D.R.A.M.A. at the PreK level!

I don't even know where to begin! Small town drama is getting very old and I wish our house would sell so that I could just whisk myself away from it all.

Long story short...my son's school (church preschool) has got some drama going on with it right now. It is not a big school, just some mother's morning out programs, 2 year old classes, 3 year old classes and then a prekindergarten. I'd say they have about 80 kids there total--including full and part time. It is only a 9am-1pm program. Quite quaint, you'd think. The administration--director, assistant director and 'helper' (I guess you would call her) all stand outside each morning and afternoon to greet and wave goodbye to parents. We've now coined them with the term "Walmart Greeters" because apparently that is all they do.

I've begun seeing how great the teachers are, how hard they work and then see how little the administration does. For example, they'll have 7 2 year olds in a classroom with one adult and nobody helps them in the bathroom--which is down the hall, I might add. Shouldn't this poor woman have help when taking all these kids to the bathroom?

Well, just recently another parent and I arranged a field trip to Publix--the local wonderful grocery store--and when the teachers told the director the plans, she told them we couldn't do it because she didn't feel like dealing with another field trip. The thing is, THEY don't deal with the field trips--WE do it all along with the teachers--WE drive, WE make arrangements, etc. So, the other parent went in and talked to the director and she was very positive saying that she'd look at her calendar and see if that is something they could work out. I'm thinking, "Just look at your calendar right now--is there anything on it? Ok, let's send out the permission slips then." It's about power with them.

Here's the other biggie--I worked there. I worked there 2 years ago and I KNOW how they work. They weren't too bad with me, but bad enough for me not to go back. The other thing is I can't say much b/c I worked there and know too much. I know that they tout that they have Chapel once a week and Music once a week and they don't. I know that they tout having field trips almost monthly in their advertising...and they don't. I know that the teachers need help and they don't help them. I know that instead of subbing for a teacher who is out, they take the helper from the other classroom to fill in so that they don't have to.

It is also important to note that the only reason I sent my son there this year was because the school I was going to send him to had to shut down their prek class b/c they didn't have enough kids. I had him enrolled somewhere else and then last minute had to put him here.

I really like his teachers though. And that is what I have to remember is most important and is who he deals with on a daily basis. I have to remember that they are the ones influencing his life.

Here's the next thing....in his class of 13 there are 2 teachers. They've been there since day 1. Well, one of the teachers--the teacher assistant--got called into the director's office and told that since there are only 13 kids in the class and not a higher number like last year that they are probably going to have to cut her down to 3 days a week because they can't pay their bills for the summer if they keep paying her. Well, it's practically FEBRUARY people. Wouldn't you have thought about this back in SEPTEMBER when there was STILL only 13 kids in there? This poor girl is so stressed about money and how she is going to pay her bills if they put her down to 3 days a week. And the big thing is that they aren't telling us parents. Well, this parent knows and is going to keep an eye out and see if they really do take her down to 3 days a week. And what really gets me is that the director and the asst. director pay themselves all summer long, too, when they aren't even there. So, maybe they should cut down what they get paid all summer long in order to keep their teachers there for the kids? The assistant director just now came on as working 5 days a week--she did only work 3 until this year. And now she's on 5 days a week this year! Shouldn't they have thought about that at the beginning of the year?

It is making me crazy. And it is so small town drama-ish. It's like middle school. I want to go in there and scream at the top of my lungs that I'm sick of them getting away with this! They are blaming the 'preschool board' saying that they don't know how they can justify this to the 'board'. The board doesn't know ANYTHING that's going on...it was like that when I was there!

I actually called a couple of other schools to see if I could get Big Brother in there, but they are full. Plus, I have to remember his teachers that he deals with everyday are great. It's the administration I can't stand.

Hopefully Daddy can start taking him to school and picking him up again now that he's back in town b/c I hate it!

Thank you for letting me vent. I was told I need to just 'kill them with kindness', but that would be killing me!!!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm

I made brownies for Big Brother's class tomorrow. I made fudge-y ones and then put white frosting on top and red sprinkles. That's about as complicated as I get.......with any cooking! They are going to turn the air down really low and make it really cold and put wax paper on the floor and pretend to be ice skating. I'm wondering how that will turn out.

All they really need to do is open the door for a while. It is c-c-cold for South Georgia!

Big Brother said he needs a scarf. He is 5. He doesn't have one. He said we could make one out of paper. I'm hoping that he will forget this in the morning. I will be in no mood to make a scarf out of paper. I will be hauling booty to get them both out the door so I can go to work!

But my Poinsettias are still alive. I swear, I kill the stuff I want to stay alive and the stuff I would rather die off is still thriving!

Is it appropriate/etiquettely correct to still have Poinsettias in your urns out front? Think about that one and let me know.......

Big Brother Speaks....

So I was in my son's bedroom this morning playing with him before anyone else was awake yet. We were 'playing' Bakugan, or his version of it, and I was trying to 'play' it correctly.

Then Big Brother finally just looked at me and sighed and said, "Let me handle this, Mom."

And I took another sip of precious, warm, comforting coffee and let him......

Blog Award Time

Thank You Two Little Lambs!

Your Blog is FABULOUS !
Thanks so much to Two Little Lambs. Sorry it has taken me so long to get this out!

This fabulous award comes with a few rules:
Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs which you think are fabulous.
Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I don't think I can do 10 blogs, right now, so I'm going to do 5 and if you want, you can nominate yourself! I haven't been up-t0-date enough to do 10!

When I get a chance to read blogs, these are the ones I read, just call me Old Faithful b/c I seem to stick with the same ones, like old trusted friends!:

Love & Labs

The Pink Clutch

Grosgrain Garage

Mix Mingle Glow

AFro


For this award I must list 5 addictions:
1. sugar--in any shape, form, or fashion; right now I could use some frosting, preferably on a cupcake
2. ebay-love searching for deals on baby girl clothing!
3. Jodi Picoult books-she is amazing! Hasn't published anything recently, but I can't put her books down once I start them
4. that cup of coffee first thing in the morning, especially when my sweet husband surprises me and makes it for me
5. Grey's Anatomy

Oh the Beloved Outlaws, I mean Inlaws

Well, we thought we weren't going to have to see or deal with the Inlaws for several months, but like I think I told you, Hubby's older sister is getting re-married (third time is a charm?) and this time she's having a wedding. The first time she eloped, don't know what happened the second time, and now we have her marrying bachelor #3. When Hubby and I got married she was estranged from the family, so I didn't meet her for about 5 or 6 years? I think she was estranged for over 10. Or possibly 15? I can't recall. After giving birth to two children I think your brain just turns to mush...at least mine has.

I do like Husband's sister. She is really nice. I just kind of keep my distance b/c she is random (obviously) and Husband isn't really friendly to her either. We send the typical cards and such, and remember her children's birthdays and graduation. It's actually a pretty easy relationship.

Except now she's having a wedding and we have to come. Not that we have to go. We just want to support her. Shouldn't make everyone suffer just because the inlaws are problematic. So, we are going. We are staying with Husband's brother and sister-in-law. Should be fun. And short. I hope. My MIL is the freaking wedding planner for crying out loud! Husband's sister is a reformed Baptist--reformed meaning she was Catholic. Now she is all about being a Baptist. Not that there's anything wrong with being a Baptist--I grew up as one--but it is just a far cry from being Catholic. That will make things a little more interesting. (chuckle, chuckle)

At least I get to buy a new outfit and buy the kids something new. Hopefully some of the aunts and uncles will be there to dilute everything. That will help. I will let you know as the situation continues.....me and my lovely MIL drama. Still haven't talked to them. MIL did email and ask for some pictures. I wanted to respond with ,"Yeah when hell freezes over." But I didn't. Now that I'm working at my church, I'm trying to be more Christlike. So I could respond with, "When heck freezes over.' HA HA HA. She'll get some when I get around to it.

Husband has travels in the town where his parents live and he is going to see his brother and sister-in-law. They asked the inlaws if they would watch their kids so they could go out to dinner w/my husband and they told them no. They've never told them no before. She thinks it is because they told them that they were going to see my husband. Interesting, don't you think?

Like I said, this wedding should be interesting. I did borrow the book Boundaries, that has been recommended to me. I'm going to try to have it read soon so I can prepare myself of how to deal with them all! Now all I have to do is get it from the floor of my car and actually open it!

I do have an award I need to post about too! So much busier with a job, but it is good for my brain! I am missing all my friends in bloggy world! Don't give up on me and thanks for following! Is it because you just can't resist my lovely MIL drama? :)

Stubborn and Determined

Big Brother looks at me dead in the eyes and says to me, "Mom, it's still Christmas."

Then a brief pause.

"And I mean it."

I had no reply...

Random Thoughts

This should be a lovely, random flow of thoughts right now. I need to update you on my life, and it's been so busy that I'm overflowing with 'stuff', so I'll start with the laundry list and try to go go into detail in future posts.

-My Christmas was wonderful! Kids were great. Big Brother super surprised, etc. My parents were able to come (in-laws backed out--previous post if you are interested) and stayed at the condo on SSI, so it was perfect. They watched the kids a lot and I got to work and shop!

-Have had to work and have Daddy watch kids. Have a little guilt over it. 20 hours is more than you think it is! And if you saw my paycheck you'd think I worked about 10! Working for God does not pay you back monetarily! ha

-Shopped in Jacksonville and found some smoking deals--best one I will share with you--Pottery Barn kids rug 3x5 normally priced at $129.00. I got it for $29.97! I can't even express to you how incredibly exciting that was for me! LOVE THE DEALS when I can get them from PBK.

-Went a little overboard and bought a 5x8 rug from Pottery Barn that was on sale, but still price-y. We had an 8x10 rug that is Pottery Barn that we've had for 5 years and it has been thoroughly abused by all--from small children to the dog--and I saw that it was on sale and so pretty. I'm pretty picky when it comes to a lot of things--including rugs--and it is really pretty. We didn't need the 8 x 10 size, and the 5x8 fits well, it just looks SO small compared to the 8x10. It shows off our hardwood floors, but I'm not 100% convinced it is 'the one'. Damn you Pottery Barn for being so freaking expensive and beautiful! We still have the wrapper and might return it. It's on a trial run right now. I just have a hard time with change, of any kind obviously! I'm such a weird-o.

-Miss Bug is walking---not 100% --but a lot! It is too funny. I forgot how cute they look when they stumble around like drunk old men. Love it!

-My husband's older sister--who we aren't very close to--that's a longgggg story--is getting married for the 3rd time. This time she's having a wedding--in Feb. I thought we were going to be able to avoid the in-laws for several months now that the holidays are over, but nope. Sucks. But we can't punish his sister and not go b/c we are so frustrated by his parents. And no, we still aren't talking to the parents.

-I have a bazillion thank-you cards to write.

-We had Big Brother's 5th birthday party this time last Saturday. It was so fun! That boy has so many toys!

-I have been eating like it is my job--birthday cake, twice-baked potatoes, banana pudding (homemade Martha Stewart meets Paula Dean style), candy, homemade fudge, cookies. I'm salivating just thinking about it! Not. Good.

-I'm mad at Ann Taylor Loft. Their return policy sucks. Beware.

Must go. Have a baby with a dirty diaper and a child that needs a snack.