Kindergarten Drama

I love standing in line outside the school for dismissal.  Normally, our 5 year old sees me and bolts with a big hug in hand.  He chatters all the way home about the wonderful day he's had and the new friends he's making and how the cute girls chased him.  But I did say normally...

This past Friday was a completely different scene, because not only was I a few minutes late, but that time he spent waiting was unexpectedly filled with the horror of an older bully girl making threats to beat up our little guy!  Why..?  Well, after decoding Kindergarten lingo, we discovered it was because this particular girl (bully -- thankfully from another classroom) wants to be told she's the prettiest girl at school.  Toby wouldn't say that to her, but he did go so far to say she was the same as the other pretty girls....  That not being what she wanted to hear, the threats pursued.  

"Get used to that.." I trailed off with laughter, trying to make light of it.  I wanted to go into detail about how girls are always going to get angry when they don't hear what they want to hear...but it doesn't mean you have to say what they want to hear if you don't believe its true... however, just then a second surge of tears burst through accompanied by moaning of how he was never going back to school again.

It's heart-retching to be greeted by a terrified little face with tears streaming down.  As his sobbing increased, my 'mama-bear' emotions got the best of me.  So instead it was, "No one is going to touch you.  If anyone touches you they are going to have to deal with me!  Mama will go in with you first thing on Monday and we'll talk to your teacher and make sure they know not to let anyone hurt you -- or else!!!. 


A quick call to daddy, who reinforced everything and replaced the tears with giggling got us through the short ride home.  You can imagine the outrage of protective big brother and sister...and grandma....when they heard the news.  They all basically repeated what I said.  Best friend Josh from next door came straight over when he heard the news and offered to beat the older girl up for him...but his mama put an end to that kind of talk.  (But it did make us smile).  Dad was home a few minutes after us and picked him up and convinced him to dry up his tears because daddy wasn't going to let anything happen to him.  He now knows that female or male aggressor (if a girl's going to act like a boy then she'll be treated like one too in our book) we made it clear that it is always okay to protect himself and not allow others to walk on him.


As I expected, Monday morning arrived with a mysterious tummy ache.  "I'm not well mommy.  My tummy hurts.  I can't go to school today."  So I sat him up on the bed and spoke with him:

I love the part at the very end...when he says, "her brain's out of control and that's why she's trying to mess up my school year..."  How many women have you met with a brain out of control trying to mess up your day!  Hahaha!

We walked into the cheerful classroom and was greeted by an equally cheerful Ms. Pierce.  She was very dismayed at the news and went on to tell me how very well liked our son was.  She mentioned that several of the girls adored him, but especially little 'Joslin', who's long, blond pig-tail had come unbraided and was being re-braided by her patient teacher at that very moment.  Nap time was especially cute, she went on to say, because the little girls love to have their rest time next to him.  

Then, Ms. Pierce, being the Southern born and raised woman she is, said, "Emily, come over here please."  (A sweet natured and confident little blond girl came up directly. )  "I want you to stay with Toby at recess and if you see anyone being mean to him you come and get me you hear?  (Emily nodded yes)  You're not going to let anything happen to Toby are you because you're not afraid of anyone, right."   (Emily agreed pleasantly and trotted off.)  Ms. Pierced looked at me and winked saying, "Emily's not afraid of anyone, she'll beat anyone up....."

With ego restored and the grasp at my leg a little less tighter, our little one was feeling better.  However, when he saw me about to leave the class, tears welled up in his eyes all over again.  Knowing that the last kind of woman I'd ever want to get in a brawl with was a Southern woman, (especially after the above conversation) I gave him a last dose of comfort that everything was going to be alright.  I reminded him that everyone in his class loved him and he was going to have a great day.


Let's all have one.  Why does drama start so early?  Good grief!

Update:  Toby came home and he and the little girl that was mean are "Best Recess Buddies" now....go figure.


Visit Southern Mommas

Toadstools

As I was walking up to collect our little one from school today I couldn't help noticing the very large Fungi that had grown on the school grounds over the weekend.  This should give you a pretty good indication of the heavy humidity we've had recently.  We do have humidity all summer long -- but August is the hardest.  Some of the children were kicking them to smithereens -- but when I got in the middle of them and took my time to adjust the camera -- they all mysteriously backed off.  I didn't mean to spoil their fun.  (I used to kick them too when I was little).

美麗的女兒

美麗的女兒   That would be 'Chinese' for Beautiful Daughter.  This dress was rather rushed as time is getting away from us and I don't sew well under pressure.  But it's complete...and thankfully little Miss here loves it.  Working with Chinese Brocade fabric and shine has been an experience.  I mis-measured and cut the pattern too small -- leaving very little seams to work with when having to let it out.  So, we've cut off all ice cream and sweets until after the wedding -- as the slightest change in the figure could literally blow the whole thing apart....

After modeling for us, she took a turn with a couple of neighbors -- who gave her a very large dose of adoration.  I know she'd like to wear it to the dance this Saturday -- but NO WAY!!!  I'm going to have to iron it again in any case.  I'm now hemming Mr. Luke's suit trousers...my fingers hurt from the innumerable pin pricks.  My brain hurts too..from holding back silent words of profanity and replacing the thoughts with a simple "ouch"...X

P.S.  Who is that man behind the fridge?

Gum Drop Blues

I am forcing a smile on my face today.  I'd like to think that I am easily adaptable to change, but as the summer for us is ending and the new school year begins, I feel that heavy remorse setting in -- as I say goodbye to one warm season and hello to another.  

I guess it's not really "Hello"....its more like an ostrich squawking and sticking his (her) head in a hole -- trying to hide from all the forced transformation around me.  And while in that dark hole, I managed to find a rather large package of gumdrops that I had bought some time ago...and I ended up popping them in my mouth, thinking the bright colors and sugar might make me feel happy...which they didn't...

Our youngest starts Kindergarten tomorrow.  The MSS (Martha Stewart Syndrome) took control as I prepared and followed the extensive student supply list.  As we waited until the last possible minute to register our child, I could not order the nice school labels in time and ended up making a set of my own.

I was feeling ahead of the game and relieved to be caught up with things.  Then our neighbor Christie called to borrow eggs and milk and happened to ask if I was ready for tomorrow.  I explained I was and proudly revealed how I had even labeled all the student supplies....which apparently was a mistake -- because apparently I'm not suppose to label them-- because apparently it's all thrown into a big sharing bin...and I will just stop there before I begin a not so comfortable conversation...

It's been a day of preparation.  I surprised Miss Tate when she arrived home from a Family Home Evening night at church with some t-shirts.  Tate had drawn a number of nice pictures this summer, so I copied a few of them onto transfers and ironed them on.  Yay!  She loves them.  

Portrait of 'Dr. Who' by Tatum Garrison

Can you tell who else she loves???


Matthew called to check on me and told me (as usual) that everything was going to be okay.  I looked outside the back french door and spied 2 sets of dove feeding in our garden.  What a very peaceful reminder that all is well and my heart is full.  Change is good and we must always keep moving forward -- even when it moves a bit too fast. X

Wedding Hat?

England is very traditional when it comes to weddings.  Hats are one of those traditions.  Matthew wishes I would disregard the convention of it all and not cover my hair.  If I wasn't the mother-of-the-bride I would actually consider it.  But I am.  

For the past few weeks I have been looking for a hat to go with the dress.  It's difficult to do when you've not worn such an adornment before.  The one I chose was from Wedding Hats 4U.  I was just starting to get comfortable with it when my 16 year old daughter saw it and made a hideous comment.  

Well, my husband often calls me Mary Poppins...

So I believe I'm back to square one.  I truly want to put my sewing machine away.  It gives me so much stress just seeing it out.  But I think I may be having to conjure something up...I think I'd like a magic hat.

Help!

P.S.:  After viewing Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden's Wedding slideshow..I really think Tiaras are far more fashionable... My daughter is a Princess...but thankfully she didn't come with the 9 million + pounds figure...although it feels like that at times.

Handsome Hubby

He looks so sophisticated in his black velvet blazer.  The salesman talked him into the silk hanker chief and a few other things.  I'm beginning to worry that he's outshining me...  We're almost there.  I'm still hemming Tobe's trousers and working on Tatum's dress.  There's still quite a bit to do, but progress has been made.

Renew My Meekness

A bitter gourd

One thing I strive to teach my children is to let go of bitterness.  It's like a poison -- it holds us back and prevents us from growing and accomplishing all we can. 

In early 2004 I was attending a morning Gospel study course on the New Testament.  At the start of the course I felt quite 'full of myself'.  In my mind (at the time) it went like this:

Attend church 100%                  check

Pay a full tithe                            check

Fulfill Calling                              check

Fulfill Civil Duties                      check

Help the Poor                             check

Hold Family Prayer                    check

Hold Family Gospel Study         check

Visit my sisters in the church     check

I felt good about who I was and how I was.  But then our teacher began to elaborate more of the personality and life of the Savior.  As we studied the Sermon on the Mount and other examples, I felt my checklist crumble into nothingness as well as my self esteem.  

What was all this 'Turn the Other Cheek' business?  And 'Judge Not' business?  Pray for your enemies?  I had heard these lessons a hundred times before, but that particular morning changed my life around.  These were not things that I could put on a check-list and tic off.  These things were hard...and many times uncomfortable. They required far more 'Christ-hood'.

I learned of the meekness of Christ.  To me, (at the time) meekness meant 'weakness'.  A kind of giving in to those stronger and perhaps more intelligent then yourself.  But by the end of this class, I came to understand that meekness is an essential quality of divinity.  It is the ability to see past emotion and take a higher road into Godhood...at least this is how it stands in my mind.

A year later I found myself going through the extreme difficulty of divorce.  One day as I sat in church I took a good look around me.  There was a teenage girl giving a talk at the pulpit, the Bishop and his councilors sitting behind her, others like me who were struggling.  My eyes settled on individuals who I knew had certain addictions and I caught myself as I wondered why they even came to church.  

I was feeling bitter and annoyed.  The lesson came back to me and I closed my eyes and let all the judgments leave my heart.  I especially let the unkind, unfair judgments I felt others had of me leave.  I scribbled down my thoughts that day and it ended up with the poem below:

 Renew My Meekness

A simple bench, a humble pulpit

'Mongst men of plain imperfectness

Such was a stable, strong and able

To hold the Savior in it's mist.

Oh renew, renew my meekness

Soft testimony conquers doubt

Grand words of wisdom, doth reflect from

Lips of ordinary mouths.

A fallen man, a broken sister

Harsh words from eyes, impure remark

To be a judge, you must have love

Remember who hath made their hearts.

Yes renew, renew my meekness

For these eyes are young and blind

The whole need not a physician

Let us come and be refined.

A wealthy world, a life of greatness

In charity, thou gave discreet

Can I tame my need for gain?

In giving make, my soul complete.

Oh renew, renew my meekness

Thy Majesty, I will hold dear

For the diamonds of the righteous

Are found in full and glistening tears.

 Cruel enemies, seeds of oppression

Divides my heart, and cuts so deep

Can I pray for you today?

Can I turn the other cheek?

 

Please renew, renew my meekness

How I feel so far behind

Beside the tares, my roots will weaken

Help me grow, to be divine!

~ Chimene Kirkpatrick

Wednesday Woe

Marsh and Tobes

As the title would indicate, last Wednesday (and Thursday for that matter) was not so easy.  The ride up to North Carolina to meet Marsh's grandparents half-way and deliver Mr. Marsh was a difficult task indeed.  But we support his decision to move back to Washington -- we just miss the 'heck' out of him.

Marsh, Matthew

Marsh is very easygoing and although it was a long ride, he managed to make it fun.  He played games with Toby in the back and taught him how to play tic-tac-toe, I spy, as well as the 'make a square' game. 

So wrong...

I was completely outnumbered, with 3 pranking characters in the car, I had to keep my wits about me...although I did get taken for a ride (literally) here and there.  Matthew asked me to get out change for the toll road (which was non-existent) -- but he had a smirk on his face for 20 miles before I threw the coins back in my purse with a sigh.

Tobes and Dad

We could not count the number of 'Cracker Barrel' Restaurants or signs for 'Peaches'.  Marsh went on and on about how good peach salsa was. I agreed and thought fresh peaches sounded pretty good but the pair of us ended up with our bottom lips sticking out as Dad just passed by each one with never an intention to stop. 

Marsh and Dad

The hotel near Raleigh had a nice pool and the boys enjoyed a refreshing swim.  Toby was beyond excited to learn to swim with dad.  Marsh got a little jealous, so dad helped him too ;-D.

Gladys, Marsh, Steve

It was a pleasure to meet Steve and Gladys, Marsh's grandparents.  The couple own race horses, so their days are extremely busy.  We're thankful they are taking the time to fly Marsh out to Washington.  We had a lovely chat, but the time passed too quickly.  Before we knew it we were saying our goodbyes.

Toby, Chimene, Marsh

I can't elaborate right now.  In fact, I think I'm glad that it is late and that I need to sign off.  If I stop to think about it all I know I will get extremely sad.  X








This pic is for you Marsh...

"Peaches!"

Birthday Brioche for Jodie

Jodie is our neighbor and mother of Tobe's great friend.  I was a day late, but I wanted to get this plate of freshly made brioche to Jodie -- she loves these rolls and I knew it would be far more appreciated then a cake.

I know a few of you want the recipe, so I thought I'd take a minute to write it down for you.  I just use a bread maker to make the dough:

1/3 cup water
1/3 cup margine or butter, softened
4 eggs
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated orange or lemon peel
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast or bread machine yeast

Directions:

1.  Place all Dough ingredients in bread pan in order listed.  Press 'Dough Cycle' and then press start.
2.  While dough is being mixed, grease 2 8-9in cake pans and line with parchment or wax paper (grease parchment as well.
3.  When dough cycle is finished, remove dough from bread maker onto a floured board and divide in two.
4.  Divide each section into 6 equal circles (making 12 in all) and place in pans (6 in each pan).
5.  Cover and let rise in warm place for 1 hours.
6.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees

7.  (optional) Mix 1 egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water and baste over rolls.  Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
8.  Bake 15-18 minutes.  Don't let them get too brown.  Let them sit in pan for 10 - 15 minutes before removing.

P.S.:  The dough can be sticky -- so I use a very floured surface.

Breakfast and Bersa

In an effort to be more organized, I thought I'd get to Tatum's Dr. Appointment early and get her blood work done before seeing her Doctor.  Unfortunately the 8:30 appointment is the earliest and getting there at 7:30 did not get us in the door...so we decided to have breakfast at the local Waffle House just down the road.

My sweet, protected daughter felt a wee bit uncomfortable in her surroundings.  Despite my reassurance that everything was fine and we'd be okay, she hunched up and whispered, "I wish dad was here...and his Bersa..."  That would be the Bersa Thunderbold 360 -- something that's okay to carry on your hip here in the south -- which dad ALWAYS does.

Breakfast was delivered and we eventually made it back to the Doctors.  I do like Waffle House though -- their scattered hash browns with onions, tomatoes and ham are my favorite.

The Twilight Zone......

I think the title is sufficient enough.  When your teenager states that the kitchen is a mess and slips on my magic  gloves (I can do anything in my washing up gloves) you know you've entered another dimension on this planet...  Where am I?  Who is this child???

And this was after she had cleaned her room and the family bathroom without being asked.  Thank You Miss Tate! We love you!

P.S.:  I had to take this pic as I know most of you wouldn't believe it!