Accepted or Rejected?

Today is the big day. The day the school of our choice sends out a letter that will change the course of our daughter’s life. Forever. We have sent in all of the paperwork including application, teacher’s letters of recommendation, report cards and financial aid forms. We visited the school on numerous occasions. Attended the various Open Houses. Shook hands and smiled a lot at the meet and greets. And divluged out our inner most secrets at the parent interview. Our daughter did both small AND large group assessment. We’ve gone to the question and answer sessions with the faculty. We’ve toured the campus with current students as our guides. And most recently we attended a Diversity Breakfast. Now we play the waiting game… to see if all of our time, energy and hard work will pay off. No, our daughter isn’t a high school senior trying to get into Harvard or Yale, she’s 4 and we are trying to get her into private school Kindergarten in Los Angeles.

To some this process sounds bit absurd for a preschool child, but to parents of children that live within the LAUSD borders it sounds all too familiar. Our neighborhood school is (to put it nicely) less than desirable, and even though we live in a great area, there are good and not so good pockets on every other street in Los Angeles. If our daughter does not get into this private school, and we do not get picked in the various lotteries of other excellent local charter/magnet schools that we have applied to, we will be forced to move. We feel it is our only option, and last resort.

I grew up and went to school in Burbank where they have their own excellent school district so all of this is new to me. There was never a question about what school I would attend. Private school was never even a thought in my mother’s head. I mean why on earth would you pay for your child to go to school? We lived in a house across the street from a great elementary school, so we went there. After graduation, we went to corresponding middle school, and then high school. They were all good schools, and I had a great learning experience with excellent opportunities. I will accept nothing less for my own child.

So for the next few days forgive me if I seem on edge. I AM ON EDGE. I’m also distracted and nervous, which when blended all together, make a really lovely combo. Just ask my husband. The last few months have all been leading up to this moment, this one little letter of acceptance or rejection for our four year old.

A Medieval Night to Remember

Taylar turned 14 last week, and we went to Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament to celebrate.

It was was opening night of the all new show, and we were excited to be attending. I hadn't been there since before we had Kaia, and they've made a lot of changes since then. It's now a 2 hour show filled with more Rivalry and more Revelry! The lighting and the colors throughout were really vibrant, and helped bring the castle-inspired arena to life. There is more jousting, sword fights and horsemanship then ever before. And who says chivalry is dead, Taylar caught one of the flowers tossed by our Yellow Knight, which she immediately had to hand over to Kaia. (little sisters can be such a pain) They've enhanced menu options too, but still no silverware! They start you off with a hot cauldron of "Dragon Soup." (Tomato Bisque) The main course immediately follows with warm focaccia bread, oven roasted chicken, a spare rib and large herb potato wedges. (They also have a vegetarian option.) For dessert it's an apple pastry, pleasantly served warm. It was delicious especially with my decaf coffee. All of us (except my husband) took home to-go containers because it was a lot of food.

The most important thing to me is my family and I love making new memories with them, even more so on birthdays and special occasions. Last night was one of those knights (pun intended) for us. We were happy to make our daughter's 14th birthday a memorable one. Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is a unique Los Angeles experience that takes you back in time, when Kings and Queens ruled, and knights were the thing to be. Thank you Medieval Times for allowing us to enjoy all of the new action, and excitement!

For more coverage on opening night, go check out my sister Becky's blog www.HappyHourMom.blogspot.com.
And see my "Fresh Tips" below on how to make the most out of your night.

Fresh Tips:

• Get there early and/or stay late. Before and after the show you can meet, greet and take photos with the cast. And moms, you do not want to miss your hand being kissed by one of these fine gentlemen. (Just ask my sister) Those knights sure are easy on the eyes! (I'm talking to you, Yellow Knight)

• Before the show make sure to visit the gift shoppe and purchase a flag for any of the younger members of your party. They cost next to nothing, but were priceless to us. Kaia was SO into the waving of the flags when it was our turn to cheer for our knight, she did it all the way home. (well half of the way, until she fell asleep in the car) FYI; the crowns are free!

• If you like, they will announce your special occasion over the loud speaker. Make sure to let them know ahead of time. It will make the birthday boy or girl feel that much more special when they hear their name spoken by the announcer (with Taylar turning 14, we were sworn to secrecy, and promised no funny birthday stuff - teenagers are no fun)

If you'd like to experience the adventure for yourself:

Medieval Times Website

Medieval Times Facebook

Medieval Times Twitter

Or simply call 1-888-WE-JOUST

Disclosure: I was not paid for this post. I was given passes for me and my family to attend a media preview. The opinions on this blog are 100% mine and 100% fresh!

Building Strong Families With Milk!

I think as a mother, one of the main goals that we all have in common is our desire to raise healthy children. So when I got called to learn more about BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES with some help from an old friend. I knew it was a priority. I've got 4 children & the amount of food & beverages we go through in my house would shock most people. Add in the fact that 2 are teenage boys & you get an idea of my pain. LOL. We drink MILK, lots & lots of MILK. It's one of those things that as a mom, is a no-brainer. I know MILK is good for my kids, & I feel good about always having it available in my home. My toddler even calls it her "Special Milk". And actually it really is special. "Milk offers more nutrition in every glass for your dollar than virtually any other beverage." That is like music to my mommy-on-a-budget ears.



The newest Celebrity to "Sport the Stash" is new mother REBECCA ROMIJN. (Who is even more stunning in person, if that's even possible.) She attended this very SPECIAL EVENT at the W HOTEL In Los Angeles to promote the new campaign GREAT GALLON GIVE. Crossing the country to give away hundreds of thousands of gallons of free milk (more than 3 million servings!) to celebrate moms and help raise awareness of the important role milk plays in building strong families. My family got 2! (I think they took one look at the size of my boys & took pity on me!)



So thank you to the Got Milk? people for taking the time out & really listening to us moms.
For treating us to a good time, where our family bonded over a healthy meal & fun winter activity.
For stocking our refridgerators.
For understanding how important it is to provide nutrition to our most precious possessions.
For also realizing how in this economy, we need things to be affordable.



Wanna know how, you can help other Moms build Strong Families too?
For every virtual gallon of MILK passed on FACEBOOK $1 will go to FEEDING AMERICA to help families in need.



And to get your own FREE GALLON of MILK, & even the chance to win FREE MILK for a year!

Want more Milk Stories, Go to HAPPY HOUR MOM, BERN-BABY-BERN & MOTHER MAY I to see how other mothers are partnering with MILK.



PASS THE MILK, PASS THE GALLON! And let's help build Strong Families together!

National Mom's Nite Out

Last Thursday May 7th, 2009 was a very special day for myself as well as Mother's all over the country!! It was (the first ever) National Mom's Nite Out!!! Being that I live in Los Angeles, I got to attend the one in, you guessed it, L.A.!! I saw this as a great opportunity to get out of the house, hang with some new faces. New adult faces! Which is a BIG deal to a SAHM/WAHM. I can't wait until next year!!! FYI: I heard about this exciting night on Twittermoms, which has been my new favorite site, as of late.



So, I got dressed up, grabbed a girlfriend, brought diapers (for a good cause), hopped into the car & drove to The Mint in LA. Upon arrival I got a drink, ate some goodies, met, chatted & networked. I laughed & commiserated, Blogged, Tweeted & Facebooked all about what a fun time it was!!!



There is something empowering & intimidating about being in a room, or a dimly lit club with a bunch of kick-ass Mom Bloggers.
Some of the Cool Moms who attended:
Twittermoms, Megan Calhoun.
The Go-To Mom, Kimberley Clayton Blaine. (She was our lovely MC)
Truu Confessions, Romi Lassally.
Intent.com, Mallika Chopra.
White Trash Mom
The Smart Mama.
Bizzie Mommy
Rockin' Mama
And the main sponsor for the evening was The Pump Station.



Some of the Highlights of the night for me:
I won the first raffle prize of the evening, a Book The Ultimate Mom by Maria Bailey.
The swag bag of goodies that we got to take home at the end of the night!
The Cupcakes!

Lowlight of the night for me:
After speaking with a woman for a short period of time, later in the night, she comes up to me & says... "I didn't know you were expecting!"
BTW... I'M NOT!!!!! Ouch!
Have another cupcake, preggers!!