So I woke up to my second alarm this morning (one to wake up the kids, one to go to work) and started my morning routine. Now, my morning routine is rather standard among non morning people (five minutes realizing you are awake, bathroom, coffee, coffee, coffee, shower, work) and any disruption is okay, because it's not so much a routine as much a natural order. However my routine was broken this morning when I found a note on the microwave as I was making my coffee.
"Dear Guncle,
The little one was standing too close the glass when it broke. He cried and hopes you aren't mad at him. Please don't be made at him. It was an accident. We love you.
Signature:Little one"
The little one, being all of five can only write his name, so I know the letter was written by the oldest (we have remarkably similar handwriting). So there I was, without my coffee, looking for broken glass. Looked at all the cups, windows, breakables, anything that had any glass to it whatsoever. I found nothing. So when I went back in the kitchen, took another look, I saw what was broken. It was my favorite coffee mug, "la la la, I can't hear you, la la la" given to me by my friend Wes. This is the mug I have been using everyday for the two years at least. If it was coffee, it was in this cup. But alas, those days are over.
I can at least take comfort in knowing they feel comfortable coming to me (in writing or in person) that they have done something wrong or made a mistake. It makes me feel like I am doing something right.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
The End of the world as i know it
Late Saturday my neighbors and few of my kids (the older two, as a matter of fact) where sitting under the porch talking, which is something we usually don't do outside. We were probably talking for the better of an hour when the oldest pointed out something falling from the sky. We all saw it, so there was none of that "did I really see it or are my eyes playing tricks on me." It seemed very close and very bright which made us believe that it wasn't a meteor. We went through all the options of what it might be: UFOs, outer space virus, space trash, chunks of satellite, etc. We were mostly doing this is good fun. After all, the kids seemed to enjoy it. But about fifteen minutes later while we were talking, a second smaller and fainter object made it's way to the ground. Needless to say, this really peaked our collective interests.
Now, we live at the end of a dead end that slightly resembles a cul-de-sac on the side of a hill. That, coupled with the ring of trees surrounding our yards and the stadium of lights from the mall didn't aid in our view. So, armed with our wits, we marched to top of the hill to get a better look at the events unfolding. For at least an hour we were up there talking, seeing more objects, and smells switching between sweet and sulphuric we decided to go back to our porch. We have, by this time, sufficiently freaked ourselves out.
Being all of 28, I was the oldest on in the group, and the only one who watches news on any regular occasion. I decided to flip the TV onto CNN and surf the net for any astrological happening planned for the weekend. The television carried nothing for us, but www.astronomy.com led me to some answers. We seem to be in prime viewing time for Perseid meteor shower this week, with Sunday night being the best time to see it. This was a great relief to us all. Finding this out I put down my figurative 2X4 (for the zombies) and went to bed.
The kids wanted to wake up at 3am the next night for prime view, and after little debate I relented. So at three I woke them up one by one to let them know the shower was on it's way. After 10 minutes and little begging, the oldest was the only one who made it out there. We waited for about 15-20 minutes before we went back inside, disappointed we didn't get to see them a second night. But, we were able to go to bed knowing that it wasn't the invasion we were waiting for.
Now, we live at the end of a dead end that slightly resembles a cul-de-sac on the side of a hill. That, coupled with the ring of trees surrounding our yards and the stadium of lights from the mall didn't aid in our view. So, armed with our wits, we marched to top of the hill to get a better look at the events unfolding. For at least an hour we were up there talking, seeing more objects, and smells switching between sweet and sulphuric we decided to go back to our porch. We have, by this time, sufficiently freaked ourselves out.
Being all of 28, I was the oldest on in the group, and the only one who watches news on any regular occasion. I decided to flip the TV onto CNN and surf the net for any astrological happening planned for the weekend. The television carried nothing for us, but www.astronomy.com led me to some answers. We seem to be in prime viewing time for Perseid meteor shower this week, with Sunday night being the best time to see it. This was a great relief to us all. Finding this out I put down my figurative 2X4 (for the zombies) and went to bed.
The kids wanted to wake up at 3am the next night for prime view, and after little debate I relented. So at three I woke them up one by one to let them know the shower was on it's way. After 10 minutes and little begging, the oldest was the only one who made it out there. We waited for about 15-20 minutes before we went back inside, disappointed we didn't get to see them a second night. But, we were able to go to bed knowing that it wasn't the invasion we were waiting for.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Impressed by the Middle One
Last night as I was making supper for the pack, the middle one comes up to me and starts talking about World of Warcraft, which is a household addiction. Even the little one, all of five years old, has a character what he rides the boats with. But instead of talking about new gear or quests that he had just completed, he blew me away with what he had to say. "I'm going to quit playing World of Warcraft."
This came to me totally out of left field. He is the one, out of all of them, I thought would max out his character first. He just isn't going to let that happen. He quit. He is done. He is over it. Moondun is no more.
Even more astonishing was his reasoning for quiting (10 year old are too smart for their own good sometimes). He is quitting because school is back in and he just doesn't have time for it and doesn't want it to be a distraction. Bravo I say. Good for him for realizing that real life comes first at such at young age. I'm always proud of my boys, no matter what they do, but this puts it over the top. Perhaps I thought more like a child all things will fall into perspective.
This came to me totally out of left field. He is the one, out of all of them, I thought would max out his character first. He just isn't going to let that happen. He quit. He is done. He is over it. Moondun is no more.
Even more astonishing was his reasoning for quiting (10 year old are too smart for their own good sometimes). He is quitting because school is back in and he just doesn't have time for it and doesn't want it to be a distraction. Bravo I say. Good for him for realizing that real life comes first at such at young age. I'm always proud of my boys, no matter what they do, but this puts it over the top. Perhaps I thought more like a child all things will fall into perspective.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
In the Band
The older of the three has decided this is his year to join the school band. I'm not sure if this is a marching band (I doubt it being 6Th grade), but I do know that I will have to attend at least two concerts this year. He is currently trying to decide what instrument to play. He ruled out the saxophone early, citing too much work involved taking it apart and putting it back together. I found this to be a rather silly reason to not pick it, but he is 11 years old after all. He has also ruled out the trombone because of his "short, stubby arms." I'm pretty sure he decided on the trumpet; at least that is what he was favoring last night.
Now my major concern is practice. Not that I don't think he will practice, but that he will practice a lot. Badly. For a long time. He will eventually get good if he sticks with it. I just know it will take a while for him to play without making my ears bleed. At least he isn't playing the drums. My patience only stretches so far.
Now my major concern is practice. Not that I don't think he will practice, but that he will practice a lot. Badly. For a long time. He will eventually get good if he sticks with it. I just know it will take a while for him to play without making my ears bleed. At least he isn't playing the drums. My patience only stretches so far.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Guncle
I thought i would take a few lines to write about the word Guncle. Like a lot kids, when they first to learn to speak they often mispronounce names of various family members. Sometimes that mistake turns into a brand new name that goes with you forever. Like me. I'm Guncle. They know my name is Jeremy. They know that I am their uncle. But when they want my attention, they call me Guncle.
Nissan Exterra
Friday was the annual "Meet the Teachers Day" at all three schools. I knew going in that was going to leave a grumpy, hateful man when it was all said and done. Three schools in five hours with mountains of paperwork to go. It would seem that as soon as you sign them up for the next year (as I did in May), you get to relive the experience in August, in the sun, surrounded by 400 other kids that don't know when to shut the hell up. And being in Mississippi, it was hot to boot.
We started at a little after 8 (had to let the coffee get going) and went to the middle school. My plan was to make it one big circle, to both conserve gas and time. It didn't work out like, but it was the plan. At the middle school we learned a valuable lesson that helped guide us through the rest of the day: bring proof of residence. This is not the proof of residence that I used when getting them registered before the summer, but a whole new proof of residence within the last 30 days. Not that i mind showing that I'm a month behind on my power bill, but some warning would be nice. It would also be nice to know that I could have filled out all of these papers at home and brought them in to save time. It would have also been nice to know that they need to buy a planner when they registered. But then again, it is an extension of the government. Not that buying the notebook was bad, it was only $5, but warning would be nice. I mean, what if they didn't take checks? I don't carry cash with me and not everywhere takes a card. But I digress. It actually took only about two hours to get the middle school done. It was by far the most paperwork of the day, but the oldest can now go online at school (but not the dirty sites, we have already had that talk).
The second stop was the lower elementary, which is where the little one is starting this year. He went to pre-school year before last, but not last year, for reasons i won't go into now. So he isn't a novice at going to school, but being five he might not remember what do when he gets there. A little bit of paperwork and meeting the teachers, but the fun didn't begin till it was time to leave. That's when my hatred of Xterra's come into play.
If anyone has ever been to any type fair/expo/church or large gathering or people know, if there is a big grassy field in the back, that is for extra parking. And the ruts, they are for driving, not for parking. Especially when at the beginning of the lot, cause you might trap some folks in. Like the Xterra did to me and about five other people. I saw the first person just sitting there in the middle of the lane, wondering why he wasn't moving, but then i tried to leave and understood. I didn't just try to leave the one way; i looked for ways out. I went to the other side of the school, through the playground, the other grassy field in the back. Everywhere there was a way out, I looked. Alas, it was all to no avail. When i returned to the starting point, the line had grown from one to five. All SUV-type vehicles circling the parking lot like vultures waiting for the kill.
I had already had a highly frustrating day to this point, but I was about to get pissed. Many were already yelling to each other about how someone needs to do something about this. But they were yelling from their cars, not on the way to get something done, so i did the only thing I knew to do: I called the front office. I had a brain storm a few weeks back and put all the schools office and fax numbers in my cell, just in case. Quite brilliant if you ask me. So I called the front office and informed them that a lot of angry parents ready to leave where also ready to tear apart cars and throw the parts in the woods. Five minutes later the Xterra was moved and I was able to leave again. Victory was sweet. Victory was mine. It's almost too bad none of them will know that it was I who saved the day.
We were almost too late the the upper elementary school to register the middle child. The teacher was almost out the door when we rounded the corner. Not a whole of paperwork, and like the other two schools we dumped what school supplies we had on us to make the first day lighter.
We started at a little after 8 (had to let the coffee get going) and went to the middle school. My plan was to make it one big circle, to both conserve gas and time. It didn't work out like, but it was the plan. At the middle school we learned a valuable lesson that helped guide us through the rest of the day: bring proof of residence. This is not the proof of residence that I used when getting them registered before the summer, but a whole new proof of residence within the last 30 days. Not that i mind showing that I'm a month behind on my power bill, but some warning would be nice. It would also be nice to know that I could have filled out all of these papers at home and brought them in to save time. It would have also been nice to know that they need to buy a planner when they registered. But then again, it is an extension of the government. Not that buying the notebook was bad, it was only $5, but warning would be nice. I mean, what if they didn't take checks? I don't carry cash with me and not everywhere takes a card. But I digress. It actually took only about two hours to get the middle school done. It was by far the most paperwork of the day, but the oldest can now go online at school (but not the dirty sites, we have already had that talk).
The second stop was the lower elementary, which is where the little one is starting this year. He went to pre-school year before last, but not last year, for reasons i won't go into now. So he isn't a novice at going to school, but being five he might not remember what do when he gets there. A little bit of paperwork and meeting the teachers, but the fun didn't begin till it was time to leave. That's when my hatred of Xterra's come into play.
If anyone has ever been to any type fair/expo/church or large gathering or people know, if there is a big grassy field in the back, that is for extra parking. And the ruts, they are for driving, not for parking. Especially when at the beginning of the lot, cause you might trap some folks in. Like the Xterra did to me and about five other people. I saw the first person just sitting there in the middle of the lane, wondering why he wasn't moving, but then i tried to leave and understood. I didn't just try to leave the one way; i looked for ways out. I went to the other side of the school, through the playground, the other grassy field in the back. Everywhere there was a way out, I looked. Alas, it was all to no avail. When i returned to the starting point, the line had grown from one to five. All SUV-type vehicles circling the parking lot like vultures waiting for the kill.
I had already had a highly frustrating day to this point, but I was about to get pissed. Many were already yelling to each other about how someone needs to do something about this. But they were yelling from their cars, not on the way to get something done, so i did the only thing I knew to do: I called the front office. I had a brain storm a few weeks back and put all the schools office and fax numbers in my cell, just in case. Quite brilliant if you ask me. So I called the front office and informed them that a lot of angry parents ready to leave where also ready to tear apart cars and throw the parts in the woods. Five minutes later the Xterra was moved and I was able to leave again. Victory was sweet. Victory was mine. It's almost too bad none of them will know that it was I who saved the day.
We were almost too late the the upper elementary school to register the middle child. The teacher was almost out the door when we rounded the corner. Not a whole of paperwork, and like the other two schools we dumped what school supplies we had on us to make the first day lighter.
School Supplies
I wonder how much the corporate big heads have their hands in the Department of Education. Before May I wouldn't have even cared quite honestly. I was looking at the kids school supply list a few weeks ago and almost lost my cool. It was just obscene. I don't recall ever having to have the kind of crap they have to nowadays. My youngest has to have 24 glue sticks alone. Twenty four. Glue sticks. And two bottles of glue. Unless they plan on gluing them to their nap-pads (which makes me jealous, btw). I understand it is for art and all, but give me a little break here. Two boxes of crayons, two packs of markers, come on. No mention of a writing tablet or even notebook paper, but all art supplies. I don't understand. But I did get smart and include a pack of wipes in case he has a little accident at school and needs a quick pick-me-up. It wasn't on the list (it was actually on the middles list, go figure), but it made since to me.
The oldest one had a list that made the most since. Scissors, binder, paper, pencils, crayons, paper towels. Pretty much your standard list that i remember taking when I was in my younger years. Nothing fancy, nothing unreasonable.
My real heart-attack came when I looked at the forth grade list. Heavens, what a nightmare. It almost filled the entire page, with a note that said the teacher will have an additional list when they report for Meet the Teachers day. They did, and she did. More notebooks, binders and fees. Unreal. Insane. Frustrating. Two reams of paper he had to have. Two reams of copy paper. Can't the school even buy copy paper. Or buy a freaking projector. I don't mind donating to help, I really don't. But I do despise having to supply the whole class. But I guess the 30 reams of copy paper and 15 reams of pastel paper sitting in the corner will last the year. If not, we need to give them a bigger budget. There is only so much a single guncle can do.
The oldest one had a list that made the most since. Scissors, binder, paper, pencils, crayons, paper towels. Pretty much your standard list that i remember taking when I was in my younger years. Nothing fancy, nothing unreasonable.
My real heart-attack came when I looked at the forth grade list. Heavens, what a nightmare. It almost filled the entire page, with a note that said the teacher will have an additional list when they report for Meet the Teachers day. They did, and she did. More notebooks, binders and fees. Unreal. Insane. Frustrating. Two reams of paper he had to have. Two reams of copy paper. Can't the school even buy copy paper. Or buy a freaking projector. I don't mind donating to help, I really don't. But I do despise having to supply the whole class. But I guess the 30 reams of copy paper and 15 reams of pastel paper sitting in the corner will last the year. If not, we need to give them a bigger budget. There is only so much a single guncle can do.
The Beginning
So, for the last few months I have had, in my possession, my three nephews. I am legally their guardian now for reasons I won't go into. But they are all mine, so to speak. Bought and paid for, as the saying goes. The only problem is I don't really know what the hell I'm doing.
I've been a part of their lives from the beginning, so their is no awkward "getting to know you" stage. But I did have to go from the fun loving "guncle" to the mean man who makes them go to bed at 9pm. Such is life. It's been bumpy, but it's coming together.
One of the main hurdles I have had to overcome is getting them set up for school. Three boys in three different schools (kindergarten, 4Th and 6Th if you want to keep count). The older of the three were already in the school district last year, so that lessened the paperwork, or so I thought. Last Friday was a meet the teachers day for all of them. It ran from 8am to noon. Not nearly enough time to comfortably shuffle three boys to as many schools with all the supplies I had at the time (that's a rant for later).
Each school had a stack of papers I had to work through before I could talk to the teachers about what they have been through over the summer. I felt like i was paving the road to hell in school letter head. That's what it felt like at least, the road to hell. Mississippi summer is upon us in a bad bad way. But alas, they were all registered, teachers meet, and I probably accidentally flipped off about 10 little kids while aiming at their parents. I sent my apologies, but that's about as far as my patients will take it (but i do have a vendetta against a certain green Nissan extera, more on that to come).
Well, that is all i have for the moment. More to come.
I've been a part of their lives from the beginning, so their is no awkward "getting to know you" stage. But I did have to go from the fun loving "guncle" to the mean man who makes them go to bed at 9pm. Such is life. It's been bumpy, but it's coming together.
One of the main hurdles I have had to overcome is getting them set up for school. Three boys in three different schools (kindergarten, 4Th and 6Th if you want to keep count). The older of the three were already in the school district last year, so that lessened the paperwork, or so I thought. Last Friday was a meet the teachers day for all of them. It ran from 8am to noon. Not nearly enough time to comfortably shuffle three boys to as many schools with all the supplies I had at the time (that's a rant for later).
Each school had a stack of papers I had to work through before I could talk to the teachers about what they have been through over the summer. I felt like i was paving the road to hell in school letter head. That's what it felt like at least, the road to hell. Mississippi summer is upon us in a bad bad way. But alas, they were all registered, teachers meet, and I probably accidentally flipped off about 10 little kids while aiming at their parents. I sent my apologies, but that's about as far as my patients will take it (but i do have a vendetta against a certain green Nissan extera, more on that to come).
Well, that is all i have for the moment. More to come.
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