Count your many blessings

Today in church we sang a familiar hymn, "Count Your Blessings."  

After we finished, Joel whispered excitedly, "Mom, I have fourteen blessings!....[pause, thinking]...No, wait, fifteen.  I just thought of another one!"

Gotta hail the chief

Maybe all things do happen for a reason.

I felt pretty sad about the last two presidential elections for lots of reasons, but if Bush hadn't won, Joel wouldn't have gotten into this great elementary school that we couldn't afford to live near.  

Because of "No Child Left Behind," schools have to pass standardized tests or face penalties.  It's basic stuff for those who understand English, from what I hear.  But a large percentage of kids in our neighborhood do not, so our brand-new elementary school failed on several fronts last year.  As a result, we are given the option of a transfer to one of two better performing schools in the district.  It just so happens that one of those schools is perhaps the best public elementary school in the county.  

And Joel gets to go, the district has to bus him there, and he can continue to attend through 6th grade, even if his local school ends up passing their standard tests.  So, hail to the chief.  We made lemonade!!

We're very proud of our growing up big boy who now takes the bus to school.  

School Rules

I am kind.

I listen and raise my hand.

I keep my hands and feet to myself.

I work and play quietly in the room.

I have my name on all my things.

I will be on time.

I will get on the right bus.

I will line up and wait patiently outside my classroom.

I will not bring my dog on school grounds.

I will report to the office if I'm late and have a note from my parents.

I will bring home lots of forms for my parents to fill out.

I won't ride my bike to school until I'm 9, even if my parents are with me.

I will take my medicine before school.

I will play by game rules and choose referees before the start of games.

I will play tag only in the field.  

I won't chew gum.

I won't climb on the outside of the play structure or on top of the monkey bars. 

I will slide feet first.

I will only run in the field.

I will not dig in the field.

I won't pick up sticks.

I will not call names.  

Be responsible.

Respect yourself.

Respect all property.

Respect other students and all staff.

Respect school community and playground expectations.

Stay on school grounds during school hours and observe defined boundaries.

Do not bring gum, super balls, hard or soft baseballs, trading cards, toy guns, pocket knives, lighters or matches to school.

Electronic devices of any kind are not allowed.

Umbrellas are permitted when used safely.

Students are expected to dress for the weather. 

Use only the main building restroom during recess.  Obtain a pass from playground teacher first.

Students must possess an office/hall pass to be in the main building.

Tackle football, playing tag on climbing equipment, "play" fighting, rough play are not permitted.

No sexual harassment.

So, Joel has read and understood all the rules and has signed his name to them.  Right after he finished his thesis on migratory centipedes.  Did I mention he's 5?

My Apologies

While I was looking for school supplies at Walmart tonight, I didn't say "hi!"  I was very tired.  It was a long day filled with errands, new routines, a sick dog, swim lessons, forms to fill out, and a lot of whining, arguing, and disappointment.  Yeah, you're probably too tired now to read further.  Follow your instincts.  

Once I found a parking spot, I kept my head pretty much focused on finding a plastic box, some slippers, and a backpack.  I had my handy shopping bag so that I wouldn't have to lug around a cart or basket that might slow me down.  I'm sorry for not making eye contact.  I was just making sure I had enough time budgeted to stand in line at checkout.

I know you were there, because everyone was.  Who wasn't?  Who knew?  I've never seen Walmart the night before school starts.  I didn't know that we were all supposed to be there.  That if you live within 60 miles of Seattle, you'd be there.  But since I'm sure you were there, I felt guilty for not saying "hi" and for trying to avoid you.  I was afraid you'd slow me down, and I'd get sucked into a vortex of cranky shoppers with sharp pens, scissors, glue sticks, hand sanitizer, and snacks.  I might have become possessed by desperation and "oh, they're out of pink erasers!" defeatism.  So, I just pretended not to see you.  

I'm sorry.  I'll catch up with you tomorrow, after the kids are in school, with their supplies, and snacks, and new slippers, and I've had a shower.

Happy Birthday Pa!

We had a lovely dinner.  

The best part of it was blowing our diet on blackberry cobbler!

I used to be an INFP.

Now I'm an INFJ.  I didn't see the breakdown on my scores, but maybe I'm teetering on the middle.  Anyway, I love to read summaries of my so-called personality in a lengthy, nice description that sounds better than I am.  It's as if by taking a test, someone out there now knows me better than I know myself, and I suddenly have an instant soulmate.

Mush Me

Jamie:  "I'm afraid there's going to be a poopoo on the ground and the poopoo's going to mush me."  Said as an excuse to ask me to pull the other lawn chair over beside me for him.