Slamming Into Summer

So seventh grade ended up badly. That's all I will say in this post. Suffice to say that come August James will be in a new school and new school district. Meanwhile, I am getting used to Teen James, who is now almost 5' 10" at 13 & 5 months. Still a picky eater, so he is a handsome beanpole. He no longer calls out "Help me! HELP Me!!!!" when I wash his hair, but hygiene is still a struggle. He's learned to do his own laundry at a coin-op facility and is learning to rule the vacuum cleaner. As for myself... after dealing with all the schtuff I don't post about explicitly online for way too many years, I am tired.

Meanwhile, this happens to be THE Best summer school he has had in well over over four years. First the classes are at the high school campus, away from the noise and confusion of the previous location (six years running). Second, the teacher is giving them all life skills: cooking, taking the bus,  filling out a job application, and buying things in the store ... what is not to love? Third, he likes the older kids and the teacher.

I am wrangling summer reading on the side.

Still dealing with way too much spitting and use of tissue and toilet paper. Also clogging toilets when upset about things. Trying to get ABA going. Still working full time. Still dealing with end of life and major health issues in my family. Still calling and writing those nuts in DC about how I feel about our current status for education, healthcare, and immigration. And that damned tax bill.

Thank goodness for good friends, good books, and Marvel movies!

And so it goes.