walking on sunshine

Today was a beautiful day - the weather was extremely fantastic

and warm for this time of year - high 60's! I came out from helping in Bryson's classroom & just wanted to do a heel kick from excitement...the weather is amazing and we have our children in some really awesome schools!

I've been thinking lately about how blessed we have been with the schools where the children attend right now. As I was walking out from helping out in Bryson's classroom, I was hit not only by the intense warm rays from the sun - but I started to put together why I love the new schools and situation so much. Here are my top reasons why I absolutely adore our school situation right now:

* Madeleine and Bryson's school let parents volunteer. In their OWN child's classroom! This might sound so basic it's ridiculous - however, parents were not welcome to help in our own child's class in the city. We were looked upon as almost the enemy - we couldn't help anywhere at the school without going to get a Learning Leader certificate with the district which was really a pointless certificate stating that you were a parent that should have the common sense to do the things they were teaching in the class :) Even with a Learning Leader Certificate - you were not allowed to help in your own child's class - it would be with another teacher. I love helping in many ways for the good of education - but I want to help where my children are. I want to make an immediate impact for them - and even though I don't help my child the entire time I am in their classroom, I know that they are aware that I care enough about them, their class and their school experience that I have made the time to volunteer. I love seeing their eyes light up when I come in - even Madeleine will give me a genuine smile :) It's incredible for me - and the perk is that I get some really cute hugs from the little girls in his class...it helps me remember how fun it was to teach and have so many hugs from my own students.

* As a parent it's nice to know that I can walk into Madeleine's & Bryson's school and that I can act as a grown-up and sign myself in on a Volunteer sheet and get my own volunteer badge and walk to my child's classroom. There is no security guard and multiple books that I need to sign-in when I get to the school - the hoops we were made to jump through in NYC made me so upset & it only got worse before I left....the Principal wanted to track the PTA's every move and so she upped the amount of times we would have to sign in. It had gotten out of control & ridiculous...and although there are times when I worry that Utah might be a little too trusting and that anyone could walk in (not always with a child's best interest in mind and to help out in their class or for some other event)....in the big picture I have to think that there are hundreds of schools like this that allow parents and volunteers to come & go in the school as needed to help and give benefit to the educational experience.

* I love that on average then there are usually 2-3 parents that help in Bryson's class each day! In Madeleine's class there are about 2-3 parents a week - there aren't as many as the class is older and the teacher's have chosen not to utilize parent volunteers as much...however, parents are still regular helpers. And the very best is Jacob's class - each day he has between 6-8 adults in his class of 14 students! That is one of the best ratios I've ever seen for a class! The reason the adult number is so high is not only because they require parents to be part of a co-op experience (we need to volunteer at least 6 times during the semester and each time is the entire school day) - they also are able to have the students who are part of the Early Childhood Education program at the U of U come in as part of their Internship and Student Teaching. The students don't change day to day either - there is a group that is there Monday - Wednesday and then another group on Thursday & Friday. I love their enthusiasm for teaching and being with this little munchkins day after day - every so often I'm a bit jealous that Ms. Rachel has so many students that help her, but then again she is in charge of a lot of their practicum within the classroom.

I am really so happy that things have settled in a way that has put the children in these schools and with their teachers. I didn't talk about their teachers as much in this post - but I will....Teacher Appreciation Day is coming up in two weeks & I've been able to find many cute ideas on Pinterest to give to the teachers and I'm going to do a post on why we have enjoyed the teachers that the children have in their new schools.

So happy to be walking on sunshine these days in a school....it sure beats walking on the eggshells I & other parents were on at 217!

And in honor of Dr. Seuss and his birthday, here is his quote on having such a great day :)

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." ~ Dr. Seuss

oh la la!

Tonight we had a Stake Relief Society Conference, and I went and enjoyed the speaker and meeting some of the sisters in my ward more. The highlight came when a sister came up and told me with a beautiful French accent, "You must think I have been rude staring at you, but I was certain you were French when I first saw you. And so I waited for you to speak, and when you spoke I realized you were not French....however, you still look quite French."

Ah - j'adore Pascal, ma nouvelle amie! :)

the theater ~ the theater

In making a move mid-year my thoughts & hopes were to give the children growing experiences that would help through the transition process.  I didn't want them to feel that they were giving up everything they had known in NY - extra-curricular classes, friends and social activities.  At the same time I knew that we needed to be careful with our time - we were close to an over-scheduled life with the classes in NY.  While perusing websites looking for events & classes I thought I found a perfect idea.  It was a play that would only be one week long.  Madeleine had been in a fall theater class and loved it, and was disappointed that she was leaving right when they were assigning parts to those in the class for the play they put on each spring.  Murray Arts were advertising "try-outs" for the play Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs on Monday, January 3rd - which was a mere three days after we landed, but I'd be able to take the kiddos over and try out, and perhaps they'd be able to jump into this activity.

We went to a Jr. High late in the afternoon on Monday and I was impressed with the 2 directors that are part of the Missoula Children's Theater {it's amazing what their organization does!}.  They put the children into a huge circle and did a very low-key, but spot on audition.  The children spoke in groups & then as individuals, they sang in groups and did little pantomime activities.  I was so impressed that these young ladies (they are college graduates, about 21+ years of age) kept over 100 children engaged for an hour and a half while having them speak parts and do these activities.  The only part that was hard to digest was that there were over 100 children and they had stated only 50 children would get parts.  I turned to Bryson Sr. and told him it would be ironic if Bryson Jr. or Jacob got a part, but Madeleine didn't as I had chosen this experience in particular to help her during the transition with the move.

The group being led through try-outs & the only disappointment ...no diversity.  It's like looking at a large container of white milk....we realize our days of the NYC mixed races and culture might not be at the same level here in SLC.  

It turned out that of the three children - our Bryson got a part in the show.  The group he was in were cast as Bats --- yes, bats.  I don't remember bats in the Snow White book or movie either however this was a new Snow White adaptation and most importantly - he was thrilled and so excited for his part!  Madeleine put on a brave face, although she allowed me to give her a side hug and whispered that she wished it could have been like the Up With Kids performance that we did 2 summers ago...everyone got a part :)

During the week between myself and Grandma Joy we took Bryson to his rehearsals and he had a blast learning the songs and moves that he and the group would do on the stage.  He was ecstatic when he found out in one of the songs he would get to play the part of Dracula and have an extra special part in his actions.  To be cast as Dracula when you are a young boy - he could end his stage career and be happy!  However, with this experience I noticed that we have someone who really loves the stage, and the outlet that it brings for his ham it up personality.

Again I was impressed while watching the directors working with the children and youth in the production.  They moved everyone through at a very quick pace (after all you don't have a lot of time in one week with rehearsals only after school!), and the children responded really well and knew the songs, movements and play inside and out by Saturday!

A rather handsome and precious bat, which gave great opportunity to act and pretend to be the mean & nasty bats his group sang about!  

There were two performances that day - which was perfect....it was actually a rather busy day for us!  We had moved our things into the new place on Friday, Madeleine had her first dance class for Irish Step-Dancing on Saturday morning...thankfully there was Plan B to get her involved!

The great part about being by family is the help and that you can divide and conquer!  When we came back from dance Grandma Joy was already at the house putting together Jacob's bed and Nana Lord was just arriving after dropping Bryson off at his dress-rehearsal that morning.  Papa Lord showed up soon after and with everyone helping out we worked hard to unpack and get beds set up for the next few hours - we were able to get a lot accomplished with so many hands working together!

Nana & Papa then took the kiddos and picked up the Lord cousins to go and see the matinee performance while we finished up a few more items around the house.  We then cleaned up and met the kiddos down at Grandma Joy's house to eat dinner and then I ran Bryson back down to get back into his costume for the final performance.  It was a lot of running around that day & again we are grateful for all the help family has been with this move.  We forgot how incredibly nice it would be to share the load with others that wanted to help - we might get used to this business of having family around! :)

We finally settled into our seats to enjoy the entire production of Snow White, and wow --- we were impressed!  To see what they had accomplished in a week was amazing - the children all knew their parts and we had a few favorite characters and lines by the end of the evening!  Down below in this picture is Ms. Hannah, one of the co-directors for the play.  She actually was the Woodsmen and her part integrated itself into almost every scene in the play so that she was on stage and present to help move things along.  The children weren't waiting for her cues - but her presence was a perfect fit for the production --- and she was really talented and fun to watch!   {Bryson is in front and to the left of her performing during his Bat number}

Bryson turned to Dracula!

And now for his BIG LINE {referring to himself as Dracula}...."That's right the one and only!"  And oh wow, did he do great...he spoke clearly and loud and I realized he loves the stage.  He comes alive up there - and although we know he is a ham at home, it's great to see extra personality come out on stage....what a character this boy is and can be!

The end of the production came all too soon - we really enjoyed this show!  For having children do all the parts we thought it was well done and the girl that was cast as the Wicked Queen was phenomenal!  I wish I could have captured her facial expressions and her acting abilities...she really helped to make the entire play.  Oh, and she had the best cackle of a witch I've ever heard!

Well done Sir Dracula and Bat-Man....we look forward with great anticipation for whatever show you are in next.  Braaahhhhhaaaaa!!!!

if only....

If only....

*I had realized I had my shirt on backwards earlier today. I have on a black turtleneck and never noticed the itchy tag up front until just recently. How bizarre that it is driving me nuts now, but I didn't feel it all day long?!

If only....

*It would have snowed a little bit more and we would have had that snow day. A day to curl up and watch a good movie, possibly play in the snow (depending on how crazy the wind was), and forget about the responsibilities for at least one day.

If only....

*The person in charge of Girl Scouts had put in the DAY they were changing the meetings to, and not just the time. It would have been much warmer to stay inside, then to take the bus to pick up Madeleine's friend and go down to a meeting that ends up being on Friday and not tonight {really, who has Girl Scout's on Fridays?! This isn't going to work out if they keep that day}.

If only....

I had the desire to put away our Christmas decorations. I don't. I love them up - warm and cheerful, and besides without lights in the ceiling the tree lights are providing light in the area of the Living Room that is usually dark. I can't imagine our space without that little tree - even though, I could definitely be happy having that precious space back. Dilemma. Do I leave the tree up for a little bit longer (I did also want some greenery in this room last fall, and thought about getting a tree anyway!), or do I take down the tree and try to find a lamp. Probably more realistic the latter - but still so sad to think of actually putting away the decorations. And a pain - the boxes are at the very bottom of our "storage" closet, which is our Master Bedroom closet. Lovely - maybe I'll just wait to see if we move before I pack up twice!

If only....

*We had $4,000 a month to spend on a place to live. Then we could afford the rent for some of these homes that I am finding in the area we are contemplating moving to. I don't even like to think about the size home I'd get for $4K in Utah, Texas, Florida....or Wisconsin. I know random right? It's not like there are jobs in ANY of these states for us - but I have watched with fascination people finish school with us or a year behind us and move to these areas and buy homes that are new, huge and with a mortgage that is less than we spend on our rent each month.

Oh well. All I really want right now is a 2nd bathroom. And if really pressed, I'd take a 3rd bedroom for Madeleine. But I just really want that 2nd bathroom for about 3 situations each day when everyone suddenly needs the bathroom at the same time! :)

And by the way - we are NOT spending 4K for a home. That would be ridiculous at this time.

If only....

*I could come to grips with where we need to be living next year. We sat for our Exec. Board Meeting today with the PTA. I am a little tired of being on the "crossroads" with situations with the Administration that were the same issues a year and a half ago. We are now at our own crossroads with our own family and life, and need to decide if we will stay here for any more time after February...whether it's until the end of the school year, to move in February, or sign for another 18 month lease and then consider moving for Madeleine in Middle School. Or to stay here for Middle School? I just don't know what is going to happen - and it's too complicated at times to think through.

I have talked to so many parents about applications for Middle Schools in the city. And these are for PUBLIC schools! You have to apply for everything here. I have thought about having Madeleine home schooled next year, and keeping the boys at the school.

The issue for me is that in looking at the areas up in Westchester, they are established with a well run Administration and a Teaching Staff that is NON Union, as compared to our teachers here in the city that seem to be bound by everything due to the stupid (sorry) Union. I really dislike Unions. And you know what is really strange here. There is so much pressure from Unions that makes it terrible on those that don't want to join them. Teachers don't seem to have a choice - but around the city when a business is in trouble for something with the Union, someone via the Union puts up a big blown up RAT outside of their building. It's a huge visual sign to ostracize this company, for I have no idea what - I'm sure some things might be terrible, but come on....a blown up RAT? I think Unions are the bigger rats.

Anyway, the schools in the 'burbs are funded by property tax that has allowed them to keep in programs that our school cut out. They have all the perks that we don't - however, it's not in the city. Which brings me to....

If only....

*Bryson wouldn't work such crazy hours, so that his trip home at night (if we did live out in the burbs) would take the 15-20 minutes that it does here. Well, if he takes a car it can be longer - but one day he called me as he was leaving his desk. 12 minutes later his key was in the door. That was a magical commute as the train had arrived right when he went down to the platform, and the Red Bus was right outside the station when he got home to the Island. I don't think we have had many 12 minute commutes - 15 to 20 is more realistic, and moving out would put him between 40 and 50 minutes.

If only thinking about 3 children and their school, life and what is best for them didn't make it so that the one person that makes this all possible with providing for us with his job - had to have such a drastic change.

If only.....

I could hire someone to make this decision for us. To look at the apartments here that we could move into. To look at the homes out in Westchester. To look at the Middle Schools here in the city. To tour the Elementary and Middle Schools out there. To weigh out walking, bus, subway and rental car here. To find a car that we would buy if we move out. It sounds like it would be easier on our lifestyle eventually to move out - but moving is never easy right at first. A lot of changes, and figuring things out. I don't like to stress out, and I'm not - it's just a lot when I start to think of everything we need to take into consideration.

If only this decision were done and put behind us. I'd love to pretend it just doesn't exist....but then if I do that, we'll be stuck with the decision to stay here only because I didn't put forth the effort to find out other options.

Man 'if only's' are dangerous and I shouldn't play this game often. It could become depressing and maybe too easy to wallow in my own if only this would come true of us mentality! - although for tonight, it was helpful and my own way to sort out some feelings.

Now....if only we can follow our hearts and promptings and make sure that we are making the best decision coming up. Actually that if only needs to be 'of course, only...'