Back to School

Tuesday Mary and Keith had their farewell party at our day-care provider's house (Izzy will still be there till the end of the month). They had an ice cream sundae party with a million toppings. Leona got them all a going away present and had the other kids sign them (so sweet!). I had to leave work early to take Mary (with the Keith and Izzy ducklings in tow) to her classroom to meet her teacher and dump off her $100 worth of supplies we had to buy this year. Remembering the chaos of last year, I decided not to rush and to take her at the end of the open hour. So at ten to four, we four traipse in--to a practically empty school. Mary got to meet her teacher, and I got to distribute all the supplies withOUT fighting through a mad crowd. Awesome! Go me! We stopped and said hi to Mary's first grade teacher (who is teaching second grade this year) and headed home.

I found out a few days before that I had a Girl Scout Service Unit meeting Tuesday night (funny how I'm now an official member of the service team and yet had received no word on any of the service team OR service unit meetings--to which I'm REQUIRED to attend). So the Girl Scout chaos has also officially started. Wee! I'm in the process of merging my old troop with another troop. It's funny how I've been in communication with the leader of the other troop several times, but I can never seem to reach my co-leader from my current troop--she doesn't even know yet that we're attempting to change locations for meetings--or even when we're attempting to HAVE a first meeting--or even that I OFFICIALLY merged the two troops and that we're actually dropping OUR troop number and gaining the OTHER. Funny how I can NEVER reach that woman when I need her....

*ahem* I digress....

Wednesday was the kids' first day of school. Mary had a full day, but Keith only had half of his half-day of school--it was an orientation of sorts for two hours WITH parent required. So Wednesday morning I had to take just Mary to the new day care center (John worked from home in the morning and took Keith to the orientation that afternoon). Keith was apparently too excited about his first day of school. He got up at 5:45 in the morning and proceeded to follow me around while I was struggling to get myself and his sisters ready--making loud and annoying noises the whole time ("WHERE'S MY PEN!" *GIGGLE GIGGLE* "WHERE'S MY PEN!") Yikes! I eventually had to tell him to go grab his new game and GO BACK TO BED.

Mary fell right into place at the new day care center no problem (one of her classmates from this year and last went there, so she was actually excited about it). She got on the bus no problem and seemed very excited about her new class and new teacher. She was only upset when John showed up to pick her up ("Why are YOU picking me up?") We're trying to figure out why she had anything ELSE in her head since we've been talking to her and Keith till we were blue in the face about the transportation set up???? Whatever.... I had to make a run back to the day care center that evening because I'd forgotten to take the check book in that morning, and they demand payment on the first day--and charge $5 for every day you're late. I understand why--but what a pain in the neck!

Thursday was the first day I had to get all three kids up--and I almost forgot. It took me about five minutes after waking Mary up to realize that cripes! I had to get Keith up, too!

It was a bit of a slow morning, and I didn't have time to even blow dry my hair. Oh well. No big deal. I work in a super casual office and no one really cares. Well, about a half hour into the day, one of my co-workers mentions something about people going to a company luncheon. Oh crap! That's right! The company threw together a very nice luncheon for us "retirees" (I still get the giggles when anyone calls me that)in a hotel in downtown Rochester. Needless to say, although my laid-back look was fine for the office, it certainly wouldn't do in a swanky downtown hotel! So, I went to my boss and said, "Um, I've got a fashion emergency...?" I left for the luncheon early, raced home, and changed into a shirt/skirt combo and heels and attempted a better "definition" to my hair do. Took me 10 minutes. Then I was back on the road and made it to the luncheon on time. Unfortunately, John completely forgot about the luncheon, too. He was supposed to be my date. He'd already made plans and meetings for the day and couldn't go, so I went solo. The food was excellent--topped off with an awesome piece of chocolate cake--and the company gave everyone a nice little desk clock with their names and "This award is presented in appreciation of your years of service and loyalty to Frontier" engraved on them. Very nice.

(And I must have done a good job in my 10 minute quick change. I got a LOT of compliments. Goes to show you that sometimes the dress does indeed make the woman!)

Keith came home from his first "full" day of school in good spirits and eager to go back. Interestingly, he seems to prefer the day care center--and remembers the kids in his day care class better than from school. Guess that's to be expected since they probably have more play time at day care.

Friday I was relieved that I had a day that was basically normal--everyone on schedule and no important luncheons or forgotten bills to be paid. It was nice to have a "normal" day for once.