Well, Thee is all signed up for preschool in the fall. I waited in line for four hours to make sure he got his space in the one and only Montessori school in our community. So regardless of the comments of my brother, "Oh I remember the Montessori kids; they were always a little wierd!", Theo will be attending school two days a week for a couple of hours. The key to success in Montessori is a sense of independence. If that is all it takes, Thee has that mastered. Our new mantra around here is, "I can do it myself" This includes choosing the outfit for the day, baking cupcakes, using the microwave to heat chicken nuggets, washing hands, opening the car door and getting in the seat, building intricate Geo Track configurations, and running the DVD player (he mastered that one about a year ago).
The other day I said, "Gee Thee, don't you need mommy for anything anymore?"He looked up at me with those big eyes and said, "I need you to get nice and cozy." It helped a little bit, but I am definitely beginning to get the idea that I am now entering the stage of "Nice- to- have-around, but-really-not-necessary-for-survival."
With my most-important-person-in-the-world status a little threatened, I have been advertising some of my other qualities that will surely secure me an indespensible role in the coming years, one of those being costume designer. I am beginning to get a few requests to show off my sewing prowess. A couple of weeks ago we were at Menards, of all places, and they were selling cheap sweatshirts in odd colors. Thee immediately recognized one of the colors as the color of Captain Kirk's shirt in Star Trek. Feeling a need to showcase my unique talents, I quickly blurted out without thinking, "Oh, would you like mommy to make you a shirt just like Captain Kirk?" I'll let you guess the answer.
So for the last couple of weeks I have been questioned on the date of completion of said Captain Kirk shirt. I was able to secure a much coveted Star Trek communicator badge after a rather rigurous bidding war on e-bay -- who knew Mama had it in her. I delivered the prize at only $15.00. (I am afraid to look at how much it would have cost me to just get a brand new one). I have not however, managed to pull out the sewing machine and lower that little presser foot. Perfomance anxiety perhaps? Quite frankly, yes. I do know how to sew -- the kind of sewing you do in Jr. High Home Ec class. I worked with 100 percent cotton broad cloth. Today's fabrics are overloaded with stretchy fabrications that move and bunch and create havoc for a little seamstress like me. Somehow in the swell of all the attention I was getting as I was promising an authentic Captain's tunic, I made pronouncements of tailoring the sleeves, inserting a black collar and re-fashioning the bottom of the garmet. I can't do all of that. I can make simple valances for the bathroom, and a half set of napkins for some fancy Christmas dinner I dreamed up. What have I done? I know better than this. I was in marketing for God's sake. "Never over promise, unless you are prepared to figure out a way to pull it off -- you can't underdeliver -- your reputation will be destroyed as a supplier for ever. You have to make the customer happy and deliver on time, no matter what the cost!"
I tried rolling up the sleeves and pinning on the badge and calling it good. Thee didn't go for it. His response, "Mom this is too big" Even after he put on his black snow boots, it just didn't look like Captain Kirk.
In an attempt to divert his obsession, I promised a different costume -- a much simpler Superman cape. I have it all cut out, but the "authentic Superman insignia" requires that you use the zig-zag foot. The zig-zag foot was covered in 9th grade sewing. I didn't take 9th grade sewing. I wouldn't have been caught dead in a elective home-ec class -- I was strictly in the college prep trek by then-- A.P. all the way -- who will need to know how to sew when you have an advanced degree from a prestigous university.
In an attempt to divert his obsession, I promised a different costume -- a much simpler Superman cape. I have it all cut out, but the "authentic Superman insignia" requires that you use the zig-zag foot. The zig-zag foot was covered in 9th grade sewing. I didn't take 9th grade sewing. I wouldn't have been caught dead in a elective home-ec class -- I was strictly in the college prep trek by then-- A.P. all the way -- who will need to know how to sew when you have an advanced degree from a prestigous university.
I gotta go...I've got to finish this these things by Easter...my brother and his family are coming and I jacked up the ante to homemade superman capes for all children in attendance. 
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