From the day Hayden first walked on the t-ball field, I knew he was destined for greatness. I mean, I could just tell from the way he hit that ball off the tee that he would one day be swinging that bat in the MLB.
Then, he started wrestling. I swear I could see the Olympic rings.
Then came football and I SWEAR I saw an NFL scout eyeballing him at his most recent game.
Ok, Ok... OBVIOUSLY some sarcasm there.
According to StatisticBrain.com (http://www.statisticbrain.com/youth-sports-statistics/) odds of a HIGH SCHOOL player making it to the NFL are 1 in 6,000. The odds of a HIGH SCHOOL baseball player making it to the MLB are 1 in 4,000. (Ooohhh, mental note: Better chance of playing in the MLB... better put all of our eggs in that basket!!!) These statistics do not even include the all of the children playing in youth sports who do not end up playing in high school. The NCAA has also released some staggering statistics on the percentages of high school and college athletes who will make it to participate on the professional level. (see- http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Resources/Research/Probability+of+Going+Pro)
Why do I bring this up? Reality check.
We live in a society where many adults expect their kids to succeed and be the best. Some parents expect their children to be on the All-Galactic team by the age of 8. Many times, we see parents who re-live their failed sports career vicariously through their children. We see children who are pigeon-holed into one sport by a young age so they can be the best at that sport. Remember when there was such thing as the three sport athlete? That is extremely rare now.
After some recent events where a parent of an opposing team was such a poor loser and felt the need to make passive aggressive comments via Facebook, I had to think about what the ultimate goal was in youth sports.
Here is what I came up with:
1. I want my children to learn the value of hard work. Learning to be a hard worker will take you a lot further in life than participation in any professional sport. The statistics speak for themselves.
2. I want my children to know that they are STUDENT/ Athletes. Again, by focusing on school and what they are learning, they will be successful in life. I would like to find the statistics of students receiving academic scholarships vs. athletic scholarships. I guarantee the amount of students receiving academic scholarships is much higher.
3. I want my children to learn how to win and lose graciously. In a game, there is usually one winner and one loser. I want my children to know it is ok to lose, but to use that energy to fuel their next win. I do not enjoy seeing people lose and they throw things around, get angry, etc. On the same note, when my children win, I want to see them do so graciously. I want them to behave with tact and sportsmanship. I want them to thank their coaches and teammates for the good game. I want to see them thank opposing team for the great competition.
4. I want my children to play for coaches who respect the rules of the game. Unfortunately, we have been in situation where we have seen other coaches who "push" the rules so their team can win. If my children lose, but do so playing by the rules, then they, and the coaching staff, are the true winners.
5. I want my children to play to the best of their ability. I want them to know that they may not have the newest $300 bat, the "fastest" shoes, the newest Under Armour, or the best pitching/ catching/ throwing/ whatever coach. But, I want them to use their God-given talents to the best of their ability and to use that talent to contribute to their respective teams.
I know there are times when I get caught up in the drama... wanting my kid to play on the travel baseball team, or the All-Star team, or the best football team, etc. Recently, I have been reminded that it isn't about that. It is about my children performing to the best of their ability. I need to let nasty, passive aggressive comments go in one ear and out the other. I need to spend more time thanking those who help build my children up, rather than focusing on those who tear them (and their coaches) down.
I need to run... I need to get Keegan to his Kiddy Quarterback training center. (I KID! I KID!!)
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Truth is...
Truth is... My kids aren't perfect. Are yours?
How often do you see a Facebook post where someone is bragging on their child? Example- "So proud of _______________ for getting straight A's on his/ her report card!" Is that wrong? Nope. Not at all. I do it too. I love to share the good things that my children are doing. But, I can't help but feel annoyed when I see that. All. The. Time.
What happens when you read such posts and start questioning your ability as a parent because your child doesn't get straight A's, or your kid didn't make the All-Star team, or your kid didn't get the lead in the school play?
What would happen if we saw more posts like this, "My son is a struggling reader. We can't figure out what is going on. We are starting testing at school" ??? Would you think any less of that parent? Would you think, "wow, I bet she didn't read to her child since he was in the womb"? Or, "I bet she didn't play Mozart to her belly like it said to in Parent's magazine."
Truth is... that is my kid. My oldest, Hayden, is a struggling reader.
I thought we did all the right things... We read to him when he was little. We got him evaluated when he was considered "speech delayed" (turns out he was probably just stubborn, no surprise here). We took him to all of his yearly well child visits. We went to the zoo and COSI We started him in an all day, every day preschool. We sent him to an all day, every day kindergarten. We continued to read with him at home. We did homework with him. We found programs on the computer for him to work on. But, by second grade we noticed that he just wasn't keeping up with his peers or with what was expected of him.
Through second grade and third grade, we worked with a Dr. to try to get his ADD/ ADHD medication figured out. After his 3rd grade Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) scores came back and there was a huge discrepancy between his math and reading scores, I realized that I needed to take action.
We got him a tutor. I emailed the school to set up a suspected disability conference. I wanted to get him tested to see if there was more going on than I thought.
Truth is... that was one of the hardest things I had to do.
From my experiences as a teacher and from dealing with Grayson, I knew that I needed to be his biggest advocate. Luckily, I knew (and had friends who knew) the ins and outs of testing and special education law. A lot of times I wonder if I weren't a teacher, would I be as adamant on getting him tested? Would I even know that there may be an issue? He passed both sections of the OAA, but the reading he literally passed by the skin of his teeth! Parents who don't know would probably be happy that their child passed. But when I know a scaled score of 400 is like a 50% (or something close to that), I knew it wasn't anything to be extremely thrilled about.
Truth is... I know it is not irony that I am going through this with Hayden. I know things like this make me a better and more understanding teacher. When I sit in IEP meetings, I know what it feels like when the mom on the other side of the table is crying because she doesn't know how to help her child. I know that the mom wonders if she did anything wrong to "make" her child like this.
So, no... my kids aren't perfect. But the truth is, they help me become a better mom, teacher and person. Through them, I have learned (or tried to learn) to be more patient with some of my own students. I have learned to be more compassionate when sitting in on IEP meetings where the parent is confused and feels alone, and they feel like they have the only child who struggles.
Where do we go from here? I'm not totally sure, but we have an appointment with the audiologist and ENT tomorrow to check his hearing. We are doing everything we can to help Hayden be the best student he can be. Does that mean straight A's? Probably not. But, will I still hold high expectations and hold him accountable? You betcha!
How often do you see a Facebook post where someone is bragging on their child? Example- "So proud of _______________ for getting straight A's on his/ her report card!" Is that wrong? Nope. Not at all. I do it too. I love to share the good things that my children are doing. But, I can't help but feel annoyed when I see that. All. The. Time.
What happens when you read such posts and start questioning your ability as a parent because your child doesn't get straight A's, or your kid didn't make the All-Star team, or your kid didn't get the lead in the school play?
What would happen if we saw more posts like this, "My son is a struggling reader. We can't figure out what is going on. We are starting testing at school" ??? Would you think any less of that parent? Would you think, "wow, I bet she didn't read to her child since he was in the womb"? Or, "I bet she didn't play Mozart to her belly like it said to in Parent's magazine."
Truth is... that is my kid. My oldest, Hayden, is a struggling reader.
I thought we did all the right things... We read to him when he was little. We got him evaluated when he was considered "speech delayed" (turns out he was probably just stubborn, no surprise here). We took him to all of his yearly well child visits. We went to the zoo and COSI We started him in an all day, every day preschool. We sent him to an all day, every day kindergarten. We continued to read with him at home. We did homework with him. We found programs on the computer for him to work on. But, by second grade we noticed that he just wasn't keeping up with his peers or with what was expected of him.
Through second grade and third grade, we worked with a Dr. to try to get his ADD/ ADHD medication figured out. After his 3rd grade Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) scores came back and there was a huge discrepancy between his math and reading scores, I realized that I needed to take action.
We got him a tutor. I emailed the school to set up a suspected disability conference. I wanted to get him tested to see if there was more going on than I thought.
Truth is... that was one of the hardest things I had to do.
From my experiences as a teacher and from dealing with Grayson, I knew that I needed to be his biggest advocate. Luckily, I knew (and had friends who knew) the ins and outs of testing and special education law. A lot of times I wonder if I weren't a teacher, would I be as adamant on getting him tested? Would I even know that there may be an issue? He passed both sections of the OAA, but the reading he literally passed by the skin of his teeth! Parents who don't know would probably be happy that their child passed. But when I know a scaled score of 400 is like a 50% (or something close to that), I knew it wasn't anything to be extremely thrilled about.
Truth is... I know it is not irony that I am going through this with Hayden. I know things like this make me a better and more understanding teacher. When I sit in IEP meetings, I know what it feels like when the mom on the other side of the table is crying because she doesn't know how to help her child. I know that the mom wonders if she did anything wrong to "make" her child like this.
So, no... my kids aren't perfect. But the truth is, they help me become a better mom, teacher and person. Through them, I have learned (or tried to learn) to be more patient with some of my own students. I have learned to be more compassionate when sitting in on IEP meetings where the parent is confused and feels alone, and they feel like they have the only child who struggles.
Where do we go from here? I'm not totally sure, but we have an appointment with the audiologist and ENT tomorrow to check his hearing. We are doing everything we can to help Hayden be the best student he can be. Does that mean straight A's? Probably not. But, will I still hold high expectations and hold him accountable? You betcha!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Everyone else's highlight reel...
I came across this quote last night while going through my Facebook posts. I read it and moved on. Then it hit me, it really hit me. I found myself searching through my newsfeed to find it again. It brought tears to my eyes as I felt a sense of freedom come over me.
I have for so long compared myself, my parenting, my LIFE to others based on what I read on Facebook. Too many times, I found myself asking the following questions:
"Why can't my kid behave like her kid?"
"Why can't my house be as clean as their house?"
"Why am I not happy like her?"
"Why doesn't his kid have meltdowns like mine do?"
... and so on and so on. I would literally beat myself up over some of it. It seems my insecurity and self doubt has increased immensely since my introduction to Facebook. Why did it take me so long to realize this?
For me, Facebook can be a time to vent, a time to share funny stories a time to catch up with old friends- my highlight reel. But what I don't post is my/ our "behind-the-scenes" but I live it daily. I tend to forget that other people and other families have "behind-the-scenes" experiences as well.
I have decided that from here on out, I will no longer compare myself to others. I will not compare my children, their abilities, talents, etc to other children. I will not allow other peoples' highlight reel to determine my feelings of self-worth. It comes down to this... I do not know other peoples' behind-the-scenes circumstances and they do not know mine. It is NONE of my business what other people do, how they raise their children and so on. My job, first and foremost is to make sure I am raising my boys to the best of my ability... the rest will then fall into place.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Another challenging Mom moment...
Seems like Mondays are the hardest and today was no different. Things just didn't seem to go the way I wanted them to go. Then, I was put in a position in which I never imagined I would find myself...
Upon arriving home from school, I noticed Grayson's behavior chart for the day only had one sticker on it. On further review, I noticed a lot of comments like, "out of seat" "talking/ off task" and "had to return to seat due to not cooperating." Sigh... I took one look at the handwriting and knew that it wasn't his teacher's. I asked if he had a sub today and he informed me that he had. Unfortunately, he doesn't do well when things are out of the norm. Then, I heard something I never imagined I would.
Grayson- "Mommy, Big Boy (name changed... will be known as BB from here on) came over to me and told me to 'shut- up' then, he picked me up, slammed me on the floor and punched me. He punched me in my heart."
I felt like someone punched me in my heart.
So many emotions went through my mind. I was mad. Mad at that little boy for putting his hands on my child. I was sad. Sad that someone felt the need to physically hurt my child. I was confused. I just wanted to know everything that happened. Disappointed. Distraught. Helpless...
I wanted to get to the bottom of what happened. I asked him interrogating questions to find out WHY this child did this. Maybe Grayson wasn't innocent. But, he swears he didn't put his hands on that little boy. I know that Grayson and BB have had some problems this year. But Grayson truly didn't know what provoked that kid to hit him. In his perspective, he didn't do anything wrong. (Please note I used the phrase, "in his perspective" because we all have different perspectives on things and your perspective becomes your "truth.")
As a mom, I want to do everything I can to protect my children. I want to teach them to make good choices and do what is right. I want them to be able to stand up for themselves, but not have to resort to physical violence. I want them to go to school and not be fearful of their classmates/ peers. I never want them to feel the pain of being picked on... like I did.
You see, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. As a child, I remember kids making fun of me. I remember sitting in my 4th grade classroom and I turned around to see boy who was sitting behind me was holding up a sign that said, "whale." Maybe that is why I am so protective of Grayson. Not that he is overweight (actually, he has quite the opposite problem... we can't get him to GAIN weight), but because he is "different." He responds to situations differently. When things are out of the normal routine, he doesn't respond like most children may. I have a gut feeling that the other little boy may have just been getting tired of Grayson's incessant talking and movement. Because I'll admit, there are times when it is challenging for me.
Tonight as I put him to bed, I started to think about the people who lost their lives today in the Boston Marathon bombing. Someone lost their baby today, due to a horrific act. It helped to give me perspective. I still have my baby here to squeeze. I still have time to teach him how to respond to situations like today. I still have the incessant talking, wiggling, jumping, running, playing and laughing... and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Upon arriving home from school, I noticed Grayson's behavior chart for the day only had one sticker on it. On further review, I noticed a lot of comments like, "out of seat" "talking/ off task" and "had to return to seat due to not cooperating." Sigh... I took one look at the handwriting and knew that it wasn't his teacher's. I asked if he had a sub today and he informed me that he had. Unfortunately, he doesn't do well when things are out of the norm. Then, I heard something I never imagined I would.
Grayson- "Mommy, Big Boy (name changed... will be known as BB from here on) came over to me and told me to 'shut- up' then, he picked me up, slammed me on the floor and punched me. He punched me in my heart."
I felt like someone punched me in my heart.
So many emotions went through my mind. I was mad. Mad at that little boy for putting his hands on my child. I was sad. Sad that someone felt the need to physically hurt my child. I was confused. I just wanted to know everything that happened. Disappointed. Distraught. Helpless...
I wanted to get to the bottom of what happened. I asked him interrogating questions to find out WHY this child did this. Maybe Grayson wasn't innocent. But, he swears he didn't put his hands on that little boy. I know that Grayson and BB have had some problems this year. But Grayson truly didn't know what provoked that kid to hit him. In his perspective, he didn't do anything wrong. (Please note I used the phrase, "in his perspective" because we all have different perspectives on things and your perspective becomes your "truth.")
As a mom, I want to do everything I can to protect my children. I want to teach them to make good choices and do what is right. I want them to be able to stand up for themselves, but not have to resort to physical violence. I want them to go to school and not be fearful of their classmates/ peers. I never want them to feel the pain of being picked on... like I did.
You see, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. As a child, I remember kids making fun of me. I remember sitting in my 4th grade classroom and I turned around to see boy who was sitting behind me was holding up a sign that said, "whale." Maybe that is why I am so protective of Grayson. Not that he is overweight (actually, he has quite the opposite problem... we can't get him to GAIN weight), but because he is "different." He responds to situations differently. When things are out of the normal routine, he doesn't respond like most children may. I have a gut feeling that the other little boy may have just been getting tired of Grayson's incessant talking and movement. Because I'll admit, there are times when it is challenging for me.
Tonight as I put him to bed, I started to think about the people who lost their lives today in the Boston Marathon bombing. Someone lost their baby today, due to a horrific act. It helped to give me perspective. I still have my baby here to squeeze. I still have time to teach him how to respond to situations like today. I still have the incessant talking, wiggling, jumping, running, playing and laughing... and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
What if...?
Have you ever listened to the song by Garth Brooks called "Unanswered Prayers"? I mean, really listened? Tonight, I was rocking Keegan to sleep (yes, he is almost 2 and still loves to be rocked to sleep and I love taking time out to just sit and rock with him) and that song was stuck in my head. It got me thinking.... what if? What if God would have answered one of those prayers of mine long ago? What if he would have thought, "Ok, Jenn... I'll give you this one"? What would my life look like today? What would my life be missing if He would have answered one of those prayers? Something deep inside of me tells me that those prayers were probably never an option, but I still wonder about it. Even though there have been struggles, I know Tom and I have been abundantly blessed. Today has been on of those days where I thank God for all of those Unanswered Prayers.
Around this time of year, when all of my kids are celebrating their birthdays (Grayson- Feb, Hayden- March and Keegan- April) I always get really nostalgic thinking about the day they were born and how their little lives changed my life so quickly. It is still quite easy to see how they change my life everyday.
Hayden was the trailblazer... he was lucky enough to "teach" us how to be parents. He'll probably need years of therapy! We thought we had it all figured out by the time Grayson came along, only to find out that kids aren't the same. By the time Keegan came along, we really thought we had it all together!
These boys of mine are certainly a source of entertainment. Just read my Facebook and you will see all of the entertaining things they say and do. They are a source of pride. They have made me so proud with their grades, sports and many other accomplishments. They have also been a source of instruction. It has always been said that children should come with instruction manuals. It shouldn't be a "one size fits all" instruction manual. There should be one instruction manual written per child.
Would I give all this up to be living somewhere else? Or to be married to that other guy? Or to be working in a different profession? Nope. Absolutely not.
"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"
Around this time of year, when all of my kids are celebrating their birthdays (Grayson- Feb, Hayden- March and Keegan- April) I always get really nostalgic thinking about the day they were born and how their little lives changed my life so quickly. It is still quite easy to see how they change my life everyday.
Hayden was the trailblazer... he was lucky enough to "teach" us how to be parents. He'll probably need years of therapy! We thought we had it all figured out by the time Grayson came along, only to find out that kids aren't the same. By the time Keegan came along, we really thought we had it all together!
These boys of mine are certainly a source of entertainment. Just read my Facebook and you will see all of the entertaining things they say and do. They are a source of pride. They have made me so proud with their grades, sports and many other accomplishments. They have also been a source of instruction. It has always been said that children should come with instruction manuals. It shouldn't be a "one size fits all" instruction manual. There should be one instruction manual written per child.
Would I give all this up to be living somewhere else? Or to be married to that other guy? Or to be working in a different profession? Nope. Absolutely not.
"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"
-Garth Brooks, Unanswered Prayers.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Teachers are the WORST at listening to/ following directions!
Do you know how many times I say to my students, "Follow the directions!" or "Take your time, read the directions and do a good job!" I guess it is time to take my own advice...
At the beginning of the school year, the boys were bringing home tons of paperwork. Some for us to fill out and some for informational purposes. Most of the time, I get the papers out of their bags and see if there is a date or something on it and I make sure I either fill it out, sign it or get whatever important event on the calendar. Grayson's curriculum night paper was red. It was easy to pick out of the pile. One would assume that any message on red paper would be fairly important. So, I read it- Thursday, September 6th, 6:30-7:30. I put it on the calendar. On to the next paper...
On Thursday, September 6th, Tom got home from work right around 6:00, so Grayson and I got ready and headed out the door. We had a lot to talk about on the way there. (Ok, when DOESN'T Grayson have a lot to talk about... "acts as if driven by a motor," yes, that is my kid). As we pulled up to the school, the parking lot was packed, but I found a place in the grass to park. As I got out of the car, Grayson was reprimanding me for parking in the grass. "You aren't supposed to do that mommy! You are going to get your clip moved to red!!! You are going to the principal!!!" All I could think was, "Just MOVE Grayson! We just got here, I don't want to be the last one in so everyone stares at us!" As we walked in, I figured we would be one of the last ones there. But I wasn't REALLY paying attention... I was trying to keep Grayson out of the puddles, I was trying to figure out what was all over his hands (turns out it was baby oragel, the kind in the little pump bottle... he must have pumped it all out on our way there. It was all over his hands and shorts). We get into the school, walk down what seemed like the LONGEST hallway and finally got to his room. When we arrived the door was closed. So, Grayson decided to make his grand entrance by flinging the door open! To my surprise, there were NO OTHER KIDS IN THERE!!!! I felt my face turn instantly red and I tried to pretend like I knew it was an adult only thing.
Grayson proudly pointed me in the direction of his seat. It was, of course, right in the front. The teacher had already started speaking, and I quickly pulled out the Barbie sized chair to sit down. Grayson sat in front of me, and I really don't think I heard a thing his teacher said as I tried to look around and see the parents of the children who Grayson would be spending close to 180 days with. My focus returned to Grayson as I found him now sitting on the floor and licking... YES LICKING the bottom of his Under Armour slides. "Yuck!!!" I said... "STOP DOING THAT!!!" Again, I feel my face turning every shade of red. Again, I had no clue what the teacher was saying.
As I got Grayson redirected, someone showed up late and this mom had her daughter with her. Is it bad that I was REALLY glad to see that someone else didn't follow the directions too?!?!?!
At that moment, I noticed that the other parents were opening the packets that were placed on the little tables/ desks. So, I did the same thing. As I did, something caught my eye. I turn my head to the left to see Grayson lying on his back, kicking his feet up in the air. Ugh!!! "Grayson, SIT UP!!!" At this point, I was planning my escape route. Could I pretend like I got a phone call and needed to leave? Nope, I left my cell phone in the car. Could I pretend like Grayson was sick and we needed to go? Not really, he does NOT play along well. AAAHHH!! What could I do?!?!? What could I do to get myself out of this really, really uncomfortable position?
I went back to looking in the folder with Grayson's name on it. I looked at the apple he colored and compared it to his next door neighbor. Yeah, maybe her's was better... but I bet Grayson was cuter, right? I mean, does he REALLY need to know how to color in the lines to graduate from kindergarten? Nah...
When I realize that I had been thinking about this too long, I felt something under the table. I looked under the table and realized it was Grayson slithering on his back under the table making snake noises. I was about to lose it. I grabbed him up from the floor and sat him on my lap. I was trying really hard not to say anything for fear that I may raise my voice a little too much. I could tell we were nearing the end of the presentation and I heard the teacher say, "So, are there any questions?" Grayson's hand immediately flies up. As quickly as his hand went up, my hand grabbed his arm and pulled it back down. "OOOWWW Mommy! You are hurting my arm!" As I am sure you could imagine, my face was red again. I was hoping... PRAYING that people wouldn't ask questions so I could get the heck out of there!! No such luck... people asking questions about the bus, about the field trip, about the breakfast program. AH! Come on people!
Finally, the presentation was over, parents stopped asking questions and it was time to go. As quickly as I could, I got up out of that darn miniature chair and made a bee line for the door. Grayson is quickly following me... "Mommy, do you want to see where the bathroom is? Mommy! Mommy! Do you want to see where the water fountain is?" I slowed to take a look at the bathroom and water fountain. As we exited the building I kept asking myself, "did that paper say to not bring your kids? I swear I thought it said it was for kindergarden students and their parents and not other children! I hope I still have that paper so I can look at it when we get home!"
As soon as we got home, I went straight to the kitchen to find the red paper in question. I immediately found it. I scan to the bottom where it says, bolded and in all caps, "Students are NOT to attend curriculum night." Nice Jenn, really nice.
Lesson learned... I need to slow down... take my time and READ what is being sent home! By doing just that, I will save myself a lot of embarrassment!
At the beginning of the school year, the boys were bringing home tons of paperwork. Some for us to fill out and some for informational purposes. Most of the time, I get the papers out of their bags and see if there is a date or something on it and I make sure I either fill it out, sign it or get whatever important event on the calendar. Grayson's curriculum night paper was red. It was easy to pick out of the pile. One would assume that any message on red paper would be fairly important. So, I read it- Thursday, September 6th, 6:30-7:30. I put it on the calendar. On to the next paper...
On Thursday, September 6th, Tom got home from work right around 6:00, so Grayson and I got ready and headed out the door. We had a lot to talk about on the way there. (Ok, when DOESN'T Grayson have a lot to talk about... "acts as if driven by a motor," yes, that is my kid). As we pulled up to the school, the parking lot was packed, but I found a place in the grass to park. As I got out of the car, Grayson was reprimanding me for parking in the grass. "You aren't supposed to do that mommy! You are going to get your clip moved to red!!! You are going to the principal!!!" All I could think was, "Just MOVE Grayson! We just got here, I don't want to be the last one in so everyone stares at us!" As we walked in, I figured we would be one of the last ones there. But I wasn't REALLY paying attention... I was trying to keep Grayson out of the puddles, I was trying to figure out what was all over his hands (turns out it was baby oragel, the kind in the little pump bottle... he must have pumped it all out on our way there. It was all over his hands and shorts). We get into the school, walk down what seemed like the LONGEST hallway and finally got to his room. When we arrived the door was closed. So, Grayson decided to make his grand entrance by flinging the door open! To my surprise, there were NO OTHER KIDS IN THERE!!!! I felt my face turn instantly red and I tried to pretend like I knew it was an adult only thing.
Grayson proudly pointed me in the direction of his seat. It was, of course, right in the front. The teacher had already started speaking, and I quickly pulled out the Barbie sized chair to sit down. Grayson sat in front of me, and I really don't think I heard a thing his teacher said as I tried to look around and see the parents of the children who Grayson would be spending close to 180 days with. My focus returned to Grayson as I found him now sitting on the floor and licking... YES LICKING the bottom of his Under Armour slides. "Yuck!!!" I said... "STOP DOING THAT!!!" Again, I feel my face turning every shade of red. Again, I had no clue what the teacher was saying.
As I got Grayson redirected, someone showed up late and this mom had her daughter with her. Is it bad that I was REALLY glad to see that someone else didn't follow the directions too?!?!?!
At that moment, I noticed that the other parents were opening the packets that were placed on the little tables/ desks. So, I did the same thing. As I did, something caught my eye. I turn my head to the left to see Grayson lying on his back, kicking his feet up in the air. Ugh!!! "Grayson, SIT UP!!!" At this point, I was planning my escape route. Could I pretend like I got a phone call and needed to leave? Nope, I left my cell phone in the car. Could I pretend like Grayson was sick and we needed to go? Not really, he does NOT play along well. AAAHHH!! What could I do?!?!? What could I do to get myself out of this really, really uncomfortable position?
I went back to looking in the folder with Grayson's name on it. I looked at the apple he colored and compared it to his next door neighbor. Yeah, maybe her's was better... but I bet Grayson was cuter, right? I mean, does he REALLY need to know how to color in the lines to graduate from kindergarten? Nah...
When I realize that I had been thinking about this too long, I felt something under the table. I looked under the table and realized it was Grayson slithering on his back under the table making snake noises. I was about to lose it. I grabbed him up from the floor and sat him on my lap. I was trying really hard not to say anything for fear that I may raise my voice a little too much. I could tell we were nearing the end of the presentation and I heard the teacher say, "So, are there any questions?" Grayson's hand immediately flies up. As quickly as his hand went up, my hand grabbed his arm and pulled it back down. "OOOWWW Mommy! You are hurting my arm!" As I am sure you could imagine, my face was red again. I was hoping... PRAYING that people wouldn't ask questions so I could get the heck out of there!! No such luck... people asking questions about the bus, about the field trip, about the breakfast program. AH! Come on people!
Finally, the presentation was over, parents stopped asking questions and it was time to go. As quickly as I could, I got up out of that darn miniature chair and made a bee line for the door. Grayson is quickly following me... "Mommy, do you want to see where the bathroom is? Mommy! Mommy! Do you want to see where the water fountain is?" I slowed to take a look at the bathroom and water fountain. As we exited the building I kept asking myself, "did that paper say to not bring your kids? I swear I thought it said it was for kindergarden students and their parents and not other children! I hope I still have that paper so I can look at it when we get home!"
As soon as we got home, I went straight to the kitchen to find the red paper in question. I immediately found it. I scan to the bottom where it says, bolded and in all caps, "Students are NOT to attend curriculum night." Nice Jenn, really nice.
Lesson learned... I need to slow down... take my time and READ what is being sent home! By doing just that, I will save myself a lot of embarrassment!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
What a weekend!!!
Wow, it has been a weekend... and with it being a three day weekend, I am really scared with what tomorrow may bring.
We started our weekend with the boys playing a baseball game on Friday night. I didn't go, so Heather Andrews and her family came over and took Keegan and I out to dinner. Since Tom took the van to the ball game, we didn't have a car seat for him. I decided to ask my neighbor if she had one we could borrow. Heather commented, "wow... you usually ask your neighbor for eggs or milk or something, but you asking for a car seat??"
Upon returning from dinner, my boys were home from their game so Heather's kids played with my boys for a while. This is where the fun begins... At one point in the night Grayson decided to get a small bottle of pop (DIET COKE!!!!) out of the fridge. He took it to my bathroom and shook it up, opened the cap and let it go all over the place. When I found this mess, I was HOT! To be completely honest, I cannot repeat what I said to him.
Saturday morning we went to his Dr. in Dublin. On our way there, Heather sent me a picture of my debit card that she had in her wallet. Oops! So, I had to turn around and get some cash from the house. At Grayson's appointment, the Dr. was very concerned with his weight loss. He is down to 37 pounds. The Dr. has prescribed an appetite stimulant for him. REALLY??? I have the exact opposite problem! Must be nice!
After our appointment, we went out to Heath to take Gramma to the new Panera for a cinnamon crunch bagel (YUM!) and then to Heather's to retrieve my debit card.
That evening, I met my friend Jennifer Martinez, for dinner at Piada. Man, I love that place! But, I have to say, it was so nice to be able to sit, eat and talk with someone who has so much in common with me... it was so good for my soul. (Oh, and we had a few of their bellinis!)
The majority of the excitement started on Sunday morning. Grayson came down to our bed like he normally does on weekend mornings. At that point I decided to get in the shower to get ready for church. When I got out of the shower I went up to get Keegan out of his crib. When I entered his room, I noticed a bag of goldfish on the floor. Then, I noticed the entire bag of goldfish dumped out in Keegan's crib!!! Oh, but that wasn't it... there were also carrots and ranch dip in there! I literally lost it right there. So many things went through my mind... but the biggest thing was that Keegan could have choked on those carrots! Again, I was HOT!
Then, the topper to this whole weekend, was just this afternoon. Keegan just woke up from his nap. I went up to get him out of his crib. Tom was outside working on the deck. From the time I went up to get Keegan and change his diaper, Grayson had cut all the hair off of the top of his head!!!!!!! Don't worry, I will post a picture.
Through all of the "Grayson incidents" of the weekend, I can't help but think, "what in the world goes through his mind?!?!?" I mean, what would make him pick up a pair of scissors and think it would be a good idea to cut his hair the way he did? Or, what made him think it was a good idea to feed the baby carrots??
A while back I was messaging on Facebook with a friend, someone who I look to for guidance and support. She told me this:
"It's a lie of Satan that God won't let you go through more than you can handle. Because God WILL let you go through more than you can handle so that you HAVE to lean on HIM. God is bigger than all these concerns. Remember the scriptures:
In Luke 12:25, Jesus says, "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" And then in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
We started our weekend with the boys playing a baseball game on Friday night. I didn't go, so Heather Andrews and her family came over and took Keegan and I out to dinner. Since Tom took the van to the ball game, we didn't have a car seat for him. I decided to ask my neighbor if she had one we could borrow. Heather commented, "wow... you usually ask your neighbor for eggs or milk or something, but you asking for a car seat??"
Upon returning from dinner, my boys were home from their game so Heather's kids played with my boys for a while. This is where the fun begins... At one point in the night Grayson decided to get a small bottle of pop (DIET COKE!!!!) out of the fridge. He took it to my bathroom and shook it up, opened the cap and let it go all over the place. When I found this mess, I was HOT! To be completely honest, I cannot repeat what I said to him.
Saturday morning we went to his Dr. in Dublin. On our way there, Heather sent me a picture of my debit card that she had in her wallet. Oops! So, I had to turn around and get some cash from the house. At Grayson's appointment, the Dr. was very concerned with his weight loss. He is down to 37 pounds. The Dr. has prescribed an appetite stimulant for him. REALLY??? I have the exact opposite problem! Must be nice!
After our appointment, we went out to Heath to take Gramma to the new Panera for a cinnamon crunch bagel (YUM!) and then to Heather's to retrieve my debit card.
That evening, I met my friend Jennifer Martinez, for dinner at Piada. Man, I love that place! But, I have to say, it was so nice to be able to sit, eat and talk with someone who has so much in common with me... it was so good for my soul. (Oh, and we had a few of their bellinis!)
The majority of the excitement started on Sunday morning. Grayson came down to our bed like he normally does on weekend mornings. At that point I decided to get in the shower to get ready for church. When I got out of the shower I went up to get Keegan out of his crib. When I entered his room, I noticed a bag of goldfish on the floor. Then, I noticed the entire bag of goldfish dumped out in Keegan's crib!!! Oh, but that wasn't it... there were also carrots and ranch dip in there! I literally lost it right there. So many things went through my mind... but the biggest thing was that Keegan could have choked on those carrots! Again, I was HOT!
Then, the topper to this whole weekend, was just this afternoon. Keegan just woke up from his nap. I went up to get him out of his crib. Tom was outside working on the deck. From the time I went up to get Keegan and change his diaper, Grayson had cut all the hair off of the top of his head!!!!!!! Don't worry, I will post a picture.
Through all of the "Grayson incidents" of the weekend, I can't help but think, "what in the world goes through his mind?!?!?" I mean, what would make him pick up a pair of scissors and think it would be a good idea to cut his hair the way he did? Or, what made him think it was a good idea to feed the baby carrots??
A while back I was messaging on Facebook with a friend, someone who I look to for guidance and support. She told me this:
"It's a lie of Satan that God won't let you go through more than you can handle. Because God WILL let you go through more than you can handle so that you HAVE to lean on HIM. God is bigger than all these concerns. Remember the scriptures:
In Luke 12:25, Jesus says, "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" And then in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Tomorrow is a new day and a new haircut...
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