Furley's first day

Education is important.  Social responsibility and emotional development are important.  These beliefs are what drove me to find a good, solid 5 day a week program for Andy.  And so I did. 

Andy needs to be stimulated--he's ready to read, ready to learn, Mom's Day Out just wasn't cutting it, and this place just felt so 'right'.  I love everything about his new school.  They believe that children can do anything, they foster creativity, they practice tolerance and compassion, and they churn out remarkably smart and well-adjusted human beings.

Here's the hitch, and this is hard for me to write.  The place is a hippie school.  I have kind of known this, but the reality sunk in as I was handed the environmentally friendly hemp bag that Andy is to use in lieu of a backpack. 

So this morning,
A:  Mommy, where's my dinosaur backpack?
Me: Um, you have this great new bag instead.
A:  Well it doesn't have dinosaurs on it.
Me: Yes, honey, but you have your dinosaur lunchbox.  And see...this tree right here on the front means that they planted a tree somewhere because we bought this bag.
A:  Someone needed a tree?
Me: Yes, Andy.  And you provided them with one.
A: Oh.  So are the people who planted the tree going to use my dinosaur backpack?
Me: Let's talk about your lunch (changing the subject).  It's right here in this box.  Very yummy things just for you.
A:  Cheetohs? 
Me: Um, no, your school has a 'no chip' policy, so Mommy made you some yummy sandwiches.
A: Did you put fruit rollups in there?
Me: No, but let me tell you about these SANDWICHES I made.

I don't know how to adhere to a no chip, no sugar, no presweetened or zero artificial-ized lunch policy, so I just made sandwiches.  Three of them.  PB and J, ham and cheese, and just plain cheese.  I did slip in 2 Spongebob-Squarepants yogurts, violating at least 4 rules off the top of my head (no cartoon characters, no non-recyclable containers, no presweetened stuff, and chock full of preservatives).

So off we went to the commune...me, Andy, and the environmentally friendly earth bag thing packed to the gills with sandwiches.  Me, the one with all kinds of subtle and not so subtle warm toned highlighted and colored blonde hair.  Me, the one whose skin borders on orange because I spray tan so much.  Me, the one that thinks Botox and permanent hair removal are the greatest inventions of the 21st century.

And as we pull in, the Hybrid SUV in front of us is sporting 2 bumper stickers:
Peace, Love, and Kindness are my Religion...and Free Tibet.