Well, my mind was pretty close to made up. I was giving it another week just for the heck of it, then I was going to send the check in to the high school with the laptops and the block scheduling. Well. Not to be so easy. Yesterday I subbed for a teacher whose son goes to the Big Wait List School (BWLS). Today I was in a school with a principal whose two sons graduated from and loved BWLS. Just at the very end of my lunch, when I had no more time to talk on the phone, I checked messages and had a call from their school nurse.
At the end of my day, I returned her call and she told me that they had referred my letter to her, and she wanted to ask a few questions and let me know that if Brian is to be accepted, and if he comes, he must be flexible and not always use a laptop. I told her that we would understand this, and we discussed his phsyical limitations as far as gym class, and she seemed surprised that he does gym and everything else normally. Perhaps I overdid my description! I think when one mentions 'brain' they begin to over-imagine the unseen applicant. So I came home, and by the time I got here, there was another message on the machine, offering him a spot!
Now, after all the talk he's done about why he might NOT want to go, he suddenly wants it more than anything; laptop or no laptop. Of course, we will have to purchase for him a laptop, but that won't necessarily be a big and fancy one. He really only needs to be able to type and email files. Anything else can still be done at home, and it needs to be lightweight. I am most excited at the prospect of his being able to walk to school, but the school comes with a hefty price tag, so that will be a sacrifice.
Otherwise, Megan's big meet is Sunday. Someone had told me that one team was faking times to make their swimmers faster, and one was going to be seeded ahead of Megan in the 500, but this turned out to be totally untrue. She's seeded second in the 200, and first in the 500, and there is another girl who shares the same positions in reverse, in the same two events. And either event could go either way. It will be interesting!
In other news, I did work many days this week, so that's also a good thing. with Monday as a holiday, there will be no work, and I have to make sure I'm available to for driving to the Y on a few days next week, which is going to throw me off. At this point, I have to say that it would be easier for me to drop out of the carpool than it is to stay in it, as I'm juggling all these other schedules at the same time, and I am the one who has to backtrack to pick up the other kids. They just come into our neighborhood and pick her up, so it takes them about three extra minutes, but takes me at least ten to go and get them - which is really hard when I get out of work at 3:15 and they all have to be to the Y by 3:40.
(disclaimer: post NOT PROOFREAD!!!)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday Night Swimming
And just like that, the streak is broken. We were off to a good start, winning the first relay and then all of the individual races before the 15 minute break that they get in place of a diving competition in high school swimming. The girls were tied up at that point. But it went downhill from there. Starting with the 100 butterfly, we began to not win, and then we lost the second two relays as well. In Megan's relay, she tried to be a hero, coming from a couple of body lengths behind, and it looked like she was going to do it, enough to get everyone screaming and yelling, but alas, it was not enough. That one race wasn't enough to save the meet anyway, but it would have been fun. The problem is that although Megan and her two Y teammates can usually win their individual events, the other swimmers get 5th and 6th. And 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers score more points than 1st and 5th combined. There are no points for 6th.
This meet was ridiculous, though, being held at 9pm in Wall Township, half an hour away. We didn't get home till after 11, and it's hard to recover from a Monday night like that. Their next meet is on Thursday, but it starts at 2:30, so they'll have to miss last period, which is, unfortunately, chemistry. Then on Sunday, they have their county meet, the one where Megan won Swimmer of the Meet and her two events last year. So she'll have to defend this year, which isn't fun, as I have said.
I have to work this morning and then the hectic driving around begins again. And now E has come down and asked if I will read over her paper that she wrote last night. I'm pretty sure it wasn't assigned yesterday, but that is when she wrote it. and right now, I need to be making lunches and showering for my half day of life.
In other news, Molly's head bump is still bleeding, so I need to get her to the vet soon. I am looking forward to a Monday off from school, and today is supposed to be the 'mildest day of the week'. But I hear the printer going now, so I'd better finish this up so I can read this quickly. I can't afford much time; I only budgeted seven more minutes downstairs this morning! (disclaimer: post not proofread!)
This meet was ridiculous, though, being held at 9pm in Wall Township, half an hour away. We didn't get home till after 11, and it's hard to recover from a Monday night like that. Their next meet is on Thursday, but it starts at 2:30, so they'll have to miss last period, which is, unfortunately, chemistry. Then on Sunday, they have their county meet, the one where Megan won Swimmer of the Meet and her two events last year. So she'll have to defend this year, which isn't fun, as I have said.
I have to work this morning and then the hectic driving around begins again. And now E has come down and asked if I will read over her paper that she wrote last night. I'm pretty sure it wasn't assigned yesterday, but that is when she wrote it. and right now, I need to be making lunches and showering for my half day of life.
In other news, Molly's head bump is still bleeding, so I need to get her to the vet soon. I am looking forward to a Monday off from school, and today is supposed to be the 'mildest day of the week'. But I hear the printer going now, so I'd better finish this up so I can read this quickly. I can't afford much time; I only budgeted seven more minutes downstairs this morning! (disclaimer: post not proofread!)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Little William Strikes Again
Wouldn't it be funny if Philadelphia has TWO parades in one sports season?
Game Day!
Well, here it is. The big day of green vs. blue. Last night we saw one of those giant inflatable Giants, and I remembered the time that our Willow tree blew down in a huge windstorm, and in the pictures, across the street was that same giant Giant, looking totally responsible for the devastation. Only back then I don't think the opponent was the Eagles! So this should be fun. I may suggest we go out and watch it at a bar somewhere. Probably more fun that way, but I'll have to keep a low profile! :X
Yesterday was a fun day. First, we took Megan out to Red Bank to pick up some gifts for her friend. We went into a papiery (if this is truly a word) to get wrapping materials and a card. The clerk was Megan's former voice teacher! So that was pretty funny, we haven't seen her in a while, of course Megan towers over her (as well as me, which we already knew) now. Then we had lunch, just Megan, Kevin, and me, which almost never happens, because she's usually the only one NOT with us when we go places. E was out with a friend and Brian chose to stay home with his artificial friends (playing xbox live). It was strange to me to note that Megan is, in fact, developing a personality of her own.
After we dropped Megan off at her friend's house for their trip to see Blue Man Group in NYC (where she says she and another girl were chosen to participate, and they had to wear ponchos and get bananas thrown at them, and march in 15 minutes after the start of the show to a song playing, "you're late, you're late"), we picked up Brian and took him to Freehold Mall for some new pants. The trip ended up lasting over two hours, and breaking both Kevin's and my banks.
The snow had begun to fall lightly when we came out, so we stopped and had dinner at Chili's before heading home. As it turned out, E never came home again. She stayed at her friend's house for another night. And when we got home, we found a message from the swim team saying that Megan's practice for this morning at 6:30am was cancelled due to the 'weather'. So I texted her, and she didn't come home either. She got to sleep over with all the other girls, which also never happens. I'm sure she'll be exhausted, but at least she got to experience life for a weekend.
This upcoming week promises to be hectic, with two high school swim meets, the first being tomorrow at 9 PM. (who schedules these things at that time?) Then she has one on Thursday, which I'll have to go to and pick her up to bring her to the Y. I think I have whined about this one before. Brian has PT on Wednesday and Saturday this week, then they will re-evaluate. He loves going there. It's like a gym workout for him. And next Sunday is the county swimming championship meet. The psych sheets aren't out yet, but I expect she will probably be seeded second or third in the 200, and possibly first in the 500, but one never knows. There should be some good races at that meet. She doesn't like to be seeded first. It's less stressful to chase than to be chased.
Today we don't have much planned other than getting ready for the week, and watching the game, of course. I hope to make meatballs and sauce, but if I am to do that, I'd better get moving. We overslept and skipped church today, and Kevin just went to pick up E. Megan had some activity for school, so she has to be picked up from that at noon. Then she and E will have to get their homework done. And Brian.
In other news, I've been browsing the site for the high school where Brian is most likely to go at this point: www.sjvhs.com. I am actually excited at the prospect and almost hope the other school (the competitive one) won't let him in. As a result of his poor performances in sixth and seventh grades, he is behind in terms of levels of class. If he goes to SJV, he can take Algebra 1 the first semester and then possibly take honors geometry the second, and that would put him back on track where he might have been had he been put in the accelerated math in seventh grade. It's exciting to think about. Without the block scheduling, doubling up is more difficult, because then you have both of the classes at the same time. This way, you take one in the fall, and the other in the spring. And you only have four classes worth of homework to worry about, as opposed to eight at the other school, with each on piling it on for effect. Well, I am off to the showers!
Yesterday was a fun day. First, we took Megan out to Red Bank to pick up some gifts for her friend. We went into a papiery (if this is truly a word) to get wrapping materials and a card. The clerk was Megan's former voice teacher! So that was pretty funny, we haven't seen her in a while, of course Megan towers over her (as well as me, which we already knew) now. Then we had lunch, just Megan, Kevin, and me, which almost never happens, because she's usually the only one NOT with us when we go places. E was out with a friend and Brian chose to stay home with his artificial friends (playing xbox live). It was strange to me to note that Megan is, in fact, developing a personality of her own.
After we dropped Megan off at her friend's house for their trip to see Blue Man Group in NYC (where she says she and another girl were chosen to participate, and they had to wear ponchos and get bananas thrown at them, and march in 15 minutes after the start of the show to a song playing, "you're late, you're late"), we picked up Brian and took him to Freehold Mall for some new pants. The trip ended up lasting over two hours, and breaking both Kevin's and my banks.
The snow had begun to fall lightly when we came out, so we stopped and had dinner at Chili's before heading home. As it turned out, E never came home again. She stayed at her friend's house for another night. And when we got home, we found a message from the swim team saying that Megan's practice for this morning at 6:30am was cancelled due to the 'weather'. So I texted her, and she didn't come home either. She got to sleep over with all the other girls, which also never happens. I'm sure she'll be exhausted, but at least she got to experience life for a weekend.
This upcoming week promises to be hectic, with two high school swim meets, the first being tomorrow at 9 PM. (who schedules these things at that time?) Then she has one on Thursday, which I'll have to go to and pick her up to bring her to the Y. I think I have whined about this one before. Brian has PT on Wednesday and Saturday this week, then they will re-evaluate. He loves going there. It's like a gym workout for him. And next Sunday is the county swimming championship meet. The psych sheets aren't out yet, but I expect she will probably be seeded second or third in the 200, and possibly first in the 500, but one never knows. There should be some good races at that meet. She doesn't like to be seeded first. It's less stressful to chase than to be chased.
Today we don't have much planned other than getting ready for the week, and watching the game, of course. I hope to make meatballs and sauce, but if I am to do that, I'd better get moving. We overslept and skipped church today, and Kevin just went to pick up E. Megan had some activity for school, so she has to be picked up from that at noon. Then she and E will have to get their homework done. And Brian.
In other news, I've been browsing the site for the high school where Brian is most likely to go at this point: www.sjvhs.com. I am actually excited at the prospect and almost hope the other school (the competitive one) won't let him in. As a result of his poor performances in sixth and seventh grades, he is behind in terms of levels of class. If he goes to SJV, he can take Algebra 1 the first semester and then possibly take honors geometry the second, and that would put him back on track where he might have been had he been put in the accelerated math in seventh grade. It's exciting to think about. Without the block scheduling, doubling up is more difficult, because then you have both of the classes at the same time. This way, you take one in the fall, and the other in the spring. And you only have four classes worth of homework to worry about, as opposed to eight at the other school, with each on piling it on for effect. Well, I am off to the showers!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday Morning Update
Well, the mail brought more news yesterday, not really unexpected. Brian is accepted into the third and final school to which he applied. We are still awaiting the registration packet from the smallest of the three, and we are still awaiting possible acceptance to the most competitive (the one that wait-listed him). The one that arrived yesterday is the largest of the three, but is a co-ed and slightly more competitive school than the smallest one. This one is also a very good promoter, giving away drawstring gym bags at their open house and sending a fancy diploma-style 'certificate of acceptance' with Brian's name imprinted on the line.
So it looks like we are leaning towards this marketing-savvy school right now. The larger school means more different personalities, and they offer AP level classes, should Brian ever feel that he's ready for that challenge. This is the school with the block scheduling, so they have two 90 minute classes in the morning, an hour for lunch, and two more 90 minute classes in the afternoon. In January, they take finals and get new classes for the spring semester. Brian isn't crazy about this, but I like it. Only four classes in which to worry about homework, which means you can really focus on your subjects, making it easier to 'double up' on math and science in a school year, because you can take one in the fall and one in the spring, if you want to. Otherwise, you take your elective.
This school also has the laptop program, which is absolutely perfect for Brian. I think it's the greatest thing. The 'top' school that has wait listed him won't offer this and might not even allow him to use his own, plus it's about $3000 more. But he would be able to walk there.
So this is our latest on the school dilemma. I think we'll give it till the end of the month and mull it over, then we have to send a deposit in by January 30 or lose the spot. So if we haven't heard from the wait-list school by then, we'll just go ahead and send it in. Then, if by some chance he does get in, we can choose to forego the deposit, or we can simply tell Big School thank you, but no thanks. Several people are stepping in and talking to school personalities on Brian's behalf, but he only wants to get in if they think he can handle it, not as a favor to someone with connections.
Otherwise, in other news, the snow is falling off and on already, and more is predicted, as well as ice. I still don't know how Megan is getting in to see the Blue Men in NYC tonight, and she is, of course, still asleep, although I plan to change that soon. I was just researching the schools and reading about community service when I suddenly remembered Brian is supposed to be over at the soup kitchen this morning! Good thing I remembered! So Kevin will run him over there for an hour and a half, and then I'll get Megan up and ready and figure out her plans for the day. Brian wants to go to the mall to use his FYE gift card and get some pants that don't show his ankles off to everyone. E isn't home yet, she slept out last night and is going with a friend to watch a cheerleading competition, that will probably take most of the day, in Trenton.
So it looks like we are leaning towards this marketing-savvy school right now. The larger school means more different personalities, and they offer AP level classes, should Brian ever feel that he's ready for that challenge. This is the school with the block scheduling, so they have two 90 minute classes in the morning, an hour for lunch, and two more 90 minute classes in the afternoon. In January, they take finals and get new classes for the spring semester. Brian isn't crazy about this, but I like it. Only four classes in which to worry about homework, which means you can really focus on your subjects, making it easier to 'double up' on math and science in a school year, because you can take one in the fall and one in the spring, if you want to. Otherwise, you take your elective.
This school also has the laptop program, which is absolutely perfect for Brian. I think it's the greatest thing. The 'top' school that has wait listed him won't offer this and might not even allow him to use his own, plus it's about $3000 more. But he would be able to walk there.
So this is our latest on the school dilemma. I think we'll give it till the end of the month and mull it over, then we have to send a deposit in by January 30 or lose the spot. So if we haven't heard from the wait-list school by then, we'll just go ahead and send it in. Then, if by some chance he does get in, we can choose to forego the deposit, or we can simply tell Big School thank you, but no thanks. Several people are stepping in and talking to school personalities on Brian's behalf, but he only wants to get in if they think he can handle it, not as a favor to someone with connections.
Otherwise, in other news, the snow is falling off and on already, and more is predicted, as well as ice. I still don't know how Megan is getting in to see the Blue Men in NYC tonight, and she is, of course, still asleep, although I plan to change that soon. I was just researching the schools and reading about community service when I suddenly remembered Brian is supposed to be over at the soup kitchen this morning! Good thing I remembered! So Kevin will run him over there for an hour and a half, and then I'll get Megan up and ready and figure out her plans for the day. Brian wants to go to the mall to use his FYE gift card and get some pants that don't show his ankles off to everyone. E isn't home yet, she slept out last night and is going with a friend to watch a cheerleading competition, that will probably take most of the day, in Trenton.
Friday, January 9, 2009
One Week Down!
The first week of the year of school days has drawn to a close! No major incidents that I know of, but often I must await the arrival of report cards at the end of the month to really be made aware of some of these. Yesterday another letter came for Brian, or I should say, for Brianna, accepting him into one of the Catholic high schools to which he applied. This is the smallest of the three, and quite possibly didn't reject any applicants unless they had criminal backgrounds. However, it's also one of his top picks, so we won't rule it out just yet.
Meanwhile, I did write and send the letter to the higher caliber school that put him on the wait list. He talks to others about their status, and the other wait-listed boy at school, who wrote a letter himself begging them to reconsider, told Brian that the school called his house the next day (!?) and told him that the second marking period grades will determine whether or not he gets in. Hopefully, Brian is still doing well. His mid-marking period progress report only had two negative comments: his math homework quality needed improvement, and he needed to stop talking inappropriately and excessively in drama class.
So I emailed that drama teacher about that, and spoke to Brian about both issues, and he insists that he has been doing all of his math homework so he doesn't know why she would say that. He claims she just checks to see if it's been done, but perhaps she is noting the quality as she does this. But the report cards come out at the end of this month. And also, we still haven't heard from the third school, which seems not to be a favorite choice of his. I guess it might depend on where he knows other people are going. But he adamantly states that he does not want to continue on with the same kids in the public school.
I have to get Molly and the baby cats to the vet this month but I've been trying to put it off; between Puff's elusiveness during the day and the expense that I know I will incur with three visits and a bunch of vaccines I just dread it. I should probably wait till Wren needs one too, and then take her along to get the three-in-one discount. But they have to be three of the same pet, and they all have to get the exact same things done. Like if one of them has matted fur and he combs it out, he'd use that as an excuse to say that they aren't eligible.
I worked three of five days this week and the two that I had off were the two days I said I could only do mornings. I was actually relieved to have the days off, although I admit to pretty much wasting the first, and I am now halfway through doing the same with the second. I registered my truck online for the next two years, and I have to pay a bunch of bills and reconcile my checking account, which hasn't balanced for about four months anyway.
In other news, we have the usual running around this weekend. E has basketball and a party, Megan has swimming and a trip to see Blue Man Group in NYC on Saturday, and Brian has physical therapy and swimming. His PT is going well, but I think after this visit they'll do a re-val to determine if they can keep him coming for more sessions or if he must be discharged. Last time they put him on the elliptical for five minutes. He was huffing and puffing and could barely make it. I need to get one of those for home!
Meanwhile, I did write and send the letter to the higher caliber school that put him on the wait list. He talks to others about their status, and the other wait-listed boy at school, who wrote a letter himself begging them to reconsider, told Brian that the school called his house the next day (!?) and told him that the second marking period grades will determine whether or not he gets in. Hopefully, Brian is still doing well. His mid-marking period progress report only had two negative comments: his math homework quality needed improvement, and he needed to stop talking inappropriately and excessively in drama class.
So I emailed that drama teacher about that, and spoke to Brian about both issues, and he insists that he has been doing all of his math homework so he doesn't know why she would say that. He claims she just checks to see if it's been done, but perhaps she is noting the quality as she does this. But the report cards come out at the end of this month. And also, we still haven't heard from the third school, which seems not to be a favorite choice of his. I guess it might depend on where he knows other people are going. But he adamantly states that he does not want to continue on with the same kids in the public school.
I have to get Molly and the baby cats to the vet this month but I've been trying to put it off; between Puff's elusiveness during the day and the expense that I know I will incur with three visits and a bunch of vaccines I just dread it. I should probably wait till Wren needs one too, and then take her along to get the three-in-one discount. But they have to be three of the same pet, and they all have to get the exact same things done. Like if one of them has matted fur and he combs it out, he'd use that as an excuse to say that they aren't eligible.
I worked three of five days this week and the two that I had off were the two days I said I could only do mornings. I was actually relieved to have the days off, although I admit to pretty much wasting the first, and I am now halfway through doing the same with the second. I registered my truck online for the next two years, and I have to pay a bunch of bills and reconcile my checking account, which hasn't balanced for about four months anyway.
In other news, we have the usual running around this weekend. E has basketball and a party, Megan has swimming and a trip to see Blue Man Group in NYC on Saturday, and Brian has physical therapy and swimming. His PT is going well, but I think after this visit they'll do a re-val to determine if they can keep him coming for more sessions or if he must be discharged. Last time they put him on the elliptical for five minutes. He was huffing and puffing and could barely make it. I need to get one of those for home!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year!
Well, it's been a while; time to resurrect the blog! Much has happened, perhaps not much noteworthy, but I'll try to sum it up here.
1) Back to school - it's been busy - the high school girls have hit the ground running with school, sports and homework. Megan's high school swim season is kicking up, she had a meet yesterday but it was a really easy one and she has two next week, I believe. The toughest ones are yet to come, but her team is now 4-0. She didn't go to one of the four, though. E is enjoying her basketball a bit more, although it's taking her away from her schoolwork much more than she would like.
2) Brian got a letter from one school that he had applied to, and he has been wait-listed. I'm not too sure what this means - apparently the Doll believed that all he had to do was pass the test, and he would be in. But she also told this guy (her contact from the inside) that if Brian can't use a laptop, he can't go to the school. So I just don't know. For now I am going to return the letter and ask them to yes, please keep him on the wait list. We should hear from the other two schools within 2-3 weeks.
3) I have been working, so far, for the past two days. Tomorrow I have lunch plans and Brian has physical therapy. He got sick over the break so he only went to one or two sessions, and is quite behind. I doubt if he's been doing his home follow-up like he should have been.
4) Rusty. I made the mistake of putting my jacket on the couch when I got home today. Rusty has made it his latest resting spot, and he's curled up in it, sound asleep. I don't have the heart to out the coat away!
Anyway, in other news, Kevin and Brian went to the Devils game the other night and had a great time. Brian wants to go again, apparently he enjoyed the hand to hand combat. Molly had blood all over her head the other day from one of her disgusting head tumors, but I didn't have time to take her to the vet so she seems to have recovered on her own. I have to take her anyway soon, as she, Puff, and Rusty all need their rabies vaccines. Otherwise, nothing noteworthy aside from the hustle and bustle of the holiday ending. Probably most of my readers attended most of my holiday exploits, which is pretty much the reason for the delay in the blog updates!
1) Back to school - it's been busy - the high school girls have hit the ground running with school, sports and homework. Megan's high school swim season is kicking up, she had a meet yesterday but it was a really easy one and she has two next week, I believe. The toughest ones are yet to come, but her team is now 4-0. She didn't go to one of the four, though. E is enjoying her basketball a bit more, although it's taking her away from her schoolwork much more than she would like.
2) Brian got a letter from one school that he had applied to, and he has been wait-listed. I'm not too sure what this means - apparently the Doll believed that all he had to do was pass the test, and he would be in. But she also told this guy (her contact from the inside) that if Brian can't use a laptop, he can't go to the school. So I just don't know. For now I am going to return the letter and ask them to yes, please keep him on the wait list. We should hear from the other two schools within 2-3 weeks.
3) I have been working, so far, for the past two days. Tomorrow I have lunch plans and Brian has physical therapy. He got sick over the break so he only went to one or two sessions, and is quite behind. I doubt if he's been doing his home follow-up like he should have been.
4) Rusty. I made the mistake of putting my jacket on the couch when I got home today. Rusty has made it his latest resting spot, and he's curled up in it, sound asleep. I don't have the heart to out the coat away!
Anyway, in other news, Kevin and Brian went to the Devils game the other night and had a great time. Brian wants to go again, apparently he enjoyed the hand to hand combat. Molly had blood all over her head the other day from one of her disgusting head tumors, but I didn't have time to take her to the vet so she seems to have recovered on her own. I have to take her anyway soon, as she, Puff, and Rusty all need their rabies vaccines. Otherwise, nothing noteworthy aside from the hustle and bustle of the holiday ending. Probably most of my readers attended most of my holiday exploits, which is pretty much the reason for the delay in the blog updates!
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