Happy 4th!
We did what we do every year, head to Mainstreet to watch the annual parade. We don’t get fireworks (not dark enough!) so this is a big deal in town. There was an added benefit this year though – The Girl walked IN the parade with her allstar team, and got to throw candy and smile and wave and generally have a great time. We embarrassed her completely by changing “Riah Rox!” as she passed by, but she gave us lots of candy for the cheers, so it was all good. heh.
Before that, a very pretty high school girl VERY purposely stopped in front of The Boy and dropped a whole handful of candy at his feet – we sure gave him a ration of teasing for THAT one…
Afterwards Auntie Ladybug treated us to a picnic, and we hung out for a bit until traffic was clear enough we could get out without a problem.
More pics here: 4th of July set
Oh yeah. Kevin’s parents were there – the same parents who have called, stopped over, checked in on the kids, anything since last September…. and made a point to give the kids their Christmas gifts before we headed home.
I cannot even put into words how much it irritates me, and pisses me off, that they expect my kds to be all “yay! grandpa! gramma!” when they cannot and never have made ANY effort to know them, even before Kevin’s death. It really soured the day for me, but fortunately my kids are far more forgiving then I am. For now. Though the boy, he’s starting to see why I get so upset… its starting to bother him too.
I tried for years to keep them involved and keep them up to date, but a few years ago I gave up, because they just don’t give a shit.
Lest you think I’m exagerating – let me add this. Today they made a point of telling us how that they just haven’t gotten into town to do anything at all since Scotty has been having so many problems with his back and knee and how he’ll need surgury and such – and then right after that, Jan showed off her sunburn that she got while watching an Oilers game. At the Oiler park. Which is literally TWO BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. Did they pop in to say helllo? or even call and see if my baseball loving kids might want to join them at the game? or make ONE SINGLE DETOUR to see their ‘beloved’ grandkids at ALL?
No. No calls, no hellos, no ANYTHING since Kevin’s wake.
I am *so* glad that I have my parents and that they are as involved as they are with my kids. As far as I’m concerned, my kids only have one set of grandparents – my mom and dad. I won’t stop them from seeing or talking to Kevin’s parents, not ever, but I sure won’t go out of my way to make things happen. It’s too exhausting and never worth it. Especially when the kids have all the love in the world right here in me, my parents and my sister.
Grr.
Anyway – so the older two are babysitting for Auntie Ladybug, so I think me and the pup will slip out for something special for dinner – aka, whatever she wants to chow down on. Hope ya’ll had a great (and less stressful!) day.
