Vicarious Rocky

Is that so much to ask? Why must I work at things I want to achieve? Bah. Round two of judging comments are in for the book synopsis/writing sample and overall results are similar. One judge Loved it and made it a finalist! The other two, not so much. But, we're not talking start over type criticism. Just, "get back to work" feedback. I guess I can't write a book in 4 months and launch a career. Noted.

Two more contests to work towards . . . due in August. Then I get the feedback and start putting it out there "for real." I am grumpy about not being a "natural" at this and having to work hard, but this has really been a great process.

And the two judges from the separate contests that really like the work so far have been huge ego boosters. I mean, these 2 people don't know me. They have no reason to soft pedal criticism and say they really like it. It's not like my Mommy was a judge. Right Mom? You're not judging these right? ;-)

Back to work. I am now officially embarking on draft 2.

Lot's of fun stuff has gone on in April and the beginning of May. And what better way to share then with the photos.

We're dedicated to camping this summer. Sage is working his ass off. Indy is talking all about Cedar Point.

On the one hand, we've done it. A Lot. It's getting to be like our local park over there. And it's about $350 for the all we can eat Cedar Fair experience. Indy is also a bit busy this summer with camp, 2 vacations, and some other odds and ends. We were thinking it'd be good to branch out, try some new camp grounds, or do other "stuff" whatever that may be.

On the other hand, it's seriously fun, especially the water park. Sage can work anywhere at the park and just needs a chair. We love camping up there which makes it an instantly entertaining and somewhat cheap getaway. Indy loves it and . . . is getting tall. By next year he may not be able to do the kiddie rides he loves and will be too young and chicken to do the bigger rides that his 90th percentile self will technically qualify for as a 6-yr-old. So we may be approaching a Cedar Point gap between kiddie fun and teenage fun.

Anyone want to weigh in?

About three times a year, the circle time conversation sent home makes me shake my head and not in a good way. Every time this happens, I am reminded why this school is right for some and not for Indy. On one hand, it's my experience that expecting a lot of people can cause them to rise to the occasion and achieve new heights of accomplishments. It is also my experience that when the expectation seems to high to get to, hopes are dashed, esteem is crushed, and a gap of accomplishment forms between those that can rise and those that can not or will not.

Today's circle time was about reminders in regards to adhering to the busy and complicated routine of the OTS preschool classroom. Seems some kids are not adhering, need reminded, or maybe are even ignoring instruction. These children are being bad. These children will not do well next year because this sort of thing will not be tolerated in Kindergarten.

I know my kid is one of those that needs reminded because he has a lot of trouble staying focused in stimulating environments. He has been labeled easily distractable and often does not hear his name. He has filtering issues, it's true. And, if someone can guide me as to how one fosters focus amidst chaos, I'd love advice. Aside from exposure and practice (this school, karate, birthday parties, Mom's vigilance), I can only think to limit the stimulation when possible, so that he might also have success and feel the reward of focus.

Anyhow, kid chews his sleeve a lot when things get crazy and school is one of those wet sleeve inducing activities. Now, he can also know that this inability to focus makes him a bad kid destined for poor kindergarten performance.

I look forward to drier sleeves at his new school.

I am not sure if his love of these videos should concern me, but I think they're cool, so he gets to watch them. This one is long, but a double loop.