San Diego

 Summer break is on!  The first week kind of flew by with Milo's graduation, Brave movie opening, a gig out for Lyman and catching up on missed naps and shows recorded on my DVR. Then it was time to head to San Diego with my girlfriend and her kids. She generously invited us along to share her time share condo, and we picked two parks to explore. Traffic both ways was in a (non-swear) word AWFUL. But we made it!  Day one was The Safari Park A.K.A. Wild Animal Park.

 Fun right?  This is the first of two trips we plan on taking. This one was 99% super. The kids were so great for so long, but Milo had a major meltdown one hour before we loaded the car to leave. One hour! Check out all the other stuff we did...

On Safari

 While we were waiting in line for the Safari Tram, Milo was WILD. If this picture was a video, you would hear him roaring like a lion. This smile of mine is my anxious one (you all know it) that I plaster on to keep from spiraling into a panic!

 Once on the tram, Milo calmed down, way down and was a perfect angel on the ride. He loved looking at all the animals.

 This is some fossil of something. This boy is only 5; doesn't he look much older? Everyone keeps telling me how big he is. He is in the 75th percentile. Long and lean. That's my guy.

This a replica of some bird nest. Cozy.

Tiger Attack

Sea World

 On day two of our trip, we went to Sea World. It was FUN, FUN, FUN. We rocked that place out for 11 hours and did everything you could do if you're 5 or under. Our kids were so super- no meltdowns all day, patient in lines and waiting for live shows. It was warm but not awful- Milo kept his long pants and sleeves on all day (this is his new thing). At night we even put on our hoodies. In the car, they put on their PJ's and then right to bed back at the condo. It was a great day.

 Milo with Shamu

A live Sesame show with songs, dancing and popular friends in their preschool area.

Rope Jungle

This area was super fun with ropes, slides, tunnels and bridges to explore. I'm glad I work out and could keep up!

Sea World Last Looks

 The whole day Milo wanted to touch something. He finally got his wish in the tide pool area full of star fish. There was also a tank of sting rays, but they were out of reach for short arms and small hands.

 Here we are excitedly waiting for Shamu.

 Some shark fossil.

 Milo with Grover and Abby. We had to remind Grover that we saw him just a few weeks ago at our zoo- he forgot!

Sea World was great! Something for everyone. We took a 10 month old, 3 year old and 5 year old and filled 11 hours!  There was so much to do and see. There is more we didn't see due to height restrictions, so there will be more fun for years to come.

Diplomas

 I was explaining to Milo how this is the first of many diplomas and certificates he will earn in his life. He said, that's right because next he's going to college.

Preschool Graduation

 After the ceremony, there was a lovely reception in the backyard. Milo loved showing us all favorite stuff to play with out there, and I enjoyed eating all Lena's homemade treats. Yum.It was a great morning.

Patriotic

The teachers have always had a patriotic theme to their program. She told me once that they were very proud to be Americans especially since they are immigrants, and this country has given them everything they ever wanted. I like that. Also, it's sweet when Lyman is watching a ball game where the National Anthem is sung and Milo sings along. Tear jerker every time.

Graduation

Song for Mothers

Russian anyone?  Translation?  Milo said he didn't know all the words, but he sang along.

Ever since moving to LA, we have been good with the Russians. My first Gyne was Russian, leading us to a Russian OB who referred us to our Russian pediatrician. A friend at work recommended this preschool- Russian again.

I am hoping Milo's elem school will be fairly multicultural, but I always hope for more Russians who have yet to disappoint.

Schools Days

If you didn't know,  M's upcoming entry into Elementary school has been surrounded by a little anxiety. When we moved into our condo 7 years ago, I looked at the schools. I knew they were not good. But we thought we would be here a few years, have a baby, and move in time for school to start. Then came the economic meltdown and housing crisis. 

So, plan B. This is where my school counselor skills and girlfriend connections really helped. Find a great school with open space and enroll him on a permit. Even this made me nervous as many other people I knew were indefinitely wait-listed. I even entertained Plan C, private school, but after sensing the money pit it would become, threw that plan out months ago.

So, in the past three weeks, I applied to 9 schools. I love this website that ranks schools 1-10 (10 being the best). My home neighborhood school is a 3!  No way. I only applied to 7-10s.

Drum roll...

Of three 9/10s, I am indefinitely wait listed on 2 of 3 schools. One of those schools had over 200 apps for 12 spots!  However, M was chosen via lottery and is #1 on the wait list (out of 117!)  at one 9/10 school, but we have to wait until Aug. 1 to hear if he's in. School starts on Aug. 14!

He was accepted to all three 8/10 schools I applied. Of the 7/10 schools, he was accepted to two and wait-listed at one.

So, take that housing crisis and real estate meltdown! You have nothing on me and my child's education.   We're going to stay in our small but affordable condo and attend a school where a home in that area would cost 2-4 times as much.

M is enrolled in an 8/10 California Distinguished School with nice childcare before and after at 60% less than we pay in child care right now. When we hear from the 9/10 school where we are on the wait list, maybe I'll take it. The schools are very similar, and it's a tough call on which is better. That's a nice situation to be in. A choice between two great schools.

This whole thing has made me anxious as a parent, but fascinated as an educator and citizen of this country. This used to be the greatest country in the world for education. Statistically we aren't anymore. But statistics don't tell the whole story.  I believe we are still the best in that America has laws that require us to use tax dollars to educate all children until they are 18. Many of our statistical competitors don't do that. They weed kids out early. Tracking starts at young ages.  There is not equal access to higher education. Mind you, I am open to the idea that some of those programs have merit, and maybe we should consider some policy shift as we struggle to keep up and reduce our terribly high drop-out rate, but I am proud to live in a country where a baby born here can receive a tax payer supported education for 13 years. What they do with it and where it takes them is every Americans freedom of choice to decide.

However, in our country the level of that entitled education is not equal. The funds received are not equal.The class size is not equal. The school supplies are not equal. Safety, food, field trips, playgrounds are not equal. So, what I see, is that we are fracturing our system. If you're a Title 1 school, you're probably struggling to meet the mark under no child left behind (NCLB). If you're not a Title 1 school, you're getting so little cash to operate, that you might as well become a charter school so at least you don't have to follow all the rules with hardly any money.

As a parent this breaks my heart. I am busting my butt to put M in a great place. I can. I come from the privilege of my own education, stable job, car in my garage, gas in that car and knowledge of how to navigate the system. Not every kid's parent can do that, Does that make them bad parents?  Does it put their kid at a disadvantage? 

I say this even as I prepare to go to work tomorrow at a low performing school: a 3/10. Working at a low performing school, I can tell you first hand it is a complicated dynamic. There are dozens of factors at play and no magic bullet to fix the problem. I know, for sure, that kids can be successful where ever and in any circumstance. I see it every day. It's possible; it's just more difficult. Everyday I go to work, I hope I am making it a little bit easier for students and their families with the support I try and provide.

So, August 14, M will start kindergarten. Get ready world.

Camping

 Auntie and Uncle Mike were in town for a quick weekend trip for a friend's wedding, but boy did we make the most of it!  They stayed with us all but Friday night when they were away at the wedding. Thursday brought tamales and margaritas, and Saturday morning we headed for the forest. The drive to the forest was dry, flat and full of tumbleweeds and cacti, but then we drove up the mountain to the forest where it was shady, cool and green. The dust was still there though as all our shoes, socks and clothes showed from Milo's constant scuffing. The lake was lovely to look at and called us to get in our swimsuits, but it was a muddy, slimy mess. With no showers, there was no way anyone was going past their knees!  No showers, that's right. Our first camping trip was primitive with only a pit toilet and a water spigot. It was totally fine for one night, but another 12 hours would have had me running to a hotel!  When we shared the whole event with Lyman later, he said it sounded awful; Kelly reminded him he wasn't invited!

 Kelly and Mike arranged for some super rentals. They brought their own tent as the rental was kind of small but we pitched it for a space for Milo to roll around. Here is K's first attempt without the directions! "How hard can it be?"  she asked. I was amazed at how comfortable I was sleeping. We had this self inflating mats that were awesome and luxury bags that I could have slept a lot longer in. However, when the sun was up at 6:15, so was Milo.

It was super fun. We'll do it again. Maybe even for more than a night if we have a sink and shower! 

Swinging

Rodeo Training