Weepy Mama

That is the best way to describe me right now. Well, really for the past few weeks.

Our yearly trip to the Pediatrician's office resulted in an ADHD diagnosis for The Shmoo. I have known since he was just hours old that he had more energy than most, but the label brings tears to my eyes. It's not " that" label that makes me sad, but rather any label. To me, he is the most perfect, loving, kind, angel. And, one on one, he is just that. But, throw him in a class with 19 other pre-schoolers, and he loses all ability to self regulate his behavior. He is not a mean, or viscous kid, but he struggles ( on a good day) to stay focused, and calm.

Today has me down right lost. His current pre-school has waited until today, a month after our parent teacher conference, to tell us that they are not sure they can " support" him there. That it is very hard to have him in class. Really, just today? Now you think is the right time to tell us? I have my ear to the ground for a new place for him, but mid year is hard, and we are on a shoe string of a budget.

I am not a home schooler, but I told J today that I might have to be. It would mean boxing up all of my fabric, and diving head first into teaching. And not just teaching, but teaching my lovely boy all the important things while reminding him how wonderful he is. What a good person he is.

I dropped him off today and almost couldn't let go. He was so excited to see his friends, and I just wanted to grab him and run.

Like any parent, I want him to be loved, challenged, appreciated, and most of all to feel as if he is an important part of the world, and that is not happening for him at school right now.

I have piles of work to do, but I cannot seem to keep the tears at bay. Maybe a cup of tea and a good long cry will help. Maybe!

It's Halloween Season..

or so says The Shmoo! We spent the day with a good friend doing " Fallish" things. That included visiting 2 local farm stands looking for the perfect pumpkins and feeding a few local pets. We took only back roads, got lost twice, and had the loveliest day!

J and our friend carved pumpkins while I cleared off the table so that we could actually eat dinner at the table! We all ( even the wild 4 year old who would rather be playing than eating) gathered together, and enjoyed a hot meal of pot roast, mashed potatoes, and fresh asparagus. We finished it off with locally made pumpkin pie!

The weather was beautiful, the leaves were well worth peeping, and the company extraordinary! I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such beauty, both in the place we live and the friends we have.

These are the outcome of today's carve-a-ton. We have a mama and another baby that need to be carved, but that will have to wait for another day.

May the beauty of the season bring you peace!

4!

On Monday my baby turned 4! I can hardly believe that it has been 4 years since he was born. Most days it feels like just yesterday, and then others I'm sure he's 20 :-) His big present his year was a bike from his Grandmother ( mother-in-law). This picture was taken at around

7:45 pm ( way past this time he would usually be up and about). He was so excited that he ended up in the driveway riding with his same outfit on!!!

We ( I mean I) decided that this year we would have to move the party away from our house. Our new " cabin" is much to small for a party! So, we ( I ) made a reservation at Chuck E' Cheese! Now, for anyone that knows me this is the most off the wall plan. But, I have a wild little boy who loves games, the chance to run around, and be as loud as he wants to be!

So, with my mom ( GG), his two Godmothers in from London and DC, and my dear friend NayNay we hit the round running. The Godmothers and his Dada were game playing machines, and ended up winning us well over 1,000 tickets! Here is just the beginning of the stash.

And here he is in all of his glory. The glare is towards the person dressed up as a giant RAT! He was not a fan of that part of the day. He is SO my child!

And this, is him the NEXT day all decked out in his Chuck E' Cheese glory! The soccer ball was purchased with all of this tickets, and rounded out a wonderful day.

He was wearing his crown again is morning just to make sure it still fit his 4 year old head! It was a great weekend surrounded by family and friends. I feel so lucky to have him as a son, and honored to be his mother!

DQS9

This is my 4th round of the Doll Quilt Swap, and I've yet to be disappointed!

My partner loves bright colors, birds, and underwater creatures.

So, I made her a quilt titled: The Grass is Always Greener..." ( on the left)

In return, I received the most lovely quilt from Viv. Each square if unique, and the birds are perfect in their simply forms! It's hanging in my living room so that I can admire it everyday, and I do!!! Thank you for the time and energy you put into my quilt, Viv!

I was much quieter this round, but it felt right for me. The threads of discussion were so active that it would take me hours to catch up to even comment. So, while I did follow the discussions my comments were kept to a minimum!

The last few months in photos...

I've been MIA, but I am ready to make a come back!

My sewing machine has been humming, and I've ironed so much I had to purchase a new one a few weeks ago! So, I've been:

Quilting along with Tia

Playing virtual and in person scrabble with my DH! Yes, he wins every time. What can I say, he was a Business/ HR major, and I was an Art Education major!

Spending time visiting friends. This was taken in Burlington, VT where the pool temp was a balmy 69 degrees. No, I did not get in :-) I was happily sewing hexis together while these brave boys were swimming!

Making commission quilts ( more on that later)

Making quilts for all the babies being born around me. Pattern by Oh! Fransson.

Looking forward to spending more time in this space.

Happy Fall!

Happy Mother's Day...

To all of you who are Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers, and Women who inspire and support others!

I plan on spending the day hugging on my sweet Shmoo, and remembering how lucky I am to be his Mother!

If you have not already, make sure you let those important Women in your life know how much you appreciate them.

Peace be with you

I'm not a runner...

But I run. I am short ( 5' 3") and I DO NOT have a runners body!

I've never been a " sporty" girl. I danced throughout junior high and high school. But, I started running in college, and never looked back. I completed my first half marathon weeks after graduating from college, my second months before meeting my husband to be, and the third, well, funny you should ask. My third will be in 4 days.

This is my first big run since giving birth, and let me tell you...everything is NOT the same as it once was. I seem to pick up speed during the last stretch in order to get to the potty ASAP.

My previous two runs were for me, to prove that I could. And, I did. However, this one is for others. I will be running as part of a team. Upper Valley Haven is a shelter/ food pantry/ transition center. Of all the teams I could be running for, I am proud to be a member of this one! My family and friends have been so generous in their monetary support as well as emotional support!

So, while I have been sewing quite a bit ( new post tomorrow on all that), most of my free time has been spent running. Hopefully all of my hard work will pay off, and I will not be the LAST person across the finish line:-)

Peace be with you