A Decorative Latte

Sometimes, a few new throw pillows is all it takes to make me feel really happy.  4 new pillows on my bed just changed the look of the entire room.  Of course, I then need to scatter the old pillows through out the house to give the appearance that we really needed this new purchase.  Our office has a rarely used twin bed that displays 8 pillows.  Organizing the beds makes me feel like I have organized my day.  As summer vacation draws to a close, I need all of the organizing help I can get.

School starts on Monday.  Unlike the last 3 years when we have walked all 3 of our kids less than a quarter mile around the corner to school, I feel like I will be spending my days in carpool line getting the girls to the temporary location of the elementary school and my son to middle school across town.  I am not alone in this logistical craziness.  I am working on carpool schedules and checking school bus routes.  We are also stocking up on school supplies and new shoes.  We are checking with friends about classes and teachers.  Everyone is excited and nervous, and a little sad to see the end of another summer which was so much fun even if it seemed to rain each and every day.  We are getting organized for another school year and all of its excitement and challenges.

I expect that we will stay organized until next Thursday.  By then everyone will be exhausted and grumpy.  Mornings will get a little busier as we do less each night to prep for the next day.  I will rally over the weekend to make sure we are ready for week 2, and we will fall into a pattern for the year.  I will say "hurry up" way too much, and I will be late for a few things (not school or gymnastics).  If I find a job, that will bring a new set of challenges.  I will exercise, cook, and clean more than I did over the summer, and I will find lots to worry about.  For now, I will get ready to embrace life with a 2nd, 4th, and 6th grader.  At least I know that I can look at my organized bed with all of its new throw pillows and smile.

A Lecture Latte

My son will be 11 this summer.  I have recently realized that it is time for "the talk." Not that talk, that's another latte, but the texting talk.  I have the joy of raising kids in the digital world we call home.  We had a small incident last week with texting, and he knew that a talk was coming.  Like many pre-teens, I suppose, he tried to avoid us hoping to avoid getting a lecture.  Since I come from a long line of passive aggressive, non-confrontational people, I offered to write a letter in lieu of a verbal lecture.  Here it is:

"Dear M - You asked for your lecture in the form of a letter so here goes.  Please read and re-read this and try to take my words to heart.  Read it often to remind yourself that I am watching you, and that daddy and I love you very much.  If you keep this letter and read it when you have a 10 year old child of your own, you will really understand all that I am trying to say.  

You are among the first generation to grow up in the digital age.  It is an exciting and scary place - the world of texting, YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, and others.  I'm not sure if you and your friends fully understand the responsibility and maturity needed to use this technology.  Here are a few tips:

1. It's not a joke - even if you think you are joking when you send something, the person in the picture or recipient of the text might not see it that way.

2. Delete is not forever.  Even if you get rid of a text or picture off of your device, there is still a record of it.  Once you send it, you have no control over who see it but you are fully responsible if someone gets hurt (either emotionally or physically) because of your actions.

3. Don't forward things.  Again, once you send something out, anything could happen.  Make good decisions and don't sent out bad, mean, or offensive messages.

4. Parents are watching.  As you have seen, parents do monitor your devices.  We are not as clueless as you think.  We will judge people who seem to be making bad choices and sending offensive messages.  Don't be one of those people.

5. Take responsibility for your actions.  If you did it, don't try to blame someone else.

6. Don't lie, EVER!  This should be #1.  Always tell the truth, I promise you will get into so much less trouble in the long run.

7. This of how other people feel.  Before you send something out, think about how you would feel if it were being sent to you.  Yes, this includes being nice to your sisters.

I realize that this is alot of information to take in all at once.  It is all so important.  You are such amazing young man, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you ever.  You are your own person, though, and all I can do is hope that I have taught you how to make the right choices.  Try not to worry too much.  It has taken me 40 years to become this uptight about life.  You are young and you should just go with the flow.  If things don't happen exactly the way you planned, that is alright.

I hope you understand what I am trying to say to you.  Daddy and I are learning as we go.  We know that you are a good and kind person.  Don't put yourself in any sort of position where people might think something different.  Look people in the eye, and always speak clearly and politely.  Manners will get you further than you might think.  Always hold the door for people, and let ladies go first (even your sisters).  Most of all, never forget how much we love you!"

An Elementary Latte

I was the first.  Well, at least one of them.  In the fall of 1978, the local public school offered kindergarten for the first time.  Since my sister was already attending the school, I'm sure it was a fairly easy decision for my parents to enroll me as one of the 24 or so students.  Half of us attended in the morning and half in the afternoon.  My teacher, Ms. Branscomb, came to our high school graduation.  There were a handful of us who made it all 13 years together.  We're all friends on Facebook today.

In 2008 my son started kindergarten at that same elementary school.  By that time, kindergarten was full day and there were over 100 students split into 6 classes.  In May 2013 he will be the last.  Well, at least one of them.  After more than 50 years, the county has decided that the school building has come to the end of its useful life.  This summer, they will begin to tear down the school and build a huge, shiny new one in its place.

I'm sure it's a good decision.  I've known for a year that this was in the works, but we got the official announcement at last week's PTA meeting.  The principal of the school told us.  He was one of the first, too. We attended all of elementary school together, kindergarten through 7th grade.  He said all of the right things to put everyone at ease about the fact that we will be housed elsewhere for two years.  Still, I teared up listening to him.  It's just a building, but we grew up in that building, and, now, my kids are growing up there, too.

I don't like change, but with 3 kids, life changes daily.  Mason will be off to middle school next year (yikes!), and the girls will spend 2 years in a temporary elementary school.  We will be able to hear the construction on the new school from our house.

Here's a little shout out to Betty Rose Caldwell, my eccentric elementary school music teacher.  She taught us lots of Carpenters' songs, and she wrote the following Alma Mater.  The words once hung prominently at the back of the school cafeteria...
    When all the years have passed us by, and we must live with memories
    We know our hearts will always wander to the years we spent here.
    Our praise goes to dear Fernbank School, we'll always love and know thee
    For you have guided every step, directed towards excelling.
    We praise your name, dear Fernbank School.  Our first Alma Mater.