What a bummer...

Oh, your parents are taking a Love and Logic parenting class, what a bummer.

Yes, that is our phrase.

Oh Carter, what a bummer that you wrote Griffin sucks BA_ _ S (like basket, base or soccer) on the back of my dirty car and now you have to use your report card money to pay for a car wash.

Boys, what a bummer, you decided to steal that lick-a-stick candy thing off our counter and now you have to surrender half of your Halloween candy.

Yes, life is sometimes a bummer. But hopefully things will be more peaceful in the long run.

Can't wait to attend week two!

Not our Father

Griffin is outgoing, social, compassionate, funny, and a cutie. Although we discourage it, he says he has 3 girlfriends. We believe him. He doesn't know it yet, but he has a date for prom, my friend has her heart set her daughter and my son going together. I must admit, they would be a cute couple.

Imagine my surprise when he announced his latest choice of profession.


Griffin: Mom, I want to be the world's youngest priest.

Me: First of all, we aren't catholic. And secondly, priests can't go on dates, have girlfriends, or get married.

Long pause.....

Griffin: I changed my mind.




I told Ben, I don't know why he said he wants to be a priest. He doesn't even know what one is. Ben said, he wants to have communion all the time....I bet that is it. He loves the first Sunday of the month!

Mother Abuse

I used to think it was torture. Cruel and unusual punishment. Like twisting that knife in my heart a little bit more.

Why would they do that?

Sure, they don't know better, but is that really an excuse?

Now I think, it's fine, I don't need you. Obviously you still need me. Listen carefully, I can not help you. I will try to pawn this off on someone else, I can't guarantee they will go for it.

Hillary, Jennifer, Karen, Paula, Monica and my other friends with girls,

Please come pick up this latest issue of the American Girl catalog before I pitch it in the garbage.

UPDATE: Are you people INSANE? I just flipped through the catalog on the way to the garbage. Do people really spend that much on a doll? And $250 for a doll treehouse? Umm, is it life size? Can't you get a kid-size fort for $250? Is this one lined in gold?

Does anyone really spend this kind of money on dolls? God Bless Legos and GI Joe.

On Vacation

We had a great time with our company this past week. The weather warmed up for us, but it was still chilly for our Florida visitors. We ate too much, drank too much beer, laughed a lot, slept too little, and had a really great time. I completely neglected the blog and the job.

If I still have any followers, I hope you enjoy this post and I promise to blog more regularly! I am sure Jim and Judy will be happy to see a new post. And Susi, thanks for your concern, we are doing fine now.







In between the beer drinking and eating we managed to do some sight-seeing.





American Numismatic Museum






Buell Children's Museum





Air Force Academy






Focus on the Family






Pumpkin Patch









Our boys were out of school Thursday and Friday for parent/teacher conferences. Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Tammy planned their vacation knowing we would have lots of time with the boys.





We also had low key fun around the house, pumpkin carving, baseball games, bear hunting.





We splurged for a baby sitter one night and had grown up time: a nice dinner out and off to see our neighbor's band.





It was a very fun time. We are always happy to have company come to visit. Thanks Jimmy and Tammy, we hope you had as much fun as we did!

It's a very sad day

No one died. No one is sick.

It is the third consecutive day with the morning temperatures below 40. It is the day I realized summer is over, fall is here.

I must put away all my sandals and flip flops....Ah, sad, sad day.

I can no longer leave the house in my black Speedo flip flops and expect the weather to warm up. It may still warm up, but if I leave the house in flip flops, I will look like an idiot. With weather like this, snow is in our near future. It is very embarrassing to be caught in a snow storm in sandals. "Are you stupid?" "Do you not have tv for weather forecasts?" "Do you not have a window to the outside?"

So, with a heavy heart I will back up my sandals for the winter...

And pull out fun fall boots and cashmere! Oh, there is a bright side.

Home Economics ~ Home School Style

Before you read any further, NO I do not home school my boys. A. I am not that creative and B. I am not that patient.

I cringe when I see another teacher work day (= no school) on the calendar.

Today we REALLY NEEDED to go to the grocery store. Hayden still had preschool, so it was just Carter (10), Griffin (7) and myself. I did not want to be sucked into buying every little thing they picked out. I would have chosen to go without them, but we really needed to shop today.

I wanted to spend no more than $50. Truly, I didn't think this was possible.

I armed Carter with a calculator, the boys brought their $5 from Grandma Judy and Grandpa Jim (Thanks guys!!) and we headed to King Soopers.

The boys compared prices, picked apples that were on sale, weighed the produce, entered the amount on the calculator. Aisle after aisle of reading the price per pound/ounce section of the tags. Picking store brand over Jif peanut butter (I am a choosy mom but really, I am on a budget). Seeing lots items we will think about for next time. Saying, "Oh, I wish that was one sale."

We got 7 bags of food; lots of apples, bananas, soups, cheeses, meat, etc.

Our total would have been $55, but I had pharmacy rewards (we had filled a prescription earlier in the month and got a $20 reward!) so our total was $35.

But that isn't even the best part. The boys worked together, made informed choices, worked within a budget, and got a better understanding of the value of money. AND THEY DIDN'T FIGHT! It was a wonderful morning.

And they go back to school on Monday!

After School Snack

I remember after school snacks: a couple of cookies and a glass of milk.

Griffin's (the 7 year old) after school snack today: one can beef ravioli (gross, I know) and two corn dogs.

Next question: When's dinner?

Is it any wonder I can not keep food in this house.

Dear Ripper,

Dear Ripper,

I am getting closer to finding out your identity.

First, I know you are trying to slash your grocery bill.

Secondly, I know you think your child's art work is suitable for display. How do I know this you ask? I was in the pediatrician's waiting room after you and noticed you ripped out pages 92-99 of Wonder Time's September issue. I hope you enjoy those 10 stylish ways to display your kid's artwork.

I was just going to check and see if my stylish ways were listed. You see, I have my own style and do not need to rip the pages out of a magazine.

Frequently updated display of school art, proudly displayed in the great room.





Decorative tile / trivet from Art to Remember fundraisers along kitchen soffit.





Painted "masterpieces" above the fireplace.



I also know you are having trouble with your child being bullied. Yes, you ripped out that article too.

Perhaps your child is getting bullied because he keeps taking things that don't belong to him. Oh, like waiting room magazine articles.

You should have also removed the article on ethics, teaching the golden rule. Apparently this was one thing you didn't learn. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

I'll find you, you magazine article ripper-outter. And when I do....

Tired of reading after you,
Laura

Super Dad

He is the den leader for our second grader's cub scout den.




He is the Skate City guy, riding the bus every month so even the kids whose parents can't drive them across town can get to go skating.

He coaches Flag Football.



He does laundry.

He takes out garbage, although he has a new apprentice in training.




He referrees high school football and basketball, often taking a son with him to watch.

He helps me teach Sunday School for the 4th and 5th graders in our church.

He serves on two committees at church.

He plays bass guitar for the praise team every Sunday during early service.

He works for a food service company as a territory manager (this means salesman).




He sold over 3 million dollars last year. He will get another plaque for his basement office wall.

He works long hours solving food emergencies all over town.

He works every other weekend, in addition to five days a week.




He (usually) answers his cell phone when I call.

He puts up with my attitude.

He reads the blog regularily.

He brings me coffee in bed every morning, even today, on his birthday.

Happy Birthday honey. Damn, you're getting old.