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.

Long Week

It has been a long time since I have been sick for more than a day or two. Of course, the timing could not have been worse. With Scott returning to work this week and Robby set to start fifth grade on Monday, I had the days planned with adventures and back-to-school prep. I certainly didn't plan to spend the last week of summer holed up at home hacking all day. 

In excruciatingly slow fashion I am beginning to recover from this blow of bronchitis. I can feel myself getting stronger, and the intensity of my cough is starting to lessen. Hopefully I'll be well enough to resume a somewhat normal schedule by the beginning of the week. I am over being sick!

I am having a difficult time grasping the reality that Robby is entering the fifth grade.  Didn't he just start kindergarten? I look at him and wonder where my little boy went. He is growing up so quickly it makes my head spin. He is no longer a little kid. He is a young man. I don't think my heart will ever catch up to his biological age.  

I'm going to spend the weekend resting and getting my fifth grader ready for school. He is ready and excited about the challenges of the year ahead. Let's hope the enthusiasm lasts beyond the first day.

Last Week of Summer Washout

I wish I were writing a fun-filled post today, detailing a wonderful adventure during the last week of summer vacation. I had grand plans of taking Robby and his friend on a pirate boat, of going fishing and of jumping one final time at the trampoline park. This week was going to be full of activity and memories as we said goodbye to summer vacation.

Unfortunately I am still feeling ill from bronchitis. If wishes and desire were enough to heal I would be well by now. My body doesn't seem to be cooperating because it is taking me entirely too long to recover.  I am blaming my age. I just don't bounce back as quickly, especially when my lungs are involved.

Instead of enjoying the weather and the last week of vacation, I have been sequestered inside where I am both coughing and miserable. Timmy has been a champion, content to watch the non-stop Zack and Quack cartoon marathon I am streaming for his entertainment. I don't like encouraging him to watch television, but right now I have little choice. With Scott already back at work, I need to keep Timmy occupied and happy with minimal effort so that my body can rest and heal.  I will deal with the Mommy guilt later.

Have I mentioned that I hate being sick?

Lemonade

Yesterday Robby and Rowan (his friend from down the street) decided to open a lemonade stand. Unlike the traditional entrepreneurial venture designed to make money for the proprietors, the pair  planned to donate all revenue to charity. At first I was surprised when I learned that they were not planning to keep the revenue and I wanted to make sure that they understood that they would be working for free.  With the friends agreeing that it would be fun to raise money for the kids at St. Jude Hospital, we set their plan for R&R Lemonade into motion. 

I made the lemonade while they scavenged around the basement for cups and an ice cooler. They made signs, loaded up the wagon and headed up the street to set up their stand. To be honest I wasn't overly optimistic that they would attract much business. Our neighborhood isn't particularly busy, especially during the afternoon, but I didn't want to deter their efforts. I promised to visit and purchase lemonade in about an hour.

As Timmy and I walked up the street to buy a glass of lemonade, I found myself hoping that I wasn't their only customer. The smiles on their faces immediately told me that my worries were for naught. They were selling lemonade almost as quickly as they could pour it.  It turns out that those driving by couldn't resist the "Lemonade for Charity" and "Help Kids Help Kids" signs that they strategically posted throughout the development.  Everybody who stopped was informed about the efforts of St. Jude by the friends who now consider themselves self-proclaimed experts on the facility (thanks to the infomercial they watched earlier in the afternoon.) 

With all of our parental failings, sometimes I look at Robby and realize that we have done something right. His generous spirit absolutely amazes me. R&R Lemonade was open for four hours and raised a grand total of $57.  Building on their success, the pair are already making plans for R&R Cocoa during the Autumn and Winter months.

Naughty Energy

I hate being sick!  I continue to have a dragon bark when I cough, leaving me with a sore throat by the time it finally subsides. Happily the episodes are becoming further apart, allowing more time for my body to heal and to regain strength. My fever is mild, not enough to keep me in bed yet persistent enough to make me feel punky all day. Slowly but surely I am getting better. Of course, it isn't nearly quick enough for me.

Yesterday was rough because Scott was at work, leaving me solely responsible for the boys. Robby was content to play with his friend up the street for the majority of the day, but Timmy wasn't nearly as easy. He was a bundle of energy which, when not directed appropriately, quickly turns into mischief. After picking up the contents of my utensil drawer for the third time I decided it was time to change gears with my little troublemaker.  We picked up Robby and headed to his toddler playground. 

Timmy was positively giddy showing Robby around his playground. He ran from area to area, eager to demonstrate each skill to his brother. He was nonstop giggles and was smiling from ear to ear.  Robby, although he wasn't overly enthusiastic about being commandeered to a toddler playground, was an excellent big brother and humored Timmy by playing and feigning excitement.  With Timmy's energy properly harnessed, I was able to sit back and watch them play.

By the time we left the playground Timmy was tired and Robby was ready to resume playing with his friend up the street. Timmy and I spent the rest of the afternoon quietly watching cartoons while Robby was playing outside. I was grateful that Timmy didn't want to join them, because I knew that the exertion would probably set back my recovery. With another day of rest behind me, I'm hoping to be even better today.  Have I mentioned that I really hate being sick!

Sick Day

Friday night we had a wonderful time at the fair.  Despite seeing all of the fun, my little guy melted down and clutched onto me with white fists when we tried to put him onto a little kid ride.  Scott and Robby rode the night away while Timmy was content to munch on french fries and wave them on as they flew by us. He seemed quite tickled watching his brother and Daddy spin, turn and whip in various directions. Maybe next year he will be ready to partake in the fun.

My ambitions of relaxing and enjoying time with my family never materialized over the weekend. I woke up Saturday morning with a harsh cough and low grade fever.  Both intensified throughout the day, leaving me feeling icky and drained. It took me until Sunday morning to admit the obvious. I was sick. 

I struggled to stay awake and alert enough to care for Timmy, but I have to admit that I wasn't the best Momom. Yesterday I provided him with an endless stream of cartoons and snacks to keep him occupied. Despite his desires, I just didn't have the energy to play. The best I could do was to keep him corralled and to keep his havoc to a minimum.  Hopefully today will be a little easier and that I will start to mend. It's really hard being a Mom when you're sick!