Snorkeling

Pat and the little man went out and did a little snorkeling at the park across the street.  The little man was pretty tentative.  He did venture out a bit and then would swim back to where he could touch ground.  They saw lots of fish.  I think he enjoyed it.  I know Pat did.  And now he can say he can say he has been snorkeling in Maui.  :)

Water Time and Geckos

The best time was had hunting for geckos.  And Maui has a lot of them.  The little woman discovered that the bigger ones bite.  The littler ones might also but their mouths aren't big enough to hurt.  She spent time every day searching through the trees behind us looking for them.
Every day had at least three hours in the pool.  Not all at once.  Once in the morning.  Once in the afternoon and then again after dinner.  Trying to stay out of the worst sun.  Maui was having a heat wave.  Broke records from twenty years ago. 
I watched in amazement as they discovered goggles are best for pools as it helps keep the chlorine out of the eyes.  They became so much more comfortable in the water.  Not in the not afraid of anything way, but in the way of discovering what they can do.  The little man discovered he floats really well and that led him to swimming in the deep end a lot.  They learned more how to dive and get things off the bottom of the pool without having to think about what they needed to do.  It was just awesome. 

Luau

Since I am the only one who has been to a Luau before we made a reservation to go to one.  We attended the one at the  Grand Wailea Resort Hotel.It is quite a set up and the food was really good.  Best one I had been to anyway.  There was a game being played before dinner and the little man took turn after turn after turn.  He was amused anyway.  The kids enjoyed the fire dancers and the woman up in the air on curtain type things. The name just totally escapes me right now. 
The only disappointment was we did not make it back in time to swim again in the pool.  They actually lock the gates when it is closing time.  Methinks they have had issues before.  ;p

Pat, Rental Cars and the Beginning of Swimming

We got up early and headed back to rental car company.  We got a Mazda cx-5 and I did not lose my deal on the price by being "late".  It is a nice car and has lots of room.  From there we went back to the airport to pick up Pat.  He was flying in from the big Island. 
All good.  Hit a grocery store and again had sticker shock.  Took the groceries home and got settled.  Then I took the kids down to the beach and Pat walked around the park.  The little man discovered the joys of boogie boarding.  The little woman loved the water until she didn't.  She really did  not like how salty it was and so this was her only venture in the water until the last day. 

For dinner we went to this place called Coconuts.  Fish and chips brings you two pieces of fish.  One mahimahi and the other ono. I think the consensus was we liked the ono best.  A side of fries is really a side of fries.  Loved the ambiance and the tables

An Adventure

We had dinner at the airport before out flight out.  Pizza. 
Once on the plane I couldn't help but notice the ashtray by the restroom on the plane.  Wait...what?  There were no ashtrays by the seats.  Said something to the flight attendant and she explained they had to have them for travellers who may not realize our rules.  They have to provide a place to extinguish any cigarettes that may get lit.  Well that made sense, but it sure was funny to see.
We arrived on Maui at 7 pm and cannot find our rental company.  Finally we ask someone and they let us know that our company closes early.  Like 5 pm on weekends.  Oy.  No sense in complaining and so we went on an adventure and took a lyft to our condo.  Half the money I save by using this company was now eaten up in lyft drivers as we will need a return lyft tomorrow. 
We arrived at the condo and went to bed.  After all it is three hours earlier there, but we are on our time. 

Big Concert

Oh my gosh. I have got to tell you a concert up near the front is so much different than from the grass.  I was so excited to go and I had the best time.  Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd both put on a tremendous show.  There is such a difference in the level of the shows put on by "bigger" bands.
My friend, Doug, took me and two of his other friends came along.  One I knew and I had just met.  They had a spectacular time also.  My friend Michael and her husband were there and we connected for about two minutes.  Paving life looks good on her.
Thank you so much Doug.  I can never express my gratitude in full.

Babysitting

Cassie and David took the big kids to see the new Lion King movie.  I got to babysit baby chunk.  He didn't know what to make of me at first, but he soon loved me.  We played and played and then he fell asleep in my arms.  Thankfully I was able to lay him down on the couch and he took a good nap.  He so needed it as he was completely off his schedule.
The kids enjoyed the movie.  And the time with Mommy without a baby underfoot.  Win win for sure.

Sibling Love

The kids spent all day playing.  The little woman took her little sister with her over to friends's house.  That made it much quieter in our house.  The littlest man is very very busy.  Always on the go.  Keeps everyone on their toes.
We had dinner at Las Mesitas.  And then we spent about an  hour at the park letting the kids burn off a little more energy.  I loved that David played with them and helped the little woman off the rock a few times. 
All the kids seem to be enjoying their time together.  It's a good thing. 

Full House

Cassie and entourage arrived today.  They ended up getting a ride with a friend of David's dad's.  Immediately our house was full.  And it is amazing that four kids can make a mess so fast.  Toys everywhere.  I didn't even think the littles had that many toys.  They played with a lot of stuff that doesn't normally get played with anymore. 
So we have been saying the baby boy's name wrong all this time.  Going to take a little getting used to saying the right way.  And he is a cutie with a lot of facial expressions. 
Kids are very happy to be spending time with Mommy. 

Dinner at the Park

We got some work done as planned.  And then it was pretty warm outside.  I don't like cleaning the car in the heat.  So we went and grabbed some dinner and headed to the park.  Had a little picnic and then the little man burnt off some energy. 
He had quite a day.  The therapist came in the morning and they played some games.  The the home specialist came for the little woman, who was conveniently gone.  So he talked with me about all the things coming up and how to keep talking about feelings.  While doing that he played cards with the little man. 
Then he made a new friend to play with at the park. 
After we got back from the park the car awaited.  The little man actually helped me do some cleaning in it.  Sometimes he can be so sweet. 
I found out we can stay in the local area.  Turns out the local mobile park is not yet a complete 55+ community.  So that opens up a whole new scenario again.  Made me happier. 

Plans? Haha

We have two days to get the house cleaned and the car cleaned out.  As I get older and tireder I have less ambition and motivation.  So I know I need both days to get it done.  So I'm starting and getting some odds and ends put away, when I hear this crash.  Oy.  Mike was trying to move some shelves in the garage.  He must not have realized it had a weak spot and it fell.  Mostly there was nothing breakable on it, but it made a mess.  While picking the stuff back up he realized there was a new Lego set in the pile and it had the little man's name on it.  Oy.  He gave it to the little man.  Mike finished cleaning up the mess and then left to go hang with some gal. 
So I'm left with a boy who is excited to get some new Lego's and one who needs someone to sit with him while he puts it together.  Now the only person left to do that is me.  That ends my motivation and we make a green lantern flying machine.  Guess I have to find a new birthday present and I need to let Mike know that when stuff is on a shelf or hidden somewhere there is a reason for it.  Don't just give stuff to them. 
Then later the little man wanted to go to the park.  I tried to explain that it was hot.  He didn't care.  So we went to the dog park because there is shade there for me.  They played for a while until there were no more kids there.  And then he realized it was hot.  So we went and hung out at Pat's for the rest of the afternoon. 
I did not get nearly as much done as I had intended.  Guess it will be what it will be. 

Hanging at Pat's

Felt reminiscent of our spring.  We went to Pat's early afternoon and then just stayed there until early evening.  The little man played a lot of his game on the computer.  We ate some fast food.  Watched some "Dr. Pimple Popper".  Just hanging out.  Loving on the dogs.  The little woman and I went and picked up Monster from the groomer.  She always looks so nice when she gets her haircut.  Bet she feels better since she is on a regular schedule for that. 
Kind of a down day.  Just taking it easy.  Tomorrow we get back to work.  Cassie and family are coming on Tuesday and we have some cleaning to get done first. 

Evening Park Time

My plan, hahahahaha, was to attend the cruise in town.  But my plans still never seem to work out the way they are planned.  Mike needed a ride to go hang out with a gal.  That put us in Vancouver.  The littles decided they really wanted to go to the spiderweb park.  And so we did.  They played for over an hour and got rid of some energy. 

Games

The little woman was at a friends.  So the little man and I played some games for a couple of hours.  We played Greedy Granny and I could not win.  We played Spot It and I could not win.  We played Slap Jack and War and I could not win.  Then he created some game of his own.  His brain is always working.... and he let me win that one.  And he very gallantly told me so. 
I think he enjoyed the time.  But he was mostly excited when Daddy came home from wherever he had been.  The pure joy these kids feel.  We also talked about what he was going to do when he sees Mommy next week.  And his sister and meeting his brother.  And he plans on giving David a hug also. 

A Decent Seller

Or maybe the first offer was best.  Nah.  I think the seller was just decent.  She wants the first couple to have their shot at getting their ducks in a row.  Now they came into this way out of place.  They didn't have any ducks in a row and didn't want to do things kind of in the correct order.  We shall see what happens.  Maybe they played it right but they only have until Aug. 3rd and then it reverts to me. 
And that date still works fine for me. My goal is to be moved and settled before school starts.  That way I have time to get them all set up in their new school. 
So patience.  But I'm going to keep looking in the meantime. 

The Park Connection

Oh this parenting trauma kids can be so taxing on the brain.  The little man is getting all worked up about going somewhere with a tire swing.  We are searching on the phone for a park in the county that has one.  Our local park didn't hang ours back up this summer....no clue as to why...maybe it was broke.  So he is amping up as we are getting no where. 
Now a bit of disrespect and the amp up for any other parent and child would mean that child is not getting to do what ever it is that they want.  But for us.....we picked up a hot and ready pizza and headed to the local park.  Once we got moving he was all right and even though there weren't a great number of kids there....he was still able to make some connections.  And that is what is is all about.  He needed that extra connection.  No one was available to play with at home in the neighborhood. 
The therapist had commented on some amp ups being a connection need.  And so I went with that and it stopped the amp up completely.  And when it was time to go home he was ready. 
It is hard to shift the thinking in the brain.  My immediate response when he amps up is irritation and impatience.  And then I have to calm my brain and look for the cause and work with that.  And quickly.  It's the quickly part that gets me.  But I have noticed I am getting better at some of it.  Practice makes perfect.....too bad I have to practice, but it is what it is.  For all of us. 

Patience

This real estate stuff is so edgy.  It is hard to have patience.  Maybe I've already used my patience up since I have been kind of looking since last summer.  It just didn't become important until this summer.  So I am waiting and waiting to hear back from the realtor.  And I keep looking. 

Dinner With the Family

Last week Pat informed me that he needed to work on a side job and to not visit on Saturday.  So we didn't.  But he also said he thought we should do family dinner on Sunday.  So we did.  He bought an expensive prime rib and cooked it perfectly.  We brought a shrimp salad that was pretty good. 
We brought Mom.  We had one of our chats after dinner and it was very obvious that she has slipped some more cogs.  And this is the best we are going to get now.  It is hard watching her get frailer and less mindful. 
I put in an offer on that mobile.  Now we wait. 

Time To Get Serious

And so I met a realtor today at a mobile.  The mobile called to me.  The park is kind of tight, but it felt like it was okay. The little backyard was secluded and had a nice place for a bbq and my lights.  I have had patio lights for five years and have just been waiting for a place for them. 
Unfortunately there is already an offer in on the home. I'm still going to make an offer.  I am cash.  Cash speaks.  We shall see and I will continue to look.
And how appreciative am I that a realtor actually wanted to do her job. Greatly I tell you. 

Got Cousins?

Yesterday sent me on a search.  Again. In search of the last time the littles saw kid cousins. 
The littles saw their first cousins last in 2015.  No let me rephrase that.  They saw some of the ones from up north and the local two in 2015.  They only really have seen one set of cousins up north.  We wouldn't know the other set if they weren't with Nana Nita or something. 
The last time they saw the second cousins from here was 2016.  Except for the one that was in the class next to the little man's at school.  The two classes did things together and yet the cousins didn't know they were related. 
Our last trip to Minnesota was in 2014 and they saw 2nd cousins there.  Not all of them, but a good number. 
I can understand why the little woman longs for the connection that family gives you.  She knows they are there, just not why they don't connect.  I certainly can't explain it because I don't know either.  I did what I could until I was tired of banging my head on a wall. 
Time moves on and so do we.  I haven't had much luck in finding some fake cousins.  But at least they seem to have more friends now.  Friends give you a connection also. 

Rylan

Aunt Traci and Uncle Jeremy had their baby early this morning via c-section.  They named him Rylan.  He weighed in at 2 lbs 10 ounces and was 14 inches long.  The doctors had told them awhile back that there was a major problem that they were not going to be able to fix.  And while I think Traci grasped it, she did not believe it.  And so they decided to try and carry to term and take whatever came.
Her water broke yesterday and Rylan was breach.  So she was going in for the c-section.  She had messaged me last night about it.  And then I waited for news.  I knew it was going to be a hard hard day.
Rylan lived for an hour and a half and then passed away with his parents and grandparents supporting him.
I told the kids about him.  The little man kind of took it in stride.  He wasn't emotionally invested in any way.  The little woman, on the other hand, was very very sad.  She talked about  him many times today.  She just kept saying she was so sorry for baby Rylan.  I'm not sure she understood he was her cousin.  She no longer seems to know what a cousin is.  But she felt connected and sad. As am I.  I'm sorry for Rylan and my heart breaks for Traci and Jeremy. 
RIP Little baby Rylan.   

More Reptiles

It was another reptile day.  This one was at our local library.  I believe this is the same guy that did the shows from twenty years ago.  He commented on the yellow python being the daughter of the snake he brought back then.  I find it amusing that Mike's kids got their picture taken with her and Mike got a picture taken with the snake's mother.
We arrived close to show time.  Again.  That did not stop the little woman from getting a place right up front.  The little man stayed for awhile and then went and sat in the car.  He rejoined us when they got to hold the snakes.
In the picture where the little man's hand is in front of the snake...she is kissing him.  I'm sure it's not but she did put her tongue on him, maybe to smell him or sense him.  He thought it was cool.  The little woman is again asking for a snake for her birthday.  I just keep telling her....when she doesn't live with me.  I won't live with a snake.
The little man found neighbors and played with them for awhile afterward and then he played with other kids.  He is my very very social boy.  The little woman said she did know some people, but she just wasn't in to visiting or playing with anyone.
We went in the library for a bit and found a few books and the kids played on the electronics.  It was a nice outing and activity.  And from the pictures it looks like she needs a haircut again, but she insists she is growing those bangs out. Okay then.

Parent Peer Day

My parent peer checked in today.  Wanted to know how the team meeting went.  Wanted to know how I was progressing on my search for a new place to live.  We talked about all the barriers to that.  Starting with a flaky realtor.  I'm back to my original plan which is a mobile.  And here is hoping that the quietness that lives with us right now continues.  The parent peer is also going to keep her eye out for us.  She is also looking for a new place to live.  Funny that. 

Team Meeting

We had our first team meeting today. That is where everyone from our "team" gets together and discusses how it is going and what are we going to specifically work on this month.  It was a very small gathering for this first one. Just the therapist, the home specialist and me.  We talked about the little man's strengths and positives from the last month.
We looked at the picture as a whole and decided what we wanted to work on this month.  While everything is calm we are going to continue working on feelings and what they feel like. Giving them names.  You can't describe what anxiety is if you don't have the word kind of thing.
It felt productive and supportive.

Grocery Day

Due to however the system works Mike got food stamps this month for the kids.  So I had told him he needed to spend their share on their food.  Today was the day.  We got ready and checked the pantry.  Went to the store.  The first words out of Mike's mouth is we are only spending about $100.  After all I spend about that every week.
I've been on this road before so we bought groceries.  $225 worth by the time we were done.  My cart had real food and his cart had some real food and a bunch of junk.  I don't think he really understand the value of the dollar.  Anyway we have a nice full pantry, freezer and frig.  And that is what counts.

Hugh's Pictures

Time for Home

I decided it was the day to go home.  Pat decided it was the day to go home.  So we packed up.  For the very first time he was done first.  Course he only had his tent stuff to pack.  I had tent stuff and cooking stuff and food.  So he left before we did. 
The littles had played in the river and were tired.  One didn't even stay awake for the drive home and it was only one o'clock in the afternoon.  I think this camping stuff still wears them out.  And that is part of the plan.  The rest is the memories.  Even the little woman was happy this time.  She made friends and didn't get hurt at all. 
It was a great trip.  Lonnie told me we could come out anytime we wanted to.  Guess that means we are in now.  We don't have to only come with Pat.  I had an enjoyable afternoon listening to the talks going on.  Conversed with Hugh a couple of different times.  He is a character.  Well honestly most of the people we camp with there are characters.   A lot of bikers. 
Good to be home and to know I am sleeping in my own bed and hopefully by myself.  But Daddy isn't here to enforce that rule so we shall see. 

Mom at Camp

We brought Mom out for the afternoon.  Well I brought it her out and entertained her.  All the men and the boys had went somewhere to target shoot.  The little man was so excited.  He got to shoot a couple of different guns.  I will have to include pictures of that later.  I'm still waiting for Hugh to send them to me.  But the little man thoroughly enjoyed it.  And Monte said he did very well.  Did what he was told, when he was told, and totally took it seriously. 
We enjoyed some camp stew and then Pat took Mom home.  The adults at the island decided it was grown up party night and asked the oldest teen to watch the rest.  He was having a heck of a time with his brother and a girl.  They kept disappearing.  The little woman tried that also, but took me very seriously after her second warning.  I don't party so I stayed with the kids for awhile and then told them it was time for bed.  Not a word of complaint.  And off the little man went.  The little woman had a sleepover with the other girl in her tent. 
I really enjoy only sleeping with one child.  Especially since we are just using a double air mattress now.  We really are too big for three of us on it.