The most precious thing

As I was just telling a friend about her kids, there is nothing more precious than a little sibling looking at the older one(s) like they hung the moon. And that is exactly how Jonathan looks at his older sisters. He likes Nacho and I just fine - I can get him to smile and coo the most, but he looks at his sisters with such awe it amazes me. When we get in the car to go get the girls from school, he looks at either side of his seat and seems genuinely confused when he doesn't see them. The minute they get in the car, he starts smiling & cooing at them and will do this the whole way home. And in return, the girls are as equally in love with him. I couldn't have asked for a better transition!

Super Bowl!!

I have to admit that I didn't really care who won this year, seeing as our teams weren't even it. But I was missing the get togethers we used to have when I was growing up. I mean we had huge Super Bowl parties, but we als had everyday Sunday football get togethers too. And I miss those. I guess as we all get older and move away and on with our lives it's hard to keep those things going. And I'm apparently getting nostoligic as I get older. I want those things for my kids.

So I was thrilled when our neighbors invited us to their house for a Super Bowl party today. It's the first time ever I think we've been friends with our neighbors, so it was a good and really entertaining group, with a few who are true Steelers fans and a few who are true Cardinals fans. The last quarter (especially the last 5-6 minutes) were hilarious to watch. So we spent the afternoon with good friends, watching a good game, eating good food, drinking really good wine (!), but most importantly making good memories for our children, who had a great time themselves.

So while, I'm still sad to not be getting together with the group we had when I was growing up, this was a pretty good way to spend the day.

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!