Mood:  a-ok

So it was with great trepidation that I put my 3rd grader in the line on the playground on September 3rd.  As a parent and former teacher, I should have been thrilled to go back to the tried and true routine.  I should have rejoiced in the sounds of school bells ringing across the land.

But I wasn't.  I was probably as nervous that day as I was when I brought her to kindergarten for the first time.  I remember that day so clearly - the idea of sending her off to strangers was so intimidating.  But this year there were no strangers.  We've been in the school long enough and have been active enought to know alot of the teachers - most in fact.  So I should have been feeling totally confident.

But I wasn't.  Not because of the teachers - they are fantastic.  I think it was the unknown rearing its ugly head again.  What would this year bring?  High marks? Reports of perfect behavior? Tales of children getting along and being nothing but kind to each other?  Sure - in a fairy tale!  More likely tons of homework and math flash cards, projects, book reports, tears becuase so-and-so wouldn't "let me play", or even (I shudder to even think it) demerits!

But then it was done.  Promptly at 11:50 I took her hand and watched her smiling face as she told me about her great teacher and how much fun it was to play with her friends again.  She talked about how nice her classroom was and about how excited she was to know she was going to learn cursive and multiplication.  We made it - we survived the first day.  And it gave me hope.  We can survive another school year.  After all, millions of other families do it every year, why can't we.  All of those fears fell away as my pride surged to see how she's matured and for the first time since the end of second grade, I knew she was ready to handle another challenge.

Posted by Stacey at 7:48 PM EDT

Updated: Monday, September 8, 2008 8:03 PM EDT

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Mood:  incredulous

Suddenly it hit me the other day - we are about 2 weeks from the start of a new school year.  Wow!!!  How did it get  here so quickly and where was that deep breath of relaxation I promised myself this summer?  It seems the summer days flew by in a blur of swim team, camp and work. 

Thankfully, as I sit and reflect on our activities this summer, the blur comes more into focus and I remember the feel of the icy cold pool water on a hot and humid day, the laughter of friends as we share stories of the crazy things our children did that day or gossip about whatever interesting topic one of us came across.  I also think about birthday parties (both the grown up and child's varieties) and cookouts, fireworks reflecting off the river on a clear 5th of July night, and smiles - so many smiles this summer! 

I think that is why it flew by.  The laughter, the fun and the smiles filled our days and evenings, giving us little time to catch a breath.  But who cares - it was worth every yawn!  I hope every summer is as crazy as this one was.

Posted by Stacey at 9:01 PM EDT

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Mood:  chillin'

Well, I've been just terrible about blogging - my apologies to all of you. 

I don't know about you, but I feel like summer is flying by and I haven't had time to even take a deep breath and enjoy.  Between work and swim team and parties, it has been a hectic summer.  Despite how harried I feel, however, it has been a great summer.  Camp is the hit it usually is for my daughter and she has embraced the challenge of swim meets with excitement and dedication.  We've had the chance to spend time with friends and to catch a few rays.  All and all, we're having a great time.

How about you?  How is your summer going?  What kinds of things have you had a chance to do?

Posted by Stacey at 4:10 PM EDT

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Mood:  happy

Happy Spring!!

Since I was complaining about cold weather and spring not getting here fast enough, I thought I should recognize the beautiful weather now that it is here.  I have been so happy to put on some flip flops and capris and enjoy the outside.  I was so pleased with the weather that we had for field day - as I'm sure everyone was.  While it wasn't stiflingly hot, it was sunny and warm - I think I even got a little sunburn.

We continued to enjoy the beautiful weekend by grilling and letting kids jump on the trampoline Saturday and then by taking a trip to the zoo on Sunday.

Has anyone been to the zoo lately?  If not, you should plan a visit.  I know it is a bit smaller now that they've closed the main path down the hill, but it is just such a well done place that we always have a good time when we go.  We went later in the day yesterday and were there in time to see the penguin feeding (did you know that getting a penguin to eat squid is like getting your child to eat broccoli?).  We didn't get to see Samson the baby elephant, but we did see 3 adult elephants.  Our little one had such a great time and we all really enjoyed being outside on such a wonderful day - much better than sitting around watching tv!  It is definitely a fun day. 

I hope everyone else got to enjoy the beautiful weather as much as I did.  It really puts me in a better frame of mind when spring arrives for real.  How about you - how did you celebrate spring?

Post a comment and let us know.

Posted by Stacey at 1:49 PM EDT

Updated: Monday, May 5, 2008 1:53 PM EDT

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Mood:  not sure

So, is it just me or should it feel like spring now?  I'm sure this happens every year (and maybe I say that just to keep myself from going crazy) but I really feel like it should be warmer and we should be able to put away the sweaters and jackets. 

But no......here it is - 8 days after the official start of spring - and I'm wearing a turtleneck and boots - and I'm cold!!  I want warm weather!!

I think it hasn't helped that we've been doing things to prepare for summer - registering for summer camp, filling out pool applications, etc.  These things have gotten me thinking about warm weather, open windows, grilling, and no homework.  I've gotten into the spring/early summer mode about a month too early and it makes dealing with 42 degree mornings very hard! 

It reminds me of Indian Summer - those days in October when we think it is going to cool down and it just stays hot.  We should come up with a name like that for this time of year.  Maybe that would help us deal with it a little better and make us not rush spring so much - but I doubt it!

How about you?  Are you feeling a bit of the late winter blues?  Share your thoughts.........

Posted by Stacey at 1:25 PM EDT

Updated: Friday, March 28, 2008 1:27 PM EDT

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Mood:  happy

Happy Easter Moms and families.  On behalf of the St. Ursula Mother's Club, we want to wish everyone a wonderful, reflective, relaxing Easter holiday!

See you on the 27th at Buffalo Wings and Beer for our general meeting!

Posted by Stacey at 7:38 PM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 7:38 PM EDT

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Wow.  I can't believe we are already into February.  I hope everyone is having a great 2008 so far!

Sorry for the long time between blog entries.  January was a tough month with everyone getting sick a couple of times but, hopefully, we're all recovered and staying that way.

I wanted to share some mother's club information with everyone.  We are now up to 52 paid members, which is amazing.  We have a lot going on during the next few months and we hope you can join us.  Unfortunately I missed the happy hour at Raffys (took the kid to the Hannah Montana move - waited outside of the theater for 1 hr and 45 min. - would have like to have had a drink!), but heard it was a lot of fun. 

One of the activities we're doing this month is snow tubing at Ski Roundtop.  You should have gotten an email and a flyer through school.  We wanted everyone to know that it is the same day as the spaghetti dinner.  I'm actually really grateful for that.  The way I've planned our day is that we will go tubing and then straight to school for spaghetti so that I don't have to cook!  I hope everyone joining us will consider doing that too.  If you aren't tubing, please consider earning some hours by volunteering.  Both my DH (dear husband) and I did it last year and had a blast.  He worked in the kitchen and recommends it highly!

Posted by Stacey at 7:11 PM EST

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Mood:  celebratory

How many of us are going to make resolutions this year?  New Year's resolutions can be tricky.  If we promise too much or to do something unrealistic, there can be a feeling of failure.  If we make it too easy, it feels almost like cheating.  So, then, what is the secret to a good resolution?  How do we follow-through and make them reality.

I have no idea - I'm not sure I've ever been able to do it.  But, I do know this - a good resolution is one that makes us feel good about ourselves as we start a new year.  It gives us the hope that the new year is one that is full of promises of love and happiness.  They should give us the courage to start the year with the knowledge that anything is possible.  More importantly, resolutions give us the opportunity to take stock of our lives and to think critically about where we are already succeeding and about which aspects upon which we need to improve.  Making a resolution also helps us take that leap of faith to start to change and to make ourselves better.

So, what are my resolutions this year?  I'm not telling.  But, I will tell you that I'm going to use the quote below as my guide:

"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world." (Ann Landers)

What are your resolutions?

Happy New Year from the SUS Mother's Club!!

Posted by Stacey at 8:05 PM EST

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Mood:  not sure

I consider myself to be a very fortunate person for a variety of reasons.  Of course for my husband and child and our families, home, job, etc.  But one thing that I'm really thankful for is that I've only had to have a non-family babysitter one or two times.  It has always been reassuring (and cheap) to drop her off with a grandparent and be on our way.

Now, I'm sure you think that I can't complain about anything given this parental confession (because I can just hear what those of you who have been shelling out fortunes for sitters are saying), but the situation is not as blissful as you might think.  Having done it this way for over 7 years, I suddenly find myself in the position of not having a grandparent available for a very important evening.  As the date gets closer, I get more desperate.  In fact, the other day I was waiting to pick Katie up and was waiting at the doors to extended when this young lady came in to pick someone up.  I was sure that she wasn't old enough to be a parent, but she had keys in her hand, so my immediate thought was "hmmm....I wonder if she babysits?". 

I have gotten to the point that I am about ready to pick someone off the street and hand them my daughter and house keys - ok - well, maybe that is the desperation talking. 

So my question this week is.........how many others out there feel a sense of desperation when it comes to sitters?  Oh, and by the way - does anyone know a good sitter who drives? ................. If so, email me at askdavis@comcast.net.

Posted by Stacey at 9:58 PM EST

Updated: Monday, December 3, 2007 4:40 PM EST

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Mood:  special

As my daughter and I were driving home from school on Grandparents Day,  I asked her to tell me about what they did while the grandparents were there.  She ran down a litany of wonderful activities, but the one that I found to be the one I wanted to hear the most about, was the "Tree of Thanks".  Each child, with the help of the grandparents, made a fall tree and added leaves which contained the name of something for which they were thankful.  When we got home and I got to take a look at it, she had the names of her family members. 

While this may not seem like much to us, it really warmed my heart as there have been times when gratitude is one of the last attitudes we see from our children.  Too often, we allow them to take for granted the blessings in our lives.  In fact, too often we, as adults, take them for granted as well.

I believe that this season should be one in which we not only say thanks, but we act with a sense of gratitude and approach our lives with the full understanding of the blessings in our lives.  I'm not talking about our nice cars, iPods, or flat screen televisions – no, I mean the healthy children, the loving spouse, caring parents, faithful friends, compassionate God and all of the other really important blessings without which our lives would feel a little more empty. 

Let's all take them time this holiday season to give a prayer of thanks for all of our blessings and to thank those around us who fill our hearts and lift our spirits just through their presence.  I know I will.  In fact, I'll start by thanking all those moms and others who take the time to participate in the Mother's Club and who are reading this blog.  Without you all, our efforts would be for nothing.  Without you all, the St. Ursula School community would not shine as brightly as it does.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Posted by Stacey at 4:46 PM EST

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