Today was James's parent/teacher conference. This year, I have gone to each of them with a sense of dread. I was never this way. I always walked in confident that all was well, that he was keeping up with class, that he was a good kid. Well, he still is and I am just a worrywart I guess. Waiting for things to get worse. I was greeted with many anecdotes about how getting detail out of him in writing exercises is like pulling teeth, how he has a great dry sense of humor, how he is friendly and the teacher loves having him in class because he is "teachable". James, I confess, kicks up such a fuss about going to school (he always has) that I worry, in his grief, he will give up. But he hasn't I am beginning to think that he plays the "I don't wanna go mama..." game to make me feel bad because he always comes home with so many stories of the fun he has had. I am grateful, this year, that he has a male teacher. He has taken extra time with James. Talking about his interests and telling him stories. He, too, has a sense of humor that ranges somewere between the Sahara and a sidewalk in LA around August, but James gets him so all is good. As reward for his hard work we went to the book fair. He picked out three books... One on airplanes (of course), one on WWII (of course) and The Guiness Book of World Records (which I loved as a kid too). He wanted a book of Playstation Cheats, but I vetoed it because my one "thing" is the book must be of educational type. I will even allow Captain Underpants, but $7 to learn how to circumvent a video game? Nope.
Nicole has 1 month and 4 days left of school and I cannot believe it. I don't think she can either. I still haven't ordered her senior pictures. I just now thought of it as I was typing this. Also, I am in trouble because James has a field trip (overnighter to Mackinac) the night of her senior prom. I cannot be in two places at once so, as I've already been told, I'll be letting down one of the kids whichever one I don't attend. I wouldn't let James go without me or another family member so I'm doubling hating the single parenting thing tonight.
Tonight was also Sandcastles. Sometimes I can just "stare into space" myself through. Other times the reason I am there, and the not wanting to have the reason to be there hit so hard I can barely breathe. Tonight, another woman was talking about her troubles with her in-laws so it was easy to just stare.
I have a new hobby...rubber band ball creating. It's not much, but it's something and great stress relief. It was actually something James started up and grew bored with after a bag of bands. I continued on up to an 8 pound ball (I know, because I measured)accompanied by a lot of laughter from my children. Yes, I am lame. No, I don't have a life anymore.
20 comments:
Hey, if you allow 'Captain Underpants', you're a way cooler mom than I! If you want 'Captain Underpants' at this house, you have to pay for it yourself!! My kids LOVE the record books, as well. I'm glad he's still doing well in school -- I know that can be such a worry for moms!
Oh -- I live in Texas but moved OUT of the wildflower area into the dessert. Really miss the wildflowers out here. Aren't they beautiful? Oh, and I KNOW you saw at least one family out in them with a camera, like all the other comments earlier!
The wildflowers are gorgeous! I love the motion that is there and I mean that. As a photographer it is always interesting to see different viewpoints of the world.
Oh, and hey, could I order a 2 lb rubberband ball - one with all different rainbow of colors? I'll buy the bands....
HUGS, I am thinking about you!
You could be on to a novelty item-rubberband balls. Make your own kit....
Thanks for sharing the pictures. It was hard to see it, but I can imagine that it was really pretty being there in person.
I worry about the kids doing okay in school, too. I can't help but feel like it reflects on me and our family if they slip or misbehave in school. Why is that? It can't always be the parent's responsiblity for how they do or act in school. It could be peer pressure or attitude. I'm glad he's doing okay. I am sure that you will make a right decision about prom night and the class trip. I'll be thinking of you.
I think it's a great hobby. I find peace in sorting beads--it's relatively mindless, but at the end you can see you've accomplished something. An 8-lb. ball is an accomplishment!
anything to keep you busy is a good thing.
I don't know how you are in Sandcastles, but when I attend CF meetings I often feel I'm not getting a THING out of them.
Meanwhile, of course James is doing well, he's a great kid! And trust me, as teachers, we are literally *DRAWN* to children who have lost parents. I know, I have a young man in my class this year who lost his father July '06. His mom is my hero--she's amazing--and yet, she struggles as well. All this means is that we look out for your babies.
I can't believe Nik has only a month+ left! WOW!
HUGS! HUGS! HUGS!
I love the wildflower photos. They are very Monet.
Great news about James. I am sure he unknowingly pulls you along with his joy and his stories.
And rubberband balls? Hey, whatever works!
Graduation time...wow! What an accomplishment.
Split mommy. That stinks. Wish I knew a way to fix that. We could cut you in half and let the kids draw straws for the half they get. :)
Love the pictures! The rubber band ball sounds quite impressive...any pics of that?
Let me, as an English teacher, just say how wonderful it was to read that your son gets books as a reward. And not books about video games. Yay.
Wow! Wildflowers! Blurry or not you can't beat the colors.
The "hobby" I started for my mental health a while back was making pot holders. The metal loom, bunchs of loops and I ended up with a big box-full in my garage before I felt better. Sometimes the things they do in the mental-ward will keep you sane. If it's rubber bands for you - go for it!
I used to macramé. I even taught it in the Community School, back when it was fashionable.
I live several hours from Houston, and, when we went there during Spring Break, there were not many flowers. We came home via Alternate 90 and 71, which is out south of Houston, in the farm country. I was saddened by the hundreds of acres I saw lying fallow, though I was and still am hoping that it was just too early for it to be planted. Still, the skeletal remains of greenhouses and the rusted silos makes me think otherwise...
The field pics DO look Monet. Very nice! Also, I'd love to see a pic of your giant rubber band ball :)
I happen to love the rubber band idea! Think I could get into that :) I play all these Pogo games, same thing...stare.
I love the pics and they DO look Monet! Don't you need one more person to tell you? LOL
I'm glad James is doing well in school. Male teacher wasn't a coincidence girl ((hugs))
Laura, Tell James he took some good photos. I am happy he is doing well. Thinking of you ... xoxo Nita
I love Rach's comment about teachers looking out for your babies. I have always believed it really does take a village, and this makes me think that the village believes it, too. Everyone needs a support network, so I hope your kids' teachers are part of that for you. I can't imagine trying to shoulder the weight of two childrens' needs and emotions by myself. Hats off to you.
Laura, James did a great job with the photos, and I can only imagine how beautiful those wildflowers must have been driving right by them, what a site.
And I went to parent/teacher conference too, and same here all is well phew. Wow, graduation right around the corner.
Heee....I had to chuckle at your new rubberband hobby. Yep, I'm with the others, like to see some pics of that 8 pounder.
Stay Strong,
Hugs,
Rose
Books, the best present.
I am thinking of starting a rubber band ball. That would give me a use for the cheesy ones I have that break at the drop of a hat, lol.
Whatever keeps your mind occupied.
James is doing good in school? Count that as one of the "you're doing better than you think" comments we've all made. You're doing great and I'm sure you'll figure out the field trip/prom dillema soon enough.
Those wildflowers look beautiful. I didn't realize that Texas could be green- I blame it on the movies :)
James is quite the budding photographer too!
Post a Comment