designnarrative

so the end of the school year is upon us

(my craziest season at work)

and with end of the year parties, I’m begging for relief

those of you without school aged kids may not have experienced the Room Mom Syndrome (RMS)

Room Mom Syndrome is a name I made up

for the olympics of Competitive Parenting

Case in Point:  One of my children’s Christmas (it was referred to as Winter Celebration) party

had a hot cocoa bar with mix and take home option

complete breakfast with bacon, waffles, blueberry muffins, various juices, and of course fresh fruit

I’m sure the teacher appreciated the warm syrup that the 22 kids helped themselves to

I was given the task to unroll cotton balls (really I’m completely serious)

then I was to help children stuff said unrolled cotton balls into pine cones

that were later adored with glue and glitter

there was a book exchange

three other crafts and a Christmas card making station and several other activities

including tree trimming and carol singing

I’m all for merry-making

but school parties should not involve 42 item supply lists

and then additional monetary contributions for the “fun”

Just this week, we’ve been asked to supply the following for end of year festivities by persons suffering from RMS:

gummy worms

cool-whip

pillow case

fabric paint

money for a sun visor

school supplies for intern’s gift

cash for end of year class gift

breakfast/lunch bring in sign up

flowers on Monday

alphabet coordinated gift bag goodies for teacher

healthy snacks (but with mass appeal but be mindful of allergies)

for our children who already eat breakfast, snack from home, lunch, and now additional snack for testing

Yikes, could I please sign over my tax return, bypass the mommy guilt,

and skip the 58 trips to Wal-Mart?

And for the people with RMS, it is primary school end of the year….

save something for that Harvard Graduation party or

the royal wedding- I’ll bring the pine cones.

Disclaimer:  I too have previously suffered from Room Mom Syndrome, change is possible!

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I had this cutie for a date to a beauty of a wedding in Mt. Juliet this weekend

the groom and bride radiated love, their joy was palpable

Mozel Tov Patrick and Erica!

my darling parents

(I only wish I’d known how hip they are when I lived with them)

these gals know how to have fun

so does this one

her “sprinkler” dance move is epic

her “boogie on down”  isn’t too bad either

ah, Ava- I will break out my “boogie on down” at your wedding

it was a beautiful day (U2 pun intended)

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it sounds like the beginning of a bad joke…….

through the driving rain, in walks parent with a piercing.

granola- no make-up parent, and parent reeking of smoke

welcome to a tiny room with 14 parents, 14 girls, and 4 little brothers

………hades, people,  hades ….just the Girl Scout version of it

granola parent’s young son taught my five-year old several new slang words

for his male annatomy…..there were gasps and giggles

I tried to navigate the packed room, tripping over chairs to grab my kid

glares from the kid offender’s mom…..really lady, such a mouth on such a small child

an hour and a half later it was over

all I can say is sweet Jesus,  have mercy and send me a snow day!!!

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this weekend, I left the house once, pretended I was allergic to cleaning, and wore various combos of sweats and yoga pants

it was wonderful

today we took G for a pediatric cardiologist follow-up

“all is well, come back in three years”

it’s just that “little detail” of a standard deviation and a half from average,

this guy drew me a chart- I didn’t tell him how well acquainted I am with the normal curve

really guy, no chart needed

tomorrow, I have six meetings and my TEAM evaluation

prayers, prehaps?

wee bit stressed, I am

also talking like Yoda, I am

strange, but true it is

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