#2 How had I never heard of The Bath School Disaster. Not only is this relatively close to where we live, but it is still the country's deadliest school massacre... and it happened in 1927. Until the Oklahoma City bombing, it was the worst act of domestic terrorism. I spent most of the weekend researching it. The perp was a psychopath. He plotted this act for at least a year and had intended to kill every child in the school and then drive up and take out all of the first responders. The town had only 300 residents. One woman lost three children in the school explosion and had two more injured by the car bomb. I still can't believe that this has been forgotten - or - never known by the majority of us. HERE is a short book written by a neighbor and first responder a few months after the disaster.
#3 We watched this AWESOME Little House on the Prairie mini-series with the girls this weekend. Mr F and I watched this years ago when it was on TV, and it is such a great depiction. We both loved it then, and loved it again. It isn't sugar coated... and it is nothing like the original TV series. Our kids are finally old enough to handle the intensity of it and it made for a great weekend. At one point during the movie one of the girls said "Men had to do all the stuff back then, now women do it." Hahahahahahahahaha. I kind of think Mr F and I could have pulled off the whole pioneer, wagon train, homesteading thing.
#4 We got word that Baby did not get into the charter school this year. I was pretty devastated since as her learning style becomes more apparent I really would like to get her in a more open/creative setting. The charter school focuses on project based learning and I think that would be such a great fit for her. No word on Kid... which could mean she did... which only makes this school decision harder! Although, if Kid does get in, Baby will be bumped up the wait list and there is a remote chance she could still get in for the Fall. I hope things line up in the next few months and I can make a decision I feel confident in. I just know we need a situation that has a better life/school balance. And I'd LOVE to eliminate this commute. We have to travel on some of the most dangerous sections of highway many times a day... and I don't feel good about that.
#5 St. Patrick's Day happened. In the late of night Mr F and I pulled this off:
A whole house rainbow leading from their bedrooms to a Pot of Gold (rolos and gold coins).
Lucky Charms and green milk for breakfast... always a hit.
If there is one parenting tip I can impart it is: STREAMERS. People, they cost a dollar. You can get them in every grocery store, dollar store, and discount store. They instantly make every holiday festive and special and all you need is some scotch tape, a dollar, and a couple of minutes. I swag them around for birthdays, Valentine's Day... you name a small holiday and streamers will be there for you, people. My favorite way to make a holiday feel special with just a little effort (especially on school days) is to tape some up while they are sleeping. Oh and for birthdays? Just get a pack of regular blow up yourself balloons (less than 2 dollars) and tie them to your dining room chairs and hang them from your curtain rods.... that plus streams equals party time. Three dollars, people... and I swear to God it looks fantastic. Best part is, you can have this stuff on hand and always pull a holiday off with very little notice or effort. Stock up. When you are done with your party just roll the streamers back up and USE IT AGAIN. Oh, I love streamers. My mom even uses them as ribbon on gifts and it makes big impressive bows. Go crazy.
#6 Oh, wait, one more thing! I forgot to mention that I just booked a trip to Williamsburg, VA for Spring Break with the girls. We'll be doing the Busch Gardens/Colonial Williamsburg thing for 6 days. I'm a little nervous about the amusement park since it will just be me and the girls and I don't know what the ride situation will be (can 3 people ride at once?)... so if you have experience/tips please share.
