My kids pooled their money three months ago to buy a hamster.
Trading in old video games to the local game store, they had saved up just enough to buy the last hamster from our downtown pet store.
The trouble with buying from a small, independently owned store on a Sunday afternoon, was the girl working couldn't tell us if we had a boy hamster or a girl hamster. I guess this didn't bother my kids because fifteen minutes later, we left that pet store with a hamster named Cinnamon.
Since Cinnamon's arrived to our home, he/she has been pretty good. He/she only bit two of the three kids. My youngest daughter hasn't been bit and really handles him/her the best.
Despite Cinnamon's earlier bites, he/she's a good little pet. I will sometimes sit and watch him/her run on his/her little wheel at night while I am turning off lights. And whenever I bring him/her a carrot, Cinnamon will take the treat right out of my hand.
This past week, after a late night baseball banquet, I sat on the couch. Catching up on my TV for the night, I noticed my cat crouching and walking. It looked like she was after something. I perked up right away, wondering if she had found a mouse.
Then, I noticed Cinnamon's tan and white fur (very different from your basic mouse or rat). Walking along the stone fireplace he/she seemed to be minding his/her own business - not noticing the cat at all.
I jumped up immediately and scooped the little fur ball up before he/she hid on me. Returning Cinnamon to his/her cage, I noticed the entire ceiling of the habitat had been put on wrong, allowing the door to be pulled open. My kids must have done it the last time they fed the hamster.
My husband asked later how long Cinnamon had been running around the house and I shrugged my shoulders. Who knows?
He/she must have had quite an adventure though.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Lost and Found
Well, today can be remembered in our house as the day Mommy hit rock bottom. Today, I looked through an over-filled tall kitchen garbage bag for something I couldn't find anywhere ELSE in my house.
My husband re-rented a video game for my son two... no, three days ago. He went to work with it and swore he brought it into the house later that night.
We looked everywhere for it.
Retracing his steps (which he couldn't remember very well) we couldn't seem to find it anywhere in the house or his truck.
So, today I actually opened up a garbage bag in search of it.
Now, I don't go around digging through rotting food on a regular basis. This left me very, very disgusted. I am the kind of person that will gag and even puke when I see someone else puke. It also happened to be the garbage full of leftovers and end-of-its-life food, so this particular bag made my stomach retch and me want to hurl.
In the end, you know what I didn't find? The lost game. So, now I continue my quest.
I guess I'm relieved, in a way. It can't get much worse than this!
My husband re-rented a video game for my son two... no, three days ago. He went to work with it and swore he brought it into the house later that night.
We looked everywhere for it.
Retracing his steps (which he couldn't remember very well) we couldn't seem to find it anywhere in the house or his truck.
So, today I actually opened up a garbage bag in search of it.
Now, I don't go around digging through rotting food on a regular basis. This left me very, very disgusted. I am the kind of person that will gag and even puke when I see someone else puke. It also happened to be the garbage full of leftovers and end-of-its-life food, so this particular bag made my stomach retch and me want to hurl.
In the end, you know what I didn't find? The lost game. So, now I continue my quest.
I guess I'm relieved, in a way. It can't get much worse than this!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Memories...
Boy, I have been neglectful on this blog. I apologize. You know - kids - they keep you busy. I remembered my neglect last night while watching the "House" marathon on the USA channel.
If you have never seen the show you are really missing out. I think what drew my husband and I in was the disclaimer asking that parental guidance be involved. After a full day of "Blues Clues" and "Spongebob" we were always ready for a little adult-sized entertainment.
Anyway, "House" is a doctor show. There is some gore and Dr. House (the main character) can be very rude and even inappropriate. I like it. It's a very gripping and funny show.
So.... in this episode, Dr. House kept receiving visits from a teenage boy babysitting his little brother. This small little boy kept putting little tiny toys up his nose. I remembered my blog - this blog - and the inspiration for it all. The first story - which you can find here.
The punchline in "House" was that a policeman, fireman and fire truck were pulled out of this child's nose. Using a high-powered magnet, Dr. House finally found a small cat toy in the end. He realized this little boy was actually very smart. He was sending an entire team up after the cat.
I wish my kids were that smart, but putting things up their noses... well, they were just experimenting.
Kids - go figure.
If you have never seen the show you are really missing out. I think what drew my husband and I in was the disclaimer asking that parental guidance be involved. After a full day of "Blues Clues" and "Spongebob" we were always ready for a little adult-sized entertainment.
Anyway, "House" is a doctor show. There is some gore and Dr. House (the main character) can be very rude and even inappropriate. I like it. It's a very gripping and funny show.
So.... in this episode, Dr. House kept receiving visits from a teenage boy babysitting his little brother. This small little boy kept putting little tiny toys up his nose. I remembered my blog - this blog - and the inspiration for it all. The first story - which you can find here.
The punchline in "House" was that a policeman, fireman and fire truck were pulled out of this child's nose. Using a high-powered magnet, Dr. House finally found a small cat toy in the end. He realized this little boy was actually very smart. He was sending an entire team up after the cat.
I wish my kids were that smart, but putting things up their noses... well, they were just experimenting.
Kids - go figure.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Chocolate Chip Cookies For The Table!
My eight-year-old son is having spending issues. He gets up everyday in search of … something… anything. “Can I have an X-Box for Christmas? Will you take me to rent a video game today? Will you go to the store today to buy me more ice cream?” These are just some of the daily requests I receive.
I of course respond with, “No, what am I – made of money?”
Now, don’t get me wrong. My six-year-old and ten-year-old daughters have their issues too. I think most kids do. This product, called Materialism is being sold on every school bus and during every Disney Channel TV show. I am not blind to it. I know it’s out there. This is why I feel the need to be strict. I do not want my children’s credit card debt on my shoulders as they go to college and get ready to spring from my nest.
Let’s get back to my story. Lately, I have noticed my son is burning through his lunch money. His account cannot stay full for more than five days. It doesn’t matter how much money is in there. Two weeks ago I decided to take this problem seriously. I gave each of the kids 5 dollars. It was a Wednesday. I told them they had to make the five dollars last until the next week. The next week, on Tuesday, (there was no school on Monday), My son gave me a notice that his account was negative over 5 dollars. How he spent 10 dollars in three days, I didn’t know.
I tried again. I gave him 20 dollars. I told him that this money would last for two weeks. If he spent through the money in less than two weeks, I would pack him lunch the leftover days.
This morning, I found my son’s account was negative by 80 cents. Hmmmm, I thought. How could this kid burn through 20 dollars in just five days? Lunch only cost $1.50. Even if he bought breakfast (70 cents), it would add up to $2.30 a day.
My husband and I walked into school to talk with the cafeteria lady. She told us she would print out a list of his buying habits to send home with him. I cannot wait to see what this will tell us.
As my husband and I drove home from the school this morning, we tried to figure out what our son was doing with his lunch money.
My husband wondered if a bully was forcing him to buy extra food for him.
Trying to picture this, I replied, “Nah, he doesn’t scare that easy.”
Then it hit me. I told my husband, “He is probably buying his friends extra cookies and treats.”
My husband said, “You mean buying friends?”
“Yeah” I said, “You know, like a round for the table, on his account.”
My husband joked, “Oh! ‘You, in the hair net, one round of chocolate chip cookies on me!’”
Sighing at my husband’s hair net joke (I had to wear those once – they are not fun!) I agreed. In third grade there is a lot of social pressure. Buying friends with chocolate chip cookies was not the answer though.
Putting a stop to the chocolate chip cookies and the lunch money, before it eats away at his college fund, I forced my son to pack a lunch the rest of the week!
I hope my son remembers this important lesson later in life when he is juggling bills, groceries, and lunch money with his own family. Looking back, packing his lunch might not seem like such a sacrifice.
I of course respond with, “No, what am I – made of money?”
Now, don’t get me wrong. My six-year-old and ten-year-old daughters have their issues too. I think most kids do. This product, called Materialism is being sold on every school bus and during every Disney Channel TV show. I am not blind to it. I know it’s out there. This is why I feel the need to be strict. I do not want my children’s credit card debt on my shoulders as they go to college and get ready to spring from my nest.
Let’s get back to my story. Lately, I have noticed my son is burning through his lunch money. His account cannot stay full for more than five days. It doesn’t matter how much money is in there. Two weeks ago I decided to take this problem seriously. I gave each of the kids 5 dollars. It was a Wednesday. I told them they had to make the five dollars last until the next week. The next week, on Tuesday, (there was no school on Monday), My son gave me a notice that his account was negative over 5 dollars. How he spent 10 dollars in three days, I didn’t know.
I tried again. I gave him 20 dollars. I told him that this money would last for two weeks. If he spent through the money in less than two weeks, I would pack him lunch the leftover days.
This morning, I found my son’s account was negative by 80 cents. Hmmmm, I thought. How could this kid burn through 20 dollars in just five days? Lunch only cost $1.50. Even if he bought breakfast (70 cents), it would add up to $2.30 a day.
My husband and I walked into school to talk with the cafeteria lady. She told us she would print out a list of his buying habits to send home with him. I cannot wait to see what this will tell us.
As my husband and I drove home from the school this morning, we tried to figure out what our son was doing with his lunch money.
My husband wondered if a bully was forcing him to buy extra food for him.
Trying to picture this, I replied, “Nah, he doesn’t scare that easy.”
Then it hit me. I told my husband, “He is probably buying his friends extra cookies and treats.”
My husband said, “You mean buying friends?”
“Yeah” I said, “You know, like a round for the table, on his account.”
My husband joked, “Oh! ‘You, in the hair net, one round of chocolate chip cookies on me!’”
Sighing at my husband’s hair net joke (I had to wear those once – they are not fun!) I agreed. In third grade there is a lot of social pressure. Buying friends with chocolate chip cookies was not the answer though.
Putting a stop to the chocolate chip cookies and the lunch money, before it eats away at his college fund, I forced my son to pack a lunch the rest of the week!
I hope my son remembers this important lesson later in life when he is juggling bills, groceries, and lunch money with his own family. Looking back, packing his lunch might not seem like such a sacrifice.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Flying baseballs at football practice - DIVE!
Last night, I sat in the August heat and felt a wave of cool air waft across my face. The sweat dripping down the side of my face began evaporating. I could feel September coming. I knew it wouldn't be long now.
I tried to pick out my son on the football field. This was hard to do for two reasons. One - there are 30 kids on the team and they all have practice jerseys, pants and helmets that are similar. You have to know that your son is wearing an over-sized plain gold jersey, white helmet, and red pants. Two - baseball practice was going on next to us and although the kids looked like 9 to 11 year-olds, they were real sluggers. As soon as I would pick out my son, a "crack" would emanate from my left and I would look.
I am sure I could attribute this nervousness I felt about the baseball field to post traumatic stress syndrome. About 18 years ago, I began my college career with my new friends in a game of softball. I was trying to show off my expert softball skills and ran to catch a pop fly in the outfield. I learned an important lesson that day, if you cannot see the ball because of the sun, put the glove over your face or duck and cover. I did neither and this is why I have a left eye that won't dilate and poor eyesight.
Back to present day. With all of this looking for Cameron and looking for baseballs, I didn't notice the fight that broke out between two of the coaches. Now, I am a recovering gossip artist so I do not plan to divulge this story. It would be in poor taste. I only mention it because I hate confrontation and this made me even more nervous. I was almost visibly shaking!
Back to practice. I am looking for Cameron, I am looking at baseballs. Finally, I look at the baseball that was just hit, and I see it coming for me! I think for minute, wait, can I catch it? I know I can't and should go with the classic "duck and cover" move acquired from my college days. As I roll onto the ground and look behind me, I see the baseball land in the middle of my chair!
I am glad I ducked and I am glad I covered. I must have looked like an idiot though. All of the other football moms applauded my fast thinking and I moved my chair. Enough was enough.
I think I will bring my glove to the next practice and do a little fielding.
I tried to pick out my son on the football field. This was hard to do for two reasons. One - there are 30 kids on the team and they all have practice jerseys, pants and helmets that are similar. You have to know that your son is wearing an over-sized plain gold jersey, white helmet, and red pants. Two - baseball practice was going on next to us and although the kids looked like 9 to 11 year-olds, they were real sluggers. As soon as I would pick out my son, a "crack" would emanate from my left and I would look.
I am sure I could attribute this nervousness I felt about the baseball field to post traumatic stress syndrome. About 18 years ago, I began my college career with my new friends in a game of softball. I was trying to show off my expert softball skills and ran to catch a pop fly in the outfield. I learned an important lesson that day, if you cannot see the ball because of the sun, put the glove over your face or duck and cover. I did neither and this is why I have a left eye that won't dilate and poor eyesight.
Back to present day. With all of this looking for Cameron and looking for baseballs, I didn't notice the fight that broke out between two of the coaches. Now, I am a recovering gossip artist so I do not plan to divulge this story. It would be in poor taste. I only mention it because I hate confrontation and this made me even more nervous. I was almost visibly shaking!
Back to practice. I am looking for Cameron, I am looking at baseballs. Finally, I look at the baseball that was just hit, and I see it coming for me! I think for minute, wait, can I catch it? I know I can't and should go with the classic "duck and cover" move acquired from my college days. As I roll onto the ground and look behind me, I see the baseball land in the middle of my chair!
I am glad I ducked and I am glad I covered. I must have looked like an idiot though. All of the other football moms applauded my fast thinking and I moved my chair. Enough was enough.
I think I will bring my glove to the next practice and do a little fielding.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Three kids are easy...
Have you heard? Three kids are EASY!
That's right, I said it. Having just one child is simple as pie, two kids are fun as can be, and three kids are easier than ever. These are my feelings and I am sticking to them! What? You want to know WHY I have changed my moaning and whining tune so quickly? Today, my friend Gail (thanks Gail) sent me this link from EBAY.
Here, I will quote for you:
"I'm selling a bunch of Pokemon cards. Why? Because my kids sneaked them into my shopping cart while at the grocery store and I ended up buying them because I didn't notice they were there until we got home. How could I have possibly not noticed they were in my cart, you ask? Let me explain.
You haven’t lived until you’ve gone grocery shopping with six kids in tow. I would rather swim, covered in bait, through the English Channel, be a contestant on Fear Factor when they’re having pig brains for lunch, or do fourth grade math than to take my six kids to the grocery store. Because I absolutely detest grocery shopping, I tend to put it off as long as possible. There comes a time, however, when you’re peering into your fridge and thinking, ‘Hmmm, what can I make with ketchup, Italian dressing, and half an onion,’ that you decide you cannot avoid going to the grocery store any longer. Before beginning this most treacherous mission, I gather all the kids together and give them “The Lecture“.
“The Lecture“ goes like this…
MOM: “We have to go to the grocery store.”
KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine.“
MOM: “Hey, I don’t want to go either, but it’s either that or we’re eating cream of onion-ketchup soup and drinking Italian dressing for dinner tonight.”
KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine."
She finishes up like this:
"So, up for auction is an opened (they ripped open the box on the way home from the store) package of Pokemon cards. There are 44 cards total. They're in perfect condition, as I took them away from the kiddos as soon as we got home from the store. Many of them say "Energy". I tried carrying them around with me, but they didn't work. I definitely didn't have any more energy than usual. One of them is shiny. There are a few creature-like things on many of them. One is called Pupitar. Hee hee hee Pupitar! (Oh no! My kids' sense of humor is rubbing off on me!) Anyway, I don't there's anything special about any of these cards, but I'm very much not an authority on Pokemon cards. I just know that I'm not letting my kids keep these as a reward for their sneakiness.
Shipping is FREE on this item. Insurance is optional, but once I drop the package at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility. For example, if my son decides to pour a bottle of glue into the envelope, or my daughter spills a glass of juice on the package, that’s my responsibility and I will fully refund your money. If, however, I take the envelope to the post office and a disgruntled mail carrier sets fire to it, a pack of wild dogs rip into it, or a mail sorting machine shreds it, it’s out of my hands, so you may want to add insurance. I will leave feedback for you as soon as I’ve received your payment. I will be happy to combine shipping on multiple items won within three days. This comes from a smoke-free, pet-free, child-filled home. Please ask me any questions before placing your bid. Happy bidding! :)"
The kicker is, this woman sold them for $142.51! Sounds like she may have made a little money. Just payment for the summer? I think so.
Three kids - no problem!
That's right, I said it. Having just one child is simple as pie, two kids are fun as can be, and three kids are easier than ever. These are my feelings and I am sticking to them! What? You want to know WHY I have changed my moaning and whining tune so quickly? Today, my friend Gail (thanks Gail) sent me this link from EBAY.
Here, I will quote for you:
"I'm selling a bunch of Pokemon cards. Why? Because my kids sneaked them into my shopping cart while at the grocery store and I ended up buying them because I didn't notice they were there until we got home. How could I have possibly not noticed they were in my cart, you ask? Let me explain.
You haven’t lived until you’ve gone grocery shopping with six kids in tow. I would rather swim, covered in bait, through the English Channel, be a contestant on Fear Factor when they’re having pig brains for lunch, or do fourth grade math than to take my six kids to the grocery store. Because I absolutely detest grocery shopping, I tend to put it off as long as possible. There comes a time, however, when you’re peering into your fridge and thinking, ‘Hmmm, what can I make with ketchup, Italian dressing, and half an onion,’ that you decide you cannot avoid going to the grocery store any longer. Before beginning this most treacherous mission, I gather all the kids together and give them “The Lecture“.
“The Lecture“ goes like this…
MOM: “We have to go to the grocery store.”
KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine.“
MOM: “Hey, I don’t want to go either, but it’s either that or we’re eating cream of onion-ketchup soup and drinking Italian dressing for dinner tonight.”
KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine."
She finishes up like this:
"So, up for auction is an opened (they ripped open the box on the way home from the store) package of Pokemon cards. There are 44 cards total. They're in perfect condition, as I took them away from the kiddos as soon as we got home from the store. Many of them say "Energy". I tried carrying them around with me, but they didn't work. I definitely didn't have any more energy than usual. One of them is shiny. There are a few creature-like things on many of them. One is called Pupitar. Hee hee hee Pupitar! (Oh no! My kids' sense of humor is rubbing off on me!) Anyway, I don't there's anything special about any of these cards, but I'm very much not an authority on Pokemon cards. I just know that I'm not letting my kids keep these as a reward for their sneakiness.
Shipping is FREE on this item. Insurance is optional, but once I drop the package at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility. For example, if my son decides to pour a bottle of glue into the envelope, or my daughter spills a glass of juice on the package, that’s my responsibility and I will fully refund your money. If, however, I take the envelope to the post office and a disgruntled mail carrier sets fire to it, a pack of wild dogs rip into it, or a mail sorting machine shreds it, it’s out of my hands, so you may want to add insurance. I will leave feedback for you as soon as I’ve received your payment. I will be happy to combine shipping on multiple items won within three days. This comes from a smoke-free, pet-free, child-filled home. Please ask me any questions before placing your bid. Happy bidding! :)"
The kicker is, this woman sold them for $142.51! Sounds like she may have made a little money. Just payment for the summer? I think so.
Three kids - no problem!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
One Last Hurrah!
As the last week of summer has come and gone, I have experienced what can only be described as one last hurrah! My ten-year-old went to sleep over at her friend's house Friday night. They stayed up all night to watch the much anticipated High School Musical 2 followed by the newest Hannah Montana episode.
The next day we invited three of her friends and one of my six-year-old's friends over for a sleepover. By 8 pm, High School Musical 2 replayed for us to watch again and I was looking for a corner to hide in. My eight-year-old son hid under the coffee table. A place where he could still see the TV, but remain hidden from view. Make-up flew in all directions and one girl had to go home early.
After taking this little girl home at 11:30 that night (she didn't feel well) and waking up to my oldest puking her guts out, I was sure it couldn't get any worse. Then, it happened again. Just when I thought maybe we had put High School Musical 2 out of our house for at least a couple of days, we got to watch it again Sunday night. Still exhausted from the invasion of girls the previous night, I stayed up till 10 pm only to usher my kids into their rooms and turn the TV off for the night. That night I slept much better.
Today, Tuesday, our last day of the summer, I am babysitting my son's friend. He is a good boy, but still a boy. My son deserves to have his friends over too, but I am so tired of seeing a parade of kids in my house.
I will throw myself into working in the house today. Cooking, cleaning, and ironing are on my to-do list, holding out hope for tomorrow. Tomorrow this time I will be drinking coffee alone. I will be driving into town alone. I will have quiet and adult conversations only. (until 3:30 at least). This thought will keep me going today.
For those moms that have already sent their little ones off to school - I am jealous. For those with a few more days or weeks until school begins - hang in there! I will have a quiet cup of coffee for you too!
The next day we invited three of her friends and one of my six-year-old's friends over for a sleepover. By 8 pm, High School Musical 2 replayed for us to watch again and I was looking for a corner to hide in. My eight-year-old son hid under the coffee table. A place where he could still see the TV, but remain hidden from view. Make-up flew in all directions and one girl had to go home early.
After taking this little girl home at 11:30 that night (she didn't feel well) and waking up to my oldest puking her guts out, I was sure it couldn't get any worse. Then, it happened again. Just when I thought maybe we had put High School Musical 2 out of our house for at least a couple of days, we got to watch it again Sunday night. Still exhausted from the invasion of girls the previous night, I stayed up till 10 pm only to usher my kids into their rooms and turn the TV off for the night. That night I slept much better.
Today, Tuesday, our last day of the summer, I am babysitting my son's friend. He is a good boy, but still a boy. My son deserves to have his friends over too, but I am so tired of seeing a parade of kids in my house.
I will throw myself into working in the house today. Cooking, cleaning, and ironing are on my to-do list, holding out hope for tomorrow. Tomorrow this time I will be drinking coffee alone. I will be driving into town alone. I will have quiet and adult conversations only. (until 3:30 at least). This thought will keep me going today.
For those moms that have already sent their little ones off to school - I am jealous. For those with a few more days or weeks until school begins - hang in there! I will have a quiet cup of coffee for you too!
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