single parenthood

The campaigning in MN is already turning nasty. I just cannot believe that people can put ads on the radio and tv that attack a person so. In one district, the first
Muslim is about to be elected to Congress. In his youth he didn't have the perfect life and didn't always make the right choices so the press and Republicans are attacking. I don't know much about him and who ever wins that seat is replacing an institution in Martin Sabo and that is one tough act to follow.

For Senator Mark Dayton's seat, the Republican candidate is attacking his opponent in the dumbest ads I have every seen. His ads are even turning off some of his Republican friends. He attacks her because she is a lawyer and we have to many lawyers in the senate already. That is a great reason not to vote for her.

Not much happening in this house. My dad is home and feeling much better. It seems that every flare up he has is getting worse. The last one was 5 years ago, I hope it is another 5 before the next one.

Kiran is still loving school. This week she came home from school all proud with herself because she passed the shoe tying test. She is an official shoe tie helper in her class, I might add one of three.

My class is still wonderful and smart. I laugh with them everyday and it is a pleasure to go to work every morning. I haven't said that in years.

Mary

Back in 1976, my dad was diagnosed with Lupus. It took the doctors and many visits to several, over 3 months, to come up with what was ailing him because it was not something men got. He recieved treatment for many years before the disease went into remission. He was in remission for over 20 years. Around 5 years ago he had a flair up where he couldn't walk, lift his legs or arms because his joints were so swollen and hurt terribly. This week he had another flair up and as we speak is still in the hospital. Please say a prayer that this is just a flair up and not the disease coming out of remission totally. I remember the days when he couldn't unbutton his pants, cut his own meat, walk up the stairs to bed with out crawling and just the shear pain he was in.

Life around here is progressing along. Kiran started tap and ballet this week. She has lessons one day a week for an hour. She loves to dance. School has been a wonderful experience for her. She loves it!!! She is even excited about her first fundraiser and can hardly wait to go out and sell wrapping paper to our friends.

My class continues to be wonderful. It is such a pleasure to wake up in the morning and dread going to work. They truly are a great group. Work is truly a nice place to be. The funny thing is the children who drove me crazy for 2 longgggg years stop in every morning to say hi.

Mary

My morning was wonderful. I have 17 of the sweetest children. My group seems to be smart, kind, and down right wonderful. (I am knocking on wood as I type!) I had 9 children not show up which is not a shock. So many of the kids move during the summer or change schools. I left my school at 12:30 and headed off to daycare to bring Kiran to her room.




The first photo is of Kiran heading into the school. She was so excited at daycare she came flying towards me when I walked in the door.





This is a picture of Kiran with her teacher. She is the kindest, most gentle teacher I think I have ever met. I am so happy we are in her room. The kids did some activities while the parents were herded off to the gym to listen to the principal, school nurse and president of the PTO. The principal is also wonderful. I swear he was tearing up when he was talking about kids, education, and kindergarten. His reputation is that he goes into Kindergarten everyday just because he loves the little ones.

Tomorrow she gets on the bus by herself and then comes home with my niece.

Mary

Tonight, all across the state of Minnesota, children will have trouble falling asleep in anticipation for the first day of school tomorrow. The same can be said about the teachers. Tonight, I will lay in bed, wondering what my new group will be like, what kids will be returning to my school, what new students have arrived and so on.

When I was a kid, I always had problems falling asleep the night before. I was excited to wear my new clothes, see my old friends, and meet a new teacher. As an adult, I have an even harder time sleeping before the children arrive.

My baby starts kindergarten tomorrow. Her bag is packed with all her supplies, sitting by the garage door. We have outfits picked out for the rest of the week. I will take a half day off in the afternoon to bring her and the parents stay for an hour and then we take our children and leave. The big bus day for her will be on Wednesday. She told me she is nervous about taking the bus but she will be fine.

Pictures to follow tomorrow or Wednesday.

Wish us both luck......