St. Peter's Father Daughter Dance

There was a special occasion last Saturday, and Ava and Daddy dressed to impress. The annual Father Daughter Dance was looked forward to by our girl for what seemed like forever. We were happy to find a dress at Kohl's (especially happy as I had seemed to look everywhere else) and even some accessories. Daddy was instructed to wear his tuxedo, and when it was determined he didn't own one, a jacket and tie was agreed upon as acceptable attire. They had a good time, and they even danced a little bit. Hawaiian Punch was spilled upon the dress as well as chocolate, but thank goodness for OxyClean. I really heart OxyClean!

We Have A Winner!

After a lengthy conversation with a friend over coffee yesterday, and another lengthy phone conversation with another friend the day before, I found myself realizing what PJ had known and tried to tell me: The school that I really thought would be best for Ava was not. It was best for ChildX, one who is average, maybe a little above average academically, but socially and psychologically like all others. Ava, dear friends, is not like all others. The girl is a beautiful butterfly, and if I made that choice it would be like keeping her in a net. She could fly just a little, but not very much, and not to her fullest capabilities. Not to see her fullest potential. So we have decided. The arts school is a match. It is a magnet school, so really making this choice is only the first step. The next step is to turn in the application and pray she gets in. I know in my heart of hearts she will thrive there. It won't always be great, and there will be some issues along the way, but that is realistic. In any school there will be issues. We both feel that this school will help Ava to grow into the person she is feeling good about who she is, and she will learn more and learn better because of it. As I type this I feel so happy. Yesterday when I realized it I felt relief. But now, it's so much beyond that. It's excitement at feeling good about the road we are about to travel with our special special girl. One I hope she finds as enriching and wonderful as possible. One friend who has spent some time with Ava suggested we take her to check it out. She noted how intuitive Ava is, and that she would be able to see what was going on and get a feel for it, and let us know how she feels about it. As one of the options is to turn in the application at any school, I am going to call tomorrow morning and see what day we can come down to turn it in and she can look around.
The applications are due this coming Friday. If they receive more applications than spots available, the rest go into the lottery. A waiting list. Please hope we are in. I am not a patient woman.

The Trifecta of My Daily Happiness

Pet Shop Boys, Lady GaGa (who else could stand in for Dusty???), and Brandon Flowers...Not for everyone, but definitely for me! Enjoy...

School Choice

We toured both magnet schools we are looking at for Ava. Both were wonderful. The first one seems stronger academically, with arts accents. The second one seems stronger artistically (the kids learn through the arts, and there was a Dada installation the kids produced in the school gallery!) but not necessarily as focused on the academics. This, at least, is my impression. My inclination is to have her at the first school, and supplement with outside things like piano, or as a friend suggested maybe a stringed instrument as she would be part of a group. But I see her differences and see her doing well at the arts school too. A student we know who attends this school is incredibly smart and he is not being held back. I am not sure. PJ and I will have to talk about it, it's just a matter of making time. Time is short, too, as he will be leaving for a work trip to Indianapolis for a few days first thing Monday morning, and we will want to turn in the applications before we land right on the deadline of the 27th. Truly, I am just scared I will not make the right decision for Ava. I want to put her in an environment where she can not only succeed but excel. Either way she is likely to, it's just maybe in a different way. She is so special and smart. On the one hand, while I feel that at the first school she will be challenged and there are opportunities to learn in some non traditional ways that left me feeling so good after the tour, I know at the second school she will learn through art and music and dance as well as the traditional ways. Will that keep her attention more? She will still attend art and music and spanish at the first school, and have more outside playtime. But at the arts school she will dance and learn piano (in first grade!) and have opportunities for more classes that expand with each school year as they grow.
The other thing that doesn't help is that when I get it into my mind it should be one way, and I mention it to PJ, he seems to be thinking the other way. I suppose that is a good thing, making sure we are thinking this through clearly, and communicating it to each other, but sometimes I wish it would be both of us saying "OK, school choice #1 should be X, school choice #2 should be Y." But then again, life is not that easy, is it? However it ends up, I would feel grateful if she were accepted at either school. Both are unique and have a lot to offer. Wish us luck.

Big Bill Still Makes my Heart Flutter

“I find it amazing that the Republicans who doubled the debt of the country in eight years and produced no new jobs doing it, gave us an economic record that was totally bereft of any productive result are now criticizing him for spending money,” William Jefferson Clinton
photo courtesy google images

Nature (for reals! no pbs required!)

So PJ is in the kitchen whipping up what promises to be an amazing pizza (will review later) when I hear him somewhere between a growl and a whisper "Honey get over here!" I think he is speaking to Ava so I continue reading the story to James and I hear it again, more urgently; "Honey, grab James and get in here NOW!" So I sweep James up and head into the kitchen, where to our amazement the neighborhood red tail hawk is having dinner in our back yard. We grabbed the camera, hoping against hope to get a picture through the window, and lo and behold among the thirty or so he took PJ got a couple of good shots! So here is our nature. Please note the shovel in the background, this will maybe help with perspective on figuring his size.
EDITED: emailed these to a friend. She thinks it is a Northern Harrier. PJ and I are inclined to agree. She called herself a bird geek. I just call her Smarty.

Not Pictures of my Darling Children but Almost as Good

I can haz failblog?
Plz go chex it oot. Iz super funnee.

Happy Valentines Day from James and his Preschool Classmates

This morning the 2 year preschool playdate class held their annual Valentines Day party. I attended this illustrious event, and was grateful for the opportunity to do so. It was a crazy day full of playing and eating and crafting and singing and stories. There were so many precious little ones there. I was so happy to be able to spend the morning with James and even got a couple of cuddles. It's funny too how the kids respond to other moms there- at first I was the only one. One of the little girls wanted to sit in my lap, while some other kids looked at me with uncertainty. But when the cookies came out it was all good for everyone. The kids all had a great time, and it was a treat for me too to be able to see James in his Monday environment.

The Kids get some Outside Play Time (good bye below zero temps!)

Happy Birthday PJ from Didi and Papa!

Mama's got a new pair of shoes

This morning post gym (mayor not there this morning but deputy mayors car in the lot) we went over to Toenges to pick up some new shoes for Birdie and check on the Boy. Birdie was ready for some new shoes and picked out some super cute Saucony's with pink and yellow and silver. Very springy. (We are all ready around here, don't you know...) They were on sale, and as I had a 15% off coupon for a regularly priced item figured it wouldn't hurt to check out the Danskos. I'd been researching them online for a while, and almost bought a pair from Sierra Trading Post. Glad I didn't because when I tried the same shoes on they did not fit at all like I was expecting. Terribly disappointed, we tried a different shoe. Not expecting much I was super pleasantly surprised when not only did they fit like a glove but felt amazing. Mary Janes (hello, it's me we're talking about here) and super darling. I am in love. Unfortunately in my research I have found some other brands/shoes that are good for you and super cute too. I may have to get an income stream to support a new habit. Or at least treat myself a couple of times a year. Who knows? In the meantime, I am not taking these off until I have to. My feet are saying thank you thank you thank you! (photo courtesy onlineshoes.com)

The DVD can now go back to the library

Now that I've found Howard on YouTube, my life is a little more complete:

People are having a hard time hearing this

"This is America. We don't disparage wealth. We don't begrudge anybody for achieving success. And we certainly believe that success should be rewarded. But what gets people upset -- and rightfully so -- are executives being rewarded for failure, especially when those rewards are subsidized by U.S. taxpayers, many of whom are having a tough time themselves." President Barack Obama (I will never get tired of hearing/writing that!)
I challenge people to shut it and get a clue. Listen for a moment. Because if you do, you might see that we can agree.

Dammit

It's 29 and sunny. You know what that means:

"If Candlemas day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight.
But if Candlemas day bring clouds and rain,
Winter is gone and won't come again."