tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75379860530928891262024-02-08T03:15:04.322-08:00Kindergarten SUCKS!Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-53801431128395704072012-09-04T17:42:00.002-07:002012-09-04T17:46:30.005-07:00First Grade<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is the first day of first grade. I am in awe of how time flies. I didn't write as many summer snippets as I had intended. That said, I am living a life without regrets as I see no reason to fault myself since most all of our summer days were well spent biking, swimming, playing, skipping, dancing, singing, laughing and spending time with friends and family. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday we went to the school open house where O met her new first grade teacher, visited her new first grade classroom and looked over her new first grade class list. Before we left, she told me she had one more thing she wanted to do...visit her kindergarten classroom and her darling kindergarten teacher, Mrs. M.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O waited patiently as Mrs. M was talking to another parent when we walked in. As soon as Mrs. M saw O she took her in her arms and gently and lovingly welcomed her back to school. It was in that beautiful moment that all the wonderful emotions of the past year flooded over me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>For students, Kindergarten is a part of growing up. For parents, Kindergarten also is a part of growing up and realizing that their children are becoming less intensely reliant on them. There's some very big steps to take and sometimes some difficult bridges to cross, but along the way there are the most incredible teachers, family, friends and blog readers (that's you) providing encouragement and support to get us all through. From the bottom of my heart I thank you!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning O told me her tummy kind of hurt because she was a little nervous about her first day. I told her to remember that she can tell her tummy it will all be ok, because it will, and that her tummy knows from experience. She nodded and smiled. Last year, I had to set her in her seat on the bus while she screamed and cried not wanting to go. This morning she boarded the bus without any reservations. In fact, as her daddy went to kiss her goodbye, O reminded him, “no grown-ups are allowed in the bus”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now this blog comes to a close. I certainly have enjoyed the journey. I thank each of you for all the heart warming ways that you helped me find my way in the blogging world. I clearly gained and I hope you did as well. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For all the many moments when Kindergarten Sucked, it was also those moments that O and I grew the most. We grew closer and our hearts grew bigger. Kindergarten doesn't suck. No, not anymore. Kindergarten ROCKS! And guess what, First Grade ROCKS too! There will be moments where I may think differently, but those moments will be the ones when I will remember to tell my tummy, "Everything will be ok just like it all turned out in Kindergarten". Yes, I truly believe, Kindergarten ROCKS! </span></i></span></div>
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Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-26731314897922391292012-07-20T14:10:00.004-07:002012-07-20T14:10:41.508-07:004th of July Moon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv2001267336apple-style-span">On June 29, 2012 a huge storm swept across our area and millions of people were without power for 4-5 days; some of them were without any power over the 4th of July. Oh, and did I mention it was also during the hottest couple days of the year? </span><span class="yiv2001267336apple-style-span"></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We considered ourselves very lucky as we did not lose power. We opened our home to whomever wanted to come and crash, even the dogs. Everyone that lost power was overwhelmed. Road rage was at its all time high. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, it didn't stop any of us from celebrating our nation’s independence. Was it hot? It was so hot. Was it worth it? Every minute. Why? Because it only happens once a year.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way home from the fireworks display, O and her friends commented on the redness of the moon. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O said, "I bet the moon turns red every 4th of July." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G said, "Maybe." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C said, "I bet it's from the fireworks." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">K said, "Maybe." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O said, "Next year we will have to remember to look and see if it's red on the 4th of July." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C said, "Maybe next year it will be red, white and blue." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">K said, "Yeah, that would be cool; and there will be stars and stripes in it too."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G said, "Yeah, let's remember to look and see what it looks like next year."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv2001267336apple-style-span">It was such a beautiful conversation, and then somehow from out of nowhere, Katie Perry started singing on the radio and every child in the car had their hands up singing/ screaming at the top of their lungs, "Cause baby you're a firework, come on let your colors burst, make em go up up up, till they shoot across the sky sky sky. Boom boom boom...Kindergarten SUCKS!</span></span></div>
</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-49533218216939857662012-07-03T20:05:00.000-07:002012-07-03T20:05:11.401-07:00Running Away!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After getting mad at me because I wouldn't let her go on the bike path (it was the equivalent of rush hour for those that commute to work by bike), O yelled, "You are the meanest mommy ever. I am so mad at you. I am running away!". Knowing its important for children to express their anger, I calmly told her that was just fine and that I loved her. I also waved to her and yelled, "Bon Voyage!". </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">I then headed towards our house while she turned to go the other way on her bike. However, it wasn't long before she followed me home to find me relaxed with a glass of wine on the porch. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As she came through the back gate she was pushing her bike ferociously and stomping her feet. Her eyebrows were cross … her lips were pursed and her cute little nose was flared. She was mad and she was having no problem expressing it. I calmly looked at her and said, "Did you decide to come back for dinner first?". She said, "Yes, but I'm still running away!". I replied, "Of course you are, but how much better of a journey it will be when on a full stomach. Why don't run up and pack your bags while I make you dinner so you will be ready to roll out when you are finished. I should tell you, however, that anything that mommy and daddy bought for you, you cannot take with you." She said, "Not even Marie Grace (her American Girl doll)?" "Nope", I replied.<span class="yiv1223828294apple-style-span"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She then ate her chicken nuggets, some grapes and a few carrots. After a long silence, I then asked where she thought she might go if she ran away. She said, "Well I can't go to G’s, K’s or C’s because they will call you. But I could go to Mia’s. Mommy, you were so lucky that you had a playhouse that you could run away to when you were a little girl! I wish I had a playhouse." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I replied, "It was lovely to have my own space to retreat to when I wanted to be alone. I'm just wondering if Mia will have milk for you to drink before you go down to sleep tonight. Do you think she will have a microwave to warm it up for you?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After another long silence she climbed onto my lap and said, "Mommy, I've decided that I am not going to run away after all." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm so glad, O. I would have missed you a lot", I replied.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I asked, "By the way, what was it that made you decide not to go?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smiling she said, "Because nobody else knows the song you sing me before bed every night." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Phew! This time me calling her bluff worked to my benefit. Next time I may not be so lucky! Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></div>
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</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-43298777673745426372012-06-29T12:54:00.003-07:002012-06-29T12:54:56.712-07:00Part of Me by Katy Perry<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1340999134629556">O and I love to dance especially when we are in the car driving. </span>We call it the car dance; all upper body. The other day I was taking her and her friend Mona to the park, and all a<span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1340999134629442">long the way we were dancing and listening to <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1340999158_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer;">Katy Perry</span>'s song called "Part of Me". </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1340999134629562">Katy Perry sings, "This is the part of me that you're never gonna ever take away from me..." From the backseat</span>,<span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1340999134629566"> I heard O and Mona singing, "This is the part of me that you're never gonna ever take a wig off me." I turned down the song and asked, "What are the exact words to this song?" </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O confidently explained that it is definitely "take a wig off me." </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1340999134629574"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mona continued, "Yes it really is. I know because think about it."</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1340999134629581"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O adds, "Yes, think about it, Mommy. Otherwise what would you be taking away?" </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Katy Perry gets it. Love can be hard. Maybe her next song will be called, "Kindergarten SUCKS!"</i></span></div>
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</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-15801662198582363942012-06-24T21:24:00.003-07:002012-06-24T21:34:10.432-07:00Summer Snipets<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Good-bye Kindergarten...Welcome Summer!</i></span><div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Although not as frequent, throughout the summer, I will continue to write brief snipets about O's summer after kindergarten.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Many of you have asked me what will the tabloid will be for the next school year. I have a few ideas, but would love suggestions. Let the creativity flow and send me your thoughts via comments or by email. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And stay tuned as kindergarten (still) SUCKS and first grade is set to be a grind!</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-64649315075126758902012-06-22T14:14:00.000-07:002012-06-22T14:14:13.716-07:00Timeout<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday, two of O's friends came over after school for a play date. They were playing American Girl dolls when I overheard O putting her doll McKenna in timeout. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a stern voice she said, "McKenna, that is not OK. I'm surprised with your behavior. You know that you are not allowed to eat in the attic. You are going to timeout for five minutes."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could not help but be reminded of the times O has spent her minutes crying in timeout. At first we thought it was a remorseful cry, but then we realized that she was not crying because she was in trouble, no. Rather, she missed her dog Porkchop (died when O was four). You see, Porkchop would always go to time out with her and keep her company. Our dog now isn't allowed to go upstairs and since her timeout location is on the stairs, our dog has been trained not to go near them. As a result, O tears up and becomes sad about Porkchop not being there for her. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of the play date there was a frantic search for McKenna. O was asking me what I did with her. Her friend, G reminded her of the sequence of their make believe play and before long McKenna, who had been in timeout for over an hour, was retrieved. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O picked her up and hugged her and said, "Oh McKenna, I'm so sorry. I would never leave you. I love you so much I would never leave you. You make my snuggles so special. Who would I snuggle with at night? It's OK sweetheart. I would never leave you. Never. What's that, my love? You miss your doggy?" <i> There's no point in timeout. I'm thinking we need a new discipline strategy. Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></div>
</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-46624456346124043252012-06-19T06:22:00.001-07:002012-06-19T06:22:14.916-07:00Stupid Choices<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv533133812Apple-style-span">My husband and I work hard not to yell at O when parenting. However, sometimes it's</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv533133812Apple-style-span">very hard to avoid it. </span> </span></div>
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<span class="yiv533133812Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, O has been yelling as a means to interrupt a friend or to argue with her parents that Oreos before bedtime will help her sleep better. </span></span><div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday in the car she said, "Mommy, I'm stupid." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a deep breath knowing this was her way of getting my attention. Then I said, "O, nobody is stupid. Some people make stupid choices, but nobody is stupid. What makes you say your stupid?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her response, "Because I yell at you."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giggling O says, "Mommy, you're stupid." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></div>
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</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-3979137664424528072012-06-18T18:53:00.001-07:002012-06-18T18:53:51.467-07:00How Can I Keep From Singing!<br />
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For the first time in twenty one years, I sang a solo in the song "How Can I Keep From Singing" . I'm so happy that I can check 'singing a solo' off my bucket list. </div>
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My choir, the Levine Community Choir, held performances last Thursday and Saturday. It was so much fun. Friends and family came to support me, including O, who had a choice between my concert and her end of the year soccer party. She and her friend Beatrice sat in the front row dressed in their Sunday best mouthing the words to the songs they knew, and even those they didn't.</div>
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While driving home, the girls informed us that if we heard some crunching coming from the backseat it was because during intermission they poured a tray of cookies and strawberries into Beatrice's purse. I made the comment that O doesn't even like strawberries. Beatrice responded, "Well she does now." O backed her up. Due to their sugar high, they giggled the whole way home taking pride in the fact that "nobody" noticed. </div>
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A few days later after smelling a foul odor coming from the backseat, I found four moldy strawberries and thousands of cookie crumbs in my car. I sang all the way to the car wash...<i>Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></div>
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</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-11802313253965637842012-06-08T10:54:00.004-07:002012-06-08T10:54:48.724-07:00Occupation: "Tooth Fairy"<br />
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_10_1338905557862434" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O lost her second left tooth on Saturday. This time the "<span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1339001337_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">tooth fairy</span>" was prepared. She had small bills on hand. What the "tooth fairy" wasn't prepared for was a list of questions she had to answer...</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_10_1338905557862555" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "tooth fairy's" name is Sophia Grace. She is 106 years old and was born on the same day as O just 100 years before her. The tooth fairy pondered the last question for quite sometime. Isn't the trade for the tooth the whole reason the tooth fairy leaves money? The tooth fairy almost pushed the issue and then remembered the fit O threw that day when she realized she had left her purple bathing suit at the pool. O couldn't stop crying, all the while saying, "I just miss my purple bathing suit." </span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_10_1338905557862566" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "tooth fairy" left money. The "tooth fairy" left the tooth. The "tooth fairy" went to bed. <i>Kindergarten SUCKS!<span class="yiv1889952157apple-tab-span" id="yui_3_2_0_10_1338905557862570"> </span></i></span></span></div>
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</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-83595873468524802382012-06-08T10:53:00.002-07:002012-06-08T10:53:20.834-07:00Preying Mantis Nymphs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;">After dropping O off at school, I went to spray the preying mantis pods with water when something caught my eye. Looking closer, I realized that it was over 300 hatchlings. I sat there and watched as more birthed their way out of the pod (what better way to spend a morning, right?). I sprayed the water and then I began to panic. What are they going to eat? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> I called every pet store within a twenty mile radius. Apparently, no stores in our area sells fruit flies. I went online to find out how much it would cost to have them overnighted. TOO MUCH! Then I called every petstore within a 30 minute radius. Score! Petco carries them. I drove there hoping no cop would pull me over for speeding because who's going to believe this story ... or the fact that I would speed to feed preying mantises.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> I bought two jars at $10 a piece. The clerk told me I'd need a jar per week. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> I did the math...if I'm to keep them for three months, the total amount of money it will cost to feed these guys is $120.00. <i>Did I mention this was a "gift" from my mom? Oh what I could cross off my Nordstrom wish list for that price! Probably nothing. Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></span>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-25565972156222418742012-06-01T13:22:00.002-07:002012-06-01T13:22:52.440-07:00Mall Field TripLast week, I joined a field trip with O's class. They have been studying the Presidents, especially those engraved on coins and pictured on bills such as Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson. Accordingly, a field trip to the National Mall was organized even though we did not visit the US Mint.
Five kindergarten classes, each approximately 20 kids, and enough parents so that every two children had an accompanying adult, boarded the three buses at 0900 hours.
We started at the Lincoln Memorial and ended at the Washington Monument. After the Lincoln we stopped at the Korean War Memorial to have a snack and sat around the fountain underneath the trees. As we were leaving O's friend, Jay, spotted a robin in the tree.
He stopped and focused with wide eyes and then shouted, "Look! That momma robin is feeding her baby birds in that tree". We all stopped and focused our attention. Suddenly, the Presidents lost their importance.
The kids could have watched it all day long. The robin would feed a worm to one of the babies and then fly off only to return with another worm -- all the while the little beaks in the nest were opening and closing in anticipation singing "chirp, chirp, chirp!". A part of me wanted to hurry the children along and the other part of me wanted to be child-like again and watch mother nature play out.
All in all it was a wonderful day. Did the kids have fun? I think they did. Which monument was O's favorite? The Korean. Why? Beause she got to watch mother nature at its finest.
I realized honoring mother nature around me daily is more often than not a rushed experience as we often hurry kids and ourselves along to keep an agenda. True, I had seen a robin feed her young many times in my life, however I don't often get to have the chance to share the experience with children.
That night before bed O asked, "Mommy, remember the robin and her babies today?"
I replied, "Yes."
She then asked, "How did she get eggs in her belly?". Kindergarten SUCKS!Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-92144929951275887592012-05-25T17:24:00.001-07:002012-05-25T17:24:13.132-07:00Kindergarten SUCKS!: Take Me Out to the Ballgame<a href="http://kindergartensucks.blogspot.com/2012/05/take-me-out-to-ballgame.html?spref=bl">Kindergarten SUCKS!: Take Me Out to the Ballgame</a>: Last week, my husband's firm hosted his staff and their families for a night out at the ball park. The Washington Nationals played against ...Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-50531957093707525622012-05-25T17:22:00.001-07:002012-05-25T17:22:53.282-07:00Take Me Out to the Ballgame<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;">Last week, my husband's firm hosted his staff and their families for a night out at the ball park. The Washington Nationals played against the Baltimore Orioles. O was invited to bring her two friends, Mimi and Lina. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;">After filling themselves full of chicken nuggets, french fries, hot dogs and cotton candy they started to take interest in the game, especially the "fan-cam." Each time it would say make some noise, the girls would scream, dance and wave to get on the jumbotron. No luck. Around the 8th inning one of our friends bought them ice cream bars as a conciliation prize.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;">Our family has a silly game we play with any kind of food, but especially ice cream. O's daddy tells her it smells funny and asks her to smell it, O smells it and the ice cream gets all over her nose. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;">O decided to do this to Lina who in turn did it to Mimi, and before we knew it the girls were giggling while painting their faces with ice cream in hopes of getting on the "fan-cam." It was all in good fun, but to no avail. The gal sitting in front of us told me she so wished she could be a kid again. It was a beautiful moment that unfortunately the fan-cam" did not catch.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;">After wiping their faces, Mimi jumped up with her eyes wide opened like she had just seen a ghost yelled, "Ms. Tasha, Jesus is up at bat. Look at the screen it says Jesus is batting. Ms. Tasha is that really Jesus? That's so cool. I saw Jesus tonight".</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><i>How do I break it to her that Jesus is actually pronounced (Heh-soos) and his last name is Flores and he is not the man who Christians believe turned water into wine (one of my favorite biblical stories)? Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv565493364apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;">Our family friends shared with us a beautiful part of their bedtime routine which we have now implemented into O's. </span></span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After tucking their children into bed they whisper to each of them a dream they want them to have. Our friends came up with this concept around the time their twins turned four years old. They did so because, like most four year old girls, their twins always dreamed about becoming a princess and marrying a prince and living happily ever after, etc. However, it was important to our friends that their children learn at an early age that dreams can be so much more. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O now loves this part of her evening. A few of the latest dreams we have given to O. Tonight try to dream:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night I tucked O in and gave her a dream. "Tonight may you dream about...", but before I could finish she interrupts me, "Mommy, tonight will you please not whisper it? Tonight say my dream out loud, please! Your breath STINKS!" <i>Tonight, my sweet daughter, may you dream about your mommy brushing her teeth. Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></span></div>
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</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-29224713862787669062012-05-21T18:38:00.001-07:002012-05-21T18:38:21.327-07:00Kindergarten SUCKS!: Girl Scout Encampment<a href="http://kindergartensucks.blogspot.com/2012/05/girl-scout-encampment.html?spref=bl">Kindergarten SUCKS!: Girl Scout Encampment</a>: On Saturday, O and her daisy troop, and four parent volunteers, including chez moi, participated in Girl Scout Encampment. It was a fun ...Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-76951940355814101972012-05-21T18:37:00.003-07:002012-05-21T18:37:54.214-07:00Girl Scout Encampment<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Saturday, O and her daisy troop, and four parent volunteers, including chez moi, participated in Girl Scout Encampment. It was a fun filled day of activities and no running water. O tie dyed, participated in nature walks, learned about bald eagles and even won a freeze dance competition. She also experienced using porta-potties. By the end of the day she refused to put anymore Purell on her hands. She missed soap and water. It's a good thing her leaders brought handy wipes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a full twelve hour day. We left at 7:30 am and returned home around 7:30 pm where my wonderful husband had dinner ready along with a fat glass of red wine waiting my arrival, as well as a big steak for the huntresses upon their return (O had a quesadilla actually).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over dinner O told her daddy all about the day. She said, "It was so much fun." My husband replied, "That's so great. You should tell mommy thank you for going with you."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O looked at me with a big smile and said, "Mommy, thank you so much. I had fun with you. Let's never do that again." <i>Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></span></div>
</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-49625119734566689972012-05-18T06:11:00.003-07:002012-05-18T06:11:46.332-07:00Kindergarten SUCKS!: Queen of the Ants<a href="http://kindergartensucks.blogspot.com/2012/05/queen-of-ants.html?spref=bl">Kindergarten SUCKS!: Queen of the Ants</a>: After school yesterday, O had a lot to tell me..."Mommy, did you know that ants live in a colony? The ants work for the queen. The queen i...Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-12598220367138383432012-05-18T06:11:00.001-07:002012-05-18T06:11:14.027-07:00Queen of the Ants<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After school yesterday, O had a lot to tell me..."Mommy, did you know that ants live in a colony? The ants work for the queen. The queen is bigger than all the others and she has wings. Really, Mommy. I'm not really sure why, but that's how you can tell she is a queen. And, there's a special room in the colony for the queen. It's called the queen's room. Next to the queen's room is the egg nursery where the ants take care of the queen babies and up above that room is the larva cocoon room. Across from there is the food storage room and down below all of the room's is a room called the winter room. Now mommy, you are probably thinking that this is where they store their winter coats and hats, but it is not. It is where they go for the winter. It is really big because all the ants have to fit into it. The queen lives in her room while all the ants work for her. Oh and I have good news. Did you know there's only queens, no kings. Girls rule in the world of ants! Oh and I almost forgot, right before the queen ant dies, she lays an egg and that egg will be the next queen; until she lays an egg, she is the only queen ant in the entire world."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I said, "Wow O, that's really amazing. You learned a lot today. Are you sure there is only one queen in the entire world? Goodness, she has more power than Queen Elizabeth of England." <i>It's so sweet how small their world really is. I couldn't help how lovely it might be to come back in my next life as a queen ant relaxing in my room while the worker ants bring me food, a world where girls rule...</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, my thoughts were quickly jostled by O whom replied, "Yes, really! My teacher told me. And Mommy, after the preying mantis' are born, I think it would be a great idea to get an ant farm like my friend Jack has in his room." <i> An ant farm...mmm...with all of them creating a trail to my kitchen so they can get more food for their queen...Kindergarten SUCKS! </i></span><br />
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<br /></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-30621318007071147252012-05-14T18:25:00.001-07:002012-05-14T18:36:18.147-07:00Mother's Day Love<br />
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1337044285139550" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I woke up to the whispers of my husband and O discussing the plan for the day. </span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1337044285139442" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few minutes later, O came in and informed me that I needed to sleep "a lot" longer so that her and daddy can run to the store and get flowers and pick up breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts (the surprise came out in the ruse). As she left the room, she realized she had let it slip … "But you're not supposed to know that, so go back to sleep and don't tell daddy I told you." </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as I was drifting off, she came in again to inform me that next to my pillow she was laying out the Mother’s Day cards that she made at school. Again, she stated that I was not to look at them until she returned home. I assured her that I wouldn't. However, it's always tempting. At this point I'm wide awake and falling back to sleep was not going to happen. Plus, I knew I was going to have to eat <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1337044289_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Dunkin Donuts</span> and pretend to like it. Why couldn't we live around the corner from a <a href="http://krispykreme.com/home" target="_blank">Krispy Kream</a>? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forty-five minutes later I heard them downstairs and texted my husband to see if I was to come downstairs or if they were coming up. Couple seconds later I heard my favorite sound...tiny footsteps coming upstairs and down the hall, "Mommy, you can wake up now. Happy Mother's Day. Today is your day. You can come downstairs now". </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After breakfast we went on a family bike ride. After lunch O and her daddy surprised me with box seat tickets to an incredible ballet called <a href="http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=RMWLD" target="_blank">"Noche Latina" at the Kennedy Center put on by the Washington Ballet</a>. Halfway through the production O leaned over to me and whispered, "Mommy, I love you." <i>Smile.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day ended with an evening of good wine and good girlfriends enjoying a lovely dinner at a favorite Italian restaurant. It was truly spectacular.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up this morning and thanked my family again for making it all so meaningful. <i> Then I realized Father's Day is 34 days away. How will I ever top this? Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></span></div>
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</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-49004802377451704782012-05-10T16:57:00.004-07:002012-05-10T16:57:43.326-07:00Kindergarten SUCKS!: Project Runway<a href="http://kindergartensucks.blogspot.com/2012/05/project-runway.html?spref=bl">Kindergarten SUCKS!: Project Runway</a>: A half hour before soccer practice today O came downstairs expressing her "immediate need" for soccer shorts. I sent her back upstairs to p...Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-16977082582319005752012-05-10T16:57:00.002-07:002012-05-10T16:57:27.536-07:00Project Runway<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A half hour before soccer practice today O came downstairs expressing her "immediate need" for soccer shorts. I sent her back upstairs to put on her practice gear and explained that we didn't have time to go buy soccer shorts, but that maybe we could go this weekend. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Five minutes later she came downstairs again with her tennis skort (a skirt with shorts underneath) and said, "Mommy, I have a great idea. We can cut this skirt off and then we will have soccer shorts." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first I resisted, but then I imagined time flashing forward twenty years to an image of O on a show like Project Runway. <i>Who am I to squash her dreams? </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight at soccer her friend, Mona, complimented her shorts. O confidently replied, "Thank you. My mom let me cut off the my tennis skirt and these were underneath. I'm going to do this to all my skorts!" <i>Kindergarten SUCKS!</i></span></div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-59743931850192718552012-05-02T22:46:00.001-07:002012-05-02T22:46:39.454-07:00Kindergarten SUCKS!: Country Girl Elbows<a href="http://kindergartensucks.blogspot.com/2012/05/country-girl-elbows.html?spref=bl">Kindergarten SUCKS!: Country Girl Elbows</a>: Last Friday was the Kindergarten Song Fest at O's school. They sang songs about science. The boys wore bumblebee hats a...Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-65251290139008855162012-05-02T22:45:00.002-07:002012-05-02T22:45:55.705-07:00Country Girl Elbows<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Friday was the Kindergarten Song Fest at O's school. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They sang songs about science. The boys wore bumblebee hats and the girls wore butterfly hats made of construction paper. O was so excited that morning. She wore her butterfly dress and requested pigtails in her hair. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Occasions like this instill a very special pride that over takes me as a mommy. It comes from deep within my heart and radiates as I make eye contact with O, and celebrate her performance of songs that she has rehearsed so many times. I can assume, from all the mom's that I spoke with this morning, that they share the same sense of parental pride whenever their child is having a moment in the spotlight. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is also that parental pride that dominates our actions to capture that moment on film. It can quickly overtake us as we race to get a good seat or we walk right up the center aisle in the middle of the performance and take a picture or video. And if they are like me, the pictures and video get downloaded on my computer and that's as far as they go. Yet, years from now when O asks to see the video of her kindergarten program, I can pull it up. And I will not have to feel guilty that I didn't do it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the same time, there is a parental guilt when one loses sight of the moment. The moment of listening, watching and meeting the child eye to eye. </span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I ask the question...Is it more important to be in the moment or to capture the moment on film? I'm still not sure. However, I am certain that the parent audience at O's program did not appreciate my arriving two hours early for a front row seat or the impact of my country girl elbows in positioning my camera on O during the concert. Kindergarten SUCKS!</span></i></div>
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</div>Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537986053092889126.post-83036910173100953882012-05-01T11:30:00.001-07:002012-05-01T11:30:59.370-07:00Kindergarten SUCKS!: Earth Day Druthers<a href="http://kindergartensucks.blogspot.com/2012/05/earth-day-druthers.html?spref=bl">Kindergarten SUCKS!: Earth Day Druthers</a>: O woke up this morning and said, "Mommy, I think we should bicycle to school from now on so we can take care of our earth." Obviously,...Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869751809892436800noreply@blogger.com0