Law of nature

Why is it that every morning I have to drag my children from their warm beds to get ready in time for school, but today when daddy is going on an airplane and taking them to school at 8:30 (meaning that they can sleep in like they beg to do every other day of the week), today they were up at 5:35. So much for a quiet morning.

The light at the end of the tunnel

Surely there must be a light at the end of the tunnel. I have been having a hard time seeing it this week. So, I created my own light. A light at the end of The Year of E. My light is in the form of boxes. Boxes of things that I will no longer use this school year so I am packing them up and storing them away. The reward is two-fold. I feel organized and off to a good start for the end of year cleaning marathon. And at last I see the light. The light of summer days filled with movies, lazy mornings, trips to the pool, Kool- Aid and pb and j, and only my three kids to fill my days with. Who knew that an empty copy paper box could hold so many possibilities and so much joy!

Dear Pepsi

Oh, how I have missed having you around these past 6 weeks. I am so glad you're back. You have saved me the last two days. Your effervescent magic has carried me through. Welcome back.

Some decisions are just plain hard

I had to make a decision today. Kind of a big one. At least for me. I had to decide which teacher to place My Princess in Training with for kindergarten next year. I can't have the teacher I really wanted. Sadly, she is leaving. My Little Reader had a great kindergarten teacher. She was in the perfect classroom...for her. She flourished and loved school. But, My Princess in Training is a very different person than My Little Reader. She needs a classroom with music and dancing. She needs a classroom that is more hands on and less skill and drill. She needs magic. She needs a class where she won't be kept inside during recess to finish coloring in the lines. She needs a teacher that understands that she is still just 5 and that dress up and tea parties are more important than homework packets. She needs a teacher that will understand that she is not her sister. And so, while I loved My Little Reader's teacher and consider her to be such a good friend, she is not the teacher that I want for My Princess in Training. I know that feelings will be hurt. I fear that a friendship will be strained just a little too much for true repair. I know because My Little Reader's kindergarten teacher does not like, not even one little bit, the teacher that I have chosen for My Princess in Training. It hurts my heart to make this choice. Yet, I feel like it is the right one. But still worry about the repercussions. A good friend has spent the day whispering in my ear that My Princess in Training is mine forever and that my colleagues are temporary. I have no doubt that in either room she would have a wonderful first experience with school. But at the end of the day, I want it to be her experience, not her sister's. Why are the right choices always the hardest to make?

The Year of E

I recently read this book. One chapter was all about how each year can be defined by one student. This year has been the year of E...and his mother. He is the child that is never absent. Never cooperates. Argues with everything I say. Is a bully to the other students. Has been to the office 24 times (officially...unofficially, many more times). Suspended twice. Seriously...a five year that has been suspended twice. He can't stay in his chair, doesn't follow directions, and can turn on the tears like you have never seen. Regardless of what I ask him to do, he does the opposite...and smirks while he does it. I have tried every possible type of motivation I can think of. Nothing changes his behavior. His mother says it is because I am boring him. Yes, I suppose that is why he feels compelled to karate kick students in the face on the playground. And it is definitely why he thinks it is okay to jump off of toilets and scream in the bathroom. Certainly we are not challenging him enough. Heaven help me, only 24 more days. Thank goodness.

Can I go to bed now?

It has been one whirlwind of a week. It started last Saturday when 7 little princesses sat down for a princess and the frog birthday tea. It was a great party. However, as soon as it ended it was time to clean the kitchen, pack the car and zoom to Phoenix. We enjoyed my favorite pizza for dinner with Uncle Mikey.

Had a luxuriously lazy Sunday morning until we were frantically trying to get ready, check out of a hotel and make it to church with Moma. After church, a family birthday celebration complete with games, piñatas, yummy food, and presents for the three birthday kiddos! Then...time to jump in the car and zoom back to Tucson for the most hectic school week (okay, second most hectic...the most hectic is the week before Christmas!).

Monday the "littles" started a new preschool. Which thank heavens they both love! Two hours of ballet, family home evening, baths, and bed. I am sure we ate something...though at this point I couldn't tell you what!

Tuesday was another marathon day. Up early, drop off the kids, spend every spare moment of the day scrubbing and organizing my classroom in preparation for Kindergarten Round-Up. Two and a half hours of meeting and greeting future students. Home to make dinner, more baths, oops no more underwear...better do a load of laundry, don't forget to wrap Gigi's presents.

Wednesday...zip home early from school (thanks to a very understanding principal!) pick up the kiddos from preschool and enjoy a leisurely 40 minutes playing in the neighborhood park. Marveling in the beautiful place I now call home. Realizing that I am light years away from the home we left behind in Phoenix. Back home for a quick snack and a personal birthday screening of Princess and the Frog. Movie's over...time to jet. Off to BJ's for dinner with Moma and Opa. Yummy dinner! To the mall to fix the tinkerbell cup problem. Ross to find another yellow shirt for the second day of Kindergarten Round-Up and Super Target for some quick groceries. Finally home at 9:45.

Thursday...Kindergarten Registration Night. Again, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning my classroom. Held two 40 minute information presentations for about 50 parents. Finally leave school, home by 7. Dinner time. More baths. Alligator tears from over-tired kiddos. Then the real fun begins. Tax time. Yuck. Not having our own home last year was a killer. Next year though...next year I am looking forward to. 12 full months of mortgage interest, a full year of crazy high property taxes, finally dependent childcare deductions, and a pay cut for the third straight year. Next April 15th we will be dancing in the aisles and planning our 10 year anniversary trip with the help of our big fat refund. And so, while I would like to go to bed now...because surely I have earned it, instead I am off to clean the kitchen, do another load of laundry, and start preparing food for a Scentsy party tomorrow.

Saturday, though, I have no intention of taking off my pajamas...oh, yeah. Except for the three hours that it will take to drive to and from Tucson to pick up and drop of a couch for a Church Family that lost their home to a fire. I guess pajama day will have to wait. Drats.

PS...March classroom pictures and a post/pictures of Gigi's birthday extravaganza will be coming...sooner or later...right...probably later...seriously though...you did just read all about my week, right?

Princess in Training Turns 5

Today My Princess in Training had her Princess and the Frog Tea Party. Last night after she went to bed I set out a new dress and shoes for her. This morning I listened as she squealed when she woke up and saw both waiting for her. Then in true Princess in Training fashion she went into the bathroom, climbed up on the sink, admired herself in the mirror, and said, "5, yes!" Too cute. She was bursting with excitement. Next she snuck around the table that was set for her tea party. Again, more squealing as she delighted in the fancy dishes, tulle on the chairs, and tablecloth set out just for her. The table cloth was my personal favorite as it belonged to her great grandmother. The Tea Party was a hit complete with fancy food, real tea cups, a "Kiss-the-frog" version of pin the lips on the frog, and musical chairs. It was a perfect day!