Lord, Beer Me Strength

I can't believe I didn't blog one time during the month of May. It was a busy month - lots to talk about. Let's start with the unfortunate - B was laid off. So he joins the ranks of countless others who have lost their job in this wretched economy and I'm sure many more will join before its over (please oh please let this be the lone hiccup for us). Beyond the obvious stress and strain of income loss and identity loss that comes with a lay off, it was B's absolute dream job in the entire world and he is so very sad to see it end. They were as kind as could be under the circumstances, and assured him if/when things pick up he will be their first call. However we all know that no pick up will be taking place any time soon. And so he is looking elsewhere. Slim pickin's out there my friends. Very slim.

So I've got a houseful of people to manage as its also summer break which means I've got to reinvent the way I work. It's been slightly frustrating, but I am learning patience and creativity ;).

K1 had a lovely kindergarten graduation - they recited a poem and sang a song about all they'd learned this year to the tune of "The Addams Family" (substitute the words 'the kindergarten class' and you've got the gyst) and my personal favorite - a rendition of "Start Spreadin' the News" that went a little something like this:
"Start spreading the news...
We're leaving today...
So we can be a part of it!
First grade, First grade..."

There were several verses and the song ended with a kick line flourish that was the pinnacle of the ceremony IMHO. K1 is squared away next year with the best first grade teacher in the school (aka highest scores) which I requested and was relieved to get.

K2 graduated from Pre-K with her own little ceremony which included a fun photo slide show (but the interesting thing to note here is that she showed up nearly as many times in K1's slide show of his class. K2 likes to be noticed.) She starts kindergarten in the fall at a new, private school until they will take her at our neighborhood public school for first grade. So one more year of paying exorbitant tuition! Ugh. Will be glad when that is over.

And now that summer is upon us I am trying to find the time to engage in my one summer rule - "one fun thing every day" - so far so good (oh, I do have one other rule which is that they have to read on their own for 30 minutes a day and with me for 30 minutes a day). Other than that - we're just waiting for the real warm weather to show up so we can spend more quality time sunning poolside.

And one final note... the back/hip pain is back in full force. DUH DUH DUHHHHH. I am VERY discouraged by this. That's about all I can say about it right now. Too discouraged. *sigh*