Cliff Notes

Have you heard me talk about how I hate fifth grade? Here's the most recent example, taken directly from the schoolnotes page:

May 29 5th Grade Party at the Community Activity Center
June 1 Read-In
June 2 Promotion Ceremony, Individual Pictures and Picnic
June 3 Clean Rooms, collect books, clean out lockers
June 4 Watch Movies and Car Parade
June 5 Last Day of School Early Release

I see five days of party and one legitimate clean-out day -- and don't be fooled by the scheduled "read-in." I have it on good authority that game systems and I-pods are more prevalent than books on this day.

Is it just me?

As of last week, I am no longer on facebook. And I don't plan to tweet. So this is it, people!

In related news, I've removed the follower's section from the sidebar and added a list of good books down there on the right. Check it out for your summer reading or pick one up for a friend. They're eminantly gift-able.

What books do you recommend? I'd love to see lots of comments below.

And if you're interested, my good blogging friend Pmom reviewed The Perfect Mile here.

Happy reading.

The kids are going back to school tomorrow, Thursday, instead of next Monday. This after the school district reversed their decision to close down for a week. This after the CDC re-thought the advisory for schools to close down. This in part because of the hardship on families with kids out of school.

I am happy to report that it has been a pleasure to have the girls out of school and at home these past few days. And I wish they didn't have to go back. I have made it to the other side of the fence!

You know the one, where the grass is greener?

Although I certainly haven't missed all the projects and activities, it's more than that. It's been nice having them home. I've enjoyed having them around and they seem to be enjoying each other more, too.

The other night the girls called me into Anna's room, where Katie was spending the night on the popped up trundle next to Anna. As soon as I walked in, two heads lolled to the side and began emitting obnoxious snoring sounds that quickly lapsed into helpless giggles.

It was so cute. And a bit surreal. It felt a bit like a Family First commercial.

I'm not the only one who doesn't want our Swine Break to end. Kate dug out the memo saying school was canceled until Monday and asked if attendance tomorrow is required. This while gazing into my eyes.

I tried to evade the question. Because I am pretty sure absences will be excused. She really should be in school, right? It could be that a lot will be going on to make up for 3 missed days.

Or maybe not. I mean, the standardized tests are done and the major projects have been turned in and the last month of fifth grade has the potential for being one near-continuous party.

Anyway, I tried to distract Kate by suggesting a haircut after school. She countered with a proposeal to get it tomorrow during school so she could make a splash when she shows up Friday with a new look. (She has recently been expressing an interest in getting noticed. I am pretty sure it is not boy-related. It makes me sad, though.)

The thing is, it would be a lot more fun to keep her out another day and get the haircut and be the fun Mom. And hang on to these days when she'd rather be here with me.

Instead, I told her she needed to go and promised we could get the haircut after school.

This before the email came announcing a make-up rehearsal after school.

Sigh.

Such lovely grass.

School's just been canceled for next week because of swine flu precautionary measures... so we've counseled with Anna and will be doing only the dinner and a movie portion of birthday plans tonight with the intent to find a fantastic excursion next week when we will time to fully enjoy ourselves.

Any suggestions?

That's the name of a reader I remember from early grade school. And it's a good description of how I feel about Anna, who turned seven today.

Anna is eminantly snuggleable, frequently hilarious and occasionally a handful, usually happy, selectively helpful, often exuberant, sometimes willful, generally affectionate and exceptionally loveable. And she's not so little anymore.

Anna woke early today to celebrate -- she knows birthday gifts are always on the kitchen table first thing in the morning -- but first she came into my room and snuggled happily with me, listening as I retold the story of the day she was born. How beautiful she was, not smushed and funny looking like most newborns, and how tiny! I could hold her head in my cupped hand and her body was just long enough to nestle on my forearm inside the elbow.

Anna loves to hear how tiny she was.

When we were done snuggling, she waited again without complaint for Katie to shower. And then Dad. Then she came down the front stairs, I suppose to avoid peaking, and didn't come in until I called everyone down to see her open her presents. What new restraint is this?!

Anna was pleased with the simple gifts she received: a box of Barbie band-aids and two fairy books complete with fluffy pen from Katie, a new Book of Mormon with picture stickers to add to the pages from her grandparents, some candy for the movie theater tonight, a box each of Cookie Crisp and Ritz Bitz, and the promise of a surprise gift from Nana and Papa after school.

She liked the little Target birthday cake for breakfast, too. Of course I gave her the piece with the most frosting. I am not sure about her, but the rest of us left most of it on our plates.

In lieu of a party with friends Anna said she wanted a family sleepover at the Hilton at Southlake Town Center. (Her first choice was the Great Wolf Lodge but we said it cost too much and Dad got sick in the swirling slide). So I'm not sure if it's the pool or the concierge lounge -"snack room" that is the greater draw? But today after school we'll go swim, walk to dinner and the movies, swim again in the morning and call it a birthday.

And I bet you five dollars she'll mention her next one before we get home.