Friday, July 31, 2009

Behold the awesome power of Mexican food

(I know we haven't posted in a while. I wish I had a great excuse, like we've been taking fabulous vacations, or I've just been too busy planning exciting and enriching activities for my children every day, but the truth is, we've been plain lazy! I'll try to get back in the swing of things soon, but in the meantime, here's a little tidbit to keep you going.)

The Scene: Calvin's buddy Edward is visiting from Colorado for a few days, and our whole family is at the Red Iguana restaurant with Edward and his parents. Edward--a notoriously picky eater--is persuaded by his mom to try a bite of her entree.

EDWARD: Wow! My brain is trying to tell me to be picky, but the food is so good, I . . . I . . . CAN'T!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Maybe I should consider homeschooling?

Starting in August, I will have four children in three different schools. (And really, it's more like three and a half schools, because one will be in half-day kindergarten.) This is not the school board's fault.

None of those children attend the school for which we live in the boundaries; therefore, we will be responsible for transporting them to and from school each day. Again, not the school board's fault if we chose to enroll them in non-boundary schools.

The elementary school has an early dismissal every Friday. I don't have a problem with that.

Last May, we received a letter from the middle school, informing us they were considering modifying their schedule to allow "collaboration time" for the faculty. This would involve either a late start or an early dismissal one day a week. I don't have a problem with that, as long as the time is used for its intended purpose and doesn't become "the faculty uses this period to perform personal errands or sneak out to the nearest bar" time. I filled out the survey and noted my preference for an early dismissal on Friday, to coordinate with the elementary school's schedule. (I should note that this is the elementary that feeds into this middle school, so one would expect I'm not the only parent with children in both schools.)

The school board didn't listen. This is where I start to have a little problem with them.

We just got another letter: the middle school will have . . . tadah! . . . a late start on Fridays.

So starting in late August, this is what my Friday schedule will look like:
  • 8:40 am: Drop off Thomas and Max.
  • 9:25 am: Drop off Calvin.
  • 10:45 am: Pick up Max.
  • 1:40 pm: Pick up Thomas.
  • 2:50 pm: Pick up Calvin.
  • (Katie, thankfully, doesn't have school on Fridays, or this would be even more heinous.)
Every. Friday. All. School year. Long.

Just shoot me now.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Oh, THAT'S what the video means! Why didn't they just say so?

Oh man, I used to LOVE this song. I don't know how I managed never to see the video until I saw this version a few weeks ago. Enjoy!

==>Warning: they use the word dou***bag in the song, so if that's going to offend you, please don't click!

This makes me happy

Tell me this doesn't make you smile, too.