We have had a busy month. I am trying to get caught up, but sis's continued drama, my school work, Rocket's school and other activities and just life keeps getting in the way
this picture belongs with the last part of this post. Just check out the doggie in the window.
In March, the kids had their piano recital. We got dressed up and sis's bio mom came to the recital too. It was good for her to see sis thriving and to see what sis is capable of doing when she is pushed along and she is held to standards. It looks like sis is going go home to mom with some intensive support services in place. Mom has not parented in almost 2 years, she does not have the support system any more and she will need to have plans in place for child care (sis can not stay home alone for 8+ hours while mom works), and care if mom is hospitalized again due to conditions caused by her drug use.
Mom is currently hospitalized again and that has the social workers thinking about what care/plans have to be in place. I am hopeful that mom will succeed, but I am scared she will not. That is going to devastate sis.
the boy does not smile for me any more
getting their awards from Mrs. Starla.
we went to the park to see Spring flowers!
Me and doggie while I am working- I am standing at my desk and the doggie is busy looking out the window.
Gorgeous sunrise over the neighborhood.
flowering trees in our neighborhood- I was showing my colleagues in South Africa what is looks like here in the Spring with trees blooming out.
The phlox blooming in my front yard. These are my first flowers in my yard each Spring.
Pablo enjoying the sun in the front yard
teenager!
We had some bad storms in the last 2 weeks. This was the one that came in and spawned tornadoes on the east side of town. Nothing near us, but I had just put the kids on the bus and then walked into the house to see the newscasters telling people east of us to take shelter!
Easter Weekend, I took the kids north to visit my oldest friend. It was a good weekend- we got away, I got to talk to grownups most of the weekend. The only bad part was sis's constant need to undermine the good weekend and try to control me all the time. Thankfully, it looks like she will be moving out in 4 weeks. I can make it, Rocket can make it (she is making his life HELL at school).
Natural Science museum at the University of Michigan
cool looking flower in the flower shop
Swimming- no words here- the kids are fish/water babies
Rocket sitting in Mrs. B's 1st grade chairs. He is definitely not kid sized any more.
Some cool art work in the school- these are birch trees, which are abundant in the US Midwest
El and her exchange student. Everyone on their devices
more swimming. I spent my time in the hot tub.
the kids on Easter morning before the Easter egg hunt:
Rocket, sis, Little C, Little E (not so little any more), and A (from Italy)
hunting for eggs
Me and El- we have known each other since we were in 7th grade (about age 1/12), but we have been friends since 8th grade (ages 12/13). so 40 years of friendship for us!!!
While we were gone, Mam visited with my sister, her daughter and the great grand daughters. 4 generations here.
My nephew and his soon to be finance, my niece holding one of her daughters, my niece's partner and the other daughter.
During Spring Break last week, I took Rocket shopping for his graduation suit. He liked this one- there is a better picture below.
I took the kids to the zoo another day (I worked half days while the kids were on break). All the flowers were in bloom- though toward the end of the blooming season. They still looked awesome
Our hippos (Fiona and her momma Bibi) sleeping in the sun
tired lion
Giraffes
better picture of the giraffe enclosure
LOVE!!!!!
We ran into Rocket's friend from school and walked around with them for awhile. The boys are showing off that they can reach the sign now.
Rocket helping M reach the sign.
The Red Pandas were on the move! I was so happy. These animals look so cute!!!
sleeping crocodiles.
More gorgeous flowers
sis at the flowers
Rocket (looking like he is pain while smiling) at the flowers
Me and the flowers.
more pretty flowers
Dogwood tree- I want one of these now.
Cougar!!!
Sis has grown enough to almost be as long as the tiger
Rocket is still longer than the tiger. He is now 5 foot 6 inches tall (he thinks he is 5 foot 8 inches, but the ruler does not lie). He is 135 pounds.
the Polar bear was out. We are hoping for polar bear cubs in the coming years
Me and another dogwood tree.
This past Saturday, Rocket helped at an Eagle Scout project. One of his friend's older brother is working on his Eagle Scout rank. The project is at a site close to our house- where the religious community is working with the poor and elderly in our city. The project is to make a garden. So the boys had to plant all 170 plants along the path. They had to dig the holes, then back fill the hole with good soil and plant the plants.
Rocket worked from 8 am - 10:15 am, then we left for his soccer game and then came back after the soccer game to finish up. The project finished up around 2:30 pm.
While the boys were digging the holes, they kept running into rocks about half way down. Here is Rocket with P and E and one of the rocks they dug out. Yes, all the rocks they dug out ended up in my garden (the very top picture)
Sunday evening, the eagle scout and his brothers, along with dad came over to bring all the rocks the boys dug up to my house. In 15 minutes, we had them all spread around my garden. I am so excited about my rock retaining wall. I have started warning the kids in the neighborhood that I see any rocks in the yard, or in someone hands, etc, and that will end all the kids playing in my yard. We'll see how it goes. I might be the meanest mom in the room.
love and hugs,
Deb
