Elections

This is the first presidential election that either kid will remember.  Ben was too small last time and E was still growing in mom’s tummy.  Both kids got into the action this year at school.  Elizabeth just talked about the election in group time and read about the candidates' favorite foods and sports.  Ben had practice elections the day before for favorite cookie, pet and season.  He lost the cookie election and was quite distressed that chocolate chip won.  He let us know that he was really nervous about the presidential election because if the president changed then all of the rules would change.  We assured him that was not the case, but he continued to campaign for “no change”.  They had a mock presidential election on Tuesday and Ben “lost”.  He was pretty upset, but seems to be over it now.  We are hoping politics with a six year old goes away for a while and we can get back to Legos and cartoons.

Adventures in the School Parking Lot

There are just some days that might be better if you had decided to stay in bed.  Elizabeth and Mom had one of those days recently.  Most of the day went pretty fair until Mom went to pick up Elizabeth.  Staying true to her desire to be alone and not share space with other kids in certain situations, Elizabeth did not want to ride the elevator at school to the lobby with another kid.  This elevator is very slow and waiting on it to go down and then back up again so that we could ride by ourselves seemed silly and Mom was ready to get home.  So this was a battle that Mom decided to chose.  "We can ride with this nice kid or you may take the stairs."  Elizabeth flopped to the floor and cried dramatically.  She had decided she would wait forever to ride alone if that is what it took.  Mom decided to stand her ground and walked down the stairs pausing at the first landing.  At this point Elizabeth is wailing and starting to get a runny nose.  It is pretty high traffic pickup time and parents are enjoying quite the show as they pass.  Eventually Elizabeth "limps" down the stairs and stops.  Mom continues and Elizabeth continues to wail.  Mom continues and Elizabeth waddles along behind dramatically taking each step.  A staff member walked by the lobby area and whispered, "Keep it up, you are doing a good job."  Thank goodness for this sweet lady.  Mom really needed some encouragement.  We were so close to being in the car at this point and just getting out, but we had yet to maneuver the parking lot.  Deep breaths.  Proceeding to the car, Elizabeth decides that it is time for a show for the classes on the playground next to the parking lot.  She lays on the asphalt and proceeds to cry so hard her nose runs and runs and runs.  "You are making me drool and spit!  It is getting all over my shirt!"  Not wanting to walk away from Elizabeth in a parking lot, Mom strategically took baby steps all the way to the car with Elizabeth slowly crawling behind.  So close... the buckling into the seat was just not pretty.  But when E was finally strapped in and Mom let out a sigh of relief as she set in the front seat.... click, click, click.  What was that noise?  Trying the key again...click, click, click.  Deep breath....someday this will be funny, right?  Well, apparently the car wasn't going to start now.  After calling Dad, we realize he is nearly an hour away.  Who will still be at Mom's work after 5 that might have jumper cables?  Mom's friend to the rescue!  During the phone call process one of the kind teachers at school knocked on the window and let us know he realized our car wouldn't start and he had someone on the way.  We graciously declined as our friend was also on the way.  So we sat and waited.  Our kind friend came very quickly in real life.  Unfortunately time froze in the parking lot.  "Why is that car not moving?  Why is Elizabeth's mom not leaving?"  Many kids and parents passed wondering why it was a good idea to hang out in the parking lot rather than go home.  Sheesh.  Did it get mentioned that we were also pulled up in a spot against a wall so it was really hard to get another vehicle close enough to stretch cables?  Now there was some fancy maneuvering by the friend to avoid hitting anything while trying to get perpendicular to the dead Highlander.  Finally there was success and it never felt better to leave that parking lot.  We left the car running when we got home and Dad went to replace the battery for us.  Thank goodness for lots of people that take care of us!  It was the pickup that seemed like it would never end. . .

I'm Bored So I Am Not Going To Talk Today

Elizabeth has a new routine in the morning.  When we get to school she has a ritual.  We put away her nap buddy and jacket and then she jumps behind Mom to hide and dramatize shyness.  Mom walks into the classroom and asks her where she would like to sit to finish her breakfast.  "Mom, find me a spot by myself.  I am bored so I am not going to talk to anyone today."  If anyone says hello she will turn her head and ask Mom to tell them that she is bored.  The first few times it was so funny that it was difficult not to laugh.  Now that it is our daily routine, it isn't as funny and her teacher greets her and lets her know she has saved a spot by itself just for Elizabeth to have some alone time while she finishes breakfast.  Someday she will better understand what bored means and won't say this any more.  Until then we are trying to embrace this quirk and remember it while it lasts.