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.