Friday, May 6, 2011
Just a Day in the Life of a Rock
Yesterday I was so thankful to have the day off with Hubby so that we could go with our second oldest on his class field trip together. I gave up my morning routine online so that I could pack lunches and get everyone to school on time. I was afraid if we were even the teensyest (it's a word in my book) bit late that his teacher who is not fond of us (putting it very lightly) would go ballistic.
Unfortunately she was already in the mood to fight. Avery, my sweet and loving little 2nd grader did the unthinkable. He told his teacher, who I am pretty sure thinks we love our child way to much, that he was going to ride the bus with his class and then ride home with us. We wouldn't have allowed this if it could be avoided. We feel pretty strongly about seat belts. Even going so far as to keep our kids in boosters well after their class mates have begun to ride in the front seat of cars. So his teacher was feeling pretty self satisfied that we had seen the light - when in fact we haven't.
At the zoo I found his class and made him sincerely apologize for making a bad situation worse and then I apologized for all the confusion. I swear the woman thought that I was apologizing for making him ride with us. Which was not the case. I will not back down nor be intimidated by the fact that his school has a policy that all kids are to ride the bus on field trips or a teacher who thinks that her opinion is more right than mine. They can all think that I am crazy for not just giving in to the fact that buses are safer without seat belts so that students can exit quickly if they want. With all my heart I know that if something were to ever happen to this little boy that I could have avoided I will never be able to forgive myself.
It seems I am having a lot of heart to hearts with this 8 year old lately. This same teacher also made an announcement that the United States killed the man who bombed the twin towers. I felt so sad having to have a conversation about this with such an innocent little boy. He didn't even know about September 11th until she made this announcement.
A few weeks ago he also saw an article in a newspaper that the school provides for 4th graders in hopes of encouraging them to read more about The West Boro Baptist Church. They were protesting another funeral and held protest signs that he couldn't understand but clearly could read. I hated the fact that I had to explain first amendment rights for such an organization. I told him that while they had the right - it didn't make it right.
I wish that my kids could just stay little but I am almost daily reminded of the difficult task that lays before me. I am raising children that are going to effect change in the world. I have to remember that while they may seem little at times - I am growing the next generation of Americans right in my own backyard.
I want them to look at the world with kind eyes and open hearts. I want them to know that lending a helping hand to those who are in need is not only our lives work but also something to be proud of. That a smile can warm the heart of someone in need and not to look out for your own good but the good of all.
That this world needs kind individuals to look after it. To leave places better than when you found it and people happier then when you encountered them.
Since the sun was shining on us on the way home from our field trip...I decided that we should make the most of it and instead of heading straight for my computer upon getting back to our hometown...we took care of a few errands.
We went by the farmer's market/plant nursery/barber shop. I love this place since the folks that run it are just as kind as they can be and they have so much that we were in need of. I am fond of giving my money to local businesses where I know that the money will go to the benefit of them and not some corporation. I also shop for gas at the same place when possible. Do you pick a gas station and stick with it. When you walk in to pay, do they call you by name?
I bought some beautiful flowers to perk up my porch and Hubby found these amazing looking Gerber daisies. They are my favorite flower and he is always trying to find them on Valentine's Day or my birthday but always has a hard time.
Now all summer long I will see these beauties every time I walk out my front door. I can't wait to see these bursts of color to brighten my day and remind me to put my smile on and greet the day with grace and a positive attitude.
I'm not sure what happy bug bit me in the middle of the night but my joy was transferred to my kids this morning. They woke with happy hearts and I just wanted to grab them and eat it up.
This is the old wash tub the Hubby bought me a few years ago for our anniversary. I can't believe that this summer we will have been married for 10 years. I thought of this last night as I planted these hanging plants that I bought with the intent of hanging under our porch. The look much better here.
This messy bun is making my heart flutter this morning.
Thanks so much to Brandy at Made Just 4 You - she makes it super easy with her amazing clips.
I thought that this post was going to be about the zoo field trip but it seems that I have a lot more weighing on my heart this morning. Do you ever just start a post and it turns in to a pour your heart our session?
I hope that you all have a fabulous Mother's day weekend. I had planned on taking a day all to myself this Sunday but the more that I planned on going to the places that I wanted and eating in peace - the more that I begun to miss my sweet little family. We will instead be geocaching, antique shopping and then eating as a family at one of my favorite restaurants.
One final note:
If you pray I ask that you say a little prayer for my nephew. Last night while jumping on his trampoline with his little brother he landed in just the right way to pop his elbow out of socket. This morning they are putting him under to try and correct it. If they are unable to, he will have to have surgery. His mother said that he was such a brave little boy when they splinted it last night to send him home. He is so full of life and spirit and I hate that he his going to have to go through this much at such a young age.
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Thanks the other day for stopping by my blog for The TRUTH About Motherhood...I appreciate it! I also agree with your NOT backing down which is one of the reasons I am choosing to homeschool my children starting this next school year. I have tried and tried to make it work, but to no avail I am still not satisfied with the education they are getting.
ReplyDeleteAnyways I support you and commend for standing your ground! I am now your newest follower.
I'm so glad your school year is almost done. I want to go into this teacher and ask her what the blankety blank her problem is. Our schools always allow a parent to drive to and from an event WITH their kids if that's their choice. I think you advocating for your child's safety is fantabulous! I hate it when bad teachers are tenured (not that she is) because it's so hard to get rid of them! Sorry, bad/mean teachers rub me the wrong way!
ReplyDelete~Mimi
I really get irritated when anyone asks me to substitute their judgment for my own. Nobody has the right to force your child to ride a bus if you don't wish him to. You are 100% responsible for your child's safety and well-being, and for making decisions that affect them. Unacceptable behavior on the teacher's part.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Osama comment is way out of line. Completely inappropriate to mention this to any age group, I think. You don't spread your politics in school when you're a teacher! Unacceptable.
Good job on insisting on the seat belts. I wish they were mandatory on school buses.
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