Even Sailing

I'm noticing that we don't seem to have as many meltdowns lately.  I'm not sure if this is because of the relaxed feeling of Summer School, or if we are really improving, or if it is just a phase, but I wanted to actually put down in writing that I APPRECIATE IT.


Abbie is still a slob.  She had to have her hair cut short because she wasn't taking care of it.  It is chin-length, which suits her enormously, and she is still not caring for it, but at least has fewer tangles to weep over.


Grant told me he had some issues today, but when questioned, he couldn't even remember if they were with an adult or a student.  Don't know whether to file that under So Unimportant He Didn't Bother To Remember, or So Frequent That He Loses Track.  Hopefully the former.


We have a new system in our house that I haven't told you about.  It goes like this:  If you break any rule you knew about, or don't listen to a direction you were just given by an adult, you get a mark.  Each mark represents bed time being taken back 5 minutes.  (Any sort of emotional display when this is being implemented results in a mark for the following day.)  It works the best when one of them has to go to bed, but the other doesn't.  Strangely, they are pretty symmetrical and usually get the same amount.  So far - so good!  The thing I like best about it is that it is so NORMAL.  It's so Everyfamily.  I feel very comfy and secure.  Mostly.  But it beats feeling like I have to go to great lengths to help my Abnormal Children.  Really, there is absolutely nothing abnormal about them.  They are both KIDS.


I just sent them out to play tag.  Run, my children, run! 


Wishing you all a drama free day.  Sending hugs and happy thoughts.

Summer has arrived.

The month of May was not the worst one.  We still did occasionally have rough mornings with Grant, but didn't hear anything worrisome from the school.  This is partly due to the fact that his classroom teacher stopped filling out the purple notebook.  Abbie didn't show any great signs of improvement in the personal responsibility or Bossyvoice areas.  I think in general she was making a slow and steady increase of awareness regarding her possessions, but a decrease of a similar nature in anger management.


The second to last day of school, I got an email from the counselor about Grant.  She didn't know the details, but Grant was back to his old problem of pitching a fit when he is last in line.  I didn't answer it this time. 


For summer school, which starts Wednesday, Abbie has a new teacher and Grant has his wonderful, awesome teacher from second grade.  I am super excited.  It is what is best for both of them, as far as I can tell beforehand.  And I really, really, REALLY want this to be Grant's last experience with the school district.  It is the note I would choose to end on. 


Will someone PLEASE buy my house??!!?


Took the kids to lots of visits, lately.  They came with us to my brother's college best friend's house and played very well with his son.  This weekend we went to a first birthday party, and Grant and Abbie got along well with the other children.  They played well yesterday with the neighbor girl who came over.  And there will be other kids to play with at Summer School and at Andrews Academy when they go there for the month of July.  Crossing my fingers.


Need to look into some running options for Grant for this summer and fall.


Hope you are all well.  It's going to be a busy summer!