Rough Week with shining moments

Yesterday I got an email asking how I do it with two kids and being a single parent. Most weeks its not too bad. This was a tough one. But we had some great moments too.

Good:
Elizabeth's school conference was last night. She is doing great. Both her main teacher and gym teacher had glowing reports. I got to see some of Elizabeth's work that hadn't come home yet and see a wonderful report card. Very Very proud of that girl!

Ella went to gymnastics and pretty much stayed in the gym for the whole thing. Last week it was more work to talk her into staying but I think she is getting the hang of it and she really does enjoy it. I got a kick watching both of the girls.

Elizabeth had a friend over on Wednesday and they had a great time.

Both girls got to hold Cameron and didn't drop him or do any damage. :-)

Ella playing Hair Dresser at daycare was pretty funny and sure helped make Tuesday a better day.

Tough:
Elizabeth said she was sick on Monday - she really wasn't. Monday night she had a meltdown and had to be put to bed early. It started because I asked her to pick up some toys. I asked Ella to do the same and she had no problem. Then on Tuesday she had another meltdown when it was time to go to school. She even hid from me. I ended up carrying her from the house to the car. This meltdown started with me telling her she couldn't wear her pink fancy boots to school because they would get wrecked in the wet. It was so bad that I lost my cool and was yelling at her in the car on the way to school. I did calm down but I hate when I lose my cool and to be honest, I cried in front of the girls. I also cried at daycare when I dropped Ella off and again when I was driving to work.

Work is tough too. About 1/3 of our staff are at a conference put on for our clients. So we have less staff here. The new issues called in by clients are less but it sure didn't feel like it the first part of the week. Then to add to my stress, my boss pulled me aside last Friday to say people were complaining about me being late. I understand I shouldn't be late but to be honest, that added to my stress and I bet the kids felt it on Monday which may have lead to the behavior issues. But, we are doing much better (except today - I was late again).

Ella has been having a really hard time sleeping at night. Two nights this week she wouldn't fall asleep until 11PM. I am not kidding. She also is having issues with her room and only wants to sleep with Mom. I am ok with that except she really snores now. Almost to the level of sleep apnea. I am keeping an eye (or ear) on that and will let her Doctor know if it doesn't get better soon. Its expected with the type of surgery she had but it makes sleeping with her tough. So, my level of rest has been less as well as Ella's. But, she gets caught up by taking well needed naps at daycare. I can't do that at work. :-) I let both girls fall asleep in my bed this week and was able to move Elizabeth to hers after awhile but only had success once with Ella. So, I slept in her bed :-) Either way, I did not get enough sleep this week.

Interesting moments:
I got an email from a family that adopted from the same orphanage that Elizabeth is from. They are going to China and staying with a local family in PingXiang soon and have offered to take pictures and letters. I need to get that done this weekend. I am hoping the family they are staying with may know the foster family that Elizabeth lived with for 10 months. That would be so wonderful if we could develop a relationship. Just today Elizabeth was saying she wants to send pictures to her Foster Mom because she misses her and her Foster Mom misses Elizabeth. I have not said a word to Itty about the traveling family so that was out of the blue.

Walking out to the garage today Elizabeth turned to me and said "Mom, its the second day of Spring?" I said Yup... I am tired of the snow too.

Ella has been doing more and more Knock Knock jokes but hers are always:
Knock Knock
Whos There?
Pochantas
Pochantas Who?
Pochantas Pickles.

They just crack me up.

Tonight Elizabeth is going to a Birthday Paryt/Slumber Party. Ella and I are going to pick up some pictures I had framed and clothes shopping for me. Then I will boil some eggs so they can do some egg decorating tomorrow after I get done cleaning. I also have a lot of clothes to wash and some dishes. Those things fell behind alot this week. And next Friday I am off work. Hot Diggity Dog.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter Weekend and Thanks for letting me vent.