I had good intentions to write yesterday. You'd think I had nothing but time on my hands as it was the last day of school, right?! Wrong. I am not really even sure where the day went. But it ended on a great note.
We have the best neighbors, here in the circle. Last night one of the families hosted a neighborhood bash to celebrate the end of the school year. They BBQ'd burgers and hot dogs and everyone else brought salads, treats, and side dishes to share. Then after the feast-al-fresco they project a family move on the side of their house and they have a "walk-in movie" party. Last night's movie was Megamind.
It is a nice way to end the year.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Crossing Over
Last night The Boy went to his first Junior High dance. He danced. With a girl. During a slow song. And he lived to tell the tale.
In all actuality I think he kind of likes this girl--who is delightful, in a junior high way--but just hasn't had the reason to "make a move". Last night was the 8th grade completion celebration, which included a dance. And a reason to attempt that move.
When I picked him up afterwards, I asked how it went. He said it was great and that his buddies (almost all of them) went with the intentions of having a good time. And they did.
That said, I am sure that these buddies were intending 8th grade boy kind of good time, so I can't really report what that exactly was. But the fact that The Boy did dance, and with a girl, is a pretty big step forward. He could have just as easily made underarm farting sounds standing along the wall with the other scaredy-cat boys.
Welcome to Teenage-hood, I suppose. Let the games begin.
In all actuality I think he kind of likes this girl--who is delightful, in a junior high way--but just hasn't had the reason to "make a move". Last night was the 8th grade completion celebration, which included a dance. And a reason to attempt that move.
When I picked him up afterwards, I asked how it went. He said it was great and that his buddies (almost all of them) went with the intentions of having a good time. And they did.
That said, I am sure that these buddies were intending 8th grade boy kind of good time, so I can't really report what that exactly was. But the fact that The Boy did dance, and with a girl, is a pretty big step forward. He could have just as easily made underarm farting sounds standing along the wall with the other scaredy-cat boys.
Welcome to Teenage-hood, I suppose. Let the games begin.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Just Another Reason
School is over for the year on Friday. I do believe it can't come soon enough. And finally we have the weather to really enjoy it too. With the cold and rainy stuff we've been having, I was starting to stress. I had anticipated The Boy getting to wear cut-off jean shorts for the last month of school. can't really have him doig that when it isn't quite 40 degrees in the afternoons.
The real problem was that his jeans looked like this:
His knees were wearing through the denim. Like always. Seems about spring every year his knees are worn through and he either needs new jeans, or the weather to get warmer so I can make them into shorts for him. Today is only the second day that is even warm enough to think about shorts, and now it is only two more days form summer vacation.
Sorry, teachers, that my son looked like a rag-a-muffin in his holey jeans. This is not the look his mother would choose for him, but have you seen how much he has grown since school began? I know I had to buy him a second set of pants near the end of winter because he has grown bigger around and couldn't breathe in his old jeans. He is just hard on clothes. Always has been. Maybe it is a boy thing.
But The Girl is suddenly wearing "mini-skirts" at church because she is getting taller and her legs are poking out from under the first of the year skirts. Kids are expensive!
The real problem was that his jeans looked like this:
His knees were wearing through the denim. Like always. Seems about spring every year his knees are worn through and he either needs new jeans, or the weather to get warmer so I can make them into shorts for him. Today is only the second day that is even warm enough to think about shorts, and now it is only two more days form summer vacation.
Sorry, teachers, that my son looked like a rag-a-muffin in his holey jeans. This is not the look his mother would choose for him, but have you seen how much he has grown since school began? I know I had to buy him a second set of pants near the end of winter because he has grown bigger around and couldn't breathe in his old jeans. He is just hard on clothes. Always has been. Maybe it is a boy thing.
But The Girl is suddenly wearing "mini-skirts" at church because she is getting taller and her legs are poking out from under the first of the year skirts. Kids are expensive!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Quality Education?
This is the last week of school for my kids. Since this is the first last week I have experienced as a mom of a high schooler, I realized that there is much for me to learn. First of all, that the final week of high school each year is plainly a joke--educationally speaking.
Not that I can blame the teachers or the administrators on this one. They have to get grades done to certify the seniors' graduation status. Book must be collected to assure all fees are paid before diplomas are handed out. And I do remember that once yearbooks are distributed, the crowd becomes more and more unruly.
But The Girl tried all weekend to convince me that she needn't even go to school, as there would be no roll taken, and really no class held. Today was yearbook day. Tomorrow is Senior Day at a local amusement park, and Thursday is Graduation--which is held in the middle of the afternoon, and where the faculty is required to attend. Friday is not even a real day, either, but a final lunchtime meeting for the faculty and staff.
As a die-hard public school supporter--and the meanest mom in the world--I disregarded her comments and pleadings and sent her to school anyway today. After all it was a "school-day". So off she went.
By about 11:30, while I was getting ready to help at the Junior High, The Girl shows up and tells met hat she is done with school and was there to visit with her favorite old teachers from last year.
What?! Isn't this the same school district where I have to show my picture ID to pick up The Boy for a dental appointment during his lunch break? But The Girl released herself to wander the city's streets alone?
It is crazy, I tell you.
I guess she was telling me the truth. And while the faculty and staff at the high school can't "officially" tell the kids not to come to school, the kids all seem to get it (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). They are already out for summer vacation.
After spending some time at the Junior high today, I can see where the Junior High Administration might wish they has the same final week deal as the HS. The Junior High kids were crawling up the wall, and the discipline issues there today were magnified ten-fold. But I guess most parents don't want their Junior High Schoolers home this early either. They'd be just as happy to leave them in the capable hand of the school until mid-July.
I don't see that actually happening, but I can see the reasoning behind it.
Not that I can blame the teachers or the administrators on this one. They have to get grades done to certify the seniors' graduation status. Book must be collected to assure all fees are paid before diplomas are handed out. And I do remember that once yearbooks are distributed, the crowd becomes more and more unruly.
But The Girl tried all weekend to convince me that she needn't even go to school, as there would be no roll taken, and really no class held. Today was yearbook day. Tomorrow is Senior Day at a local amusement park, and Thursday is Graduation--which is held in the middle of the afternoon, and where the faculty is required to attend. Friday is not even a real day, either, but a final lunchtime meeting for the faculty and staff.
As a die-hard public school supporter--and the meanest mom in the world--I disregarded her comments and pleadings and sent her to school anyway today. After all it was a "school-day". So off she went.
By about 11:30, while I was getting ready to help at the Junior High, The Girl shows up and tells met hat she is done with school and was there to visit with her favorite old teachers from last year.
What?! Isn't this the same school district where I have to show my picture ID to pick up The Boy for a dental appointment during his lunch break? But The Girl released herself to wander the city's streets alone?
It is crazy, I tell you.
I guess she was telling me the truth. And while the faculty and staff at the high school can't "officially" tell the kids not to come to school, the kids all seem to get it (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). They are already out for summer vacation.
After spending some time at the Junior high today, I can see where the Junior High Administration might wish they has the same final week deal as the HS. The Junior High kids were crawling up the wall, and the discipline issues there today were magnified ten-fold. But I guess most parents don't want their Junior High Schoolers home this early either. They'd be just as happy to leave them in the capable hand of the school until mid-July.
I don't see that actually happening, but I can see the reasoning behind it.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day
Living, as we do, near the city's cemetery gives me an up close and personal view of the manner in which people commemorate the holiday. I love to see the flags circling the cemetery borders and the smaller flags on the veterans' graves. But I also recognized this year that I surely take a lot of their sacrifices for granted. Even as mindful as I like to imagine myself, there are always going to be days when the hard work, the years of service, the determination, and the ultimate sacrifices of others slips to the far corners of my mind. And I take it all for granted.
For that reason, among others, I am grateful for the days set aside for remembering, and honoring those who have given their all for this blessed and beloved country of ours. Because even when i forget the details of the sacrifices of others, I do retain a deep gratitude for the blessings of living here, and being an American.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
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