Final Stretch

It's been a busy week, as predicted, and nothing has really gone as planned, which I probably could have predicted too. :)

Both kids have been through orientation at their respective schools. One is comfortably familiar. Mr. Autism has been there since pre-k, and this teacher has been part of our lives for 3 or 4 years now (I've lost track). It'll be a good year: no IEP arguments, no major behavior problems in the classroom (since she knows how to manage a class full of kiddos with autism), and Mr. Autism will be happy. It's his 5th grade year- the last one before Middle School. We'll take the transition as it comes, although like any mom I'm sure I will bawl like mad at the end of year ceremony. He was my newborn baby half an hour ago...

The other school I feel more reserved about. Orientation was loud and chaotic. The place doesn't feel as friendly or welcoming. It's also a Title I school, which leaves me with mixed emotions. In this economy, that means that the school is getting more grant money and will have great resources. It's also making me confront the fact that apparently I'm a little bit of a snob, something I am trying very hard to work on or at least make sure Mr. Smarty Pants does NOT pick up on. Regardless of socioeconomic factors for the school, his teacher seems quite nice, very competent, and is willing to accelerate the curriculum when he demonstrates mastery. That's all I'm asking for. I told her straight out that when he's bored, he starts talking. And he gets bored easily. His brain moves too fast. ADHD or gifted or both? That will be her challenge to figure out. I will support her, because that's what parents should do, as long as the teachers are reasonable people. She seems reasonable. Mr. Smarty Pants is excited, not scared, so that's a positive thing at least.

We've spent 3 evenings this week over at my in-laws' house trying to fix up the garden bed, and it's a rougher job than either of us thought it would be. It hasn't been worked on in probably 10+ years, and the trees that needed to come out didn't want to. The entire top layer of soil is so heavily compacted with roots and grass that we're trying to just remove it, to replace with bagged dirt. Another unanticipated problem is the wooden logs that were put in to hold the back of the bed in place. After however long they've been there, they are rotted, and need to be replaced, and it's better to do that now rather than try to do it later when things are growing there. They will be home Saturday night, though, so we will get it figured out.

Over this weekend, both boys need haircuts, school supplies, new shoes, a couple of new outfits for school. Tonight, Mr. Smarty Pants has evals for Upward Flag Football, which should be fun. Tomorrow morning, it'll be back to my in-laws' house for more gardening fun.

Unfortunately, Mr. Smarty Pants can't swim right now. Mr. Autism accidentally pushed him into an armoire and he got a cut on his ear, necessitating a trip to our local ER. Things have improved since my brother and I were bashing each other around- instead of stitches, he got glued. Fascinating, and it's not supposed to leave a scar, unlike the spot on my forehead that remains from a dance-off to Michael Jackson's new "Thriller" album gone wrong back in the day.

3 more days till freedom!