oranges and clementines

 well, we did it. we got up on time, left on time, and arrived at kfar neter on time for the picking of the fruits. overall it was a great experience, the weather was gorgeous, and we spent an hour milling around, picking fruit, and occasionally, very briefly, chatting to class parents we like. we left just as everyone starting gathering and drinking, not only because gd and i were feeling awkward about mingling with the parents socially but also because mr smear was ready to go too.

the drive there was cool, but the drive back was tense, primarily because at some point i missed a turn and waze got thoroughly stuck, and i ended up having to drive almost all the way back to ra'anana before i could turn the car around, and between gd's initial panic (which, in her defense, she got over pretty quickly) and plenty of people driving dangerously around us, i was in a bit of a mood.

the rest of the afternoon was mostly peaceful, minus a blowout over mr smear having been antisocial with his new friend yesterday, and while gd started feeling proper sick (after a couple of days just being snotty and headache-y) i was just extremely tired. although, before i forget, i was surprisingly wired before we left. i hope i'm not coming down with anything.

we all watched the princess bride together, with mr smear enjoying it thoroughly in spite of himself (he was quite the reflection of fred savage throughout), and we started watching men in black: international at dinner, and he asked me to read the magic pudding to him at bedtime. otherwise, i played a fair bit of crying suns and did a lot of dishes.

the freshly-squeezed freshly-picked clementine juice is amazing.

...

my lower back's still hurting.

...

i've been thinking a lot today about the "sanctioning", in particular about mr smear's behavior leading up to the bully's father threatening him with it. mr smear had been effectively trying to "sanction" the bully, and we'd been actively trying to get him to stop doing it. now i'm wondering if i'm gaslighting myself by turning the "conversation" (the imaginary conversation i'm having in my head) upside down.

jesus christ, parenting is hard.