One Boy Missing

One would think that when one has 4 children, one would not be so full of anxiety when a child is away.
Daniel is away at 6th grade camp this week -Mon thru Fri- and everything just feels "off". My friends make fun and call me a Mother Hen, but I miss them when they are gone. Even when they are just down the driveway at Grandma's. No offense Mom, you understand don't you?
I am not a parent who gladly sends the kids off to friends' houses on the weekends. I am sure that I am doing a disservice to them by not letting them go, but I don't care. Maybe this feeling is why Dad never let us stay away? Maybe I am neurotic. There is nothing specific that I worry about, I know that he is safe, there is just a void here-- in my heart of hearts.

Happy Mother's Day!

A very Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers, and Mother-type people out there. It's a job, but somebody's got to do it! I think that I prefer it to any other job, even though I sometimes want to proclaim loudly that "I don't want to be the Mom any more!" It is just a passing urge. Last night after James' baseball game, we had pizza, and went shopping for Mother's Day gifts. John told me that I would have to go somewhere else while he and that kids shopped. I told him that I wanted shoes, and he said I had better come in and pick them out. Just what I hoped! I know it is a rather unusual gift, but it is "just what I wanted"! I'm all about practical gifts.
Happy Mother's Day!

Juvie or Jail?

Today we went to James' baseball game in Willard. We were suppose to meet at Northmor and follow everyone there, but John decided that we would just drive ther ourselves. "It's right across from Willard High School". I mapquested Willard High School, and off we flew because we were running a little late! We found our way to Willard, but darned if there was any park that we could see across from the school, and the school had a front and back entrance. After driving around in some questionable areas of town looking for a "train that is in front of the park"- (there were train tracks all over the place), John made ME call the coach. We finally found the place, and James had to warm up by himself. The game was a disappointment. We were glad that it was the last one.
On the way home, we passed the Reformatory in Mansfield. I pointed it out to Abby who said "Is it Juvie or Jail?" I nearly lost it. I asked her what she said, and she repeated it. She is SIX! Where does she GET this? I asked. "A movie", she informed me. Way too much T.V. We really should pull the plug!

More Music

Tonight James had his last band concert for the year. First he had a baseball game and then we met him and John at the High School for the concert. This concert was a bit longer than last week's because the High School band also played. It was nice, and there is a HUGE difference between 6th grade and Jr. High band. The Jr. High has band every day, and 6th grade only twice a week. Again, I never hear James practice. He leaves his trumpet in the bandroom at school. Oh well, you can only do what you can do. I'm sure that John is planning on him quitting in High School, but the band geek in me kind of hopes that he plays in the Marching Band. It probably wouldn't help his image any, but it sure is a lot of fun!

First Communion

Today Anna made her First Holy Communion. She has waited all year for it, and was very excited. She even wrote a poem about it the week before:

I'm half way in the church and I'm relly relly nervous but the thing is The Church hasn't started the service. I practised day and night but my dress is a little tight! I'm going to recive bread and wine and my teacher will give me a sign. I Loved it!

That is the entire poem be Annne Katherine. None of the spelling has been changed. I wish we could all be so young and excited about life. She is constantly writing things.

It was a beautiful day, and Sarah and Darren, Jen and Dave and Mom and Dad all came over afterward for lunch. We should have Sunday dinners more often!