Hairy issues

Well as usual there are some creative changes happening around here. Willow lost two teeth, Rowan lost a mass of wild hair, and Rheannon lost her inhibitions. All good things, if you ask me.
As the school year comes to a close I'm once again scrambling to come up with a new plan. I was offered a massage job about 25 miles away but after I crunched the numbers I realized I would be away from home 30 hours a week for $400 and the kids would be left to their own devices all that time- now their devices can be fairly inspired and some times dangerous so it doesn't seem like a smart move on my part. I'm still trying to build a clientele closer to home but I think I stepped into a luxury profession at just the wrong time, people are in belt-tightening mode. So, once again I'm back to college to finish that nursing degree. It's a fairly last minute decision so I'm really scrambling to get registered for the last few classes I can take at the community college while simultaneously applying for admission for the spring at the university and the nursing school- separate applications. The deadlines are soon. Very soon! I'm jumping through hoops as fast as I can.
If everything plays out like I'm planning Orion will be at the charter high school his sisters attended and Rheannon, Rowan, and Willow will all be at the Montessori school. That's going to involve it's own set of hoops; cross your fingers for me.

What a mother's day! I managed to get all of my kids in one place and playing a game that everyone could understand and enjoy- bowling. I even let Orion beat me at arm wrestling. Actually he's been trying hard for years to manage that and the last time it was so difficult for me that I knew he would likely win if I gave him another shot. It wasn't a decisive defeat though- it took Cailyn so long to take the picture that I used up my meager reserve of strength just holding him back. If I'm going to win I have to go for the quick pin.



Rheannon trounced him, though. So he's still got a healthy respect for the power of the women in his family.



It's so fun watching the kids bowl- it's like an extension of their personalities. Auburn was all about form and consistency.



While Cailyn was more a "make it up as you go" kind of bowler. Rather whimsical even.



Willow was all about the party. She was in snuggle heaven with both her big sisters around. She even got a few triumphant full-body lifts from Rowan and tried to give one to Orion.



Rowan's approach was charge at the line and hurl the ball like a shot put. He put so much energy into it it's a wonder he didn't end up half way down the lane himself.

I am a very, very lucky mother.

I believe I can fly

Randy sure has been influencing me lately. Sometimes I swear I can hear him grinning- you know what I mean; when Randy smiled it was almost loud. Of course you can't hear him grinning without also hearing that immortal phrase, "Drive fast, take chances."
Somewhere along the line I slowed way down. Frankly it's boring. So I've tightened my seat belt and hit the gas. Metaphorically, OK? No need to call highway patrol. I'm also taking some cues from the kids, who naturally know how to have fun as long as some painfully boring old person isn't sucking the joy out of the room. So while I'm revving the gas with one foot I'm riding the brake with the other- at least when it comes to telling the kids, "don't." My own personal motto is becoming, "why the heck not?"
As you can see, once I'm out of the way these kids can actually fly.

I'm getting more playful myself. I'm proud to say that I jumped right into the mix with kids playing games this Easter. (at least that's not egg on my face.) My dear friend, Gracie, and I actually won the three legged race. It wasn't even close. The rest of those geezers were still at the starting line trying to coordinate their strategies while Grace and I just ran. You'd be surprised how much ground you can cover when you quit worrying about "how" and just run.

Orion, always the charmer and I swear the reincarnation of Mr. Drive-Fast himself, was given his science teacher's Olymic bow (she was a world-class archer) and dozens of arrows. He's pretty good with that curvy stick. I'm derned impressed. And oh so envious. I have wanted a recurve since I was his age and discovered a sport I was actually good at. Anyhoo, now the little booger is planning to sell the bow. I might have to arm wrestle him for it- I'm pretty sure I can still take him. I hope.