Morgan Hill Mom

I was sitting in a board meeting for Josie's co-op preschool. It was my first meeting. Somehow I ended up in charge of the family picnic even though I told them months ago I only wanted to be on the committee not be in charge. I guess I have the same target on my forehead that my mom and sisters have. Give me a job, even that I don't want, and I will make sure that it gets done right.

I was impressed by all of the women on the board, most of whom had older children in the school so I'd never met them before. They were bright, passionate and were working very hard to make important decisions that directly affected the preschools success.

When it came to my turn, I nervously started going through all of the items on my list. The timeline for emails and handouts. The activities, the bouncy house, the spin art and face painting. The sign-ups for potluck, bake sale and volunteers. The items I will purchase at costco the day before, including the hot dogs that will be the main course.

After I finished, I only had a two questions.

"How do we cook the hot dogs?" I asked.

"People have to sign-up to bring barbecues," Mrs. Kristen said, who was sitting on my left.

"Like webers?" I asked imagining charcoal dust spilling everywhere as Norm drove our weber down Tennat Avenue in his brother's truck.

"No big gas ones," the board president said stretching her arms out wide to illustrate the length of a large gas grill.

"How do you get it there?" I asked unable to hide the shock in my voice.

"In a big truck," Mrs. Kristen said.

"Or the really big ones can be towed," another mom chimed in.

"That's amazing," I said as I jotted down, 'barbecues can be towed' in my spiral notebook.

"Haven't you moved a barbecue before?" Mrs. Kristen asked.

"Um, no" I said starting to get embarrassed.

"Where are you from?" a mom at the end of the table asked politely.

"Not here," I said and, fortunately, everyone at the table laughed.

"Any other questions?" the board president asked ending the laugther and getting back to business.

"Yes - just about how I block off the driveway to the back parking lot where we will be having the party - so no cars accidentally drive back there?" I asked. I was about to bring up my vision of a tall balloon arch that was held down by cement blocks hidden carefully behind a banner that said, "WELCOME FAMILIES". But Mrs. Kristen interrupted me.

"I just park my RV sideways in the driveway so no cars can get through."

"OF COURSE!" I said as I was finally giving into my life as a mom in Morgan Hill.