Piano Recital

It's that time again.  This year Matthew played In Dreams from Lord of the Rings and Erin played Boogie Woogie Goose.  They did a great job.  This was Matthew's last piano recital.  He has decided to stop lessons.  I am sad because I know he could go far if he would commit to it.  He is thinking about guitar lessons.  That makes me happy, because at least he is still interested in pursuing some type of music.  This was Erin's first recital.  She did great.  I see talent.  I hope she continues to enjoy piano for a long time to come.

Immediate Impact x2

I am whispering...4 awesome days in a row people.  I think that maybe those peppers will end up rotting in my fridge and I will get to throw them away before a second use is needed.  I know it won't last, but the past 4 days have been a little slice of heaven in this house. 

On another note... I helped out in Sunbeams at church today (3-4 yrs) and one little girl looked at me very carefully and then in a full voice said....YOU ARE OLD!  YOU ARE A GRANDMA.  I said yes, I am old, no, I am not a grandma.  Then she ignored me for awhile.  Then she turned to me again and said YOU ARE REALLY OLD!   That's it... Botox here I come.  Sunbeams keepin it real.

Cruel or Effective Parenting

When my kids were little, saying shut up or calling names were not allowed.  As my kids have gotten older I find that these things are now creeping into our daily lives.  Not only do the kids use these words between each other, they have been turned my direction.  Still NOT okay.  I have tried taking away things, grounding, and assigning despised tasks.  It doesn't seem to be making much impact.  The talk back is getting much worse.  I get that as kids get older they feel the need to express themselves this way.  I want my kids to have good communication.  Thats just it...good communication.  Not bad mouthing whenever they feel the urge.  So, after a discussion with my mom she reminded me of a time when hot peppers were an effective way of getting her kids to keep their mouths in check.  I was older and didn't have the opportunity to partake in such methods.  But I have to admit, it sounded pretty good.  I weighed my options.  Decided I probably could sway a judge if ever hauled to court for cruel and unusual punishment.  Went to the store and purchased peppers.  Some mildly hot ones and some really hot ones.  This week I tried it and guess what?  It worked pretty well.  After a warning that was ignored, I cut off part of a mild hot pepper and made the child chew for a few seconds and then gave the option to swallow or spit.  I heard about 10 minutes of loud crying/yelling complaint.  I'm a horrible mother who tortures her children. Then silence. Other children observing from their rooms...they now know I am serious.  So, cruel or effective parenting?  Go ahead, I can take it.  I really want to know if I have crossed the line.

Well, there it is. Age.

Once again, I was asked if I was spending the day with my granddaughter by a store associate trying to get me to sign up for a credit card.  "No, my daughter", I said.  "Well, she will keep you young".  I walked away thinking obviously your theory is flawed and not working in my case.  OK, I did look at myself, and I am a little older than most parents of a 6 year old (she is my baby). I was wearing clothes a few years old, my hair air dried, and my crunchy granola shoes on.  In my defense, I did have makeup on.  But lets face it.  When you are asked by 3 different strangers over a 16 month period about your grand kids.  You look old.

I own my age.  It is what it is and I am okay with it.  We got a late start with kids (late 20's) due to some fertility issues.  Then a few more years of delay due to Peter's health.  But we wrapped things up in my mid-late 30's.  I didn't know that I would be asked repeatedly if my kids were my grand kids.  Now  I know why women consider plastic surgery.  If I could afford it, I probably would jump on board right about now.  Just about every part of me sags.  TMI I know.  Well, there it is.  Age.  We have been friends all my life, but I kind feel like my friend is turning on me now. 

Erin's Baptism Day

Saturday was a special day.  Here is my Erin ready for her baptism.  She is growing up so fast and becoming a beautiful young lady.

Too aggressive?

I was at a dance competition most of the day.  In between dances, I was in the dressing room with some other mom's and kids.  I was standing by two women and noticed them bend down to check on one of their girls who was coughing?  I heard the mom say to her 2-3 yr old "are you choking'?  She coughed a few more times then stopped.  Her mom asked her friend "should we do the Heimlich".  By then I had the girl upside down giving her a few shakes hoping gravity would help out.  Stood her up, no air, flipped her over again, pounded a few times on her back and set her back down.  She coughed and then cleared whatever was blocking her throat.  Then I looked up to see her mom and the friend looking at me with maybe horror on their faces.  I apologized for just jumping in.  She offered thanks and went to care for her little one.  Then they kind of avoided me the rest of the day.  Our girls dance together and we chit chat fairly often.  I felt like maybe I was too aggressive.  I don't know.  I feel bad that maybe they thought I did something I should not have done.  She may have cleared it on her own.   I know I shouldn't let it bother me because I feel I did the right thing. But it does.

Things I learn on the ride home

The daily drive home from picking up my son from Jr. High is at times highly entertaining.  Here is what I learned today.

There is an underground soda ring, that is not really underground.  Soda is banned from the vending machines, but readily available from any given locker.  And, its only 50 cents.

My son announced that he has a six pack.  Well actually its a four and a half pack.  He showed it to me once he found the right lighting in the room. 

Stay tuned for more ride home updates....