Do You Stop and Chat?

A few weeks ago I was out and about with the boys. They were in a pick on each other mood!

I went to check out. There's a lady I used to work with. I had her son as a student. I said, "Hi" to her a couple times. I even called her by her name one of those times. She just kept about her business. She wouldn't snub me, just didn't hear me.

I said to the boys, "Come on, let's go over here."

Mica said, "Why Mom? Do you know that lady?"

I said, "Yes I used to work with her."

He said, "Do you not like her?"

I said, "I like her just fine. She didn't hear me, you two keep on fighting, and I don't feel like talking."

He said, "Oh! You're pulling a Larry David...You don't want to Stop and Chat."

I said, "I guess so."

Do you find Stop and Chat to be awkward at times? I don't always like to Stop and Chat when I'm with the boys, but if I'm buy myself, I'm cool with it. 

Random Tid Bits

1. I have so many appointments coming up. I don't know how they all got shoved into late summer, but they did. Dentist Aug. 8 (writing this way early), Ears Nose Throat Aug. 26, OB with Mammogram Sept. 16, and I thought Isaak got braces early Aug., but that was just a consultation, so he gets them on Oct. 17. I try and schedule all this stuff when I don't teach. Thankfully the dentist will let me make appointments at 7 AM, so I do that. 


2. School starts for me on Monday. I think I'm ready. I'm just nervous because we have the students punch into a hand punch to get an idea of who is here and who is not.
   
   I have to enter them all. Oh joy! It was actually accreditation's idea that we take attendance. Financial Aid loves it because they have record of when someone's last day was, if they drop out. 
   
   I hate it because I visually just take attendance. It's a breeding ground for germs. 


3. The government makes me want to throw up. Maybe it's always been bad, but I was too young to care a whole lot.
   
   Some don't understand the Woman Marches, Black Lives Matter Marches, and Gun Violence Marches, but marches and protests have been going on for years and years. It's nothing new to stand up for yourself, and publicly show your support to a cause with joining a march.
   
   It's not just one side that upsets me, it's both. We've all gotten really good at pointing the finger, and not the thumb. It's good to admit we're all wrong with different things. Have a discussion about it. Solve problems, instead of divide ourselves up all the more. Aren't we all part of the problem?
   
   I have to say that I'm pretty proud of Senator John S. McCollister. He's a Republican living in a red state. He came out to reflect on something that would not be popular with much of his party. It's much easier to look the other way, point the finger, than to look a person in the eye and have a conversation about important topics. It's good to take ownership, and I for one am proud that he's not a follower, but instead a leader.
   
   
   
   


4. One statistic that many do not talk about when it comes to mass shootings is the fact that the shooters are male. We discuss race, religion, politics and other background details, but leave out the sex as a key factor. 

Even if you don't have boys, it's important to understand them!

I know I've put this on here before, but if you haven't seen The Mask You Live in, it's an very important movie to watch!




5. Another good one is Raising Cain. I read the book, and follow so much of what the phycologist Michael Thompson says! I had all sisters, and aunts growing up, so boys were knew to me. I had to learn to understand them. I see eye to eye with Michael Thompson so much. He did all his early research on girls, once the Columbine Shooting happened he switched gears and researched boys. This is long, so maybe listen to it like you would a podcast.

School Started for all of Us

Back to School Night was crazy! I don't know that, that much changed from last year. It just seemed nuts! Mica's started at 3:30, Isaak's started at 5, and we didn't get done until 7.

I've never been one that gets anxiety when being around lots of people, but that night it was even a bit much for me. Imagine what it's like for someone on the spectrum!

All the Booths:

• Yearbook - Just for Isaak. I guess Mica's comes out towards the end of the year. He's never even told us about it.


• School Activity Card - We stood in line for this at both schools, not knowing if we needed one or not. Turns out we waisted our time. Mica's not going to be in a sport, and Isaak can only do intramural sports. 


• Lunch Money - We skipped all together because we do it online.


• Nurse - We skipped this too. No meds to worry about.


• Donation for PTA - Only for Isaak's school.


• Join PTA - Sorry, but working full time, and being far away we didn't do this.


• After Care - We stood in line for Mica with this. I wasn't sure if he needed it with being in Quiz Bowl. Turns out we didn't need to be there.


• Sports - Isaak did get a sheet for intramural sports. 


• Merch - We opted to skip this because we were so done by the time we got to this. Mica has some shirts from his Heath Academy that has school spirit. Maybe we'll get something later for Isaak.


• Paperwork - We had to do this with both schools. Luckily they had our info typed in, and we just had to add changes. With Mica's school I felt like after looking it over we were butting back into line. I didn't want to piss anyone off. Isaak's school sent the info home, so it was a matter of handing to someone. 


• Photos - I filled out Isaak's prior to going there, but Mica's wasn't sent home so I had to fill that one out there. Regardless there was a huge line, for school photos. Never have they ever had them on Back to School Night. I thought it was a good idea. Like the parents are there to make sure their kid doesn't look unpresentable. It was complete chaos! It added so much time to the night!


• Schedule - Also chaos, but much needed. That was the whole purpose of going there. I did think both schools could have handled it better. Where Mica goes to school they didn't have signs saying, which grades were to be picked up where. With Isaak's school they had them alphabetically, but didn't have signs saying where A- L and M-Z were. 

After all the above, then it was time to meet all the teachers.  

I for sure do like to meet them. They often times have a list of supplies to get, an overview of the course and it's great to see their faces.

They messed up Mica's schedule.   

Mica's been talking about wanting to quit playing his trumpet. I said, "Well you have two choices in school: Art or Band, which one do you want to do?" He said, "Band I guess. It's an easy A."

He never has gotten better with his trumpet. He still hits crazy notes.

When we got his schedule it had Art on it, instead of Band. I most certainly didn't change it, nor did Mica. I said, "It's up to you. Maybe it's time to switch gears." He said, "Ok I'll go with Art."

A blessing in the mess up possibly?

Mica will be the lead voice, for the morning announcements.   

He's been super excited for this all spring, and a month before school started. He's been practicing, and letting me hear the sound of his voice. He didn't start yet because there wasn't much to announce. I think the group could have welcomed students back though.

Mica's homeroom will be with his Healthcare Academy.    

It was great that some organization donated pretty high end backpacks to them! He can't carry it in school, but will certainly carry it to and from.

Isaak just started his new school.    

So far he hasn't gotten lost. That was something I was worried about. He is like me, not great with directions. Not too long ago he went to the bathroom in a store. I stayed where I was, and he was escorted over by a store employee, and his eyes were flooded with tears. His middle school had a big addition, and one spot is really odd - you have to walk through the library to get to another wing.

His week has mostly been filled with rules and procedures.

We are excited that he has Piano as a class. He has Strings before fall break, and Art after fall break.

There are no official sports, but he can get into intramural sports.

Isaak did decide he wanted to eat breakfast at school, but quickly learned that it wasn't enough food. He's a slow eater, so it's good he has a little at home and a little at school. I do have to watch his carb intake. He wants the good stuff at each place.

I have three classes this semester. 

Art Media Techniques, Color and Design Theory and Design and Layout. I teach two Design and Layout classes - one in third year/first semester, and the other in first year/second semester.

I love my third year class. It's the best I've ever had. First year, it's too early to tell yet. One girl is super social with the guys, and has ventured into second year a lot. The rest are fairly quiet.

Traffic has picked up. We have construction right by our house. It has to be done, but it adds to the congestion.

Have kids started school by you? Do you have a lot of construction by your house?

WW: Snails {Linky}

We went to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park for our yearly Family Reunion on my Mom's side. Sadly attendance is less and less every year. Happily my Grandpa (age 93) has 2 brothers still alive. If not very many people show up, at least those 3 have a chance to get together!

We went for a hike before having lunch. What the boys found to be the most exciting were the snails they found.

I have to admit that they are pretty cute when they come out of their shell. Just not all the way out - like slugs.

Mica called his Turbo, off the movie.

Isaak tried to grab as many as he could, and longed to keep them. We said, "Sorry put them back in nature."

What's a tiny creature in nature that you like?

Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. I got no compensation, for writing this post. All opinions are my own. 

How to Make the Most of a Kid-Free Day

Having a day without kids is bitter-sweet for a lot of moms. Although there’s no doubt that you love your kids intensely, there is no denying that you could do with a break every so often. The question is, what exactly should you be doing during this break? The answer is that you should be doing things that you haven’t had the chance to do as a result of being so busy with the little ones. On that note, here is how you can make the most of a kid-free day next time you get to have one.

Consider Ditching Chores

At times, when the house is finally quiet, the first thing you can think about doing is chores. Even though that isn’t a bad idea, why not use your free time to do something that’s exclusively for you? Depending on how young or old your kids are, chores are something you can catch up on at any time.

However, if the pilling mess is making you itch, then dedicate time to cleaning up so that you’re able to relax. There is a way to cut your household chores in half, such as by dusting with a lint roller or using old newspapers to clean your mirrors.

Do Something Artsy

A kid-free day doesn’t mean that you can’t bring out the inner child in you on your own. If painting is something that you’ve always enjoyed, then get out your tools and start working on something new. You can also throw in a glass of wine and relaxing music so that you’re fully able to enjoy the moment.

Perhaps try picking up a crafts project as a new hobby. Some recommended craft kits for adults are the Paper Patter Play, Brooklyn Brew Shop beer making kit or the Winsor & Newton brush pen set.

Engage in Home Entertainment

A kid-free day is a chance to switch off all of the kids’ channels and catch up on your kind of entertainment. You could either do some reading or watch some of your favorite shows. While entertaining yourself, don’t forget classic snacks like nachos and popcorn. If you’ve got a vape, get new e-liquid flavors and mods you can enjoy via Ultimate Juice.

Have a Park Day

On days that it’s nice outside, you could go and spend some time at your local park. Get a blanket and charge all of your devices in case you want to do some work while you’re there. It’s a chance to get in touch with yourself and also reconnect with nature.

Don’t forget to do the most exciting part, which is packing a picnic basket. An ideal picnic food would be an egg & cress club sandwich as well as vegan sausage rolls if you don’t eat meat. Music could create a nice vibe for you too.

A kid-free day is a chance to relax and do things you haven’t been able to do in a while. Make it count by filling your free time with activities you enjoy.