The May day celebration at my daughter's school

Mom came this weekend to visit and that was really nice. She came for grandparents day at my daughter's school and she had a great time. Both of them did! I wasn't sure how much Mom would embrace my daughter's new Waldorf elementary school. As a former elementary school teacher, I didn't think she would but she's been really supportive. It was their big May day celebration and they had a large Maypole. I hadn't ever seen one before and the older elementary children did a great job! They expertly weaved the ribbons around the pole and then un-wrapped it as well. It was really wonderful to listen to the violins and chorus playing beautifully together while children danced together celebrating spring and life.

Sometimes I wonder if the Waldorf school IS the right place for my daughter, but after yesterday's celebration....I feel empowered that we made right decision.

I like to visit this Waldorf website for information when I am feeling unsure about our decision. I probably need to visit it on a regular basis and just fill my mind with more of the wonderful reasons that I support this school and want my family to as well. Now all I need to do is convince my Dad...

Kids need chores and responsibilities around the house

We need to clean and organize the house. It's aways a drag. The kids are still too young to really do anything much. They do help though. I believe children should do their part to contribute to a househould. My kids are being trained to pick up after themselves. I can't stand it always having to pick up after them and I should not have to. Kids need responsibilities too and picking up their toys after they play with them is not too much to expect.

I'm on the fence about paying an allowance. When I was a child, I did receive one. I remember sometimes I was highly motivated to work to save up for a purchase and other times I did my chores because I was forced to. My children aren't very motivated by money but regardless, they need to learn how to pick up and contribute to maintaining our home. Of course it needs to be age appropritate. My youngest can clear the table and put her books back on the shelf. My oldest can match socks in the laundry, pick up toys/stuff and distribute to the correct room, and certainly clean her own room. I'm trying to give her more responsibilites every year and before I know it, she'll be dusting, vaccuuming and scrubing the toilets. Little does she know what is coming!

So...off we go. We'll strip the beds, vaccum up the dirt, do loads and loads of laundry and general pickup. Once a week we have to do a purge...believe it or not we sitll have boxes from our move years ago to unpack. Before we move again, we need to get rid of stuff. But that's another post....

Holy crapola. I can't believe how long it's been since I've written. I really need to get on it. I need this outlet for ME and just to blab. I just need to set aside the time and just do it.

I'm a bit frustrated with myself that I have lost my new book for my bookclub. I really want to read it too. I bought it with another book and then put aside. Of course now I don't have it. GRRR...I hate when I misplace things. I need to find it and read it as quickly as I can. Usually I can read pretty quickly...but I do like to relax and read casually too.

So one of my closest friends just got out of the hospital with a double kidney infection. She still doesn't know how it originated but thank GOD she is ok. So scary for her and her family...so scary for me with her being so far away. I don't know what I'd do without her. She's been such a rock for me and connects me when I drift away from me. Gosh, I could never imagine my world without her! I hope she now heals quickly and we can go back to emailing. Can't wait to see her this summer!