A Change

We did watch the entire extended Lord of the Rings. It was fun. I also saw the most recent Die Hard, too. The one about the computer terrorist. I had not seen it yet, and it was better than I had expected.

Mom didn't really have time to socialize when she dropped the kids off. She had just discovered that my dad's older brother was coming to visit, and she only had one day to clean.

Tuesday Morning, Grant had a dentist appointment. He had an X-ray, and we found out that the filling keeps falling out of that tooth because it is cracked. Since it's a baby tooth, he's not going to pull it until Grant's molar finishes coming in. I am told to expect another infection on his gum. While we were there, they filled another cavity that was next to another filling on another tooth. Poor kid.

Josh took the kids to the Kindergarten Open House while I was at taiko practice on Tuesday. Grant's teacher is just exactly the one I liked best at the informational meeting last spring. YAY! Josh got all the information about the bus stop and such, and Grant got to see where he would be sitting.

We had an exhausting practice, and then Michelle and I met Josh and switched the kids over. It's a good thing Eddie reminded us not to take 70. I would have made Josh late for work if I had been sitting in construction traffic.

Josh bullied me into calling the city about the swim lessons. But I guess it was a good thing. Even though Kristin didn't pass Grant, the lady says it's okay to put him in the next class. I hate complaining.

I also have information about dance classes for Abbie. I haven't priced the shoes and clothes yet. I'm a little nervous about that. But the class called Pre-Dance sounds great. A little ballet, a little tap and a little tumbling. I hope she likes it. She's a little sad about Grant starting school, but if she is starting something, too....

Yesterday was the last day that Grant and Abbie were my At Home babies. I took a look at Grant and considered him, and here is what I have decided: Until now, he was MY Grant, but he's about to become part of the world, and have other influences and experience things through his own lens. He is about to be Grant's Grant. So, in a way, I am sort of done with The First Part. And I am satisfied. He is cooperative, eager to learn, eager to succeed and tries to be a Good Guy. Plus, he has beautiful manners. He is ready, so I will be, too.

Well, I'll try.

And now it is time to work on Abbie. She is miraculously becoming less difficult all on her own, and I was so worried that I would be spending the year potty training her! But she has learned that successfully, and things are going well. First thing I think I will work on is table manners. She still uses her fingers when I'm not looking, but doesn't wipe away the evidence.

This morning was Grant's first day of school. We got up and had bagels and I let Grant and Abbie each have a cookie with a school bus on it. My mom found them. I looked at our Wal-Mart, but they weren't here. I got Grant's teeth and hair brushed just in time, and we all got ready to walk to the bus stop together....but when we opened the door, we saw the bus driving away. I checked the clock to make sure, and it said that it was 10 minutes before time for the bus. Just to make sure, Grant knocked on a neighbor's door. She told us that it was Grant's bus, but that it often comes early. Oops. So Mommy and Abbie took Grant to school. His Principal walked him inside. Abbie didn't cry or say anything, but her face was very sad. So I asked her if she wanted to make Grant some Welcome Home From School cupcakes. She was consoled.

I sent lunch with Grant. Want to hear what he is having? Peanut butter and grape jelly, goldfish crackers, raisins and more school bus cookies. We are going to make those cupcakes in a minute.

Tonight for dinner, we are going to have pork chops marinated in Yoshida's, macaroni and cheese shells, green beans, applesauce and cupcakes for dessert. Does that sound like a good Start of Term Feast to you?

I am staying home from taiko tonight, but will be back to work on Sunday! I hope everything pulls together soon! It's scary to think that the show is only 2 1/2 weeks from now. I don't feel ready....

I am tired. Grant slept in my room last night. He kicks. Let's all cross our fingers for an early bedtime, tonight.

I hope you are well and happy and safe and comfortable. I hope you are looking forward to your days ahead. Happy Thursday, the weekend is almost here!

Sick, but still hanging in there.

I'm sick. I always read Daddy Long Legs when I'm sick. I'm nearly finished with it again.

I started to be sick on Wednesday morning (unless you count from Monday's headache), and it was awful. It was the same respiratory virus that always causes me so much trouble. I refuse to call it a "cold". It can't possibly be one. I've had colds, and they really aren't that bad. Whatever this other virus is, it's intense and miserable. And the older I get, the worse I feel when I get it. For instance, in addition to the coughing, sneezing, fatigue, low fever, sleeplessness and sinus pain/pressure/headache/jawache and congestion, this time I also had a problem with swollen hands and also with my arms and legs falling asleep often. ??? I didn't get a whole lot done this week. Grant finished his thank-you notes, but I was too sick even to address them. And the dishes in the sink were just revolting. I finally got to them today. And I need to do laundry, too.

The kids completed their first week of swim lessons. Abbie was not cooperative, and the lifeguard never succeeded in making her so. After three days she was able to get Grant to do what she wanted, but that's pretty terrible, since Grant is extremely cooperative. The third kid has never done a single thing he was told, to my knowledge. Even Abbie's got him beat, there. Grant almost jumped off the diving board. Maybe next week.

Also, we bought Grant's school supplies! He is now the very proud owner of a "How To Train Your Dragon" backpack, that is too big for him and makes me giggle. Also lots of green: green pencil box, green notebook, green scissors, green towel...anything that was offered in green. I also gave his updated shot records to the school, and while I was there, I asked a few questions to the office ladies, who are so nice: Yes, it's a good idea for Grant to ride his bus on the first day. All the info from the open house that I will be missing due to taiko will be sent home with Josh in written form, so I won't actually miss anything important. Last, but certainly not least to me, little boys with good manners do well in kindergarten, not just with the teachers, but with the other kindergartners, too. Apparently, there is status attached to it. I don't know about Grant, but Mommy is officially excited.

Not only did yesterday start the weekend of tax-free school supplies, but it was also "Shop at Sam's Club without a Membership Day". Josh bought paper plates and napkins while I stayed home and rested. I wish I had remembered that those kleenex we bought with Grant's school supplies were for his class and not us, or I would have had him get that, too.

I did spend a lot of yesterday in bed. I didn't even feel like watching movies. I did call Brother for his birthday, though. He was making scrambled eggs. I got him a mug that shows all the aliens from Space Invaders when you pour something hot in it. He hadn't opened it when I talked to him, but Mom called later and said he laughed. For Christmas I'm debating getting him Monty Python Evil Bunny Slippers or Donkeykong Jenga. What do you think?

I'm going to taiko tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I'm still going to go to our friends' house in the evening. I keep asking Josh to call them and tell them that we have sick cooties, and ask if they still want us. He keeps forgetting.

Well, I was going to tell you about the movies I saw last week, and about the things I thought about news items, about what is going on in a larger scale....but a little girl named Abbie wants to have a picnic lunch with me on the living room carpet. So, I'm off to make sandwiches and put pretzels and juice boxes into our picnic basket!

Hope you are having a great weekend! Stay healthy!!