Family Fun Trip- Memorial Day Weekend 2008

We gathered up the gang and decided to head off to Kings Island Amusement Park down in Mason, Ohio.

Our little group was made up of Myself, Daisy, Pickles, 'Cole, Aunt J, Uncle R, Cousin R and her four kids A1, A2, A3, A4 and Uncle R's son A.J.

First off, let me start by saying I did not expect to get sticker shock from an family field trip, but my goodness EVERYTHING in that place was expensive. $3.50 for a bottle of water. $6.70-something for a Funnel Cake. It was insane.

Now on to the good stuff...

We had fun ! The day was perfect. The weather was especially wonderful, you couldn't ask for a better day to go to an amusement park. The children were well behaved and we only misplaced a few of them. (But we found them rather quickly, thanks to the matching t-shirts).

Some of the lines were long, but the kids didn't complain.

Cousin R, Daisy, A1 and A2 rode a roller coaster called The Beast. I thought Daisy would be terrified, but she was all smiles when she stepped off.

We stayed at the park until closing and watched the fireworks show as we drove away.

I can't wait until we plan our next family fun trip.

And Nothing But The Truth

Finally !!
Pinky admitted to taking the earrings.

We had a nice calm family discussion about why lying is wrong and why we don't take things without asking.

She admitted to taking them but it was like pulling teeth...and there was no remorse. None at all whatsoever.

And that worries me.

At least Daisy admitted that it was sometimes hard for her to tell the truth, and she seemed like she was regretful. But it could just be an act.

I've always felt like I was in tune to my children. I can tell when they're lying, happy sad or trying to be sneaky. I thought I knew them like the back of my hand.
But I looked Pinky in the eye and I could not tell if she was lying or telling the truth.

We've got to work on these issues before we hit the teenage years.

Pinky's Gone Bananas (or maybe not)

Today when Granny was checking book bags for contraband she found a pair of 'Cole's earrings in Pinky's book bag.

When I came home from work I tried questioning both Pinky and Daisy. Pinky blamed Daisy and Daisy blamed Pinky.

The earrings were in 'Cole's jewelry box on the top shelf of the closet, it would take some work for a small person to get up there and get them.

The only thing I'm sure of is that either one person committed the crime and the other had knowledge of it...or they both worked together.

It doesn't really matter, they both are grounded and writing sentences for me.

And from now on the book bags will be downstairs, by the front door.

I was exceptionally calm and didn't show any emotion. I get the feeling this crime wave is an attempt to get attention. Hopefully once they see that they aren't getting the attention they want hopefully things will get back to normal in the Bananas Family.

Mother's Day

I had a lovely Mother's Day weekend. Saturday Granny went to the casino with my sister, so I got a nice break from her and she had a wonderfully fun day.
The kids and I went out to lunch at Red Robin. The kids really didn't like the food, I was surprised. (I liked my meal). My sister gave me a lovely yellow tree rosebush. I can't wait until it blooms. The kids made Mother's Day cards for me, Pinky and Daisy gave me some flowers they grew at school. I love the homemade cards, every year I get something different and the kids' creativity shines through.

Sunday I went out to lunch with my sister and her boyfriend. Afterwards we did some shopping. My sister took me out for a driving lesson, I thought I did pretty darn good. I need the practice because I think I'd like to get my license this year.

Been Caught Stealing

We've gone through the past few months in relative peace and calm. The kids have been settled and there's been no major blowouts...until today.

My phone rang while I was at work today. It was the elementary school. It seems that Pinky took one of my credit cards to school and it fell out of her pocket during lunch. An alert teacher contacted me to let me know what was going on.

I don't even think I feel angry. I think I'm mostly just insulted and disappointed. I do everything for my kids, they have so much. I give them my time, my energy. They are blessed beyond words. She has no reason to steal. There was nothing she could do with the card at school anyway.

So why would you steal ? And why would you steal from me ?
When I asked Pinky those questions she said she "found" the card on the floor of my room. Even IF that was true (all my cards are in a case that sits on my dresser) why WHY WHY would you take it to school ??

She didn't have an answer for that.

I don't have any answers either, but she'll have plenty of time to think about it while she's doing hard time (extra chores) for me.

I think the thing that keeps bothering me is the why. I don't understand her reasoning. She has her own money. I don't feel like she took it to use it. Did she take it to show it off ? To pretend it was hers ?

I have no idea.

Have You Seen My Socks ??

On March 11th I ordered 25 pairs of socks. As of today May 4th, I can only find 9 pairs.

I'm starting to think they grow legs in the middle of the night and wander away.