Friday, September 15, 2006

I thought I dropped out of the rat race

Instead, I think I’ve just become an honorary soccer mom. This is a crosspost from my work blog … italics for the stuff that was censored out of that post.

Monday: Kick-off session for religious education. Jo will be attending Sunday school for the first time (the conversation in which she asked Julie whether Tacy would be going to Sunday school too was priceless). The meeting started at 3:45. I figured I’d stop working a few minutes early, get to the church around 4, and not miss too much. Naturally I was in a conference call from 3 to 4 p.m., forcing me to interrupt a roomful of people at 3:55 at stammer “uh, I have to go now, talk to you all later.” If there is a way to be subtle when you’re on speakerphone, I haven’t found it.

Wrong! The whole event involved me rushing frantically from one room to another (sometimes hurrying behind the very accommodating nun who was trying to run the meeting), toting Opie on my hip and trying to make sure he didn’t bite the eraser off the pencil he was chewing. I couldn’t decide whether the eraser or the point was the lesser of the two evils. Worse, the meeting concluded with a prayer service in the church, which I was not at all expecting (the kids’ clothes were dirty, Jo’s hair was tangled from her nap, I had on jeans ... and then there was the toddler who had no interest in sitting quietly on my lap listening to the priest). Jo insisted on sitting in the second row (I wasn’t about to argue the point with her in the middle of the aisle, since we were the VERY LAST people to enter the room) and of course had to use the bathroom halfway through the thankfully, fairly brief service.

Tuesday: Urgent errand 1 (after school): Drive to neighboring town to buy tap shoes, size teeny, because no local stores have them in the proper size; 1,000-mile trip to friend’s house to try on hand-me-downs proved fruitless.

Urgent errand 2 (lunchtime): Mommy needs a bikini wax because Opie starts swimming lessons Saturday. Why am I always getting bikini waxes for stuff like kids’ swimming lessons and birthday parties, instead of trips to Fiji or a secret, highly lucrative career in stretchmark fetish films?


Wednesday: One of Jo’s friends is having a party. It’s actually a toy shopping party. Did someone say soccer mom? Since moving to Mayberry I can’t escape the shopping parties… make-up, purses, kitchen utensils, books, clothing… no *wink wink* pajama parties yet, though.

Thursday: Dance class! Jo can’t wait to twirl and tap. Parents are only allowed to observe on the first day, so after this week Opie and I will spend the class time at a nearby playground, at least until it gets too cold and snowy. Like around October 1.

Friday: Jo slept until 8:45 a.m. Maybe I should run her this ragged every week.

If this sneak preview is anything like what the elementary school years will be like (and I think it is), I’m glad I have a few more years to get ready. Seriously... I'm pretty scared.

6 comments:

Lady M said...

Wow, I'm tired just from reading. Sounds like Jo's tap class will be fun! (Kinda jealous, just thinking about it.)

Anonymous said...

"stretchmark fetish films" - If I'd been drinking coffee (like I'd like to be), it would've come out my nose. Can I get in on that gig with you?

Your answer to Jo's Sunday School inquiry was what was really priceless about that conversation - "Probably never!"

Mary Tsao said...

Ah yes... the shopping parties. Sometimes I enjoy a night out and other times I get sick of constantly being invited to a party that's disguised as a sales event. And no naughty toys party yet? It's really only a matter of time. Would you believe I was invited to three last year alone?

I'm on the verge of becoming an honorary soccer mom, too. Do you have your cell phone headset yet?

Anonymous said...

Whew...what a week for you! The tap class sounds very cute. And between lack of stretchmark fetish films and bedroom "toys" parties in Mayberry, perhaps you need to spice things up a bit and host a "pj" party. Hey what else is there to do when it's cold and snowy? (besides drink) ;)

Karianna said...

oooh tap shoes, size teeny: brings back memories! (Now I want a girl.)

Mary - I have my cell headset! Whoo! I look like I am Borg.

Movin Mom said...

I have to say that I like this post!!
We also started RE today. 3:45 every Monday but only for my 2nd grader. My other 3 are on Sunday nights I think.

Maybe I will see you there, I'll be the one with the rose between my teeth:)

just kidding I'll be the one with the 2nd grader crying.