And Then Summer Was Canceled

Sunshine's last day of school was May 19th.  We cut out early so she could run by SuperAwesome Elementary School to say hi to old friends/teachers.  The pool opened the next day so we spent the majority of our first week of vacation swimming.  We slept in late, we relaxed.  We were having fun.

The week of Memorial Day she started a week long ballet intensive.  Three weeks off proved to be a long time as a lot of the girls were beyond exhausted and sore.  Sunshine was on a steady diet of motrin, sleep, and eating to keep up with her dance schedule.

We were planning a trip to VA to see MIL this week so on Thursday I was getting my nails done while out running errands.  Sunshine texted me to say she wasn't feeling well.  She was queasy.  I suggested she sip some Gatorade, ask for a few minutes to rest and to lie down for a few minutes to see if the feeling passed.  She didn't reply so when I texted her during her lunch break she said she was feeling better and was able to eat her lunch.  I figured she was good to go and finished my errands before heading to pick her up at 4.  She called at 3:15 and asked me to pick her up as she'd hurt herself.

They were doing the dance of the 4 swans from Swan Lake when she heard a pop.  They immediately had her rest and iced her foot.  When we got home we had Hunter check her out (having an ex-combat medic in the house is helpful).  We decided to have it checked out at the ER due to the pop sound she heard.

A couple hours and one xray later, we were told that she had indeed fractured it and we would be hearing from the Podiatrist within 72 hours.  They put a splint on her, fitted her for crutches, and sent us on our way.

I started googling fractures--dancer's fractures, Jones Fractures, etc.  At the least we knew she'd be laid up for 6 weeks.  Summer session wouldn't be a thing for her and we needed to unenroll her.  The director of the ballet was sweet and called to express her concern for Sunshine.

Podiatry called the next day and wanted us there immediately.  We saw a bone scan and it was said that she did indeed have a Jones Fracture (the worst) and surgery would be next on our plate.   We were scheduled for Monday 6/6.

From what I've researched Jones Fractures are notorious for not healing properly due to either not having surgery immediately if not at all, and for the fact that there's limited blood flow to the area.  Sunshine has the Nutcracker in 6 months and rehearsals starting in 3.  We both cried and felt like we'd been punched in the gut.

So Monday came and went.  Her surgery went as planned---nothing unexpected was discovered, the 4 screws were put in, and she didn't appreciate me playing the intro to The Six Million Dollar Man and saying "we can rebuild her, we have the technology".  She was nauseous for most of the night because of the anesthesia.  The Percocet to help with the pain didn't help much either.

Tuesday wasn't much better as she was still nauseous and the Percocet wasn't helping with her pain.  A quick visit to Podiatry later we left with a new 'script for pain meds and something for nausea.  She slept much better last night and woke in good spirits this morning.

We have a follow up next week where we'll get our first indicator of how her recovery process is going.  Her doctor seems to think that because we caught it early, operated/repaired early, and her age that she'll make a full recovery with little to no incident of reinjury (common with a Jones that didn't have surgical repair).  And best of all, she should be back to dancing in late August, early September.

Hope and optimistic are big words for us now.  As are "rest" and "heal"

Words Escape Me

Our sweet girl danced in Coppelia this past weekend.  In February she was approached by one of the instructors about dancing "up" a level for the show.  She was thrilled and of course, said yes.  The best part?  She blended right in and did an amazing job.  

 We had her evaluation for the end of the year and it was great----her instructor commented on her strength, fabulous work ethic, and her confidence.  She was told to not be so hard on herself when she makes a mistake or doesn't get anything right off the bat.  I'm not sure where she gets that *eye roll*. She's motivated to work her tail off during the summer session and fall to get promoted again in January rather than next August. The next promotion means pointe shoes!

This week is our last week of regular classes and we'll have a small recital next week along with level awards.  The awards are new this year so we'll see what they're all about.  Then it's 3 weeks break followed by a week long intensive and then 2 summer sessions with 3 classes a week.  Time to shine, Sunshine!!

That Whole Tween Thing

I'm not even going to lie. . . middle school and the whole tween thing?  Hate it.  The expectations of kids so they get into the "right" high school is ridiculous.  Yes, our district has regular high school as well as magnet programs in all high schools.  The "right" school makes a difference.   Add to that the  whole hormonal changes, meeting new friends whose families might not be as strict as we are when it comes to speaking (cursing really), behavior, dress, makeup, etc has left me like this:

Mommy drinks because you're a tween!

We've always been lucky with Sunshine---she's a really good kid.  She's smart, has a kind heart, and has never been a problem in school.  And, she's always known her own mind and has been good about making smart choices.

Now?  We're finding ourselves in a position where we don't approve of her new friends.  We haven't spent much time with them other than meeting them at the school's Open House so maybe that's not fair to say we don't approve.  We don't like some of their habits.  Hunter and I have always made an effort not to curse around Sunshine.  One night we were driving home from ballet when she said Jesus' name in a manner that definitely wasn't praying.  I called her on it and she replied "How am I supposed to know what a cuss word is when you've never told me?"

And that's when I told her.  All.The.Words.  I explained that a good rule of thumb was to stop and ask herself if she would say the particular word around her grandmothers.  If she wouldn't then she shouldn't say it.

I have to say that she doesn't do it at home as we've told her we don't approve nor will we tolerate it. Friends tell me that she'll probably do it at school but keep it clean at home.  Fabulous.  

I know being a tween/teen in today's society is hard.  I know things are highly competitive and I know tween/teen girls can be mean.  We learned this back in the fall after Sunshine's BFF from elementary school told everyone who would listen that Sunshine had been asked to the fall dance by a boy.   When Sunshine confronted her she denied it but Sunshine found out it was her.  *sigh*  

So, back to these new friends.  At I'mNotSureIfWeLikeItYet middle school each grade level eats together as a class.  So, first semester Sunshine sat with the kids from her PE class which happens to include the new girls.  Her friends from elementary school are at other tables and no, you may not choose where you sit and no, you may not choose with whom you sit.  You may pull out your phone or device and quietly listen to music or whatever.

Because kids aren't on their phones too much or anything.

So, Sunshine finds herself wanting to be part of this new group of friends and has been hurt by her old friend's lie and subsequent mean behavior of ditching Sunshine for a new friend in their first period class.  When we carpool with her the conversation is awkward at best as the girl is always nose in her phone.  If I don't start a conversation the minute she gets in the car it's a silent ride unless Sunshine speaks up.

It stinks.

Sunshine's grades have been good but AP ELA has been a struggle.  A major assignment of a research paper with MLA citaiton format left us struggling for sources when the school library refused to let kids check out books on their subject lest another kid need them.  Um, what?  Luckily I was able to find books at the city library for her.   

I'm fine with her being challenged but the frustration with the teacher's erratic style (website is never accurate, assignments change, etc) is never ending.  I just keep saying that as long as she keeps a B or higher we'll be fine.

On the bright side, she's got a high A in Advanced Placement math, as well as As in her other classes. I know, I shouldn't be complaining.

When she's home she's either our sweet Sunshine or crazy irrational tween Sunshine.  One minute she is loving, wanting hugs, or to do something with me and then one of us will say something that will set her off and it's "FIIIIINEEEEEE!" and the epic flounce out of the room.   And when I say "say something" it's usually along the lines of "it's time to get ready for ballet" or "get ready for bed!"   

Dancing has been a saving grace as there is pretty much no drama there.  We did have one girl in her Monday & Wednesday classes who tended to be a drama mama but seems to have mellowed.  It helps that Sunshine was bumped up a level on Wednesdays and will move up over the summer to Level 4 which is pre-pointe.  Her goal is to get her pointe shoes---believe me, everything is about dance right now!

So, if you need me, I might be in the corner having a beverage until the tween years are over!

Better Late Than Never

Happy 2016!  We spent Christmas in Vermont this year and despite record high temperatures the first few days we were there, we managed to get some snow right before we left.  Phew!

We went to Boston for the day before Christmas to have lunch with Hunter's aunt and uncle.  We also managed to catch up with my old stylist for a bit before heading back to the T to get our car and drive back to VT.  I would have preferred to spend the night but didn't want to saddle my mom with Smitty & Tinkerbell for a whole day!   Sunshine and I enjoyed a classic photo op outside of the TD Garden (where the Bruins play).   I met Bobby Orr once when I lived in Boston.  He signed an autograph, chatted for a moment and I went on my merry way to a Lancome training day at the Four Seasons Hotel.  I kid you not when I say his fingers are the size of sausages.

Sunshine and I also had a blast trying on my old dance costumes.  I'm proud to say that I can still fit into most of the ones I wore in high school and college!  

 A trip home wouldn't be complete without lunch with my oldest friend, Heather.  Day drinking ensued.  Again, because a trip home wouldn't be complete without it!

The cold never bothered us!

I was happy that after buying new ski pants and snow boots we got enough snow for Sunshine to play in.  She spent just about the entire day outdoors playing.  As I was packing at 630 that night she asked if she could go back outside.  A promise to stay in the backyard (with the light on) later, she was outside for another hour before dinner.  My mom laughed and told Hunter that as a kid, I would have done the same thing.  The minute the first flakes were spotted I was suiting up and getting out there until I had to be told to come back inside.  Apple/tree.

We've spent the first month of 2016 purging things----dvd's, clothes that no longer fit (mine are too big!), kitchen items, shoes, etc.  I need to get Hunter to go through his closet and get rid of the clothes he never wears.  I need to run 4 bags of stuff to GoodWill today before picking Sunshine up at school.   

Nutcracker 2015

This girl has worked awfully hard the last few months!  Next week is crazy with four nights of Nutcracker rehearsals, two school performances on Friday, and then the show on Saturday and Sunday.

I'm officially done with my Christmas shopping but I think I need one more thing for Hunter.   Sunshine has been hard to shop for this year.  She's outgrowing her AG dolls which has been sad for both of us.

I'm resting my own knee today after having some pain the other day after my 5 miles.  The drawers in the bathroom are calling my name to clean out!  Somehow my makeup drawer is overflowing with samples and products that I no longer use.

Enough With The Knees

If we can go back to this past spring when Sunshine was a 5th grader at SuperAwesomeSchool. . .

The 5th graders participate in a very competitive kick ball tournament, complete with trophy and of course, bragging rights.

Really, the bragging rights are the biggest prize for the teachers.

So in early April Sunshine was practicing kickball during recess one day and somehow managed to twist her ankle.  She wound up spraining it and was told to get rest, meds, etc.  A couple weeks later her knee became swollen and the ER doctor seemed to feel that it had been injured at the time of the ankle sprain but somehow the pain went unnoticed.  Whatever.

We kept up with motrin to help with the swelling & fluid on the knee.  She wore a brace for the tournament (which they lost.) but still tried her best.

So, fast forward to late September.  She was pushed down during PE and skinned her shin.  No major damage, no need for an ER visit.  Until about three weeks ago when the same knee became inflamed and swollen again.  Her current doctor is very nice and had the knee x-rayed as it hadn't been back in the spring.  X-rays showed nothing but there could be soft tissue damage.  Over the weekend a spot grew on her knee that was red and warm to the touch.  And she spiked a fever.  So, it was back to the doctor that Monday.  After blood work and an examination,the diagnosis was Cellulitis, we left with more meds, a note for no PE or dancing for a few days and yes, wear the brace as there was some fluid on the knee.

Can the kid catch a break?

Last weekend she felt great---went to Pilates & Nutcracker Rehearsal and then to Saturday's class and rehearsal.  No pain & everything was fine.

Saturday night we had  plans with two sets of friends for Halloween.  One friend wouldn't be heading out to Trick or Treat until 7 as her middle daughter had a soccer game.  So, we went to another friend's house and were set to go to a couple houses with them before our 2nd stop of the evening.

Sunshine, her friend K, and two other kids went up to a house and were completely scared by a man in a mask that I've been told rivaled Twisty from American Horror Story (complete with missing jaw).  The kids were so freaked that they all tried to run away.  Sunshine tried to climb over a brick retaining wall on his walkway when she fell and cut her knee.  Bad.  Like the bleeding wouldn't stop and was running down her leg.

I called Hunter to come get us so we could bring our crying, hurt girl home.  We realized how deep the cut was and that we'd be ER bound.

My child doesn't do well with needles but was okay once her knee was numb.  I know I have decent upper body strength as I managed to hold her down while they applied the lidocaine.

So, 6 stitches later, we are again on orders of no PE or dancing for 7 days, so no ballet Monday or today.  She'll possibly go to stretch class on Friday but will definitely go to rehearsal on Saturday.  We've reached the point in the game where any missed rehearsals will result in dismissal from the show.  She's worked too hard through all this to not be in the show!

I've found myself googling the Patron Saint of  knees and have been saying prayers to St. Theresa of Avila in hopes that this kid's poor knee gets a break!!

This Middle School Thing Is Cray Cray

So, Sunshine has been in middle school for 2 months now.  She's adjusted to the whole middle school thing really well---the changing classes she did for the last 2 years but having 6 different teachers in 2 different hallways with 4 minutes to get to a locker that may or may not open?  Mastered it.  She's made new friends and is still surrounded by some great friends and good kids (read: smart kids who don't start or get into trouble and who are overall sweet kids) from elementary school.  She's carrying two AP classes and over all has a 96 average in her classes.

And she's taking  ballet technique classes three times a week as well as one Pilates/Stretch class.  Oh, and Nutcracker rehearsals are in full swing.

So, yeah, we're proud of her.

Her Broadcast and Graphic Communications class is hosting a "Haunted Hallway" during the Halloween dance in a couple weeks and she and BFF are planning on dressing alike as haunted dolls--sort of like those twins from The Shining.

Things got crazy today though.  On the way home from school she told me that a boy in her Social Studies class asked her to the dance.  I'll not share his name but his nickname is "Rocky".  She said he's cute, smart, and is nice.

HE ASKED HER TO THE DANCE!

THIS IS 6TH GRADE!

SHE'S NOT ALLOWED TO GO OUT WITH BOYS!

Yes, I realize kids do go to these things as friends but he's never been mentioned to us as a new friend, and he's not one of her old friends.

ROCKY ASKED MY BABY TO THE DANCE!

ROCKY.

Just let that sink in because truthfully, I'm still in shock.

She turned him down and said she think she blushed when asked.  In true tween style, his friend (who was in her 3rd grade class) came over while she was sitting with her friends and did the asking.  We're all familiar with this MO.  It's how we skated "couples" at the roller rink when I was in 7th/8th grade.  You find your victim, boy of choice and tell your friend to go ask if they want to skate with you.  There's much gesturing and posing as your friend and said victim, boy point at you while you make sure you're posing in such a way that makes you irresistible but still faking like you don't know what's going on.  "That girl in the blue?"  "Yeah, the brunette in the blue".  "Yeah, I'll skate with her!"   You find out he goes to such and such school, skate to Bette Midler's "The Rose" or maybe "Babe" by Styx, thank one another for the skate, and most likely he'll come back during the next couples skate.  Or he might skate with you a while longer and hold your hand.

Back to Sunshine.

Rocky's friend (no, not Apollo Creed.  And not Paulie) approaches her.  Says Rocky wants to go to the dance with her.  She's shocked and for the first time in her life is speechless.  Her friends are squealing "SAY YES!!!!"  "SAY YOU'RE GOING WITH US!!!!"  "SAY NO!"  She said she finally told the friend that she was working the Haunted Hallway for Broadcasting but that she's not allowed to go out with boys.

And  she thinks she blushed.  Of course she did because she is her mother's daughter.

I sort of feel bad for ol' Rock.  Not because he's punching racks of beef in a slaughter house, but because he did get shot down.  Poor kid was probably talking to his dad or friends about how he'd like to go with her but wasn't brave enough to ask her himself. And maybe when he got home from school today they asked if she said yes.  And he has to say no.

So, as I'm nursing a glass of Fat Bastard Sauvignon Blanc, I'll raise my glass to Rocky.  Like his namesake he'll bounce back.  Adrienne will be waiting for him.  But she won't be my Sunshine!