Happy MLK Day everyone! I used to love this holiday when I was in school. It came hot on the heels of winter break and it fell right around my birthday each year. But, now, I have to admit I’m not a huge fan. I’m on the other side of the coin. I’m not a student, I’m a parent!
Now that Wildman is in preschool, my MWF mornings are bliss. Wildman has a great time at school and I get to go to the gym or run errands and spend quality time with Cutie Pie. It’s a nice compromise for all of us. But when I glance at the school calendar and see “Teacher In-service Day” or “School Holiday” I groan a little. I’m not sure why a private preschool has teacher in-service days. They follow the public school calendar so those with older children have the same schedule, I suppose. I’m all for honoring national holidays, don’t get me wrong. It’s these extra days that tick me off. You know that my son’s preschool teacher is not traveling up to the school board for a day of training like public school teachers. She’s taking the day off. I pay tuition for my son to attend school, not have a slew of random days off. If I were a preschool teacher, I would look at this subject very differently. I realize that.
It was a “Teacher In-service Day” last Monday. We went to a newly remodeled beachside park for a playdate with the rest of Wildman’s friends who were home from preschool. It was fun. The kids enjoyed hanging out with one another. Cutie Pie traversed the sand volleyball court many times. But I admit that I was looking forward to Wednesday. Preschool gives Wildman a chance to blow off a lot of the crazy energy he has and it saves my sanity, quite frankly. I’m screwed this summer. I know! I’m think we’ll be spending a lot of time at the grandparents’ pools and having more frequent playdates 🙂
So, that brings us to today. I’m happy to honor the revolutionary civil rights leader. However, I’m already planning another park playdate! We’re going to a little place called Oars and Paddles Park. It has a couple of jungle gyms and swing sets. It’s right on a canal with a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. It’s really a neat place so long as you keep the kids back from the water’s edge. We’ll pack a lunch and eat at the covered pavilion. The sun is shining and it’s in the mid-60’s today. It should prove to be a nice park day.
Enough of my Monday morning rant. Cutie Pie’s banana has been devoured and he wants out his highchair. I’m off to entertain the kiddies and pack lunches.
Adventures of Four 