Thursday, March 03, 2011

Really?

Has it really been since August that I posted? How did that happen? Where has the time gone? Can you believe we are already in March? The twins will be three in June? Max 6 in August?

Seems like another school year (Max in the early 5's program at his preschool), Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my birthday have happened, in that order. :)

All is basically good and fine.

Only minor sicknesses with very few trips to the peds.

On the school front, having Max do the early 5's this year I think was a good decision for us. He has liked it and it has given him the extra year I think he needed. I feel like I have had a part time job trying to work out the school situation for next year and gone over the public vs private school decision ad nausea um. Assuming we get accepted, although it will continue to make things very tight financially, I have applications in for Max to go to our church elementary school and the twins to go to our church preschool where Max has gone for the last 3 years. My heart says it is the right thing for us. I like the community. I really like what I have seen and heard from all fronts on the elementary school. I like their use of technology. I like how they handle learning issues and that it is an "inclusion" school. I like the kids/families that we have met in preschool that have gone into K. I have some concerns about class size and that it is too academic and structured, but I have talked to a lot, a lot, a lot of people and it just feels right. I keep trying to convince myself that something I don't have to pay for could feel just as right. But, I've looked and I've talked and it just doesn't. Public school here COULD work, but it would be hit or miss, after school would have to be pieced together and for a price. Working full time and with 2 other kids, I don't want to have to worry so much every year about the quality of teaching, and budget cuts, and needing to make a move later. Probably because I moved so much growing up, I want to be able to just be someplace we like and stay put and to be able to grow up with your friends who are your friends for life. I can tell Max already has one of those with his best bud, who did go to K this year, at same school. And, truth be told, the real expense is not the elementary, but the twins...both of them...in the preschool next year full time. But, again, I like it. A LOT. I like the teachers and the program and how they handle things. So, I will pay. I like it all except the paying part. :)

Halloween, Max went as a leprechaun (they get to trick people and have a pot of gold, you know :), R as a cowboy, N as a cowgirl.

Thanksgiving was nice and spent with my cousins, my mom, aunt and uncle who were in town, the kids, and one of my sisters. Even better, one of my cousins hosted. Especially, since my sister and I took the kids camping earlier in the week. We had such a great time, we area looking around for a small used RV to do more of it. I was on vacation for 2 weeks while the nanny vacationed during which time I made another pass at reclaiming the house, sorting and organizing the kids rooms and clothes.

Christmas was also nice. I was off work for about half the month and we worked down Max's vacation wish list that included things like 1) hosting a Christmas party for his friends 2) taking a day and riding the metro buses/trains 3) a snow trip 4) a beach trip 5) one more that I am now forgetting. We did ultimately get them all done in addition to some play dates and ice skating lessons and cookie making and general hang out and holiday.

January/February have been filled with basketball. Friday night practice and Saturday morning games. It makes the end of the week hectic and it is hard dragging R/N, but he love, love, loves it. End of season party is Friday night. Last game Saturday. Then, we roll into T-ball. Then, summer basketball.

By which time, he will be starting a new school year. See how the time just rolls on and all of a sudden 6 months have passed?

Of course, lots more happened and happens in the daily life with small kids and working and figuring out the logistics.

Some of the stuff big stuff like the mentally unstable neighbor calling child protective service and being investigated, regardless of how bogus the claim was as required by law. Some of the stuff small stuff like getting the dog into the vet and licensed, trying to reclaim my office and sort the mounds of paperwork, planning my monthly activity in Max's classroom, setting up play dates, getting groceries, making sure we have diapers and toilet paper. Then, a bunch of stuff in the middle like the school research, pushing to get R assessed for speech and OT, pushing for services while funding for services are being cut, becoming regular church goers with the twins in Sunday school, searching around and going and looking at RV's. Probably, most importantly, making sure we have time to just "be" and hang out as a family amid the rush of life.

R and N are doing well. They are both still receiving services. Both continue with an early intervention specialist weekly, although we now have (yet another) new one (that we like). Both are now receiving speech. I was able to get N approve much earlier by dropping PT for her and swapping the funds. I had to push for R and he started up a month or so ago. N continues to receive OT and is doing well. We will see how the next eval goes, but she maybe released. I pushed for and finally got (in late January) an OT eval for R that resulted in a request for services primarily for sensory (avoiding) issues. There schedule is schedule is busy with the services and classes and such. They are happy and growing well. R thinks he is the boss of N. N does a good job of allowing it, ignoring it, or pushing back depending on her mood. :)

All mundane life things that somehow don't tend to seem or feel blog worthy. Personally, I've just been recovering from the first few years with preemie twins, a bad work situation, and the stress of it all that I have come to realize caused me to shut down emotionally quite a bit. While I do get out every now and again for a night out, mostly, I'm still caved in a bit. I've been using the time after the kids are in bed as "me" time and not so willing to be on the phone or blogging or anything that will take emotional output or energy.

Mostly, we are just in a pretty good routine. Living an imperfect life with the ups and downs without the extremes of the first few years. While it can still be hard and stressful and logistically challenging, it is all getting easier. And, we are having a lot of fun along the way.

I love being a mom. There are times when I think...I'm finally the koolaid mom I've wanted where the kids (school friends, neighbor kids, etc) are over and playing. I'm where I'm supposed to be in life, doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Life just feels "right" even if it is tiring and almost all consuming.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

debbie - I'm SO glad to see that you are back and that everything is under control! I don't know how you manage to do so much but then you are probably unique. Please post pictures -- you have the cutest kids! Oh, and do you need any new recipes, by any chance? :-)

Best,
Nina

carolinagirl79 said...

You're BAAAACCKKKK....I've been a faithful reader almost since the beginning and I'd love to be your FB friend! I'm Lorrie Callison Watson...I have always been in awe of you, working, raising three small children....I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!!! Anyway, glad to hear you're doing okay and the kids are growing up. It gets easier & easier except that you've already noticed that you begin to feel like a taxi service, but I'll take that over diapers any day. Mine are 10 and 12 now!!!

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