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Gearing Up for School (In More Ways Than One)
By Margot | August 31, 2010
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Charlie and Andy at Legoland Yesterday
Sam, Charlie and Andy with the Castillos at Legoland (what seems like yesterday)
We are getting ready for school. I know most of the rest of the country has already started but Andy and Charlie start next week. I’m trying to focus on all of the practical aspects of getting the boys ready and not dwell on the mental part of starting without Sam. I’m going to suck it up because it’s a big first day of second grade for Andy and he’ll need us.  I’m taking Rhonda Dudley’s advice and am faking it until I make it: http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Sydneymarie
We went to Legoland yesterday and tried the new water park. The boys had a great time and Charlie braved up about half way through and went on all of the big slides. He’s tall enough to go on everything but poor guy is only four so it’s scary for him when his brother says, “Come on Charlie, you are tall enough now. Let’s go.”  The waterpark is definitely a half day thing, we spent the rest of the day going on regular Legoland rides. We had a big group of kids and it was fun for the boys. We went on Sam’s favorite Bionicle roller coaster two times.  It was our first time there without him. We’ve done so many firsts without him lately and I have to keep reminding myself that we will be doing firsts without him for the rest of our lives. Ick. I was thinking about him with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes the other day driving the boys downtown to meet Uncle Matt and a car passed by us with a Ghandi bumper sticker that said “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” and I remembered Sam doing his oral Ghandi report that he and I worked so hard on and I was so proud of him for remembering to say that quote. It was funny timing. Â
Charlie loved his birthday party. It was a great Pump it Up success and he’s very proud to be four.  He’s going to be going to school Monday, Wednesday, Friday this year for half-day preschool.  He’s doing well in soccer and practices with Andy’s team when he’s done with his own practice.
My mantra has been “just keep going,” “keep swimming,” “keep busy.” The tears hit sometimes when I’m not expecting them (and sometimes when I am expecting them- Mack’s 10th birthday) I joined a tennis league and as I told Neil, it’s my first real foray into anything without my “peeps” as they say. Meaning, I’m just meeting the whole team except for Kelly and they don’t know my story yet. I’m usually very insulated by people who went through it with us so the “How many children do you have?” question keeps coming up. It sucks but the tennis part is really fun. I’m still running and a group of us are going to run the Max Run on the 11th. http://www.maxsringoffire.org/max-run/
If I were to do the Monday morning sports report as I used to when I was doing Sam updates this is what you would read about this fall for the Hutchisons:Â
Saturday soccer report: Charlie’s game (mom coach)Â Andy’s game (Dad coach)
Sunday Andy Fall baseball report: (Dad helping coach)
Tuesday: Mom’s tennis report
Sept. 11Â Running report
Add to all of this swimming for both boys and tennis for Andy and I know you are thinking I’ve overdone it on “just keep busy” front.  Particularly for Andy who is going to be one worn out guy. Something’s probably going to have to give. But we’ll try it all out and see what might be expendible.  Andy’s doing well. Charlie is stuck to him like glue lately and doesn’t even want to birthday parties or playdates without him. Poor Andy got bribed and dragged to go with us to a four year old Stawberry shortcake party at the park.  It involved a lot of eye-rolling and sighing on Andy’s part but he was a good sport for the most part. The only good part was that he got to smash open the pinata after all the four year olds had a go at it. Good batting practice.  He and I are on the second Percy Jackson book now, we read Big Red in between which he liked a lot.Â
I’ll update next week after the first day of school. Please keep all of the kids still fighting this nasty disease in your thoughts and prayers there are so many in trouble lately.   Today is the 2nd anniversary of the day Max Mikulak went to heaven. Please keep the Mikulaks in your thoughts today.
Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 5 Comments »
September 1st, 2010 at 2:52 am
It sure was selfless and generous of you and your boys to come help Mack celebrate his birthday. It meant so much to him, and to us, that you were here, as you always have been, to see him through this milestone. There were tears at breakfast and at bedtime on Sunday, from both Mack and Grant, but they had a good day and were happy the Hutchisons were here. More firsts – and you’re getting through them, most importantly – together. Keep channeling Sam. He’ll get you through it all. I know he will. He learned about generosity from his generous parents – and his gifts keep giving. Love you all – Lisa
September 1st, 2010 at 3:36 am
Thinking of your sweet family while I am on a business trip to Seattle. I made the mistake of readingMax’s family blog before going into a training this am- big mistake. See you next week Dory! 🙂 Angela (Madison’s Mom)
September 2nd, 2010 at 3:08 am
Thinking that a year ago Sam came home from CHOP all torn to hell by the treatment and we were all at Legoland and the ritzy hotel next door. Anyhow, after a slow start, Sam took off and lead Andy and Charlie and some boys from upper Michigan and Abby and her little girlfriend on the play evening of their life. This place didnt know what to make of these ten kids following Sam…
Sam was living life to the fullest. Fall down, get back up. Go back out in surfing terms…
I once rode Bionicle with Sam and Abby went with Andy and I will never forget it..Sam let me know what to expect…at the end,I was all squeezed into this little plastic seat and had this bar crushing down on my chest and was so damn thankful it was over and Sam said…”hurry, lets go again”
If one was good, two would be great…three times..even better…
Sam, not a day goes by when I don’t thank you for teaching me in 9 years what I missed in 40 others..
Om mani padme hung.
September 8th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Margot I am right there with you and Rhonda..faking it till I make. My Sam is 5 hrs away at college starting his freshman year. Nick is a senior and Angie a 7th grader. Both are on sports teams after school so are not home till 5:30 or later…..Long day for me to fake it….the quiet is the hardest time…I just try and stay busy so it doesn’t swallow me up.
Lisa
September 9th, 2010 at 3:56 am
Hi Margot and Neil,
I hope the first day of school went well and Charlie transitions a little easier than last year for you. 😉
Legoland looks great… we have photos of the kids with Darth Vader too and it always brings a smile to my face!
I’ve been thinking of you a lot… beginning of school is always a mix of wonder, excitement and nervousness for the kids, plus mixed feelings for the Moms and Dads as they send the children off.
Keep swimming…. and running and playing tennis and whatever you need to do… Neil also…
Keep Sammy proud of how you continue to live!
Hugs for all of you,
Colleen