The House That Kate Built

Sarah was sick with the flu last week and missed three days of school. She was so sick that she couldn't even play. Alone in the playroom Kate rediscovered her old blocks and built these lovely "houses." She was very proud and insisted that I photograph her.



By the way - she did get dressed that day . . . that is a medieval princess gown, not her nightgown.

A Lazy Day In Schultzville!

After several weeks of running around like crazy chickens we took a time out this weekend to tend to Bebe Kate's mild fever. We skipped ballet and hip hop and just hung out watching Scooby Doo and Hannah Montana and playing in the garden. By 1:00 the girls were going stir crazy. Going to a movie sounded good, but nothing appropriate for the girls was playing. So what do the Schultz' do when they're bored . . . ? Play Rock Stars, of course.

Sarah and Kate visited Salon de Momm today. They were in luck because the infamous Jeff-rey Sasoon was in town. Both girls received complete make overs. Jeff-rey gave manicures and pedicures. Momm designed new rock star looks for the little divas. When they were done, they were ready to rock!!! And rock they did.

Daddy (after changing his accent) downloaded tableture for some Hanna songs and played guitar for the girls. Mommy was the paparazzi. Even the dog got in on the act.

All this fun and it wasn't even raining!

Oh My Gosh She Has Dolls at Ballet Class!!!!

[Warning, I'm ranting. But I know we all have to deal with these kinds of mommies - and venting a bit does make it a little easier!!]

Okay, I have to share a very annoying experience that occurred at ballet.

Since big sister Sarah has Hip Hop right after Kate's ballet class, we all go together and each kid brings a couple toys to occupy herself while her sister has class. Last week sweet little Sarah was quietly playing with her barbies in the back of the gym behind the bleachers where the all little ballerinas could not see, when she was accosted by a bitchy mom who's swan princess could not resist the ping of all the siblings gameboys. She caught a glimpse of Sarah's dolls and asked to play. The snotty mom, said "Oh, that's it - now she won't go back to class at all!!" Then she turns to another parent (as if we violated an unwritten rule of parks and rec ballet) and says "There's dolls here!!!! She won't want to go back now, she'll just want to play!!!!"

Are you kidding me? This is Parks and Rec ballet - six sessions cost $11. If you want rules go to a ballet studio!!! [Sorry, I'm a bit moody adjusting to these new thyroid pills.] Seriously though, there were 6 other siblings there, playing with gameboys or power rangers or running up and down the stage stairs. Sarah was out of view from the class and was only caught by the little Magellan because the kid wasn't with the class anyway.

Being the mom of a "spirited" child myself, and a good Samaritan, I asked my daughter to put the dolls away and read her book. But the !!?#$??! mom would not let it go. For 25 minutes she just kept saying "it's the dolls . . ."

Get over it lady!!!!

I held my tongue at class but I just need to say this:

To all you moms and dads out there who can't control your little divas - I too have a free spirited child. My daughter was the one in Gymboree who would not do the lap rides. She was the one on the center of the parachute leading the songs. And I remeber being so self conscious - thinking she was the only child on the planet who would not conform and follow the teacher! For a time I thought it was something I was doing wrong . . . but I quickly learned.

We pulled her out of ballet class (twice) because she wanted to do her own interpretive dance. This same child was the only kid in Miss Kristy's 3 year old class who, upon entering preschool each morning, immediately donned some sort of costume - every school day for the entire year.

Moms, trust me when I say we ALL have those moments with our little ones. Any mom who would judge you - or your child - because they aren't conforming with the more "mellow" kids has not raised a child with this personality. Don't listen if anyone tells you that your a bad parent because your kid would rather play dolls than wait while 15 other three year olds show their "pizza" position. I beg you mommies don't spaz out if someone brings dolls to ballet class and your ballerina is distracted by them.

That ability to not-conform will afford your little darling some wonderful experiences. My little free spirit, at just five, has enjoyed some unique experiences because of her spicy personality. She was the child chosen the lead the class in a song when her kindergarten teacher had to leave the room in an emergency. Why, because she's not a conformer (nice word huh??) She was invited to be in the Dillards fashion show because the clerks remembered her. That day she was the only model who received applause. She's the only kid I know who can invite 25 kids to her birthday party and ALL 25 will attend, three years in a row. She's the kind of kid who, at five years old, will strut on stage and take a thirty second bow when she receives recognition for reading at the schools weekly assembly. And after two years of not-conforming in Gymboree she was personally invited by the franchise owner to attend summer camp - because she "just makes the class so fun!"

Sure raising a child with such a strong personality can be a challenge, but there is no need to freak out and blame the kids lack of attention in ballet on someone else. I still have those moments with my little free bird but I see unlimited potential in her because she knows what she wants and she's not afraid to go for it.

Of course we all want our little monkeys to behave and show respect for us, their teachers and classmates. But really, is the eleven dollar parks and rec ballet class worth spazzing out over?

Maybe you should give Hip Hop a try . . .

First Position

"Three Year Old Ballet"

aka

"Wear Your New Tutu and Do Whatever You Want Hour."

Everybody line up. Make sure there is plenty of room between you and the person next to you.



Okay girls, make a circle around me. Now, first position!

Woah Kate, I said spin one time. Everyone, back to first position. Kate, you need to stop spinning.

Oh yes, another one of those priceless moments that makes a mommy so proud. My daughter is the one out in the middle spinning in circles. She won't stop until she bumps into another kid and/or falls down.

Oh well, she looks really cute in the tutu!!

Vanilla Wafers

Every afternoon the kindergartners at Imagine School have snack. Each child brings his or her own snack each day. Being supermom, seeker of perfection, I pack well balanced snacks for my little school girl. Her typical snack usually consists of a small piece of fruit, some protein (nuts or cheese) and something sweet or something salty. Evidently, not all the other kids bring snacks like Sarah's. Most just bring a granola bar or peanut butter crackers. So everyday, Sarah shares her snack with other kids.

Once she came home telling me I had to send her with more Lemonheads because she only got to have one of the 8 that I gave her. The rest had been shared and there just weren't enough for everyone.

Occasionally, Miss Yeagley will ask parents to donate "emergency snack" for the classroom so there will be snacks for kids who forget to bring something. Sarah has taken great pride in donating some of her favorites - dried strawberries, lemonheads and pretzel goldfish. The other day Miss Y sent a note home requesting emergency snacks. I checked the pantry and found a brand new box of vanilla wafers, which I packed in Sarah's backpack along with her lunchbox and snack container. On the way to school as we reviewed the contents of her lunch, snack and backpack, I instructed Sarah to share the cookies with her class.

That afternoon, Sarah came home with the opened box of vanilla wafers. I must have looked perplexed as I pulled the box from her backpack because she said "Mom you're the best, thanks for sending those. You have to put those in my backpack again tomorrow; the kids will think I lied if I don't share vanilla wafers again."

You might find this hard to believe (lol,) but even supermom can be a ding dong sometimes and this box of vanilla wafers coming back home left me a bit speechless for a moment or two. After it registered, I replied "Sarah, I sent these to share with the class." "I know," Sarah said "I did share, everybody had some."

Now, Sarah feels very special sharing her snack with her friends, and since she usually has a variety of snacks this is something she does every day. So although it was crystal clear to me that she was to DONATE the whole box for Miss Y to pass out as needed, in Sarah's mind she just thought "My mom rocks, she gave me a whole box of cookies to share with my friends. And I even have enough to share with everyone again tomorrow."

I can't argue with her big heart! And I have to admit that I like that she thinks I rock. But next time, I will be sure to attach a note to our snack donation.

How many days does it take to break a bad habit?

After Sarah's great work at school we took the girls out for dinner to celebrate. Just before leaving the house Katie Grace "tattooed" herself, again. Note the lovely red marker on her cheek and forehead. This has become a daily thing . . . That's it - Bratz are banished from Schultzville, again.

Grace Under Fire

Today when I picked Sarah up from school Miss Yeagley said that Sarah was a great help to her today. She went on to explain that the class across the hall had an emergency. When this occurs, one teacher stays in the hall supervising both classrooms. When Miss Yeagley was called she asked Sarah to lead the class in a song. Sarah stood up and took over. ( She sang "Who let the "A" out - a, a, a, a ) Miss Yeagley was so proud of Sarah that she received a blue ribbon sticker.

Of course Superdad and I were very proud of Sarah too. Pleased that she stood up and led the class when asked, but more proud that Miss Yeagley knew she could count on Sarah in an emergency.

Go Sarah!!!

The Moments That Make a Mom So Proud!!!

"We're playing Brazt mom, and I'm the bad girl.

See my mean tattoo!"

I Know . . . Let's Dress Up To Go to Grandma's

What does it take to look like rock star? It's simple. A slinky tank top, preferably one that shows your belly . . . . A skirt with mismatched leggings underneath. And a belt across your chest. Oh and yeah, you have to mess up that wonderful french braid that mom just finished.