Sun - January 28, 2007
So Long, Farewell...
Yes, it's that time again. Time for my annual,
"I can't continue to put the details of my children's life up on the internet!"
crisis of conscience.
Last year, I went through the same thing....and ended up just putting a password on the blog.
But this year, I think I'm stopping for good. (but stay tuned....I change my mind. often.)
You see, Dana is an incredibly bright, sensitive, PRIVATE child. She doesn't like it when I share stories of her with anyone. I still share them, I'm her mother....that's my right. But somehow sharing them on the internet just feels wrong. Even with the password. I don't know why. As she gets older, it's just not as easy to do.
So, my plan is to do a weekly "what's up with the kids" email for any family/friends who are actually interested in this mindless drivel. (Hi Mom!) Email me at kpnelson (at) mac.com to get on the distribution list.
I'm going to miss it. I love to write about my kids. But I guess I'm not quite part of the "mySpace" generation, after all. But hey - if you wait 12 years, you can probably read Davis' blog and it will surely be more interesting than this!
Last year, I went through the same thing....and ended up just putting a password on the blog.
But this year, I think I'm stopping for good. (but stay tuned....I change my mind. often.)
You see, Dana is an incredibly bright, sensitive, PRIVATE child. She doesn't like it when I share stories of her with anyone. I still share them, I'm her mother....that's my right. But somehow sharing them on the internet just feels wrong. Even with the password. I don't know why. As she gets older, it's just not as easy to do.
So, my plan is to do a weekly "what's up with the kids" email for any family/friends who are actually interested in this mindless drivel. (Hi Mom!) Email me at kpnelson (at) mac.com to get on the distribution list.
I'm going to miss it. I love to write about my kids. But I guess I'm not quite part of the "mySpace" generation, after all. But hey - if you wait 12 years, you can probably read Davis' blog and it will surely be more interesting than this!
Posted at 08:15 PM |
Mon - December 18, 2006
'Tis the season...
Today is Davis' turn to be home
sick.
Doug took the early shift - the barf-o-rama and I came home for the afternoon diarrhea-every-seven-minutes show.
Ah, I had such plans for the day. I was going to get the whole house clean this afternoon so my sister would arrive to a clean sparkling house tomorrow. I was going to bake 6 dozen spritz cookies for the neighborhood cookie exchange tomorrow night.
Oh well. Ingrid will not mind the dirty house. The neighbors won't miss a few cookies (there is plenty o'wine at the cookie exchange...who needs cookies?)
I keep telling myself that it is better today than yesterday. Yesterday, the kids and I were in the first row of the balcony at the Nutcracker. Barf is not good in that situation....
Doug took the early shift - the barf-o-rama and I came home for the afternoon diarrhea-every-seven-minutes show.
Ah, I had such plans for the day. I was going to get the whole house clean this afternoon so my sister would arrive to a clean sparkling house tomorrow. I was going to bake 6 dozen spritz cookies for the neighborhood cookie exchange tomorrow night.
Oh well. Ingrid will not mind the dirty house. The neighbors won't miss a few cookies (there is plenty o'wine at the cookie exchange...who needs cookies?)
I keep telling myself that it is better today than yesterday. Yesterday, the kids and I were in the first row of the balcony at the Nutcracker. Barf is not good in that situation....
Posted at 03:36 PM |
Wed - December 13, 2006
sick day
Today I was supposed to work in the morning and
attend a 1st grade field trip to the geology museum in the afternoon. But I
woke up with a fever, sore throat, achy body and all the other symptoms that go
with that sort of ailment. So no work, no field trip, no
nothing.
When I finally did drag myself out of bed, quite reluctantly, I saw Dana writing a note to her teacher:
"Dear Ms. L: My mommy is sick today and can't go on the field trip. From, Dana."
It's good to know that when I'm under the weather, Dana can take charge.
When I finally did drag myself out of bed, quite reluctantly, I saw Dana writing a note to her teacher:
"Dear Ms. L: My mommy is sick today and can't go on the field trip. From, Dana."
It's good to know that when I'm under the weather, Dana can take charge.
Posted at 09:20 PM Read More |
Mon - December 4, 2006
Marcia Brady Hair
Dana has gorgeous hair. The kind of hair my
friends and I used to refer to as "Marcia-Brady-Hair." It's long and blondish
and silky and shiny and perfectly straight. Even when it is tangled, it doesn't
look tangled. She looks like a walking shampoo
commercial.
She appears to have acquired the genes for this hair from my mother's side of the family (many women with beautiful hair over there.) It also appears to be a generation-skipping-gene, seeing that I have somehow ended up with Bobby-Brady-Hair. (coarse and neither straight nor curly and always tangled.)
So, when Dana came home from school last week and announced that she was going to donate her hair to Locks of Love, one can perhaps maybe understand that my first reaction was "Are you sure????" Me, if I had Marcia-Brady-Hair, I think I would keep it all to myself. I'm not sure I'd share it with anyone. I've wanted hair like that my whole life.
So she showed me the website. And being the sap I am, I started crying, and hugged her tightly and told her it was a fantastic thing to do. She needs a 10 inch pony tail. Right now, she is at about 8 1/2 inches. We measure regularly.
One of the older students at Dana's school donated her hair, which is how Dana found out about the program. I ran into this young girl last night at the grocery store with her father. She had the cutest little pixie cut peeking out from under her winter hat. I thanked her for being the inspiration for us.
So, soon we'll be saying good-bye to the Marcia-Brady-Hair - but I'm prouder than ever of the Dana-Nelson-Heart.
She appears to have acquired the genes for this hair from my mother's side of the family (many women with beautiful hair over there.) It also appears to be a generation-skipping-gene, seeing that I have somehow ended up with Bobby-Brady-Hair. (coarse and neither straight nor curly and always tangled.)
So, when Dana came home from school last week and announced that she was going to donate her hair to Locks of Love, one can perhaps maybe understand that my first reaction was "Are you sure????" Me, if I had Marcia-Brady-Hair, I think I would keep it all to myself. I'm not sure I'd share it with anyone. I've wanted hair like that my whole life.
So she showed me the website. And being the sap I am, I started crying, and hugged her tightly and told her it was a fantastic thing to do. She needs a 10 inch pony tail. Right now, she is at about 8 1/2 inches. We measure regularly.
One of the older students at Dana's school donated her hair, which is how Dana found out about the program. I ran into this young girl last night at the grocery store with her father. She had the cutest little pixie cut peeking out from under her winter hat. I thanked her for being the inspiration for us.
So, soon we'll be saying good-bye to the Marcia-Brady-Hair - but I'm prouder than ever of the Dana-Nelson-Heart.
Posted at 09:10 PM |
Wed - November 22, 2006
Those golden arches
Davis is the picky eater of the family. He has
certain foods he likes (fruits, cheeses, meats) and certain foods he doesn't
like (the entire vegetable group.) We make him try a vegetable at every dinner,
under the theory that sometimes you need to try a food many times before you
like it. We explain this to him in great
detail.
What he'd really like is hamburgers and french fries every night for dinner.
Call me un-American, but I hate McDonalds. I don't eat there and I don't bring the kids there. (unless we are in an airport and we have 20 minutes to eat and make a connecting flight.) I just don't like it.
Of course, every time we drive by, I hear the chorus of "McDonalds! Mama, there's a McDonalds! Can we go there?"
This morning, I answered Davis' familiar cry with "We can't go there because I don't like McDonalds."
He replied, "Well, Mama, sometimes you need to try a food 20 times before you like it, you know. You should try just one bit of McDonalds."
Touche.
What he'd really like is hamburgers and french fries every night for dinner.
Call me un-American, but I hate McDonalds. I don't eat there and I don't bring the kids there. (unless we are in an airport and we have 20 minutes to eat and make a connecting flight.) I just don't like it.
Of course, every time we drive by, I hear the chorus of "McDonalds! Mama, there's a McDonalds! Can we go there?"
This morning, I answered Davis' familiar cry with "We can't go there because I don't like McDonalds."
He replied, "Well, Mama, sometimes you need to try a food 20 times before you like it, you know. You should try just one bit of McDonalds."
Touche.
Posted at 11:49 AM |
Mon - November 20, 2006
My darling Clementine
To Dana on your Seventh
Birthday:
The week you were born is the week that the Clementine oranges came out in the grocery store. Every year, we know your birthday is right around the corner the day we bring home the familiar crate of juicy clementines. I've taken to calling you "my darling Clementine" - you are not yet old enough to be annoyed by this.
This year, the clementines were bittersweet. You told me that this year, your birthday felt upside down and backwards. Your great-grandmother passed away yesterday and it hit you hard. She's the first person that you've known and loved who has passed away.
Strangely enough, your father and I didn't shed the buckets of tears that you did. We were sad - very sad - but she led a wonderful life. She was 95, and up until very recently, full of life and vitality. We will miss her dearly, but she was in so much pain these last few weeks - it's hard not to feel that she is in a better place.
We've tried everything to make you feel better. But it seems that you needed to take some time for grieving. You had a good cry with your teacher this morning and you requested that you not wear the birthday crown today in school. You just didn't feel like being happy.
You and your father described a lovely Heaven for great-grandma. You told me that great-grandma is probably with her husband and her other son now, and that might be making her happy. You also added that now, just maybe, great-grandma could probably even get a dog. I'm not sure that she ever wanted a dog while she was living, but I'm glad that you are inserting your own criteria for happiness into the discussion of what Heaven might be. (and no, you still may not have a dog.)
When you were six weeks old, we took you up to Amery for Christmas to meet your great-grandmother and your grandparents. You were a screaming, colicky infant. I was at my wits end. But none of them cared. They thought you were the most beautiful baby in the whole world. Your great-grandmother had 2 sons and 4 grandsons. She thought another great-grand-daughter was the best thing, ever.
Your dad's family has a very special Christmas tradition. Every year, on Christmas Eve, when they hang their stockings, they put an orange at the very bottom of each stocking. You see, your great-grandmother grew up in the great depression. She had Christmases where all she got was an orange - and she was glad to get it. The orange is a reminder to everyone to count our blessings.
I'm proud that you realize what a blessing your great-grandmother was.
This Christmas, when I pull that orange from my stocking, I will have many blessings to count. And you, my darling Clementine, will be first on my list.
Happy birthday, my sweet, sweet girl.
And good-bye, Rosamond. We miss you already.
The week you were born is the week that the Clementine oranges came out in the grocery store. Every year, we know your birthday is right around the corner the day we bring home the familiar crate of juicy clementines. I've taken to calling you "my darling Clementine" - you are not yet old enough to be annoyed by this.
This year, the clementines were bittersweet. You told me that this year, your birthday felt upside down and backwards. Your great-grandmother passed away yesterday and it hit you hard. She's the first person that you've known and loved who has passed away.
Strangely enough, your father and I didn't shed the buckets of tears that you did. We were sad - very sad - but she led a wonderful life. She was 95, and up until very recently, full of life and vitality. We will miss her dearly, but she was in so much pain these last few weeks - it's hard not to feel that she is in a better place.
We've tried everything to make you feel better. But it seems that you needed to take some time for grieving. You had a good cry with your teacher this morning and you requested that you not wear the birthday crown today in school. You just didn't feel like being happy.
You and your father described a lovely Heaven for great-grandma. You told me that great-grandma is probably with her husband and her other son now, and that might be making her happy. You also added that now, just maybe, great-grandma could probably even get a dog. I'm not sure that she ever wanted a dog while she was living, but I'm glad that you are inserting your own criteria for happiness into the discussion of what Heaven might be. (and no, you still may not have a dog.)
When you were six weeks old, we took you up to Amery for Christmas to meet your great-grandmother and your grandparents. You were a screaming, colicky infant. I was at my wits end. But none of them cared. They thought you were the most beautiful baby in the whole world. Your great-grandmother had 2 sons and 4 grandsons. She thought another great-grand-daughter was the best thing, ever.
Your dad's family has a very special Christmas tradition. Every year, on Christmas Eve, when they hang their stockings, they put an orange at the very bottom of each stocking. You see, your great-grandmother grew up in the great depression. She had Christmases where all she got was an orange - and she was glad to get it. The orange is a reminder to everyone to count our blessings.
I'm proud that you realize what a blessing your great-grandmother was.
This Christmas, when I pull that orange from my stocking, I will have many blessings to count. And you, my darling Clementine, will be first on my list.
Happy birthday, my sweet, sweet girl.
And good-bye, Rosamond. We miss you already.
Posted at 09:19 PM |
Thu - November 16, 2006
A re-districting we will go...
I've written many times about how I love, love,
love our elementary school. It's an unusual success story - a school with a
huge low income population - that works and works
well.
Unfortunately, it looks like we may be facing some changes. At a school board meeting on Monday, they started the redistricting talks:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/2006/11/boundary_change.php
You want to see a group of parents get up in arms? Just mention "boundary changes" and "your elementary school" in one sentence. It gets ugly.
Honestly, in my heart of hearts, I hope that someone else has to move. We love our school. We don't want to move.
But I suspect that our neighborhood will be the easiest to move. We are already bused. We are close (within 2 miles) to three or four other elementary schools. The kids in our neighborhood typically have really stable home lives and should be able to absorb a change with minimal stress. If I were an outsider making the decision, I'd move us.
However, if they only take our neighborhood out of the school, the poverty percentage will jump from 66% to close to 80%. I doubt that is sustainable. So, someone else will have to move in. There is another school near us where the poverty percentage is close to 75%. The rumors are that they want to move us there. Those rumors aren't going over well in the neighborhood.
I've been talking to various school board members. They want us to come up with a solution - rather than them imposing a solution on us. Sure, that should be a piece of cake. I'll just make a motion that the next meeting: - "All in favor of moving your kid to a strange new school in a different neighborhood, after you have spent your life volunteering at this school, say 'aye'." Ha.
The funny thing is that the kids - they will be FINE. They might have a short adjustment period at a new school - but they will be fine. Kids are remarkably resilient, I find. It's the parents who are going to be the problem, I suspect.
Anyone want to come run the PTA meeting for me next week? It's gonna be a looooong night.
The bright side of new boundaries? There's no way I'd have to be PTA president at a brand new school. That's something to consider....
Unfortunately, it looks like we may be facing some changes. At a school board meeting on Monday, they started the redistricting talks:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/2006/11/boundary_change.php
You want to see a group of parents get up in arms? Just mention "boundary changes" and "your elementary school" in one sentence. It gets ugly.
Honestly, in my heart of hearts, I hope that someone else has to move. We love our school. We don't want to move.
But I suspect that our neighborhood will be the easiest to move. We are already bused. We are close (within 2 miles) to three or four other elementary schools. The kids in our neighborhood typically have really stable home lives and should be able to absorb a change with minimal stress. If I were an outsider making the decision, I'd move us.
However, if they only take our neighborhood out of the school, the poverty percentage will jump from 66% to close to 80%. I doubt that is sustainable. So, someone else will have to move in. There is another school near us where the poverty percentage is close to 75%. The rumors are that they want to move us there. Those rumors aren't going over well in the neighborhood.
I've been talking to various school board members. They want us to come up with a solution - rather than them imposing a solution on us. Sure, that should be a piece of cake. I'll just make a motion that the next meeting: - "All in favor of moving your kid to a strange new school in a different neighborhood, after you have spent your life volunteering at this school, say 'aye'." Ha.
The funny thing is that the kids - they will be FINE. They might have a short adjustment period at a new school - but they will be fine. Kids are remarkably resilient, I find. It's the parents who are going to be the problem, I suspect.
Anyone want to come run the PTA meeting for me next week? It's gonna be a looooong night.
The bright side of new boundaries? There's no way I'd have to be PTA president at a brand new school. That's something to consider....
Posted at 11:38 AM |
Wed - November 8, 2006
Drapes???
I got about a thousand emails from various
members of my family today - politically obsessed bunch that we are. In my
family, elections are up there with Christmas and birthdays. Some of my fondest
memories are working the polls with my dad. Since I turned 18, I have voted in
every single election I've been eligible for. Even the ones in April that have
only 2 names on the whole ballot. Even when I lived overseas. Doug's family is
just as obsessed with politics, so he completely understood when I kicked back
with a beer last night to "watch the
election."
The strangest email today was from my sister. She wrote, "I'm listening to bush speak about drapes and pelosi." She didn't capitalize either noun (we are a lazy email family, often forgetting punctuation or caps) so I wrote back "Who is Drapes?"
Then I heard Bush's speech later tonight. Why do I have the feeling that if Nancy Pelosi were a Ned Pelosi, there wouldn't have been a comment about the drapes? Is he really such an oaf that he would stoop to talking about decorating....just because she is a woman? Geez.
and yes, I heard Bush last week - or Rove - or Cheney - or whichever of them it was - make the comment about measuring the new offices for drapes. Remember? Rove was saying that he had *the* math and they were predicting huge Republican gains. He was downright testy. NPR sure re-played that interview a few times today.
Honestly, I don't know much about Pelosi's politics, yet. I have a feeling she leans a bit more left than I do. But, man - the fact that she is a 60+ grandmother and is the first female speaker of the house. That gives me chills. It's about time we had someone in charge who has changed a few diapers in her lifetime.
Mostly I'm pleased because we seem to be electing more centrist politicians. The Santorums of the world are out and the Schwarzeneggers are in. Don't get me wrong - I'm no Arnold fan. But, he's a lot easier to take than Rick Santorum, any day.
Dana was upset today that the marriage amendment ban had passed. She's been reading a lot about civil rights lately. A lot. She can't believe that in my life time, blacks and whites were segregated. That is completely incomprehensible to her. Her class at school has more blacks than whites. Some of her best friends are black. She doesn't get it. We get book after book out of the library on the civil rights movement and she gobbles them up.
A few weeks ago, I took her down to the "Fair Wisconsin" office and we sat down and they explained what they stood for. I don't agree entirely with everything they stand for - but I sure didn't want our constitution amended to discriminate against anyone. It's the constitution, people. It's a very important document. You can't just go amending it every time you disagree on something. We got a yard sign against the amendment and donated a paltry sum to help them out.
Anyway, Dana told me this morning, "Mama, it took a lot time to make the civil wrongs into civil rights. maybe this will just take a long time too."
She's 6 now....so in 12 short years she'll be voting. Watch out world.
The strangest email today was from my sister. She wrote, "I'm listening to bush speak about drapes and pelosi." She didn't capitalize either noun (we are a lazy email family, often forgetting punctuation or caps) so I wrote back "Who is Drapes?"
Then I heard Bush's speech later tonight. Why do I have the feeling that if Nancy Pelosi were a Ned Pelosi, there wouldn't have been a comment about the drapes? Is he really such an oaf that he would stoop to talking about decorating....just because she is a woman? Geez.
and yes, I heard Bush last week - or Rove - or Cheney - or whichever of them it was - make the comment about measuring the new offices for drapes. Remember? Rove was saying that he had *the* math and they were predicting huge Republican gains. He was downright testy. NPR sure re-played that interview a few times today.
Honestly, I don't know much about Pelosi's politics, yet. I have a feeling she leans a bit more left than I do. But, man - the fact that she is a 60+ grandmother and is the first female speaker of the house. That gives me chills. It's about time we had someone in charge who has changed a few diapers in her lifetime.
Mostly I'm pleased because we seem to be electing more centrist politicians. The Santorums of the world are out and the Schwarzeneggers are in. Don't get me wrong - I'm no Arnold fan. But, he's a lot easier to take than Rick Santorum, any day.
Dana was upset today that the marriage amendment ban had passed. She's been reading a lot about civil rights lately. A lot. She can't believe that in my life time, blacks and whites were segregated. That is completely incomprehensible to her. Her class at school has more blacks than whites. Some of her best friends are black. She doesn't get it. We get book after book out of the library on the civil rights movement and she gobbles them up.
A few weeks ago, I took her down to the "Fair Wisconsin" office and we sat down and they explained what they stood for. I don't agree entirely with everything they stand for - but I sure didn't want our constitution amended to discriminate against anyone. It's the constitution, people. It's a very important document. You can't just go amending it every time you disagree on something. We got a yard sign against the amendment and donated a paltry sum to help them out.
Anyway, Dana told me this morning, "Mama, it took a lot time to make the civil wrongs into civil rights. maybe this will just take a long time too."
She's 6 now....so in 12 short years she'll be voting. Watch out world.
Posted at 09:44 PM |
Wed - November 1, 2006
Halloween Costumes
For the first two Halloween party events, Davis
was a Pirate. But for the actual night of trick-or-treating, he was Superman.
I felt very safe trick-or-treating this year. In our little group, we had not
one...not two...but three Supermen, a Batman and Dana the witch. (Yes, Dana was
the only girl in the crowd.)
It was 37 degrees and Dana was NOT happy that I made her wear pants under her witches dress...and made her put a coat over the entire costume. (A coat which she never zippered, by the way, not once.)
Davis lasted about 7 houses. He was doing great until we went up to a house and a man dressed as Dracula jumped out and surprised us all. Davis was really freaked out, so I brought him home and met up with Dana and the rest of the crew a few minutes later. We ended up staying out almost 2 1/2 hours. The kids were just having so much fun - running and singing and screaming. In our part of the neighborhood, there is sometimes a big distance between houses, so there was lots of work for each piece of candy.
This afternoon, Davis dressed back up as Superman and Dana put on one of his Spiderman costumes and they attempted to "fly" throughout the house. I finally dragged a spare mattress to the end of the stairs in the basement, to avoid any broken bones.
It was 37 degrees and Dana was NOT happy that I made her wear pants under her witches dress...and made her put a coat over the entire costume. (A coat which she never zippered, by the way, not once.)
Davis lasted about 7 houses. He was doing great until we went up to a house and a man dressed as Dracula jumped out and surprised us all. Davis was really freaked out, so I brought him home and met up with Dana and the rest of the crew a few minutes later. We ended up staying out almost 2 1/2 hours. The kids were just having so much fun - running and singing and screaming. In our part of the neighborhood, there is sometimes a big distance between houses, so there was lots of work for each piece of candy.
This afternoon, Davis dressed back up as Superman and Dana put on one of his Spiderman costumes and they attempted to "fly" throughout the house. I finally dragged a spare mattress to the end of the stairs in the basement, to avoid any broken bones.
Posted at 09:08 PM |
Tue - October 24, 2006
Different day, same pumpkin patch
This time, it was Davis' preschool's turn to go to the pumpkin farm. Yep, same farm as Dana's trip two weeks ago. The farmer looked at me and said, "You look familiar."
I said "that's because this is my fifth field trip here."
I give you 2004:
(Dana's preschool field trip - Davis was along for the ride.)
Today was COLD. I think a new rule should be implemented: Any outside field trip that is more than 2 hours long should be moved inside if it is below 40 degrees. Certainly we could have all hung out in the barn and had the pumpkins delivered to us. Who needs a hay ride? Really.
Seriously, it was fun. The pumpkin farm trip, complete with hay ride and corn mazes and llamas and goats, has become a rite of passage each October.
Posted at 09:33 PM |
Wed - October 18, 2006
Wedding Bells
We are back from a whirlwind weekend in Atlanta -
where Dana made her flower girl debut. She had a great time and it was a lovely
wedding.
The kids cleaned up nicely:
Twelve years ago this month, Doug and I got married. (October is a big month for weddings in the Nelson family - his parents and 3 of their sons were all married in October.) All of his nieces and nephews were about the age that Dana/Davis are now. The nieces and nephews all danced at our wedding and were absolutely adorable.
We saw them all at again at this wedding. I blinked and they have all grown up and are talking about colleges and apartments and boyfriends and SATs and bands that I've never heard of. They taught us the latest dance moves. Did you know that no one is doing the Electric slide or even the Macarena anymore? We did something called the "Cha Cha Slide." Evidently, it is all the rage now.
So, now I'm trying not to blink. And to cherish every minute of this lovely "flower girl" age. (Even if she did ask me to do the Cha Cha Slide with her again this afternoon...)
The kids cleaned up nicely:
Twelve years ago this month, Doug and I got married. (October is a big month for weddings in the Nelson family - his parents and 3 of their sons were all married in October.) All of his nieces and nephews were about the age that Dana/Davis are now. The nieces and nephews all danced at our wedding and were absolutely adorable.
We saw them all at again at this wedding. I blinked and they have all grown up and are talking about colleges and apartments and boyfriends and SATs and bands that I've never heard of. They taught us the latest dance moves. Did you know that no one is doing the Electric slide or even the Macarena anymore? We did something called the "Cha Cha Slide." Evidently, it is all the rage now.
So, now I'm trying not to blink. And to cherish every minute of this lovely "flower girl" age. (Even if she did ask me to do the Cha Cha Slide with her again this afternoon...)
Posted at 09:26 PM |
Tue - October 10, 2006
Field Trip
Another day, another pumpkin patch.
I had the pleasure of accompanying 60 first graders to a pumpkin patch/corn maze/animal petting extravaganza.
The kids had a blast. The corn maze in the shape of Bucky Badger's head was a hit. My group (5 kids and myself) was stuck in his left ear. So stuck that the farmer had to come in and rescue us. Yes, I was born without a sense of direction. Luckily, the kids didn't seem to mind.
I continue to be amazed and frustrated and saddened and moved by our school experience. Frustrated because our school is so damn poor. And saddened because when you see first-hand the horrible effects of childhood poverty, it's just hard to be optimistic about the future for some of these kids. There were kids there today who couldn't identify basic farm animals. Not because they are stupid, just because they've simply never been to a farm before or even really read a book about a farm.
The trip cost $5/kid. The PTA donated the cost of the bus, but it still cost $5/kid to go. Most of the children can't pay $5 for a field trip, so those of us who can, send in enough money for 1 or 2 other kids to go. But still, even with that, the teachers were still $30 short on this trip. I covered the difference today - but only because I happened to overhear the situation. I think that for most trips, the teachers pay their own money.
This weekend, I spoke with a neighbor whose child will not be going to our school. (Actually, over half of our neighborhood does not go to the local public school.) She wants him to go to one of the expensive, lily-white, private schools. She had many good reasons for this decision, but the one that struck me as odd was "so he can learn good Christian values."
(And here I thought Christ spent most of his time hanging out with the poor. Silly me.)
Today I got to go running through a corn maze with 60 amazing kids. A few of them might not know a rooster from a turkey, but they have infectious laughs and the biggest smiles. And that gives me hope.
I had the pleasure of accompanying 60 first graders to a pumpkin patch/corn maze/animal petting extravaganza.
The kids had a blast. The corn maze in the shape of Bucky Badger's head was a hit. My group (5 kids and myself) was stuck in his left ear. So stuck that the farmer had to come in and rescue us. Yes, I was born without a sense of direction. Luckily, the kids didn't seem to mind.
I continue to be amazed and frustrated and saddened and moved by our school experience. Frustrated because our school is so damn poor. And saddened because when you see first-hand the horrible effects of childhood poverty, it's just hard to be optimistic about the future for some of these kids. There were kids there today who couldn't identify basic farm animals. Not because they are stupid, just because they've simply never been to a farm before or even really read a book about a farm.
The trip cost $5/kid. The PTA donated the cost of the bus, but it still cost $5/kid to go. Most of the children can't pay $5 for a field trip, so those of us who can, send in enough money for 1 or 2 other kids to go. But still, even with that, the teachers were still $30 short on this trip. I covered the difference today - but only because I happened to overhear the situation. I think that for most trips, the teachers pay their own money.
This weekend, I spoke with a neighbor whose child will not be going to our school. (Actually, over half of our neighborhood does not go to the local public school.) She wants him to go to one of the expensive, lily-white, private schools. She had many good reasons for this decision, but the one that struck me as odd was "so he can learn good Christian values."
(And here I thought Christ spent most of his time hanging out with the poor. Silly me.)
Today I got to go running through a corn maze with 60 amazing kids. A few of them might not know a rooster from a turkey, but they have infectious laughs and the biggest smiles. And that gives me hope.
Posted at 09:52 PM |
Mon - October 2, 2006
Hell in a Handbasket
You know that the world is going to hell when
Arlen Specter is the only one in power fighting for the Constitution. McCain???
Where are you??? I was counting on you. We don't get to change the
constitution on a whim. If a particular president doesn't like it - he doesn't
get to change it. That's not how our country
works.
And you know the world is going to hell when Dennis Hastert feels that protecting a sexual predator is a good idea. (I read some of the Foley stuff...and I immediately wanted to erase it from my memory and take a shower. Ick, ick, double ick.) Who puts politics above morals in this type of situation? (OK, maybe other politicians do - but he's the most recent. At least Clinton harassed interns who were over the age of consent instead of underage pages...ick, ick, ick.)
And when Frist thinks that the Taliban are really great guys and should run the government of Afghanistan. Hey - maybe they are just misunderstood? It worked so well in the early 90s. Let's try Taliban rule again! (Does this man read ANY history? Does anyone in this administration read any history???)
Lately, I can't shake the suspicion that I am smarter than our current leader. Which is just horribly wrong, because, frankly - I'm not that smart. Well-read perhaps, but not terribly clever.
Add a few school shootings to the mix, and a mismanaged war with thousands and thousands of unnecessary casualties and there is just not much good news these days.
Last night in the bath, Dana was telling Davis the following:
"George Washington was our first president. He was a very good man. He is on the dollar. That is what we get for our allowance. He was in a war for us to be a country. He was honest. Our president now is also a George. But he won't go in any wars. He sends other people. I don't think he is honest like the first George."
I swear I have not coached this child....she must be picking it up at school? This is Madison, after all.
And you know the world is going to hell when Dennis Hastert feels that protecting a sexual predator is a good idea. (I read some of the Foley stuff...and I immediately wanted to erase it from my memory and take a shower. Ick, ick, double ick.) Who puts politics above morals in this type of situation? (OK, maybe other politicians do - but he's the most recent. At least Clinton harassed interns who were over the age of consent instead of underage pages...ick, ick, ick.)
And when Frist thinks that the Taliban are really great guys and should run the government of Afghanistan. Hey - maybe they are just misunderstood? It worked so well in the early 90s. Let's try Taliban rule again! (Does this man read ANY history? Does anyone in this administration read any history???)
Lately, I can't shake the suspicion that I am smarter than our current leader. Which is just horribly wrong, because, frankly - I'm not that smart. Well-read perhaps, but not terribly clever.
Add a few school shootings to the mix, and a mismanaged war with thousands and thousands of unnecessary casualties and there is just not much good news these days.
Last night in the bath, Dana was telling Davis the following:
"George Washington was our first president. He was a very good man. He is on the dollar. That is what we get for our allowance. He was in a war for us to be a country. He was honest. Our president now is also a George. But he won't go in any wars. He sends other people. I don't think he is honest like the first George."
I swear I have not coached this child....she must be picking it up at school? This is Madison, after all.
Posted at 09:04 PM |
Sat - September 30, 2006
Autumn
I love autumn. I always have. Maybe it is
because 3 out of 4 Nelson family birthdays (and one wedding anniversary) are in
autumn. Maybe it is because school starts in autumn. Maybe it's because the
winter is so damn long and cold here, that I must appreciate every single minute
leading up to it!
Our neighborhood is particularly beautiful:
We were at a neighborhood party tonight. A band was playing at the beach and all the children were running around - dancing, playing, having a blast.
There are a million things I love about our neighborhood. For one, there had to be 50 kids there tonight - all between the ages of 2 and 8. There is an incredible sense of community. I love being able to walk to the lake and go to parties at the beach, without ever getting in a car. I love that my kids can walk or bike to all their friends' houses.
But....(isn't there always a 'but?')....sometimes it seems a little too perfect. (Or "stepford," maybe...)
For one thing, everyone is white. In our city, this is not the case. It's very diverse. But in our neighborhood - 100% lily white.
And everyone is perfect.
We have a group of 14 neighborhood mothers who are meeting weekly to take part in a discussion group on children/environment/nutrition etc. And judging from our first meeting, none of our children ever watch TV and none of them have ever been to McDonalds, and only organic food ever touches their lips.
I'm guilty of the McDonalds bias myself, I think it has been over two years since I've been there with the kids (with the exception of long road or airline trips in which case I will feed them ANYTHING which will shut them up!) But my kids have been there. My dear husband doesn't share my aversion to fast food. And they've been there with grandparents/friends/etc. A few happy meals won't kill anyone.
Any mother who says her kids never watch TV is lying! Lying, I tell you! I don't really watch much TV myself. I'd much rather read a book or surf the internet. (and surf the internet some more...) But, if Doug is out of town and I need to take a shower - that TV goes right on!!!! Immediately!!!
For now, I'm trying to keep if off during the week. We never turn it on in the morning, anyway. (Except for emergencies....like when the kids wake up exactly as I'm leaving for my morning run and Doug needs that all-important shower!) During the week, Dana doesn't get home until almost 4. We play until 5, make/eat dinner, bath, books, etc. and they are usually in bed between 7:30 - 8:00. So, during the week - no time for it.
But I'll gladly stick them in front of a TV show or movie on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Hmmm....I hope they don't kick me out of the neighborhood. : )
On a completely unrelated note, Dana will be a flower girl in Doug's brother's wedding in two weeks. We finally got tomboy-Dana to try on the fancy dress today:
Isn't she perfect????
.....must be the neighborhood.....
Our neighborhood is particularly beautiful:
We were at a neighborhood party tonight. A band was playing at the beach and all the children were running around - dancing, playing, having a blast.
There are a million things I love about our neighborhood. For one, there had to be 50 kids there tonight - all between the ages of 2 and 8. There is an incredible sense of community. I love being able to walk to the lake and go to parties at the beach, without ever getting in a car. I love that my kids can walk or bike to all their friends' houses.
But....(isn't there always a 'but?')....sometimes it seems a little too perfect. (Or "stepford," maybe...)
For one thing, everyone is white. In our city, this is not the case. It's very diverse. But in our neighborhood - 100% lily white.
And everyone is perfect.
We have a group of 14 neighborhood mothers who are meeting weekly to take part in a discussion group on children/environment/nutrition etc. And judging from our first meeting, none of our children ever watch TV and none of them have ever been to McDonalds, and only organic food ever touches their lips.
I'm guilty of the McDonalds bias myself, I think it has been over two years since I've been there with the kids (with the exception of long road or airline trips in which case I will feed them ANYTHING which will shut them up!) But my kids have been there. My dear husband doesn't share my aversion to fast food. And they've been there with grandparents/friends/etc. A few happy meals won't kill anyone.
Any mother who says her kids never watch TV is lying! Lying, I tell you! I don't really watch much TV myself. I'd much rather read a book or surf the internet. (and surf the internet some more...) But, if Doug is out of town and I need to take a shower - that TV goes right on!!!! Immediately!!!
For now, I'm trying to keep if off during the week. We never turn it on in the morning, anyway. (Except for emergencies....like when the kids wake up exactly as I'm leaving for my morning run and Doug needs that all-important shower!) During the week, Dana doesn't get home until almost 4. We play until 5, make/eat dinner, bath, books, etc. and they are usually in bed between 7:30 - 8:00. So, during the week - no time for it.
But I'll gladly stick them in front of a TV show or movie on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Hmmm....I hope they don't kick me out of the neighborhood. : )
On a completely unrelated note, Dana will be a flower girl in Doug's brother's wedding in two weeks. We finally got tomboy-Dana to try on the fancy dress today:
Isn't she perfect????
.....must be the neighborhood.....
Posted at 09:03 PM |
Tue - September 26, 2006
apple picking
It was one of the glorious fall days today -
clean, crisp air with loads of
sunshine.
Davis' preschool class had a field trip to the apple orchard today. The elementary school was closed for a teacher work-day, so Dana and I went along. Great fun. And lots of apples.
As I was putting Dana to bed, she asked about one of her new friends at school. Her friend has a mom who lives in one house and a dad who lives in another house. Strangely enough, this is the first time Dana has befriended a child with divorced parents (that she noticed, anyway.)
I was very proud of my non-judgemental explanation of divorce. I thought I did an exemplary job explaining it whilst assuring her that she had nothing to worry about, herself. I spent quite a bit of time in my explanation, in fact.
Then, I kissed her goodnight and she said, "Oh, I get it now. It's just like Nana and Grandpa Jack. Sometimes when they go to their Claiborne house, they don't get there at the same time - so sometimes they live in different houses too. Last time, we beat Nana by 10 whole minutes!"
I am visualizing a parent-teacher conference in the future- - having to explain to Dana's teacher that no, my parents are not "divorced" - my dad just drives faster than my mother...
Davis' preschool class had a field trip to the apple orchard today. The elementary school was closed for a teacher work-day, so Dana and I went along. Great fun. And lots of apples.
As I was putting Dana to bed, she asked about one of her new friends at school. Her friend has a mom who lives in one house and a dad who lives in another house. Strangely enough, this is the first time Dana has befriended a child with divorced parents (that she noticed, anyway.)
I was very proud of my non-judgemental explanation of divorce. I thought I did an exemplary job explaining it whilst assuring her that she had nothing to worry about, herself. I spent quite a bit of time in my explanation, in fact.
Then, I kissed her goodnight and she said, "Oh, I get it now. It's just like Nana and Grandpa Jack. Sometimes when they go to their Claiborne house, they don't get there at the same time - so sometimes they live in different houses too. Last time, we beat Nana by 10 whole minutes!"
I am visualizing a parent-teacher conference in the future- - having to explain to Dana's teacher that no, my parents are not "divorced" - my dad just drives faster than my mother...
Posted at 09:24 PM |
Sun - September 17, 2006
Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Boy
Happy Birthday,
Davis.
When I tucked you into bed tonight, I snuggled you close and said "Happy Birthday, sweet baby boy."
You immediately put both hands on my face - turning it towards you so we were looking straight at each other - and replied, "Mama, I am NOT a baby. I am four years old now."
Yes, you are, my sweet 4 year old boy.
First off, I feel I must apologize that you had your first-ever birthday party today. Your sister got extravagant affairs each of her toddler years. You - well, you're the second child. And also, you were born in September. There is nothing wrong with being born in September - don't get me wrong. I love being born in September, myself. But, the birthday parties......they are easy to overlook in September. What with school starting and the weather changing and all the fall activities in gear.
You didn't make it any easier when you asked for a "Pluto" birthday party. Over the last two weeks, you've tried to engage anyone who would listen in a discussion as to whether Pluto deserved to be a dwarf planet or not. I thought you'd tire of it and move to something easier....something I could buy at the "party" store....Cars? Firefighters? Any Disney Character ever created? But no, you stuck to Pluto, causing me to scramble to make a cake shaped like Pluto and "decorate your own flying saucers" for the party-goers....
September is a month that you and I will always share. I like to think of you as the best birthday present ever to myself. (Dana, of course, being a birthday present to my mother. Like any good daughter, I took care of her first.) Your birth was one of the most amazing moments of my life. All births are amazing, but you and I were in synch unlike any partnership I've ever experienced. I didn't need the drugs, the doctors or any of the myriad of tools and techniques I'd brought to the hospital with me. It was just you and me and your dad, working together. (Yes, it hurt like hell - but we did it!)
Whenever I have a moment of self-doubt or insecurity, I bring myself right back to the moment of your birth. It was easily the most powerful moment of my life.
And the aftermath was even better. After you were born, everyone was worried about your sister. (She was 2 1/2....you know how 2 year olds are.) So, your father and grandparents left to spend time with her. You and I got to be all alone for the whole day. We did nothing but snuggle....(perhaps setting the stage for your high need for snuggles to this day?) I fell madly in love with you.
Actually, everyone you meet seems to fall madly in love with you. You do have that effect on people. But I was first.
Just one thing....I like that you were born at 6 am, really, I do. I'm a morning person too. But you've continued to wake up at 6 am every single morning for the last 4 years. Just one morning - preferably a Saturday - could we just try to stretch that to 6:30? Just once?
Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Boy.
When I tucked you into bed tonight, I snuggled you close and said "Happy Birthday, sweet baby boy."
You immediately put both hands on my face - turning it towards you so we were looking straight at each other - and replied, "Mama, I am NOT a baby. I am four years old now."
Yes, you are, my sweet 4 year old boy.
First off, I feel I must apologize that you had your first-ever birthday party today. Your sister got extravagant affairs each of her toddler years. You - well, you're the second child. And also, you were born in September. There is nothing wrong with being born in September - don't get me wrong. I love being born in September, myself. But, the birthday parties......they are easy to overlook in September. What with school starting and the weather changing and all the fall activities in gear.
You didn't make it any easier when you asked for a "Pluto" birthday party. Over the last two weeks, you've tried to engage anyone who would listen in a discussion as to whether Pluto deserved to be a dwarf planet or not. I thought you'd tire of it and move to something easier....something I could buy at the "party" store....Cars? Firefighters? Any Disney Character ever created? But no, you stuck to Pluto, causing me to scramble to make a cake shaped like Pluto and "decorate your own flying saucers" for the party-goers....
September is a month that you and I will always share. I like to think of you as the best birthday present ever to myself. (Dana, of course, being a birthday present to my mother. Like any good daughter, I took care of her first.) Your birth was one of the most amazing moments of my life. All births are amazing, but you and I were in synch unlike any partnership I've ever experienced. I didn't need the drugs, the doctors or any of the myriad of tools and techniques I'd brought to the hospital with me. It was just you and me and your dad, working together. (Yes, it hurt like hell - but we did it!)
Whenever I have a moment of self-doubt or insecurity, I bring myself right back to the moment of your birth. It was easily the most powerful moment of my life.
And the aftermath was even better. After you were born, everyone was worried about your sister. (She was 2 1/2....you know how 2 year olds are.) So, your father and grandparents left to spend time with her. You and I got to be all alone for the whole day. We did nothing but snuggle....(perhaps setting the stage for your high need for snuggles to this day?) I fell madly in love with you.
Actually, everyone you meet seems to fall madly in love with you. You do have that effect on people. But I was first.
Just one thing....I like that you were born at 6 am, really, I do. I'm a morning person too. But you've continued to wake up at 6 am every single morning for the last 4 years. Just one morning - preferably a Saturday - could we just try to stretch that to 6:30? Just once?
Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Boy.
Posted at 09:31 PM |
Fri - September 15, 2006
Third Friday Counts, continued....
Oh, the things you learn when you become PTA
Co-President!
This week, I learned about Third Friday Counts. Evidently, the third Friday in September, they take attendance very carefully - and determine the population/make-up of the school. I've posted our Third Friday Counts from the last 15 years below. First number is total students - then low income students - then % of low income. I can't tell if the 2005 number shows up, but we were at 63% low income last year. This year, I predict it may be even higher.
What strikes me the most about these numbers is not that poverty is going up. What really resonates with me is that all the rich, white people are running away.
They are running to the suburbs. If we moved 5 miles west or 3 miles north - Dana would most likely be going to a school that is 90% white and maybe 15% low income.
They are running to private schools. There's one that's right around the corner from us. Dana could take Japanese if she went there!
In my generation of parents, there is a strong, overwhelming pressure to give your child "the best." Hell, it's not a pressure - it's an undertow. We are the generation that embraced "Baby Einstein" videos. Can't start too early with Mozart, people! We have $200 car seats. (I owned one. I really did.) We want little Emma and Aiden to have the best start in life. Fancy ballet classes for 3 year olds are popping up all over the country (Dana was in one.) You can buy a really technical bicycle for a toddler (Davis has one.) Our children will be successful! And happy! and smart! and popular!
So, you can imagine the reaction we get when we openly admit that we are consciously NOT giving our child the "best" elementary school that we can find/afford. We are attending the local public school. The one with the 63% low-income population.
I've been told, "Oh, you are very brave." and "Oh, well, I suppose it is OK for now, but what are you going to do in middle school?" and "Aren't you worried?"
The answers are: no, not really; that's 5 years away; and no, not really.
Here is where I normally wax poetic about the dramatic benefits I've seen for Dana - how she has developed incredible empathy and doesn't even blink when one of her very best friends is in Foster Care. Or how she automatically grabs an extra $5 to pay for a few other friends' field trip money without me even prompting. Or how she is truly color blind.
But really, the biggest benefit has been for me. Did you know that you can live 10 years in a place and not notice that drastic poverty is right under your nose? We can argue the politics of poverty until we are blue in the face, but when you become close to kids who don't have enough to eat or aren't sure where they will be living next month....you just can't help but do something.
Dana and I will always be able to learn more math...or English...or even Japanese. For now, we're focusing on compassion and understanding. I have a feeling that if we can learn those two things - and if they can inspire us to make big changes in our little world - well, then, we're doing OK.
Besides, I figure all those Baby Einstein videos had to count for something...
The few, the proud - the middle-class parents who are staying put in the city public schools.
This week, I learned about Third Friday Counts. Evidently, the third Friday in September, they take attendance very carefully - and determine the population/make-up of the school. I've posted our Third Friday Counts from the last 15 years below. First number is total students - then low income students - then % of low income. I can't tell if the 2005 number shows up, but we were at 63% low income last year. This year, I predict it may be even higher.
What strikes me the most about these numbers is not that poverty is going up. What really resonates with me is that all the rich, white people are running away.
They are running to the suburbs. If we moved 5 miles west or 3 miles north - Dana would most likely be going to a school that is 90% white and maybe 15% low income.
They are running to private schools. There's one that's right around the corner from us. Dana could take Japanese if she went there!
In my generation of parents, there is a strong, overwhelming pressure to give your child "the best." Hell, it's not a pressure - it's an undertow. We are the generation that embraced "Baby Einstein" videos. Can't start too early with Mozart, people! We have $200 car seats. (I owned one. I really did.) We want little Emma and Aiden to have the best start in life. Fancy ballet classes for 3 year olds are popping up all over the country (Dana was in one.) You can buy a really technical bicycle for a toddler (Davis has one.) Our children will be successful! And happy! and smart! and popular!
So, you can imagine the reaction we get when we openly admit that we are consciously NOT giving our child the "best" elementary school that we can find/afford. We are attending the local public school. The one with the 63% low-income population.
I've been told, "Oh, you are very brave." and "Oh, well, I suppose it is OK for now, but what are you going to do in middle school?" and "Aren't you worried?"
The answers are: no, not really; that's 5 years away; and no, not really.
Here is where I normally wax poetic about the dramatic benefits I've seen for Dana - how she has developed incredible empathy and doesn't even blink when one of her very best friends is in Foster Care. Or how she automatically grabs an extra $5 to pay for a few other friends' field trip money without me even prompting. Or how she is truly color blind.
But really, the biggest benefit has been for me. Did you know that you can live 10 years in a place and not notice that drastic poverty is right under your nose? We can argue the politics of poverty until we are blue in the face, but when you become close to kids who don't have enough to eat or aren't sure where they will be living next month....you just can't help but do something.
Dana and I will always be able to learn more math...or English...or even Japanese. For now, we're focusing on compassion and understanding. I have a feeling that if we can learn those two things - and if they can inspire us to make big changes in our little world - well, then, we're doing OK.
Besides, I figure all those Baby Einstein videos had to count for something...
The few, the proud - the middle-class parents who are staying put in the city public schools.
Posted at 09:51 PM |
Third Friday Counts
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1991
|
377
|
115
|
30.5%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1992
|
354
|
84
|
23.7%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1993
|
375
|
117
|
31.2%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1994
|
380
|
121
|
31.8%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1995
|
390
|
142
|
36.4%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1996
|
413
|
165
|
40.0%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1997
|
345
|
148
|
42.9%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1998
|
324
|
135
|
41.7%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
1999
|
311
|
119
|
38.3%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
2000
|
299
|
127
|
42.5%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
2001
|
313
|
147
|
47.0%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
2002
|
275
|
130
|
47.3%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
2003
|
288
|
155
|
53.8%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
2004
|
250
|
145
|
58.0%
|
|
LAKE VIEW
|
2005
|
255
|
162
|
63.5%
|
Posted at 09:11 PM |
Thu - September 14, 2006
Crocodile Hunter
This week, Davis asked to watch the one and only
DVD of the Wiggles that we own: the one in Australia with Steve Irwin. We
haven't watched it for years, but I knew that he heard about Mr. Irwin's death
and figured that wanted to watch it as a respectful
memorial.
Well, not so much.
After it was over, I asked how he liked it.
"Not really, Mama. They didn't show the stingray part."
Sigh....
Well, not so much.
After it was over, I asked how he liked it.
"Not really, Mama. They didn't show the stingray part."
Sigh....
Posted at 10:12 PM |
Sat - September 9, 2006
First Day of School Photos
Busy, busy, crazy, exhausting week.
We had some down time today - Dana woke up at 5 am throwing up. My lovely gem of a husband took care of her all by himself and when I woke up at 6, I found him frantically cleaning the bathroom. She seems to be much better tonight - but we completely cleared the schedule (3 parties and a gymnastics class) and just vegged out at home all day.
Dana's new classroom
Her locker
School bus arriving at school.
Waiting for the bus
More bus waiting
Check out the shoes
Weekend boat ride with my father and son. Who, us? Related? What makes you think that?
Building a road through the living room.
We had some down time today - Dana woke up at 5 am throwing up. My lovely gem of a husband took care of her all by himself and when I woke up at 6, I found him frantically cleaning the bathroom. She seems to be much better tonight - but we completely cleared the schedule (3 parties and a gymnastics class) and just vegged out at home all day.
Dana's new classroom
Her locker
School bus arriving at school.
Waiting for the bus
More bus waiting
Check out the shoes
Weekend boat ride with my father and son. Who, us? Related? What makes you think that?
Building a road through the living room.
Posted at 07:17 PM |
Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
Categories
Archives
Statistics
Total entries in this blog:
Published On: Jan 28, 2007 08:15 PM
Published On: Jan 28, 2007 08:15 PM