The past few weeks have been driving me crazy with all kinds of assignments and project works that sonny boy is getting home. Some we do out of passion, some out of compulsion. So, this one for valentine's day!!! Just don't get me started. I started anyway, so bear with my rant.
Drama : Valentine's Day 2013!
Scene 1:
The class teacher gave him a sheet with names of all the kids in his class. He had to write a line of compliment about each one of them. Now, there is some purpose/logic/reason or some crap behind this assignment. His expressions can't be explained. "Amma, what shall I write?" I hate some people in my class. He has been lectured enough not to use the hate word. He bites his tongue off and says, "I don't like this girl A in my class. No one likes her. What can I write about her?" He tried his best and wrote one good character about each of them. Finally, he was left with four names. He kept it pending till the day of submission and scribbled something in the last minute.
Scene 2: Project
Each kid had to make a box no bigger than 12" and the opening should be at least 5" by 2"; to carry the valentines given by all the kids in the class. Before I finish scratching off my head, the creative genius in me decides to go with a shoe box.
As if I am going to save million, I show all my misery and get only one piece of square craft paper which is 12" X 12" to wrap the box. I read the instructions sheet again only to find that we could make it 12" in size. And mind you, the project is for kids, not parents. You should just help them. Sigh!! We discover the craft paper is too small to cover the shoe box.
I make another round to the craft store the next day and bring two more sheets. Problem one solved. So, with what and how is he going to decorate the box with? Wise mom that I am, I made sure not to take him to the store so that he wouldn't make me buy the entire store. I give him a call and ask, "Baby, are you okay if I get you heart shape stickers?" Sonny: "OH NO Amma!! It doesn't have to be hearts. I already told you I am going to decorate it with 49ers. So, get me 49ers stickers". I lie as naturally as I can. "Sorry, Rushi. They don't have any more 49ers stickers in the store. I asked them". Don't make a face now. All moms do it.
"Shall I get you stickers of all kinds of balls?" Poor fella says, "Oh Fine! Whatever just get them. Don't bring any girls stuff. OKAY?" And followed by a bunch of other warnings, he hangs off the phone.
Scene 3:
Okay, we are done collecting material to make the box, right? So, don't we have to give valentines to the other classmates? You like or hate, doesn't matter, dude. You just have to give them. Mommy dear (Yours truly) makes a trip to the nearest store. They don't have any..what the ...? Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and my son need gifts. My next hop is Wal-Mart. And the damn parking lot is so full. I bet I could have got a spot easily on Black Friday, but not the day before Valentine's Day. I directly zoom to the kids' valentine's gifts aisle only to find they had nothing but packs of pencils. Those too princess and all other girly cartoons. After digging deep in the already empty racks, I manage to find one pack of pencils that could be treated/considered as boys' stuff.
Does this mean that there is more boy population than girl population? Why only girls’ gifts are left unsold? Why are the boys' gifts out of stock? What happens to uni-sex kids? Don't they have any choice?
There are 32 kids in his class and I need two packs. I call Sonny to ask how many girls are in his class and off he goes. "15 girls, may be 16. But why?" Well, there is only one pack of pencils for boys; so, I will get another pack of princess pencils for girls."Ammmaaa...Do you remember? last year I gave spider man cards to everyone? This year also, I will give the same card type to all. I don't want any girls' stuff". What irks me is this boy, girl segregation. Kids are kids. Why can't boys accept and wear pink? Girls are wearing blue right? "Amma, why did you go to Wal-Mart at all? You should have gone to XXX store or Target. Now, go there and get some cards for me. I also need candy." It was my turn to clench my fist and grunt my teeth. Trying to put a tank of ice on my boiled blood, I try to reason with him.
The water in the Folsom Lake and Dam is readily accumulated in the tear ducts of this drama queen. You just have to puncture it little bit and it will start flooding. The sequence of dialogues that follow. “Okay fine, I am not going to give any cards this year". Too much build up as though he is sacrificing his food for a week. Let me finish the story before you guys leave my blog. Some of you must have already left by now.
I went to the next suggested store and found a pack of 32 cards which had a spy game in it. We have an unexpected visitor for dinner. The guest is assigned the task of helping Sonny boy to write the names of the cards. I jump in to help them wrap it and paste (make him paste) the balls at different spots.
P.S: I know the Valentine's day has passed long time back, but I could finish the draft only today.
Drama : Valentine's Day 2013!
Scene 1:
The class teacher gave him a sheet with names of all the kids in his class. He had to write a line of compliment about each one of them. Now, there is some purpose/logic/reason or some crap behind this assignment. His expressions can't be explained. "Amma, what shall I write?" I hate some people in my class. He has been lectured enough not to use the hate word. He bites his tongue off and says, "I don't like this girl A in my class. No one likes her. What can I write about her?" He tried his best and wrote one good character about each of them. Finally, he was left with four names. He kept it pending till the day of submission and scribbled something in the last minute.
Scene 2: Project
Each kid had to make a box no bigger than 12" and the opening should be at least 5" by 2"; to carry the valentines given by all the kids in the class. Before I finish scratching off my head, the creative genius in me decides to go with a shoe box.
As if I am going to save million, I show all my misery and get only one piece of square craft paper which is 12" X 12" to wrap the box. I read the instructions sheet again only to find that we could make it 12" in size. And mind you, the project is for kids, not parents. You should just help them. Sigh!! We discover the craft paper is too small to cover the shoe box.
I make another round to the craft store the next day and bring two more sheets. Problem one solved. So, with what and how is he going to decorate the box with? Wise mom that I am, I made sure not to take him to the store so that he wouldn't make me buy the entire store. I give him a call and ask, "Baby, are you okay if I get you heart shape stickers?" Sonny: "OH NO Amma!! It doesn't have to be hearts. I already told you I am going to decorate it with 49ers. So, get me 49ers stickers". I lie as naturally as I can. "Sorry, Rushi. They don't have any more 49ers stickers in the store. I asked them". Don't make a face now. All moms do it.
"Shall I get you stickers of all kinds of balls?" Poor fella says, "Oh Fine! Whatever just get them. Don't bring any girls stuff. OKAY?" And followed by a bunch of other warnings, he hangs off the phone.
Scene 3:
Okay, we are done collecting material to make the box, right? So, don't we have to give valentines to the other classmates? You like or hate, doesn't matter, dude. You just have to give them. Mommy dear (Yours truly) makes a trip to the nearest store. They don't have any..what the ...? Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and my son need gifts. My next hop is Wal-Mart. And the damn parking lot is so full. I bet I could have got a spot easily on Black Friday, but not the day before Valentine's Day. I directly zoom to the kids' valentine's gifts aisle only to find they had nothing but packs of pencils. Those too princess and all other girly cartoons. After digging deep in the already empty racks, I manage to find one pack of pencils that could be treated/considered as boys' stuff.
Does this mean that there is more boy population than girl population? Why only girls’ gifts are left unsold? Why are the boys' gifts out of stock? What happens to uni-sex kids? Don't they have any choice?
There are 32 kids in his class and I need two packs. I call Sonny to ask how many girls are in his class and off he goes. "15 girls, may be 16. But why?" Well, there is only one pack of pencils for boys; so, I will get another pack of princess pencils for girls."Ammmaaa...Do you remember? last year I gave spider man cards to everyone? This year also, I will give the same card type to all. I don't want any girls' stuff". What irks me is this boy, girl segregation. Kids are kids. Why can't boys accept and wear pink? Girls are wearing blue right? "Amma, why did you go to Wal-Mart at all? You should have gone to XXX store or Target. Now, go there and get some cards for me. I also need candy." It was my turn to clench my fist and grunt my teeth. Trying to put a tank of ice on my boiled blood, I try to reason with him.
The water in the Folsom Lake and Dam is readily accumulated in the tear ducts of this drama queen. You just have to puncture it little bit and it will start flooding. The sequence of dialogues that follow. “Okay fine, I am not going to give any cards this year". Too much build up as though he is sacrificing his food for a week. Let me finish the story before you guys leave my blog. Some of you must have already left by now.
I went to the next suggested store and found a pack of 32 cards which had a spy game in it. We have an unexpected visitor for dinner. The guest is assigned the task of helping Sonny boy to write the names of the cards. I jump in to help them wrap it and paste (make him paste) the balls at different spots.
My sleepy eyed Valentine!
The box that didn't win any prizes!! :P
Posts
Haha tell me about it, I face this every year. THis year I was little good and bought the Valentine cards earlier. I got 32 Princess cards, SNigdha says boys don't like Princess. I said we don't buy separate cards for Girls and boys just give everyone what you like. Luckily this year I am saved as she did not argue much but next year I have to be ready.
ReplyDeleteHaritha dear, in front...crocodile festival. haha..be ready..I was so glad that Rushi doesn't have to do it from his 5th grade. But then I realised that it would start for Ammu. ufff!!
DeleteAha !Allergy to girl stuff already ?Look at hie cute cherubic face!
ReplyDeleteNow Latha don't complain ,you are getting a second round of schooling for free--no,no,not free!
The allergy is seasonal :P..let him tell me the same when he grows up, then I will be believe him :-) Oh yes, free education :-)
DeletePretty fed up with these kiddie projects. Feels like childhood has come back to haunt us!
ReplyDeleteI knoww... Don't worry dear, this is going to haunt our kids back. :PI enjoyed our childhood, man. Never had this type of projects. I am wondering now; if there was this assignment of writing compliments for everyone in the class, even one fellow also would never write good things about me.
DeleteHahaha! Poor you! But I must not laugh at you. Every dog has its day. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's like a good boy..you get it now...each dog has its day...and am waiting to read your stories :)
DeleteHmmm! These projects!! Phew!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat phew Jaish?? Vidyut is still a small kid..just wait till he grows up little bigger and it will be only phwess :D
Deleteoof!! I just hate this idea of kids celebrating Valentine's day and giving cards even to people they don't really like!! I don't know why this started!
ReplyDeleteAll drama, Roshni. In this country, everything is pure acting. You see, even on the day you are fired, the boss will come and say, "Oh dear..we will miss you a lot. Please feel free to ask for any references or we will keep an eye for new openings"...so training the kids to be better actors even after they grow up. ughhh!!!
DeleteThe box is really nice ... and projects, they just bite my head off most of the times.
ReplyDeleteAlready?? He just started honey..many more years to go :) btw, thank you for the compliment on the box :)
DeleteThe box looks real good! Good job done, Mommy! For a year now, I am free from these school projects, but dont worry, I am not out of practice. In his 3 months of vacations, Aaryan joined a vocabulary building workshop and everyday, I had to search newspapers for pictures and interesting stories/difficult words... And on top of that he would reject my efforts.. "This word is too easy, this is too difficult..." Kids! I tell you!!
ReplyDeleteUghhh...see that is what happens..I know we are supposed to enjoy while doing these projects right? But, no way. Lucky you, bach gayi..The box looks neat na..but he didn't get any prize. I already told him to decorate with hearts and all that stuff, but he wouldn't listen to me..jaane do..
DeleteThis sure sounds and looks good but to do it must be taxing. Seems like when you are a parent, you become a student all over again. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteIt was, Saru!! Sigh!!! we do become a student again :)
DeleteI enjoyed every word of your "great effort", Latha.Poor you..The box looks very attractive,but sad it did not fetch a prize. I was reminded of my days of 'making charts, and projects' for not only the children but also for the grand children.To top it all,when the project was given a prize ,they took the credit proudly.But if no prize was awarded, the comment used to be"Dadi, you made it." They took the bouquets and I was given brickbats. But all the same I loved it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Usha ji. I didn't take the pics from all sides..we made a heart shape on the top of the box with all the balls..:( Hahaha..kids are so.. :)
DeleteMommy-sonny pair did a great job with the box but it surely must be tedious to get it right just the way the child likes it to be. Too much work for the parents, I can see :(
ReplyDeleteEither put your kid in a school with no projects or a boarding school. However, his class teacher warned at the beginning of the school year that she won't give many projects. Luckily, she didn't :) Takes lot of time for working parents, Arti..:(
DeleteOh yes, they do say that the project must be done by the kids, not the parents :P What will the kids do? After everything you did, they will say, you didn't do it properly.
ReplyDeleteHa HA still laughing...was always reading your posts ...only couldn't comment :) Prudhvi...meeru eppudu ilage smiles spread chestu undandi :)
ReplyDeleteokay...chaduvutunna ani abhayam icharu kada..inka nenu rechipotanu :P Thank you, Sridevi.
DeleteBasically these school kids projects are test of creative genius of parents:)Do what you missed as a child now, Latha!
ReplyDeletelet me take back a sentence about me..I am not a creative soul anymore...hehe..ugh!!! I didn't miss anything Rahul sir...nothing at all..:)
Delete