Chill Ride

I despise most school fundraisers... they are the bain of my existence. I totally get school fundraising-I thinks its really important, does great things for the school... don't get me wrong, I'm willing to write the check, most of the time I just don't want the item on the other end so bad. So, its the school's magazine fundraiser at Grace's school ( and Grant's but he really had no idea that he could win prizes- its hard enough with one kid, we'll keep him in the dark as long as possible- he was wondering why Grace was picking up some cool prizes this morning)

I actually like the magazine fundraiser- because I like magazines, so I can just renew some subscriptions and its all good with the school. I think last year I might have sent in 2-3 subscriptions.... and that became mistake #1. Because on the 2nd turn in day, if kids bring in a total of 12 orders for magazines they will qualify to go on the "CHILL RIDE"- which is a Limo ride to Cold Stone for ice cream, and one lucky participant will win free weekly ice cream for a year. Last year I was not as in tune with this, and of course Grace did not even come close to qualifying for the Chill Ride. Of course one of her girlfriends did qualify and did end up being picked for the free ice cream ( her mom says you can't even pretend to eat that much ice cream in a year) So, all year I've seriously heard the guilt trip about not going on the chill ride.

This year, she actually finagled it so that I was present at the assembly where they talked about the magazine prizes so I would understand the whole process. Well of course, we don't pay too much attention and at the 11th hour ( last night) I tell her that the Chill Ride turn in is tomorrow and we're at nothing in terms of magazine sales. So she/I start calling up grandma, grandpa, talking to neighbors to get some orders. Then she puts on the charm and tells me that "MOm, I know you really enjoy cooking, and I see some cooking magazines in here, so I think you could order them for yourself. You also like to decorate ( ??) so you could get this.. blah blah blah)". Well, at the end of the night after shamelessly pitching to grandparents, and neighbors, we had our 12 orders. I feel like I should take my neighbors dinner just for ordering at the last minute.

This morning, Grace gets up and she is all excited, she is talking about what she is wearing today ( the outfits haven't been that outrageous so I haven't taken a photo yet- just wait until its cold enough for tights... then the adventure begins)

Anyway, after talking to her, it turns out she thinks the Chill Ride is actually TODAY and she has got to wear the perfect outfit in the limo. I then explained that it was not today, on a different day and that she'd have plenty of notice. She was a bit deflated at this, but I assured her she'd get to go. I"m a little concerned about her riding in the limo- only that after that she'll add that in with her expectations, and next thing you know, she'll want to take a limo to ride over to Boise and other wild ideas.

At school after we turned in her orders, she picked up the additional trinket prizes and her Chill Ride ticket- she said " MOM, you've made all my dreams come true!" If only it was that easy. Last night I was thinking $200 is an expensive ice cream... but the limo I guess is what is putting over the top for her.
(I did also figure out that she thought she had also won an IPOD- turns out she won some light up speakers for an IPOD- this was after she said I'd made her dreams come true- maybe not now)

While all of this was happening, I had Grant with me- he hadn't been dropped off yet( bad idea). He horrified me by slamming the door to the teacher's workroom while a few teachers were in there making copies. I think after that, I mentioned something awful like... "I need to get rid of this child and then I'll be back..." I did explain later so people wouldn't think I talk like that all the time ( because I don't, right?)