Day 2

The Howler is really enjoying school.

They do a thing with the Gingerbread Man to make it easier for the Kindergarteners to learn their way around the building. She's loving it!

She also had gym class today, which, apparently, for 5 year olds, has stayed the same: basically, get them stretching and moving and jumping. No hollering yet, at least she didn't say so. She's loving that, too.

Grammy took her this morning and since Grammy worked for 2 years as a sub in the cafeteria (at several schools in the district), the Howler was introduced to the cafeteria ladies.

She's more comfortable about the whole school thing tonight, although, she seems to think that she goes to Kindergarten for 4 days, gets a summer off and then goes to 1st grade. lol.

They have snack time, and when I asked her if I could make a suggestion for snack time tomorrow, she said in a disgusted voice, "Applesauce?" I told her, "No, not applesauce." Since we were at dinner (roast beef, potatoes, carrots and applesauce), she said in a depressed and slightly scared voice, "Roast beef?"

I laughed. I suggested some carrots from our garden, which she grew from seeds. She's all for that!

The school has *asked* that we not send cookies, candy, or gum for snacks. The Howler gets disgusted by too much "helfy" food, so we have to keep things rotating and interesting. Yesterday was water and apple; today was pretzels and water. (She enjoys drinking the small stubby bottles of water, so we're sending that as much as possible--especially in this heat!)

I suppose we're horrid parents for pairing the carrots with Ranch dressing, but I am a firm believer in getting kids to eat the healthy stuff any way you can! (She also usually has pink milk--low fat milk with a few drops of strawberry syrup. It gets her to drink milk when for a while there, she wouldn't drink it at all! Worth the trade, I think.)

Anyway, tomorrow is another day--and another chance to catch the Gingerbread Man!

Wallowing in the Quiet

The first day of school.

She was so excited last night that she was fairly vibrating.

She woke up this morning unable to eat...and then decided as soon as she was dressed that "It's time to go, Mommy!" and all but ran out the door.

She tolerated pictures. She tolerated the brief wait until it was actually time to go. Then, off we went--the Howler, the Toad (he was oddly interested in this rite-of-passage of hers) and I.

Walking into the school, I barely kept up with them.

Full nervousness didn't hit until we got to the appointed meeting place--the library. It was, obviously, full of people she didn't know, and none she recognized. The Toad wandered off--in search of personnel he knew, I suppose.

Anyway, I forgot her name tag. She was nervous about so much, she didn't think to yell at me.

I hugged her (the Last Hug in Public?) and zipped home to get it.

Toad took it back in. He seemed delighted to be revisiting his old school. He looked inordinately large--I mean, he is LARGE, but this building and it's scale model people made him seem HUGE.

I shed about 4 tears and had to blow my nose.

Then a quiet day, and off to pick her up. She was Little Miss Big-For-My-Britches all night long. Not attractive.

But, she's upstairs now, sleeping...recharging for another day of hunting the Gingerbread Man (who mysteriously kept one step ahead of them!) and patiently awaiting recess.

Vacation Is Over

Tomorrow, Kevin goes back to work. I don't go back until Wednesday (1st day of school is Tuesday).

But, summer, and this vacation are over.

It's been a good one, and I realized during this one how beautiful my daughter is--inside and out. She's busy, she's bossy, and she's beautiful. She also likes chickens, but that's another blog.

For the Toad, I think reality is finally truly settling on him. And it's not attractive. It's finally occured to him that on Tuesday, he may be off work, but his annoying little friends will be in school. Also, he's discovered that even if they pay you, work is still a PITA sometimes--and he doesn't like working overnights.

Ahhhh, I love it when a plan comes together. *stick cigar in mouth and mug at the camera like George Peppard.*

Growing Up

We also, while on vacation, took the Howler to Waldameer Park.

We've had many, many good days at Waldameer, and this year was no different. Actually, this year was wonderful! I haven't had that much fun at Waldameer since the Toad was little.

She was just at the 46" line, so she was able to ride a good many rides that last year, she was definitely too small for. And some of the rides that needed a "responsible adult" (HAH! I qualify on height, if not actual responsibility) she was tall enough to not need me!

The Howler discovered that the Endless River in Water World was fun--she could touch the bottom, and as long as she kept the tube with her, she could swim and dunk and go under the waterfalls...for a little girl who was religiously opposed to the River, she didn't want to get out.

The Kiddie Pool is always fun, with its slides and new friends.

This year, she started asking about the larger slides. She met that height requirement this year also. So, up the stairs we went. First, in individual tubes. Mommy first, to meet her at the bottom. Then the Howler, laughing the entire way down. Daddy came last. He was laughing too.

We ended up doing that three times--and I, of course, got dumped, a** over tincups, and that was fun too. Daddy and the Howler went down twice in a double tube, and she thought that was fantastic!

Listening to her laugh was worth the cost of admission. She enjoyed everything except the Wacky Shack--it was "scary" to her. She attached herself to me like ugly on an ape. It hurt!

I did go on the newest ride--the X Scream. It goes up and up and up and up...and then WHAM! Free Fall drop. I almost hyperventilated. The Howler looked scared for me (Daddy and Howler watched), but it might have been that I crossed myself right before it started going up.

It was a good day--full of fun, and the Howler laughing. I can't wait until next year--she'll be tall enough (and brave enough, I think) for every ride there.

What I Love Most

about the Howler: Wherever she goes, she finds friends.

She doesn't care who they are. The only requirement she has is that they want to play with her.

We went to the Crawford County Fair on Tuesday. It was rainy, and wet. And, at some point, in racing from ride to ride, she found little girls to run from ride to ride with. Never mind that her father and I, with our adult observation, see these children's families as "interesting". In one case, both mom and grandma followed along, both looking like, well, bar hags. The little girl's hair was uncombed (not windblown). In the second case, the little girl ran from ride to ride, with no visible adult nearby. (Mom was apparently sitting at a picnic table at one end of the six-ride "kiddie land".)

While it wasn't terribly crowded due to the weather, this little girl was probably 30 pounds or more lighter than the Howler, and at least an inch smaller--easily lost in a marginally crowded area that was open to the public, really.

And both girls were the Howler's friends.

She has shown this absolute of hers many times--at day care (she befriended a child with Down's that the other children were wary of because she "looked different"); at preschool (even the bossiest little girl I've ever seen in my whole life--this little girl told me off at every birthday party we attended); at playgrounds; at home (see: OPK).

It's wonderful to watch her make friends everywhere she goes. She has no pre-conceived ideas of who is acceptable and who isn't.

I wish I could unlearn what I've learned and be like that.

The Reality Check Has Cleared

The first one, anyway.

Toadwort got his schedule for the coming week: he works 4 hours on each of 6 days, and has a mandatory meeting on the one day off he was scheduled to have.

HAH!

He complained to me. I reminded him that they PAY him for his time.

He complained to our cousin when he stopped by. He reminded him that they PAY him for his time.

He complained to Kevin. He reminded him that they PAY him for his time.

It does my heart good to know that the Reality of Life has come seeping into his Toad colored glasses.

BTS Shopping

Good Glory! It's expensive.

And I hate it. The other people (with their children) weren't so bad--but the prices!

I know it's not everyday that your baby goes to her very first-first day of school, but criminy! I bought 2 dresses, 2 packages of tights, a pair of denim capris, a pair of khakis, a pair of jeans, two pairs of shoes--one sneakers and one black dress shoes--and the few remaining supplies the available "general BTS supply lists" all say she needs, and it cost me over a hundred dollars!

Not to mention the stuff we've been cautiously buying across the summer months to get her ready.

How do people who have more than one in school at a time afford it? The supplies alone, bought on sale and for cheap, have cost at least $50. Criminy!

I'm not going to do the rant about how "when I was in school", because I know that budgets are tight and in many places they don't have the funds for books, let alone pencils and cheap writing tablets, but this is ridiculous!

I'm also not looking forward to the BTS Money Grab that I've heard horror stories about--you know, the ones where you are expected to provide supplies for a *kitty* or community pot. I have no problem coughing up a box of crayons, or some pencils for the *kitty*, but I better not be expected to produce a filled in checklist of supplies for another child.

Sorry, but I know that the school that my daughter will be attending has some of the more wealthy families' children in attendance...I will not provide crayons and an unlimited supply of writing paper for a doctor's child. He's pulling in enough income to afford two-two week European vacation for his four children and a friend apiece, he's able to pay up front for no less than five vehicles for he and his wife....he can afford a 12 cent box of WalMart crayons for each of his children, 3x a year.

And he can suck it up.

But I digress. Now, since most of the shopping is done, I now have the task of labelling everything properly, and making sure that my little Howler Monkey tries everything on again. She hates trying things on. She likes them once they are on, but she honestly thinks that she should be trying on no more than ONE item per day. And I did manage to get her to try on about a billion pairs of shoes (two kinds, combined try-ons) today. That may have blown my budgeted try-ons for the rest of the year.

I also have to whine about how tomorrow is my baby's last true day in day care. These ladies have loved her, cared for her, and known her since she was 3 months old. It's been a relatively easy time--no major breakdowns on my part; no traumatic "do we find other care for her?" questions--and now, I feel sad that she is saying good bye. "Good Bye" just doesn't seem to cut it--how do you thank someone for the love they've given your child? How to do put into words how much it has meant that they understand her and have loved her unconditionally?

I don't think she understands what it means, this saying Good Bye tomorrow.

*sigh*

More OPK Ranting

Tomorrow, I've got some adorable faces to tell off.

Apparently, they all but mauled my new neighbor--who has a newborn and three cats. He was at work, and she made the mistake of opening the door when the little brats leaned on the doorbell incessantly.

I don't know her well, but I'm majorly angry on her behalf.

Half these kids didn't even know where I lived until yesterday, and now, they're running wild in the other people's houses?

At least 2 of them know better--and they have been to my house.

The only thing saving my little darling at this point is that when she was told to "Not" she stopped and did as she was told by the nice new neighbor.

Apparently, two weeks before school starts is "All Hell Broke Lose In Your Neighborhood" Week.

Well, it's only 1/2 a week in my neighborhood, because I'm declaring tomorrow the first annual "Scare the Daylights Out of Obnoxious OPK Day".

I'm gonna have trouble not smiling when I do it.

Attack of the OPK

We were free of the obnoxious OPK for 6 glorious months. We should have known it wouldn't last.

She showed back up a few weeks ago--telling more and more outrageous stories (read: lies). I think she's a compulsive liar. She couldn't tell the truth, much less share it, if her life depended upon it.

We also noticed the obnoxious behaviors living in our house with us.

I like that the Howler is fiercely loyal, but I find it hard to find a way to discourage this friendship.

I think, yesterday, I've discovered it.

The O-OPK showed up with her 2 year old brother in tow. That their mother was not the least bit concerned about looking for them for over an hour is what did it.

I am not someone's free babysitter--especially not this someone. When she did show up, it wasn't to take them home, it was to stand and watch them, in my yard, and probably to see where I was. I was in the kitchen window, unable to see her for our garden--tomatoes and corn grow taller than I am, and since she was sans her bar hag uniform, she was almost invisible herself.

Then, after I managed to extricate the Howler and the O-OPK from the pool, the girl showed up later, bringing her brother with her again.

I soooo don't think so.

I sent them home, telling them that the Howler and I were spending some time, this evening, just the two of us. So they left.

Earlier, I had begun telling the Howler that I will no longer tolerate the screaming, the crazy and inappropriate talk about boys (and what the O-OPK wants to do with/to them) and I will no longer tolerate the defiance and obnoxiousness that usually accompanies the O-OPK. And if the behavior shows up after time spend with the O-OPK, it will have the same results--no more O-OPK ever.

I can only hope that I can convince the Howler of this--and that the Spider-Stomping Mama moves soon. She will not behave as if her parents are a bar hag and a pusher.

I do so hope that this woman tries to take issue with me over this. It could be a good way to vent my frustration at her intrusion in my life.

Don't get me wrong--I do not blame these kids. But I am fully aware that I am not able to change their situation, and I do not have to accept their parents idiocy, especially when it collides with my life, family, and home.

I am not a dumping ground for your unwanted and unattended children. I am not going to have your stupidity and trailer-trash ways--and I don't have to tolerate it.

For God's sake--if you don't want your kids, or are unable/unwilling to raise them, have yourself neutered before you make more; and be adult enough to find them homes where they are welcome and where they can have a chance to not be like you. Your only other option is to make changes in yourself that will make them--and you--better people.

The Countdown

School starts in slightly more than 2 weeks. Eighteen days to be exact, and yes, I'm counting weekends. (it's summer, and every body knows that weekends count)

I don't know if I'm excited or nervous.

I'm excited because it will be interesting for everyone--and I'm nervous because I know the Howler and I know what our school district can be like.

I am hoping that the Howler gets a teacher who is delighted to be teaching individuals (she's nothing if not individual!); a teacher who gets what teaching is supposed to be about.

I worry that her teacher will not get it and will try to stuff my definitively square peg daughter into an increasingly small round hole. I worry that she will be in a system that prizes lemmings and that still holds to the ancient idea that stubborn children should have "the will broken" in order to make them manageable. I also worry that the school will insist that she be medicated--based on their frustration with her. (Keeping in mind that these are some of the same people who tried that tack with the Toad.)

The difference is, I know so much more now...some of the worst offenders are no longer in our district, and I have a different last name this time.

They may not see me coming.

Fairies

There are two kinds of fairies that have visited our house recently.

The Tooth Fairy, which I'm sure most people are familar with. The Howler finally did lose that tooth--she was unhappy when it came out (she and Daddy were playing in the pool and she got bumped by a water balloon) and she screamed and cried as if she were in danger of bleeding to death, but in the end, she was quite happy with the results.

The Dairy Fairy, however, seems to be concentrating on my house--and she's dropped the ball at least once.

The Dairy Fairy brings milk and places it in the 'fridge even when the person who finished the milk said nothing to anyone else about having used it all.

It's bizarre when the 18 year old believes as ardently in the Dairy Fairy as the 5 year old believes in the tooth fairy.

Now, if I could just get the bologna and cheese fairy to throw out the empty packages instead of putting them back...

Toad Like Job

Toadwort got a job--and he likes it.

He makes it a point to be on time, he doesn't complain about having to work, and he has announced that the LOOOOOVES his job and the people he works with.

I'm happy that he likes it, but I'm still waiting for the Reality Check to hit.

He's been making more of an effort to keep up with his laundry (read: minimal reminders) and other chores. His room is still a scary prospect, but he has made an effort to open the windows and the blinds at least twice a week.

He still isn't giving us very good clues as to whether or not he'll be home for dinner, and at least twice he's narrowly missed having to scrounge up his own meals. Apparently, "let you know" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

I have only my best guess as to whether or not he's noticed that since beginning to work, we're not nagging him--friendly reminders only at worst--so I don't know if part of liking his job is that we're nicer to him too.

My Name is NOT Mud

The Howler has been visiting her grandparents and aunts for a week now--7 full days.


Kevin has been very good about not calling her every night. When he has called, however, the Howler will ONLY talk to him. She has nothing to tell me, and does not wish to speak to me.


Last night, however, they called us.


And the Howler wanted to speak to "her Mother."


lol. It's a first. I'm so pleased that she finally acknowledges my existance! Although, to be honest, she was more worried about whether or not the cat missed her, she did ask to speak to me, and did not spend the entire time telling me that she "needs to tell Daddy sumping."


My name, after all, is NOT Mud, and she misses me (yes, ME) too.