Trying Something New

Yesterday I gave myself a week of eating Vegetarian.  I thought I'd try it and see how it goes.  I keep hearing so much about how you'll feel so much better, clearer, lighter, etc.  In truth, it's day two and I'm doing pretty good, eating more Vegan than Vegetarian.  Not sure how long I'll be able to cut out milk and eggs completely, but it isn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Of course, I'm only on day 2 so by tomorrow I may be craving a cheeseburger.

My Choice

A local soldier died in Afghanistan. 

Yes, he's one of many. 

No, we didn't know him personally.

I will be taking my children out tomorrow afternoon to stand on the street and wave the American Flag while his funeral procession drives by on the way from the church service to the cemetary.  Why?

Because when I told my daughter that a soldier from our town died fighting a war for our country she said, "So, people die all the time."

I was speechless.  They don't get it - the children, my children, our nation's children.  They don't get that war is bad, that people die, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, cousins... they die to protect us.  It doesn't matter if you are for or against any political agenda, the fact remains: people die.

I want my children to "get it".  I want them to understand that there are total strangers that sacrifice their lives so that we are free.  They get to go to movies and parties and travel... because men and women put themselves in front of us.  In front of me, in front of them.

My kids get to have a public education.  They get to grow up to vote for whoever they want to.  They get to decide what clothes to wear, what food to eat, who their friends are and what religion to practice.  They have a choice. 

I have a choice.  I am choosing to stand on a street corner tomorrow so that my kids will "get it".  I know they will... and I know it's the right thing to do.

Another Manic Morning

Meltdown Mandy strikes again!

The drama that is generated by one tiny 7 year old girl is truly a feat of nature.  If the energy that is generated by the screaming, feat stomping and hysterical crying could only be harnessed, our energy crisis would be history.  Hmmm... maybe I can figure out a way to strap her to the roof and power our entire house instead of putting up expensive solar panels.

I get that it's early, I get that school can be a drag, I get that guitar lessons this afternoon cause anxiety (despite the fact that she begged for those lessons for a year).  Still.... just brush your darn teeth!!!!!!

What Mandy doesn't like to do:

1. Brush teeth.
2. Get dressed.
3. Clean room.
4. Pack lunch.
5. Make her own breakfast.
5. Go to school.
6. Do homework.
7. Practice the guitar.

If anybody can figure out what my 7 year old precious love of a daughter DOES like to do... please let me know!

A Laugh a Day

My mornings getting three girls ready for school are always crazy.  The clothes, the hair, the breakfasts and lunches... it usually leads to a lot of yelling, fighting, and crying.  In short... I hate mornings.  By the time we actually get into the car I am so looking forward to getting them out of the car and having a few hours to myself.

This morning it wasn't much different, but when we got in the car the tide turned.  My 5 year old had gotten a cheap little plastic toy from McDonalds the other day.  It was an iCarly Spencer's Magic Meatball.  For those of you who don't know what this is (I didn't either) it is something along the lines of a Magic 8 Ball.  You ask it a question and it gives you an answer.

The kids started asking questions...

Temera asked if she was going to her friend's house after school (she is).
Answer: Magic Meatball says YES

Amanda asked if she was going to have the best day ever at school.
Answer: Magic Meatball says NO

Okay... this would be funny enough but Amanda kept asking the same question over and over again.  Was she going to have the best day ever at school.  The answer kept coming up: Magic Meatball says NO.

We laughed every time it said that.  And laughed.  And laughed. 

By the time we got to school we were all laughing so hard.  It was wonderful.

I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard with my daughters.  Amazing how a plastic Magic Meatball can turn a miserable morning into a joyous one.

What a Waste!

So I go get the mail today and in the box I find a letter from the United States Census Bureau.  Well, with all the advertising they have been doing lately (and I mean a hell of a lot of advertising - expensive advertising) I assumed it was the Census form we need to fill out.  Wrong!

What I received in the mail was a letter informing me that I would be receiving a letter - next week - that I would need to fill out and return. 

So let's review... I got a letter telling me I'm getting a letter?  Yep, that's right!

Not just any letter... a first class ($) folded letter ($) stuck inside an envelope ($).  Hmmmm... can you add up the money for this one?  I can ($$$)!  And while we are at it, how many trees were destroyed just to send everyone a letter telling them they'll be getting a letter?  No, I'm no tree-hugger, but seriously?  Our country has no money and they are wasting what little we have on this crap? 

And yes... I will be sending a letter to my Congressman, Senator, the White House... and whoever else I can think of who won't care and doesn't give a damn.

The Tantrum

1. We walk into the mall.
2. We order Mandy lunch from Panda Express.
3. They are out of chow mein - it will take 10 minutes to make more.
4. Lauryn asks for a toy.
5. I say no.
6. Lauryn throws a temper tantrum in the mall in line at Panda Express while we are waiting 10 minutes for chow mein.
7. We go to Hot Dog on a Stick to order lunch for Temera.
8.  Lauryn points to the lemonade.
9. I ask Lauryn if she wants lemonade.
10. She says no.
11. Temera gets her food and we sit down.
12. Lauryn says she wants lemonade.
13. I tell her she already said she didn't want it and I wasn't going back to get it.
14. Lauryn throws temper tantrum #2 at the table in the middle of the food court at the mall.
15.  Temera and Amanda finish their lunch (quickly) and we come straight home.

No shopping.
No birthday gift for Mandy's friend.
No stopping at Trader Joes to pick up dinner.

Everybody miserable!

An average day in my life!

My Newest Pet Peeve

We have a day off of school this week and where do you think most of the kids will be?  Disneyland!

I don't get it... my girls come home every week telling me about a friend (or several) who is going to Disneyland for the day (or weekend).  Now we make a pretty decent living... my kids have plenty of clothes, shoes, warm jackets and enough toys to keep them busy for weeks.  What I don't understand is how most of these other families are actually affording to take their kids to Disneyland every month.  I may not be an accountant but I can figure out that the cost for 5 of us to go to Disneyland will run us about $320 a pop - NOT including parking AND food AND souvenirs!  That seems a little excessive to me.

Now I do understand that since we live in Southern California that many, many people actually do work for Disney - lucky them, they get in FREE!!!!  (Not sure why we don't have ANYONE in our family that works for Disney.)  But really, aren't amusement parks supposed to be special?  Aren't they supposed to be a once in a while event?  Maybe for a birthday... or Spring Break? 

Hearing my kids tell me they want to go is painful.  I know their friends go all the time... we just can't afford to shell out over $400 for a day of fun.  We've only taken our kids to Disneyland once in their young lives... and that was 3 years ago.

So parents... if you are going to actually take your kids OUT of school for the day just to go have fun at Disneyland... please don't tell the entire school about it.  It's making the rest of us parents look (and feel) bad.