Life with Lotus Maria and Lucian Stone

Lotus started kindergarten two weeks ago and it's no surprise that she is loving it. Her teacher seems lovely and her classmates are all adorable. We purposely moved into a neighborhood that had a great neighborhood public school and we have had a great time joining this community and being part of the neighborhood parade that walks their kids to and from school everyday.

And though we live in a broke city in a broke state (Thanks to both Mayor Dellums and Gov. Schwarzenegger... see I am bi-partisan) the school has managed to keep most if not all of the services that have been cut from the school district's budget through an impressive and driven PTA that raises over a quarter a million dollars a year. I feel lucky that so many dedicated parents and faculty that are keeping Crocker Highlands great even if the State of California is negligent is caring and educating for our future generations. Though it can't help but make me sad and mad at other neighborhoods that don't have a PTA that has the time, skill set and ability to draw up elaborate budgets, fund raise, create employment contracts, hire and fire staff, etc. I am glad that my precocious daughter has an environment that will set her up for success, but how many other precocious children will have unnecessary struggles because we as a society think it's acceptable to continue to make cuts to public education.

Also on the eve of Lotus's 5th birthday I am reflecting on the path she did not travel. Lotus's favorite thing this week was checking books out the library and I wondered if she would ever have had that opportunity is she stayed in Guatemala, in foster care or an orphanage. As I have mentioned many times Lotus attacks every opportunity with gusto and I am so honored that we have the ability to offer up these opportunities to Lotus. Obviously there is no telling is Lotus's life is better with us and it's not my place to make that assumption, but I do know it's different.



Speaking of attacking things with gusto. If somehow Lucian survives his early years with out a broken bone I will be SHOCKED! My little man climbs, jumps and runs with kids 5 times his age, all with a huge smile on his face. Tonight there was a spaghetti feed at Lotus's elementary school and if there was a pack of older kids playing basketball Lucian wanted to be in the center of it. If there were 2nd graders climbing on the monkey bars he was trying to reach them and he must of fallen on the blacktop a dozen times and leaped up each time laughing maniacally. He's 16 months old for christ sake?!?! I'm going to need anti-anxiety medication soon!