Here you go!

Well, summer vacation has officially begun, and Liam started talking about how "bored" he was THE DAY school ended. He's so used to being busy ALL day long at school that to be home is just killing him. Or so he would have you believe, anyway...I didn't register him for anything during the time he's home for a couple of reasons: 1. He's not home that much, between his annual visit east, his OMSI camp, mom's wedding, etc. that it certainly will not hurt him to actually have some down time, and 2. Because he wouldn't have been able to do much with all the scheduling anyway - he fell right in the middle of just about everything. Good news is that Hunter is typically home and out at least part of the day, and Helen is out during the evening...so he's really not lacking for stuff to do - it's more that mom is just not nearly as cool as other previous options.

He's also in the middle of a transition - he's getting to go to sleep an hour later every night (though he only goes to bed half-an-hour early and spends the last 30 minutes reading). However, we (read: Phil) are no longer laying down with him to put him to bed (which means no falling asleep with him) - we go in at 9, tuck him in, say good-night, give him hugs and kisses, and then leave. I'm a bit better at it than Phil, simply because I'm a bit better at realizing when Liam is deploying his stalling tactics. Liam's not so sure he likes this plan, but he's doing pretty well with it.

We have a morning schedule set - at 10AM, EVERYONE works for 1 1/2 hours. Chores, cleaning, helping mom...whatever needs to be done gets done during that time. Obviously, I continue to have stuff I need to get done during the day, but the thought is that Liam won't feel so upset about having to get his chores done if he sees that everyone else is working too. So, on the weekends, Phil will join in - then we have the rest of the day to (mostly) relax without stressing about stuff that hasn't gotten done yet. It seems to be working pretty well - though we haven't tried it with Phil yet ;)

Speaking of Phil - he's now back to work. It's a relief to both of us, knowing that the horrible waiting is over. This month is a no-paycheck month, but after that we'll be on a regular schedule. In fact, an even better schedule - every two weeks, rather than the 1st and 15th. He's feeling much better - he didn't talk about it much, but I know he was very stressed and anxious.

I *finally* got my Oregon teacher certification. It's kind of funny, really - in Florida, where my original teaching certification is from, I can teach K-6. Here in Oregon, for whatever reason, I can teach Pre-K all the way up to 8th grade. Bad thing is that, like in many other parts of the country, budgets have taken huge hits - Portland Public Schools system is looking at laying off over 200 teachers or shortening the school year by 15 days (I don't know how THAT works...). And that is in addition to the teachers who have already lost their jobs from previous budget shortfalls. It's not a good time to be a teacher in the state of Oregon...or to be looking for a job. There are so many people who have more experience than I do, and they will automatically climb to the top of the list. So...we'll see. Liam's school is hiring, but I won't work there...that is HIS place, where he can go and be goofy and grow without us there, and I won't take that away from him.

Ceana is...Ceana. Talking more and more, and sticking to her brother like velcro. I think she's going to have a hard time when he leaves this summer - she absolutely adores him. And he has been absolutely terrific with her. She's growing like a weed, and LOVES to be outside (preferably with no shoes - regardless of the weather). She is incredibly finicky with her eating at the moment - I'm hoping that she will outgrow that, but at the moment it's driving us crazy. And her new thing, having watched brother ask to go play with his friends, is to come running to me and asking to play with Helen (Liam's friend a couple of doors down). It's pretty funny, really...I don't think Helen realizes how much Ceana likes her!

Ok, well...I've babbled enough. I'll post some pics for all to enjoy - notice the beard Phil is growing! Hope this finds you all doing well!

Hugs to all