Odds and Ends

Over the weekend, Emanuel's report card arrived in the mail. Straight A's. Words can't describe how proud we are of him. He is totally self motivated, self-directed and very driven. He cashed in big time on his grades. We have a payment system with the kids in which all parties agree that we will pay them $5 per each "A" and $3 for each "B". Nothing for a "C". But...THEY will pay US $3 for each "D" and $5 for each "F". We also, in a rare moment (okay, no so rare) of parental weakness, agreed to shell out fifty bucks for straight A's. Emanuel has collected his cash and is very happy. Really, we didn't mind paying it at all. He is a great kid.

Today, Drew and Brandon have doctors appointments...all the way at St. John's. I'd been seriously dreading it. Come on. All kids Brice and under plus Drew (who can't be really helpful due to the IV and IV pole he's attached to) and Brandon. Yikes. Drew had to go to clinic for low platelets (yes, the big 6 hour treatment. IVIG. Yuck). Brandon needed a post-op consult to look at his incision site. Yes, I was supposed to do that weeks ago. But its a two hour round trip drive and the incision looked great. I didn't want to waste a day of school (that he can't really spare in the first place) plus all that driving and kid wrangling for the doctor to say "looks great!" There were no stitches that needed removed and I could already SEE that it looked great. Until it started to look...not so great. Great. Now he needs an appointment. I scheduled it for this morning but over the weekend learned that Drew needed to be seen also this morning....and the rest of the day...on into the evening for his platelets. I was gathering up my courage and strength reserves and planning out how I'd make it through the day...when Albert offered to go for me. So now, my husband is at clinic with Drew and Brandon, and I'm home with Brice and the babies.
I just got an update from Albert that Brandon's appointment is completed. The surgeon came in, looked for exactly ten seconds and said "Okay. Looks good." The end. See why I hadn't wanted to schedule it? An entire missed day of school (complete with tomorrow night's hellish make up work) all for that. Now they are in clinic...starting up the IVIG. I'm was happy that Albert volunteered to go and I didn't have to . Truthfully he volunteered to stay home with little people while I went but then we decided that he should just go. Seemed good this morning when I was able to get a little bit of housework done. Okay, not done. Started. Now I'm second guessing that choice.
So far this morning, Bree has almost eaten a Christmas tree light. Yes, we are lame and yes we just took our tree down yesterday. I know, I know, I know. That Gretchen Wilson song was playing in my head while I was removing ornaments "And I keep my Christmas lights up on my front porch all year long..." Okay so at least we aren't THAT bad! I've broken up about 12 fights between various little ones. Right at this exact moment, Isaiah is crying because Brice called him "stinky". He wants my reassurance that he is indeed NOT stinky. I wish I could reassure him but it appears that Brice was correct. Alex and Sydney are throwing apple slices across the kitchen and delighting in the fact that Zoe the dog runs after them each time, but then stops short- disappointed- when she realizes its just an apple slice. Our dog isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. I am hiding chocolate chip cookies behind the laptop. I don't want the babies to know that I am enjoying cookie goodness while they are having crackers, cheese and apple slices. Nor that I'm having root beer and they have milk.
Once, again, Alexandria's sheets....are in the washer. Along with Sydney's. A double bounty of wet beds this morning.
Maybe I should have gone to clinic. I have tons of homework to do, including my paper, which is now officially late, regarding the 2005 patriot act and how it relates to organizational discrimination and harassment. I didn't pick the topic- it was assigned. Nap time and school bus time are fast approaching. My favorite time of the day. Gotta run...two kids are trying to ride the dog.