Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Cooperative Preschool Parent Hazing
So with my job change came the challenge of finding a new preschool for Parker at the drop of a hat. I had heard good things through the grapevine about a neighborhood cooperative preschool near our house. It is a nature/science based school, is very "green," and has a fun playground, and was close to home, so it sounded like it would be a good fit for P-man. Cooperative preschools are run and governed by their parent base, which sounds very warm/fuzzy/and holistic. Our experience as parents has been that it also means elitist/political/and heirchical. On the positive, Parker likes his teacher, they do fun and creative activities, and for the most part, he has enjoyed his student experience there.
On the flip side, Chris and I are finding that because we are both working parents, don't have lots of money, and because Parker turns his nose up at their hummus and edemame parent-provided snacks, we're getting the nose in the air treatment regularly. Chris has been fulfilling the parent-teaching component of the contract because he doesn't work days, while I will be doing committee work because of my more traditional work schedule. I had my first "work day" this weekend as an Art Auction Volunteer. I had kind of imagined setting up do-dads, serving wine, and taking payments. Oh, how I was mistaken...
I arrived at the auction, which was held at a fellowship facility down the road, and walked through the door not really knowing who I was looking for or what I was doing. A few people ignored my entrance and look of confusion, while a short, attractive woman with runner's calves walked up and said snappily: "Oh. You're Allision. Go over there and figure out how to attach that picture tree to the wall." I said, "Actually, I'm Laura, but I can see what I can do." Ms. Bossy Runner replied "Go get your nametag on that table. And, Allison, when you're done with that go set up the food and drink table." A few other yuppie mothers passed by without hello, or recognition, and I'm thinking "well this is going to go just splendidly."
So after figuring out how to attach a 9 foot, 10 pound tree to a ladder so it could stand free in the lobby, and watching as the yuppy dad I was working with took credit for the idea and received praise from Ms. Bossy Runner, I was told to go downstairs to my "station" for the night- "the fishing pond." I went around three corners and down two flights of stairs, and was told that I was in charge of supervising the "children's room" for the evening. On one table there was a giant container of rainbow colored biodegradable packing popcorn and a bucket of water. On the next table there were acorns, glue, contruction paper leaves. On the last table there were popsicle sticks, hay, pipecleaners, construction paper, and sharpies....yes SHARPIES, for the 2, 3, and 4 year olds to use while constructing their scarecrow crafts.
In addition to supervising the children's room activities, I was to stand behind a giant t.v. box that has been decorated with fish, and attach prizes to fishing lines thrown by the toddlers, while collecting $1.00 from each of these toddlers for each line cast. Joining me in the "childrens room" was one dad, who looked as shell shocked as I felt. "Are you new, too? This is pretty intense." I said "yeah, I'm new too. What kind of cult did we join here?" He replied "I don't know- my wife set it all up. I think we're getting hazed." About 20 minutes later, Ms. Bossy Runner popped her head through the starwell entrance and said "Allison- the kids are coming." I was thinking, "well, at least we won't have to be upstairs with the stepford wives all night." Oh, how I wish I had run out the door at that moment.
Just about then, approximately 60 small children with a few parents in tow started running, climbing, and pushing down the stairs. "I want to fish! I want to fish!!" So they fished, and they glued, and they made a swamp of dissolved rainbow packing popcorn. They sharpied the tables, and eachother, they cried, they screamed, the yuppy parents got drunker, stood around talking to eachother about their home made organic yogurt concoctions while their "highly advanced and independent" children covered themselves in various colors and varieties of goo, tried to eat acorns, hit eachother and me with the clips at the end of the fishing lines, and cried some more. The president of the preschool, whom I had never met, came down the stairs and said "who gave these kids Sharpies?" I said "I have no idea." She (at least) said "I apologize- I'm sorry that's the first thing I ever said to you. Now lets get the Sharpies collected." So I collected Sharpies, made more kids cry because they wanted their Sharpies, spent 45 minutes using my fingernails trying to scrape dried rainbow packing goo from the tables, so that more goo could be made, while more and more parents stood leisurely around ignoring their children and sipping on wine and micro-brews.
When my four-hour shift was over ten hours later, I walked up stairs to go get my purse, and Ms. Bossy Runner zipped over to me. "Allison. Go over to that table. There are three people who haven't collected their auction items. Give them their slips when they come." So I stood by the table, watching people tote around their $500 framed coffee filter collages and $1200 toddler-painted toy chests they had purchased that night, and waited. No one came, and finally the president came back up to me and said "Are you done downstairs? Did the mess get cleand up?" I said "Well, I did clean as much I could. The Sharpie isn't going to come off those tables. My shift was over at six, but Ms. Bossy Runner told me I needed to stand at this table." She told me to go ahead and leave, but to tell Ms. Bossy Runner on my way out. I walked up to her and said "I have to leave now. I need to pick up my son from the babysitter." "Oh." She says. "So no one's at the table." "No." "(impatient exhale)Fine. Thanks."
So that was my first volunteer experience at Parker's unnamed (Un)Cooperative Preschool. I think we might explore some other options for next year. :)
On the flip side, Chris and I are finding that because we are both working parents, don't have lots of money, and because Parker turns his nose up at their hummus and edemame parent-provided snacks, we're getting the nose in the air treatment regularly. Chris has been fulfilling the parent-teaching component of the contract because he doesn't work days, while I will be doing committee work because of my more traditional work schedule. I had my first "work day" this weekend as an Art Auction Volunteer. I had kind of imagined setting up do-dads, serving wine, and taking payments. Oh, how I was mistaken...
I arrived at the auction, which was held at a fellowship facility down the road, and walked through the door not really knowing who I was looking for or what I was doing. A few people ignored my entrance and look of confusion, while a short, attractive woman with runner's calves walked up and said snappily: "Oh. You're Allision. Go over there and figure out how to attach that picture tree to the wall." I said, "Actually, I'm Laura, but I can see what I can do." Ms. Bossy Runner replied "Go get your nametag on that table. And, Allison, when you're done with that go set up the food and drink table." A few other yuppie mothers passed by without hello, or recognition, and I'm thinking "well this is going to go just splendidly."
So after figuring out how to attach a 9 foot, 10 pound tree to a ladder so it could stand free in the lobby, and watching as the yuppy dad I was working with took credit for the idea and received praise from Ms. Bossy Runner, I was told to go downstairs to my "station" for the night- "the fishing pond." I went around three corners and down two flights of stairs, and was told that I was in charge of supervising the "children's room" for the evening. On one table there was a giant container of rainbow colored biodegradable packing popcorn and a bucket of water. On the next table there were acorns, glue, contruction paper leaves. On the last table there were popsicle sticks, hay, pipecleaners, construction paper, and sharpies....yes SHARPIES, for the 2, 3, and 4 year olds to use while constructing their scarecrow crafts.
In addition to supervising the children's room activities, I was to stand behind a giant t.v. box that has been decorated with fish, and attach prizes to fishing lines thrown by the toddlers, while collecting $1.00 from each of these toddlers for each line cast. Joining me in the "childrens room" was one dad, who looked as shell shocked as I felt. "Are you new, too? This is pretty intense." I said "yeah, I'm new too. What kind of cult did we join here?" He replied "I don't know- my wife set it all up. I think we're getting hazed." About 20 minutes later, Ms. Bossy Runner popped her head through the starwell entrance and said "Allison- the kids are coming." I was thinking, "well, at least we won't have to be upstairs with the stepford wives all night." Oh, how I wish I had run out the door at that moment.
Just about then, approximately 60 small children with a few parents in tow started running, climbing, and pushing down the stairs. "I want to fish! I want to fish!!" So they fished, and they glued, and they made a swamp of dissolved rainbow packing popcorn. They sharpied the tables, and eachother, they cried, they screamed, the yuppy parents got drunker, stood around talking to eachother about their home made organic yogurt concoctions while their "highly advanced and independent" children covered themselves in various colors and varieties of goo, tried to eat acorns, hit eachother and me with the clips at the end of the fishing lines, and cried some more. The president of the preschool, whom I had never met, came down the stairs and said "who gave these kids Sharpies?" I said "I have no idea." She (at least) said "I apologize- I'm sorry that's the first thing I ever said to you. Now lets get the Sharpies collected." So I collected Sharpies, made more kids cry because they wanted their Sharpies, spent 45 minutes using my fingernails trying to scrape dried rainbow packing goo from the tables, so that more goo could be made, while more and more parents stood leisurely around ignoring their children and sipping on wine and micro-brews.
When my four-hour shift was over ten hours later, I walked up stairs to go get my purse, and Ms. Bossy Runner zipped over to me. "Allison. Go over to that table. There are three people who haven't collected their auction items. Give them their slips when they come." So I stood by the table, watching people tote around their $500 framed coffee filter collages and $1200 toddler-painted toy chests they had purchased that night, and waited. No one came, and finally the president came back up to me and said "Are you done downstairs? Did the mess get cleand up?" I said "Well, I did clean as much I could. The Sharpie isn't going to come off those tables. My shift was over at six, but Ms. Bossy Runner told me I needed to stand at this table." She told me to go ahead and leave, but to tell Ms. Bossy Runner on my way out. I walked up to her and said "I have to leave now. I need to pick up my son from the babysitter." "Oh." She says. "So no one's at the table." "No." "(impatient exhale)Fine. Thanks."
So that was my first volunteer experience at Parker's unnamed (Un)Cooperative Preschool. I think we might explore some other options for next year. :)
Monday, November 15, 2010
I believe I called this one...
It was kind of funny looking at my July blog post predicting the winds of change blowing, because it was just a month later that I walked into my office and my boss asked me to "go for a walk." Naturally, I thought that I was getting laid off, but even in the moment I took a deep breath and said to myself "ok- here it is... whatever it is." The news was that my position at the Academy was being rolled into someone else's job in the university admission department, and that they had something totally different lined up for me at one of the satelite campuses of the university. My new position would be overseeing the recruitment efforts for all of the university's distance (i.e. satelite) campuses as the Director for Distance Campus recruitment.
Of course, there was a sense of relief that I still HAD a job, but mostly my feeling was more along the lines of "yuck- I don't want to do that!" The good news was that this new position is in Norcross- about 19 miles from home vs. the 54 miles I had been driving each way, every day, so that is something, but aside from that I'm looking at this as really good motivation to figure out what is going to be more fulfilling to me in the long run. I really miss being part of a true school community, and would really love to find another position in a small independent school where Parker could possibly attend at some point. My eyes are peeled and my ears are open to what might be out there, so keep your fingers crossed for me.
The trickiest part about this whole scenario was that I was given about two weeks notice to get trained and get down to my new office. Most of you know that Parker has stayed with our friend Deborah since he was 11 weeks old right next to the Academy, so this really threw a wrench in our arrangements and our emotions. We worked things out so that Parker is home with Chris part of the time, at preschool part of the time, and with a nanny part of the time, but with Chris in search of a more secure work scenario, who knows when that will change again. The whole thing has really forced me out of my comfort zone because I always like to have things mapped out and to have routine and consistency. I suppose it is good for me to see that things can work out outside from that rigid format, but I'll be happy when things feel more established and steady again.
At any rate, I thought since I now spend my days in an empty building making phone calls and sending bulk emails, it would be a good time to take another shot at picking the blog back up as a lunchtime activity. Besides, I recently watched Julie and Julia and remembered how good it feels to have some dialogue with yourself now and again regardless if anyone is listening.
Hugs,
Laura
Of course, there was a sense of relief that I still HAD a job, but mostly my feeling was more along the lines of "yuck- I don't want to do that!" The good news was that this new position is in Norcross- about 19 miles from home vs. the 54 miles I had been driving each way, every day, so that is something, but aside from that I'm looking at this as really good motivation to figure out what is going to be more fulfilling to me in the long run. I really miss being part of a true school community, and would really love to find another position in a small independent school where Parker could possibly attend at some point. My eyes are peeled and my ears are open to what might be out there, so keep your fingers crossed for me.
The trickiest part about this whole scenario was that I was given about two weeks notice to get trained and get down to my new office. Most of you know that Parker has stayed with our friend Deborah since he was 11 weeks old right next to the Academy, so this really threw a wrench in our arrangements and our emotions. We worked things out so that Parker is home with Chris part of the time, at preschool part of the time, and with a nanny part of the time, but with Chris in search of a more secure work scenario, who knows when that will change again. The whole thing has really forced me out of my comfort zone because I always like to have things mapped out and to have routine and consistency. I suppose it is good for me to see that things can work out outside from that rigid format, but I'll be happy when things feel more established and steady again.
At any rate, I thought since I now spend my days in an empty building making phone calls and sending bulk emails, it would be a good time to take another shot at picking the blog back up as a lunchtime activity. Besides, I recently watched Julie and Julia and remembered how good it feels to have some dialogue with yourself now and again regardless if anyone is listening.
Hugs,
Laura
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday, Monday...
Before I kick off another busy summer work week, I thought I'd stop and rattle off a couple of cute Parkerisms. Although my sweet little boy has left nearly all traces of baby behind, and has picked up a few fun terrible-two-tactics, he is still the sweetest and smartest little button I could imagine.
This past week Parker started telling me "Mommy, you're just so precious" and "You're just the most precious thing to me." I've been waiting my whole life to hear those words. :) Yesterday, he said "Do you remember yesterday when I was singing with my Buzz Lightyear and you were screaming and telling me that I can't sing because its against the rules?" (This did NOT happen! Since when do I scream?) I responded: "Parker, I don't remember that happening. Are you telling the truth, or are you telling Mommy a story?" He said, smiling: "Mom, I was just decorating the truth." Oh boy!
Our kids at the Academy come back to school next week, which is astonishing to me. This has been the shortest summer ever to exist, and I really feel under-prepared for the back-to-school madness. I am, however, looking foward to having the girls back in the building, breathing some life back into the place. I'm not teaching Journalism this year, so won't have quite as much stacked on my plate this year. I'm SO SO SO looking forward to taking a few days off to fly to Colorado for Sarah Strasser's wedding, and spending the weekend with my best college girlfriends! The following weekend, my parents will be coming out for their fall visit, which will also be a nice treat. As always, I've got a few home projects lined up for them to help me with!
I'd better get back to it, but will post new pics soon.
Heart,
Laura
This past week Parker started telling me "Mommy, you're just so precious" and "You're just the most precious thing to me." I've been waiting my whole life to hear those words. :) Yesterday, he said "Do you remember yesterday when I was singing with my Buzz Lightyear and you were screaming and telling me that I can't sing because its against the rules?" (This did NOT happen! Since when do I scream?) I responded: "Parker, I don't remember that happening. Are you telling the truth, or are you telling Mommy a story?" He said, smiling: "Mom, I was just decorating the truth." Oh boy!
Our kids at the Academy come back to school next week, which is astonishing to me. This has been the shortest summer ever to exist, and I really feel under-prepared for the back-to-school madness. I am, however, looking foward to having the girls back in the building, breathing some life back into the place. I'm not teaching Journalism this year, so won't have quite as much stacked on my plate this year. I'm SO SO SO looking forward to taking a few days off to fly to Colorado for Sarah Strasser's wedding, and spending the weekend with my best college girlfriends! The following weekend, my parents will be coming out for their fall visit, which will also be a nice treat. As always, I've got a few home projects lined up for them to help me with!
I'd better get back to it, but will post new pics soon.
Heart,
Laura
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Flying Pigs...
The pigs must be flying somewhere, because after nearly a year without blogging, the notion struck me to write a post. Why, I'm not exactly sure, but I thought I'd go with it. There is no monumental news to share, no great epiphanies to pass along, no grand declarations. Really, things are pretty much as they usually are, but I've missed putting my thoughts down, so here I am!
This year has been so many things. Parker has grown from a toddler into a brilliant, hilarious, and independent little boy. I fall in love with him every single day. Chris has transitioned from working in the corporate world to teaching part time and running a business of his own. I have made it through yet another year at the Academy (shockingly, my fourth!)and will be diving into the next school year in a few short weeks. Where has the time gone?
The truth is, although there is no news to share, I feel the winds of change stirring in the distance and I feel ready for something new and different to come in and stir things up a bit. I'm not sure what will manifest itself this year, but I feel it coming, and welcome it with open arms. Although there are no concrete identifiers that this is the case, I can tell I am at a transition point in my life, and am excited to be headed toward my 30th birthday knowing that this is going to be a year of growth, exploration, and forward motion.
Here's to whatever's next!
-L
This year has been so many things. Parker has grown from a toddler into a brilliant, hilarious, and independent little boy. I fall in love with him every single day. Chris has transitioned from working in the corporate world to teaching part time and running a business of his own. I have made it through yet another year at the Academy (shockingly, my fourth!)and will be diving into the next school year in a few short weeks. Where has the time gone?
The truth is, although there is no news to share, I feel the winds of change stirring in the distance and I feel ready for something new and different to come in and stir things up a bit. I'm not sure what will manifest itself this year, but I feel it coming, and welcome it with open arms. Although there are no concrete identifiers that this is the case, I can tell I am at a transition point in my life, and am excited to be headed toward my 30th birthday knowing that this is going to be a year of growth, exploration, and forward motion.
Here's to whatever's next!
-L
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Little Boy Blue
I'll have to follow up on this post with a picture once I download, but for now I can only describe the hilarity that was Parker this weekend when he colored himself entirely blue with a Crayola washable marker. I probably should have stopped him, at the very least when the diaper came off, but to be honest, it was just too funny to interfere. While growling and saying "I'm a tiger- rawwwwr!" Parker covered pretty much every inch of himself (including areas that probably should never be blue), whith 'Brilliant Berry Blue.' Have I mentioned I have a funny son? Later that day Parker's bath water immediately turned Carribean blue as the little boy inside that blue tiger began to reimmerge.
'Dress up' has been one of Parker's favorite activities lately. Outfits have included hats, leis, dog collars, necklaces, socks on the arms, pants on the head, collander on the head, mommy's shoes, daddy's shoes, and a wide variety of other objects on a wide variety of body parts. You just never know what he's going to come up with or what he is going to describe himself as. It's the best entertainment ever! I know I say this in every post, but I have never in my life had more fun than these two years being Parker's mom.
For a while now Chris and I have been mulling over trying to sell our house and move outside the city... closer to my work and into a bigger house. After meeting with a realtor and anguishing over everything it would take to make this happen and the money we would lose trying to sell right now, we have decided to relax and stay put for a couple more years. I can't tell you the relief this decision has granted us. I think neither one of us realized how much pressure we were putting on ourselves trying to make all of this happen, and it reallys feels good that we've come to the realization that what we have now is pretty darn great and that we should take a deep breath and enjoy it. I have a nasty habit of obsessing over "what's next?" instead of living in the here and now. As the old saying goes, 'Life is what happens while you're busy making plans,' so my recent goal is to open my eyes and enjoy every moment of the great life Chris and I have created together. We are blessed with what we have, and I know it's important to be grateful! My friend Brooke is always great at helping me remember that things nearly always happen as they should, and it is my job to trust that this is the case. :)
Ok, well there's my two-cents for the day. I'll try to get some photos up really soon!
Love,
Laura
'Dress up' has been one of Parker's favorite activities lately. Outfits have included hats, leis, dog collars, necklaces, socks on the arms, pants on the head, collander on the head, mommy's shoes, daddy's shoes, and a wide variety of other objects on a wide variety of body parts. You just never know what he's going to come up with or what he is going to describe himself as. It's the best entertainment ever! I know I say this in every post, but I have never in my life had more fun than these two years being Parker's mom.
For a while now Chris and I have been mulling over trying to sell our house and move outside the city... closer to my work and into a bigger house. After meeting with a realtor and anguishing over everything it would take to make this happen and the money we would lose trying to sell right now, we have decided to relax and stay put for a couple more years. I can't tell you the relief this decision has granted us. I think neither one of us realized how much pressure we were putting on ourselves trying to make all of this happen, and it reallys feels good that we've come to the realization that what we have now is pretty darn great and that we should take a deep breath and enjoy it. I have a nasty habit of obsessing over "what's next?" instead of living in the here and now. As the old saying goes, 'Life is what happens while you're busy making plans,' so my recent goal is to open my eyes and enjoy every moment of the great life Chris and I have created together. We are blessed with what we have, and I know it's important to be grateful! My friend Brooke is always great at helping me remember that things nearly always happen as they should, and it is my job to trust that this is the case. :)
Ok, well there's my two-cents for the day. I'll try to get some photos up really soon!
Love,
Laura
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
That's right... two in one month!
Funny- When I wrote that title I meant "two blog posts in the same month," but looking at it I realize it has double meaning... Parker will also BE TWO in one month!!! TWO!!! My little baby boy has grown into the most wonderful little person who gives great hugs, tells funny stories, and says "I love you, Mommy!" He is my best little friend and the sunshine in every one of my days.
Speaking of sunshine, this is the first time we've seen it for a whole week! For those of you not in Georgia and who haven't watched the news recently, we have had torrential rain for the past week, leading to serious flood conditions in some areas of Atlanta and other parts of the state. Astonishingly, 10 people died in the floods, which is a true tragedy. We've experienced some water damage (small roof leaks, water back-up against the back of the house), and although these things are a concern and a nuisance, we are thankful that our house is not submerged and that we are all safe and sound.
My parents were visiting from Oregon for the whole week and couldn't believe the rain! My dad and I usually go for walks every day when the are in town, so I was sad to miss out on that special time together, but we had lots of fun anyway. Parker had a great time getting to know Grandma and Grandpa a lot better and showing them all of his new talents. They read a lot of books, and played a lot with Playdough, which is his most favorite activity these days! Grandma, of course, is quite a Playdough sculpter, and made many beautiful animals and creations for Parker to squish! They fly out today, and I miss them already!
Eating out with Parker has been quite a challenge lately, as he has no interest in sitting in a chair or high chair, and has very little interest in eating most of the time! He just wants to get up and go exploring, which is not very condusive to leisurely dining. Terrific Two's here we come! :) Parker is the pickiest little thing on the planet- it's a wonder he doesn't just blow away! He seems to survive on little bites of grapes and yogurt and toast here and there, so I guess I shouldn't worry, but it's hard not to. Toddlers are really something else! :)
Well- back to work for me, but I'll give another update soon. Pray the sunshine stays with us long enough to get our roof fixed!
-L
Speaking of sunshine, this is the first time we've seen it for a whole week! For those of you not in Georgia and who haven't watched the news recently, we have had torrential rain for the past week, leading to serious flood conditions in some areas of Atlanta and other parts of the state. Astonishingly, 10 people died in the floods, which is a true tragedy. We've experienced some water damage (small roof leaks, water back-up against the back of the house), and although these things are a concern and a nuisance, we are thankful that our house is not submerged and that we are all safe and sound.
My parents were visiting from Oregon for the whole week and couldn't believe the rain! My dad and I usually go for walks every day when the are in town, so I was sad to miss out on that special time together, but we had lots of fun anyway. Parker had a great time getting to know Grandma and Grandpa a lot better and showing them all of his new talents. They read a lot of books, and played a lot with Playdough, which is his most favorite activity these days! Grandma, of course, is quite a Playdough sculpter, and made many beautiful animals and creations for Parker to squish! They fly out today, and I miss them already!
Eating out with Parker has been quite a challenge lately, as he has no interest in sitting in a chair or high chair, and has very little interest in eating most of the time! He just wants to get up and go exploring, which is not very condusive to leisurely dining. Terrific Two's here we come! :) Parker is the pickiest little thing on the planet- it's a wonder he doesn't just blow away! He seems to survive on little bites of grapes and yogurt and toast here and there, so I guess I shouldn't worry, but it's hard not to. Toddlers are really something else! :)
Well- back to work for me, but I'll give another update soon. Pray the sunshine stays with us long enough to get our roof fixed!
-L
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