A (mostly) Competent Mom

One of those parents

2010-04-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

Clearly I'm not particularly good at updates but maybe I'll give it more of an effort. Our current drama (if you can call it that) is school. We are really lucky and have three good public school choices -- I just want our first choice.

Spencer is bilingual. He has spoken Spanish with his nanny his entire life (the part when he could talk), goes to the Spanish story hour at the library, we read books in Spanish, etc.

Our first choice of schools is a dual immersion bilingual program. There are a lot more slots for kids who can speak Spanish so we figured we'd hedge our bets and try for one of those. The way it works is they bring the kids in for an interview that consists of listening to a story in Spanish then drawing pictures. Simple enough, right?

As we walked away from the school I asked how it went. He said they read a story about a farmer and sheep. He was supposed to draw sheep but didn't know how so he just drew two happy faces and wrote his name. I asked if he told anyone he understood the story and he said no. And there went the bilingual slot. It really is pretty funny, I just wish it didn't impact whether he gets in or not.

So, as a parent, what do you do? Luckily he's in preschool at the school so I asked his teacher to talk to the principal. We also have friends at the school and one shared the story with the principal who suggested I send an e-mail. I did -- and in the e-mail said I hesitated sharing because I didn't want to be one of "those parents." Clearly I am. Keep your fingers crossed!

Happy Birthday Spencer

2009-08-27T15:02:00.001-07:00

Spencer turned four today. We bought him a goldfish and put it in his room while he was sleeping. He came bounding out of his room this morning shouting "there's something new in my room." He named the goldfish "goldie". Not the most original of names but his fish, his name. His first question of the day was to ask if he could have a really sharp knife when he turns five. Um, no.

He's had two of three birthday parties. The first at my sister's house in Colorado while on vacation last week, yesterday at the park with his nanny and park pals and finally a pool/taco party at our house on Sunday. I want him to feel celebrated, special and loved. He just wants a knife.

A new blog

2009-08-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

I have felt a little estranged from the blog I started on my journey to have a child. It was all about my incompetent cervix and the joys and sorrows of becoming a mother. It is the eve of Spencer's 4th birthday and I want to write about him, about us without worrying how I would make someone who recently experienced a loss feel. Thus the new blog.

On my way home today I'm stopping at the pet store to buy him two goldfish and some helium balloons. After he's asleep I'll put the balloons above his bed and the fish on his dresser. Happy almost birthday my sweet, sweet boy.