My teacher privately set me aside and told me how proud she was of my progress and was sad to learn I might not stick around. It made me rethink quitting. Yes, I am moving in five months. No, I am not excited about the Francophone world. I have surpassed my language knowledge in all other touched upon languages in my life and I can speak in present, future, and past. That is almost like being a normal person. I have already paid through June. Should I do it? I want to and at the same time I miss having free time. It is hard for Seth and I to make it work.
This past weekend Stella had a class Christmas party at our home. We were glad she told us about before they showed up. She made invitations all by herself and invited 8 kids from school. They made gingerbread (graham crackers) houses and bounced on the bouncy castle. It was a blast and it is good to see Stella branching out and making friends with kids from all over the world. I am also to see my little one representing our country (she is one of two Americans in her class of 23).
Secretary Clinton came this last week. It was a big deal and Seth was in charge of a few things for her trip so last week was busy. We had an opportunity to meet her and have the kids take a picture. However, to do so meant having the kids wait for 1.5 hours, I would have had to pull Stella out of kindergarten, and it was at a bad time since the event was at lunchtime, one of three, prime cranky Tiger times.
I milled about this decisions, to meet and greet for a photo or to not. It made me think a lot about what I wait for and who. Now if it were just me. I have no problem waiting for people and things. The amount of time I spend waiting outside the bathroom door while Tiger takes care of things is immeasurable. However, my kids and waiting? They are still learning how to do that. I doubted that this was the time to teach it to them.
I told Stella who Secretary Clinton was and asked her if she would like to meet her. Her reply was, "Okay, as long as she is not dressed in one of those giant animal costumes that are scary....like the Easter bunny or something." Clearly, her importance was missed in my speech to Stella. Next time I will make a video slide show set to music.
Then I had to be honest with myself, was there anyone on this planet that was worth waiting 1.5 hours when you are 3 and 5, to get a photo? I went through a quick list of potentials:
- Mickey Mouse---no
- Santa Clause---no
- Hollywood celebrity---couldn't think of a one, and no
- God---yes, and this was the only yes.
Maybe I will one day live to regret it. Right now I am feeling okay about it. What do you think? Is there anyone worth waiting 1.5 hours for for a photo? At what age is a 1.5 hour wait not a big deal? It is still a big deal for the littles.
6 comments:
Easter bunny? Okay that's hilarious.
My youngest is 5. I'm thinking we might be able to hack that sort of wait now. Maybe, with lots of stuff loaded on the ipad. I remember thinking once that the hour and ten minute time for church was inspired because my kids would always start losing it at one hour and 11 minutes when things went over. Not sure these days. I ditched my hubby last stake conference to go translate. He only looked sort of manhandled when I saw him again. So maybe we can hack an hour and a half now? No idea. I think that with little guys though, sometimes it's worth it to skip stuff. Good call. Like you said, maybe in a few years when they can appreciate more what is going on.
Oh and the impromptu party, love it! i have to meet this kid of yours. She sounds awesome!
We skipped seeing President Obama in Cairo way back when, but the youngest was 4 or 5-ish and it would have involved a long bus ride in Cairo heat, a long boring wait, and then another long bus ride. It would have been wonderful to go, but they would have been miserable. I think when the kid is old enough to ask to go, they are old enough to understand the wait. At 9 & 11 I think both would be very pleased to do so now. btw, mine were leery of those giant fur people too (can't say I blame them!)
When she came here, I asked the kids if they wanted to go see Hilary Clinton or go to the pool. They chose the pool, and everyone had a much more relaxing afternoon.
Good choice Sunny. (this is rebecca)
http://smylie.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/hillary-clinton-and-jason-come-to-town/
We never got a photo with the kids and Bernake and looking back it would have been cool, but I don't regret it. Not really the same as you're photo op, but still I think you made a good choice.
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