Thursday already?

Once upon a time… oh yeah, this is reality… lol

Been a busy few weeks around here!  School started today.  Joe is in 11^th grade, Kati is in 8^th, and Olivia is a full-fledged Kindergartener!   Timothy will head back to Preschool the day after Labor Day.   I can’t believe summer is wrapping up!

Kati missed the first day of 8^th grade for her Neurology appointment in Ia. City.  The doc wants her to have an MRI & EEG, so we’ll be heading back up for that once they call with the appointment schedule.   The girls both have “well” checkups tomorrow (with shots!). 

Timothy’s meds are working well.  It helps him focus more on just being a little boy.  I have noticed that most of the impulsiveness is gone.  Yes, he still gets into things but what kid doesn’t!?  LOL   He is able to sit and look at a book, or watch a program on TV, or play now without getting in trouble for doing things he isn’t supposed to.  It’s wonderful for him and I know it will really help when he goes back to school in a few weeks!  J  

We did the shopping trip that I mentioned in the last post.  We had a great day, and got lots of good stuff too!!  The kids were all quite pleased with their new school clothes and shoes.   We had lunch at the mall which is always a good idea since there are several places to choose from. 

I did a RAK(random act of kindness) while we were there for lunch.   One of the places that we shopped was Old Navy.  They had a “cash” thing that if you spent a certain amount, you got a coupon worth an amount off of your next purchase (think Kohl’s cash).  I ended up with $50!  We got lots of fun stuff on clearance.  Hehe Anyway, we don’t live near an ON, the closest one is 90 miles away.  And, there was a certain time frame that this “money” was good for.  So, while we sat there eating, I noticed the family next to us.  There were two women, and two young children.  I went over to them and sat down as I was saying “Hi, I don’t normally do this, but… “  LOL  I asked if they were local, yes.   I asked if they ever shopped at Old Navy, yes, all the time!  YAY!!  I gave them the coupons I had just earned, and they knew JUST what they were and were SO happy to take them off my hands!  J   I just handed them over and wished them happy shopping!  I knew that they would go to waste if I kept them, and that would be nuts if someone else could use them.  

School registration happened earlier this month.  On Tuesday, we had Open House.  That is where we take the truckload of school supplies, nap mat, etc. to the school, meet the teachers, the “big” kids got their class schedules, and everyone gets to catch up with friends who are there for the same reason.  It’s a little chaotic, but fun for the kids. 

As we were leaving the Elementary school, my brother’s wife was coming in with my nephew.  Of course, they didn’t speak, not even to the kids (which really bothers Olivia, whenever there is a family event or holiday she asks when they are going to not be mad at me anymore so we can invite them, my answer is always “I don’t know”).  And, to make the evening complete, we ran into my nieces at the Middle/High school.   My sister and middle niece were in the Middle School orientation ( I can’t believe she is in 7^th grade!).  Kati & Olivia saw the girls, and they all chatted.  I was hoping to get to say hello too (I wasn’t with them when they bumped into them).  As we were getting ready to leave, I spotted them standing in the foyer, and as I walked toward them to say “Hello” the oldest looked up and saw me coming and took the youngest by the arm and said, “We need to go” , and drug her in the opposite direction.  And, yes, I know she saw me…   In the beginning I was told that “this is between you and us (meaning my siblings)” and that “it shouldn’t affect the kids”.  Obviously though, that isn’t the case.  I would love to say that it didn’t bother me by now but it breaks my heart that the kids have been drug into this whole stupid thing, and yep, I said stupid.  It’s ridiculous.  It’s gone on far longer than it should have, and it’s caused my Mom way more stress than the original issue.  My sister even went so far as to call her and tell her that she is ruining her relationship with her other grandchildren by spending so much time with my kids. 

The truth is my Mom is the only family I have left.  I call her nearly every day just to chat about this or that, usually for no real reason.  When we are doing something, I call and see if she wants to come along.  If we are leaving town for whatever reason, I invite her along too.  Sometimes she comes, sometimes she doesn’t.  We have a “regular” weekend routine (groceries, lunch, errands) that we do together.   We have gotten past the hurt, and the upset that happened almost a year ago, and moved on.   What good would it have been to dwell on it?   It’s not that she favors my kids, it’s that we take the time to invite her to do things with us, I call and chat (not just when I need things or when things are not going well).   It’s not that she chooses to do things with us over the others.  Like I said, sometimes she comes, sometimes not… but we have fun when she is with us, and I will not apologize for that.

I would love to know the real reason everyone is still holding their grudges.    I know things will never be like they used to, but really… it sucks that we can’t even say “Hello” in public. 

Oh well... guess I should stop rambling and figure out what to feed my lil monsters for supper... hehehe  I'll be back with pics later!!