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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!)

I was ready. I had packed everything I thought I would need for the approximately 18 hour preschool “camp out.” I drove to the school at about 4:00 PM. It was an hour and a half earlier than the earliest arrivals last year. I felt good. I felt like I had a superb shot of getting Griffin into this preschool.

I confidently approached the lines that were forming outside of the entrance to the preschool, carrying a beer. As I reached the lines, I noticed I was met with stares. I wondered why and then realized it was the beer. I scanned the crowd and noticed no one else was drinking. OH MY GOSH! What was I thinking? No one else is drinking. I sheepishly smiled as I hid the beer behind my handbag.

I noticed two lines had already formed. I wondered to myself why were there two lines? Also, why are there SO many people here already? I had planned to be the first. I contemplated for the longest time which line to get in. Getting in the wrong long could be disastrous. It could mean the difference of Griffin getting into preschool and not. No one seemed helpful. The moms just shrugged their shoulders and would not answer me which was the right line. I finally picked one praying I had not made a mistake. I counted the number of moms in line ahead of me. There were SIXTY. I could not believe it. I had prepared. I thought I was early. There was no way there would be an opening by the time I reached the front of the line once registration started. I decided to stay and stick it out. I thought t was worth a shot.

I do not remember much about the events of the actual camp out. I remember that by the time the sun arose I looked exhausted, stressed, and completely disheveled. The line began moving at about 10:00 AM. We all anxiously awaited our turn. When my name was finally called, I approached the desk. The preschool staff person asked, “What class are you wanting to enroll in?” “I quickly answered, “Two year old class, Tuesday/Thursday.” She blankly stared at me. I repeated it again. And then again. She just looked at me and said NOTHING. With each time I repeated my request, my anxiety rose. It rose until I woke up. It was just a dream. I mean, it was just a nightmare.

Two weeks from today, Griffin will know his early education fate. Thirteen days from now my camp out begins. This dream I had last week was most likely precipitated by the fact that the registration process for the “General Public” at Nolan’s school was held last Tuesday. As I dropped Nolan off that morning, I saw the moms pacing the floors, scanning the crowds and “competition” and anxiously waiting for their number to be called and to learn the educational fate of their child. That was me three and a half years ago. I was one of them. I still am one of them. I am just not one of them for that preschool. We have our reserved spot in that program. I paid my hefty registration fee that, ironically, I hope will be wasted. Time will tell.

The good news is that James has decided to camp out the entire time so I do not have to do it! (Everyone can stop laughing now, including myself) Well he may not be camping out, but he will have the boys. My mom has agreed to “tag team” line duty with me part of the time. It will be OK. I just hope the weather cooperates. I am not sure of the “rules” for how this works if the weather is bad. Considering all these parents are in the same boat, I would imagine we could come to some sort of agreement about camping in our cars, etc.

I just need to remember it is not appropriate to bring beer.

and a special Happy Birthday to MY Mimi who is 95 today!! It seems very fitting she was born on this day of love! We love you Mimi and wish you a fabulous year!