A Good Fit

I feel like Jane Goodall, but I'm observing baby nerds. Ten year old boys in their natural habitat, building with Legos and discussing computer games. Old enough to care about impressing each other, but not cool enough to succeed.

These are my son's peers in every way. This is the first time I am on hand to witness him "fitting in". Their social aggressiveness is painting him as the quiet one (HA!!).

Build and socialize and savor this moment of being perfectly matched. Their conflicts arise and dissipate so naturally. Like tiny waves of testosrone breaking, most often, on a shore of laughter. Delightfully discovering commonalities among a group of uncommons.

It makes me wonder when the first time I felt socially matched was. My first impulse is to say the drama office backstage in high school. Honestly, I probably did "fit" better there than anywhere else at that time, but I think the place where I felt the euphoric sense of being with people who understood me (and part of me hates to admit it!) was the teen lounge in the orthopedic hospital where I "grew up."

Don't get me wrong I'm not opting for the segregation of the disabled (although I could probably make a compelling case for teenagers!). I've always been quite at ease around the non-gimpy population. There's just so much pressure in adolescence. It was nice to find myself around people who "get it." That old elephant got to take some time off. We just existed in our microcosm without stares, tiresome explanations or being told how "brave" we were. There was a peace. We had drama over boys, broke rules and stayed up late.

When the slumber party ended I went back to being the "one" who walks funny and that was ok. I remember feeling at home with my nerdy video store "family" later and much later with my mommy group, but nothing touches the lounge. Perhaps it resonates louder in these days when the changes in my kids make my path a place full of opportunities again. What kindred spirits will line the road on the next leg of my adventure?

First Day of Preschool!!

She was too excited to sleep last night, but she sprang out of bed happily. I got to wake her up for a change. We'd laid out her clothes last night and her backpack was already packed by the door. While she ate breakfast I packed her lunch and two healthy snacks. I would have loved to do it last night, but our fridge is broken so I had no way to keep a whole lunchbox cold. She did ask at least 3 times if she could go back to bed, but other than that was very chipper.

We were out the door on time and early enough to school to wonder around confused for a bit. Signed in and off to play she barely waved to me before she was gone. Sigh, bless her independent little soul. As further confirmation that she'd be alright I bumped into her little friend going out the door. It's always nice to have an old friend your first day at a new place.

I came home teary-eyed to deal with fridge repairs, errands and the other kid. It's just that kind of surreal morning where my world has changed forever and everyone else is just going about the same old same old. I felt the same way the day I got my acceptance letter to college. Everything is different forever, but only for me. Strange.

I can't wait to hear about her cubbie, her cot, her new friends and her teachers! I still remember some happy pre-school times. Hazy images of my pink lunchbox, monkey bars and a Halloween party.

Fourth Grade Complete

I stole the brilliant idea to start taking a last day of school photo from one of my mommy friends. Isaac loves traditions and tangible proof that he's growing up. He was all for it. Here is the first and last day of fourth grade. He came home with a science award, reading award and straight A's all year!! Way to go, buddy!

I can't believe there's only one more year of elementary school! It has flown by. I missed the beginning of Isaac's life, but I have been present for every single first day of school. He always seems so static to me just completely unchanged and then I look at a picture and I'm stunned. To be fair I'm also comparing him to a much younger child who is growing by leaps and bounds still. From the beginning of this school year to the end wasn't a huge change, but when I looked at the first day of third grade I was amazed. Going back to kindergarten it's hard to believe it's the same kid.

I have high hopes for the summer and for his final year in elementary school. I hope he's stays excited about learning, expands his social circle and tries lots of new things.

Conversations With Cute

Riley and I ran inside from the pool and jumped in a bath tub full of warm water with our bathing suits on. Since we were in our suits and in a hurry to get warm we left the door open. The dog thought this was fascinating. She wondered in and out checking on us and drinking the bath water. After one of her visits Riley said:
Mommy Leeloo thinks we're swimming in her water dish!

Sometimes my kids really surprise me. This coveration Riley and I had while I pushed her on the swing was more strange than funny.

Roo:Can we get a guinea pig?
Mom: No, we already have a hamster.
Roo: Oh.
Mom: You like Gertie.
Roo: Yeah. When we don't have Gertie anymore can we get a guinea pig?
Mom: I don't think so.
(Riley thinks this over)
Roo: Will it chase monsters away?
Mom: What? A guinea pig?
Roo: Yeah! Will the guinea pig chase monsters away?
Mom: Gertie will chase monsters away for you...or Leeloo!
Roo:(I heard) Does the wind chase clothes away?
Mom: What?!?
(She gives me a funny look)
Mom: Did you ask if the wind blows your clothes?
Roo: No. Listen To Me. The wind chases crows away.
Mom: Oh, crows!
Roo: So do farmers.
Mom: Yes, because they eat things out of the garden. That's why Daddy doesn't like them.
Roo: Are crows scary?
Mom: Maybe, but I don't think so. Some people might be scared of them.
Roo: Because they eat the mulberries!

A conversation between Riley and Isaac in the pool
Are you a princess?
No, I'm human actually!

Riley picked up a stuffed dalmatian at her friend's house:
Can I borrow this dimension?

Riley finds a bug and sweetly asks:
Um, do we have to eliminate it?

The night before our zoo trip I was having trouble getting her into bed
Me: Where are we going tomorrow Riley?
(No answer)
Me: You don't remember where we're going tomorrow?
Roo: I do, but I don't want to tell you because I don't want to go to bed.

Riley asked me when dinner would be ready. When I told her we were working on it she said:
I know that the corn has to be cobbed, Mom!

As I pulled into a regular parking space the other day Isaac exclaims:
Are you allowed to park here?!?

Me to Mike:
What's wrong with my neck?
Mike to Me:
Pirate curse.

You Might Be a Disabled Mom if...

There are so many common experiences for every mother, but there are a few that I find myself giggling about because of their unique circumstances.

• You've burned your lap bringing dinner to the table.

• Sometimes it is safer for the 3 year old to carry something than Mommy depending on terrain.
• You've ever balanced on one leg/one crutch/up a step on wheels while your kid spotted you.
• You take your little one to more of your doctor's appointments than their own.
• You were excited when your child could help you put your shoes on.
• You've tossed imaginary objects (keys, potions, jewels) to the jungle gym from the playground bench
• You fall down just as much as as your toddler.
• You were surprised how quickly your kid was better at walking than you are.
• You've bent over to pick up a toy and rolled over your own foot.
• You've been tangled wheelchair around laptop cord, purse around crutch handle, foot through cord and simultaneously ripped something from the wall/dumpped something while hitting the deck.
• You clean to gain passage through a room rather than for tidiness
• Your kid is the only kid on the playground who gets hurts, gets up and comes to Mommy before she cries
• Your kid has left you stranded by running away with your means of transportation (Usually while you're on the toilet or in bed).
• Your kid thinks Mommy's picture is all over the parking lots
• If you're skilled at pushing something on wheels while you yourself are on wheels
• Your kids can literally push you around!
• Your kid squeals with glee at the novelty of being given permission to climb a flight of stairs in a public building rather than ride the elevator again
• Your child learned to walk on your walker

I know there's more...help me out disabled parents

Mother's Day 2013

How things change, mainly the kids ages and the length of my hair. In all seriousness we have a lot of really big changes on the horizon so it felt good to maintain some traditions. I got flowers and home made cards from the kids. We had a special breakfast and visits with grandparents. We took our annual photo and had a picnic. It was a really beautiful day.

It occurred to me recently that I'll had an opportunity to establish an identity apart from "mother of two" soon. Well, to be fair I always have had the opportunity, but now I'm likely to take advantage. I am Mom and a real person. Even if the kids don't know me apart from the one who cleans up and feeds them, i'm getting reacquainted. I gave myself a pat on the back this year for all my hard work. I'm so grateful for the time my kids have been my whole world, but I look forward to my world just revolving around them.

While digging up old Mother's Day photos I read some old posts and found this gem: best mother's day memory.

"It Is Fun To Have Fun, But You Have To Know How"

Bounce House!! Slide!! Balloons!! Face Painting!! Pony Rides!! Hot Dogs!! Dance Party!! It was like a kid triathlon! My pin balls bounced from exciting thing to exciting thing, filled their bellies and then danced off the calories. Good. Day.