My how Time Flies!

My time flies when you're busy. Thanksgiving has come and gone and it's almost Christmas! I'm not ready; and I'm not sure I'll be ready when it gets here.

We had a great Thanksgiving. The four of us went to Myrtle Beach. We went in two cars. That was a first. At midnight on Thanksgiving night, the four of us hit the outlets! That was also a first. I still can't believe how many people were doing the same thing. I truly thought we'd wander around almost empty stores and try and keep the help awake for a few minutes while we were in their store. The place was mobbed, parking was at a premium and the sales made it worth the trip. EJ was the first to make a purchase!

Around 1:30 AM we headed back to Mom and Daddy's. Chloe and I dropped of EJ and Kate and took the other car and headed out to the second outlet mall. I lucked out and was able to take the spot of someone leaving for the day so I didn't need to cirlce the parking lot looking for a place to park. Still can't believe how busy it was. Chloe and I went to bed about 4:50 AM Friday. I don't know that I need to make an annual event out of it, but it was fun.

Kate is wrapping up her semester. She was able to take two finals early. This weekend she is babysitting for her nanny family. Chloe is preparing for her District Honor band audition (12/13) and her Winter Concert (12/11). EJ is completing a Physics project, working at his senior project in AP Lit and getting ready for his interview with Representative Nathan Deal's Academy Selection Committee on 12/12. EJ and Chloe will also have mid-terms before the school holiday break. If we can all stay healthy, it will be a miracle. I think we are all ready for an extended break and looking forward to some down time.

It's Good to Have Choices!

This arrived yesterday and I wanted to share! EJ is still very much hoping for an appointment to Annapolis or West Point, but this a very nice option if neither of those work out.

Oh no, now I might have to do housework!

Friday night was Chloe's last football game/marching opportunity for the 2008/2009 school year. It was cold and it rained. But those kids are troopers and performed in the rain. They played in the stands with their ponchos and the rain beating down on them at several points of the evening. And they finally played "Hey Baby"; the band parents favorite stand music number.


Sunday evening, at 7 pm, was EJ's last league soccer game. Coach Chas, after 2 years, finally let EJ play defense again and he had a ball. I even heard a parent comment "Wow, having Eric back at defense on the right side has made a big difference." This comment was made by a new parent to the team so he didn't understand why I started laughing. EJ has played on the front line the past two seasons because the new coach decided he was big, fast and intimidating so that was where he needed to be. Never mind that EJ hadn't played offense in so long that he didn't really know what he was doing any more.


The team won 3-1 and it was a great way to end the season and, probably, EJ's HS soccer career. I don't think he has plans to try-out for the HS team this year. He may play on a rec league in the spring for fun.


So the question now is, what will I do with all my free time. I don't need to pick Chloe up at 7 Pm after marching band practice any more. EJ no longer has 8 - 10 PM practices two times a week. We can eat dinner together at a decent hour! Yeah. My Friday evenings are no longer booked and my Saturday and Sunday afternoons are no longer full with soccer games. And I no longer have a 'real' reason for not running the vacuum cleaner, dusting, mopping, or folding laundry on a regular basis. Yikes. Maybe it's time to rent a younger child?

Decisions, Decisions

Chloe has been invited to join Tri-M and will be inducted this evening.

The Tri-M Music Honor Society is the international music honor society for middle/junior high and high school students. It is designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and to inspire other students to excel at music and leadership. (http://www.menc.org/resources/view/tri-m-music-honor-society)

The ceremony will begin at 7 PM and Chloe needs to be at the school by 6:30 PM. This has created a bit of a logistical nightmare. I think I've finally accepted that we can't all do everything we usually do on a Wednesday AND attend the induction ceremony. The good news is this is great progress for me. The bad news is I still need to let EJ in on this development and my other committments know that I have dropped them for the evening. I simply cannot be in 4 places at once.

A Boy and His Dog

Everything for a Reason

Chloe arrived back at the school around 4 PM as promised. AND, her luggage was on her bus so we did not have to plot strategies on how to pick it up and get it home before or after school. YEAH!

A little more good news is that the BOA organization has offered the SFHS War Eagles band a spot in the Super Regional taking place this weekend at the Georgia Dome. Chloe and I are very hopeful that this will happen. The directors are taking a quick poll to see how close to 100% participation they can get. (They have actually acknowledged that previous plans may have been made and that not all plans can be cancelled. Very progressive.)

I was a mean mommy this morning and insisted that Chloe go to school today. I don't think she was very surprised about my answer. But I was very surprised that she would push it as hard as she did!

Doylestown or Bust

After all these many months of saving, planning and anticipating October 25 finally arrived! And the Bands of America event scheduled in Doylestown, PA was cancelled.

First, the event was delayed due to the weather forecast. The event organizers initially chose to cancel the preliminary competition and scheduled the event to take place in the evening and consider only the 'final' performances as the ones to be judged. Chloe called me at some point LATE Saturday evening, early Sunday morning to say they never got to perform. She said there were two bands ahead of them (which means the band had made the trip over from NJ to PA, warmed up, put their uniforms on and unloaded the pit equipment and instruments) when the officials cancelled the rest of the event. NO make up time or date. No competition. I'm so disappointed for them. I couldn't really tell how Chloe was feeling. I think mostly at that point she was exhausted.

From the few conversations we had Sunday, I think she had a great day in New York City shopping and touring. Not sure when they pulled out to head home. I had a call from her around 9:30 this morning to say they had just been told they should arrive at the school around 4 PM. HOWEVER, 1 of the 3 coach buses was still in NY or NJ due to engine trouble. The good news is (for me), it isn't Chloe's bus. The bad news (for Chloe) is that it is the bus with all the luggage. So we aren't sure when her suitcase with all her NYC loot will arrive. She seemed quite put out by that piece of news.

I hope Chloe's overall memories of this trip will be good. Even though things did not go exactly according to plan there were a lot of things that did go right. My wish for all of them is that they had a great experience in spite of the things that went wrong.

I can't wait to see my baby. She has been gone long enough!

I Love Technology

Thanks to cell phones and text messaging, I have been able to keep in touch with Chloe as she travels with the band to New York City and Doylestown, PA. Thanks to Internet banking I can pretty much tell where she is snacking, eating and buying her souvenirs! The online banking was a surprise perk. We opened a checking account with an ATM/check card so she wouldn't need to carry so much cash; I never intended it to be a way to 'track' her spending. (Her older siblings are very upset that she was able to have a check card at 16; they needed to wait until 18. But that is only because I thought they weren't 'allowed' to have checking accounts until they were 18.) Katie was home for the evening last night and shared at dinner that she had sent Chloe a text message around 1 PM that afternoon. Technology is GREAT.


Chloe and I chatted a little bit via text messages yesterday morning and I learned that she slept a little on the bus overnight and that as of 9 AM they had not stopped for their 7 AM breakfast break. So much for a schedule. :-) She did not have a seat companion so she was able to use both seats in her row. This is a good thing. She was afraid between leaving school on Wednesday afternoon and report time Wednesday evening she would be assigned a bus buddy. At 1 PM she told Katie she was desperate for a shower. At 9:30 PM she called to ask if she could purchase a WICKED T-shirt and at 11:30 PM she called to let me know they were back on the bus and she couldn't wait to be fully horizontal for at least 6 hours! This morning she sent me a message that breakfast was Starbuck's and she was considering a 3RD cup of coffee! Love it.


Their plan for today was a matinee performance of the New York Philharmonic and then a tour at the Empire State Building. After lunch and the tour they are scheduled to head out of the city to rehearse, but as of the beginning of the week they did not have a location for said practice.

The weather is cool but I think Chloe went prepared. I'm just hoping they don't get the rain tomorrow that we have today. That could make for a miserable day as they wait to perform.

I hope she will check in with me later today, but I will try very hard not to be disappointed if I don't hear from her. I just want her to have a fabulous time.

Where Does the Time Go?

We've had a couple of very busy weeks.

Chloe has performed in two local band competitions. (Those performances took up the better part of 2 weekends, but they are so much fun. At least as a parent.) They placed at both events and at the second one they won Best Music Overall! Yeah. They are still working on finishing their show and adding visuals and music. We're more than half-way through the football season and they are still working on the show. I should not be surprised by this, I have been through this before, but it still catches me off gaurd.

The band will leave Wednesday evening (10/22) for their NYC trip and Chloe is VERY excited. She isn't physically packed, but I think she has the mental list of her suitcase contents and could be ready to go in very little time. I'm very excited for her and I hope they have a fabulous trip and perform well at the competition.

EJ has completed 2 out of 4 nomination applications. The essays seem to be the only thing he needs to produce to complete the remaining two. The other documents that need to be included are all pretty much the same so when you request for one, you request enough copies for all. He has really taken ownership of this process and I am very proud of him.

Kate has completed one night class and is anticipating a much easier load for the remainder of the semester. I hope she is not disappointed. She is still loving her field experience in the class room. Today she went on her first field trip as a chaperone. Even though she is officially on fall break she worked at the library yesterday, went to the elementary school today and will babysit over night for her summer nanny family this weekend. Busy girl.

Tonight is Homecoming and it is raining. We have not had rain in so long! I feel sorry for the girls that picked out their pretty dresses that now have to figure out how to not freeze or get soaked and still look dressed up. The band will perform after the game because of the Homecoming events. Looks to be a late night.

TGIF

I don't know why this week has seemed so long and hard, maybe it is because our weekends are so full and not necessarily restful, but I am really glad it is Friday.

Chloe does not have a football game this evening, but the band is staying after school to rehearse for tomorrow's competition. I will pick her up at 9:30 PM. I may need to set an alarm so I'm sure to be awake! I think Chloe needs to be back at school at 10:30 AM tomorrow (which in Mr. Clark time means no later than 10:15 AM). I was all excited thinking we could sleep in a little on Saturday, by 'we' I mean me, but EJ is taking the SAT tomorrow and needs to report no later than 7:45 AM. Since I don't feel it would be fair to make Chloe walk to the HS in the morning just so I don't have to get up a little earlier than I would like, I can't let EJ take the car and I won't be sleeping in this Saturday. Oh well, maybe next weekend?

Chloe told me one night this week that she will probably have the entire sound track of "Wicked" memorized by the time they see the show. She is already feeling sorry for the person that will sit next to her and anticipates being begged to "shut up" at least once. :-)

Katie is in NY with her dad this weekend to attend a family wedding. Chloe and EJ were unable to make the trip because of the band competition and the SAT. Life is full of these tough decisions, but knowing that doesn't make them any easier to decide. I think of the three of them, EJ will have the least amount of fun! :-) Maybe Sunday things will be more entertaining. He would like to go to Athens, GA (UGA) with his friend TJ to visit TJ's sister, Marilin on Sunday after church. I'm thinking about that. I would like to be reassured with a few more details first. EJ will not have a soccer game this weekend because of the SAT. Too many boys this age taking the test, not enough players to play.

This will be the last time EJ takes the SAT and I hope this time he will be happy with his score. I would have been thrilled with his first attempt. But kudos to him for trying to improve. But this spring I'll be signing up for Chloe to take her first one. Goodness!

SAVE THE DATE

I called the Forsyth County BOE this morning to ask if they had a graduation date for South Forsyth HS.

There are only 2 county HS's that have committed to dates and South is one of them. I was told Tuesday, May 26. Time TBA. I had in my head it would be after Memorial Day like last year's class, but that was based on intuition not fact.

So for those of you who have already asked me so you can plan ahead (thank you for considering coming), now you have information to help you make your plans.

Mommysloth is Whining!

I almost never watch TV News. I try very hard to listen to no more than a few seconds of news on the radio. I NEVER read a news paper. And I try very hard to avoid the table in the lunch room that is discussing current events. I avoid all media related to current events because I am an emotional wimp. I am too easily depressed or upset by what I hear and, in most cases, I can do nothing to change what is/has been going on. So all those feelings of upset serve no productive purpose.

HOWEVER, even I am aware of the gas situation in Georgia! I've tried very hard not to panic or hoard. I've spent a considerable amount of time working to combine trips and plan my route in such a way as to use the least amount of gas. But today I reached a near crisis point. I either needed to find gas, commit to sleeping tonight at my desk or start preparing management for the possibility that I might need to telecommute Friday because I had no fuel in my vehicle to make the trip in tomorrow morning.

I heard Kroger had a truck come in this morning so I left a note on my computer and headed out to see if they had any left at 10:55 AM. The good news is that it was a successful outing. I needed to wait in line for almost 3o minutes, but the pumps didn't close before it was my turn in line. The Kroger people had everything set up in a very organized way; the path roped out, employees in the parking lot to direct traffic, etc. I heard no horn blowing and did not witness any people being ugly or greedy. (Yesterday when I went by that station they had police vehicles there! Not sure what that was all about. I kept right on going.)



So I should now have enough fuel to get me through the weekend. I'm really hoping that by the next time I need fuel, this GA gas crisis will be over! Fortunately, Chloe's football game is home and EJ's soccer game is home at the field 'around the corner'. And I've already made plans to car pool to the band competition on Saturday afternoon.

Kate may need to change her Friday plans. She has set aside Wednesdays and Friday mornings for her Field Experience in the Cumming Elementary School. She would like to attend Chloe's game on Friday evening and spend at least part of the weekend at home. She may have to use sick time for her Friday library hours so she doesn't need to use any extra gas to make the Gainesville-Cumming (for school)-Gainesville (for library work hours)-Cumming (back home) trip. Hopefully, her supervisor will understand.

I did not enjoy the football game last week. I'm a party-pooper, I know. But it was an away game which means as visitors we get the crappy seats. The section had the seats too close and there were too many of us! I sat next to a JV football coach and some of his players (there to observe the Varsity team) and listened to them make fun of the band! I had my band shirt on; just how slow are they? Adding injury to insult, the boys had to get up and out of their seats about every 10 minutes so they were constantly climbing over me! I had no where else to go or I would have moved. I was sitting close enough to the band to get a couple pictures of Chloe.(can you find her?) But because we had so many people in the stands, she wasn't able to sit with me during her 3rd Quarter break like she usually does. Tomorrow's game is home and I plan to get there early and stake out PLENTY of personal space.

Friday, Again

Thank GOODNESS! I'd really like one day when I don't have to set an alarm. Maybe Saturday?

At the Band Booster meeting last night they passed out a tentative itinerary for the NYC trip. Those kids are going to need a week to recover! I think the only real down time they have listed is the ride to and from NY. And Mr. Clark stated that the kids would 'have plenty of time on the bus to do their work so they won't be behind when they return', so I guess they have NO down time. You've got to love his optimism, but, seriously? He has done this before, right? Selective amnesia is a wonderful coping tool.

Chloe is so excited about their trip that after looking at the schedule she pulled out her winter coat and traveling purse last night just to try them on. I think she is planning her wardrobe and accessories already! So cute.

I was surprised to learn that they are still in need of chaperones for this trip. For some reason I thought those spots had already been snapped up. I mentioned it to Chloe and her response surprised me as well, "You should go Mom". Hmmm, something to think about! Do I want to take off from work and use my remaining vacation days to spend almost 72 hours on a bus, attempt to sleep in a room with people I don't really know and eat fast food for 6 days? But my daughter 'invited' me. She wouldn't be embarrassed to have me along! And pretty soon my opportunities like this will not exist! I'll have to really think this one through. (Kate - Rory's pro/con list is looking pretty good right now.)

PS - I emailed the chaperone chairperson to ask about trip details and possibly offering to go. She responded pretty quickly with a, clearly frustrated, message indicating she didn't know why Mr. Clark made that statement and she could put me on the waiting list. "...he asked me to do a job and I did it..." I think I'll just sit this trip out. :-)

How Can it be Mid-September Already?

That is one thing about routine, time just flies by and before you know it it is time for the first progress report! Yikes.

Friday night football and Saturday soccer are givens for the next couple months. Each of those activities comes with mandatory weekday practices. Then we have church and youth group. EJ was able to referee 3 games this past Saturday before he played and Chloe worked with a friend. They both earned some needed spending money and I knew where they were and who they were with!

Add in a few early morning activities at school that require Mom's taxi instead of the bus, a social obligation or two, curriculum night, senior parent night, a Blue & Gold Officer interview and, I'm sure I've forgotten something, here we are!

The War Eagles won their first home game and the band sounded GREAT! EJ's soccer team tied their first regular season game. EJ was the only one to score and it was a thing of beauty!

Katie was sick last week but I don't think she missed any classes and she was able to babysit for a little bit this weekend. She managed her first illness with Kaiser basically on her own (there should be a badge for that!) and now that she's done it she might not even need to call me when she gets sick again. I have mixed emotions about that.

So here it is Thursday again and I'm getting ready for one football game, an ACT test (EJ will actually take the test), two soccer games and two different church services. I'm not sure I'll know how to fill my time when all my babies leave.

Shopping Success

On 08-08-08 EJ turned 18. On 08-28-08 Chloe turned 16. On 03-11-09 Katie will be 21!


All 3 birthdays represent milestone ages. I have tried to do something special for Katie for 16 and 18 so I feel I need to keep up with the precedent I set for myself with the next two. EJ has decided to wait a few more months to upgrade his phone. Chloe elected for money and a trip to the outlet mall to visit the Coach store.

I had a little more trouble with an idea for Chloe until one of my soccer moms suggested the Coach outlet. When I made the suggestion of the outlet store to Chloe, she lit up and I knew we had a winner. And then she could hardly wait until we got there. Wednesday afternoon (8/27!) I had a phone call. "Do you need to go to church?" Now there's a loaded question. Yes, I really do need to go. Friday morning around 11:15 AM I received a text message, "Do you have anything important you need to do the rest of today?" You mean like work? Because we have all become addicted to eating regular meals and like a dry place to sleep; yes, I have something important I need to do. She grudgingly accepted my response that Saturday would be soon enough and I was not going to leave work to check her out of school to go shopping. Especially on a Friday that she was scheduled to march. Not even for birthday shopping.

Chloe was thrilled at the size of the store and all the MANY choices. She had several associates work with her and help her make her selection. After all that build up, I am happy to report we had a successful trip. Chloe was able to purchase 2 bags with her birthday money and still have some left over to put in the bank.
I heard someone ask her if she had a good birthday day. Her response was "Not really." But I think Saturday helped change the tone. Look at that smile.

My Baby is 16 Today

It sounds so corny, but I'm going to say it any way. Where does the time go? Before I know it Chloe will be moving into her college apartment! I am so not ready for that.

We did the birthday breakfast thing. Chloe chose Java Chip Frappuccino® Blended Coffee to start and then we went across the road and had a Chick-Fil-A bisquit for our main course. While we were at Chick-Fil-A we saw a couple of her friends from school. One came over to our table carrying Chloe's present and birthday cupcakes but informed her she would need to wait until Latin to partake. I have a feeling that Chloe left school with a lot more than she started out with. It's nice to know others think she is as special as I do.

Saturday morning Chloe and I have a shopping date at the outlet stores! I'll let you know how we make out. It will be a quick trip because she needs to be at Emily's house by 12:30 PM so they can leave for an all day free concert south of Atlanta. It is hosted by the local Christian radio station and 18 major Christian artists are performing. Mercy Me and Third Day are the only two I can think of right now. Emily and Chloe share a birthday (Chloe is 20 minutes older, and quite proud of that fact) and they are celebrating together at the concert. Emily's dad has offered to drive and stay with them, so I need to make sure Chloe is there on time. I do not care to drive down there, even for a free concert.

I am FINALLY near a computer and the camera cord at the same time. Looking at the pictures from Saturday's March-A-Thon I have decided I didn't let my camera adjust from the air conditioning long enough. The pictures look a little foggy. But you can get the idea.

If it rains any more....

Chloe and I are going shopping for these babies. Rain is a fashion kill joy!

BOA Event

For those of you without marching band students that would be Bands of America. The NY/NJ venue has FINALLY been selected. Drum roll please...

Regional Championships presented by Yamaha

Doylestown, PA - October 25, 2008

War Memorial Stadium

Not really sure how that came about. For months the event was listed as NY/NJ Area with TBD as the venue. And now we have Doylestown. Hopefully our band won't compete at 8 AM on Saturday but I guess it really just means a little more time on the buses. After 16 hours, what's a few more?

You can check out this link for more information on the event, ticket prices, maybe directions to each regional event. http://www.musicforall.org/Programs/Regionals/default.aspx

Rain, Rain

It is pouring rain here today! I know that we desperately need it. I did hear that Lake Lanier has gained 3 inches over the last few days. This is wonderful news. (I was really happy when they stopped telling us how many days of water we had left in the lake! That daily scare tactic did nothing but upset me.) But the rain foiled Chloe's planned outfit for today and I wish I could have stayed home on my couch in my PJ's with old movies and the quilt. Okay, I'm finished whining.

The band kids had wonderful weather for the March-A-Thon on Saturday! There was a nice breeze and it was a little overcast so they were never too warm. Chloe was able to raise the balance of her trip to NY, plus some. Thank you to all that helped her with that goal. (I have pictures but need to remember the computer cord so I can upload them!)

EJ spent a good part of Saturday helping a friend move. This weekend EJ is hoping to be able to ref for a soccer tournament. The tournaments pay cash immediately after each game. Great money.

Kate rented a U-Haul trailer on Saturday and picked up a couch and chair from her nanny family to use in her new apartment. That hitch on my van finally came in handy. Jim, the dad, and a neighbor loaded everything into the car and trailer for Kate at their home. Once she got to the apartment she was able to find some young men from the complex to help her unload and carry up to the third floor. I think she made out pretty well in that scenario. Now the girls have plenty of seating in their living room and Kate has a nice cozy reading chair in her room. Thank you Jim and Cassandra!

After a printing mishap and some friendly nudging from EJ, I was finally able to pick up his picture cards from the photographer last night. EJ and I are both pleased with the way they turned out.

Someone from the office won free coffee, bagels and neck massages from Caribou Coffee for the entire office. Today is our day! It looks to be the highlight of my morning and the reward I needed for getting off my couch and braving the rain.

Week Two

As predicted, this week is taking prisoners!

The tournament went well and the weather was beautiful. The 8 AM games were a blessing. The moms were actually cold! Who would think that a mid-August soccer game would require a sweater? The team did not place, but it was the first chance they have had to play together as a team and I was pleasantly surprised. I think we have potential. Only 5 team members from last year's roster returned. (That is another story and I won't bore you with the saga.) One highlight of the weekend was that EJ scored first for the season and it was the only goal for our team for the entire weekend!

I have had something every night this week after work. Monday night was for fun! It was Soccer Mom night and we made quite an event out of it. Chloe called me before she went to bed and I could tell she was a little upset. Turns out I think she was just worried because she wasn't sure exactly where I was. She thought the place we had met at had closed for the evening and she didn't understand why I wasn't home. She very kindly asked last night if I could please call in the future. "Since you make us call you, could you do the same?" was how the request was phrased. Humbling and touching all at the same time. She's such a sweetie! (I think I'll keep her.)

Chloe is thoroughly enjoying her history class with her singing teacher. She went to the school website and was able to play the first song she told me about. I haven't reached the technical level to be able to add the song link or audio, yet! But I can tell the songs are a very effective teaching tool. Chloe is remembering facts and details.

Tonight is Curriculum Night. Chloe told me the only teachers I need to go see are her History and Anatomy teachers. EJ, of course, would prefer I didn't go at all.

The first football game is tomorrow. I don't know if the band will march or just play in the stands but I'm looking forward to the event. It is the other side of my social life!

First Week Down

We have all survived the first week of school. Well, the high school students have survived the first week of school!

Kate still has one more week of vacation left; and it sounds like she is finally getting in the rest and relaxation part of the break. She went right to work at the Brenau library as soon as school ended and from there she went to full-time nanny. She had one week at the beach, which was GREAT for all of us, with a few extra days and then back to work.

Chloe and EJ have different versions of the week. Not surprising. Chloe is having the best time with two of her teachers. She thinks her Anatomy teacher "rocks". Her AP History teacher sings his lessons and she has mentioned two songs this week. Personally, I cringed when she told me that about him but she says he has a nice voice. It's a great way to remember the lesson content. He sings it once and then has them sing it back to him; even the "cool kids" have to sing. :-)

EJ is frantically trying to finish his summer reading assignment. For such a bright child, it is still amazing to me that he continues to put this off every year. He has always had to do it and has repeatedly ended up completing the entire assignment in a matter of days or hours. If he would just do a little bit throughout the summer, as intended, it would be so much more manageable. But hey. I'm just the mom. What do I know? Soccer camp has been interesting. Some of those boys are really out of shape. This weekend's tournament will be interesting.

EJ and I will be in Athens, GA, most of the weekend. Chloe is going to babysit Saturday for Callie and Bryce so Caren can go to a 3-Day fundraiser. I'm afraid I'm going to melt watching the games. Maybe those 8 AM games will be a blessing in disguise? But these games are a BIG part of my social life, so I'll have fun with the other parents and I like to watch the boys play so it will be fine.

Ups and Downs

Errands and extra-curricular activities with my children that require car rides have become a favorite activity for me. I know that sounds twisted, but I hear and learn so much during those trips! Yesterday I learned which teachers are pregnant and which ones are getting divorced. Who has a great sense of humor and who could use one. Which classes look to be a lot of fun and the ones we are all dreading because of the projected work load. I learned who this year's lunch buddies will be and possible study partners! I heard about soccer camp (EJ was made co-captain) and band. It was great!

I didn't get my picture this morning. Chloe did allow me to get a shot or two, but EJ was running behind (shocking, I know) and so I don't have a picture of the two of them heading off to school. Kind of a bummer.

EJ and I started our morning in the Guidance Office at school. He is really on top of working on his application packet and getting what he needs taken care of. But it is very frustrating when the administrators and teachers will not respond or do as they have promised. I went in with him this morning with the mission of staying until someone talked to us and we had some answers. To a degree, it was a success. Not all our issues were handled, but we left with more than we went in with. And I can tell you the Guidance Office Administrative Assistant doesn't make enough money!

Work was a challenge today. We've changed email servers and applications. I really think that sums up everything there is to say.

As I was getting ready to either 'accidentally' knock my computer off the desk or just sign off and go home, I received a text message from EJ. He received notification in the mail that he is an official candidate at West Point!

I think I will end my day on a good note and head home!

Another Last First Day

Tomorrow is the first day of school for Chloe and EJ and it will be EJ's last first day of school. Kate moved into an apartment on Saturday and is getting ready to start another year of college. It seems like a lot of things are changing. And for those of you who might not have picked up on this major flaw in my make-up, I don't cope well with change.

Kate's apartment is wonderful. She has her own bedroom and bathroom and will share the living area, kitchen and washer/dryer with her two roommates. This is a big move. She won't be required to move her things out at the end of the school year. She won't need to bring most of her stuff home over school breaks so the dorm can be fumigated. If she chooses, she can stay even after she graduates and starts teaching. This is a really big move.

Chloe will have one day off from marching practice as a concession for the first day of school. But come Tuesday she will be back in full marching mode. I'm actually rather excited about it; I do like routine. I wonder how Chloe feels :-). EJ will start soccer camp right after school and our first tournament will be this weekend.

They don't know it yet, but I will need EJ and Chloe to pose for a picture on Tuesday morning as they go off to school. Since they are with their dad this weekend, I can't take it tomorrow so I'll need a re-do! I don't want to ruin my running documentation of this yearly event. They love me and are generally pretty patient with me so there won't be too much groaning!

Cookie Cake

I have a high-maintenance child. I say this with love and affection. I also realize I have enabled this condition. I accept that.

I quite often find myself in a conversation with other mothers discussing the trials of raising our children. It helps to vent and know you are not alone so this is a frequent occurrence. It is mostly the mothers of girls who are completely frustrated by the demands of their girls. When I then chime in with "My son is more work than both my girls combined", the response is usually disbelief. But it's true.

But he can be so cute about it and appreciative when everything is all said and done! That must be how things keep going his way. :-)

EJ wanted a party for his birthday. When I reminded him that last year was the last one, the negotiations started. What did you have in mind? How many boys did you want to invite!? I can't fit 9 17-year-old boys in my house! How much pizza do we need to feed a crowd that size? And before you know it I've agreed to all 9 boys being invited to meet at our house, caravan over to the youth house at church for video games and man hunt, pick up pizza, shop for sodas and a COOKIE CAKE!

I drew the line at overnight guests. That was just too much for me. I found out at 2 PM on the day of the party I needed to be present the whole time the boys were at the church (really, it makes sense - I just hadn't planned on it) and that meant no Wednesday night activities for me. I had to take a long lunch hour to pick up the key. But that blasted cookie cake was the most frustrating detail. THREE stops to find it; thank you Publix.

I offered to bake any kind of cake or cupcakes he wanted. I even offered a cheesecake. But bless him, he wanted a cookie cake. And we've learned from experience that he prefers the store bought ones. So I'm thankful I was able to locate a cookie cake and I'm happy to report the evening was a success.

I think all the boys had a great time. There was plenty of room for them to run and play their video games. They had a huge area for the man hunt event. It was easy to clean up. My girls were not banished to their room for the evening. And I got a huge hug and thank you.

EJ is one smart cookie.

Last Week of Summer

All in all, we had a very quiet weekend. Chloe managed to sleep a little at her lock in. Both girls read ALL day Saturday. Kate had to take some time out so she could work, but I know once her charges were in bed she was back to the book. I don't think either of them finished over the weekend, but it was close.

EJ spent all weekend with his friend Marc. They alternated nights at each other's house and I didn't spend a lot of time with EJ. But that is what summer is for; relaxing and having fun. Next Monday we'll be back in the swing of routine, routine, routine.

Chloe spent last night with a friend from church. It was Chloe's first week back since school let out and she and Emily were very happy to see each other and catch up. They discovered within the first two minutes of reuniting they have two classes together this year. A big plus for both of them.

This week will be more errand running and squeezing in last minute doctor appointments so we don't need to do them during school.

Tonight I will visit with my soccer moms! Marybeth very graciously invited us to her house for dinner and margaritas! You might say it is our last fling before
school starts. I had to talk myself through it but I've decided my kids are capable of finding dinner on their own for one night. So I haven't even planned or cooked a meal for them. Very progressive for me.

Breaking Dawn

I suppose if you don't have female young adult readers in your home, you might not be aware that Stephenie Meyer released her latest book, Breaking Dawn today.

Barnes & Noble had a release party that started at 10 PM last night and at midnight they started selling the book. We pre-ordered our copies and Kate, being the great big sister that she is, went to B&N last night at 11:45 PM to pick up her book and Chloe's. Chloe begged for Kate to bring it to the school so she could start reading, but I nixed that idea.

So the activity at our house looks like this today.

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday! I'll make sure they eat and drink and let them be.

I'm off to Sears to return some items. I hate that I put it off this long and now need to brave the "tax free weekend" crowd, but I have no one to blame but myself. Running down there on a work day hasn't been possible and leaving it for another weekend is too dangerous with school, soccer and football/marching season gearing up. Maybe it won't be so bad.

It's happening more and more.

I am prompted on an almost daily basis to be thankful I am not a student today. I do not think I have the ambition or stamina to survive.

Chloe and EJ received their schedules for the new school year yesterday. They had both mentioned that there would be a new class schedule for the fall. (This makes 3/3). So far, Chloe has had a different schedule for every year she has been in HS. I had also seen reference to the new proposed schedule on the school website. When I pulled up the overview of EJ's class schdule, I was confused. So I went looking for the template and this is what I found.

I know the kids will get the hang of it very quickly and manage just fine. (This will be a piece of cake for my kids- they have a visitation schedule to keep track of.) But I sure am glad I'm not making lesson plans for this and that I don't have to keep track of where I need to be. Just remembering what day it is, is usually enough for me to cope with.

Band camp will end tonight with a lock-in. I can't tell how Chloe feels about this. I'm not thrilled because it means I have to be at the HS at 8 AM on Saturday to pick her up. But they have made a lot of progress on their show and I got to see her everyday, unlike when they go away to NC. So I guess it is an okay trade-off.

Kate was able to order her fall semester books on-line and they are supposed to be waiting for her when she gets to the bookstore. What a brilliant idea.

What’s that cliché?

Necessity is the Mother of Invention! So true.

Chloe has complained of aching feet since band camp has started. Epsom salts and hot water are supposed to be very good for soaking tired and sore muscles. The problem was finding something big enough to put enough hot water to cover both her feet without making her sit on the edge of the tub. And we found it!

A cooler! It is insulated to help keep the water warm longer, easy to move from the filling station (hose in bathtub) to soaking station and back to dumping station (the tub) and large enough for both feet. I bet if we prettied this up, gave it a fancy new name and did a little marketing we could sell it as a new product. ;-)

By the way, Chloe did wear the socks all day and was not one bit worried that she might have a "funny tan line". Apparently, several of her female co-band members were concerned for her.

Katie had a great day yesterday at Six Flags and came home very excited. The family has asked her to be their nanny next summer! The interesting part of that is they are expecting to be in Indiana by next summer but will fly Katie to be with them . I hope it works out for her. She has enjoyed the kids and is able to work easily with the parents. It would mean summer employment is a non-issue and she could focus on other things at the end of the school year. (And I won't start bugging her in March about her plans.)

Be careful what you say...

...to Chloe. :-) She may surprise you with her response.

I went to band camp a little early last night because I like to see the show come together. It's fascinating to me to watch them count out their steps, hum the music, clap the rhythms, check where they land, do the same 12 counts repeatedly and then move on to the next 12 counts. Then when I see the whole show with instruments and uniforms at a game or competition it is even more amazing . The last two years I have not been able to drop in for this part of the camp experience because they have been in NC.

I watched from afar for quite some time and then wandered over to the Band Moms Camp (basically a little tent city they have set up to help make the 13.5 hour days a little more comfortable and fun). I wasn't under the tent more than 30 seconds when I had 2 band moms tell me that Chloe needed to wear taller socks! Okay, I don't dress her anymore and she has proven to be very self-sufficient about getting her self ready to go and having what she needs but I'll make a point of discussing her socks! She has been getting blisters on her heels and now ankles right at the line where her shoe rubs. The moms felt it was because it is so hot and the kids are so sweaty!

So I told Chloe I was instructed to make sure she wore taller socks. She just laughed. This morning she came down with these socks and said "Do you think these are tall enough?"





The band moms commented right away this morning when they saw her. I don't know if she'll survive all day in those, but she did take an acceptable spare pair just in case. And maybe they really will help with the blister situation.


EJ and I went and picked up his senior pictures last night. I'm very happy. Even better, I can tell EJ is pleased. He is going to work with the photographer to help spread their name by word of mouth with picture business cards. They are very cool. One side will have one picture, his name and the year 2009. The other side will be a mini-collage of 4 pictures and have the website and phone number at the very bottom. I think they are a little different than the standard wallets and by allowing the photographer to include contact information, they are free. So EJ can hand out as many as he wants!



Katie is off to Six Flags with her family today. She was looking forward to the trip and quite tickled that she will get paid to go to an amusement park! Not a bad gig if you can get it.

It has to happen sometime...

EJ had his first accident on Saturday morning. He was returning from his CFA (Candidate Fitness Assessment) and had someone hit him from behind. EJ is fine and so is the car. I think the damage is all cosmetic. EJ was more annoyed than anything. Someone called the police and EJ got the other driver's information. No one was hurt and the car doesn't need to go in the shop. All in all, not bad.

EJ felt pretty good about his CFA experience. He will wait to see his official score and then decide if he would like to take it again. His application process is moving along but he is waiting on teachers to respond to his request for a recommendation. That is a little frustrating. Because I'm trying to let him handle this (after all I'm not going to college), I'm not really sure how hard he has pushed.

Katie recruited Chloe to help her this weekend. She wanted company and help so badly she was paying. Chloe was tired from a week at band camp but was glad to have a chance to make some extra spending money so she went over Friday night and came home Sunday afternoon.

Debbie, Michael and Garrett stopped by Saturday on their way home from Orlando. They had a great time, but are tired (and now sick with colds). It was good to see them if only for a little bit.

My "Gillette Girls" met yesterday to see "Mama Mia" and to catch up. I LOVED the movie! It was just plain fun. Made me want to sing and dance. I may have to buy the sound track.

We girls always enjoy seeing each other. Even when we spend 3 hours gabbing, I never feel like we are totally caught up on each other's lives! And we talk the WHOLE TIME; sometimes over each other. And we laugh. That's probably the best part. Laughing and the hugs. It is just amazing how much we need to cover when we don't see each other every day any more.

Band Camp has started...

...and so the temperature has soared! That seems to be how we mark our summers since Chloe has started marching. I think we have acclimated to our southern climate and summers don't seem terribly oppressive until the third week in July. Before then the temperture never seems to hit above 92° F and most days if you need to be outside it is manageable. But once those kids get back to campus and band camp starts, then it hovers around 100°!

EJ had his eye and medical exams for his US Naval application yesterday. It was an interesting day. Neither exam was as intensive as I anticipated. I have no idea if that will be the end of his medical appointments or if he will need to visit specialists based on his history and the exam yesterday. I guess we just wait and see. He is working on his essays and teacher recommendations right along so he should be on track for upcoming deadlines without having to race around. That is quite a pleasant state of affairs.

Kate will be spending this weekend with her charges starting tomorrow afternoon. It could be a long weekend for her, but I think she is realistic in her expectations and the kids sound like they are generally pretty well behaved. She shouldn't have any problems.

Summer's Almost Over

I can't believe we are getting ready to start another school year. Kate will return to Brenau for the 3rd fall; EJ is starting his senior year and my baby, Chloe, will be a junior! Where does the time go?

Band camp starts Monday and I'm guessing the weather will go from rather nice to unbearable. That has been the pattern for the last two summers. Those band kids are amazing. I think they spend more time out in the heat than the football players do!

Kate has enjoyed her nanny position this summer. EJ has found some part-time yard work to help fund his social activities. Chloe would desperately like a part-time job but will not turn 16 until after school starts. Apparently, 16 is the magic number and by then she will be marching. So I guess she will need to wait until after marching season.

The kids haven't traveled quite as much this summer as previous years but they have managed trips to Myrtle Beach, Alaska (EJ), Destin, FL and TN (again, EJ). I was hoping to make a couple possible college visits but that has not worked out. Now with band, school and soccer gearing up, it will be a real challenge to work those trips into our schedules.