Harvest Table 2012- An unlikely place to be thankful

Here. My 2nd home for a good 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, occasionally Sundays as well, for 10 months of the year.



I'm thankful in the continuing faltering economy when others are unemployed or underemployed, that I have have steady and reliable work. 

Work is work, but most days I like what I do, I like working with students. I love getting to teach something I am passionate about with the autonomy to teach how I want from a supportive administration. 

Last week I organized conferences with students who are failing my class.  It was a herculean task to find mutual time agreeable to all parties including asking counselors/administration.  While I didn't get to everyone, I hope to jumpstart the 2nd part of the semester for those failing.  

Having now been on the other side of these uncomfortable meetings I think I bring more of a listening ear than ever before.  One of the admin said to me later, you go the extra mile for some of our most difficult kids.  Thanks, it is always nice to feel appreciated in a career often trivialized. 

We are doing a mock trial today.  Yes, strategically planned for the often off-the-chain craziness the day before a holiday.  It's one of the favorite things I do and culminates in taking a class picture that I keep for myself. 

After what feels like a gazillion students to have passed through my classes, it a reminder that I hope they leave a little more knowledge and a bit of positive in the often awkward high school experience. 

Harvest Table 2012

A church we used to attend celebrated Thanksgiving week with a community service in which members brought something to share (usually jams, baked goods, or sewing) and left them around the alter.  Towards the end of the service everyone had the chance to take something else home to enjoy at their own Thanksgiving table.

I really liked this idea and started trying to incorporate the same idea in our home. Before setting my own Thanksgiving table decided to spend a small part of the holiday week thanking those people that make our lives brighter, happier, and often easier.

I really liked several friends posts about the book 29 Gifts and may extend my own Harvest Table week into  December as part of our annual tradition of giving to our community.

To start Harvest Table week I wanted to thank Ben and Ian's teachers.  When I say "you see my children more awake hours of the day than I do 5 days a week, I mean it."  The boys' teachers are a large and powerful force in their social and academic development.  I want to thank them for not only the time they give to each of them, but the unending patience they display.

This year I included a note from each boy and a small basket with homemade strawberry preserves, chocolate truffles, spinach dip mix, and homemade hummingbird bread with cream cheese icing.

Thank you teachers at DDE and PCA for giving of yourselves for our family.

Junior Jazzercise, the Fall Edition

We opted to sit out more sports until T-ball season again to try something new, classes at the Cary Art Center.  Ben loved the their week long summer day camp. Mom has had to accept that his often large pieces of artwork are becoming permanent fixtures in most rooms.  Solutions of how to tenderly throw out kids art accepted. 

*Thinking outloud*  Considering hosting an art gallery showing of his best pieces for some of his friends over the holidays.  Thinking of planning an art themed playdate and before we start let the kids walk room to room viewing his selections.  My thinking is we can pair down the odd 30 or so pieces down to the top 10 to keep. 

This as it seems like a double win to pair down the collection while letting him choose the most important.  Showing to friends would be self esteem building, especially if he plays docent.

We looked through the courses online and picked out three classes.  A basic drawing class teaching "Monsters, Ninjas, and Robots" that he is currently taking on Monday afternoons.  Last Saturday he did a one-day class called, "Bringing the Outside In", using natural items and learning collage technique.  Seen here is a castle built out of bark.  

In December Ben is enrolled in a ceramics class teaching him the basics of using clay.  Remember when we took a chance on the summer Jr Jazzercise class and it wound up being his favorite camp of the summer?  I'm getting the feeling that ceramics is going to be the fall edition.  

Ben keeps asking when the clay class starts and if we can go ahead and start learning at home. The awesome thing is that after he completes the basics class he is allowed to come with a parent on Sundays for kids open studio.  Basically for the price of clay you purchase from the Center the studio time, supplies and firing of pieces is included. 

I cannot tell you how happy it makes me for Ben to be engaged in something positive that he can channel extra energy.  More nights than I can count he is forgoing watching his one tv show to spend working on some type of creation.  My only ground rules are make whatever you want, but you must clean up put away all supplies.  

This past Saturday I also did a parent child class with Ian where we make a turkey for our Thanksgiving table.  Ian helped color the feathers with happy faces and scribbles, paint the dots while I glued all the parts together.  Needless to say a room full of toddlers with art supplies was organized chaos, but Ian left telling me, "I like brother Ben. My turkey."

We finished up our trip with a visit to a local drugstore, the real deal with a soda counter that still serves a killer cherry smash drink and hand dipped ice cream.  While we were waiting, the boys took advantage of the wall of toys beckoning small hands. 

Interestingly there was a student there taking pictures for a school photography project involving landmarks in Cary.  She came over and asked if she could include a picture the boys playing.  Before she could finish telling me about the project, I looked at her and said, " just go for it."

Go for it is my moto with Ben (and Ian as well) on exploring new interests. I'm hoping in making the biggest mess possible they will discover a life long interest in the process. 

* No photo available

We returned late yesterday from an overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge.  Thanks to a money saving Groupon room rate, mom's kick ass post-Kenya ability to only take exactly the right amount of everything, and Bill's ability to corral the boys off the waterslides, we had a great trip.

So great that I didn't even think about taking one picture to capture the moment Ian looked at the toddler area and then pointed with one finger in the air to the big kid area and said, "I not go baby slide, I big boy.  I go potty, I go big slide."  By the end of the night he had gone down the bigger kid slide into the double digits and was still going strong when Bill finally cut off his fun.

Ben especially enjoyed something we did at Blizzard Beach at WDW, obstacle course over water.  Can we say, watch Wipeout much?  He and I also played basketball in the pool and hung out on the lazy river chatting about who can win at Plants vs. Zombies. What I really liked about Great Wolf Lodge is that you have access to the water park before you can check in and after check out.  We took advantage of both and left completely worn out for the drive home.

Our room was configured so that the boys had a separate "cabin" within our room that included bunk beds.  As this was Ian's first time not his his crib, it took a good hour to get him to stay in the bed.  The reward was both boys slept until 9 am, allowing us to also sleep in as well.

So much win all around.

Two meetings involving Ben

It has been an unbelievably busy week on all fronts.  Earlier in the week we had two meetings about Ben.  First up was a 1st quarter teacher conference then later a parent/therapist meeting to discuss his treatment plan. 

Ben's teacher is pleased with his reading level which has caught back up to put him on grade level! She commented that she was glad we had worked with a tutor for the summer and showed us evidence of his growth.  Ben also has done well with math, and comments regularly that he really likes math. 

Areas for growth include continued work on handwriting, spelling (uh.. he has my DNA, there is little hope.) She also talked about how behavior wise that he is nothing like what she expected. 

Before the mamma bear in me said, "so just what did his previous teacher tell you," the teacher in me replied, "yes, he had a really difficult year and we appreciate everything Mrs S did to work with Ben and stay in daily contact with us.  She only saw Ben on a medication the final weeks of the semester."  I also said that we asked for a placement and naturally would think you would discuss his strenghts and weaknesses before he arrived.

Another positive is that he is not showing any type of anger issues in class.  She is concerned about him yelling out correct answers after repeated redirection and if not acknowledged will turn to anyone around him and tell them, "I knew that."

Ben and I talked about this the other night and as suspected he told me that he wants everyone to know that he is smart, so he yells out answers.  He also said that he feels bad when peers tell him he's not smart.  His teacher commented that Ben is very aware that some students are being pulled out for Gifted programs and asks why he is not getting to go. 

Part of me is sad for him not being at a level to be considered gifted, but the realistic side is thankful that after a year of lagging behind, he is making progress. I will continue to say that I would much rather have an average student who likes who he is more than a honor roll bumper sticker on my car.

That brings me to the other meeting, an in depth discussion with his counselor about what she had gleaned from that crazy, long developmental history as well as her findings after 4 sessions alone with Ben. 

I don't know how much of any of this I want or am ready to post publicly, but Bill and I came away from that meeting knowing that:

1.  We are at the right place for treatment
2.  Early intervention is going to be key for the long run, both academically and socially
3.  We have surely been over our heads in trying to help him by ourselves for a really long time

As suspected there is more than just ADHD on the table, other issues are exacerbated by the symptoms of his hyperactivity. Our real focus has been on his misbehavior only. 

We have more upcoming parent meetings with her as well as the center director to discuss what his treatment plan looks like including taking over his medication management. 

When she used the word years, with a little s, as far as what she would feel is optimal for his treatment, including multiple visits per week, part of me just sunk back in my chair.  While we were not expecting a quick fix I was thinking maybe a 6  month run tops with likely a weekly visit would likely be the recommendation. 

The guilt of just what kind of awesome parent has really kicked in this week, and while I know there are so many more factors that have contributed, I can't help but think that some blame has to lie with parenting. 

Bill and I are committed to doing what is in his best interest regardless of time investment or money.  Neither are an issue to even consider when Ben's well being is at stake.

We have a much needed date night planned over the weekend, as well as an overnight family trip planned to Great Wolf Lodge.  Something tells me a night of waterpark fun is needed by all. 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

My house around 8 pm, armed with 2 blank electoral maps, blue and red crayons, mom's poster from my classroom (thanks CSPAN!), and one very excited 6 year old.

Around 9 pm, watching the states be called and explaining in simplified terms about how each state gets votes based on how many people live in the state.

As promised after taking a very reluctant Ben to bed just before 10 pm that I would continue to fill in his map and let him know who won.  I wish I could be there when he opens his door to head down for breakfast.

When we were sitting on the steps of the Lincoln memorial Sunday wrapping up our trip, I told him that 4 years before I had gotten to see Mr. Obama take his oath to become President and it was something I would always remember.

I told him that I hoped he would always care about who wants to be the President and when he could vote that he would.  I told him that many important issues would be decided based on how he voted.

While "my guy" won I will not kid myself that Obama's easiest day in office was his 1st term Inauguration Day. Over 200 years ago in another contentious battle to adopt the Constitution, Madison wrote in Federalist #10 of the division that factions would bring to the new nation.

He warned against political divisions from overshadowing the most important matters facing our country. Timely advice for what will be another difficult four years ahead for our nations' leaders.

Let's move forward if at all possible, together.

May the odds be ever in your favor

Bill reported during volunteering yesterday that Ben asked another parent volunteer about who she was supporting and why.  Bill reported that it took her by surprise and she was kind enough to explain her position.  

That's my boy.  Especially since Ben very politely replied, "I like Mr. Obama, but you can like Mr. Romney, that's ok too."

Ben informed me when he made his ballot that he was voting for Mr. Obama, his friend Dillon, and himself, in that order.

As much as I long to see election predictions on some old school white boards later tonight, I'm settling for a colored in Electoral College map with crayons with my (hopeful) future political junkie.

"If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem"

-Civil Rights Era credo

Please pick a side and vote in your Federal, State, and Local elections.

XOXOXOXOXO--- Your local Civics teacher

DC Weekend: millions of puppets and butt fighting

A big thanks to the Hahn family for letting us stay with them over the weekend.  When I mentioned to Beth back at the end of the summer that I was thinking taking a Saturday day trip to do Air and Space with Ben, she immediately said make it an overnight trip.

Ben and I headed out Saturday morning on the Metro with the intention of doing one museum then meeting up with Beth, William, and Seth later in the afternoon on the Mall.  It was cold and windy and by we had walked to the Capitol, Ben was spent and wanted to be inside.

Beth took us on the driving tour of the monuments and the White House. We spent the rest of the afternoon letting the boys play.  I was so happy that Ben's behavior was spectacular all weekend.  Even when he was cold, he was agreeable and excited to be doing something new.  Go Ben!

I think he told me, "this is the best day ever" at least 8-9 times while in the museum.  I let him decide what we saw and when to leave.  His favorite was any and all exhibits that had something he could manipulate.  He declined to do the flight simulator but did want to watch the video explaining how it worked for a good 15 minutes.

When we left we came came upon two guys with puppets that were talking to each other crossing the street WITH the puppets.  Ben was the first to give them the WTF look with me soon to follow as we stumbled upon the Million Puppet March.

*Note* We saw maybe 30 total puppets, so I have to ask if they exceeded their expectations just a bit

Once back at the Hahn home the boys played lots of educational games  lots of cars crashes and watched some really bad shows.  Several Ben has already asked to put in our Netflix queue.  Ben bestowed his knowledge of the "butt fight", something that obviously my after school care $ is going to help endow.

Sorry Beth, I'll see your awful movie FRED and raise you a butt fight.  At least Ben didn't show them "tackle down" or "bull tag" as well.

Best of all was simply getting to hang out with Beth and talk, for uninterrupted stretches about our kids, parenting struggles, the upcoming election as well as her inside thoughts on the Senate.
Beth, you have a totally cool job.  I'm so jealous.

Ben asked before we left if we could go back to the Lincoln Memorial, or as he in is 6 year old speak, "Giant Mr. Lincoln's house."  So we headed back into town and walked over.  He thought it was really cool.

We wrapped up the morning by sitting on the steps looking out over the Mall and talking about favorite things seen.  It may have been the calmest, most focused I've seen him in months and definitely something to remember when the days are tough.

Thanks Beth and your generous family for opening your home to us.  We hope to come back again to do more museums and to share more inappropriate boy games.  

DC Bound!

Where else would this political junkie want to be days before the election than DC!?

Actually earlier in the fall I had planned a trip with Ben to the Air and Space Museum.  Bill has upcoming weekend events with Y Guides so I thought this was a fair swap.  Plus I've really wanted some one on one time with Ben.

We are DC bound as soon after school today.  Over the past few weeks, we have checked out a few age appropriate books about DC and specifically the White House.  Ben's only request other than visiting the "cool museum with the airplane pictures" is to walk by the White House. He has been asking lots of questions about what the President does and why people vote.

I took Ben with me to early vote last week and talked over what happens at each step.  He made his own ballot and voted for himself.  We have talked a lot in the past weeks about how each side believes in specific ideas and how everyone has a say about how our government works.  We even played 270 to Win when he saw it up on my computer, working on something for class. 

Granted it was a very simplistic conversation about the electoral college but he now wants to watch some of the election returns with me Tuesday and color in a map for the states called before he goes to bed.

Earlier this week I had the chance to attend AP Government training.  A room full of Civics teachers a WEEK before the election sharing resources? 

Better than porn. 

I have loved playing both sides of this election, refusing to talk about who I am supporting and rather facilitating their discussion of the candidates, issues, and potitional outcome.  In the end, I want them to leave with some understanding how political process works and most importantly why they should care. What I think is totally irrelevant.   

One of my past students was at the DNC Convention earlier this year. He sent me a picture from the NC delegation hub with the caption, "I liked politics before I was in your class, I left loving it." Feedback like this makes all the days of write ups, oodles of parent contacts, and grading piles of work worth it.

Score one for future political junkies masquerading as high school students today, maybe two if Ben continues to show an interest.

Pretty Freakin' Sweet

Let's see who got the better deal on Halloween?

Bill: Graciously picked up dinner at the new Chipotle with kids in tow, then took Ben trick or treating with some neighbor friends until everyone was chilled to the bone.

Heather:  Stayed inside a warm house, grading a final stack of essays and hanging out with the littlest (scared) Vinson. Ian opted to stay home, working yet another floor puzzle eating cheese sticks and watching Dinosaur train.  

He agreed to put on his costume for a picture and to visit the neighbors, but was super scared of all the people in masks.  

Once home Bill and I checked over the candy loot and did an abbreviated bedtime.  Both boys were out cold by 9 pm where I caught up on Good Wife and did some research for our weekend roadtrip.

Pretty freakin' sweet, and I'm not just talking about the candy.

PS:  When I saw this picture of Ian all I can think is not a bit of a baby face left, only a little boy. Sniff..

Retro Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Bill took today off from work to get ready for one of his favorite holidays.  Before the end of the night, the final touches including a fog machine and enough candy to ensure diabetes for all will be going down.

We had a fabulous time Saturday night at our neighborhood party.  Ben announced that he had eaten 13 cookies and 3 doughnuts as he was laying naked on the bathroom floor post party.  Mom commented that it served him right to have a monster tummy ache.  Ian was hesitant to go outside for the party as he is in a scared of everything phase.  He opted to stay inside for the first hour of the party working the same floor puzzle over and over.  It took the words "doughnut" to get him outside.

Bill took the boys to buy costumes very early this year for optimal selection.  Ben is a G.I. Joe Black Opps Ninja, Ian a dinosaur.  Pictures tomorrow along with our porch decked out.  People have commented that they LOVE our decorations, or is Bill smoking crack with the 5 different types of lights, 7 pumpkins, and my contribution of a giant scarecrow.  All I can say is I hoisted 50 lbs of real fruit over the front door for Christmas. I got nothing people.

Before we close out a great October tonight with trick or treating, a quick look back at past Halloweens.

2006

A cute puppy dog infant bunting

2007
A frog in blue Pumas

2008
A Race Car driver

2009
An Astronaut

2010- Buzz Lightyear (Ben)  and Mr. Potato Head (Ian) (part of Vinson Family at Disney as Toy Story characters.. aka Mom will NEVER make costumes again!)

 2011- Capt America (Ben) and a (very cute) Monkey Ian

Happy Halloween all!  Have fun, be safe, and keep a stash of the best candy for yourself!

Working on 23

Another year, another anniversary of my favorite day of the year.

October 28th has come and gone for the past 23 years with little fanfare.  I did buy a big bouquet of yellow lilies for the kitchen counter and took the dog for an extra long walk enjoying the leaves at their peak.

We spent today as a family, first at church, then at a food truck rodeo stuffing our faces with bacon covered maple bourbon doughnuts, dumplings, ice cream, and the largest, greasiest burger I've ever seen.  No calories counted, not a one on this day.

So many times I wish for a do-over. Not a single regret today. I got exactly what I wanted, a normal, nothing significant day spent with the people I love most.

Best of all, the chance to do it all again tomorrow.

An Occasional Friday Series- Gonna Wear the Hell Out of This!

I've been working on a short list of items I want to add to my fall wardrobe.  I'm concentrating mainly on work as I wear essentially the same thing on weekends, jeans and a black turtleneck and clogs.  I might, just might wear this new sweater I've ordered from Sundance.

Days here have continued to be warm, thus I'm still wearing sandals and open toed shoes (yes with a pedicure).  I found this very cute lightweight dark denim shirtwaist dress at Gap and loved it do much that I bought the scarf right off the mannequin while waiting in line to pay.  I *hope* to make this a 4 season dress with leggings underneath once colder.  By the way I get more comments on my Tom's wedges every time I wear them.  They are super comfortable and dress anything up.  By them at Nordstroms in store or online.

Next up are the white jeans.  My friend Kim, who is my style go-to, assured me that I CAN continue to wear white into fall as long as it's paired appropriately.  Not only do I get another place to wear this belt I love, but damn if I don't love these jeans.

Someone commented they hadn't worn white jeans since high school.  My comment, "since I never owned them in high school, I'm going to wear the hell out of these for as long as I (tastefully) can!"

Next up was what has been my fall uniform.  Wear it to a pumpkin patch, you bet.  To the State Fair, right again.  The crazy thing is both the cropped jeans and jacket are both from Banana Republic, a store I seldom shop in due to cost, but love their casual outfits.  I got both pieces at a Kenya fundraising yard sale and cost less than $15 together. Score.

A couple of weeks ago Bill and I did a date night which turned into Heather just shopping and Bill hanging out at the Apple Store.  I blitzed store after store trying on clothes including trying on party dresses for fun.

I've been looking for the right pair of red pants (or jeans).  Too cute!

One of the things on my list is a charcoal shift dress that I can dress up professionally for work as well as casually for a date night.

I really like this print from White House, Black Market.

But then I found this from Garnet Hill.

I am totally in  love with this dress.  It is made of super soft Merino wool and paired with a low slung chunky double wrap belt also on order from Garnet HilL I can not wait for it to get a little colder.  I have some argyle patterned tights I'm going to pair with boots for a winter look.

I *might* even be tempted to buy these suede wedge shoes in funky purple to also wear with this dress.  Wait.. who am I kidding, I would totally go for the basic, understated color!

Think I might wear the hell out of this dress?

Answer?

Hell Yes. 

Digging out

End of the quarter means one thing:

I'm burning the midnight oil to wrap up this semester, grade piles and piles of late work.  Really, a district wide policy that allows for late work for an entire quarter teaches what life skill exactly?

As we wrap up these last two weeks going into the election I want to take every, single blowhard politician who gives lip service to education and junk punch them. 

But first I want them to walk one day in any teacher, any school, any level.  Then they can justify cutting budgets, freezing salaries for years on end, or coming up with ridiculous names like Race to the Top that just demoralize.

If you want real education reform, it starts at home. It takes an enormous investment of time and energy (from everyone) and yes, money.

So to any politician on any level, you want my vote, show me that you value what I do and don't use me for political gain.

ps- Also don't run your campaign out of my mailbox.  If only I could take all that wasted paper used on campaign fliers and use it in the classroom for a useful purpose.

Oh wait, I just did.  I used it to teach propaganda techniques and money spent by special interest groups.      

Wake me when the hour is over

For a WHOLE FULL HOUR yesterday I was waiting on Ben at an appointment with the new psychologist. 

For a WHOLE FULL HOUR it was quiet.

For a WHOLE FULL HOUR I sat in the warm afternoon light cascading over me

For a WHOLE FULL HOUR I updated the ever present duel work/home to-do list

For a WHOLE FULL HOUR I made a small dent in my massive end of quarter grading

For a WHOLE FULL HOUR I contemplated
all the things I could do at future visits:  read a book, take a walk around the surrounding wooded area, I even thought about the luxury of a short nap.

Of course when that hour was up it was back to the traffic filled day care pick up, and poopy toddler pants, and the nightly drama that is our life. 

Worth a $40 copay to feel like we took even the smallest of steps to help, AMAZING! But equally amazing to find a whole hour to myself was icing on the cake.

So worth red paint in my favorite jeans

It was an absolute beautiful fall weekend here in NC.  Bill had wanted to get one more camping trip in before it became too cold. Saturday night we each took a kid and had a date night. 

Bill and Ben camped to my night with Ian. On our date night we walked to feed the ducks, playground time, spaghetti dinner mess, then snuggled on the couch watching Dinosaur train and eating a K pop (what Ian currently calls all suckers since Ben calls them candy pops.)

I stayed up entirely too late in a quiet house cleaning and then grading a ginormous stack of papers while watching a Downton Abbey marathon.  Sunday we did church and once Bill was home I took the boys to the NC Museum of Art fallfest.  Since they have reopened after a massive renovation I've been meaning to take them and explore. 

They had several kids themed activities including veggie stamping on canvas.  The boys loved making shapes, then making a total mess.  Mom loved researching how to get red paint out of her jeans later that night. 

In the next room was build and then draw a still life. Ben sat for nearly 30 minutes drawing, completely focused.  He was so proud of his final creation.  I think he showed every single person on the way out his art.  Ian and I took turns drawing his "happy socks" (smiley face socks he loves and keeps demanding to wear) then covering it up with Ian's contribution, scribbling.   

We toured several exhibits which I was floored at the questions Ben was asking about what medium (he knew this word?) was used and why some paintings you had to come up with what you thought they were about.  again... all this from his weekly art class at school?

Afterwards we sat outside eating Loco pops which I have yet to find a flavor I don't like. Yesterday I had pumpkin spiced chai to the boys cookies and cream. 

On the way home Ben commented that he wanted to go  back and see the other building's art.  He went on to ask if on our upcoming weekend trip to Washington DC to see the Air and Space museum if they had more museums. 

uh.. yes... and uh... YES, lots and lots of museums that have different types of art!   I'm thinking we are going to making more than one mom/Ben overnight trip before 1st grade is over.

Last night we were talking about if we wanted to continue soccer for the next season or other options.

I showed him some of the art classes offered through the Town of Cary and we signed up online for winter classes including: "Ninjas, Monsters, and Dinosaur Drawing", "Bringing the Outside Inside", and a beginning clay basics class. 

By finishing a clay basics we can then take advantage of the kids open studio open on Sundays once a month. 

In all seriousness I love that right now this is something he really loves doing, can focus on for an extended amount of time, and is proud of himself. 

A triple win, for sure.

A conversation with our daycare provider

Ms. Amy- Wow Ian you have TWO incident reports today, what happened to you (this as Ian hands her the two injury reports I've just signed)

Ian- "I fall down outside, I hit head on water fountain. I drink all water, no more"

Ms. Amy- I think Ian may get the award for most incident reports ever by a child at PCA.  You  (talking to Ian) always are such a happy boy, even when you have a big boo boo

Heather- "you know at one point I wondered if he had that disease where you can like cut your hand off and not know it. I know he doesn't but he regularly busts it at home and just keeps going strong, pointing to the bandaid on his head from hitting the brick fireplace earlier in the week."

Ms. Amy-"I'm sure having a big brother at home has toughened him up"

Heather- "yes, two of their favorite games to play are called BULL TAG and TACKLE DOWN"

Ms. Amy- "Oh my, you have your hands full."

Heather- "Understatement of the year" (thinking to myself that at pick-up just minutes earlier, Ben had a red day and also was reprimanded for throwing rocks at a school window in the after school program.)

On a totally different note two of Ian's favorite things to do are read books and puzzles.  Both are great when he needs something to help him focus and calm down. The other night he pulled out one of Ben's old 30 piece puzzles and managed to do most of it while I was making dinner. 

On another note, we are being seen later today for the appointment.  Regardless of how this treatment plays out, I know that what I am doing in THIS moment is all I can do. I have to focus on where he is today at age six and not play out worst case scenarios.

Thanks for ongoing support in the good fight. 

Insert Profanity Here

This is goning be a short (ish) post for 2 reasons.

1. I have a test over 3 branches of government to write, 17 students to contact parents over grades and/or behavior, then document and then write up to administration, as well as very large stack of grading.  All of this before tomorrow and oh I still have 75% of the day left to teach. 

2.  Yesterday I lost a 25 page document and had to re-create it from scratch.

I'll throw in a 3rd.. I really don't want to write anything else at this point.

The back story is we are meeting tomorrow with a therapist for Ben's evaluation for ADHD management.  We do not want to postpone this visit as we got not so great news at a recent pediatrician visit plus we have been waiting to get in to be seen already.  She requested that we send some documentation a couple of days before for her to review.

Enter in the developmental history to be completed before this visit.  Think the movie Back to School when Rodney Dangerfield has only one question to answer on the final exam, but it had like 72 parts. 

This describes this document.  It has sections A-L each with around 20-40 specific questions.  These questions are uber detailed and frankly having to write the phrase, "history of suicide on paternal side" is not fun to write once, better yet a 2nd time. Seriously, I wanted to cry when I recounted some of the most difficult parts of raising Ben as well as recount my own background in the unfun.   

I've been working on my part (each parent has to do a separate evaluation) for the better part of a week.  Yesterday I was editing and was within maybe 10 mins of sending to be reviewed.

Horror or horrors when I send myself a final copy to keep and find that the majority of the document is gone.  After looking in every place I know and also can assure you I was saving regularly, I call Bill.  He offers to come home so you can only guess how the conversation went down.

He spent at least 2 hours pulling out the stops to find the edited finished document.  He used to run the computer labs at our (yes, small) college so when he declares that he has no logical reason why it is gone and I must start over, I trust he is right.

Insert profanity here.   

Luckily Ben was having a good night and by 8 pm I had gotten both to bed (Bill was making up lost time from work.) and I started trying to recreate what had taken an estimated 15-20 hours of time to draft. 

Bill finished his part and it was sent around 4:15 this morning and felt like a shell of the original version. No word yet if she will have time to fully review and we can keep the appointment. 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, would you as well?

Fall Weekend Part 2-Deep Fried Goodness

What do you get when you mix a beautiful fall day + 2 wild boys + the opportunity to eat food that equals my love of porkrinds?

It's NC state fair time!  Bill and I have gone to the fair every single fall since we moved in 1999.  When Ben was a cute, squishy 5 month old we put him in his Halloween costume, a brown bear bunting, and headed out. We didn't ride many rides that year, but I don't miss the food for anything!

Simply put, it is one of my favorite things to do all year and a highlight of living in NC.
I'm in love with this family picture.  May I see the boys this happy on the hardest of days.

Gameplan: get to the fair before the midway opened to redeem our tickets, grab scratch made biscuits and be the first in line for the kiddie rides.  The kids actually both slept until 8 am after we were out later than normal seeing our friend's band play at a local pizza place on Saturday night.  We literally got them up and put them in the car without telling them the final destination only to be met with whoops and screaming when they realized where we were!

First up, Ian's shirt says it all... FEED ME, some NC state food.  Everyone got their favorites since all calories do not count if consumed at a fair.

Ever wonder what fools willingly hauls a giant stuffed Scooby Doo around the fair.  We now fall into that category, as within the first hour Bill allowed the boys to play one of the midway games.

Make that he paid some toothless carny to let each boy swing a sledge hammer. Ben took away a giant inflatable sword, Ian a hammer.

Can we just say I thought this was a bad idea.  Mom had the forethought to take a break when they were relentlessly hitting each other as well as strangers.  We stopped near a giant tree letting them pound to their hearts content. 

Yes I got some stares from those wondering if this was some type of added benefit to the Village of Yesteryear, but I just saw it as a chance to burn off energy.

Boys. Boys now with giant inflatable weapons. Thanks, Bill.

Each of us took turns riding with the boys, Ian was especially fearless and wanted to ride everything.  I could eat up his toddler cuteness in those sunglasses.

  The boys loved the monster trucks.

But not as much as mom!

Did I mention I love the fair?