Jill

As a side note, when do toddlers start sitting still and uh, like watching Barney or a movie?     Patrick NEVER has sat still for even a minute.

As we sit here watching School Of Rock (again— at 8:14 this morning, for the 36th time this week) I just saw Patrick actually SIT DOWN and watch something for the first time ever.

It’s probably because he knows that’s how Allie Grace and I will once and for all, gain our fame— from this video!

I am convinced that I am a 90 year old woman trapped in the body of a 29—ahem— okay 39 year old.   I used the world “plum” the other day in conversation. And not the fruit.  Describing someone I know who got the best job out of grad school, I said,  ”She got the plum job.”  The person I was talking to looked at me like I had two heads.

To confirm the Me As 90year Old Woman theory, I often find myself explaining that my kids are too scheduled and “they need to come home, do chores, play with their brother and sisters and just ‘be’.  Sometimes doing nothing is good.”   Most of the time I get the Two Heads Look.

I know some of you may be the exception, but let’s face it, it is easy to let things spiral out of control and pretty soon, you’re That Guy with a kid in 3 soccer leagues (that’s ONE kid- 3 leagues), another kid going to dance in her cross country clothes and another one eating dinner in his car seat where he’s been for 3 hours while parked at the football field.

It’s easier to do than I thought: become That Guy.  Especially if you have more than 2 kids, which it seems the majority of people do these days.  It’s also easy to do because we hear stats about skyrocketing obesity levels in America and we want to do something to head that off.   It’s easy to do if you want your children musically inclined which we know compliments intelligence growth.  It’s easy to do if you want to incorporate the arts.  It’s easy to do if want your children civically and religiously involved.    You see where I’m going with this:  Timmy, Johnny and Katie now each take a sport, play an instrument, do Boy and/or Girl Scouts, go to Sunday school…. and FreeTime is from 4pm-4:45 on Wednesdays.

As usual I have more questions than answers.  We are told sitting down to family dinner together is key. We are told attending church together is key.  I think being home and learning to not always be entertained by others (play with your own brothers and sisters) and doing chores that contribute to the family spaces, (not just your room) is key.

But, if a child shows interest in sports/dance/ an art/ an instrument and that requires going 5 times a week and they soar at it, that is amazing, too.

But, how to do all of the above with only so many hours in the day and everyone’s more busy and over-scheduled every year?

Jill

Jill

Clearly, I’ve conquered IMovie.

Clearly, I rock.

No Mac program can own me and I can do (enough to get by) Guy Push-Ups.

Clearly, there’s nothing left for me.

Except… to pre-pay for my son’s therapy.

Today was Middle School Orientation.   Cleverly, I avoided it.   My two middle-schoolers perused the hallways and lockers with an older BeenThereDoneThat Friend— which is way cooler than schlepping in with mom in her workout clothes & nasty black hat, half-naked toddler brother and 3rd grade sister dressed in pink pants, a navy shirt, yellow bow, tan socks & polka dotted raincoat.  A stylish look that could only be described as “Seizure Chic”.

Each older girl came home with an envelope containing their bus pass.

Now is when I would insert a long boring story about budget cuts, busing routes, building changes and the like.

But let me right get to the Horrific Slasher Movie Friday the 13th Chainsaw Massacre Steven King-esque point:

The five stages of grief:

Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”

School is totally a LONG ways off.  September 8th is like— forever away.

Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?

Who do I call on the school board to explain that they MUST fix this ridiculous time? 6:45 am? That’s the middle of the NIGHT!  I’ll miss my Will & Grace reruns at 11pm.  What bout Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives at 10?  I’ll be sooo poooped.   What am I, a farmer?  A baker?  Who do I call?  This is the biggest crock of…. We started at 9:20 last year and they change it to THIS!?

Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”

I’ll work a cross-walk…. In the rain….. I’ll be a Room Mother. I’ll cut out teeny weeny hearts and rainbows from construction paper. I’ll work in the lunchroom….I’ll wear a hair-net.

Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”

My life is over. I’m going to be tired and puffy with black rings under my eyes all day.  Let’s eat dinner at 4pm & go to bed at 7:30. Hi, I’m a Senior Citizen now. Have you seen my AARP magazine?

Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what happened.”

Homeschooling.

Jill

More on this debacle later. I’m enjoying the last few days of Summer.   School is totally a LONG WAYS away, though.

Jill