January Top Droppers

I meant to post this earlier today but things got wonky and to be honest I completely forgot.. I did want to thank each of you for your regular visits.

Parental Instincts	31
Robin's Nest: Scrap out loud	31
Lola's Diner	29
The Way I See It	29
Your Parenting Info	28
Mumsy	28
Over a Cup of BARAKO	28
More Than Sew So	28
Daily Coloring Pages	27
My Crazy Life With A Toddler	26

Word Girl and Maggie's Grand Adventure...or when car meets snowbank

So after the drama of getting into the wrong act class.. knowing she is going to have to take the dial a ride bus and inconvenience herself.. she finds out one of her better friends is in the same class. Of course now she has a ride and all is right with the world. EXCEPT....

On their first adventure after picking up the lovely girl the spun on some ice and plowed into the nearest snowbank.. of course the car was stuck, so Frankie called and asked her brothers to please come help. We will not even begin to go into all of the reasons why that didn't work.. lets just say both of them were tired and crabby. Poor Maggie devastated called her father.. good girl, but while they waited (smart girl). Of course, he was ready to throttle the poor girl for going to fast... which it turns out she wasn't.

One of the guests staying here of course stopped to help them. Lesson learned.. cute girls can almost always get the men to help them out... and when caught in a snowbank call your dad not your brother.. well unless it is your fault and you want to stay out of trouble then call your brother.. oh and finally, when you get out of the bank make sure the nice stranger tells your dad you weren't going to fast so he can call you and tell you he is sorry and that you are a great kid...

All that and they actually made it to the act class.. late but they made it

My Boy...

Ok, for fun, fame and fortune my son is a mascot for a local hockey league.. guess it is the equivalent to AAA baseball, not sure what level but it is professional. He is the dog..

Oh, I just LOVE Teenage Girls

So the past few day have gone something like this..

thurs... mom.. can you go to the post office and check to see if we received my information on my act class.. (translation - I am too lazy to get off my rear and go myself so you do it for me)

fri... mom, my act class begins next week remember to go and see what class I am in. (again, too lazy to go herself)

sat.. mom, I HAVE to know what class I am in.

mon.. mom, go today I think the class starts tomorrow..

I just want to point out that the classes are held at the school she attends and all it would take is a few minutes of her valuable time to go ASK what class she is in. finally good mom that I am, I called the school not having the time or inclination to go to the PO, I was informed that she had an afternoon class on Wed.. once again good mom that I am, I noted that she had track afterschool on Wednesdays and wouldn't this be a conflict? So good mom that I am I had them reschedule to before school. What needs to be understood is that this child is a morning person. It makes me shudder but she enjoys early mornings, she does her best work early in the mornings AND.. she is at her most alert. So as well as being the best for her schedule it was the best for her person.. needless to say WWII has erupted in our house..

MOM!!!! I didn't ask you to change my schedule...

MOM!!! why can't you mind your own business..

MOM!!! I have to walk to school now (oh yeah I could have just missed one day a week of track but now - a three syllable word - I have to either pay a dollar and take the stupide pace bus or I have to walk.

MOM!!!

I swear upon the head of my favorite child (currently not the one bellowing at me) I will not ever again do something for this child that she can do herself.. and anyone who believes that feel free to send cash.. I have this bridge..

Happy Chinese New Year

I love trying to figure out if my kids even remotely match their zodiac or horoscope signs.. both the western and Chinese versions. It is a fun hobby of mine, almost a guilty pleasure.. with the Chinese New Year Upon Us I thought it would be fun to compare...

HAIR BOY - Gemini, Dragon...
gemini: Productive, articulate, intelligent, curious, persuasive, witty, young, clever, cheerful, explorer, smooth, smart, convincing, amusing, gregarious, ingenious, but can be obstinate, can talk too much, tense, cunning, fickle, shallow, inconsistent, superficial, irritating and irritable
dragon: Positives: Original, Confident, Resourceful, Adaptable, Valiant, Enthusiastic
Negatives: Arrogant, Tactless, Hot-headed, Critical, Unpredictable, Quick-tempered

PITA BOY - Aquarius, Horse..
aquarius: Progressive, original, idealist, altruistic, issue-oriented, charismatic, up-to-date, visionary, humanitarian, personable, imaginative, generous, inspiring, practical, congenial, casual, open-minded, amiable, inventive, off-beat, but can be rebellious, eccentric, thoughtlessness, contrarian, childish, aloof, uninvolved, obstinate, antisocial, unconventional, impressionable
horse: Positives: Vivacious, Witty, Independent, Cheerful, Refined, Friendly, has Stamina
Negatives: Selfish, Volatile, Impatient, Vain, Reckless

WORD GIRL - Scorpio, Goat..
scorpio: Passionate, vibrant, magnetic, perceptive, emotional, sensual, alert, willful, determined, resourceful, purposeful, directed, dominant, ambitious, fearless, committed, intense, but can be obsessive, extreme, vengeful, jealous, spiteful, unforgiving, bully, menacing, possessive, arrogant
goat: Positives: Artistic, Cultured, Kind, Gentle, Intelligent, Sensitive
Negatives: Self-indulgent, Dependent, Insecure, Ungrateful

BLOND GIRL - Cancer, Dog..
cancer: Intuitive, sensitive, responsive, aware, family/home oriented, shy, understanding, feeling, imaginative, dependable, conservative, loving, but can be moody, touchy, prickly, hostile
dog: Positives: Reliable, Persistent, Devoted, Resourceful, Unselfish, Honest
Negatives: Introvert, Nosy, Anxious, Pessimist, Cynic, Moody

and just to be fair to them...

Me - Cancer, Tiger...
cancer: Intuitive, sensitive, responsive, aware, family/home oriented, shy, understanding, feeling, imaginative, dependable, conservative, loving, but can be moody, touchy, prickly, hostile
tiger: Positives: Courageous, Enthusiastic, Bold, Sociable, Energetic, Optimist
Negatives: Volatile, Impulsive, Impatient, Hot-Headed, Vain, Disobedient


What I find interesting is how they seem to have similar tendencies and are vaguely accurate.. I can see where people put their faith and beliefs into these signs.. for me, they are fun and maybe play a small part in who I am, who my children are.. I of course believe that I am the reason they are wonderful, dynamic, courageous, smart, funny and talented Of course their father is the reason they are defiant, arrogant, domineering, overbearing... well I am sure you get the point..

Why Is It?

So why is it when you borrow money from them, they stalk you until you return the funds. Calling work, cell phone, whatever they deem necessary with that ever important question... did you get your check? but when they borrow it from you, you may as well wave bye bye to it?

I have considered making a giant chart and using it as wall art in the hallway.. for money that has been borrowed. I will be scrupulously honest as to who has borrowed what and when. I can guarantee you even with the current assistance my oldest is making to help make ends meet.. give me a month or two (and that is only because he has been helping a lot) and the tables will be turned.

The same goes for housework... I mean yes they have chores and I don't (allegedly) but who is that they think follows along and actually does the work that they claim to have done? or re does it so it is done correctly? I think another chart hanging on the wall would suffice...

If nothing else it would make for some interesting artwork.

How Come?

How come when our children are little they utter the cutest things? We are amazed and astounded by their observations. We wait with baited breath for their next utterance.

Once they hit a certain age, say 4... that so stops. Then as the years progress we consider all sorts of options on how to keep them quiet. Culminating in the teenage years where a muzzle is constantly considered. Their utterances are no longer witty and perceptive... they are rude and arrogant.. they know it all and we are just worthless appendages that hang around to feed them, clothe them, shelter them and cater to their every need.

In my case, my oldest helps out, pays about 25% of the rent, which we could not survive without his help, but he is under the impression that, that gives him the right to voice his opinions on.... My parenting skills, my amazing sense of or lack of sense of financial abilities.. the fact that I haven't yet acquired a job (can't be the job market must be me)

I have heard rumors that they outgrow these tendencies... I am waiting..

Just Cuz I Love These Pics

Lovingly referred to as the boys in the band...




and this one i call Big Hair...

now these were taken almost four years ago when JR (he is the skinny dark haired one sitting down - and btw the hair is much longer now) was a junior but i can't help but love these pics...

and honestly i think i dated a guy who looked just like at least one of them 30 years ago

So We Watched the Inauguration

So, I am not the only one home with the flu, today both girls are struggling through it.. of course I am required to cater to them make sure they are pampered and attended.. yeah right!!

Today they wanted to watch reruns and movies... enjoy their time and laze away.. they actually argued when I insisted that they change the channel. Oh my watch history take place? Be a part of it in some small way? No way not these kids..

But I won, I am the mom after all. The just sometimes forget it.. It was pretty cool if nothing else President Obama speaks a pretty speech.. full of promise and hope and in the end that is what we need more than even reality.. we need hope! we need to believe that we can do it..

So today spending my morning with the beasties, watching them slowly fall silent, listen to what was going on... finally realizing what was happening I saw hope..

Proof that He is a Man

So son #2 had the flu, spent two very very bad days moaning, hurling, whining and moaning some more. We all had to drop everything to make sure he survived... he did... I am not quite sure if I think that was a good thing or a bad one.

Daughter #2 gets it, she is pretty self sufficient not expecting lots of attention but still needed some. Of course he was constantly on her case, needling her pestering her just making her life miserable in general (she is 14 he will be 19 in two weeks).

Finally I succumbed, all I asked for was a little bit of silence. Not to be constantly in my face expecting me to be there, I didn't want to talk about football or the inauguration or especially reruns of charmed. And yet, how have I spent my day? Well it wasn't sleeping or reading or recuperating...

oh and as a side note, when you only have access to one bathroom and members of the family have the flu, you do not get the luxury of locking the door while you take a leisurely bath...

What is the best Way to Win an Argument

What is the best way to win an argument? According to the rest of the world it is by not getting involved, to shut up and walk away... But in MY HOUSE....

According to daughter number 1, who has never met an argument she didn't like, it is to yell and scream and of course have the last word. To put others down then get upset when they react. To expect me to defend her when she pushes her brother too far.. and of course to always believe that she is right.

This from the child I would most like to muzzle! She has ever gotten herself into trouble merely because she cant keep her mouth shut.. Today of course is no different and yet she walks around the wounded victim not understanding that it is just as much her fault as anyone elses...

oh well, what was it I said yesterday? Oh yeah and I CHOSE to have children...
sheesh

And I Chose to Have Children

Sitting around today watching movies and such...

Cori is sick so wants a detailed explanation about what is happening while he is indisposed. For those of you who don't know, Cori has ADHD and it is sometimes easier to just give in then to let him keep pestering you until you go insane.. so Rem started telling him what was going on. It went something like this

Cori: so what happened while I....

Rem: well they made the boom boom, then...

Me: the boom boom?

Cori: sex?

Rem: yeah so they made the boom boom....

then while I was laughing at their antics and wonderful communication skills, I tossed my head and ran my fingers through it. Only to hear

Frankie: Mom you are not a supermodel and there is no fan there....

Just think... I CHOSE to have children.

Isn't it Cold Out There

One has to feel sorry for the beasties today....

it never did get over 0 today and the kids all had school. What a horrid day.. of course for me, the California girl, it is much worse than for them. Seems they all just bundled up and went on their way...

The only one I felt really sorry for was Frankie, She had to stand out at the bus stop at 7:10 this morning. On a corner, with no trees (so no windbreak) she had to be miserable.

Watching them all bundle up almost made me feel guilty for not going anywhere (almost) but it did bring back memories of standing at the door waiting for the school bus to round the corner then all but throwing them out (our house was the bus stop). Made me a little sad when I realized that they were all almost grown... but I got over it when I realized that I got to cuddle up under the covers and go back to sleep.

Shaking my head already

I am happy to say that for once this was not my child...

My daughter, the accident prone one has a dear friend well, dear may be stretching it. They bicker as much as my daughters do.. and those that don't know better would think that somehow they are related.

So her mother called me tonight wanted to know if i wanted to go the the art show with her. Kenz couldn't go because she too is in swing choir and had practice. Karen being the proud mom wanted to go see her daughter's work displayed at the local college.

We braved freezing weather, parked a considerable ways away, ran uphill to get to the art show.. and her items were not there.. we looked and we looked and we looked. Finally we went to the school art teacher and asked.. she wasn't on the list. Yes that's right..

And one wonders why she and my daughter are best friends? Between the two of them they harness enough blond moments to account for most of the state of Illinois.

Ok Now She needs a suit!!

My daughter is preforming in a jazz band and swing choir concert on Thursday. I found out today from another parent in the jazz band that she needs a suit. Hello??? two days to come up with a suit? how many 14 year old girls do you know who own a suit? And who has the money to go buy her something that she will wear once? and only a man would think of this... then of course she has to have a suit that matches her swing choir ensemble, which is easy enough as it is black pants and a tuxedo shirt but still.. this is irksome.

If the girl had less talent life would be easier.

Oh Good Lord, She did it again

So it is official, it was not the color of her hair that made her a ditz, the blond (redhead) bombshell did it again.

Today it was snowboarding, a wrench to the knee and off she goes.. I swear this girl can find an accident in a clean room.

Lets see in her life, hit by a kid with a 2x4 at the park (8), started a three cop car fight over chalk (hers) at another park (5), went out for cheese crackers because we only had peanut butter ones, but really hid in the closet and fell asleep causing an all points search (5) and btw the policeman went and bought her the darned cheese crackers. fell off the school bus and knocked herself unconscious with her trumpet (11). tuba accident (14) attacked by wall (14)...

and I wont even go into her asthma attacks... cuz those are medical.

Friday Night Fun

So this is how my night went...

First daughter comes in... hi mom! Pep band tonight got cash have to be there at 5....

Second daughter comes in... hi mom! Pep band tonight need my mouthpiece, can you find it please, have to take a shower. I'm hungry, got money.. have to be there at 5...

First daughter..bye mom
Second daughter (all showered, mouth piece in hand) bye mom....

took abou 45 min.. lol

Shakes Her Mom Head in Amazement

My youngest, as I have stated before has been blessed with the three b's.. she is an extremely fortunate young woman who in general doesn't think twice about it. She just is...

For the past little while she has wanted to get her hair cut. Now I hate when either girl cuts their hair because they both have lovely long hair but it is their hair and it grows out. Last month she colored her lovely locks from blond to red, sadly enough.

On Saturday she got it cut, since she was paying for it with her Christmas money I suggested a local less expensive location instead of her usual stylist. I thought they would have a clue they had after all been to school. She came out looking like the girl had taken a weed wacker to it. It was lopsided and allegedly layered but so not.. I told her to go back and have it fixed. I offered to take her back and make them do it but she said no.

Then the next day, we went to the movies, she straightened it, omg that made it look worse.. it was horrible. Today it was pigtails cute enough but she came home tonight and washed it. Letting it dry naturally it sprang to life, her curls were bouncing it was adorable. I suggested that she not straighten it but wear it as is, of course she sneered.

So tomorrow it is back to the weed wacker look.

School Resumes Tomorrow

does a happy dance.. but really the title says it all...

Benjamim Buttons

Oh, my Brad Pitt is a beautiful man but what he will become as he ages is amazing, he is going to be good looking forever.

the girls and I went to see this movie today, first of beware it is a tear jerker.. but it is a lovely movie with a wonderful message, telling one and all to grab life with both hands and to never be afraid.

But we had such fun and have a new family joke, there is a character (spoiler alert) who was struck by lightening and periodically would say have I ever told you that I have been struck by lightening 7 times in my life..then go on to say once when... oh how we laughed. and now we are bringing that line into the family.. keep saying it and cracking up.

I did so enjoy this day with my girls

Boots, Boots and More Boots

This week we have been inundated with boots, my girls Christmas money in hand have been searching high and low for the correct and perfect pair of boots. I have seen plaid boots, low boots, ankle boots, knee boots, fitted boots, suede boots, rain boots, boots with fringe (which btw on the collar is dorky but up the side is good). Moccasin boots, boots with heels, boots with fur, boots with soft linings, silk linings and fleece.

I have always loved boots but never really looked good in them I have what can at best be referred to as jock legs (very muscled calves) and of course they are short so the boots seem to cut my legs right in half. So as I was dragged hither and yon, I could only swoon with envy as I watched them try on and discard boot after boot.

We finally settled on two pairs that they can and I assume will switch back and forth (for some reason they don't mind sharing shoes). One has to wonder what will be the next must have on their list.

Sometimes they just Amaze You

So, I hate reality shows.. oh I admit to enjoying the amazing race and my guilty secret is I watch dancing with the stars (and really like it). I may occasionally watch the apprentice and when endurance was on, I did peak at that.. but the rest..nope.. I have never watched, survivor or big brother or paris and nicole.. nothing.. they just irk me

And cartoons, well they have their place but prime time for adults is not one of them. Yes, I admit that too, the Simpsons.. have never been on in my home (well that I have seen), family guy? enough said.. I do like the roadrunner though.. but you get my point.

Now what ever could these two things have in common? well ask my daughter.. tonight I was listening to the tv show she was watching, it was definitely a reality show.. shaking my head I wandered in to see which one she was watching.. it was a CARTOON. ok, it was a "scripted" reality show, in cartoon format, so not even real people.

BUT IT GETS BETTER... she was discussing it with her sister and informed her sister of who wins. When I asked her how she knew she said it was a re-run.. ok, so she was watching a RERUN of a SCRIPTED reality show made with CARTOON characters..

does anyone besides me see the irony in this?