Adjusting and Not Adjusting

Well. This is different.

I just put Grant on the school bus. He loves school. Wanna hear how much he loves school? On Saturday, we went to an incredible birthday party for our dear friends' daughter, Zoi. It was on some private property belonging to an old family friend of theirs, and the place honestly looked like a park: huge trees, healthy, well groomed lawn, small lake for fishing, swimming or using their paddle boat (and complete with sand beach with clam shells). There was also swings and a slide, soccer ball for the boys, horseshoes, great food, CAKE, and a pinata with heaps of candy. Both kids had a fantastic time. So, when we got in the truck to leave, Grant said, "So, can I go to school now?"

I guess you could say he is adjusting well to the new schedule.

Abbie loves being an only child, for at least half the day, but about 1:00 she starts asking for Grant. Sometimes, if that doesn't work, she tries gasping dramatically and saying, "Look, Mommy! Look at the time! We are gonna be late! It's time to go to the bus stop!!!!" Sorry, Kid. That doesn't really make him come home faster.

I guess that makes me the cranky one, though. I'm having trouble adjusting. As soon as Grant had a wonderful and fun first day, I wasn't worried about him anymore. I was a little tiny bit hurt that he didn't get off the bus and give me a big hug (he gave it to Josh) and tell me about his day (it came out bit by bit over the next few hours), but on the whole - day 1 was a success. But I'm having quite a time trying to fit everything in. There's just no time. I was a little horrified when the bus didn't bring Grant home until 4:20. I was expecting it an hour sooner, since I knew his school day ended at 2:45. So, talking about school, cooking dinner (and then eating it), playing outside, playing inside, reading, and baths is a lot to try and squeeze into 3 1/2 hours. And I also have to make Grant's lunch, answer the phone when it rings, take care of the dog, and of any minor emergencies.... It's really a frantic time. And we get up at 6, now, to make sure we don't miss the bus anymore.

It's wearing.

Here's another schedule for you: Josh gets home at 8am, after Grant is fed, dressed, and off to school. He sleeps all day while I stay with Abbie. He wakes up just in time for Grant to come home, and then plays with Grant, eats with us, and starts getting ready for work while I put the kids to bed. Or if it is Tuesday or Thursday, I leave after dinner to go to taiko and he gets the kids' teeth brushed and puts them in the car and meets me on his way to work/my way home from taiko and we switch cars. Then, I drive Michelle home, drive myself home, unload the sleeping kids and put them to bed, let out the dog, and then go to bed, exhausted. There is never any time for me to even talk to Josh, let alone watch movies together or anything.

I really feel alone in all this. I even sleep alone, until Grant comes in at 3 or 4 to kick me for the rest of the night. Last night I had to sleep with my knees out in front of me as a defense, as he was especially violent.

So, I'm tired and lonely, and my mother has been particularly unsympathetic this month. But Josh is not quite himself, either. He gets angry about the stuff the kids aren't allowed to watch or do, even though it's not new news. Even though we've let them do and watch some new stuff now that Grant is in school, it's not enough for Josh. He's been getting invitations from his friends (through me, mostly, since he's not famous for writing back) and he won't commit. I keep reminding him that he hasn't answered, but it doesn't help. Several events have gone by with his refusing to say either way. Well, if that's the way you want to deal with friends, that's your own business....right? Well, they're my friends, too, and if they stop inviting us, he's not the only loser. But it feels rude to run off without him, so I guess if I want to take matters into my own hands, I've got to start politely declining on his behalf.

I think it's Josh's schedule, not Grant's, that is messing so much with the adults of the house, but when you then add Grants and then taiko's, I am pretty near my wits' end. I'm having the worst time I've ever had adjusting.

Other weekend news involves Grant having yet another dental infection. I shall be calling the dentist as soon as I believe his office to be open. Also, it rained so hard when I was collecting Grant from the bus on Friday that we took umbrellas, and the wind broke Grant's little one. Grant almost didn't get off the bus. He hasn't learned his bus stop yet.

But...as for the nice things: At least we did get to see the Shermans and the Frankes at the birthday party, and Josh got me RadioSure. Now I can listen to foreign radio stations....and record them!!!! So fun.

Happy Monday to you all.