Taxing

I hope everyone was able to file their taxes on-time. We took care of that chore a few weeks ago, so there's one less thing to worry about.

My eldest and youngest are having birthdays in less than a month. For Kindergarten Boy, we invited his whole (15 count) class to a low-key pizza and cake party at one the the best pizza places in the Valley (in the U.S., actually). It will be quick, manageable, and best of all far far from my home. My mom will be in-town for it. The baby's First Birthday is the cause of a large celebration at our house. We are not calling it a First Birthday, but we will be celebrating dear friends and family who have aided us and helped us through the joyful and EXHAUSTING First Year. I am hoping to have a catered pig roast. We'll see if I can find a good caterer who will do it. And do it well!

The latest drama in the life of Kindergarten Boy was having a core group of Kindergarten girls asking him to 'show his private parts'. Dear God. He tends to start pulling his pants down sometimes before he makes it around the corner of the boys' room, and believe me those sassy little girls noticed. Well, after I got pulled into the school counselor's office to talk with Kindergarten Boy about his behavior, we never had another problem. Poor kid. He was so embarrassed, but you live and learn. And being a Mom, I tried to make him feel better after school. We went to the store and I let him choose a 'Better' cookie....to help make it Better. But he's still getting the 'requests'. I alerted his teacher. I talked with a couple friends who also have Kindergartners. And wow, did I get a diatribe on the Mean Girls and Queen Bees of the Kindergarten.

What? Wait now. These are 5 and 6 year olds. Are they really already clique-y and socially insecure? Already? I didn't notice or even worry about that idea until I was in maybe 5th grade. The END of 5th grade!!! How sad. Do other moms in other schools witness this new social classism so young? If being a pesky snotty girl who wants to grow up way too quickly is what is required to be the 'Queen Bee' of elementary school, then please Jesus let my children be well-mannered, kind, friendly social outcasts (WHO ACT LIKE CHILDREN). Who cares. Obviously, they will. But it's my job to make sure they grow up well, and strong, with a good sense of themselves. Their peers are so influential. And it's just the beginning. I know.

Preschool Boy and I and another mom and a friend visited the Zoo yesterday. The boys were filthy by the end of the day. They loved it. They loved the boa constrictor and the iguanas. And of course the stingrays.

Baby Girl is fine, sweet as always, starting to wear her new crop of warm weather outfits. My favorite might be her birthday outfit: a swing top with big pink bows at the shoulders, little knee bloomers (with more pink bows), and an appliqued cake with one candle and her name on it. My dear God, it's the visual definition of precious.

We'll also be hosting a wine tasting, which we auctioned off for a charity thing. It's next weekend, and we're excited for the food and the wine! My mom will be arrving just in time to 'crash' the event. She deserves a pile of good times, and I know she'll have a blast and charm all the other guests.