(here he is getting ready to go out and ride his lawn mower, he told me the sun was up so he needed his goggles) I feel like I have so much to say but if I wrote it all down this post would be entirely too long (which it risks being anyway). So I decided on two things to write about, our new preschool and voting at the Washington caucus.
1. Our new school, it is a co-op preschool. I am so excited and have been dying to post about it. We go to the school once a week for 2 hours. It is a small group of only 15 kids. The best description of the school comes from the website: Our philosophy is based on the latest brain development research which indicates that children learn best when allowed to explore a rich environment through experiential, child directed play. http://www.marysvillecoop.com/ There is an art room for painting, usually some play-dough, crayons for coloring, trucks, blocks, dolls, dress up clothes, puzzles, books, and Owen's favorite - a bin of birdseed with funnels and cups (this is where we spend most of our time). During the first hour of class, 1/2 of the parents spend the time with a parent educator from the community college. It is during this time parents can talk about problems they may be having with their child. The kids have a snack about half way through and then the parents switch, the second half comes in with the educator and the other parents help the kids. This has been so fun for Owen and I and he is doing GREAT. In fact, he is doing much better than I even gave him credit for. During the last class (which was only our second class), we went in and he went right to the birdseed. I told him I was going in the room with the lady and he could come in if he needed me. I kept seeing him peek into the room to make sure I was there, but he kept playing with the birdseed. I saw him even telling some story to one of the moms. He came in a few times and sat on my lap to read or ask me questions. I think this will be fun for both of us. It is nice to learn new techniques and listen to other parents that seem to share some of the same problems I do.
(masks at ikea)
2. Owen and I ventured off last Saturday to the caucus to vote. I felt that I wanted to be a part of things and so we went. It was a STRESSFUL experience. First of all, before I went I had Ben school me about a caucus. I don't pretend that I know much about politics, in fact, it was only recent that I even paid attention to what was going on. Ben is very knowledgeable about it and reads everything. I had many questions, starting with what is a caucus and second what in the world was the difference between a primary and a caucus. So once I learned that you go in and listen to people talk about the candidates attempting to sway your vote and then you actually vote. This didn't sound so bad. I told Owen earlier in the day we had to go vote for Obama. He said after we move his bed and eat lunch then we would vote for Obama. Fair enough.
(eating cake on grandpa's birthday) Our tasks completed and we left. As we rounded the corner for our location there were cars blocks and blocks away. My social anxiety set in. We parked plently far away and decided that we better bring the stroller. So we loaded up the stroller with Owen, two stuffed bears, Bert and Ernie. All the while my brain is thinking perhaps the friends should stay in the car. Once we made our way to the building there was a line. We waited there for about 30 minutes. He sat nicely in his stroller telling people that he was voting for Obama. The energy was high and I was feeling good. The line inched toward the door, this would be where all the excitement would be. I could feel the anticipation settling in. The unknown always freaks me out and I was true to form, starting to worry. I did start to notice people leaving with stickers on saying either Obama or Hilary, so now it appeared I didn't have to stay for the convincing part, I could vote and leave. Oh good. Not so bad. We splashed in a few puddles, brushed off mud from Ernie and told a few strangers that we were voting for Obama and made our way to the entry of the building.
There were so many people stuffed into a small room. No one could move, chaos everywhere. Someone asked me my precinct name (which I came prepared with). I promptly informed them that I still needed to register. I was cast aside in a trecherous looking line, or more accurately stated, myself, Owen, stroller, yellow coat that I was now holding as he was hot, bear #1, bear #2, bert and ernie were told to go to the long line off to the side. We waited. I was quite surprised at how well we were both doing as we waited, he was so nice. I start to think, this may be ok even though I am shoulder to shoulder with thousands of people in a tiny room.
There were so many people stuffed into a small room. No one could move, chaos everywhere. Someone asked me my precinct name (which I came prepared with). I promptly informed them that I still needed to register. I was cast aside in a trecherous looking line, or more accurately stated, myself, Owen, stroller, yellow coat that I was now holding as he was hot, bear #1, bear #2, bert and ernie were told to go to the long line off to the side. We waited. I was quite surprised at how well we were both doing as we waited, he was so nice. I start to think, this may be ok even though I am shoulder to shoulder with thousands of people in a tiny room.
(I found him on the porch with his friends, I LOVE THIS!)We make it to the front of the line, and the lovely woman whom I am sure was a volunteer and who obviously needed a break began telling me how to fill out the voting form. Meanwhile, my little 2 1/2 year-old, who was doing an amazing job 1 hour into our ordeal, started saying the infamous mom, mom, mom, mom, mom. This volunteer lady actually looked at Owen and started sreaming at him saying "Hey, be quiet, I am talking!!". I couldn't hear anything in this crazy busy room. Time just stopped. I looked at Owen looking at her wondering what had just happened, I looked at her looking a little uncomfortable, I looked the horrified woman behind her and then I screamed as nicely as I could back, explaining what she had done was entirely inappropriate, and threatening her never to say another word to Owen. I was boiling mad. She laughed a nervous laugh and continued on her speech. While she was talking I bent down nicely and told Owen he was being very good and I was almost done. Then I looked back and the woman with a look that said, ok, continue. Long story turning very long, we voted and got out. I held his little hand and we walked back to the car. He tells everyone that the really mean yelled at Owen and mommy yelled at her saying don't talk to Owen, now! He gets very angry as he says it. (I am sure he is retelling my story that he listens to rather than explaining the experience).
I hope that one day I will feel some empathy for this woman, but at the moment, I am not such a good person. Other feelings are still very much present.
At least Obama won.
