Sunday, September 29, 2013

The end of cable ... and TV watching

Slightly dramatic title, but this is a big moment for my TV watching experience.

We finally did it, cut the cord (not literally, but kind of) and have about 5 channels. WHAT is that?? After a year (or more) of discussing costs & amount of TV we watch, we downgraded cable package to Basic. Ironically enough, the real catalyst was Comcast cutting off the DVR. I guess we'd had a special deal & it had expired (another reason we procrastinated, "we have the special, let's ride it out!") so no more services. No warning, no communication, nothing! I also got a bill for $120 and I said "I'm not paying this much money for NOTHING!" (that's how I perceive life without DVR).

We also had bought a Roku MONTHS ago, but hadn't hooked it up - also our former TV was 8 years old so I guess too old to work with a newer gadget. I'm not sure exactly what a Roku means, but it allows streaming with these various services (you pay a monthly fee) like Netflix, HuluPlus, Crackle. I don't know. Now I rarely watch TV unless Jai or Julia are around because I don't know how to operate the new equipment either. They do - of course!

If Julia is around, we're watching PBS Kids anyway so I might as well not be watching TV. : ) I'm glad she's watching quality TV, but it's not my choice for TV. I'm sure I'll start to experiment & practice, but for now, I'm watching less TV. Good thing since I have camping & PTO committee work & work-work! : )

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Update on Julia's school

If you haven't read previous posts, we decided for Julia to attend her zoned school, Inglewood ES. On paper (or internet) IES' scores are low. Most people who were in ENCORE & elsewhere ask us why we have her there. I get emotional as I write this part.  I love my children & I want the best for them like all parents.  I am a MNPS graduate K-12  - attended K-6 at Glendale ES in the '70s before Spanish Immersion.

Also as an employee, I want my children to attend MNPS schools, especially necessary on 1 income. : ) We believe in neighborhood schools & being close to home. I drive 11 miles to work one way so it's also practical. The "morning grind" is hard enough without adding more miles - Jai & girls are late at least once a week & they're going 1 MILE!! I don't know what is going to happen later, but we decided to be involved in her school - I feel like that's how I can contribute.
I'm a PTO committee chair now - how did that happen already! Also we all have IES shirts, even Jac!

We like the school, teachers are great, so friendly; it's a beautiful, clean, BIG building, & it's small (around 300 students). Julia has adjusted well, doesn't stand out as younger. She gets along with others, talks about friends - we check in with her every day about what happens at school. Her teacher modifies her work appropriately - excellently actually - from day 1. Her handwriting continues to improve daily. : )

Last week was Open House/PTO & it was fantastic! HUGE crowd - impressive! 
Also much more diverse than I expected - the stats on MNPS website for many schools are OLD. There are/were moments when I'm uncomfortable or dislike what I see from other parents - I'm a middle class biracial woman. I'll be the first to admit, well, my husband tells me to admit, I'm a snob. : )

At Open House we met parents of another K student in ENCORE (not zoned for IES either!) who want to be involved with PTO. Yeah, I think we have a K parent rep for PTO. Then yesterday Julia told me there's another K student in ENCORE. WHAT!!! Are you kidding me? When we had Julia's eligibility/IEP meeting in April, they'd never had this situation.

If you are zoned for Inglewood ES & not sure, please consider coming. Join us & be part of this amazing change that's happening there! Everyone's situation & choice are individual & unique - you have to make best decision for YOUR family! 

However, I really want Stratford cluster to be the best school option for our kids! I realized that we're going to be at IES for 8 years because of Jac's age, probably the same for Litton MS & Stratford HS. I like to be involved in community stuff anyway; also we're helping children whose parents don't have skills and/or resources.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Sweet Moment

Lately I've been staying up late - mainly working on camping coordination (made EAC blog), also I'm now chair of PTO committee at Julia's school. When I go upstairs to bed, the girls are always asleep. I check on them & then turn off lamp by Julia's bed. Lately I have felt particularly emotional as I look at them, especially Jacqueline, but they're both so adorable. OMG!

So peaceful in sleep, too. Quiet after the crazy running around, talking, loudness that is these 2 girls all day! It probably is because this week we've altered bedtime routine a bit. No nursing for Jac so Jai starts the process with her, I'm with Julia. I'm glad for more time with Julia too. It's been different, she seems OK, hasn't called/cried for me. Jac also loves saying "night, night" with a big smile/grin so that seems like a good distraction.

She's 20 months old, weaning is not that unusual, 6 months longer than I nursed Julia, but this is it. No more kiddos, no more breastfeeding. I am glad we're doing it the 2 weeks before Fall Break. We'll all be traveling - I'll be in Phoenix, Jai & girls in Chicago. This is the first time for me to be away from Jac, longest I've ever been away from Julia, longest I've been away from Jai in 5 years! I'm excited though - I haven't had a sister trip in 2 years & I was pregnant so not the same! PHX here I come! : )