1st day of school (you all knew this post was coming)

We made it! 1st day of school, done. We had a calm morning. Spouse went in to work late so I could take #1 to school without the distractions of #2 and #3. #1 was a little nervous, as you can see by her face in the pictures. But when the time came to separate she was brave and just turned for one last wave. It broke my heart. By noon I was done crying. Only 3 more hours till I could pick her up. After school #1 was in manic excitement, beyond giddy. She loved it!

Except for the crying headache, I think the day was a success.

Side note: The new school grounds were flooded last week during the 'microburst', so they had to temporarily relocate for the first couple of days. (In case you were wondering about the cheesy faux wood paneling in the background of the pictures)


I'm a bit late posting this picture of #2's first day of preschool, three weeks ago. I just love his teacher. Her personality and teaching style is a perfect fit for #2.

School starts September 2nd or How it All Went Down

For anyone with an interest in THIS debate, here is an attempt to describe my decision and current position.

First of all, I am certain that homeschool, done right, would be the best thing for #1.  I'm not saying that it is right for everyone under every circumstance, but the way I see it nothing can beat the love, attention and opportunity to excel that a parent can give his/her child (if it can be given).  Homeschooling has become mainstream and in most places has lost the stigma attached to it of socially disabled nerds.  When I think about the argument of kids not getting proper socialization I think GREAT!  who wants their kids socialized by bullies, by succumbing into the group mentality, by drugs, sex and pressure to know the world?  Not me.  I don't think kids miss out on anything by not learning how to fight back, or how to lose their identity by wanting to be like everyone else.  So bottom line, I totally advocate homeschool.  

But everyone can't do it.  For me, I can't.  I can't be the kind of mother I want to be and be the kind of teacher I would want to be.  One of those things would fail, not just falter.  And to me, I have to choose to be able to be the best mom I can be. (I only say 'able to be', because I wouldn't dare say, 'be the best mom I can be'..... cause I know I never will). And as selfish as this sounds, that includes feeling sane because my house is clean, my laundry is up to date, and I have time to read and exercise. This has been a huge guilty hurdle for me to overcome. Knowing that I'm choosing 2nd best for #1.  

But maybe 2nd best for #1 IS best for our family?  Homeschooling moms everywhere will condemn me.  They know what I know and they have chosen to give their kids the best.  I've chosen to give my kids 2nd best. Sooooo......

After months of research, praying and waiting Spouse and I made the choice to send #1 to a public charter school about 10 minutes from our house.  The school is new, small (K-3) and is administered by a super experienced/educated team.  We've met with #1's teacher and are very impressed and happy with her.  Of all the out-of-home options we have this is the best and it is more than good enough.  I know there are opponents of charter schools out there, but I'll save that debate for another day..... but maybe to fan the flames I'll throw this out there: since when or where has the government ever done anything better than the private sector?  

So school starts September 2nd.  Thanks to Grandma J we've got a fancy (and I mean FANCY) new  Barbie back-pack.  We've got uniforms ready. Cheese sticks and juice boxes are ready for the lunch sack.  I've just got to get myself ready to say goodbye at 8:15 on Tuesday morning. 

Posing

This isn't about me being a poser. Which I am. This is about #3 who posed in some photos for the new Cheeky and Swank website.


After checking out #3 in the baby section peruse the rest of the site..... you'll love it. I think I'm going to get Spouse and #2 matching Scottie shirts.


In full disclosure, this is my sister in law's company. She is a true artist and a woman of many talents. It was a pleasure to see #3 in some of her beautiful products. Cheekyandswank.com

area of expertise

Almost verbatim:

#1: Do real race cars have real head lights?

me: I think so.  But ask your dad. He knows a lot more about race cars than I do. 

#1: Yes, Dad does know a lot more about race cars than you do.

[Thinking this would be a good teaching moment]

me: Can you think of something that I know more about than Dad?

#1:(long pause) Cleaning. And food.

princess party

What do you do when almost all your friends are in school all day, all the summer activities have ended and your action-packed brother is in preschool four afternoons a week? Naturally, you plan a princess party.


If you can't read picto-script, the above plan details things like a pign (or a picnic), sede (or cd's), a treasure hunt and "pin the donkey on the tail." As you can see, since only the G is circled that only girls are invited.

At #1's request, all things must be pink or purple (except for the pizzas).

Don't you think that 'pin the hat on the princess' is a little more appropriate than 'pin the donkey on the tail?'


[Note: look forward to my schooling dilemma update.]

It's not everyday...

You get a free ipod touch.

And then leave it on your back bumper not 5 minutes after leaving the store.

It's not everyday that after realizing said ipod never made it into the car that you retrace your steps hoping without reason that you'll find the black box on the black road, in the dark.

And after defeatedly giving up you see it in the middle of a busy road.  Box flattened, contents spread out across the lane just as another car runs over it.

It's not everyday that you decide to go pick up the pieces, just because it's too sad to leave it like roadkill.

And you discover that somehow, despite the appearance of carnage, your ipod is intact, unscratched and works perfectly.

Except for the ear buds which are smashed.

Three cheers for Apple who makes the world's most indestructible packaging!

[That piece in the bottom left of the picture is what held the ipod. It is made out of titanium or something indestructible like that.]

Broken Tree and Breaking Dawn

Thursday night I had the volume turned up for the final So You Think You Can Dance (RIP Twitch and Katie - it should have been one of you!) and didn't quite realize what a torrential monsoon storm was taking place outside. Sure the Dish connection was lost during the Jonas' Brother's performance, but I highly underestimate the force of the storm.

That is until Friday morning when I saw this:


And this:


My love/hate relationship with our giant Palo Verde came to an end. It was a good tree, offering shade to the front of our house and a home to many a spider. It will be missed.

Saturday morning, armed with leather gloves and his electric trimmer, Spouse went outside to do his sad duty and remove the corpse. Spouse salvaged one lonely limb that was still intact and painstakingly tied and staked it hoping to restore the tree to a fraction of its former glory. It was a pathetic, sad branch that didn't stand a chance, but Spouse didn't have the heart to cut it off. Soon our big hearted neighbors were out there helping Spouse cut and pile the branches into our neighbor's trailer. One neighbor must not have noticed the intricate support system Spouse had built for that lonely branch and without thinking, chainsawed it right off. Aye carumba! Apparently 'save that branch' was lost in translation.

While Spouse was sweating outside to clear the broken tree, I was oblivious inside finishing Breaking Dawn.