Spider has had a runny nose for what seems like three weeks now.  Finally last Thursday she got goopy eyes too.  It was pretty miserable in the usual way– she woke up a lot, was clingy, and we couldn’t go anywhere lest she LEAVE A TRAIL OF DISEASE.  But really, she just had a cold right?  Why take her to the doctor? 

I hate going to the doctor so I can pay $20 to have an expert tell me everything is fine.

So, we never went.  She seemed much better a week later– on the mend, but not fully recovered, so I was feeling all right and seeing an end in sight.  

And then her brother, the well child, comes home screaming about his ear.  Now, Engineer cries a lot, let’s be clear about that.  But not non-stop, uncontrollably for 45 minutes while grabbing his ear and saying that it hurts.  Appointments were made immediately.

After Engineer told the doctor he did not want any shots and that she should inform the rest of the staff of his request, it was determined that he had an ear infection.  On a whim I asked our pediatrician to take a peek at Spider.  The quick diagnosis was pink eye AND an ear infection.

Good thing the boy got sick, eh?

So then I was really feeling bad about exposing some other kids to her illness when I thought she was on the way to recovery.  And one of the preschool parents was like, no big, whatev, and another parent looks at me and goes, "Oh, I am going to be SO mad if my daughter gets pink eye."

After the stab to the heart, I was like, really?

Her daughter must have never had it before, as I might have felt that same way had I never experienced it.  I mean it sounds all nasty and scary, and it’s fairly contagious and gross, but when it comes down to it, it’s kind of like a glorified cold. Only you wake up and can’t necessarily open your eyes due to the goops sealing them shut.  (Nothing a warm washcloth can’t remedy!)

I just think of all the illnesses to get ticked about, pink eye doesn’t really make the list.  I would much rather have my kids have a case of "the EYE" than a case of "the VOMIT".  And I guess that’s the moral of this post for all you parents out there who are going to be "so mad"–Miss Stephanie say: Fear the pukes, be chill about the pink eye.  (Just wash your hands and keep your fingers out of your corneas.)

And don’t borrow my two year old’s mascara.

The art project today was a gingerbread journal.  The supplies were paper, cookie stickers and a gingerbread man pattern.  I decided to participate with the children because we had extra and I like doing preschool crafts there was nothing better to do.

What resulted is what follows.  I cannot stop laughing at myself and my creation, and yet it porbably isn’t funny to anyone else.

I tried to make her look like she was still looking at the cookie.  Don’t know how well I did.  Am I such a nerd?  Happy Gingergreading! 

I’ve not been blogging in a while.  I am pretty busy– if you didn’t know I have added "preschool teacher" to my hat rack.  And so I present to you the knowledge I am gleaning from this experience.

Question:

Dear Miss Stephanie,

My kid scissors keep disappearing.  How can I find them?

-Cutless in Chicago

Dear Cutless,

Put the remaing scissors up high and out of the sight of your children.  The people will soon need to cut things, and the missing scissors will mysteriously reappear.  Put these away promptly until all the lost pairs are found.

Miss Stephanie 

Question:

Dear Miss Stephanie,

I am thinking about starting a preschool, because I already have a million other things going on in my life and totally want to add one more thing.  What is your best advice on this matter?

Kind of Crazy in the Suburbs

Dear You-will-want-to-stab-yourself,

Don’t.

Miss Stephanie 

How far would you go for a great deal?

I drove 20 minutes the other night to go gorcery shopping at Albertsons even though the church is only three minutes away.  I couldn’t help myself.  It was the big Quaker ten for ten sale.  But driving there, I kept thinking, "gee this is really far, am I really saving that much money?  Will the cost of the gas justify the savings?"

I spent $74 and saved $78. My pantry is stocked full of useful things.  I drove a total of 40 minutes, was in the store for less than 30 (kidless, yay!) and my name brand cereal was only one dollar per box.

But the driving!  Living in this new place, I find that I must drive at least twenty minutes to get most places.  It only takes me about two or three minutes to get anywhere in the town, which is great, but the town is small.  There is a lot here considering the size, but not everything I need or want. 

I’ve been getting depressed lately because Engineer is not in Pre-School.  The cost of it here is so high, and there would still be some driving involved.  (Not to mention, not much enrollment space).  I toyed with the idea of sending him to a local co-op (three minutes away!) where I would have to find a sitter for my girls and help out once a week and still pay $100 a month, but canned it because of the sacrifice involved.  But as I explored other less expensive options, I took into account the driving, and now I think he’s going to the co-op.

I want him in school so badly, for his sake and mine, that I am willing to do a little more than I might normally.  And I really don’t want to drive 2-3 hours a week so he can go.

And yet, once our house sells, I am willing to drive Sugar 20 minutes to gymnastics because she is gifted in the sport and it is soooo good for her. 

It’s funny the things I am willing to do and those I am not.  The trade-offs I make.  I think the twenty minute drive to the Alby’s was worth it.  But I am still looking to see if there is a store closer.