We’re in the throes of the last week in school. Yes, it’s true, a friend said May is the new December. She was right.

- Gage passed 3rd grade. This is a testament to the resiliency and determination of his teachers – so many of them. Our public school surrounded him with care and concern this year – the year he could barely cope with life and they literally held him together. They held him together with every resource they had and I’m forever grateful to them.

- Yesterday proved to be dramatic. I spent most of the day helping a family member in crisis. It was not fun. Not one little bit.

- I am busy making a cazillion teacher’s gifts. I know. It’s a curse, sewing is. I’m ruined for life because I know how much it costs to make something vs. buy something. I’m probably saving something like $300 making their gifts. Problem is I just started making them Monday night.

- We’ve had a consult with a psychologist with a summer program. We’ve signed Gage up for a 2 week group therapy session with 5 other boys. They will work on social interaction, peer relationships/boundaries, self confidence and self esteem. It sounds like a good program and we’re happy to switch things up a bit. Since HE DOESN’T HAVE TO GO TO SUMMER school, his schedule just opened up. Big apology to Gage’s teachers who have to fill out a long questionnaire about Gage. Yeah, you know they were thrilled to get that from me 2 1/2 days before the end of the year.

- Speaking of the end of year…our beloved head of the special education department at the kids’ school is retiring. We’re very sad to see her go. She’s always loved Gage and wanted what was best for him. I am sure that she loves all her kids, but I kind of believe she loved Gage the best. At least that’s the gift she’s given me. I’ll always believe that how she treated him with firmness with a gentle nurturing spirit is why he’s been able to hang on each year. I think too, because she is accepting of him that has led others to have the same attitude towards him. I’ll be forever grateful to her for her tenacity with him and the way she dealt with us. I’ve always appreciated the way she celebrated his successes, even minor, and how she played up to his abilities and uniqueness. And boy is he ever unique. I tried and tried, but I couldn’t talk her into staying there until Gage graduated 5th grade.

- I’m very behind on paperwork. Work and volunteer. I am working on the Walk for PKD right now. So if you know any corporate sponsors (in Atlanta or out) that want to help us with funds, please send them my way! In lieu of that, you can form a Gage and Quinn’s Team in your area if you are not in Atlanta walking with us. Don’t think I won’t bug you again about this for the next several months.

- Quinn is moving onto 2nd grade. And have I mentioned she is a fantastic reader? A little bit slow, I mean that’s just Quinn, a little slow in everything she does, but she is a great reader. It’s no longer tiring to listen to her read a book. I’m happy to report it doesn’t put me to sleep anymore.

- Chef Marla at Babette’s Cafe had a little Wine Tasting fundraiser at the end of April and I’m just getting the rest of the fund to mail to the PKD Foundation. It’s was a successful night. We raised $1405 for PKD research. And we just drank wine and ate. That’s awesome. And she is too. She’s a wicked Scrabble player in case you didn’t know.

- A really nice person noticed that Gage was having a tough time (understatement) and sent 2 couple of boxes of oreo cakes to him at school signed, “A Secret Friend.” He was thrilled apparently and really cute making sure everyone got one. It was super nice of Debbie – she’s not so secret to us. Thanks Debbie.

- Happy to be winding down from all the activities and get into the lull that is Summer. It goes without saying the kids are too.

- On a kidney note (can’t remember if I just Tweeted or Facebooked this) but our QPD#1 is going through the serious 2 day testing next week and we should know in June if she can donate. Please send up some good vibes that she will sail through testing and be approved. We’re trying to keep our expectations low, because as you know, that is how we make it thorugh the long haul.