Today was a good day. It was a semi-stormy day, which means that the OBX battened down hatches, bought a lot of beer, and waited for "Hurricane" Hana. Which never really happened, FYI. I'm certainly thankful that we were spared, but at the same time, it's really hilarious. However, we did experience some sound-side flooding, severe enough that downtown Manteo flooded deep enough to kayak on the streets. That's ALWAYS a good time. Jon received a call at home from one of the town commissioners about the flooding, and he went and made sure the roadblocks were in place. Then we had a hurricane party with the rest of the Full Moon Cafe crew.
All of our children were splashing the street, wake-boarding, kayaking, getting entirely soaking wet. (Mine, at least, were clothed.) However, at one point, an older couple waded through and saw my three children splashing around in the waterfront "garage". They immediately chastised them (although I was about 20 feet away and COMPLETELY supervising them), saying, "That's NASTY, children! There's all kinds of germs in that water!" When my kids kind of ignored them (not rudely, just not really paying attention to strangers), they said, "Well! I guess no one really gives a crap what their kids are doing!" Let me tell you, people, Mama Bear ROARED to the surface. Well, I should say, Snarky Bear. I called across the sidewalk, "Actually, we DO give a crap! We're all good, thanks for asking!"
Seriously, people. Raise your own kids. I'll raise mine (and make them shower when they've swum in sound water, thank you very much). However, I did get to see said couple a few more times during the evening, and every time was able to get a comment heard, something to the effect of, "Well, it's a good thing I'm MOTHER OF THE YEAR! AND I NEVER LET MY KIDS SWIM IN THE SOUND!"
Good times, good times.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Finally!
Finally, Melody (my sister) has a blog. You should totally read it.
It's linked under my favorites at the right.
It's linked under my favorites at the right.
First day story
So my sister Gwenn and I often joke about our "bad mommy moments", in which we tell each other to "pass over the 'Mother of the Year' award". I had one this week, but I would like to point out that it was ENTIRELY not my fault, and I should, in fact, get an actual Mother of the Year award for pulling through as I did. (What's that you say? You say that the trophy already belongs to Sarah Palin? That I'd need to revitalize a completely corrupt state government whilst managing my five children gracefully? Well, in that case, I concede. I heart Sarah Palin.)
Anyway, due to another "MOTY" moment last winter, I forgot to fill out an application for Abbie to attend the pre-school her siblings had attended until the last minute. Of course, at that point, they were full, even though they give first priority to siblings and members of their church. I resigned myself to teaching her at home with the other kids (which would have been fine, I'm sure). However, after the school had their parent orientation in mid-August, it became apparent that there were spots opened up, and Ms. Shon offered us a spot for Abbie. I sent Katie around the corner to pick up the packet of papers I needed, glanced through them, and set them aside. One thing I DID notice was that on the top of the contract, it said, "School starts September 3, 2008." Great. September 3, 2008, is a Wednesday, and Abbie only goes Monday and Tuesday, so I figured she'd be starting a week after Labor Day, on Monday the 8th.
Guess again! Evidently, the September THIRD thing was a typo, meant to be September SECOND. It was caught by a parent in the meeting, addressed and promptly forgotten about by Ms. Shon. (Who I adore; don't get me wrong. She just forgot to tell me.) So I'd only gotten about half of the supplies on Abbie's list and NOT ironed the sweet little dress I wanted her to wear on the first day, along with cutie little side-by-side French braids. I just HAPPENED to be out on the porch asking Jon something about 8:15 Tuesday morning when I saw my friend DeAnn drive by, headed toward the pre-school. I thought, "That's odd; I wonder why she's going there TODAY?" (This thought was, of course, accompanied by a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that I'd managed to screw this up.) I immediately called her on her cell, and said, "Pre-school starts NEXT week, right?" She said, "No, it's today!" I muttered an expletive that I won't write here, and ran in the house, digging through the pile of papers that was sitting, inexplicably, on top of my dryer. (I say "inexplicably" because it's completely ridiculous that that's where most papers end up in my house.) I found the paper in question, saw the bold and black type that proclaimed, "School starts SEPTEMBER THIRD" and called her back, wailing, "I've got the paper RIGHT HERE! IT SAYS TOMORROW AND THEY DON'T HAVE SCHOOL TOMOOOOOROOOOW!" DeAnn (annoyed I'm sure at my whininess but also trying not to laugh at me) said, "Yeah, that's a typo...Shon told us about it at the meeting...oh yeah, you weren't there!" So at this point, Abbie is awake but not dressed, fed or brushed, I'm in my pajamas, the papers I need to fill out are un-filled-out, the supply list is not completely shopped for. It didn't even occur to me to say, "Oh, well, Abbie, you'll just have your first day next week." Even though, of course, that's what she was planning for anyway. It didn't occur to me to just skip it. No, this MOTY raced around the house like a complete madwoman, trying to find an outfit that wasn't totally wrinkled or stained (note to self: need to weed through Abbie's clothes again), stuffed a peanut-butter waffle in her face while filling out papers and our friend Krissy (who was visiting) attempted to tame her mop of hair. We then RAN out the door (oh, yes, I did get dressed, but barely) and made it to pre-school around the corner.
Total time elapsed from the time I saw DeAnn drive by to the time we got in the door of school: 21 minutes. I am a goddess.
Two days later, she started gymnastics again. What a hoot!
Anyway, due to another "MOTY" moment last winter, I forgot to fill out an application for Abbie to attend the pre-school her siblings had attended until the last minute. Of course, at that point, they were full, even though they give first priority to siblings and members of their church. I resigned myself to teaching her at home with the other kids (which would have been fine, I'm sure). However, after the school had their parent orientation in mid-August, it became apparent that there were spots opened up, and Ms. Shon offered us a spot for Abbie. I sent Katie around the corner to pick up the packet of papers I needed, glanced through them, and set them aside. One thing I DID notice was that on the top of the contract, it said, "School starts September 3, 2008." Great. September 3, 2008, is a Wednesday, and Abbie only goes Monday and Tuesday, so I figured she'd be starting a week after Labor Day, on Monday the 8th.
Guess again! Evidently, the September THIRD thing was a typo, meant to be September SECOND. It was caught by a parent in the meeting, addressed and promptly forgotten about by Ms. Shon. (Who I adore; don't get me wrong. She just forgot to tell me.) So I'd only gotten about half of the supplies on Abbie's list and NOT ironed the sweet little dress I wanted her to wear on the first day, along with cutie little side-by-side French braids. I just HAPPENED to be out on the porch asking Jon something about 8:15 Tuesday morning when I saw my friend DeAnn drive by, headed toward the pre-school. I thought, "That's odd; I wonder why she's going there TODAY?" (This thought was, of course, accompanied by a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that I'd managed to screw this up.) I immediately called her on her cell, and said, "Pre-school starts NEXT week, right?" She said, "No, it's today!" I muttered an expletive that I won't write here, and ran in the house, digging through the pile of papers that was sitting, inexplicably, on top of my dryer. (I say "inexplicably" because it's completely ridiculous that that's where most papers end up in my house.) I found the paper in question, saw the bold and black type that proclaimed, "School starts SEPTEMBER THIRD" and called her back, wailing, "I've got the paper RIGHT HERE! IT SAYS TOMORROW AND THEY DON'T HAVE SCHOOL TOMOOOOOROOOOW!" DeAnn (annoyed I'm sure at my whininess but also trying not to laugh at me) said, "Yeah, that's a typo...Shon told us about it at the meeting...oh yeah, you weren't there!" So at this point, Abbie is awake but not dressed, fed or brushed, I'm in my pajamas, the papers I need to fill out are un-filled-out, the supply list is not completely shopped for. It didn't even occur to me to say, "Oh, well, Abbie, you'll just have your first day next week." Even though, of course, that's what she was planning for anyway. It didn't occur to me to just skip it. No, this MOTY raced around the house like a complete madwoman, trying to find an outfit that wasn't totally wrinkled or stained (note to self: need to weed through Abbie's clothes again), stuffed a peanut-butter waffle in her face while filling out papers and our friend Krissy (who was visiting) attempted to tame her mop of hair. We then RAN out the door (oh, yes, I did get dressed, but barely) and made it to pre-school around the corner.
Total time elapsed from the time I saw DeAnn drive by to the time we got in the door of school: 21 minutes. I am a goddess.
Two days later, she started gymnastics again. What a hoot!
This one's for you, Gwenn!
Gwenn shared this link with me yesterday. Since then, Jon and I have probably watched it a combined total of eight times or so. My PERSONAL favorite part is where he mutters "zap" after he talks about being "zapped" by his Friend, Jesus. I know Gwenn's pretty partial to the whole Mountie line. I think Jon's hooked on the "He touched me deep inside"...seriously, the whole thing is just a mess. Last night, we were talking about it, and I said (bitterly, I'm sure), "These people were on TV! AND PROBABLY GOT PAID!"
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
My favorite "Deep Thought" ever
I've recently added a scrolling "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey" feature to my blog. I don't know if it's just me, but I find this Saturday Night Live feature completely hilarious. I always have. To the point that I used to own all his books. (Deep Thoughts, Deeper Thoughts, and Fuzzy Memories. They were "borrowed" by a former roommate, and if you ever want to buy me a present, one/all of those books would be awesome. It might even put you in the Best Gifts of My Life Hall of Fame, along with the clothes steamer and the label-maker that Neil gave me. Also, inexplicably but not unappreciated, one year a giant log of goat cheese. But I digress...)
Anyway, my favorite Deep Thought, possibly of all time is:
"In a previous life, I think I must have been a mighty king, because I like people to do what I say.
Ain't THAT the truth.
Anyway, my favorite Deep Thought, possibly of all time is:
"In a previous life, I think I must have been a mighty king, because I like people to do what I say.
Ain't THAT the truth.
A clarification...about the chore store
I blatantly ripped off an idea from a mama that's on a message board with me. (Her blog is here.)
Basically, I have made "chore books" for each of my two older kids. Abbie has a magnetic "responsiblity chart" (or, as she calls it, "my sponsitility charp". I love that kid.). So each page in their chore book represents one day; the top half of the page is morning chores, the bottom half is evening chores. If they finish their assigned chores before it's time for school (or errands, or whatever I have planned) or bedtime, they get a dollar in play money in their chore bank. Then, when they have money saved up, they "pay" me for a fun thing from the chore store. Now, let me clarify, that it's not like we never do anything fun otherwise. For instance, one of the events in the chore store is "go to the pool"...we do sometimes just GO. Or to the ocean, or to the playground. But I really like instilling in them the "work before play" mindset. And in response to Kris, who commented, "You must hate baking as much as I do", the answer is yes....yes, I do. Also, it's not likely that on any given day I'd have the right ingredients around to "bake a treat", whereas the playground is around the corner and open all the time!
If they don't finish their chores before the assigned time, they don't get the money. They still have to finish the chores later, though. Also, if I ask, "Are your chores done?" and they say yes and they've missed one (like picking up dirty clothes and putting them in the hamper. Every. day.), they don't get their money. I don't make a big deal out of it, just usually say, "Well, we'll try harder next time, right?"
This is, by far, the best-working chore system I've ever tried. Thank you, Sarah!
Basically, I have made "chore books" for each of my two older kids. Abbie has a magnetic "responsiblity chart" (or, as she calls it, "my sponsitility charp". I love that kid.). So each page in their chore book represents one day; the top half of the page is morning chores, the bottom half is evening chores. If they finish their assigned chores before it's time for school (or errands, or whatever I have planned) or bedtime, they get a dollar in play money in their chore bank. Then, when they have money saved up, they "pay" me for a fun thing from the chore store. Now, let me clarify, that it's not like we never do anything fun otherwise. For instance, one of the events in the chore store is "go to the pool"...we do sometimes just GO. Or to the ocean, or to the playground. But I really like instilling in them the "work before play" mindset. And in response to Kris, who commented, "You must hate baking as much as I do", the answer is yes....yes, I do. Also, it's not likely that on any given day I'd have the right ingredients around to "bake a treat", whereas the playground is around the corner and open all the time!
If they don't finish their chores before the assigned time, they don't get the money. They still have to finish the chores later, though. Also, if I ask, "Are your chores done?" and they say yes and they've missed one (like picking up dirty clothes and putting them in the hamper. Every. day.), they don't get their money. I don't make a big deal out of it, just usually say, "Well, we'll try harder next time, right?"
This is, by far, the best-working chore system I've ever tried. Thank you, Sarah!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Our schoolroom
All it's missing is students! I am so excited about this school year. Today, we went to the library to get the "supplemental books" for the first two weeks. (Note to self: Do this next time WITHOUT the kids.) Between the three of them, the major themes for the first week are: Vikings, Leif Ericsson, Christopher Columbus, jungles, cows, things that live on the ground (including, but not limited to: moles, snakes, ants, snails, beetles). Our library is pretty small, but we managed to find stuff we can use. I FINALLY finished setting up the school room, complete with nerdy labels on EVERYTHING. (I slapped a sticker on Abbie when she sat still for a few seconds.) Just wanted to share my nerdiness. Also, this video: White and Nerdy.
I big puffy heart my label maker. That is all.
The former dining room, now the school room.
Closer-up.
This has the kids' chore banks, plus the chore-store list and their Bible-verse writing.
Our "chore store" list.
I big puffy heart my label maker. That is all.
The former dining room, now the school room.
Closer-up.
This has the kids' chore banks, plus the chore-store list and their Bible-verse writing.
Our "chore store" list.
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