Friday, March 26, 2010

Kindergarten and the Prom

I did not grow up here in Yorba Linda, I grew up in Orange. We were certainly not well off, nor were the populations of the schools I attended. All of my friends had working moms, just like me. Outdoor Ed. and the annual carnival ('member those goldfish that would die by the time you got back from buying a bowl for it?) were pretty much the highlights of your elementary school career. Good times. But, oh, that's nothing now...

I attended a meeting this week for the annual Kindergarten Ball at my son's school. It started off great- info about the committees that would be formed, the "vision" of the party, etc. But then the speaker got very serious and said she needed to warn us of a few things. Last year, some children received corsages and boutonnieres from their parents. Okay, whatever. Big fancy party. Oh and some arrived in limos. Um, excuse me? My mom friend and I looked at each other shocked. I think I went into tunnel hearing at that point. Mom friend said, "What do they do for prom? Come in by helicopter?"

We were also informed that the girls are usually very dressed up for this event. I need to check out tuxedo rentals, apparently. More (entertaining) importantly, what are the moms going to wear?


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dirty Scraps Challenge #5


The 5th Challenge for Dirty Scraps is to scrap about a dream...a shattered one. When I was growing up, I had a set of dreams/goals and I have so far accomplished many. But this page reflects one that hasn't happened and bugs me...

Journaling reads:

Of all the goals and dream I have set for myself, the one I have yet to reach is living in a house. I don't even have to own it. Just to have a yard to watch my boys play in, my own driveway and a place to entertain family and friends is what I dream most about. I'm so tired of living "attached." (journaling 3/17/10)

Friday, March 19, 2010

Rant about Kids, HOAs and Obesity

'Member when you could play outside till the lights came on? You could ride your bike around the block and not get kidnapped? You could have an ice cream and burn off all the calories in a single afternoon at the park? Not so much anymore of course.

This is not a new subject and it's debated on every day across this great fast-food nation. When I taught, I was AMAZED at what some children brought to school to eat each day. One little 2 year old had a steady breakfast of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, every day! Another boy got a doughnut every morning, just so his mother wouldn't have to deal with his monster sized tantrums every morning. Oh and the toddler who got soda in his bottle. (BTW, soda doesn't work in bottles---the nipple inflates really big!)

Now I know my kids don't always eat a perfectly balanced meal, but I try hard to make it better than the meals mentioned above and many more that I witnessed. But I do try even harder to make sure they get time outside everyday. Yesterday, my almost 6 year old complained he didn't get enough time on the computer earlier in the day. Hmmm, that means more outside time for you mister! He was literally at the door, begging to come in. Nope.

But here lies the problem...we live in a retirement community, wait no, a community of townhomes with like 500 children. These children are supposed to stay inside all day, quietly. Or so it seems. We got a lovely letter from the property management company that basically said children at our residence were seen riding a wheeled toy. Yes, the rule was broke, but really? Our constantly supervised child is not doing cool tricks off the handralls at the rec room no one is allowed to use without handing over their first born! He is not wrecking the rodent invested plants. He is not tearing off the stucco that is always falling off with a slight breeze! No he is riding up and down our little sidewalk behind our place. Back and forth, back and forth. Better than playing on the patio, which at times looks as if he is exercising in his prision cell.

We have neighbor-friends that live a few streets over, they have also gotten love letters. That was until one of them helped the complainer on that street with the said rodent problem and the complaints have stopped. Another neighbor-friend lives on the best street ever. There are about a billion (okay maybe just the 475 of the said 500) kids on this street. They all play outside together. The old people sit outside and watch. It's a beautiful thing. We travel over there just to play. Our street is BORING.

Finding a fun street is SO going to be apart of our next move...

Monday, March 8, 2010

Dirty Scraps Challenges #3 & #4

During the Oscar's, I took some time to work on a couple of challenge pages I had been wanting to do for Dirty Scraps.


Challenge #3: This was a challenge to complete a page with the theme, "Broken." I made my page about a broken friendship that really bothered me for some time...



Challenge #4: This challenge was to complete a LO with the theme, "In Your Eyes." This page is about something my husband has told me several times, but I still don't believe it myself!




I am so loving the challenges! They give me room to break out of my box. These "emotional" challenges also serve as a sort of therapy to sort out things about myself.

























Wednesday, March 3, 2010

What has Mama been up to???

Making Home Decor

Organizing LO ideas

Color Coordinating CS

Organizing Supplies

Playing with Friends

Going to a Crop and
getting something
accomplished!

What have you been up to?