My step-daughter's schoolmate's motivations are still a mystery, and at school they only mentioned it in the classes she was to be in. My step-daughter seems to be handling it well, after the initial shock of course, and school scheduling and homework are doing their best to keep her mind off. The funeral will be private. Thank you for all the concern and support.

 I'm so excited! My little camera is starting to act up so I finally bit the bullet and ordered a new one. This should work with my old film lenses so it will be like old times -ha! That saves a little money, too. Yay!

Sending off a care package to the one in college, full of treats. It will probably be followed up with a lecture on good eating habits. *sigh* 

 We were told by one of our daughters last night that a friend of hers at school hanged herself yesterday morning. Today was the first day of school after the summer break and everything went fine after such a tearful and traumatic night. Poor thing. We don't know any of the details, but we had a big talk about openness and not keeping things to oneself after of course all the reassurances. Looking back, I think most adults see high school as such a confusing time, and realize just how young a teenager is, but the kids who are in it think that is the end of their growth, that everything culminates in teenage-hood, so if they can't handle a problem, that's it. I suppose we will hear more as the week goes on.

 Getting up the gumption to go back to the gym after ages. Just saw the pictures from E's b-day. Remind me not to stand next to my 6 foot tall model thin teenage stepdaughters. I look like a mushroom.  Dad's whole side of the family is tall and thin with perfect bone structure *sigh*.

Luckily, after 3 days interviewing fit clubs, I find out my gym membership is still valid -yay! So with the money I save, I'm going to get me a new ipod shuffle and waterproof setup that won't get all tangled in my hair. NOW I'm getting excited! Fortunately the gym is close enough to work that I can go on my lunch hour, and I'm just out of shape enough that it won't take longer than that to go, do my thing and return. 

All for the best, eh? 

 Daddy couldn't leave the room this morning without tears and wails, and little bit clung to him like a little monkey at the daycare. But was all smiles, spit and holler the rest of the time, not the listless little lump he has been the last few days.  I guess he's feeling better. So glad to have my baby (and my Baby) back! 

 Daddy comes back from CA late tonight where he's been having a good time with an old friend. 5 days is just too long - E doesn't know where why or for how long, he just knows Daddy isn't there and he's been kind of depressed. He clings to me when I drop him off in the mornings and cries, (makes me feel guilty) then clings to the caretaker in the afternoons and won't come home (makes me feel bad) and the ladies have been talking in spanish about how he won't go to his Mommy when they think I can't understand. Then it's da-da-da-da-da-da all the way to the car and to the door, and over the monitor occasionally in his sleep. Poor little thing.

Well, at least he'll see him in the morning.

Napping after a way-too-hot stroll in the jogging stroller. Until Autumn hits I think we'll have to keep it hooked up the back of the bike.

It's always a shuffle in the mornings with everyone getting ready for their days. Now E wants to brush his own teeth and will try with anyone's toothbrush. . . eewww. Big sis has arranged a ride to school with a friend once the semester starts, so we won't have to worry about getting her there before the bell rings so much. Thank goodness, since the poor girl has racked up 4 detentions on our fault in the last year. Little buddies don't know anyone's schedule but their own.

 E in his babylegs - no more skinned knees for little crawlers.

 Since I can't seem to shake this cough, Daddy gave E a shower last night to help me out. I give baths, but Daddy always has his own style. Poor little man was so traumatized! He did NOT like the splashing water even though Daddy held him the whole time. He was so still and quiet when I toweled him off and got him ready for bed. I think we'll be going back to baths for a while.