Back In The Swing of Things

So far so good at Helen's school, everything seems to be falling into place. She spends her mornings included with her new teachers, and the afternoons in the special ed. classroom with her teacher from last year. She is helping her with math, Helen's worst subject. There have been a few issues with her behavior, but nothing where I have received a phone call. I just hope the whole year is like this. The other kids have adjusted nicely to being back at school. Ted had his first practice for cross country and loved it. Every time a letter was sent home about different sports, and sport clinics, I would ask Ted if he wanted to do it. The answer was always the same, NO. When the letter came home about cross country, I read it, and then proceeded to put it in the recycle pile. Ted walked in as I was doing this and said, "Oh yeah, I want to join that Mom, okay?" I was shocked, I never see him run, so I asked, "Do you know what cross country is?" I then went on to explain all about it. He told me, "Yes, I know, I like to run, I can run fast, are you going to sign me up!?!" How could I argue, this kid is not very active, this would be the perfect opportunity to get him moving! I'm glad he likes it, he is starting to find his niche. Robbie on the other hand is still trying to figure it out. He begged me to sign him up for football, so I did. He didn't realize just how physical the sport is, he doesn't like to get pushed around. He wants to play wide receiver, but instead plays defensive tackle. He thinks if he plays offense he won't get tackled. I told him it doesn't matter what position you play, you're going to get tackled, that's what the game is about. He told me he doesn't want to play next year, but he still wants to be a professional football player someday. I told him nothing is going to change with the sport whether it's now or later. He told me he knows that, but at least later he'll be bigger! Katie is going to start playing basketball, hopefully she will like it better than softball. When playing softball this past summer, she said the ball didn't like her because she kept getting hit by it!

Ted turned 11 on Monday, where does the time go? He is getting so tall, I couldn't believe it when he was standing next to me one day. He had a good day, I was a bit sad. I was telling him about the day he was born, it brought back many memories. Peter was so excited and was such a big help with Ted, not only in the hospital, but once we brought him home. Peter had put Ted's crib together in the living room, and when we tried to move it into the bedroom, it couldn't fit through the door. We had to leave it in the living room for awhile because Peter didn't have the patience to take it apart and put it back together. He slept on the floor right beside Ted's crib every night until we moved him into his bedroom, which was across the hall from us. Life can be so unfair!

We had our parish festival this past week-end, it was fun. My plan was to go on Friday night for the brat fest, five different flavors of brats. Work the meat raffle on Saturday night, and then take Sunday to relax and get a few things done around the house. It didn't work that way...Friday night they had nothing up for the kids. They saw the bouncy house and wanted to come back the next day to jump in it. That wouldn't work, Saturday was a busy day, and I had already committed to the meat raffle. I found myself back at the festival on Sunday, I really didn't want to go. The kids had a blast, that's all that counts! There wasn't that good of a turn out. Helen was able to stay in the bouncy house most of the time we were there, which is exactly where she wanted to be! The rest of the kids met up with a friend or two and only came to me for tickets, or money. It was actually quite nice to be able to sit and talk with other adults while the kids went about their business. I did spend more money than I had wanted, but it went to a good place.

I need to get back to taking the pool down. I was hoping the kids would be able to swim one more time, but the weather isn't going to let that happen. I wish someone would have warned me about the smell, my goodness! It's all emptied, I just need to wipe it down, that should get rid of that terrible smell.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

First Days of School

Robbie, Katie , Ted
Noah

Grace

Helen

It is official...all the kids are back to school. It has been very overwhelming for me. I remember feeling this same way last year. I tried to psych myself up this year, but it didn't work. There has been an abundance of paper work that has come home that I have to keep track of which piece goes back with which kid. There have been fees for this, and fees for that. My hand has been in my wallet non-stop, I'm already broke for the month. There have been issues at the schools already. One of Ted's good friends didn't come back this year because of a bully problem. He was bullied all last year, and from what I have been told, nothing was done about it. The bully is still there! This kid picked on Ted in second grade, I didn't hear about it until the end of the year. At the beginning of third and also fourth grade, I spoke with Ted's teachers and informed them of the problem. I asked that Ted not be paired up with this kid if at all possible, and told Ted to keep his distance. Ted has been happy these past two years with very minimal teasing. I am afraid now that the friend is gone, which, by the way, I had no idea how bad it was or I would have tried to help, Ted will be on the receiving end of the bully. I have spoken with the teacher on several occasions (it helps to be a hot lunch mom!) and also the principal. I have told them I will pull my kids out of that school if Ted gets bullied and nothing is done about it. I will not wait until the end of the year, I will not tolerate it. I have discussed this with the kids and have told them to look out for each other. The problem with that is, Ted has a different recess now that he is in fifth grade. Recess time is when it mostly happens. I have been told by the principal they are going to initiate a new bully program this year. He pulls me aside whenever he sees me and asks how things are going. In mass yesterday with the school kids Father mentioned he doesn't want to have any bully problems this year. It is good to see they finally realize there is an issue. It took losing a lot of good families to finally wake up and smell the coffee. Our enrollment is way down, the worst it's been in years. We are the cheapest Catholic school in town, our classrooms should be filled, and their should be a waiting list to get in. Sadly, that's not the case. I am praying since Ted has really grown over the summer and is bigger than the bully, he will be left alone. Problem is...he'll find someone else to pick on. I am so far, the loudest advocate for this issue, everyone else has quietly walked away. It helps to have Helen, I have learned to be loud when it comes to my children's needs.

That's another story...Helen...the district decided over the summer they want the special needs kids to be included 100% of the day. It sounds good and looks good on paper, but what about the child that can't handle that, then what? Helen happens to be one of those kids, there is no way she can sit in a regular classroom all day. It will be too quiet for her, she will have to make noise, and she did. On Friday a note was sent home telling me she had a good day except for making noises in class, can I work with her over the week-end with "no sounds". Okay, fine, I'll do that, but that doesn't mean come Monday she'll be cured of "no sounds"! I have been on the phone with her teacher from last year, and her teacher this year. They know I don't agree with this arrangement. Well, they must have gotten together and talked about it because they are pulling Helen out of the regular classroom for certain subjects and putting her in a special ed. class. That is what she needs. I'm not saying they need to do this for all special needs kids, this may work out fantastically for someone else, it's not the best thing for Helen. Remember last year they were talking about changing her program because she needed more one on one time. Why on earth would they think she wouldn't need it this year? Because I have been so vocal, changes have taken place, and the year is looking better. Helen no longer rides the bus home, I pick her up in order to talk with her teacher everyday. I have been somewhat in a fog these last three years, just going through the motions. I am now ready to be loud once more when it comes to my kids, and believe me, I can be LOUD!

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue

Short But Sweet

I must apologize, this week went by so quickly. I have been feeling overwhelmed , there have been a few issues with the kids starting school. I am going to take this week off from blogging so i can give it 100%, I hope you understand. I will be back next week, and I will fill you in on what's been going on.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Life

I am saddened by the death of Sen. Edward(Ted) Kennedy. I wouldn't be in the shoes I'm in today if it weren't for most of his legislation. He did so much for people with disabilities, and also low-income families. I wish he would have been around longer to help with this health insurance mess. Our COBRA expired this month, we were only eligible for three years after Peter died. I looked into commercial insurance for my family, there is no way I can afford it. We can't go without, especially with all of Helen's health issues. It would make life a lot easier if health care was more affordable. In the three years I paid for COBRA, it cost me roughly $25,000.00, that's a lot of money! The kids and I could have taken a nice vacation to Greece to see where their dad was born for 1/3 of that money. If only...

Helen is looking forward to starting school, she was so mad yesterday when Ted, Robbie, and Katie started. When we came home from dropping them off, Helen went into her backpack and started playing with her school supplies. It wouldn't have been so bad, but Toby decided to chew on her pencils, that really got her mad. Today we had a meeting with Grace's kindergarten teacher, Helen was mad again. She wanted to sit on the carpet and have books read to her. Then she went next door to Noah's preschool room to play. I can't wait for her to start on Monday, and neither can she. Noah on the other hand, he could care less if school ever starts again.

I recently joined Facebook and I'm addicted. I am always checking it to see who said what. I love that I have found many old friends, I feel reconnected, and that's a good feeling. I no longer feel so isolated, and have even more chances to get out and do something. There is talk of us all getting together for a little reunion. I hope it comes together, I'd love to see so many of them again, and just have fun.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Circus Time

The circus crew
Helen, Katie, and Grace on the camel

Elephant ride

About three weeks ago the kids and I went out for the afternoon, when we came home it felt like the air conditioner wasn't on. It was one of the rare days around here that we needed it. I knew I had turned it on before we left so we could come home to a nice cool house. I knew we would be sweaty since my car air conditioner decided not to work this summer. I checked the thermostat, yep, it was on. I went downstairs and looked at the unit and at the fuse box, I really had no idea what I was looking for, but at least I gave it a look. I then went outside to check the fan, I could hear a hum coming from it, but nothing else. I decided to turn it off, the noise I heard couldn't be good, and who knew how long it had been like that since we were gone all afternoon. My central air is the last thing I need to have break, the car is bad enough with the kids complaining how hot they are. I called the repair service and left a message. I almost walked across the street to my neighbor who is the owner of the repair service, but wasn't gutsy enough. If it had been really hot, I would have, but we weren't suffering, so I didn't impose. The next day he called and said someone would be over around lunch time. The guy showed up and checked everything I did, I was proud of myself, although I still didn't know what we were looking for! Everything in the house checked out so we went to look at the fan. Sure enough, he heard the exact same noise I did, and thought he knew what the problem was. He took the cover off of the electrical panel...lo and behold, guess what he found...an earwig. It had crawled into the wires and was electrocuted, which in turn, shorted out my connection. When the bug was removed, my air conditioner fan turned back on and all was well...except my wallet! That was the most expensive bug I have ever come across, I should have had it framed!

The circus was in town last week-end, Sherry and I took the kids. My wonderful neighbors gave me free tickets, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to go. During the fifteen minute intermission, the kids took an elephant ride. I wanted Helen and Noah to go, but they didn't want to. We still had tickets left with time running out of our intermission. All the kids wanted to ride again, or take the tickets for something else. There were eight kids, the rides started at two tickets, there just weren't enough. Since I already lost an arm and a leg with the price of all the tickets, I couldn't afford to loose another arm and a leg! Sherry took the boys, except Noah, and went back to our seats while I figured out what to do with the rest of the tickets. I really wanted Helen and Noah to do something, time was running out. We walked by the camel ride, no line, I decided to have Katie and Grace ride just so we could use up the tickets. When they got up to the top, Helen decided she wanted to ride. I was so frazzled, the guy told me we had enough tickets since it only took two to ride the camel. The girls got on, I took a few pictures, they took a short ride, and we were on our way to see the rest of the circus, which had already started. It was a good time, fun was had by all.

We are starting to get ready for school, it starts Wednesday for Ted, Robbie, and Katie. I'm happy to get back into a routine, but sad that our carefree days of staying up late and sleeping in are over. Helen and Grace start the following week, and Noah starts the week after that. I will have five of them in school all day...WOOHOO!!

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue

Thank You

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of my family and friends who came and stood in the thunderstorm for Peter's memorial. It started to downpour after the service so I didn't get a chance to thank all of you personally. It meant a lot to me to see all of my family, in-laws included, and MY friends there. I am very disappointed in Peter's friends, not one of them showed up. I personally called every single one that I had a phone number to, and they all said they would be there. I guess they were afraid they would melt! I think I'm even more disappointed that I haven't received any emails or phone calls apologizing for the "no show". I'm trying very hard to lay a foundation for their relationships with my kids. They are the missing links to Peter's past. My kids have their Aunts and Papou to share stories of Peter when they were kids. They have me to share my stories from age 25 until his death. What's missing are his High School years and soon after. Those are the years when you break away from siblings and do things with your friends. I know they have a ton of stories about Peter, I heard some, but can't remember enough to share them with my kids. I was hoping when my kids got older they would have a friendship already there with Peter's friends, so they could talk about Peter for hours if they wanted to. I guess I'm hoping for a perfect little world, and that's not going to happen. It makes me sad. I know if the tables were turned, Peter would have been standing out in the rain for his friend. I wish his friends felt the same...oh well, on we go.

We have been watching my furry niece Fiona, she really likes the pool. She wasn't here for 10 minutes and she was already taking a dip! My father-in-law was here one day when she got into the pool, he didn't like it. He asked me, "Are you going to let out the water so you can change it?" Oh my goodness...ka-ching! I told him, "No, that's what the chlorine is for!" Can you imagine if I changed the water every time!?!! Toby has enjoyed having his cousin here to play. They have pushed us over, stepped on us, and run into us while playing, but they keep going. I have enjoyed having someone to cuddle with at night, the only problem...body heat. I have been so hot during the night, I have thrown covers off of me, I never do that. We'll miss her when she goes home.

Rick and Anne Marie...Fiona is always welcome here, she has received a lot of love from the kids. She will probably need a bath, with the pool water and all of Toby's slobber on her!

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Devices!?!!

I took the kids for their dental check ups the other day, yep, all six. One out of six had a cavity, those are pretty good odds! I was also told Katie and Grace both need devices put in their mouths to stop them from sucking their thumbs. Devices, what the heck!?!! How come when I was a kid we didn't need devices, you either stopped, or you didn't. Our COBRA expires on Monday, yes, it has already been three years since Peter passed away, Saturday to be exact. Having to deal with the cost of these devices has become a headache. After speaking with Ted's orthodontist, I have decided to hold off on these so called devices for now. I am going to take Katie in to see the orthodontist for an evaluation (Grace is too young), along with Robbie, it's free, why not! This way I can budget for braces down the road. I think Robbie will need them, his teeth are a bit crooked. I was told by the dentist Katie and Grace will definitely need them. My question is, why pay $1000.00 per child now for devices, when they are going to need braces anyway? I have noticed, with age, Katie does not suck her thumb as often as she used to. We have all told them both to stop when we see them doing it, but at night when they are sleeping is another story. I am now trying another trick, spraying their thumbs with perfume, the jury is still out on that one.

Yesterday was my birthday, we spent it at the cemetery and then for lunch at my sister-in-law's restaurant, The Liberty. They have such great food, I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal there. If you are ever in Libertyville, IL, their place is located on Milwaukee Ave., also known as Rt. 21. They put a candle in a piece of cheesecake and sang me Happy Birthday, the kids loved it. We went to the cemetery to clean up the flowers so they look nice for Saturday. I am having a memorial service for Peter. I don't think we have been there since I planted them in June, it has been a busy summer. To my pleasant surprise, my sister-in-law, Maria, had already been there and spruced them up for me. I decided to water them so I went to the faucet to turn on the hose. Noah followed me, and while he was waiting for the water to turn on, he was stung by a wasp. There was a nest inside some artificial flowers very near to the water, and he got too close. He has never been stung so I didn't know what to expect. We weren't planning on going to the restaurant, but with this happening, I felt we should go hang out there just in case he had a reaction. This way we were close to a hospital instead of on the highway. I am happy to say nothing happened, and he forgot all about it once we were inside and ordering all kinds of yummy food.

The days are getting harder as the week goes on, so many memories. Keep us in your prayers.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue