Off-Track

Year round school. Totally new concept to me. Yes, I knew it existed, but I had never actually lived by it in anyway. Year round did not come along until I was out of elementary school (way back in the day) and since this is my first child in the public school system, I am a year round virgin. I am pausing while you giggle. So I sit here, finally nearing the end of our first off-track block, and wholly crap am I glad it is nearly over. I have no idea who in the heck came up with this whole idea, but really................they were dumb. You are on-track just long enough to develop a routine, establish a pattern and then ta-da............throw a wrench in the whole works. I am not particularly thrilled. And I am not sure it is great for the kids, but what do I know I am just the mom.


So, off-track. I feel like I have spent the last 2 1/2 weeks fighting an invisible monster (school schedule) and just allowing the kids to be kids and do kid things. I have tried to keep them on track with bedtime and meal times and all that, but at some point I think you gotta go with the flow. We have been lucky to have Daddy home the whole time until just this past week, so that has been nice. And we have had the chance to do a few big things. We went to Red Butte Gardens with my mom. And Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point, where we rode the ponies. We bought ice cream from the ice cream truck. And we have made so many laps to Richmond's house (down the street) and back, that I am pretty sure there are tracks in the asphalt and the concrete. Tonight we will end our 1st off track ever with the mother of all kid events. The sleepover!! Nathan and Katy and Alex are so excited. We chowed the pizza. I ordered waaaay to much as usual! And now they are off playing before we pull out the popcorn and movies. Ahhhh kid heaven.

Monday morning will be interesting to say the least. I will have to let you know how back to school goes. For now, I think we will enjoy the weekend. Daddy is off, I have a trip to get ready for, and no matter what, Monday will come all too soon. Until then, maybe we will do what we have done for the past 3 weeks. Pretend that it is not waiting in the wings.

Sad.

We are sad around here. We lost a friend. And KeAnne's sister this past weekend. As hard as it is for me to know she is gone, I am even more hurt for my sweet sister-in-law. And to have to watch my little brother watch his wife hurt. I wish more than anything I could take it all away from them, to not have to see her cry and to see the anguish in his eye as he sees his wife's heart breaking. It just kills me.

Sweet Talese. I wonder if you know the wave you have made. I am sure you have no idea how far reaching this is. How many people you have affected. An insignificant moment, but, it is said that the beat of a butterflies wings can cause a hurricane. And boy has it. We will miss you. We will love you. I will keep in my heart my memories of you. The last, most vivid, you sitting at a long table with a cake in front of you. No utensils to be found, but that did not stop you. You dug right into the frosting and told me to come have some...it was pretty good. You always had a sweet tooth. I pray that you have found peace. And that your friends and family will too.