I Have Become One of THEM

I hear about them every year. You know, the weird parents who camp out in front of some building in order to sign their children up for something. Sometimes it’s to get them to the “best” campus in the district. Sometimes it’s to sign them up to be on a certain sports team.   Sometimes it’s to buy them Hannah Montana tickets… whatever.

Frankly, I’ve always thought they were nuts.   I mean, is it really that important to have them attend the hoity-toity school, or be on the most winning team in all of history, or buy them a ticket to a sold out concert, etc., etc., etc…

I came to realize this week – it’s all about what is important to your family.  

I recently learned about a local facility that offers Homeschool Enrichment courses.   I researched the place – found out it was good.   I researched the teachers – found out they are awesome.   I researched the curriculum – found out it is wonderful.   I researched the registration process for next fall – found out that the class I’d like Woody to attend is almost full from the folks who will be returning next year.

The Registrar said registration for new students would begin at 9AM on Tuesday, March 24th.   She suggested getting in line early.   I decided to take her advice.

The night before, I stayed up filling out all of the paperwork, making out the checks, pulling up a map of the facility, clarify with Hubby that he’ll be watching the kids in the morning, and making sure the coffee pot would automatically start at the correct time.

So, yesterday morning, while it was still dark outside. I headed across town to sit in front of a building so I could sign my kids up for a really cool academic program.   I arrived at 7:30.   There was not another soul around.  Hmmmm.   Well, at least I’d be first!   I grabbed the paperwork and a book to read and parked myself near the door.   But I’m really starting to feel like a dork for arriving so early.

7:45 – Still no one else.   Glad the weather is nice. Mmm-hmm, I’m a dork.

8:01 – Ah! An employee goes in the back door.   I think I need a sign to wear, yep – I’m a big ol’ dork.

8:23 – Finally, someone to talk to! Another Mom shows up with her adorable 6-year-old daughter.   She’s wanting to get in the same class that I’m hoping to get Woody into.   Hmm, maybe I’m only slightly a dork.

8:29 – Another parent arrives sans kiddos.   One of her kiddos is also hoping to be in the nearly full class.     I am thinking, you know, I’m probably not a dork.

8:35 – Several other parents arrive to wait in line.   I am so. not. a dork.   In fact, I’m pretty darn happy I’m the first one in line.

8:45 – Lots of teachers, students, and parents arrive for the 9AM classes.

8:53 – A helper for the registrar starts to hand out tickets.   I’m first!

8:55 – “The Wait-ers” are allowed inside.

9:00 – “The Wait-ers” are allowed to proceed to Registration.

9:10 – Victory!   I’ve successfully registered Woody and Tigger for Science, Spanish, and Art for the next school year.  

9:15 – On the car ride home, I start thinking I really need to figure out which Language Arts curriculum to use next year. [sigh] Why didn’t I ask the other Mom’s in line what they were using????   I am such a dork…

So, my experience got me wondering… Have you ever waited or camped in a line to sign your kids up for something?   What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever stood in a line for?   I’m curious.