What does an ATM get you? Money you say? Well, yes, but for us at the Renaissance festival yesterday, it bought us time. Sarah loves banks, especially if they have a drive-through lane with a “closed” sign. She was so excited to see banks of ATMS that that is where she wanted to spend her time: watching lines of people move through to get their cash. Two years ago when we attended the Ren Fair, Sarah timed out after a couple of hours because she was hot and tired and we were all staying together so she probably felt she was dragged around. This year we split into two pairs so each kid could really do what they wanted but we still worried about how long Sarah would stay content. She lasted as long as the rest of us did. Mostly, Sarah stayed at the ATMs but she also balanced on a chain, played in some dirt (informing Carl that “D is for Dirty tiger,”) and ate some food. We all looked at a fairy city. Amy did elaborate face painting before we left the house so she wouldn’t have to wait in line for it at the festival. From top to toes she was an absolute work of art and looked every inch a water fairy. Amy enjoyed archery, an acrobatic show, and helping Carl pick out clothing that was breathable. His original outfit looked great but was very hot, as was the day, so it wasn’t a great combination. I wore a long white dress that my mom wore 55 years ago and that I wore when I graduated high school. I had to tie the ribbon a bit differently because I’m not quite the same size as I was 30 years ago, but it still worked.
In keeping with the theme of years gone by, last Sunday we attended a performance of Macbeth by Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Park. If you are in Pittsburgh, I highly recommend it. Their work is always stellar. Sarah didn’t make it through more than the first five minutes of the play, so Carl took her home. We had driven separately because we knew this might happen. Normally I don’t even attempt to bring Sarah to such plays, but she insisted that she wanted to go. Amy stayed with me the whole time and enjoyed it.
In our current time period, I am feeling tentatively hopeful about the girls continuing to make their own lunches for school. For the past few years we would always start that way and then slip back into old habits of me making the lunches because Amy was overloaded with homework, and Sarah didn’t want to participate, and I didn’t want to work hard to get her to do it. So far, Sarah has eagerly made her lunch for the next school day every time it is needed – often without me even saying anything. If she wants a bagel sandwich then she still asks me for help to cut the bagel and spread the cream cheese, which I’m happy to do, but she does the rest. Amy has also made her lunches, but I can see we might end up sharing this task as her homework ramps up in intensity.
Amy’s new high school arranges for all of their students to do internships on Friday afternoons. Amy is thrilled to have gotten an internship at one of our favorite bakeries! The only tricky part is at pick-up time. I just had to buy our favorite cookies and bread! The hardship is real.
Sarah’s swim teacher has a new work schedule that no longer matches the time we have for lessons. I have been pleasantly surprised that for the past two weeks Sarah still wanted to go to the pool and was happy to accept my instruction! It is very tricky to reprogram habits around kicking and arm movements, but we are working on it. I’m amazed that she is so open to letting me guide her arms slowly while we are standing still. We also do a lot of kicking practice at the wall with me verbally and physically working to override her habit of bending her knees so it looks more like she is pedaling a bike than swimming. In the past when I would attempt such guidance she would have none of it, so this is a huge deal that she is open to my help.
The final tiny miracle of the week is that after Sarah’s acting class on Friday, she actually told us what song they sang! Usually it has been impossible to get any information beyond that class was good. Now we know that her group sang “Consider Yourself.”
If you are in Pittsburgh and have an open schedule this Wednesday September 17 at 6pm, please consider coming to the Fig Tree Coffeehouse in Crafton. Jennifer Szweda Jordan of We Hopeful Pilgrims will be interviewing me and one of Sarah’s teachers from middle school. We will be discussing my journey with Sarah and how it worked to transition her to school and how her teacher supported her. You can enjoy drinks from the coffee shop while you listen, and they usually sell items from another favorite bakery of ours. I will be selling my books for a discounted price of $15 for this event only.
Wishing you all the joy that Sarah had upon spying the row of ATMs.
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