Trooper

Sooo we got a puppy. This is the third one in a year. We lost the last two. One due to an unforeseeable illness and the other, I ran the poor pup over. Booo Hooo! It was terrible, both cases. I felt so horrible and the kids were so sad......I started looking at Craigslist and at dog rescues.

When I was looking at Dog Rescues, I realized I look horrible on paper. We are good dog owners, but have had to give a dog away, one was hit on a busy road and died, another retired with Jeff's parents, we had a cat die of something (it was a stray to begin with), and then the last two. These "agencies" want ALL of your information, vet, references, names and reason's for why you don't have said animals anymore. Jeesh, give them enough time they will want your first born as well. It's crazy. I decided Craigslist was going to have to be our only option.

This is what we found. His name is Trooper. He is an Italian Mastiff and the boys fell completely in love with him. I think this one is the right fit. Isn't he cute?

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Parental Advice That Still Sticks With Me Today

When I was growing up my dad had a tattoo. It was simple. It represented something he believed in. It was something he was part of. He was a paratrooper. His tattoo was similar to this.


The advice my dad gave me is.....if you ever decide to get a tattoo, make sure it's something you truly believe in because it will be with you for the rest of your life.

I have tossed around a tattoo from the time I was 18. I have never gotten one and probably won't. What he said has stuck with me and it is advice I will pass on to my boys.

What advice do you remember your parents giving you?

What to do

What do you do with a 2 year old 11 year old who runs off when he doesn't want to do something? Who tells you "NO" because he doesn't want to do something? It's usually something that he is afraid of or that is miserable for him.

The latest? I was walking across the playground from one conference to another. I saw my boy and told him it was time to go to his conference. Well the teachers were running late and Trevor disappeared. When his teachers were ready for me they also wanted Trevor to join.

He was gone.

GONE!

WTF?

The office called him on the PA system. Twice.

He was hiding in the farthest corner of campus. In the tallest grass he could find. Which meant he was laying down. And he was using a soccer goal to help him with his camouflage.

What am I going to do with this kid?

Turns out the poor kid didn't want to go in and explain a problem from the MARS test. It's some sort of assessment the kids had to take. It involves "new" math. He says he doesn't know what he is doing and he didn't want to try to explain something he didn't understand. He also said he didn't know what to say since he says he did it all in his head.

Soooo we missed his conference all together. Tomorrow he gets to go in and apologize to his teachers for wasting their time and ask if they can make the time to reschedule. We had a long talk about his behavior and he did apologize for wasting my time. I just hope he has learned his lesson......for the time being anyway.

My Favorite Peanut Butter Recipe

It's teacher appreciation week. Boy did that come fast this year. Each year our school hosts a lunch for all the teachers. They love it. Every year I make my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe, as it turns out they love it too. They are Peanut Butter Cup Cookies.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbs. milk
1 bag or so of Reese's peanut butter cups

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift flour, salt, and baking soda; set aside. Cream butter, sugars, peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla, and milk. Add dry ingredients and mix well. It will be a soft, creamy consistency.

Using a melon baller or hands, shape into balls and put into mini-muffin tin, ungreased. Bake for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press peanut butter cups into the center of each cookie. Cool completely before removing from muffin tins.




What is your favorite cookie? And what do you do for your teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week?

Things my kids will know before they go on vacation without me and with their friends

We go on a vacation with two other moms and all the kids, all boys I might add. It always involves water, rafts, and some good fun. As a mom who always takes kids it never occurred to me that there IS an etiquette for kids when they are on vacation with parents other than their own. I say this because I invited a friend for one of my kids (the other two have friends who come with the other two moms). I thought I was doing my oldest a favor and he did too.......until we got to the cabin.

DUN, DUN, DUN.....

Things my kids WILL know before they go on vacation with adults that are not their parents, in no particular order:

1. You are the guest, but that does not make you exempt from helping load or unload the vehicle.  Be the first to ask what you can do to help.

2. When you are asked to do something, do it. Do it immediately, not at your leisure.

3. When other kids tell you to stop doing something because its annoying, hurtful, or just plain mean, it is your job to listen and to stop the action.

4. If you are the oldest, you are the example. The other kids will look up to you and want to mimic your behavior.

5. Don't name call.

6. Don't mock the younger kids.

7. Listen to the adults AT ALL TIMES.

8. Some of the rules may be lame, but it is your job to follow them. After all it is for the safety of you and the others.

9. Be respectful to everyone on the vacation.

10. If you have done something pleasurable or unpleasureable own up to it, don't pass the buck to someone else to get the heat off you.

11. Don't call your friends back home and tell him your are with a bunch of little kids and that they are annoying within earshot of people who brought you on the vacation.

However, there is a flip side to this. If you are the one inviting there is also an etiquette. So, to my oldest:

1. This is your guest, you don't get to check out just because he is a bit overwhelming. You wanted to bring a friend so as not to deal with one of your brothers.

2. You also are not exempt from helping out.

3. Spend some time with the friend who has been invited on the vacation......for you!

4. It is your job to make your friend feel welcome, feel like he is a part of the group.

5. Find out what he wants to do that doesn't include the younger kids.

6. When he expresses interest in doing something or going somewhere with you, do it. Don't tell him no and make an effort to get away from him.

Ahhhh, the joys of vacation. This won't deter me from bringing a friend, it just gave me insight. I need to lay out my expectations right off the bat, to all the kids involved. 

What is your worst experience when inviting a friend for one of your kids?