No Name Blog

This blog had a much different name when I was playing around with it in my head.  Now I don't know what to call it because I've become more serious than when I had originally thought about it.

This weekend was super busy.  The kids and I needed to "Get Out of Dodge," and so very early on Saturday morning, I bundled the kids up and threw them in the car.  We were at my sisters' house by 11:45.  Valerie and I threw the kids back in the car and headed out to Lake Quassapaug Amusement/Water Park.  It was a fun-filled, tantrum-filled day.  Anna has been so good lately adapting to any and all situations--and people--that I just didn't think to "prep" her for the experience.  If she really liked something, she would literally kick and scream if she couldn't get right back on.

Anna, Jack and Mom

My two hams before the water park

I had to drag her from the place when it was time to leave.  She was screaming, "I wanna go to the water park!" as I was carrying her, dragging her, pushing her through the park and then the parking lot.  Once she got in the car, she was alright.  Stopped crabbing and was fine.

We spent some time after with my sisters, Karen and Valerie, and a little bit of time with Karen's husband Charlie and daughter Liz. Charlie sent us away with a cooler filled with farm-fresh bacon.  No nitrates.  No chemicals, just good, yummy bacon.  You're jealous.  I know.

We spent the night at my parents' house, where a buoyant Anna serenaded us with "50 Stars Are on the Flag" and "You're a Grand Old Flag."  That was amazing, yet repetitive.

On Sunday we invited ourselves to a family gathering at a really good friend's house.  The friend, John, had just proposed to his fiance, Jenn, the night before--and she said, "Yes"!  It was a multi-purpose party:  Father's Day, engagement, remembering John's dad who had passed away 8 years ago yesterday.  It was kind of a fitting party, I think.  His dad (one of the men my son was named for) would have thought it a fitting way to mark all three events.

John has two children.  Jenn has two children.  I have two children.  And they all played well together.  It was very cute.  John and Jenn's combined four welcomed my two admirably.  No one was left out.  No one was picked on.  They were amazing.  Anna wouldn't get out of the pool, so the others (who were all at least two years older) took turns playing in the pool with her so that she wasn't alone.  Jack fell, and the kids ran to get him something to clean the minuscule cut with and for a bandage.  It was nice.

Also at the party was a woman I consider to be my second mother.  I tried to explain the relationship to Jack and to Jenn's mom, but it all sounded so trite.  I couldn't quite sum up what she means to me verbally, so I made my kids call her Grandma Lillian and give her hugs.  Jack obliged.  Anna was done and she just waved.  Oh well.

I seriously hope that John and Jenn can manage the time and resources to bring the kids up to Boston for a weekend.  It was a fun get-together that I would like to repeat.

We didn't get home until after 7 last night.  While both kids whined about going to bed by 8, they both passed out.  Anna was awake when her dad opened the door to her room this morning at 7, but Jack needed a little coaxing.

Today was Anna's last day of pre-school for the year.  For those of you who have been reading along might guess, this was an emotional day for me.  First and foremost, they marched all the kids in the school out with their teachers.  Then they sat or stood facing the crowd of parents and sang about 5 songs.  It was adorable and I was fighting back the tears because there was Anna--front and center--sitting there (!) and singing along.  That would not have happened this time six months ago (aside from the fact that this time six months ago the ground was covered in snow...).  While they were singing a woman cut in front of me wearing an intriguing outfit--a picture of which I shall post at the end.

Then we followed the kids into the classroom for more songs and snacks.  The kids were amazing, especially Anna.  She was so happy to see me which always makes me smile.  She sang and did as she was told.  She hugged her teachers.  She sat with her friends.  It made me want to cry so badly because she's come so far in such a short time.

Then the teacher sent home a bag of goodies.  I sobbed sorting through it.  It contained pictures of Anna doing things and participating in activities.  There were books, some trade books but also an alphabet book Anna had made and a "yearbook" kind of thing.  Her report card (which was very good.  She received all S's for "satisfactory."  There's nothing higher.  There was an S- for fine motor skills, but that's why she's there.  Her progress report was there, too.  She's met all the goals with two minor exceptions.  One is that when she takes out the toys that are permitted during any given play period, she tends to spread out.  The other is that she still needs help holding her pencil.  That one is not a surprise because I watch her grip avidly.

The final piece of the whole bag was an "autograph" page.  All the kids wrote their names on the same piece of paper.  Most of the names are vaguely recognizable, some no more than scribbles.  Anna's is as clear as day in big bold letters.  She even used a capital A and lower case n-n-a.  I'm glad I was home because I lost it.  I sobbed.  She wouldn't even hold a writing utensil for me this time six months ago.

Anna's on the left looking left.

Unfortunately for Anna and the youth of Brockton, Anna's teacher, Miss Mary is retiring this year.  She let me know because she's concerned about what's going to happen with Anna next year.  The school system will not be replacing Miss Mary.  Instead they are going to scatter her class among the rest of the school's teachers.  Anna will be placed in one class, and then will be moved to another class.  I'm just so thrilled with how well Anna's doing that I don't really mind.  Miss Mary minds.  Miss Mary is trying hard to get Anna into a full day, five day a week program.  She thinks it would be better and I agree.  I don't know if I should call and push for it or what.  I hadn't even known it was an option. 

I'll bring this to a close ans it's been kind of an emotional roller coaster for me.  But I thought I'd end with that picture I promised.

9:30 in the morning @ a pre-school closing ceremony.  No kidding.