Thursday, July 09, 2015

The school reports are in...

It's official--Dylan has been listed as a "gifted and talented" student.

And Edith is doing really well, also. Her note from the head teacher called her a "lovely girl." That's true most of the time.

Parents' evening was Tuesday for us, and we had glowing reports from both of their teachers. They have been very impressed with my little darlings, and are very pleased with the academic progress they made.

Dylan's teacher, Mr. Corrigan, was most pleased with Dylan's prowess in Maths. He is already done with the level 4 test, and will be starting next year at the level he should achieve by the END of next year. He's always been good with numbers though--I remember him counting (and understanding the numbers) at the age of about 20 months. Obviously didn't get that from me, but I'm pleased he has the knack.

Mrs. Percy, Edith's teacher, praised her creativity and love of reading and writing. She has imagination coming out of her eyeballs, and can spin a story with great ease. She's not so great with focusing on things, but that's because she is so busy daydreaming. Once she is focused, she is wicked smart.

I keep having these perfect moments with my kids. I'm not counting on them lasting forever, because I know that they will get annoying and I will be short with them. But the first years were HARD! Now, there are times when we are out doing something as a family and I think to myself, "This is what I imagined having children would be like." And those moments are so glorious!

I had one last night, as a matter of fact. Martin was playing 5-a-side football with his friends and it was no-tech day. So after dinner, the kids and I went on a bike ride. We had no errands to run--we went purely for the fun of it. We rode down to water's edge, along the Humber bank, and through the park. Then, on the way home, we found a new cherry tree. So we stopped and picked and ate cherries for about 10 minutes, and had a stone spitting competition. Dylan is getting very good at spitting cherry pits! Then we rode home and the kids got ready for bed. We read scriptures together in my bedroom, then said prayers. Goodnight kisses all 'round, then they went up to bed. And I was so grateful for the blessing that my children are to me.

Motherhood has never set well with me. I don't know why. It makes me feel like less of a woman, to be honest. We are supposed to be loving and nurturing and all that jazz. That's just not me. But I feel like I'm coming to a place with my kids, now that they don't need such constant physical care, where I can be true to myself and still be a good parent to them. I guess I'm realizing that motherhood isn't one-size-fits-all, and though I can't be that caring, selfless, nurturing mom, I can still be a GOOD mom. Maybe even a great one, occasionally. After all, these kids are doing just fine.

Life plods on much the same as usual over here. Work is good, church is good, home is great. Even our social lives have picked up a bit. I've made a few new friends and picked up a few new massage clients, which is nice. Martin is still waiting for his certification papers from the college, so he can't get site work as a joiner yet. But he is picking up a few jobs here and there, and we are managing. Money continues to be a stressful issue, but not a debilitating one.

I'm at work now, and listening to the church clock chime 2pm. It's one of my favourite things about working here--the church bells chiming every quarter of an hour.

I know this will probably jinx it, but I feel weirdly content right now. Maybe it's the fluoxetine talking, but everything seems to be really good. I hope life can stay like this for a little while. Well, mostly like this, but with Martin working full time again.

Only two more weeks of school for the kids, then they will be on their six week summer holidays. Weirdly, I am really looking forward to it. I think they are, too.

Seriously, I think somebody is smoking pot outside my bedroom window at night. I am so mellow. Awesome!

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