Refresh. Regrow. Renew.

It seem ridiculous to mourn my daughter's first day of PreK, but I just want to curl up on the couch and suck my thumb until it is time to get her. I am proud that I made it through the day without any tears as did Tiffany. She was nervous but brave and I know that she will love it. I too will love it after I get through this first day. Until then, I will watch some sad movie so I can justify my tears. To end this on a high note, I did have a great time choosing which records to display on my new shelf in the living room. That would have been less fun with Tiffany at home. Ok sad movie, here I come.

We had our "Meet the Teacher" night for our sweet girl who is growing up way too fast this past Thursday. Tiffany has been so excited these last couple of weeks to meet her new teacher, we have even been painting a small wood box to give to her new teacher, but when we got there she got teary-eyed and was scared to talk to her. It was really strange because Tiffany is so eager to talk to people about anything to anyone. I really liked her teacher and I know Tiffany will also. I am now beginning to feel the Kindergarten moment and it is a year too early. Because we are sending her to private school for the PreK program and there will be no change when she starts Kindergarten next year, I feel as though my baby is going off to school for the first time. We have car lines, detentions, report cards, lunchrooms to contend with this year. What am I supposed to do with that? I feel overwhelmed with all this information and in addition to that, this university model school gives me the added responsibility of educating Tiffany two days a week. I am excited about playing an interactive role in her education but I can't help but worry about my ability to teach her well or maintain some level of organization so she can effectively learn.

It's All Too Much!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkgV5yMw19o&feature=related

There is an interesting project that I have been working on. I recently met a woman on myspace who is doing really great work in the Czech Republic. She teaches English to the Czech students and has a project to help teach her kids. Its the Flat Stanley Project. In the book, Flat Stanley, Stanley was sleeping in bed when a bulletin board fell on him and made him flat. In addition to many other wonderful adventures, Stanley was put into an envelope and mailed to family and friends who took him to different places. The project is to make a flat version of yourself and send it off to people who will take pictures with it and mail it back to you. I had never heard of it prior to this awesome woman who is having kids from Czech and the US do the project to help the Czech kids learn English. What an awesome idea! Tiffany and Benny both made flat versions of them selves and they are currently on their way to the Czech Republic, I included the pictures below. The woman's name is Awesome Amanda (my title for her) and is a missionary so if you are looking to give financially to someone, I believe that she is worth it so check her out here.

Flat Benjamin, who obviously required a small level of assistance.
Flat Tiffany. She asked that flat Tiffany have pigtails and flowers on her dress, so that was my contribution. She didn't think she could do fingers but I think hers are excellent. Just before this, she got a cut on her lip so the circle on her mouth represents that boo boo. You may also note the brown spots on her face, these are in fact oversized freckles. She cracks me up!
Tiffany and Flat Tiffany

Like the majority of the country, we have been watching the Olympics. At least bits and pieces of it. It amazes me the amount of talent these competitors have and I thought that we could have our own little competition, though we limited it just to the animals.

Princess received the gold for 'Urinating on Judge Upon Water Visualization'

Sasha received the gold for 'Loudest Bathtime Terror Cry'

Mavis received the gold for 'Pity Me and Watch Me Shiver' (post-bath event)

Sandy received the gold for 'Most Determined to Maul Judge'

The Dogs tied for the gold for 'Largest Concentration of Water Dumped on Judge'

Congratulations to all of the contestants. You are officially clean and flea free!


Speaking of animals . . . Saturday, while taking out the trash, I ran into one of my neighbors. She is a lovely women, with a grandson Tiffany's age. After we exchanged the usual pleasantries, she inquired about my cats. Strange I thought, until she told me that two of her cats recently became ill. At the vets office, they told her that the cats had been poisoned; one died on its own and the other was put down. I consider myself fairly open minded though at times negative phrases will escape my lips, but I always try to see the opposite point of view regarding any issue. I have been trying to figure out why some shit sucking asshole would do this awful thing, so far I can find no justifiable reason. I know that some people don't like animals and as such try to keep them out of their yard. But putting out tainted food will only attract animals to one's yard which to me equates intentionally trying to kill something that one has no right to kill. Now I know why I occasionally find dead squirrels in my yard with no apparent sign of death. I am so angry about this and would like to find this person and make them some homemade cookies. No, I wouldn't kill anyone because it goes against my sanctity of life belief, but I wouldn't mind putting something in there to make them throw up. Actually, I wouldn't do that either, but plotting against this evil makes me feel better. I will however be watchful of my neighbors and if I do discover this evil individual, I will be making several phone calls and maybe a flaming shit bomb on their front door step. Asshole!

I do apologize for my profanity but this is one topic that I believe justifies a little profanity.

Oh my laughable life, how lonely you must be. No words to read, no songs to hear, no insanity to scream at. Perhaps soon I will give you the attention you deserve, but for I now I go and entertain the monkeys swinging from the fans.

What?! I like mud!

It's the muddy Monster! Hear me Roarrrrrrr!

Cheeeeessssseeee!

I want in on the action!

Let's stare at the door instead of Mom. Ha Ha!

Let's plan our next form of Mischief.

Now we will make funny faces!

The loser of the mudslinging contest is Mom, who gets to clean up the mess! Congratulations!