I was given permission...

To tell everyone that I suffer from Steve's OCD. This morning reinforced this fact, when Jack presented us with last week's behavior report from school. 4 out of 5 days he got in trouble for talking, but one day had a different note, "making fun of a student". Steve, upset with Jack for laughing at another student demanded to know that occurred to cause this unthinkable behavior from our usually kind and caring little boy. Through the tears and wails, all I could understand was "food" "teeth" and Jack repeating over and over again "I just couldn't take it." I think he tossed in for good measure pointing at his front teeth.

Now for those of you who know Steve, you know that he will obsess about the smallest "sesame seed" (sorry Sara), mole, crazy hair, and facial tic to the point of either dealing with it or not hearing a thing a person might be saying to him. I realized that Jack (Steve's "Mini Me") is his father in every way possible.

The story went like this (I think). A girl had something in her teeth that was black. Jack drew attention to the fact that she had a black something on her teeth, the girl either told the teacher or Jack upset the girl to the point that the teacher had to direct her attention to Jack, thus resulting in Jack having to "move his person" and then three days later his father reaming Jack for being... just like his father.

"I just couldn't take it. I had to laugh. I had to make fun of Steve about it. I got permission to blog about it. I just couldn't keep it to myself!"

While Insurance class takes over your life...

Don't worry you will be able to touch up your roots when it is all over... 52 "classroom" hours later!

A New Discovery...

The School Nurse!

Update on how Jack is doing with his new teacher? Let's just say that on day 2 with "Mrs. New" He ended up in the nurse's office... not once... BUT TWICE! Good grief! This is bad... VERY BAD! Here is why:

1. Jack had perfect attendance last year (up until his mother pulled him out of school on the field trip to the zoo day to go to Reno to watch his father race- guilty much?)
2. He hadn't even been to the nurse. I speculate that he didn't know such a person existed at school.
3. Jack is not so much about change.
4. Jack doesn't really like to work very hard at "school stuff", it is either easy or impossible.
5. Jack will look for any excuse to get out of doing "school stuff" if he deems it too hard.

Do you understand now why this is bad? Super nice "Mrs. New" is eager to make sure that all of the children in her new class feels comfortable with their change of scenery and trusts them all (who can fault her? They are 2nd graders!... Trust me after working in the classroom today, I wouldn't trust any of them!).

After trying to get the reason for trips to the nurse's office, all Jack could tell me was a report of the other children's ailments while he was there, 2 for throwing up on the playground, 1 hurt his leg running, and another need a band aid for a blister on her foot.

Then came Monday...

At 10:55, in my mad dash trying to get my errands done before I had to pick up Abby from school at 11:30, I got the call... The nurse. Nurse- Mrs. K, we have Jack here in the office this morning. He has been here once already. He seems fine but his temperature is 99.4 and he is complaining of a stomach ache. Me- Really? Are you sure? Nurse- Yes, Mrs. K. He is asking to go home. Me- Oh! Okay... (really in my mind I am having thoughts of my day crashing in around me and

the swine flu! My friend's kids had it, my in laws had it, CRAP!!! Jack has it!!!) I will be there shortly.

Let's just say... the next time the nurse calls with Jack and a stomach ache. I will tell her to give him a book and make him go to the bathroom and call me back. By the time we got home from picking up Abby he had devoured his entire lunch in the car and his temp never made it over 97.8. Shoo! Shoo! Swine Flu!

I am a horrible mother aren't I?

We Shall Never Forget...

Every American can agree on something, that September 11th, 2001 will be in our collective conscience for a very long time.

First Day of School Do Over...

Classes were full!!! Too full!!! On day 13 Jack is in a new classroom. We will see how it goes with the child that doesn't take change so well.

Those were the days...

College. I loved college. I realize I say this in retrospect, but I truly believe that I loved college. Life was different then, easier. I was lucky enough to go far away from home to experience higher education, and experience I did!

I went to parties. I danced. I met new interesting people (some of whom are still consider my very best friends). I laughed. I travelled (not enough but I saw things that I had never seen before). I learned about things that I never knew existed. I sang. I learned to talk in front of a class of my peers, and that the key to speaking in front of people is to be assertive and unwavering and most everyone will believe what you are saying. I slept. I learned to study. I learned to write better. I drank. I learned that using my time effectively always results in better grades. I learned about new cultures and people. I learned to pull all nighters when I didn't use my time effectively. Most importantly I learned about myself.

If only I knew then what I know now maybe I would have savored those four years rather than chomp right through them, in a hurry to get on with my life. I think I would remember more. I would have realized that there is no hurry to get out because it really does take 10 years to pay off your student loans (and if you do the math you will be 32 and a stay-at-home mom with no income when you make the final payment to the government for your education). I would have travelled more. Laughed more. Studied more. Listened better. Worked harder. Danced more. Used my credit card less(that's for you Steve!). Drank less.

What about you? Is there a time in your life you wish you could go back and do over?