Who Are These People (And why the heck are they so mean)

Maybe it's because of the weather. Maybe it's cabin fever. I don't know what the deal is, but my house is aflame with angry words, name calling, hitting and almost anything else two (or more) people can do to one another.

Every interaction leads to some sort of sibling fight.

Eating meals is a nightmare.

Pinky, who is grounded has managed to start at least three arguments just within the last two hours. Now she is sitting in time out pouting and complaining about no one liking her.

Actually the only two people who are getting along are 'Cole and Daisy. I'm so shocked. 'Cole actually polished Daisy's toenails and played a game with her. Now they are quietly drawing together. I can't ever remember a time when they've acted sisterly toward each other.

We went to the store one day last week and 'Cole was actually walking with her arm around Daisy's shoulder. You could have knocked me over with a feather.

The weather is supposed to be a little bit better tomorrow, so hopefully we will get out and see a movie.

This mom has an idea called Secret Sibling where each kid has to draw names and is responsible for being/doing something kind for their chosen person. I love this idea and can't wait to give it a try. Hopefully it leads to a little more good cheer and a little less sibling craziness.

Things Kids Say

Pinky was eating breakfast this moring and the sunlight was beaming in through the window blinds. She said "Mommy, could you please turn off the blinds ."

Pickles

I had my doubts about the school year in regards to Pickles. In the five years he's been my son he has never passed a math class. I've always believed he had he ability, but not the maturity level.
The report cards came out and he has a C.
I'm so proud. He still plays around a little too much, but he starting to retain some of the information.

His reading/language arts teacher is great,too. We communicate by e-mail and it has immediate results in her class. All she has to do is ask him if she needs to e-mail his mom and he straightens right up.

I'm so happy to see him have some success. Hopefully it will change the way he feels about school and improve his self-esteem.

Oh My Goodness...

I recieved a suprise phone call earlier this week from the elementary school. It seems Pinky (who normally doesn't get in trouble) wrote an obscene question to a boy in art class. She was lucky she didn't get suspended.

I was even more surprised when I learned what the boy wrote back to her.

We sat down together and I let her know her punishment, and I explained how serious the situation was.

I don't even know what would make her ask such a question.

I'm still stunned.

An Ode to Natural Consequences

My children don't really have a lot of chores to do. Bedroom cleaning, pet care, trash removal and kitchen clean-up are their biggest chores.

The kitchen clean-up chore is the biggest (and seems to be the most difficult) chore for them to deal with. All I ask is that the dishes are washed, the floor swept and the tables wiped off. That's all.
I informed the kids a while ago (maybe a month or so) that if I came home from work and the kitchen clean-up chores weren't complete I would not be able to cook dinner. Well, they hemmed and hawed about it, not taking it seriously. Darn kids.

See, Pickles and 'Cole get home from school at about 3:15 pm. Daisy and Pinky get home at 4:15. I get home at 4:45. There's PLENTY of time for the chore to be completed. But, no.... they eat their snack, they talk about their day, they do their homework, and they talk about their day some more. No one gives any thought to the nasty kitchen. (Pickles has an issue getting the food in his mouth...but that's a WHOLE other post)

Thursday when I came in from work, the breakfast dishes were still in the sink. I was home late (6:00pm) because I had to pick up a prescription for Granny. I didn't raise a fuss. I didn't yell. I didn't lecture. I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. I made sandwiches and gave everyone potato chips and fruit.

I called everyone to wash up for dinner and you should have seen the looks on their faces when they saw dinner. They immediately knew what had happened and tore into each other like a pack of miniature wolves. (Pickles was especially funny because all he kept saying was "I can't believe it. I just can't believe we aren't getting hot food for dinner.")

So I'm happy to say that since that day I have been enjoying an extremely clean kitchen and a sink NOT full of dishes.

De-Lurking Day

Hi, if you stop by leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you.

Top 10 Favorite Shopping Sites

I love online shopping. I love love love it.


I have a special folder of favorite sites that I have shopped at or want to shop at. There is nothing more relaxing (to me) than sitting at my desk, with a cup of hot cocoa and shopping. There's no crowds, no irate customers, no disgruntled employees....it's a beautiful thing.

Even though the holiday shopping season is over we might as well get an early start for Christmas 2008.

1. Oriental Trading Co. - Planning a party ? Want some cheap arts and crafts for the kids ? This place has all that. Very affordable. A lot of products to choose from. Shipping can be slow around holidays so order early or pay for expedited shipping.

2. WebClothes- I once got 10 pairs of girl's jeans from this place for about $4 a pair. The clothes are discount store quality, with some nicer brands (Carter's) thrown in. They usually have clearance sales at the end of each season, so there are some great deals to be had.

3. Williams-Sonoma- Everything on this site is droolworthy for people who love to cook. Unfortunately the prices are insane. I have a list of things I'd love to buy from there. The site does have a good recipe section.

4. Wake Up Frankie- What a heck of a way to make a pre-teen/teen age girl happy. Everything on this site is sofreakincute. 'Cole wants the Tag Your Name comforter and sham. It's a bit costly, but very unique.

5. The $15 Clothing Store - Quality stuff. Lots of name brands. Everything $15.

6. Steve Spangler Science- Some of the coolest science stuff I've found online. Teaching tools, videos and more.

7. The Old Schoolhouse- I just bought the Times Tales Deluxe product from this site and I am totally impressed. If your kids need help learning their upper multiplication facts it so easy and Pickles, who doesn't retain math facts easily has been able to memorize

8. Gamewright and MindWare- Kids like toys. Parents like toys that make kids smarter. Gamewright and MindWare sell toys that make kids smarter. Oh yeah, and they have fun stuff, too.

9. Junior's Most Fabulous Cheesecakes - Shhhhh....don't tell anybody. This site is a treat for mommy. Sure, mommy is supposed to be dieting, but she can have a treat...can't she ?? Can't She ?!? I swear I put on 10 pounds just looking at the website. I love cheesecake.

10. Carol's Daughter- Haircare products and beauty products. We've tried a few things from this company. I do like their haircare products. We've been using Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner, Mimosa Hair Honey and Rosemary Mint Shampoo. My hair is starting to look healthier and the products smell WONDERFUL.

Honorable Mention- Book By You- I love this product. The stories are wonderful and the kids really enjoy reading the book. the downside is pages started falling out of the book the first week. Thank goodness for super glue. They also do a romance book for mommies.