I AM a responsible parent-REALLY!!!

Okay- it really takes a lot to offend me, but I found this letter very offensive. Chad brought it home to me today, December 1st. I am not only responsible, but I work for the district and know how important it is to clear absences AND I am a total rule follower. So- in case you can't read the letter- Here is a recap:

Chad was absent on Tuesday, September 23rd. Reminder- I got the letter on Monday, 12/1. It reads: It is the accepted practice in our district, as well as State required, to send a written note with your child when he or she returns to school, stating the exact reason for his or her absence.

Since we did not receive a note from you, will you please be so kind as to send one with your child tomorrow?

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter, knowing that it will make school procedure more effective. If you have any questions, please call the school office. For your convenience, see below.

REALLY?? Of course I have questions!! Is it accepted practice to inform your parents over 2 months after the absence and after the trimester has ended? AND if this is accepted practice, who knows about it? I have NEVER received a note from any of my students. Why have an attendance line to report absences if it is accept practice to send in a note when they return??

Let me tell you my response: Chad was sick, but I did call in to the attendance line and report the illness on the morning he was sick. I also had his work sent home with his younger brother. Is this accepted practice?

Accepted practice! Is this a new term? For the record, Chad has only been sick once this year and my other two children have perfect attendance.

Okay- now I feel better! I got it off my chest.

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas!

Here is a (crooked) picture of my tree BEFORE decorating it! I just got it tonight and I love it! About 5 years ago, I picked out my perfect tree. I was in LOVE! When we moved to Santa Clarita, our ceiling was too low for our tree. The first year, Steve taped the top section lower so it would fit. The second year we lived there, he CUT OFF the top of the tree!! To this day, he claims he lost his mind when he did that. Over the weekend, we went looking for trees and could not find one we liked. If we only had my very favorite tree (which I had to throw away by the way- you can't cut the top of a pre-lit tree- it involves wires and stuff). He admitted again that he was wrong to cut the tree (at least he admitted it). I think it has been on his mind because he called me at work today and told me that we had not checked Lowes or Home Depot. After work, he went to Home Depot, I went to Lowes. I found the tree- and the bonus was that it was 25% off and this was the last day of the sale!!! (I never get that lucky).
When I got home, he was putting up the lights (another story). When he was finished, we set up the tree. In all our excitement, we forgot about eating! At 7:30, we took time out to eat and do bedtime routine. Decorating will come tomorrow.
Do you notice where I put my tree?? I had to put in an area by our stairs where we usually have a tall silk tree (all about artificial trees in this house). It was the only area that was tall enough. Let me tell you what I love about this. For those of you who have only known me for a few years, you probably wouldn't believe that I don't like change. I know, in the past three years, I have gone through some major change. I have dealt with it, but it has not been my favorite. When I say, I don't like change, I mean that I don't even like to move my furniture to put my Christmas tree up. So- by putting my tree by my stairs, I only had to move another tree and not my furniture. Perfect!