Prescott Place

Not since Forrest Gump and Jenny saw Lieutenant Dan walking on his “magic” titanium legs have two adults been so happy to see another human being take a few steps. After a long, long wait, Griffin finally started walking last night. We had it so easy with Nolan that Griffin being behind in anything at all probably seems like a much bigger issue than it should. After all, it’s not like either of us expected Griffin would crawl into kindergarten on his first day of school (Although I secretly think Mel really worried about this.). It just feels that way because Nolan was always so far ahead.

Griffin is very different from Nolan in many ways. He’s much more cautious than Nolan in everything he does. For better or worse, he does things in his own time and in his own way. He has technically been able to walk for quite a while, but he would only do so while holding our hands. We weren’t actually holding him up, but if we let go he would drop to the floor instantly. He would walk as long as he felt like he had a grip on something, just like Dumbo thought he could only fly when he had his “magic” feather.

Last night, after weeks of working with him, he decided the time was right on his own. This time, he didn’t fall when I let go of his hand. He looked around for a moment, then started walking like we all knew he could. He’s no Carl Lewis yet, but he gets the job done. (Full disclosure: We were absolutely bribing him with M&Ms to keep him going once he started. Whatever works, right?)

It goes without saying that all of us are relieved (Especially Melanie, who no longer has to worry about being the mother of a crawling kindergartner). That kid weighs over 30 pounds and carrying him around all the time stopped being adorable a long time ago. He’s a giant and now he can walk like one. That’s a huge relief.

The music on this video seems to be hit or miss. Depending on where you watch the video, you may or may not hear it. I’ll try to upload it somewhere that doesn’t strip the music out. Enjoy!

I’m still woefully behind on videos, but here’s the video for Griffin’s 1st birthday. I’ve run out of new birthday songs for these, so Griffin has to have a hand me down song for his birthday video. Although, it’s still a Beatles song – nothing to sneeze at.

I think I need that printed on a shirt!

Until I have time to write “It Takes a Village: The Recap” here are a few pictures from the Great Preschool Registration 2010!

Although this is an awful camera phone picture, I wanted to attempt to document the line of people at 11:45 PM, several who had already approached over 12 hours of waiting in line.   I was not far behind in that number. I decided I needed this picture for when Griffin is 15 years old and says he hates James and I, that we are awful parents, and we never do anything for him. I can whip out this picture, blow it up, and kindly remind him of the contrary.

Our “accommodations” once we were allowed inside the church at midnight. Although the floor was rock hard, the lights were left completely on all night, and shockingly several people were able to sleep so soundly they snored very. very. loudly, it beat the elements outside (cold and thunderstorms). We all looked sort of homeless.

Don’t let this sort of smile fool you. By 1:00 AM, there was really not a lot of smiling going on!

Seventeen years ago (GULP) this person, my roommate all four years at Texas Tech, and I were taking swigs of $2 Boone’s Strawberry Hill “wine.” Last night, (she was luckily enough to not have to come until 11:00 PM) and I braved the insanity together for our little ones.

It was so bright we had to get creative on how to block out the lights.

At 6:00 AM, preschool staff started processing paperwork to make 8:00 AM registration run more smoothly and faster (if you count waiting 20 hours between James, my mom, and I as fast).

There will be no pictures from this morning. Trust me. I looked like a train wreck. The good news, the hard work paid off. With only a total of 8 openings for Griffin’s age (and on Wednesday/Friday only; not my first choice, but oh well), he is IN!!!!

As I drove Nolan the twenty plus minutes each way to school today, it felt worth it. And saving $5 a day on tolls, does not hurt!

Stay tuned (once I am fully recovered from the last 24 hours) for “It Takes a Village!”

After almost 12 hours in line, the reward.

Leading up to Nolan starting preschool, I thought for sure I would sign up to be the “room mom.” I thought I would be very active in the Early Childhood PTA and volunteer to lead other activities Nolan was involved in. But then I realized how much time those things would take. I knew my Type A, super perfectionistic personality would make make me stress about these sort of things way more than I should. I set boundaries. I knew my limitations. It not only was for my own sanity, but for my family as well.

I stuck to my guns. I have always been a great “assistant” for each and every school/classroom event of Nolan’s. But this year, guilt started to set in. So at the beginning of this school year, I agreed to co-host one party this year with the mom of Nolan’s best school buddy. After much consideration we agreed to host the Valentine’s Day party. We were in agreement this would be the easiest (She had never hosted a party before and she already has one child that had graduated from the preschool! See I could be worse)! Overall I did not give the party much thought in the Fall. I remembered it every now and then, but would tell myself it is not until after the holidays. And just like I thought, the Christmas holidays were over before I knew it.

We began planning at the end of January. Numerous emails occurred between the co-host and I, the Room Mom, and his teachers. Tasks were assigned and we each got to work. Some of my “assignments” were easier than others. Who would have thought creating the sign-up sheet for supplies for the party would take so much thought and time? Trust me. It did.

Needless to say, all of the planning was worth it. The party was a success. The kids had a great time and, in the big scheme of things, it was not that bad. Do not mistake me. I was glad when it was over and I will not be jumping to sign up to be Room Mom for Nolan or Griffin next year (yeah! Double the amount of opportunities to avoid next year). I had done my duty. Here’s to this Mommy for being a co-host!

After this party was over, I thought I was home free. No party planning until Griffin’s in August. Mind you, Nolan had also just had his 5th birthday party with 22 of his friends. Those parties are a big deal and a couple of months of planning always occurs for those shindigs. I was party planned out.

Little did I know what was about to happen.

The week after the Valentine’s Day party, I was dropping Nolan off at school. I said my good-byes and Griffin and I headed out the door. Nolan’s teacher followed me out.

Ms. Monica: ” Hey Melanie. Can I ask you something?”

Melanie: “Sure.”

Ms. Monica: “I was wondering if you could coordinate the February Birthday Party for the class (for all the kids who turn 5 in February.”

Melanie: IN MY HEAD…. WHAT?????

Melanie: “Sure. I would be happy to do that. What do I need to do?”

Ms. Monica: “Oh it is very simple.”

Melanie IN MY HEAD: Sure it is. For most people, but not this Type A stressed out mom when it comes to party planning.

Ms. Monica: “Basically you will just need to coordinate cupcakes, plates, napkins, and juice boxes.”

Melanie IN MY HEAD: Oh that is not too bad. I think I can handle that.

Ms. Monica: “Oh and each child usually gets a goody bag.”

Melanie IN MY HEAD: Ugh! I just put 22 gift bags together for Nolan’s party. YUCK!

Melanie: “OK.”

Ms. Monica: “Oh and you are welcome to decorate the room. Whatever you would like. (Pause) I think that is it.”

Melanie: “Alright I can do that.” IN MY HEAD: This “simple” party is becoming more complicated by the second!

Ms. Monica: “Oh and you will need to email the other February Birthday month moms to coordinate everything. Do you need their email addresses?”

Melanie (l must be looking more overwhelmed with every “to do”): “Yes please.”

Ms. Monica: “Is this OK with you?”

Melanie IN MY HEAD: Do I really have a choice?

Melanie with a big smile: “Oh yes it is just fine. I LOVE to do these types of things!”

Melanie IN MY HEAD: What just came out of my mouth? I cannot believe I just blatantly lied to her like that.

And with that, Griffin and I left. I was sad the whole way home.

So over the past couple of weeks I have been planning the “February Birthday Month” class party! Yeah ME!

The big celebration is this Thursday. I am in the home stretch. Nolan and I stuffed 16 goody bags today. Again Yeah ME! I just emailed Ms. Monica with the final update an hour ago. I also just re-confirmed with the other February Birthday month moms who is responsible for what. Tomorrow I go get balloons.   Yes, I am in the home stretch. I have almost survived three child party events in ONE month. Even for party planning enthusiasts that is ALOT!

I am almost home free.

But unfortunately, I know I am only home free for a short amount of time. There is always another “something” around the corner. I have two little ones. This is only just the beginning. I can only dodge a bullet for so long.

And apparently I am a good liar too.

Nolan is getting ready to fill the goody bags today. (At least one of us enjoys this kind of thing!)