Tag Archives: Sam

Sam’s Old School

Posted on by February 25, 2020

The director pounced as soon as I walked in the door. “I’m not sure what you expect us to do.” He held up some other child’s shirt, cut to ribbons.

“I’m sure you’re doing everything you can.” And I also need to get him to therapy. “I’ll be happy to pay for the shirt.” And if you didn’t have eighteen kids in that class, he’d never have been able to get that many holes sliced before somebody noticed.

“Oh, we’d never ask a parent to pay for…” Bullshit. I still have the demanding note with the receipt for the cost of replacing someone’s sleeping bag.… Read the rest

Monster Train Dance

Posted on by February 25, 2020

Some days, the posts just write themselves. Sam has to have bloodwork done Thursday. He’s taking a mood stabilizer, and we need to be sure it isn’t screwing with his hormones. I am frantic for him to be able to keep taking this stuff. I’m seeing my child for the first time in over a year, and I’m not ready for him to vanish again. These tiny pills have given me back my sweet silly little boy. And I want to keep him. Wouldn’t you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… Read the rest

Noise pollution

Posted on by February 25, 2020

“Turn it down.” Scott’s face loomed as my door swung open.

“I had that closed.”

“We can hear you in the kitchen.”

“Yeah, Mom, it’s too loud.” Caroline poked her head under her father’s elbow.

“You’re only complaining because it’s heavy metal. If I had the Beatles up, you’d be in here dancing.”

“You’ve got Beatles? I want the Beatles!” Sam joined the fray with enthusiasm unreasonable for someone who should have been zoned out in front of the TV.

I clicked around until my desk stopped shaking with the gunshots of “For Those About to Rock, We Salute You.”… Read the rest

No (It’s too damned hot, dog)

Posted on by February 25, 2020

Dear Chewie,

The kids beat the heat in lots of ways. They spend a couple of days building Lego vehicles.

And playing with them.

He played with it for a good two hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy reads them books.

I take them to the pool.

 

But take the dog for three walks in a day?

Dude, you’re crazy. Not happening.

Here, have a rawhide and don’t eat my shoes, OK?

Love, Mom

… Read the rest

Ballet camp 2012

Posted on by February 25, 2020

For the second consecutive year, my kids participated in the Montgomery ballet’s Fairy Tale Ballet Camp. It’s a compromise between doing summer lessons and skipping ballet over the summer, and it’s one Sam and Caroline both enjoy. It buys Scott and I a good measure of sanity, because Caroline’s age group meets three times a week (M-W-F from 9-12) and Sam’s meets twice a week (Tu.-Th. 9-12). Although it means having to have a kid up there every single day for three weeks, it also means a morning spent with only the other child at home all morning.

Also, they put on an adorable little performance at the end.… Read the rest

To be a Daddy

Posted on by February 25, 2020

 

These two pictures hang above my desk. They say an awfully lot without my needing to interpret them for you, but let me talk awhile anyway. My husband is not just a father to our children. He’s their Daddy. Sam, who is a Mama’s boy, has lately started demanding his Daddy-hugs at bedtime again and saying, in a worried little voice, “I like Daddy best.” He doesn’t yet understand the ebb and flow of a parent-child relationship, and he worries that he’s hurting me. He always seems surprised by my delight. I tell him, “That’s wonderful. I love you, and sis, and Daddy best.”… Read the rest

Oedipus, Oedipus, Mom

Posted on by February 25, 2020

Until I get my new theme installed, this refuses to show big enough.  Just click the picture a couple of times to make it work. Sorry.

… Read the rest

When The Morning Comes

Posted on by February 25, 2020

Here we go with the 100 word song! This week, it’s OK Go’s “This Too Shall Pass”.

 

Since Tuesday, I’ve watched this video twelve times with Sam. He finds something new every time. I’m trying to teach him to step back, when his heart explodes, to breathe and say ‘this too shall pass’. I know I’m doomed to failure. My Mom pressed “Let it Be” on me in the same way, but I can’t let anything be. Nothing at all. So I know that Sam has to find his own song to speak peace to his heart. And yet he sings it, and when he sings, I hope it will pass, so he can enjoy his childhood.… Read the rest

The easy way to choose Natural Childbirth

Posted on by February 25, 2020

 

 

… Read the rest

Sam Part III

Posted on by February 25, 2020

If you’re not familiar with Sam’s story, start with Sam Part I and Sam Part II. Then, if you’d like a happy little interlude, try out Beauty and the Beast. Although the story below will make sense without the background, the background will help. A lot.

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I just took some chocolate chip cookies to the neighbor’s house. Normally, I do that to express sympathy. I eat for comfort. Surely you do, as well. But today, I was saying, “Thank you.”  We barely know these neighbors, a married couple with teen kids. In the three years we’ve lived here, we’ve exchanged maybe thirty words.… Read the rest