Should furniture assembly draw blood?
ugh.. such a disaster
Friday, June 29, 2012
Battle wounds ;)
Bruises and scratches from doing war with the bookshelf on Wednesday.
Should furniture assembly draw blood?
ugh.. such a disaster
Should furniture assembly draw blood?
ugh.. such a disaster
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The bookshelf
So yesterday I had a horrible morning. Horrible.
One of my biggest... fears? pet peeves?... I'm not sure what you'd call it... But... I don't like to look stupid. I don't like doing things I'm not good at.
Well I bought a bookshelf for my classroom from Big Lots. And I considered having Jason put it together. But then I thought, "I can do this. It's easier to transport a box than a fully assembled bookshelf."
So I took tools to school to assemble this thing. A feat I'd never attempted because I've always had someone in my life, typically of the opposite sex, who could do that for me. Same reason I've never mowed a lawn. Not my job. Call me a priss, but I'm just fine with yards and assembling furniture falling into the "JOBS FOR GUYS" category.
But Jason's not smarter than me. I'm trying to be more independent. How hard can it be?
I opened the box and took out the instructions while waiting for the air conditioning to turn on and the room to cool down. 100+ degrees outside. Had to at least be 90 in the room.
Then I found the little baggie of parts like screws and brackets and nails and things. I don't know what I expected to find, but the number of those little things alone was intimidating. I thought, "What have I gotten myself into?"
My teaching partner was there, but she didn't help. She called her FORMER teaching partner who came over to talk.
So let me set this up. Me, Robyn (my friend/teaching partner), and Ann Marie (the old teaching partner). In a HOT classroom. I'm working doing something I've never done before. They're watching. And whispering. And laughing.
I don't need an audience while I'm trying something new. I have a pretty good sense of humor and can usually laugh at myself. But yesterday was not the day. Not when I'm sweating and no one is helping and I don't know what I'm doing.
Ann Marie, who is glad to not be teaching anymore and abhors any type of enthusiasm a newcomer might have for the job, asked with disgust, "Did you BUY that?"
Yep, I did. Because I'm excited about this job. Shut up.
I had a rubber mallet with me because sometimes the dang screws wouldn't go in easily. (I blame that on the fact that it's a cheap Big Lots product. Not user error. LOL) And so I'd bang the heck out of the 2 sides until they fit together. When all else fails, hit it until it fits. I was a mess. I knew it
AND to add insult to injury, I was wearing my A&M shirt. So the Aggie trying to put together a simple bookshelf. I could hear the Aggie joke in my head, which only made me more self conscious.
At one point, as I was putting in one of the shelves UPSIDE DOWN, Robyn asked where my kids were. And I told her Sarah was at summer school, and the other kids were at splash day at church. And when I felt like she looked at me with surprise, like "Oh. Summer school?", I let my pride get the best of me and added, "For G/T kids. She's in the PACE program."
Awesome. Mentioning my daughter being G/T while I'm putting the shelf in upside down and wearing my A&M shirt. I was the punch line of a million jokes.
At one point, I was asked sarcastically, "Do you need any help?"
And I said back just as sarcastically, "Oh no. Your talking and laughing is quite helpful."
One of the last things I did was put the back on, which I did backwards. The shelves are a dark brown. And I nailed the piece of cardboard backing on such that the cardboard colored side was showing and the dark brown side was facing the wall. But I didn't realize that until I stood the bookshelf up.
The peanut gallery in the room saw me do it. I guarantee you they knew I was doing it wrong but said nothing.
When I realized it was wrong, it was time to pick Sarah up from school and the kids up from church and I had to leave it. Sitting there. Wrong. I'm not going back up to school til July 11th and our classroom is used by other people throughout the week.
I was so angry. I thought about how many people would see it before I'd be up there again to fix it. So after lunch, I loaded up the kids and I went back, pulled every one of those stinking nails out of the back of the bookshelf and did it right.
Now it looks good. VICTORY! Julie- 1, Big Lots Bookshelf - 0
I definitely wouldn't sit on it. I'm not entirely sure it will even support a stack of papers, but it's done.
When I actually try to use it for storage, the score might be more like Julie - 1, Bookshelf - 1. But whatever.
I'm never ever ever ever ever assembling furniture again... unless the room is a cool 68 degrees and I'm alone to cuss under my breath and make mistakes without judgment. :)
I wish I had taken a pic. That would've been the perfect ending to this long pointless story. When I go back in 2 weeks, I'll take one with my phone and you can marvel at my handiwork.
One of my biggest... fears? pet peeves?... I'm not sure what you'd call it... But... I don't like to look stupid. I don't like doing things I'm not good at.
Well I bought a bookshelf for my classroom from Big Lots. And I considered having Jason put it together. But then I thought, "I can do this. It's easier to transport a box than a fully assembled bookshelf."
So I took tools to school to assemble this thing. A feat I'd never attempted because I've always had someone in my life, typically of the opposite sex, who could do that for me. Same reason I've never mowed a lawn. Not my job. Call me a priss, but I'm just fine with yards and assembling furniture falling into the "JOBS FOR GUYS" category.
But Jason's not smarter than me. I'm trying to be more independent. How hard can it be?
I opened the box and took out the instructions while waiting for the air conditioning to turn on and the room to cool down. 100+ degrees outside. Had to at least be 90 in the room.
Then I found the little baggie of parts like screws and brackets and nails and things. I don't know what I expected to find, but the number of those little things alone was intimidating. I thought, "What have I gotten myself into?"
My teaching partner was there, but she didn't help. She called her FORMER teaching partner who came over to talk.
So let me set this up. Me, Robyn (my friend/teaching partner), and Ann Marie (the old teaching partner). In a HOT classroom. I'm working doing something I've never done before. They're watching. And whispering. And laughing.
I don't need an audience while I'm trying something new. I have a pretty good sense of humor and can usually laugh at myself. But yesterday was not the day. Not when I'm sweating and no one is helping and I don't know what I'm doing.
Ann Marie, who is glad to not be teaching anymore and abhors any type of enthusiasm a newcomer might have for the job, asked with disgust, "Did you BUY that?"
Yep, I did. Because I'm excited about this job. Shut up.
I had a rubber mallet with me because sometimes the dang screws wouldn't go in easily. (I blame that on the fact that it's a cheap Big Lots product. Not user error. LOL) And so I'd bang the heck out of the 2 sides until they fit together. When all else fails, hit it until it fits. I was a mess. I knew it
AND to add insult to injury, I was wearing my A&M shirt. So the Aggie trying to put together a simple bookshelf. I could hear the Aggie joke in my head, which only made me more self conscious.
At one point, as I was putting in one of the shelves UPSIDE DOWN, Robyn asked where my kids were. And I told her Sarah was at summer school, and the other kids were at splash day at church. And when I felt like she looked at me with surprise, like "Oh. Summer school?", I let my pride get the best of me and added, "For G/T kids. She's in the PACE program."
Awesome. Mentioning my daughter being G/T while I'm putting the shelf in upside down and wearing my A&M shirt. I was the punch line of a million jokes.
At one point, I was asked sarcastically, "Do you need any help?"
And I said back just as sarcastically, "Oh no. Your talking and laughing is quite helpful."
One of the last things I did was put the back on, which I did backwards. The shelves are a dark brown. And I nailed the piece of cardboard backing on such that the cardboard colored side was showing and the dark brown side was facing the wall. But I didn't realize that until I stood the bookshelf up.
The peanut gallery in the room saw me do it. I guarantee you they knew I was doing it wrong but said nothing.
When I realized it was wrong, it was time to pick Sarah up from school and the kids up from church and I had to leave it. Sitting there. Wrong. I'm not going back up to school til July 11th and our classroom is used by other people throughout the week.
I was so angry. I thought about how many people would see it before I'd be up there again to fix it. So after lunch, I loaded up the kids and I went back, pulled every one of those stinking nails out of the back of the bookshelf and did it right.
Now it looks good. VICTORY! Julie- 1, Big Lots Bookshelf - 0
I definitely wouldn't sit on it. I'm not entirely sure it will even support a stack of papers, but it's done.
When I actually try to use it for storage, the score might be more like Julie - 1, Bookshelf - 1. But whatever.
I'm never ever ever ever ever assembling furniture again... unless the room is a cool 68 degrees and I'm alone to cuss under my breath and make mistakes without judgment. :)
I wish I had taken a pic. That would've been the perfect ending to this long pointless story. When I go back in 2 weeks, I'll take one with my phone and you can marvel at my handiwork.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Baby Clownsie
Yesterday I had a dentist appointment so I dropped the kids off at Kiddin' Around playcare center.
Before we left, Jack and Caroline had been playing "circus". They were clowns and told jokes and fell down a lot.
Jack refused to break character and told Caroline that her name was "Baby Clownsie" and that Kiddin' Around was Clown School. He refused to call her by any other name and was frustrated when she didn't answer to it immediately.
When I went to pick them up after my appointment, one of the workers said, "Hey! You're from California? Me too. What part?"
I looked over my shoulder to be sure she was talking to me, and said, "Oh. No, we're not from California."
She started laughing at yelled to another teacher, "Hey, Jack and Caroline AREN'T from California. He just made that up!"
She said that he had been telling everyone all morning that he was born in Cali and that we had moved to Texas recently. I asked her if she had heard him reference clown school, and if she overheard him call Caroline "Baby Clownsie". She said she did hear something like that but decided she had misunderstood.
He had invented this whole character from California who, in his mind, was in a traveling circus and brought his little sister, Baby Clownsie, to clown school so she could join his act.
I don't even know what to say.
Before we left, Jack and Caroline had been playing "circus". They were clowns and told jokes and fell down a lot.
Jack refused to break character and told Caroline that her name was "Baby Clownsie" and that Kiddin' Around was Clown School. He refused to call her by any other name and was frustrated when she didn't answer to it immediately.
When I went to pick them up after my appointment, one of the workers said, "Hey! You're from California? Me too. What part?"
I looked over my shoulder to be sure she was talking to me, and said, "Oh. No, we're not from California."
She started laughing at yelled to another teacher, "Hey, Jack and Caroline AREN'T from California. He just made that up!"
She said that he had been telling everyone all morning that he was born in Cali and that we had moved to Texas recently. I asked her if she had heard him reference clown school, and if she overheard him call Caroline "Baby Clownsie". She said she did hear something like that but decided she had misunderstood.
He had invented this whole character from California who, in his mind, was in a traveling circus and brought his little sister, Baby Clownsie, to clown school so she could join his act.
I don't even know what to say.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Checking the list off
Buy a GRE study book and sign up for the GRE... CHECK
Take the GRE... CHECK
Research universities that offer my degree as part of their distance learning program... CHECK
Work out the financial logistics of going back to school... CHECK
Start setting up my new preschool classroom with Robyn... CHECK
Sign up for ESL certification prep courses... CHECK
Apply to universities... CHECK
Get my transcripts... CHECK
Get letters of recommendation... CHECK
And I still need to tackle my stuff for the PTA at Sarah and Jack's school... NO CHECK
.......
So here's the tentative plan.
I'm going to get my Master's in School Counseling. That will open up the possibility of working at any school-- elementary, middle, or high school. And having my Master's in general opens up the possibility of teaching at a junior college someday. Options are good, especially when you're not guaranteed a job in this economy.
I think I'm going to start grad school next summer, which will give me a year to adjust to working three days a week, having Jack in public school, and Caroline in preschool before I tackle my going back to school. (I assume Sarah's transition to second grade will be no big deal.) It will also give me a year to make my money at the preschool which will pay for my grad school the following year.
But I won't be idle, waiting for grad school to start. I'll be getting my ESL certification, a new requirement for all Plano teachers. And I've heard Frisco will soon require all teachers to be ESL certified. I'm sure Richardson will at some point. Might as well get it while I'm thinking about it. And I'll need to take an Abnormal Psychology class as a prerequisite to my Master's degree.
I've found a couple of universities where I can get my degree with minimal trips to campus, mainly doing online work and webcam conferencing. It's the only feasible way for me to go to school at this point in my life. I'm not footloose and fancy free with nothing but time at night to go to class. I need some flexibility.
And then I've already started working on where I'll do my practicum/internship... which is basically the counseling equivalent to student teaching. It's my responsibility to find a school that will let me come in and shadow their counselor for a semester. I've gotten an offer to talk with a middle school counselor at Trinity Christian Academy. I'll definitely take her up on that as a way to get some experience with middle school kids, but I know I need to get into a public school somewhere and figure out the ins and outs of all of the administrative work that goes on.
Jason said his head is spinning over how fast I conceived this plan and started working it out. But I'm really excited!!
It's fun to think of the possibilities. New things happening, new jobs, new circumstances are usually a welcomed change for me.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Kid Transportation
www.kidtransportation.com
Have you seen or heard of this company?
I dropped Sarah off for summer school this morning, and there was this van with this website across the doors and rear window. And my initial reaction was shock. It's a taxi. For kids??
So many questions.
Who puts their kid in a taxi? That can't be safe. You're so busy that you can't drop off your kid at summer school at 6:45 AM? You don't have a neighbor your child could carpool with if you have an early meeting this morning? You had to call a cab? And you trust this cabbie to not be a weirdo??
All those thoughts. One right after the other.
Then I thought of parents I know who have kids in a private school, and their neighbors don't go to their school. There aren't buses, maybe. Both parents work. What do they do when they're in a transportation bind?
So I went to their website.
Apparently it's for kids ages 2 through college. I have to stop right there and say that I didn't keep reading about the 2 year olds in the van. Are they in car seats? Where are they going? Day care? Is my 2 yr old girl gonna be strapped in her seat next to a 15 yr old boy? I'm a little confused by this. That is a BUSY mom to resort to a taxi for your 2 yr old.
This kid transportation service will take your kids to school, pick your kids up from school, take them to a dentist appointment, take them to after school activities. Basically chauffeur your child around so that you don't have to or because you can't leave work.
Again. So many questions. I can call a cab to pick up my kid from school, take her to a dentist appointment, wait while she's at the appointment, and then take her back to school. Who's gonna sign her out? I have to show my ID and get it scanned for any criminal history just to eat lunch with Sarah.
I do understand parents not being able to leave work and needing transportation for their kids. I'm already thinking through what I'm gonna do on the days that my kids get out at noon but I'm working until 2:00. I can't see, though, how this is appropriate, especially for young kids. High school students without a car? Maybe. I don't know. I'd still take issue with the fact that you're pushing your kid into a car with a stranger. Seems to go against everything we teach our children.
The website promises that their drivers are screened for drugs and alcohol and have a background check. They also assure parents that they are trained to not be inappropriate with the children or they will be terminated. None of that makes me feel any better.
And even though buses don't have seat belts, the sides of a bus are so well reinforced that it'd have to be up against something pretty ridiculous... like a train... to lose a fight in a car accident. Vans could be squashed pretty easily.
I know that-- honestly and sadly-- there are few people in this world you can wholeheartedly trust with your kids. And you can't be sure that your children won't be involved in a car accident, even if you're the one behind the wheel.
I don't mean to sound judgmental. I'm trying to wrap my head around the concept. And I understand that there are a lot of busy parents that are doing the best they can to hold down the job that they have so that they can pay their bills. And this may be a great option for them.
But it doesn't take away my feelings of being kinda sad that we're all pulled in so many directions nowadays that there's a whole business surrounding taxis for kids.
Have you seen or heard of this company?
I dropped Sarah off for summer school this morning, and there was this van with this website across the doors and rear window. And my initial reaction was shock. It's a taxi. For kids??
So many questions.
Who puts their kid in a taxi? That can't be safe. You're so busy that you can't drop off your kid at summer school at 6:45 AM? You don't have a neighbor your child could carpool with if you have an early meeting this morning? You had to call a cab? And you trust this cabbie to not be a weirdo??
All those thoughts. One right after the other.
Then I thought of parents I know who have kids in a private school, and their neighbors don't go to their school. There aren't buses, maybe. Both parents work. What do they do when they're in a transportation bind?
So I went to their website.
Apparently it's for kids ages 2 through college. I have to stop right there and say that I didn't keep reading about the 2 year olds in the van. Are they in car seats? Where are they going? Day care? Is my 2 yr old girl gonna be strapped in her seat next to a 15 yr old boy? I'm a little confused by this. That is a BUSY mom to resort to a taxi for your 2 yr old.
This kid transportation service will take your kids to school, pick your kids up from school, take them to a dentist appointment, take them to after school activities. Basically chauffeur your child around so that you don't have to or because you can't leave work.
Again. So many questions. I can call a cab to pick up my kid from school, take her to a dentist appointment, wait while she's at the appointment, and then take her back to school. Who's gonna sign her out? I have to show my ID and get it scanned for any criminal history just to eat lunch with Sarah.
I do understand parents not being able to leave work and needing transportation for their kids. I'm already thinking through what I'm gonna do on the days that my kids get out at noon but I'm working until 2:00. I can't see, though, how this is appropriate, especially for young kids. High school students without a car? Maybe. I don't know. I'd still take issue with the fact that you're pushing your kid into a car with a stranger. Seems to go against everything we teach our children.
The website promises that their drivers are screened for drugs and alcohol and have a background check. They also assure parents that they are trained to not be inappropriate with the children or they will be terminated. None of that makes me feel any better.
And even though buses don't have seat belts, the sides of a bus are so well reinforced that it'd have to be up against something pretty ridiculous... like a train... to lose a fight in a car accident. Vans could be squashed pretty easily.
I know that-- honestly and sadly-- there are few people in this world you can wholeheartedly trust with your kids. And you can't be sure that your children won't be involved in a car accident, even if you're the one behind the wheel.
I don't mean to sound judgmental. I'm trying to wrap my head around the concept. And I understand that there are a lot of busy parents that are doing the best they can to hold down the job that they have so that they can pay their bills. And this may be a great option for them.
But it doesn't take away my feelings of being kinda sad that we're all pulled in so many directions nowadays that there's a whole business surrounding taxis for kids.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
It's done!
And since I share every detail of my life... down to things like-- how old I am, how much I weigh, how much our credit card bill was last month, etc....
I will share my scores.
Verbal 157
Quantatative 153
I have to wait 10 to 15 days for my Analytical Writing scores.
They're not fantastic scores, but I'll take them and RUN!!!!
So for any of you who took the GRE prior to 2011, you might be like, "Huh??" Because your scores ranged from 200 - 800. Well now they range from 130 - 170.
But what would have scored a perfect 800 on the old test, now scores a 166 on the new test.
So are my scores ok? What are my scores comparable to on the old test? Ya got me. I mean, who can figure this crap out?
Reconfiguring tests is what keeps test makers in business I guess.
All I know is it's good enough.
And if I die without ever having to figure out the surface area of a cylinder again, I'll be a happy girl.
:) :) :)
Now for a drink... ;)
I will share my scores.
Verbal 157
Quantatative 153
I have to wait 10 to 15 days for my Analytical Writing scores.
They're not fantastic scores, but I'll take them and RUN!!!!
So for any of you who took the GRE prior to 2011, you might be like, "Huh??" Because your scores ranged from 200 - 800. Well now they range from 130 - 170.
But what would have scored a perfect 800 on the old test, now scores a 166 on the new test.
So are my scores ok? What are my scores comparable to on the old test? Ya got me. I mean, who can figure this crap out?
Reconfiguring tests is what keeps test makers in business I guess.
All I know is it's good enough.
And if I die without ever having to figure out the surface area of a cylinder again, I'll be a happy girl.
:) :) :)
Now for a drink... ;)
Test Day
So I go to take the GRE today at 12:30. :)
Jason asked me last night if I was nervous. Nope. Not because I'm assured that I'll do well, but because I love days like this. Tests. Scores. Performance days.
I love scantrons and #2 pencils. I love taking the eraser end of my pencil and breaking the seal on tests like the TAKS test. Or back when I took it, the TAAS test. I love the cadence of a test proctor's voice. Much like a flight attendant or a news anchor, test proctors talk differently.
"When you finish this section, put your pencil down. You may not go on to the next section. Are there any questions?"
I can hear the boring tone to that voice in my head. And it makes me smile.
Now of course this is an online test, and none of that applies today. But it doesn't change the fact that I love test days.
I love them the same way I love race days. Although, if today were a race day, I'd be much more nervous than I am right now. Races make me feel out of my element. I look to my left and right and feel intimidated. I try not to pace myself against someone else but just do what I've trained to do. But the great thing about running--- and tests--- is that these are individual scores. No one can take the credit (or blame) for my performance.
And even though I know I'll get a few butterflies as I sit to take my test and the timer starts counting down the seconds left in each section, I kinda look forward to that too. It's an adrenaline rush for me.
I'm a nerd to the core of my being. :)
We'll see how it goes.
Jason asked me last night if I was nervous. Nope. Not because I'm assured that I'll do well, but because I love days like this. Tests. Scores. Performance days.
I love scantrons and #2 pencils. I love taking the eraser end of my pencil and breaking the seal on tests like the TAKS test. Or back when I took it, the TAAS test. I love the cadence of a test proctor's voice. Much like a flight attendant or a news anchor, test proctors talk differently.
"When you finish this section, put your pencil down. You may not go on to the next section. Are there any questions?"
I can hear the boring tone to that voice in my head. And it makes me smile.
Now of course this is an online test, and none of that applies today. But it doesn't change the fact that I love test days.
I love them the same way I love race days. Although, if today were a race day, I'd be much more nervous than I am right now. Races make me feel out of my element. I look to my left and right and feel intimidated. I try not to pace myself against someone else but just do what I've trained to do. But the great thing about running--- and tests--- is that these are individual scores. No one can take the credit (or blame) for my performance.
And even though I know I'll get a few butterflies as I sit to take my test and the timer starts counting down the seconds left in each section, I kinda look forward to that too. It's an adrenaline rush for me.
I'm a nerd to the core of my being. :)
We'll see how it goes.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Three cards
I let the kids pick out their own cards for Dad today.
Sarah read at least 6 cards and picked out this one...
It says something on the inside to the effect of "You're the greatest grandpa in the world!" It said exactly what she wanted it to say.
And it was perfectly suited for her to give.
.............
Caroline picked out this one.
Sure, it says "Hola Birthday Girl", but she doesn't know that. She wanted the dancing Dora card.
So she gave it to my dad.
..............
Then Jack saw this one...
It was the word "fart" that caught his eye. Then he read it and laughed so hard I worried he was going to stop breathing.
I told him the card was disgusting. We're not buying it. I don't like that word. (And I really don't. I can't believe I typed it to be honest with you.) And, really, you should read the inside. It includes many descriptions of various types of.... [that word].
But Jack insisted that THAT was the one he had to give to my dad. "Please, Mom. I want to give him the one about farts."
And then I remembered that the poor kid is drowning in estrogen over here, and I had to let him be a boy. I don't have to understand the humor. Maybe it's a guy thing.
.............
Three cards. From three very different kids. And all very fitting.
Sarah read at least 6 cards and picked out this one...
It says something on the inside to the effect of "You're the greatest grandpa in the world!" It said exactly what she wanted it to say.
And it was perfectly suited for her to give.
.............
Caroline picked out this one.
Sure, it says "Hola Birthday Girl", but she doesn't know that. She wanted the dancing Dora card.
So she gave it to my dad.
..............
Then Jack saw this one...
It was the word "fart" that caught his eye. Then he read it and laughed so hard I worried he was going to stop breathing.
I told him the card was disgusting. We're not buying it. I don't like that word. (And I really don't. I can't believe I typed it to be honest with you.) And, really, you should read the inside. It includes many descriptions of various types of.... [that word].
But Jack insisted that THAT was the one he had to give to my dad. "Please, Mom. I want to give him the one about farts."
And then I remembered that the poor kid is drowning in estrogen over here, and I had to let him be a boy. I don't have to understand the humor. Maybe it's a guy thing.
.............
Three cards. From three very different kids. And all very fitting.
"The Muppets Take Manhattan" at Studio Movie Grill
It's what's for lunch and what we're doing for fun today.
Happy Birthday, Dad!!
I couldn't decide between these 2 cards...
This one sounds like a card I would pick out.
But this one reminds me of you, Dad. It reminds me of something YOU'D say to me while trying to make me feel better about turning 30 or someday 40.
But then I saw this one. And I thought, "From the girl who-- on June 23rd every year-- shouted, 'MY BIRTHDAY'S NEXT!! WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!' maybe this is the way to go."
So this is your blog "Happy birthday" shoutout, which means I publicly remembered the big day.... and it's highly unlikely that I'll remember to call or go over to your house today with a present.
;)
This one sounds like a card I would pick out.
But this one reminds me of you, Dad. It reminds me of something YOU'D say to me while trying to make me feel better about turning 30 or someday 40.
But then I saw this one. And I thought, "From the girl who-- on June 23rd every year-- shouted, 'MY BIRTHDAY'S NEXT!! WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!' maybe this is the way to go."
So this is your blog "Happy birthday" shoutout, which means I publicly remembered the big day.... and it's highly unlikely that I'll remember to call or go over to your house today with a present.
;)
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
It was a miracle!!
Sorry, fb friends, this is a longer version of my post yesterday.
Jason used my keys yesterday morning to pull my car out of the garage and air up my tires. I didn't know this until I was about to leave to pick up Sarah from summer school and couldn't find them.
I grabbed the extra set we have and called Jason to ask him if he knew where they were. I was sure I had left them somewhere and was already preparing my apology for being so scatterbrained.
Then I heard the change in his tone. I could tell HIS stomach had dropped. He assured me I wasn't crazy. I hadn't left them anywhere. He said that he had used them that morning, thought about setting them on his bumper, but can't remember what he ACTUALLY did with them.
Then the longer he sat there, the more concerned he became that he HAD set them on the bumper and driven to work.
Side note: We've broken one of those keyless entry remotes before, and it cost close to $500 to replace. They had to give us a new key and the remote is specific to my van. It's ridiculous. So Jason was thinking about the ordeal and the expense.
I was thinking about all those reward cards and membership tags I have attached to my ring that I was gonna have to replace. Kroger, Tom Thumb, The Vitamin Shoppe (that's a random one), Kiddin Around, Adventure Kids, PHBC.
When I got back to the house, I scoured the garage. Nothing. That's when I was convinced that he had lost my keys.
But then he texted me this picture at around 5:30 with the caption.. "You won't believe this."
Look at how close they had come to falling off...
Jason went into work a little late yesterday so the Tollway was moving at a normal speed. Meaning: He had driven more than 70 mph with my keys on his bumper. He had zigzagged his way through the parking garage. He had gone over speed bumps in the garage and pot holes on Noel Rd.
I really just took a moment to praise Jesus. :) I'm not even kidding. I was like, "Thank you, God, for caring about the small stuff and sparing me frustration and hassle today."
It was a miracle.
And now Jason's no longer allowed to touch my keys! ;)
Jason used my keys yesterday morning to pull my car out of the garage and air up my tires. I didn't know this until I was about to leave to pick up Sarah from summer school and couldn't find them.
I grabbed the extra set we have and called Jason to ask him if he knew where they were. I was sure I had left them somewhere and was already preparing my apology for being so scatterbrained.
Then I heard the change in his tone. I could tell HIS stomach had dropped. He assured me I wasn't crazy. I hadn't left them anywhere. He said that he had used them that morning, thought about setting them on his bumper, but can't remember what he ACTUALLY did with them.
Then the longer he sat there, the more concerned he became that he HAD set them on the bumper and driven to work.
Side note: We've broken one of those keyless entry remotes before, and it cost close to $500 to replace. They had to give us a new key and the remote is specific to my van. It's ridiculous. So Jason was thinking about the ordeal and the expense.
I was thinking about all those reward cards and membership tags I have attached to my ring that I was gonna have to replace. Kroger, Tom Thumb, The Vitamin Shoppe (that's a random one), Kiddin Around, Adventure Kids, PHBC.
When I got back to the house, I scoured the garage. Nothing. That's when I was convinced that he had lost my keys.
But then he texted me this picture at around 5:30 with the caption.. "You won't believe this."
Look at how close they had come to falling off...
Jason went into work a little late yesterday so the Tollway was moving at a normal speed. Meaning: He had driven more than 70 mph with my keys on his bumper. He had zigzagged his way through the parking garage. He had gone over speed bumps in the garage and pot holes on Noel Rd.
I really just took a moment to praise Jesus. :) I'm not even kidding. I was like, "Thank you, God, for caring about the small stuff and sparing me frustration and hassle today."
It was a miracle.
And now Jason's no longer allowed to touch my keys! ;)
Monday, June 18, 2012
Today we went bowling
For free
(plus the cost of shoes, arcade games, and snacks from the vending machine)
I was afraid it might not go well, but they did great!!
(plus the cost of shoes, arcade games, and snacks from the vending machine)
I was afraid it might not go well, but they did great!!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Corbin's 4th birthday
Our friend, Corbin, turned 4 this week and had a dinosaur party at Kreative Kidz Partiez. I've always wondered about that place, and the party was a lot of fun.
Each of the kids dressed themselves this morning, but I have to say that Caroline gets the prize for fanciest. :)
There was face painting... The girls got girly dinosaurs with bows and hearts. And Jack got a red T-Rex.
The face painter was GOOD. She told me her mom is a clown so she's grown up knowing how to face paint. True story.
All the kids listening for instructions...
A dinosaur game of musical chairs/Simon Says... All decked out in safari gear...
A dinosaur dig...
Fun with the parachute...
Bubbles...
And of course Melissa (Buie) McDade made the cake. Her cakes are always so cute and YUMMY!!
It was a great morning!
I think Melissa said that she's been to a princess party there that was a lot of fun too. For any Plano people, it's over near Prestonwood. Plano Parkway/Midway Rd. Just as an FYI. :)
Friday, June 15, 2012
Finally!!
Overkill? I think so.
But he said it was a fun project...and they're finished... so I'm happy.
But he said it was a fun project...and they're finished... so I'm happy.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
The best part of baking
Licking the bowl.
Love the "thumbs up" from Caroline. That's the way I feel when eating anything chocolate too.
Love the "thumbs up" from Caroline. That's the way I feel when eating anything chocolate too.
Weights
Last week I was at the rec center working out, using the weight machines.
This teenaged girl sits at the machine beside me, the one I had just finished using, and her boyfriend was instructing her on how to use it. (I guess he also doubles as her personal trainer. A system that would NOT work well for me. But whatever.)
He tells her that he wants her to do 3 sets of 15 reps and then he chooses the weight for her. She realizes that he had not changed the amount of weight from when I had been sitting there and says, "If SHE can do this much weight, I can do more. Add more weight."
I was offended. I wanted to say, "Excuuuse me, thing with the chunky thighs that can apparently lift a lot of weight. I'm a girl, not some man-woman. I don't think being butch is anything to be proud of."
But I didn't.
I watched her add the weight, struggle through a set, and get angry when her boyfriend/trainer told her to do another 2 sets. All of a sudden she changed her tune. "I thought you only said to do 15. You want 3 sets of 15???!" And on and on.
Heh heh. Maybe the hefty gal should've left it on my settings.
Then yesterday morning I was back on the same machines, and a man sat next to me that I would guess to be in his late 70s or early 80s.
I had seen him running on the track and was impressed. Then he was doing weights.
And he was lifting TWICE as much as I had. Maybe the rude girl was right about me.
I'm now rethinking all of my weight lifting practices. Maybe I am a wimp. I can't decide if I'm embarrassed or inspired. But either way, I'm gonna add more weight next time.
This teenaged girl sits at the machine beside me, the one I had just finished using, and her boyfriend was instructing her on how to use it. (I guess he also doubles as her personal trainer. A system that would NOT work well for me. But whatever.)
He tells her that he wants her to do 3 sets of 15 reps and then he chooses the weight for her. She realizes that he had not changed the amount of weight from when I had been sitting there and says, "If SHE can do this much weight, I can do more. Add more weight."
I was offended. I wanted to say, "Excuuuse me, thing with the chunky thighs that can apparently lift a lot of weight. I'm a girl, not some man-woman. I don't think being butch is anything to be proud of."
But I didn't.
I watched her add the weight, struggle through a set, and get angry when her boyfriend/trainer told her to do another 2 sets. All of a sudden she changed her tune. "I thought you only said to do 15. You want 3 sets of 15???!" And on and on.
Heh heh. Maybe the hefty gal should've left it on my settings.
Then yesterday morning I was back on the same machines, and a man sat next to me that I would guess to be in his late 70s or early 80s.
I had seen him running on the track and was impressed. Then he was doing weights.
And he was lifting TWICE as much as I had. Maybe the rude girl was right about me.
I'm now rethinking all of my weight lifting practices. Maybe I am a wimp. I can't decide if I'm embarrassed or inspired. But either way, I'm gonna add more weight next time.
Dallas
I watched the new "Dallas" series on TNT and am already hooked!!
Let's be honest... Jesse Metcalfe would be enough draw to get me to tune in, but, as it turns out, the plot is good!! The original cast makes it all make sense.
I was too young to watch the original "Dallas". My parents had rules, you know, and it was inappropriate for me. But, looking back, it was definitely their guilty pleasure. A soap opera about home when they were living in Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
And even though I didn't watch it when it originally aired, it's so iconic that I know the characters and the gist of what happened years ago. Plus they do a good job of explaining who everyone is or was as it goes along.
I do get a little nervous for Larry Hagman. I'm worried he's gonna forget his lines or break a hip. He spent most of last night sitting, thankfully. And when Patrick Duffy rode a horse, I was afraid that was not a smart choice. I had to constantly remind myself that it's not live TV. I am not gonna witness an elderly person get hurt.
It was a lot of fun to watch. It's filmed here, entirely. That's what I heard. The inside of Southfork is a home in Plano. The updated skyline with the classic theme song made me smile.
An updated primetime soap opera about Dallas (with Jesse Metcalfe) ;). I'll be adding it to my DVR.
Let's be honest... Jesse Metcalfe would be enough draw to get me to tune in, but, as it turns out, the plot is good!! The original cast makes it all make sense.
I was too young to watch the original "Dallas". My parents had rules, you know, and it was inappropriate for me. But, looking back, it was definitely their guilty pleasure. A soap opera about home when they were living in Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
And even though I didn't watch it when it originally aired, it's so iconic that I know the characters and the gist of what happened years ago. Plus they do a good job of explaining who everyone is or was as it goes along.
I do get a little nervous for Larry Hagman. I'm worried he's gonna forget his lines or break a hip. He spent most of last night sitting, thankfully. And when Patrick Duffy rode a horse, I was afraid that was not a smart choice. I had to constantly remind myself that it's not live TV. I am not gonna witness an elderly person get hurt.
It was a lot of fun to watch. It's filmed here, entirely. That's what I heard. The inside of Southfork is a home in Plano. The updated skyline with the classic theme song made me smile.
An updated primetime soap opera about Dallas (with Jesse Metcalfe) ;). I'll be adding it to my DVR.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I thought they were finished
He added an additional rail. He has sanded and sanded, then sanded some more.
But last night he told me he's gonna paint them and asked if I had a color preference.
[what? why?]
Meanwhile I'm gonna go find a box.
But last night he told me he's gonna paint them and asked if I had a color preference.
[what? why?]
Meanwhile I'm gonna go find a box.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Stairway to heaven... well, to the trampoline anyway
The kids can't climb onto the trampoline by themselves. If Sarah's standing on the ground, the springs and mat are at her neck level.
I suggested we get a big box... wooden, I guess, I don't know... Let the kids climb onto the box, from the box to the trampoline.
But, like Papa Bear of "The Berenstein Bears", Jason says, "No. No box will do. I'll build stairs for the kids. With rails."
(Ok, maybe he didn't say it quite like that. But any time a simple purchase becomes a multi-day project, I think of the Berenstein Bears and hear Papa's voice in my head.)
Of course he will build stairs.
And he did.
Yesterday. He'll finish and sand them today.
They look good. I love that he knows how to do stuff like this. (But I think a big box would've worked too. Just sayin'.)
I suggested we get a big box... wooden, I guess, I don't know... Let the kids climb onto the box, from the box to the trampoline.
But, like Papa Bear of "The Berenstein Bears", Jason says, "No. No box will do. I'll build stairs for the kids. With rails."
(Ok, maybe he didn't say it quite like that. But any time a simple purchase becomes a multi-day project, I think of the Berenstein Bears and hear Papa's voice in my head.)
Of course he will build stairs.
And he did.
Yesterday. He'll finish and sand them today.
They look good. I love that he knows how to do stuff like this. (But I think a big box would've worked too. Just sayin'.)
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Miss USA
*post from last night, just now publishing*
So I'm sitting here watching the Miss USA pageant, and it brings back pageant memories from childhood.
I remember being really young, watching Miss America pageants with my family on Saturday nights after "Hee Haw" while waiting for my hair to dry. (Mom would wash my hair in the kitchen sink the night before church.) And sometimes she would paint my fingernails while I watched the pageant.
As I got a little older, I would get a pad of paper and guess the scores the contestants would get. If you watched them back then, they used to show the scores on the side of the screen, remember? Funny enough, my dad was always really good at guessing what the scores would be. He could guess within .2 of a point.
Such fun memories.
But I had to laugh at this Miss USA pageant because, without using the words "stupid" or "skanky", my parents let me know that that's basically what the Miss USA girls were. Which is why we watched Miss America. Miss USA worked at Hooters and was hoping for a Playboy cover. Miss America worked with underprivileged children. Miss America was a concert pianist in a poofy ballgown who went to Yale. Miss USA's swimsuits were tinier, gowns more revealing, answers dumber.
And I gotta say-- Twenty years later, for the most part, that still seems true.
Miss Ohio just referenced "Pretty Woman" as a positive movie that shows women as go-getters. Then she took her place in line next to Miss Whomever wearing the dress with a low cut back, showing a lot of side boob.
But that's probably why Miss USA is on NBC and Miss America is on what? CMT? Or is it not even on the air anymore?
Thanks, Mr. Trump, for the entertainment.
So I'm sitting here watching the Miss USA pageant, and it brings back pageant memories from childhood.
I remember being really young, watching Miss America pageants with my family on Saturday nights after "Hee Haw" while waiting for my hair to dry. (Mom would wash my hair in the kitchen sink the night before church.) And sometimes she would paint my fingernails while I watched the pageant.
As I got a little older, I would get a pad of paper and guess the scores the contestants would get. If you watched them back then, they used to show the scores on the side of the screen, remember? Funny enough, my dad was always really good at guessing what the scores would be. He could guess within .2 of a point.
Such fun memories.
But I had to laugh at this Miss USA pageant because, without using the words "stupid" or "skanky", my parents let me know that that's basically what the Miss USA girls were. Which is why we watched Miss America. Miss USA worked at Hooters and was hoping for a Playboy cover. Miss America worked with underprivileged children. Miss America was a concert pianist in a poofy ballgown who went to Yale. Miss USA's swimsuits were tinier, gowns more revealing, answers dumber.
And I gotta say-- Twenty years later, for the most part, that still seems true.
Miss Ohio just referenced "Pretty Woman" as a positive movie that shows women as go-getters. Then she took her place in line next to Miss Whomever wearing the dress with a low cut back, showing a lot of side boob.
But that's probably why Miss USA is on NBC and Miss America is on what? CMT? Or is it not even on the air anymore?
Thanks, Mr. Trump, for the entertainment.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Sweet big brother
When I was pottytraining Caroline a few months ago, I told you I would read to her while she was sitting there... just to make sure she stayed until she was finished.
One day I heard Jack's voice coming from the half bath by our kitchen. And I saw this... (I was afraid to go around the corner to film because I thought he might stop reading to her.)
If you listen closely, he stops reading and asks her, "Do you need toilet paper or wipes?" :) Who says boys can't be nurturing and good caregivers?
One day I heard Jack's voice coming from the half bath by our kitchen. And I saw this... (I was afraid to go around the corner to film because I thought he might stop reading to her.)
If you listen closely, he stops reading and asks her, "Do you need toilet paper or wipes?" :) Who says boys can't be nurturing and good caregivers?
Dance like nobody's watching
I was proud of Caroline for going into Mrs. Maria's class on the days that I had to sub at preschool. She didn't know anyone and she walked in without tears.
Her notes at the end of the day always said that she was sweet and kind but also shy.
That's understandable when you don't know anyone. But it made me laugh too. Because, when she's comfortable, Caroline is anything but shy.
This is a ridiculously long video... like 4 minutes long... of her dancing to Selena Gomez and then The Jackson 5. If you watch the first minute, you'll get the gist of the whole thing. I just kept filming because she was cracking me up. But I'm her mom; she amuses me. :)
I wanted to share... in case you've never seen this side of Caroline.
The lyrics are "I love you like a love song, baby, And I keep hitting repeat, peat, peat, peat, peat." She thinks it goes "beep, beep, beep, beep, beep."
Skip to 2:40. That's where she starts her long dance sequence. And, no, she's not watching anyone dance on TV. The TV is on. She is watching it. But it wasn't a dance show. Her body's just grooving to her own little beat.
Her notes at the end of the day always said that she was sweet and kind but also shy.
That's understandable when you don't know anyone. But it made me laugh too. Because, when she's comfortable, Caroline is anything but shy.
This is a ridiculously long video... like 4 minutes long... of her dancing to Selena Gomez and then The Jackson 5. If you watch the first minute, you'll get the gist of the whole thing. I just kept filming because she was cracking me up. But I'm her mom; she amuses me. :)
I wanted to share... in case you've never seen this side of Caroline.
The lyrics are "I love you like a love song, baby, And I keep hitting repeat, peat, peat, peat, peat." She thinks it goes "beep, beep, beep, beep, beep."
Skip to 2:40. That's where she starts her long dance sequence. And, no, she's not watching anyone dance on TV. The TV is on. She is watching it. But it wasn't a dance show. Her body's just grooving to her own little beat.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Thanks, Dr. Phil
I don't regularly watch Dr. Phil. But sometimes, when I watch, he convicts me. :)
Yesterday there was this family with a 23 yr old living in the basement. The mom still did his laundry and cooked for him. The guy had dropped out of high school. He doesn't have to pay rent. And the mom was like, "I just want him to be successful and move out. But I'll never kick him out."
And of course Dr, Phil said what he always says. Something to the effect of the importance of requiring more of this kid. Why would he ever leave when he has such a good deal at home?
And this is what he says all the time-- he looked at the mom and said, "When you feed him and do his laundry etc, you do that because that makes YOU feel better. You feel like you're taking care of him and you like that he needs you. But it's not helping him be an adult. It's not pushing him to the next level. You're parenting selfishly."
And then I hung my head in shame about swim lessons. :)
I took my kids every Wednesday for a semester. They hated it. They cried. I had a knot the size of Texas in my stomach. I don't want to feel that way again. It makes ME feel better to not take them.
They're so happy when they get their floaties on. They look at me with smiling little faces, knowing fully that I'm easy to manipulate, and say, "Thanks, Mom." And I feel like a compassionate person who allows the floaties because swimming should be fun. I want smiles, not tears.
I remember hating swim lessons as a kid. I put myself right back into their situation and wanted to save them from the dreaded lessons. And now they still can't swim. And I don't have it in me to require them to take the dang lessons. I just keep praying that they'll get taller so that they can touch the bottom and walk around. Walking in the pool can be just as fun as swimming, right?
I don't want them to cry. I don't want to cry. Yes, I cried a little to myself as I would drive them to Emler. Hush. But look where we are. A 5 yr old and 6 yr old who can't swim. They have to learn. And I have to put my feelings aside and make them learn.
Thank you, Dr. Phil, for helping me see my selfishness. I don't want them living here when they're 23 and who knows... Not requiring them to do swim lessons could be a gateway to letting them live here as adults. ;)
Yesterday there was this family with a 23 yr old living in the basement. The mom still did his laundry and cooked for him. The guy had dropped out of high school. He doesn't have to pay rent. And the mom was like, "I just want him to be successful and move out. But I'll never kick him out."
And of course Dr, Phil said what he always says. Something to the effect of the importance of requiring more of this kid. Why would he ever leave when he has such a good deal at home?
And this is what he says all the time-- he looked at the mom and said, "When you feed him and do his laundry etc, you do that because that makes YOU feel better. You feel like you're taking care of him and you like that he needs you. But it's not helping him be an adult. It's not pushing him to the next level. You're parenting selfishly."
And then I hung my head in shame about swim lessons. :)
I took my kids every Wednesday for a semester. They hated it. They cried. I had a knot the size of Texas in my stomach. I don't want to feel that way again. It makes ME feel better to not take them.
They're so happy when they get their floaties on. They look at me with smiling little faces, knowing fully that I'm easy to manipulate, and say, "Thanks, Mom." And I feel like a compassionate person who allows the floaties because swimming should be fun. I want smiles, not tears.
I remember hating swim lessons as a kid. I put myself right back into their situation and wanted to save them from the dreaded lessons. And now they still can't swim. And I don't have it in me to require them to take the dang lessons. I just keep praying that they'll get taller so that they can touch the bottom and walk around. Walking in the pool can be just as fun as swimming, right?
I don't want them to cry. I don't want to cry. Yes, I cried a little to myself as I would drive them to Emler. Hush. But look where we are. A 5 yr old and 6 yr old who can't swim. They have to learn. And I have to put my feelings aside and make them learn.
Thank you, Dr. Phil, for helping me see my selfishness. I don't want them living here when they're 23 and who knows... Not requiring them to do swim lessons could be a gateway to letting them live here as adults. ;)
Names
I'm sure a similar post exists somewhere on my blog. Sorry for the repetition....
I've been entering the data for the preorders of school supplies, and it renewed my feelings about names.
Everything in this post is just my humble opinion. I'm not right. Others are not wrong. I need to say that from the start. But here's my deal...
First of all, you're welcome, administrators and teachers, for having the same last name as my kids. I've made your paperwork easier. It's a confusing mess when everyone in a family has a different last name.
(I, of course, realize that if everyone in a family has a different last name, then their LIVES are most likely confusing messes so my paperwork frustration is minimal.)
Now here's the part that might get me into trouble with people.
Let me explain that as a lower elementary school and now preschool teacher, I feel responsible for having name tags on desks and cubbies written correctly. There's nothing worse for me as a teacher than a sweet child coming into my room, looking for her name, and not finding it. Then she cries because she feels like I don't like her or I forgot her. When really... I put the child's legal name on a name tag without realizing that she goes by a nickname or her middle name.
Flash forward to right now... I'm responsible for labeling the school supplies with each child's name. And the teachers will use whatever name I put on the label to then label lockers, etc. in her room. THAT'S PRESSURE. So I appreciate the parent that names her child what she wants her child to be called. Thank you. I don't want to mess up your kid's name. And that's far less likely if you name your kid the same thing you call your kid.
I can't tell you how many Jacobs are Jakes. Or Tylers are Tys. You'd think that parents would be good about putting the nickname or middle name in quotation marks so I know what that child wants to be called. But no.
Some are predictable. Most Madelines go by Maddie or Maddy. Kathryns are very rarely not shortened to Kate or Katie or Katy. (Although how crazy is it that Princess Kate's legal name is Catherine??? A Catherine with a "C" shortened to a Kate with a "K".) I've never met an Abigail that didn't go by Abby. But there's always those names that could go a couple of ways. Andrew. Are you gonna go by Andrew, Drew, or Andy?
Agh!
I understand that "Andrew" looks prettier, for lack of a better word, than "Andy" on a diploma and a wedding invitation, but a parent thinks "Andy" works better for a little kid. Sometimes, however, that doesn't last. Sometimes that little boy grows up and Andy decides he likes Andrew better and wants everyone to call him by his "real" name.
I had a friend named Katy. She had been Katy for more than 25 years. Then one day decided that "Katherine" sounded better and changed her name. She has the right to do that. But she would also get frustrated if I slipped up and called her Katy. And I wanted to scream in indignation, "But you've been Katy our whole lives!! You can't get mad that I forget sometimes that --all of a sudden-- you want to be called what your parents named you."
So I named my kids Sarah, Jack, and Caroline. There are no shortened versions of any of those names. Quite intentionally. No question if they go by something else. I am sometimes asked if "Jack" is short for "Jackson". My answer is always if I had named him Jackson, I'd call him Jackson. So, no. It's just Jack.
And people think I'm strange. Jack is a nickname for John. So some think that I should have named him John and called him Jack. I don't work like that though.
Again, to each his own. I'm not right. I'm not saying other people are wrong. I just don't want to mess up the name tags. That's what it boils down to. And as long as each parent has taught his Kindergartener that her full name is "Elizabeth", so if she doesn't find "Beth" on a name tag that first day of school, then look for "Elizabeth", then everything will be fine.
I don't want tears that first day because I did the data entry wrong on the school supplies. I'm doing the best I can. :)
I've been entering the data for the preorders of school supplies, and it renewed my feelings about names.
Everything in this post is just my humble opinion. I'm not right. Others are not wrong. I need to say that from the start. But here's my deal...
First of all, you're welcome, administrators and teachers, for having the same last name as my kids. I've made your paperwork easier. It's a confusing mess when everyone in a family has a different last name.
(I, of course, realize that if everyone in a family has a different last name, then their LIVES are most likely confusing messes so my paperwork frustration is minimal.)
Now here's the part that might get me into trouble with people.
Let me explain that as a lower elementary school and now preschool teacher, I feel responsible for having name tags on desks and cubbies written correctly. There's nothing worse for me as a teacher than a sweet child coming into my room, looking for her name, and not finding it. Then she cries because she feels like I don't like her or I forgot her. When really... I put the child's legal name on a name tag without realizing that she goes by a nickname or her middle name.
Flash forward to right now... I'm responsible for labeling the school supplies with each child's name. And the teachers will use whatever name I put on the label to then label lockers, etc. in her room. THAT'S PRESSURE. So I appreciate the parent that names her child what she wants her child to be called. Thank you. I don't want to mess up your kid's name. And that's far less likely if you name your kid the same thing you call your kid.
I can't tell you how many Jacobs are Jakes. Or Tylers are Tys. You'd think that parents would be good about putting the nickname or middle name in quotation marks so I know what that child wants to be called. But no.
Some are predictable. Most Madelines go by Maddie or Maddy. Kathryns are very rarely not shortened to Kate or Katie or Katy. (Although how crazy is it that Princess Kate's legal name is Catherine??? A Catherine with a "C" shortened to a Kate with a "K".) I've never met an Abigail that didn't go by Abby. But there's always those names that could go a couple of ways. Andrew. Are you gonna go by Andrew, Drew, or Andy?
Agh!
I understand that "Andrew" looks prettier, for lack of a better word, than "Andy" on a diploma and a wedding invitation, but a parent thinks "Andy" works better for a little kid. Sometimes, however, that doesn't last. Sometimes that little boy grows up and Andy decides he likes Andrew better and wants everyone to call him by his "real" name.
I had a friend named Katy. She had been Katy for more than 25 years. Then one day decided that "Katherine" sounded better and changed her name. She has the right to do that. But she would also get frustrated if I slipped up and called her Katy. And I wanted to scream in indignation, "But you've been Katy our whole lives!! You can't get mad that I forget sometimes that --all of a sudden-- you want to be called what your parents named you."
So I named my kids Sarah, Jack, and Caroline. There are no shortened versions of any of those names. Quite intentionally. No question if they go by something else. I am sometimes asked if "Jack" is short for "Jackson". My answer is always if I had named him Jackson, I'd call him Jackson. So, no. It's just Jack.
And people think I'm strange. Jack is a nickname for John. So some think that I should have named him John and called him Jack. I don't work like that though.
Again, to each his own. I'm not right. I'm not saying other people are wrong. I just don't want to mess up the name tags. That's what it boils down to. And as long as each parent has taught his Kindergartener that her full name is "Elizabeth", so if she doesn't find "Beth" on a name tag that first day of school, then look for "Elizabeth", then everything will be fine.
I don't want tears that first day because I did the data entry wrong on the school supplies. I'm doing the best I can. :)
Last day of first grade
I would tell you that it's hard to believe, but it's not. It feels like it's time for the last day of first grade. BUT what's unbelievable to me is the math I do in my head on days like this.
For example...
Next year, at the end of second grade, she'll be HALFWAY thru elementary school. (Plano elementary schools go through the 5th grade. Something I think that makes sense. Because 6th graders belong in middle school. Just my opinion.)
Today is the last day I pick up one McGlamery from elementary school... until Caroline is in 4th grade. For the next 6 years I'll have at least 2 kids there. And for two glorious years, I'll have 3 kids there.
Two quick years and I've got everyone in school. WOW.
.........
Happy last day of school, Sarah! :)
And, Jack, I'm sorry that I forgot to take your pic on your last day of school. :( Next year, I won't forget!
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