The everyday adventures of Nolan and Griffin
I decided to try something different and get Nolan’s 5th birthday video out while he’s still 5. Hopefully I can catch up on his other birthday videos and Griffin’s.
So, for now, here’s the 5th birthday party. It started with M&M pancakes and ended with a party at Palaestra. We think he had fun.
The music is from the movie Sixteen Candles in case you get the “where do I know that song?” vibe while you watch.
Enjoy!
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!
Nolan’s Table Setting (His fabulous teachers get most of the credit for the decor)
Singing a Valentine’s Day Song for the Moms
Decorating sugar cookies!
“Mom!! I am decorating cookies here!”
Hmm. Pastry Chef he is not! 
Always could use a few more sprinkles!
Face planting into the cookie!
The Class
The Goody Bags (Nolan gives a heart lollipop with his Valentine’s cards. Heidi gives everyone a balloon. SIGH)
BINGOOOOO! Too bad Nolan was the last one in the class to yell those words. Good news in Pre-K! Everyone is still a winner!
Best Buddy Ben!! (His mom was the other host) Notice that they are holding hands! So sweet!
And the best part of the Valentine’s Day Party? Well the snow of course!!!
What is wrong with this picture (besides Nolan spelling his name backwards)?
Me: “Nolan, tell me about your picture.”
Nolan: “It’s a picture of my family.”
Me: “From the left tell me who everyone is.”
Nolan: “First is Daddy, then me, then you, and then my sister.”
Side note: When James got home I asked Nolan to tell him about his picture. You know. Just to make sure there was not some sort of temporary memory lapse. Nope. He repeated the line up verbatim.
