School Supplies Cost How Much?

Just came back from shopping for school supplies for Ten. There are still some items that I need to purchase, and there were some items from the list of supplies, which I didn't have to purchase because I already had them in the house. The bill came to $92.92 . Yes, you read that right, almost $100 dollars in school supplies for just one child going into 5th grade.

What, you may ask could possible cost so much? I bought Ten a 'durable 1 and 1/2" 3 ring binder, 2 packages of college ruled lined paper, crayons, markers, erasers, 12- tab dividers (I don't think there are 12 subjects covered in 5th grade), book covers...well you get the idea.

One item that really has me perplexed was the request for 48 pencils. What could 1 fifth grade boy possibly do with 48 pencils, other than build a fort? Even if he lost things and needed to replace a pencil each week, he would not need 48 of them. Ten figures that he used about 15 pencils while in 4th grade. (and I had to buy 48 pencils last year). Unless they plan to have the students write a tome, I can't see them using 48 pencils in one school year.

So that leads me to these questions. Is it possible that I am being asked to provide extra supplies for those children who's family cannot affort to supply them? It's possible. Is it possible that I am being asked to provide extra supplies for those children who's families can afford to buy them, but choose not to? It's possible. Do I feel bad for those students who's families cannot afford to buy these supplies ? You bet I do. Do I feel resentful towards the parents who can well afford to buy these supplies for their children, but choose not to? You bet I do.

Do I think that the school district should tell me honestly what supplies my son needs for fifth grade? You bet I do. Would I still buy extra so that the teacher would have extra supplies? You bet I would. But I resent subsidizing those who would rather ski in Vail this winter, or go to Europe, or redecorate their houses instead of purchasing the basic school supplies for their children.

Another Afternoon At The Pool

Went to the pool yesterday. Ten, Twelve, one of Twelve's friends and I. Three thirteen-fourteen year old boys walked by the pool. Evidently one of the boys (who lives near us) is friends with Twelve's friend.

So the boys walked past the pool, not once, not twice, not even three times. No siree. In the course of an hour, they walked by at least five (5) times. Oh wait. Did I say walked by the pool? I meant slowly meandered by the pool.

I think I put a crimp in their style.

It's Starting Early

Ten, one of his friends (not Slugger), Twelve and I went to our community pool this afternoon. (The community pool certainly seems to be providing fodder for my blog.) As we approached the pool we heard many voices and correctly figured out that there were other kids at the pool (yeah).

Turned out, the other kids were girls from his class last year. One of them was having a birthday party. All the girls were saying ‘Hi Ten’ (in that sing song way ten year old girls will talk), and smiling at him. Ten started blushing and looked quite embarrassed.

I’m thinking this is just the beginning.

Is There Something Rotten in Denmark?

Ten plays an online game. He and his friends all seem to share their passwords with each other. (I know, I know...we've told him not to share his password with anyone, other than us, but he's Ten, and up until now, didn't realize how important it was to keep it a secret). Ten worked hard and earned a 'valuable item' we'll call it a 'ring'. Earlier in the week, Ten started crying from the depth of his soul. He told me that someone had hacked into his account and stolen his 'ring'.

Two days later, Ten noticed that Slugger had a 'ring'. Slugger didn't have this 'ring' before Ten's account was 'hacked'. Slugger told Ten that he bought it at a 'party online'. Slugger knew Ten's password. Slugger was willing to sell the 'ring' to Ten at a bargain rate.

Does something sound fishy to you?

I'm An Eavesdropper

Last night, I took Ten and Twelve to our community pool. When we arrived there, we noticed about five 16 year old girls sitting in the jacuzzi. Ten and Twelve proceeded to enter the pool, and I proceeded to 'eavesdrop' on the conversations eminating from the jacuzzi. (These 16 year old girls were certainly not whispering!).

Did you know that these girls:
1) Often lie about where they are going, and think it's o.k.?
2) Push their curfew to the limit, because they know their parents don't really mean it?
3) Are planning to go to the local mountains in the winter overnight, and want to invite boys, but only cute ones, and somehow not tell their parents?

Well now you know.

I Should Have Listened to DH in the First Place.

I'm physically exhausted this morning. Yesterday, in an effort to remove the closet doors from Twelve's room and Ten's room (a story for a different day), I wiped myself out. Now you might say, removing closet doors is no big deal, just unscrew a couple of screws, and they're off. You would be correct, that's all that's involved in removing them however, I wasn't sure exactly where I would store them.

My DH had suggested that I could store them in the garage. I liked that suggestion, but was concerned that the doors might get banged up, and then 400 years from now, when we sell this house, we would have to have custom closet doors made. So I stupidly nixed that idea and figured that I would just store them in a shed, which is located at the side of our house.

Emptied the shed (which was no small chore, as this is a large shed filled with lots and lots of 'stuff'). Looked at all of the stuff and decided to get rid of some of it. (I emptied two 66 quart plastic containers, and two even bigger containers) Many of the things that I got rid of were old baby toys that Ten and Twelve outgrew long ago. Why did I hold onto them for so long? That's the $64,000 question. I guess that I just wasn't ready to let them go before now.

Twelve and I carried one of the closet doors downstairs and tried to put it in the shed. Noticed that I used the word 'tried'. Although I had measured the shed, and thought the door would probably fit inside, I didn't take into account the opening of the door to the shed. (not a bright move on my part). So, then I had to refill the shed and move onto Plan B, which was DH's original suggestion...The Garage.

I needed to clean out, and reorganize one side of the garage in order to be able to store the 4 closet doors along the side of the garage, where they hopefully won't get damaged. Did I mention that it was hot yesterday? Then Ten, Twelve and I had to clean out their messy, and now highly visible closets. More trash bags filled and dragged downstairs to the trash cans. (when did we all accumulate so much stuff?)

So, after much sweating and carrying, the closet doors are in the garage, 1/2 of the garage is organized, the shed has been somewhat emptied and reorganized, and I am exhausted.

Damn closet doors.

It's Too Late

At 9:45pm last night, Twelve asked me if I would take her to a new frozen yogurt place so that she could get some frozen yogurt. She even offered to use a gift card that she had received to 'pay' for her own yogurt.

Being the extraordinarily mean mother that I am, I said 'Not tonight, it's too late, but we can go tomorrow'. I had two reasons for saying 'No'. #1, I figured that DH would blow a gasket if I suddenly announced at 10 o'clock at night that Twelve and I were going for some frozen yogurt, seeing that DH was busy reading the new Harry Potter book with Ten at that time. and #2, I didn't want to deal with a lecture from DH as to why Twelve and I shouldn't be going.

I figured that his lecture would include the following points: (which are all valid points, BTW)
1). It's late at night and you will end up going to sleep with all of that in your stomach, which isn't good for you. (directed at Twelve)
2). You had absolutely no exercise today. (directed at Twelve and I)
3). Twelve eats so unhealthfully, why would you take her for frozen yogurt? (directed at me)

Instead, I dealt with Twelve trying to convince me to take her, and when I stood my ground, of course I moved closer and closer to receiving the 'Meanest Mommy Award', which I evidently covet, given that I am so mean.

So, Twelve decided to watch a movie instead. Later on that evening, I told DH that Twelve wanted me to take her for frozen yogurt at 10pm...and what did he say???????

DH: "Oh yeah, everyone is doing that."

I said "Excuse me, what do you mean?"

DH's reply "All of the kids in our area go there late at night with their parents, it's the place to be."

I said: "Oh, I told her it was too late, because I figured that you would be upset if we went."

DH: "Nah, it's the thing to do"

Shows you what I know. So tonight I'm taking Twelve to the frozen yogurt place...that is, if she still wants to go.