OPA!!!

Ted, Robbie, and Katie at the Greek school program

Katie(bottom right) and her friends at the Variety show

Yesterday was Greek Independence Day, did you fly your flags proudly? That's what I asked the hot lunch mom's yesterday, they just laughed. The Greek school program was very nice, we had a very big turn out. On Saturday during the kid's rehearsal, the parents decorated and set up the tables for the show. We set up two extra tables (16 settings) just in case we needed them, and we did. Ted practiced all of Saturday and Sunday morning, he was very nervous. When we got to the church I told him to say his poem for his teacher just to make sure he was pronouncing all the words correctly. Good thing he did that, when it was his turn, he had terrible stage fright. He started his poem in the middle, his teacher had to help him along. Because he had said it to her beforehand, she knew he could say it and didn't mess up because he didn't know the poem. The food was fantastic, it was seafood because of Lent and fasting. We had Greek salad without the Feta cheese (no dairy), shrimp with orzo pasta in a tomato based sauce, octopus, onion rings for the kids, bread, fresh fruit, and an assortment of desserts. During our meal the Greek dance troupe performed two dances. Katie and Grace have decided they want to join the troupe, tonight is their first rehearsal. They will be performing at the Greek Fest this year, both are very excited.

Katie did an excellent job in the variety show, they received a lot of applause. People have been coming up to me and telling me how cute Katie was. They comment on how far she has come since dealing with the Selective Mutism. Watching her on that stage, it was hard to believe she had such a tough time, she was a natural.

We celebrated Helen and Robbie's birthday on Sunday afternoon, it was a nice party. Not as many people as I had expected, but that's okay. It gave us the opportunity to talk as a group, all in one room. Usually when more people are there, some people are in the living room, some in the kitchen, and some in the computer room. I have to make the rounds in order to talk with everyone. Robbie loved his gifts, he told me, "I hope this isn't a dream, I love my presents!"

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

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Busy, Busy, Busy

Katie has been working hard for the Variety Show tomorrow night. She and her friends are singing and dancing to "The Hard Knock Life" from Annie. I was worried she would get cold feet. After hearing the excitement in her voice when telling her Greek school teacher about it, I no longer feel that way. I sat through some of the dress rehearsal yesterday, it's going to be a cute show. Ted is going to a birthday party, so he won't be with us. He is getting his braces off tomorrow, I'm worried his teeth are going to be stained. He didn't do a very good job with brushing, even with me nagging him. He can't wait, he hasn't told anyone at school, he wants to surprise them.

Ted, Robbie, and Katie have been working on poems and songs for their Greek school program. Ted said he is doing fine, but Robbie is having a hard time with his poem. My father-in-law has been coming by to help him and he is still having problems. His teacher changed her mind, I guess all of the kids in his class have had the same problems. They are now going to sing a song together, and from what I heard from Robbie, he knows it. He said to me, "Now I won't be sick on Sunday, cause I'm looking forward to the program now." That little stinker, he was going to fake sick so he wouldn't have to do his poem. I grew a bit wiser in an instant, I will no longer take their word on feeling sick. The thermometer will come out every time!

This next week is going to be busy for us, we having something to do everyday. Today Katie has a Daisy meeting after school, and Robbie has a den meeting this evening. Tomorrow Ted's braces come off, Katie has the Variety show, and Ted is going to the party. Saturday is rehearsal for the Greek school program, and then church. Sunday is the Greek school program and then Helen and Robbie's birthday party right after. Monday I have a Cub Scout committee meeting, and on Tuesday a mandatory school meeting, it is also Robbie's birthday. Wednesday I have a doctor's appointment and Helen has religion class. The other kids don't have Greek school because it is Greek Independence Day. Thursday is a free day, as of now! Friday Robbie has a pre-op doctors appointment and we have a First Communion meeting after school. Saturday morning Ted gets to feel what it's like to attend the Catholic High School. They offer classes and the kids sign up for which ones they would like. In between all of these activities I will need to do laundry, go grocery shopping, and keep the house clean. I'm tired just thinking about it! Who knows, maybe I'll loose a few pounds...that'll work!

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue





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Pinewood Derby Cars

Robbie and Ted's Derby cars

Ted's pick-up truck

Robbie's pencil Derby car

Robbie came in 8th place, and Ted came in 12th out of 22 cars, they had a great time!

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Smiley Faces

At Helen's school they use a smiley face system when rewarding her with good behavior. They have a chart with all her subjects on it, when she has made it through one of them with no issues, she receives her smiley face. If she receives all smiley faces at the end of the day, she gets to pick from the candy bucket, something that makes Helen very happy! As she is running from the school bus she is yelling to me, "Mommy, I pick from candy bucket!" When she gets into the house, after stopping by the mailbox to see if we have mail, I ask her if she received all smiley faces at school. She is always excited when she has because she knows that means she will get her favorite snack...pretzels and marshmallows. It has taken awhile, but I think she finally understands this system. Yesterday she came flying off the bus yelling about the candy bucket so I asked if she received all smiley faces. First she said yes, but then she got a look on her face and changed her answer to no. I said, "Did you get a sad face?" "Yes, in art I push Alisha to ground." I didn't even have to ask what she did, she shared the information right away. I told her it's mean to push, and she could have hurt Alisha. I then asked her why she did it, "I don't know", she said. While I was waiting for my other kids in the school parking lot I kept thinking about how far Helen has come with sharing information about school. I wanted to check and see if this incident happened the way Helen said it did, so I called her teacher. I was disappointed to hear that it did happen, but thrilled at the same time to hear it did. This meant that Helen had communicated an actual event from school, her teacher was so proud. I hope Helen keeps moving forward, it's so frustrating knowing she has the potential but doesn't use it. I also hope she will stop being physical with her friends at school, something else we are working on.

Tonight is the big Pinewood Derby race for the boys, they are so excited. At hot lunch yesterday I stopped by Robbie's table, at his request, and the boys were talking about it. My father-in-law stopped by the other night for a visit, while he was here Robbie asked me to ask him to come and stay with the girls while we go to the race. Robbie didn't want the girls to come, I'm thinking it's because I would be distracted from him. He worked very hard on his pencil shaped derby car (I'll have to post a picture of it). If the girls went, they would be interested for the first few races, but then I'd be watching them to make sure they didn't get into mischief. So, Papou is coming tonight to stay with the girls. Noah will be coming with us, this is right up his alley, he loves cars! This should be an interesting night, sometimes the dad's get into it more than the boys. This race tonight will decide who moves forward to the district race at the end of the month. Ted made it there a few years ago, wish us luck.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue







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Our Week's Activities

Helen had a great time at the circus, that is all she has been talking about. She told me she saw tigers, clowns, and elephantses! I am thankful for field trips, I don't have the money to take the kids to most of the places they go.

We picked up the Girl Scout cookies Katie sold from the cookie mom on Saturday. I am proud to say, we delivered all but 2 orders by Sunday evening (she had 16 orders, 71 boxes). Some of her orders were from family in Illinois, so we spent Sunday afternoon on a car ride. It was nice to get out of the house for the day and see family and friends. Their favorite delivery was to my friend Carmen, she has a guinea pig. I bet you can imagine what I have been hearing lately..."Mom, can we have a guinea pig?" When I tell them, "No way!", they then ask, "When are we going back to Carmen's, can we go today?" Carmen lives in a one bedroom apartment, she has no kids, so my kids get all of her attention. To say my kids love it is an understatement. You would have to meet my friend Carmen to fully understand. She has so much energy, she makes every single one of them feel very special. She is very generous with them, she gave them the last of her juice boxes and M&M granola bars! She doesn't show favoritism to any one of them, even though Noah is her Godson. She has been there for me since Peter died, when most of my other friends disappeared. We're lucky to have her.

Robbie has had quite the social calendar lately, he does more than I do! He has been to a Monster Truck Jam, a Bucks game, a hotel with a water park, and many sleep overs. He is going to another indoor water park this week-end, and because we already committed to that, he will be missing a Marquette basketball game. Out of all my kids, Robbie's friend's and their parents include him (and sometimes all of us) in a lot of their activities. I think it's wonderful, he is doing things that I would love to do with all of the kids, but just don't have the money. He is very fortunate to have a great group of friends. I am fortunate too, the parents have helped me in so many ways. I am grateful.

Ted was an alter server for the first time on Saturday, he carried the cross. I think he did a good job, it helped that he served with a very nice girl from school who helped him when he needed it. The family room(cry room) is directly across from where the servers sit. I asked Ted how his family looks from there. He told me, "Fine, except when Robbie opened his mouth very wide at me and Grace was waving her arms!" I was sitting right next to them, and never saw it happen. Helen was sitting on my lap, and she was quite a handful that day, so that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!

That's about all that's been going on around here, not much else to talk about. I enjoy the quiet weeks, and now having said that...I just jinxed myself!!

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

PS- jmckaye- I am sorry to say that I have been unable to locate any information for you regarding those bike shorts. I looked through Helen's keepsake box and didn't find the sheet I thought I had. I'm sorry, I hope you were able to find the information without me.








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