Accepted!

I'd read about it . . . and I found it hard to believe. I'd never experienced it, but the other Stay-at-Home-Dads shared their stories and swore it was true. They had been rejected, told they weren't welcome, at Mommy and Me groups.

Sad, in this day and age, that such discrimination still exists. Sexism, running unchecked in church basements and community centres.

I found it so hard to believe, until it happened to me.

It was about three years ago. I'd been an RCMP spouse for about 8 years when I discovered a Facebook page for us; for RCMP spouses to talk, share, commiserate and celebrate the life we all lead.

And yeah, I applied for membership. And I was rejected. So I wrote about it here.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. A comment on the "Rejected" blog post. From another RCMP spouse, an admin on another RCMP spouse Facebook page. And she was inviting me to join. INVITING me! 

So I did. And now I'm one of us. Thanks Sandy!

So let's see, what else? Animal butt magnets . . . still cracking me up!

Oh yeah, and while we're talking about sexist behaviour . . .

A quick review of "Mom's Ultimate Magnetic Family Fridge Calendar 2012."

First off, bought this one cause I didn't see "Dad's Ultimate Magnetic Family Fridge Calendar 2012." Mostly because there wasn't one. 

Second, mine didn't have the stickers in it. Don't know who to blame for that one. Walmart? Manufacturer? Who knows, but it had no stickers. And I like stickers with my calendar.

Third, the "magnetic" part failed. It fell off. I had to Superglue it back on. Bad, bad, bad.

You'll have to wait until next year for the full review of "2013 Family Calendar," but I will say it's wording is gender neutral and it has all of the promised stickers. It's up two points already.

Have a great Hump Day!

Preschool Reject

I guess it's part of being the new kid in town. Don't know anyone, and no one knows me.

I think that is part of the reason I can't get Sonwun into preschool, just yet.

Two weeks ago, I called the Kiddies Northern Preschool here in Thompson. Got no answer several times, so I left a message expressing my interest in having Sonwun attend. And then I waited. And waited. And waited.

Yesterday, four hours after preschool started, I finally got the call. Sorry, no room left.

Now I could be wrong, but experience has taught me that returning children will get the first shot at openings. Makes sense, right? Then, friends get a shot at what's left and, after that, friends of friends. If anything's still available, we'll take a look at the newbies.

Unfortunately, we don't fit into that web just yet. We've been put on a waiting list and we will wait.

In the meantime, however, we will sign up again for more swimming lessons. Sonwun needs to complete his Sea Turtle training and then it's on to Salamander. Swimming lessons offer many of the same benefits as preschool, but just not to the same extent. He will continue to learn to get along with others, listen to a teacher, participate in a group effort, share and, well, swim.

The pool is currently closed for the annual cleaning and will re-open in about a week. This will help us get through the second month-long phase of mommy's training in Ottawa.

I've also been told there's a Mommy and Me group meeting somewhere in town and, based on past experience with them (see "Craft Time" on Feb. 19 and Bad Daddy on Sept. 2), I'm not exactly excited by the prospect. But again, it's good for the boys and I will survive.

There is also skating coming up as well as a tiny tots curling deal. I think we'll stay busy this winter, in spite of the preschool rejection.

Again, wish me luck. The next few days are major housecleaning days as mommy's home in two days, two hours and eight minutes. Can't wait!