School, School, School

There is a paragraph in Harlen Coben's book Darkest Fear that struck me: "School removes children from their warm parental cocoon. School teaches them to bully or be bullied. School teaches them to be cruel to one another. School teaches them that Mommy and Daddy lied to them when they told them they were special and unique."

I had a converstation with a friend the other day, while enjoying a restaurant meal with our combined 5 kids. It was a lovely meal, the kids were prefectly behaved and everyone had a good time. She was sharing with me that one of her friends told her she and her husband can't take their kids out to eat because they don't behave. This prompted a lengthy discussion about child rearing!

Kenny and I have always taken our kids with us to restaurants, church, shopping...wherever. We explain where we are going and what the general parameters of acceptable behavior are, and we expect them to comply. For the most part, they have always been well behaved in public. And of the times we had to leave, it was usually because we had asked something of them they were not equipped to give. Either it was too late, we had done too much or they were just not in the mood.

This is the approach we take to schooling as well. My 5 year old was recently listening to her sister's geometry lesson and wanted to learn it also. I could not find any 1st grade geometry so I printed out a page on triangles. In one easy lesson she learned isosceles, right and equilateral triangles. The child can barely say the words, but she knows how to identify the shapes!!

My son has been going to the skate park @ Stotsky. I thought he was too little (48", 42lbs) but he has proved to be quite proficient. And I am very pleased to report that in our experience the older kids are watchful and respectful of the youngers. This is a lesson we strive for in our schooling. Olders yield to the youngers, what a beautiful picture to watch.

As we wind down our school year it is a time of reflection. What worked, what didn't, what books will we use next year, what trips will be repeat and what will we avoid. I really hate this time of year. Self examination is not my strong suit, and it is uncomfortable to admit my role in some of our schooling failures. However, I know that next year will be easier and better and I feel very blessed to be able to watch my children grow and succeed.

I'll take what's behind door #3 Monty....

Ask me what Kenny got for his birthday. Go ahead, ask me!!!

A NEW FREAKIN' CAR!!!!!!!!! Not just any car; a 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8...for whom does that happen?!!

About a year ago, our boss, Gary, asked me if Kenny would like a new motorcycle, or to have his restored. He wouldn't. When the new Challengers came out, Gary knew Kenny had to have one. When Kenny was in his late teens he had a black Challenger, and Gary remembered how much Kenny loved that car. We talked about it a bit and a plan was hatched.

Finally, in the past month or so, we were able to track down a few Hemi Orange; manual 6-speeds. We finally found "the one" in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Gary was heading down to Concord, NC for the race this weekend and decided to stop at the dealership on the way. He got a speeding ticket trying to get there before it closed and once he arrived the dang thing was in the body shop!!!!! He called me in a panic trying to find another one before he headed back home. Oh, and did I mention this HAD to be a surprise? We work in a fishbowl!!

I called every dealership I could find from PA to NC. Finally, a kind salesman in NC took pity on me and searched the dealer database. He found 3 cars; 2 in NC and 1 in WV. Apparently there are plenty of black, pearl and red. You want the regular coupe? No problem. But try to find a Hemi Orange, SRT8 with every option offered and you are SOL.

I started calling the dealers and struck out with #1; while it was listed in the dealer directory as Orange, the car they had was actually black. The car behind Door #2 was nearly fully loaded, but it didn't have GPS. Not a deal breaker, but I decided to press on. Behind Door #3 was a guy, in a garage, in Hickory, NC named Bucky. (I can't make this up!!!) He was very nice, confirmed that they had the car, that it was inside with the hood up and had never been driven. I asked if they were tacking on a premium because (oh, I forgot this detail) the production lines have been shut down and this car is not being made right now. He assured me that no, his dealership was not assessing a premium on top of the sticker price. (LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!!!!) But it wasn't too terrible, and Kenny really does deserve the best.
Gary happened to have been driving to Asheville the day I found the car, and so he and his fiance stopped there on there way back through the following afternoon. He picked up the car, drove it back to Concord and then trailered it home.

The look on Kenny's face this afternoon as he saw the car for the first time, and then realized it was for him? Truly priceless.

Blah, blah, blah...

I have had enough of this terrible, horrible, no good, very bed weather. Saturday was just a tease, making all this rain unbearable! We have plans, and they do not include getting soaking wet every ten minutes. Even the dog hates it, not to mention his smell. He us not normally a smelly dog, excluding his emissions. But rain + dog = very foul smell.

I need sunshine. I need the beach. I need warmth!!!!

We are doing a total East End treasure hunt tomorrow, from Montauk to Hampton Bays and all points in between. We are gathering some friends and seeing all the sights. We are going to the beach if it kills us, and the kids WILL like it!!! Summer must arrive, and I am going to will it into existence!

The Most Magical Place on Earth?!

Disney 2009; what an adventure. In January of 2007 I took all 3 kids to Disney (then 9, 5 & 3) by myself. After that debacle I vowed never to step foot in WDW ever again! But then my dear friend, and Disney Travel Agent, Gigi sent me an email detailing a fantastic deal. Buy 4 nights, get 3 free!!

My sister generously agreed to keep Kyleigh for the week, and so Jess, Kenny III and I were looking forward to a great week.

Unfortunately, the week of our departure my sister's grandfather (aged 90) had a stroke and was taken from Assisted Living to Brandywine Hospital. So my poor sister spent the week visiting and arranging....oh, and taking care of his 30 pound MINIATURE daschund, Mitzi. Who has never been fed dog food, had tapeworm, fleas and a yeast infection!!! My sister is a saint.

So we arrive on Friday afternoon and got settled, and enjoyed an amazing meal of Italian Wedding soup. And then for dessert we had a cake made out of long johns, heavenly.

We made it to bed and my sister drove the kids and I to Philadelphia Airport on Saturday morning.

We arrived in one piece and our room was ready! So we got into our bathing suits and headed to the pool for a swim and a bit of a rest. Then we got on a boat bound for Downtown Disney. Remember it is Saturday night, and it was a bit windy. So imagine my surprise when my mother's husband got me on the Nextel to tell me "You need to call home, Kyleigh cut her hair." I was thoroughly confused, as my mother is a hairdresser, and quite capable of fixing whatever Kyleigh may have done. It took quite a few tries for me to realize he was telling me that Kyleigh cut her HAND and my brother in law had taken her to the ER. Mind you, my sister was at Brandywine Hospital getting her grandfather discharged and returning him to Tel Hai, a good hour from Chester County Hospital where Kyle was taken.

Turns out, she had fallen, gashed open her wrist and required 4 stitches. The rest of our trip was uneventful, but upon returning to my sister's the following Saturday it was obvious the stitches needed to come out. But first, Dawn had noticed that Mitzi had been hobbling the last few days. She had been on a diet and had lost a good deal of weight, so my sister wasn't sure what the trouble was. I took one look at her paws and realized her toenails had grown full circle and were now growing back into her paw pads. So off we went to the Emergency Animal Hospital!!! They were so nice, and we were not there long and Mitzi is good as new.

After breakfast on Sunday a nurse friend of my sister's offered to take out Kyleigh's stitches. She screamed her full head off, I felt so badly for the poor woman who I am sure will think twice before offering her services again!!! After claming her and washing up we went to my mom's to properly celebrate my sister's birthday and our visit was cut a little short by a tornado, and hail that was reported to be 2 inches in diameter!!!! Fortunately no one was injured, but many mobile homes in the area were destroyed.

The next time I want to go away without Kyleigh, I think I will leave her with my in laws :)

Kid Swapping (Thanks, 6 !)

I have a beautiful, angelic looking 5 year old... and she is a holy terror. She screamed non-stop for the first 3 years of her life. She was allergic to disposable diapers and the gel that they contain. Her skin is so fair she always bruises at the slightest touch and a simple mosquito bite looks like a huge welt. She will not sleep by herself and screams like a lunatic for no reason at all. She is smart as anything and not afraid to tell you exactly what she thinks of you. She is foolproof birth control.

Forget Planned Parenthood, just loan Kyleigh out to any teenager even considering mattress dancing.

I also have a boy. He never cried, ever. He ate when I wanted him to eat, slept when I wanted him to sleep and was joyful and happy every minute of every day. He is still an absolute delight. Even the rare temper tantrum is explosive, but brief and he always apologizes and is generous with the snuggles.

So when 6 mentioned his wife would like a girl, it got me thinking. I was jesting when I suggested we trade his 4 year old boy for my 5 year old girl, but why not? Maybe parents should take kids for a test drive. There are a whole lot of parents our there that should not be parents. Maybe if they had the opportunity to try before you buy they may have realized parenting is not for them.

Anyone want a moody, sullen, messy 12 year old girl? How about a really large puppy?! Both are precious when they want to be, but boy do they have their moments.

* Disclaimer: I adore my children, temper tantrums and all. But I seriously believe if people know what they were in for they would think twice.