Lots going on right now.

My word it has been a long time.

Emma has started first grade and is doing wonderful. Her first progress report states, "Emma is amazing." I kind of already knew that, but it was fun to hear from an outsider. I just cannot believe how smart she is. She is reading chapter books now. I ordered the "Junie B. Jones" series for Christmas. I think it was the next day she tells me that her teacher has given her the same series to read in class--everyone has a set of books in a magazine rack under their desk. Not many are reading at this level in grade one---at least not in her class. I am anxious to speak with the teacher at conferences in a couple of weeks.

James is smart as whip too, as quick as one. And Sneeeeeeaky. That boy will try to get away with anything. If anyone out there raising boys can give me some advise about the 4th year of life, I am open to advise, words of encouragement, anything. I am pretty sure he will need speech therapy when he is in school....although, I am not completely unconvinced that he is just normal and the Emma was the one who is "not normal." He has such extreme weeks with his behavior. One will he will be super and the next week, I am afraid to pick him up, because I am certain to run into a teacher who will tell me how AWEFUL he was that day. This is my biggest stress of the day. I have seen a parenting counselor to help me "deal" with this, teach me some things. We also have an appointment this month with the pediatrician to have him tested for ADHD. Then I talked to a parent today who says her boy was just like James and he started to get over it about 4 1/2 years, and has shown even more improvement at age 5. Gosh, I sure hope this is the case with Bubba.

Both of the kids are looking forward to my mom's annual bonfire. Earning tickets has meaning now. Oh, we use the ticket system at our house. Get a ticket for using manners, going to bed like a big kid, being good at school, etc,...Lose a ticket for yelling, snitching, having a bad day at school, talking back to the parents, etc,....Pay tickets for fun things like the bonfire (don't worry, mom, I am making sure that they have enough to go), paint nails, stay up late, have an extra dessert, etc,..... James did not seem to care too much about losing tickets until this summer when I left him home while Emma and I went to Chicago without him. He sure does NOT want to be left out of that bonfire. He knows how much fun we have.

I am still up writing for another reason....I am trying to be "little susie homemaker" as Kevin says. I was given a bread maker. I started my first loaf after I made dinner tonight. Didn't know it was going to take 4 hours and 10 minutes. I am not sure what in my mind thought that 4:10 was in minutes and seconds for BREAD. It can't be because I had two ankle bitters nibbling, nor because it takes less than 4 min., 10 sec. to go downstairs, get frozen bread, thaw in microwave, and make a sandwich. Man I must be tired. Anyway, the bread won't be done until almost 10pm which for tonight is about 1:30 (hours and minutes) past when I wanted to be asleep.

I am not sure how this bread with turn out. The manual is VERY confusing. I was under the impression that I was supposed to use the white bread recipe as a base and add the ingredients for a flavored bread if I wished. NOPE. Just have to follow the flavored bread recipe. So, in other words, I combined two recipes into one. Have you ever tried white, pumpkin bread? We are about to. Call me, I will save you a peice. Humph. I will try again following the correct recipe next time. I am determined, unlike the previous owners of the bread maker, to make more than one loaf. I almost feel obligated to do so....So many ingredients for one loaf to never be used again.

If you have one, I would like a zucchini bread recipe. I know brother Joe has one, right? Banana bread?

The job is going well. I have 3 students in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. My aide is still out on maternity, so the days are a bit long and boring. The kids are interesting to talk to. Although, sometimes they tell me too much.

Kevin is still sober. He works too much or is it that he sleeps too much? I can't wait until I have a day off so that we can spend some time together.

Happy fall.