I should totally use the excuse and blame my irritations on PMS, but there are a few things that have really bugged the snot out of me today.
Back to School Night
Every year, the school expressly requests that parents leave their kids at home for Back to School night. Unlike Open House in the spring, Back to School Night is a time for parents to get more information about what's going on with the school, what will be happening in their child's class, who their child's teacher is, what will be expected of their child, etc. It's not interesting to kids, because, really, they hear it every damn day, so they don't really want to hear it again at night, right?
But every year, without fail, easily half the parents bring their kids, anyway. Some bring their actual grade-level kids, and some bring toddlers and babies. Of course, the parents are torn between paying attention and minding their children, so neither gets done effectively. Which tends to also mean that there are quite a few kids not behaving themselves (or keeping quiet) like they should be.
It's not that hard, right? It's one friggin' night a year - make other arrangements! I totally get that some parents don't have babysitters, or close family, or the ability to make arrangements for their kids' care for, what, two whole hours? Especially when I'm looking at both parents there with the kids in tow. Because one of you couldn't have stayed home and minded the ranch? That's how we do it!
Yes, I will totally admit that our little family has been extraordinarily fortunate in that there's never help or back up sitting far, should we need it. Between my family & SweetPea's family, plus Neighbor and assorted other friends and relatives, we've never NOT had someone who could watch the kids when we needed it. But I fail to comprehend that this many families, particularly when so many of them have two parents present, just can't find care for their kids for two hours for one damn night.
Party Invitations
MonkeyDo told me last night that one of her friends invited her to a party. No, a proper (and paper) invitation was not provided. I advised her that she could tell her friend that I would need something written, on paper, with a phone number I could call, before I would consider any invitations.
Today she presented me with a scrap of notebook paper that her friend had written the details on.
It's a birthday-slumber party. It's Saturday.
You know, I don't even think I need to say anything further about that.
San Francisco Field Trip
This is possibly just kind of petty, but I'm writing about it, anyway. Sue me.
When MonkeySee was in fourth grade, his class went on a field trip to San Francisco. It was. You know. THE San Francisco field trip. I remember going on it when I was a kid (vaguely), and I believe that was in fourth grade, too.
You know what?
MonkeyDo is in fifth grade this year, and, apparently, there is not to be any San Francisco field trip for her.
It's not that she's never been to The City, or done any of the cool things that are there. That's totally not the point. It's the first big rented-buses, get to school early, leave late, drive two hours AWAY FROM YOUR PARENTS, and "here, have some money for the gift shop" field trip. It's a big deal, dammit, and she totally missed out, and I totally didn't even realize it until recently.
It sucks, and I'm ticked.
Doctor's Appointments
Last week I got a call from a doctor who requested I come in for a procedure. He can't do it there at his office, so he was forwarding my information to another office, where he would do the procedure, so that the head nurse could call and schedule an appointment.
Tonight I received an automated phone call with a "reminder" for my appointment Monday.
Know what happened in the meantime?
Bupkiss, that's what.
I never even got an attempted phone call to schedule an appointment. Nothing. Because, clearly, I have nothing better to do than rearrange my life at a moment's notice.
Fortunately (for me and definitely not for her), he happened to give me the name of the head nurse who was supposed to call me to schedule the appointment.
Guess who's getting a phone call in the morning?
Ooh, good guess!
Now, I'm not bringing The Bitch out up front in the phone call (well, maybe I am... depends on how ticked I am when I dial). I mean, this procedure is not exactly pleasant and I'm not entirely sure pissing off the Head Nurse before the procedure is a good idea. But I will be expressing to her, in no uncertain terms, that it would be better for her if, next time, she discussed it with me before scheduling me for an appointment.
People who assume I have no life
I guess this plays into the thing with the nurse and the invitation. The last month or so has just been filled with last minute scrambles as we found out about events and appointments and things at the last minute. It is so frustrating, and I cannot even count the number of times I've grumbled "What? Am I NOT supposed to have a day job?"
As we gear up for another school year, I understand that things are going to be crazy and hectic and largely seat-of-the-pants, but it doesn't help when people like teachers, school administrations, doctor's office, etc. don't take into account that none of us are sitting around, twiddling our thumbs hoping that they've got something for us to do.
Also? I am not nice when I'm pissed off, and not much pisses me off more quickly than being disrespectful. And not being mindful that I have other obligations smacks too loudly of disrespecting myself and those obligations.
Something I Love
Packages from the HagRag!
Yeah, I know, I totally BUY them and all. But I just love getting them! She always packs them like they're presents, there's always an extra goodie or two, and they're just so gorgeous and soft and shiny and brand new.
I know there's a lot of you who may never even consider using cloth pads, but she also sells reusable cloth tissues (like handkerchiefs, only smaller, softer, and more fun), as well as "roundies", which are awesome for everything from makeup removal to mopping up small spills or even using to wipe fingers on at mealtimes. Plus, she's just totally adorable, and has a totally adorable, chubby-cheeked baby girl named Zuly. Zuly fergoshsakes, how awesome is that!
If you haven't been around long enough to have read my dissertation on cloth pads, you can check the posts out here and here.
I've also ordered (from a vendor on etsy) a custom double-sided "wet bag" for when MonkeyDo starts. That way, she'll have one side to keep her "clean" pads in and one side for her "wet" pads, and her wet ones won't leak or smell because of the waterproof lining. Should be cute as beans, too, but I'll post more about it once it arrives.
Goodnight, Moon
And now I'm going to bed. Not because I think sleep will help me be less crabby, but because I really am enamored of The Sleeping, and I totally want to make it my boyfriend.
Goodnight!
Showing posts with label elementary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elementary. Show all posts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Monday, December 01, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
An Actual Update! What?
Oh, what a long, strange week it's been.
First, let me apologize for the blog pretty much going offline. Maybe I needed a break. Most assuredly I was having some issues formulating thoughts in such a manner as made them postable in a public venue. I mean, one should only use the term "cockwhore" so many times on a "family" blog.
Heh.
On Friday we went out on what was supposed to be a group adventure. Ghost Hunter had invited a friend that she thought might dig Chief. That alone was no big deal. What turned into a big deal was when Ghost Hunter shanghaied the attentions of both Neighbor and Chief and turned our group adventure into a double date. With staff. Which I thought was totally uncool on multiple levels, and SweetPea and I ended up heading home pretty early that night.
For Saturday, we had multiple event possibilities. Chief had invited us rafting on the river and Ghost Hunter was having a bbq and had invited us along. I was on the rag, and figured that cloth pads + sitting in water = not a good time. SweetPea really wanted to go rafting, though, so I insisted she go. I got everything ready for her and kicked her ass out the door in plenty of time to meet up with Chief and her crew ofmiscreants kids and their friends. SweetPea took the only running vehicle to do this, which was fine by me. I planned on spending the entire day being lazy, less than sober, and not even kind of leaving the house.
This, of course, meant that not one of us was heading to Ghost Hunter's bbq. I got a text message from Neighbor about it at one point, and I told her that SweetPea was on the river with Chief, and I had no intention on leaving the house. From that point, I didn't hear anything from either Neighbor or Ghost Hunter, and I don't think anyone else did, either. At least not until Tuesday, when I think they both realized that nobody had been in contact with them for days. So they started text messaging SweetPea and Chief, trying to get the scoop. From what I understand, both were asking question after question, but not answering any. Ooh, bad form!
Of course, neither had the nads to try me. SweetPea says it's because they both know that I'm not afraid of confrontation. SweetPea and Chief would both rather avoid it as much as possible. Now, I really don't think there's anything there that needs confronting or causing an argument. I think we just feel that, right now, Neighbor and Ghost Hunter need some space to get their relationship going and to get it on an even keel. Once things have smoothed out, the things between the group should get closer to back to normal. And, also, friendships are two-way streets. If you miss someone, or haven't seen them in a few days when you ordinarily see them every day, you can call to check in, see what's up, how ya doing, I miss you. That's part of friendship. Not maintaining radio silence and then launching an assault on the people least likely to tell you that you've been an asshole and that's why nobody's talking to you.
In still other other news, I am totally not looking forward to back to school night tomorrow, wherein I get to spend 45 minutes sitting in a classroom with the reason I resigned from PTA. Much like Neighbor and Ghost Hunter, though, I'm pretty damn sure she's too chicken shit to try to start shit with me. She prefers talking about me behind my back, because then I can't tell her to her face what a two-faced, backstabbing, controlling, martyr bitch she is.
Woops!
There I go with the cussing again.
First, let me apologize for the blog pretty much going offline. Maybe I needed a break. Most assuredly I was having some issues formulating thoughts in such a manner as made them postable in a public venue. I mean, one should only use the term "cockwhore" so many times on a "family" blog.
Heh.
On Friday we went out on what was supposed to be a group adventure. Ghost Hunter had invited a friend that she thought might dig Chief. That alone was no big deal. What turned into a big deal was when Ghost Hunter shanghaied the attentions of both Neighbor and Chief and turned our group adventure into a double date. With staff. Which I thought was totally uncool on multiple levels, and SweetPea and I ended up heading home pretty early that night.
For Saturday, we had multiple event possibilities. Chief had invited us rafting on the river and Ghost Hunter was having a bbq and had invited us along. I was on the rag, and figured that cloth pads + sitting in water = not a good time. SweetPea really wanted to go rafting, though, so I insisted she go. I got everything ready for her and kicked her ass out the door in plenty of time to meet up with Chief and her crew of
This, of course, meant that not one of us was heading to Ghost Hunter's bbq. I got a text message from Neighbor about it at one point, and I told her that SweetPea was on the river with Chief, and I had no intention on leaving the house. From that point, I didn't hear anything from either Neighbor or Ghost Hunter, and I don't think anyone else did, either. At least not until Tuesday, when I think they both realized that nobody had been in contact with them for days. So they started text messaging SweetPea and Chief, trying to get the scoop. From what I understand, both were asking question after question, but not answering any. Ooh, bad form!
Of course, neither had the nads to try me. SweetPea says it's because they both know that I'm not afraid of confrontation. SweetPea and Chief would both rather avoid it as much as possible. Now, I really don't think there's anything there that needs confronting or causing an argument. I think we just feel that, right now, Neighbor and Ghost Hunter need some space to get their relationship going and to get it on an even keel. Once things have smoothed out, the things between the group should get closer to back to normal. And, also, friendships are two-way streets. If you miss someone, or haven't seen them in a few days when you ordinarily see them every day, you can call to check in, see what's up, how ya doing, I miss you. That's part of friendship. Not maintaining radio silence and then launching an assault on the people least likely to tell you that you've been an asshole and that's why nobody's talking to you.
In still other other news, I am totally not looking forward to back to school night tomorrow, wherein I get to spend 45 minutes sitting in a classroom with the reason I resigned from PTA. Much like Neighbor and Ghost Hunter, though, I'm pretty damn sure she's too chicken shit to try to start shit with me. She prefers talking about me behind my back, because then I can't tell her to her face what a two-faced, backstabbing, controlling, martyr bitch she is.
Woops!
There I go with the cussing again.
Monday, May 26, 2008
On Witches and Pixies
Courtesy of elphie, MonkeyDo, elphie, MonkeySee:
Also courtesy of elphie, MonkeyDo's "talent":
Most of the assembled birthday party:
To find out who everyone is, you can click here and read the notes.
Also courtesy of elphie, MonkeyDo's "talent":Most of the assembled birthday party:To find out who everyone is, you can click here and read the notes. For SweetPea's birthday party, we closed down Mr. Pickle's. As an added bonus, elphie came out to party with us. The Monkeys were over the moon and proceeded to ignore everyone else and spend the entirety of the party talking over each other to elphie. In fact, I don't believe the MonkeyDo shut up the entire time. It's ok, though. They've missed her, and it's been a long year and a lot has happened.
And look at Neighbor sitting there next to Opah. She looks so tiny! To prove Opah isn't some sort of giant, here's a snap of Opah and SweetPea from her birthday party a couple of years ago:
You can surmise what you will from that about the size of Neighbor. But I will say that she gets her shoes from the boy's department.Friday, May 16, 2008
Monkey Do
This is in response to the daily question, right before she gets dropped off for school, "What kind of day are we going to have?"
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Books on Their Heads
I would like to point out the following:
May 2, 2008:
May 2, 2008:
By the way, I had my camera out this morning and took some pictures. I may be doing more of that this weekend. We'll see.
April 26, 2007:
May 2, 2008:
May 2, 2008:
By the way, I had my camera out this morning and took some pictures. I may be doing more of that this weekend. We'll see.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Red Ribbon Week - Creating Tomorrow's Parrots Today!
Last night on the way home from Wednesday Night Pizza, both Monkeys rode with me. We were almost home before Monkey See commented that something smells. On further inquiry, he declared that it smelled kind of like a skunk.
Ah.
So I explained to the Monkeys that it could be a skunk, or it could be pot, because pot smells kind of like skunk. In stereo I get:
"What's pot?"
Um… you know… Marijuana?
You could hear the blank stares.
Wait just a minute, I demand. Didn't y'all just have Red Ribbon Week? Didn't they tell you anything about the drugs you're supposed to be saying no to?
"Nope," pipes up Monkey Do. "They just tell us to 'Just say NO! to Drugs."
"They just tell us to wear the ribbon and decorate our lockers," adds Monkey See.
Am I the only one who sees the problem with this? If kids don't know what drugs are, what they look like, what they act like, what happens when you take them and why you shouldn't… How are they supposed to make the kind of informed, intelligent decisions that keep kids strong in the face of peer pressure? How are they supposed to know that the cigarette their buddy is handing them isn't just the nicotine that their mother swore she'd smack them for trying but actual DRUGS!
And how the freaking hell are they supposed to know that the little square of paper isn't a tongue tattoo and that it's not going to be the kind of fun they're expecting?
When did we stop trusting our kids to make intelligent decisions based on good information and their moral base (whatever that may be)? Why are we teaching them things that are potentially life-altering choices by rote and expecting them to parrot that back to us?
Being able to recite the "just say no" litany isn't going to help them when they hit junior high and high school. Peer pressure isn't dumb. Peer pressure went to the same schools and sat through the same red ribbon weeks. Peer pressure is going to figure out the sales pitch:
"But it's not drugs, Monkey Do, they're just mushrooms. Your mom wouldn't mind if you had mushrooms, would she?"
Ah.
So I explained to the Monkeys that it could be a skunk, or it could be pot, because pot smells kind of like skunk. In stereo I get:
"What's pot?"
Um… you know… Marijuana?
You could hear the blank stares.
Wait just a minute, I demand. Didn't y'all just have Red Ribbon Week? Didn't they tell you anything about the drugs you're supposed to be saying no to?
"Nope," pipes up Monkey Do. "They just tell us to 'Just say NO! to Drugs."
"They just tell us to wear the ribbon and decorate our lockers," adds Monkey See.
Am I the only one who sees the problem with this? If kids don't know what drugs are, what they look like, what they act like, what happens when you take them and why you shouldn't… How are they supposed to make the kind of informed, intelligent decisions that keep kids strong in the face of peer pressure? How are they supposed to know that the cigarette their buddy is handing them isn't just the nicotine that their mother swore she'd smack them for trying but actual DRUGS!
And how the freaking hell are they supposed to know that the little square of paper isn't a tongue tattoo and that it's not going to be the kind of fun they're expecting?
When did we stop trusting our kids to make intelligent decisions based on good information and their moral base (whatever that may be)? Why are we teaching them things that are potentially life-altering choices by rote and expecting them to parrot that back to us?
Being able to recite the "just say no" litany isn't going to help them when they hit junior high and high school. Peer pressure isn't dumb. Peer pressure went to the same schools and sat through the same red ribbon weeks. Peer pressure is going to figure out the sales pitch:
"But it's not drugs, Monkey Do, they're just mushrooms. Your mom wouldn't mind if you had mushrooms, would she?"
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
How What?
Last night someone visited my blog by way of a google search for "pms i want my period to start already". I was on the very first page of search results!
I had planned on starting How Granola? Wednesdays this morning, but things didn't quite work out yesterday with the whole "going to work" thing. So I guess I'll see what I can do about that this morning. Provided I actually get there today.
I do keep thinking of things that I know I need to change my ways about, but I have no idea how to start or what to do. For instance, I'm sure that the Jergen's lotion I use on my hands can be replaced by a better way. But what? I need something really really moisturizing because my hands get super dry. They're often (including now) cracked and bleeding in several places because they just get so damn dry that the skin splits. My hands hurt and itch and it's, frankly, kind of gross. Right now my issue is that the Jergen's stays at work, and, well, I've only been once in the last 10 days. So, clearly, that's not helpful. But even when I'm at work, I still have the issues because it just doesn't work that well.
And don't even get my started on my hair! Earlier this year I tried to find hair products that had not been tested on animals, but within a couple of months I was back to Herbal Essences. Hey, it works. What's a girl to do? My hair is wavy and very very frizzy. I'm pretty sure most of my hair products are not only tested on animals, but petroleum based, too. That can't be good. But I'm just not willing to go for the frizzed-out, fried hair, hippie look of my mother's era. I know there's a better way, I just have no idea what.
I need to start doing some research and finding out what issues I'm looking to tackle. Creating less waste? OK, check. Eating more locally? Sounds good, check. Using less gas? Uuuuhhhh..... 35 miles a day is not a good commute for exploring alternatives. Particularly because public transit in this county sucks, and I have to drop my son off at school in the morning, making even carpooling more difficult. So I guess we need to get our priorities straight before we can really begin this little adventure. But that's ok, because we've got, what? About five weeks until the new year?
In other news, I am getting frustrated with PTA. It seems like the president and former president have no interest whatsoever in involving others in decisions, planning, or working for the things that need to be done for PTA. I feel totally just like some chick who keeps showing up and meetings and just comes for the free cookies. It doesn't matter what gets discussed, what great ideas are brought up, nothing. They just go ahead between meetings and take care of everything the exact same way it's always been done. Screw trying to make it better! This has even been directly brought to their attention and nothing has changed! Grrr! We are putting on "Santa's Breakfast" on December 8th. Well, because nobody has asked us to be there to do anything, and we haven't volunteered to do anything, I think we're just going to go and enjoy the breakfast, instead of going down there & busting our butts where help's not wanted. They haven't even mentioned doing pictures with Santa. I assumed they'd ask me to do that, because I did pictures for Harvest Festival, and everyone talked about how great that turned out. I wonder if they're just assuming I'll do that again for them? Uh, I hope not. Nice people ask. In particular, nice people who want to make sure things turn out the way they expect.
SweetPea says I should put in for president next year. I certainly would do things differently, I think. I'm just not sure I'm ready to take on that much more. I'm going to wait and see how things are going for us when the elections happen in May. Then I'll see what I feel like doing.
I had planned on starting How Granola? Wednesdays this morning, but things didn't quite work out yesterday with the whole "going to work" thing. So I guess I'll see what I can do about that this morning. Provided I actually get there today.
I do keep thinking of things that I know I need to change my ways about, but I have no idea how to start or what to do. For instance, I'm sure that the Jergen's lotion I use on my hands can be replaced by a better way. But what? I need something really really moisturizing because my hands get super dry. They're often (including now) cracked and bleeding in several places because they just get so damn dry that the skin splits. My hands hurt and itch and it's, frankly, kind of gross. Right now my issue is that the Jergen's stays at work, and, well, I've only been once in the last 10 days. So, clearly, that's not helpful. But even when I'm at work, I still have the issues because it just doesn't work that well.
And don't even get my started on my hair! Earlier this year I tried to find hair products that had not been tested on animals, but within a couple of months I was back to Herbal Essences. Hey, it works. What's a girl to do? My hair is wavy and very very frizzy. I'm pretty sure most of my hair products are not only tested on animals, but petroleum based, too. That can't be good. But I'm just not willing to go for the frizzed-out, fried hair, hippie look of my mother's era. I know there's a better way, I just have no idea what.
I need to start doing some research and finding out what issues I'm looking to tackle. Creating less waste? OK, check. Eating more locally? Sounds good, check. Using less gas? Uuuuhhhh..... 35 miles a day is not a good commute for exploring alternatives. Particularly because public transit in this county sucks, and I have to drop my son off at school in the morning, making even carpooling more difficult. So I guess we need to get our priorities straight before we can really begin this little adventure. But that's ok, because we've got, what? About five weeks until the new year?
In other news, I am getting frustrated with PTA. It seems like the president and former president have no interest whatsoever in involving others in decisions, planning, or working for the things that need to be done for PTA. I feel totally just like some chick who keeps showing up and meetings and just comes for the free cookies. It doesn't matter what gets discussed, what great ideas are brought up, nothing. They just go ahead between meetings and take care of everything the exact same way it's always been done. Screw trying to make it better! This has even been directly brought to their attention and nothing has changed! Grrr! We are putting on "Santa's Breakfast" on December 8th. Well, because nobody has asked us to be there to do anything, and we haven't volunteered to do anything, I think we're just going to go and enjoy the breakfast, instead of going down there & busting our butts where help's not wanted. They haven't even mentioned doing pictures with Santa. I assumed they'd ask me to do that, because I did pictures for Harvest Festival, and everyone talked about how great that turned out. I wonder if they're just assuming I'll do that again for them? Uh, I hope not. Nice people ask. In particular, nice people who want to make sure things turn out the way they expect.
SweetPea says I should put in for president next year. I certainly would do things differently, I think. I'm just not sure I'm ready to take on that much more. I'm going to wait and see how things are going for us when the elections happen in May. Then I'll see what I feel like doing.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Being prepared is for sissies.
What happened to buying school supplies before the school year starts? I remember that it seemed like back to school shopping came so early in the summer time, before I was really ready to be reminded that I'd have to return soon.
Back to school shopping meant buying a load of new clothes, and tons of school supplies. Before the first day of school.
My daughter started third grade today, and my son started seventh (junior high!). Our elementary school sends out a small packet with your child's teacher's name, some information sheets, and a supplies list for school. The problem is that the information invariably arrives within about ten days of the start of school. Ten days? Really?
Not only does this not provide any real time for shopping, particularly for working families, but, also, this plants the time the list is received and the time school starts smack between paychecks for most families.
I know that in some neighborhoods this may not be a big deal. However, our school is filled with mostly working and lower-middle class families. The kind of families where money is spent shortly after receipt. The kind where all the grown folk living in the household leave to work each day.
My son's school never did send home a list of supplies before the school year started. Sure, there were the obvious things, like a lock for the locker, some means of taking notes and keeping papers. But there was no specific list. I thought that must mean that they're trusting the kids to know what they need to do to keep everything together.
Apparently, I was wrong.
My son came home from his first day of school with a note from each teacher, each of them detailing supplies.
And, what, I should run out right now and pick these all up? What about the shopping I did before the first day of school?
Am I to infer that being prepared counts for nothing?
Oops. Probably not what they meant by that.
Fortunately for us, some of the things are already taken care of. We had either already thought of that, or had it on hand (I have this issue with buying school supplies. I really like school supplies.). The rest of it he's just going to have to live without until the weekend. It's mainly just a few little things. I should be able to get them reasonably priced and from one store. I just will not have the time or energy to take care of going there and doing that until the weekend.
My point, though, really, is that it would be very nice if we parents could get more of a heads up when specific supplies are needed for back to school. I found out from the elementary school secretary that it's mostly the same list from year to year. In fact, my daughter's third grade supply list had the same error on it as her brother's third grade supply list (a red highlighter? Really?). So why can't they send that home on the last day of school with the report card, and then again with the teacher list before school? That would be super for those of us who believe in shopping early and shopping often.
As for my son's school... I'm pretty sure those teachers have been teaching these classes long enough that they just use the same list, too. Except for Japanese. Which I believe is new to the school.
Seriously. I know schools and districts have all sorts of things that happen over summer that can change things... But I really don't think it's too much to ask to give us at least a full month's notice on school supplies.
Since, clearly, it's too much to ask for the school to supply them for us (thanks, no child left behind. I adore having to supply tissue for the my kid's classroom for the year. That's awesome!).
Back to school shopping meant buying a load of new clothes, and tons of school supplies. Before the first day of school.
My daughter started third grade today, and my son started seventh (junior high!). Our elementary school sends out a small packet with your child's teacher's name, some information sheets, and a supplies list for school. The problem is that the information invariably arrives within about ten days of the start of school. Ten days? Really?
Not only does this not provide any real time for shopping, particularly for working families, but, also, this plants the time the list is received and the time school starts smack between paychecks for most families.
I know that in some neighborhoods this may not be a big deal. However, our school is filled with mostly working and lower-middle class families. The kind of families where money is spent shortly after receipt. The kind where all the grown folk living in the household leave to work each day.
My son's school never did send home a list of supplies before the school year started. Sure, there were the obvious things, like a lock for the locker, some means of taking notes and keeping papers. But there was no specific list. I thought that must mean that they're trusting the kids to know what they need to do to keep everything together.
Apparently, I was wrong.
My son came home from his first day of school with a note from each teacher, each of them detailing supplies.
And, what, I should run out right now and pick these all up? What about the shopping I did before the first day of school?
Am I to infer that being prepared counts for nothing?
Oops. Probably not what they meant by that.
Fortunately for us, some of the things are already taken care of. We had either already thought of that, or had it on hand (I have this issue with buying school supplies. I really like school supplies.). The rest of it he's just going to have to live without until the weekend. It's mainly just a few little things. I should be able to get them reasonably priced and from one store. I just will not have the time or energy to take care of going there and doing that until the weekend.
My point, though, really, is that it would be very nice if we parents could get more of a heads up when specific supplies are needed for back to school. I found out from the elementary school secretary that it's mostly the same list from year to year. In fact, my daughter's third grade supply list had the same error on it as her brother's third grade supply list (a red highlighter? Really?). So why can't they send that home on the last day of school with the report card, and then again with the teacher list before school? That would be super for those of us who believe in shopping early and shopping often.
As for my son's school... I'm pretty sure those teachers have been teaching these classes long enough that they just use the same list, too. Except for Japanese. Which I believe is new to the school.
Seriously. I know schools and districts have all sorts of things that happen over summer that can change things... But I really don't think it's too much to ask to give us at least a full month's notice on school supplies.
Since, clearly, it's too much to ask for the school to supply them for us (thanks, no child left behind. I adore having to supply tissue for the my kid's classroom for the year. That's awesome!).
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
It's about a girl...
Cheree lives in the sweaty armpit of Sacramento, California. In May 2010 she logged her highest weight ever – 288 pounds – despite having been a member of California Family Fitness for almost a whole year. Since then, she's amped up her workouts, taken up running and started taking her life more seriously.
Well.
As seriously as one smart ass can take life, anyway.
Getting three 5K's under her proverbial belt in 2010, Cheree plans to crank out the miles and take down longer and longer races.
Love of running?
Check and double check.
The Pit Crew
Cheree's biggest supporter is her (yes, legal) wife, SweetPea. SweetPea is starting on her own journey into a healthier lifestyle. When she's not driving, chasing Monkeys or finding the latest, greatest deal on almond milk.
MonkeySee is Cheree & SweetPea's 15 year old son, who is in high school in the International Baccalaureate Program, which means that he's much smarter than he occassionally lets on. MonkeySee has always been kind of a crotchety old man and believes there's no good reason whatsoever to be sweaty. Or in contact with dirt.
MonkeyDo is Cheree & SweetPea's 12 year old daughter. She is navigating the often cruel world of adolescent girls with a grace that only the Weird Kid with Two Moms can possibly manage. Which, like every other girl in her class, often means not that much grace at all. She is the Reigning Queen of Horse Camp, and can tell you, at any given point, whose parents love them enough to have bought them a horse.
Gomi Takaramono is a white pit bull (mix) with one blue eye and one brown eye. She's matured into a pretty good dog. Except for the barking. And the random bouts of The Stubborn.
There are also two cats (Dianne and Moo), known both collectively and individually as "Damn it!"
If you have something you think the Verbosery should know about or that you'd like us to try out, please contact Cheree by emailing: theverbosery at gmail dot com
Well.
As seriously as one smart ass can take life, anyway.
Getting three 5K's under her proverbial belt in 2010, Cheree plans to crank out the miles and take down longer and longer races.
Love of running?
Check and double check.
The Pit Crew
Cheree's biggest supporter is her (yes, legal) wife, SweetPea. SweetPea is starting on her own journey into a healthier lifestyle. When she's not driving, chasing Monkeys or finding the latest, greatest deal on almond milk.
MonkeySee is Cheree & SweetPea's 15 year old son, who is in high school in the International Baccalaureate Program, which means that he's much smarter than he occassionally lets on. MonkeySee has always been kind of a crotchety old man and believes there's no good reason whatsoever to be sweaty. Or in contact with dirt.
MonkeyDo is Cheree & SweetPea's 12 year old daughter. She is navigating the often cruel world of adolescent girls with a grace that only the Weird Kid with Two Moms can possibly manage. Which, like every other girl in her class, often means not that much grace at all. She is the Reigning Queen of Horse Camp, and can tell you, at any given point, whose parents love them enough to have bought them a horse.
Gomi Takaramono is a white pit bull (mix) with one blue eye and one brown eye. She's matured into a pretty good dog. Except for the barking. And the random bouts of The Stubborn.
There are also two cats (Dianne and Moo), known both collectively and individually as "Damn it!"
If you have something you think the Verbosery should know about or that you'd like us to try out, please contact Cheree by emailing: theverbosery at gmail dot com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)