It’s Monday

[mommyatty]

And mine is Mondaying hard. How are you guys?

[mommyatty]

I leave for vacation in 12 days. I cannot wait. I actually packed our beach bag this weekend, lol. I bought a Bogg bag. While I feel like a total Stanley mom, I really love the bag and it makes me very happy and it was on big sale when I bought it because the color is being discontinued I think.

[librarychica]

I got sick during my take-kids-to-camp road trip and I am still sick. It sucks.

We got home yesterday afternoon. DD1 already has a friend over. DD2 is super grumpy. The house really needs cleaning and work is piling up. Happy Monday, sigh.

Next year I may say no to camp and plan a real family vacation.

[twinmomma]

I'm fighting with insurance to figure out why they charge me against my deductible for some visits and only charge me a copay for others when all these visits are at the same doctor's office, with the same doctor, and all have the same code assigned to them. I hate insurance so much.

[erbear]

It’s my first day of summer break and it’s glorious. It’s 10:30, DH is at work, both kids are still asleep and I’ve exercised and am now on the deck enjoying some coffee.

I’ve got some things to do this week (we leave for Europe Friday) but maybe tomorrow

[mae0111]

It was kind of a long weekend. Friday DD1 had a friend over, then I drove her the 30 mins home and stopped at my parents' house nearby. I posted about that mess in the Friday thread.

Saturday morning I met a friend for a long walk - 4 miles - then we went to vote in a special election for a huge tax increase in our town. It passed, I'm annoyed, there were a lot of scare tactics used. Then I had to take DD2 to the dr to find out why she still had a fever after 4 days. The stupid strep swab earned a fresh bagel at her favorite bakery LOL. Then DH and I spent the afternoon digging a trench while he replaced 2 outdoor plugs that had shorted out. At least the weather was beautiful - sunny and breezy and cool - so we weren't dying while digging this 50ft trench. The kids swam while we did that. Then I took DH out to dinner for Father's Day.

Sunday DD2 was still not feeling well at all, so we just hung out and laid low. Her fever went back up to 102 in the afternoon and she was crying due to her headache, so we spent the afternoon snuggling on the couch watching Wonder.

This week is shaping up to be busy. DD1 is having a friend over, I have a ton of work to do and meetings. Both kids had therapy first thing this morning, so I'm just getting my day going now. Hopefully DD2 will continue to feel better today (temp is normal so far). We may try to spend a couple of days at our beach house because temps are supposed to spike. It will be 20 degrees cooler there.

[rere]

Wonderful weekend at the lake with about 20 ladies. We floated, laughed, ate, drank and had a great time. Yesterday I spent the morning power washing my porches which was oddly satisfying. Then we sat outside with clean porches and patios and cooked for Father's day.

Dd is is a funk because her birthday. She has to work till 7, it's on a Wednesday, her friends are scattered about. Even though she went up to college this weekend to go out with a couple of friends for her birthday and hang at their apartment pool.

This week is nuts. I have to drive 2.5 hrs tomorrow morning for and all day meeting, get back here around 5, then our board meeting is at 6. My brother is coming in Wednesday for a wedding this weekend, it's dds birthday, and mom is completely off the rails, and that's where he is staying.

[waverly]

Friday night I had a work party and DD had a pool party. I was also invited to the pool party as moms have gone, but I prefered the option to eat tons of yummy food and drink a couple of glasses of wine as opposed to get in a swimsuit and eat bad pizza.

Saturday morning we were leisurely. I helped DS get organized because he lost his library card for the 3rd time, so we found that and labelled it. I labelled his soccer kit drawer and his yearbooks becuase he told me that he never got a yearbook which was not true. So we put them all together.

Sunday, DD and DH ran a 5K. Unfortunately, DD does not know how to pace herself because she has only run 2 miles before and DH had to keep telling her to slow down and then she threw up at the end of the race. Poor kid, but she was fine. Anyone on the track team where everyone was throwing up after a rough workout?

Then we dropped DS off at sleepaway camp. It worked out strangely because the week that DD is going to that camp DS was waitlisted, so we put him on a different week. We have a heat wave, and I spent the night tossing and turning worrying about DS even though he is right on the water and in the shade, and there is a nice breeze. I packed a mist-er fan and gatorade, so I am sure he is fine. Doesn't stop me from tossing and turning though.  I mean as soon as we left they were doing swim tests, picking options activities that they call classes and doing dinner, so I am sure he is fine. 

It's supposed to be hot all week, and DD is going to the Girl Scout camp also outside in the heat.  Same protocol though- gatorade, water bottle and mist-er fan that was posted over on MM.  It was a double pack so each kid got one.  

[campermom]

I’m on my way to the beach for a few days w boyfriend. Had a terrible experience yesterday at oldest son’s game where ExH asked to sit in my tent w me. He’s been yelling at me during psychiatry appt and is mad the doctor threw some accountability on him. So he came ready to cause strife.

Instead of saying yes or no I offered him an extra tent I had in the car. He responded by saying “oh I see how it is! Come on (youngest child) looks like we need to go sit in the sun!” I repeated my offer and ended up just getting it and setting it up for him.

Then he asked a dad in between us to switch spots so he could be next to my dad and I. Uncomfortable.

Packing up he offered to carry it. I said no thank you. He yelled “oh ok, always trying to be difficult!” He asked twice more so I said sure you can carry this one (the heavier one) and he yelled “oh! Of course!” And then he said “You’re so bitter!”

My daughter saw it and yelled at him and told him to stop. It was going to happen no matter what I did.

I plan to completely relax and refresh. I have 4 days without them.

[sdlaura]

I survived last week - with DS2's big bday party, DD's elementary promotion, work trip to Texas, etc. - and I thought I could sort of just work and get things together before we go on a family trip next Friday (the whole "things will slow down next week" thing...)

Then the client that had an important meeting in Texas last Friday afternoon emailed this morning to say they want to meet in our Boston office next Friday. They're evaluating us for whether they want to retain us as their advisor, so I have to go. I have a meeting on Thursday 6/27 in LA, and I have 7:30 am San Diego to Seattle flights with my family on Saturday 6/29 to go on vacation. And now I get to wedge a cross country San Diego to Boston trip in there. Ugh. I guess it could be worse if they'd asked to meet the following week when I'm on vacation. In an ideal world, I could just meet DH and the kids in Seattle, but flying with our four kids under 12 really needs to be a two-adult situation.

Our good friends had a bat mitzvah for their daughter this past Saturday, and it was so nice. The service was really beautiful and the party was really fun. We just brought our two older kids, so they ran around with their friends and had a blast. I took the four kids to the beach yesterday and gave DH some time to putter around the house, which he loves. It was a really beautiful beach day.

Anyway, this is the first week of summer camp for the kids. And should be a pretty normal week at least. Just camp and evening softball practices still for DD. I fly on a day work trip Thursday but that shouldn't be too bad. This weekend is DD's district tournament for softball, so her season could be over after this weekend, or they could qualify for the state tournament. We'll see how it goes!

[supertrooper1]

waverly, "I prefered the option to eat tons of yummy food and drink a couple of glasses of wine as opposed to get in a swimsuit and eat bad pizza." This times 1000!

mae0111, I'm sorry your family treats you like that and then doesn't understand how hurtful their behavior is when you try to explain it.

My weekend was ok. Friday we went out to dinner with Beau's mom and brother. Beau's back was hurting him so badly on Saturday that he didn't want to go anywhere. We had even talked about going on a drive but he knew that every little bump in the road would be too jarring for him. So I ran a few errands by myself and picked up a few different kinds of back patches hoping it would ease his pain. I still can't talk him into going to the doctor because he doesn't think they'll be able to help him and it will get better on its own. Sunday was dinner at my parent's house for Father's Day and then we stopped by Beau's son's house for a bit.

This week will be fairly normal. I have Wednesday off for Juneteenth and I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do. Everyone else has to work and I don't have DS.

[k3am]

Another day and no news. 🙄

[dglvrk2]

I'm thinking about all of you WPs in the mid-west and east coast (and south?) heat. Stay hydrated and safe!

I'm emotional this week for multiple reasons:
I'm missing my dad. I spent just a little time with him this weekend before he flew back to my hometown. He and my mom were visiting for my nephew's high school graduation. (My mom will stay here for another two weeks to help my sister.  Chemo is really rough and she needs help taking care of herself and kids, and my mom always really wants to be that person.)

I applied for a job - a promotion - last week. I had a good interview - actually, getting an interview was an accomplishment!-  but was turned down. I think I know who got the job. I get why, but am bummed. I would have been a good fit.

DD1 - rather matter of fact-ly - mentioned "a bunch" of the girls on her school volleyball team are going to a volleyball camp together this summer. She's already got a very booked summer and the camp, according to her is full. Still, I'M SICK OF HER BEING LEFT OUT! (Yes, her shyness doesn't help, but....)

Speaking of DD1, today I asked a former friend's mom, someone I know and trust well, if she saw anything in DD1 that made it challenging for her to make and/or keep friends. This came up naturally. This mom knows DD1 has been struggling socially and asked me how she was doing. This mom says DD1 is very nice and friendly and may try too hard sometimes to make friends. I really don't see this since she's so shy, but want to explore it more and support DD1 in any way I can. Ugghhh..

And my sister has an MRI tomorrow. It will be the second since her brain surgery in late January. I'll feel better tomorrow, I think, once I hear the results.

H is travelling for work this week. It will actually be quite nice to have a quieter and cleaner house  The D's have their last day of school on Thursday, June 4539th. That's this Thursday, the 301st Thursday in June.

[macmars45]

Yesterday was the start of summer break for DS(8) and me. I can't even say how much I wish we had year round school because 10 weeks is way too much time off for DS, for all kids and honestly for me too (and a lot of my coworkers agree it's too long for them as well).

[waverly]

dglvrk2 , Sorry about not getting the job promotion.

I see a lot of DS in your DD. DS is shy. He does have friends but doesn't see them much out of school, and there hasn't been a ton of drama thank god. But, I hesitate to say there is anything wrong with your DD. And I hesitate to say there is anything wrong with DS. In my experience with these shy kids is that they are often overlooked because they aren't loud. And that is on the other kids being thoughtless and not on your DD and my DS.

I do try to encourage DS to be social if anything I was teaching him "texting skills" this summer which led to 1 hang out. All his friends were nice and responsive but they are busy and can't all get together. I also put him in a lot of camps just so he has more to do since relying on friend to keep him busy isn't going to happen.

I do understand the left out part. I have 2 good friends that are better friends with other people, and so are their kids. So we are good friends, but DD and I are still the "B-List" friends. As long as they are being nice, there is nothing wrong with that and it has some value. And I do have some friends where we are the A list friends, and I think I just need to focus on that, and I see DD naturally gravitating to new people this summer. Her best friend is very unique. I don't want to put too much identifying stuff on here, but nice to see her diverse friendships. But sometimes it can be disheartening to always be on the B list, so I have my moments of frustration there also.

[mae0111]

dglvrk2, ugh, that's tough. I feel like that happens a bit with DD2. She has friends from all over the place - old school, new school, club soccer, town rec soccer, through me and my adult friends... but that means that she's not in a "core" group of friends anywhere... So other members of her friend group will make plans when she isn't around and kind of forget about here. I have to be aggressive to figure out what people are doing, especially in the summer, and I kind of push her way in. It's possible with certain groups, but not with others. And I've found that when I push her in, everyone is happy to see her.

I know you said her summer is pretty full and the camp might be full, but would you consider looking into it for her? Or does she care?

[dglvrk2]

Jun 18, 2024 9:34:57 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

Yesterday was the start of summer break for DS(8) and me. I can't even say how much I wish we had year round school because 10 weeks is way too much time off for DS, for all kids and honestly for me too (and a lot of my coworkers agree it's too long for them as well).

When I was teaching, I taught it a year-round school for several years. It. Was. Awesome! The Summers were long enough to get a break, but short enough that kids didn't lose a lot of learning. We had major breaks during the year. This was before I had kids.H and I took some really fun vacations AND I got down time at home. Needless to say, I'm a huge proponent of year-round schools

[dglvrk2]

Jun 18, 2024 10:57:54 GMT -5 mae0111 said:

dglvrk2, ugh, that's tough. I feel like that happens a bit with DD2. She has friends from all over the place - old school, new school, club soccer, town rec soccer, through me and my adult friends... but that means that she's not in a "core" group of friends anywhere... So other members of her friend group will make plans when she isn't around and kind of forget about here. I have to be aggressive to figure out what people are doing, especially in the summer, and I kind of push her way in. It's possible with certain groups, but not with others. And I've found that when I push her in, everyone is happy to see her.

I know you said her summer is pretty full and the camp might be full, but would you consider looking into it for her? Or does she care?

I don't think she cares about the camp, especially since a few mean girls from her school are going.

I also have to separate my emotions from hers. I could be caring more than she does. Nevertheless, this spring has been rough socially.

Thank you waverly and mae0111 for your supportive words 💚

[erbear]

Jun 18, 2024 9:34:57 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

Yesterday was the start of summer break for DS(8) and me. I can't even say how much I wish we had year round school because 10 weeks is way too much time off for DS, for all kids and honestly for me too (and a lot of my coworkers agree it's too long for them as well).

I have never, ever, in 24 years in 4 schools, heard a teacher say that summer is too long for them. I get how it can be tough for kids who need routine and structure and for their parents, but man, summer is my JAM. I wish it was longer

[soccermama]

My MIL passed away over the weekend after a long, extended illness. Hospice had been there around the clock for the prior 10 days or so.... they told us on Friday they thought it would be anytime, she passed on Sunday morning. My H is so drained from the whole thing, however we know that his mom is no longer suffering.

We were supposed to drive down to FL over the weekend & get on the cruise ship yesterday. We had to cancel the whole trip. :-(

[k3am]

Jun 18, 2024 11:32:09 GMT -5 erbear said:

Jun 18, 2024 9:34:57 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

Yesterday was the start of summer break for DS(8) and me. I can't even say how much I wish we had year round school because 10 weeks is way too much time off for DS, for all kids and honestly for me too (and a lot of my coworkers agree it's too long for them as well).

I have never, ever, in 24 years in 4 schools, heard a teacher say that summer is too long for them. I get how it can be tough for kids who need routine and structure and for their parents, but man, summer is my JAM. I wish it was longer

I can not type out the feelings I have about this post without feeling like I'll come across as hating teachers, which I don't. =\

I too wish that I had months off work every year, even if it stressed my clients out. 

[sdlaura]

soccermama I’m so sorry for your loss and for the timing for your family.

[sdlaura]

I, too, would love year round schools. Even with exactly the same number of overall instructional days. The only times that we can travel are summer break, winter break, spring break - and all of those times are so crowded and expensive. I’d love to have a few weeks off in October or something.

[waverly]

DH just complained about the cost of camps. Well the one he picked that he went to as a kid was the most expensive. Plus he complained about the kids being home while he works from home.

DS is at sleepaway camp and we are enjoying the lack of sibling fighting! Also this is DS’s last year at 1 sleepaway camp and one other camp so he should enjoy it while he can.

ETA- We would likely save about 1200 with the elimination of the 1 sleepaway camp and the 1 day camp that he will outgrow.  Then we have to figure out how to entertain a 14 year old though.  

[erbear]

Jun 18, 2024 11:47:48 GMT -5 k3am said:

Jun 18, 2024 11:32:09 GMT -5 erbear said:

I have never, ever, in 24 years in 4 schools, heard a teacher say that summer is too long for them. I get how it can be tough for kids who need routine and structure and for their parents, but man, summer is my JAM. I wish it was longer

I can not type out the feelings I have about this post without feeling like I'll come across as hating teachers, which I don't. =\

I too wish that I had months off work every year, even if it stressed my clients out. 

No I get it. Summer is tough for parents. Every job has its perks and this is mine.

FWIW, if the pay was better and the work more tenable, I might not feel so strongly about my break.

[librarychica]

Jun 18, 2024 11:58:28 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

I, too, would love year round schools. Even with exactly the same number of overall instructional days. The only times that we can travel are summer break, winter break, spring break - and all of those times are so crowded and expensive. I’d love to have a few weeks off in October or something.

Same. A good friend of ours one state away have year round school and they love it. 3 kids and dad is a teacher so it really opens up their travel options.

Also it’s a billion degrees here in summer.

[vasc]

Jun 18, 2024 11:47:48 GMT -5 k3am said:

Jun 18, 2024 11:32:09 GMT -5 erbear said:

I have never, ever, in 24 years in 4 schools, heard a teacher say that summer is too long for them. I get how it can be tough for kids who need routine and structure and for their parents, but man, summer is my JAM. I wish it was longer

I can not type out the feelings I have about this post without feeling like I'll come across as hating teachers, which I don't. =\

I too wish that I had months off work every year, even if it stressed my clients out. 

Maybe you can reframe the idea…teachers work 10 months of the year, are compensated for those ten months, but their paycheck is divided into 12 months (at least in most areas).

[k3am]

Jun 18, 2024 14:49:04 GMT -5 vasc said:

Jun 18, 2024 11:47:48 GMT -5 k3am said:

I can not type out the feelings I have about this post without feeling like I'll come across as hating teachers, which I don't. =\

I too wish that I had months off work every year, even if it stressed my clients out. 

Maybe you can reframe the idea…teachers work 10 months of the year, are compensated for those ten months, but their paycheck is divided into 12 months (at least in most areas).

No need for me to reframe the idea. Her post bothers me, and that's allowed. She's allowed to post it, she's allowed to enjoy her time off, and I'm allowed to have my feelings about it. 

[mae0111]

soccermama, I'm sorry for your loss.

dglvrk2, I would 100% be feeling the same way as you are. I'm sorry that your DD had such a rough spring. DD1 has had many of those years, and as awful as it is for the kids, I feel like we, as parents, absorb so much of it as well. I truly hope you all have a fabulous summer and that she heads into school in the fall with a clean slate and awesome summer memories.

[mommyatty]

dglvrk2, I’m sorry. For all of it and all of it hitting at the same time.