:(

Hard day.

Screaming kids at school, no extra help.

Can of cocoa at home; all over the floor.

Want love and companionship ... well - we have each other.

Gimme a break.

Summer School

My poor kids. All three have to go to school with me all summer. But they love it.

A few days ago, Crichton was helping me get my classroom ready for the morning. I had recently put up some art: Van Gogh, Monet, Hiroshige. Crichton was very interested in the Japanese artist - a few prints from 100 Views of Edo.

"Edo .. ohhh these must be old, from B.C. Before Edo burned."

"What?"

"Edo? You know ... that's what they called Tokyo before it was Tokyo?"

"Ohhhh. How do you know that? Where did you learn it?" I say, trying not to give away that I had no idea about the history of the art I was displaying.

"Dragon of the Red Dawn."

"Hmm?"

"Magic Tree House."

"I see."

This was the first time Crichton knew something I'd never known; that my kid taught me something I never knew (other than how to love someone more than life, of course). I'm sure it'll happen more and more now, but this was the first time, and it was kind of amazing to me. He's 8 now and capable of learning things all on his own.

I guess my work here is done. :)

Secrets

Crichton plops down next to me during lunch recess. (How I love that all my kids go to the same school and with me. It's a nice and unusual experience.)

"Now I know I who I can't trust!"

"What do you mean?"

"I told J- and M- a secret and they told each other my secret."

"You told them both?"

"I told M-, and then I was going to tell J-, but M- already told him."

"Hm. I see. What was the secret?"

He scrunches his nose and smile frowns and contorts his face in a way that makes moms say silly things like, "Be careful or your face will freeze that way."

"What was it," I asked again, smiling and now very curious.

"Its ... disgusting, I can't tell you."

"You told them. I'm your mom. You can tell me anything."

More funny faces, then slowly, "I put my finger in my butt crack and then smelled it. It smelled like poop."

We looked at each other and laughed.

"If you want to keep your secrets, don't tell anyone."

"Except you."

"Except me."

As I spill his secret across the internet.

If you want your secrets kept, don't tell anyone.

Did You Miss Me?

So. What do you blog about when you haven't posted to your daily blog for nearly a month? Apologies? Excuses? One last "so long and thanks for all the fish"?

I'm not done blogging.

I got a job.

A paying job. A job I could do probably forever. A job where I can take my kids with me, interact with them, and watch them thrive in a safe and stimulating environment. It's really a good thing.

But I miss my blog.

I miss the support and validation. I miss the ability to rant and rave publicly. I miss Free Time.

What can I do?

I'll blog when I can. It's the best I can do.

Because I have dreams of doing stand up comedy before I'm decrepit (whilst I'm still hot). What? I do!