Depressing

There have been a boatload of new experiences with this public school thing this year.  Some of them are a pain (getting up early).  Some of them have been pleasant surprises (how positive the school environment felt).  Some of them have been depressing.

Recognitions/celebrations/graduations are a little depressing.  Particularly for 6th and 8th graders.

Here's what I think:

--8th grade girls that take the opportunity to dress like prostitutes and their parents that gleefully take their pictures are depressing

--"certificates of completion" are depressing

--14 year old girls trying to walk in 4 inch stiletto heels are depressing

--awards for 100% attendance are depressing...there's something really sad about never missing school

--sitting next to Mark (a.k.a. the most miserable child in America) at a school event is depressing:

He had to empty the dishwasher when we got home because he was so cranky.

Speaking of pictures, the shots I got of Emma were also depressing.

They mostly looked like this:

But there were also lovely one's like this:

do you see her?

I should be a professional photographer.

Now I'm going to go empty the dishwasher for being so cranky.