First Friday!

The first week back to school is traditionally exhausting, and this year is no exception. In addition to contending with his students and the new school year prep, Scott's schedule has been monopolized with meetings before, during and after school. It feels like all of his waking hours have been consumed with work responsibilities. I certainly hope that it settles down because I don't think anybody can survive going at this rate for long! 

Robby has transitioned easier back into his schedule, but it hasn't been without some hiccups. Despite our prepping him for the change, he has been struggling to wake up in the mornings. To be honest I don't really expect his waking up to get any easier. He is much like me and is not a morning person! Despite the morning grumpies, we have managed to get out the door each day without being late. (Yesterday he had to wake up to participate in school via Skype. I just love technology!)

Timmy has even had a difficult time adjusting to the change in our household flow. I have no doubt that he misses his Daddy and brother while they are at school.  Each morning he sobs after we drop off Robby, and continues to vocalize his displeasure until we arrive home. I'm hoping that the morning hysterics will wane, but I'm not overly optimistic that it will happen anytime soon. He is also like me and extremely stubborn at times. 

With our first week in the books, I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'm finally recovered from my bronchitis enough to feel like leaving the house again. On a positive note, the bronchitis slowed me down enough so that the sore on the back of my leg has finally healed. It took my being sick for two weeks, but my prosthesis no longer hurts when I walk. At this point I'll take a benefit where I can find it!

Organizational Fail

This morning I am waking up feeling like a maternal failure. It is only the fourth day and already Robby is missing school. He is absent solely due to my negligence and through no fault or illness of his own. I overlooked having the car emissions completed, and now my car is with the mechanic until they have time to complete the necessary diagnostics sometime today. In the meantime I am without a car and unable to transport him to school. 

I have tried to become more organized, and for the most part I think I have been successful. This is the first "oops" in awhile and it wouldn't be an issue if the timing had been more favorable.  Occurring in the middle of the first week back to school certainly does not bode well.  Of course, Robby has been completely forgiving of my lapse and has promised that he will make the most of being home. Little does he realize that I have printed out a stack of worksheets to help occupy his time away from school.

Thankfully Robby's teachers know me and understand that I am fully devoted to his academic endeavors. His missing school because of my mistake is a rare occurrence and is not a precursor of the months ahead.  Still, I feel like a heel for messing up. I guess I need to continue refining my organization method because there is obviously room for improvement.

Bath Time Aversion

I adore playing with my children. I habitually suspend my own preferences in lieu of digging up worms, going fishing, examining bugs and even playing with random baby snakes on the driveway. I have spent countless hours playing tag, battling with pirate swords and racing cars through the house. I have frozen myself to the core sledding outside and earned brush burns from unfortunate incidents on the slip and slide in the summer.  I invest a lot of time into my kids, which is why it is surprising to many when I admit that I despise bath time.

Most relish watching their little cherubs splish and splash in the tub. I have always hated it. Being relegated to sitting on a toilet while my child splashes water all over, soaking me along with everything else in the vicinity, is not my idea of fun. From the annoying plastic toys that always squirt moldy water regardless of how I try to empty them after each use to the bath crayons that don't easily remove from the walls or my child's toenails, I dread the entire chore. 

My strong dislike for doling out baths is another reason that I love summer. Too many nights than I care to admit I figure that the kids get clean enough swimming in the pool and running through the sprinkler in the driveway.  In a pinch, I've been known to pull out the water table to encourage the top layer of dirt to wash away from Timmy while playing. These certainly aren't my proudest parenting confessions, but they are my reality.

Last night I had no doubt that my grubby little boy needed a bath. When he was done eating he decided to turn his bowl into a hat. The remaining macaroni and cheese became embedded in his hair with the cheesy orange sauce dripping down his cheeks and neck. There weren't enough wet wipes in the house to get him clean, and I knew that I was destined to sit on toilet for 30 minutes while he splashed and played. 

Scott understands my aversion to bath time and we often barter to try to bounce the responsibility. While I drew the short straw, he took the opportunity to go for a scooter ride. He promised to clean the tub and toys when he returned, which was his consolation for leaving me behind with my little splasher.

After nearly 40 minutes of playing and drenching everything within reach, Timmy stopped and uttered the dreaded "ut oh" warning. I retrieved him quickly, but not before he had finished pooping in the tub.  I have to admit that I felt oddly smug wiping away the remaining bubbles and getting him dressed in his pajamas. I might have been stuck with bath time, but Scott was going to be on soggy poop patrol. It turns out that last night, I chose wisely!

First Day Recap

The first day of fifth grade was a rousing success.  Robby emerged from class happy and chatting nonstop about the adventures that are being planned for the year ahead. I love seeing him so excited about learning. His enthusiasm and success are much needed affirmation that his unorthodox learning environment is working for him.  

Getting prepared for the school day it was obvious that Robby is growing up. He used to love my writing little notes on his lunch bag.  This year my efforts were met with an eye roll and a request for a new, unadorned bag.  Apparently having notes written by Mom is not appropriate for fifth graders. 

Ironically, my Koopa who didn't want attention from my decorated bag opted to bring a MRE for lunch. He claimed that "if the meals are good enough for soldiers, then they are good enough for fifth grade."  I don't really understand the logic because he would certainly stand out bringing a military ready to eat meal in a bag to the lunch table. All I can figure is that he doesn't  mind standing out, he just doesn't want to be different because of a doting Mom. Sigh.  I don't think I'm ready for the teen years.

Not wanting to be outdone by the excitement being garnered by the start of school, Timmy took the opportunity to continue a (rather unfortunate) family tradition. Robby began our first day of school urgent care visit several years ago when he pushed a bead up his nose. Yesterday was Hamlet's turn. Almost as soon as we arrived home he met with an inhospitable swarm of wasps. Timmy's hand was stung numerous times, causing him to immediately swell. 

I wasn't sure about an allergic reaction and erred towards being proactive. We went to urgent care, where the final stinger was removed and Timmy was treated for his stings. He is not allergic (thank goodness) but the stings left some nasty and painful marks. The remainder of the day was spent trying to keep the swelling controlled and him comfortable. Needless to say, he did not have a good first day of "Momom and Timmy school." 

With the excitement of the first day behind us, I'm hoping that we can all settle into a comfortable schedule.  Barring any more urgent care visits, I am sure that Timmy will adjust to having a quiet house during the day. He and I will slowly find our groove and strike a balance between playing and work. In the meantime, we are just going to roll with it until everything settles down.  Hopefully we won't have anymore trips to urgent care to ruin our plans!

Ready or Not- Here He Comes

Today my little Koopa starts the fifth grade.  Didn't he just start kindergarten?  I am having a difficult time grasping that my sweet little freckled faced boy is now entering his last year of elementary school. I know that he is ready for the challenges ahead, but to be honest I'm not sure that I'm prepared!

This is the first year that Robby has taken any effort with his appearance. My splash-and-go kid has been replaced by a tween who suddenly cares about grooming. I was shocked when he asked me to take him to the salon for color. He decided that bright yellow streaks would look "epic and awesome" against his dark brown locks. I wasn't convinced, but I wanted to allow him the freedom to experiment with his own hair, so I agreed to drive him to the appointment.

Much to my surprise, he is able to pull off bright yellow streaks. He certainly has a natural confidence that I hope never diminishes. With a new style and wardrobe, we are ready to tackle the next 10 months.

Each year I worry as he changes grades, but I am learning to trust that my little Koopa is great at adapting. I know that we'll have struggles, but I'm beginning to realize that those obstacles won't keep him down for long. He is resilient, and he is ready for the fifth grade.