Meg

Meg knows everyone and everyone seems to know her.  She walked into my 8th grade class today to drop something off and several of my 8th graders got up to high five her.  She shouted at me across the room about the play she was writing with five of her friends in language and my class joined in on the conversation.  They had advice for her and comments about her casting decisions.

I picked Meg up from soccer practice tonight and she filled me in on the discussion she had with one of the biggest curmudgeons in the 8th grade class.  She thinks he is "just the greatest!".  We stopped by Cal's golf match and she was getting all of the Freshmen on "Nevermind" before she took off with one of her best friends to the driving range.  Tomorrow I am going on a field trip with her class.  One of the 6th grade autistic students is part of her group.  She has spent a lot of time with him this week, getting him ready for his "job."  She doesn't quite understand why others do not have as much patience with him.

I do not tell her, but I realize why.  It is because with Meg there is always a positive attitude and a lot of lively conversation.  She is full of life and there is never a dull moment with her.  Meg is friend to all and I just love that about her.

NBA Playoffs

The NBA playoffs are front and center in the Heinisch home right now.  This year Doug and Cal have a new member to add to their basketball watching crew.  Cameron has become the Miami Heat's biggest fan.  His favorite player is Mario Chalmers, the Heat's point guard.  I think that is kind of funny as most children Cam's age are following LeBron James or Dwayne Wade, two superstars of the NBA right now.  The high school basketball coach told Cam that it makes sense to him as Chalmers is the point guard, the play maker, and that is what every smart basketball player should aspire to beam.  Cameron has ordered the Chalmers jersey last week and counted down the days until it arrived, so he could wear it to practice in.

The best part of Cam cheering on the Heat is that they are Cal's least favorite team.  Cal is notorious for liking every team that Doug doesn't, so it is great that Cam is giving it back to him.  There are some heated debates, but so far no tears.  We will see what happens if the Heat loses to the Bulls.  Although Brett and I will be happy to have the TV back when the playoffs are over, for now it is fun listening to all of their banter.

Lunch $

Every month I check the Heinisch children's lunch accounts.  I am ever amazed at how much lunch money they spend a month.  I am not complaining, but am always shocked.  They each have the option of packing their lunch, but for the most part prefer to buy it.  The older three usually buy an extra entree or drink daily.  I let them as only Brett is a good breakfast eater, so I figure they are starved by the time lunch comes along. 

This year federal guidelines for food served at schools changed drastically.  Brett and Meg have complained the loudest about this.  I noticed that there is not as much variety as there was previously.  In the scheme of things it is not a big deal, but I realize to a child at school, lunch is one of the biggest (and sometimes best) parts of their day.

Most of the stories I hear from the Heinisch children revolve around the cafeteria.  They tell me what they ate, who they sat by, the conversations they had, etc.  As I listen to them talk, I realize that our decision to keep the childern in school and forgo home schooling was a wise one for our family.  School isn't just about the subjects they study, but also finding independence and learning to socialize with their peers.  So, I will not complain as I add lunch money to their accounts.  I will be thankful that they have food to eat and friends to share their time with!

Thanks for the help!

I traveled to Purdue to watch Brett's Social Studies Academic Superbowl compete in the state competition.  It is an all day commitment because of the two and a half hour drive.  I have been blessed to be able to attend each of the four years he has competed.   This year was completely different than the previous three.  Shortly after the midpoint break, it was obvious that two other teams were pulling ahead and that we were locking up third place pretty easily.  In other years it has come down to the last question determining our outcome, so this was very relaxing and I spent a lot of time enjoying the event.  I am proud of the boys.  They have worked hard all year.  Brett's goal is always to finish in the top three as those places earn individual medals as well as the team plaque.  He was thrilled to have a medal from each of the four years (and a tye dye shirt commemorating each of the events as well.)

I have to thank my parents for making the lives of the Heinisch children a lot easier today. Since I was in West LaFayette my Dad volunteered to attend Cal's golf invitational to support him.  My Mom kept Meg overnight so she did not have to get up early to go with Doug and Cam to his soccer game.  She then kept Cam so he could enjoy the new load of sand they got this week for the kids to play in.  Thus, he did not have to sit at Meg's game.  My Mom bought them their favorite Subway lunch and my Dad took them fishing once he got back from the golf match.

We were having friends for dinner tonight, so after soccer Doug spent the day mowing, cleaning and cooking.  When Cal called his Dad to pick him up at the high school and couldn't reach him because he was mowing, my Mom left a full cart at the grocery store to pick him up and take him home.  To top it all off she made a dessert for us to have tonight with our company.  That was a big help as I was two hours late getting back and only had time to make the beds before our guests arrived.

I know that she enjoys helping and has told me several times that she loves to be needed.  Today was a day that the Heinisch children needed her.  I know she will be happy to find out that that Meg and Cam's friend Julie ate two helpings of her dessert!

The Countdown Has Begun

Now that May is here the Heinisch home has begun the end of the year countdown.  Weekend days are never counted as we only keep track of the school days left before summer vacation.  Right now the count is 21.  Once the Heinisch children subtract days for field trips, picnics, end of the year awards and such, the real count is well less than twenty.

I used to hate counting down the days of anything as I felt I was speeding up time or wishing the days away. This year, however, I am joining in their countdown.  I know that Brett is ready to be done with high school and to start the new chapter of his life.   Meg and Cam can think of nothing else than being outside now that the weather has turned to summer like temperatures.  Cal has never preferred life at school as there is way too much sitting for his constantly moving personality.  Thus, I will wish for them a quick, easy end to the school year, filled with a lot of fun.  They deserve a break and I am going to enjoy spending it with them.

Now if we could get Doug's boss to give him a summer vacation, all would be complete!

Awards

End of the year awards are approaching.  For the first time ever I will have to choose a student for one of these special distinctions.  I am struggling with the decision.  I have a lot of different FACS students that I think should be the recipient of the MVP of our 8th grade classes.  Whichever I choose will be worthy of the honor, but I feel as though I am telling all of the others that they do not measure up.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  There are a lot of great students at our school.  I know that at times they are not recognized so I am happy they will be.  I wish it was easier to pick just
one!

Migraine

For the past twenty-four hours I have been battling a migraine.  It came on quickly and it was a pretty good one.  I didn't sleep well last night because of it.  I thought about taking a sick day today as I have missed very little school this year, but in the end decided to make it through as best I could.

I have struggled with migraines for over twenty years.  Unfortunately, Meg has inherited them from me.  I can usually tell when I am getting one as I lose my vision.  This time it did not happen, so I was completely unprepared.  I wonder what triggered this one - the change in weather, putting off dinner until very late, or the amount of things that are going on in the Heinisch home right now.  I am sure it is the later.  May is always busy, but this year it is filled with a lot of new situations - Prom, high school golf, Doug coaching at the high school, my involvement in the Spring Arts Festival, graduation, and the list continues.

I am sure a day off would help, but I will have a lot of days off in June and July.  Can't wait for a relaxing summer.  Not feeling a lot better tonight, but tomorrow should be a better day.