Spring

Spring is the season of change and rebirth, especially this year for us. In March, A finally had his interview for the pilot flow through program thing between his regional and a major. We've been looking forward to it and it's been in the works for a while. He took the personality test portion what feels like forever ago but kept missing the interview sign-ups because he doesn't check his company email daily. Approved pilots are pulled out of the program in seniority order and they aren't near his number yet, but it's nice to have the interview portion out of the way as well. That required an overnight stay out of town. He has done well and was approved for the program. Except for that pesky lack of a 4 year degree thing. We recently found out that they will let you get all the way into the process and then at the "final review" hold your application. A is still convinced that they have hired some without the degree so we are pressing on. We are still held up on spending the time and money for a BS in professional piloting. It would be the quickest route, but probably the least useful for fallback skills. Which is why he would need to get a degree in the first place. As if a degree is going to magically change him from the guy who interviewed. So it remains to be worked out.

We also just took advantage of his last vacation time that was at a time we needed. We have been lucky that for the last several years, he has been able to take vacation to be home during spring break and summer vacation. Seniority does that. But now with upgrade around the corner, who knows. Although the company is hemorrhaging pilots so a trade may be available yet. We didn't do anything fancy, but did have some family come to visit. And he played househusband with our 7 year old in tow.

Just a few more weeks until upgrade training. ITS FINALLY HERE! I can tell A is stressed about it, but I think he'll be fine. He's never had any kind of trouble in training classes- not initial training or retraining when he hadn't flown for two+ years. We'll make it through the same as we always have.

My biggest boy, Kidzilla, is about to be 16 this weekend. I can't believe it. Although he no longer lives here with us, we see him regularly and keep updated. He'll be here for a visit this summer again. I can't believe he's grown so big and looks like a teen. I still remember being in the hospital with him, our first playgroup, the time a Cracker Barrel he ate all the shrimp tails with the shrimp... It's been amazing to watch him outgrow me- physically, in math, and as a primary caretaker. I hope that we are able to maintain our good relationship and he continues on the path he is currently on.

Here's to all that the Easter Bunny can bring!

The difference between mom and dad- # 546

A is totally the Disneyland dad at our house. He sweeps in and either surprises the kids at school/daycare or slips in overnight. He plays with the kids so I can clean and do laundry. He gets sent to all the birthday parties, soccer tryouts, and scout events. He works on the big school assignments and I take care of the daily homework. It works out for us this way because by the time he gets home, I just want a break from the kids. And he is more creative on projects than I am- after college, graduate school, and a 10 year career in summer camps and educational events I am DONE with crafts, poster boards, dioramas, decoupage and anything involving building with dry pasta. But A, he will tackle it once assigned.

Most recently, the biggest little kid came home with a project to research and animal and create a habitat in a shoe box. I immediately passed on the project and assigned it to A to assist in completing. All went well until we realized on Sunday night that it was not due AFTER the following weekend, when they had planned to complete it, but the Friday before. And A was gone Monday-Friday. Which meant I had to finish up the project. On top of the regular homework, chores, lunch making, and dinner feeding that normally occurs on a weeknight. A did the leg work, decided on an animal with S and bookmarked some websites for research. All went well until we had to go hunt down a plastic replica of our animal for the habitat. Which entailed me driving around town, in commute traffic, with three kids in tow, to multiple stores looking for a specific animal. Which might not have been so bad if it was the weekend and just the A and S. But it was a pain. And I admit, there was some moaning and complaining on my part. But, the animal was found, painted the appropriate color with some nail polish (see, everyone needs green and orange nail polishes at some time in their lives!) and placed in the appropriate habitat.

It made me realize how differently we approach projects. Upon finding out the assignment, I, the ever practical, tactical, long range thinking mom, would have instantly cataloged my brain Rolodex for animals and habitat items we have on hand, calculated the easiest to assemble project and then gently steered S toward that animal. A on the other hand, immediately thought "hmm, what's the coolest animal we could do?" Without regard to what we had on hand or how hard the items might be to come by.

Thank goodness we each have unique strengths, otherwise each of our kids would be doomed to turning in the same projects each time they were assigned as they progressed through the grades. And no one would be wearing clean clothing.