Off to Disney (A Poem by Katie Calahan)

Miss Roo and the rest are carefully packed.
This magical day waits to be attacked!
We've stocked the backseat with things to engage us.
We'll scurry around like Jaq and Gus-Gus.
Like vines up castle walls, anticipation grows and climbs.
It's like Christmas a million times!
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo! Our pumpkin will become a coach and whisk us away!
Tell Goofy and Donald we're coming to play.
To the home of the mouse we'll journey today.
There may even be a few Mickeys hidden, to find on the way.

Say Cheers!!
Mousketeers, don your ears!
Stand proud and declare it's Disney or bust!
Don't forget to smile, it's a must!
Pose for a picture, then off to the car
Remember anything can happen when you wish upon a star!
Happy un-birthdays to all!
No reason left to stall.
Like pirates with a map to treasure, we've a GPS so clever to show us the way
I hear the hotel has a breakfast buffet.
Mom and Dad armed with cups full of coffee have sat.
Ready to navigate traffic as tricky as the Cheshire Cat.
Seat belts buckled, remember to keep hands and arms inside!
We agree the Tea Cups will be the very first ride
Jeepers, it's still dark outside
Oops! The camcorder left at home still plugged in!
We'll have to retrace our steps, before the trip can begin

We've dotted the T's and crossed the I's.
The kids can't wait to shrink to a tenth of their size
We'll spin in teacups and fly on elephants
Take some pictures while we hug our character friends.
Back to the car for some Mickey themed food
Then to the parts of the park we haven't yet viewed
The happiest place on the Earth, almost there
Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair!

Manic Germ Infested Monday

We got home just before 1am last night. Somehow we were all up a moving a scat 6hrs later. Well, the humans were moving. Alas, when Mike went out to load up Miss Roo in my car to take her to school we discovered my car would not be moving today. Oh, well....It wasn't totally shocking after all the drama with it last week.

As it turned out some of the human types were moving slower than others. Isaac wasn't just tired he was sick. Plans for a quiet week for me to gear up for summer turned into fantasies. Isaac was supposed to go to Science Camp this week. So, it was sick Isaac and I home with no wheels, no biggie.

We both climbed back in to bed (after cough medicine for Ike) while Mike and Riley went to work and school. When we roused I had a phone call reminding me Isaac was supposed to start camp this week. I was embarrassed that they must think I was a total flake. I called to let them know I was aware he was supposed to be there, but he was sick. They weren't overly concerned or even remotely interested in why he wasn't there. It made me wonder how many people pay the deposit and register and then forget and go out of town that week?

It occurred to me that the summer will be the complete reverse of the school year. When Isaac's in school. I have tons of one on one time with Riley and not a whole lot with him. Usually if I have Isaac then Riley's home too. Most summers he does camp the same hours as school so my routine doesn't change too much. This summer will be the opposite. It always feels like I took time machine back 4yrs when it's just me and the big kid.

He roused all coughy, snotty and tired, but much better for the rest. I made us lunch and put on a movie for us to watch together. As it turns out Isaac has seen several movies based on Roald Dahl's wonderful, childhood shaping literature, but he hasn't read much of it. I put on Matilda assuring him he'd like it, but that the book was way better.

So, aside from his Florida Battle Books list, we now have a few others on our read this summer list. He was doing so well after dinner we did a workbook page from the Summer Bridge Workbook. I figured it would ease him into Summer Camp at Home. He even seemed disappointed that I didn't have his schedule pocket chart up yet.

Confident that Isaac would attend the rest of Weather Week/Universe Explores at Science Camp I discovered Riley was acting a little under the weather. Two-and-half-year-olds are so tricky because they're entirely manic and not super articulate about what's happening with their bodies. At least I got one pretty restful day it looks like I'll need it.

Car Fail

I woke up in the middle of the night with a really intense pain in my abdomen. I tried to roll on to my belly on top of a pillow and it was excruciating to my back issue. Once I finally got comfy I was knocked out. I woke up once briefly heard Mike and Isaac talking and turned off my alarm. I didn't wake up again until 8:30 when Mike got back from dropping off Riley. Whoa, he did a morning by himself and I didn't wake up. So, I got out of bed gingerly. My abdominal pain was gone and if I moved carefully my back wasn't horrible. I got dressed and headed out the door to the hair appointment I made before the pain started.

I got a few minutes down the road and was in the left lane of a busy intersection when my engine stopped. No stutter or anything just silence. I took a deep breath, thanked God for the red light and tried to start my car. No dice. I put on my flashers and prayed. I tried again while dialing Mike. He knew what it was and how to fix it, but I was sitting in the left lane of a busy intersection and there was no way to get out and tinker and live. So I sat. People honked and screamed. People cursed me and with every turn of the light I got more anxious. It was the temperature of the sun in that car within seconds without the air or ability to crack a window.

I'm glad Riley wasn't with me. I'm glad I wasn't on the highway. I'm glad I didn't need to pee, but this sucked! What is with people anyway? Oh! This isn't a parking spot? Well good thing you honked and called me a stupid B*&%$% or I NEVER would have figured it out. Clearly, I've parked my car here to annoy you for my own enjoyment. Obviously, I'm perfectly capable of getting off the road, but simply prefer to live dangerously. Come on! Shake your head in sympathy and go around. After what felt like 4,000 cycles of the light some nice men helped me. They pushed my car to a gas station. Safely in the driveway of the gas station I let out a sigh of relief and a few tears. I called the salon to tell them I'd be late too.

Then cursing the pain in my shoulder blades like Captain Dan from Forrest Gump confronting the hurricane I disembarked the large paper weight. I limped along the side of the car slamming one crutch into the ground with more force than necessary. Then I opened the hood and the pain tore through me like a forest fire. Knowing for certain the mystery pain could in fact get worse I gritted my teeth and attempted once more to prop it open. Once I had the loose battery contact in my sights I slammed my crutch down on it with all the authority of Thor's hammer. Stupid mechanics at the stupid dealership had filed the stupid thing too short cleaning it once. Once I had banged out some rage on that sucker I limped back around towards my seat.

It was at that precise moment that Mike pulled up. That jerk and his timing I tell ya. Shaking with back spasms and dripping with sweat I yelled "I just banged on it." Without taking in the scene he asked, "Does it work." I had the keys in my hand and was just about to pull myself into position. Obviously, I'd tested it, turned it off and then climbed out of the car?!? Anyway, it started just fine.

There was a nice old man approaching my car just then with a sincere look of concern. God only knows how much he witnessed, but I can imagine seeing the gimp wincing in pain as she limped around her silent car taking two tries to get the hood open and then taking her frustration (albeit painfully) out on the engine. I shut the door and drove off before he ever got a chance to speak.

I didn't look back, but I think Mike acknowledged him as he climbed into his car. Sorry, nice man. You're a descent human being and I'm grateful. I am truly grateful for the folks who pushed me through the intersection to safety. I am grateful to Mike for dropping everything at work to came save me, despite his timing. It was a baaaaad few minutes. I lived. I was only a slightly late to my appointment (although no longer shower fresh). My car ran fine the rest of the day.