PTA Christmas Gifts

By now all of the Dennison PTA Chairs have received their Christmas gifts.  This is my second (and likely last) year as the PTA President so I wanted to give out something that was special.  I'm proud of the PTA logo that my husband made for me last year so I had an idea!

I made Christmas ornaments with our logo!  In my fantasy, these 27 people will put this ornament on their tree every year and have warm fuzzy feelings about how they have made a difference and done amazing things for Dennison.  Well...that's how I feel when I look at MY ornament.

I'm proud of what the parents at my school do for all of the kids.  Every single thing is done by a parent.  A parent that cares and gives their time.  The kids at Dennison are better because of our PTA. 

 Thank you to anyone and everyone that volunteers in any PTA.  Your commitment and time is appreciated.  

Be a Smartie, Vote for Connie

I think I've wanted to be the PTA President ever since I heard the song Harper Valley PTA when I was a kid.  I obviously didn't understand the lyrics because it is NOT a pro-PTA song.  If I followed their rules I'd have to send myself a note for drinking too much wine while doing school work with my kids.

Through the years, I discovered my keen ability to organize, plan and lead people. I also have a mild addiction to excel spreadsheets.  I believe that I am born leader and I know that I'm passionate about my school and my kids education.  I'm so devoted to the PTA that at the last meeting a offered to tattoo the name of a local business on my rump in exchange for a donation.

PTA just seems like the perfect place for me to use my talents for good and not evil!

I didn't have any immediate plans to run for President but then the opportunity arose and now next week, I'll be voted in!  I had big plans to actually run for President with shirts and campaign songs.  My BFF Heather is going to be my co-president, provided that we convince another of my friends to be the treasurer.  I've been assembling a TEAM to make the next two years the best this school as ever seen!

I had a few songs selected to use as our campaign song.  Please vote for your favorite!

The Dog Days Are Over

When You're Good to Mama

Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now

I'm a Slave 4 U

I've got a campaign sloan too!  

Be a Smartie, Vote for Connie

(and Heather, but mostly Connie)

Disclaimer: This post is all in fun.  The days have not been doggy and Mama can't do crap for you.  Heather is my partner....as long as she doesn't get rid of her iPhone and does what I tell her to do.  Just kidding! She can get a different phone.  Just kidding! 

Note to parents from my school:  If you happened to google my name because it's been in the school newsletter a million times lately and you found my little blog....HI.  Keep in mind that I'm a humor blogger and a part time stand up comedian.  You can catch my act at the next PTA meeting.  It's fun....I promise!    

Team PTA

I am drowning.

Drowning in paperwork after packet pick up on Tuesday.  I'm thrilled that so many people want to join PTA and there were so many generous people that made donations and then left little notes that said....NEVER CONTACT ME AGAIN.  I heart those people!

We combined technology and PTA this year by having the ability to take credit cards!  We did it through Squareup.com and it worked beautifully....once I got the wifi at school figured out.  NOTE: We have since switched to Paypal because they have their own reader now and you can register as a non-profit and the fee is lower! 

A man must have put up all of the signs in the gym.  Notice the duct tape.  A woman would have NEVER used that.  Note to self: Next year bring packing tape.

My friend Jennifer is assisting me with Membership this year and we anxiously awaited 11am when they would let the line of people into the building.  Packet pick up lasts for 8 hours but there are some people that pride themselves on being first.  I think some people camp out.

So....things are moving right along and we're really busy at first and then there'd be a break and then busy again.  The day was going quickly!  Then an older woman that I'd met last year when she'd told me about how she adopted a beautiful little girl from another country, approached our table.

She comes up and she asks Jennifer...Are you helping your Mom out today?  I sat there stunned because I wasn't sure that I'd heard her correctly because I am hard of hearing because I'm so old.  Jennifer doesn't miss a beat, she tells the lady....No, my Mom is at my house watching my 6 year old and my baby.

The woman (who should know better than to assume something like that since she's at least 15 years older than ME) didn't apologize or join PTA.

It was really fun to have a front row seat to watch people open their packets to see which teacher they got and scan the list of students for best friends.

My brand new Kindergartener would like you to know that there are 7 days until school starts.

Are you ready?

What I Learned In Kindergarten

1. Not Everyone Will Want To Be Your Friend.

I thought I was getting 19 new friends at the beginning of the school year.  I was friendly, learned everyone's names and which kid they belonged with.  After a few months, people that clicked....gravitated to each other and others didn't. Also, not every child will want to be your kids friend for the same reasons.  It's okay!  Be advised that if you report to the teacher that your kid is being written on with a dry erase marker and picked on in class that the child's mother will stop talking to you and liking anything you have to say on Facebook.

2. Some People Will Be Your Friend For The Wrong Reason.

Not to sound like an episode of The Bachelor, but if someone is feeding you information about your teacher that is negative and keeps calling you under the guise of being friends.  They have an agenda.  I didn't realize this until it was too late.

3. Standing Up for What You Believe is Right...Is Always a Good Idea.

Even if it means some people (see #2) won't like you or talk to you anymore.  Don't be afraid to speak up if someone is being wronged.  Your opinion is so very important and the administration appreciates it.

4. PTA is Awesome!

If you are a parent that likes to be in the middle of the action and you have any skills, join PTA!  Being a part of a group that has good intentions is a wonderful feeling. Side note: Have your husband join too...you never know when you'll need to vote on something important.

5. Volunteering in the Classroom is Fun!

I was nervous at first and fretted over my outfits because I wanted the teacher to like me but it was all fine.  Watching your kid interact with his friends in class and soaking up information like a sponge is a joy to behold.  Also, teachers LOVE volunteers.  Unless of course, you just want to sit in the back of the room taking notes.  This is strongly discouraged!

6. Having Cocktails with Fellow Kinder Moms is Therapy.

Get together with each other.  At the park with the kids, at PTA, at a bar after the kids are in bed.  You are all in this together and when it's over you'll be as tight as people that have been in a war or jail together.

7.  The Teacher Doesn't Want to be Your BFF.

This was a tough one for me.  But....she's busy with 20 or more children and she has friends of her own and a family and doesn't have time for a new BFF.  It's okay.

8. Field Day is The Best Day of The Year!

At the continuation ceremony for both half day classes.....many of the kids said that Field Day was their favorite part of Kindergarten.  It made me soooo happy because I was the coordinator!  I'm so thrilled that I contributed to their school year and they were happy.

9.  Kindergarten is Expensive.

I tracked our expenses on a spreadsheet and we spent $700.  Between school supplies, yearbooks, school pictures, field trips, teacher gifts, scholastic book orders, PTA dues and the Science fair....it all adds up!

10.  Sometimes You Need A Do Over.

Kindergarten is not what it used to be.  There are no naps or snacks and your kid will work HARD! The problem is that they are still starting kids at 5 years old but the curriculum has advanced.  If your child was not fully ready, this is the perfect time to start again.  It's a proven fact that 6 year old (boys) do better in Kindergarten.  We decided we'd rather re-start the school process so that Alex could fully master all he needs to know to continue on, rather than struggle for the rest of his school career.  It was a hard choice to make, and we're sad that he won't be with his friends but it was the right thing to do for him.

 

Random Thoughts....

Today feels like a random kind of day.

I have all of these thoughts floating around and they need released...like butterflies!

I recently discovered that my husband loves Jersey Girls.  I found out when I was watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey and he sat down and watched intently.  I also found out that he and his brothers' call butter on popcorn...shine.  We've been married almost 8 years and I've never heard him call it that before.

There are only 7 school days left and I can't wait for this year to be over! There are some children in Alex's class that don't treat him very well and he just wants to be friends with everyone but they make it hard.  I'm hopeful that there will be much nicer kids in his class next year.  Keith tells me that there will always be jackholes to deal with.  He says it's human nature.  I said, 'even in a convent?' and he said, 'Yes, even they have predatory lesbians.' I almost peed my pants and now I shall blame everything wrong with the world on predatory lesbians instead of Obama.

Mallory had her last tumbling class yesterday and is mad at me because I had planned to take a activity break for the summer because I have so much fun stuff planned for us.  Keith and I talked it over last night and decided to let her keep going because...what if she is good enough for the Olympics? It could happen.

There is a picture of my ass on Impulsive Addicts blog.

After watching The Bachelorette last night I have made two observations.

1.) I've been married for almost 8 years and there is no way in hell I could write a 7 page letter to my husband.

2.) My husband's new nickname is Chopper.  (he used to fly helicopters)

I am proud to announce that this morning I am being sworn in as the PTA Membership Chairperson.  I know what you're thinking and yes, I might be cray cray.  BUT....I think this will be the perfect job for me and I'm already thinking of ways to blackmail get people to  join the PTA and come to meetings.  It involves suckers.

Have a great Tuesday!

Linking up with Impulsive and Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday!