Semi-quick update

Yes, I've been neglectful. You really have no idea how much. (you would if you saw my kitchen floor....)

Things have been insanely busy here. Finally school is out and I now am the sole entertainer of three kids 24-hours-a-day. It sucks. It's been a week and I am totally ready for school to begin again.

This was a hard school year. We had the Gabriel issue in the 3rd semester - which I am SO proud to say is no longer an issue. His tutor, Ms. Smith, is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Seriously. He went from a C- on his interim report in reading (with questionable promotion) to finishing with a high B. He really has worked his little butt off. And he better, 'cause tutoring isn't cheap.

Unfortunately Bella didn't finish so well. Her grades were fine. It was the damn FCAT. This could really be a whole separate post. Basically, for you non-Floridans, the FCAT is a state-mandated test. It's graded 1-5, with 5 being the best and 1 being state-required retention. Bella got a 1. I have spoken to her teachers and the school countless times, and we were all figuring a 2 would be likely. The 1 destroyed me. At first I was sooo mad at her. She's moody, she misbehaves. I literally broke the door frame to her room (I warned her I'd break the door down if she didn't open it). I've been at my wit's end. But, I've also been at the school since the middle of 1st grade wanting her to be tested for reading disabilities. I keep hearing that she doesn't qualify. Ok, so how long am I going to keep playing this game or can they just test her already? The answer to that is that Ms Smith, the tutor, is working with me and the school this summer. I will not go through this again. Even this week at tutoring she misspelled gabriel's name "gadriel." But, she did get promoted even with the 1. The Clay County School Board felt her grades were high enough. I told them, if she needs to be held back, then do it. I will not make her suffer every year and struggle to get by. I'd rather she stays back now than in middle school. But everyone has assured me she'll be fine. I'm not completely through with this. Wait until they deal with me on the 1st day of school. They think I hound them as it is....ha!

Our trip to Rochester is planned. Bella and Gabriel are actually flying up a week ahead of us. Then (and can you freakin' believe it) Mauricio will actually be able to come. Of course, I just bought his ticket today. A nice $406.81. If everyone could have just made up their minds a month ago when I bought the rest of our tickets, I would have paid $160 round trip. Oh well, I'm just happy he's going. We already have plans for 4-wheeling at my mom's land, using my dad's boat on lake ontario, and eating. a lot. Mauricio is counting down the hours until he can get to Charlies :) Me, not so much, but if anyone's looking for me, I'll be in line at Abbotts....oh God, Abbotts.....mmmmmm..

What was I saying?

Oh yeah, and hopefully a nice picnic at Hamlin Beach. I can't wait.

So that's about it. I'm doing the summer semester, so I'm swamped with homework and text books. In fact, I have a quiz on Labor Relations this afternoon. But other than that we're all still here and hanging out at the pool.

Hope you're all having a wonderful summer so far :)
See all my NYer friends very soon!!