First time for everything

OK - so when two of the friends you talk to most both use this site - it wouldn't be long before I decided to try it for myself...

While I'm not completly sure how often I'll get back to this...at least it's a place for me to put things down I don't want to forget...

Madison...finished first grade...all As, behavior went from needs improvement to satisfactory...all those parents that are afraid to put their kid w/ ADHD on medication - I say give it a try - if the side affects show up, you can always take them off, but what a difference in her academics. Her behavior is much improved too. Only problem we've had is that she lost a few pounds and then got taller, so she looks really skinny. Her summer events include softball which started in May and they travel to Arcola, Arthur & Lovington to play games, day-time basketball camp, volleyball camp and then 6 weeks at her dad's.

[Personal commentary...we'll see how I handle it. I should be ok, but then again, I've never been without my girls that long ever. In the grand scheme of things, I know it is best for them, to spend time w/ him - but you can't blame a girl for being selfish and wanting her kids, right]

Kaylee...uses complete sentences...and jokes with you now...which is strange in my brain - it's an abstract concept...as for the potty...she's got a little interest, but I'm not pushing her. I stressed myself out with Madison trying then not trying, then trying every time she showed interest. I figure she's only 2 there's plenty of time and she seems to be doing a pretty good job on her own every so often. She thinks she is Madison's age and mimics everything she does as best she physically can. Kaylee has no summer plans that don't involve the rest of us...I've enjoyed a little one-on-one time w/ Kaylee while Madison's at practice or at camp...I don't usually get that kind of time with her. I remember having that with Madison a bit, this is a fun age. She knows all her colors (except brown...we just started working on that) and this week started singing the entire ABCs...she needs just a bit of help at H-I...but can do the rest on her own...my kid, doing ABCs before 123s...hmmmm...ok, so she knows circle, square, triangle, oval, and can make a triangle w/ her fingers, so maybe it's all evened out somewhere.

Me...last two classes at EIU's campus this summer...I will leave the house at 7 for an 8:30-11:00 class, then go to a 1:00-2:45 class...then finally home..so it's a full day. One is a research class, so I think that I will be so busy with class that the girls being with their dad will be at the right time. I know homework these past few semesters was challenging to do. Other than that, I'm doing ADPi stuff, which is my "hobby" and an excel project for Delta Kappa Gamma...and going to try to enjoy summer with no construction projects at my house. Although we may do concrete in the drive later this summer...we'll see.

I have successfully organized my garage and now feel that it's not in the optimum arrangement. Hey, I only rearranged my office 4 times in less than a year before I felt good about it - I guess I'm only on arrangement #1` in the garage.

Other summer plans include camping w/ Mom's family (the girls have to miss it) and then the Arney Reunion in Missouri - at the end of June is the annual ADPi trip. Still looking at a trip in August to South Carolina on my free ticket from Northwest...looks like that might work out. I just have to make kid arrangements and figure out a couple more logistics.

So - if I don't get back to