monthly check-up

Melissa sent me a message and reminded me that a posting was in order - oh yeah, why didn't I think of that? I can't believe that it has been a month since my last post, but the world is trotting ahead and time is rushing by.

So, the kids are ready for Halloween. When did costumes start being a thing that one bought at a store? Didn't we used to play dress-up on the 31st with stuff found laying around the house? At any rate, being the lazy and uncreative person that I am, I bought them costumes, but I cannot bring my self to buy them those gross synthetic things. We spent about an hour in the store arguing on why we shouldn't buy the bag with the whole costume in it, but buy each individual item (mask, wig, accessories) individually to ensure that we are creating something original... It was another test of patience.

First conferences for Charlotte have come and gone. I actually thought about not going, silly me. I gave my daughter ample opportunity to share her thoughts about what was going on in class, and what I should expect to hear, but according to her, everything was great. She wasn't totally wrong. Her grades are still where they should be, but she has gotten on the long downward spiral ride and really wasn't concerned about it at all. More assignments not turned in, more incomplete tests... So, we have a few more weeks before the end of the marking period and she has these few weeks to show us that she can take control and handle the situation, or, well, she's done with her little wednesday evenings at the Woodside Bible church. I am so not good at this patience thing...

I have officially requested that she be tested for ADD. In my lucid moments, I am sure that Charlotte is not just unorganized, because we work on that with her. I am certain that she is not in control of what is happening and I feel we need to get her help before she gets in high school. As a parent, this devastates me because if she tests positive, and I have a feeling that she will, I will then have two children in special accomodation (504) circumstances. I know that I am doing this to give them the best possible opportunities for success through the educational experiences (college included), and that it will not follow them as a "label" into their professional lives, but how did this happen? I feel like I need a reason. Then I feel like an idiot, because
a) we are doing something about it that will help them
b) if this is the worst difficulty that they will face, it sure isn't bad.
c) what would I have done if I would have a kid with serious set-backs, am I that weak?

We should have had a conference with Helene's resource room people by now, to set the goals for her academic year. I wonder what is going on with that? Maybe if I weren't so busy, I would actually follow up on these sorts of things.

Jack is really spread thin. He is so 'out there' that he is having difficulty finishing his sentances. I realize that this is cyclical, and it certainly won't kill him to learn to multi task a little better, and to realize that you can't get a perfect result in every area that you look at. Having said that, I still worry about him because sometimes I feel he is passing over the important things. He'll tell you that it's all important.

Luke's front teeth are coming in, and SURPRIZE, we're going to need braces for him too. Oh, there's another thing that I need to schedule for the girls.... it never ends. Mel, can I come and eat at your place and you can soothe my spirits with good food, good wine (i'll bring that) and some great conversation?

So, we are running, running and no destination or finish line in clear view. I mean, we know that we are looking for retirement as the end of our journey, but that is so far off that I might as well be talking science fiction.