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Just a little photo story.

Pina colada froyo

It's getting to the point where my blogging is so predictable (when I get around to it) that I should just write in code. So here you go.

Summertime. Creamy frozen treats.

Pina Colada Frozen Yogurt

1 can crushed pineapple with juice

1 can coconut cream (not coconut milk)

3/4 c. sugar

1 c. full-fat plain yogurt

Blend it all in your blender. Then process it in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer directions. Mellow in the freezer before serving.

Tropical bliss, and no dairy except yogurt in it, so my lactose-intolerant husband should be able to eat it without undesirable aftereffects, and I will not end up snarfing it all myself. Let's see if this works. Dr. G. has a lot of willpower, unfortunately for me.

Never say never

My S basically flunked the second half of 4th grade. He just refused to do the work, and the teacher's approach seemed to be to let him choose what to do and experience the consequences. I don't totally disagree with that, but getting Fs didn't seem to wake him up, even though we had consequences at home too.

In thinking about it I came to the realization that the change was more in expectations than in S. He just was not getting the guidance and attention that he did when he did better in school - he excelled academically through all the lower grades in spite of his ADHD-related behavior issues. Obviously in 4th grade you do not get as much hand holding and the class size is much bigger. And I started to feel like he was just not ready for that transition. He has an August birthday and as early as kindergarten I had concerns about his readiness, but I hesitated to make him wait, because he is so big for his age.

I was leaning toward having him repeat 4th grade. Well, Dr. G. was very much against that and ultimately I think he is right - the stigma is just too great at this age. Plus, S does know the 4th grade material; he just refused to do the work to show it. So repeating would just make him bored and embarrassed and not do much good.

At the same time I really did not believe he was ready for 5th grade in the public schools. I mean, that is almost middle school! He does not have the skills to meet those expectations!

So there was one alternative ... something I never thought I could do ... We are going to homeschool S this year. I can hardly believe I have decided this but with much prayer I know it is the right thing to do.

The great thing is, in California, there are charter schools that give you funding and guidance and help you a lot. So we just scheduled our intake interview for a school in the Modesto area. I think this will be a great way to help him get up to speed before middle school. We are on our way!

Three books, mixed thanks

So, I will thank my dear, brilliant friend Miriam for recommending that I read Neil Gaiman. Dr. G,. on the other hand, is probably not so happy about it. I have read three freaky, amazing novels in the last couple of weeks and done little to no housework. Each book has a premise so imaginative and writing so engaging and witty that it's kinda tough to break away ... well, yeah, you know me and my character flaw related to a good book. Visiting teachers, social workers, and anybody else reading this blog, I may need a week or so before you try coming over here. (Just kidding, my visiting teachers already know how I really live, and social workers are not coming here anymore because our kids are finally and officially adopted!)

One. Anansi Brothers. Two half-mortal sons of the trickster-spider god and how they mess things up and fix them again, along with significant ideas about good and evil, myth and magic, and so on, in a story that moves at romp speed with sympathy and humor and fright woven in its ... web, yeah, I couldn't resist.

Two. Good Omens, or the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. What happens at Armageddon if the Son of Satan gets misplaced in a hospital switcheroo, because nobody in Heaven or Hell really knows what they're doing. Funny and philosophical.

Three. Coraline. Read in an hour or so this afternoon. So deeply frightening, I need to get out in the sunshine. And I really do not trust that well, and when you read about it you will know what I mean. SHUDDER.

Have fun!

After tomorrow

After tomorrow, this can never happen to me again.

Social workers and attorneys and judges will be officially out of my family's life. Unless I get crazy someday and foster kids again.

But I will never say goodbye again to the kids I have, not that way.

Happy tears ... I sort of can't believe what I have been through the last two and a half years. That was one long, painful labor.

We'll be in court at 9:30.

Daughter book

It seems like I've been posting a lot about my ubiquitous and dynamic little daughter lately. Two year olds are always entertaining, aren't they? I've also been reading a book that seemed to make me watch her with even more than the usual wonder.

"The Hummingbird's Daughter" by Luis Alberto Urrea is dense with faith, magic, tradition and color. (I sound like a back-of-the jacket reviewer ... but I really liked this book.) The book is an historical novel about Teresa or Teresita, the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy rancher, the author's great-aunt and a powerful curandera who was seen as a saint by the people and a dangerous revolutionary by the government. The setting was really transporting for me, the characters were just about universally lovable, and the perspective of the protagonist on the supernatural was really enlightening. Not to mention the gorgeous Spanish-flavored writing, something I always enjoy (witness my affection for Isabel Allende).

Don't mistake me; the text is earthy, violent, sometimes disturbing. It might not be the best book for your Relief Society book club if your fellow readers there are very sensitive. But if they can take it, there is a lot of spiritual material to discuss. I have latched onto one little idea from Huila, Teresita's mentor: praying only for others, not for yourself. I'm trying it out. Amazing how much my prayers had turned to wish lists, and amazing how different I feel turning my heart to others instead.

And if you get discouraged while reading the book, hang on. The ending will knock your socks off. It's totally triumphant. That's all I'll say!