Wild!!

When I picked Pete up from school he was very disappointed because his recess was cancelled. It isn't snowing, isn't raining, it isn't too cold.... I couldn't figure it out. Pete said that recess was cancelled because of a fox. I said, "A fox? What does that mean?!" Pete explained that a fox climbed up the ladder of the play structure so none of the kids could go outside because the teachers didn't want the fox to come near the kids. I said I had never heard of recess being cancelled because of an animal. At that point, Dill said he had his recess cancelled a couple weeks ago because of a skunk on his school play structure. Pete added that in the fall his recess was cancelled because a raccoon was wandering around the basketball court!

I had no idea that our schools had so much wild life around the area! I guess it could be worse... who knows what we'd find on the playground if we lived in an urban area! I wonder if I should watch the news every night in case the school is cancelled due to rhinos and crocodiles. :)

And the winner is......

Megamom!!!!


Yeah!


Thanks to all of you who played.


Megamom.... I will catch you this week with your winnings. :)

Math problem....

OK, yes Megamom pointed out that my 50th post was actually my 51st!! Math never was my strong suit!!! This contest goes until Sunday, March 22nd.... so come on and join in. If all 4 questions are answered (or you don't know an answer) just tell something you liked.... its easy!!! Who can't use an extra $10 bucks now a days?!!! :)

50th post

OK.... since i am a teacher let's do the 50th post as a pop quiz....

Let's see how well you remember what you've been reading. There is a prize... so if you are just a gawker and haven't signed up so you can comment on my blog... now is the time!! Let's say 5 questions... 10 bucks. Read over the questions, pick one to answer.... don't pick one that's already been answered in the comments.... that's cheating!!! Write your answer in the comment section and anyone that gets their answer right goes into a drawing for the $10. If more than 5 people respond.... answer the fifth question again... but pick something not already mentioned. Thanks for playing!!!

Question 1... What are the blog names of the kids in my family?

Questions 2... If Kiwi and Boris got hitched, what dowery did Dad B want for the introduction?

Question 3... Who's birthday was on December 23rd?

Question 4.... Name 3 friends that have special Blog names.

Question5.... Tell me something you read that you found interesting.

10th before 50...

This is my 49th post. Megamom keeps telling me that my 50th post is a big deal and I need to do something special for it. So I have an idea for my 50th, but I have wanted to wait to do that one until after I get through this one.... sort of like a reward to myself. My Mom should be 64. Sadly, tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of her death. They say time heals all wounds, but that is just BS. It just dulls them a bit.

I used to talk to my Mom on the phone at least once a week, usually on Saturday afternoons. Nothing earth shattering or important, just to touch base with each other. We talked about what was going on in each other's lives, what was happening with family members and we were writing a book together so we talked a lot about that. It took years for my stomach to not jump on a Saturday night thinking I had forgotten to call her. Recently, I got a junk email from a investigation company promising to provide my Mother's current phone number and address if I just paypalled them $39.95. I was tempted to do it because I really miss those calls. Think they have phones in heaven or at least a mailbox?

I often have a hard time visiting my youngest sister because she has so many of the same mannerisms that my Mom had. Sometimes it comforts me to remember things about my Mom's behavior by watching her but often it just makes me miss her more. It amazes me that my sister can still live in the same area that we lived in as kids.... every time I visit it just makes me sad.

Mom was very consistent as a parent. It made up for the fact that Dad was not really consistent at all. Mom had two responses whenever one of us kids asked her something (like going to a friends house or doing something special) either "No" or "Maybe". If she said no... we knew not to even bother talking about the topic anymore. If she said maybe, that was almost as good as a "yes". She would be open to hearing more about our idea or plan. I wish I did that with my own kids.... if I had started that when they were little I'd have a lot less arguing in my life now! She also did not really believe in hospitals...which is funny because she worked at our local hospital for years. She was the phone operator and knew everyone and every thing that went on there. Mom believed that any injury could be cured by one of 3 things.... cold water, an aspirin or a band-aid. If we were hurt or crying she would say "Go run cold water on it" or "Let me get a band-aid" if it was really bad... she told us to take an aspirin too.

My Mom was the type of person that started a party. As soon as she arrived at a get together it turned into a party... people smiled, laughed and the air became lighter. She made people happy just by saying hello to them. She was a very good listener and was very thoughtful about her responses. Mom almost never swore. If she was upset with me, she could say "Lee, what the hell were you thinking?" It was like a slap in the face. It was awful to see her upset or cry. She did not cry very often but it was heart wrenching to me when she did. Only a handful of people ever saw her without make-up or her hair unbrushed. As soon as she got up she brushed her hair and whenever we were 10 minutes from anywhere we were traveling to she got her brush out of her purse and had us all brush our hair. Mom loved her back porch. It was only a 3 season room, so in late fall and very early spring she would bundle up to sit on her porch with coffee and her newspaper. In summer she would take frequent, quick dips in our pool and would go back on the porch with her feet up. She looked so comfortable out there and so content. She hated shoes. She loved going barefoot around our house and in our yard around the pool. We actually buried her without shoes. I am sure it is what she would have wanted.

I really wish she could have gotten to spend more time with her Grandchildren. I think she'd really be proud of how they are growing up. They are all such great kids. I wish she was around to give me advice too.... and I really miss those Saturday calls.

Snow People part 2...

The snow people in the picture have now come into the house. They have leaked into the basement and are trying to stay! Pepper and I went down into the basement to store things and we both noticed a nice big puddle going through the middle of the room! Pete and Dill came down while I was sweeping the water towards the drain to help. Now, they could have helped by cleaning their room or putting their clothes away, but helping me must have looked more fun. We have everything down there stacked nicely on pallets or in totes, so most of the things were safe from an inch or two of water. The stored things were not safe from our boys though. Their idea of helping was to whip the stagnant water with brooms through the air and onto any surface in the basement. The walls, the insulation, the water heater, lots of camping supplies, furnace filters..... it is so much better to have the water dribbling off every surface rather than just in a puddle in the middle of the room!! At least they were sweet enough to carry the brooms back upstairs for me...... across the living room carpet..... still dripping wet with dirty water!! They did try to help so I didn't get mad.... even when my socks got wet from the water on the kitchen floor (where the kids dropped the brooms!) Some day I am gonna miss my little helpers! :)

Snow People Picture

I learned how to put a picture into my blog!!! Look! Old dogs can learn new tricks!! This is a picture of the snow people Kiwi, Pete and Dill made after our last snowfall. At this point, we have had a full weekend of rain.... unfortunately the snow people are now just a puddle in the yard!

2 Dads and a movie

Friday night Dad B and Dad D came over. Dad B wanted to see the new movie "Watchmen" and Kiwi, Dori, Pepper and I joined him. Dad D offered to stay at the house with the other kids. He brought DVD's from the library and "Space Pudding" for the kids to make while we were gone. As the 5 of us headed out the door for the movie, Dad D was losing badly to Dill on Wii Tennis. Dad B had pre-purchased the tickets for everyone and we all went in with high hopes for the new movie. The movie was almost 3 hours long and since Pepper and I never read the book, we were not sure what to expect. It definitely had some slow spots but it was not too bad overall. There was some graphic violence, but not more than you would expect for a rated "R" movie. Kiwi and Dori both really thought it was good, Pepper didn't think it was very good at all, Dad B seemed to think it was as good as an 800 page novel could be and the newspaper critic gave it 1.5 stars. Personally, I thought the movie was ok but the popcorn and M&M's I had while watching really made the evening..... gee, I wonder why I am not winning in the Biggest Loser contest!! :)

A Facebook note

Megamom sent me this note with comments from her boys, so I decided to ask my kids the same questions to see what they would answer. Couple of the items may need a little explanation, so I added the stuff in the parentheses.


Kids say it best- this is fun!!!! Ask your kids the questions- the answers may be funny...Share

This is a cute idea. Copy this note, ask your kid the questions and write down answers exactly how they respond.

THESE WERE ANSWERS FROM Kiwi:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
"Its your fault!" (When she first moved in with us she told me I did not correct her when she did wrong, but only corrected the other kids. (Like in the car when they had tickle fights that distracted the driver!) She was worried the other kids wouldn't like her because she didn't get reprimanded.... so after that I started blaming her for everything.... snow days, other kids not doing their homework, rain...)


2. What makes mom happy?
M&M's

3. What makes mom sad?
Arguing with somebody


4. How does your mom make you laugh?
having a good day


5. What was your mom like as a child?
a rebel


6. How old is your mom?
27

7. How tall is your mom?
that is hard with American sizes!


8. What is her favorite thing to do?
go on a tour with Pepper

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
I don't know!!


10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
acting


11. What is your mom really good at?
cooking


12. What is your mom not very good at?
singing

13. What does your mom do for her job?
speech therapist


14. What is your mom's favorite food?
chili


15. What makes you proud of your mom?
that you stay in a good mood even when you are dealing with all the kids around you.


16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Winnie the Pooh


17. What do you and your mom do together?
have fun


18. How are you and your mom the same?
we both like to do stuff with the family


19. How are you and your mom different?
culturally different


20. How do you know your mom loves you?
always picking on me and giving me a home


21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
camping


THESE WERE ANSWERS FROM Pete:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
"get up!" (I am Pete's alarm clock!!)

2. What makes mom happy?
M&M's

3. What makes mom sad?
you and Pepper fighting

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
by laughing

5. What was your mom like as a child?
geeky

6. How old is your mom?
42 (BTW--- I'm not!!)

7. How tall is your mom?
5'7 (nope!)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
eat M&M's

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
watch TV

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
cooking

11. What is your mom really good at?
cooking (I did not pay him to say that!!)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
dancing and singing

13. What does your mom do for her job?
speech therapist and being a mom

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
M&M's

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
you're always loving (ain't he sweet!!)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Betty Boop (really? I don't think so at all!!)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
shop (actually we grumble about shopping if we have to get something not for either of us!!)

18. How are you and your mom the same?
we both like to cook

19. How are you and your mom different?
you can't swim the butterfly (Pete can do the fly beautifully!!)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
you get me up and you pick me up and cook food

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
the Oasis

THESE WERE ANSWERS FROM Dill:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you! (That's my boy!!)

2. What makes mom happy?
me doing my jobs

3. What makes mom sad?
when I'm sick.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
tickling me

5. What was your mom like as a child?
crazy

6. How old is your mom?
41

7. How tall is your mom?
10 feet (If I were then my height and weight would be proportional!!)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
hug Pepper

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
pretty much hug and kiss Pepper

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
let me hear you sing.... (after I sang, he said) walking

11. What is your mom really good at?
not swimming, I know...sleeping!

12. What is your mom not very good at?
swimming

13. What does your mom do for her job?
speech therapist

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
salad (....yeah, right!!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
you're my mom

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Tom from Tom and Jerry

17. What do you and your mom do together?
read

18. How are you and your mom the same?
we both swim

19. How are you and your mom different?
you are a girl and I am a boy!!

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
hugging me and kissing me

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
home.


THESE WERE ANSWERS FROM Dori:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
when something is bugging me you always have a sarcastic remark to make me laugh and smile.

2. What makes mom happy?
chocolate and fun conversations

3. What makes mom sad?
when something drastic happens... it takes a lot to make you sad.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
that really funny face you make and your funny comments to what I say.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
rebellious and fun and adventurous

6. How old is your mom?
29 ;)

7. How tall is your mom?
5'6

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
computer and spend time with Pepper and family

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
I don't want to know

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Not singing, not acting.... discovering something

11. What is your mom really good at?
making me laugh and not be angry, sad or upset

12. What is your mom not very good at?
hmmm.... I don't really know. Ummm..... organizing and cleaning

13. What does your mom do for her job?
speech therapy/ autism...well, not being autistic.... but teaching children that are.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
chinese food or spaghetti and meatballs

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
how you have the ability to read people and talk to anybody and make people laugh even if they are not happy.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
the grandpa from Avatar because he is wise and even though his nephew doesn't know what to do he tries to steer him in the right path

17. What do you and your mom do together?
go to Burger King and have fun conversations

18. How are you and your mom the same?
both are people persons and we are both hillarious

19. How are you and your mom different?
I like boys, haha... you argue less than I do. You see the better side of a situation.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
I just do.... you take the time to get to know me and what I like

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
anywhere as long as Pepper is there.


THESE WERE ANSWERS FROM Macy:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
Us not yelling at each other and being happy

3. What makes mom sad?
when we're fighting

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
try to be funny

5. What was your mom like as a child?
like Dori.... want to be in charge all the time

6. How old is your mom?
29

7. How tall is your mom?
5'6

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
camping with the family

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
be on the computer

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
for helping disabled people

11. What is your mom really good at?
making people smile

12. What is your mom not very good at?
lying... keeping a straight face

13. What does your mom do for her job?
help children with autism

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
manicotti

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
you dealing with me

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Lisa from the Simpson's

17. What do you and your mom do together?
have conversations about what I shouldn't do

18. How are you and your mom the same?
both lovable and funny

19. How are you and your mom different?
we like things organized in different ways, you are more tolerant than I am

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
you put up with me and love me even if I do something stupid.

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
camping


Aren't they great kids? I was really surprised how seriously they all took this assignment!! They were all worried they'd get the answers wrong. Am I lucky or what?!! :)