This has been a long, taxing week. My head is spinning from all the thought going on about Samuel, his school, finding a good place for him at his school.

I did manage to find out that Samuel's class will not be moving to a "modular classroom" (there are so many different names for these things I have learned!). A story goes along with how I learned this, but I probably shouldn't share it here. I will say that this situation has caused me to wonder if I'm hearing the full truth from school staff and administration. I have heard statements from different people that just don't jive. The bottom line, however, is that Samuel's class won't be in a modular classroom and in spite of the questions I now have about who is saying what, I'll just be happy with that knowledge.

Samuel is enjoying an afternoon outside in our backyard. His younger brother, who turns 5 in a few weeks, has discovered the joys of playing games on the computer. Great, now I have 3 boys who fight over 2 computers! There is also Dad's laptop, but it isn't always available. (If I was my husband I would NEVER let it be available to them!) When my oldest lamented about not having a computer to play on I jokingly told him "Just think, some day you'll tell your grandchildren about how you had to endure the hardship of sharing electronics with your brothers!" He didn't sense my sarcasm.

We all attended a car show that was part of the Apple Blossom Festival up in Winchester, Virginia. We let Samuel know ahead of time that he could not touch the cars and he did terrific! He also did very well walking with my husband and he played nicely at a playground before we left. He fussed a bit when it was time to leave, but I gave him a 2 minute countdown. I had to get him when time was up, but he accepted that and then willingly walked the 3/4 mile back to our car with us. It's great to be able to all go out together like this. It takes a bit of planning and strategizing, but it always does with young children anyways!

My husband and I have decided that we are going to attempt a vacation to our favorite place on Earth.. mid-coast Maine! We went there on our honeymoon, which was the end of May almost 11 years ago. We have returned there many times together, usually the same time of year. As mid-spring approaches now I always start thinking about going back. Our trips there used to mean staying at quaint inns and B&Bs, but not any more (though we may attempt one overnight stay at one of the inns)! We now either stay with friends we have made up there, or we rent a house. We're going to try and rent a charming house we stayed in four years ago. I have not been up there in 3 years, so I'm very very excited at the prospect of returning. Two years ago I was pregnant and last year my husband just took the boys while I stayed home with the baby. I'm not even going to think about the 12 hours of driving up there with a fiery tempered baby girl who hates car rides!