3-Days-A-Week

Well, it's official.

I have committed to taking Carson to preschool THREE days a week, M-W-F!!

Here's the deal...

Do I think he would have been fine not knowing anyone in the T-Th class?? YES, of course I knew he would be fine. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity of putting him in a class where he knows some of the other kids.

The option existed, so I simply chose the option that I felt was best for Carson.

And next year, his preschool offers a PreK class for those kids that don't make the kindergarten cut-off.

We are going to have to work on this stressing out stuff.

School starts Wednesday.

So, we will have to get as much slip-n-sliding in as we can in the next 2 days!!

I am "THAT" mom

Yep. It's offical. I am that mom.

There I was at Carson's preschool tonight for orientation and the tears started flowing. I mean really flowing. Like hide behind the door, don't want anyone to see me sort of cry.

And no, it wasn't because I was sad to see my little boy growing up and going off to preschool.

Then why you ask, why am I so crazy?

Well you see, here is the situation.

I was going to start Carson in preschool two years prior to Kindergarten. First a 3 year old class two days a week (T/Th), then a 4 year old class 3 days a week (M/W/F), then off to Kindergarten.

Side note to mention: His preschool is ALL THE WAY on the other side of town. Seriously, 30 minutes away. We choose this school because our really good friends own it, it is strictly a preschool, not a daycare, and has a very respectable reputation. No, we don't get any sort of special treatment (maybe a little) or discount. But changing schools at this point is NOT an option. We love it there.

Well, I started Carson in the 3 year old class the middle of last year (2 1/2 years prior to kinder). So, in reality, he had just turned 3 years of age in a class of 3 turning 4 year olds.

Have I lost you yet? Stay with me.

This year, I wanted to keep him with the "so called" 4 year olds (when really he would have been starting a 3 year old class as I had previously planned). But here is where it all goes crazy.

Because most mom's have the same plan that I had, their kids started (T/Th) in the 3 year old class, then moved up to (M/W/F) in the 4 year old class. Therefore, without wanting Carson to repeat the 3 year old class, it would only be natural for Carson to move along with his class to (M/W/F) 3 days a week in the 4 year old class, RIGHT?

And one of the reasons for keeping him with the 4 year olds was for him to stay with his friends who he could learn from verses having him repeat his 3 year old class.

However, I don't want to drive ALL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN 3 days a week!! And still have to do it again NEXT year!! So, I made the decision to put him in the 4 year old class ONLY 2 days a week (T/Th).

And that my friends, is what made me cry tonight. ALL of Carson's friends are in the 4 year old class that is 3 days a week. Not a single one of his friends in in the 2 day a week (T/TH) class. NOT ONE!

Confused yet? I am. Most of you probably stopped reading after the first sentence. I don't blame you. I am going to keep writing just in case any of you are still reading and want to give me your honest opinion on the matter.

Here is why it is such an issue for me:

1. Carson is extremely shy and the youngest in his class. I want him to be comfortable with the others in his class.

1a. Collin is his best friend. Collin is in the M/W/F class.

However,

2. Carson is extremely shy. I don't want to be that mom who shelters him. Putting him in a class where he doesn't know anyone would be good for him to learn to meet other children.

2a. I don't want to drive across town THREE days a week.

So now I don't know what to do.

Is it wrong of me to want Carson to stay in the class with all his friends? Serioulsy, the preschool keeps them together for a reason.

Maybe I don't want your honest opinion after all.

Bottomline: This parenting stuff is really hard.

PS... Steve has no opinion on the matter.

PSS... Suzanne's opinion: HOMESCHOOL.

UGH, no thank you.

Pretty sure this does not make any sense AT ALL and just confirms that I am crazy.

Whatever. Just go with it.

Is this thing on??

Testing, testing...

Can you hear me??

Just wondering if anybody actually reads this darn blog.

I love updating it, sharing pictures, thoughts and things. But sometimes I wonder if it is even worth my time.

So, let me ask a favor of you.... If you do read this, PLEASE become a follower and/or leave me a comment.

Show some love... Please??

Could really use some today.

Thanks.

Love ya.

-p

and PS... If you really want to make me feel special you can check out my photography blog, become a follower and/or leave comments there as well.

Tootle-loo

Pail in Comparison

Here is a conversation that I had with Carson at the lake over the weekend regarding some other people stuff that had been left on our beach...

C: Mommy, look. There is a bucket in the lake.

P: Yes.

C: Mommy, it is going to float away.

P: Then why don't you go get it so it doesn't float away.

C: No.

P: Carson, if you weren't here and your bucket was floating in the lake, wouldn't you want someone to get it so it doesn't float away.

C: If I wasn't at the lake, I would have left my bucket in the water.

Pretty sure that bucket floated away...

EVERY Morning.

EVERY morning Carson yells as daddy attempts to leave for work, "WAIT DADDY, I have to give you a hug and kiss."

Brady then takes his turn giving daddy a hug and kiss.

Then both boys go outside and wave goodbye to daddy as he gets in his truck and leaves for work.

Carson chases his truck down the street as he waves.

Brady continues to wave.

And blow kisses.

EVERY morning.

But not limited to...

My weekend included, but was definitely NOT LIMITED TO, the following:

• GOOD FRIENDS: Sometimes I feel as though the majority of my good friends are still in Salinas. That makes me sad, however I am lucky enough to be able to visit them often.

This picture actually includes TWO Fresno friends.

• More good friends and FANCY CARS: Alli, Suz and I went to Luca in Carmel for drinks. It just happened to be the weekend of the Concours d'Elegance in which the streets of Carmel were lined with Ferrari's!! Might I add that Luca is AMAZING!!

• 9M ANNIVERSARY SALES: Nine Months and Beyond is a Maternity/Baby store in Salinas. Darling clothes. Enough said. If you haven't yet, GO THERE!!

• SLEEPING IN: I did not include my husband or children in my journey to Salinas, therefore, I was able to SLEEP IN. Yep, in MY guest house, courtesy of Alland and Rolli Harmon.

• HOUSEWARMING PARTIES: Congratulations to Sarah Clarke on the purchase of her very own new HOME!!

• KEG STANDS: In Salinas among high school friends, no husband and no kids. I must have thought I was in High School again...

• NEWBORN PICTURES: I had the privilege of meeting and taking pictures the darling yet most beautiful, Camila Gabrielle.

Buh Bye...

Here and NOW...

Here are some things that are on my mind right this second...

1. I am wishing that I was down at the lake with Steve, Suz, Casey and Carson but instead I am up at the cabin with Brady while he naps. So I am taking advantage of this time to update my blog.

2. Steve is probably wishing I would bring him down a refill of his cocktail. He will just have to wait until I am done typing.

3. I am bummed that the bear didn't come again last night. We totally set up the cans along with my car again but no such luck. Suz really wanted to see him. Carson even wants to see him. Maybe tonight...

4. I am headed for a photo shoot tonight in Fresno. I always get super excited to take pictures for other people but unfortunately my nerves take over. Wish me luck.

5. I signed up for the Shaver Lake Triathlon, Sprint on September 19th. I really need to get my butt in gear!!

6. I can't wait for the Tjerrild Family Picnic tomorrow!! I really love my family!!!

7. Suz is completely relaxed having a cocktail on the beach with her favorite people. She has not a worry in the world. That is just what she said anyways. She just came up for Steve's refill.... (and her's)

8. Did I mention that I am excited and nervous for the photo shoot tonight?? Oh, and I am going to take a photography workshop with a local photographer who's works I completely admire. Watch out world!!

9. Think I am going to head down to the lake for a few minutes while Brady naps.

10. I love my life!!

A Bear Ass

There I was...

Plotting, hoping, scheming just a few short hours ago.

And did I really believe that the bear would actually decide to visit again considering he had only been by twice, let alone on a a consecutive night.

To tell you the truth, NO.

So, when I heard that familiar noise of the garbage can crashing to the ground outside my window, I began to shake. I may have even added a few aluminum cans on top of the garbage containers for added sound effects. Hey, I didn't want to miss him.

Well, I DIDN'T!!

The lights went on and he was there. I mean really there!! A bear standing in my driveway, eating MY garbage!!

He was BIG!

I was kinda scared and started shaking. I was shaking so bad that I couldn't get the lens cap off the camera to even take a picture. He walked away and there I stood.

Shaking.

And MAD that I couldn't even get a picture of him.

Back to sleep I went only to be awaken a mere hour later by that yet again familiar sound of something rustling through my garbage cans.

That mother trucker had the nerve to come BACK!!

You better believe I got a picture.

Pretty sure you can bet I will not be taking a late night walk home from the bar any time soon.

Open Season

Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear.

Fuzzy wuzzy keeps coming to visit but I keep missing him.

He leaves us gifts of scattered garbage.

But tonight I am going to see that he was here!!

Yes, we have a local bear that continues to visit our cabin and eat from our garbage cans. But every time I am awaken in the middle of the night only to find him already gone by the time my eyes focus on the darkness outside our window.

So tonight I stocked the cans, positioned my car so I can hit a buttton on my key chain to shine the lights directly on the cans, and have my camera ready.

I'M GONNA CATCH ME A (picture of a) REAL BEAR!!

just wait and see...