Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

We moved into a new house the last weekend of August. That Monday, Micah moved into a new classroom at school. Two weeks later, both of her teachers quit. Then, she got a substitute lead teacher and a new assistant teacher. Within 3 days the assistant teacher quit. Then, the substitute trained a new lead teacher. Then, last week, the new lead teacher took over with yet another new assistant. Yesterday, the new assistant teacher quit (her last day is Friday) and the old assistant is coming back next Tuesday. This makes 7 teacher changes in one month. Compound that with the new house and 2 children in her classroom with high needs and Micah is a wreck. Suddenly, my kid is the one misbehaving, not listening and challenging authority.

The director thinks (and I agree) that Micah doesn't respect the new lead teacher because she is not authoritative enough, not strong enough. Frankly, Micah just steamrolls right over her. She also says that she thinks Micah is bored with the curriculum. With this I also agree, however, right now there really isn't any curriculum going on in that classroom. It's just constant chaos. There's no structure, no time set aside for learning and stations. There are just 2 "circle times" thrown into a day of free time.

The director is considering moving Micah up to the preschool room. The kids are between 6 months to a year older than Micah and only 1 child's name is familiar to me. I'm not sure what to do. The preschool teacher is very structured and I think she would be a good match for Micah because she wouldn't put up with her crap nor favor her for being cute or something.

Last night, we took Micah to the pediatrician because she's developed a facial tic. She's sporatically blinking her eyes. (No other children in her class do this so she didn't pick it up anywhere.) The Dr. told me she'd never seen a tic on a child under 5 before and that it could be a sign of strep throat instead. I can't believe I'm actually HOPING my kid as strep. She also said that if it is a tic, that they usually only last up to three months but that I should bring her in if she's still has it in 4 weeks.

The stress I'm feeling is eating me away from the inside out. I can't help but blame myself for a lot of what Micah is going through.

**UPDATE** Micah has strep throat! YEAH! This means that most likely the tic is from the strep and not the stress! YEAH! Everyone pop in your favorite dance song and let's boogie!!

recipe for braips

Ingredients:
1 toddler
1 long-sleeved shirt
1 big fat toddler belly
1 toddler belly button (an outie preferably)
1 night time ritual of running around naked while changing into pajamas

First, toddler pulls her arms out of the sleeves.
Next, the shirt is pulled over the head. Be sure to stop just above the hairline so that the neck of the shirt creates a crown on the toddler's head.
The toddler can now adjust the sleeves so that each one swoops a shoulder.
Then, the toddler removes her pants and underwear.

Fianlly, the toddler is ready to run around the house naked showing everyone her "braips" (braids). Be sure to bezerp the belly button after each lap.

Fun for all!

damn that disney

sometimes, a soundtrack of life plays in my head. certain events will trigger certain songs. well, today we (finally) got our cable, phone and internet installed. we've gone over a month without and i was experiencing extreme withdrawal. i was *this close* to hawking a piece of jewelry for 5 minutes of wi-fi.

now, you'd think hallelujah or something similar would be playing, but it's not. no, instead i hear, "hail the conquering hero"... strange.

guess i've seen aladdin one too many times.

reason #1 to have a blog

well, i say if you can't embarrass the hell out of your boyfrined over the internet, then why even have a blog?

sunday, we went pumpkin picking. we had a blast. micah had a lot of fun trodding through the pumpkin patch with us looking for the perfect pumpkins. for 20 bucks, you could fill a sack full of pumpkins rather than pay per pound. so, we bought a sack and headed off.

early on, i said to milan, you know, it's really going to suck carrying that sack in a half hour or so; are you sure you'll be alright? to which, he pointed out that we unprepared idiots had no other choice. we were gathering pumpkins for our halloween party where we want to have a carving contest.

we stuffed 6 large pumpkins in that sucker and i carried 3 more small ones. milan was having a lot of trouble though lifting what must have been a 50 - 60 lb. bag. he finally tried to carry it on his back like a cape but immediately yelped out in pain.

i pulled something, he whined. (he's much more manly in his version of the story.) so, i said, just give me the damn thing. we traded and i threw the bag up on my shoulders and walked the 1/2 mile or so back to the cash register. (in his version, i gave him no chioce but to let me do it.)

i've been teasing him nonstop ever since. my little girly-man. what would he do without a butch girlfriend?