It Takes a Bush

Our family tree is not grown perfectly upright

with all its branches and leaves pruned just right
where the green grass grows all around and around…
where the green grows all around

We’re better compared to a bush

As my Stepmom’s husband
(who, just to clarify, is not my Dad)
would say.

And our bush has been growing wildly.

Hence my absence.

Teen 1 has since grown all up-
graduated, married, had a beautiful baby boy, and moved out
(not particularly in that order, but hey, that’s how we do)

Teen 2 is now a senior- Yikes. That’s all I can say about that.
She has a job, earned enough credits early to have minimum days at school, and is deciding what to do when she grows up

And our rambunctious little toddler is now a full grown boy.

Raising teenagers is no walk in the park.
It’s been beyond challenging.
I know I was no angel, if you recall this blog-http://daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/2009/07/life-changingteen-pregnancy.html
this was a doozy on my parents.

I often talk to my parents and tell them I don’t know how they dealt with it.
How do you deal with a teenage pregnancy, knowing yourself how hard it is.
Knowing the discrimination your child will go through.
How do you deal with your child raising their own child in your home.

I’ve also been that mom that’s gone into a house party at midnight to search for my daughter, grabbed a hold of her, and yelled at anyone & everyone in my way.

And probably would’ve beaten the living crap out of her if I knew they weren’t watching.

It’s
Been
ROUGH
to say the least.

But life is challenging.

I’m sure I’m not alone- even though I felt as though I was
Many times throwing my hands up in the air and giving up
Wanting to quit the roll of being the mom

But with the help of my husband and all the branches of our bush

We survived.

We’ve come out better people.
Things have calmed down (knock on wood)
Everyone has branched out into their own person
Although I know it will change
They will change
We will grow more branches
Which will produce more little leaves

Colors will change with the seasons
We will continue to love and nurture the bush
And we will all be there to support one another
We hope you follow along as we grow
Janelle

Moments of Serenity

I despise homework

My fourth grade teacher helped to solidify my disdain
I already had a dislike for it
Mr. O’Mally didn’t believe in it. Period.
He told us so
In fourth grade
My little brain attached to that concept
He was smart, he was a teacher
He dressed up as a leprechaun for St. Patrick’s Day for goodness sake
He taught us how to construct wooden napkin holders with real saws and workhorses
He taught us how to build rockets that actually flew through the air
From that year on, I didn’t believe in homework either


As life would have it, I would end up with 3 kids of my own
3 kids that would obviously go to school
3 kids that would have homework
The thought of their homework makes me irritable
I try, they try
I get frustrated, they get frustrated
I explain, they roll their eyes
I instruct, they complain

I curse you Mr. O'Mally *shakes fist in the air*

Thankfully the teenagers are in high school
and I’m pretty clueless so they hardly ask for help
The Boy has started doing his homework at daycare

Wheh…

Until yesterday,
Teen 2 was at the dining room table working on her homework when I stepped foot in the door
The Boy had completed some pages at school,
but I told him to sit down and study his spelling words and math
Teen 1 must’ve felt the homework bug in the air and came out of her cave bedroom
to inform me that she needed help with her school assignment, a resume
So here they are, all 3 of them
At the table, looking at me for guidance to do their homework

I tried to remain calm

The Boy complained that I didn’t pronounce the word “hand” correctly as I quizzed him.
Mom, You said had, you tricked me
Seriously, kid? H A N D …geez!!

Teen 1 tried to reel me in,
Mom, I want to be a photographer because they I won't have a boss
You’re gonna be 18 in how many days? I’m thinking
The thought of her being an adults absolutely terrifies me.
I inform her, that she will indeed have a boss
and her customers will most certainly be in that category
Teen 2 and The Boy push each other’s papers at each other
Sighing and glaring at each other with irritation.

The Hubs knowing to stay clear of the warzone and offers to cut up ingredients for dinner

But for just a minute, one solitary moment
There it was
Peace
As they all followed directions
As they all sat there doing their homework
Teen 1 asking and accepting my answers
The Boy re-writing words that he needed to study
And Teen 2, just knowing what to do
Relief

I exhaled, serenity, I thought to myself

MOM!!!!!

Even if just for a moment…



http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

You think you’re cooler than me

When your kids are young, they adore everything you do.
There’s nothing you can do that doesn’t make them laugh.
They accept all your hugs and kisses.
They hold your hand as you walk through the store
(unless they’re hiding from you in the clothes racks…
Ugghh, I hate when he does that!!)

The Boy is on the cusp of turning 5 and he already won’t kiss me at daycare.

Now, they all look at me like I’m some kind of freak when I sing along to their songs!
Sorry girls, but you used to think I was Mariah fricken Carey!

Today The Girls called me at work with the radio blaring in the background
Mom, do you like Pitbull?
Why, I ask (they’re always some ulterior motive with teenagers)
You’re gonna make fun of me aren’t you? I ask with hesitation.
No, we’re not.
Yes, I do. I admit proudly.
I could hear the snicker in Teen 1’s voice.
Yeah, Teen 2 said you probably knew all the words to this song!, she says.

Whatever!! So what, your mama still likes to shake her booty when she hears music!!
Next time, I will learn all the words and rap along with him!

Then there’s the days that they call me to say they’re going on a bike ride.
You better not ride MY bike! I remind them each time.

M O M!!
N O O N E wants to ride your bike!

What?!
Seriously, I have
The COOLEST bike in the whole house!
What do they mean?!

I mean seriously, look at this thing. People look at me with envy in their eyes when they see me riding this sweet piece of machinery down the street!

There are times when I walk into their room to check myself out in the mirror
Only to realize that we’re pretty much wearing the same outfit!

Ha, you think you’re cooler then me…
You dress just like me?!

I won’t mention that this is MY hat she’s wearing!

It's probably because you think you're cooler than me!

*wink* love you girls

www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Love letters from Teen 1

And just when you're ready to throw your hands up in the air,
or cover your face with them to hide from the reality of raising a family,
you receive this from your teenager...

Day 18 - The Person you wish you could be

Dear Mom,
I wish I could be like you for many reasons. You inspire me to want to do great things to better myself and my future. You’re the reason why I want to follow ALL my dreams. Because of you, I have such a good head on my shoulders. You’re there for us when we need you to listen. Even the little things that go unnoticed are appreciated. You’re strong willed and nothing stops you from getting what you want. You told us to never sweat the small stuff and because of that I’m a happy person. You shower us with the best kind of love and support. You may kill my little guy every now and then but I know it’s only because you don’t want me to be afraid of rejection. I’m learning it’s just a part of life and I’m not always going to get what I want. You want us to achieve above and beyond and I know we can if we have you in our lives. You care more about others than of yourself. Everyone just wants a little attention from you; you’re the best mom, sister, auntie, daughter, friend, wife, ect. I’m so thankful to have you as MY mother. You’ve guided us in the right direction and watched us make mistakes BUT still continued to help steer us back. When we do make mistakes I know how much it hurts you, but we can only grow from it. You’ve given up so much for us kids and we can’t thank you enough. You put your dreams and goals aside for us so we can have a roof over our head, clothes, and food on our table. Even after a long day at work you still have time to make us dinner and sitting at the table. “Table talks” are the best kind of talks; we get to hear about your day and we get to tell you about what we did that day. Our little rides to the store where we’re not supposed to get anything but we usually come home with something new. YES, WE THINK YOU’RE MADE OUT OF MONEY. There’s never been a time where I didn’t think you couldn’t provide for us. Momma you’re a go-getter. I just want to make you proud. When I grow up and have a family of my own I hope I’m like you, I hope I can give my children all that you give us. I love you and all that you do for us.
Love always your first born


Leaves me speechless with tears in my eyes.
Makes every bit of heartache and headache worth it.

And even though they act like they hate the beast in me
or when I look at them with those eyes that "kill the little guy inside of them"
(he's their metaphor for the one who speaks up when they wanna ask me for something)
and I tell them he needs to grow some balls and learn to speak up and ask for things
they know it's only because I love them.
http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Driving to Denial

As Hubby and I are sitting at the dinner table he says I need some soda.
Then he proceeds to say to my surprise, I’m gonna have Teen 1 drive me to the store.

At that point my eyes bugged out and my head tilted like a puppy dog.
Huh? Really??!!

You see, she’s taken the online course.
She’s received the certification in the mail.
She’s begged and pleaded for us to take her to get her permit.
But each time I make up some excuse.
Not right now.
Our insurance is going to skyrocket.
We only have one car.
Or my personal favorite, saying nothing just silence.

Then he begins to call out “Teeeeeen 1!”

She comes out of the room and he asks, You wanna drive me to the store?

Her face lights up and she may even be standing on her tippy toes.
Really? Yeah, sure! She promptly replies.

Now my stomach is turning, my palms are sweating, and my heart is racing.

Then I realize that I’m in denial.
She’s 16 and a half
She’s growing up

My little tiny baby girl that kept me up all night because she would only drink 2 oz of milk every 2 hours…
My baby with the chubbiest legs you’ve ever seen, the one that had me worried she couldn’t hold up all that weight on her tiny feet to walk…
My little toddler who was THE most stubborn, hard headed child I’ve gone through yet…

Is almost an adult.

Wheh…breathe…

We proceed to the car.
Hubby in the front.
I’m sitting in the back next to The Boy.
The Boy is completly excited about this.
I on the other hand, am not.

Teen 1 begins to back out of the driveway
Slowly in reverse.
Looking over her shoulder very cautiously.

She then proceeds to drive down our street.

Breathing, inhale(that’s me)

Hubby is guiding her carefully.

Slowly, very slowly she goes.
Give it some gas we tell her.

I don’t like gas, I’m scared of gas she replies.

At 10-15 miles an hour we creep down the streets of our tract.
It takes us 5 mins to drive half a mile.

Exhale

Wheh…my baby girl drives like a grandma…

For now anyway…

http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Now I know why animals eat their young...

Because they must’ve gone through the teenage years with a previous litter.

Oh my Teen 1
How I love thee…
but I truly wonder what kind of logic is going on in that brain of yours…

These are downright serious conversations with Teen 1.


She calls me after school as she does daily to tell me about her day

Mom, Ms. X gave me a compliment today, she says.

Oh really? What happened?, I ask
(Ms. X and her have been having issues since day 1 since I'm quite surprised)

Well I asked her if I could bring my grade up by the end of the semester
And Ms X. said, Yes, I know you can do it, but I just don’t know what’s wrong with you.

I'm sorta perplexed?
I reply, Oh really, so that was her compliment.

Yeah.

Hmmm…Ok.
(ok, if that's what she thinks?!)


Then she continues on asking if I would take her to get an application for a job.

We talk some more and I tell her I’m not comfortable until she brings her grades up.

Yeah, well I’m lazy.

Ummm…ok.
(I went on and on with my motherly lecture but I’ll spare you the details)

Mom, did you know that most geniuses were lazy?

No, actually I had no idea.

Yeah, most of them were! I’m like a genius.

http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Today was a good day...

The girls are on spring break this week

Teen 2 texts me on Wed and asked if she could go to the beach Thurs.
We had our usual back and forth questioning?
Who’s going?
She quickly rambled off 10 kids
5 girls
5 BOYS
How are you getting there?
The bus

Hmmm…my instincts are kicking in
And I ask for half the day off

I prepare my bags the night before
And ask the girls to make sandwiches
And pack snacks for the beach

How embarrassing…Teen 2 replies
Then don’t eat my food when we get there!

These girls are so funny-
They curl their hair
Put on their make up
Find the right outfit

We’re going to the beach right?!

I pull up to the beautiful sunny beach
with 4 teen girls
And one 4 year old boy in tow

We find our spot in the sand and I’m getting the look…
Are you staying with us Mom? She asks
Ummm…I was, I replied.
But I get it.
She wants me out of sight.

So I plop down the cooler and snacks
And leave the girls in position
The Boy and I settle down closer to the water

I text hubby…I think she’s embarrassed of me!

The Boy wants to get in the water
So we tiptoe in
It’s freezing, oh yeah, it’s only April
He teases the waves as he runs back and forth with the water

The girls meet up with their boy friends
And head back to “their” spot

I turn around and look back every so often to watch them from the distance
And just giggle to myself that she’s at that age
That stage where everything about your parents is so embarrassing

Eventually she comes over with her friends
And they take The Boy into their little click
They bring him into the water
They jump with him
Swing him around

I stand in the distance with my camera
To forever capture these moments

Eventually I get to move in closer

The Boy is now one of their friends.
Here’s proof, he got to tattoo one of her friends
About just how cool he is!

They play football,
Go back in the water,
Boys boogie board
The girls tan

We stay and play for about 3 ½ hours
I'm able to convince them to take a group shot before we leave.

We get home and the girls ask if they can go to a bonfire at a friends.

They begin the routine again,
The hair,
The make up,
The outfits

By 7:40 Teen 1 and Teen 2 leave together
The Boy and I sit at the kitchen table
And watch as 5 teenage girls rush out of the house
They wave good bye

He turns to me and ask for a 2nd serving of Salmon
And an apple for his side.

I sigh…
And am thankful

Today was a good day.

http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Think, think, think...

"Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out"
-Michael Burke

As those little girls of ours are growing into young ladies,
they must go through the dreaded teenage years.

They will test their boundaries,
Talk back,
Argue,
Debate,
Try to sneak around,
Fail tests,
Fail to do homework,
Blame it on the teachers,
Fight with friends,
Break up with boyfriends,
Get caught doing things that they know they shouldn’t be doing…

We will talk,
Argue,
Debate,
Punish,
talk,
talk,
talk,
hug and kiss,
and tell them we love them
even if they did make stupid decisions

We will have to understand that we cannot be the perfect parents
We will not be their friends
We are there to guide them
And teach them
And sometimes we can’t catch them when they fall
But we’ll be there to pick them up and dust them off

We will remind them to go with their instincts,
Because they’re probably right from the beginning…

We will also remind them as I did the other night,
That I love them,
But they need to think of me
“The Beast”
In their face
Before they make a bad move!


http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

I’ll take #1 please

I had the pleasure of taking Teen 1 and
The Boy to the Dr. for physicals the other day.

The Boy needed 5 shots plus a finger prick.
He’s going to start Kindergarten this year
and he’s getting prepared.

The next morning The Boy’s teacher called
to let me know that his arm was really red and warm to touch.

We iced his arm when we came home and
gave him some Tylenol for the pain.
I checked vaccination reactions online and
ran him by the local pharmacy just for safe checking.

Day 2- We iced and Tylenoled before school
however by 9:30 his teacher called to say that he
was still in pain and asking for more medicine.

His whole upper arm is red, swollen, and warm to touch.

We head back to the Dr. to make sure
it’s just a common reaction.

His Dr. looked at his arm and massaged it a little.

He says, well it could be 3 things.

#1- Just a local reaction.
Give him some Motrin and Benadryl for the inflammation.
He should be fine in a couple days.

#2- If his arm begins to swell more and he has difficulty breathing.
Call 911!
Highly unlikely, vary rare.

(ok, seriously?! Trying not to look like a hypochondriac overprotective Mother)

#3- Bacteria infection
If it becomes bright red and is very sore to touch.
Go the ER.

(hmm…ok well those are great odds,
1 of the 3 options is not life threatening)

He continues
I think it’s #1,
but you remember the other two options right
Call 911
Or go to the ER

Ummm…yeah, thanks Doc.

www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Beauty or The Beast

This past Sunday afternoon, I warn the Teenagers -
I’m leaving for Forever 21 in 10 minutes.
So if you wanna join me, you better be ready.

I did mention, it was already the afternoon – they should have already been ready!

So my 10 minute warning turns into an actual 15 minutes
Which prompts me to a yell out a 2 minute warning,
of course, this naturally means 10.
They know the routine.
We go through this every morning as I threaten to leave them!

We pull up to the mall parking lot after our 15 minute drive.
Teen 2 still needs to change into the extra outfit
that she grabbed as we ran out of the door
because what she was wearing apparently wasn’t “Mall Material”.
I run inside and tell them to meet me when they’re ready.

I meet up with my sister who’s looking for some new winter gear
then The Teenagers join us.
They already have a scowl on their faces and the slump in their back.

Don’t just stand next to me, I say, go look for something.
Well can we get anything? They ask.
Yes, you’ve got $15 ea. Go find something.

And we part ways.

I run into The Teenagers 5 more times while in this brand new two-story shopaholics dream/nightmare of a store while the music is blaring(am I getting old?!)

Each time I see them, the same scowl, the same slump.

What have they found?

NOTHING, they’ve found nothing.

I on the other hand have scored a deal,
so I pay for my cute new dress and we leave the store.

I give them another opportunity,
would you like to go somewhere else I ask as they text away.
I must’ve been in a giving patient mood.

So Teen 2 wants to go into Charlette Russe.
We circle the sale racks, try clothes on, I up my dollar amount and yet again-
I’ve found something,
they found - NOTHING!
Same scowl, same slump

Now I’m feeling torn.
Irritated that they’re not finding anything and still slumping.
But guilty that now I’ve got two shopping bags to their nothing.

Again I offer, another store?
(hey, I got a dress and a blazer for $10 ea, I’m on a roll)

We go to Parrallel- NOTHING
Foreign Exchange- NOTHING
Some shoe store - NOTHING
Styles for Less – Teen 2 breaks down and gets a scarf

We’re just about to leave the mall so I ask out of irritation,
All these stores and you guys can’t find one thing?

They look at each other with that sisterly smirk.

WHAT??!!

Well… they begin.
We like that skirt that Auntie had in Forever 21.

WHAT??!!
WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING WHEN WE WERE THERE?!

We were scared, they say as they giggle.

SCARED OF WHAT?
IT’S PROBABLY A $10 SKIRT, WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST ASK?!

Because….more giggling…we call you The Beast!
We’re scared to ask you anything.
We call you The Beast in a good way though Mom.

A good way? I’m perplexed.

However, I continue to rant for another 5 minutes about buying them the skirts,
and another 5minutes about them asking me to pick up their friend and drop them off at the mall 15 minutes before I have to drive 45 minutes for a surprise party the day before.
OK-
I get it.

So sometimes, I can be a Beast.
Hope I’m at least a big loveable Beast

Thanks Girls.


http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Seeing Stars

Last weekend we went to see A Christmas Carol at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

I had no idea how cool this little adventure would be.

I thought we were just going to watch a Disney movie at a fancy theatre.

Well to my amazement, we were smack dab in the middle of Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

(who woulda' thunk I was from around these parts of town)

We find a spot to park in an expensive little garage

and who's the first person we see when we step out onto the street.

None other then Mr. Snoop Doggy Dogg, himself!

Well I just had to pinch myself, I was so thrilled!

I tried to play it cool though...

After all that excitement, we proceeded to walk down the street

and would you guess who flew by us?

That's right- Batman.

He was kind enough to let us know, as he spread his wings wide open, that

he poses for tips.

Uh huh, that's right.

You wanna take a picture with Spidey in this super cool pose, you better pay up!

Bet ya' didn't know that Spiderman wears slippers when he walks the street...

That's so he doesn't leave any sticky spidey tracks.

This guy tried to buzz on past us, but The Boy wasn't havin' that!

He wouldn't let his Daddy step away either.

The Boy has told all his friends at school that he met Bumble Bee in Hollywood.

He comes home everyday to tell me that someone else wants to go with us.

We might just have to take a field trip there.

Michael Jackson was also posing at his star.

Dora The Explorer was backpackin'.

Cinderella and her prince were dancing in the streets.

Edward Cullen winked at The Teenager a couple times!
I know, these are the things you dream of!

Chucky from Child's Play was lunging at people with a knife as they walked past.
The Teenagers went running as fast as possible and The Boy was worried the whole way home that 'that little boy is going to get lost".

Elmo wanted to pose for a picture(for a tip of course)
but when we told him we didn't have a camera,
he gave us a lecture for being in Hollywood without a camera.
(Yes, I'm still without a camera!!)

And to top off our awesome adventure, the movie was in 3D.
I obviously have never seen the commercials because I had no idea!
I don't think anyone else had any idea how scary this movie would be for the kiddies either.
You've been warned!
Kids will cry.
But you WILL look cool!

Word to the wise-

If you're visiting Hollywood soon,

bring a camera

and bring some dolla' dolla' bills y'all!

www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Mostly Wordless Wednesday...Friday her 13th

It's official - 2 teenagers
Since it was a Friday...
she was turning 13...
and the house was already decorated for Halloween
It was a Freaky Friday the 13th Birthday party

fully equipped with a 8 legged creature cake

eyeballs and sweet little black kitties to snack on
brain dip (aka guacamole)

a vat of witches brew for those whose thirst needed to be quenched
bat wings and bloody red soup to munch on for energy
a little bit of luck(y) charm treats
and a preserved brain as decor

more thirst quenchers and spooky scary film lighting up the dark of the night

Muuwaaaahhhaaahhhhaaaaa!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday My Little Pretty!

http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

How this week FLU by...

Monday 1:30 pm – ring, ring…Hi this is Jane from XYZ Jr. High, your daughter is very sick, can you please pick her up.

Being that it’s 1:30 which means school lets out shortly after, plus the fact that she mentioned that she’s very sick, I figure it must be true and start freaking out on my way. What if I get there and she has a fever and sore throat?
How do I know if this is the H1N1 (yes, I can be a bit of a hypochondriac)
Sure enough when I get there, Preteen has exactly that!!!
Since I’m freaking out, hubby suggest taking both Preteen and The Boy to the dr. since he’s been coughing again for the past few weeks.

A short trip later, sitting in an office full of sick kids, and $20 paid in co-payments, Preteen just has a cold and The Boy’s nasal allergies are flaring up.

Tuesday 8pm- I get back from an evening of shopping for 3 different outfits for The Teenager’s choir performances this week and notice that the boy is feeling pretty warm.
I take his temperature and it’s normal.
By 9pm I have to pick up The Teenager from rehearsal and hubby text me that he does indeed have a fever.
By the time we go to bed he’s up to 101.

Wed- stay home from work day. I bleached the heck out of the house, lysoled all the door knobs, remote controls, computer keyboard & mouse, pillows, everything I could think of.
Friday was Preteen’s b-day party which officially made her Teen 2.

Thursday- all seems good in the heavily lysoled household.

Friday- I’ve been fooled by that horrid flu bug.
The Teenager calls at 8:50 and says she’s not feeling well.
Of course being the suspicious mother that I can be, I tell her she needs to stick it out one more period, if she comes home no computer or going out with friends.
By 10am, ring ring… Hi, this is Joan from XYZ High School, your teenager is in the office with a fever of 100.6 and needs to be picked up!!!
Another sick day.
More bleach, more Lysol, and now antibacterial pump by the front door.

Friday night we had a great scary 13th birthday party which officially makes me a mother of two teenage girls!!!
Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

Followed by dentist appts, show performances on Sat.

Sunday was day of relaxation…

Until Teen 1 came to me with the thermometer at 7pm reading 100.5

Where’s the fly swatter, I need to kill this bug dead??!!

www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Pregnancy explained

As we're sitting around the kitchen table, The Boy asks me

Mom, remember when I was pregnant?

Me and The Teenager turn and look at each other with surprise
Are we gonna have another Benjamin Button story?

I think he can tell we're a bit confused, so he proceeds to explain...

Then I just popped out!

To which The Teenager replies, Mom was pregnant with you!

He rolls his eyes, looks at her like she's crazy and says with confidence...

No she was outside her belly.
I was inside.
I was pregnant.

http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Love is…saying you're sorry

When you realize you’re wrong

Even if you had a long frustrating day at work
Even if you checked the kids grades
(because now you can watch over your kids like a hawk)
you weren’t too happy with what popped up on the screen.
Then your drive home felt like an eternity

And you asked someone to do something but they questioned you.

Even when you got home you were steamin' mad and frustrated
And took phones away
And yelled
And punished
And yelled

Then while cooking dinner you realized that you were being too harsh
And the punishment didn’t fit the crime
And sometimes it’s ok for them to question you if there’s good reason.
Because you wish you would speak up and question and confront things when you feel they’re wrong, not just agree and comply because it’s authority.

So you breathe.

Then you say…I’m sorry.
even if you have to say it to your kids.



www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Mr. Big Stuff...Who do you think you are

The kids are back in school!

Preteen’s now an 8th grader…
Big kid on the block…
Well sorta…

Here’s some of our text conversation:

Me: How was your first day as the big kid on the block?
Preteen: Aha, It was good (:
Me: Did you throw any 7th graders in the trash can?
Preteen: They’re all bigger than me Mom!!
Me: Did they throw you in the trash can?
Preteen: Ahahaha…NO!

They’ll be glad they’re teeny tiny things when they get older, I think?!

***********************************************

The teenager was at her dad’s house and needed a paper to be completed.
Of course she didn’t realize until 9pm the night before that his computer didn’t work!

So over the phone she dictated her paper.
I questioned things, she changed things.
I insisted, she corrected.
I couldn’t comprehend, she texted.
I argued a point, she listened.
She argued her point, I listened.
She dictated, I typed.
We brainstormed.

Most importantly, we didn’t fight! We actually laughed.
Probably the first time since she was in kindergarten!
We DO NOT do homework together.
This was a big thing!
We were proud of each other, we laughed.

***********************************************

As we were getting ready for bed, the boy asked if he’d get moved up to the 4 yr old class.

Guess what?!

He was! The teachers told him as soon as he stepped foot into school this morning!

He’s so excited.

Mr. Big Stuff!

www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Dinner...again?

The boy is a sugar freak!
I think he dreams about his juice, candy, gum, ice cream.

He loves it!

He gets that from his Daddy.

Hubby picked up the boy from school a couple days ago and took him to the grocery store. When they arrived home, the boy was just ecstatic because his daddy bought him Bubble Tape.

Yes, 3 feet of ooey, gooey, sugar goodness!

(I'll admit, I'm not a perfect Mom, I give in, he does eat sugar and processed food sometimes. He's #3, I'm too tired to argue! He'll be ok, really)

So night #1 hubby tells the boy, you can have a piece of gum AFTER you finish all your dinner.

He complies.

However on morning #2, as soon as Daddy leaves for work, he pops another piece in his mouth. I told him to spit it out and brush his teeth, at least eat a processed waffle with some syrup first!

As dinner rolls around, the boy has his piece of gum prepared. It's sitting on his dinner plate so that he can enjoy it after he finishes all his food.

What was that?! Daddy heard you had a piece of gum in the morning??!!

Oh no Son, sorry, no gum for you tonight!

Oh, the torture. He was devastated.

Move on to night #3, as we're driving home from pre-school the boy asks if he can have a piece of gum tonight.

After dinner son, I reply.

D I N N E R??!!!

(with the most perplexed look of disappointment on his face)

A G A I N??!!

Why do we always have dinner??!!

I couldn't help but laugh.

Sorry, Son, you're gonna have dinner every night for the rest of your life.

Dinner was great!

and even more fantastic because the Teenager cooked a whole chicken all by herself!

And this was probably the look she had on her face when she read the directions via text message. Mixed with that look my lil' sis is giving in the background!

I'm so proud of you girl, Mom's never even done it! Thanks for your help.

Here's a copy of the recipe, fairly simple, and delicious! (you probably shouldn't make it on the hottest night of the year like I, ahem, I mean she did!)

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Juicy-Roasted-Chicken/Detail.aspxINGREDIENTS
1 (3 pound) whole chicken, giblets removed
salt and black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon onion powder, or to taste
1/2 cup margarine, divided
1 stalk celery, leaves removed

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place chicken in a roasting pan, and season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Sprinkle inside and out with onion powder. Place 3 tablespoons margarine in the chicken cavity. Arrange dollops of the remaining margarine around the chicken's exterior. Cut the celery into 3 or 4 pieces, and place in the chicken cavity.
Bake uncovered 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven, to a minimum internal temperature of 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove from heat, and baste with melted margarine and drippings. Cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest about 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your dinner!