Just Like Daddy

He's using a skateboard for a creeper

I think he's taking apart the rear axle

Evan is available for all your mechanic needs

Yes, They Do Know What's Going On

The other day, I went to the grocery store to grab some chicken and tortilla chips for dinner. I was in the chips aisle scanning all of the prices, looking for the best deal. Michaela asked me, "Mom, why do you only buy things on sale?" I was caught a little off guard. Doesn't she know? Especially with Adam as her Dad, she should know about deals. I took this opportunity to teach her budgeting and money management. I told her that Dad gets paid a certain amount of money, we look for the best deals so we can buy more things with that money. I went on to explain, "say you only had $1 and you wanted to buy some candy. This gum costs $1, but these candy bars are on sale for 2/$1. If you bought the sale candy, you would get more."


I think that during these tough times, kids are aware of their parents stress. They also notice that they aren't getting as many things that they used to. We used to eat out several times a week. But now I am super-shopping and making more meals at home. We rarely eat out anymore. Michaela has noticed this. She asks frequently if we can go out to a restaurant. I have to tell her it's not in the budget. These moments are perfect opportunities to teach about money and responsibility. I watched a story on 20/20 about those high school kids that made a video talking about how their parents financial stresses are impacting them. I didn't think I needed to worry about my kids. I thought they were too young to feel unstable, nervous or scared by this economy. But Michaela's recent comments tell a different story. She sees the changes in our spending habits. She's hearing, "we can't afford that" more than ever. My initial instinct is to shield my kids from any stress. I don't want them to worry about money. But experts say they need to be more involved in the family when it comes to finances. I found some articles that were helpful to me, maybe they will be for you too.

http://apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=185



http://aap.org/disasters/pdf/tips-parentsCaregivers.pdf

2008: The Year in Photos

Should I Say "Ah Sweet" or "Get Away Creepy Stalker Kid!"

I went to Michaela's school today because the school lunch menu said there was a "BBQ". All parents were invited. So I braved the idea of eating a school lunch and showed up. I was the only parent! I don't know if that says something about me or school lunches. Anyway, I found Michaela waiting in line, near the end, and asked her classmates if I could take cuts. Now if you know anything about the politics of taking cuts in elementary, you know it could be a dangerous thing to ask. But luckily they were obliging. So this little brown-haired boy asked if I was Michaela's Mom. I said, "Yes". He said, "I'm Michaela's boyfriend." Wow, that's a surprise. She has never mentioned a boy at school. So he then asked if Michaela has mentioned him before. I asked his name, "Blake" he answered. I lied and said, yes. He then reassured me that he watches over Michaela, to make sure nothing happens to her. He says, "I'm like a spy. I'm always watching her, nobody even knows I'm there." WTF!?! I wish I had a picture of this kid. He has dark circles under his eyes and silver caps on several teeth. And he talks sorta monotone. Does he stay up all night thinking about my daughter? Then he turns to Evan and says, "Hey, I'm your sister's boyfriend." To which Evan has no response so the kid starts to tickle Evan and play around. Almost as if he thinks if he can get in good with Evan, he'll surely win over Michaela. The whole time Michaela is looking at me with an expression that at times shows guilt. Why hasn't she told me about him. Then later when I question her about Blake, she doesn't really want to talk about it. So far the details I know after grilling her is, he sits at her table, in the next chair, right next to her! Sometimes they eat lunch together, sometimes they play at recess. She says they play "Star Wars" and "Power Rangers". Later she confesses to Adam that her and Blake got in trouble for holding hands. I asked Michaela what exactly she thinks a boyfriend is, what it means. She replies, "I means we love each other. And someday we'll get married." This is no good! I reiterate that she is not allowed to kiss, ever!

Tomorrow I am volunteering in her class. I'm supposed to teach an art lesson. How can I teach art, when all I will be doing is monitoring this Blake's every move? Maybe it's time to look into an all girls school, or maybe homeschooling? If I can keep her isolated forever...okay maybe that's too much. But at least if she's gonna have a boyfriend, couldn't it be anyone else but the creepy stalker kid?

Summer's End

So as summer comes to a close, I thought I would have Michaela sit down to practice writing. I thought I'd have her write about the things she did this summer. Then I thought that would be a great idea for me to do. Like most, our summer has gone so fast and sometimes it's good to slow down and reflect on the things we've done. We did a lot and stayed busy. So here is my essay on "What I did this summer".

As the summer started and the weather was warm, we set up our new slip 'n slide in the backyard. Not really realizing that ages 3 and 6 aren't really ready for running and diving head first onto a slippery plastic surface. So the kids just stood on the plastic and splashed or sat at the end where the water pooled up. At least they were getting wet and cooled off.

Then it was time for Michaela's 6th birthday party. I baked and decorated a cake to the "Princess" liking. Fudge Grasshopper Mint. She has quite the love for mint right now. Our neighbor gave Michaela her very own mint plant to grow and eat from. She had a great birthday and we finished it off with a campfire and s'mores in the backyard with our friends.

One of Michaela's surprise gifts was a family trip to Disneyland! We drove down to California a week after her birthday. We piled my parents, the kids and Adam and I into the Suburban and made the long trek. It was my first time in Disneyland. We went on as many rides as possible and hugged as many furry characters too. After we left Disneyland we went on a whirlwind tour of California. Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu beach, San Francisco, wine country & The Redwoods. We created memories that the kids will always remember. Like when Belle blew a kiss right at Michaela during the parade. When Evan got to drive his very own car in Autopia. When Adam stood inside the roots of a fallen Redwood. When we all got soaked on the water rapids ride Grizzly River Run. Or when we went hang glidin' over California safely buckled in our seats inside an air conditioned building. When we saw Indiana Jones fight the bad guy in the tree house. When the red carpet was rolled out just for us. When Evan braved the Tower of Terror. When we saw dolphins playing in the waves in Malibu. When we drove our huge Suburban through a Redwood. Those moments were priceless. It was great to be in a place where, to the kids, everything was real. A place where a fairy could grant your wish and your favorite cartoon came to life. However, that also was a slight problem. You see, just as Cinderella and Mickey were real, so were the dark and scary characters. Michaela hesitated quite a bit to enter rides that were dark and full of surprises. For example, as we rode through Thunder Mountain Railroad, the mountain sounded like it was about to come crashing down due to dynamite. I, being of sound mind, know that's not going to happen. But to a 6 year old that believes in Santa, the tooth fairy, and wishing on stars, that mountain was about to come crashing down on her. But in the end, her positive memories block out those scary moments. If you ask her, she had a great time! She's planning a trip to Disneyworld already!

We also took a couple of days this summer and went to visit Grandpa Neil and Grandma Nancy in Ocean Shores, WA. We went crabbing and caught ourselves a feast, we fished right in the backyard and caught some great trout, we played in the sand on the beach and got our toes wet, we rode the 3-wheelers around and watched Adam pop wheelies, we played mini-golf and went to a motorcycle cruise-in. We love going to Grandpa's house because it means we eat well! Fresh crab, salmon and trout. You can't go wrong with that.

We spent time this summer visiting with family on Adam's Mom's side. It's so great to see all the cousins and how big they are getting. We've also taken day trips. To the gorge to visit Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Dam to see the fish, out in the boat on Lacamas to fish or just cruise around, downtown Portland to shop and eat. We went the fair where Michaela performed her ballet number, we touched every animal we could, saw the demolition derby and ate foods on sticks. We also had numerous backyard barbecues with friends.

With all that we've done there still are days, however where we don't go anywhere. Those are the days where I hear Michaela say, "We never go anywhere!" I guess I need to have her sit down and write her essay now, to remember that that statement isn't true.