Starting To Fear Food

A quick overview of the past couple of weeks.

Had some blogging buddies over a few days after my bout with the flu.

Enjoyed a normal Thanksgiving with some good friends.
Then drove down to Iowa to help our relatives work on their new house.
Kaia decided she must get sick in the van 10 minutes from our destination.
We bought a new car seat for her if that tells you anything.

Daddy felt so sorry for his sick baby that he decided he should be sick too.
Here they are camped out on the relatives living room floor on Sunday morning.

The more the merrier right?
He actually ate a little supper, but I think he'll be home again tomorrow.
Four down, one to go.

Goodbye

The end of October passed in a blur as we had to say goodbye to Craig's grandma. She went to bed on a Saturday night and was never conscious again. Her nine living children were called home. We thought she would go as soon as the last one got there on Monday. She didn't. On Tuesday they brought her home to care for her during her final days. On Saturday afternoon she finally faded away.

It was sad and special & emotionally exhausting. And we were only there a fraction of most days. Not pulling any all night shifts. It was amazing to witness the love her children poured forth during that time. We will miss the special spunkiness of 93 year old great grandma. I hope everyone has someone like her in their lives at one point or another.

The Connelly side of the Schoeller family tree sang a hymn at the graveside service.

Kaia was sleeping during the burial, but she did get in on the practice session at the church. I'm so glad I snapped that photo. It perfectly captured the moment.

Time for a family photo.

We took lots, but somehow I just loved this one in the tree. It's the tree in great grandma's yard. One that many children have played in. It was just fitting that once everyone made it back to the house that the kids were climbing all over it in their funeral best.

Halloween 2010

I got to go to Micah's class party. I thought I should bring this cute frog with me.

I imagine that this photo might horrify some people. But, my kids only trick or treated for 30 minutes. They didn't get that much candy. I love to have it out of the house as soon as possible. If that means letting my two year old eat it for breakfast, than so be it.

FYI: Micah was a bow hunter & Ayla was a gypsy. I did take photos of them, but somehow they disappeared off my camera. I think the toddler hopped up on sugar had something to do with that.

Dress Up

Have you ever seen a harmonica playing fairy deer tiger?

Even Kids Like Yoga

Practicing yoga at home while Ayla is at her yoga class.

Ahhhh........Thursday

Thursday has become my favorite day of the week. Why? No extra kids. No vision therapy. No errands to run. No workout class that I enjoy (and therefore feel I can't miss). No story time. No kids yoga. No classroom to be in. Nowhere I have to be but right here. In front of my computer awaiting my virtual tea time chat with a bunch of lovely ladies! (We do have swimming lessons tonight, but that is ages away & therefore seems irrelevant at the moment). I can't imagine being busier than I am right now. I'm glad I can see when I'm at my limit! I'll maybe post some photos later today. If I feel like it.

Parent-Teacher Conferences, 2010

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Gail Photography.

We had our first conferences last night. They went as expected. But still.......I just can't shake this feeling I have. A feeling I can't even really name. Disappointment, maybe? I'm not really worried about Ayla and her struggles. When I work with her she can do everything she needs to do. It just takes a bit more time and some extra patience on my part. Her teacher doesn't have the extra time. Her teacher last year didn't have the extra time either. At least I don't think she did. She never noticed Ayla's struggles until I pointed them out to her. Why? Because Ayla knows how to behave herself. She is quiet, obedient & she works hard. Therefore she falls through the cracks. Even now that we know she has problems with vision she falls through the cracks. After all there are several overly energetic kids in her class this year. It's true. I went on a field trip with her class. Mrs. H must be exhausted at the end of every day. She came right out & told us that she doesn't have the extra time that Ayla needs. Could we work with Ayla every night? Can we explain the worksheets she doesn't understand and correct them with her? Yes, of course we can, but.........

I'm glad I have time to focus on my daughter. But I still feel like there is something wrong with this picture. Ayla spends 45 minutes with the reading teacher every single day. Along with 7 other kids from her class. So that teacher has 45 minutes a day with 8 struggling children. Does Ayla fall through the cracks there too. You bet she does. Mrs. S admitted as much to me.

So now what? Ayla loves school. She doesn't share any of the reservations that I have about her teachers. Of course I don't share them with her. Do I just accept things for the way they are? Keep helping her as much as I can here at home? Start helping her teachers by volunteering every week? Like I said I don't mind doing any of this. In fact I am so thankful that I can. That we've decided it's important for me to stay home. That we've chosen to do without some things so that I can. On the other hand I do feel like there is something that is just off when it comes to our school systems & society in general. There isn't an easy solution. So, I will continue to focus on my home and my family. I think it all starts there.