meanmammameandaddy............

ok, so lest we forget where the name of this blog arose......we were reminded last night as we were breaking the news that the one who had planned to attend a school dance had not the agreed-upon midterm grades to receive this priviledge.......ouch.... the parental commitment to stick to one's standards is a tough call...are the academic standards set for the older children appropriate for the younger one who was not privy to the same formative opportunities?......in some ways we have already lowered the bar by saying that a's and b's are the goal......rather than all a's....... regardless......a handful of c's doesn't get anybody into a dance...at least not in this family....and so i/we are again mean....and will remain so as long as we have some semblence of chance to make a difference in this child's future.........and because this grades business took precedence.....the merit finalist part and the fall dean's list certificate that arrived in the mail for the eldest (he has yet to mention this to us).......were lost in the hubbub......we'll celebrate tomorrow......the eldest and his girlfriend are coming down for after-church lunch...when we plan to celebrate the youngest's birthday with just family........her birthday is actually next weekend.....the birthmother and her husband will be here..they are making a special trip as this is her 12th birthday on the 12th of february.....they call it her golden birthday.....we have no knowledge of this golden birthday business, but they are in a tizzy about the notion.......and the rest of the family is not required to be around for that visit......if i didn't have to be around i wouldn't be......but this is something i signed on for....and i will make the best of it....meanmamma or not......