Waiting

He's waiting, sometimes patiently, sometimes not so patiently. Sometimes he's excited and sometimes he's sad. As for Hubby and I there is a little of every emotion available in this mix. It's hard to imagine that the small boy we brought into the world so many years ago is graduating from high school already. Everyone would tell us to enjoy our time, that it goes by so quickly. Apparently I didn't believe them because I couldn't imagine on those sleepless nights, and those difficult crying days that the day would come when he would be officially a grown up.

Last night was senior camp out. (Don't even get me started on this tradition, just walk away!) The seniors all camp out in the parking lot of the high school. In the morning they block the lot to all vehicles except for those driven by seniors. Crazy, I know, but apparently a tradition that's been going on for years. As I lay in bed this morning wondering if he made it through the night. (My cell phone didn't ring and the cops didn't bring him home, so those were good signs!) I heard the back door. Open, close, open, close. So I knew, as the usual, he had forgotten something he needed for class. But he didn't stop and say hello or good morning, he just came and left. I am sure it was his attempt to be quiet, but it was sad anyway. Hubby turned over and asked me, "Will you be glad when this is over? These few weeks have been chaos. It's been so hard. Do you want to do it again or was labor harder?" (36 hours mind you!) I told him, "Labor was easier, I think I'd do that again before I'd do these last few weeks of senioritis." And it's true! So much worry, stress and tension.

It's Mr 18's last day of high school. Sure he still has a final test later this week, but it's the last full day. I am sure that he and his friends are clinging to their last day of togetherness before they all head in many different directions. High School has been their identity for years, being together and seeing each other, the familiarity of the school(s), the teachers and parents coming and going has been their source of security and identity. Their friends, friend's parents, teachers and peers have been their security blanket. Whether they realize it or not, parts of their blanket will never be the same again after today. Life for them is about to speed up and take twists and turns that will lead them to places they never imagined. There is such promise ahead for them. Do you remember what it was like?

Last night was Baccalaureate. Mr 18 and I went. It was good to see all the young faces. They wore their caps and gowns and there were prayers and songs and words of encouragement. Although it is optional, I was shocked to see that only about half of their class was there. I was so proud of the kids that did come, but I was also surprised more by those that didn't. Half of the class. It makes me wonder why.

This week will be a mess of Open Houses, and rehearsals and final tests. Our Open House is tomorrow afternoon/evening. I have lots to do to prepare, but I'm on the right track. Mr 18 has a full schedule for the week, and hopefully has remembered to inform me of all of it so I can get him out the door when he needs to get going.

In the meantime I am spending a lot of time in my head, remembering. I'm sad, I'm happy and I'm scared. I'm worried, I'm nervous and I'm relieved. If I have so much emotion, what must he be feeling?

Miss 10 is Fabulous!

Here's a short clip of their performance, it's not the whole thing, but instead about half of it. The girls had a blast practicing for this, and although they were nervous for the performance, they did a great job. Most importantly this was so good for Miss 10 and her anxious personality. One more reason to encourage her to put herself out there a little bit now and then.

She's Got Talent!

Today is the talent show at school.
Miss 10 and a friend have choreographed their own routine and spent days practicing and deciding on props and costumes.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day outside.
The girls decided to practice in the backyard with their scarves and later they put on the costumes they have chosen.
I got to sit on the steps of the deck and critique their routine.
It was fun and funny and made me long for the days when I wasn't embarrassed to dance around in front of people, when life was a little more carefree.
For me being able to sit still, outside and watch these two giggling 10 year-olds celebrate their youth was a Fabulous Friday moment.
Aren't they just adorable?

The Short List

Happy LOVE THURSDAY everyone! I've got a small list here of some simple things that I love this week. Without further ado, let's get started.

~ I love listening to Miss 10 and her friend "Belle" as they are preparing for a school talent show. They are re-enacting Fabulous from High School The Musical part 2. Does anyone else think it's a bit reminiscent of Popular from Wicked?
They have come up with some wonderful ideas, with just the littlest of help from me on deciding appropriate costumes and props for a parochial school.

~ I love watching Miss 14 when she coaches swimming. It's so fun to see her in charge of the younger kids, and they all love her. She's a great coach, encouraging most of the time and tough when she needs to be.

~ I love that Mr 18 is one of the first people to jump in when someone needs help with a project or problem. (NOT that he does this at home, but with the rest of the world he's a great helper) He'll jump some one's vehicle, change a flat, clean up a mess, run an errand, etc.

~ I love that I have been able to be outside without a coat, that I have gotten 27 pots of plantings done and that it's nice enough (tonight anyway) that I don't have to haul them all back into the garage to protect them from frost.

There's a short list from me. What do you love today?

Presenting Miss 10

It happened over the weekend, on Mother's Day to be exact. My darling Miss 9 graduated and is now Miss 10! Although there wasn't a lot of family around to celebrate with her, we had a good day and she was quite spoiled as I suppose is normal with your youngest child.

Yes, that is still the tag on her new sunglasses. She had just opened them and was trying them on for the first time. She has always loved to pose for the camera, just as she has always loved playing dress up. Miss 10 has two full boxes of dress up clothes, 1 upstairs in her room and one downstairs in their playroom. It never fails that when she has friends over they are digging in the dress up clothes for a costume of some kind to go with whichever game they have decided to play. Often they play with the sequined capes sewn by Grandma J. With a cape you can be a crime fighter or a princess, the possibilities are endless. I love that Miss 10 has a very vivid imagination.

Miss 10 is also an athlete. Over the weekend she ran a mile footrace despite the fact that she was home on Thursday with a migraine, and the temperature at race time was only 37 degrees. In fact she hasn't even been able to train much due to one illness or another, but still was all gung ho about running this race. And run she did taking 5th of all the girls under 16 and 14th overall in an 8:27 mile. That's with walking included when she had to stop and cough for a while. (leftover junk from a cold) Believe me, she wasn't forced to run, in fact I would rather have stayed home in the warmth for another hour or so before we had to watch Miss 14 and the band in the parade. This is the 5th year in a row she has ran this particular race, yes, that means she started running it right before she turned 5 years old! Miss 14 ran with her then, keeping pace with her and walking when they needed to. Miss 10 spent the afternoon after the race running like a crazy woman with her friends. Miss 10 is like the energizer bunny, she never stops moving. (Well, unless the tv is on, then just try to get her attention. That's why tv time is limited at our house)

Of my three children Miss 10 is the one who has always been the most willing to show her feelings. If she really, really loves you at the moment, "I love you!" and a big hug are handed out frequently. If you are in the doghouse, the daggers coming from her eyes are enough to make you run and hide. She is a child of extremes in many, many ways and I wouldn't have her any other way. I've learned more patience from her then I ever knew I was capable of. I've learned that just going to school won't necessarily make you learn, that sometimes you need to see the same thing again and again and again, and that parents often make the best teachers. I've learned that being forced into a situation doesn't make it easy, that sometimes the only thing that works is time. I've learned that many adults see shyness as lack of respect, and that as a parent you have to stand up for your shy child in many situations. I've learned to explain Miss 10's quirks to everyone who might spend time with her, because it makes her life easier and less stressful. Miss 10 has taught me that having a third child was exactly what I needed.

Happy Birthday Miss 10, don't tell your siblings, but you are my favorite 10 year old!

Miss 9 and her new friend.


We have had a few gorgeous days of weather this week. I've been able to get a lot of work done outside which makes me happy. With an Open House for graduation coming up, and Hubby not home to help out, the yard work all falls on me. For the most part I don't mind. I enjoy being outside and if the sun is shining just try keeping me inside.

A few days ago Miss 9 had some friends over. I was working in the yard and heard them calling for me. When I went over I found them sitting on the deck with a new friend. Although we haven't had any baby birds around yet, we have had lots of birds going through the mating ritual... ahem.

Early this week though I watched a pair of baby birds spend the day on our deck with mother bird coming back every few minutes to feed them. Even if I am outside, the babies don't fly of. I can work on the deck and they still just sit there. If you get within a foot they'll fly off, but they aren't very adept fliers yet, and more than once I've had to duck so they don't hit me in the head.

Miss 9 and her new friend sat beside each other on the deck for a long time. The little bird just sat and peeped at her when she would peep at him. Mother bird was up in a nearby tree frantically calling him, but he just sat on the deck with Miss 9. She loved her moments of communicated with the baby bird, and kept hoping he would come back again. That is my Fabulous Friday post for today.

Happy Mother's Day to all those special Mother's out there. Enjoy your day!

Here we will also be celebrating Miss 9's birthday on Sunday. So by the time I post again, my amazing, wonderful, loving and last child will be entering the double digits and whereas that makes her very happy, it makes me very sad.

Bah!

I would love to do a Love Thursday post. But, at the moment I'm just not feeling the love.
I have Miss 9 home, yes, AGAIN, sick. This time monster headache and stomach ache. This is the 3rd time in two months. And she's not the only one, the entire class has missed a ton of school throughout the last few months.
I've called the principal and stopped in. We are discussing the disinfection of the room. The Custodian has done it twice quite recently using the guidelines they were given. Now the principal is calling the health unit and/or hospital to see how it can be done better. It's crazy because it is only the 4th grade classroom going through this. The rest of the school has great attendance.
Lucky them, huh?
So I am grumpy and frustrated. Maybe later I will be feeling the love, but right now, not so much.