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I wish I could say this is the view of a nearby mountainside, but it isn't, not yet anyway. Too early. It's just a pretty picture of some beautiful foliage. Soon enough. I'm anxious to see autumn here. Should be quite a show.

I spoke with the director of the ballet school about our situation. She encouraged me to give the class another chance and she would talk to Miss Vickie about making nice with Allison. I've been trying to say nice things about Vickie and ballet class to Allison in hopes that by Friday she may be willing to give it a shot. She's coloring a picture for Vickie as we speak. We'll see.

Some sort of LOST show is on tonight. A synopsis of the past two seasons or something. The ABC website said the 2 hr. Finale from last season was supposed to be on this past Monday and it wasn't. I have the DVR set to record tonight's show in case I don't get to watch it. That's right folks, the Cooks have entered the world of Digital Video Recording! Very cool and much less complicated than operating a VCR.

I started this post a few days ago. So here it is Friday afternoon and Allison didn't participate in ballet this morning. Let me say that Vickie was very kind to her and made a good effort to get her to participate. After about 25 minutes of class it was apparent that Allison was not going to join in. I'm not sure what to do. Part of me says to keep at it and push through. The other part of me says to see if we can switch to a different class. At this point it may not even be a Vickie/Allison thing, it may be a ballet thing, I don't know.

I've been thinking about tattoos lately. Not about getting one, just about why other people get them, and who gets them, and where they put them. Last night at Petco our cashier was a young guy with several tattoos and those tribal type earrings that fit into the hole in your ear. I was thinking that he wasn't an especially cool looking guy and maybe he wanted the tattoos and earrings to try to look more cool. In his case it didn't really work. On the other hand, many of his tattoos on his arms were of reptiles and maybe he's expressing some love of animals - I don't know. He also had the words, "You can't kill it if you haven't created it." What does that mean, I wonder. Still doesn't explain the earrings. Then there was a woman with a v-neck t-shirt on and a very large tattoo across her chest. All I can think of when I see a woman with large tattoos in very conspicuous places is that someday they are going to be wrinkled old ladies with wrinkly tattoos. Somehow old men with tattoos is easier for me to digest than old women. There was also a man at the store with numbers, block style, tattooed on the back of his shaved head, hmmmm. I guess he can cover those if he ever wants to by growing his hair, maybe not. He was not a young man, more middle age. It makes me curious about the stories behind the tattoos people choose. Sometimes it's just a pretty picture or special symbol, but sometimes there's got to be a story behind them. Does this mean I am against tattoos? I don't really have an opinion. They aren't for me and I don't like to see them covering large parts of a persons body, and I might freak if one of my girls ever got one, but I guess there are worse things, eh?

I filled in for the preschool aide in Allison's class on Tuesday and Thursday this week. Let me tell you - I can't imagine having that job all the time!! Too many noses to wipe and pull ups to change if you ask me! I was glad to help, and overall it was fun, but I'm glad someone else will get a turn next week.

Allison and I did lunch/recess duty at Becky's school again this week. I'd forgotten how much I love to be at my kids' school. I like that when Beck talks about someone I know who they are, whether it's a teacher or a friend. I like that the principal knows me. I like that I get to see what a kind soul Becky is away from home, and how the friends she chooses are kind too. I like to see that she's comfortable there and happy and okay. It does my heart good. Now I just need to wiggle my way into Katie's school. What a totally different place middle school is. I'm finding that being involved with Katie's school doesn't mean working in the lunch room but rather being in touch with her teachers, discussing her grades with them, or whatever. This morning I called to speak with one of the counselors because Katie's schedule looks like Greek to me! I wanted to understand what "Team" was or when their "Activity" period would start. Katie has tried to explain these things to me but being new to the school herself, it was difficult to understand exactly what she was telling me. I have it figured out now, I think. Our school has two very cool websites; one where each teacher posts the homework assignments and a secure site where progress reports are posted. I like having access to that information. It helps me to speak intelligently to Katie about her school work.

I'm doing better with my posting. I'll try to be a little more faithful. Great day to all.

Pizza Hut

Here's a funny Allison story...

Yesterday we were all discussing where to get pizza for dinner. Ed wanted Pizza Hut. Katie, Becky and I said we didn't like Pizza Hut. Then little miss pipes up and says, "I don't like Pizza Hut either. I like pizza cold." Didn't we crack up at that!!

We ended up with pizza from Arizona Pizza and Brother Bear 2 for a movie. Let me tell you that Brother Bear 2 was excellent. Nothing objectionable at all. It had elements of Tarzan, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Mermaid. Is Disney running out of original ideas? The movie was still great and we were all quite wrapped up in it. A must see, for sure.

I had a dream last night that I was going to Disney World with my mom. It was a Wednesday and we were leaving that day. All of a sudden I realized that I hadn't packed yet!! Then I couldn't find my plane tickets!! What do you suppose this means? Am I feeling unprepared for our vacation which is fast approacing? I don't think that's it. Who knows. Anyway, funny how a dream can make you panic a bit.

Time to start another busy week. Have a great day!

Photos

Rebecca at school on the first day. She looks thrilled that I'm having her pose for a picture, doesn't she?

Allison on her first day of school! She was so excited to go. She was all smiles and wanting to pose for all kinds of pictures.

Allison and Lucy. I think Lucy is eyeing a get away!

Katie and Lucy - True Love.

Katie and her team waiting for their 1st place trophies. Isn't she cute?

Miscellaneous

So it's been three weeks since my last post, what can I say? - I'm sorry.

I'll probably cover a lot of stuff with this post so I'm titling it Miscellaneous.

Allison's ballet bubble was burst today - actually last week. Towards the end of the lesson last Friday she got all weepy and wanted me so her instructor - Miss Vickie (or should I say Miss YICKY!) sent her out of the room to get me. I thought maybe Allison was just tired or I don't know. Let me just say that the week prior was our first lesson and Allison was SOOOOO excited and happy and loving every minute of it. It didn't make sense that she was upset but I kind of brushed it off. Well this week when we got to class several moms asked me how Allison was and if I got to the bottom of her crying. I wasn't sure why they all cared, I mean, we've all seen crying, apparently for no reason, three year olds before. Then one mom explained that her daughter told her that Miss Vickie told Allison to get her fingers out of her mouth, then Allison felt bad and sort of put her head down, so Miss Vickie told her to go sit down. That's when she began to cry and want me. I was unaware of all of this because us moms have to wait outside of the studio and watch through windows in the doors. We kind of all take turns watching. So anyway, Allison was all excited to go this week and did fine until it was time to go into the class. She started sobbing, big sad sobs! My heart broke. This is not a usual Allison behavior. So, I went into the classroom to talk to Miss Vickie. I asked her what had happened the week before and she told me basically what had been relayed to me through another child. I explained that Allison does suck her thumb, sometimes unconsciously, and I thought maybe Miss Vickie made her feel bad. She, in her very abrasive manner, kind of brushed me off with some talk about germs and policies. I told her she maybe could've been a little gentler in speaking to Allison and how I feel like now Ally is afraid of her. Again, we were brushed off and told that Allison could watch through the windows and come in to dance if she felt like it. We ended up leaving. I have never met someone so abrasive, rude, and down right witchy, who works with children! I mean, why would you want to work with preschoolers when you clearly don't like them!?! I am not one to make mountains out of mole hills and my plan of action is to simply switch classes. I don't want to make a big deal out of this but as a mom I feel bad for my child. I just had to vent. Allison is fine with no signs of permanent damage, no thanks to MISS YICKY!

Lucy is an absolutely wonderful addition to our family! We are all crazy about her. The most amazing thing is that Ed loves her too. I can't even explain how he is with her. When he gets home from work, if she isn't at the door to greet him he calls her over. Or he'll tell me some cute story about how Lucy cleared off Becky's bean bag chair so she could lay on it. She's shedding a lot right now and I've decided I just have to vacuum twice a day. I told Ed and his response was that she's worth it, she's such a good dog! I don't know if I ever told her sad tale. Lucy was abandoned when hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Someone took her in and kept her until this passed July. Then she was turned into a shelter because she was pregnant. Poor Lucy. Apparently, standard procedure is to spay a pregnant dog and abort the puppies. Their chance of survival in a shelter is low as is the mother's. Lots of infectious diseases can circulate in a shelter where 350 dogs a month are taken in. She stayed at the shelter during her recuperation and the Labs 4 Rescue folks took charge of finding her a home. That's when we found her on their website. When we got her, the incision was still evident and her belly was shaved. Her surgery had to have been just a week or so before we got her. This poor, sweet, dog holds no grudges. She's so eager to please and obedient beyond belief. I love how she seeks out the girls when they're home. She likes to be close to them. The other day she was in Allison's room and Allison was making her little doll house animals climb on Lucy. They would hide in her hair and stuff - it was pretty cute. Lucy never moved. She's just so patient and good with my girls. I have to love her for that if for no other reason.

Amazing Race and Survivor have me hooked already. As well as NCIS and The Unit. I tried getting into Grey's Anatomy but can't. I don't think I like hospital dramas. I also enjoyed Men In Trees on Friday nights. Very cute and funny. LOST can't start soon enough. The season finale from last spring is on Monday night I think. I'll have to watch so I can remember what happened.

Everyone is doing well in school. Katie's liking Middle School just fine. I'm looking for opportunities to be involved there. Becky has a very nice teacher! I'm one of the room parents this year - don't ask me what that means - I have no idea yet. I'm also working lunch and recess duty once a week at her school. Allison comes with me and absolutely loves being with the older kids! Allison love, love, loves preschool! She strolls in like she's always gone! I'm glad for that. Katie's soccer team went undefeated at the Labor Day tournament and took home the first place trophies!! So exciting! They are still undefeated.

Almost time to get Kate off the bus. Gotta go!

Bronx Zoo

We had a fun time at the Bronx Zoo last weekend. It's HUGE! We didn't get to see all of it but we saw some great stuff! Above is Allison in the reptile exhibit. She was definately more interested in the pretend reptiles!
Check out the grizzly bear behind Becky and Katie! The animal exhibits were fantastic! You know how sometimes when you're at a zoo you feel sorry for the animals because their homes are so pathetic...not the case at the Bronx Zoo. They were all very nice.

That tiger is TOO close, fortunately there's glass between him and my little girls! This tiger kept pacing back and forth. We got to see him really close up!

I think the polar bear was waving at us! How cute and huggable he looked. It's amazing that something so cute could be so dangerous!