Monica's Musings #5

Well, lots has been going on and I didn't want to post a million different things so you get another musing.

*The weather in CT is very NOT May weather. Since when is 40 degree temperatures and lots of wind spring like weather. Feels more like November than May. Really would like to see some weather changes.

*Kaitlyn informed me today that since my meeting with her teacher last week she has been a lot nicer to her. Well, that's good to hear. Sad that it had to come to what it came to for her to feel that she's being treated fairly. Also sad that there's a strained relationship between me and her teacher. I'm hoping to finish the year on a positive note.

*Sizing 400 children for t-shirts is much more time consuming and exhausting than I remembered it to be. But it's done and the shirts for the school wide Rock Cats game and Field Day will be great this year. The kids are excited about their shirts. We had a few color requests from the kids. And even one from staff. Sorry everyone, you're stuck with what you got. We can't please everyone.

*It's really beginning to feel real that I am almost a middle school parent. Tonight we had a parent orientation at the middle school. I must say I'm extremely impressed with the school she'll be going to. I brought Natalie along even though it was just supposed to be an evening for parents. She needed to see the school though and unfortunately she will not be at school the day the children take a trip to see the middle school. So I felt this was a good opportunity for her to see it. As a parent I'm relieved to see there are so many efforts taken to keep the kids separate from one another. While it's a huge school they really don't leave their wing and when they do leave their wing it's always with an adult. And as long as she knows her name she's really golden. I think she can manage that. I really really really like the system they use to keep you informed of your child's progress. There is a website that will let parents view their child's class schedule, grades, and homework assignments. I can keep a closer eye on her and her school work than I currently am able to AND she won't even have to know I'm doing it. Not that I anticipate any issues with her schooling, but I like having access to this stuff so I can see if problems are arising with her before it's too late.

*Natalie likes lunch. Yes, I said it, my child can't wait to get to middle school to eat. Although, in all honesty while she says that out loud I think deep down she was excited about the library. When we got in there she was instantly scoping out the books and looking all around. Yup, I think truth be told she is looking forward to finding a nice little nook in the library to sit down and read a good book.

*I am actually glad I got to see the look on her face when she saw the school. It was nice to get a feel for what her fears might be. I think this tour and orientation did help to calm some of her fears. But I also think it has given her something to look forward to about a school that she was terrified about going to and completely dreading. She definitely does not like how early she'll be getting to school though, but there are so many options for her to get involved in. Way more than there were when I was in middle school.

*Haircuts haircuts haircuts. The 5 of us are getting our haircut tomorrow. This will be CJ's very first haircut. I'm so excited to see how he'll look. Kaitlyn is refusing to cut her hair to one length. If she had her way she wouldn't get a haircut at all. I'm hoping maybe my hairdresser can talk her into cutting it to all one length.

*Wedding in 10 days! I cannot believe that my cousin is getting married in 10 days. It seemed so far away and now it's here. We are all very excited for the day. It is going to be a beautiful wedding with a beautiful bride. I am really looking forward to this fun event with our family.

*I made the announcement on Monday that I have to resign as PTA president. I had such a hard time making that choice. For so many reasons too. Not just my commitment to the PTA, but what was best for Kaitlyn. In the long run I do think this is the best move all around for everyone. CJ included since it looks like I will be enrolling him in preschool. I knew no one would step up to be the president, but I was glad to see that the rest of the officers were willing to band together and take on the job together. Some events might be lost next year and some things might not get done, but maybe that will be a wake up call to the parents of what the PTA does and how it wouldn't be possible without more volunteers. So I wish all of them luck. My heart will always be there and whatever I can do to help out I will still do. But I'm also looking forward to jumping into the PTO at the next school and maybe even the Parent Advisory Council at the middle school.

Well, the next year definitely will be holding some interesting stuff for the Barnes Bunch. Lots of changes. Three kids and possibly three different schools should prove to be interesting all in itself. I'm excited to see what this year will bring for my kids. For Natalie I wonder what groups she'll be interested in getting involved in at the middle school. For Kaitlyn I wonder if this will be the year that she gets a teacher who's able to finally make reading click for her. And for CJ, well, I can see lots of changes on the horizon for him; going from a toddler to a preschooler. They all grow so fast.