Bits and Pieces

Tomorrow is the big day! Aaron's 8th birthday was on Valentine's Day, as most of you know, which fell on a Thursday. So, we are having his "kid party" tomorrow, here at the house. All he wanted was to have some of the boys from school over for pizza and Wii. Here's what I've done so far:

Preparations for the big party:

• Cleaned entire living room.


• Cleaned off computer and computer desk of bills, clutter, etc. AND under computer desk.


• Dusted everything.


• Washed couch covers and floor rugs.


• Moved coffee table OUT of the living room so to have lots of floor space for group of 2nd grade boys to play Nintendo Wii.


• Vacuumed entire room, especially dust bunnies from space where coffee table used to be.


• Started cleaning the kitchen.


• Cleaned the bathroom.


• Stuffed "Darth Vadar" pinata with candy.


• Hung up "Happy Birthday" sign.

Still to do:

• Clean off breakfast bar and kitchen table. (MAJOR JOB)


• Go buy cookie cake from Kroger. (in the morning)


• Blow up balloons and attach. (job for the teenagers)


• Put "Welcome to Wii Central" sign on front door. (easy)


• Order pizzas. (Have Joseph do online tonight)


• Attempt to keep excited 8 yr. old calm as he waits for his guests.(IMPOSSIBLE!)

In other news, my 2 oldest teenagers and I traveled to Indianapolis today for the State Vocal Music Competition. Both of them got "golds" again, which is the best. The best you can get is a "1" in 7 categories. Then it goes up to l.5, 2, 2.5, etc. The best score overall is a "7". Rachael got a "9", and Joseph a "9.5". They were both pleased, although Rachael DID make a point to note that she got a better score than Joseph. My ex-husband showed up to hear them sing, but (as usual) arrived too late to hear Rachael. He also intruded on lunch. Ugh. Why can't he just go away?

Joseph and Rachael are going to see "Sweeney Todd" at the Kentucky Center for the Arts tomorrow. The tickets are a gift from me. I had no desire to accompany them.

School is somewhat less stressful. I have told my class about the changes and for the most part, they are excited. The move upstairs makes them feel like "big kids". The most stable two moved up on Friday. The rest will go in a week. I am feeling a little lost, but so far it's mostly been positive. I fear for the stability of some of my students, but it's out of my hands now. I know I will miss being with them.

Steven did not make it through here this weekend. He is driving his way to El Paso at the moment. I am hoping he will make it here next weekend. (fingers crossed). Still, we have had some great phone conversations of late, and he is especially supportive of my trials in raising 3 teenagers AND an 8 yr. old. He gives me encouragement to continue to be "the unpopular parent", when I know it is the best thing for them. Raising kids was so much easier when they were little. (sigh)

That's it for now. Hope you all have had a good weekend. Say a little prayer for me tomorrow afternoon. It ought to be interesting.

Hugs,

J.