Saturday, May 31, 2008

Going Overboard

One of my hometown best friends had her first baby this week. I was so lucky to actually be in Mesquite when it happened. Talk about a cutie-pie! It was awesome to be able to see baby Oliver on the day he was born and to see Becky and Robert with all too familiar expressions on their faces that say, "Thank God the delivery is over. Now what?" I mean it was only a little over four years ago that Chris and I had the same expressions on our faces.

Now before I was pregnant, and even while I was pregnant with Devon I had no idea I would be overcome with the craving for knowledge about everything there is to know about babies.I have a shelf of books on parenting and babies. I feel like I have had almost every breastfeeding problem. Devon had a mild case of colic. We have survived off of one income the whole time, even while I was going to school. I feel like I have this vast store of parental knowledge and anytime I get the opportunity to use it, I go overboard. I don't mean to. And I never realise it until it is too late. I just start firing away everything about breastfeeding and what this and that means. It's frustrating and not to mention embarrassing.

I just love to talk about babies, kids and parenting. I can only hope that it is a good thing, as long as I can control myself. It's funny to think about the fact that I would have never pictured my life the way it is now at age 25. I know there are people out there from back in high school who hear I have kids and think the world is doomed. If only they knew me now....

Friday, May 16, 2008

Teacher's Pet or Teacher's Pain?

Devon will be starting pre-k this August, and she couldn't be more excited. Too bad she doesn't really know how long three months can last, but since summer always seems to go by fast she will be there before we know it. So now that this reality of my baby starting school has set in, I can't help but wonder if all of my kids teachers are going to appreciate my intense concern for my children's education or if they will see me as a pest and worn all the other teachers.

A few weeks ago, I met with a high school friend who I haven't seen since graduation, and she holds a higher disregard for public school than I do. So much that she is homeschooling her little girl who is also four. Now I have to admit there are some pretty tempting advantages to homeschooling. Her little girl is already up to the first grade, because let's face it, when you work one on one you let the child set the pace. You don't have to worry about whether or not a teacher is a child molester. Your kids won't pick up nasty habits from other kids. But then again, you deny your kid the opportunity to make their own moral judgements.

Now don't worry, I'm not going to home school Devon, with her personality she will definitely thrive more in a classroom environment than at home. So this begs the question of whether or not Devon's teacher will be able to handle my constant concern over public school curriculum. Since let's face it, they teach to pass the TAKS. Luckily, I don't have to worry about that battle until Devon is in third grade. I would like to think a teacher would invite any parent who wants to ensure the best for their child. So we will just have to wait and see. But then again, I am the type of person who will go out to the teacher stores and buy my own material to help my kids master a subject/topic that I believe the school isn't doing a good job at. But once again, I say we will just have to wait and see.

I am such a freak about this. It's probably quite sad to most people and I am sure I have passed the point of obsession. I even found a website, www.greatschools.com which is where you can rank your kids school and even leave reviews, this was my favorite part. Devon's elementary school is only in it's second year of operation, but so far it has pretty good reviews. There were only two poor reviews, and one of them said they were pulling their kid and sending them to private school. This worried me a bit, but it is possible that they have standards no public school can meet. Who knows.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

So you made it to my blog

I have many forms of internet expression such as myspace, facebook and e-mail, but this is completely different. This is all ME. If you are reading this, then you should know that you are an important part of my life and I hope you can join me on my blogger journey.

This is where I will complain, rant, ramble, create art, release stress, speak my mind, and basically pour my heart out, during those few (but precious) opportunities I get all to myself.