School days

Four kids, four schools, and tomorrow is the fourth day of school.  I have completed the paperwork, confirming who we all are, where we live, how to reach us in case of issues or emergencies, and what they can and cannot do (rules, health info, computers, you name it). 

They like to learn.  We like to teach them.  The schools have and do serve us all well.  The schools here have been an asset to what we as parents want and strive to do to raise our children.  What makes these schools so good for our kids, we think, is that the teachers genuinely care about our kids, and they work WITH us to raise them rather than instead of us.  Granted, there are gaps, holes, and shortcomings, and even a few problems from time to time.  But I remain VERY thankful for our schools.  We do and have homeschooled them too - especially when they're in the public schools full time - because we are the parents and we believe it our responsibility to teach them and make sure they know what is needed.  But as one of our tools in so doing, we like our public schools.

The picture above was taken of a bunch of us parents at the "incoming 4th graders" open house a couple days before school began after the kids got to check out their classrooms and "meet" their teachers again. These are folks we've known pretty much since kindergarten.  It's a new school for our 9-yr olds, and it's a transition.  These people are part of why we have liked the schools so much.  And it's fun to catch up with old friends, and that includes we parents.  I have enjoyed this particular group over the years.  And our kids are all buddies, young and old.  

 One of the things we've found about school, whether we're doing the public school route or the homeschool route, is that we like the routine - the rhythm if you will - of school.  The day, the chores, the schedule, and especially our walks and talks on the way to and from school (and appts and everything pretty much).  Living where we do allows us this special time.  We got rid of a car to be able to better afford this particular community, and Papa Bear takes the bus to work every day.  Our entire neighborhood keeps time by when we walk by.  "Oops there they go, better hurry or you'll be late!"  It's a fun reputation to have.  That said, if we don't keep to this schedule, he misses his bus and that's not so good... not the end of the world, and it does happen (albeit rarely), but we avoid it as best as we can.  As a result, we're almost never late for school! 

A particular treat this year is that Patience now walks the same direction as us again (having gone the other way for several years - as Andante did that first day - all alone ,but he didn't mind. About half way, she splits off in another direction, but Papa Bear and she can walk another couple blocks together if he goes straight to the bus station rather than catching the bus at the library (which is more along the elementary school walking route).  I caught a rather murky shot of she and Papa Bear walking together the first day of school.   I think this will be a special time for them and a great opportunity for him to minister to her life directly and in a comfortable and natural way each day.  He is so good about connecting with his kids during this time and is a real model to me of relationship.  She's pretty happy with this and eager to have the time with him, and for this we are truly thankful.

So I walked the youngest two to their schools (very near each other) the first day, on my own w/o a buddy to cover "the other child" and his or her classroom....  I left Vivace at his school (familiar and first in line...) and he was fine knowing I might be a little late coming back and might miss walking him into the building w/all the other parents.  I dropped Constance in the mob that filled the parking lot at her new school (and where we parents feel foolish and out of place because there is nowhere to go and nothing to do - we don't go in the building with the kids - no need really and no point), and she was a bit nervous about that, but once she found a friend, she was fine.   I was able to hustle back to the other school and was in time to walk him into his classroom from the line on the playground. Though he didn't need the company, he enjoyed it and the special attention from me, and was glad to pose with a friend from last year for a photo. 

While tired, the kids all seem to enjoy the routines at least to some degree, and are getting used to the schedule and the new kids, teachers, and classes (and for the girls, the new schools).  There are still kinks to work out, esp re: the high school, but all seems to be off to a good start.  Hopefully I too will find some routine this coming week, rather than putting out fires constantly as I did last week, and as a result, we will all be less tired. 

An Alternative Route

There is a lot I could say about my Andante.  One of them is that he has become resourceful.  Another is that I have enjoyed watching him really grow this past year in particular.  Last summer was the summer of baseball and football and swimming (plus all the "school" work I gave him, but we won't be dwelling on that at all for the purposes of this post).  These stretched him - for good.  We found that the regular physical exertion was really good for him - especially that which pushed him a beyond his comfort zone.  It helped him manage his time (and there was still plenty of down time each day), his emotions, and built some muscle.  He liked it all.  And he had fun too, even though it was hard at times.

Then came middle school - overall a fabulous first year.  He liked football (but opted not to do it again this year), he liked school, he excelled, he did geo bee and actually beat his sister often during practices, he joined chorus, tried (and enjoyed) handbells, learned to play cribbage, learned to downhill ski (fish to water - very fun), he was at the top of his class - a new experience, his writing really improved (through a lot of tears and effort - that was tough for him), played baseball, tried out track for a short while, and I could go on.  That barely touched the surface.  He was willing to try new things and take risks and I was very proud, because it was not easy for him and showed great growth in confidence and character. 

And then the summer arrived - with a few disappointments. Most of all, he didn't make the baseball all-star team.  Without going into all the details of how it all came about, he did end up being intimately involved w/the all-star team, becoming their "manager" and helping out w/practices, field care, announcing, the snack shack, and more.  This was of his own initiative, and he talked it over w/the coach.  He made quite an impression on many folks.  We were proud of him.  He did not hide his disappointment (it was pretty deep), but he took his interest in baseball and his desire to be a part of the tournament and made something happen with it.  He became an asset to the team, to the league, and he had a ball working at the fields and helping w/the team. 

My son is becoming a man.  It is a slow process, and he has much still to learn.  But this disappointment proved to be an alternative route to "success" this summer, by an alternative route and a different definition.  He earned respect in a different way, and made a difference.  He also took several swim classes to help him  become a swim teacher and lifeguard in a couple years when he's old enough, and got some volunteer practice in that area - again of his own initiative.  He loved it.  Swimming and baseball and math and geography and history are his current interests.  I look forward to this year and seeing how God uses these to continue to grow him.  What a privilege it is to be part of the process.

Fatigue at Summer's End

Interestingly, this summer seemed shorter than most, and we anticipated that going into it.  It flew by, and was very "full."  Granted,  it was fun.  But we're really not sure where July went, and while August allowed for some relaxation and some catch up both, it went by pretty quickly too.

As a result, we're all basically heading into the fall and the new school year rather tired.  Add to that an overnight in a tent a week ago for Constance and I (and no, I didn't sleep well, mostly b/c I was cold and comforting a young child who was also cold... kind of keeps you awake...), and a hot week (temps in the 80s and muggy), and tons of adjustments, ups and downs, adrenalin, and emotions, and well, there you have it.

We are thankful for a 3-day weekend to rest.  We kind of crashed today (or tried to).  Even the family monopoly was kind of cranky and tired.  We'll continue tomorrow, hopefully in a better frame of mind all the way around.  We may try to have some outdoor fun too, and go for a ride to the Islands to check out the apples and the water and all that.  Who knows.  But we're glad to have yet another day to rest, not just the bare bones weekend.

Here are some photos of our summer fun as we head into school...we'll just have to post on that later.  Reminiscing about our crazy summer must come first as we wallow in our end of summer fatigue.  Birthdays, youth retreat, visits from Papa Bear's sister and family and other friends from years gone by, visits to NH w/more of Papa Bear's family, campouts, visits from my parents, trips to Smuggler's Notch and the Stowe Alpine Slide... so much fun.

 

  

 

A First - and a Vocabulary Lesson

Every day is an adventure as the mother of four.  You would think with the oldest almost 15 and the youngest just 7 years behind that we would have had a visit to the "real" ER  by now (vs. the walk-in clinic variety of ER closer to home - which we have gone to twice, but those weren't "real" emergencies... just after hours stuff that couldn't wait for the pediatrician the next day.)  I'm not even sure **I** have ever been to the "real" ER personally and I definitely don't remember ever riding in an ambulance. 

Well, as of today, the title for my oldest daughter's "What I did Over the Summer" essay would officially be "My First Trip in an Ambulance".  And yes, she did think it was fun.  Oh, and she's fine now, lest anyone be concerned.  But I'm not going to write that essay.  I'm going to write about learning new vocabulary.

I learned the phrase Vasovagal Syncope today.  Yeah.  What's that?  Well, it basically has something to do with a nerve and you faint.  Long and short, Patience was supposed to have a fasting blood draw this morning, it didn't go smoothly (and they didn't get any blood) and then she fainted, looked kind of like she was having a seizure, and well, we called 9-1-1 and she got a ride to the hospital since she was pretty wobbly afterward and we thought it better than checking in w/her pediatrician later in the day (his office still wasn't open even after all the excitement... we started our day kind of early).  Really, she thought it was fun, though it did kind of mess with her day and we still have to go back for the blood draw tomorrow (take 2?).

Me, I'm still kind of figuring it all out.  And anytime you go to the ER is an adventure.  Of course I drive the car over (after ensuring the other kids were deposited safely elsewhere) so we could get home after, and joined up w/her there.  It was weird.  Today was a "mass casualty drill" day at the hospital, so the commentary upon entering was kind of funny... Patience said there were tons of people everywhere and they kept asking "Is this one real?" or "Is she real?" and finally someone called out "This one is real!"... When I got there (a little disoriented since I came thru the main hospital and had to be "escorted" thru a certain corridor  - I learned that the ER has its own parking so now I know in case I ever need to again.), they asked me "Are you a guest?" and I had no idea what to answer....   I just said something like "My daughter came in an ambulance and I was told to ask what room she's in...." and they took care of me. 

Back to my new vocabulary.  I read about it online.  Wikipedia was helpful, as was this site.  It's basically a loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, usually preceded by light-headedness and nausea (both of which she had, and often has when she has to get blood tests). She's fine.  She didn't have a seizure, which was very encouraging, but with diabetes, I was very glad to have her checked rather thoroughly.   I didn't enjoy watching her pass out and shake at all.  It was very disconcerting.  The whole reaction to blood does run in the family, and her father knew the term and said it had happened to him!  We were only at the hospital for an hour total and while rattled and shaky, she had no residual issues so if it ever happens again (like tomorrow), we probably wouldn't call 9-1-1 unless something was significantly different.  Some of the information was scary, but I think the knowledge will be helpful in the long run, and we've learned some things that will hopefully help avoid it happening again in the future.  We really would rather this be our LAST ride in the ambulance, at least for a good long while.

All in all, I felt very cared for even in the little things.  God's word about the weak being strong and trusting in him were very present and real to me in the moment, despite being shaken up.  A friend (or at least a familiar face - from baseball of course!) worked at the lab where it all happened and she arrived just as Patience regained consciousness.  She said she would do the blood draw tomorrow, and the familiar face will be reassuring.  The EMTs were wonderful.  And frankly Patience really (really) enjoyed the experience of riding in the ambulance. The doctor and resident and everyone at the hospital were all very positive and we were able to ask all the questions we felt we needed to.  She's also fine - nothing new wrong with her.  And we ran into a dear friend and former teacher on our way out of the hospital (she volunteers there), and she gave us both a big hug of encouragement.  Our friends who took the kids did so quickly and happily.  The kids had a great time (and it was a playdate we'd been wanting to arrange - just not exactly the timing!)  And though it wasn't the day we planned, and Patience is definitely a little worse for the wear, it's temporary.  We're all "ok" in the end, more aware of potential issues as well as how to prepare for them, we're healthy, and even happy to boot.  Sometimes we just have to work (and depend on God!) to keep that perspective and I'm thankful God helped me to see that - and his hand - in the midst of it.   

UPDATE 8/22 - Successful blood draw this morning.  Yay.  Celebrated w/treats at Panera Bread.  The phlebotomist was wonderful and took her time to make sure it all went smoothly.  Thankful for the Lord's grace in the little things - and his strength in our weakness and the wisdom to perservere and not give up.  Done.  Check.  Moving on to the next thing as we prepare for the start of the school year.  

My, my time flies....

Brief update - and the obvious "why I haven't posted." 

1)  Baseball season happened.  Four kids played (one was softball)... from March thru mid-July in some permutation or another.  It was great.  Glad it's done (we need a break).

2)  School happened.  The end of the year is crazy busy with work, assignments, field trips, special events, and so on and so forth, and honestly, we're still finishing up some homeschooling stuff we tabled during softball season.  I think we're also still recuperating.  Oops.  School starts in under 4 weeks....

3)  All the end of the year music happened.  Recitals, performances, rehearsals, etc.  Very fun, very beautiful, very busy.  And it's not like we don't keep playing all summer.  But it has a different pace and feel to it. 

4)  It rained.  We asked for an ark.  It rained some more.  For roughly six straight weeks, including flooding etc.  Vermont reached saturation point and even 1/2" of rain, which is normally no big deal, meant the flash flooding warnings statewide for much of the month of June and into July.  Fortunately our house was ok but many local homes and roads were not.

5)  I got my garden in near the end of June - the rain was a real issue.  I think I've been back a couple times.  Really not sure, but when it stopped raining (mid July), things finally started to grow.  Today we picked our first tomatoes and green peppers.  (First visit in two weeks).

5)  July happened.  I was gone for two weeks in July, or thereabouts, and the time I was here it was mostly raining, 90+ degrees, and/or I was buried under Mt. Washmore.  We had company and birthdays and people over in there too.  Fun, but crazy.  I used to like July, but it's usually so busy, at least the past few years, that I generally feel run over by it.  I am working on picking myself up and dusting off the tracks today.

6)   We've done the braces thing - Patience's braces are off, and Andante's will be going on (in a few months, after a proper dental cleaning).  But that's after several appointments and meetings and discussions and decisions.

7)  I survived the youth retreat (I actually enjoyed it) in early July.  But it did involve recuperating afterwards.  A week later, we thoroughly enjoyed a couple days with Papa Bear's sister and family from SC including swimming, ferry rides, a visit to the granite quarry, and ice cream.  Thankfully the temperatures were nice w/11 people in the house (they arrived the day after the 5-day heat wave). We then went to the White Mountains (NH) w/his whole (extended) family, but one brother, in late July, which was very fun and relaxing, despite my not feeling well.  The weather was pretty much perfect.  Canoeing, hiking, swimming, gondola rides, zip lines, visiting streams, and playing with cousin Maggie (a golden retriever puppy) totally made the month a resounding success "fun"wise.  

8)  We made "the viola decision." Patience has been renting for four years and we were going to pay it off and own it this September.  She began taking private lessons early this year and she auditioned for the local youth orchestra.  She'll start that this fall (mini-camp in two weeks!), and it was time to upgrade to a higher "step-up" quality bow and instrument. We researched, shopped, and bought just two days ago.   

9)  It's August 1st.  The laundry and housework and garden loom large but that's expected and par for the course.  I'm finally catching up on mail, budgets, lessons w/the kids (mean mom - no actually, kind mom, who knows what they need and is making sure they get it), and beginning to prep for the next school year (seriously, there is always paperwork and prep to do, whether we're homeschooling or not).


10)  Oh yeah, and there are still about 10 folks I still haven't sent "Christmas" letters to yet. Really, they're coming...  I just am bound and determined to say a proper and personal "hello" and reply to your correspondence with it (if applicable).