June 5th 1972

That's when I got born, so happy birthday to me. And indeed it has been. The weather has been beautiful and I've been having fun outside with 4 very good and independent big kids and 1 very crabby and clingy little kid. The good news on that one is that I believe there is only one more tooth to go and we'll be done with that teething business for awhile.........however as far as the other two problems go, there are still 10 months of him being 2 and I suspect we are destined for a lifetime of him being spoiled.

I got some great presents, too. Mom sent me cash and I went and bought myself some Keens! I've wanted for a long time for work, everyone here has them--they are ideal "nurse" shoes. They're dark blue and soooo comfy. Then, Brian gave me a clothesline. I couldn't be happier. I've wanted one forever and he always ignored me (he doesn't say no--he is passive aggressive so he has to ignore instead) because he is snobby and thinks they are tacky. As he gets older he cares less what other people think and that's all good for me.

Then, Fedex arrived with my laptop. ON my birthday, I'm not kidding. I"ve been waiting weeks for it. I'm required to have one for fall for school as I"ll be traveling some for clinicals (just to Fargo for a few long weekends through the year but still I have to have one) plus we really have been needing a 2nd computer, what with 6 computer users in the house (and one more on the up and up). It's shiny red--just deliciously electronic looking. I took it out of the box and of course had a million people crowded around me looking at it and reaching out grimy fingers. "Oh, no," I said, "No child will touch this!".

To which Wil responded.................."Look, a child is touching it.........." and reached out his dirty little finger while horns grew out of his head and a tail swished visibly behind him. That guy..............

The kids brought home their report cards and everyone did well. Ana got SIX "O"s!!! Ana, I know you read this, so I want you to know how proud we are of you! You worked very hard for your grades! Ben got five O's, which is also great. Lij brought home a neat paper that they made on the last day of school, they passed around papers on which everyone was supposed to write one nice thing about that person, and his was interesting. "you are so funny" "you are funnyer than i exepted" "You are so cool" "you are an awesome friend" "you are so funny" "you are so funny" "you are so funny" "you are so funny" "you are so funny"

I take it we have a class clown on our hands.