Recent challenges of motherhood

Obviously I can not cover all of the challenges of motherhood in one entry or even in this one blog but here is the latest from the weekend.

So Nic told me before school on Friday that he was going to have a bunch of homework to do this weekend. I scribbled it on the whiteboard as a reminder and said we talk more about the fine points after school.

Well after school we did just that. We found that he had done VERY poorly on a grammar quiz and was given an opportunity at redemption in the form of a re-teaching worksheet. He needed to type up a poem, write 5 other poems, do a math worksheet and start on a scrapbook project/ book report. This added up to HOURS of homework and we were all feeling overwhelmed. Add to that the fact that Nic had failed to bring home the rubrics for two of the projects and we were pretty much screwed.

I shot a note off to his English teacher at about 4:30 asking for his assistance and he caught my note before he left for the day thank God! He sent some info we needed along with some due date info and said that he would help Nic remember to bring some more info home on Monday. Progress in the right direction for sure! We took a few minutes and Nic came up with a plan of attack on the additional items and we went on with our day. I gave him Friday off more or less and sent him to a friend's house to spend the night. It was his only real opportunity for that before the WORK commenced on Saturday.

Saturday I picked him up at 10:30 and by 11 he and Will were hitting each other and not getting along so I forced Nic to adjust his work plan and start right away instead of his proposed 12 noon start time. He managed to get through typing a poem he had already written and did a nice job with it. Then we moved on to the math homework which he seemed to have left at school or lost. I was over the top ticked off at this point and let him know it. He really already knew I would be mad but in about 5 minutes we had both calmed down and come up with a plan. We copied the worksheet of a friend and Fred was able to erase all the friend's work, reprint the worksheet and provide a clean copy for Nic to work on. Once he had the worksheet he got it done 100% and we moved on.

The poor grammar quiz was pretty unsettling. He did REALLY badly. His redemption opportunity was significant but was going to take work so he spent some time on that. He then had these 5 poems to work on. They aren't due until Thursday but obviously we needed to get BUSY on them now. He did one, started a second and then we called it a night. We went out for a yummy family dinner to Go Go Burger and got home in time to chill a bit before bed.

Today we got busy right around lunch time. Will had some homework to finish so we all worked at the table on our respective assignments. Will wrote a story about wind, Nic wrote a poem and found prepositional phrases and I read Entertainment Weekly to map out my fall TV watching schedule. All important tasks if you ask me.

Well, Nic's pal called and wanted Nic to come and play so he was motivated to work on his projects straight through. He managed to pump out three of the five poems and finish the grammar re-teach worksheet by 4:00 and was able to go to his friend's house for about 90 minutes of fun. He then returned for a tasty spaghetti dinner and saxophone practice. Now that everyone is clean and has clothes picked out for tomorrow and a plan for lunch we are in really good shape to start our new week.

I am optimistic that we are on top of the homework for the week and that with some planning we can get through the scrapbook/book report project without too much drama. I think that the reality that Nic is the least organized member of our household had slapped me across the face and I, as his mother and biggest cheerleader, need to nag and cheer him onto a successful turn-around of this challenging trait.

The good news is that people can change and that Will is nothing like him. Enough about that. I'll come up with something more positive before I write again!

Wow!

I said goodbye to my son last month and I never came back?! Lucky for me he did and we have just been going going going ever since. I have ignored the blog for too long and I am sorry. I have a plan in my head to get back on track so we'll hope it happens. I have found that since I went "private" I am less compelled to write because so few people are subscribed to read. Oh well, for you lucky few... Here goes!

The end of summer was a blur. Nic at Leadership Camp, Will's birthday, My birthday, dentist appointments, friend in the hospital, 6th grade boot camp, swimming, then SCHOOL! The boys have been back for almost three weeks and it is going OK so far. Yes, we have had a few rough evening with homework drama and stuff but overall pretty smooth transition so far.

Will is in 4th grade and has the Goddess of 4th grade as his teacher. All of the other 4th grade teachers are goddesses in training. I think that is just a hoot and I can't wait to make something for his teacher that proclaims her goddess title to all who enter her room.

Nic is in 6th grade and has 7 teachers. I have not met a single one and am suffering because of that. Tonight is curriculum night so I hope to put some faces with names tonight. Nic has been doing well with middle school but did have a little stumble when it came to lunch offering in the cafeteria. There are just so many choices that cost so much money. We are still working on that part but I think my message is clear. Or should I say that I hope for his sake that it is clear.

I am getting into the swing of being home alone during the day. I seem to be here so rarely. My local BF landed herself in the hospital just before school started so I have been trying my best to help her as she recovers from this MS setback. I was also called on day of two of the new year to substitute for a kindergarten class on days 3-5. We struggled through and I think I did a pretty darn fine job with them all things considered. I affirmed that I am sooooooo glad that I did not follow through on a degree in Education when I was at Marian. Subbing is so much better for me and the kids. I have not had the chance to sub again since that first week due to running middle school carpool and various other stuff but maybe next week. I would like to do it about once a week just for a few extra bucks. I spent what I made last month on some bathroom decor items that I have been wanting but have just not prioritized. It's a done deal now and I am pleased.

So my latest endeavors include working on the PTA directory for the elementary school and trying to do a little crafting. I am working on an album about myself called "Me : The Abridged Version" that was inspired by a great book that I read a few years back. The Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I am rereading it (although I had to buy a new copy because I passed my first copy on to a friend) and am trying to contain myself to short but insightful entries about me from an alphabetical perspective. It's thought provoking and fun to write some entries for sure. Maybe if I like the way it turns out I'll share. maybe...

Ok, I need to accomplish a little more with my day today and save some banter for tomorrow. Check back, I'll do better... I promise!

Bye for now son...

So this week is here. I have known about it for months. I PAID for this to happen. My first born child is outta here for the week. I will miss this generous hugger, I will not miss his unmistakable scream, I might enjoy leftovers (if I decide to cook) that won't get gobbled up because he is not here. I am full of mixed emotions.

I drove him out to the middle of nowhere this morning and as long as he doesn't get kicked out he should be incommunicado until Friday at 1:00. We will all look forward to his homecoming and will celebrate this by celebrating Will's 9th birthday! It's all in the timing people.

The Lonestar Leadership Academy should be teaching my boy a thing or two about being a leader and a group member. He will get to see a BUNCH of cool places in and around Dallas and hopefully meet some new friends. As I was walking him to the bus today he did mention that he noticed a few cute girls. Who knows, maybe he'll come home with a long distance girlfriend? That is a scary thought for sure!

OK, off to snuggle with the young one and try to think of something good for two and a half people to have for dinner.

I digress, what's new?

So this post should be about the end of our week in Indy but I'd rather babble...

We had an entire day of rain yesterday then I had an entire evening of a MIGRAINE FROM HELL! It was the worst I have had in a long time. It was unique and annoying and painful but thanks to medication and a patient family I survived and woke up a newish person.

The boys are getting on each others nerves so right now they are separated. Will has some pals over here at the house and Nic is at the foster home that will keep him in the event of my untimely death. Just kidding, kind of.

We stayed in all day yesterday and have been a bit more productive today. Each boy got their eyes examined and they are good to go using their current prescription of glasses. Yeah! I just saved $300! After the exam we completed the shopping on Will's school supply list and bought a couple of grocery items then headed home. This afternoon has been a good mix of progress and chillin. I should try to get some more progress in before Fred gets home. The good news is that I have a PLAN for dinner, this is quite unusual, and everyone should be home to enjoy.

I feel like summer is winding down around here. We still have nearly one full month before school starts but it is going to be a busy month none the less. Nic goes to his leadership academy next week M-F and is excitedly nervous, as am I! Will and I will spend lots of quality time together and hopefully his friends will get him through the week without his brother.

We get Nic Friday afternoon then have a couple of hours to kill before Will's Birthday Bash! 3 RSVP's so far plus my own kids so we are getting there. The week after Will's b-day we have dentist appointments, I think Will needs a shot/booster and back to school boot camp for Junior High. Then we will be busy busy busy counting down the hours until school starts, getting PTA stuff ready, selecting the perfect outfit and looking over school cafeteria menus. I CAN'T WAIT! I just love back to school time. Wish I needed a new notebook!

What an AMAZING week!

The boys and I headed out to IN last Saturday morning. It was going to be an adventure for certain! Jack, my GPS, took me out of TX in a wonky way but we eventually did make it to Lake St Louis on Saturday night to join our friends the Langstons. They used to live around the block from us in Iowa and have since relocated to MO. Their home is a nice stopping point on the way to IN and since they let us stay for FREE and even took pets it was a win win all the way. The boys had a blast playing with Nathan and Grace and were sad we could only stay about 13 hours. Their hospitality was much appreciated!

Sunday we headed the rest of the way to Indy and arrived at my parent's house late afternoon. The boys were excited to see Georgia's new puppies and Pete was excited to stretch his legs! We jumped back in the car and headed to Jen and Shannen's for a YUMMO BBQ and had a great visit with the cousins and Aunt Andrea as well. We missed you Ben!

Monday we headed to downtown Indianapolis to Circle Center to do some browsing, check out the arts garden and see the CITY! We drove around the Circle a few times then headed out to Jennifer's for another tasty meal... Chicago's Pizza this time! After another fun evening I ran my dad home so he could get to bed then the boys and I went to Aunt Joanie's and Uncle Mike's house to visit. Sarah was home so we chilled, literally, on the deck and played my FAVORITE GAME EVA!!!! Uno Attack. It was fun until it got too dark to distinguish the card's colors and then it was time to head inside. We moved to the kitchen table and started playing LCR. We have this game but have never played before. It was a BLAST! Very simple, quick and FUN! The boys took to it really quickly, anyone would, especially when instead of playing with the mini poker chips included your Aunt pulls out your Uncle's change jar! The boys were having a blast playing for coins but somehow the pot began to include trinkets off of the kitchen wall from Somerville Dr. Next time you visit over there and you see nails with nothing hanging on them just know that the decor items are being well cared for by the Baker Boys!

Tuesday we hooked up with Jen and the kids again and went to the New Indianapolis Public Library. It was more than beautiful. Very impressive and seemed to be well used too. Always nice to see. After the library a lunch at McDonald's was in order. Jen ditched us with the baby and the four kids, me and mom headed west out to Marian University. My Alma mater has changed names and has been going through some dramatic physical adjustments as well and I needed to see it with my own eyes. The football stadium was quite impressive. The campus looked nice, I only wish I had had more time to wander. All the same, I got to the bookstore and bought a couple of Marian University shirts and we headed back to 2205.

We stopped at 2205 long enough to grab swim gear, dropped Granny off and then headed out to Jen's to swim in their neighborhood pool. The boys were terribly excited but were a bit shocked at the cool temperature of the pool water. Swimming in TX is usually done in pools filled with bath water so it was an adjustment. They swam for an hour or so then we ran back to granny and grandpa's and the boys changed real quick so that they could go fishing! They went to a friend of my parent's house and had such fun that they didn't get home until 11:45PM! They caught fish, told fish tales and generally made some great memories. While the boys were fishing I went out to dinner with my mom, sister-in-law, a few cousins and a couple of aunts. It was a nice evening topped off with sharing birthday cake for my cousin Sarah's big 23!

Wednesday the boys needed to sleep in so we got a bit of a late start but headed to Logansport to see the Baker side of the family. We drove directly to the Cass Co Fairgrounds and jumped at the fair food and even watched some of the cattle show that was taking place. We left and then headed to Aunt Mary Sue's to swim and visit. Planning all the while to go back to the fair for more fun on Wednesday night. Well upon our arrival at MMM's Nic went looking for the cat that hates him in ended up taking a nose dive down their basement stairs. He was quite shook up and seems to have injured his wrist to some degree. He calmed down and gave up on the cat and chose instead to swim. Well, his wrist was bothering him so much that he gave that up pretty quickly too. I called my almost local athletic trainer and consulted about the injury and concluded that he had not broken the wrist. He was uncomfortable so we settled on an Ace bandage wrap and some Motrin and headed to the fair. We debated long and hard about rides at the fair. All you can ride bracelet or tickets or waste your money on carni games. The boys FINALLY settled on wrist bands! Will went first then Nic stuck his wrist through the window only to be told that they would not sell him a wrist band due to his injury! NO WAY PEOPLE! I can totally take it off, it is more mental than physical I promise! No luck they wouldn't band him with a known injury. We got $ back for Will's band and walked away pretty dejected.

Well, a quick thinking set of moms decided that they could not keep him off of rides if he just bought tickets and took the Ace off so that is what he did. He and Will had a decent time and we were all ready to move on sooner than I thought so it is probably a good thing that the bracelet thing fell through.

Ok, I should really be doing some other stuff to get settled back in from the trip. Laundry is in process but there is always something more. I will talk about the tail end of the week in my next entry!

Two posts in one day.

One HOT day we went to the frisco city pool. IT WAS HOT!

After the pool we went to the SnowCone Lady for the first time. This is not the SnowCone Lady. This is my friend Sabrina!

" Cool and refreshing!" According to Nic and Alex.

GRAPE!

Later in the week the boys took a little bicycle safety class at Safety Town.

This is Will heading down the right side of the street with his helmet on. He ven knows hand signals now.

After Safety Town we headed to Strikz to do a little bowling. This is the 2nd place finisher.

Here is the first place finisher. Yes, I got beat by my kids. But they did have bumpers!

It's easy with just pictures.

Disney!!!!! Not enough time for words but here are some pics!

Fred trying Mexican Coke product that he had never seen in Mexico. Go figure...

Will pumped about the American idol Experience! We each had our favorites.

Will and me taking a trip on the Astro Orbiter. It was HIGH!

The boys ready to play Toy Story Mania Mid-way Games.

Nic's dessert at LeCellier in Canada. I think it was called S'more. The marshmallow on the stick was roasted and dipped in sprinkles.

Will after 4 hours at Disney Quest. Their new favorite theme park by Disney. Full of "virtual" games and rides.

A hidden Mickey I found on our headboard. I was so excited because I always look for hidden Mickeys and rarely find them. Yay me!

Building a car at the Lego store. We have this on our MUST DO list each and every trip!

The Welcome Home picture at our resort.

Hey, it's a start. I'll fill in the blanks some day...