How Did We Get Here?

How many of you have friends you can do a kid swap with?

I have to tell you I love the flexibilty of my friends and the fact that we can swap kids and help each other out.  I just wish a certain redheaded one would ask more often.

Cara took Lydia today so I could take Parker to an appointment and then we took Liam so she could duke it out at the school district office.

Parker had his occupational therapy assessment today.  We’ve been waiting since October 10th.  He has Dysgraphia and at times I tend to brush it off and wonder if it’s laziness.  After watching him through the assessment, i know he’s really struggling with his writing skills.  The key is to find a balance to help him by using technology but not so much that he doesn’t have to do the work.  We’re looking at using Word Q and Speak Q.  I also need to get him typing.  After an hour and a half for his assessment, I’ll get a summary at the end of the week and reccomendations.  Then in Sept, we’ll go over his SEP with his teacher and other involved staff.

It’s been one of those days…

Yesterday my fil took my 8 yr old on his motorcycle.  Not happy about that.

The doctor’s office called as we were on our way out the door this morning.  They had to reschedule after we waited 6 weeks for these appts. 

Hannah dropped her retainer at lunch.  It’s clear plastic, by the time she found it, someone had stepped on it and broke it.  $200

I’ve got a miserable headache that came on in about 10 minutes…I’m headed to bed before it makes me sick.

BUT, we had dinner with friends tonight and Parker, who is just venturing into eating meat, ate a hamburger and a rib.

We’re very proud.

Hannah has been at a drama camp for the past two weeks at Inter Action Children’s Theatre.   The Theme was Broadway Bound. She’s had a great time and last night was their performance.  Apparently her favourite song was Nicest Kids in Town from Hairspray. 

What a nut.  She really puts everything into her performances.

This week she’s going back and there will be a final performance at the Imperial theatre next weekend.  She’ll have to sacrifice a week of CPF french camp though as we do need a couple of weeks in the summer with out me driving a taxi.

I think we’ll also be enrolling her in classes for the fall and winter.

the lives around you.  In the past couple of weeks, three lives in dh’s hometown have been cut short.  Three lives ended unexpectedly of natural causes.  Last night I was reminded of the Chapman family.  Steven Curtis Chapman has been one of my favourite singers since middle school.  In May his son ran over one on his daughters in their driveway.  It’s a tragic story that no family should ever have to go to.

Last night the family was on Larry King Live talking of their experience and their faith.  If only we could all have such a strong faith.    What an incredible family. 

 ”The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

sometimes make your own a little more fun.

I had two adorable boys visit me this afternoon.  Their very busy mom had a newsletter to write and lots of work to get done.

We had a great afternoon of bubbles, driveway painting and giggle gear.

I had picked up a bucket of Gazillion Bubbles today.  the boys loved the tools.

Parker was intent on making bigger bubbles

Wagon rides for everyone.  They started out with Lydia pulling all three boys.  This wagon is over 10 years old.  We got it for Hannah when she was a baby.  Last summer the door was rusty.  Step 2 sent us the replacement parts to fix it, free of charge.

And that would be my neighbor’s fence in the background.  I’d love to put a coat of paint on it.

We tried out Lydia’s Crayola sidewalk chalk paint set.  It was fun but not something I would buy again.  It didn’t go on well and there isn’t enough to get more than a couple of uses.

That reminds me, Lydia should have had a bath.  Her legs are splattered in paint.

Then we got out the Giggle Gear by Cranium.  I had picked it up last year for the kids for Christmas.  Lydia was never really interested in having the masks on until just last week.  The boys loved the voice morphers.

 Thanks Cara for lending me your boys.  We had a ball.  Parker wants a video game playdate with Liam.

posting this political cartoon.

At least it is in Saint John.  Yesterday and today feel very “fallish”.

I’m going to get some work done this morning and two little boys are coming to play this afternoon so their mom can get some much needed stuff done.  Lydia is pretty excited.  We picked up a bucket of Gazillion fun.  Lydia got a bottle of Gazillion bubbles for her birthday and I realized that there is a difference in bubble quality.  They are much better than the dollar store bubbles we usually use especially for little ones who are just getting the hang of blowing them themselves.  They’re not cheap though so when I saw this bucket on clearance I picked it up.  It stores all the bubble blowing tools.  Yay.  Maybe if it gets hot we’ll break out the sprinkler.

Our missing Premier, Shawn Graham finally showed his face yesterday on the French Second Language debate.  Yup he was there for the big announcement .  This article makes it look like he actually had something to do with the decision.  Not really though.  He’s hidden behind his minister of education, ignored letters and emails and refused to answer to the music.  Sounds like a coward to me.  I’ve never been involved in politicas and up until now I never believed in voting for a party but for the person who represents your concerns the best.  I can say with out a doubt that I will not vote Liberal in 2010.  A cowardly Premier and an MLA who lies to me.  Hmmm how do I get a Conservative membership?

Minister Lamerock has announced his new plan for French Second Language in New Brunswick.  It’s not our desired outcome but it’s much better than the plan layed out in March.  The new entry point is grade three.

It’s still a messy situation for parents of kids entering grade one if their neighborhood school does not have immersion.  It also doesn’t work for families who move in and out of the province.

For more on the topic, check out the blogs listed on my blogroll to the left. Immersion delayed, La Maison, The Independant.

While we didn’t acheive the ideal outcome, I’m pretty proud to have been involved in my first political lobbying.   It’s a great example to show the kids.  How ordinary people can affect change and to stand up for what you beleive in.   And I don’t think the fight is over. 

Today is our thirteenth wedding anniversary. 

It’s been a bumpy 13 years.  We’ve gone through career changes, a workplace injury, going back to school, moving, losing a child, surgeries, car accident and all that goes with three kids.  We’ve made it this far, I’m sure we can make it through anything.  What do we do to celebrate?  Not much but we also don’t make a big deal out of birthdays.  Most years we’ve either just had a vacation or we’re getting ready to go on vacation and money is tight.  Today Jeff picked up flowers, pizza and then ice cream from Dairy Queen.  Would I like to be spoiled and pampered?  Sure, who wouldn’t, but I’ve learned to be content with what I have.  What I have is better than what a lot of people have and it’s great and all I need.

Last year we finally took our wedding cake out of the freezer.  that’s right, it was almost 12 yrs old and it survived 7 moves.  Tupperware is awesome.

 Thanks Jeff for a wonderful life together.  I love you.