Awake?

History:
For the last few days the kitchen counter has been the storage place for xmas mugs and other clean dishes, including the cat's freshly cleaned and empty bowl.
This morning when I woke up I had that amazingly foggy feeling and literally stumbled into the kitchen. I picked up the coffee pot and poured myself a cup, right into the cat's clean bowl (next to the xmas mugs). Awake?

"There was one problem with Alex at school today.."

Not the greeting a mother looks forward to hearing upon picking her child up from school.
"Oh,"I say.
Did he hit another child??
Did he get frustrated and yell at at a teacher or therapist?
Usually he is really good at school I think to myself.
His gentle soft-spoken aide gives me the story,"Well, during reading group today...
he kissed another boy on the cheek."
I almost burst out laughing. This is not what I expected and feared! But I am not surprised as my boy is very oral (likes to put things in his mouth), loves to kiss and be kissed and recently licked the face of a friend of his.
It turns out the kiss itself was not as big a problem as the comments by the children calling the kiss receiver a "girl" (a true insult in 1st grade). This made the boy quite upset and he cried.
So at our house we are having discussions about who is okay to kiss and hug and how to let our peers know we like them or are happy to see them.
So, if you're a really good friend of mine and I lick your face, you'll know it's a compliment.

Feeling good

I stayed up till 2 am last T night. I spent the evening working on compiling the reader for the graduate speech class I'll teach in the fall, and individually decorating gingerbread cookies for my amiga's in my book club. We have a cookie swap every year at holiday time. I found this cute set of cookie cutters and used them to design individual sets of cookies for each member in the book club and their family-ex for Jo 1 man cookie (her husband), 1 woman (her), 1 dog (Rocky) and 1 house (theirs). Each was individually painted with a variety of colors. My husband thought I was nuts as the house looked like a bomb went off (as only my house can look) and I am frosting cookies. But it made me happy!
The next day one friend from the book club left a heart warming message on my machine about how much she appreciated the time and thoughtfulness put into the cookies and that she thought I was an amazing woman. (Not just b/c of the cookies I am assuming!!!). So nice of her! Really made my day and again a reminder to take the time to let others know our warm thoughts about them.
On Fri I went to IEP with Mama B about Bobbie. She and I are good friends and I see him for speech therapy. In the past I have been concerned about being involved in IEPS's in the district in which my son is in. Particularly since the majority of the players I know and many are also on A's team of providers. But I have to say thought it went really well. I knew that some of the professionals and the parent's of Bobbie were interested in him having an aide. During meetings I have learned over time to wait till all the data has been put out and then to restate it in an objective fashion and offer ideas that sound data based. And I was thinking the professionals (teacher and therapists) often feel they can't push for more services and the parents (or ones like me) don't want to rock the boat too much. Me in this situation, really I think, little to nothing to lose. And I felt like I was able to offer some good insight and functional ideas. It made me feel good and offered reassurance that I am doing the right thing with my work.

Weeee!

Here I am at home alone drinking Perrier out of a cyrstal wine glasss. The house is sparkling and decorated to the rafters. All b/c Kurt's work parety is here tonight. They went bowling and then are to head over here-but I've beat them.. Although I am tired it feels greatr to have the house filled with candle light, nice table linens and xmas music. The kids are with mama L., such a treat for me!!!
This will really make it feel more like xmas. I feel a sense of relief now that the pary is here and happening b/c thre was so much to get done and through this week.
Off to get the spanikopita and quiche out of the oven!

The Cycle

A typical night of sorts.
Mom is here visiting. I take an afternoon nap and then stay up late I enjoy the quiet later.
wake up at 5:30
Bath time with the kids, the 3 of us bathe together.
Al leaves bathe because he is hurrying to go watch "ABC Channel 7 News". He is becoming obsessed with a schedule which includes watching "ABC Channel 7 News".
Then falls apart because he missed the usual (read routine) of our pretend toboggin sled ride in the tub. Gets back in the tub for the sled ride. Then out again and partially dresses with reminders.
I tell Alex we need to read books for homework. The thought of no "ABC Channel 7 News" causes massive tantrum.
Mom asks him why he is so sad.
He "rests" in room, screaming at full tilt.
He comes back out with me.
I request, "Mom, can you please sit on the couch and read"

Alex still sad.
Mom says, "Why are you so sad?" (Not getting that this is the same saga of a few minutes ago that then resurfaces in it's full glory at her inquiry)
"No, no Mom. Please, just read the book." I say.
Al, still screaming, Ki yells at him to stop and he hits her, she screams
*repeat above paragraph

Husband home at 7:15 pm
Father in law calls. There are some serious potential health things emerging with him.
Father in law again demands from husband what I want for Xmas. That family practice is to specifically define, order or buy the gifts you want for yourself, and then get gifts to them. They then give them to you on Xmas.(you are of course reimbursed if necessary depending on who ordered). --Surprise!
You see if you do it that way you don't have to think about the character and interests, joys or details of a person as needed to buy
So I say to my husband who has known me for 14 years.
"Don't you have any ideas of what to get me that you could tell them?"
"No, I don't know what you want."
No you have to understand that I am told by friends. "You are so easy to shop for"
That is when I retreated to this key board.