Halloween decision

Okay, I have consulted with my children about the costume contest. We had already discussed costumes during the summer, so the idea for a costume was already in place. They want to do it again! So, off to Wal-Mart we went to fish for costume materials. $20 later, the materials are in our hands and ready for construction. Pictures will follow....

We got it right!

Today we got it right for dance class. Julienne was beautiful; appropriately dressed for some four year old dancing. Oh, and by the way, the mommy rules are now posted here! :-)

Reflections

I started a new job this year. Well, not exactly a new job, but a new school. I was scared of a new beginning but also craving change. Well, as we are now almost through the first marking period, I realize that a change is what I have needed. I feel refreshed in my teaching, really love my new students, and feel free in many ways. I have fewer responsibilities now that I am not team leader. and WAY less travel time. This makes for better mornings and happier days in general. My new school is a bit more relaxed in many ways, so I feel less stressed.

But, in all of my change, what I miss the most about my old school is my friends. It is very rare to have such wonderful friendships with the people you work with. Most people are cordial and develop good working relationships, but I was lucky to have true friendships. I miss them terribly! So, in memory of my old school, and the daily interactions with my team, I will make a top twenty list of things I miss:

1. I miss carpooling with Jennie and Ashley. I miss the laughter, the candid discussions of our personal issues, and the debriefing of the day every afternoon.

2. I miss getting coffee at Quarles and being insulted on a daily basis by the coffee hostess who insisted on calling everyone "Jill".

3. I miss being so in tune as a team that we could switch class in 1.2 seconds!

4. I miss how nothing was ever serious, and we could always find humor in a situation even if it wasn't appropriate!

5. I miss reading the Classifieds, searching for ads that were selling things that no one in their right mind should be selling.

6. I miss eating Ciros on workdays.

7. I miss leaving at 3:14, because by the time you reach the car it is time to go.

8. I miss Jen's perfect hair, even in a tornado.

9. I miss Pat F. and the competition to be his favorite.

10. I miss ;-) Cookie Monster.

11. I miss flashbacks to the 80's with garish make-up and Aqua-net hair.

12. I miss walking through the "Hall of Friendship" and gagging.

13. I miss watching Jen get her "muscles" stared in in Faculty meetings.

14. I miss Ashley's assments.

15. I miss the flowers in Jennie's hair.

16. I miss popping popcorn during specials each day.

17. I miss H's school bus jumpers.

18. I miss the crocodile hunter impressions.

19. I miss "E. Kids Rock" on Fridays.

20. But most of all, I miss being part of the very best team in the whole world!

Preparing for Halloween

My absolute favorite time of year is Fall. I love the changing leaves, the cooler weather, pumpkins, and of course, Halloween. I don't know why I am so in love with Halloween, I just always have been. I especially love to think of new, creative costumes for the kids.

Naturally, with such a love of Halloween, our kids' costumes have been quite an event. For the last five years, we have entered the kids in a local Halloween costume contest. Because the kids' costumes have been original, our kids have done really well, up until last year.

I spent many hours during the weeks leading up to the contest, sewing, fabric painting and pouring all my love into the costumes. Tre would be a bag of Skittles, and Julienne would be a Tootsie Roll. The costumes turned out great, and off to the contest we went. After some trick-or-treating, and dancing to fun music, it was time for the judging. I gathered the kids close to me, and waited to hear the results. Surely the kids would place in the top three. They were by far the cutest kids of all! ;-) Both of the kids were in the same age division this year, so we knew that only one of them could take first place. Who would it be? With bated breath, we strained to hear the names of the winners. Third place.... not Tre or JuJu. Second place...no Butler child. First place...what in the world!!!! Neither of my children took a place in the contest! There must be some kind of conspiracy since the kids had won before. How could they not place? Now don;t get me wrong, I am NOT a stage mom. My kids are not in beauty pageants, I don't expect them to be perfect....but for Halloween and costumes, we have high expectations! This is my thing!

Well, needless to say, it was a very disappointing evening. The kids consoled me and said "maybe next year". So, now I am in a predicament. Do I bandage my wounded pride, and enter the kids this year? I have a great idea for a paired costume. Or is it time to let it go, and let the kids pick out Walmart costumes for trick-or-treating and fore go the contest. Oh, decisions, decisions!

Tiny Dancer

Julienne began her first official dance class on Saturday. Those of you that know me, know that on occasion, I can get a little carried away with events that involve my children. For example, two years ago, Julienne took a "Creative Movement" class. I went out and bought her four different leotards, with gauzy dancing skirts. She looked so pretty! However, the other more sensible moms of the children in the class, dressed their children in normal clothing. Normal as in shorts and a t-shirt. So, I tried to learn my lesson.

Jump to Saturday. Dance class #1 at the local rec. center. I, as a sensible mother, dress my daughter in shorts and a t-shirt, throw her mass of curls into a pony tail and away we go. We get to the center, Julienne was whisked away into a small studio, with a window the size of a napkin, so parents could "peek", since we are not allowed inside the studio! So as I peek through the napkin sized window, I notice that the other girls in class, have the beautiful gauzy princessy leotards, with perfectly coiffed hair and matching ribbons/hair accesories. I then look at my daughter, in her too-tight, end of the summer shorts, t-shirt, and messy, took one second pony tail and know that I have failed her! Where are the mommy rules posted? How was I to know that this new class was now the appropriate venue for extreme dance attire?

Needless to say, I felt very bad for the 45 minute class, knowing that my poor daughter must be humiliated amidst the other dancers, since she was wearing regular clothes!!! ;-) I agonized over the years in therapy that she will spend working through her issues over the first day of dance class! So after the twirling and tutu wearing was finished, we ventured off to Target to buy some new dancewear. Next week, she will be the shiniest, gauziest dancer of them all! Even if she outsizes the other four years olds by at least 20 pounds, and four inches in height. She will have the dancing foundations for a career as a dancer and a sumo wrestler!

Exciting Times

This morning I am exhausted! TJ and I stayed up until all hours of the night creating a new logo for our business. We are embarking on a new and exciting partnership with a local auto dealer. The dealer is going to advertise (and I mean lots of money per month type of advertising), and include our business in the advertising. This will include television ads, newspapers, and community publications. We expect that this will take the business to a new level! I just hope it doesn't force TJ to work harder than he already does. I am so thankful that this business has provided many luxuries for us, and that I have a husband who is willing to work as hard as he does so our family is comfortable.

Yucky Day

Well, to begin the day, Tre was running a fever and had to miss school today. After running 105 degrees all day, we took him to the doctor to find out that he and Julienne have strep! Yuck! And I can't even stay home with them since I have 0 sick days so far this year. Because I changed districts, I now only earn one day per month. And of course I had no days to transfer over, since I am a mom and sick kids take all of your sick days. So TJ was on dad duty today and will be again tomorrow. I will be at work tomorrow with a sore throat of my own. :-(

They grow up so fast!

I know it is a cliche that children grow up so fast. But this week, has been an eye opener as to how fast time really does go by. Tre started first grade this year, and every so often I see a new, more grown-up, independent behavior emerging. Well, this week broke my heart. My six year no longer wants me to kiss and hug him around other people. He tearfully explained to me that it embarrasses him, and he just doesn't like it. Through my own tears, I told him I understand, and then we reached an agreement. Around other people, I will refrain from showing him love, but when we are alone, I can hug and kiss him.

The first test came when I went to leave for work the other morning. I walked to him as I usually do, ready to give him a kiss goodbye. He gave the me the look of death and then looked at his friend who was at our house to wait for the bus. I retreated and gave him his space. One win for Tre!

Then on Friday night, I was leaving to scrapbook, and TJ was taking the kids to Costco. I went to give hugs and kisses goodbye and Tre said "Mom!" Puzzled, I asked him why I could not kiss him goodbye. He said, "Um, Daddy!" So now I cannot even kiss him around TJ. Oh, my broken heart!

Football Sundays

I look forward to Sundays as my favorite day of the week during football season. My family LOVES the New England Patriots! There are so many things to love about football:
1. The anticipation about whether your game will be televised this week.
2. The trash talking that inevitably occurs between fans of opposing teams.
3. The yummy snacks to eat during games.
4. The opportunity to lay around on the couch for hours and not feel like a loser!
5. And of course, when you are a fan of the Patriots, the exhilaration of a win!