"Soccer is Damn Fun"

Often I think that I should write about more than my kids. Although they are so important to me...I sometimes wonder if there is anything about myself that may be, slightly, more interesting! But, then, there are the funny things my kids say.

So Jarrett has taken up soccer (for the second time) He is rocking it. Hard core, works hard, scores goals, and most importanly-listens to the coach and plays well with his teammates. On the way home today, I emphasized all these positives and then said, what do you think? His response, "soccer is damn fun". Well. I couldn't have said it better myself.

So I woke up this morning feeling, essentially, like I usually feel. Depressed about my impending day. Needing to see more patients. Wanting to make more money to cover for the loss of income from yesterday, having spent the day taking care of Dawson-post fever, but "feeling fine!" (Dawson's words!)

My day improved. I do love seeing patients. They are so appreciative of my care and such a pleasure to deal with. And, sadly, they make e appreciate what I do have.

I see all sorts of things in a day. Syncopal episodes accompanied by fecal incontinence to an elevated BP. Today I saw a patient that was complaining of an "itchy ear". This is a pt that I had seen before and consistenly recommened Hydrogen Peroxide (with no success). Anyway, long story longer, I was able to extract a fair amount of wax and seem to have made my patients day. Of all the things I do in a day, it's funny how this simple extraction left my patient with so much joy.

I'm constantly aware of what I should be thankful for: a healthy family, 2 kids, a succesful husbad, a good job...and the list goes on. But I'm so often distracted by the little things. Every day I try to be more appreciative, but it's a work in progress.

Dawson's First Day of Preschool

Ok, maybe twice a year, now that I have two kids attending school.

Dawson had her opportunity to meet Mrs "Ugly" (ie, Utley) at St James last Friday. I was ready to drop her and run, knowing that she would do great. Boy, was I wrong. Of all the kids (ok, only 5) she was the one clutching my leg in a death grip when it came time for Mrs Ugly to take her back to the classroom. She gave it a good fight, than gave in as if nothing had happened. She later told me that she had a great time and made a mouse, but was wondering why I didn't come back to pick her up after "coffee" (Mrs Utley's explanation of where all the Mommies go-yeah, let's stereotype, why don't we?)

So John and I took her to St James and she was all smiles. Cheesing for the camera and all smiles, hopping toward her before school care. She tells me she did great and quickly followed that by asking if she could eat the candy that Mrs Utley gave (enticed) her.

Jarrett is still adjusting to Kindergarten-really, CEP (before/after school care). 2 morning now I have had to forcibly have him removed from my leg while I run out the door. We have had a good discussion about this and he seems to understand that as hard as it is in the morning, at the end of the day, he is all smiles having met and made many new friends. It's a good way for everyone to greet their day.

First Day of Kindergarten

I'm sensing a theme here. I'm only good at posting once a year. So, not to set the bar too high, I'm shooting for at least once a year, so as not to disappoint all (2) of my loyal followers.

First day of Kindergarten for Jarrett was great. He did have a shocked expression on his face for most of the time we were there, but I caught a big, beautiful smile every now and then.

What I have not been prepared for is the 2nd and 3rd day (and we'll find out about the 4th tomorrow). The initial shock has worn off, only to be followed by tears and a hell of a death grip. Who can blame him? He walks into a room full of kids of all different ages, colors and genders and doesn't know a soul. I'd have a panic attack, too. As I skillfully disengage myself (ie, request that the CEP provider hold him while I make my quick escape), I question my skills, emotions as a parent. I was surprisingly not tearful. Oh, I had a moment of feeling bad, but knew deep down that at the end of the day he would say, "It was great, we had chocolate pudding and animal crackers!" (but couldn't remember what he did in class).

So, it's another chapter in his (and my/our) life. And I don't really feel sad about that either (yet). I feel a little sense of relief that we have come this far (without serious harm physically or emotionally) and look forward to what Kindergarten brings us.

Next Monday...preschool for Dawson