Up to date

Apparently biannual blogging is the new thing. Frankly, I've been in the belly of the whale for the winter, and writing ain't possible in there. It's spring, though it is way too cold, and nobody is sick anymore (10 weeks of anything bad and communicable were in the belly of the whale with us), and I figure either I've been spit out or I'm too acclimated to notice the diff.

Once upon a time I said I'd started a preschool, but I never wrote anything about it. That is due to guilt. I was working really hard on being legally licensed and all that, but due to all sorts of things, I never did get licensed, so I'm totally illegal, and that feels like crap. So instead of being excited to talk about it, I sorta avoid it. But that doesn't mean I don't love it. I totally love it. Which also doesn't explain why I won't do it again next year. Weird, I know. I feel like it is exactly the right thing for helping me with all my kids being in school for the first time. In fact, I credit it for surviving that event. I love the kids, and I enjoy planning the activities and crafts and get a kick out of the things they say and do. I just don't want to do it with any kids other than these particular kids. I have five, and that is my limit. We meet twice a week for 3 hours at a time, and we have a letter of the week, shape and color of the month, little lessons on science skills or life skills, and lots of painting, snacking, singing, playing, and writing practice.  We have circle time, and the kids all know the pledge and the days of the week and the months of the year. It's a lot of work, but the good kind. Next year, I guess I don't need it. It feels complete and totally over when this school year ends. I feel very encouraged and flattered that I've had a few moms ask about joining their kids for next year, but I also felt totally at peace saying no to that.

On how I'm dealing with Gabe being a reading-writing kindergartner  well, I'm dealing. Grief is a process, and I'm past mad and sad and have accepted. I still get tearful if I dwell on having no more children, but I keep too busy to think on that much. He loves school and is pretty compliant and willing to learn after a somewhat rocky start. Once he gained confidence, he really took off. Sweet boy. The girls offer him tons of support and encouragement that he really thrives on and seeks out. They are awesome sisters.

In other news, my parents moved EVEN CLOSER to us than they were before! Ten minutes away, in fact, and it is glorious! Their home is gorgeous and big and has the best backyard ever invented. The kids and I are giddy. We make up reasons to go over there. Since they were only 20 minutes away before, it isn't that we didn't see them so much. It's just that 20 minutes is too far for a quick turnaround. If I had to return home for anything I didn't plan ahead and bring or whatever, that's 45 minutes before I'm back to my folks', and that is too long. Ten minutes, though, we can just drive over willy-nilly because going home is close enough to not be a problem. Plus I can stay over there until right when school lets out before I have to pick up the kids. I love an extra half-hour of play time!

The BIGGEST benefit, though, will be at Thanksgiving. Oh, the joy! Mom's fancy new oven, Kroger 10 seconds away, anything I left at my house (which is always at least two trips of stuff) so close. AND all the rooms for playing and sports and sleeping! AND the big giant kitchen with the gorgeous granite counters to cook on! I can hardly wait!

We are in the middle of our Easter tradition of discussing the last week of Christ's life each day starting Palm Sunday. I cannot get enough of how much my kids love the scriptures. They are amazing people. I gotta get to cleaning tomorrow because Easter dinner with Andy's fam will be at my house this year, and we gotta have somewhere to sit. I am going to rearrange the living room furniture which means a)I need energy, b)I need help, and c)I need uninterrupted hours (meaning I need to wait until preschool is over for the week). But then, I'll be on fire. Spring cleaning like nuts. The kids won't know what hit this place. Let's be real, they'll probably cry because they cry at most change whether good or bad. But then they'll like it :)