The Queen's Rambles

I threw my back out this morning, which has been no fun. I can stand up straight if I use a heating pad and really try hard, but it hurts. I want to take some pain pills, but I know they’ll knock me on my ass. I have things to do. I’ll take them before bed and hope for the best.

We were supposed to go to a corn maze with our Camp Fire group today, but the farm was closed for rain. The family that always hosted Camp Fire last year doesn’t want to host again this year (I can’t say I blame them). We are trying to do as many outdoor activities as possible, but obviously that doesn’t work in the rain. I ended up saying I would host and throwing together a lesson plan. We made play-doh and messed around with Erik’s Squishy Circuit kit. The kids LOVED that. Then we made smoothies. The kids had a choice between my recipe with spinach or my friend’s recipe with rice milk. Only the non-verbal child and Erik chose mine. They don’t know what they’re missing. Erik was quite put out that no one would try his delicious smoothie. The recipe is all his, you know *wink*.

I’m working on our school directory. Ugh. Why can’t people print neatly? I’ve been making phone calls and sending e-mails, but there are a few that are so bad that it is impossible to make out any information at all. This whole directory feels kind of pointless. There are 511 students and only 103 turned in information for the directory. Erik’s class has two entries, including him.

It’s also a very classist book. I’d say 95% of the entries are from the very wealthy neighborhood surrounding the school (think doctors and lawyers). The rest are from us schlubs who live out in townhouses and apartments. Our PTA is ran almost entirely by the rich neighborhood. More power to them! I wish we could get more people involved, but let’s face it: rich neighborhood=more stay-at-home moms. I almost invited the president to my house so she could show me some things, but ended up keeping my trap shut and going to her house. She’s a very nice lady. She had a doll house all set up for Elsa. The thing was bigger than Elsa’s toddler bed. So beautiful! I wish we had room for one at our house.

Erik’s birthday is less than a week away. Eeeeeek!

In addition to all the last minute birthday events, it also means it is time for Christmas pictures. I like to do them on his birthday so I can get Halloween pics, birthday pics and Christmas pics all in one shot. Last year we were a couple of weeks behind schedule and hit the beginning of the Christmas rush. I don’t want to make that mistake again, but I’m having trouble finding a pretty dress for Elsa. I don’t want red. I want. . . wait for it. . . turquoise or teal or blue. Shocking, I know! But my kids look damned good in blue. They look pasty in red. I’d accept something in the purple family.

Maybe I should skip Christmas cards and send out Halloween cards instead.

I went shopping for Elsa’s fall wardrobe and was sorely disappointed. The transition from 2T to 3T means Elsa went from being a cute little toddler to a 50 year old, overweight divorcee. Yes, I can find cute separates, but I really love the Rare Editions (and other brands) tunic and leggings sets. The ones for 3T are sooooooooooo ugly. They’re all bat-wing and Mrs. Roper-esque prints. I guess I need to expand my search. Macy’s, Pennys and Kohls aren’t doing it for me. Gymboree and Crazy 8s failed me. They had stuff, but it was all retro-70s colors that burn my eyes. Children’s Place had some cute stuff, but my kids are too hefty to wear their clothes. I can’t afford boutique prices.

Yes, yes, I know. I am too picky.

I just want sweet, functional, attractive children’s clothing. No hoochie mama. No great big fake plastic gems. Not much glitter or sparkle. I want to expand the cute little newborn clothes into size 3T. Is that really too much to ask? Without paying an arm and a leg?