Random Thoughts on a Tuesday

We had this tree frog that hung out on the outside of the kitchen window every night most all summer.  I took this shot in early July after it was evident he was a regular.  He would show up after dark and go for the bugs that were drawn to the kitchen light.  It was entertaining for us to watch from the underneath side, and crazy as this is, he was here so dependably that now I am worried because he hasn’t shown up for four nights.  Yes, I’m counting.  He brought a friend his second to last night so I’m telling myself he is just busy off preparing a happy home under our deck for his new frog family. 

Our teachers have issued an intent to strike and we start school in eight days.  I fully back the teachers and the biggest issue with the proposed contract is the district’s taking away the current class size limits.  The teachers do not want that and I can’t imagine any parent does.  Scary territory.  Yes, there is a lack of money as anyone living in Illinois knows, but geez, when you see the perfectly manicured school lawns being watered daily while we are under a mandatory water conservation order due to the drought, it’s hard to think they are acting like a district hurting for money, or a district even caring about the community.  There’s more to it with other issues, and unfortunately they all directly impact every one of my kids.  And this is making me feel upset because one thing we always felt good about living here was the quality of the schools.  The district communication, which is all the one-sided local newspaper reports, makes it appear that the teachers are holding out for more money and unwilling to negotiate which is not true.  I just hate all of this happening. 

Yesterday the three kids whose lives are not tied to band camp (Miss you, Jack!) and I stopped by Target to get a few school supplies and things I needed.  Caroline was carrying around her purse with birthday money inside and begged to be able to buy this dern Blizzard maker that the box makes look like the most fabulous thing in town.  I resisted, explaining it wasn’t worth the $20, trust me, kid, you’re better off putting it in the bank.  And then she said, “but you never let me spend my own money.”  Which is true.  I usually make them put it into their savings account and the only time they get toys is for a birthday or Christmas.  They get no allowance and really have no choice/voice in choosing things they would like to choose.  So I allowed it.  Today it’s Blizzards for breakfast and so far we’ve learned about ice and salt’s chemical reaction and the manual labor it takes to crank the precisely measured 3/4 cup of half and half with the Blizzard mix and how little Blizzard is actually produced.