There are things that I do very well as a mom. I can be quick to figure out distractions, willing to spontaneously sing and dance just about anywhere, and make for an excellent conversationalist with a toddler.
However, like anyone else, there are also things that I am not so hot at; aspects of my personality that I loathe to admit.
But let’s be honest, I am forgetful.
More than just a little bit.
And as my son has gotten older and entered the realm of school schedules, snack days, and parent volunteering, it has become painfully obvious that I am going to need to change my ways if we are to survive.
A few weeks back, I completely spaced Picture Day. I blithely flip flopped into my son’s classroom and stared in confusion as a rainbow of ribbons, bows, and collared shirts swarmed in front of me. The head teacher, upon seeing my son’s uncombed hair and stained shirt, came over to me, shook her head, and said quietly, “You forgot, didn’t you?”
Before I could come up with some sort of amazing white lie about how my family and I had volunteered in a soup kitchen that morning and simply did not have time to be bothered with such insignificant details, she walked over to the sink, got her hand wet, and proceeded to pat down my boy’s hair.
Giancarlo didn’t exactly look like this kid, but I suppose he wasn’t far off either.
Since the Picture Day debacle, I vowed to change my ways.
For Halloween, I got up early, dressed my boy in his racecar costume, and headed out. I even had the Jell-O Halloween treats cut out in the shape of ghosts, bats, and pumpkins.
I was the embodiment of Martha Stewart perfection.
My “good things” high was in full effect until we arrived at the school parking lot and got out of the car. As I looked around, my stomach dropped. WTF? Why was my son the only one dressed in costume?
Upon seeing his classmates, Giancarlo asked the same question almost immediately. “Mama, why isn’t anyone wearing their costume?”
In my mind, I was shouting, “No, no, no, no.” However, I just smiled, and said, “You’re just more festive than everyone else, baby. That makes you special.”
It turns out that I had gotten the day right, just not the time. Rather than coming to school dressed up, the kids were supposed to bring their costume and change later in the day.
Giancarlo seemed to buy my “it’s fun to be different” line. The other kids in his class thought his costume was super cool and swarmed him immediately upon making an entrance. He beamed with pride.
I just dropped off the Jell-O cut-outs and ran.
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Tribute Tuesday is taking a bit of a hiatus today. Kacey and I are busy re-evaluating the future of the carnival. Apologies to anyone who came here looking for it.
Oh no! So why wasn’t everyone else dressed up?? Do they just not do it at his school?
I am paranoid that I will forget things like that.. but I think I worry about it so much that I usually remember.
Emmy´s last blog ..The Miracles in Our Lives
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But at least you made cut-outs! That’ll save any kid from embarrasment if his mom brought those:)
Barbara´s last blog ..Random Randomness
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Those jello cut-outs are awesome! But you have to finish this story–why wasn’t anyone else dressed up??
Great news–your blog is finally updating correctly in my blog list. Yay!
Lolli @ Better in Bulk´s last blog ..Shine
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I can NOT believe those jello molds!! How do you even get them out!? You ARE mom of the year! Musta been a slow lifetime week.
KK´s last blog ..‘nuf said
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thats sorta my fear… that whenever i decide to have kids.. that i’ll be so spaced out that my kids will ask to exchange their mother for another.. for real.. it crosses me mind.. lol
but you are wonderful.. and they know it too.. you keep them safe, happy, and well… i don’t think they could ask for anything more!!!
Randi´s last blog ..Smelling So Good
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I truly think life was better when they just went to school swinging their little books like in Little House on the Prairie. I resent the mother race but it is so hard not to enter it!
debbie´s last blog ..Permanence
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Well, what fun is that?!?
Yeah, and I’m pretty much only posting once a week. Ever since my schedule change in the summer, I’ve been in a slump. I will have a new post tomorrow!
Kristina P.´s last blog ..Gaga for Kermit
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I love the halloween jellos!! So cool! None of the moms are perfect – only they don’t tell each other! LOL
Typ0´s last blog ..Naked Disappointment
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Well, as you know, I am basing my parenting style on yours so when I become a mother I will definitely send my child to school in a racecar costume. But I will one-up ya and send him every day in that costume. Oh, and I’ll send my kids to school without a coat, I hear they get free school lunch that way.
Pooba´s last blog ..I Guess I Want To Stay Alive
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Hayden’ being in Kindergarten is killing. I am so unorganized and forgetful that its a joke. So I spent the weekend organizing and trying to come up with a way for him to get his stuff done. Trouble is now I can’t find anything and I am pretty sure that I am forgetting something. *sigh*
Jen @ buried with children´s last blog ..The Smile Maker 2000
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Lol!! It’s good to be different, right?
Yaya´s last blog ..The UPside Of Adoption and a Favor
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I think it’s lame, lame, lame that they changed into their costumes. YOU did it right. The rest of them just suck.
Scary Mommy´s last blog ..I was robbed. ROBBED, I tell you!
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You know some schools don’t let the kids celebrate Halloween at all..just imagine the disaster had you brought all your Halloween items only to be turned away completely!
Mama Kat´s last blog ..Foster Friends: Meet Harry
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Well at least you got the right DAY! And – inadvertant though it may have been – you made Giancarlo a superstar. I’d say that’s a GOOD-mom day.
Rita/Fighting Off Frumpy´s last blog ..What is "It?"
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Ha! You think that’s bad? I have a friend that sent her kid to school in her jammies, thinking it was pajama day. WRONG DAY! Poor kid!
Justine
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Justine´s last blog ..Sterling Petty Blojo
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Way to bow out with perfect grace : ) YAY for you!
Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..Sometimes I have to pinch myself…
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We don’t get to wear costumes to school – boo! Your jello treats totally rock and I think it’s way cooler that your son got to enjoy more time in his costume.
Jen@ODBT´s last blog ..out of the mouths of babes
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ha ha ha.
i would never peg you as forgetful.
Ever.
angie´s last blog ..Hip Hop Bling
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LOL, this post made me smile!!!
That would totally be me too!
Alicia´s last blog ..EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
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Now that is the kind of Motherhood Hall of Fame I could totally be in! ;o)
Lady of Perpetual Chaos´s last blog ..Giveaways Galore!
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What the hell is wrong with those people? Don’t they know children are supposed to wear their costumes for a month up to and including Halloween so we can get our money’s worth?? Idiots.
Peaches´s last blog ..Trophy Girl.
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Running. Running is good. ;D So glad he was able to be in the spotlight with his cool costume instead of being like everyone else. Who wants to be like everyone else anyways? Yeah. ;D
Kacey R´s last blog ..{Closet Organization 101}
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I was going to join in today… I was coming over to see what the topic was.. Oh well..
Amy´s last blog ..Last Day……
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I have tears in my eyes from laughing…I can picture every bit of this!
You are wonderfully resourceful and your writing is amazing!
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I have no doubt that I will be screwing up frequently. Ah ha ha
Kristin´s last blog ..Anthropologie at Bargain Prices!
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Just use the same excuse I do…”hey, I’m a newbie….I’m still learning”. The other parents seem to cut me a break…so does the teacher! I’m always the one mom in sweats, no make-up, hair pulled back in a ponytail who drops the kids off and makes a mad dash back to the car, with the little twins in tow…too embarrassed to stay behind and chat with the other parents, who seem to linger after dropping their kids off, as if they have nothing else to do that day.
Sorry this seems to have turned into a vent for me!!!
The jello cut-outs were awesome!!! And the nice thing about Giancarlo wearing his costume earlier than the other kids is he got some awesome undivided attention!
Helene´s last blog ..Potty Training 101, according to a toddler….
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At least at that age, they don’t laugh at differences. They still think they’re cool!
blueviolet´s last blog ..Did I Ever Tell You About Our Restaurant?
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I love the hair! Freaky!
Puna´s last blog ..Lightroom Beta Version
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This jello cut-outs are so ridiculously awesome.
And I completely relate to how you felt showing up with your son in costume. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven my daughters to school only to find the entire parking lot empty because the school is closed for some kind of teacher day. At least you got to leave your son at school. It sucks having to bring them back home!
ck´s last blog ..just in case
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I think it’s wonderful he wore his costume all day! How festive!
Blond Duck´s last blog ..The Old House on Elm Street 10
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Oh honey, I have totally been there. At the time it is not so funny but later we just have to laugh at ourselves or we will cry, right?
JenniferG´s last blog ..Listen Up, Hollywood!
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Don’t feel bad. It could be worse. You could have forgotten the Jello. Too many things to think about and not enough time. I’m glad you are human and not the total embodiment of Martha Stewart.
Jen´s last blog ..From Blog To Book Deal
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Oh I have to give you kudos for the “fun to be different” line! Awesome.
So glad it all worked out
The Jell-O cut outs are awesome!
Momisodes´s last blog ..You spin me right round
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