Magna Cum Grocer

With our move to Florida, many important decisions have been necessary. You know the ones I speak of:

• What Doctor should we use?
• What Dentist is kind and gentle?
• Where should I get my hair done?

BUT, one of the most important questions was:

• What school should we send Kaylea to?

In Tennessee, this wasn't really an issue because there was only one school in our small town; therefore, the county pretty much made the decision for us. But, down here it is totally different. We could send her to the nice little neighborhood school, for which we are zoned. We could choose to send her to one of the many magnet schools that cater to your child's academic interests. We could send her to one of the private schools. Or we could send her to an open enrollment, "school of choice."

All of these choices were quite mind numbing. We carefully weighed each option and tried to determine the best school for Kaylea. The neighborhood school, Dixieland Elementary, would normally be a very viable option, but we don't anticipate staying in this school district for the entire school year; therefore, Kaylea would have to change schools again mid-year. The magnet schools are fabulous, but we would have to apply for Kaylea to attend them, and people have been on waiting lists for 2 - 3 years to get in. The private schools are a nice option, also, but unfortunately we don't have an extra 7k to spend on tuition. So, we opted for the "school of choice." We feel we made the right decision because regardless of where we eventually buy a house, Kaylea will be able to remain at the same school.

One of the catches to sending her to the "school of choice" is that the school buses only pick up children that are zoned for the school. So, I am traveling 20 miles round trip, twice a day to take Kaylea to school and then pick her up. I don't really mind the drive because it gives Kaylea and me a little bit of time to talk and share all the important things that are going on.

I do have to say, living in a town with so many schools is hard for Kaylea to grasp. In the morning and afternoon when we are making our voyage across town, she sees many different school buses and always asks me, "Which school do those kids go to?" Of course there is no way of knowing, so I can only guess depending on which school we are close to. One morning as we were pulling out of our neighborhood, she saw a school bus and asked, "Mom, do those kids go to that Winn Dixie School that I was supposed to go to?" I was a little confused at first and then I realized, she meant Dixieland School. I couldn't help but laugh. I guess she was probably glad that we didn't send her there; after all, she wants to grow up and be a doctor not a grocer.

Moths and Balls and Other Stuff......

Yes, I am still here. I know I haven't posted anything in several months, but life has gotten in the way. For some reason, I just haven't had the time or inclination to write anything. I'm sure it is just a phase that will pass. Maybe when life settles down and things return to normal (or as normal as they can be at our house) my focus and creativity will return. For now though, I guess the entries will be as sporadic as the thoughts that run through my head.

I will stop with my excuses now, because as you all know, this blog isn't about me, this blog is about Kaylea. I will, however, say that Kaylea is growing up and hasn't been giving me as much material as she did in the past. But, it just so happens that we had two hum-dingers that came out this past week. Since I found myself saying repeatedly that these have to go on "The Blog", I decided to put them in print. So here they are (for all two of our readers that have hung around).

First, Kaylea's Grammy told a story the other night that I had never heard before. She said several years ago, she and Pappy took Kaylea to our local KFC for dinner. They walked up to the counter to place their order and Kaylea studied the menu very carefully. While Kaylea was trying to decide on her menu selection, Grammy ordered the "Sr. Buffet." Then Pappy stepped forward and ordered the "Sr. Buffet" also. Kaylea was still having a hard time making up her mind. Grammy tried to help her out by suggesting the chicken strip dinner. Kaylea shook her head, no. Then Kaylea stepped up to the register and told the clerk, "I'll have the Sr. Buffet, also." Grammy said the man behind the counter bent over to hide his laughter, but then regained his composure and quickly apologized for his rudeness. Grammy told him, "It's ok, Kaylea makes us laugh all the time."

Next, this past week, Auntie M and I were unloading more yard sale items into the garage. The items had been in Auntie's attic and basement and smelled a bit musty. During all of the unpacking I commented, "I keep smelling moth balls," to which Auntie replied, "well, I don't know why." Then Kaylea pipes up and says, "WELL, I did see a big moth in here a few minutes ago." DOINK!!! I thought Auntie and I were both going to wet our pants. Bless her little heart!

Futon, Tufon or Tofu???? Kaylea Was Confused

We decided to buy Kaylea a new bed with out BIG yard sale earnings. After much deliberation we decided that a trundle daybed would be the ideal bed for Kaylea's room. When she has friends over, she can wheel out the trundle and both girls will have a nice cozy bed of their own. When only Kaylea is sleeping in the room (which is how it is most of the time) the trundle will be out of sight and out of the way.

Today, we began our search and while we were browsing Kaylea pointed to a Futon and said, "Oh, that's one of those Tofu beds! I really like them!"

I swear I almost peed myself I laughed so hard.

A Couple of Classic Kaylea Moments

First, Kaylea has been suffering from the normal fall allergy symptoms. Snot, runny nose, snot, cough, snot, stuffy head and most of all SNOT. You get the picture ;0)

To treat her allergies we started with children's Zyrtec, but that didn't do anything to relieve her symptoms. So I returned to the pharmacy in search of a better remedy. I decided to try the Children's Dimetapp which came in a combo package with a bottle of nighttime medicine and a bottle of non-drowsy daytime medicine. I have to say, it has been working pretty good. Until last night, that is.

I had gone out with friends and Bub and Kaylea were home alone. It was time for bed and Bub gave Kaylea her medicine. Then this morning she when she woke up she was complaining that the medicine didn't work last night. She began examining the bottles and quipped at her father, "Well, Dad, no wonder my medicine didn't work last night. You didn't give me the nighttime medicine!"

Bless her heart ;0)


Second, in an effort to show her BIG ORANGE spirit Kaylea emerged from her bathroom decked out in her UT shirt, her UT hairbow, and power Ts on each cheek. When we asked her what she used to make the power Ts, she replied, "marker!" It took some scrubbing, but we finally got it off. I guess I should be glad she didn't use a Sharpie.

More Cheese, Please!

Today, Kaylea and I were in Wally World doing a little shopping. We were walking through the dairy section and there was a worker emptying a center cooler case to change out the featured product. He was removing Kraft cheese packages and had filled an entire shopping cart and was bent over with his head and half his body inside the cooler to get the last few packages. Kaylea saw him tossing the cheese packages over his shoulder into the cart and replied, "Man, how much cheese does that guy need?"

Did You Know......

...the Dogwood Arts Parade is for dogs with wooden teeth. At least that is what Kaylea visualized when Auntie M. and I were talking about the parade over the weekend. Only Kaylea could come up with that one.

The Hard Facts Of Life

Kaylea says the darnedest things!

With Kaylea approaching the time in her life where she will become a young "lady", she and I have been having discussions about the changes that she will experience in the coming years. I wasn't sure when was the appropriate time to start "the talks" but found that it was a necessity a few months ago. We have talked candidly about all of the changes her body will be going through and what she should expect. I told her when she had her menstrual cycle she might have stomach cramps, a back ache, bloating, and a head ache, but most of all she will probably get very cranky. She just looked at me and said, "Do you have your menstrual cycle EVERYDAY?"

Kids - you gotta love them!

Where O Where Has My Little Girl Gone?

This time of year is so busy for our family as I am sure it is with yours. Kaylea sings in the children's' choir and plays the hand bells at church. She is also a member of Chorus at school. All of these activities have involved Christmas concerts over the past couple of weeks. As I helped Kaylea get ready for her performances, I was reminded of when she was little. Kaylea always thought is was a big deal when she was able to wear "panty toes" with her dresses. And she especially loved trying on my dress shoes and walking around the house. She would always say, just to make sure I was aware, "Look Mommy, I am wearing your 'knocking shoes'" You see, we had wood floors in the dining area and linoleum in the kitchen and she just loved the sound the shoes made as she walked across the floor.



While thinking back on these moments I realized that my little girl wasn't so little anymore. She has become a very grown-up and independent young lady. I no longer have to help her get dressed; she can now put on her own "panty toes" and "knocking shoes." Though she has grown up a lot, she still thinks it's a big deal to get dressed up and still loves the sound of her heels clumping across the floor, as do I.

Kaylea in her "panty toes"

Kaylea in my "knocking shoes"

Kaylea all grown up (well, almost)!

Webster would be horrified

Yesterday while Aunti M and I were working on round 2 of the Christmas bake-a-thon we were having one of our normal (or not so much) conversations. Auntie M was making fudge and Kaylea was helping - and listening. Auntie made a comment about a certain food item and how is really "sucked." Suddenly, Kaylea chimes in and agrees whole heartedly with her Aunie and says, "Yea, it really does suck!" Well, I was quick to correct Kaylea that "suck" is not a word that she should say. Then Auntie with all of her wisdom informs us that "suck" is now listed in Webster's Dictionary as an adjective, as well as a verb. Kaylea's response was, "I didn't know there was a Webkinz Dictionary!?!