Hmmph! This Stinks!

Of course, my first instinct is to swoop in, my motherly laser beam eyes glowing, superhero cape swirling about behind me. This woman took my perfect little baby and threw him into a totally unfair situation. She's pegging him as a bad kid for whatever sick twisted reason she has. Maybe he didn't smile huge that first day, or raise his hand enough when she asked for answers. Maybe he neglected to have some papers signed the first day, so she's deciding that his excuses are always just that--excuses.

He certainly didn't ask for my help. He simply told me in passing that he had a lunch detention. I felt my blood boil. I heard the steam escaping. I saw red.

There's plenty of manuals out there now. What To Expect The First year. Preschoolers For Dummy's. Who knows. Barnes & Nobles can point you to a large section of their store designated to every single question you might have-answer tucked neatly away with a picture of some comic to make you smile while you learn the ins and outs of mental breakdowns at all the most inopportune times. But where's the manual for how to confront a teacher who gives you perfectly scripted answers. Yes. I know she's making her case look better. Yup, she's gonna now peg me as one of "those" moms. Lord knows, she's probably going to be tougher on him now because he "must've tattled to mommy"

It's hard, watching them flounder out there. You wanna jump in there and bring them back to shore. You want to make theirs a better experience. You want to just do something. Anything.

Yet where would I be if every little problem person in my life was "taken care of" for me. Would I have learned how to stand up for myself? To know when to hold 'em...or when to fold 'em? What about just dealing with certain people. Learning the art of keeping quiet and keeping busy? Doing the work extremely well so that there's no way they can say I didn't? Hard work ethics, devotion to self preservation, and a memory to tell your kids about your miseries of Middle School. I had some teachers like that. I haven't liked every person I've met.

Not that Andrew (and Hannah...and Thomas) don't deserve the very best in life. They are truly great great kids. They're hard working, devoted, loving, empathetic kids who live life to it's very fullest. But, they're only as strong as the adversities they overcome. This school year is but a blip on the rest of Andrew's life. She won't make him hate school-he'll do that on his own! Heck, he's already started!

Really, I guess what I can do is sit here, twisting and pulling and punching and poking a stress ball (Ok, need to go out and get one now). Obviously, if things get out of control I will be the first one with a torch lit. For now, I'll just wait. Not my strongest trait, for sure!

Our Boring Little Lives :)

Not much has changed lately, except we've all gotten a little older! Andrew started up with Winter Ball for baseball, and is on the Major Orioles. He started middle school, at my old school. That is definitely strange. To see so many of my memories as I walked through the campus, and to know that he will have many of his own. Now, with Facebook so popular, a lot of people we'd have never seen again we "see" on a daily basis. Class reunions almost seem silly now! Anywho, he's adjusting really well. He was extremely nervous in the beginning (Of course!) but after just a day or 2 he fell right into the routine. I definitely miss my sleeping in until 9 but I can deal with it I guess!

Hannah's in the 3rd grade, and her teacher's name is Ms. Love. How cool of a name is that? Hannah says she's a really nice teacher. I get to meet her tomorrow night at the open house. Hannah also has her first day back to Girl Scouts. It's almost nut sale time! So if you're interested in any, let me know. A good portion of the money goes back into the troop.

Also, from all the cookie sales the girls made last season they're getting to do a lot of cool stuff. They did a Build A Bear trip, and the money also paid for all of the girl's membership fees for the year. Also, if I recall correctly, it's going to pay for their weekend camping trip this September!

Thomas is growing like a weed. His Budha belly is starting to stick out. Last night he had his hand spread over his belly, and we were laughing so hard because he looked like a little fat man who passes out on the couch after too much beer and football! He still coos a lot and likes to tell me stories. His feeding & sleep schedule have taken on an actual semi-predictable routine, which makes it a lot easier for me to get through my day.

Steve is still struggling with what to do w/the business. Should he stay? Should he go? Nobody is really clear on what's going to happen with the property he's currently in, but he doesn't trust the owner so he feels very uneasy staying there. He wants to be able to build up the business, but really can't because he doesn't know if he'll be there much longer. It's annoying too, because this is one of those opportunities that, with very minimal startup, could do extremely well, even in this economy.

I am just doing my thing...It's almost canning season! I already have my Strawberry jam done, but now I'm getting amped up for Peach Plum Jam, yummy grape jelly, and of course, pear butter..yum! Well, if I see a good price on pears that is! I always swore I would only can it if it was cheaper than buying it in the stores.

I'm also considering going back to homemade food for Thomas. I saw the price of baby food now and was absolutely SHOCKED! So I'm going to go invest in some ice cube trays and start cooking it now, so that when he's ready for it, I'm stock piled with food that was at peak season when I made it! I won't be canning those though! Just freezer!

Well, it's time to feed Thomas then pack up for school pickup. I rather enjoy the quiet, but I guess I gotta get 'em at some point, huh?





Looking at Hannah

Call me ;)

All wrapped up after a bath

First day of school blues..

Forced smile or what?!