Klineline

We spent the afternoon at Klineline.  We walked the paved trail first and met lots of dogs.  Found a bat house.  Climbed on some logs.  Not sure we were suppose to, but we did.  Then we had playground time.  Always a hit.  Then a family went for a walk around a pond and the littles wanted to do that also.  So we walked around.  The both got in some muck which probably ruined her boots.  He felt ucky and didn't want anyone to see his mudded pants.   It was another day where we stretched our muscles and tried new things. We all got to work on balance.  I saw both kids being brave and admitting that some of what we did was a little scary.  It was a good afternoon that concluded with baths.  

First Friday at the Museum

I had promised for three weeks that we would hit the Children's Museum on First Friday.  We haven't been for quite awhile again and it seemed like time to do it.  The little woman was the one who asked.
They had a new exhibit that had action things.  Rock climbing, snowboarding, pedalling.  They enjoyed that but seemed more interested in the standard fare.  The store, the restaurant, the dig pit, the water room.  There was also a snow globe room.  They liked that and they expended a lot of energy having "snowball" fights.
We played for three hours and they were worn out.  The little man fell asleep  on the way home.

Explanations

The little man and I went with the little woman for breakfast at school.  We were a little short on time but thought we had enough time.  So we are sitting there with her when this boy came up and sat next to us saying hi to her.  Told me he was in her class and how he was getting a late pass because of breakfast.  The little woman did not seem pleased to have him join us.
After a few minutes she makes a comment about the girl.  Wait...what?  I'm confused.  She is not understanding why she dresses like a boy and has a short haircut.  About this time I realize that "he" has nail polish on.  That doesn't mean anything because my little man has had nail polish on.
As we walked the little womn to the other building she tells me that boy was Alisha and she doesn't like it that she has that haircut.
Ok.  First I don't know if Alisha is just trying out a style.  I don't know that she is transgendered.  So I'm at a loss as to how much explanation to give to Audrie.  I didn't think this would come up in kindergarten.  To date I just stated that obviously Alisha likes to wear the clothes she wears and there is nothing wrong with it.  There is nothing wrong with her haircut.  We change our styles all the time.  Maybe I need to broach the teacher so I can make sure my explanation matches what is happening.

Shopping

So Mom wanted to go to the store.  She needed some things that I hadn't gotten.  She gets a tad annoyed sometimes when I do the shopping.  Sometimes it is just easier.  So after school we picked up the little miss and went to Winco.  We didn't pay enough attention.  When I was bagging up her stuff she had gotten a lot of stuff she didn't need to get....like antibiotic cream.  It must be a small obsession for her because she keeps buying it.  When I'm on top of it I catch these things before we get all checked out, but we forgot to take the ipad in for kid distraction.
Amazingly enough it was the shortest grocery shopping trip we have made in months and months.  Usually to take her to the store has been slowly increasing in time. We are normally well over three hours now.  It only took us two today from the time we got to the store.  Yay!
Shopping must have worn her out because after we got home she decided she was sick and went to bed.

Going Fast

I have the week off.  And it is going by fast.  And yet it feels like we haven't done much.  We hit another park today for an hour.  There were other kids and that was good.  Turns out it was good for the other kids also.  One mom commented about there never being kids there when they are there.
While they played I made circles around the playground.  Trying to get my step numbers back up.  I'm not as obsessed as I was at first, but I'm still working on it.  I know it is good for me in all sorts of ways.

Taxes

Whew.  One out of four done.  And this one was the easiest it has ever been.  Turbo Tax had all my info saved somewhere.....sometimes in the past it didn't save it.  So I didn't need to put in all the addresses.  Pleasantly surprised when I got to the end.  The only disappointment was I didn't get offered the Amazon gift card this year.  I loved that and used it for Christmas the last couple of years.  Now I just need to remember to set aside my Christmas money myself.
I have the second return started.  And I should now be able to get the other two done.  Hopefully timely.

Moving

So this really isn't working.  I can't be everything to all people.  And while they all have needs I still maintain that my priority is the littles.  If we stay, it is a matter of time before Mom hurts one of them. I can ignore the snide comments at me....and I know it is the disease talking.  But the littles do not totally understand when she calls them names and yells all the time.  I thought I yelled a lot.  Part of the time the littles think it is all a game.  I think they know she is their age and that is why it is fun.  I don't know.
Our way of coping has been to remove ourselves from the living area.  Audrie gets in trouble whenever she tries to play in the living room.  And it is the only place big enough for her to spread her stuff out.  Couches are not for toys to be on.  Wait...what?  And on and on and on.  We are holed up in a ten by ten room.  This is not home.
So I went on craigslist to see what is available now.  I went in search of apartments at the complex I was looking at in Dec.  There is an apartment available.  And on craigslist there is a duplex available by Kiwanis Park.  Rent is the same.  I would probably have to pay water and garbage at the duplex.  But it is one level and next to the park.  I would only have one neighbor.....much more privacy than in an apartment.  After all I have been down that road and know what that is like.  And I would do it, but I have this other option.
So tonight the little and I go look at the duplex.  According to the ad it is available this weekend.  The apartment wouldn't be available for another two weeks.  And once I make up my mind sooner is better. And I have this week off to prepare.