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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Back to School 2010







Well, so far it's everything is going good. The kids are back at school and we are trying to settle into a routine.
Pickles and 'Cole are in the 10th grade and Pinky and Daisy are in the 6th grade.
This will be the first time I don't have kids in elementary school. I'm a little sad... Excited that everyone is growing up, but just a little sad.
I remember the girls' first day of Kindergarten. They were so small, so nervous. I walked Pinky to her class first because she was in tears. I stayed for a minute then walked around to Daisy's room. Daisy waved, happy to see me and I waved back. Then I left.
I miss my little kids. Life seemed simpler then. (funny how you get nostalgic, when the trying times are just a distant memory)



Sunday, August 22, 2010

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Not Christmas, silly....
I'm talking about Back-To-School. Yay!!
I love summer, but all good things must come to an end.
The kids have had a great summer, with a few exceptions.
The school supplies have been bought, the shoes, the clothes are done. Kids have their schedules.

I'll have two 6th graders and two 10 graders. I'm hoping this turns out to be a great school year.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

A New Day

Today I feel better. I think I'm coming to a place of understanding, thanks to the wisdom of my co-worker. I actually feel like I can breathe today and that is a good thing.

I started writing a letter to the bio dad and now I feel like I can do it with love in my heart. I know what my focus is and it has never changed. I love these silly, goofy kids and would give them the world.

Maybe there were things I needed to hear, so my heart would be in the right place. I think I'm there now. ..or at least closer to being there.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I am soooo not the Babysitter

But apparently that's what the kids' bio father thinks I am.
He told Pickles he would have him "tattooed up" before the end of the year.
He also corrected what they call themselves, referring to them by their birth names.
Promised the girls every expensive electronic device under the sun.

My brain is tired. My heart is heavy.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Bio Family found the kids on Facebook

I got a facebook freind request from the bio cousin of my youngest kids this morning. By tonight their father sent my son a friend request.
I'm absolutely in shock. I knew it would be possible for them to find them... I guess I just don't know.
I added their cousin as a friend.

I'm just stunned. My son was ok with adding his dad, but doesn't want anything to do with the cousin.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Been Caught Stealing....

Again!
Our babysitter took the twins and two of their friends to the local waterpark. While the sitter and Pinky were in the changing area changing clothes Daisy wandered over to the gift shop and took a necklace and bracelet. She was caught by security.
Because of her age they did not press charges. If she had been twelve, they would have called the police.

Her punishment from me is that she is banned from the waterpark for a year, and she is banned from going into any store until the end of this year AND if she has to go into a store she cannot walk around by herself and she has to keep both hands on the shopping cart at all times.

I thought we had worked through this. There hadn't been any stealing incidents (that I knew of) since last year. She had money earlier this week. I lowered her allowance because she refuses to her chores and when she does do them I have to ask her five times just to get her moving.

She didn't even seem phased by the whole situation. No fear. No remorse. No regret.

What am I going to do with this kid ??

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Family Meeting

I love family meetings. It puts everybody on the same page. Helps me to map out my expectations and let's the kids have an opportunity to vent and talk. There are only two simple rules. 1. Everyone has a chance to talk. 2.No one can get in trouble for what they say, as long as they say it in a respectful way.
We talked about back-to-school shopping. I explained to them how much money was available (not much), we talked about types of shoes and clothing they would be able to get.
We talked about household issues. Chores and keeping the house clean. We also had to review the house rules, because some folks have selective memory.
It ended up being a really good, hopefully productive meeting.

Next stop....The dreaded back-to-school shopping. *screams*

I hate back to school shopping. I absolutely unequivocally hate it.
The teens do pretty good, I can tell them what their budget is and they normally stick to it. I've taught them to shop sales and clearance. They usually do a pretty good job.

The littles....wellllll.....that is a totally different story. A back-to-school shopping trip usually ends up in anger, pouting and possible tears. They like to go to EVERY store in SEVERAL malls. Because they are looking for "the perfect outfit". They have to look at every shoe in every shoe store. It has never ending up being a fun time. (at least not for me)

I've tried buying some of their clothes and shoes online. The problem with shopping online is you just can't get a good feel for the clothes and you can't tell what it looks like on you.
They've grown so much over the summer, I know they need to try on some stuff.

Sigh.....