My boys were honored with the task of folding and taking everyone’s clothes to their room….yep, it was laundry day. In an effort to further teamwork (yeah right) I piled all of the clean laundry on the couch and told them to work together until it was all finished (again…yeah right). No sooner than I had left the room my oldest son comes to tell me his younger brother is not “helping”, so I begrudgingly left my desk to go back in to see what the problem could be. Looking around I saw a basket on the floor which contained hmmm maybe 30% of the clothes and the remaining 70% were still in occupy couch mode.  My middle child’s philosophy was he would do the laundry in the basket and his older brother would fold what’s on the couch. Fair enough?  NOT!!  As I attempt to calmly explain to him that’s not an equal distribution of labor, he get’s mad and starts to throw a fit (nine year old middle kid style…go figure). I have very low tolerance for this kinda stuff, particularly as I try and encourage my kids to talk about what’s bothering them…I am not one from the school of thought where folks just blow up.  Blame it on my Psychology degree, just talk about it…makes things much easier, right?  In any event, this is clearly not the route he chose on this given day. In my all or nothing parenting style, I said,  ”Fine, guess what? Since you want to fall out and lose it, here. You now how the privilege of doing it all by yourself!  Now go to your room!!!.” A fit, a few foot shuffles and some tears later, he retreats to his room with me dragging the basket behind.  My instructions were clear!  DO NOT leave this room until all of the clothes are folded.  He plopped onto his bed miserable, as if the entire world had just come crashing down on his sweet little shoulders.

Don’t you love how when one kid is in trouble, suddenly the “free kids” are now super sugary sweet and quickly capitalize on the punishment of their fellow man?! Sad, lol. I move on about the evening helping with homework and getting dinner started.  As the time passes, I am wondering how much progress he is making…I’ve passed once to put my ear against the door just to make sure he hadn’t turned on the TV and all was silent.  Figure I better go take a look and see.  When I opened the door, to my surprise this little boy is curled up fast asleep on top of the pile of laundry!!  I had to laugh, matter of fact I should have taken a picture.  I woke him up and told him to get busy and he got moving.

The evening was full of regular duties, making dinner, reading books and a little TV time.  All peppered with appearances from him here and there, dropping off piles in everyone’s room.  He seemed happy, decently productive for all practical purposes.  The crying had subsided and the attitude seemed to shift back to normal.  All was well in his world!  After the other two went to sleep, he came in my room and asked if he could read to me….so sweet.  Of course!  I tucked him in, told him I loved him, we talked about the lessons learned from the experience of the evening, I told him I was proud of him for finishing and kissed him goodnight.

The morning started like any other day, I got up early to get dressed before the kids rose for the day.  As I made breakfast and got everyone moving, my oldest came in and said he didn’t have any socks.  Looking perplexed, I walked into the laundry kings room to ask him.  I asked where were the socks, denying any culpability he shrugged his shoulders and moved on to go brush his teeth.  I looked in my daughters room…no wayward socks.  I knew I had just looked in my drawers….nothing.  As I continued my inquisition I could see him beginning to squirm uncomfortably.  Deny deny deny.  Where did it go?  Did the laundry fairy take it?  Hmmm I smell a rat.  I decided I would leave him in his room, close the door and let him figure out how he was gonna work is way out of this one.  I know my child, I know his thought process and knew if given time in solitary and a short rope that he would hang himself!  Upon my return, he had pulled out his suitcase from the closet and therein, was ALL of the missing laundry from weeks ago!!!  I was furious on the outside but dying LAUGHING inside that he just put it all in a bag and sent it packing!  I gotta give him credit, because I am hip to the I-hide-everything-in-my-closet-when-I-don’t-wanna-clean-up trick…so naturally the closet was the first placed I looked.

My poor baby, he lost his phone and TV and shed some more tears for getting busted in the biggest laundry smuggling ring to hit our neighborhood.  With every tear and every hard time, my hope is there is always a lesson (and some damn funny stories) on the other side.  I see their growth, I see the progress and I know the next time he will do it with a little less attitude and maybe we’ll all have clean socks and underwear too

Now I have a very sports minded kid who sleeps with a football and wakes up with a baseball. If he could do all sports all the time, this kid would be in heaven. So when I heard that the election was coming up, I kinda sort made him run lol. He didn’t give me too much resistance, but I figured it would be a good learning experience no matter the outcome. Throughout the process, after he submitted his entrance essay he told me, “Mom I’m glad you made me do this, it’s gonna be kinda fun.” That was music to my ears!! A child who actually appreciates and recognizes that their mom actual KNOWS what she is talking about?!? Hallelujah!!!!

I went shopping and bought him a variety of things for him to work with. He proudly made all of his posters, wrote his own speech and worked diligently to see this through. Even the kid who didn’t want to wear a tie smiled brightly this morning as he walked into school fully decked out.

As we walked through the halls passing out bubbles, bracelets and bookmarks he was totally in his element. Very well known and like for his magnetic personality and athleticism, it was fulfilling to watch him thrive in an area that was new to him….politics lol!!!

As much as I wanted to help, I made myself pull back and allowed him to incorporate the parts of his personality that he wanted to use in the campaign. Once I got over the fact that he wasn’t coming out to Psy’s Gangam Style with lights and balloons, I knew I had to let him do this his way. So I would throw out suggestions when he needed them, some he liked and others he quickly vetoed (yeah…he said no to the back up dancers). The end result was a successful campaign that I supported, but that was truly his.

I second guessed myself for making him run, wondering if I was doing too much or trying to make him into something he wasn’t. But I learned sometimes we have to push hem to try something new and outside of their comfort zone. They won’t always like it and it won’t always be a good fit, but at least they’ll learn something new about themselves. And as always in this journey called motherhood, I learn a valuable lesson too. Let them be who they are with a little guidance and help, and proudly sit back and celebrate with them when they win and comfort them when they lose.

When I heard the good news I walked up to him and have him a big hug! As I walked off I said, “Congrats, baby! I’m so proud of you.” As I walked off he called me and said, “You too, mom”. Now I’m not sure if he meant congrats to me too or he was proud of me too, either way I’ll take it with a big huge smile.

GENERAL RULES
– Clothing & Footwear Under $100
– School Supplies Under $100
– Backpacks Under $100 For Elementary & Secondary Students
– Do Your Homework Before You Go Out
…Price Compare So You Know A Good Deal vs. Tax Free Weekend Hype

– BEWARE Of Stores That Offer To Pay The Tax For You
…THAT IS NOT ALLOWED
– Usually Means The Items You Are Buying Don’t Qualify
…But You’ll Save Roughly 8.25% Off
– Ask Yourself:
– Did I Need It Anyway?
– Are The Small Savings Worth It?

BEST DEALS THIS TAX FREE HOLIDAY:

CLOTHES
– Old Navy = BEST IN STORE DEALS
…$10 Jeans, $5 Tees, $10 Hoodies
– You Can Go Online & Print A Coupon For Additional 15% Off
…PLUS Save The Tax
– Also, They Give You A Coupon To Come Back In A Few Weeks & Save More!

– Target = BEST ONLINE DEALS
…Free Shipping When You Spend $50 Or More
– This Is The One Way To Beat The Tax Free Weekend Crowds
…20% Off All Purchases Over $75 in Men’s, Women’s & Kid’s Apparel

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
– Walmart = BEST IN CONVENIENCE
…Grade Bundles With The Backpack Included
– Some Are Clear As Some Schools Require, Some Are Regular
… Ranging From $24-44 For Everything!

SHOES
– Famous Footwear = BEST SHOE DEALS
– Go Online And Sign Up To Be In Their “Club”
…Print A Coupon For An Additional 20% Off
– Plus GOBO On Name Brands Like Converse, Sperry & Nike
…PLUS Tax Free On Top Of That

EXAMPLE OF SAVINGS (( ON GRAPHIC ))
– Sparkly Girls Pair $69
– Traditional Boys Pair $59
SAVE: BOGO, 20% Off & Save The Tax

GRAPHING CALCULATORS
– TI-83 & TI-84
– Qualify As Tax Exempt At Selected TI Retail Stores
…Even Though Some Are Over $100
– Great Gift Or Back To School Item That Lasts Years

OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER
– Consider Hitting Kohl’s & Outlet Malls

EXTENDED HOURS
– First Colony Mall
– Woodlands Mall
– Memorial City Mall
– The Galleria

1.Pediatrician Appointments:

Call and schedule pediatricians well-child checkup and physicals for fall sports and activities if you have not already.  Waiting until the last minute can mean delaying of records getting back to your respective schools when it’s game time and can lead to much longer wait times in the office. 

2.School Shopping:

At this point online resouces are your best friend!  www.Target.com and www.OldNavy.com lead the way in school uniform pricing, www.WalMart.com has the best deals on school supply bundles but www.FamousFootwear.com is a step ahead of the pack when it comes to shoe deals!   They have their signature buy one get one half off (BOGO) and carry the top styles kids want like www.Converse.com, www.Nike.com and www.Sperry.com.  On top of the BOGO, they have a 20% off coupon you can print or use the code at check out.  I checked, and yes that is on top of the BOGO and if you’re bold enough to step in the store this weekend, you can save the tax as well. 

Also, use this week to go thru and clean out those closets so there is no confusion over what fits and what doesn’t.

3.Babysitter arrangements/Transportation, carpool  or bus routes: 

Confirm your after school arrangements with your babysitter.  Make sure you understand when they are available, they know when school starts and you confirm the rate   of pay and payment schedule.  Now is a good time to plan carpool days  with neighbors and friends and also find out the bus routes from your school district.  Price compare after school programs if you have not already registered and pick up schedules for extra-cirricular stuff like karate and gymnastics….now that everyone has post Olympic fever!

4.Plan for school papers:

The first week of school, plan to get inundated with papers, papers and more papers!  Create a filing system for each child and have a common file   folder for all papers that need your signature,  like field trip and permission forms.  Also, have a central spot in the house where you keep frequently viewed papers like the school lunch menu and school calendar in plain sight.

If you use your planner on your phone, go ahead and load in the school holidays and important dates for the entire school year NOW so you’re not surprised by that early dismissal or teacher in-service day.

5.Purchase school supplies. 

Ask if your school offers a pre-packaged school supply list.  You might pay a little more, but it will save you time and the money usually benefits your schools PTO.  If you do go the individual purchase route, consider starting online and compare stores to get the best deals.  Most offer free shipping too.  www.officedepot.com and www.officemax.com have the best deals going this week.

Happy shopping and enjoy the last days of summer!

As a mom who tries to instill positivity in my kids, I love that they see and encounter people from all walks of life.  Studies show that historically African American children have a lower opinion of themselves physically and often more readily identify with being Caucasian or lighter skinned….because it’s associated with positivity the studies have shown.  So I am happy and reaffirmed when my kids bring home pictures of themselves with their faces colored brown.  It tells me that they see themselves just as they are, not darker, not lighter….they are happily who they are in their own skin.

Even seen a group of little girls play together?  Notice how they pick who is which doll, princess or character?  I notice the little things.  Does my daughter vary the type of dolls she picks? Which are the ones she assimilates with what pretty looks like?  Does she often choose the fairest skinned dolls?  The one’s with the longest hair or lightest eyes?  See, I view that as a direct correlation with what she sees a true beauty.

I am happy to report that she does vary the types of dolls she chooses.  Some days she is Jasmine, some days she is blonde and long-locked like Tangled and sometimes she Dora.  But this week, when the USA Women’s gymanstics team took the floor to compete the night thy won team gold, she pointed at Gabby Douglas and said, “Mommy, I am that girl.”  All of the other gymnasts were more fair-skinned, with straighter and longer her.  But my daughter saw pride and beauty in a beautiful girl who was darker than she is, with different hair.  That’s who she looked up to….and I hope many girls black and white alike from all over the world will continue to do the same.

I finished up a late lunch full of gut busting laughter with one of my BFF’s and had set off to run some errands before I headed home.  I had a looooong to do list awaiting me like a virtual neon sign flashing above my head.  So I decided to head home and start tackling some work stuff that I need to churn out before week’s end.  I was so focused on the list, I even told a friend who asked me to have dinner that I would make a game time on whether or not I would allow myself a break…all depending on how much I got accomplished.

As I turned into my neighborhood, there was a guy who was half way blocking the street.  He looked like he just pulled out of the gas station but paused for some reason before he made it to the other side of the street, kind of blocking my path.  So I sat there and patiently waited for him to move looking at him just sit there.  He looked at me kind of flatly, I motioned with my hand for him to carry on and slowly his car started to proceed.  As I watched him pass me, I got this feeling that something was a little off with him.  As cars hurried beep beep impolitely and drove around us, I watched him slowly drive forward and I did the same.  But there was something telling me to keep an eye on him, as I witnessed a slight tremor in his hands.  As I looked into my rear view mirror, I noticed his brake lights came on….but he was still a good 20 feet from the red light and the major intersection he was approaching.  That force that was tugging at me quietly finally took over and I made a u turn to go back and see what was going on.

I pulled up behind him and put on my hazard lights.  I tried my best to run in three inch heels to run along side his very slow moving vehicle that was approaching the red light, tapping on the window to try and get his attention.  He looked at me flatly and by this time I could tell he was in trouble.  His entire body shook and his eyes rolled about in a jagged motion as he tried to purse his lips to speak….but he cannot.  I opened the door, the car still moving very slowly an I ask him if he is ok.  He says nothing, yet attempts to speak and moves his mouth and motions his hands…all the while his whole body trembling uncontrollably.  It hit’s me….oh shit this man is having some sort of a seizure?!  I ask him if he can put his car in park, he fumbles for the gear shift but cannot make a solid fist to do anything to stop his car.

Now let’s keep in mind, I am in straight hero mode but I do NOT know this man, if he is on something, if he is faking….I have no clue what’s going on.  So as much as I want to help, I know I must proceed with caution for several reasons.  The car is still moving, he is clearly not in full control of his faculties.  I ask him does he mind if I reach across him to try and put the car in park.  He is non responsive.  Terrified of what might happen next, I reach across him with my body as his trembling foot rests on the brake….really fearfully that this man  could fully hit the gas at any moment dragging me into the major intersection at any minute.  I successfully put it into park and before I can regain my footing and safely back out of the car, he jerks it into drive again.  Ok so now my heart is racing an I am not sure if he is scared and is trying to drive off or what!!  So I try to reason with him again, but all I get is the shaking and jerking that I am now certain he cannot control.  My next goal is to get the car in park and to take the keys out of his ignition all in one fell swoop.  Again, I am TERRIFIED that if he decides (or subconsciously) hits the gas…I can easily be run over by his car.  If I don’t, this man in going straight into the crossing traffic on Bellaire.  Luckily, I am able to reach across him for the third time, put the car in park and grab out the keys.  YES!!!!  I try speaking to him, asking his has this happened before and he moves his head indicating a strong NO.  So I ran back to my car and dialed 911.  I tried to keep him calm, I asked his where his cell phone was and he clumsily tried to reach into his pocket but could not control his hands enough to do it.  Keeping in mind this man is a total stranger to me and I to him, I ask him for permission to reach into his pocket and grab his cell phone.  He slowly nods yes.  I get his cell phone and dammit wouldn’t you know it…it’s locked!!!  ***Public Service Announcement*** shouldn’t we all take a tiny piece of tape and put an emergency number on our phone in case we are unable to speak and our damn dumb ass smart phone is locked?!?!  Anyway…I digress.  I ask him if I can call someone for him, bless his heart I can see him desperately trying to direct the words he is forming in his head to come out of his mouth but he just cannot.  He motions in despair with his hands and can only mumble “One, One, One” over and over.  I ask if I can reach into his pockets and get his wallet, he nods yes but I don’t find it.  Damn ambulance, where are you?!?  At this point I swear what has probably been 8 minutes has seemed like an hour.  He closes his eyes and I grab his hand begging him to talk to me.  He nods.  I run over to the passenger seat and fumble through some papers looking a contact number or anything I can find for him….I just gathered that his name was Matthew.  He looked to be maybe no older than 25.  Surely he has parents who would die with worry if he was in a hospital alone.  After all this time, so many people passed.  My dear sweet neighbor Ellen was driving in and saw the commotion and pulled over to help, so did one other man.  By this time I heard the distant faint sound of the ambulance and my body let out a collective sigh knowing help was literally on the way.

I am sure Matthew is in good hands, I dang near hopped in the ambulance and rode with him but I thought that might be a bit much lol.  But ask yourself this, what would you have done?  I always see the Dateline hidden camera investigation show called, “What Would You Do?” and I often wonder what would I really do.  Well, I tell ya today I sure found out.

In a world where people are so quick to pass by never noticing their fellow man and/or scared they’ll get cussed out for stepping in or not minding their business (and that’s a REAL possibility lol)….could a second look can save a life or keep a child from getting abducted?  Yes I am very sappy and dramatic right now, but I know that had I not stopped and deviated from my busy afternoon and my waiting to do list…Matthew would have driven straight into oncoming traffic in that intersection and seriously killed or injured himself or someone else.  Of that, I am certain.  There was something about the way I saw his hand shook and that blank look in his eyes that made me double back and make a u turn.

As my neighbor Ellen stood in the middle of the street with me she shook her head and said, “You know this is the type of stuff that only happens to you, right!?”  Then she told me to go blog about it lol.  I’ve been so busy this summer I haven’t written as much as I would like.  But guess what?  Writing a new blog entry was on my to do list for today…so there!!!

My best friends always laugh at me and say that I am soooo calm and cool under pressure and in a time a crisis I go into “action” mode.  Yep that’s true and I am sooooo glad that God used me to act on his behalf here on earth.  But I’ll tell you what, once I walked in my house…I fell to my knees in prayer and in tears thanking God for what I had just been a part of.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-can-8217-t-have-it-all/9020/Can wen have it all?

http://www.chron.com/life/article/Having-it-all-Give-me-a-break-3664680.php

With the 20 year anniversay of Dr. Sears theory of attachment parenting upon us, the issue has been widely debated as to which parenting style is more effective. A parenting style is like an opinion (or an asshole) everybody has one. You can’t get much more personal than to discuss how someone chooses to raise their children.

Now having said that, I did not raise my children in an attached parenting manner and I disagree with the practices. I am in the process of raising three somewhat independent moderately sane children. The three big issues of attachment parenting are slinging babies across your chest, co sleeping and nursing through college….ok, just kidding…middle school.

I’m cool with having the baby close to you while they’re young. It’s comforting for the baby, they love the warmth of being close, they still crave the tight sleeping quarters that the womb represents and hell it makes for some pretty good hands free parenting.

Ahhh, that brings us to the coveted sleep. From day one I had a sleep schedule that rivals that of a military boot camp. My kids get to sleep in the bed with me when someone is really sick, there is a major storm, a power outage, or if I have taken an Ambien and don’t realize that one of the little rugrats has climbed into bed with me until morning. The sleep habits a child creates as a baby follow them into late childhood, I promise you they do. When when I nursed all three of my kids, I got up, got them out of their bed and either sat up with my boppy in bed or in the glider in my room. That was partially driven by routine but also partially driven by a fear that I would fall asleep and smother my baby…that’s a real fear and it actually sadly does happen. Now that my kids are older, they love to come cuddle in bed when they wake up on Saturdays to watch TV and so do I. I cringe when I her stories of my friends who awake sleep deprived morning after morning because they’re been fighting with little elbows and toes of kids who have over taken their sleep space. Not me….I will greet you bright eyed and bushy tailed hailing from a kid free bed every day!

Now on to the big controversy that starts this whole debate, extended remix breast feeding that seems to just go on and on. I get the benefits of breast feeding, as I mentioned I breast fed all three of mine. I didn’t have a hard and fast rule, I went as long as I could with each one and didn’t feel guilty because one got to latch on longer than another. I feel like they are all pretty equally yoked genetically and I don’t have one who has some magical super powers that the other two don’t possess as a result of them being the boob world record holder. I did the bet I could for as along as I could.

I think the attachment parenting community might thumb its nose a bit at non-traditional parents as if to insinuate that because we don’t sacrifice every waking moment for our children that we are not “enough”. Any one who questions my dedication to my kids, meet me on the playground and draw that proverbial line in the sand and I will knock that proverbial chip off your shoulder! I give, work, move, coordinate, nurture, love, mold and scold with the best of them. So who are you (or who am I) to say who parents best? I can say this, my kids are ridiculously independent….almost to a fault. I love the fact they have been able to go visit family, friends, go to day care and schools with out causing a scene straight outta The Color Purple being ripped from my arms due to ridiculous attachment issues. Nothing but death gone keep me from it! No thanks. I love when my kids leave me with a hug and a smile and greet me again with a bigger one when I return. They talk to strangers, they speak their minds and they aren’t afraid to express their opinion without looking across the room for my approval. I think I’ve done a pretty good job, if I do say do myself. And to top it off (no pun intended), I have had my boobs and my bed all to myself for a few years now….leaving room for me to share them both with someone else when and if I choose to.

Almost No Sew Hip Makeup Bag

Difficulty: AverageAge: 8 and up

Parental supervision is recommended

Click  to view larger

This hip and funky makeup bag makes a perfect homemade gift or any cool mom.  A pretty fabric matched with a bright button makes for a lovely present that  mother can truly use. A great gift for Mother’s Day. Be sure to visit our other great Mother’s Day fun  including crafts to  make, cards for  mom and recipes to  spoil her withon Mother’s Day!

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Cut fabric into two pieces, 9” x 8” and 5” x 8”.
2. Lay 9” piece of fabric right side up on table. Lay 5” piece of fabric right  side down on top of larger piece of fabric. Line up bottom to bottom (8” side)  on one end and glue the edges together (right sides together) with a thin strip  of glue.
3. Now that the 8″ ends are glued together, flip the fabric over so the wrong  sides are facing up. For the non-glued 8″ ends, fold the edge of the fabric over  so that 1/2inches or less of the right side of the fabric is folded over the  wrong side of the fabric. Glue on the inside of the fold to create finished  edges.
4. With wrong sides still facing up, glue a seam along both long sides. All  edges should now have seams.
5. With fabric laying wrong side up, take smaller end (5” x 8”) and fold it up  and glue the wrong sides of the smaller and larger pieces together to complete  the formation of the bag.
6. Fold long top flap (9” x 8”) down until it meets the top of the bag, glue  the complete inside the flap so wrong sides are stuck together.
7. Use scissors to cut a button hole in the center of the flap.
8. Fold flap over the bag and use a pen or pencil to make a dot through the  hole and onto the bag fabric for placement of the button.
9. Sew button securely onto front of bag.
10. Sew edges of button hole to keep them from fraying.
11. Close bag and secure button through hole.

Tips:

• Be sure to choose a sturdy fabric. It should feel fairly stiff and hold its  shape.
• Instead of a button you may choose a fastener, available at discount  department or fabric stores. For kids who are not comfortable using a needle and  thread, you can have them glue the button on the outside for decoration, but use  a piece of Velcro on the inside for the closure.
• Some permanent fabric glues are messy and take a long time to dry. Ask your  local fabric store about the different types available.
• Cereal Box Scrapbook

  Difficulty: Very EasyParental supervision is recommended

  

  Holiday Links

  Summer Crafts:

  • Summer  Crafts

  Summer Activities:

  • Summer  Activities

  Crafts Email:

  • Crafts  Email

  Not just for breakfast anymore, this cereal box scrapbook is a great craft  kids that you can make by recycling materials from around the house. It’s the  perfect all-in-one crafting and cleaning project!

  What you’ll need:

  • Cereal box
  • Gift wrap
  • Brown paper bags
  • Shoelace
  • Hole punch
  • Scissors

  How to make it:

  1. Snip off one side and the bottom of the cereal box. Keep the front and back  in one piece.
  2. Cover with gift wrap or construction paper.
  3. To make pages, cut pieces of brown bag the same size.
  4. Punch two holes in the front and back cover.
  5. Punch holes in the pages to match the cover.
  6. Put the pages in between the cover and string the holes with the shoelace  and tie into a bow if you’d like. Add more pages as needed.

  Tips:

  Make a simple scrapbook to take with you if you are going on a trip and would  care to have some souvenirs.

• Pot of Flower Pens
  

  Craft a gift that everyone will love! This pot of   flower pens would make a great gift for Mother’s   day and is fun to craft with our easy   instructions.  Make a bunch of flower pens and put them in a   basket to give out as party or shower favors or   to sell at a local fundraiser.

  Cut a piece of floral foam to fit inside your pot   and place it in the pot.  We used a clay pot but feel free to substitute   any other type of pot that appeals to you. Squirt some tacky glue on top of the floral foam   and cover it with the artificial grass.  Your pot is now complete.    Place it aside while you make the flower pens. It is important that you use the pens that   are flat on top – NOT the click type pens.    This type of pen has a black or blue button on   one end.  Discard the cap that came on the   pen. Using a hand drill* make a hole in the   plastic button on the end of each pen.  If   you don’t have a hand drill find something else   to make a hole in the end of the pen or try to   pop the button off the end.  This step   should be completed by an adult. Wrap the floral tape around the stick of   the pen stopping just as you get to the black or   blue piece at the point of the pen.  When   using floral tape, stretch it as you wrap. For each pen, pull one flower off of a   bunch of flowers and stick it in the hole you   made at the top of the pen.  If the hole is   too small, stick a metal object such as an awl   or pick in the end and wiggle it to stretch the   hole out.  If the flower is too loose in   the hole, glue it in place. Poke the flower pens into the floral foam   in the pot and your Pot of Flower Pens is   now complete. Idea:  Fill a   glass container or pot with brown kidney   beans or decorative stones and stick then   pens into them.

Last night, of course I gently nudged them into bed a little early. As I tried to dismiss the questions about the perfect breakfast I would prepare that would surely catapult them into the next stratosphere as a genius….allowing them to magically recall information they were never taught and reinforcing the idea that the NORMAL things you learn throughout the year are simply not good enough for you to pass this test. Threats and discussions of being “held back” are quickly dismissed in my house. I simply told them to have a great day, don’t be nervous and got one more dig in about how proud I am of them.

I must admit, although I don’t like it….Their hype did hype me a little bit, just because I wanted to give them “the magic” that they had been told they need in order to do well. So breakfast was made in short order cook style, omelette and pancakes for one, French toast and fruit for the other…the clueless five year old opted for her normal crustless cinnamon toast. I packed a bag for each of them full of healthy “brain” food, stuff that wasn’t too messy and wasn’t too crunchy….in an effort not to “disturb” the sanctity of the testing environment (seriously?! my son said there was a list of discouraged crunchy foods?!). I want them to feel at ease and well equipped, so yes we played the game. I’ll be glad when this week is over and we go back to their regular spoiled ass expectations. At least those are expectations I have created and allowed to thrive lol….not those shoved down my throat from our beloved school district and the great state of Texas.