Mommy Vacuum
That is how it should be (according to my mother) but for some reason in our family or at least for my sister and me it is daddy. My mother is appalled. She always tells us that we aren't right and that she feels sorry for our husbands and that we would have never made it back in her day. I'm like you are right, I would have beat dad leaving him to become a lesbian...she loved that comment. I bring this up bc as you may recall my daughter came home last week telling us that she threw up on her shirt and had to borrow one from the camp only to tell them her dad would wash it and get it back to them the next day. He did.
Well, tonight while on the phone with T for the tenth time today, my niece (Baby Sunshine) saw the vacuum and T said yes, Baby Sunshine, that is the vacuum and then Baby Sunshine said, "vacuum...daddy".
So, I immediately hung up the phone to call my mother to tell her that it was not only me that was ruined...that so was T. It is always best to share in the families most controversial/topical traits. Or to at least spread out the lashings.
Thanks Baby S! E
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Think Before Speak
Yeah, so good thing I didn't go ballistic on the school that will house our children for the next several years.
My husband had some more conversations with people who actually worked at the school only to discover there is a process and while it is a bit gray it is fair and makes sense.
He could see why the others were concerned and ultimately felt good about where they go to school and that we will be told about the process. So, my original rant of lets yank them out back to private school or move...well, that was pure insanity and I am not even PMSing...I especially feel badly that my oldest told me that he likes where he goes so yes, he heard me.
I did tell him I was over reacting and that all I wanted was for proper communication from his wonderful school and that I was overreacting and everything was fine. The good news here is that I did not make any inquiries to the school myself especially since I currently dislike their front desk women/secretaries (see previous post). However, it appears that my husband has not only charmed our principle and put our children on the radar he also softened up the mean women who house the front of the school. Now all I have to do is somehow let them know that I am the nice wife of him...maybe bake them something...like pot brownies! Kidding...maybe they'd crack a smile!
So, the lesson here is do your research or have your husband do it for you!
E
My husband had some more conversations with people who actually worked at the school only to discover there is a process and while it is a bit gray it is fair and makes sense.
He could see why the others were concerned and ultimately felt good about where they go to school and that we will be told about the process. So, my original rant of lets yank them out back to private school or move...well, that was pure insanity and I am not even PMSing...I especially feel badly that my oldest told me that he likes where he goes so yes, he heard me.
I did tell him I was over reacting and that all I wanted was for proper communication from his wonderful school and that I was overreacting and everything was fine. The good news here is that I did not make any inquiries to the school myself especially since I currently dislike their front desk women/secretaries (see previous post). However, it appears that my husband has not only charmed our principle and put our children on the radar he also softened up the mean women who house the front of the school. Now all I have to do is somehow let them know that I am the nice wife of him...maybe bake them something...like pot brownies! Kidding...maybe they'd crack a smile!
So, the lesson here is do your research or have your husband do it for you!
E
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Henrico County Schools Dirty Little Secret
Henrico County Schools Dirty Little GT Secret
I was shocked to learn that Henrico County has a gifted and talented program. (Being not yet affected children attend) I was even more shocked to learn that they purposely hide this information from parents, only communicating to the parents of the children that meet their selective and grey criteria. I liken this process to becoming a member of the Masons. A secret handshake and wink and a nod and a hope that the parent of a third grader who got the golden apple (all A’s for the entire year) and whose child participated in multiple out of class accelerated learning programs, would never notice.
Well, this one woman did and as I listened to her story I have to admit that at first I was skeptical. Deciding whether or not your child is gifted or accelerated can be emotional. But as I separated myself from my friend and thought more and more about it, I realize as a parent, you do have a sense of what your child is capable of accomplishing. And if you know your child should be in a class that challenges he/she more and that he has proven emotionally and academically that he can handle the challenge then why should that child be denied?
I was blown away as I listened to her story. To hear how she just assumed with the all A’s in every subject all year and the advanced courses taken, that her child would be able to just move into the next challenging level. It was alarming to learn that she was never communicated to about the existence of this GT program at least not specifically. So, I did some investigating of my own.
I asked two more women with children in the 8-12 year old range. I asked them what they knew about the GT program in Henrico. The first woman just laughed and said, “What does anyone really know?” She went on to explain that only those accepted know. The second woman’s story was one of struggle, battles and letter writing in order to have her daughter re-evaluated. Ultimately they selected her child but the fight itself revealed an unorganized program and she eventually left the school system. It was stranger as I learned that if you don’t ask the right questions, then you won’t get the right answers that will help get your child into the program.
I next asked why this even mattered...I mean is it that big of a deal. If your kid is smart then they will compete when it really matters, in high school. I was frightened to learn that the third grade is where your child is labeled GT or not. If you child does not get that secret handshake, that golden label, then they are not permitted to play with the other smart kids. And further more this lack of label will carry with them straight to high school but by then they will have missed out on so many advanced level class opportunities that competing academically for college, well you can figure the rest.
In third grade, a single test or a teacher or a guidance counselor or a principle gets to decide the very future of my son or daughter? I was told that the test is given each year but it becomes more difficult for you to get your child this privileged label. You see in fourth grade the GT kids get access to even more accelerated classes that will give them an advantage. Despite the fact that your child was already with these very same students and getting As in the same accelerated third grade course…how frustrating.
Now, I get it. I am a huge fan of if you aren’t good enough you don’t get to make the team. (read bubble kids) What I am not a fan of is a lack of communication on the opportunities available to children in Henrico county public schools. What I am not a fan of is that a child can have straight As, high testing scores on their Otis all being 97 plus and still either not have the support of the teacher and/or that of the school counselor (who has never met your child) or the principle and have these three people determine your child’s future. What sense does that make and why on earth are the parents not told? Why on earth do these people get to hand pick their favorite little Masons? What criteria are they really using?
More on this topic next week when I go over: Henrico County GT…it’s one thing that the parents don’t know…its an entire other when the kids do…
Disappointed E
I was shocked to learn that Henrico County has a gifted and talented program. (Being not yet affected children attend) I was even more shocked to learn that they purposely hide this information from parents, only communicating to the parents of the children that meet their selective and grey criteria. I liken this process to becoming a member of the Masons. A secret handshake and wink and a nod and a hope that the parent of a third grader who got the golden apple (all A’s for the entire year) and whose child participated in multiple out of class accelerated learning programs, would never notice.
Well, this one woman did and as I listened to her story I have to admit that at first I was skeptical. Deciding whether or not your child is gifted or accelerated can be emotional. But as I separated myself from my friend and thought more and more about it, I realize as a parent, you do have a sense of what your child is capable of accomplishing. And if you know your child should be in a class that challenges he/she more and that he has proven emotionally and academically that he can handle the challenge then why should that child be denied?
I was blown away as I listened to her story. To hear how she just assumed with the all A’s in every subject all year and the advanced courses taken, that her child would be able to just move into the next challenging level. It was alarming to learn that she was never communicated to about the existence of this GT program at least not specifically. So, I did some investigating of my own.
I asked two more women with children in the 8-12 year old range. I asked them what they knew about the GT program in Henrico. The first woman just laughed and said, “What does anyone really know?” She went on to explain that only those accepted know. The second woman’s story was one of struggle, battles and letter writing in order to have her daughter re-evaluated. Ultimately they selected her child but the fight itself revealed an unorganized program and she eventually left the school system. It was stranger as I learned that if you don’t ask the right questions, then you won’t get the right answers that will help get your child into the program.
I next asked why this even mattered...I mean is it that big of a deal. If your kid is smart then they will compete when it really matters, in high school. I was frightened to learn that the third grade is where your child is labeled GT or not. If you child does not get that secret handshake, that golden label, then they are not permitted to play with the other smart kids. And further more this lack of label will carry with them straight to high school but by then they will have missed out on so many advanced level class opportunities that competing academically for college, well you can figure the rest.
In third grade, a single test or a teacher or a guidance counselor or a principle gets to decide the very future of my son or daughter? I was told that the test is given each year but it becomes more difficult for you to get your child this privileged label. You see in fourth grade the GT kids get access to even more accelerated classes that will give them an advantage. Despite the fact that your child was already with these very same students and getting As in the same accelerated third grade course…how frustrating.
Now, I get it. I am a huge fan of if you aren’t good enough you don’t get to make the team. (read bubble kids) What I am not a fan of is a lack of communication on the opportunities available to children in Henrico county public schools. What I am not a fan of is that a child can have straight As, high testing scores on their Otis all being 97 plus and still either not have the support of the teacher and/or that of the school counselor (who has never met your child) or the principle and have these three people determine your child’s future. What sense does that make and why on earth are the parents not told? Why on earth do these people get to hand pick their favorite little Masons? What criteria are they really using?
More on this topic next week when I go over: Henrico County GT…it’s one thing that the parents don’t know…its an entire other when the kids do…
Disappointed E
Friday, June 26, 2009
Nanny Out Just Wrong
Just Wrong
My daughter had her last day of VBS camp this week. Well, so did Joe. So, we all went to eat at a local Mexican joint. I dined on chips, salsa, cheese dip and guacamole. I had already talked with my husband to see how the letting go of the nanny went. It went fine considering as I was talking with him and he was pulling up in the driveway he spotted Bee in the backyard playing BY HERSELF! No, babysitter, no big brother, no dog…nothing but her running free for any crazed killer to steal.
The babysitter was not phased and said that if we ever needed a sitter at night then to call her. I was like yeah, I would rather let Big Lou watch everyone.
So we are eating up the chips like we hadn’t eaten in a week. Everyone just double dipping into multiple dip options. It was fantastic. Bee points to her shirt asking if we know why she isn’t wearing her shirt. Since I did not dress her in the am I hadn’t noticed. Then Joe blurts out that she puked on herself. After dissecting the situation it was determined that gummy bears plus 20 M and Ms plus chugging two glasses of water then running five laps on the playground equals vomit.
She then started to laugh and said its ok, I told Miss Stephanie that my dad would dry clean it.
My dad? What about mom? This is her natural response? I asked her why she said dad and she just shrugged her shoulders. We all know why, because things have reverted back…I am officially the scattered working mother and growing further out of touch…why do I hate doing laundry so much? At least my husband enjoys it...
Have a good weekend and listen to some PYT, Beat It or Thriller...remember and celebrate the time of MJ, break dancing on cardboard boxes, Capri Suns and Nacho Doritos...the 80's.
My daughter had her last day of VBS camp this week. Well, so did Joe. So, we all went to eat at a local Mexican joint. I dined on chips, salsa, cheese dip and guacamole. I had already talked with my husband to see how the letting go of the nanny went. It went fine considering as I was talking with him and he was pulling up in the driveway he spotted Bee in the backyard playing BY HERSELF! No, babysitter, no big brother, no dog…nothing but her running free for any crazed killer to steal.
The babysitter was not phased and said that if we ever needed a sitter at night then to call her. I was like yeah, I would rather let Big Lou watch everyone.
So we are eating up the chips like we hadn’t eaten in a week. Everyone just double dipping into multiple dip options. It was fantastic. Bee points to her shirt asking if we know why she isn’t wearing her shirt. Since I did not dress her in the am I hadn’t noticed. Then Joe blurts out that she puked on herself. After dissecting the situation it was determined that gummy bears plus 20 M and Ms plus chugging two glasses of water then running five laps on the playground equals vomit.
She then started to laugh and said its ok, I told Miss Stephanie that my dad would dry clean it.
My dad? What about mom? This is her natural response? I asked her why she said dad and she just shrugged her shoulders. We all know why, because things have reverted back…I am officially the scattered working mother and growing further out of touch…why do I hate doing laundry so much? At least my husband enjoys it...
Have a good weekend and listen to some PYT, Beat It or Thriller...remember and celebrate the time of MJ, break dancing on cardboard boxes, Capri Suns and Nacho Doritos...the 80's.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sitter Out
T’s husband told me about this blog called momversations. It looks so cool. I love the topic for the evening. It is about having an emotional affair and whether or not it is cheating. I am sure it will be so interesting and if I could just figure out how to turn my blog into the website URL I have leased and highlight stuff that you could easily link back to, you would find my own thoughts on this subject…but that is a future project.
Anyway, cool site from what I can tell. Thanks LL! So, the sitter is out. I came home today and scooped up Bee and took her to work with me. She proceeded to raid Joe’s coin jar to use at my vending machine. I didn’t even care that she ate Mike and Ikes and drank Sprite…at least she was safe with me.
SO EXCITED ITS THURSDAY!!! E
Anyway, cool site from what I can tell. Thanks LL! So, the sitter is out. I came home today and scooped up Bee and took her to work with me. She proceeded to raid Joe’s coin jar to use at my vending machine. I didn’t even care that she ate Mike and Ikes and drank Sprite…at least she was safe with me.
SO EXCITED ITS THURSDAY!!! E
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Another Day Another Dollar
Another Day Another Dollar
Lets see…so I hired another nanny for the summer. A part time sitter. Lets call her a sitter. She is a college student and I should have known potential for danger when she needed a week off to celebrate in Vegas. Or maybe when she told us on her first day through another person that she needed a day off that same week. But when you are both working you try to see things, as you need them.
We let the first thing slide and ran around yesterday making sure we had that day covered. Today I decided I would stop by to just see how things were going on day two. I would first like to add that in the interview I told her my last nanny had to go after a month when I found out from a neighbor that she never left the house and let my then 8 and 6 year old run free through the streets. It was my entire point of our conversation…a simple she watches my kids. Is this too much to ask?
Apparently yes it is. When I pulled into the front of our driveway all my kids and the neighbor’s kids (Lydia Lawn Goddess) were in my driveway and spilling out of our backyard. I also noticed that our 90 lb Sheppard was in the back yard playing with the kids. Something we had asked her not to do…no dog mingling with the kids ya know, incase he bite one of them in half or something!
The front door was open so I strolled in. I guess she never heard the car over the noise from the TV. She quickly sat up. I didn’t say a word. I told her I needed to be home early to take the kids to my parents. I asked her to watch them while I packed some things. She went outside and did so until we left. I looked at the TV as I heard the familiar sounds of Law and Order…well at least she had good taste in shows, too bad she won’t be watching them from my big screen any longer.
Ahhh Wednesday- half way to the weekend! E
Lets see…so I hired another nanny for the summer. A part time sitter. Lets call her a sitter. She is a college student and I should have known potential for danger when she needed a week off to celebrate in Vegas. Or maybe when she told us on her first day through another person that she needed a day off that same week. But when you are both working you try to see things, as you need them.
We let the first thing slide and ran around yesterday making sure we had that day covered. Today I decided I would stop by to just see how things were going on day two. I would first like to add that in the interview I told her my last nanny had to go after a month when I found out from a neighbor that she never left the house and let my then 8 and 6 year old run free through the streets. It was my entire point of our conversation…a simple she watches my kids. Is this too much to ask?
Apparently yes it is. When I pulled into the front of our driveway all my kids and the neighbor’s kids (Lydia Lawn Goddess) were in my driveway and spilling out of our backyard. I also noticed that our 90 lb Sheppard was in the back yard playing with the kids. Something we had asked her not to do…no dog mingling with the kids ya know, incase he bite one of them in half or something!
The front door was open so I strolled in. I guess she never heard the car over the noise from the TV. She quickly sat up. I didn’t say a word. I told her I needed to be home early to take the kids to my parents. I asked her to watch them while I packed some things. She went outside and did so until we left. I looked at the TV as I heard the familiar sounds of Law and Order…well at least she had good taste in shows, too bad she won’t be watching them from my big screen any longer.
Ahhh Wednesday- half way to the weekend! E
Monday, June 22, 2009
Father Does All
Father Does All
I bought the cards well in advance during a lunch time Target run. This is what you look forward to when you report to an office…a lunch run in which you pour over your many lunch choices and then think of where you have time to run out to. In this case it was Target and the fathers day cards had just been displayed so I took to reading as many as possible. I bought one for each grandfather, my husband and even my brother in law.
The weekend finally arrived and we headed north to my parents boat. This was a last minute decision so we put Sweet Pauly in the kennel and raced up. The night was hot and sticky the kind of night you picture having as a character on True Blood. We hadn’t seen Bee and Joe in a week. Big Lou was a little fussy but I attributed that to the travel and it being past his bedtime. Joe had eight airheads in his hands and a large rootbeer. I just hugged him and reminded him to brush his teeth. Bee was running up and down the dock in her new bathing suit. We took the boat to a local eatery and sat out side on the manmade beach and drank cold beer and watched the kids run around with these giant hula hoops. It was fairly uneventful until Joe threw up in the sand…that is what happens when you spend a week with the grandparents and then eat candy (something he isn’t used to).
We woke up bright and early and headed south to my husbands parents. It was our niece and nephews birthday party (Summer and Indie). This was in a pool and it was about 100 degrees. Big Lou was still so fussy and I spent at least an hour explaining that he is never like this. I put him down for a nap convincing myself that he felt hot bc of the extreme heat and then I too feel asleep. We left there around six and made it home in time to realize Big Lou had a fever. After a two hour doctor visit they discovered his infected ear. We all fell fast asleep. Father’s Day morning was started with a moaning baby, a seven year old puking and me feeling like I was going to. I heard my husband make breakfast for him and Joe while I slept with Bee. The next thing I knew it was five pm. I too was ill and wondering if I had that swine flu. Bee was still sick and in bed with me and Big Lou was napping again.
I eventually made it to the shower and thought I would give my husband a Fathers Day present he was sure to remember. But as I made it down the stairs, I heard Bee vomit and then saw that Big Lou was passed out on my husbands chest. He had already opened the cards we got him. I told him happy Fathers Day and he just looked at me and said at least I got a shower.
Oh Happy Monday- E
I bought the cards well in advance during a lunch time Target run. This is what you look forward to when you report to an office…a lunch run in which you pour over your many lunch choices and then think of where you have time to run out to. In this case it was Target and the fathers day cards had just been displayed so I took to reading as many as possible. I bought one for each grandfather, my husband and even my brother in law.
The weekend finally arrived and we headed north to my parents boat. This was a last minute decision so we put Sweet Pauly in the kennel and raced up. The night was hot and sticky the kind of night you picture having as a character on True Blood. We hadn’t seen Bee and Joe in a week. Big Lou was a little fussy but I attributed that to the travel and it being past his bedtime. Joe had eight airheads in his hands and a large rootbeer. I just hugged him and reminded him to brush his teeth. Bee was running up and down the dock in her new bathing suit. We took the boat to a local eatery and sat out side on the manmade beach and drank cold beer and watched the kids run around with these giant hula hoops. It was fairly uneventful until Joe threw up in the sand…that is what happens when you spend a week with the grandparents and then eat candy (something he isn’t used to).
We woke up bright and early and headed south to my husbands parents. It was our niece and nephews birthday party (Summer and Indie). This was in a pool and it was about 100 degrees. Big Lou was still so fussy and I spent at least an hour explaining that he is never like this. I put him down for a nap convincing myself that he felt hot bc of the extreme heat and then I too feel asleep. We left there around six and made it home in time to realize Big Lou had a fever. After a two hour doctor visit they discovered his infected ear. We all fell fast asleep. Father’s Day morning was started with a moaning baby, a seven year old puking and me feeling like I was going to. I heard my husband make breakfast for him and Joe while I slept with Bee. The next thing I knew it was five pm. I too was ill and wondering if I had that swine flu. Bee was still sick and in bed with me and Big Lou was napping again.
I eventually made it to the shower and thought I would give my husband a Fathers Day present he was sure to remember. But as I made it down the stairs, I heard Bee vomit and then saw that Big Lou was passed out on my husbands chest. He had already opened the cards we got him. I told him happy Fathers Day and he just looked at me and said at least I got a shower.
Oh Happy Monday- E
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