Pumpkin Faces

Time to carve out the pumpkin. What better way to than to get the family involved?



= = = =

and for every face that Tater put on the pumpkin, Tot helped 'improve' it.



= = = =

Mom finally just cut out some of the eyes that were initially drawn and a nose. This poor pumpkin never did get a cut out mouth!

My Opinion on Homework

Very seldom do I voice my opinion here on politics or other items. They are my opinions and not up for debate (geeze, I sound like Bou). I am open to hearing (or reading) others opinions as long as it stays civil. Want to be nasty to someone, do it via email and stay off my blog. Or be banned.

Since this involves my children and their education... I am getting ready for the battle that is coming up. It seems that in the public Florida education in Palm Beach county that giving 6 year olds up to 3 nights of homework is acceptable. From writing 12 sentences that involve the spelling words they will be tested on once a week to history to math. This is n.o.t acceptable to me. Exactly when is my child suppose to go out and play. They need to build all of their skills at this age... physical, mental, emotional. Not just the mental part.

This seems to be an issue that is not mine alone. From an MSNBC story:

A bright child with twinkling eyes, Ashlyn was eager to learn, and the neighborhood school had a great reputation. But by November, Ashlyn, then 5, wasn't measuring up. No matter how many times she was tested, she couldn't read the 130-word list her teacher gave her: words like "our," "house" and "there." She became so exhausted and distraught over homework?including a weekly essay on "my favorite animal" or "my family vacation"?that she would put her head down on the dining-room table and sob.

And while doing more research, I found this piece out of THIS ARTICLE:

For elementary-school students, Cooper found that "the average correlation between time spent on homework and achievement ? hovered around zero." In Kohn's book, he highlights a 1998 study that Cooper and his colleagues did with second- through 12th-graders. For younger students, the amount of homework completed had no effect on test scores and bore a negative relationship to grades.

If you didn't catch it, it said for "younger students". I have no issue with my kids getting homework... say in the 5th grade... but 3 nights of homework in 1st grade?

Yes, I read the articles on why they should have homework. I have no found reasons that have made me change my mind. Particularly when I read something like THIS ARTICLE's data:

The researchers analyzed data from the Third International Study of Mathematics and Sciences (TIMSS), which in 1994 collected a large amount of data from schools in 41 nations across the fourth, eighth and 12th grades. For some analyses, they employed figures from the TIMSS 99, an identical study carried out in 1999 with 50 nations.

Their findings indicated a frequent lack of positive correlation between the average amount of homework assigned in a nation and corresponding level of academic achievement. For example, many countries with the highest scoring students, such as Japan, the Czech Republic and Denmark, have teachers who give little homework. "At the other end of the spectrum, countries with very low average scores -- Thailand, Greece, Iran -- have teachers who assign a great deal of homework," Baker noted.

If that wasn't enough, Tink sent me an article similar to THIS ONE found at Lee Ann's. It's going to be an interesting couple of years...

Feels Like 90

Would someone please explain to mother nature that we could have the temperature a little cooler here in south Florida at 5:45pm?

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

A little boy and a little girl, both about eight years old, were playing in the sandbox, when unexpectedly, the little boy farts,causing aLittle sand between his legs to shift. The little girl notices,and squeals with laughter.

"How'd you do that?" she asks.

"Easy," he exclaimed, "I just farted."

"Can I try it," she asks?

"Sure," he says, "anybody can do it."

She concentrates as she strains and grunts. Suddenly, there's a huge explosion, the sides of the sandbox fly off, all the sand flies out, and the little boy is thrown 20 feet, landing up against a tree.

He groggily gets to his feet, runs back to where the little girl is.

He finds her lying on the ground, out cold, flat on her back, spread eagle.

Curiously, he lifts up her dress, peeks underneath, and loudly exclaims, "Just what I thought, dual exhaust!"

Halloween Garfield

Something else to waste your time. I loved it!!!

Halloween Garfield

This is not good... wasting time instead of folding clothes. Sigh....

Halloween Hangman

Something to waste time and have fun... found it at Ogre's place.

Halloween Hangman!

Love the skeleton. :-)

Visit to the Zoo

We decided on Sunday to take a trip to the zoo. It's a little zoo, but perfect for our kids. Well, until Tot decided to throw his camera down at the very end. He lost all 34 pictures he had taken. It deleted them. Oops. Luckily, mom brought her camera and I got a few pictures. Seems like most of them are the back of the heads... and here is one of the few that is NOT the back of the head.



= = = = =



= = = = =

And here is Tot taking a picture of ????



= = = = =

And how could I resist this llama picture... I tried to get the picture of it pee'ing for Ogre but I couldn't get it to click fast enough...



= = = = =

There is a part in the zoo where they put out a mist... the next two pictures say it all:



- - -



= = = = =

Yaa... we were wearing shorts. It was hot. Florida... yaa.

Old Before My Time

Seems Michele is trying to age me before my time. Not that I'm old enough already... but two birthdays in a year. No thank you... and then the gifts. Hmmmm... Love Bug Pillow. Yaa... that would be VERY appropriate.

and Tink... you will ALWAYS be older than me... even if I have two birthdays in one year. s.n.i.c.k.e.r...

Wake-up Call

Was talking to Tink on the phone today about my Marine nephew and family in Hawaii. For those out of the loop, Hawaii had an earthquake of about 6 on the Rickter scale. My nephew is one of those without power. He called his mom, Tink, and asked that she call him with a wakeup call this morning since he didn't have power. Uhhhhhh... I didn't get it. Guess having to be prepared for hurricanes means I don't think about alarm clocks. I have battery powered ones... they don't plug in to the wall... just for that reason. Then I asked what was going to happen when his cell phone ran out of power.

Which was the whole point of this post. I mentioned Solar Powered charger for cell phones. Could I remember where I saw it? Nope, not while on the phone. For Tink, here is THE SITE.

Imagine, not having to carry additional batteries for all of your digital devices. One Solar Charger enables you to charge your Cell Phone, PDA, MP3, CD Player, Gaming Device and Digital Camera.

Florida Information

There are some great sites for those people living in Florida.

First: From the Florida Highway Patrol - the traffic on I-95 and elsewhere in Florida, click HERE. I used it a lot when I was working outside the home. Psst.. Pop, this was the site I was trying to find for you.

Second: Saw this over at My Little Corner of the World... using the website below, you can put 2 emergency contacts on your Florida Driver's license, which can only be retrieved by a police officer.

https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/dlcheck/findcustomer

Oldies but Goodies

I needed a laugh and a friend sent me these 'Testimonies'. I have seen them before, but they still made me laugh out loud. Maybe because I still can see myself in so many of them.

FIRST TESTIMONY:

I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and asked loudly, "How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?" I turned around and walked back out and never went back My husband didn't say a word... he knew better.


SECOND TESTIMONY:

I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls. I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using. After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who works at the store. He asked if he could help me. Without thinking, I looked at him and said, "I think I like playing with men's balls."


THIRD TESTIMONY:

My sister and I were at the mall and passed by a store that sold a variety of candy and nuts. As we were looking at the display case. the boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help. I replied, "No, I'm just looking at your nuts." My sister started to laugh hysterically. The boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away. To this day, my sister has never let me forget.


FOURTH TESTIMONY:

While in line at the bank one afternoon,my toddler decided to release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other patrons. I told her that if she did not start behaving "right now" she would be punished. To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening, "If you don't let me go right now, I will tell Grandma that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!" The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the tellers stopped what they were doing. I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow. The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me, were screams of laughter


FIFTH TESTIMONY:

Have you ever asked your child a question too many times? My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training and I was on him constantly. One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch in between errands. It was very busy, with a full dining room. While enjoying my taco, I smelled something funny, so of course I checked my seven-month-old daughter, she was clean. The realized that Danny had not asked to go potty in a while. I asked him if he needed to go, and he said "No". I kept thinking "Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have any clothes with me." Then I said, "Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?" "No," he replied. I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was getting worse. Soo oooo, I asked one more time, "Danny, did you have an accident?" This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent over, spread his cheeks and yelled "SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!" While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos laughing, he calmly pulled up his pants and sat down. An old couple made me feel better, thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had!


LAST BUT NOT LEAST TESTIMONY

This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very embarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think before she speaks. What happens when you predict snow but don't get any! We had a female news anchor that, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked: "So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?" Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they were laughing so hard!

In-laws A Visit'n

No big post today... enjoying the kids enjoying the grandparents. Must mention yesterday was no cup of tea. The kids went to get their yearly checkup and it ran 45 minutes late and it turned out it was time for shots. Yaa.... Later!

Strange Conversation

At my house this morning in Tot's room where the boys are playing. Mom walks by to put up clothes:

Tater: Mom, Tot put me in timeout for 5 minutes.
Mom: Uhhhhh... he's just joking.
Tater: No he's not, I punched him.
Mom: Well, you are only 4, so your timeout can only be for 4 minutes. Tot just thinks you are a 5 year old.
Tater: Oh, ok.
= = = =
A few minutes later...

Tater: Tot, I'm only 4, my timeout can only be 4 minutes.
Tot: Ok Tater.

One Hour

It took me over an hour last night to get my pc working. Still no time to write up much for a post about the kids.

And along with Tink, I want to know if anyone ever finishes the pencils in time in the Monk Game.

Oh... and Happy Friday the 13th... may you enjoy good luck all day.

Life Takes Over

Seems that life has been busy lately. Tot was in timeout no less than 7 times yesterday. One time for kicking Mom after she told him no. Needless to say, it was not a fun time. Even Tater got a timeout.

Mom took a timeout last night and watched a Monk my hubby recorded for me. No computer time. Hence, no cute pictures to be posted today. Hopefully, it will all come together today and be better.

Ohhh... did I mention that one of the commercial mentioned a Monk Game? Yaa... gonna be trying that at least once today.

More Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

For those 'working' engineer types:

The CUBEDOOR!

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

"Grannie, do all fairy tales begin with 'Once Upon A Time'?"

"No darling. There is a whole series of fairy tales that begin with 'If Elected I Promise'."

= = = = =

And more politically incorrect humor, check out THIS SITE.

No S.e.x.

Life has been a tiny bit busy the last couple of days and this will continue for another couple. Ok, it has been A LOT busy. I must learn to keep my mouth shut. I volunteered to do the Fall party that is in October for Tot in September... I knew that was coming along. I volunteered to do the school newsletter. After being asked by a teacher, the Chairman and the Director. And just last week, there was no one to do Tater's Fall party. Not one person signed up. Sigh. I signed up. I am out of my mind.

With all that going on, it is not surprising what my kids will pop up with on occassion. My hubby and I were flirting in the car. I was joking and said to him in the conversation, "when we get home let's have s.e.x". Yep, I spelled it out. Hey, I know kids learn fast and spelling it made it fun and kept my kids from asking what it meant. Uhhhhh... or so I thought. Continuing in a joking line, my hubby replied with "No s.e.x". I couldn't resist and started 'pleading'. Then I heard from the back of the car in Tater's loudest voice... "Mom, Dad said NO S.E.X.!"

I thought I was going to die. The first thing through my mind was when was this going to come out in class? The second was... when was he going to ask what it spelled and what did it mean. So far, so good on those two. Or so I hope.

Yep, life keeps me hopping in this household.

Happy Birthday Tot

It is amazing. My youngest son is 3 years old. Two years ago, I wrote THIS POST about you. And last year I wrote THIS POST.

Now it is time to look at you through this last year. Just in the last couple of weeks you have learned how to go the bathroom by yourself. Ever day I hear "No Mommy, go away" as you make your way to the bathroom.

You started Pre-school twice a week and finally enjoy it. It was a rough start but you did great.

You know your letters, you sing me the 'a says ahhhh' song, you love music and we enjoy playing music together. You are stubborn, sweet and give the greatest hugs. You are a wonderful son.

Here are some pictures of you at your birthday party:



= = = = =



= = = = =

And you loved the cupcakes!



= = = = =

Spiderman... well sorta

Tomorrow is Tot's birthday... We had a party yesterday for him. That was the big reason for pulling out the mixer and making a cake. Since I will be putting out pictures of Tot tomorrow, I am putting out pictures of the cake today.

It was hilarious. I really should not decorate a cake at 11pm. I'm a morning person... not a night person. And a warning to those who don't decorate cakes often... they lie about the black coloring. It makes it gray, not black. Buy at least 3 or 4 tubes of that stuff to get something close to black. I had one tube and used blue and red to try and 'darken' it up. Ahhhhh... Here is the finished product:



= = = =

From another angle:



= = = = =

And along with the cupcakes... here it is getting ready to be lit:



= = = = =

At least it was edible... though funny looking. ;-) Maybe by the time Tot gets to be 7 or 8 or 18... I might be able to decorate. hahahaha.

The Big Gun

I had to pull out the big gun yesterday. We were having the first birthday party for Tot. Yaa... his first two years where lacking in party material. Needless to say, you will see more tomorrow, but for now... this is what was used:



= = = = =

Amazing what you can buy before you have children. Good thing I did... I certainly needed it. Sometimes I set my sights too high... Spiderman cake... yaaa....

Halloween and Glue

Nothing like glue, scissors, construction paper, eyes and crayons to make for fun. Time to make some ghosts and bats. Enjoy the pictures. Click to enlarge them! Hmmm... now where can I hang these things????



= = = = =



= = = = =

Mindless Game

Want to waste some time on just luck? Go HERE and pick the Deal or No Deal game.

Rock Painting

We had a trip around the neighborhood a couple of days ago. We picked up 'bones'. Turns out that painting them was much more fun than trying to put them together as a dinosaur.



= = = = =

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

President Bush wants us to cut the amount of gas we use. Right?

The best way to stop using so much gas is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants! That would be 11 million less people using our gas. The price of gas would come down.

Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the border.

When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the border, hand him a canteen, rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq. Tell him if he wants to come to America then he must serve a tour in the military. Give him a soldier's pay while he's there and tax him on it. After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country. He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot.

This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Iraq and the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves.

If they refuse to serve, ship them to Iraq anyway, without the canteen, rifle or ammo. Problem solved.

Tot Did It!!!

He poop'd on the potty. Three separate times yesterday. "Mom, go away"... "Mom, come look"... I am very proud of our youngest boy.

Now if we could just get the night stuff fixed. It has also been the second night of him pee'ing in bed at night. That is getting old. 5 am wakeup. Yep, he's pee'd in the bed. Ugh. Just the smell makes me sick to my stomach.

Will he wear a diaper to bed? Nope, he is a 'big boy' now. He has to wear underwear. Sigh.

Leaving Today

Sad to say, my nephew leaves today. It has truly been fun having him around. We are very similar. In fact, we worked on my boys computer together... discussing geeky stuff.

He also helped make the Ghiradelli brownies last night. Any excuse to pull those out and make them!!! And having help? Wow. He vacuumed, picked up after himself and played with the boys. Life has been very good.

The boys are into magnets... after watching Bill Nye, the Science Guy on magnetism. Luckily, my nephew had bought them magnets for Christmas last year. In fact, I got a picture of them playing with the magnets. I couldn't resist and joined them. It was a blast.



= = = = =

He's gone. Sigh.

One More Day

Seems my nephew is ready to leave already. Guess he doesn't want to fix the fence, plant my flowers, watch the kids and make cookies. Geeze. What is his problem??? hahahaha. Actually he has some other friends he wants to visit. Today is probably his last day unless I can convince to stay one more. More posting later in the week.

After While Crocodile.

A Visitor

I am sooooo excited. My nephew should be here today. It was a last minute thing, but it makes me happy. I can't wait to see him again. Will take pictures and make sure to make notes of the stories... I'm sure there will be a few!

Later Alligator...

Fall in Florida

This is driving me nuts. I see everyone posting temps in the 60s or below. Talking about leaves changing. All those things that happen in 'Fall' or 'Autumn'. Folks... we don't get that in Florida. Here is what our local newspaper predicts our Temp will get to today:

Happy Birthday Contagion

Every once in a while... there is someone who is really easy to pick on in the blog-o-sphere. Contagion of Miasmatic Review is one of those people. And Grau let out of the bag that today is his birthday.

At first I thought Contagion had taken on another persona HERE. Or maybe had started a new line of work HERE.

Then I realized he was renting himself out HERE.

The poor man... and his poor wife.

I guess it was time to pull out the big guns and give him a gift he really needs.

A spa treatment and a makeover.

I am sure after you enjoy your gifts that you will feel younger and better. GRIN

Attention! Attention!!

Did it work? Did I get your attention? Phew. They are moving my blog to another computer on Sunday, the 1st of October. Ok Ok, they are moving all the mu.nu blogs. This means you will not be able to read my wonderful stories or see my cute boys for some time on Sunday. In fact, it gives me a great reason NOT to post on Sunday. Ohhh... I have stories. I also have had so little sleep in the last week that I am not up to telling them all.

Right now I'm dealing with antibiotics and ear drops for Tot. Yep, went to the doctor today. And Tater is still not quite over his allergies or cold... your guess is as good as mine. I just hope we can get one night with someone NOT waking up coughing.

Ohhh. I forgot last night... hat tip to Teresa at Technicalities for warning about the move on Sunday.

Caption This!

Many different things ran through my mind when I took this picture... But I figured ya'll could come up with even better captions!



And under 'more pawprints' is another cutie. (click on 'more pawprints' to see it).

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

From THIS SITE

# Knock, knock
Who's there?
Thistle who?
Thistle have to hold you until dinner's ready.

# Knock, knock
Who's there?
Adolf Adolf who?
Adolph ball hit me in de mowf. Dat's why I dawk dis way.

# Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
I love.
I love who?
I don't know, you tell me!

# Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Police.
Police who?
Police stop telling these awful knock, knock jokes!

# Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Woo.
Woo, who?
Don't get so excited, it's just a joke.

# Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Easter.
Easter, who?
The Easter Bunny.

# Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Anna.
Anna, who?
Anna nother Easter Bunny!

# Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Moira. Moira, who?
Moira Easter Bunnies.

# Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Howie.
Howie, who?
Howie gonna get rid of all these Easter Bunnies?

# Knock, knock
Who's there?
Ammonia
Ammonia who?
Ammonia a bird in a gilded cage

# Knock, knock
Who's there?
Mary lee
Mary lee who?
Mary lee we roll along

# Knock, knock
Who's there?
Aardvark
Aardvark who?
Aardvark a million miles for one of your smiles

Family Day

Seems Tammi is having a Family Day...

I tried to just put a comment out and have her point to one of my old posts. I loved that post. Brought back memories. But did my comment work? Yaa.. It made it, but I felt sorta guilty... My blog was made for my family. Yaa... I stray and do quiz's and meme's and other stuff. But basically I try to tell stories of my boys and our family.

So what was the Post I loved? It was THIS ONE. Where the boys are playing in a laundry basket. That is what my life is right now, boys, laundry and fixing food. I swear some days that is all I do... Oh and occassionally I get to see my hubby. ;-)

This is a great idea to help you remember how much you love your family and I hope more people go put out a fun post about your own family. I love that stuff.

Front Door Blues

There is nothing like stopping Tot and Happy Dog from running out the front door when you see this:



= = = = =

Yes, that is a snapping turtle. I almost took pictures of the invasion of baby frogs the other day... but this tops it. You get the wildlife in my yard. Ants, snakes, frogs, walking sticks, birds (including vultures), armadillos, and now a snapping turtle trying to make it's way into my house.

It will be interesting as the boys get older.

Trip To The Museum

We took the boys to the Ft. Lauderdale Science Museum. While the boys had a blast, hubby and I were disappointed. It was a lot of money for over 1/3rd of it to be closed. But enough whining... I can do that in a separate post... here are some pictures of them having fun!



= = = = =

Tot just can't keep from touching different textures... Good thing they had some different stuff for that boy to touch!



= = = = = =

While Tot loved the keyboard that made 'waves' in the styrofoam beads, Tater loved the magnets. He could have stayed there all day trying different stuff.

Proud Parents

Tot went pee pee in the potty. Tot went pee pee in the potty. Tot went pee pee in the potty and I'm so very proud!!!!

7 Songs

Now that I have ensconced myself into Mom's blog... I will answer the meme that Aunt Tink sent over... 7 songs...

Here are the 'guidelines' that I saw: "List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs."


1. Old McDonald
2. Twinkle twinkle little star
3. Baby Einstein Beethoven (the whole tape)
4. Trot Ol' Joe
5. Little Einstein Theme Song
6. Happy Birthday
7. The A says 'Ahhh', alphabet song from 'The Word Factory'

And if you have any other songs that might make my mom cringe, just let me know. I'm a quick learner.

Oh... if anyone else wants to give this meme a try, just let me know in the comments.

Magenta

Interesting... saw it a couple of different blogs:

Your Power Color Is Magenta

At Your Highest: You energize yourself and push others to suceed. At Your Lowest: You feel frustrated and totally overwhelmed. In Love: You are suprised by who you attract. You're a love magnet. How You're Attractive: Open and free spirited, people want to explore the world with you. Your Eternal Question: "What is my next source of inspiration?"

What's Your Power Color?

Something Exquisite

I saw this at Ogre's yesterday. It touched my heart. Maybe it is because I come from a military family or maybe it is just that special.

Go Watch THIS.

Washing Windows

Tot was kind enough to ask to wash the windows. I never turn down help... no matter how much more work it gives me. He had a blast. First you squirt the window cleaner on the window:



= = = = = =

Then you wipe it off:



= = = = = =

Don't forget the other side:

Tot 'relaxing'

Tot decided to pet Happydog with his feet. Might be because he was too lazy to turn around and pet him with a hand... (click picture to enlarge it)



= = = = =

And then mom got caught taking the picture. That cute face turned up to me and said 'cheese'. I had to take another.

Pirate Name

A Day Late... but for Michele, I will post this:

My pirate name is:

Iron Mary Kidd

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

Some Happy Dog humor... pirated from Jokes.Net

Q: How do you catch a runaway dog?
A: Hide behind a tree and make a noise like a bone!

Q: What dog loves to take bubble baths?
A: A shampoodle!

Q: What kind of dog does a vampire prefer?
A: Any kind of bloodhound!

Q: What dogs are best for sending telegrams?
A: Wire haired terriers!!

Q: What do you call a happy Lassie?
A: A jolly collie!

Q: What do you call a nutty dog in Australia?
A: A dingo-ling!

Q: What kind of dog sniffs out new flowers?
A: A bud hound!

Q: Why didn't the dog speak to his foot?
A: Because it's not polite to talk back to your paw!

Q: What is the dogs favourite city?
A: New Yorkie!

Q: Who is the dogs favourite comedian?
A: Growlcho Marx!

Q: Why don't dogs make good dancers?
A: Because they have two left feet.

Pirate Day

Seems I'm a little behind in the pirate day post! I have some cute costumes that AWTM sent me... so cute that I'm putting them in the extended entry... press 'More pawprints' to see them. Now if I could just look like that in them... Maybe I me hubby enough Pirate Alcohol... hmmmm....

update: I just found this POST on Random Thoughts from Marybeth. It has a link to learn how to talk like a Pirate. Glad someone wasn't blindsided by Pirate Day... where did I miss the announcement???

Maggots or ???

Nothing like hearing a conversation in the middle to confuse you. I heard Tater talking to his dad about maggots. All sorts of weird things ran through my mind... why is he so excited about maggots? Where did he see them? And then you catch the rest of the story. He is talking about Bill Nye "The Science Guy" and the Magnet dvd we rented from the library. Magnet, Maggot. Works for me.

Eggs Anyone?

I think my children would freak if I got any of these EGGS. They might be a cool gift for someone who loves gardening and has everything.

Books To Be Digested

Francis Bacon:

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed on and digested.

Folks, the posting has been a little light lately... Tot has hit the terrible threes. And raising Tater did not prepare me for my second child. Strong willed is not 'strong' enough to describe this child.

For the next week I am reading two books on Strong Willed Children. I am hoping they give me guidance and assurance. I need to know I will make it through the next couple of months. I also need to find other ways to deal with Tot. I have tried time outs, spankings, walking away and even tried taking away toys. At age three, not one of those has made a dent. I know consistency is always a good answer, but consistently doing what?

Instead of posting, I will be researching, reading and working on my parenting skills. What posting I do will be light hearted because I have enough stress in my life.

Be prepared for more humor, strange links and pictures of my kids that need captions. Later!

Shhhhh...

be very very quiet. The boys are asleep at 8am. Of course, my hubby says on the lines of "The boys are asleep, should we wake them, is something wrong?" EEEEEEkkkk. Let them be! We will miss church, but it is worth it this time. The boys have not slept like this in weeks. They both were asleep by 8:15pm last night.

Yaa. I stayed up and put together a table and did dishes and laundry. With all of that I slept last night for 7 hours. I am a very happy woman.

Odd Items

Did you know MS Windows XP can read to you? Or do magnification? Those are really cool features. You can usually find this stuff under Start -> Help and Support -> Accessibility. then when reading the help, it will show you where to go to turn this stuff on.

Also, Betty Crocker's online store is going out of business. I have seen this on a couple of blogs, but have long forgotten where. HERE is the site. Including some Silicon cookware. I noticed there is less stuff than when I checked a few weeks ago. If you want something, you go check it out now. hmmmm... cookbooks...

And you can get VeggieTale ringtones for your cellphone or tunes for your iTune. Really... Check it out HERE. Don't forget to check out their GAMES while there.

Busy Week

Been a busy week. Got stuck with doing the newsletter for the preschool and that is where my computer time is going. Trying to find a good template to use.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and here is something for you to consider:

Do you find it hard to get your partner or the kids up in the morning? Well, struggle no more...the Grenade Alarm is the perfect solution to your problem.

And some more about it:

Simply pull the pin, yell an emphatic "fire in the hole", then lob the grenade into the sleeper's room. After about twenty seconds, a very annoying and piercingly loud noise will blast out.

The best part, however, is that to stop the alarm the sleeper has to find you, so you can put the pin back in.

Go HERE to get the details. Tink already put a post out on it as well...

On The Phone?

Here's Tot on the "phone" wishing Harvey a Happy Birthday. Ohhhh. That's not a phone? That's a meat themometer? Guess someone ought to tell Tot.



And thought Tot is a blond hair, blue eyed beauty... I won't be giving him to Harvey. Though, yesterday it was certainly a consideration. ;-)

Instead here is something 'blue' for you (click on more pawprints to see pictures in the extended entry - should be work safe but just to be safe):

More Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

The children begged for a hamster, and after the usual fervent vows that they alone would care for it, they got one. They named it Danny.

Two months later, when Mom found herself responsible for cleaning and feeding the creature, she located a prospective new home for it.

The children took the news of Danny's imminent departure quite well, though one of them remarked, "He's been around here a long time--we'll miss him."

"Yes," Mom replied, "But he's too much work for one person, and since I'm that one person, I say he goes."

Another child offered, "Well, maybe if he wouldn't eat so much and wouldn't be so messy, we could keep him."

But Mom was firm. "It's time to take Danny to his new home now," she insisted. "Go and get his cage."

With one voice and in tearful outrage the children shouted, "Danny? We thought you said Daddy!"

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

SOUTHERN CHARM

Two nicely dressed ladies happen to start up a conversation during an endless wait in the LAX airport. The first lady was an arrogant California woman married to a wealthy man. The second was a well mannered elderly woman from the South.

When the conversation centered on whether they had any children the California woman started by saying, "When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me." The lady from the South commented, "Well, isn't that precious?"

The first woman continued, "When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Mercedes-Benz." Again, the lady from the South commented, "Well, isn't that precious?"

The first woman continued boasting, "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet." Yet again, the Southern lady commented, "Well, isn't that precious?"

The first woman then asked her companion, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?" "My husband sent me to charm school," declared the Southern lady. "Charm school ?" the first woman cried, "Oh my God! What on earth for?" said the first woman.

The Southern lady responded, "Well for example, instead of saying "Who gives a shit?" I learned to say, "Well, isn't that precious?"

= = = =

And more Southern Humor

An old man lived alone in Florida. He wanted to spade his tomato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, Bubba, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear Bubba,

I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me.

Love Dad

A few days later he received a reply.

Dear Dad,

For heaven's sake, don't dig up that garden. That's where I buried the bodies.

Love Bubba

At 4 AM the next morning, F.B.I. agents and local police showed up and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. The old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Dad,

Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances.

Love Bubba

Breaking into Your House

Very seldom do I go into Politics on my blog. But I received this email and it expressed my thoughts on illegal immigration. I have worked with and been friends with and am a decedent of a legal immigrant. It may not be as easy as it use to be, but then become legal and work on changing the laws. Until then, I feel very much like this email states:

Let's Say I Break into Your House

A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!!

" Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.

Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).

According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there.

It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know.

And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me. Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America...."

In Need of Encouragement

Talking to Sticks the other day about her request and she requested more help. She thought maybe I could convince a few more people to send some emails to her for Recruit Gene. Particularly since I come from a 'military' background. The only request is not to send him something that will get his arse kicked. You military types know what I'm talking about. I copied HER POST below as well as having this LINK to it.

I have a special request for everyone. Please help. As you know, my nephew is away at Paris Island completing Marine bootcamp. He only has a few more weeks to go but it is getting tough. He sent a letter to his mom and begged her to please have everyone send him letters of encouragement. He says it will help to have something to take his mind off things there. He says it is a "crazy place".

So, please, if you could jot down a few words of encouragement for Recruit Gene and e-mail the letters to me at chaos(dot)2(dot)serendipity(at)gmail(dot)com I will print them and send them to him. I thought it would be encouraging to know that people who don't even know him support what he is doing. I know that some of you out there have endured bootcamp and can empathize. I appreciate anything. Words of encouragement. Jokes. Bootcamp horror stories. Anything to help get him through. Thank you.

Come on... find an old humor email or put just 2 lines in an email and send it to her at chaos(dot)2(dot)serendipity(at)gmail(dot)com

Animal Life

The first thing I see when going out on the back porch the other day was this baby snake (I believe it is a baby black snake):



= = = = =

And if that wasn't enough, we have these huge walking sticks as well...



= = = = =

If that wasn't enough, I got a couple of more pictures... notice the little one attached to the bigger one... I think this means there will be a whole lot more walking sticks around our house soon. Sigh... they are longer than my hand.



= = = = = =



= = = = = =

Never a dull moment at the 'bugs' house. ;-)

Daddy's Boy

One minute Tot is playing and the next he is relaxing on the couch. I had to laugh because he got it laid back and the foot rest up... just like Daddy!

2996 Tribute

I have mentioned it before and today I will mention it again. 2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11. It says that "We will honor them by remembering their lives, and not be remembering their murderers." With that in mind, they have bloggers who have paid tribute to them by writing about these people. Putting faces to these people. Go HERE to see the names of the victims of 9/11 and then go to the links to the bloggers who wrote about them to pay tribute to their lives.

Sister Does It

Since my sister did it, I had to do it. I can guarantee this is one quiz where Bou and I won't match!!!

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion. You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party. Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences. But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have high conscientiousness. Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life. Most things in your life are organized and planned well. But you borderline on being a total perfectionist. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is medium. You are generally broad minded when it come to new things. But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it. You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Mammaw's Pets

I asked my mom to send me a story or two about pets she had when she was growing up. We always had a dog or a bird... well... once we had alligators but I need to get more details on that. Until then, this is what my mom enjoyed for pets when she was a kid:

I don't really know what to tell you.........When I was growing up I had the usual dog or two and a few odd pets usually do to some animal being injured.

I once had a pet skunk . Of course he had been "deskunked".

Then I had a pet chicken that wouldn't eat off the ground. It had to be hand fed.

When I was very young my father worked at a hotel and one day he brought home a pigeon with a broken wing. I asked how it broke a wing and was told it fell off the hotel. It took me a long time to figure out why everyone thought it was funny when I told them how the pigeon broke a wing........

Yaa... she definitely got to enjoy the good life with pets. hahahahha. I know there is another part to that pet chicken story. I believe there was a rooster that attacked everyone about that time as well. Still... a chicken that had to be hand fed... literally, the food in the palm of your hand.

Can't wait to see what my boys decide to have as pets.

Bou's Birthday

Seems I am always a day late and a dollar short. I had the perfect opportunity to have my boys sing happy birthday to Bou a few days earlier and missed it. Seems I can't ever remember birthdays. Good thing Harvey doesn't forget. I can't even top the gift he got her. Geeze, I want one of those kitchen gadgets.

Bou, have a happy birthday today!!!

Mission to Mars

I saw the headline: Sign up for Mission to Mars

and thought what a neat idea. Then as I read it, it really is a mission where "six scientists will get to travel to the desolate permafrost desert of the Arctic, live in a two-level metal can and only go outside wearing 40 pounds of faux spacesuit."

Ok, still not bad... until:

In addition to scientists, the project is seeking a handyman who will live "out of sim," taking care of maintenance, defending scientists from the occasional polar bear and generally striving to keep the other six ensconced in the illusion of extraterrestrial living.

uhhhhh... naaa... I think I'll pass.

Calendar Time

I was hoping that creating a calendar would help my kids figure out what was happening and when. Particularly Tot. It hasn't sunk in quite yet. I am now getting him to put stickers on his activities as well as just look at the calendar each day.

Yaa... here is a picture of it before we got too far into the week (click to enlarge it):



I am not completely anal.. I drew the fish for swim lessons!!! Well... only because I couldn't find a picture I liked. ;-)

Paying Tribute

If you haven't noticed, my blog has lots of pictures and very few words. I'm a mathematician, not a writer. I can write, but not like most of those out in the blog world. Hence, I am not volunteering to write a tribute but will gladly post it for someone who does not have a blog. Huh? What am I talking about?

THIS 2,996 Project

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

The wonderful news is every name has been assigned. Now they are going through the list a second time.

More Potty Humor with Boys

Thought that bush dogs were funny? Try being a mom that has to make play-doh toilets for her boys. It started out with one greenish toilet ...



= = = =

and a blue bear...



= = = =

Tater makes some 'poop' and puts in the toilet... btw, Tot takes it out and flushes the toilet...



= = = = =

This was not enough... Mom had to make a blue toilet for just Tater...



= = = = =

There was even a 'stream of pee'. yaa... just wanted I wanted to do in the afternoon with play-doh. My flower and butterfly just wasn't any fun.

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St.
Peter is waiting for him.

"Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. "I don’t understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...... Today you voted."

T.S. Florence

Another one has been named. Yes, folks... there is another Tropical Storm out in the Atlantic. You can see information on it HERE.

The Meme Master

Every once in a while I get a meme that I can't resist sending over to Ogre. He has never done a meme the way it was suppose to be done. And he didn't fail me on this one. I really thought he would have taken a different approach, but I was pleasantly surprised with what he did. In fact I was laughing out loud as I read it. Go on over and take a peek at his answer to the book meme.

Butts and Bush Dogs

What is it about boys? Make that boys and their fascination with butts... farts, poop, and the like? We went to the zoo on Saturday. When leaving the zoo, they talked about the giant anteater, the prairie dogs, and the naked mole rats. But when asked later in the day what they liked most...

Watching the dogs wipe their butts on the tree

Oh yes. While there, we spent a good 10 minutes standing at the bush dog exhibit. There was 3 bush dogs playing 'follow the leader' in a large circle. Every time they passed a particular tree, they would lift their hind feet off the ground and wipe their butts on it. Every time this happened, my kids would break out in l.o.u.d laughter. Yaa... some days I wonder what it would be like to have girls... but then I remember those big smiles. Sigh.. even if they are smiling about dogs wiping their butts on a tree... they are great smiles.

Trains and Hair

This is something I should have expected to happen sooner or later with Tot. Especially after Hubby mentioned that Tot was licking the wheels on the trains as he turned them on and off. The train in this story is Diesel**. Must have been the perfect train to convince Tot to put a running train in his own hair. Yep, I had to cut it out. Then it took me about 2 minutes to get the hair out of the wheels.



= = = = = =

** I can't get Diesel's picture to show, you'll have to scroll down to the name of Diesel by using the arrows on the left. And in the about tab... Diesel is always bad news when he's around.

Getting Brave

Mom is getting braver... I let Tot use the mixer by himself last week.



= = = =

Look at that concentration...

My Sister's Interview

Without much prodding, I talked my sister, Tink, into having an interview via Basil. Go on over and enjoy her questions and answers.

Phew... it has been a l.o.n.g... weekend, glad she did this so I had something fun to post.

Laughing Out Loud

Things that had me laughing today...

One was the conversation in the comments of THIS POST by Sissy.

Another was following the links in THIS POST by Ogre.

Books and Mom

My blogmother tag'd me with a meme. I was tempted to have Tater or Tot do this meme but didn't have enough time... you are stuck learning about me.

1) A book that changed my life:

There are books that have changed my life but I can't remember their names... ohh... I do remember the name of one... the Bible.

2) A book I've read more than once:

Any Agatha Christie, Isaac Asimov, or Rex Stout (Nero Wolfe series)

3) A book I'd take to a desert island:

If it was just for a vacation, then any good fiction book. If I was stuck there for a while, a book on how to survive on a desert island.

4) A book that made me laugh:

101 Elephant Jokes

5) A book that made me cry:

Hmmm. Not any that I can remember. I have cried reading a book, but it is usually because it reminds me of something else and I quit reading it for a while. Once I get over the memory, I can read the book and not cry.

6) A book I wish had been written:

How to Survive with 2 Boys born 15 months Apart and only 3 hours a sleep a night.

7) A book that should never have been written:

There are some children's books I would rather not have been written after the 100th time I read them out loud... but one book? Naahh.

8) A book I'm currently reading:

Out of the Shadows by Kay Hooper

9) A book I'm planning to read:

Another Kay Hooper book

10) Five people I'll send these questions on to: Sticks (because she is out of town), Ogre (just because), Oddybobo (just so she'll post something...), Donna (because I have never given her a meme) and Rave (because she did a meme).