Overweening Mama Pride

Sonar X7 won a first place ribbon in the school science fair today and earned a spot in the regional science fair in May.

Can I just say how adorable it was, the Sonar’s modest surprise and light-up-the face joy when the first place ribbon was announced. *big happy sigh*

He gets it from me. (annoying smugness)

For those of you who would point out that the genetics in question include a healthy donation from someone who once spent several years working on a Ph.D. in Biochemistry before oppressing the masses in public education I say (with a surprising lack of modesty and maturity). Pshaw. Though I was more mathy than sciencey, with at least a decade of math geekiness under my belt, I did earn a Biochemistry degree before switching allegiances to the humanities. Partner, bless his soul, experienced adult-onset geekiness. AND more than half of that heritable genetic material is from me. Seriously. Go look it up. Then brush your teeth.

As the Germ Turns

Partner has pneumonia. Sunday and Monday he looked like death warmed over. A chest x-ray from Monday afternoon shows that it was just *barely* pneumonia (is that like being a “little pregnant” I wonder?) and he felt fine though coughy and returned to work Tuesday.

Sonar X5 started to droop Tuesday night. We thought initially that it was also going the way of an upper-respiratory virus, but alas, took a turn toward multi-textured and -sourced digestive efflux during the night last night. Nothing like a shivering sobbing child in the tub in the middle of the night followed by nasty midnight laundry. After some dry-heaves this morning, this bug has settled back to mild cough, mild fever.

Sonar X3 started to droop last night, but has thankfully acquiesced to a naptime with actual sleeping. But first we had to do the daily banana rules.

Background first. Every day before what we have ceased to call naptime and now call quiet time (what with the general lack of actual napping), I chat or read quietly with each preschool Sonar for a few minutes. Each Sonar has developed a unique settling routine that invariably involves a personal script of silliness that is recited each day.

For Sonar X3 this includes a list of things to remember during quiet time, a.k.a. The Banana Rules, wherein we take regular things to remember and add the word banana.

1. Be quiet becomes Be quiet, banana
2. Get some rest becomes Get some rest, banana
3. I love you becomes I love you banana
4. Stay in your bed unless you need to use the toilet becomes Stay in your banana unless you need to use the toilet, or Stay in your bed unless you need to use the banana, which is giggling corrected by the Sonar to Stay in you bed unless you need to use the toilet, BANANA!
5. Don’t put your feet on the wall (he’s a wall-kicker) becomes Don’t put your feet on the Bananas, which is gigglingly corrected to Don’t put your BANANAS on the wall, in a surprisingly funny twist on preschool humor.

Funny kid.

Sonar X7 is healthy and competing in his school science fair today. Making the world a better place for toothpaste and hard-boiled eggs.

I am feeling a bit weary, so I’ll complain. Scriptfrenzy begins April first, but the detailed plan I had planned to make is so far nonexistent. I haven’t had a chance to Run in more than two weeks. These facts are combining to make me grouchy. In addition, Family—a sane, sensitive, thankfully unfastidious contingent—arrives for a four-day visit April fourth. I am looking forward to this visit, but, you know, there are things to get ready, and I want everyone to have a nice time. And these are good relationships, but they are relationships in repair after long-term damage, a some time source of anxiety.

On the bright side, there is an abundance of salad greens waiting to be picked in the back yard. The preschool Sonars and I harvested baby broccoli and cauliflower this morning to make some soup. And there is the most amazing bushy cluster of blooms and buds on our tiny avocado tree.

Now, if only I can keep myself from getting sick.

The Offspring Formerly Known as Sonar X4

Let it be known that the offspring formerly known as Sonar X4 shall hereafter (until the next round of March 11th) be known as Sonar X5.

Happy Birthday Kiddo. ;)

Venous Reverb, or the Untold Story of Eglentyne's First 5k Day

Waking up early and getting ready for the fun run went very smoothly, but there were two things I didn’t have time for: finishing my morning caffeine and stretching properly. I have subsequently paid for both of these things.

The run went well, the weather beautiful and the wind light. I accidentally met some great people who happen to live in my little town. Small world. And I might have an occasional running partner now.

I did not expect the course to be as hilly as it was. My wee town is as flat as flat can be, and the biggest incline I tackle during a run is a sidewalk ramp. The race began with a steep uphill climb, and then meandered up and down, finishing on a long slow downhill slope. The hills and the lack of a good knee stretch have left my calves and knees very unhappy today.

After the race, there was a lot of standing around, sweating, chatting, and waiting for race results while they passed out some raffle prizes. That was fun, and the Sonars thought it was great to play on the fantastic structures at the park, as well as to run up and down up and down up and down a steep hill about five-thousand times. When we finally left the park, they were covered head to foot in mud.

After cleaning up the Sonars, Partner hauled them off for much-begged-for haircuts, while I showered and stretched and snacked and blogged.

When I posted my triumph yesterday, I was already feeling the aura of an impending migraine. It hit hard and fast, and was complete with the most lovely and distressing visual aura (pretty golden wavery lines at the edges of my field of vision). Medicated, hydrated, caffeinated, showered, and stretched, I sprawled out on my bed.

Now, some people can’t stand light or sound when they have a migraine. I don’t mind either of these in moderation. What kills me is movement. Even the slightest little muscle twitch is amplified through my veins and into my head, making it feel like my skull will surely explode. So stillness, profound stillness, is the key to migraine comfort for me. Difficult in the best of circumstances considering I must continue to breathe, which moves my body ever so slightly.

The good news is, that after a hearty lunch and a long, quiet nap, the pain had receded somewhat. I was left with an uncomfortable sort of hollow feeling, but that too waned before dinner time.

What has yet to wane are the cranky after-effects on three children of getting up too early and running up and down a hill five-thousand times. They totally had a blast. I’m sure they ran more than I did yesterday. The experience has even inspired Sonar X7, equipped by Partner yesterday with fresh shoes, to start training with me. But their little bodies are worn a bit tired. And tempers are frayed around the edges. No insult or discomfort passes today without dramatic complaint.

Still a bit tired myself, I’m having to work very hard to maintain my patience and understanding with them, and admit to flipping out once this morning over yet another whiny breakdown by a child. But calm has settled over the house as everyone rests quietly. We have plenty of groceries and I made some rosemary foccaccia this morning that is begging to be eaten. We have nowhere to go, and nothing to do but enjoy our day.

Now, if I can just finish this d#$% sweater.

Overheard

Sonar X7 talking to Sonar X4 about yesterday’s recess activities.

Well, we were playing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, At The Ministry of Magic, when Harry is fighting the Death Eaters. Mixed with Indiana Jones (I was Harry and D—- was Indiana Jones). Then N—- came over and started growling and stomping and told us he was a T-Rex and that none of our spells would work on him. (exasperated sigh with eye roll) *THEN* E—- wanted to play Harry Potter, Book 5 too, but he just didn’t get it. (shrug) But D—- is really obsessed with Star Wars, so he wanted to play that instead. (disappointed head shake) Sometimes it seems like no one really wants to play the games I want to play.

(Looking up hopefully) So, do you think we could play hide-and-seek?