School's out for Summer!

Today, it's been a week since school got out for Walnut and Peanut. We don't have any big plans, yet. Walnut is going to be in a Pepsi and Hot Dog bowling league and Peanut needs to get some speech therapy. All three of them need to have swimming lessons, but I'm not sure if that will happen. Lots of outside time is definitely on the agenda.

My plan is to do lots of sewing and jewelry making. I'm really enjoying my sewing machine. I've made pillow cases for the boys and just finished a skirt for Cashew. When Mandie gets back, I'll have her post some pictures of some of the stuff I've made. (I'm html impaired) I have material to make some shorts for the boys and on Wednesday, my blessed mother-in-law is taking my kids for the entire day and I'm going to attempt to follow this tutorial and make a blouse for my self.

I'm growing some plants, too. I have 3 tomato plants and 5 pepper plants growing in my back yard. I'm pretty excited about them, but I'm getting annoyed at those pesky weeds that keep popping up.

So that's the update on the Nuts. Stay tuned for news of a possible jewelry giveaway. I've made some bracelets that need a home.

Peanut's First Day of School

Since Peanut celebrated his third birthday last week, he is no longer eligible for Early Intervention. This means he goes to school now to receive his therapies and so forth. We had an IEP meeting (Individual Education Plan) and it was decided that Peanut would go to pre-school 4 mornings a week and receive Speech, Occupational and Physical therapies. The classroom that he is in is especially for kids with speech problems. We visited the classroom and Peanut had a wonderful time. Our biggest concern was that he would have an hour bus ride home from school. So yesterday was the big day, Peanut was nearly beside himself with excitement and couldn't wait to get his back-pack on. Filbert got to drive him on his first day, because I took him for the visit. I'm still not sure that was quite fair. Then I just had to wait for the bus to bring him home. The bus was scheduled to drop him off at 12:07. I had my coat on and was waiting by 11:55. At 12:17, I called the school to find out where my baby was, and as soon as I was put on hold I saw the bus coming up the street. I ran down to driveway to meet it, but it drove right past. I ran after it for about a 1/2 block but then I could see it turning a corner, so I turned around to head it off at the next block. I flagged the bus down and found that the driver had been given bad directions. Peanut was sound asleep so he did not see the crazy lady chasing a bus down the street, but I'm afraid most of my neighbors did and I've been trying so hard to keep the crazy in the house.

Abuse in Chicago Public Schools

I don't know if you've read about the current allegations that there has been widespread abuse in the Chicago Public schools. I'm appalled. 818 students since 2003 have come forward alleging abuse by the teachers and staff at their schools.

As a former teacher. I have no words. Everyone in the public schools knows better. There is no excuse.

As a parent, I am beyond words. I have a problem right now with a bully in day care with String Bean. I can handle that. It is kid on kid bullying. (Ok to be fair, the kid is about 3 years old and my String Bean is 15 months--no real harm is being done, but who would have thought I'd have to deal with this issue already?) This problem I am dealing with is just a drop in a swimming pool compared to a pool full of problems like the CPS is dealing with now.

Come on!