Dog Days

So here we are, August 11th, and summer is coming to an end.

When I flip through my pictures and memories of the past few weeks it is a blur of sand, salt, seaweed, chlorine, over-priced ice cream pops and suntan lotion.

There was a lot of this:

And several days of this:

Probably too much of this:

Sometimes you gotta throw in a little of this:

Add a bit more of this:

A few afternoons ended like this:

And while it is not over yet, it is starting to get old.  I have to admit it.  As I have said so many times before on this Blog, I appreciate all 4 seasons, and never do I appreciate the next one more than when the current one is coming to a close.

When Spring has sprung, I long for lazy days of beach and pool.
And now, as my bright summer annuals are getting overgrown and under bloomed, my grass is growing slower, my car is sandier than the beach and the kids are so tan that people ask me where they're from...
They get on each other's nerves, which gets on my nerves.
They're bored, I'm bored.
We're ready to get back into our routines.  We've been bouncing, shopping, watching, swimming, sunning, riding, running, visiting, partying, sleeping-over, over-indulging and generally doing nothing productive or useful and enjoying every minute of it.  But we're done.

We want school and weekends and sports and dance and pumpkins, mums, boots and sweaters.  Birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.We're ready.  Because summer will come again, it's good like that.  And I am so ready to organize closets and make handmade Christmas cards, finish that cork garland I have been talking about and maybe even that Kissing Ball I bought all the stuff for 3 Christmases ago...

We have a few more great things on our Summer Bucket List.
Next week we will head down to Ocean Beach in New London.  Summer is not complete without soggy fries and soft-serve ice cream cones.  Abby has it in her mind that she will conquer the "big water slide" this year and Wyatt just really looks forward to the Motorcycles.

The Motorcycle Ride, Ocean Beach Park - 2011

It's a Day-cation, for sure.  One I really look forward to as much as the kids, if not more than them.  Just blogging about it right now has me all revved up thinking about it.  What a great way to spend a summer day.  The boardwalk, the "waves", the white sandy beach and of course, the splash pad.  I can't wait!!

The week after next we'll have a whole week of Daddy-Time.  A whole week off of work to hang with us.  Last year he tried this and Hurricane Irene stopped by.  Assuming we don't have a repeat of 2011, we're really looking forward to spending some quality time.  We'll hit the beach, drive up the shoreline a bit, maybe go see that new Disney movie about the plant-boy.  Eat some good stuff, play some fun things and just send summer off in style.  Beach, pool, firepit, movie nights, popcorn and icecream.

Because, really, without the sand, suntan lotion and tanned bodies - what would the point of summer be?

Dinah's Storm

Today I drove around with an old lady dog in my backseat.  She was soaking wet and running, terrified, from thunder and into roads that while I can't call them a "major intersection", I can say that for around here, it's dangerous territory.  So, what choice did I have but to pick her up and let her sleep soundly in my backseat while I drove around for 40 minutes looking for any sign of someone frantically searching for their terrified, lost dog?!

And for what reason would I be driving around on this particular day, when this particular storm and this particular dog happened to cross my path, while my kids were at camp (for their first time ever, away from me for a whole day - we can discuss the hole in my heart later)?  For what reason would this sweet, greying, frightened and lovely little girly dog run in front of my car while it's raining so hard I was trying to decide if it was just huge drops or actual hail?  Her tail was between her legs, her thick, groomed wolf-like coat was soaked but her eyes looked peaceful and her body language asked for help.
So, I got out of the car.  And I talked to her.  And I opened by back door.  And she hopped in.

At first, she stood and looked nervous.  And while I am absolutely an animal lover, I am also an animal respecter - and with that comes a healthy dose of fear - and my fear of being bit kept me from going right at her to check her collar or pet her head.
I let her relax.  I stopped home and checked on my own 'fraidy-dogs, got some water and a few treaties and went back to my little stray.
She was not hungry or thirsty.
She was tired.  She laid down.  She slept so hard I could hear her breathing.  I thought about bringing her home and calling it a day.

But instead I drove on.  And let her sleep.
And then I turned down a random cu-de-sac, all the while talking sweetly with my new girly dog.  And I said to her "you never know why things happen the way they do, you never know why you make a turn where you would not normally  turn" and so I turned.  In that cul-de-sac I decided she was confortable enough for me to open the back door and pet her and check her collar.
No tags.

I think I already knew I was not actually going to take her to the Animal Control Office in town.  First of all, they didn't answer the phone (or call me back promptly as their vm promised), so I knew they weren't there and confirming that wasn't worth the ride to me.  Secondly, I called!  I did my part.  I was not going to "surrender" this sweet girl to the authorities in hopes that some uniformed guard might care enough to find her a home.  I would be her home!!  She was sweet!!

As I was checking her tags, a car pulled out of it's driveway and up next to me.  I was looking for people looking for their dog - because everyone else was inside watching the storm, not standing outside in it.  But this woman happened to pull out as I was checking out my lost girl.
She said hello and introduced herself kindly, I said "I found a dog!"  She got out of the car and with the excitement of a 7 year old said "Can I See?!?!"
She did not recognize her but made no motions to leave me in her neighborhood, scratching my head.

At this point, I knew I could not let the dog back out of my car to find her way.  But I also knew I could not squeeze my 2 small, excitable kids into the back seat with her.  She seemed lovely and relatively clean, but who knows.
But I didn't know what to do.
Enter Debbie.  My new best friend.

When I explained that I did not want to give the dog to animal control ("she's so cute!") but I also didn't want to lock her in my garage as the storm that she seemed to be running from raged on all around her, and I couldn't put her in my house with my 2 dogs who were also foaming at the mouth in the humidity and thunder and I couldn't keep driving around with her because I had to pick up my kids, Debbie said - without any hesitation at all and much to my shock and delight - "I'll take the dog!"

Here is where I have to tell you that Debbie was a striking red head - friendly, freckly, pretty and red.  And yet, none of my usual red-head-flags shot up.  She seemed so genuinely kind and concerned.  Almost like she had been waiting for a new dog to show up.  She had a blanket for the seat in her car and a leash!
("you never know")

So, Debbie took the dog, I went home to my own dogs and took stock of my day.

In the morning, I dropped Abby off at school for her first ever, long awaited, day at camp.  As a stay-at-home-mom and beach-bum, I have never seen the need for summer camp.  We hang out in the summer.  We go to the shore, we go to the lake and we have a pool.  But this year has proven more challenging than years past.
It's not that my kids are super-spoiled (they are, admittedly, regular-spoiled).  It's not that they're bratty.  But, at nearly-5 and 6-going-on-16 they are, without a doubt, on each other's nerves.  And every day, with me, they are getting bored.  They are without structure, and they are bored.  They need more than what I am giving them.  Next year I will plan better.
So, this week they went to camp for a day.  I had meetings and camp is more fun and cheaper than a babysitter.
Abby went in the morning, lunch and 2 snacks packed, ready to rock.  I kissed her goodbye and walked away.
I felt like my heart was going to fall on the hallway floor.
Amazing what absence can do for the fonder...
What the hell am I going to do when school starts?

From there we stopped at Papa's house to drop off Nana's sunglasses that she left at our place.  A nice visit with Papa and the pooch.  He gave Wyatt a new hat - a red one to match the red shorts and red t-shirt he chose for his day.  The hat says "Stolichnya".

After that I dropped Wyatt off at his friend's house (and I really felt my loneliness kick in).  They had about an hour to play before lunchtime and then they, too, were off to camp.  We had decided (three of us, moms of 3 Kindergarten boys) that a half day would be enough for them at this point so they had a playdate and lunch first.

From playdate drop-off I went back to school to meet with the 2 principals of the 2 elementary schools with my PTA Co-Prez, CR.  We met and chatted and did our agenda and political deeds.  We laid out our meetings for the year, discussed costs and concerns and, I hope, are done with that.
The one thing I do not want, with this new role of PTA Co-P, is to be in meetings, in cahoots, in bed with administration.
Don't misunderstand me, I adore our principals - and our superintendant.  I like & respect them as women and administrators.  I consider myself - and our town - pretty lucky to have 2 female principals and a female superintendant that are moms and teachers and all around career women, but are also fearless and awesome and, to be honest, gorgeous.  LOVE that.
But, as PTA prez, I want to be neutral.  I don't want my personal opinions to play a role.  I want to focus on the kids, their benefits, the teachers, their benefits and the overall community feel - the pluses, the extras, the greatness that the PTA can give to a community.
Not to be dictated by the governing bodies, only to be dictated by need, want and appreciation.

From PTA I went to the Country Club.
I finalized the menu for the Dinner-Dance I am planning as a fund-raiser for the local Food Pantry.  I can honestly say "I" here because so far, it's all me.  I will need help - I do!  But I haven't found it yet so, so far, I'm pretty freakin proud of me.
We finalized the menu.  Cash bar with Beef & Fish buffet dinner, appetizer stations, salads, pastas, desserts - the whole nine - it's gonna be awesome.  DJ.  Photographer.
I am so flippin excited.
Now, onto the marketing.  That part is the key part because if I mess it up, or even if I don't maximize it - my planning, my whole idea - will fail.
I have to sell 120 tickets.
How?

From the Club I went to town.  I had a few things for sale in the Consignment shop.  It seems like Abby was the last girl born.  We ran out of girls.  Every baby born after Abby had a penis.  So, I ran out of good things to do with her better clothes.
I am a huge charity giver.  But sometimes - it's just too good!!  I want to see it move on, or I want to get something back for it.
Ralph Lauren and Gap and Janie & Jack!  I want to see a return on my investment!!
So, I went to consign.  Almost 3 months ago.
And so, in parting with a shopping bag full of stuff, I waited and waited.
And I made 20 bucks.
I feel dirty.
I'll just pass it on from now on.  If it's really worth it, I'll eBay it.  Consignment is not for me.

From town I went to ManchVegas.  Birthday party next week.  Both kids are invited.  Need gifts.
I went quick, one store.
Headed home as the skies got dark.  And so we come back to the doggie in the street in the pouring rain...

Debbie took the doggie from me and I felt good about it.  I felt sad because in that hour or so, I had gotten attached, but I felt good because we exchanged numbers and I knew that if she didn't find her home, she was going to keep her.  I knew it.
So, I felt good.

About 3 hours later, she called me.  She found her home.  Her name was Dinah and she was home.

Life has a funny way of finding it's way.

And, to add to this story, it turns out - Debbie is BFF's with my next door neighbor.  Small, small world.

Oh, I wonder...

...if the onset of summer vacation will make me more Bloggy or even less....  We are looking forward to so many summer adventures, not the least of which was officially (as in with real money) joining the lake this year.
We have a sunset date planned with Aunt Belle at Harvey's.
We want to go to the zoo in Rhode Island.
Big waves are calling from some beach in RI that we've never been to (Lookout?, not sure...)
Many trips to the various shore beaches we love.
Six Flags New England.
Maybe Santa's Village?!?!
A Camping weekend??

Wyatt will start K in the "fall" and Abby will start first grade.  Both kids will get on the bus at 8am and get off closer to 4pm.  That's a lot of time without my kiddos.  I am not looking forward to it and I plan to take advantage of every moment this summer.
I know so many moms that sign their kids up for every camp and activity they can write a check for over summer break.
Not me.  Not yet, anyway - (judge not lest ye be and all that jazz.)

So, Friday is the last day of school.  We have a big pool party planned for all of our besties...  Then it's off to the races.  How much awesomeness can we squeeze into 8 weeks of summer vacation?

We shall see...

Missed You...

I may have mentioned this before...  but people who do not signal when they are turning really annoy me.  Being behind someone who is mysteriously slowing down and finally turn -  that's annoying.  But being behind them, I can probably figure it out and slow down with them...  assuming I am looking, and not texting.
But the ones that are coming at me from the left, while I am waiting to turn out and go right.  I hate them.  Because when they don't signal, they waste moments of my time that I will never get back.


I re-signed up for Weight Watchers.  Why don't I just call myself a "Lifer" and save on the monthly fee?  I don't know but I'm back.  And you know what is the worst part?
Not that one Cadbury Cream Egg will take up more than half of my day's intake.  Not that my coffee and skim milk habit actually amounts to One Point...  Not even that I am hungry all the time and actually contemplate how much exercise I would have to trade to eat steak.  I don't mind that - that's a healthy trade off.
No, the worst part is that ONE GLASS OF WINE IS FOUR POINTS!!!  FOUR POINTS!!!  That's half a meal!!  I have to give up food for the Grape.  I'll do it, don't misunderstand me.  I am committed to the Grape and I won't be turned off course.
But really, I think my skin is going to suffer.


The husband has been home for a couple of weeks now.  It's an odd mix of love and discomfort.
I love having him around, but after 15+ months of not having him around, it's taken some adjustments.  All in all, it's worth it.
T-Ball has started up again, yard work beckons and he looks pretty hot on his new Deere.  Yes...  I think his tractor's sexy.


Buffalo Wild Wings just opened up near us.  Never been but I love wings and beer like a man and I am really looking forward to it.  I see a Ladies' Night in my future.
See that?!  See how quickly I can veer off course, Jenny Craig?  From counting points to sucking down buffalo wings and Not Light Beer.
It's a long road ahead, readers.


I continue to battle my "do I send my baby to kindergarten or wait?" issues - suffering in silence because I really just beat my head against the wall.  Do I have some motherly, internal, knowing that sending him is a mistake?  Or am I just paranoid and worried?
I subbed in a kindergarten class yesterday and the teacher, a 30-year veteran, answered me with "I always suggest the gift of time, why rush?".  30 Years.  She's seen a lot more than I can try to understand.  And she's not the "crazy old bat" type that's been teaching for 30 years, she's so in touch and loves her kids so much.
The boy's teacher points to his progress reports and says "there is nothing here that would direct me to tell you to wait."  In translation that means "I am so glad my kids were born first-quarter and I will never have to deal with this."
My heart says I am rushing him.  My brain questions my heart.  My husband is all about the empirical data.  I have none.  I have only worry, constant, unending, emotion-based worry.
However, I will add that with my experience in both kids' classes and in other classes since I started subbing I am starting to find more basis for my worry.  More facts, mixed with even more worry...  So who knows...  a couple more months of school, a couple of months of summer vacation...  only time will tell.


I have officially signed on to be PTA President.  Hold your applause.
My good friend, Claudia, and I will be co-presidents.  Neither of us wants to deal with the drama and bullshit but together, somehow, we will.  And truly, we'll do a really good job.  We're smart, we care and we're involved already - so it should go well.  Stay tuned.




Is it Beach Season yet?  I just vacuumed last year's sand out of my trunk...  in preparation for this year's of course.  Can't mingle the beaches.

Recognition.

One of the struggles I have had as a stay-at-home-mom has been my occasional feeling that my work goes uncredited.  Like, even though I am exhausted at the end of the day/week/year, I have nothing to really show for it, nothing to "prove my worth".

I know you can easily come back at that statement with "your children being happy and healthy are the proof of your hard work"...  blah blah blah...  I would say the same thing to you if you were feeling down.  We all know that, some days it's just hard to feel that.

There is no one to blame for this feeling.  It is just a feeling, no one makes them happen.

My husband is amazingly supportive and loving.  He showers me with praise and adoration and he does not go unappreciated.  I thank him, too.  We are a good team.

Nonetheless, I have to admit that I am at times, at odds with my choice to give up "earning" for "caring".  

I care for the house, the kids, the husband, his career, the school and town stuff...  and I do care.  A lot.  And I take pride in my volunteer work, my involvement with the kids' school days, friends and activities.  

I have never had any intention of throwing myself into a new career once the kids "get bigger".  This is my career, this is my life.

Watching the stray kid here and there, subbing a few days a week at school, scouring sales for the best deals and never paying full-price - that is stuff I do to throw a little ching back into the pot sometimes...  I like doing those things.  Those things require little more of me than I am willing to give and those things are also voluntary.  If I get called to work at school I don't have to go.

My husband has to to go to work.  All the Time.

So, I don't complain.  Not too loudly.

We have had a few weekends when Mommy has had to disappear for several hours.  To the mall, to the gym, to Kohls - what have you.  Mommy needs solitude sometimes.

Then, along comes a day like today - Tuesday March 27th - and all of my worry and need for measure are sated.

Today was report card day.  And I am walking on air.  I am a sappy, goopy mess.

Pride.  Love.  Pride...  I am just a happy mama.

I know it's about them, not me - obviously I know that - but the pride I am getting from their progress far outweighs anything ever handed to me by a manager at any number of the jobs I have had in previous lives.  Words like "well liked by her classmates" and "a natural leader at play".  "25 out of 25" and "14 out of 14".  "Cooperative and Polite".  "Kind and Helpful".  "Fun".  "Energetic".  "Happy".

"Focused and Enthusiastic".

No percentage above average or salary increase ever made me beam and cry and just over-the-top melt in the way that these pieces of paper that came home today have.

So.  I'm doing something right.  I have been recognized, indirectly, for my diligence.  So, today - I will hold my head a bit higher, worry a bit less and hope that should the day come that a report card is anything less than fabulous, I don't hang myself by my own apron strings.

I Am Thankful for Spring.

I have mentioned before that I resent being assigned a season for thankfulness.
I try to be grateful for all the greatness that fills my life every day.

Today in a PTA meeting the guest speaker was sharing his wisdom and insight about our children's childhoods and balancing home and school and activities and recreation.
He discussed the partnership that is fostered between parents and teachers and really dove deep into how it should work and how it should blossom and grow and be such a bond that really enriches our children's lives.
When asked what we, the parents in the audience, would like to see from our administration and teachers not one of us could say a thing.
Every thing he had listed, everything he had mentioned?  Covered.
So, because I hate silence, I said "I honestly believe that our admin and teachers do all of that and more.  I have trust and confidence and respect for each one of those ladies and the teachers that work for them.  I am so happy and so grateful."
I, of course, choked up.
Then another mom said "I just try to take time each day, or even once a week, to reach out and say 'thank you'".  And she started crying.
Then another mom said that she was "a Military Wife and she will miss the school, parents and community when she inevitably moves again" and I am pretty sure I saw a tear in her eye, too.

How freakin' awesome is that?!
Our PTA meeting was a Love Fest!

So, I am kicking off Spring with another season of thanks...  and today I am thankful for Gilead Hill School and all that comes with it.
Our admin staff, our teachers, our parents and community - the kids - it's all part of the "system" and I am so thankful to be a cog in that complex.

Martin Luther King Jr.

When the kids had the day off from school to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday 

it came up in conversation between Jay and I - 

"should we be explaining why this day is worthy of no school?"

It seemed, to us, almost like telling them the truth about Santa.

Our kids, kids, don't see color.  They don't know about Civil Rights.  

They love everyone.  

They don't see our differences, they just see people.

So why would we bust that bubble to explain that not everyone has always thought that way, 

some people still don't?

Jay and I have always joked that we hate everyone equally, 

it has nothing to do with race or religion, 

everyone who is not us is just very annoying.

So, we decided not to let the kids in on the whole "race war" thing just yet.

A few days later, Abby brought this home:

Abby wrote "Martin Luther King" but said "wanted everyone to play together", which her teacher wrote for her.

I could not have said it better.

Two Weeks is like 5 Minutes...

I was worried about what I would do with my "free" time when Wyatt started school.  I was worried that I would be lonely and bored.

< insert ridiculous eye roll and lip twist here >

Instead, the days are blending into the weeks and the month of September is almost over.
I am back and forth to school at least twice a day, I am up and down the driveway for the bus twice a day, I am babysitting for a 3-year old baby girl 2 days a week, 10 hours a day.

Abby goes straight from school to dance on Mondays.  I cannot take her because I have 2 extra kids, in addition to Wyatt, on Mondays and Wednesdays but I am so grateful that my good friend, her little friend's mom, takes both girls every week.  But it's a long day apart.  She gets home around 5:45, in time for dinner and bedtime.  We snuggle and talk about her day and make bedtime as late as we can because Mondays are long, and we miss each other.
Tuesday mornings we stay in our jammies, stay cozy and try to regroup from the busy weekend-into-Mondays.  But Tuesday morning ends quickly when reality hits and both kids are off to school and I am getting whatever I didn't finish on Monday done.

I am donating my "extra" time to PTA activities and volunteering in the kids' classrooms in addition to the old stand-bys of cooking, cleaning, shopping and maintaining the household.
My head is constantly spinning.  My to-do lists are piling up because while most of it is getting done, I don't have time to care and check it off the original list.
I cannot believe how wild and busy and crazy and exhausting and fun September is!

Abby asks Wyatt about every detail of his day in Pre-K and today, she wanted me to drive her in so that she could see him go to Drop-Off and get a quick hug from her precious Mrs. Monarca.  And tonight, she cried about how much she missed her Pre-K teacher, friends and school day.  She's working so hard, she misses her easier days.  Last week, Thursday I think, she cried "why do I have to go to school every day?!"  But when she was done crying she said "I guess when I'm in first grade, I'll cry about missing Kindergarten".

Seriously?
First grade?

School.

Tomorrow is the first day of school.  Tomorrow should have been the 6th day of school but, as you may have noticed, Irene had other plans.
So, tomorrow I will put Abby on the bus and send her off to Kindergarten.  She will be driven by Mrs. C, who she knows as Tyler's mom - not scary.  And being that she is going to Afternoon Kindergarten the bus will have only other afternoon kindergartners on board.  PM-K is good for so many reasons.  Many of which I never considered and am now so grateful for.  Not getting rushed in the morning and not having big kids on the morning bus are only 2 of those things that I never knew I would value so much.
Once I get Abby safely loaded onto the "D" I will then head up to Gilead with Wyatt loaded up in the Bu, ready for his first day of Pre-K.
He is very, very excited.  If you ask him, he will carry on about playing with toys, being with his friends and Mommy dropping him off and leaving him with Mrs. Aubrey - but coming back to pick him up - but not staying with him.
The very thing that has him the most excited - Mommy dropping him off and leaving - is the very thing that leaves me without breath and very sweaty.
I have never left my baby boy anywhere - to do anything - without me.
Yes, he goes to "daycare" at the gym.  It's never more than 2 hours and I am never more than a few feet away.  And if he cried or needed me, they could get me within 2 minutes.

Once I drop him off tomorrow I have to Drive. Away.  I won't see him or what he's doing.  I won't hear the funny things he'll tell his teacher or the conversations he'll have with his little friends.
He will be on his own, in a group of his tiny little peers, all by himself.  For the first time ever.

It's only 3 hours, 4 days a week.  And I couldn't have asked for a better school or teacher.  And Abby went to the same program for 2 years.  I have nothing to fear.  No legitimate concerns or issues.

I am just very, very attached to my baby boy.

I don't love him more than I loved his sister when I sent her off to Pre-K 2 years ago.  I cried that day, too.  But I didn't have this anxiety.  My heart was not racing and my stomach did not feel feathery.
He is not less excited than she was.  In fact, he might be more excited because he has been waiting and watching for 2 years and now it's his turn.

I am not worried or anxious for Abby to start Kindergarten.  There are 14 kids in her class and her teacher is seasoned, kind and confident.  I can't say more than what my first impression told me but I already like her.  Abby would do well either way, though - that's her personality.  I don't worry about the situation she is heading into, I know Abby will adapt and be awesome.

I will just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.  My friends tell me that by the end of the month I will be thanking the heavens that they leave me (almost) every day for a few hours.  They tell me I won't know what to do with them over Christmas vacation or *sigh* summer vacation next year. 
But I know I will know what to do.  Enjoy,  Every.  Moment.

I will be in their classrooms.  I will be on their field trips.  I will be here when they get home and hear all about whatever they want to share with me.
My house will be decorated with artwork and projects.
And when they want to watch tv, I will happily turn it on because I will know that they have had full, productive days and deserve a little downtime.
I will make hot soups and crockpot dinners. 
It's almost holiday season - ghosts, witches, pumpkins, mums and corn...  followed by Santa and Angels and Christmas trees...  followed by the lingering snowflakes and snowmen..  all homemade and full of glue and sparkles!

The Days are Long but the Years are like Lightening.

I can't believe it has been two years since I went through this process with my baby girl.

I ran into a guy that I hadn't seen in months - possibly last summer - and he asked how Jay was, how are the kids, and "what's new".
My answer was "nothing, life is good".
When I shared the convo with Jay upon my return to the homestead I pondered whether or not I should feel stupid or somehow unworldly because, truly, honestly - there is nothing "new".
It wasn't a long thought process.
I don't.

I like things to stay consistent and for now, nothing really should be "new".  I'm not pregnant, we're not moving, the kids are not at an age where they're accepted anywhere or going to finals with anything, Jay's job is going very well, the house is in great shape, the lawn and gardens are coming together quite nicely, the pool is open...  Life is Good.
Maybe that's not exciting but it sure is nice.

What is new, however, is that I am preparing to send my baby girl to Kindergarten.  And my baby boy to Pre-School in the fall.
I can feel my heart tighten in my chest, my pulse race and a lump form in my throat as I write that.
I know I felt a little sad about sending Abby to Pre-school (blog reference, if you choose) but I also remember feeling very, very excited for her because she was so ready and so excited.

Today my baby went into Gilead Hill School for his Screening.  I assume he did well since no one came out to tell me anything when it was over.  A few parents were pulled aside and the rest of us were "dismissed".
Tomorrow is the Lottery.  The kids that were chosen as Peer Models are separated by gender and the slots are filled at a 1-to-1 ratio.  Tomorrow at 11, I will know where Wyatt will go to school in the fall.

"Where Wyatt will go to school in the fall."
Seriously?

My heart aches.  He wants to go so badly.  He loved today so much.  He talks about going "in the fall"  all the time.  When I asked him tonight at dinner "what was your favorite part of today" he said, without hesitation, "SCHOOL"!
And he should love it, I want him to love it, his sister loves it...  and he's going to be awesome!  He's so smart! 

But he still likes to get into my bed in the middle of the night, just to snuggle.
And he has such fat feet most shoes don't fit him.
His fingers are so chubby and he drools all the time!
He's my BABY!!!

I know he'll be fine.  I know he'll be awesome.
How will I be?  Without my little buddy with me everywhere I go, all day long?  How will I drop him off and leave without him?
My baby boy...

One thing is certain - I am going to enjoy the hell out of him and his sister this summer.  Bring on the summer vacation!

School started on Monday and I already miss the sandy bottoms & fresh sunburned cheeks of summer.
Yes, it was 97 degrees today.  But I went to Ted's and did laundry.

It's school time.

First Day, 2010

First Day, 2009

Back to routine, structure, bed times and healthy snacks.
All the things I've missed and looked forward to.


But, man, summer was awesome!

Oh, and did I mention I'm also pretty busy packing for our vacation to sunny, sandy Florida?!

Yeah - that takes the sting out a bit.

It's obvious from my recent blog entries - or lack there of - that I really love summer.
I love the beach.  I love 'no school'.  I love being tan, having fun-filled days for next-to-no money spent.  We swim, we build sand castles, we play on the swings, take walks, play with friends - whatever - it is the weather that allows for, inspires such activities.  And while it is only August 11th, I know our days are numbered.  School starts on the 30th of this month.

We'll have a week of school and then head to vacation where we will indulge in one more week of fun-filled summer vacation.
But when we get back I will be ready for Mums in pots, Autumn transplants and Pruning, Crock Pot cooking and preparing for the holiday and birthday season.  I love Iced Coffee but I look forward to brewing a hot pot around 3:00 as I see the sun beginning to drop, hear the school buses groan through the neighborhood and get ready to start dinner.

I have always said that God graced me with October & January babies to help me kick-off the holidays and then wrap them up.
After Wyatt's birthday we start prepping for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  And after Christmas, instead of being depressed, I start prepping for Abby's birthday.  And now that she is old enough to help me with that, it's that much more fun.
We're already putting our heads together and shopping clearance sales for her big 5th birthday bash.  It will be a Beach Party Theme.  And why not?  Why can't a January baby celebrate her love of summer?

Here we are in August.  Summer will end as quickly as it started at the end of this month.
School starts August 30th here and while I miss the days of "Wednesday after Labor Day weekend", it doesn't bother me that school starts before summer officially ends.  It is what it is and I'm excited to get back into the routine of it all.
Normally at this time of the summer I am planning our Annual Jaybor Day BBQ.  Jay's birthday falls right around Labor Day weekend so we host a party, a "kegger", if you will - and it is always a lot of fun to plan and always a lot of fun to host.
Attendance varies from year to year as Labor Day is a busy weekend for most but the good time does not.
This year, however, I am not planning our annual bash, I am searching the web for SeaWorld coupons and cursing myself for putting our luggage - packed - into storage.

We're headed down to Florida for a birthday-business-trip and I am unbelievably excited!
It started out as a business trip for Jay and is winding up as a week's vacation for me and the kids!
More on that as it comes, but for now - rest assured - Jaybor Day will return in 2011.

Speaking of summer vacation.  I haven't blogged much these past few weeks...  partially due to my addiction to my Bakery & Hotel on Facebook, I'll admit it.  Partial blame goes to Blogger for not allowing me to blog for a while.  I have no idea why or how it fixed itself or I fixed it.  And partial blame goes to the glorious sunshine of summer.  The kids & I have not wasted a minute of this summer vacation and we plan to party like Pre-K rock stars for these last few weeks of it.

We've been to the shore, to several lakes & ponds, visited family & friends, a few day trips, a few playdates and a lot of yard & pool time right there at 131.  Even Daddy has emerged from his cave (err - I mean office) for a few beach days and some pool time!
We're very tan, very tired at the end of each day and a very happy family.  Life is, indeed, very good here.

We have more beach days planned, in addition to Abby's swimming lessons every day.  We're headed to Davis' Farmland at the end of the month and then, of course, Florida!

When we get back, we promise to get serious.  School, Soccer, Gymnastics and the holidays will take over.  We'll cover the pool, pull out jeans and sweaters, plant mums, carve pumpkins and turn the lights on around 4:00.
For now, though, we'll carry on.

I am not babysitting this school year.  That will be a weird change.  I only did it for 2 years, but when you consider that Wyatt is only 2 - that's a pretty good chunk of my life.  Both kids are comfortable in Jody's house and with Q&K like they're family and really - they are.
It will be nice to only have my own kids to worry about.  Our own schedules, our own needs.  But I'm sure I will miss my daily dose of Q&K and I'm sure they'll miss me kicking their butts around their busy schedules.

W, K, Q & A
Just another day in paradise...

Tomorrow, after swimming lessons I am taking the kids to see Toy Story 3.  They have never been to the movies and I think, at this point, we are making more of it than there is to be made - as far as milestones go.  So, we're just going.

Originally it was Debbie's idea but since she's in labor right now, we're going without her.

Here's Deb.  This is from last year, when we played softball.  

She's probably using Jack as an excuse not to play Right Field.

Come on, baby!  Come out!  I need my drinking buddy back!

 

 

First Day of School 2009

 

Last Day of School 2010

 

Thank you Mrs. Monarca & Mrs. Casey!!!

Today was the last day of school for my girl.  She finished one year of Pre-K and will have one more before she officially begins Kindergarten.  Such is the tale of the January-born kid.
She loved school and while I don't think it has entirely sunk in yet that it's over, I would be suprised if she's really broken up over it being over.
The girl loves the beach, the mall and general laziness almost as much as her mother.


Today was also the last day of my babysitting gig for Q & K.  Two school years of being with those kids daily and a lot has happened.  When we started, Wyatt was less than a year old & Abby was barely 3.  Quinnie went from an innocent 11 year old to a hormonal almost-13 year old.  Kieran went from a little boy at Gilead Hill to a tiny man at Hebron El.
I've said it all before and you've read it here.
It's been an amazing two years.  I have learned so much about and from these kids and I can only hope that I have left a positive and loving mark on their lives, as well.
I know my friendship with the family will last our lifetimes and I am grateful for having these years to bond with and secure that with the kids.
I was never "just a babysitter" to them, and they were never " a job" for me.

Dear Hebron BOE-

Insanity: 

doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

What part of 

"lack of communication" or 

"can't approve if I don't know what it is" or 

"FAILED AGAIN" 

do you not understand?

How do expect that holding a Press Conference to announce that you are not telling anyone anything will yield different results than the first two times that your budget failed at referendum?

You have gone from a 3% increase to a 1.5% increase and are now being asked to deliver a 0% budget.  After failing to deliver your message the first two times (what will be cut, how will X be in implemented, what about next year, why now) you have officially announced that you will once again, fail to deliver your message.

Why on Earth do you think that will work?

I support you.  I support our schools and our kids.  I love our town.  

I know that our school system is all we have to brag about in Hebron.  People do not move their young families to this town for Ted's or the shiny new Xtra Mart.

 

I voted yes twice already.  This time, I am not sure what to do.

  What difference will it make?  

How will voting NO (as you are hoping I will) get my message across now?  

Do you really think that after losing to people who DON'T want to add money to our school budgets you can sway the minority that do and THEN some this time around and win?

You have lost twice already.

You have lost again already.  

This entire process was handled so badly it is mind boggling and here you are again, 

completely befuddling the public with your "good intentions" and utter lack of a plan.

Ridiculous.

Ellington, here we come.

I spent the morning in Abby's classroom today.  It is one of the simplest pleasures of being mommy.  Abby was over the moon excited that I was going to walk with her into her classroom and stay the whole time to "help".
{I did help - I put together a project for tomorrow and took down a whole season's worth of artwork on the big bulletin board!  It was nice to be a help.  But that Abby was setting me up for it was the best part.}
I haven't been in to volunteer since Christmastime.  I can't bring Wyatt and finding a sitter for a weekday morning is near impossible.  Now that Stina is done with school I can squeeze in a couple of mornings before the school year ends and that's cool.
I haven't publicly adored her teachers enough.  I try to tell them, acknowledge them, thank them but I haven't done so publicly.  Mostly because I don't really know if it's ok to talk about them (names, pictures) in a public domain like this.  But today I brought my camera into the classroom and was given full permission to shoot pictures, informed "we've all signed the release form" so I feel fine about it now.
Abby absolutely adores her teachers.  Her Pre-K teacher is "Mrs. M".  She is polite and kind and warm without being that high-pitched, overly-touchy-feely sort of preschool teacher that makes you wonder about their actual credentials.
I don't mind admitting that her professionalism sometimes makes me feel like a boar.  I tend to over-do and over-say things at times (no, really!) and she seems to remain calm and collected at all times.  People that stay that rational make me nervous.
This is about the kid, though, so let me go on.

She misses Mrs. M by Sunday night.
She teaches Wyatt how to share, how to read and how to use his "inside voice" by quoting Mrs. M and showing him what Mrs. M shows her.
She clearly loves and respects her teacher.
And she can draw people with head, arms, body, legs and faces; she can write her name as well as a few other words and most of her letters;  she can count to 30; she knows all of her shapes; she knows the days of the week, the month we're in, the date and the seasons.  I did not teach her most of that.  And as much as I encourage her to go watch Nick Jr. while I play on Facebook & this Blog ("it's like preschool on tv!") I know that Moose E Moose did not teach her how to write.

What she's learned from and because of Mrs. M is so much more than what I could describe here.  It is not only curriculum.  It is emotional, physical, mental and so, so special.
She has done amazingly well in school this year and I am eternally grateful to Mrs. M for that.

In addition to Mrs. M, the Para-Professional in the classroom is "Mrs. C".  If I try to explain to you what her actual duties are in the classroom I will minimalize it.  (I just realized that "minimalize" is not an actual word but too bad.)
But she basically keeps the ship moving while Mrs. M directs the course.  She is the second set of eyes and ears and HANDS! that are so necessary when dealing with twelve 4-year-olds.
She does not have a teaching degree but she has her BA and she has kids in the school system.  She stayed home until both kids were in school all day and now she works in that same school.  She's great.
When Abby needs a band-aid she'll tell me to put it on "as soft as the air, like Mrs. C".  She tells me that Mrs. C goes to the beach and Mrs. C has kids, too.  She wants to go play at Mrs. C's house and have a playdate with her kids.
She loves to hug her, loves to tell stories about her (even if they are completely fictional), draws pictures for her and clearly thrives by the balance she and Mrs. M give her in that classroom 4 mornings a week.

I have come to appreciate these two women more than I think I can express to them.  For me to let my baby girl go each day that I do, if I didn't know that she was absolutely in wonderful hands, I wouldn't do it.
She loves her school, loves her teachers, loves her "little friends" - and that is made possible by those two fabulous women.

I am so blessed and humbled for their effort and hard work and huge hearts.
Our whole family is.

Coincidentally, Abby was "Special Helper" today.  

Here she is counting the calendar days to put today's date in the pocket.  

She also told the class what today's weather was and then escorted me to the office to "deliver the mail".  

She was quite proud to show me where the office was!

Four happy faces at the Water Table!

Here is Mrs. C hard at work making Turtles with Abby & Joey.  

I'm sorry that I have yet to get a cute picture of just the 2 of them.

Look at that concentration!

On Sunday we gathered with some of our closest friends and family to celebrate Jay's college graduation.  I think I covered my sentiment when he and I celebrated a couple of weeks back, so I will spare you that again.

I do want to add, though, that my mother-in-law said it best when she congratulated Jay on completing his commitment, regardless of how many years it took, with his own hardwork and determination at a time in his life that made it far more difficult than had he whipped it out in his late teens/early twenties.  I mean, seriously, it's not like the guy had nothing else to do this time around.
Anyway.
Jay covered his sentiment very well in his post, which also included pictures, so I'll skip those as well.

Whenever we host a birthday party or a barbecue at the house, I am always overwhelmed with the hosting.  I tend toward the side of...  well, bitch...  in my quest to make the perfect party.  I am difficult to deal with in the days leading up to the event and I am often too busy during the party to really sit back and enjoy our guests.
I'm working on that and I do think that I (we) throw a really great party, but this time I decided to step away from the grueling and step up to the simple, check-writing type of party hosting that included choosing a menu, writing a check and sitting back to enjoy the event with everyone else.
The fact is, if you tally up the trip to the package store, the multiple trips to the grocery stores and party store - add time for clean up and set up - hosting at a facility (assuming it's a nice one that has a great atmosphere and delicious food like Blackledge does!) is close in price and far easier on the hosts.

Jay and I were able to mingle.  The kids were contained and had plenty of room to run and play.  There were no dogs to worry about or for Uncle Mike to be allergic to.
There were plenty of chairs, plenty of food - all served at the same time and hot!
We didn't have to make or buy ice and no one had to bring anything but their lovely selves.

Having a party at a place is not a replacement to hosting in the comfort of your home.  I love having everyone in the house.  I love the warmth I feel, love the pride.  But this was a lovely break.
And everyone had a great time.  It wasn't stuffy or uncomfortable.  Erik, the Banquet Manager at Blackledge, was on top of every detail without being annoying or demanding.  He was laid back enough to keep things light but he didn't miss a thing.

The main reason I wanted to revisit Sunday's festivities is to thank our friends and family.  As I sat down to eat with my family (imagine that!  at a party I was hosting!) I looked around at the collection of people in the room.  I kept it "small" because it was a Sunday, Jay didn't want "a big deal" and it's either "small" or "huge" with our families.  So, I kept it to immediate family, best friends and local extended's...  which basically means we had 30 adults plus kids instead of 50.  Real small, right?  And "plus kids" adds 10 - 5 of which were 2 year old boys, how cute is that?!
So, as I was looking around, I realized that the room held the most important people in my life (save for a few, obviously).  The room was so full of love, friendship and peace, it was truly awesome.  We have a great family.  I am so grateful to our parents for their support and friendship.  I am so proud of my relationship with my sister(s) and her family.  I really can't imagine hosting something that the Considines were not a part of.  It would feel incomplete. 

And our friends.  Our friends are amazing.  It's not common to find people in your adult life that you're not related and that you love and love you, that you can be yourself with, you can be honest and not have to put anything "on" to spend time with. 
And we are so very blessed with several. 
Our friendships span years (decades!).  So many life experiences (too many to list).  Our kids will grow up like cousins (kissing cousins, no doubt!) and the memories we make and the great times we have together are absolutely priceless. 
Let this be my big, fat Thank You.  You know who you are. 
Please know that we love and appreciate you all so much and look forward to growing old together and watching our kids grow together. 
Cheers!

Last night I took my husband out on a date.  It was a celebration of his accompolishment.  After 3 years of hard work, he finished his Bachelor's Degree.
He managed his career (upwards), his family and his personal life while managing to fit class after class after class into the mix.  Not to mention paying tuition out of his own pocket at the same time.
It took sacrifice on his, on our, part.  We had to think of the financial aspect of it, the stress aspect and the time aspect.
There were often nights that we didn't see Daddy.  He had work then he had schoolwork.  He also needed time to relax - don't we all - and let it all slide off him.  We worked around him.  We supported him.  We loved and cheered him.  But, ultimately, he did the work and he earned the degree.
I couldn't be prouder of him, of his determination, his perseverance and his good old-fashioned work ethic.
These are qualities I have admired in him for all of the years I have known him.  These are the qualities that have brought us to where we were (broke twenty-somethings living on ramen noodles and canned beer) to where we are...  which is a much better place.

So, I took my man out for a decadent evening.
We started at the Raw Bar where we drank pints and sucked oysters out of their shells.
Then, we sat in our romantic booth where we were greeted by my (previously arranged) gift of chilled champagne.
Our waiter, Carrig, popped the cork and wished us well.  We toasted, drank and chatted through the bottle.

Our first courses were, for me, an Iceberg Wedge with Blue Cheese & Tomatoes (I opted out of the bacon) and, for Jay, Lobster Bisque.
My salad was crisp, cold but not too cold, and loaded with creamy, delicious blue cheese dressing.  Jay's soup was hot, creamy and loaded with lobster chunks. 
We already had the raw bar and were almost through our champagne so this really would have been enough.
But we marched on!

Jay ordered the Soft Shelled Crab and I had the Filet Mignon.  Both dinners were melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  Served hot and perfect, exactly as we ordered them.  The timing was perfect, as well.  We were neither rushed nor left without.  As waiters walked by our table, they poured our champagne for us.  A separate server brought our Raw Bar, our appetizers and still another came by with well-wishes from Brian, the manager that I had arranged the reservation with that morning.  We were treated like special guests with plenty of attention without being made to feel overwhelmed.

On my plate with my filet was wilted spinach with garlic and just a touch of salt.  And a "baked potato with gorgonzola & bacon".  Let me tell you about this "baked potato".
It was, by FAR, the most amazing potato dish I have ever put into my mouth.
I am having trouble finding the words to describe to you how amazingly, mouth watering, extravagant-ly delicious it was.  I gushed on and on to Carrig about it as he smiled knowingly.
It was sort of shaped like a muffin.  It must have been baked in a cup of some sort.  It wasn't your traditional baked potato it was simply potato that had been baked.  But first it was mashed, creamed and had garlic, gorgonzola and bacon mixed into it.  Then it was brushed with butter or something equally delicious that made a slight crust around the cup shaped potato.  When I put my fork into it, it oozed like lava cake.  I couldn't eat it as fast as I wanted to because it was so hot.  Really, I could have stripped naked and rolled around in it - it was that good.

We chose Max Fish because as far as restaurants go in this great state, you can not go wrong when you choose a Max.
The service is always impeccable, the food is always impressive, the atmosphere always welcoming and classy.
When I look back at my career in Sales, the one and only thing I will ever admit to missing is the dinners, drinks and social hours.  And Max played a huge part in that.

So, we chose wisely, but to say we were not disappointed is the understatement of the year.
From the Raw Bar to the Irish Coffees and the unbelievable "Hot Fudge to the Max" dessert, this visit was Legendary.

It's 7:30pm and my kids are both sound asleep.
I know the day will come when we will just be getting home from something at 7:30pm but for now, while my babies are still babies, I will love my life and pat myself on the back for my fabulous bedtime routine.
That day is probably sooner than I think, too.  Soccer starts at age 4 in our town so this Fall (after this Spring and this Summer) Abby will have soccer one night a week.  Crazy!
She can't wait, though, and I can't wait to be that soccer mom!  And I'm guessing that Wyatt and Daddy are going to have a good time, too.

Today we were supposed to have a big snowstorm.  A "blizzard", in fact.  Or at least a "Nor'easter".  Wind and snow with accumulations upwards of a foot.  It was supposed to start around 3am and continue into the night tonight.  They canceled school, local businesses planned to start late or closed all together.  Even my bank made today Saturday hours.
When we woke up, there was no snow.
After breakfast, Abby had it in her head that we would be building a snowman. 
But it still hadn't started.
I won't make fun of everyone for stocking up and buckling down but let's face it, this was not a world-ending, life-threatening storm.
It did start snowing eventually (about 11:30) and it's still snowing.  But it never snowed very hard and there is still probably less than 6 inches accumulated.  It is windy but we're not losing tree limbs or anything.  And tomorrow might result in a 90-minute delay for schools as everyone digs out.  The problem is, everyone thought it was going to be bad last night and this morning and it turns out, the snow is coming down the hardest now, while it's super cold and no one prepared for tomorrow to be the rough day.  Everyone thought today was going to be the toughie.  So, it will be interesting to see how everyone fares.
Me?
I don't have any pressing engagements tomorrow.

Idol started Hollywood Week last night and continues tomorrow.  I love Idol.  It is fun to watch and while I am sad that Simon is leaving, I am excited to have a special reason to enjoy the "last season".  Because, frankly, Idol will suck ass with out him so if they do try, I won't be watching.
And Ellen.  I love Ellen.  She's hilarious.  And she's an intelligent, self-confident woman.  A role model for women.  And I love that.
I like Kara, she adds humor, talent and beauty without being annoying.
I can't stand Randy.  I can't think of a single positive attribute for him.  He is annoying to look at and listen to.

Speaking of Idol, I wanted to review my television line up again.  Now that it's February, the good shows should be doing really well and the crappy shows have been canceled.  The returning shows have proved worth watching or shown how they've jumped the shark.
You may recall my previous posts about my love of television, this one in particular.  Without going back to compare line by line - here is how things have landed on my boob-tube:

Sunday nights bring "Big Love".  I can't explain that show to a non-fan.  It is brilliant and original without having to be about sex or violence.  It is realistic enough to be relate-able without adding stress to your own life.  It is funny and sad.  It is a family drama with a soap opera twist.  I love it.
Mondays have both "House" and "How I Met Your Mother".  I can't work my night around the only 1/2 hour show worth watching on CBS so I DVR "HIMYM" and watch it when I find myself with just a little bit of time and nothing else to watch.  It never disappoints.
I have been watching "House" but I am finding that it is a bit too much about the people, who are a bit too melodramatic and crazy, and not enough about the patients and the cases.  For this sort of program, I go to "Grey's Anatomy".  I miss the old Greg House.
Tues & Wed are about to be all about Idol. 
Thursday, of course, is about "Grey's Anatomy".  Now, I am a die-hard Grey's fan.  I love the show but let's take a minute here, shall we?
My friend told me that Izzie is leaving and that leaves her sad.
She also thinks that Meredith might leave and if Meredith leaves then Patrick Dempsey can't be far behind.
Now, I don't know where her information is from but let me say this:  I don't care.  I hate Izzie, first of all.  If there was a t-shirt, I'd totally be on "Team Karev".  She is a whiny, annoying pain in the rear.  She is the character they should have killed off.  She is the Marissa from The OC of Grey's Anatomy.  She humped everyone on the show, got a terminal disease, saw dead people, had her best friend run over by a truck, met her long-lost daughter, got married, got fired, ran away and now will get divorced while still unemployed.  She's spent.  Get rid of her.
It doesn't help that everything you read says that the real-life Izzie (Katherine Heigl) is a bitch.
So - get rid of her.
Meredith.  If she left, I would be sad.  I like her.  The show is called, obviously "Grey's" so if she left, it would be weird.  But - she hasn't been doing much lately.  She's happy with Derek.  She's doing her surgery thing.  She just had a baby in real life and everything is pretty happy and good.  If she did decide to leave, it would suck but it would not devastate the show.  Clooney left ER, folks.
If Patrick Dempsey left, it would leave a mark for sure.  I would not like to see him leave.  I like him as Derek Shepard and he is very nice to look at.  But he, too, could go without wrecking the show.  That's the beauty of this cast, it is ensemble which is greek for "lots of peeps".
I absolutely adore Little Grey & Eric Dane.
I really, really like Arizona Robbins.  (I like Callie but she over-acts a lot and it gets annoying but she's ok.)
Bailey has a new love interest!  And just in time, too, because she was bordering on miserable and annoying.
Cristina Yang was really, really getting on my nerves until the end of last week's show when she talked about Burke.  She redeemed herself, totally.  Surgeon First, Person Second.  That is how she should be.  Owen kisses her like hes trying to eat her - or at least bite and hurt her.  It's painful to watch.  He is not attractive and a horrible actor and needs to go.
I'd rather see Cristina as a lesbian with the new 'Cardio-God' than stay with Owen.  He's gotta go.

Phew.  I guess I had more to say than I realized.


Fri & Sat never had good shows and still don't.
"New Adventures of Old Christine" used to be a favorite but this season, I don't know if it's her or me, I find it way too annoying and miserable.
"Glee" is still one of my absolute favorite shows ever but is currently on hiatus.  When it comes back, my life will be a little bit happier.

Still love my Keurig.  I wondered if that novelty would wear off and it has not.  In fact, I just bought several new varieties including some teas & a decaf box of coffee.
I drink at least one Keurig each afternoon and a decaf or a tea after dinner.  I highly recommend "Bigelow 'I Love Lemon'" if you're interested. 

Lots of discussion around budget and school system lately.  As in most towns of this size, it is a heated debate.  Often the line is drawn where those who have no children hate to spend money on the schools seeing little to no benefit to themselves and people who do have children, totally willing to invest in their schools seeing every benefit to themselves and everyone around them.
Why do people with no kids move to towns with well-respected school systems and relatively upscale neighborhoods with fairly high taxes?  Don't they realize that this all comes at a cost?
A good school district lays the groundwork for a fine suburban town.  If you don't have kids, go live cheaper in a crappy town.
I tend to vote in favor of whatever is intended to benefit the schools.  I did this blindly in the past and now, with one child in the school system, I am a well-informed voter and I not only vote in favor of the kids but I speak passionately on behalf of that vote. 
Half-Day Kindergarten or Full-Day?  Music and Art in our schools or no?  Pay-to-Play sports?  And how often do we really need those pesky text books?
There are a lot of things that we spend frivolously on.  I don't think the teachers need a hot tub in the lounge but I won't balk at replacing a counter/fridge/stove/sink.  I don't think we have to offer free equipment for all sports for all kids, but I do think it should be available to those kids who could not play otherwise.  And I absolutely, without a doubt, would paint a sign and start a picket line on behalf of music and art in our schools.  Without music and art, where would half of these kids share their passion?  Yes, some kids have passion for math or literature, but I am willing to guess that more of them have passion for paints and drawing and song and dance.

Oh man.  I could go on and on.  I also want to go on and on about the "Great Kindergarten Debate" but I can't now.
I said too much about Grey's and I am out of blog-steam.  So, I'll save it for another night.  While I still have my nights free.