Whoa

It has been a long, long time since I have posted. There are the usual reasons (too tired, too busy, too lazy, blah blah blah) and there really is no reason at all. I just didn't.

But I've been thinking about coming back to it for a time now, and I guess this relatively quiet moment while the kids are communing with Spongebob will do just fine. Also it means I can put off washing dishes for a little while.

Lessee, new news...um, back to school. Finally feels like we are getting back into the rhythm of school days again. It still sucks. I wish we could chill and sleep in and have playdates whenever we wanted. I realize that homeschooling would accomplish some of that, but there would be a lot less chilling involved if I were to take on schooling my kids. Besides, I would probably have a tough time keeping up with the Mandarin language instruction my kids get from their bilingual school. I am already feeling over my head just helping N with his Gr. 1 homework.

The first report card of the year came home today, and N is doing great. An attached note explained that it's too early in the year for them to accurately assign percentages to their progress, so they are using "excellent," "satisfactory," etc. N is doing "excellent" work across the board, except for music class, where he is "satisfactory." Apparently the kid can't carry a tune, which even my biased ears have noticed. But he enjoys it and works at it, which is really the point.

G doesn't get a progress report today, as his preschool is not part of the same school system. One of his teachers mentioned recently that he needs a little fine motor skill finessing, but I'm not overly concerned. He wrote a little story today (okay, it was one sentence, but it did run on quite a bit) and did all the lettering himself. He was terribly proud, as was I. He is turning into quite a little reader, sounding out words with no help. I love watching my kids turn into book lovers.

Baby J is a force to be reckoned with. He's fiercely independent, and can manage tasks I wouldn't dream of leaving to an average 2 year old. He seems to imagine that he's just as big as his brothers, and doesn't ever cut himself any slack when trying to keep up with them--and he usually doesn't fall behind.

I am trying to keep busybusybusy in the sweatshop (aka my sewing room) and make birthday and Christmas presents. I have made a couple of birthday presents lately, and have a slew of Christmas stuff waiting to come to fruition. Partly I am motivated by anticonsumerism, and partly by my love of making stuff. I'd rather be creating something than be shopping, so why not create a gift, rather than shop for it? I've tried in years past to be more crafty about holidays and presents, but this year seems easier somehow. Maybe it's because the kids are a little bigger and less needy?

I am fighting a cold. Thus far I have a scratchy throat and an overwhelming inertia. I have been drinking tea to beat the band, and megadosing on Vitamin C. My immune system has responded to the attacking bug by bitchslapping me with a giant canker sore inside my upper lip, and a weird, painful, inflamed tastebud on the tip of my tongue. I have spent the week wishing I could remove my entire mouth. I can't eat or talk without pain, and last night I foolishly tried to sip some orange juice (more Vitamin C! this will be good right?), which ended in tears. I think yesterday was the bottom, and I am sllllloooowwwwllllly climbing back up to normal mouth territory. Or I am deluding myself, and dinner tonight (lasagna, chock full of lovely, yummy, acidic death tomato sauce) will finish me off. Time will tell.

I am curious to see if I will resume my hectic once-monthly posting habits...