I’ve decided there are two things saving my sanity right now: a bottle of Drano and the little laundry down by work that will wash and fold for 80 cents a pound. No matter the cleanliness of the tubs in our house, they drains are constantly getting clogged with hair (my daughter and I both share long locks). So, about once a week, I pour a bottle of Drano down. It’s probably wrecking the system and I’m sure the environment. But neither I, nor any other member of my house, has any desire to reach down and there and pull out the offending material. Nor, do I think, could we get to it.
As for the laundry, about last November - mid home remodel - I looked up prices to have someone else do the laundry. I can’t really afford to have someone else come in and clean the home but maybe I could outsource a task or two. I decided the latter.
It’s been a godsend. I still have to sort the socks and put clothes away, (when I don’t gather the troops for help), but it really has made life easier. I still do a few - and yes, more than one! - loads at home each week, but about every other week I take what I can to the laundry. They know me by name now.
And then the kicker this weekend. My daughter and I went shoe shopping - never EVER take a 4 year old fashionista shopping for shoes. Two hours and 15 pairs of tried-on pairs later, I said it was time to go home. We had shoes for me and her brother (Who did not make the trek with us. Smart boy.).
We were looking for something specific (shoes to make my 39″ daughter appear 40″ for our upcoming trip to Disneyland), so she was right to be frustrated that we hadn’t found anything yet.
She said, “Let’s go to Wal-Mart.” I said, “It’s time to go home.”
“I’m going to another family if we don’t go to Wal-Mart.”
UGH!
I don’t even know where she learned that. I laughed so hard all the people shopping around me probably thought I had cracked up (so would you!).
Needless to say, we didn’t go to Wal-Mart. She hasn’t left the family.
And the next day we did get the shoes.
Sorry, got to go. The kids just got out of the shower and I heard my son declare: “Mom! She’s shaking her butt at me!”
Hmmm… maybe it’s a good thing they start camp tomorrow.

How did this happen? How did it get from August to May so quickly?
How can my child be entering the first grade in three months?
But here it is in front of me, and I can say with confidence that he is ready.
We decided late last school year to have him repeat kindergarten. I was pretty comfortable with the decision then and as classes began this school year I knew we had made the right choice.
But as May approached, I did wonder about class size at his school and started looking a little more closely as I made campus visits as a reporter to area charter, district and private schools.
But after my travels the last few weeks - and taking into consideration teachers I’ve met, school times, afterschool activities and cost factors - we’ve decided my son will remain in our public district school.
There is a lot to be said about the school we’re at. For starters, the first-grade teachers I’ve met have it together. They’re very organized. I like their style of teaching. And they have years of experience.
I know there have been concerns posted at evtrib.com and in discussions with parents about class size. But my son’s school is rather small. And from my discussions with staff, I believe he’ll be in a class with about 25 kids next year.
And there’s the fact that staff at the school - from the many teachers he knows to the nurse who knows about my son’s asthma to the afterschool program leaders who are incredible and enthusiastic - are very doting on my son and know his quirks.
I’m looking forward to seeing what afterschool activities will be available to him next year also. I’d love for him to learn Spanish. I know there is a Lego league there. He’ll probably take art again.
I’m grateful we have these opportunities for our kids before us.

Flowers for you

On Sunday, my family and I will head to our Mother’s Day tradition: In-N’-Out Burger. Don’t laugh! It started three years ago when I had a terrible cold/flu one Mother’s Day weekend and all I wanted was a burger. So my kids and husband agreed to In-N’-Out Burger for our Mother’s Day meal. We’ve done it ever since.

This weekend, even my mother-in-law has agreed to join us for our tradition. It’s quirky, I know. But it is so us!
So Happy Mother’s Day to all the women I know who: make breakfast every morning, gather up backpacks before running out the door or to the bus, make weekly trips (or sometimes daily) to the grocery store, balance the family’s books, fold the clothes, ensure there is food in the refrigerator, mend boo-boos, cuddle kids back to sleep at night, make sure homework gets done, know when to just listen and kiss, and enjoy a good Disney flick when they see it (”Bolt” anyone?). Hats off to you for all you do!

While putting the finishing touches on a picture frame for his grandmother this morning, my 7-year-old son asked, “Mom, when is it Kids’ Day?”
Kids’ Day? Really?
“Every day is kids’ day,” I responded.
I guess I understand the question, in a way. We made plans this morning to go get flowers for his teacher and the school nurse because it’s appreciation week at his school. And like I said, he and his sister were completing Mother’s Day gifts last night and this morning. I also know their teachers have had them making giftst for me as well.
I don’t know about making a designated Kids’ Day, but if there were a petition, I bet my son would be one of the first to sign it.
I’ll just remind him that every day, I make breakfast for the family. And on wonderful mornings like today when we all wake up a bit early, we get to cuddle in bed before making our way to work and school. And when they need new underware or socks, or even a break from cleaning their room, mom and dad step in.
Yup, every day is Kids’ Day!