The Next Chapter

The Grandma has arrived from Arizona and is here to stay! Hoo-ray!



Right this minute, she and Robby are out in the backyard playing in the water, as it is 95 degrees here today. I have free time! What do I do with it besides work? Blog.



The Grandma will be staying with us and Uncle Mike both until she finds a new home of her own here. I think this will work out well, since once she is tired of one of her kids, she can go bother the other one for a while. (Just kidding, Mom.)



And so, this marks the end of a chapter in in her life and the start of the next one. The last chapter didn't end well. Here's hoping for a fresh new start with lots of love, old and new friendships and prosperity.



I'd write more - but a client just called. See? What spare time.

Moving On

We moved Robby to a new daycare last week. He was showing some signs of stress and suddenly did not want to go to school in the morning. At fifteen, this would be normal, but at four it warranted looking into. It turns out that several factors were causing him problems. First and foremost was another kid in his class. Since it was a Lutheran daycare, they modeled Christ and did not turn anyone away. A very noble stand that allows kids kicked out of every other daycare in town a place to call home and create havoc.

At the risk of sounding like a snob, these kids are not acceptable company for my kid all day.

I feel bad for the little boy in his class that hits teachers in the face (other kids too when he can), bites and screams, "Fuck you, I hate you" at anyone who stands between him and what he wants. I disagree with their policy of letting in all children and not kicking anyone out (if they pay). Spock had it right when he said the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few - or the one.

There was also a teacher in the daycare who was full of so much drama that it made me look like a wallflower. She loves Robby fiercely and for almost three years looked after him. In the end though, she seemed like a dysfunctional aunt watching him and not a paid professional. It was a gut wrenching decision for me to move him. The Papa had no problem with it. That's because he is a Vulcan, like Spock, and could could see the sense in moving Robby long before I could.

We are all LOVING the new daycare, so far. The "teachers" are really teachers with degrees and education and training in child development. They let the kids play outside a lot in their massive outdoor area, which is something the other facility lacked. They provide lunch so we don't have to pack a lunch every morning. I have to say the best thing about the new daycare is that they have a web cam in all the classrooms and the playground. Parents can log on and watch their little angel nap, or in Robby's case, roll around on his mat and wiggle for two and a half hours. I've spent many minutes just watching him in the past week. It's reassuring to see him during the day and know what he is doing. We may not have to get his GPS chip installed for a few more years now.

Damn You PBS!

I know Robby read my last post because he woke up at 1 am this morning and didn't go back to sleep. He was coughing a little, but I think he was really up out of 3 year old spite.

We finally got him down for a nap at 1 pm and I don't think I'm going to wake him up.

And Robby? We're having tomatoes and broccoli for dinner.

Poppies! Poppies, Will Make Them Sleep!

About 2 months ago, Robby started refusing to take a nap at school. We tried having him listen to music on headphones, isolating him from the other kids, punishing him, all to no avail. The teachers had given up and who could blame them for that?

I know kids outgrow naps. Robby was walking around with dark circles under his eyes and his demeanor made it clear he needed some more sleep. The poor kid was born into genes that turn you homicidal without enough pillow time.

Almost two weeks ago, I gave Robby a choice. He could take his nap at school or he could go to bed at 7 pm every night instead of his usual 8 - 8:30 bedtime. Despite me pointing out to him if he napped at school he wasn't missing out on anything, and that going to bed at 7 pm would mean less time at home with us in the evening, he chose the earlier bedtime.

The last two weeks have been wonderful! He has slept well for the most part and wakes up happy. He is not grumpy when I pick him up from school and he doesn't even fight that hard to stay up past 7 pm. (Well, he did last night.)

I have to say it has been nice having the sweet agreeable child back. As much as an almost 4 year can be agreeable that is.

Typical Morning

I've struggled since my 20's with eating breakfast everyday. The Papa has tried numerous tricks to get me to eat every morning. Usually, Robby will eat alone while we get ready for work or make his lunch. After this morning's conversation, I think we all need to sit down and eat breakfast together every morning.


Robby: What do you call a baby elephant?

Me: A calf.

Robby: What do you call a baby pig?

Me: A piglet.

Me: What do you call a baby Robby who doesn't eat his breakfast?

Robby: A crab.

Got Your Number

I have not spoken to The Nanny since early November, when I begged her to call off the lawsuit she filed against The Grandma. I told her we could not talk if there was a lawsuit, as my mom's health was unstable at that point and I might have to take over her affairs. She didn't call it off.

She didn't call for my birthday. She didn't call at Thanksgiving. She didn't call at Christmas. She didn't call when she got my Christmas card with the picture of Robby on Santa's lap. She didn't call when she moved to another state. She didn't call when she turned off her phone and got another number. She didn't call with her new address. She didn't call.

Last week I got her number. I didn't call.

I'm really torn on this one. I know she is suffering from sort form of dementia, but that doesn't make it any easier to understand. I heard from lawyer to lawyer that she never wants to hear from me again. Why? I don't know. I want to hear it from her if she doesn't want me (or Robby) in her life. Just when I convince myself to dial her number, the fear of hearing her say just that stops me.

I know I have to call...eventually.

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