps coming to the door and making motions for me to wake her up. Every time I would try, she would say, "Shhhh, go back to sleep honey." This would go on for maybe an hour before she would give in.
When she gave in, she would tell me to go wake Tim. Now we all know he has orchestrated this whole scheme. I would go into his room, and "wake" him. EXCEPT, he would pretend to be sleeping and wake up grouchy and disrupted that I would be waking him at a God awful time of morning. He would do the big brother bashing the little sister act. EVERY YEAR we did this. He always denied it, and what proof did I have? I was the little girl who was way more (or expressed way more) excitement about Christmas than he had. UG.
This continued on year after year. The funniest one for me now is the Christmas that he had first been married. He and my sister in law spent the night at our house. Yes, he did the same thing early in the morning. When I ran around waking everyone, he pretended to be sleeping. My sister in law was in shock that we were up so early, she did not "wake" for a good 30 minutes. Do you think anyone would believe the younger sister, when Tim was a married man and all? Well, let me tell you, NO NO NO.
To this day when this comes up, Tim will grin but still will not confess. I think by the time we were grown, Mom and D2 knew but played along.
I fully expect to be up in the wee hours of the morning. My husband never really did big Christmas' as a child so this is all foreign to him. He grumbles and says crazy stuff like, "I cannot believe..." and that is where I stop him. I like getting up, it is what we do, and I will never be my step-mother and squash that for the kids. Sooner than we can imagine, Sheldon and I will be waking up alone on Christmas morning, we better savor every part of the fun now. If they want to get up at 3, we get up at 3. I mean really, they have been excited about this day for 364 days!!!
Merry Christmas to all, and I hope you too get woken up at the crack of dawn. Have fun.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Counting Down
The countdown is on…
Last week I counted down for Friday, which was my last day from work until Monday the 28th! Now I am off this whole week and I am ecstatic about it. It is Sunday night and oh what a feeling it is to know that I do not have to get up and go to work in the morning.
The kids are counting presents under the tree to see who has the most. I am certainly losing with only one gift under there at this time, however, I am typing on my Christmas present, as I have a brand new laptop. Yippee! (It types so smoothly, I have WiFi that picks up at my house, it has all these cool things…) There are many many gifts under there, and only a few belong to others. I am getting so excited about the gifts that I have chosen for everyone.
Chase is counting down the days before Tuesday, he is expecting a friend to come over. He is planning all the things they are going to do. I am not sure, but I am pretty confident that aggravating Mackenzie is in the plan.
Sheldon and I are counting down the days before Christmas Eve. D2 always takes the kids to see his aunt in Roanoke Rapids. Sheldon and I will have a day to ourselves. We will be busy wrapping, stashing, hiding and giggling preparing for the big night. I will probably be doing a little baking, Santa will have to the perfect snack when he comes by.
The kids are counting down the days before Christmas. I bet they have been to the calendar 10 times just today. I am guessing they think that it might miraculously change from one hour to the next.
I personally am counting down the minutes before bedtime, so these urchins that are sucking the life our of me will be safely tucked away for the evening….
Last week I counted down for Friday, which was my last day from work until Monday the 28th! Now I am off this whole week and I am ecstatic about it. It is Sunday night and oh what a feeling it is to know that I do not have to get up and go to work in the morning.
The kids are counting presents under the tree to see who has the most. I am certainly losing with only one gift under there at this time, however, I am typing on my Christmas present, as I have a brand new laptop. Yippee! (It types so smoothly, I have WiFi that picks up at my house, it has all these cool things…) There are many many gifts under there, and only a few belong to others. I am getting so excited about the gifts that I have chosen for everyone.
Chase is counting down the days before Tuesday, he is expecting a friend to come over. He is planning all the things they are going to do. I am not sure, but I am pretty confident that aggravating Mackenzie is in the plan.
Sheldon and I are counting down the days before Christmas Eve. D2 always takes the kids to see his aunt in Roanoke Rapids. Sheldon and I will have a day to ourselves. We will be busy wrapping, stashing, hiding and giggling preparing for the big night. I will probably be doing a little baking, Santa will have to the perfect snack when he comes by.
The kids are counting down the days before Christmas. I bet they have been to the calendar 10 times just today. I am guessing they think that it might miraculously change from one hour to the next.
I personally am counting down the minutes before bedtime, so these urchins that are sucking the life our of me will be safely tucked away for the evening….
Thursday, December 11, 2008
What We Have Been Up To Lately
It is amazing how fast time goes. I remember hearing my elders saying this while I was a kid. It
made absolutely no since at all. Boy has it clicked now. For example, my last post was on the first of December. It seems like it was the day before yesterday when I wrote that one.
So what's been going on in the Perkins house? It seems like we are busy all the time, so I should be able to remember right? (I also remember my elders taking about when you get old, you forget things...Hmmmmm)
Last Friday, Sheldon and I both had the day off. We took the kids to breakfast, then to school. We had some errands to run, one being at the mall. We found this awesome sale on men's clothes. Sheldon needed some new things since he was to start his new position in Investigation the following Monday. I will not go into great detail about what all we bought, but when I added the regular (not on sale) prices, it was $1140. I paid $239 for them. I was way excited, as was Sheldon. He almost got a new wardrobe, and a brand new very nice suit.
We went to pick up his take home car over the weekend. It is pretty awesome. It is an Impiala, solid black, with black tint. It looks really sharp. He looked and has looked really handsome everyday as he has left in his dress clothes and tie. He is hot.
Tuesday night Mackenzie had a school performance of a Christmas Play. She did not have a part in the play, but she was one of the singers. I looked at all the kids up there with her. Mackenzie seemed to shine to me, because she is so animated. When she is performing she looks so happy. She seems to thrive on the performing arts.
Chase got his interim reports this week, all A's again. I am so proud of his hard work. Tomorrow night there is another school dance. He is excited.
I have been buried in Christmas cards. I think tomorrow I will be able to put them in the mail. That will be such a relief.
We are all on the count down, the kids get out of school on the 19th and that is my last day at work until the week after Christmas. I am so looking forward to the time off. I take a vacation every Summer but we are out of town. I love this vacation time because I am home, with the kids, slow pace, sleep until I wake, no schedule, no rush rush!!! Did I mention we were counting the days down? Well we are!!
made absolutely no since at all. Boy has it clicked now. For example, my last post was on the first of December. It seems like it was the day before yesterday when I wrote that one.
So what's been going on in the Perkins house? It seems like we are busy all the time, so I should be able to remember right? (I also remember my elders taking about when you get old, you forget things...Hmmmmm)
Last Friday, Sheldon and I both had the day off. We took the kids to breakfast, then to school. We had some errands to run, one being at the mall. We found this awesome sale on men's clothes. Sheldon needed some new things since he was to start his new position in Investigation the following Monday. I will not go into great detail about what all we bought, but when I added the regular (not on sale) prices, it was $1140. I paid $239 for them. I was way excited, as was Sheldon. He almost got a new wardrobe, and a brand new very nice suit.
We went to pick up his take home car over the weekend. It is pretty awesome. It is an Impiala, solid black, with black tint. It looks really sharp. He looked and has looked really handsome everyday as he has left in his dress clothes and tie. He is hot.
Tuesday night Mackenzie had a school performance of a Christmas Play. She did not have a part in the play, but she was one of the singers. I looked at all the kids up there with her. Mackenzie seemed to shine to me, because she is so animated. When she is performing she looks so happy. She seems to thrive on the performing arts.
Chase got his interim reports this week, all A's again. I am so proud of his hard work. Tomorrow night there is another school dance. He is excited.
I have been buried in Christmas cards. I think tomorrow I will be able to put them in the mail. That will be such a relief.
We are all on the count down, the kids get out of school on the 19th and that is my last day at work until the week after Christmas. I am so looking forward to the time off. I take a vacation every Summer but we are out of town. I love this vacation time because I am home, with the kids, slow pace, sleep until I wake, no schedule, no rush rush!!! Did I mention we were counting the days down? Well we are!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Excitement Starts to Build
Thanksgiving was great here in the Perkins house. We had lots and lots of food. And then lots more. The menu began with a few items, then somehow I cooked this and that, and a little bit of this...it really was out of hand.
We had: Turkey, Ham, Deviled Eggs, Potato Salad, Macaroni and Cheese, Lima Beans, Corn, Turnip Greens, Sweet Potato Casserole, Dressing, Gravy, Squash, Rolls, Peanut Butter Pie, Chocolate Pie, Pumpkin Mousse Pie, and Rice Crispy Treats for the kids.
All this food for...ready? It was for 5 adults, 3 kids. Sheldon was at work, but I did take some food to him and his guys at the Police Department. Can I just say...left overs for days. I am tired of left overs. We had Spaghetti yesterday at D2's for supper. That was the best spaghetti ever, what a different taste than 3 day old turkey.
I shopped all day on Friday. When I say all day, I mean that I left home at 3am, and I returned home at 4pm. I loved it. I love the crowds, I love the fight of the last one, I love getting up and standing in a line at a store that I don't even need anything from, I love spending the day with my sister in law and my niece. I just love it.
I put my tree up on Saturday. This has to be the earliest I have done this in many years. My kids are driving me crazy. I think I liked it better when they could not read the names on the gifts. I put 4 gifts under the tree that have their names on them, Lord Jesus, they have begged and begged to open them now.
I do like the fact that now that we are decorated, it has sparked the excitement of Christmas with them. They are planning where they will sleep Christmas night, they cannot seem to understand why I will not let them sleep on the couch by the tree...(it is hard enough sneaking the gifts in as it is) They are asking what I told Santa to get them, they are revising their list, it is just fun. I like being the mommy and hearing all these excited questions, and remember asking the same things.
I am pretty certain that Chase knows there is no Santa, but he is doing a really good job of playing along. Mac still whole heatedly believes, however, as smart as she is, I would guess this could be our last Christmas with her believing. This makes me sad, but I guess that is just the way it works.
The joy in the kids eyes has to be my favorite part of Christmas!!!
We had: Turkey, Ham, Deviled Eggs, Potato Salad, Macaroni and Cheese, Lima Beans, Corn, Turnip Greens, Sweet Potato Casserole, Dressing, Gravy, Squash, Rolls, Peanut Butter Pie, Chocolate Pie, Pumpkin Mousse Pie, and Rice Crispy Treats for the kids.
All this food for...ready? It was for 5 adults, 3 kids. Sheldon was at work, but I did take some food to him and his guys at the Police Department. Can I just say...left overs for days. I am tired of left overs. We had Spaghetti yesterday at D2's for supper. That was the best spaghetti ever, what a different taste than 3 day old turkey.
I shopped all day on Friday. When I say all day, I mean that I left home at 3am, and I returned home at 4pm. I loved it. I love the crowds, I love the fight of the last one, I love getting up and standing in a line at a store that I don't even need anything from, I love spending the day with my sister in law and my niece. I just love it.
I put my tree up on Saturday. This has to be the earliest I have done this in many years. My kids are driving me crazy. I think I liked it better when they could not read the names on the gifts. I put 4 gifts under the tree that have their names on them, Lord Jesus, they have begged and begged to open them now.
I do like the fact that now that we are decorated, it has sparked the excitement of Christmas with them. They are planning where they will sleep Christmas night, they cannot seem to understand why I will not let them sleep on the couch by the tree...(it is hard enough sneaking the gifts in as it is) They are asking what I told Santa to get them, they are revising their list, it is just fun. I like being the mommy and hearing all these excited questions, and remember asking the same things.
I am pretty certain that Chase knows there is no Santa, but he is doing a really good job of playing along. Mac still whole heatedly believes, however, as smart as she is, I would guess this could be our last Christmas with her believing. This makes me sad, but I guess that is just the way it works.
The joy in the kids eyes has to be my favorite part of Christmas!!!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Is it Time Yet, Is It, Huh, Huh...Is It
Mac and I are going with some dear friends to see Annie tomorrow...I mean today...why am I awake at this time?? Jeez. (I am actually waiting on Sheldon to come home from work)
Mac has never seen a play like this. She has been to our local high school for plays, but that is the extent to it. Annie on Broadway is going to be so cool for her. I hope she likes it as much as I think she is going to.
Annie...many many many years ago, I remember watching this movie with my mom. I absolutely loved it. I am probably more excited to see it than she is, just because I know how big it will be. She has no concept.
Lucky and I got haircuts today. (Lucky is our toy poodle) Is it strange to anyone but me that I paid more for his haircut than I did my own??? I guess I did not get my nails clipped, a bath, and a cut...okay, I will stop complaining now that I think of it that way. Poor dog. He had gotten pretty fuzzy. Now that he is cut, he is cold. He has buried himself under the fleece pj's at the bottom of my bed. And he is less that half the size he was when I took him there. For the first few days, he sort of looks like a rat. I am sure he is cussing me out every time he has to go outside. It doesn't help that our temps here are way below normal. Today was only in the 30's. I don't think we really see this until December or January. It is down right cold.
Since I got about 2-3 inches cut off my hair, I imagine my neck will feel the cold as well. But I really like the cut, so it is worth it.
He has also been sleeping since he got home. There was a man there that I have never seen before, he told me he had whined all day. He said he had to hold him. So, yes, he is spoiled rotten, thanks to Mackenzie. He is sort of like a baby. She holds him so much, carries him around on her hip like he is a baby, she is constantly patting him and making over him. Now I guess he expects that from others now.
I started the whole cleaning up for company today. I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner again this year. I really enjoy it. My whole family will be coming. I will do all but the ham, D2 does the ham. Sheldon has to work, which is a bummer, but I cannot complain since he worked it out to be off so that I can go shopping on Black Friday. He knows how important that is for me. Get out of my way, here I come!!! I love it. The crowds, the grouchy women, getting up in the wee hours of the morning and driving to my first destination...I absolutely love it.
I want to put my tree up early this year too. I am always late getting it up, but I would love to do that the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which means I have to get up in the attic at D2's and drag it all out. That is the worst part.
Okay, so I have went on and on about really nothing at all, so I will stop here. Sheldon text'd me about 30 minutes ago, so he should be pulling in the driveway soon. I should pretend to be sleeping so he does not fuss with me about not getting sleep. He worries when I don't sleep, or maybe he is just scared of the sleep deprived Michelle....either way, gotta go.
Mac has never seen a play like this. She has been to our local high school for plays, but that is the extent to it. Annie on Broadway is going to be so cool for her. I hope she likes it as much as I think she is going to.
Annie...many many many years ago, I remember watching this movie with my mom. I absolutely loved it. I am probably more excited to see it than she is, just because I know how big it will be. She has no concept.
Lucky and I got haircuts today. (Lucky is our toy poodle) Is it strange to anyone but me that I paid more for his haircut than I did my own??? I guess I did not get my nails clipped, a bath, and a cut...okay, I will stop complaining now that I think of it that way. Poor dog. He had gotten pretty fuzzy. Now that he is cut, he is cold. He has buried himself under the fleece pj's at the bottom of my bed. And he is less that half the size he was when I took him there. For the first few days, he sort of looks like a rat. I am sure he is cussing me out every time he has to go outside. It doesn't help that our temps here are way below normal. Today was only in the 30's. I don't think we really see this until December or January. It is down right cold.
Since I got about 2-3 inches cut off my hair, I imagine my neck will feel the cold as well. But I really like the cut, so it is worth it.
He has also been sleeping since he got home. There was a man there that I have never seen before, he told me he had whined all day. He said he had to hold him. So, yes, he is spoiled rotten, thanks to Mackenzie. He is sort of like a baby. She holds him so much, carries him around on her hip like he is a baby, she is constantly patting him and making over him. Now I guess he expects that from others now.
I started the whole cleaning up for company today. I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner again this year. I really enjoy it. My whole family will be coming. I will do all but the ham, D2 does the ham. Sheldon has to work, which is a bummer, but I cannot complain since he worked it out to be off so that I can go shopping on Black Friday. He knows how important that is for me. Get out of my way, here I come!!! I love it. The crowds, the grouchy women, getting up in the wee hours of the morning and driving to my first destination...I absolutely love it.
I want to put my tree up early this year too. I am always late getting it up, but I would love to do that the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which means I have to get up in the attic at D2's and drag it all out. That is the worst part.
Okay, so I have went on and on about really nothing at all, so I will stop here. Sheldon text'd me about 30 minutes ago, so he should be pulling in the driveway soon. I should pretend to be sleeping so he does not fuss with me about not getting sleep. He worries when I don't sleep, or maybe he is just scared of the sleep deprived Michelle....either way, gotta go.
Friday, November 21, 2008
News at the Perkins House
Hi Readers!!! It has been a busy week. Well, now that I think about it, not so busy, just a little stressed.
My work has been a bit busy this week, probably because I had to be at a meeting on Monday morning, preventing me to getting to my office until close to 11:00am. Then on Wednesday we had training for our new computer system. I will not even get on that subject, I have enough praying to do for all the ugly words I said Wednesday afternoon and yesterday morning, trying to work with it.
Sheldon and I have had a lot of heart to heart talks this week. I life is about to change once again...(and for all of you that are on the edge of your seat wondering if that means we are going to have another baby...HA HA). Sheldon was approached and asked to consider a new job. He was asked on Tuesday mid-day, and was asked to give his decision on Wednesday. We did not sleep any on Tuesday night.
Sheldon accepted the job. He will now be over the Juvenile Crime Investigations at the DPD. It will be a tough job and has some pretty hard jobs he will have to carry out. I have no doubt he can handle it, but I, and he knows that there will be times that it will be very emotional days.
Everyday he makes me proud. He has really worked his way up in the police department. It is a big deal when you are approached for a job as big as this.
The job has its perks as well. He will stop the rotation schedule, and go back to the 9-5 (even though it is more like 9-6/7pm, for a while at least. He should be home every weekend, unless there is a case that evolves that he would need to be there. The other perk is he will have a take home car, which will certainly help with our gas expenses. He will not have to be in uniform everyday, instead he will be all dressed up, looking very handsome if I say so myself.
Well, that is a quick catch up, I am sure I will think of more and will be back here this weekend.
Happy Friday.
My work has been a bit busy this week, probably because I had to be at a meeting on Monday morning, preventing me to getting to my office until close to 11:00am. Then on Wednesday we had training for our new computer system. I will not even get on that subject, I have enough praying to do for all the ugly words I said Wednesday afternoon and yesterday morning, trying to work with it.
Sheldon and I have had a lot of heart to heart talks this week. I life is about to change once again...(and for all of you that are on the edge of your seat wondering if that means we are going to have another baby...HA HA). Sheldon was approached and asked to consider a new job. He was asked on Tuesday mid-day, and was asked to give his decision on Wednesday. We did not sleep any on Tuesday night.
Sheldon accepted the job. He will now be over the Juvenile Crime Investigations at the DPD. It will be a tough job and has some pretty hard jobs he will have to carry out. I have no doubt he can handle it, but I, and he knows that there will be times that it will be very emotional days.
Everyday he makes me proud. He has really worked his way up in the police department. It is a big deal when you are approached for a job as big as this.
The job has its perks as well. He will stop the rotation schedule, and go back to the 9-5 (even though it is more like 9-6/7pm, for a while at least. He should be home every weekend, unless there is a case that evolves that he would need to be there. The other perk is he will have a take home car, which will certainly help with our gas expenses. He will not have to be in uniform everyday, instead he will be all dressed up, looking very handsome if I say so myself.
Well, that is a quick catch up, I am sure I will think of more and will be back here this weekend.
Happy Friday.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
My Kids Rock
I will start this blog out saying that Sheldon passed the state exam for Instructor School on Friday. Not only did he pass, he had the highest score in the class. I am so proud of him. It was two weeks of intense studying, preparing lesson plans, and presentations. It was quite exhausting for all of us, but mostly him.
Next, I had the honor of attending award ceremonies for both kids. Thursday morning, Mackenzie had the Character Trait awards. Her ceremony wasn’t until 9:30, so she talked me into coming in and sitting in her class for about a half hour. Her teacher is amazing, I knew this before, but watching her interact and teach the children was pretty outstanding. She has so much patience.
I moved on to the gym close to 9:30 to find my seat. Eventually the kids started to file in class by class. Mackenzie seemed to be beaming. She looked so cute wearing her To the Pointe (dance) polo shirt and her little khakis. Mac received the “Responsibility Award.”
Each nine weeks there is a ceremony where certain kids get a character award, such as Responsibility, Courage, Preservation, Self Control, etc. The kids get a nice metal that is on a ribbon necklace. They look sort of like the awards that Olympian’s get upon winning. I was proud, and I took bunches of pictures, as I always do.
Friday morning, at 7:30am, Chase was invited to an A Honor Roll breakfast. It was really nice. I got to eat school sausage…been awhile since I had that, and little cartons of slushy juice. (The juice should not have ice in it, but for some reason it always had.)
We sat at a table with his best friend and his parents, shortly after we sat down, one more of Chase’s friends joined us. The principal called each child’s name out and gave them a very nice certificate. Of course these kids are getting to the “I am too cool” stage. They walked up, took the certificate, walked back to their seats and basically dropped it on the table in front of their parent. Chase was no different. Nonetheless, It was an honor to be there. I also noticed how many/few kids were in there, realizing that it was a lot, but not really when you think of the amount of students there. I was even more proud to know that Chase had earned his way to this very special breakfast.
You know, I don’t care what anyone says, my kids rock!
Next, I had the honor of attending award ceremonies for both kids. Thursday morning, Mackenzie had the Character Trait awards. Her ceremony wasn’t until 9:30, so she talked me into coming in and sitting in her class for about a half hour. Her teacher is amazing, I knew this before, but watching her interact and teach the children was pretty outstanding. She has so much patience.
I moved on to the gym close to 9:30 to find my seat. Eventually the kids started to file in class by class. Mackenzie seemed to be beaming. She looked so cute wearing her To the Pointe (dance) polo shirt and her little khakis. Mac received the “Responsibility Award.”
Each nine weeks there is a ceremony where certain kids get a character award, such as Responsibility, Courage, Preservation, Self Control, etc. The kids get a nice metal that is on a ribbon necklace. They look sort of like the awards that Olympian’s get upon winning. I was proud, and I took bunches of pictures, as I always do.
Friday morning, at 7:30am, Chase was invited to an A Honor Roll breakfast. It was really nice. I got to eat school sausage…been awhile since I had that, and little cartons of slushy juice. (The juice should not have ice in it, but for some reason it always had.)
We sat at a table with his best friend and his parents, shortly after we sat down, one more of Chase’s friends joined us. The principal called each child’s name out and gave them a very nice certificate. Of course these kids are getting to the “I am too cool” stage. They walked up, took the certificate, walked back to their seats and basically dropped it on the table in front of their parent. Chase was no different. Nonetheless, It was an honor to be there. I also noticed how many/few kids were in there, realizing that it was a lot, but not really when you think of the amount of students there. I was even more proud to know that Chase had earned his way to this very special breakfast.
You know, I don’t care what anyone says, my kids rock!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Report Card Time
The kids got their report cards this past week. They are both doing really good. Mac's teacher told me that she was a little teacher in the classroom. I wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. She assured me that Mac was a big helper and she loved her being in the class. Mac's academics are right on track. She had a few areas that were a little week, however her teacher said that most of the kids were weak in these areas, since 2nd grade reading and writing are SO different than 3rd grade. Very good Mac. We are proud of her.
I got Chase's report card this morning. Not that his was any better than hers, it is just with all the issues we had at the beginning and the previous concerns we have had with his reading, seeing his report card filled with grades starting at 93 and going up...I was reduced to tears. He has been working so hard, and it paid off for him. I feel like this will be a huge boost in his confidence. He is proud of himself.
His grades: Literature Arts--98, Math--96, Science--94, Social Studies--96.
Wow is all I can say.
I got Chase's report card this morning. Not that his was any better than hers, it is just with all the issues we had at the beginning and the previous concerns we have had with his reading, seeing his report card filled with grades starting at 93 and going up...I was reduced to tears. He has been working so hard, and it paid off for him. I feel like this will be a huge boost in his confidence. He is proud of himself.
His grades: Literature Arts--98, Math--96, Science--94, Social Studies--96.
Wow is all I can say.
Monday, November 3, 2008
A Very Special Moment
This weekend was pretty good. The kids had a great time trick or treating. Later I will have to blog about Chase’s adventure. It is quite comical.
The purpose of this blog is to share a very special moment I had this weekend. You see, my Mother was a master at cleaning, (wish I would have gotten that gene). I decided that I was going to do one of those cleanings in my office area that consist of making a bigger mess than it was originally, then getting everything organized. After about 4 hours of “this” cleaning, things were starting to look much better, I had a very strong thought of my Mom. I remembered how she would come help me do cleanings like this, and how in the beginning of these projects I would get so overwhelmed. I mean, really? I had asked her to come help me because is was such a mess and she was making a bigger mess. But in the end, my house would be so organized and beautiful. So, here I was, everything everywhere. Everywhere. So when things started falling in place, I felt such a sense of pride, and also, I knew that Mom would be proud of me.
An hour or so later, I had one last thing to put away. I said to myself, put that folder in that cabinet, and you are done.
There is a picture of my mom that I took before she was sick. It is my favorite picture, there isn’t another picture that I like any better. I like this picture so much, I have one in my living room on a table, I have one on another wall somewhere else in our house, and I have one in my room on a dresser mirror. I also have one at my office that I look at numerous times a day. This picture was also the picture that sat on top of my Mom’s closed casket. So many people commented on it. Half of those people ask for copies of it. Which, selfishly, no one got a copy. This was my happy memory, just mine. Selfishly mine.
Sometime shortly after her death, I lost the negative. This was extremely traumatic for me. I looked everywhere, many, many, many times. I never found it. I found some other negatives that were taken on the same day, but not “the” negative. I looked in every envelope with no luck.
Back to my story, my last task, I am about 1 inch away from the trash bag with an envelope that was in my hand. I opened the envelope, put my hand in it. There was a negative. I put it up to the light, it wasn’t it. It was the one that I had found so many other times, and found it lonely in its envelope. This negative had pictures taken the same day...but...once again, for some reason, I checked the already checked 137th time envelope, and yes, the negative was there. I cried.
I could not think of anything else to do but look up toward heaven and thank my Mom. She gave me a prize cause I was a good little girl and I had cleaned up like she would have.
***By the way, that is my Mom with my daughter, Mac was about 18 months to 2 years old.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Awww...Oh Well, Never Mind
Conversation with Chase this afternoon:
Chase: Hey Mom
Me: Hey Buddy
Chase: How was your day Mommy?
Me: Ok…Yours?
Chase: Good…Mommy, What’s for supper?
I knew the sweetness was a trap!
Chase: Hey Mom
Me: Hey Buddy
Chase: How was your day Mommy?
Me: Ok…Yours?
Chase: Good…Mommy, What’s for supper?
I knew the sweetness was a trap!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Family Tree
Yesterday, I was informed that one of my great uncles had passed away. I have not seen him in many years, as he does not live around here. Over dinner last night, I was telling Sheldon about his passing and how he was related to me. I got some confusing looks from Chase.
He waited until Sheldon and I stopped talking and then he asked me in so many words, how was I, he, related to so many different people, why did I talk about step people, etc.
Wow...that is such a hard question. Truth is I must have one of the most sorted families I know of. Sheldon teases me, but last night, he tried to explain his family tree, I got pretty lost pretty quickly. Sheldon's father was adopted. He had 3 blood siblings. He had 4 siblings in his adoptive family. Sheldon has met all his "true" aunts and uncles, and actually spent a lot of time with them growing up. Sheldon is very close to his cousins from his dad's adoptive family. Sheldon's mom has 3 sisters and a brother. I have never been clear on how many cousins he has on that side.
My dad's family, well, I mean his siblings and parents. My dad has one brother and a twin sister. I have 3 cousins on that side. These 3 cousins now have 4 kids amongst them.
My dad has been married three times, providing me with a total of 3 step sisters, and one step brother, also providing me with 7 step nieces.
I have one brother, and a niece from his first marriage. (Who is the apple of my eye)
My mom had 6 siblings. I have 12 cousins. Between the twelve cousins as well as my brother and I, there are ultimately 13 great grandchildren.
My mom remarried after my dad, I have a step-sister and a step-brother, I have one step-nephew from the step brother.
When I add all these up...oh my lord. I am related to....omg....47 people, with only about 4-5 of these that live far away...far away means 1-3 hours away. This of course is not including the my second cousins and their children. Everyone else lives in the same town. I live in a small town...I guess now I realize why every time we go some where we see someone that I talk to, the kids always ask me, how do you know them? I say, I am related, they ask, how? I give them a look, and usually say it is a long story. Which it is...a reeeeeaaaaallllyyyy long story.
He waited until Sheldon and I stopped talking and then he asked me in so many words, how was I, he, related to so many different people, why did I talk about step people, etc.
Wow...that is such a hard question. Truth is I must have one of the most sorted families I know of. Sheldon teases me, but last night, he tried to explain his family tree, I got pretty lost pretty quickly. Sheldon's father was adopted. He had 3 blood siblings. He had 4 siblings in his adoptive family. Sheldon has met all his "true" aunts and uncles, and actually spent a lot of time with them growing up. Sheldon is very close to his cousins from his dad's adoptive family. Sheldon's mom has 3 sisters and a brother. I have never been clear on how many cousins he has on that side.
My dad's family, well, I mean his siblings and parents. My dad has one brother and a twin sister. I have 3 cousins on that side. These 3 cousins now have 4 kids amongst them.
My dad has been married three times, providing me with a total of 3 step sisters, and one step brother, also providing me with 7 step nieces.
I have one brother, and a niece from his first marriage. (Who is the apple of my eye)
My mom had 6 siblings. I have 12 cousins. Between the twelve cousins as well as my brother and I, there are ultimately 13 great grandchildren.
My mom remarried after my dad, I have a step-sister and a step-brother, I have one step-nephew from the step brother.
When I add all these up...oh my lord. I am related to....omg....47 people, with only about 4-5 of these that live far away...far away means 1-3 hours away. This of course is not including the my second cousins and their children. Everyone else lives in the same town. I live in a small town...I guess now I realize why every time we go some where we see someone that I talk to, the kids always ask me, how do you know them? I say, I am related, they ask, how? I give them a look, and usually say it is a long story. Which it is...a reeeeeaaaaallllyyyy long story.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wow it has been days and days since I last posted. I know something had to be going on at some point over the last week and a half. Let me think...
I have managed to get out of going to our State Fair. Chase and Mackenzie both got to go with friends of theirs. This made me really happy, since I really hate the crowd. I use to really like things like that, but not so much now. Not to mention that you can go through so much money there. I was told that one ride cost about $5.00 each. Food is priced ridiculously high. I sent money with each child so I did not get out completely free, but I am positive that if Sheldon and I would have gone as well, the money spent would have been scary. You see, we would have to get a funnel cake, a roasted corn on the cob, or two, candy apples, cotton candy, plate of fries, maybe a slice of pizza, at least 2-3 drinks, and probably we would have had to try the new rage, deep fried snickers bars, or deep fried Twinkies. We would have walked away from the fair fat, half sick from eating so much...and completely broke.
Sheldon also hates being in a crowd, I mean really hates it. He gets a bit grumpy. Okay, not just a bit, he gets really grumpy. He, being a police officer, sees things I would never notice. He isn't able to do what most people can do, which is leave his job at work. He is constantly "looking."
This past Saturday, I spent the day with my two step-sisters, and two of my step-nieces. It was great seeing them, as I haven't seen one step-sister and my nieces in a long time, and when I had seem them, it was never all together. It was so nice to hang out all together. I realized how much I missed us being together. That afternoon/evening one of my nieces had a Union Ceremony. I met her partner, who was really great. The ceremony was really nice. C seems very happy, so I am very happy for her. One other great part of the day was I got to be behind my camera a lot. I love taking pictures so much, when I am doing so, I always wonder why I do not do it more often.
My brother is at Firearms Instructor School for the NC Highway Patrol. He was on a shooting team for years with the police department he was on before going to the Highway Patrol. He was first in our state at one point. Getting accepted to this school was a big deal, and once accepted, you still was not guaranteed anything. The first day there was several exercises that you had to complete and if you did not do almost perfectly on them, you went home. I talked to him late afternoon, he was relieved and nervous. He had made it through the daytime shooting, they gave him a break for supper then he had to go to night time shooting. He called me around 9pm, very excited, he had made it through.
Sheldon is going tomorrow to speak to the city council about pay increases for law enforcement officers. Sheldon is a very composed man, let me just tell you tonight, he is not so composed. He is stressed. Very stressed. I know he will, as always, do a great job. I can tell him that, but really? I have never had to stand in front of city officials and fight for the city officers. I would be pretty "un-composed" as well. I am always so proud of him and his accomplishments. He has done so well with his career.
I must go now, he needs to read his speech...cause 142 times is just not enough.
I have managed to get out of going to our State Fair. Chase and Mackenzie both got to go with friends of theirs. This made me really happy, since I really hate the crowd. I use to really like things like that, but not so much now. Not to mention that you can go through so much money there. I was told that one ride cost about $5.00 each. Food is priced ridiculously high. I sent money with each child so I did not get out completely free, but I am positive that if Sheldon and I would have gone as well, the money spent would have been scary. You see, we would have to get a funnel cake, a roasted corn on the cob, or two, candy apples, cotton candy, plate of fries, maybe a slice of pizza, at least 2-3 drinks, and probably we would have had to try the new rage, deep fried snickers bars, or deep fried Twinkies. We would have walked away from the fair fat, half sick from eating so much...and completely broke.
Sheldon also hates being in a crowd, I mean really hates it. He gets a bit grumpy. Okay, not just a bit, he gets really grumpy. He, being a police officer, sees things I would never notice. He isn't able to do what most people can do, which is leave his job at work. He is constantly "looking."
This past Saturday, I spent the day with my two step-sisters, and two of my step-nieces. It was great seeing them, as I haven't seen one step-sister and my nieces in a long time, and when I had seem them, it was never all together. It was so nice to hang out all together. I realized how much I missed us being together. That afternoon/evening one of my nieces had a Union Ceremony. I met her partner, who was really great. The ceremony was really nice. C seems very happy, so I am very happy for her. One other great part of the day was I got to be behind my camera a lot. I love taking pictures so much, when I am doing so, I always wonder why I do not do it more often.
My brother is at Firearms Instructor School for the NC Highway Patrol. He was on a shooting team for years with the police department he was on before going to the Highway Patrol. He was first in our state at one point. Getting accepted to this school was a big deal, and once accepted, you still was not guaranteed anything. The first day there was several exercises that you had to complete and if you did not do almost perfectly on them, you went home. I talked to him late afternoon, he was relieved and nervous. He had made it through the daytime shooting, they gave him a break for supper then he had to go to night time shooting. He called me around 9pm, very excited, he had made it through.
Sheldon is going tomorrow to speak to the city council about pay increases for law enforcement officers. Sheldon is a very composed man, let me just tell you tonight, he is not so composed. He is stressed. Very stressed. I know he will, as always, do a great job. I can tell him that, but really? I have never had to stand in front of city officials and fight for the city officers. I would be pretty "un-composed" as well. I am always so proud of him and his accomplishments. He has done so well with his career.
I must go now, he needs to read his speech...cause 142 times is just not enough.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Saturday Stuff
Do you know what happens when little girls go to lock ins (sleep over) at the dance studio? Well, let me tell you. They get dropped off at 7:30 pm, and get picked up at 9:00 am. During these 14 hours they play, dance, gossip...I am sure since that is what girls do, and they don't sleep. 8 year old little girls really need their beauty sleep. Today, I figured out what the term "beauty sleep" really means. It may mean that when girls don't sleep they look tired, which is not always attractive, but I think the real meaning is, the opposite of beauty...ugly. No sleep for 8 year olds means they can give really "ugly" looks, they can have "ugly" thoughts, they think everyone else is being "ugly"...until...they are MADE to lay down and nap. Napping is good. The only bad thing about napping is the first 30 minutes after they wake up, they are more unbearable than before they laid down, making you doubt your decision to MAKE them take a nap.
Chase had a friend come over today. We had heard lots about his friend. Chase really has became really good friends with him. Chase has been begging to have a friend come over for some time now. We picked L up after he finished his baseball game. Before we got half way home, I had realized why Chase liked him. He is a good kid. He is also very funny. Chase is very funny...the two of them play off each other making them freaking hilarious.
This nap I spoke of only happened because I made Mac lay down in my bed, knowing that if she laid in her bed there would be many distractions and she would remain in her state of illness. I told her she had to at least lay down with me for one show on tv...30 minutes long. Mommies know everything right?? Well, I knew if she got still, I would win and she would be asleep long before the 30 minute show ended. The only problem with this was I had to lay down with her, to keep her from feeling like she was missing anything...which resulted in me being still for 30 minutes...which then resulted in me falling asleep too.
During our little nap, Sheldon supervised the boys. I woke up, or sort of heard while I was sleeping, lots of laughing, a nerf battery operated machine gun, lots of running, some yelling...they were having a blast. I had a small dilema when I decided to get up. If I opened my bedroom door, Mac would surely be woken up by all the chaos. Not good. I very easily slid out of bed, waited by my bedroom door until I knew the machine gun needed reloaded, then I very quickly opened the door and shut it as quietly as I could. Whew...she was still snoozing!!
One of the reasons L was here was because Chase wanted him to go to church with us tonight. I think they had fun. This church we are visiting has the feeling that if the kids are having lots of fun they will not burn out and perhaps continue going to church as adults. (Which is exactly what happened to me, church was pretty boring and I was made to go, so when I became an adult...I did not go, or when I did it was so sporadic) They strongly urge all the kids to go to different clubs. In the clubs they have small discussions, then they are let loose to have as much fun as possible. For example, the room Chase goes to has many x-boxes in it. I think (since it is not really cool for Mom's to go in there) that there is lots of things in there that is cool. Mackenzie class has video games too, lots of floor games, a big screen where they watch music videos and dance crazily, there is a fully stocked snack bar, with free snacks...and by the way, I know this because I have been allowed to walk in there, apparently 3rd graders still want their mommies to walk them in. Mac had fun tonight, as did Chase and L. They were all very excited...translated to very wild when we got into the van to leave.
Sheldon and I really like this church as well, which I mentioned in an earlier post, is very big for us, since in our 17 years of being together, (marriage and dating) church was awkward for us. We just did not seem to relate to any church's ways. I have went to the church we had joined for many years. Oddly, I mostly went just for the Sunday school class. I honestly did not "feel" the sermons there. So, for once, Sheldon and I feel like we have found somewhere that is going to work for us. The kids are happy and we really like the services. This is a very, very contemporary church. The music is awesome, the preacher is a phenomenal speaker. I have looked forward to going back all week. I feel like that will probably be the case this week as well.
Can I tell you how great it feels for us to all like something at the same thing at the same time...
Chase had a friend come over today. We had heard lots about his friend. Chase really has became really good friends with him. Chase has been begging to have a friend come over for some time now. We picked L up after he finished his baseball game. Before we got half way home, I had realized why Chase liked him. He is a good kid. He is also very funny. Chase is very funny...the two of them play off each other making them freaking hilarious.
This nap I spoke of only happened because I made Mac lay down in my bed, knowing that if she laid in her bed there would be many distractions and she would remain in her state of illness. I told her she had to at least lay down with me for one show on tv...30 minutes long. Mommies know everything right?? Well, I knew if she got still, I would win and she would be asleep long before the 30 minute show ended. The only problem with this was I had to lay down with her, to keep her from feeling like she was missing anything...which resulted in me being still for 30 minutes...which then resulted in me falling asleep too.
During our little nap, Sheldon supervised the boys. I woke up, or sort of heard while I was sleeping, lots of laughing, a nerf battery operated machine gun, lots of running, some yelling...they were having a blast. I had a small dilema when I decided to get up. If I opened my bedroom door, Mac would surely be woken up by all the chaos. Not good. I very easily slid out of bed, waited by my bedroom door until I knew the machine gun needed reloaded, then I very quickly opened the door and shut it as quietly as I could. Whew...she was still snoozing!!
One of the reasons L was here was because Chase wanted him to go to church with us tonight. I think they had fun. This church we are visiting has the feeling that if the kids are having lots of fun they will not burn out and perhaps continue going to church as adults. (Which is exactly what happened to me, church was pretty boring and I was made to go, so when I became an adult...I did not go, or when I did it was so sporadic) They strongly urge all the kids to go to different clubs. In the clubs they have small discussions, then they are let loose to have as much fun as possible. For example, the room Chase goes to has many x-boxes in it. I think (since it is not really cool for Mom's to go in there) that there is lots of things in there that is cool. Mackenzie class has video games too, lots of floor games, a big screen where they watch music videos and dance crazily, there is a fully stocked snack bar, with free snacks...and by the way, I know this because I have been allowed to walk in there, apparently 3rd graders still want their mommies to walk them in. Mac had fun tonight, as did Chase and L. They were all very excited...translated to very wild when we got into the van to leave.
Sheldon and I really like this church as well, which I mentioned in an earlier post, is very big for us, since in our 17 years of being together, (marriage and dating) church was awkward for us. We just did not seem to relate to any church's ways. I have went to the church we had joined for many years. Oddly, I mostly went just for the Sunday school class. I honestly did not "feel" the sermons there. So, for once, Sheldon and I feel like we have found somewhere that is going to work for us. The kids are happy and we really like the services. This is a very, very contemporary church. The music is awesome, the preacher is a phenomenal speaker. I have looked forward to going back all week. I feel like that will probably be the case this week as well.
Can I tell you how great it feels for us to all like something at the same thing at the same time...
Friday, October 10, 2008
Proud, I am A Proud Momma
I have had two incidents this week where I thought, wow, that is my child...wow! Let me explain.
I will start with Chase: Everyone knows how much anxiety Chase has experienced about school. It has been a really hard transition for him. Chase really struggles with reading. Because of this his self esteem is really low. I think that this fact has contributed to his anxiety about school. Never having a textbook before, and being handed four (one for each core class) all being at least one and a half inch thick...this is pretty overwhelming for him.
Anyway, Sheldon and I decided since one-he was still struggling at home with the anxiety, and two-because there was a schedule mix up we did not have a chance to meet his teachers, that we would have a conference with his team-this includes his four core teachers and his inclusion teacher (she is in some of his classes, she helps him when he needs it, as well as a few other kids, but because she works with different groups consisting of the inclusion students and other kids he does not know she is providing services for him)
So we meet with the five of them. We first explain to them the concerns we have had with his anxiety level, then we explained that we certainly knew he was an 11 year old boy and he would not be perfect, but asked that they remember his anxiety if they had to discipline him. Our concern is that if something happens in any class, the rest of the day he would be so anxious that there would not be any comprehension. His teachers were so understanding, and told us that they had seen the look on his face when he was nervous and they had all found ways to reassure him. It made me feel good that they had taken the time to recognize this and was taking the time address it with him.
Okay, on to the proud moment part. Each teacher took turns to tell us how he was doing in class. Four teachers repeated one by one that Chase is very well behaved, he is a hard worker, he is outgoing, he participates in class discussions, he is responsible, he has lots of friends, he seems to be a leader and not a follower...and then...his Science teacher told us his average in her class was a high B, his Math teacher tells us that his average in her class is 100-an A, his Social Studies teacher told us that his average in his class is 100-A, and then Literature Arts...100-A. My son, the one who has struggled, he is in typical classrooms and his lowest grade is an 87! We are so proud of him.
Mackenzie: I had a pretty bad day on Thursday, personally. Mackenzie had dance until 7:45pm. I grabbed a bite to eat after work and went straight there. I have found that watching her class on Thursday nights really makes me relaxed, and happy. Who would not be...10 or so little girls, all wearing pink tights, black leotards, messy little pony tails, standing at the bars, practicing delicate ballet moves. It has to be one of the cutest things I have seen in a very long time. The soft voice of her teacher calling out different positions, the little ballerinas all in sync with each other, looking so serious. Somehow, all the stress of the day was suddenly gone. I realized as I was driving over to the studio that this had actually became one of my favorite times of the week. I was ashamed that earlier that day I was pouting because the time of this class was really interfering with my evening routines.
Both Mackenzie and Chase are really making us proud. They are really good kids, even though they are...well...rotten kids.
I will start with Chase: Everyone knows how much anxiety Chase has experienced about school. It has been a really hard transition for him. Chase really struggles with reading. Because of this his self esteem is really low. I think that this fact has contributed to his anxiety about school. Never having a textbook before, and being handed four (one for each core class) all being at least one and a half inch thick...this is pretty overwhelming for him.
Anyway, Sheldon and I decided since one-he was still struggling at home with the anxiety, and two-because there was a schedule mix up we did not have a chance to meet his teachers, that we would have a conference with his team-this includes his four core teachers and his inclusion teacher (she is in some of his classes, she helps him when he needs it, as well as a few other kids, but because she works with different groups consisting of the inclusion students and other kids he does not know she is providing services for him)
So we meet with the five of them. We first explain to them the concerns we have had with his anxiety level, then we explained that we certainly knew he was an 11 year old boy and he would not be perfect, but asked that they remember his anxiety if they had to discipline him. Our concern is that if something happens in any class, the rest of the day he would be so anxious that there would not be any comprehension. His teachers were so understanding, and told us that they had seen the look on his face when he was nervous and they had all found ways to reassure him. It made me feel good that they had taken the time to recognize this and was taking the time address it with him.
Okay, on to the proud moment part. Each teacher took turns to tell us how he was doing in class. Four teachers repeated one by one that Chase is very well behaved, he is a hard worker, he is outgoing, he participates in class discussions, he is responsible, he has lots of friends, he seems to be a leader and not a follower...and then...his Science teacher told us his average in her class was a high B, his Math teacher tells us that his average in her class is 100-an A, his Social Studies teacher told us that his average in his class is 100-A, and then Literature Arts...100-A. My son, the one who has struggled, he is in typical classrooms and his lowest grade is an 87! We are so proud of him.
Mackenzie: I had a pretty bad day on Thursday, personally. Mackenzie had dance until 7:45pm. I grabbed a bite to eat after work and went straight there. I have found that watching her class on Thursday nights really makes me relaxed, and happy. Who would not be...10 or so little girls, all wearing pink tights, black leotards, messy little pony tails, standing at the bars, practicing delicate ballet moves. It has to be one of the cutest things I have seen in a very long time. The soft voice of her teacher calling out different positions, the little ballerinas all in sync with each other, looking so serious. Somehow, all the stress of the day was suddenly gone. I realized as I was driving over to the studio that this had actually became one of my favorite times of the week. I was ashamed that earlier that day I was pouting because the time of this class was really interfering with my evening routines.
Both Mackenzie and Chase are really making us proud. They are really good kids, even though they are...well...rotten kids.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Our Weekend!
It miss you, my readers often. I ride down the road and think, hey, I want to tell my fellow bloggers about this, or I compose a blog in my head. (Yes, I admit I am a blogger addict.)
But, just as I call a friend of a family member to tell them something, they answer the phone and I have forgotten what I called for, I cannot recall these things previous prewritten in my head blogs now that I am here typing.
It has been a week since I blogged, so let me think. Sheldon was off Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. His back was still bothering him, so his mood was still "altered." I had to go to our Raleigh location on Tuesday to work, which was a pain just because of the drive, but it was good seeing all my co-workers that I don't get to see often. Chase had a bad day at school on Wednesday, making the evening not so good. Thursday I had dinner with D2, then went to watch Kenz at dance. Friday was Friday, thank goodness. Sheldon had to work Thursday and Friday and both days were really bad. A really bad day for a police officer is so much different than a bad day for some one in sales, like myself. He had taken Saturday and Sunday off so we could have a late anniversary weekend. Mackenzie also had dance convention she had to attend Friday night and Saturday.
We had two highlights for this weekend. The first one was we were invited to a local church for a Saturday night service. Let me back up for a second. Sheldon and I have been members of a church that is just down the road from our house. This was the church that we were married in, both of my children and myself were baptized there, my previous pastor was very special to me, which led me to ask him to conduct my mother's funeral, and she is buried in the church cemetery. For all these reasons, I felt like I was "obligated" for lack of better words, to stay there.
I had often times looked at other couples and wish Sheldon and I went to church together. For many years the only time Sheldon went with me was Christmas Eve services.
Saturday night we went to visit a new church. (Okay, so yes, I sort of worked the fact that the series starting was making your marriage sizzle, it was called HOT) We went, the kids too, and we ALL really enjoyed it. (Chase has taken after his father, and really did not want to go to church, and since he has such a hard time at school, another day of reading, memorizing, and learning was just a little more than he wanted) There was a class for Mac's age, that she loved. There was a group for Chase's age, which he loved, and Sheldon really liked the band, (very comtemp. church) and he like the preacher/message. I was so happy when Sheldon, then Mac, then Chase, at different times, asked if we could go back next week. It makes me soooo happy that Sheldon and I might be on the road to going to church together. Another plus is this weekend was the kick off to their new Saturday night service. For some reason, Saturday night seems more workable than Sunday mornings for us. I am happy. Very happy.
The second thing good about this weekend was thanks to my bestest friend in the whole wide world, my husband and I went on a date. Okay, the only time we could do it was Sunday afternoon, but I was willing to get any time alone with him. And Sheldon won so many points...really. He took me to see "Nights in Rodanthe." I am a huge Nicolas Sparks fan. I have read everything he has written. I also like that everything he writes is based in North Carolina. (off the subject again!!) So Sheldon takes me to see this, and let me just say, MAJOR CHICK FLICK. This is big for shoot-em up, beat their butt, blood and gore, etc man. He sighed a few times, and even looked bored once or twice but I still was so happy he took me. To make matters worse, he was ONE of THREE men in the theatre. And then, just to add a little salt to his wound, some ladies sat behind us, yeah, they were his aunt and cousin. They have always known how MANLY he is and so not the chick flick type.
I felt very special and lucky. He is so sweet to me. And the movie...pretty good!
But, just as I call a friend of a family member to tell them something, they answer the phone and I have forgotten what I called for, I cannot recall these things previous prewritten in my head blogs now that I am here typing.
It has been a week since I blogged, so let me think. Sheldon was off Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. His back was still bothering him, so his mood was still "altered." I had to go to our Raleigh location on Tuesday to work, which was a pain just because of the drive, but it was good seeing all my co-workers that I don't get to see often. Chase had a bad day at school on Wednesday, making the evening not so good. Thursday I had dinner with D2, then went to watch Kenz at dance. Friday was Friday, thank goodness. Sheldon had to work Thursday and Friday and both days were really bad. A really bad day for a police officer is so much different than a bad day for some one in sales, like myself. He had taken Saturday and Sunday off so we could have a late anniversary weekend. Mackenzie also had dance convention she had to attend Friday night and Saturday.
We had two highlights for this weekend. The first one was we were invited to a local church for a Saturday night service. Let me back up for a second. Sheldon and I have been members of a church that is just down the road from our house. This was the church that we were married in, both of my children and myself were baptized there, my previous pastor was very special to me, which led me to ask him to conduct my mother's funeral, and she is buried in the church cemetery. For all these reasons, I felt like I was "obligated" for lack of better words, to stay there.
I had often times looked at other couples and wish Sheldon and I went to church together. For many years the only time Sheldon went with me was Christmas Eve services.
Saturday night we went to visit a new church. (Okay, so yes, I sort of worked the fact that the series starting was making your marriage sizzle, it was called HOT) We went, the kids too, and we ALL really enjoyed it. (Chase has taken after his father, and really did not want to go to church, and since he has such a hard time at school, another day of reading, memorizing, and learning was just a little more than he wanted) There was a class for Mac's age, that she loved. There was a group for Chase's age, which he loved, and Sheldon really liked the band, (very comtemp. church) and he like the preacher/message. I was so happy when Sheldon, then Mac, then Chase, at different times, asked if we could go back next week. It makes me soooo happy that Sheldon and I might be on the road to going to church together. Another plus is this weekend was the kick off to their new Saturday night service. For some reason, Saturday night seems more workable than Sunday mornings for us. I am happy. Very happy.
The second thing good about this weekend was thanks to my bestest friend in the whole wide world, my husband and I went on a date. Okay, the only time we could do it was Sunday afternoon, but I was willing to get any time alone with him. And Sheldon won so many points...really. He took me to see "Nights in Rodanthe." I am a huge Nicolas Sparks fan. I have read everything he has written. I also like that everything he writes is based in North Carolina. (off the subject again!!) So Sheldon takes me to see this, and let me just say, MAJOR CHICK FLICK. This is big for shoot-em up, beat their butt, blood and gore, etc man. He sighed a few times, and even looked bored once or twice but I still was so happy he took me. To make matters worse, he was ONE of THREE men in the theatre. And then, just to add a little salt to his wound, some ladies sat behind us, yeah, they were his aunt and cousin. They have always known how MANLY he is and so not the chick flick type.
I felt very special and lucky. He is so sweet to me. And the movie...pretty good!
Monday, September 29, 2008
What Is Her Name??
As a child I remember seeing a Family Circus Comic about these ghost that lived in their house. Their names were NOT ME and I DUNNO.
Who spilled the toys all over the floor? NOT ME
Who left their drink cup in the living room? I DUNNO
I recently realized that these ghost live in my house now. I wish they would just come to me on a dark night and make themselves visible. I have a hunch they may resemble my offspring.
I also think that my children believe that there is another ghost that lives in our house and she just makes everything magically happen. Maybe there are several...yes, there must be several because it is surely too much work for one weary ghost.
This ghost(s) that lives in our house does so much. Here are just a few of the day to day task she performs day to day. I appreciate all she does, but who else does?
Who spilled the toys all over the floor? NOT ME
Who left their drink cup in the living room? I DUNNO
I recently realized that these ghost live in my house now. I wish they would just come to me on a dark night and make themselves visible. I have a hunch they may resemble my offspring.
I also think that my children believe that there is another ghost that lives in our house and she just makes everything magically happen. Maybe there are several...yes, there must be several because it is surely too much work for one weary ghost.
This ghost(s) that lives in our house does so much. Here are just a few of the day to day task she performs day to day. I appreciate all she does, but who else does?
- Makes sure that everyone has a clean pair of underwear for tomorrow.
- Wipes the dribbled pee off the toilet seats to spare the next poor soul from a wet rear.
- Writes checks out to utility companies, pays the house payment, car payments, insurance company, child care, dance lessons and swim lessons.
- Sweeps up the tracked in dirt/grim/grass brought into the house.
- Schedules all appointments needed.
- Keeps the refrigerator stocked with frozen pizza bites, nuggets, juice boxes, etc. as well as the pantry.
- Meets with teachers checking on progress.
- Packs daily lunches.
- Purchases clothing for each child, also makes sure they have fitting shoes.
- Signs homework folders.
- Washes sheets and make beds.
- Earns a salary to pay for all expenses occurred by the family.
- Makes sure there is a stocked medicine cabinet for those unexpected runny noses, sore throats, and boo boos.
I am pretty sure there are so many more things that this "ghost" does for our family. I am positive she has a spouse that contributes to above work when he is available, but I also have a hunch that his schedule does not allow him to always be available.
Just as I believe that the ghost named Not Me and I Dunno look a lot like my children...I bet you if the other ghost resembles myself...you think???
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wonder-rifical News
I have wonder-rifical news!!!! Want to know it??? Well, I like suspense, so I will tell a few other things first.
Mackenzie has been doing great. She is still teaching school, tonight there is a lesson on rounding numbers up or down. As I walked through the "classroom" I think I answered a question correctly. I think...
As it seems, I am now the principal. I am not really feeling well tonight so I pity any child that gets sent to me. I asked her to please send a student to the kitchen table, aka the "cafeteria" to get my phone. Hey, it worked, I got my phone without any sighs or heavy walking or rolling eyes. A girl has to do what a girl has to do.
Sheldon is on nights this weekend. Yuck. He actually is getting off at midnight tonight he has a meeting in the morning.
I haven't felt all that good all day so I tried to pull the "I don't feel good, can't you come home?" It did not work. He asked me if midnight would be good enough...like he was doing it just for me! I told him very matter a factly that no, it would not work, and I know it would not work because at midnight he was not going to tell me how pitiful I am. He LAUGHED at me. The nerve of him...
My wonder-rifical news...Chase got his progress reports today. Keep in mind that Chase has always struggled with a reading disability. I have worried every year that it would really affect him as his classes got harder with more reading in all subjects, not just in reading. The first few days of school (okay, weeks) Chase felt very overwhelmed in all his classes, mostly Science. The text just terrified him. Our elementary schools do not have text books, I think the text book itself was very intimidating. For someone who struggles in reading, to have a book that is over an inch thick...that is scary.
I am getting to my point...rambling along the way.
When I got Chase this afternoon, the defeated frown that I have come to expect, had been transformed into a very confident smile. He proudly pulled the progress reports out. He handed them to me. I choked up. Really.
Science:
Attendance: Exceeds Expectations
Behavior: Exceeds Expectations
Academics: Exceeds Expectations
Comments: "Hard Worker"
Math:
Attendance: Meets Expectations
Behavior: Meets Expectations
Academics: Meets Expectations
Comments: "Chase's average in math is 98/A at this time."
Language Arts:
Attendance: Meets Expectations
Behavior: Exceeds Expectations
Academics: Meets Expectations
Comments: "Quiz grade average is 100+ and homework has been excellent.
Exploring Careers:
Attendance: Exceeds Expectations
Behavior: Exceeds Expectations
Academics: Exceeds Expectations
Comments: "Chase has an A in my class."
We did not get his social studies report, his teacher was out today...but did you see those reports?? I am so proud of him. He is proud of himself. That is very important for him. I hope this will be a huge boost to his self esteem.
I have only called 3 people to brag...that is all.
Mackenzie has been doing great. She is still teaching school, tonight there is a lesson on rounding numbers up or down. As I walked through the "classroom" I think I answered a question correctly. I think...
As it seems, I am now the principal. I am not really feeling well tonight so I pity any child that gets sent to me. I asked her to please send a student to the kitchen table, aka the "cafeteria" to get my phone. Hey, it worked, I got my phone without any sighs or heavy walking or rolling eyes. A girl has to do what a girl has to do.
Sheldon is on nights this weekend. Yuck. He actually is getting off at midnight tonight he has a meeting in the morning.
I haven't felt all that good all day so I tried to pull the "I don't feel good, can't you come home?" It did not work. He asked me if midnight would be good enough...like he was doing it just for me! I told him very matter a factly that no, it would not work, and I know it would not work because at midnight he was not going to tell me how pitiful I am. He LAUGHED at me. The nerve of him...
My wonder-rifical news...Chase got his progress reports today. Keep in mind that Chase has always struggled with a reading disability. I have worried every year that it would really affect him as his classes got harder with more reading in all subjects, not just in reading. The first few days of school (okay, weeks) Chase felt very overwhelmed in all his classes, mostly Science. The text just terrified him. Our elementary schools do not have text books, I think the text book itself was very intimidating. For someone who struggles in reading, to have a book that is over an inch thick...that is scary.
I am getting to my point...rambling along the way.
When I got Chase this afternoon, the defeated frown that I have come to expect, had been transformed into a very confident smile. He proudly pulled the progress reports out. He handed them to me. I choked up. Really.
Science:
Attendance: Exceeds Expectations
Behavior: Exceeds Expectations
Academics: Exceeds Expectations
Comments: "Hard Worker"
Math:
Attendance: Meets Expectations
Behavior: Meets Expectations
Academics: Meets Expectations
Comments: "Chase's average in math is 98/A at this time."
Language Arts:
Attendance: Meets Expectations
Behavior: Exceeds Expectations
Academics: Meets Expectations
Comments: "Quiz grade average is 100+ and homework has been excellent.
Exploring Careers:
Attendance: Exceeds Expectations
Behavior: Exceeds Expectations
Academics: Exceeds Expectations
Comments: "Chase has an A in my class."
We did not get his social studies report, his teacher was out today...but did you see those reports?? I am so proud of him. He is proud of himself. That is very important for him. I hope this will be a huge boost to his self esteem.
I have only called 3 people to brag...that is all.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Happenings in the Perkins House
Things have been going pretty good lately. Pretty uneventful, which I like. Here is a quick update...
Mackenzie:
Mackenzie:
- Well, she gave up her dance teacher career, now she is school teacher. Whether it is dance teaching or school teaching, she is hard core. I think she must be the teacher for the behavioral problem children.
- She got her "camouflaged" lyrical shoes tonight. They are pretty cute, should be for $19.00 they should be, huh?
- She is doing well in school. She loves her teacher. The papers that I have seen leads me to believe she is doing good.
- She dances two nights a week. She is on The Company at her studio. This year she is taking Tap, Ballet, Jazz, and Lyrical. She seems to much more into it this year, or maybe she expresses it more this year.
- Being a child of a policeman, Mac hears some vocabulary that most kids are not always exposed to. We try to divert the questions sometimes, but Sheldon saw the perfect opportunity to have a little fun at her expense. Thanks to her Daddy, she thinks that a serial killer is a "cereal killer." He has convinced her that there is this "thing" that has killed some characters, so far, Tony the Tiger, Toucan Sam, Fred Flintstone have all been spared. Yesterday in the car she asked me if there was a "snack" killer too. When I looked at her with a cocked eyebrow, she said, "You know, like the cereal killer, is there something out there that might kill snack people, like Chester Cheeto?" How a little girl will believe anything her daddy says and doubt everything her mother says is beyond me.
Chase:
- School is getting better. Even if he refuses to believes it, or admit it. He seems to be doing good as well. He has brought home quite a few papers with 100's or even 105's. Go Chase.
- Swimming has not started yet, or, maybe I should say, we haven't signed him back up just yet. We felt like he really needed to get a handle on this middle school jazz before we added something on top of it.
- This past weekend he went to his first high school football game. Remembering how I use to go to these games every weekend, and remembering how "grown up" I felt, it made me sad that he was there. Last Friday night he was at a school dance, this past Friday night he was at a football game!!
- Everyday I am seeing glimpses of him being a teenager. I am proud of him, but sad too! If he continues to act as he is now, he will be such a good teen. (fingers, toes, and eyes crossed)
Sheldon:
- Being a Sgt at the police department is going well for him. It does mean he leaves for work a bit earlier and gets home a little later. I guess that goes along with the territory of being a supervisor.
- Unfortunately, he threw his back out last week, he has been pretty uncomfortable for days now. I did get him in to see a chiropractor yesterday, hopefully he will be all better soon.
- He still loves his career. It is so awesome to see such passion about a job...I don't think I have ever had passion like his about a job.
- His favorite season is upon us. He absolutely loves fall. He has commented on it right much.
Michelle:
- I am still working at the same company. Unfortunately I do not have the same passion Sheldon does.
- I spend most of my time carting children around. I use to laugh at those mini-vans that would have some stupid sticker about being the taxi driver for your kids...yeah, that is me.
- I am passing the sixth grade so far. I have (re) learned the definition for many scientific terms, more vocabulary words for literature class, and I am reading a book about the Holocaust. It has been several (okay, many) years since I have been in middle school. I did not care about this stuff then, and guess what? It is still boring crap and I don't know when one would ever use this stuff in life. But I can't tell my son this!
- I have given Pepsi up...for the most part. I was doing really good, but for some reason, (PMS) I have been really wanting it with my dinner. I have justified it these past few nights like this: I use to drink 4-5 cans a day, now one glass is not "that" bad. *yes i know that this is like an alcoholic saying one drink is not that bad!*
That is about all right now. Oh, I forgot the dang dog....
Lucky:
- He still likes to get into the trash when no one is looking.
- He dreads seeing Mac come home, since she recently started carrying him around like a baby, tossing him on the couch, dragging him on walks in the yard, trying to hand feed him cause he looks "hungry" and making him dance on his hind legs by holding his paws up in the air.
- He currently has green feet because Mac drug him all over the yard while I mowed the other day, (Sheldon-back out, can't mow, yeah me)
- He lives a life of luxury. Lies around all day, in the peace and quiet, snuggles up to Chase at bedtime, always looks pitiful enough to be handed pieces of food from the dinner table, and when he is done with one of the children, he just growls at them and snips their hands, and they leave him alone. (Wonder if that will work for me, growl then bite...hmm, wonder if I could get some me time if I tried that?)
Yep, that is about all here.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Oh No You Did Not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today has been...well a day. I worked this morning, actually until 2pm. I had to leave early to take Chase to the doctor for a "required" immunization he needed for middle school.
When I picked him up, the minute I saw him I could tell that something was wrong. He had that "look". I finally got him to talk to me, only to find out that a teacher, a new teacher, she had started on Monday of this week, had upset him, telling him that he had to re-do a whole assignment...because he did not write his name on the paper. He made a 90 on the assignment, but she was making him do this over his weekend. Now, I believe in punishment for things that my kids deserve punishment on. What I don't believe in is calling a child, a child that has freaking severe anxiety out in class. I could not get the entire scope on the situation so I called her. She is out there. Seriously. I made sure that I was not accusing, AT ALL. Chase is the kind of child that you can just talk to him and he can be heart broken. You just cannot be harsh on him. He also learns from his mistakes, by God, he is all about pleasing someone. He certainly is not going to do anything that will make an elder upset with him.
A lot was said...back and forth, , but I got really upset when I told her that Sheldon and I were very involved in Chase's education. (Most teachers have appreciated this about us.) I explained that this was the first week that Chase has not vomited every morning, had started eating again, and seemed a little more at ease.
THIS lady had the nerve to tell me that her son had anxiety disorder and OCD. She then told me that she had always thought she was helping him by being involved, but now he is 22 and she can tell that she really did not help him. She said I might want to think about this. I was furious. MY SON IS 11. I will be involved, and I will protect him right now. I will stay involved as long as he needs me to be. I know that I can not hoover over him forever, but he is still a child. I don't care if he is in middle school, he is still just a child.
I immediately called his EC teacher and vented. She is such a sweet lady. Chase loves her. She is the perfect liaison for him. She is in most of his classes with him, (and other kids that have learning disabilities) and she helps him when he does not quite understand. I truly believe that she has been a huge reason he has relaxed some. She totally agreed that this teacher was not considering his IEP. (Which by the way, I asked THIS teacher if she had even read the IEP, her answer was that she had read a lot, she did not know if she read his or not!! HELLO? Wrong answer! She could have at least lied and said yes she had read it.) Mrs B, the EC teacher was going to have a chit chat with THIS teacher on Monday morning. Mrs B commented on the fact that if Chase go anxious about something, he did not just get over it, he would think about it all day, so how could he focus? Chase has her early in the day, and I picked him up at 2:15 and he was a mess. I will not allow her to ruin Chase's 6th grade experience.
On a happier note, Mrs B told me that she just loved Chase, that he was such a good child and she really enjoyed working with him. She continued to tell me little stories about him and just how he brightens her day. That is my boy.
When I picked him up, the minute I saw him I could tell that something was wrong. He had that "look". I finally got him to talk to me, only to find out that a teacher, a new teacher, she had started on Monday of this week, had upset him, telling him that he had to re-do a whole assignment...because he did not write his name on the paper. He made a 90 on the assignment, but she was making him do this over his weekend. Now, I believe in punishment for things that my kids deserve punishment on. What I don't believe in is calling a child, a child that has freaking severe anxiety out in class. I could not get the entire scope on the situation so I called her. She is out there. Seriously. I made sure that I was not accusing, AT ALL. Chase is the kind of child that you can just talk to him and he can be heart broken. You just cannot be harsh on him. He also learns from his mistakes, by God, he is all about pleasing someone. He certainly is not going to do anything that will make an elder upset with him.
A lot was said...back and forth, , but I got really upset when I told her that Sheldon and I were very involved in Chase's education. (Most teachers have appreciated this about us.) I explained that this was the first week that Chase has not vomited every morning, had started eating again, and seemed a little more at ease.
THIS lady had the nerve to tell me that her son had anxiety disorder and OCD. She then told me that she had always thought she was helping him by being involved, but now he is 22 and she can tell that she really did not help him. She said I might want to think about this. I was furious. MY SON IS 11. I will be involved, and I will protect him right now. I will stay involved as long as he needs me to be. I know that I can not hoover over him forever, but he is still a child. I don't care if he is in middle school, he is still just a child.
I immediately called his EC teacher and vented. She is such a sweet lady. Chase loves her. She is the perfect liaison for him. She is in most of his classes with him, (and other kids that have learning disabilities) and she helps him when he does not quite understand. I truly believe that she has been a huge reason he has relaxed some. She totally agreed that this teacher was not considering his IEP. (Which by the way, I asked THIS teacher if she had even read the IEP, her answer was that she had read a lot, she did not know if she read his or not!! HELLO? Wrong answer! She could have at least lied and said yes she had read it.) Mrs B, the EC teacher was going to have a chit chat with THIS teacher on Monday morning. Mrs B commented on the fact that if Chase go anxious about something, he did not just get over it, he would think about it all day, so how could he focus? Chase has her early in the day, and I picked him up at 2:15 and he was a mess. I will not allow her to ruin Chase's 6th grade experience.
On a happier note, Mrs B told me that she just loved Chase, that he was such a good child and she really enjoyed working with him. She continued to tell me little stories about him and just how he brightens her day. That is my boy.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
May You Please
- "May you please pour me some juice mommy?"
I don't know why but I love it when Mackenzie ask me a question that starts like this. Any time she want me to do something, she says, "May you please...whatever she wants?"
Chase and Mackenzie are getting older and their grammar has certainly improved over the years. I miss the days when they had their own words for something, or their own way to ask for something.
Of course I am sitting here knowing over the years Sheldon and I have giggled, discussed, or even told others about something one of our kids have said, but of course I am drawing a blank now. I am going to think on this, and blog it later, if for no other reason, I want to document these words out of babe's mouths.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Not Quite Grown, Just Yet
Nasty, sweaty, hot, loud, and crowded. That was what I saw, smelled, heard when I walked into the middle school gym to pick my preteen up from his first school dance.
I waited til just a few minutes before 9, not wanting to show up and embarrass him. (However, on my ride over, I giggled thinking that I should have went in my pj pants, worn out t-shirt, and fuzzy slippers, just to embarrass him, I know, I am evil!) I parked my van, walked across the grassy area, all the while having flash backs from my own days at this school, and I went in through the entrance of the cafeteria.
I was immediately hit with a stench of sweaty preteens. It was horrible. Of course me being so OCD these days, I thought about the fact that Monday this sweaty dance floor would transform back to a cafeteria. Yuck!
Then, I am not sure if anyone else noticed, but the music was entirely too loud. Haven't they ever heard of soft yoga-like music?
I surely have not been to an establishment where dancing is involved lately, (heck, I never really went to them even as a young adult) but this thing they called "dancing", looked more like a bunch of jumping and flinging to me. Sort of like a cafeteria/dance floor full of epileptic kids.
I spotted my child immediately. He and his friends were sitting on the stage watching all the commotion. It was a little humorous to me since that is exactly how I acted at my dances.
I made my way to the back of the cafeteria where I saw some parents, okay, Mommies, that were not quite as brave, or stupid as me. They had stayed the entire time. Actually, maybe I was the smart one by not volunteering to chaperon. It was a little humorous that when I said hello to them, they pretty much yelled back at me their greetings. Their ear drums were surely paying for this racket.
As far as Chase goes, he seemed to have a good time. I could tell that he was a little taken back from the whole event, but still I could see a little happiness in his eyes. We drove home and he chatted the whole way home.
I was so proud of him, yet sad as a Mommy when he said this to me, "Mom, I left some of my books in my locker today, (which was a whole other ordeal with this whole middle school thing) and I sort of feel like, I don't know, maybe more like a grown up, you know, using my locker, going to a dance, stuff like that. So proud...but wait...where is my baby.
Aw yeah, there he is, a few minutes later in his room, with a wrestling figurine in each hand, fighting each other, flying all over his room, making all these silly noises. Not quite grown yet...thank God.
I waited til just a few minutes before 9, not wanting to show up and embarrass him. (However, on my ride over, I giggled thinking that I should have went in my pj pants, worn out t-shirt, and fuzzy slippers, just to embarrass him, I know, I am evil!) I parked my van, walked across the grassy area, all the while having flash backs from my own days at this school, and I went in through the entrance of the cafeteria.
I was immediately hit with a stench of sweaty preteens. It was horrible. Of course me being so OCD these days, I thought about the fact that Monday this sweaty dance floor would transform back to a cafeteria. Yuck!
Then, I am not sure if anyone else noticed, but the music was entirely too loud. Haven't they ever heard of soft yoga-like music?
I surely have not been to an establishment where dancing is involved lately, (heck, I never really went to them even as a young adult) but this thing they called "dancing", looked more like a bunch of jumping and flinging to me. Sort of like a cafeteria/dance floor full of epileptic kids.
I spotted my child immediately. He and his friends were sitting on the stage watching all the commotion. It was a little humorous to me since that is exactly how I acted at my dances.
I made my way to the back of the cafeteria where I saw some parents, okay, Mommies, that were not quite as brave, or stupid as me. They had stayed the entire time. Actually, maybe I was the smart one by not volunteering to chaperon. It was a little humorous that when I said hello to them, they pretty much yelled back at me their greetings. Their ear drums were surely paying for this racket.
As far as Chase goes, he seemed to have a good time. I could tell that he was a little taken back from the whole event, but still I could see a little happiness in his eyes. We drove home and he chatted the whole way home.
I was so proud of him, yet sad as a Mommy when he said this to me, "Mom, I left some of my books in my locker today, (which was a whole other ordeal with this whole middle school thing) and I sort of feel like, I don't know, maybe more like a grown up, you know, using my locker, going to a dance, stuff like that. So proud...but wait...where is my baby.
Aw yeah, there he is, a few minutes later in his room, with a wrestling figurine in each hand, fighting each other, flying all over his room, making all these silly noises. Not quite grown yet...thank God.
Friday, September 12, 2008
THE School Dance
Tonight is another first in our lives...THE School Dance. You know, like drop your child off and come back several hours later, kind of thing. This morning Chase stood in front of his closet, looking for the right shirt and then the right shorts. He packed his matching Rainbow flip flops. We were off. We went to his best friends, "J", house to deposit the apparel for tonight. He is going home after school with J, then J's mom will take them to the dance.
I think I recall these dances, which never turn out to be an actual "dance". Everyone will be standing with their group of friends, which means little groups of giggling girls, and little groups o f "too cool for my own good" boys.
I am actually hoping that this will be a fun event that will help Chase "like" his school a little more. A school dance....he is surely growing up too fast, right in front of my eyes.
I think I recall these dances, which never turn out to be an actual "dance". Everyone will be standing with their group of friends, which means little groups of giggling girls, and little groups o f "too cool for my own good" boys.
I am actually hoping that this will be a fun event that will help Chase "like" his school a little more. A school dance....he is surely growing up too fast, right in front of my eyes.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
THE Shoes...
Yeah...I should have went straight to my computer last night and tell you the Mac's big news. Truth is, I was so exhausted from the past few weeks of practicing for this accomplishment, and so happy that it finally happened, I think I may have temporally put it out of my mind.
All those dance classes Mac has been teaching, and her own classes at the studio, she finally earned her lyrical shoes. The way it works is when the girls start taking lyrical, they must earn their shoes by getting their pirouettes just perfect. Apparently Mac was having trouble with her foot being "sickled". Don't ask me, I have no idea, I actually thought she was mispronouncing a word until I heard some of the other girls saying it too.
These shoes were a big deal, but since they literally look like very miniature underwear, I am not sure why but what do I know? I am just the mommy. The girls have been waiting forever to earn these, some had already gotten them.
As mentioned on my bestest friend's post, they cost freakin $17.00. And...that is not all, they are the nude colored ones. Miss L was out of the printed ones, the big rage, the "I have to have those because everyone else does" ones. We were told she could order them, no problem...but oh no, we just could not leave with out our prize!!!
This is where I think the story gets funny. Her best friend, who I should also congratulate, not only did she win the shoes, she also made her goal, which was her right split. Way to go A. Anyway, Miss L tries a pair of shoes on Mac, they fit. A has gone to change her clothes, when she returns she tries the same pair on A. They fit. Miss L then says, well girls, the problem is I only have one pair, I can order more and they will be here Thursday. Ummmm...no! Miss L seeing the fear of not taking shoes home in both of the girls eyes, she then suggest that each one of them take one shoe, and on Thursday they could get the other shoe. Without any hesitation, this was a perfect idea to the girls. Which, by the way, I was very proud of them, both being generous enough to allow this one shoe deal without a fuss.
Mac stared at her one foot all the way home. She took a picture to send Aunt J. She sent a text message to cousin C. She DID NOT call her Daddy, she was itching to SHOW him. (Which is another funny story, since Sheldon has never seen, or paid attention to what shoes the lyrical dancers wear, his response to this little nude thing on her foot, "OMG Baby, what happened, did you hurt your foot at dance?" REALLY...have you not heard about the shoes 5000 times these past few weeks??? Luckily Mac thought he was only playing, so he got off. How do dads always get off?)
So we have the shoes, the nude ones...$17.00...and we have the printed ones on order. What? Ridiculous? Well, how many times does one earn her lyrical shoes for the first time???
All those dance classes Mac has been teaching, and her own classes at the studio, she finally earned her lyrical shoes. The way it works is when the girls start taking lyrical, they must earn their shoes by getting their pirouettes just perfect. Apparently Mac was having trouble with her foot being "sickled". Don't ask me, I have no idea, I actually thought she was mispronouncing a word until I heard some of the other girls saying it too.
These shoes were a big deal, but since they literally look like very miniature underwear, I am not sure why but what do I know? I am just the mommy. The girls have been waiting forever to earn these, some had already gotten them.
As mentioned on my bestest friend's post, they cost freakin $17.00. And...that is not all, they are the nude colored ones. Miss L was out of the printed ones, the big rage, the "I have to have those because everyone else does" ones. We were told she could order them, no problem...but oh no, we just could not leave with out our prize!!!
This is where I think the story gets funny. Her best friend, who I should also congratulate, not only did she win the shoes, she also made her goal, which was her right split. Way to go A. Anyway, Miss L tries a pair of shoes on Mac, they fit. A has gone to change her clothes, when she returns she tries the same pair on A. They fit. Miss L then says, well girls, the problem is I only have one pair, I can order more and they will be here Thursday. Ummmm...no! Miss L seeing the fear of not taking shoes home in both of the girls eyes, she then suggest that each one of them take one shoe, and on Thursday they could get the other shoe. Without any hesitation, this was a perfect idea to the girls. Which, by the way, I was very proud of them, both being generous enough to allow this one shoe deal without a fuss.
Mac stared at her one foot all the way home. She took a picture to send Aunt J. She sent a text message to cousin C. She DID NOT call her Daddy, she was itching to SHOW him. (Which is another funny story, since Sheldon has never seen, or paid attention to what shoes the lyrical dancers wear, his response to this little nude thing on her foot, "OMG Baby, what happened, did you hurt your foot at dance?" REALLY...have you not heard about the shoes 5000 times these past few weeks??? Luckily Mac thought he was only playing, so he got off. How do dads always get off?)
So we have the shoes, the nude ones...$17.00...and we have the printed ones on order. What? Ridiculous? Well, how many times does one earn her lyrical shoes for the first time???
Monday, September 8, 2008
5...6...7...8----Dear Lord Jesus
This weekend, Mackenzie, in her own world, became a dance teacher. A very loud one at that. And bossy! I know she is imitating her own dance teacher to a point, but Miss L, she is very patient with the class and always so sweet. I think Miss L could teach a very uncoordinated person, such as myself to dance, with a smile on her face too.
Miss Mackenzie, however, I don't want to take class from her, and no one can make me! She claps her hands at her imaginary class, she stomps her feet when they just don't get the steps, she makes them repeat over and over, then she says things like, "Do you think we can add on now?" Very condescending I might add. Those little imaginary dancers, they must feel like losers.
Apparently she is teaching a class where the students have hearing problems, since she yells these commands to them, she claps very loudly to every beat she is counting off. I am not sure but I think she is teaching lyrical. I did not ask. I was scared to ask.
As exhausted as I am from hearing this "class" take place 24/7, I am thrilled to see her excited about dance. Mackenzie does not show emotion very well. She believes that nonchalant is the way to go. We see happy from her, but that is about as far as it goes.
If anyone is interested in learning to dance, I know just the place. However, you should remember this is a hard core, unsympathetic teacher, and be ready to hear "5...6...7...8, a million and two times.
Miss Mackenzie, however, I don't want to take class from her, and no one can make me! She claps her hands at her imaginary class, she stomps her feet when they just don't get the steps, she makes them repeat over and over, then she says things like, "Do you think we can add on now?" Very condescending I might add. Those little imaginary dancers, they must feel like losers.
Apparently she is teaching a class where the students have hearing problems, since she yells these commands to them, she claps very loudly to every beat she is counting off. I am not sure but I think she is teaching lyrical. I did not ask. I was scared to ask.
As exhausted as I am from hearing this "class" take place 24/7, I am thrilled to see her excited about dance. Mackenzie does not show emotion very well. She believes that nonchalant is the way to go. We see happy from her, but that is about as far as it goes.
If anyone is interested in learning to dance, I know just the place. However, you should remember this is a hard core, unsympathetic teacher, and be ready to hear "5...6...7...8, a million and two times.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Middle School Might Not Be So Bad...
Well, things are getting a little better for Chase. He actually said one day this week that he had fun at school. He is still trying to get the hang of his locker. It is not the actual lock, that is perfected. It is his fear of putting something in his locker he might need, or not getting something out that he might need. It is really worrying me, since his book bag is so heavy. Mac can't even lift it. Hopefully soon he will feel confident enough to start switching things out and not bringing home every single thing he owns.
I am so glad this is getting better. It has been a loooooooong 8 days of school.
I am thinking I will have to get a second job, just to pay for his lunches. I did not know how much things were, so I started out giving him $3.00 a day. I did not want that to be another stress, I wanted him to have what he needed. I asked him yesterday morning if he was using all the money each day, he told me mostly, sometimes he would have a little bit of change left over. Okay, I will quit eating lunch before I let him go without, $3.00 a day it is.
Last night at dinner, he looks up with me with the "I really need to tell you something, but I don't know how you will react" look. What is it Chase....what is wrong now, this is what I am thinking. The conversation went something like this:
C-"Mom, everyday, I have been giving "L" about 75 cents cause his mom doesn't have the money to give him. Is that okay?"
M-(With watery eyes) "Sure baby. And it is very kind of you to be so generous."
"L" is one of Chase's very good friends. I had the opportunity to meet his mom on an outing with church. She is a single mom of 3, maybe 4 kids, I don't remember exactly. This child's father also lives far away so she really is on her own.
Maybe Chase was put in this child's life for a reason. I would hope that if my child was in a situation of this kind that someone would be put in his path to help him through a very hard time.
That Chase, he is a good kid.
I am so glad this is getting better. It has been a loooooooong 8 days of school.
I am thinking I will have to get a second job, just to pay for his lunches. I did not know how much things were, so I started out giving him $3.00 a day. I did not want that to be another stress, I wanted him to have what he needed. I asked him yesterday morning if he was using all the money each day, he told me mostly, sometimes he would have a little bit of change left over. Okay, I will quit eating lunch before I let him go without, $3.00 a day it is.
Last night at dinner, he looks up with me with the "I really need to tell you something, but I don't know how you will react" look. What is it Chase....what is wrong now, this is what I am thinking. The conversation went something like this:
C-"Mom, everyday, I have been giving "L" about 75 cents cause his mom doesn't have the money to give him. Is that okay?"
M-(With watery eyes) "Sure baby. And it is very kind of you to be so generous."
"L" is one of Chase's very good friends. I had the opportunity to meet his mom on an outing with church. She is a single mom of 3, maybe 4 kids, I don't remember exactly. This child's father also lives far away so she really is on her own.
Maybe Chase was put in this child's life for a reason. I would hope that if my child was in a situation of this kind that someone would be put in his path to help him through a very hard time.
That Chase, he is a good kid.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Stupid Little Hersery Kisses
I just want to thank my friend from the bottom of my heart. 3 pounds off, 4 pounds on! I heard this was hazard to being her friend, but I was willing to chance it.
This friend of mine, I want mention any names, my Boston travel companion, but I am not listing any names. Anyway her friend "H" introduced her to this new seasonal Hersey kiss. Freaking PUMPKIN SPICE. Really??? The good thing is they are so small can't be too many bad qualities to them, not enough room for calories, or fat, or sugar, no way. (Rationalization 101)
Well...one is a small little yummmmmy. BUT when you eat almost the entire bag, I think you could probably eat an entire pumpkin pie by yourself.
Thanksgiving tip: Save time, don't bake Pumpkin Pies, buy Pumpkin flavored Hersey kisses instead!!! Just saying....
This friend of mine, I want mention any names, my Boston travel companion, but I am not listing any names. Anyway her friend "H" introduced her to this new seasonal Hersey kiss. Freaking PUMPKIN SPICE. Really??? The good thing is they are so small can't be too many bad qualities to them, not enough room for calories, or fat, or sugar, no way. (Rationalization 101)
Well...one is a small little yummmmmy. BUT when you eat almost the entire bag, I think you could probably eat an entire pumpkin pie by yourself.
Thanksgiving tip: Save time, don't bake Pumpkin Pies, buy Pumpkin flavored Hersey kisses instead!!! Just saying....
Friday, August 29, 2008
Maybe A Wee Bit Better...Not Much
It is finally Friday! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!
Wednesday night was really bad for Chase. When I picked him up he started to tell me that he was afraid that Science class was going to be a challenge for him. He told me he could not understand what he was reading, and when the teacher talked, he did not get that either. It was horrible. It literally took me 2 hours to calm him, which only happened after I promised that I would go over his Science lessons every single day and make sure he understood.
Yesterday I prayed all day that his day would be better. Mac had dance last night so she and I did not get home until a few minutes after 8. I had called home to get a report, Sheldon said that he had a better day and actually seemed okay. Thank goodness. I hoped that his good mood would continue until I got home since I have only seen his sad face all week, which is enough to break my heart in a million little pieces.
Today is Friday, Monday is a holiday, so I have three full days with my two children. I hope Chase had a good day today so he doesn't spend his weekend obsessing!
Sheldon is working night shift this weekend, which I hate. Luckily he is off with us on Monday.
Wednesday night was really bad for Chase. When I picked him up he started to tell me that he was afraid that Science class was going to be a challenge for him. He told me he could not understand what he was reading, and when the teacher talked, he did not get that either. It was horrible. It literally took me 2 hours to calm him, which only happened after I promised that I would go over his Science lessons every single day and make sure he understood.
Yesterday I prayed all day that his day would be better. Mac had dance last night so she and I did not get home until a few minutes after 8. I had called home to get a report, Sheldon said that he had a better day and actually seemed okay. Thank goodness. I hoped that his good mood would continue until I got home since I have only seen his sad face all week, which is enough to break my heart in a million little pieces.
Today is Friday, Monday is a holiday, so I have three full days with my two children. I hope Chase had a good day today so he doesn't spend his weekend obsessing!
Sheldon is working night shift this weekend, which I hate. Luckily he is off with us on Monday.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Day Three, Only 177 More to Go!!
Chase seemed a little more relaxed as he climb out of the car this morning. I said 100 prayers all day.
I called him as soon as I thought he might have made it over to the high school. I did not talk to him but my sister in law said that she thought his day was better. Great. She said he seemed to be a little more at ease. Thank you Lord Jesus!
Until...my phone rang a few minutes ago. I answer and hear this shaky little voice on the other end. It seemed as if he could not find his gym bag. Day one of carrying a gym bag, nonetheless. We talked about where all he had been. He remembered having it in his last class, but that was as far as he got...I told him to stop freaking, we would pack another bag tonight and he could check in the morning to see if it was in the class.
Knowing this would set his mood for the rest of the evening, I decided to call his last class' teacher. Sure enough, he had the bag. He said he would hold onto it until the morning and Chase could come by and get it. I called Chase back, told him, immediately his voice changed. Hopefully he will not obsess over this all night.
Can the boy just have one day that is not eventful?? Just one? Is that too much to ask for?
I called him as soon as I thought he might have made it over to the high school. I did not talk to him but my sister in law said that she thought his day was better. Great. She said he seemed to be a little more at ease. Thank you Lord Jesus!
Until...my phone rang a few minutes ago. I answer and hear this shaky little voice on the other end. It seemed as if he could not find his gym bag. Day one of carrying a gym bag, nonetheless. We talked about where all he had been. He remembered having it in his last class, but that was as far as he got...I told him to stop freaking, we would pack another bag tonight and he could check in the morning to see if it was in the class.
Knowing this would set his mood for the rest of the evening, I decided to call his last class' teacher. Sure enough, he had the bag. He said he would hold onto it until the morning and Chase could come by and get it. I called Chase back, told him, immediately his voice changed. Hopefully he will not obsess over this all night.
Can the boy just have one day that is not eventful?? Just one? Is that too much to ask for?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Please Let It Get Better
Mackenzie started third grade yesterday. She was very excited last night. I would tell you how many sentences she rambled off yesterday, but I honestly do not think I can count that high. She was so bubbly, bouncing all over the kitchen while I tried to cook, tormenting the dog by trying to pick him up and play with him, which ended with her throwing him on the couch like he was a small child. (She said he was smiling, I think he was gritting his teeth, as if to say, if you don't leave me the hell alone, it is going to be real ugly.) Her teacher is fabulous. She is the best teacher ever...that is what Mackenzie says. Her best friend is in the class. Yada yada yada...
Chase, well that is a different story. A much different story. He seemed okay yesterday morning. He has so much anxiety, this was great to see him not really stressed about his first day. My day drug by. It would not end. 3:20 is what time his school releases. He was going over to the high school to stay with his aunt that works there. I email her, asking how is day went, but end up calling before she emailed back. I spoke with Chase. He said his day was "okay" but not great. He said he was nervous about his science class. That is really all I could get out of him. He still did not seem like he was stressed too much. I pick him up, did the whole who is in your class, what was for lunch, did you like your teachers, how was gym, and several more questions trying to drag (or suck the life out of) out any information I could get. I was doing the whole sing-songy voice, acting all excited and happy about middle school.
Once home, I began supper. He began obsessing. He needed papers signed, I needed to do it. Like, right then! He was super stressed that we would not get them done. He even began filling some out, leaving only the spots that I needed to sign blank. During supper he told us that he was scared. He could not tell us exactly what he was scared of, but he was scared. We gave him the big pep talk, trying to reassure every fear he had in his little body. He seemed to relax, until....bedtime. At bedtime, when we thought he was in his bed on his way to sleep, he came into our room, sobbing. He was kept saying he was scared. It was just plain pitiful. Sheldon and I talked to him and tried to reassure him, but having anxiety myself, I knew we might as well talk to the wall. But, at least he knew we were there and understood his feelings. We both went to sleep with very heavy hearts.
When he got up this morning, he got ready as he normally would. He asked if he could watch tv, I said yes. When I made it to the kitchen, to work on lunches and breakfast, he stated he did not feel hungry. I knew not to push it.
I pulled into his school this morning, wishing I could just go in there and announce to them that he would not be back, I would just home school him!!! But, since I could not do that, I gave him the most positive smile I could and sent him on his way. I felt like crap.
Once again, I waited until the end of his day, called him at the high school to get the days report. He sounded better, but he told me that Science class was really bad. He needed a composition book and did not have the exact one the teacher wanted, so he had to write in on loose leaf paper and copy it all in the composition book once he got it. He got so worked up about that his remainder of the day seemed to be a bit nerve racking. He did tell me that his reading class was his favorite, which is a HUGE deal with him since he has a slight learning disability in reading.
When I picked him up after my work day, he again told me the story of his science incident. We talked about it, detail for detail. Then I asked him, "Do you think today was better than yesterday?" He thought about it a second, as if maybe he did not want to admit it, but he said "Yes, it was." Thank you Jesus. I told him (for the 145th time) each day would get better.
He ate a good supper tonight, he chatted about this and that, he even laughed as he and I raced each other to my bed that he wanted to spread out on, when I wanted to go to sleep, or write my blog...
Hopefully I did not lie to him and each day will get better. I pray this for him. It is hard to see him so worried. Three more days, then we have a long weekend. Three more days...
Chase, well that is a different story. A much different story. He seemed okay yesterday morning. He has so much anxiety, this was great to see him not really stressed about his first day. My day drug by. It would not end. 3:20 is what time his school releases. He was going over to the high school to stay with his aunt that works there. I email her, asking how is day went, but end up calling before she emailed back. I spoke with Chase. He said his day was "okay" but not great. He said he was nervous about his science class. That is really all I could get out of him. He still did not seem like he was stressed too much. I pick him up, did the whole who is in your class, what was for lunch, did you like your teachers, how was gym, and several more questions trying to drag (or suck the life out of) out any information I could get. I was doing the whole sing-songy voice, acting all excited and happy about middle school.
Once home, I began supper. He began obsessing. He needed papers signed, I needed to do it. Like, right then! He was super stressed that we would not get them done. He even began filling some out, leaving only the spots that I needed to sign blank. During supper he told us that he was scared. He could not tell us exactly what he was scared of, but he was scared. We gave him the big pep talk, trying to reassure every fear he had in his little body. He seemed to relax, until....bedtime. At bedtime, when we thought he was in his bed on his way to sleep, he came into our room, sobbing. He was kept saying he was scared. It was just plain pitiful. Sheldon and I talked to him and tried to reassure him, but having anxiety myself, I knew we might as well talk to the wall. But, at least he knew we were there and understood his feelings. We both went to sleep with very heavy hearts.
When he got up this morning, he got ready as he normally would. He asked if he could watch tv, I said yes. When I made it to the kitchen, to work on lunches and breakfast, he stated he did not feel hungry. I knew not to push it.
I pulled into his school this morning, wishing I could just go in there and announce to them that he would not be back, I would just home school him!!! But, since I could not do that, I gave him the most positive smile I could and sent him on his way. I felt like crap.
Once again, I waited until the end of his day, called him at the high school to get the days report. He sounded better, but he told me that Science class was really bad. He needed a composition book and did not have the exact one the teacher wanted, so he had to write in on loose leaf paper and copy it all in the composition book once he got it. He got so worked up about that his remainder of the day seemed to be a bit nerve racking. He did tell me that his reading class was his favorite, which is a HUGE deal with him since he has a slight learning disability in reading.
When I picked him up after my work day, he again told me the story of his science incident. We talked about it, detail for detail. Then I asked him, "Do you think today was better than yesterday?" He thought about it a second, as if maybe he did not want to admit it, but he said "Yes, it was." Thank you Jesus. I told him (for the 145th time) each day would get better.
He ate a good supper tonight, he chatted about this and that, he even laughed as he and I raced each other to my bed that he wanted to spread out on, when I wanted to go to sleep, or write my blog...
Hopefully I did not lie to him and each day will get better. I pray this for him. It is hard to see him so worried. Three more days, then we have a long weekend. Three more days...
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Middle School Begins
Yes, we have hit the milestone. Where on earth did these years go? I think it was just like last month that we were dropping this precious child off to kindergarten. It is amazing to me that he is already old enough to go to middle school.
At the beginning of this summer, I just could not imagine him ready to off to middle school. He was still a baby. (Not really, but in my eyes) Someone told me that they had felt the same way when their child went to middle school, but by the time school started their child was definitely ready. Chase has done this as well. He has matured a lot this summer. He even acts like a teenager sometimes, even though he his only 11. We see the adolescent years nearing us everyday.
Friday, his school offered an orientation just for sixth graders. Basically it was a day to get the kids orientated with where they should be and when. I was sooooo lucky that the mother of Chase's best friend offered to take Chase as well as another good friend of theirs. I dropped him off, he was nervous, but not half as nervous as he would have been had he had to go into the school alone. I think it helped with his anxiety tremendously to have two friends by his side.
I fidgeted all day. I worried all day. I was so nervous for him. 2:45 could not get there fast enough. The clock seemed to draaaaaag.
Finally, my cell rings, it is him. He sounded great. He was giggling with his friends. He said his day was good. He knew several kids in his class. His teachers all seemed nice. His favorite class was PE and Exploring Careers. I wish his favorites were English and Math were his favorites, but whatever got him through this day!
Tomorrow is the "real" first day. He seems oddly calm about it. He went last minute school shopping today. He got new sneakers, and a couple pairs of jeans. Boy, buying sneakers use to be so much easier than it was today. Oh, we also had to get a lunch box that was more "middle schoolish" than the ones we have in the cabinet.
Mackenzie will start third grade tomorrow. She is always okay with the beginning of school. She likes the socialization, and of course the thrill of wearing a new outfit. She too bought new sneakers today, as well as a few shirts and shorts.
We also bought all those friggin school supplies. Pencils, crayons, pens, paper, notebooks, folders, highlighters, and the list goes on and on. I am certain that I spent close to $100.00 just on school supplies for the two of them.
Hopefully tomorrow morning will go smoothly. I pray that it does. I guess I will, once again, get all teary as I drop each of them off in the morning. I remember totally not understanding it when my own mom did that every year on the first day of school. I thought she was a mush. Like mother, like daughter.
At the beginning of this summer, I just could not imagine him ready to off to middle school. He was still a baby. (Not really, but in my eyes) Someone told me that they had felt the same way when their child went to middle school, but by the time school started their child was definitely ready. Chase has done this as well. He has matured a lot this summer. He even acts like a teenager sometimes, even though he his only 11. We see the adolescent years nearing us everyday.
Friday, his school offered an orientation just for sixth graders. Basically it was a day to get the kids orientated with where they should be and when. I was sooooo lucky that the mother of Chase's best friend offered to take Chase as well as another good friend of theirs. I dropped him off, he was nervous, but not half as nervous as he would have been had he had to go into the school alone. I think it helped with his anxiety tremendously to have two friends by his side.
I fidgeted all day. I worried all day. I was so nervous for him. 2:45 could not get there fast enough. The clock seemed to draaaaaag.
Finally, my cell rings, it is him. He sounded great. He was giggling with his friends. He said his day was good. He knew several kids in his class. His teachers all seemed nice. His favorite class was PE and Exploring Careers. I wish his favorites were English and Math were his favorites, but whatever got him through this day!
Tomorrow is the "real" first day. He seems oddly calm about it. He went last minute school shopping today. He got new sneakers, and a couple pairs of jeans. Boy, buying sneakers use to be so much easier than it was today. Oh, we also had to get a lunch box that was more "middle schoolish" than the ones we have in the cabinet.
Mackenzie will start third grade tomorrow. She is always okay with the beginning of school. She likes the socialization, and of course the thrill of wearing a new outfit. She too bought new sneakers today, as well as a few shirts and shorts.
We also bought all those friggin school supplies. Pencils, crayons, pens, paper, notebooks, folders, highlighters, and the list goes on and on. I am certain that I spent close to $100.00 just on school supplies for the two of them.
Hopefully tomorrow morning will go smoothly. I pray that it does. I guess I will, once again, get all teary as I drop each of them off in the morning. I remember totally not understanding it when my own mom did that every year on the first day of school. I thought she was a mush. Like mother, like daughter.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Here We Go, Ready Or Not
NOT!!!! We went to open house at the middle school tonight. I cannot wrap my head around the fact that my little boy is going to middle school. It makes me pretty sad. He seemed to actually do pretty good, considering he has been very nervous about this big step. It did help that he got to buy gym clothes, and a cool gym bag. It also helped that he got to spend the day with his best friend, J, and they have two classes together this semester.
Friday he goes to school for a sixth grade orientation. This is suppose to be a fun event. They will meet all their teachers, a little more personally. They will take tours of the school, have a lunch, and Lord only knows what else. It is a full day, which I hate, being that is their last day of summer break.
Chase has not had much time to think about all the logistics of this orientation, since he has an invite to come to J's house and ride with him to school, then J's Mom is going to pick them up, and Chase has been invited to spend the night with them. I am very thankful to J's Mom, I do think that hanging out with J has helped ease Chase's mind. He and J laugh and cut up constantly when they are together. I like J. He is a cool kid....and he is even nice to Kenzie. I like his mother too, we have a great time together as well.
Mackenzie had open house tonight, at the exact time of Chase's...who plans this crap. I was trying to figure out how I was going to juggle this. Sheldon has had three bad nights of work, he could not possibly go in late tonight, Aunt J that is always a big help to us, she works at a different school, that had open house as well. The only option was to sprout wings and fly. Great, I will just add that to my list of things to do now.
Just when I was about to go into panic mode, I was saved. My dear friend, that does not even have a child at our elementary school volunteered to take Mac for her open house. I felt bad, that is until I talked to Kenz, explaining my dilemma to her, and then she tells me that she thinks that is great idea, she actually thought that would be more fun...so, she basically just told me she did not need me. Ooooookay.
I felt bad to some degree, but since I have known Mac's teacher from childhood, I did not really feel that I had to go in there with my normal interrogation making sure we were on the same page, and that my child was the most important one in there...(they usually just agree with me, all the while they are thinking, "This mom has lost her ever living mind). I felt like as long as she saw her cubby, her desk, her newly decorated classroom, we would be in good shape. It seemed surprising to my friend that EVERYONE knew Mac, and me...well, first reason is because most of these people have lived in this same town their entire life, as I have. Secondly, I have been an officer on the PTA the past 4 years. Third, I am that mom that is in the know, I want to know every detail on every teacher. I stalk them. I have known each school year, usually within the first nine weeks, what teacher I would like for my kids to have the following school year. And our previous teachers, they know us well, hell, they get emails from me sometimes twice a week. I am THAT mom that wants to know how they are doing. Mostly with Chase since he has had some difficulty in reading, but I check up on Kenz too.
Oh, and I love to pick them up from after school care, and as soon as they get all buckled up and we start down the road, I love to say, "So how was that math test that you failed to mention to me? or You have a disagreement with your friend S today? You both had to move your card?" I love the look in their eyes. They are frantically thinking of a story, but Mom already knows...how, that just happened like 1 hour ago, she works 30 minutes away, how on earth. How you ask, "Mom's know everything."
Here we come, very nervous, very worried, a little excited, and a lot anxious. And then there is the child that just doesn't seem to be affected. Did not even care if I was there or not. Independent, yeah, that is what I will keep telling myself.
Friday he goes to school for a sixth grade orientation. This is suppose to be a fun event. They will meet all their teachers, a little more personally. They will take tours of the school, have a lunch, and Lord only knows what else. It is a full day, which I hate, being that is their last day of summer break.
Chase has not had much time to think about all the logistics of this orientation, since he has an invite to come to J's house and ride with him to school, then J's Mom is going to pick them up, and Chase has been invited to spend the night with them. I am very thankful to J's Mom, I do think that hanging out with J has helped ease Chase's mind. He and J laugh and cut up constantly when they are together. I like J. He is a cool kid....and he is even nice to Kenzie. I like his mother too, we have a great time together as well.
Mackenzie had open house tonight, at the exact time of Chase's...who plans this crap. I was trying to figure out how I was going to juggle this. Sheldon has had three bad nights of work, he could not possibly go in late tonight, Aunt J that is always a big help to us, she works at a different school, that had open house as well. The only option was to sprout wings and fly. Great, I will just add that to my list of things to do now.
Just when I was about to go into panic mode, I was saved. My dear friend, that does not even have a child at our elementary school volunteered to take Mac for her open house. I felt bad, that is until I talked to Kenz, explaining my dilemma to her, and then she tells me that she thinks that is great idea, she actually thought that would be more fun...so, she basically just told me she did not need me. Ooooookay.
I felt bad to some degree, but since I have known Mac's teacher from childhood, I did not really feel that I had to go in there with my normal interrogation making sure we were on the same page, and that my child was the most important one in there...(they usually just agree with me, all the while they are thinking, "This mom has lost her ever living mind). I felt like as long as she saw her cubby, her desk, her newly decorated classroom, we would be in good shape. It seemed surprising to my friend that EVERYONE knew Mac, and me...well, first reason is because most of these people have lived in this same town their entire life, as I have. Secondly, I have been an officer on the PTA the past 4 years. Third, I am that mom that is in the know, I want to know every detail on every teacher. I stalk them. I have known each school year, usually within the first nine weeks, what teacher I would like for my kids to have the following school year. And our previous teachers, they know us well, hell, they get emails from me sometimes twice a week. I am THAT mom that wants to know how they are doing. Mostly with Chase since he has had some difficulty in reading, but I check up on Kenz too.
Oh, and I love to pick them up from after school care, and as soon as they get all buckled up and we start down the road, I love to say, "So how was that math test that you failed to mention to me? or You have a disagreement with your friend S today? You both had to move your card?" I love the look in their eyes. They are frantically thinking of a story, but Mom already knows...how, that just happened like 1 hour ago, she works 30 minutes away, how on earth. How you ask, "Mom's know everything."
Here we come, very nervous, very worried, a little excited, and a lot anxious. And then there is the child that just doesn't seem to be affected. Did not even care if I was there or not. Independent, yeah, that is what I will keep telling myself.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
That Boot Camp I Speak Of...
OMG, Boot Camp is kicking Mac's butt. She is so exhausted it is crazy. And her appetite, dear Lord Jesus. I put all kinds of food in her lunchbox just to be sure she had enough for snacks and lunch, that little piggy ate it ALL!
And, she has aged like 6-8 years. We had to find the perfect knee high socks, cause that is what the big girls wear. We had to cut her sweats to shorts, cause that is what the big girls wear. We had to pick the perfect tank top, not too tight, but not loose either. Seriously?????
Did I mention that she also is ill as a hornet? No one can say or do anything to please her. She is so grouchy. Poor Chase could not even breathe right for her today. She even had an invite to spend the night with her best friend and SHE turned it down.
She was asleep extremely early tonight. HOWEVER, she conveniently fell asleep in my bed, knowing that I would be too lazy, and actually not strong enough to carry her to her own bed. I actually don't mind the company, once she is asleep....and not grouchy....and not asking one million questions...and not drinking all my drink....and not calling the dog up here to cuddle with....and not pulling on the covers so she can hide under them...and not asking if we can not watch whatever I am watching and turn the tv to Hannah Montana...yeah, other than that, I don't mind the company of her sweet, warm, angelic sleeping self. But don't tell her, she will forever use it against me.
And, she has aged like 6-8 years. We had to find the perfect knee high socks, cause that is what the big girls wear. We had to cut her sweats to shorts, cause that is what the big girls wear. We had to pick the perfect tank top, not too tight, but not loose either. Seriously?????
Did I mention that she also is ill as a hornet? No one can say or do anything to please her. She is so grouchy. Poor Chase could not even breathe right for her today. She even had an invite to spend the night with her best friend and SHE turned it down.
She was asleep extremely early tonight. HOWEVER, she conveniently fell asleep in my bed, knowing that I would be too lazy, and actually not strong enough to carry her to her own bed. I actually don't mind the company, once she is asleep....and not grouchy....and not asking one million questions...and not drinking all my drink....and not calling the dog up here to cuddle with....and not pulling on the covers so she can hide under them...and not asking if we can not watch whatever I am watching and turn the tv to Hannah Montana...yeah, other than that, I don't mind the company of her sweet, warm, angelic sleeping self. But don't tell her, she will forever use it against me.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Boot Camp and Such...
Not much has been going on in our house the past few days. Just normal chaos.
The kids went with Granddaddy on Sunday tubing at the lake. Sheldon and I got to spend the entire afternoon together. It was very nice. We talked...without being interrupted. Imagine that. We took a nice drive through the country, Sheldon took me to see his Mom's new house. She was excited to see us.
We then drove into town and got a little lunch. We had a very pleasurable afternoon.
This the kids last week out of school, and as much as I have joked about them going back to school, I really dread it. They have had a great summer, Sheldon has been home a lot with them. We have had many lunches together. It has just been very laid back. It has been a great summer. I hate to see it end.
Chase is starting to obsess over middle school and all the changes that goes along with that. I am worried too, but if you hear me talking to him, you would think middle school is the best thing ever. Hopefully once he gets there he will be okay. I think he hates change about as much as I do. He is also worried about changing classes, and not knowing where to go. I am sad he is going to middle school. He is still my baby. It just doesn't seem right.
Mackenzie is in "Boot Camp" this week for dance. She is on the "Company" which means she is an awesome dancer...or at least that is what I think...ha. Okay, maybe not awesome, but she is on her way. Everyone on Company has to be at boot camp this week, which is about 5 hours every day of dancing, training, and there is a little socializing, I am sure. She seemed happy about it today. She is tired tonight, which is pretty unusual for Mac, she is always ready to go...and then go some more. However, as tired as she might be, she is still talking a mile a minute. That's my girl!
Chase stayed home today with Sheldon, except Sheldon slept whole all day. Chase did really good. He scrambled eggs fro breakfast, cooked microwave french fries for lunch, and ate candy this afternoon. He surfed the Internet for awhile, he went to WWE site, the child eats, sleeps, and breathes wrestling. He played video games a lot, watched tv awhile. He just chilled out. He is the kind of person that can go all day without interaction. He is growing up way too fast!
Boot camp this week, orientation at the Elementary school on Wednesday night, orientation for parents at the middle school on Wednesday night, and orientation for students on Friday at the middle school. That is our week...busy, but hopefully good. It is just me and the kids at night, which means chicken nuggets, corn dogs, cereal...sleeping in Mommy's bed, watching lots of wrestling...and missing Sheldon terribly.
The kids went with Granddaddy on Sunday tubing at the lake. Sheldon and I got to spend the entire afternoon together. It was very nice. We talked...without being interrupted. Imagine that. We took a nice drive through the country, Sheldon took me to see his Mom's new house. She was excited to see us.
We then drove into town and got a little lunch. We had a very pleasurable afternoon.
This the kids last week out of school, and as much as I have joked about them going back to school, I really dread it. They have had a great summer, Sheldon has been home a lot with them. We have had many lunches together. It has just been very laid back. It has been a great summer. I hate to see it end.
Chase is starting to obsess over middle school and all the changes that goes along with that. I am worried too, but if you hear me talking to him, you would think middle school is the best thing ever. Hopefully once he gets there he will be okay. I think he hates change about as much as I do. He is also worried about changing classes, and not knowing where to go. I am sad he is going to middle school. He is still my baby. It just doesn't seem right.
Mackenzie is in "Boot Camp" this week for dance. She is on the "Company" which means she is an awesome dancer...or at least that is what I think...ha. Okay, maybe not awesome, but she is on her way. Everyone on Company has to be at boot camp this week, which is about 5 hours every day of dancing, training, and there is a little socializing, I am sure. She seemed happy about it today. She is tired tonight, which is pretty unusual for Mac, she is always ready to go...and then go some more. However, as tired as she might be, she is still talking a mile a minute. That's my girl!
Chase stayed home today with Sheldon, except Sheldon slept whole all day. Chase did really good. He scrambled eggs fro breakfast, cooked microwave french fries for lunch, and ate candy this afternoon. He surfed the Internet for awhile, he went to WWE site, the child eats, sleeps, and breathes wrestling. He played video games a lot, watched tv awhile. He just chilled out. He is the kind of person that can go all day without interaction. He is growing up way too fast!
Boot camp this week, orientation at the Elementary school on Wednesday night, orientation for parents at the middle school on Wednesday night, and orientation for students on Friday at the middle school. That is our week...busy, but hopefully good. It is just me and the kids at night, which means chicken nuggets, corn dogs, cereal...sleeping in Mommy's bed, watching lots of wrestling...and missing Sheldon terribly.
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