Puking, Homework Blues, and Another Week

Sunday night until Monday morning, Eagle Eye Chaj was my little puking man. Poor child. He was up most of the night, just miserable. The very wonderful husband stayed home with him on Monday and thankfully both were ready to be back at, Tuesday.



Unfortunately, the absence led to an increase in the homework load. Eagle Eye Chaj is in GT or REACH this year (self contained gifted/talented class) and it is proving to be challenging. Perhaps it is due to the absence or just a change in routine, but the frustration of trying to figure out WHAT had to be done and by WHEN was enough to make the parents lose their flippin' minds. Have you spoken with an 8 year old lately? Were you able to extract the exact details needed to accomplish a task? Good for you, because the ole Eagle Eye was sparse on the details. Yes. I do realize that is developmentally where they are at, but we were tired and just wanted to spend time with the boys. Not have to become a reincarnation of Attila the Homework Hun or Detective SherHomework. I am quite certain his teacher thinks I am a hysterical, as in crazy not funny, over-reactive parent. I am hopeful I can alter this captivating image. The most amazing part of the homework hell is, Eagle Eye Chaj, after a few tears were shed, managed to smile, laugh, get good grades on the weekly tests and be his sweet caring self. I love the resiliency of children.



The Con Man is a little big man. Adorable and charming. And so knowledgeable about all things Kindergarten. Just a ball of fuzzy funny. He had a terrific week. As did the LibraryMomma and the wonderful husband, I think.



Not much to add , but I have to say last evening, Con Man and I had quite a list of "Thankful for's" to share with each other and God. Oh, Blessed Weekend and my Boy Time is here.

The Sunny Side

"Keep on the Sunny Side, always on the Sunny Side, Keep on the Sunny Side of Life! It will help us everyday, it will brighten all the way. If you keep on the Sunny Side of Life!"

Yep. I'm keeping on the Sunny Side, in honor of my new work place. It has a been a whirlwind the last two weeks!!! The In-Laws were visiting 2 weeks ago. Then on the boys' first day of school and my first day of school/work, my sister and her family drove through and stopped over for a very quick visit. They were not even here 15 hours before they left again. Good to see them.

I had been fighting a dreaded summer cold and was frantically trying to get everything set up the way I need it to be in the library and I was having trouble sleeping. It was totally crazy! To top it all off, The Con Man got sick at school today and the husband had to go pick the boy up. Which is the reason I am now up at this ungodly hour- he tossed his cookies again in bed! So.

So. What to share? Like I haven't shared enough already?

The boys are settling in and we ALL have had some adjustment pains. Everyone of us has had a turn at a meltdown of sorts. Luckily, none of us had it all together at the very same time. But this is common for the first couple weeks of school for us- it is a pattern. And I don't think we can change it, as much as I'd like to.

My first week at work was pretty good. The children were active and I remembered the conversation with Kathi about the first month of school. She trudges through it. And now, I remember why. The kids have forgotten how to act in school and you have to mime, squeal, role play, jump up, act, jump down, and generally exhaust yourself to engage them, while getting them back into the routine.

Through the grapevine, I heard a complaint about the library schedule. And since I was not in charge of it, I know there isn't much I can do but sigh. I knew the new job wouldn't be PERFECT, but it was still a bummer to hear the first negative comment. In these moments I strive to remember Jo's motto: "It Sucks to be YOU!" It keeps things in perspective for me to think that. It is too easy to take on and in other people's junk, so I just think of Jo's motto and remember that their problems and issues are theirs, not mine! Helps rid me of my Catholic and Jewish guilt. Too bad I'm not Catholic or Jewish! Then I would know where that natural internal guilt comes from, for real.

Yes. There were some awesome highs this week and a couple of pretty low lows. But I have maintained- OVERALL, mind you- to Stay on the Sunny Side.

I wish you the same.