August: Back to School and Birthday Boys!

Kindergarten!

 On Thursday, August 19, 2010, Olivia started kindergarten at Conyer Elementary School.  It was a big day.  She had a new outfit she had chosen herself at Target, and a new purply-blue backpack featuring Tiana from Princess and the Frog.  She was excited - couldn't wait to go - and kept asking when we were leaving.  She is in afternoon preschool, so she doesn't actually start until 11:30.  Joe took an early lunch and we all went to see her off - Harry and Eve too.  We met her teacher, Mrs. Franz, who seemed very bright and animated like most kindergarten teachers I've met.  Olivia found her name tag, put it on, and rushed out to the playground to say hello.  No fear, no worry - just ready to be there.  She is an old pro though - with almost 3 years of preschool under her belt, this was really not a different world for her.  I saw other kids looking a little worried at the idea of staying there without mom and dad, but Olivia just waved us off.  It's always surreal for me there at Conyer, and Olivia is in the very same room where Lily went to kindergarten and where I did some work-experience student teaching back at COS.  We managed to get a few pictures before we left.  All in all, I'd have to say it was satisfying but fairly anti-climactic.

Our Kindergarten STAR!

 Olivia at 5

Olivia is just an amazing kid - very smart, very independent.  I love that she is artistic - just like her dad - and can't seem to get enough painting, coloring, and drawing.  She paints or draws a new picture everyday, sometimes several.  There have been nights when she begged to stay up just long enough to paint one more picture.  And she's good!  Of course I am a bit biased, but her artwork is the sweetest, most colorful, well thought out stuff I've seen a five year old do.  She took art classes through Arts Visalia over the summer and really enjoyed it.  They had an art show early in August featuring the kids' work.  That was a fun night.  After the art show, we all went out to eat - my mom and Steve, Julie and Jeff, Joe and I and all our kids.  It was crazy and noisy, but nice too.  We just don't get to do that much anymore....  But back to the artwork - there is just so much of it, I don't know what to do with it all! I can't seem to bear throwing any of it out.  I have started a folder and it just keeps piling up in there, but that is not a permanent solution.  Gotta think of something else...

Yet another art project...

Funny Girl

 Olivia is funny too.  Her sense of humor is way beyond her physical age.  She laughs at things other kids don't and loves to make jokes.  She cracks herself up and laughs hysterically at her own little jokes or at other people's crude humor.  Bodily humor jokes, which usually appeal to boys, send her through the roof.  She understands a lot of adult humor too - or appears too.  Joe and I often get to laughing out loud at her antics.  I read her some jokes the other day - Laffy Taffy style - and she was literally slapping her knee.  She is just our silly girl (which is what we like to call her) and she makes us laugh all the time.  She is also a bit sneaky.  She likes to "sneak" things into her room - the cat, forbidden food, my jewelry, Lily's makeup - she just can't seem to keep her hands off things.  It gets her into trouble because she's not quite as good as it as she thinks.  We catch her a lot with her hands behind her back.  Not sure why she feels the need to snag and stash other people's stuff, but I hope it's just a phase!

I think kindergarten will agree with Olivia; if anything, she might be bored.  She came home this week telling me how they were talking about colors (she's known colors for years now) and the letter A (seriously?).  I realize some kids have had no preschool or parent-teaching, but Olivia is ready to read.  She can already read simple words, so it's just a matter of putting things together and she'll be reading sentences and then paragraphs - probably by Christmas.  I've heard VUSD has charter schools that offer a more challenging, fun and enriching curriculum - but I would have to be sure that it isn't part-time home schooling.  Not that I couldn't do that, but it would be hard with Harry and Eve at home, not to mention my online teaching job that starts in October.  Besides, Olivia needs and wants to be with other kids and in a new environment.  It's her chance to get away for awhile and see new faces - it's a good thing.

Lily is a PIONEER!

On the same day, Lily began her high school journey at Mt. Whitney - my (and Joe's) Alma Mater.  Joe took her in on the first day but didn't stay long.  She got her schedule and a map and was on her way.  I couldn't wait for her to get home to find out what classes she had.  Of course, she didn't seem as excited as I was - already had complaints about some of her teachers.  She isn't in Women's Glee, which was a bummer, but she is taking French.  She has two math classes - they now have math "intervention" for students who struggle.  She tried out for the volleyball team late - apparently they have tryouts over the summer, which we didn't know about.  She didn't make the team and came home quite dejected.  The coach (also her Health teacher - isn't that always the case?) told her she wasn't ready.  I told her to audition for Bye, Bye Birdie - the first musical Mt. Whitney has EVER done.  It took some convincing.  I know how much she loves musicals and would love to be in it, but she has developed this "fear bug" suddenly.  Lily was never afraid of anything as a child, but as a teenager, she is worried she will look stupid or uncool and people will make fun of her.  Typical teenage stuff.  But after coming home very late from the Boys and Girls Club twice last week, we had a long sit-down chat with her on Back to School night about getting involved in school and making good choices.  I think (pray) we are on the right track.  Parenting a teenager is a new, crazy, stressful, and sometimes horrendous world for both Joe and me. But once Lily found out there is a Poetry Club on campus and a possibility of taking pictures for the newspaper, she perked up.  Musical auditions are next week and I'm hoping she will be in it and love every minute of it.  Can musical theater change your life?  I believe it can.  Last night was the Icebreaker Dance and I couldn't help remembering my first Icebreaker all those years ago - I met a boy named Ron and kissed him in a dark corner of the gym - and for more than just a minute.  I didn't tell Lily that of course, but it didn't matter.  She went with her girlfriends and they danced so long and so hard that she crashed out less than a hour after coming home.  Deep breath...sigh of relief.  I'm praying we have a smooth freshman year.

My freshman and my kindergartener

Harry and Levi's Birthday 

We celebrated Harry's 4th and Levi's 1st birthdays on Saturday, August 28.  Had a big party in the backyard with a bounce house.  It was supposed to be a waterslide, but when we found out the weather was going to be so cool (only 72 degrees at noon) we opted for a dry slide/bounce house combo.  The kids loved it.  They bounced most of the day away.  A few injuries occurred - bumps, bruises, pokes - but none of the kids really minded.  Overall, a great day.  We had a HUGE turnout - lots of friends and family and a TON of kids!  We have never had that many little kids in our backyard before - I think we counted 20 of the little boogers.  Carissa and I just barely had enough food for everyone - Colleen had to run out for more hot dog buns at one point. But everyone seemed to have a great time and the weather was beautiful.  After most of the guests had gone, Carissa, Mike, Joe, and I sat down to open the boys' gifts.  Lots of boy toys - trucks, hot wheels, Lego's, dinosaurs, books, and some cool new shoes and jackets for the fall.  The remaining kids - mostly ours - bounced out their last hour before the truck came to haul the massive thing away.  Harry was distraught and cried when they started packing it up.  It was sad.  I distracted him by taking a bunch of photos with his balloons - Harry loves having his picture taken.  He had been a bit under the weather earlier in the week, but as usual, pulled out of it without much trouble.  He gets fevers but never really gets sick.  Unfortunately, Eve picked up the bug and she woke up in the afternoon feeling hot to the touch. Slept a lot and then, of course, puked twice in the evening.  Once on me and once on Dad (and the recliner), so we both got to experience it!  Thank God we bought that carpet cleaner with the upholstery attachment!  Eve finally settled down to sleep for the night around 7:00 p.m. still feeling feverish.  It's awful to see my sweet little girl feeling so bad and shivering with fever.  Nothing worse than stomach sick either.  The other kids passed out early - they were completely worn out from the busy day and all that bouncing.  It was fun and, despite the chaos, the planning, and the worry, I loved having everyone here.  I really think I stress too much about these parties and really, they always turn out fine.  I'm getting better at letting little things go - the house doesn't have to be perfect - and just enjoying the day.  Honestly, I am loving spending time with the kids more and more.  I hope my new online teaching job will allow me luxury of even more time with them.  Can you say a day trip to the zoo??

The GIANT Bounce House/Slide Combo

Big Boy

Cabin Trip 2010

The Rachal Hikers

Hikes and Dirt

We spent the last two weekends in July at the cabin in Wilsonia.  Beautiful weather - especially this last weekend.  Cool enough to walk without sweating.  This was Eve's first trip to the cabin, and she seemed to love being in the great outdoors.  The first weekend we took the kids on a hike down to Big Stump via South Boundary trail.  Harry and Olivia hoofed it and Evie rode in the carrier on Dad.  Would've been fine if we hadn't chosen to do the loop.  Kids got pretty tired at the end, although Olivia is quite a trooper and didn't complain much.  Harry, on the other hand, had to be piggy-backed most of the way up.  He drags his feet, shuffles along, and whines a lot.  Not quite the hiker yet.  Lily was spending the weekend with a friend, but she joined us this last weekend and we took a hike from the cabin through the campground and to the picnic area for lunch.  Came back up through headquarters and got ice cream - always fun.  Lots of people there - everyone trying to get in one more weekend before school starts.

 

Bathroom Blues

We've had bathroom issues at the cabin - a new shower was supposed to go in almost two years ago now.  The guy we had hired was less than efficient.  Took way too long and put in a shower way too big.  When we arrived, he was still working in the bathroom and there were large holes in the wall between the kitchen and the bathroom - never a good sign.  The old shower and the scrap metal and sheet rock was thrown out on the back deck, which I knew Gramma would not like.  To top it off, the new shower was so large, there was hardly any room between it and the toilet.  One side was exposed fiberglass, so I knew this was not the right shower - it was meant for a "pocket," which we don't have in that little bathroom.  After sharing the information with my uncle and grandparents, the work was stopped and we now have Mitch (the guy who built the back deck) working on the bathroom.  Hopefully it will be finished by Labor Day.  A new corner shower has been custom ordered for the space.

Mom & Eve practicing the wave

 Critters

A masked visitor

 On our first weekend up, we saw deer in the meadow behind the cabin.  Not unusual, but always lovely to see.  The second weekend, we had a visitor of the masked variety - a raccoon.  He came up on the back porch to eat the birdseed Olivia had put out for the birds and chipmunks.  He was scooping it up in his little hands and didn't seem the least bit worried we were watching him through the back door.  We shooed him away only to have him come right back up to the door and peer in as if to say, "Hey - anybody home?"  Very brave indeed.  Kind of cute too, but I know what pests raccoons can be.  Realized the original handyman hadn't bothered to put the boards back in place where he had crawled under the cabin, so the raccoon was hiding out there.

Magical

 We are so blessed to have the cabin and that beautiful spot in the mountains.  The kids are so excited to go up - just like I was as a kid.  Olivia loves to put out birdseed and wait for "chickmunks."  She and Harry spent a lot of time exploring out back and collecting pine cones with Dad.  They also love sleeping up in the loft - a special little room for kids.  Harry had one small tumble down the stairs, but he was okay.  Besides, he has so many bruises skinned up knees from our walks, we can't tell which are old and which are new.  He plays hard, just like all little boys in the mountains.  We had fun playing the "matching" game on the back deck or watching Olivia color yet another picture. It's funny, but the kids seem to get along better up there too.  There was less fighting and bickering, and more playing and laughing.  I think it truly is a magical place.

Big Brother

Harry bringing up the rear

Recap of 2009: Quite possibly the worst year EVER

It's now 2010 and I realize it's been a year since I've blogged. Never mind that 2009 has been an atrocious year save for the birth of our beautiful little Eve.  Here's a a quick recap:


And baby makes 4:
Found out we were pregnant in February 2009 - a big shock, Joe lost his job in May, then in August, we were told we had 60 days to move because our landlady was going into foreclosure.  The budget crisis temporarily took away our Healthy Families insurance for the kids, so for awhile, we had no insurance for them and ran up quite a bill at the medical clinic.  I began teaching as many hours as possible to keep up with bills and fill in for Joe's lack of income.  Being hugely pregnant made it a challenge, but I got through it okay - in fact, I kept begging to go full-time, but knew my boss wouldn't have it while I was pregnant.  Complete discrimination, of course, but par for the course there.  My income doesn't come close to Joe's anyway.

Moving:
Then we moved - another horrible experience.  We found an older 4-bedroom home close to my mom's - not the greatest place in terms of upkeep - the landlady is sentimental but broke - but it was available and we were desperate.  We moved less than one month before Eve was born.  A difficult experience moving at 9 months pregnant.  But we did it.  Lost our entire deposit to the management company at the old house who decided to use our money to recarpet that crappy house so the desperate owner could sell it.  Not fair, pretty sure it's not legal either, and completely despicable behavior from people we go to church with.  Add it to the pile of crap we were handed.


All Hallow's "Eve":
After Eve arrived on Halloween morning, I just sort of withdrew into that special mom-baby place where I could cuddle and sleep and nurse and feel like everything else in the world was just unimportant for awhile.  It was wonderful.  Stayed in our comfy chair for days on end, or so it seemed, while friends brought us food and family came to visit.  Eve is beautiful (I mean, really beautiful) and sweet and easy.  Thank you, Lord.  We couldn't have survived cranky.  Our nerves are shot and our stress level the highest it could be.  Our hopes of buying our own home were dashed with Joe's layoff, and renting a house in which we found more troubles than we bargained (toilet and shower overflowed in the first two weeks of living here) has been depressing to say the least.  The holidays were lean but the kids never noticed.  We put up the tree and decorated around our mess of moving boxes.  It was lovely.


Back to work (well, one of us anyway):
Went back to work in late January to find that I still could not get on full-time.  Had an angry meeting with my boss (and his boss) to argue my point and was told there was nothing available right now.  Lies.  They had already hired someone while I was on maternity leave and now couldn't justify hiring me.  I went back to work and Joe stayed home with the kids - settling into his house husband role very well.  The kids love having him home and he manages to keep them occupied and get dinner ready everyday.  I spend most of my time taking care of Eve and resting between classes.  We are almost out of savings now and the unemployment has also been affected by the economic downturn.  So many people on unemployment, Joe's checks keep getting screwed up.  Sometimes they come, sometimes they don't, sometimes he has to fill out more paperwork, sometimes he has to go down to the EDD office.  My grandparents helped us out, which was a blessing, but it is all going into savings for the "just in case" times.  Just in case Joe doesn't get a job, just in case we can't pay the rent, just in case one of the kids ends up in the hospital with a 104 fever or a broken bone or worse.  Joe has applied for everything under the sun - no one is hiring, and those who are, aren't willing to pay him.  He has too much school, too much experience, and the only job he's been offered is less money than his unemployment.  Combine that with the  cost of childcare and wow...we'll never make it.  Eventually I will get a full time job at school because I won't give up until I do.  I will drive my boss crazy if I have to.


April showers bring a New Job!
Joe finds a job - ohmigosh, praise the Lord - after almost a year of unemployment!  An industrial company that makes window screens and security doors just happens to be based in Visalia and also happens to need a graphic designer in-house.  They have always outsourced their design work.  Now they are looking to expand to the public and need a face.  Enter Joe: the new face of marketing and design.  He is a one man art department now and he loves it.  Much more relaxed than advertising.  Pay is good - a little more than he was making at Lockwood, and the hours are nice 8-4:30.  I gotta go back to working part-time nights now - and after all that pleading - oh, well.  Joe and I switch roles again - I am home with kids and teaching at night, he works days and will teach at COS in the fall.  His new job offers flexibility - wonderful.  We were able to take a day off to go to Lily's 8th grade promotion, and another day to take the kids on a long weekend to the cabin. Life is feeling better.

Still...

We want to buy a house, we want the kids to have their own place to grow up - not someone else's place.  I realize they don't care, but we do.  Eve is now crawling, Olivia will start kindergarten soon, and Lily enters high school.  It's going too fast... can't slow it down.... and always feel like there is never enough time to enjoy it all.