The Puddles

No, I’m not talking about the end of the world (Madie is already scared about that one. I’ve got to learn to turn off the news when the kids get home.).  I’m talking about the end of the school year.  I’m dreading it.  Right now there is peace in the house from 8:00am until 3:00am.  I kind of like that.  They are with me the entire rest of the time.  Dad is home a couple of nights a week and we all get to share in a meal together.  But most of the time, we are all just plain busy.  The kids are at the age where they are bored easily when kept within these four walls for great periods of time. And I can’t generally keep the neighborhood kids out of my house or the desire of my children to not want to go outside and play with the neighbors.  It is a constant battle to keep the kids entertained and not arguing. I’ve got some things planned for the summer, but not too much because Ben can’t be in the heat and I have to work from home.  I’m sure that this is a dilemma faced by many mothers, but my sanity may be the sacrifice to make this dilemma work.  I think the key to this will be preparation.  If I can prepare enough things for them to do, if I can get the playroom organized for more play, if I can set up a good schedule and most importantly, if I stick to it all, I think I will survive.

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I walked down the stairs this evening to the tune of all three of my children in tears.  No kidding.  All three.

Madie is upset with me because, “I just wish that you would just let me do what ever I want to do.  Why can’t I make all of the decisions? ”

Ben is upset because, “Every thing is changing.  We are taking down the posters in my classroom.  I’m not going to see my friends any more. I’m not going to get to read with Mrs. Horton anymore. There is a countdown calendar.  Today we are at 8 days. Tomorrow . . . 7.  I don’t want to count down the days.  It just makes me sad.”

Ainsley is upset because, “I gave Daddy my cheetah to take with him, so he wouldn’t be lonely, but now I’m lonely.  I wish I didn’t do that.  I miss my CHEEEETAH! ”

These tears went on for about 20 minutes, until they all eventually cried themselves to sleep.  Now I’m so tired that I think I’ll go cry myself to sleep next.

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Ben saw his hypertensive doctor this Monday.  This was our last visit with Dr. Feig.  He is moving to Alabama to move up the career ladder.  Good move for him, but we are just getting to know him.  So we are sadden by this.

The good news is that he gave us an explanation for Ben’s high blood pressure.  Here is the dilemma . . . when Dr. Feig explained it in the visit, I understood what he said.  When I came home and attempted to explain it to my mom, it didn’t turn out good.

I think the laymen’s version is this . . . At some point (probably when he had a subaortic membrane the last time) Ben had sustained high blood pressure causing some thickening in the vessels in his kidneys. This thickening is what is triggering his current high blood pressure.  In time (like years) Ben’s body will heal itself as long as we maintain good bp’s with medication.

The doctor thinks that Ben only needs one of his two drugs to do this, so we are trying to wean Ben off his Atenelol this week.  I have high hopes!  It has been a year since we last tried to wean Ben.  That didn’t go so well, but it has been a year now!!  I’m sure he is ready.

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Madie has two of her friends over tonight. Ben and Daddy are  spending the night on the Battleship Texas, so it is just us girls.

After swimming, pizza, and fun, the girls went to hang out in Madie’s room.  When I walk up later, all three are sitting there with their laptops and talking while they play together on the web.  Half an hour later . . . the girls are singing and making their own music on Garage Band.  Half an hour later . . . they are now incorporating video into their music.

I am officially old.  This is not what I did at sleepovers.

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Feb. 26 – Crazy day but perfect.  The entire troop showed up.  Thank goodness Grandma Grace was there.  She was a huge help.  25 girls and their moms cooking meals over two fires . . . made for a busy day.  Everyone had a good time.  We even enjoyed “musical fruit.” One of my favorite camp treats growing up. Grandma brought the candy and I brought the oranges.  It was great.  We all can’t wait to do it again.

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Feb. 25 – Ben’s had his pinewood derby night.  It was short and massively unorganized.  No one knew what was going on.  It truly drove me nuts, but Ben had a good time.  He didn’t win but he liked hanging out.  I left as soon as Ben was done (Mom had chores to do).  He got a patch and got to bring the car home.  

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March 20, 2011 – My Ainsley rode a bike without training wheels.  She convinced Papa Grace to take off the training wheels of the kids bike that they have at their house.  She was determined to ride her bike by herself.

The funny part of this story was that she got the whole team lined up . . .

“Grandma. You put your hand here and push.  Grandpa. You stand at the end and catch me when I fall.  Ok. Are we ready?”  I felt like we needed to put our hands together and yell, “Go team!”

But she did it.  She was so proud.  Of course, it took another week for Daddy to find time to take the training wheels off of her bike at home but he did!  And now she is just like everyone else!  Or so she says ;)!

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“Ben, are you still hungry?”
“Yes. Starving!”
“Honestly Ben. Where do you put it all?”
“In my mouth.”

That had Chris and I laughing until the tears came rolling down our cheeks.

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It is a gorgeous evening.  The weather is calm and comfortable.  The bugs aren’t too bad yet.  The kids swam for awhile this afternoon.  After the kids got out and got into their jammies, they came outside and worked together to pick plums.  They picked about 2 dozen.  Most sat on the ground too long and bugs had worked themselves inside already.  We don’t need more protein so I’ll probably toss those out, but I’ll clean the rest of them up and we’ll enjoy them for dessert.

In the process of picking our plums, we discovered a bird’s nest in one of the trees in the backyard.  We saw some of the babies sticking their heads out, but the mommy bird soon tucked them back in once she realized that we were there.  Ainsley struggled to see the birds but between Chris and I we got Ainsley to see the bird.  She was really upset about struggling to see it.

Dinner is still cooking.  The kids are spending a little more time outside relaxing on the playset.  Soon these days will be gone.  I’m glad they got to at least enjoy today.

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Her flowers look great!  She says that she finally has a tall flower!  Yeah!

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