Kindergarten Politics

I had no idea the politics that are involved in signing up for Kindergarten. It is seriously ridiculous. I have to sign Samantha up on Monday, but because we live a new housing development the kids are being sent to different elementary schools based on the phase they live in. There is nothing wrong with our "home" school, but it's not the one they're at now (for preschool), nor is it the closest to us and none of their friends go there. So we knew we were going to be requesting an intradisrict transfer to either the school they're at now or the one by my mom's house, which btw is the only one with a music program.

I had a few minutes today after preschool pick up so I decided to pick Ms. J's brain about her thoughts regarding which school would be a better fit for the girls (Sam will start this year, Lexi the following year.) She tells me that the school we really wanted (the one by my mom's house) only offers 1/2 day kindergarten, which I think I knew at one point, but had obviously forgotten. She also tells me that, while she's not positive for this upcoming school year, in the past they have required that transfered in kindergartners go to (and therefore pay for) the after school program. Even if they're parent stays home with them. I guess the theory is that the people in that school's area pay more in property taxes than the transfers and it makes up the difference. Which would be great except I'm positive we pay more in property taxes than probably 90% of the area (we bought at the peak of the CA housing boom). But will they let me bring my property tax bill to show that? Nope. Do they care that my mom pays property taxes for THAT school and doesn't have any school aged children that ever went there? Nope. Oh and to top it all off - I was under the assumption that if you got the transfer granted, you were good, including sibling preference. But according to some people's experiences, that isn't the case. I guess they decide each school year whether a transfer can stay? I don't know if the last thing is true, but I don't want to run the risk. I wasn't crazy about 1/2 day kindergarten to start with, but this is just down right nuts to me. And all of this only applies to this one particular school even though there are 5 in the district. Probably because it's the newest campus??

So obviously this particular school isn't the right fit for us. Having lived pretty far away from my friends during elementary school (private school), I don't want that for my children. Plus, since this community seems so hell-bent on "equalitity", would the girls have problems being tranfers as far as fitting in? Needless to say I'm glad I figured this all out today.

So it looks like I'll request the tranfer to their current location. Ms. J has assured me that there has never been a request denied to a child who went to preschool there, so let's hope she's right. I'm happy with the decision, I believe Nacho is and I think the girls will be happy, if for no other reason that they'll stay with their friends and they know the campus already.

Oh and for the record, I did check into our local Catholic private school. Yeah, not happening. Even though Nacho is Catholic, I don't think "we'll" (and I use the we loosely) ever be Catholic enough for their requirements.

Refreshing Customer Service

Last night we went out to dinner and I had one of the best customer service experiences I think I've ever had. I ordered a chicken dish and unfortunatly it was completely overcooked. Now, I'm not normally one to complain or send something back because 1) I'm afraid of what they might to do my food (Road Trip anyone?) and 2) I hate waiting for the new dish to come while everybody else is eating and then holding everybody up when mine gets there. Oh and because I hate arguing with waitstaff as they try to explain to why it is the way it is, but with no offer to remedy the problem. But last night I didn't have a choice. The chicken, while looking fine, was so overcooked you couldn't cut through most of it.

Our waiter was so apologetic and asked if I would like another one. Even though I was full (breadsticks and salad) I felt I had to say yes because I had complained. I made a comment to Nacho that maybe I could have it for lunch the following day. Our waiter heard me say this, had the kitchen make a new one and pack it up to go, along with a full serving of "to go" salad. A few minutes later, the manager comes over and apologizes, saying our waiter was really upset he had served me the chicken and that in addition to replacing it, they had taken it off the bill.

I'm the first to spread the name of a company with horrible customer service (Dish Network comes to mind) in hopes of having people not use them in the future, but it's not often I share or hear of good experience. So shout out to Olive Garden for great customer service. In these times where eating out has become a luxury, you've just ensured that you will have our repeat business. Cattleman's on the other hand (which woulld be a whole other post) can shove it.

Hi Papa & Grammy!

Jonathan wanted to say hi to his Papa & Grammy (and any other friends & family we don't get to see often enough.) Sorry it's black & white, but we had to take it with the night vision setting because the room was dark and we were afraid he'd stop if we turned the lights on. Now that's figured out he can do this, he pretty much smiles and coos non-stop!

Growing up too fast

I'm sure all parents feel this way, but as my oldest approaches 5 and the beginning of kindergarten, I am again reminded how quickly my children are growing up. Heck, the baby will be 2 months old next week. One of the girls' favorite movies right now is Mamma Mia (thankfully they're still too young to understand that plot of the movie, they just like the music). And every time I watch it or listen to the cd with them, I end up crying during the scene/song "Slipping Through My Fingers". How is it they're still so little and I'm already feeling this way. For those who don't know the song the words are the following:

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for awhile
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl
Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute, The feeling it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Sleep in our eyes, Her and me at the breakfast table
Barely awake, I let precious time go by
Then when she's gone, there's that old melancholy feeing
And a sense of guilt, I can't deny
What happened to those wonderful adventures
The places I had planned for us to go
Well, some of that we did but most we didn't
And why I just don't know
Slipping through my fingers all the time...
Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers
Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile...
-Benny Anderson & Bjorn Ulvaeus

So I guess what I've taken from this is to enjoy each day with them as much as I can because before I know it they'll be out in the world living their own lives. They're already beginning to need me less and less each day. And while I'm proud of who they're becoming, I can't help but a little bit broken-hearted over it.

Moving on...

Do you ever notice that when you hold a grudge, the only person it really hurts is yourself? Well, I'm tired of it, so grudges I've been holding, I'm trying to let go of. Some more successfully than others. I've got a great life - three beautiful, healthy children, a husband who loves me, great family, a home we love and steady income (which in this economy is important!) So being upset about things that seem so petty now just doesn't seem worth it. So I'm moving on and growing up. Go me!

Facebook

Like I needed one more thing on the computer to take up my time, but I did it. I finally joined the ranks of Facebook users. I've had friends tell me for a long time to do it and I joined a long time ago, but didn't really get the appeal, so didn't log on again for a very long time. But recently, my friend Megan, whom I don't get to talk to often enough, told me Facebook was the best place to keep in touch with her and see updated pics of her beautiful kids. So I logged on again. And now I love it! I've found family on there, many friends from high school and even some people I went to elementry school with! It's amazing. And quite addictive. Just ask my husband, who I think is starting to get annoyed with how much time I've spent finding people. I told him the newness would wear off soon. Or better yet, he can join!

Dang it!

I just got a call from our dentist cancelling my appointment for Monday...because she's moving and closing her practice effective TODAY! Now, I don't really like going to the dentist, but I finally found a dentist I was comfortable with (you can ask Nacho, this doesn't happen easily) and now she's moving. So now I have to start the search all over again. I don't want to find a new dentist. Too bad the girls' pediatric dentist won't take me.

Just for fun

I decided to the look-alike meter on myself and my parents. I guess this constitutes the perfect blend!

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Roots - Family tree diagram

Interesting...

I found this look-alike metter on somebody else's blog and decided to give it a try since so many people have such strong opinions on who our kids look like. Most people believe Samantha is a combination of both of us, that Alexandra is the spitting image of Nacho and that Jonathan looks like me. Personally, except for coloring, I think all of our children look alike, especially as newborns. And I think it's that coloring that makes people believe they look like one of us more than the other - Lexi definitely has Nacho's dark hair (but my eye color) and Jonathan is fairer skinned, like I am.

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Isn't in funny that based on this, Lexi looks the most like me? I have no idea what the base this on and I've gotten different results using different pictures (but always get that they looked more like me - from 2% to 7%), but it is interesting. And I guess this shows that all three of our children are the perfect combination of both Nacho and me.

Good news and bad news

The good news: (and I'm almost afraid to say this for fear of jinxing myself)
Jonathan is sleeping through the night (9 hours) this week! He's always been a good sleeper and started sleeping 6 hours a night at 1.5 weeks, but a full night of sleep is just awesome. And he's started giving social smiles, which are the best. He finds Samantha especially entertaining.

And since I mentioned Samantha, on to the bad news. She seems to have come down with the stomach flu. She's in good spirits, but just about the time we think she's over it, she gets sick again. She's got a lot of the symptoms of influenza (the real flu) but not the fever. Does anybody know if you can have the real flu without the fever? Hopefully she feels better soon, but for now our days are being spent with her going from her bed to the couch and back again.

A little taste of summer

If you're living in California right now, you wouldn't believe it's the middle of January - we're in the mid 70's today and it's just beautiful. After picking up the girls from school today I decided it was the perfect time to take them to the park and let them burn off some of the extra energy they've been storing up. It was so nice out and it reminded me of how our summers are. I used to be one that loved cold, rainy weather, but that was pre-kids when I could turn on the fireplace, stay in my pjs and watch movies/tv all day without any guilt. Now I can't wait for the warm summer days where we can get out of the house. So we've had our little taste of summer and I can't wait for the days where the sun sets later than 5pm and it's actually warm enough to go out in short sleeves. I'm sure they'll be here before I know it!

Public Service Announcement

For all California drivers (well, all drivers, I guess):

FYI - putting your cell phone on speakerphone and holding it in your hand does NOT constitute hands free cell phone use while driving! And if you're going to do it this way, don't hold it high enough for a cop to see you.

Oh and while I'm at it - if there is a car in front of me, tailgaiting me won't accomplish anything, except piss me off. Where exactly do you think I'm going to go?

And one last one - please learn how to merge and how to use a round-about. Honestly, they're not that hard.

Thanks!

Thank goodness!

I never thought I'd be so happy to see school start up again. I wasn't looking forward to the early mornings again, but boy was I happy to kiss them goodbye this morning. Don't get me wrong - I love my kids and love spending time with them. But between the excitement of the holidays and welcoming their new brother and then the boring week that followed, they've had a bit of cabin fever. In years past, we'd solve that problem by letting them run around the park until they had burned all that extra energy, but this year it's been too cold to take the little one out for that long, so I'm sure the girls were beginning to feel like caged animals. Which meant they started acting like them too. I never knew there was so much to fight about, but my girls figured out there was. (and I'm sure my parents are laughing at this right now - because Chris and I were never like that, right? ;) )

So they happily went back to school to see their friends and play to their hearts' content. And we missed eachother, so we were all refreshed and happy to see eachother at pick up. And best of all, they're so exhausted from it, all three of my kids are napping right now!

Knock knock

Why oh why did I ever teach my kids about knock-knock jokes? I did it once to make Samantha laugh and they have turned it into a whole new game. The only problem - they don't really get the art of the knock-knock joke. Do you remember the old one from grade school that goes like this:
"knock-knock"
"who's there?"
"banana"
"banana who?"
"knock-knock"
"who's there?"
"banana"
"banana who?"
etc
"knock-knock"
"who's there?"
"orange"
"orange who?"
"orange you glad I didn't say banana?"

So this is the one I told Samantha..and has been retold to Alexandra. But they don't get that the funny part of this is "orange you glad I didn't say banana". So their jokes go something like this:
"knock-knock"
"who's there?"
"candy cane"
"candy cane who?"
"aren't you glad I didn't say plate?"
followed by endless giggles from them. Who knew all you had to do to make a knock-knock joke funny was pick random items you see around the house? And they go on like this FOREVER!

.....but there is nothing sweeter than listening to them laugh, so I'll continue to listen to their jokes and pretend to find it as funny as they do.