A little thing called Genius found in an Elementary School AND with NASCAR

This could be the next best thing to an eye-chart:

Last week my kids, who are FOUR YEARS OLD, had their parent-teacher conferences as well as the first public school meeting for preparation for kindergarten. I might as well have written a check for a wedding dress and bought cars for them. It was that simple reminder that they are growing up so fast. However, it was also a reminder that when they get to kindergarten, we'll no longer make payment to Pre-K times two. I'll be forced to take that money and roll it over in to an account solely to cover the void of the absence of my children while they are at school. Some might go shopping, I'll devote it to a nice shady bar while they are at school. I'm kidding, I prefer to drink alone. Kidding Mom! (The rest of you, wink, wink, you know it, martinis and oreos while watching the yappies on The View.)

First was the parent-teacher conference. I was looking forward to this, because Max was going through one of his "phases". Also, it's frowned upon to compare children, but they are twins, and boy/girl. And they are classic with their development: Lucy wants to write and practice her letters. She wants to read so badly, her head might explode. Max, he's all hands on. He wants to play with everything mechanical, slightly obsessed with all things cars, and wants nothing to do with a paper and pen or that silly thing they call reading. So, I was nervous that Max's Pre-K academic progress may not be up to par. We go, we sit down in the smallest, and yet sturdiest little chairs you've ever seen. And we review Lucy's work. Lucy, as expected, is right on target. She colors well, writes well, and can recognize all of her letters and her numbers up to 15.

Next is Max's performance. Pleasantly, to our surprise, Max exceeded in all areas, socially and academically. I'm guessing Lucy thinking she's the boss of all people shorter than her and all boys may develop into a slight set back on the "shares nice with others" scenario. However, Max, is the perfect little student. Apparently, just not for me. When asked to do his letters and numbers, he cited all of them. And when asked to identify numbers in sporadic order, he championed the entire class. He so won the gold. And that's when it hit us. NASCAR has helped with our son's education. Sigh. I hate that I just admited that. However, I'm okay with it to some degree. Max identified all the numbers thrown at him, and that would be 1-25. He's the best in the class at it. And the reason for it is, he knows all the drivers of NASCAR. "Max, who is number nine?" "Oh, Mom, that's Kasey Kahne." "Max, who is number 31?" "JEFF BURTON!" He knows almost all of them. And when he doesn't recognize one of the cars on tv when we watch a race, he's then challenged and learns more. I never thought I'd be a NASCAR wife, nor fan. But watching Max learn his numbers and so eagerly, I'm okay with it. Once he knows all of his numbers and has surpassed all applications of education through the sport, I'll force him to nix it. Nah, it's too fun to watch him love it so much.

Next, we had the school meeting for elementary school. Here in Nebraska, the kids start Kindergarten at age 5, and it's a full-day. So, really, I'll have time to get my martini's and oreos and maybe even a few things done around the house. I thought I could do that when they are at Pre-K three days a week for 3 hours each, but not so much.

I went to the meeting, and was updated on the basic skills the kids need to have upon entering Kindergarten. We went through an extensive list, and I'm happy to report, that they could sign up today and go. They meet all requirements! They're geniuses, I know. Then we reviewed what they would learn in Kindergarten. I'm so excited for them, it's going to be so fun! I will totally redesign my childhood through Max and Lucy! Yeeehawww!

At some point, I had to use the little girl's facilities, and went to the restroom. I approached the restroom and stepped around a sink on the outside. I didn't think much of it, because a) I really had to go and 2) I figured it was a crafts sink or something. After I'd done my business, I went to wash my hands, and followed the maze until I found myself out of the bathroom and in front of the sink out in the hall. The sink is a community sink that sits outside the boys and girls bathrooms. Awkward at first, because I'm a 6'3" adult trying to use a grade school sized sink, I realized how remarkable this was. I think this is how all bathrooms and sinks should be laid out. Because, it was a public display of who washes their hands. Clearly, we should start public responsibility and/or humiliation at an early age. They should have these bathrooms in all facilities, particularly at work. Have you ever been in the bathroom, and watched someone come out of a stall and leave the bathroom without washing their hands. It's grody to the max. Seriously. Your boss does it, and then wants to shake your hand. I don't think so. Not until you, Mrs. Bacteria Infested superfreak come out of the non-handwashing closet and address your issues. Embrace some soap please.

Ironically enough, while I'm washing my hands with another parent at the cute little three-foot high sink, sure enough, some Dad walks out of his side of the restroom and just walks right on by the sink and into the meeting. And lo, his Scarlet A followed him.

In summary, my kids are geniuses in part, with thanks to NASCAR. And some Elementary School contractor has the potential to step forward and liberate us all with the best public bathroom design ever. It's exciting, isn't it!?