Good Goddess! Where has she been?
In general, I have found that when I don't blog, it's because I am busy, and generally, content. I tend to write more when I'm depressed, since it helps get things out of my mind. Of course, when I'm in the depths, I don't write either, so. Well, I'm back!
LOTS is going on. On the bummer front is the fact that Lire will not be able to stay at the closer, more diverse public school for kindergarten next school year. I became political, got a petition signed by more than the required amount, met many neighbors who supported what we decided to call "school choice," went to a contentious school board meeting with some even-headed intelligent folks, but some louder, fear-mongering residents as well. Whose concerns super-ceded ours, I guess. Enough so that my resolution to allow school choice will NOT be put on the ballot, and so only 20 or so people will show up to vote (that's how small and apathetic our village is) instead of the large numbers my resolution would bring.
A lot of people are pretty ticked. Me especially. Anyway, I'm keeping my hopes up that something might happen. We could move, for one thing, and we could choose another school district in which to live.
The boys, meanwhile, are doing really, really well. They are growing gigantically, are settling into their lives more and more, and impress us when we step back and watch them when they don't know we're watching them. They are really great guys. My relationship with H, while not un-bumpy, has improved vastly, I'm happy to say. I'm not sure what it was, time, probably. He still has his behavior chart, which he is in charge of, and to which his teacher contributes. He is learning how to read, can hula-hoop like a Guinness Book champion, and is getting along socially much better than before. I think he is finally feeling more confident in himself.
Lire is still cracking me up, is still squeezable, and has a new-found love for all of his stuffed animals and his baby Deji (my old AA Cabbage Patch doll). He wears him around the house and tucks him in each morning and night. He has become a real artist, having multiple projects going at once, and I guarantee will one day grace the Food Network with his presence.
I am working all over town, enjoying being a math/art/library educator, though I'm a bit schizophrenic -- hard to remember where I'm going on which day. Alex is rediscovering his inner musician and is mixing up a storm. Chauncey is still a champ and my favorite dog. Our lives are still on hold as far as the summer goes. And we just met an amazing little boy from Ethiopia who is staying a mere mile from our house. He is an incredible person. H. said, "D. is the nicest boy I have ever met."
Spending time with him has been an intense experience, especially for H. They started playing as if they had known one another their whole lives. I was brought back to my time in Ethiopia, all the sights and sounds. I can only imagine how it has triggered things for our boys. H. told me, "Mommy, I have some bad news. I want to live in Ethiopia."
I told him it wasn't bad news, except that we would certainly miss him. Maybe when he was older he could live here and in Ethiopia? He liked that idea, and said he wanted to build things for people in Ethiopia.
Lost tooth:
I want to lose these suspenders!
I was just wondering how things have been for you, and was hoping that the reason you weren't blogging was because you were just enjoying life too much! It sounds like things are going well for you and that you're all getting along better. It's hard when they're not smooth, but I'm glad that H is more receptive and you two have a better relationship now. How sweet that he wants to build things in Ethiopia--what a beautiful goal! Maybe he's old enough to find a pen-pal for him in Ethiopia? I'm sure you could do that, and I'll bet he would love it if he had a friend who is actually still in Ethiopia. It's wonderful that he has D to play with now.
So glad to read your update!
Posted by: Erin | May 16, 2009 at 04:02 PM