everydayjill

I had the honor of attending a kindergarten roundup this afternoon. The word ’roundup’ conjured up images of our principal in western garb, and the counselor square-dancing, but thankfully, we had none of that. No offense if Mrs. J likes wearing wranglers or Miss Anderson likes to do-si-do, but I was a little nervous about being party to it all.
No worries, the roundup was simply a clearinghouse to get all of the kindergarten kids entered into the School District with their shot records, medical info, proof of residency, blaablaablaa… I also found out that pig latin and double dutch are not true second languages, so we are a primarily English-speaking family. All-day kindergarten, which is mandatory in many states now, is still optional in Colorado School Districts. Optional is a code word for EXPENSIVE. We have to enter our kids into a lottery, pray, do a rain dance, and cross our fingers that they get into all-day kindergarten. That they get in so that we can pay an arm and a leg for them to get what is required in other stated. Go figure.
I did ask Mrs J. if a caramel chocolate covered apple would help with the whole lottery thing, and her reply was “couldn’t hurt.”

N is N, running around, driving his sister nuts, wearing capes, brandishing swords, shrieking like a deranged monkey, and only eating three or four foods. Drew and I went to a local concert last night, and had a new babysitter. Cute cute kid, very nice, but when she told me my kids were good (believable) and very calm ( NOT believable), I had to question her further. Calm is not a word that I would normally use for either of my precious babies. Not unless they have been sedated with Benadryl and are snoring in their beds. Even then, I am sure that there would be thrashing about, sleep-talking, drooling, or something very UN-calm going on.

Whoa, buddy, you have been watching way too much nickjr. or cartoon network. I know that I have been busy working and studying but we have gotta cut back on the TV. This is what N told me the other day as we walked through a bookstore, and he saw something that he wanted. If my five-year-old can recite that off the cuff, think of the millions of other kids that must say the same thing to their parents. Whoever thought of that ad campaign for Visa must be the go-to guy at Visa right now- responsible for millions of future little credit card users making billions of dollars for Visa.
So anyway, less TV time in the household this week is my goal. Life does not take Visa, and American Idol is NOT reality. G is supposed to be learning about the capitals of the United States, not five hundred facts about Hannah Montana. N is supposed to be learning his letters and telling time, not counting the minutes until Scooby Doo comes on. I feel more sleepless nights coming on, as I study late, instead of using the TV as a babysitter.

Sleep has been winning out over blogging the past few days. Although the sleep thing has not been going too well either, so maybe I should’ve been blogging the entire time. Whether I have been coughing or cleaning or studying, there has been far too little sleep for this girl lately. When G was a baby, she NEVER slept. She would only sleep if she was physically touching you or curled up against you, and even then she might be wide-eyed and bushy-tailed at two in the morning. Definitely awake by five or so, every morning, giggly and ready to go. We always said that her motto was “Sleep is for the weak,” and I think about that often. Maybe that is the tattoo that I will get, Mom. Kidding- only kidding.

He might as well have just gone ahead and said “Duh, Mom.” It is about the love tomorrow. But if you throw in a little candy, I bet N would not refuse!