Sending our Second to school...?

The green plastic rippled tiles for a ceiling, the tiny bathrooms, the not dark-but not light hallways, and the buzz of tiny children seemingly too young to be away from their parents could only mean one thing--it's time for G to gear up for Kindergarten!

G had his Honeybee night the other day, when the three of us went to eat dinner at the cafeteria in his soon-to-be school and engage in an evening of mini-classes. He went around and did a workshop with the librarian, the PE teacher, the music teacher, the art teacher, and spent some time in a Kindergarten classroom.

They call it the Honeybee night because they invite the little upcoming Kindergarteners for a visit to the school, where the mascot is the Bee. Someone asked why it wasn't called, "Larvae night." We glared at them. I am sure their child will end up in G's class.

The flat cold pizza isolated on the cold green tray, in a big warm gym that doubles as the lunchroom, while to the putside world may have sent up red flags, was a warm affirmation to me that this was where we wanted G to start his "formal" education. (who looks more out of it?)

Many of the boys his age are not heading to KG this year, but are waiting until next year so they are "more prepared", which translates into--parents wanting them bigger so they can play football... Never doubting G was ready, we caved to peer pressue to take a moment to ponder if he was ready or not. When after Honeybee night he described the experience as "lots of fun, but very complicated," we knew it was time. Well that, and the other day he announced, "Me and my friend keep arguing about infinity--I keep saying it is a never-ending number and he thinks it is zero, but he is wrong." Look out world, the G has been released!

A night spent "Gettin' all jacked up on Mtn Dew"

We went because the tickets were free, we perservered because of the fried Oreos. You heard me.

The NRV Speedway is 7 miles from our home and in 10 years of living that close, we have never even considered going--never crossed our minds as even an option. When we were given some free tickets to "watch the race" we had to go!
(note we are the only ones around because everyone else--and there were many many others--we in the fried oreo line or under the worlds smallest awning due to the rain that postponed the race!)

All we know about racing is what we learned from Ricky Bobby and Lightening McQueen.

After getting a sitter for the littlest boy (we were afraid the noise would deafen him), we headed out in the rain and hoped for the best. Regrettably, the best it got was the Valleydale playground.
The playground where the boys almost killed themselves on the slippery equipment, were totally drenched and loved every minute of it!
Ok- so not ALL the boys loved it! Jack tried anything to get out of the rain!

If nothing else, we learned the next time we need somewhere to go to get the boys out and about, we are heading to the races--so we can play on the nicest playground in the Valley.

Remember. April 16.

We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness.... We will prevail....
-- Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist

They say you never forget where you were when tragedy strikes. I had actually gone into F's school to help with a teacher appreciation breakfast. The principal came in and announced that they were locking down the school because there someone had been shot at VT and the shooter was still at large...so just a precaution. I returned home and for hours watched it all unravel. First one, then five, then eleven, then more than 20, and in the end, 32. 32 gone, while I was helping the PTA. Watching the first responders as they approached in the flurries. Watching the feed from a cell phone & hearing the gunshots. I watched as my little 'Burg was all over the national news. I will never forget where I was...

I have to go out today so I don't sit and wallow as the news coverage again returns to the Burg. Because even now, and throughout the past year, as something about April 16th arises, I get this blow to the gut reaction and tears flow almost instantly. Just a few, and I can then reclaim my emotions. Growing up in B'burg and being so intimately connected to VT my whole life, this tragedy strikes at my heart. For me, I think the tears will pass, but for many I fear they won't.

It reminds me I must teach my boys to love instead of hate, to speak instead out shout, to savor instead of destroy, to honor instead of degrade, and to seek peace and understanding instead of waiting for someone else to...

But in a world of cartoons filled with violence, shelves filled with villians and superheroes, and potent political propaganda passing from parent to child, it is not easy! Hopefully though, as parents, "We will prevail..." and the future will hold a little less sadness and a little more sunshine.

I can never wear my denim skirt again!

In light of the recent controversy with the FLDS, (whom I think we should sue because they are stealing our name...and I know my husband loves me because I won't let it die, and he just gently coaxes me into "not sueing, because you don't really have the authority to do that...") I thought I would clarify a few things:

Polygamy--THEM, NOT US

Beds in Temples--THEM, NOT US

Ponytails, pioneer dresses, and denim skirts--THEM, NOT US

Breaking the law & abusing women and children--THEM, NOT US

Elder Ballard yesterday said, "You would think that after over 100 years, media organizations would understand the difference,” he said. “You can’t blame the public for being confused when some of those reporting on these stories keep getting them wrong.”

Still, lest there be any confusion about what me and my family believe on the matter...

President Gordon B. Hinckley stated the following about polygamy in the Church's October 1998 general conference:
“I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law. They know they are in violation of the law. They are subject to its penalties. The Church, of course, has no jurisdiction whatever in this matter.
"If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church. An article of our faith is binding upon us. It states, 'We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law' (Articles of Faith 1:12).”

In terms of addictions, I guess I am grateful for this one...

Several days ago Jack mentioned that there is a cake at Kroger he pines away for everytime he goes grocery shopping. He said that one day he was going to look at the expiration date on the cake and go back everyday as the expiration approaches, in hopes of buying it on clearance. (It's $14.00 and he just won't pay that for a cake...can you sense his indignation?)

My story is this: In Primary last week, they were talking about what it meant to be sober, and it lead to a discussion about additctions, which prompted my eldest to announce to the ward that "My dad has an addiction to buying clearance foods at Kroger!" Alas, the shame sets in.

Is salad on the menu this week? If it was on clearance for $0.89 it is! (Usually he gets it for .59)

What about lunch meats for sack lunches? For $1.00--SURE!

Our freezer is stocked with yogurt, milk, meats, and cheeses Jack found lurking at the bottom of the back aisles in Kroger.

I must confess (don't tell him though) that it does help our grocery budget. Not our budget so much, as our choices. First, it enables us to NEVER shop at Walmart anymore. Plus, it would be generics and slim pickings if it were for my shopping only, but Jack's clearance items save the day in terms of the epicurian adventures at our house. (The boys much prefer when Dad goes shopping for food than Mom!)

But you will be hapy to know this story has a happy ending. Tonight, while making a quick stop for batteries, low and behold...(enter rainbows and pixie dust) the cake was on clearance! Usually $14.00, it was $6.49. Even still, needing a little coaxing from the family, Jack fulfilled his wish and bought the cake of his dreams...

And the fact that when he got in the car and saw the receipt rang the cake in even lower at $3.50 turned that dream into a fantasy!!

(**Editorial--Jack can just announce to the universe that he wants a certain product for a certain price, and it almost always happens within a few months. Like a few months ago when he announced he wanted a juicer for $5, and found one for $3 almost new at the YMCA. It happens all the time! I just need him to announce that I need a cabin in the woods for about $4,000 and my frustration with his gift will turn to adoration!)