Just as awful as we thought it would be

Thomas has been home about 25 minutes from basketball tryouts.  It's just as awful as we thought it would be.  His heart is absolutely broken about the results, and of course as parents, our hearts break right along with his.  This is one of the toughest parts of parenting, and Andrew and I can't put into words how much we wish we could take away the pain.  I'm looking forward to his big sister getting home from her band competition so she can give him a hug.

A very happy memory

Nine years ago today is one of my most favorite memories.  My dad had just bought his cottage and we took the kids up so we could all see it for the very first time.  We had a great time visiting, and that was the beginning of so many fabulously special memories.  Being the first Sunday of November, it was also the first day of the end of Daylight Savings Time.  The kid couldn't wait to tumble into bed that evening, and everyone was in bed well before 8:00.  I'll be honest, I enjoyed the early bedtime for the kids, and it came at the end of a day that is such another fabulous memory.  I am so incredibly grateful for all of the memories we were able to share with my Dad at his cottage!

Too funny

This evening we had another somewhat crazy evening, but we were all (except for Andrew who is out with a friend) home by 8:30.  We hadn't been able to watch It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown when it had been on before.  We have it on DVD and I decided that this would be the evening the kids and I would sit down and watch it.  We even had some snacks and all settled in.

The first comment that amused me came from Catherine.  Just a couple of minutes in she suddenly proclaimed, "Wait!  Where are all the parents?  Who's keeping an eye on the kids?"  I love that she is old enough to have that perspective.

The most comical though, clearly came from Thomas.  It was the scene when the Peanuts gang was explaining to Sally about the concept of Trick-or-Treating.  She thought it sounded too good to be true.  She even asked, "Are you sure it is legal?"  Thomas announced, "She must be worried about her political future."  Oh goodness!  The perspective of that one is always comical!

A working Friday

Today is a working Friday.  I'm looking forward to this being the end of the week.  Things are just continuing to be unbelievable with the kids' schedules...and they aren't even involved in nearly as much stuff as some kids!  I don't know how other parents work two full-time jobs and make this all happen!

It's definitely an adjustment in our house.  I think Andrew forgets how much I handle being home all day, because it just gets handled.  He doesn't even have to think about it.  I've been a little frustrated this week as I worked every day except yesterday, still had dinner on the table between running kids, and Andrew just doesn't seem to realize I'm still handling things on my own.  We'll get through the adjustment though, and it is what makes me so very grateful for school breaks!

Looking forward to a bit of sleeping in for the weekend!

I'm not looking forward to what is going to happen

This weekend is tryouts for the middle school basketball team.  Thomas is not going to make the team.  We have absolutely no doubt about that.  Last year in his rec league he was the worst player...in the entire league.  However, Thomas wants to tryout and we are not going to be the people who tell him he can't.  We have to let him face the disappointment that is about to happen...and that is really, really hard.  It's also part of life and I know it is part of my job as a parent.  Part of my job is to teach them to cope with disappointment, but it sure isn't the part of my job that I like.  I know there are going to be tears, and I strongly suspect I'll be crying right along with my little guy.  I'm ready for this particular event to be over.

Back as a working mom

I am off today, and I'm very grateful!  I've worked every day this week.  Not all day, mind you, but still every day.  I'm keeping my job at the church while returning to the world of being a sub.  I really enjoy being a sub and I really enjoy my job at church, but I had forgotten a bit about how crazy things can be when I'm not available all day to work on laundry, dishes, etc.  We've also had a band concert and cross country awards in the evening this week, and Andrew has his football awards tonight.  Tomorrow is another band performance and I work again, but I know that families everywhere deal with this every day.  I'm so grateful that I have two jobs that I really enjoy, that allow me to still be home with my kiddos...so very grateful!

Mild mornings

The last two days we have tied record high temperatures...upper 70's in November!  It's been a little ridiculous again, and definitely not my favorite weather.  It's not awful, but I am NOT turning on the a/c in November!  The cold front is coming through though, and there is nothing about the 60's in the extended forecast.  I've enjoyed not turning on the heat yet, but I am ready for those cooler temps.

The one thing that has been REALLY nice though, is the mornings.  Robert and I walk outside at 5:40 in the morning to wait for his bus.  He stands in the drive way and I sit on the porch, usually with my cup of coffee.  I haven't had to worry about bundling up at all.  In fact this morning, I was in shorts and bare feet.  While I am generally looking forward to the cooler temps, those five minutes I'll be shivering in the morning is the one downside.  I can deal with five minutes though for an overall fabulous day!