Tears.

Our boy started kindergarten one week ago today.  He was so excited and loved everything about it.

The next day:  Tears.  And the next.  And the next.  And the next.  And the next.

To say that we have been surprised by this is an understatement.  One thing that C has always been is enthusiastic about school.  But another thing that he has always been is unpredictable.  Just when you think he'll zig, he zags.  Just because he can.

He likes his teacher.  He likes the activities.  He likes recess.  He's making friends.  He likes everything about it.  Except...

"It's too long."

"The cookies taste bad."

"The school is too white."   (We thought he was being very smart about the need for ethnic diversity, but alas, he was talking about the color of the walls.  Clearly someone in this house has been watching too much HGTV.)

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So even though C tells everyone he talks to how much he loves kindergarten, he's still crying every single morning.  No. matter. what. we. try.

Do you think that he is trying to break our hearts one tiny tear at a time?

Moving Pictures.

Hey Everyone!  For some strange reason, we have free movie channels right now and over the last couple of weeks I've seen How Do You Know, The Young Victoria, and Country Strong.  Of the three, The Young Victoria was my favorite.  It was just so pretty. 

Country Strong was okay, but I kept thinking about the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow gained weight for the role and trying to figure out where she put it because she looked pretty darn skinny to me throughout the entire film.

But what is my favorite movie of all time?  Hmmm...

Here's a hint:

Can you guess that film?  It's While You Were Sleeping and, for some reason, I laugh hysterically every time I see that poor paper boy.  Falling off a bike is just such a Tricia-thing to do.  Clearly, I'm an intellectual and my taste in movies reflects that (Ha!).  

So tell me...What is your favorite movie?

Not to Be.

If you know me at all, you know that I am a big ol' chicken most of the time.  I don't like roller coasters.  I don't like scary movies.  I don't really like surprises of any kind.  Spur-of-the-moment, I am not.

I keep waiting for my "wild phase of life" to begin.  You know--the skydiving, spontaneous trip to India, navel-piercing portion--but it just hasn't kicked in yet.  Maybe I'll get there once I'm a granny.  I imagine myself saying things like "I'd be happy to watch the grandbabies, but I have my belly dancing class that night" or "Sorry I can't help out with the ice cream social.  I'll be at Sturgis that weekend."

Anyway...as much as I don't like roller coasters and surprises, it seems like that is all life has been offering up lately.  In my last post, I wrote about a job prospect.  To make a long story short:  I was offered the job, but then the school district was unwilling to wait for me to obtain temporary certification so they rescinded the job offer. 

I am alternately disappointed and relieved.

Disappointed because:  It would have been great to gain new experience in the field in which I studied (school psychology) and the additional income would have been great.

Relieved because:  I wasn't ready to jump into a new job at the same time that C started to school; The job was 40 miles away and that would have been hard on C, me, and my car; The job was in a different school district than the one C attends and the schedules were quite different--we weren't sure how we were going to make it work when C was out of school, etc.

So I am leaving the amusement park and reverting back to my original plan.  This fall I will enjoy some quiet time while J and C are at school, teach my classes part time, volunteer at C's school, take my certification exam and get certified, and keep an eye out for a job that will fit just right. 

It's out there, right?

To Be or Not To Be?

It's been a bit quiet around here, hasn't it?  It seems like when my life gets busy, posting slows down.  Here is a little recap of the last few weeks:

• C lost his first tooth on July 25th.  He worked really hard to keep it in because he was a bit scared to part with it, but finally--and with a little help from me--it came out.  Tooth Fairy Tina left a nice little treat.
• On July 28th, we took C for his six-year-check up.  All went well and he didn't even need any shots.  Our pediatrician did shock us (Ha!) with the news that C isn't likely to be a giant:  He's 20th percentile for height and 9th percentile for weight.  Ah well.  At least he's healthy!
• On July 29th, we went to the county fair to see the Imagination Movers.  They are great--really nice and talented--but the show was deafening!  If it had been half as loud, it still would have been too loud.  People were leaving within the first 10 minutes because the little kiddos couldn't stand it.  I just don't understand why concerts (especially for children) have to be so loud.
• On August 1st, I went for an interview at my old office.  I didn't get the job because they need someone full time and I'm only able to commit to part time right now.
• On August 7th, C lost his second tooth while eating a banana (of all things)!
• On August 8th, we met C's kindergarten teacher.  She seems excited about the school year and we walked away feeling comfortable (always a nice thing). 
• On August 10th, we went to Kansas City to do some looking, some shopping, and--most of all--to go to Worlds of Fun.  We were a little concerned because C has been notoriously nervous about carousels and the like, but at WOF, he acted like he had been riding them his whole life!  Planet Snoopy was a huge hit and he finally got to try cotton candy for the first time.  Not a bad day at all.
• Now spending the night in a hotel, on the other hand, can be summed up in one word:  TERRIBLE!  C loved it, but he did not sleep and J did not  sleep and that means that I did not sleep.  We were very tired travelers on the way home.
• It's good to be back, but this morning I went for another job interview with my former school system.  They called yesterday to ask me to come in to talk about a position that just opened up in my field.  The problem:  They really need a full-time person too. 
• I feel ______?  The money and experience would be great.  The stress and travel time would stink.

We'll have to wait to see what happens...
I really dislike job interviews, but I really dislike the waiting to see if things will work out even more. 

Especially when I'm not sure whether or not I want them to work out...

Helpful Hint #1

If you have an extra fridge or freezer in your garage, check to make sure that it is still working every week or so.  Otherwise, you may find yourself dealing with a very, very, very gross smell. 

Have a great weekend!