Skipping The Kindergarten.

...So, I wonder what he thinks about the second grade and on!

The PTA.

Abréviation/ Acronym: PTA, PTO
Otherwise known as: The Parent Teacher Association, Parent Teacher Organization 


“Welcome to the PTA!”, they said.
“It will be a breeze”, they said.

And then they ran.

As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve seen any of the old PTA board around since the switching of the board mid August.

Wait, let me start over.
I have seen a ‘few’ of the old board members…in passing.

I’ve also overheard the catty remarks on the side as to what the new board ‘should be’ doing. Funny how people mouth off on the sideline? You know on the other side of the parking lot! Hey, I’m standing two cars over from you! How about offering advice – since you’ve been there and done that!

Oh, and then there’s Ms. Zumba a.k.a. the parent with three real names (there are a few of them at the school). She approached the PTA President in the school parking lot about her concern on the upcoming Harvest festival and made the PTA president all frazzled.

Smh. Funny. Real funny. Ms. Zumba lady. Cleary you knew who and who not to approach!
No worries. We found an activity for her -Chair of Santa’s Workshop – you know – because she knows everything!

(Sorry, I went off on a tangent)

The PTA, it ain’t rosey.
They talk about you.
The same few parents and/or guardians volunteer – and how that burns me up…I never understood parents that made no effort in volunteering.
I believe my time is as important as yours. Not to mention it’s for YOUR CHILD.
Oh, but guess what? Your child really likes seeing me at the school and most of the time I know how their day went – so take that.

This PTA thing…
It’s like my normal 9 to 5. wtf.
The responsibility involved.
It’s not a breeze!

Btw, oh my gosh, Did I mention I’m PTA treasurer?
Seriously, worst position like e-v-e-r!
Balancing books for campaigns. fundraisers. spirit night. box tops
Folks don’t want to own up on what they owe (you know you owe fundraising money, stop playing and no we can’t barter)
Folks write out their checks wrong (because it’s rocket science, not)
Gimme. Gimme.  Gimmie.
When did the PTA become the Bank of America…like why do we pay all the bills?
Hey, News Flash People. Gimme got shot when the PTA board transferred over!

Oh and the Bank, the bank we bank at is Aawful – that’s double A awful! Like the school chose the bank awful. Like prehistoric banking awful. Now you know that’s just AWFUL!

And let’s not start on the School Board that expects the PTA to operate on the 5th hour as they do. That would require another post.

So now it’s January and school has started back up again.
I was afforded a partial break from my PTA duties due to the holiday – my Savior!
Back to sticks and stones
Back to writing checks, receipts and disbursements.
Back to balancing the books.
Back to planning and implementing volunteer hours.
Back to knowing ‘it won’t be a breeze’ – as they once said.

++++
Are you on a PTA Board at your child’s school? What’s your favorite part of PTA?

O's.

O'sssssssssssssssss.
Feel the magic. A night at the ballpark.

p.s. We lost...score not needed. Yes, it was bad.

Little Builders.

Lowes offers a Build and Grow clinic for kids.
I had been saying for the longest time (in my head of course) that I should take my little one to one of the clinics.

A year later...
Like two weeks ago, while making a trip to Lowes, I finally signed my son up for two of the clinics.
The first clinic we didn't make. However, the second was last weekend. We made that one.

The build clinic was a bit different than I expected. I thought a store associate would be talking and interacting with the kids. Not the case. Turns out parents and guardians were doing all the work and providing guidance.
The store associate just handed out the supplies and went on her merry way.

I'm not really sure how I'd rate the clinic. I'd say for the sake of the kids it was a good experience. For the sake of parents, it would have been nice if there was an introduction to the project and a bit of interaction between teacher, student, and parents (the ones without any patience).

And being a designer, I have to note that I wasn't pleased about receiving a handwritten certificate at the end. That sort of stuff ruffles my edges.

All in all, if you have kids try it out for yourself.

Project: Toy Story RC 

Life.

so enjoy the ride!

As of late: 

+ we've attended 5 kiddie parties in less than 2 weeks

+ i've seen more paint chips than I've ever imagined

+ i have enjoyed Maryland's finest...crabs

+ i'm loving antique shopping

+ i'm loving zoobean

+ i have been daydreaming about the beach and owning a hibiscus floral rash guard

Getting the Sillies Out.

Do you watch Nick Jr.?

Have young kids or young family members?

Have you heard the name Brobee, Mono? Wait...DJ Lance Rock?

If I've lost you, I'm referring to Yo Gabba Gabba - the television show. I have to admit when I first saw the television show I was a bit freaked out. But over time I've grown to love this television show and so has my son (the original reason I watch). 

This month Yo Gabba Gabba came to town...and we went to see them. Actually, the real story, I promised my son last year I'd take him when he saw the commercial and I totally snoozed on the tickets - they were sold out in one (1) day. I felt like a horrible parent (yep, it's that easy). So last Fall when I heard they'd be in town, I set every calendar reminder I could to remind me to buy tickets...and I did. Yes, I'm awesome - this year.

The show was A-MAZ-ING...and that's being honest! I don't think one could ask for much more than double entertainment - 1. for the child and, 2. the parent/guardian.  The show was very colorful, engaging & loud, and to top it off we had great seats! 

So really what I'm trying to say is, if you ever get the chance to check out Yo Gabba Gabba live in concert it would be worth your time.

Good Friends.

Birthday Celebration | Tapas Adela 

Birthdays are blessings. Wishing a friend a blessed birthday and many more!

Catching Up. Again.

Holiday Train Garden. Shops @ Kenilworth

it's been a long road since my last post before my last post...in october.

i feel bad because i enjoy blogging and reading blogs. but again, i apologize and will try not to do it again.

so here's a recap of what i have been up to during my hiatus in no particular order:

1. i moved from soccer mom to basketball mom...oh how i wish we would have stayed with soccer!
2. school (and lots of it)!
3. Lincoln, Rise of the Gaurdians, and something else i can't remember - movies!
4. web development and coding...
5. an engagement...i got engaged, woot, woot!
6. designing movie poster concepts (see item #2)
7. holiday baking at my mom's. okay so the kids were baking while i was in another room working on a final exam. judge me!
8. 1/2 smiley face sticker and lost hat discussions with my son as it pertains to school (momma's not happy).
9. school...yep I mentioned that before (item #2,4, and 6)
10. lots of coffee and no sleep
11. and now that it's the christmas holiday and i realize it...this song on repeat.

And so that's my bit of excitement. What have you been up to?

Field Notes: Massanutten, VA

Here's the view from our vacation house:

and here's a small list of how we spent our time:

1. hanging out at the pool(s)
2. taking small walks during the day and taking cover at dusk (avoiding the deer and bears)
3. water park adventures
4. riding bicycles
5. laughter and good conversation
6. eye poking, minor scrapes, and boo boos
7. viewing sunsets and the morning dew
8. zip lining
9. tubing
10. the playground
11. a visit to the caverns
12. enjoying large family meals 
13. crossing historic markers
14. wine (and beer)
15. staying up past 1AM (this upcoming week will be a killer)
16. a small picnic
17. kids cheating at Candy Land (my child in particular)
18. pedicures and manicures
19. ice cream
20. riding go-karts
21. ...and more

P.S. Wish you were there.

{..........}

>>>>Wordless Wednesday <<<<

Concord Point Lighthouse.

Concord Point Lighthouse

Authorized by the Federal Government for construction in 1825, 

sits at the mouth of the Susquehanna River

I have a secret obsession with Lighthouses. I am not sure why but ever since I was a little girl, I promised myself I would make an effort to get out in the world and visit every lighthouse known to man. Sooo, that hasn't happened to date! Crazy thing is, I've come across a couple in my travels but of course I didn't have my camera. So when my dad talked up visiting the Concord Point Lighthouse on a lovely Sunday after church,  I totally was up for the trip. 

As you can imagine the view was breath taking and conversation with the lighthouse keeper was delightful. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take my son to the top of the lighthouse. He fit the height restriction but as we starting climbing the somewhat narrow spiral stairwell we both looked at each other and kind of decided that him coming back down the spiral stairwell wouldn't go over well! Honestly, I was glad he opted out. 

While there we also walked around the site and along the pedestrian path onto the pier and chatted with a few folks that were fishing - they were delighted to show us the fish that they caught. To say the least...it was the perfect day!

Type In Everyday.

©Keia Kenyetta. UB, Type I, Spring 2012

Let's face it – ‘Type’ is everywhere!
What the heck I am talking about?
Well if you have a small child you probably are aware of this as children see the most amazing things - my son is a classic example of this. I swear this boy can identify a letter form from almost any object that comes in his view. It’s actually pretty amazing or not…

Anyway, I was going through my school files and I came across an assignment that I was tasked with last semester in my typography class.  The class was tasked with finding type in the everyday. Still not clear on what I'm rambling out?

Well, for example, a macaroni noodle looks like the letter 'C'. A simple chair can look like a lower case letter ‘h’, and a curtain rod tie back hook might look like the letter ‘J’. If you look around you will see that everyday objects look like type. While these objects look like type they are definitely not type but with a little creativity they can serve as interesting design solutions.

The image pictured above is my idea of type in the everyday. It was created while spending time on the playground with my son. As he played, I walked around the playground and took pictures of the play equipment. The result – the letters h, o, p, e, which spell Hope!

Here's hoping that everyone has a fabulous weekend! Keep your eye out for type this weekend.
Do come back and let me know what you've discovered.

One Fall Weekend.

10AM - Morning Melodies @ the library

12PM - Pumpkin picking, admiring the display of decorative holiday trees, and chatting with old friends  

2PM - Lunch at our favorite spot, making wishes at the Town Centers fountain & people watching

4 PM - back home relaxing

I couldn't have asked for a better fall weekend.

+++++

How have you been enjoying your Fall weekends?

Vacation...Notes/Reinforcements

Source: Family Friendly & Specialty Travel

It’s been a week since we’ve returned from a much need vacation. Overall I’d rate vacation this year a 9.5 on a scale of 10 considering I haven’t been on vacation in over ummm...a year and a half…I think. Being as though I had such a great time, I thought I’d attempt to summarize my vacation and provide you with a few pointers/tips (in no particular order) as many of you may be gearing up for you last fanfare of the summer. So here goes...

You must travel with a “bag o’ tricks.”

Okay, there’s only one way to put it…You must pack a bag with a few of your child’s favorite small toys, books, bubbles, DVD’s, found objects, etc (and SNACKS). This should be your first priority when packing for a trip if you have kids. I’m sorry but if you forget to pack a “bag o’ tricks” you deserve to be miserable the entire trip and/or ride to your destination. TIP: Pack items that you notice your child obsessing over a week or few days prior to travel.

Different state, same heat & humidity.

Self explanatory, but mainly for my East coast friends. However, West coast partners drifting to the East take note.

Try to rent out a place to stay during your trip.

Really there’s no real reason to do this except that these types of residences are a bit nicer than spending a week or two in a hotel. Other reasons to rent include: the ability to do your own laundry during and prior to leaving, having your sleeping quarters separate from the living room/television area, having a room/space to lock your kid in, having a space to gather for meals and general conversation, having the ability to cook your own meals, use of a deck, grill, etc.

Different state, same store –Wal-Mart

[you fill in the blanks here]

Plan for an early start to your day.

There’s an old saying that “the early bird gets the worm” or something of the sort. And I know what you are thinking…it’s my vacation there’s no way I am going to get up early! But guess what? If you lay around in your pj’s and sip brewsky's until mid afternoon and then decided to visit a tourist attraction you’ll be SOL – long lines and all. (and if you have a toddler you'll be tripping into naptime). I know, I know this is nothing new it’s really just common sense that’s never followed. Hey, I have been guilty of it too (in the past).

One will wander.

Seriously, what would vacation be like if no-one wandered off? Calm and uneventful, right? Watch the kids, even in the house they wander off and hide in the darnest places!!! Watch the older folks too they like to hide from the kids.

Always end your visit with a trip to the buffet (or some place special).

Indulge, indulge, indulge…it’s a vacation not a staycation.

Toddlers still need naps.

Self explanatory unless you are great at dealing with mental breakdowns.

Adults, the elderly and kids still need to pee.

Listen; If you are traveling by land and you are the driver please remember that your passengers may need to use the potty…even though you insist on being Sergeant General “I’m not stopping anywhere”. TIP: Stop at a convenience store, or carry-out that way you kill two birds with one stone (food, the restroom, and leg stretching – okay so that’s three but you get the point). For the passenger, when in doubt pack your own snacks and a portable potty…

When traveling with family, your one (always) inebriated relative will find a way to be inebriated on the trip.

(My cousin).

GPS and other navigation systems are for the driver, not back seat Bob.

This most definitely is a new one for me! Let’s just say, a certain someone (my dad) decided that the GPS should be in the backseat with him and my son. Do you know how hard it is to hear the voice commands of a GPS lodged in the back seat of the car from the front seat while listening to the radio, Dora the Explorer, and my mom's telephone conversation? Do you? You...have no idea!

So there you have it my vacation in a nutshell plus vacation tips, reinforcement, friendly reminders when traveling. Slightly commit these to memory in preparation for your next trip or you know anything about my family you can just attempt to live vicariously through my vacation.

****

What tips do you have for traveling with kids and family? Are there any lessons that you keep learning from these trips?