Spanish Violet

I have been saving these pictures for a rainy day, or for when I have a tedious question that doesn't lend it's self to a photo. But I'm tired of waiting! I don't feel like doing the work of answering questions. Can't I have fun for once in my entire life???

Though I think she looks the most regal in the top photo, there were several more where she really shined. So much so that I'm having a hard time editing them down. She is pictured at four months old.

She looks like me, doesn't she?

Pensive?

I've said it before, but she really loves doing this kind of stuff.

First time in her Bumbo.

Initially, she was a little confused. Don't think I won't use this photo again.

Pre-wig.

Quality Education

First day of 2nd or 3rd Grade. Gorgeous.
(I remember my grandma took me to get this haircut while visiting her house and she didn't ask my mother first. I didn't get why that was such a big deal at the time. I loved that purse and carried it with me everywhere.)

Dear Alisha,

Is academics your highest priorities for your kids? If you could afford the best school that challenges your kids academically and also in the arts, would you pay for it, if you could?
Sincerely, Quality Education

Dear Quality Education,

Who is going to say no to you? Who would actually ever say no, academics isn't important?
I will say this, academics is not my highest priority for my kids. My highest priority is more that they are well rounded and happy children that grow to be successful, spiritual, giving, exciting adults. Or something like that. (I have never made a mission statement for my parenting before.) To be those things, they need to be educated in academics as well as the ways of life.

I do not think I would put my kids in private school unless something unusual happened. I like public education. I think it is important to support it. There is something to be learned in all schools. My favorite school that my children have attended so far has been a low income, Title One school, comprised largely of the children of migrant workers. If you looked at the test scores and statistics on the school it was a horror story. But my son learned to read in Spanish and English, improved his communications skills, and developed his social skills. His fellow classmates were sweet and fun and his teachers were competent and caring. And there was a free breakfast. (A free nasty breakfast but it was fun for Trevor on occasion.)
I also think it is important to consider the needs of the whole family. We eventually switched to the school in our neighborhood because my son had two napping siblings at the time he needed to be picked up every day. An added bonus to attending a local school is that he has been able to make friends with the children who live around us.

I don't like it when parents complain about teachers. (Those greedy teachers!) Sometimes it seems as if people want to prove their good parenting by finding fault with the teacher and school. I have found elementary teachers to be caring and in it for the right reasons. Most aren't perfect but they do a much better job at teaching my children academics than I would.
The End.

First Grade. Look how blond!

And now allow me to meander.
This week my three sons started school and I went to meet their teachers and hear about the class with both my youngers. First it was off for a kindergarten placement test at a public school. His teacher was testing a small group of students together while the parents loomed about. The parents were of different races and gender, but I was the only one not displaying a large amount of tattoos. Even the mothers! And not the simple 'I had some fun in college' kind either. Their forearms were covered and they looked freshly inked. Which brings me to my second rank:
Why so junky? Some of the parents were dressed conservatively, so it seemed even weirder on them. Has the world watched too many episodes of Miami Ink? They look a little trashy now but with only look sillier as they age.

Then a lovely Asian mother arrived with her daughter wearing a "Jesus Loves Me" t-shirt and I knew I was safe. While all the other kids struggled to count to 20, (most skipped 15), to further stereotypes this little girl smoothly counted to 100.

Next stop was to my little son's parent-co-op-artisty-pre-school. Here they met with us one on one. They wore Tevas. They smiled and nodded a lot. My kids could do no wrong. There was the subtle smell of garlic in the air. (Can garlic even be subtle?? Okay garlic, we get it.) The teacher was over qualified to sit in a circle with 2 and 3 year olds and sing songs. She also said from both teaching and "experiencing" several different types of education, "there is no perfect school".

I know this can be a controversial topic, and I didn't even bring up home-schooling, but are you satisfied with your child's education or is the grass greener elsewhere? Would you chose private school?(I don't like that I am even giving you that option. Learn to be happy.)

First Day of 4th Grade. As you can see, I am already exuding style.

How I Spent My Summer "Vacation"

I am at the end of a marathon with the finish line in sight. You see, I don't care for hot weather or children with too much time on their hands, so summer is not my season. At least this summer the weather was on my side, 70's and breezy until recently, when it's turned hot just to further my excitement for fall. I am ready to retire my position as Summer Activities Director. This week my two oldest sons start school and fall is around the corner, which is to say, I've made it. I've made it.

As a special treat, and because I love to-do lists, here is the one I made at the beginning of summer. I'd like to remind you all that I have a new baby but also an ambitious 2 year old.

Scratch that! Who really wants to read my to-do list? It was only exciting in the beginning of summer. Instead, I'll give you what you really want:

Baby Photos:

Violet soaking up the sun.

Hanging out with her BFF.

The day I was taking these photos at the park (not the beach, I totally fooled you!), BFF came too and her mom just happened to have a newborn swimsuit with her in the car and I just happened to have an extra blond wig with me. I think at first her mother was -skeptical (repulsed?) by the idea of her precious daughter in a wig, but I think they were both happy with the results.

Next to show up was the girl's (beefy) friend S.W. He knew just how to position himself.


I am including this last image, that an (innocent) bystander snapped. I love how two moms are desperately arranging wigs on their newborns.

Funny, a new mom came to the park that day. She seemed ...surprised (impressed?) with babies in bikinis and wigs on a chilly day. "I didn't know they made wigs for babies..." "They don't!" I retorted, "they're medium sized dog wigs!!" (Thanks for the tip Juli.)

Recipes:

What says 'summer indoors' more than a Smore Cookie? First my friend Melinda made these and then I had to copy her like it was my original idea. They are so good it's dangerous. I can't say enough about how delicious they are. I find regular smores too sticky and frustrating.
Recipe from Martha Stewart.

Gossip:
My sister Niki came for a visit. The one you've heard about. Pictured with her is her (3rd) husband Randy. We really liked him and hope he sticks around! (Niki- call me! I forgot how to text.)
True story: her daughter Viv came too. She's six and wears Lee Press On Nails. After she left we found tiny painted finger nails all over the house, like her own little calling card.

Advice on How to Live Better:

To cheer myself up and to keep nutty busy this summer, I threw several lunch get-togethers. I won't go into the details- that's a whole post just waiting to happen.


Reality Check:

Here's where I rant about my efforts to be a fun mom and how boys don't seem to appreciate it.

Every year I buy my school age boys a new wardrobe. I consider not just how I would like them to look but their individual tastes, what is in style for their age, and what their needs will be as far as climate and comfort. And do they thank me for my efforts? Of course not.

I have been told stories of little girls who eagerly try on their new clothes with rapture and thankfulness. This year I was rewarded with a tiny morsel. When I laid out their piles of new clothes, Davy showed a little enthusiasm and even said thanks. That sentence was pay off enough to keep me shopping.

Also, I saw this great Back to School idea on ohdeedoh.com.

Perfect! I will do this the night before school starts and start a new family tradition. The kids will love it.

This looked cuter in person.

I think this (lousy) photo shows just how excited they were. They didn't even notice. Okay, again Davy did notice that 'the placemats are everyone's favorite color', but that's it. Sure there was only one written up menu, that's because both Violet and Whitman were crying. Jana tells me that when she puts any effort into setting the table her girls eww and ahhh over every detail. What would that be like?

I did a bunch of other stuff to, but it is thankfully done and over till next year. Hooray for fall!

How was your summer?