Toolio was fat

ALL ALONE (stranger things have happened)

It's 9:20 AM and I am alone.  Strange, hah?

Well, Bubby is still sleeping, of course, and The Des is already with Grandma for the day.  So I am here with my green juice smoothie and actually enjoying the quiet.

So to catch things up (which is all I seem to be doing lately), here we are:

Bubs is now the sick one in the house.  He is just getting better from the "severe" sinus infection.  And is on the white medicine; just as Deso is ending his cycle. 

Today is Deso's year and-a-half birthday.  That's right, he's now a toddler.  Acts just like one, too.  And we're proud to report that the terrible-two-tantrums are starting right on schedule.  No need to worry about this one's emotional development.  It's obviously on the mark.

Probably not going with the crunchy alternative curriculum program for Bubby next year.  Got some more insight and decided to watch from afar and decide later.  We still have to decide on whether he's going for full day kindergarten.  Yeah - I'd like it.

Valentine's Day was sweet and fun for the family.  We skipped the couple's night out - since we've done a lot of going out already this year - and had the whole family participate in V-Day dinner.  We shared beef tenderloin, baked potatoes, asparagus, salad, fried chicken (Bubby's pick) and chocolate cake.  Celebratory drinks included cheap red wine and 7up for the boys.  We had a great party which ended after watching several untalented wannabees make it through on American Idol.  Fun for everyone!

I've been kind of busy lately.  School stuff, friend stuff, errands.  It's actually been fun.  I kind of have a life again...or something close to one.  Okay - not a real life, but we're trying.

Ciao, y'all.  Don't take any wooden pork chops~ 

School; seriously

Been thinking about the whole "alternative curriculum" for Bubby's elementary school decision...

I'm leaning towards "no" right now.  Not sure why.  Maybe I felt the group there was a little too crunchy or that this group is for the kids that don't fit in anywhere else. 

Sure, Bubby is bright (aren't all our the kids the smartest ones ever?!), but I don't want him to be singled out for being in this class.  I want him to feel like he's part of the crowd.  Like he fits in.  Maybe fits in so well that he becomes a leader of said crowd...maybe.

We all know it's wonderful to be unique and different and really stand out.  But in elementary school?  I wanted nothing more than to be like everyone else.  I didn't want anyone knowing we were Buddhist or bought all generic groceries or ever come to my house - which was a condo (at a complex where I met my very best friend ever in life) and not a house like everyone else.  Not because I thought these things were bad, but because they were different.

In my experience the different kids get teased, or at least they get ignored.  Nearly as bad for an attention craver like me.  Then there's Hubby - who as teased quite a bit for being The Skinny Guy.  Now I digress, and teasing will happen no matter what...but still.  Why offer the opportunity?

Then again, the kids on this program might be the stars, right?  And maybe it's only important to me to be the star, but Bub's and I aren't so different.  Or maybe I'm just finding it easier to relate to a 4-year-old these days....Oy vey~

Either way, I'll talk to some neighborhood kids and see what they think about this program.  I'll also go observe some classes on both sides and then make a decision.  Does it seem like I'm worrying a little too much about school right now?  Sometimes it feels like this to me...

On a related note - I have been nominated by several members of the Board at our current school to become President for next year.  Moi?!  President of the Board of preschool.  Pre. School.

There will be elections in 2 weeks.  Goldfish will be a-flyin' if I don't win.

Ciao~

EVERY TEN DAYS?

Well that's what it seems like, right?  I blog about every 10 days.  So sad for someone who actually claims to have a blog.  Maybe if I were a professional blogger like my sister in law, but 'naw.

I am thinking of closing down shop here.  Not because I don't like it, but because by the time the thought of my blog actually crosses my mind, I am way too tired or called away from the computer by one of the many boys in this house.

I hardly get to read email.  And if I do, it takes me a week just to respond.  So- hmmmm.  What to do?

In the meantime - here's the scoop:

We are looking at options for Bubby's kindergarten and "elementary career".  Doesn't that sound bad?  I never, ever wanted school to be high-pressure for him.  But it will.  After being the assistant teacher and occasional sub at his preschool this year, I have realized that I will always be heavily engaged in his educational experience.  Could be worse...

So right now we are considering an "alternative" curriculum at our public school.  It is important to me for the kids to go to public school because it's fun and everyone goes there.  As in - it's like the real world.  However the program we may enroll Bibby with is a little different.  It's a tad more challenging than the standard curriculum taught to the elementary kids here.  He will learn the same lessons, but also learn how to apply them in real situations.  This program not only covers the Three R's, but adds drama/theater, music, community outreach and parental involvement.  Heavy parental involvement.

So it looks like I will continue to teach/sub at the preschool next year as well as join the program with Bubby and somehow go to school with him (not every day).  We also have to decide whether to enroll Bubs in full day kindergarten or half day.  The full day will give him more learning, but may be overwhelming.  And tuition is $3000...for a kindergartner...at a public school.  I also hear rumors that I am being nominated for a board position at school.  Elections are in a few weeks.  Aack.

Other than the school drama, we are pretty good around here.  Deso and I are getting over a minor flu thing this week.  We are all looking forward to Superbowl tomorrow!  GO BEARS!