Zebras?

I'm nearly certain, based on what friends have shared, that once the kids begin to drive themselves I will miss out on the observations, comments and questions that one or the other offers up when it's least expected.

As they've grown, our conversations have become more complex, philosophical, and even painful to a mom's heart. Yet I know that the best way I can be there for them is to just listen and wait for them to begin asking questions. When they do, I answer them in the most honest way I can.

The 'Honesty is Best Policy' can be uncomfortable or squeamish for me, especially when the topic turns to sex, relationships and other likewise more adult topics, but I answer them as best I can. Nearly every such chat ends with me asking if I've answered all of their questions, or if they feel better. Most times, they respond with a hug and a skip in their step.

Nearly every time they've had an issue, the convo starts with tears and ends in laughter as I share one of my applicable yet embarrassing stories.

But not all conversations are heavy. Some, well some I just don't know what to think of.

Like the one day we were heading home after running errands and JB commented "Anytime I see a package that is black, white, and sometimes brown, I think it's a Zebra turd."

Oh, my.

Why Bagel Holes?

We survived the weekend!! YAY!

After months of rehearsals, Nutcracker is a memory, at least until next August when auditions are scheduled.

At school, the Girl's class is reading 'The Secret Garden', and having recently watched the movie production of it, she's taken up speaking with a slight British-esk accent.

While preparing lunch for the school day ahead, she asked in a proper voice "Mother, bagel holes are so annoying! You are eating your bagel merrily along, and suddenly there is this ginormous GOB of cream cheese. Why do they even have a hole?!"

(Sipping coffee that is too hot to gulp down on this morning that has started far too early, are we really talking about this right now?) "Probably so they cook evenly, I suppose."

"Fair point. So why is it that they don't put the hole back?"

(My God she does remind me of AunT some days.)

"And they would do that... how?"

"Hum... I'll have to get back to you on that."

I'm not holding my breath in the meantime.

Fabulous

Finally, with all of the birthdays, Christmas celebrations, Nutcracker and end of school activities we had a chance to sit down and eat dinner as a family.

It was bliss. For more than two weeks we've been moving in different directions, without a lot of time to chat and catch up with each other beyond addressing the next crisis or scheduled some-place-to-be.

So busy in fact that I swear that the boy has grown a couple of inches since I last saw him.

And we are all anxious for the winter vacation - and tired... no, exhausted as indicated by JB's observation midway thru dinner.

"Holy Moly Cannoli! THAT was Fabulous!"

Agreeing that the meal Charles prepared was fabulous, we settled back into quiet chatter when JB stopped mid-sentence and asked "Wait, is fabulous even a word?"

Clearly we are a tired bunch. Only 1 more Nutcracker, two birthdays, a week of school and Finals week before we break for the holidays.  Then, the only thing on our schedule is to eat, sleep and be merry.

Diagnosis: ADHD

I've pretty much come to terms that I have ADHD. It explains devotion to Diet Coke and the never ending cups of coffee I've always had at hand.

After seeking information that could help me with the boy, it came to light during a counseling session that there was nothing wrong with him, he just had ADHD.

With a name in hand that I could work with, I read every word I could find. A lot of it was tin-hat science, but there was one book in particular that Charles handed to me and as I took it, said 'You have to take the test.'

Whatever.

But I did take it, and the test, and I recognized a lot of myself in the follow-up chapters. I recognized the boy as well... and the girl.

We often give her a hard time about having ADHD as well, but for her it isn't as much of a distraction as it is a way of exploring her creativity.

Now hormones are involved as she creeps ever closer to that state we call "puberty, oh shit."

What fresh hell are we in for?  Guess we get to find out.

Wish me luck. Wish us all luck. We may need it.

JB's thoughts on Mama

JB wrote this as part of a school project and the only instructions were to think of ten things you like about your mom. She said it was hard to limit it to ten, but wow. I cried when I read it as I didn't realize that somehow, along the way, it seems that I'm doing something right. I hope she still feels this way when the Teen years hit.  Check back in 2 years and we'll see.

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The Tenth Top-Notch Thing
You are awesome because you have wavy hair. Do you know how much I want wavy hair?

The Ninth Nifty Thing
You are always there for me even when times are really tough, like with squirt went to a place.

The Eighth Extraordinary thing
You make awesome blueberry muffins!!! No one can make them better than you.

The seventh Spectacular thing
I really love it when you read with me at night. You do it instead of working and that is just loving and caring.

The Sixth superb thing
You are super because you care for me when I’m sick and you care for me even if you get sick too. You don’t even care just for the family, you care for all people and make everyone feel special.

The Fifth Fantastic Thing
You make me happy every day and you lighten my day when things get ruff.

The fourth fabulous thing
You are always there to hear my nightmares and give me advice on how to get it out of my head.

The Third Thrilling Thing
You are a great storyteller. Even when I have read all of my books, there is a story waiting to be heard and you tell it.

The second splendid thing
You are very encouraging. you make me realize that I can do this!

The best thing ever about my mom!
The best thing about you is that you are very flexible! You make everyone feel loved and appreciated and you try to fit everyone's schedule in at once.

I love ya!

Junior Mints

As our Brownies bridge to Juniors it seems appropriate to share a few thoughts.

Never in a million years did I imagine that I would be leading a troop of Girl Scouts. Not only did I never imagine doing it, I can’t believe that we are still going strong after two years!

“Troop Leader” sounds like a daunting task - and I can honestly say that the first year we were together, it was at times. But together we’ve found our way, we’ve grown, we’ve figured out how to come together and support each other and we’ve had some pretty incredible experiences.

As I was putting the badges on JB's vest, I couldn’t help but have a sort of trip down memory lane and think back to how much you’ve grown over these last two years and I’m pretty sure each mom did the same thing.

At our first meeting - every single one of you girls said that of all that Girl Scouts had to offer - you wanted to sell cookies. And we have. Some days were warmer than others, some days we sold more than others - but we did it. And we did it as a team. And we have the memories of not only that experience, but also of accomplishing the goals you set - we bunked with the beasts and we went horseback riding, we danced, we hiked, we geo-cashed, we learned about our family stories, we gave back - thru care packages to the FFH and donating cookies to the Harmony House, and that’s just a small part of all the cool things we’ve shared.

Each of you look at each of your vests - the ones that document all that we have done together. Notice that they all have the same badges - representing the skills that we learned, or the adventures that we had, but each vest has it’s badges organized differently. That’s what makes this troop so unique, so special. We each have our own talents, skills, and interests, but when we meet as a Troop, we work together to have the best possible experience and we help each other whenever one of us is having a hard day, or needs some encouragement.

I think back to the little girls that eagerly came to our first meetings, and sought to do every thing ‘just so’ and I look at these Brownies now ready to fly up to the Junior level, and I am excited to see where the future takes us. I’m also excited to … and there I go again. I’m talking too much! So, without any further delays… Let's begin!

Oh! But first! I must have the mom’s stand and be recognized for their hard work and dedication. You mom’s see to it that your daughters make it to the troop on time, you’ve stepped up to the plate to do your part to help your daughters oversee their meetings and prepare their topics, and you’ve become the most amazing people that I can rely on if ever there is a need.

I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t do it without you.

And now before these girls burst at the seams… let's get the show on the road!