My name is Jenn, and I'm 28 years old. I'm happily married to my best friend and soulmate, Daniel. Together we have an eight year old daughter named 
8 years old, artistic, gifted, little miss independent
6 years old, autistic, creative, gifted, amazing solver of puzzles
Tonight, for the third year in a row, Dan, the kids and I will be heading to their elementary school for the annual holiday program. What’s funny is what Dan and I were secretly rejoicing about “getting out of it” this year, since for the past two years it’s only been the kindergarten classes and the older grades putting on shows, and with Alyssa being in second grade and Ryan being in first, they were in-between. But then the first grade class decided to participate in the holiday event. Oy.
Don’t get me wrong: I love seeing Alyssa and Ryan perform in their holiday shows. But their school is very small, so the cafeteria doubles as an impromptu auditorium. This wouldn’t be too bad if it was just 1-2 classes worth of parents and a couple of extra family members, but when you have 3-4 classes worth of parents and many extra family members… well, it gets hot and crowded fast.
Then there’s the issue of very few parents bringing refreshments to be enjoyed after the show. I personally don’t care, but it sucks for the kids who are often the last to arrive at the refreshments table to find just scraps left. And if I can take the time to whip up 3 dozen shortbread cookies from scratch — which I did today in between working — why can’t some other parents? Or even get the Nestle or Pillsbury cookie logs? Or if nothing else, pre-packaged trays or packages of cookies? Something, people. Bring some damn cookies and stop being so stingy.
Anyway, I’ll be leaving in a little less than an hour, even though the show doesn’t start until 6:30 and parents aren’t expected to arrive until 6, in order to grab seats for us, because, well, see above: CROWDED.
