The inmate has taken over the asylum!

I am behind on writing. But honestly, just since I sat down to write this, Scotti (our 4 legged inmate) has rung the bells to go out 3x. And guess what, all 3x were false alarms. I feel like I spend half my day taking him out, just to be safe. (Yet he can go from 10pm to 6am with no accidents, so I know he just looking for an excuse to go find a fun stick to chew.) And today I honestly wondered if he is deaf. I need to start some serious dog training.

Suffice to say I am still adjusting to puppy life. But I feel like I owe you all an update since one of my last blog posts was all doom and gloom. And so many of you reached out to offer words of encouragement and empathy- I am so incredibly thankful for this community. You all are a very important part of my life- and to think 5 years ago, I didn't know many of you!

Overall, things are much better over here! Lil now has 2 internships lined up. They are both unpaid, so she isn’t as excited as she was for the initial two, but I do think both will give her great experience. Plus Davidson College is kinda awesome and offers grants to students who take unpaid opportunities if they pertain to their studies. So Lil has applied, and hopefully she will get a decent grant. Plus she can still give swim lessons on the weekends. So there have been way fewer tears- and the countdown to coming home for the summer has begun.

And we met with Boeden’s school. While his reading scores are still quite alarming, he is actually making progress.  And his teachers truly care about him, and want him to be successful- so I do feel that he is in the right place. But the test scores and meetings were just what we needed to make sure we had his summer tutoring plan figured out, so I guess things happen for a reason. I think one of the toughest aspects of parenting is adjusting your outlook based on each individual kid.

Bensten is doing great- but high school is tough. Aside from friendships and whatnot- school is HARD. I am the first to admit most of his homework far exceeds my mental capabilities. Plus he holds himself to such high standards. He wants to be like his sisters and go to a competitive college and play a sport. He will not let his brain injury deter him, which I love- but I also wish he would give himself some grace. But B is so excited to cheer for the Caps as they begin their playoff run- so that has been a fun distraction

. Bensten had a rocky week at track (long story for another day) so Izzy surprised him with tickets to the Caps game last Wednesday. It’s kinda cool when your big kids can support each other and do things together!

We posted the menu for the next two weeks, since Teacher Appreciation is May 6. I know we sold out of a lot of items really quickly- I have updated inventory here and there- but if there is something you still want, be sure to to click the “notify when back in stock” button- cause you will be the first to be notified if I add inventory!  And just a heads up- don’t sleep on the cranberry dark chocolate granola bars. They are my kids current favorite “healthy” snack- oats, honey, cranberries, almonds… good protein and still yummy!

Hope you all are doing well! Scotti just stole a sock from the clean laundry that I am getting ready to fold- and he LOVES a good game of chase…. If anyone saw our security camera footage of me being held captive by a scrawny puppy- I am sure it would be hilarious. (To anyone but me!) am feeling a bit too elderly to have a puppy, but he is so sweet and cuddly - when he isn’t being crazy!!

Xo, Heather

Literally taken as I write this blog post!

So naughty, but then so sweet.

Boomer does exist- and he got his summer hair cut!