August 2014 – Page 3 – Coffee and Inclusion

Summerfest 2014

Mark and I headed out to Summerfest today, our summer tradition now for the last several years. We get a day together, spent outside, listening to four or five great bands. It’s a much-needed break from our reality.

Much-needed, yet exhausting. Several hours in the heat, surrounded by sweaty people, can really take it out of you.

I’m off to bed; wishing all a great week!

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Back to School Prep

I’ve made it no secret that I’m anxious for the kids to get back to school. However, as any parent of a child with an IEP will tell you, a new school year brings mixed emotions. Yes, I am more than ready for my kids to be on a consistent schedule, but I am not ready for all the extra work it takes to stay on top of everything. I feel like I just got everything situated for the last school year, then it ended. Now, I start all over. Summer is a nice break from that; not that I’m saying that advocacy takes a break, but it’s just not as intense outside of the school schedule.

I’ve been in a frenzy the last few days, making sure all three kids have supplies (even though I pre-ordered supplies for the kids’ classes, there are two other classrooms requesting supplies), backpacks, shoes, socks, lunch boxes…all the fun details that need attention. I think I’m about set. I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, though.

Cheers to all the kids (and their parents) heading back to school in the next few days! I wish everyone an easy transition and a successful year.

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Zombies

Last night, Mark participated in a team building event for work; something about bring trapped in a room with a zombie (terrifying, by the way).

Tonight, he thought it would be fun to share the experience with the kids, and even find YouTube footage of such an event.

Now the kids are afraid to be in their rooms by themselves. Super. Fun. Times.

Let’s hope we get some sleep tonight. Zombies, stay away.

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Goodbye, Tree

Our front yard looks naked.

We lost our little tree to the emerald ash borers; it started looking rather bare last year, and a friend pointed out that it was probably under attack by those curious little beetles. We finally had it cut down today.

I hated to lose that tree. It was our First Day of School Tree. You know, the tree where your mom makes you stand every day on the first day of school, to have your picture taken before the bus pulls up. Addie realized that we wouldn’t get our pictures this year because we had to take the tree down, and she was disappointed. Ever the optimist, though, she pointed out that we can just use the tree near the street until we can get a new tree planted.

Here are just a few of our many First Day of School Tree Photos:

Andrew, on his sister’s first day of Kindergarten

Addie, on what must have been her first day of Kindergarten

Alex just isn’t a fan of first day of school photos…

Goodbye, little tree. Thanks for providing a great backdrop for all those first days of school.

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One. More. Week.

Ah, the most glorious day of the year will soon be upon us: the first day of school.

Now, before all my teacher friends start throwing things at their computer (or whichever device of choice you might use to read my ramblings), I ask you to consider the current state of my household:

Three kids, yelling at each other when one looks at another sideways, for no apparent reason except to see how quickly my head will explode
Laundry out the wazoo because these kids find it necessary to change their clothes four times a day
Library books collecting dust, chores not finished, toys on every surface of this house…until I lose my face at them for not listening when I tell them to read a book or clean up after themselves
A mom on the edge of her seat (and sanity), counting down the days until school starts and also counting to ten more times than she cares to admit

Just because the kids return to school does not mean that any of this will stop. The kids will still yell at each other before and after school, there will always be a ridiculous amount of laundry, and I will still have to flip out and/or count to ten when dealing with all their shenanigans. However, every school day there will be a lovely six hour break from the nonsense. And that, my friends, is the key to keeping my last shreds of sanity intact. I need that break. It is the only thing that will help me build up my patience reservoir, and unless Costco starts selling huge vats of patience (wouldn’t that be great?), it will take me until next May (why does school let out so early?!?) to completely restore it.

As my boys are gleefully yelling “BUTT CHEEKS” upstairs, while they should be brushing their teeth and getting ready for bed, I can just sit here and remind myself over and over: One. More. Week.

I just might make it.

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Kings Island

Amusement park. Ten hours. Three kids.

Exhausted. Write more about it tomorrozzzzzzzzzzzzz…

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Stumped

This writing-every-day gig can be difficult. Today is one of those days when I just feel like I have nothing interesting to share. It was a busy day, of course, and I’m quite certain I could force myself to post something that has some value (especially with the new school year just around the corner!), but I just don’t feel like it.

And so, I’m giving myself a pass. Ok, another pass. The world will still be here tomorrow, and maybe then I’ll have something more lively to contribute.

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Digital Pack Rat

Ugh. I just deleted texts from my phone that were over two years old, then I went through one of my email accounts (yes, I have more than one) and deleted over 1100 messages. I may have a problem with hanging on to things.

I will be the first to admit that I am a packrat; I have tons of drawings from the kids, silly little mementos (think movie/show tickets), clothes that I might decide fit better in a couple of months. It’s crazy out of control, and I’ve hit the wall.

So, I’ve started cleaning things out. The texts, the emails, my bedroom, the kids’ closets; if they haven’t been cleaned out yet, I’m hoping to get to it soon.

I already feel lighter after cleaning out just the digital clutter, so I can’t wait to see how it feels once the house is cleaned out! Wish me luck; packrats have a terrible time parting with things. 😉

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Cleaning

I’m still on my quest of cleaning everything up and out; it’s a long process!

Today, I began cleaning out my half of the bedroom. Turns out, my dresser does have a top to it; it’s really not an endless pile of junk.

It should be interesting to see if I can say the same about my desk. 😉

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Friday Night

It’s rare for us to have a quiet evening at home. Tonight, we are taking full advantage of the peaceful agenda. It’s not even 7pm, and I am already changed into my pajamas: flannel penguin jammies and gray slipper socks. It’s cold here for August!

Alex appropriately selected How the Grinch Stole Christmas for our viewing pleasure, and he is now pretending to be a waiter and keeps calling me “Sweetheart”. Funny guy!

I can’t think of a cozier way to spend a Friday night.

Month: August 2014