Is there a shortage of material?

Today mini#1 and I headed out in search of his Halloween costume. I also had to search for a costume for a neighborhood party. I patiently entertained every whim mini#1 had. At first he thought he wanted to be the Joker, even though he has not seen the Dark Knight movie (or will he anytime soon). He just liked the costume. Next he said he wanted to be a bully. What? No, he's not going to be a bully. I would never condone that. He simply liked the studded-collar necklace in the "Gothic" section and thought all bullies wear leather coats and studded necklaces. He then toyed with the idea of being a king because the kid is fascinated with fairy tales and fables. Since the crown he wanted didn't have a matching robe, he moved onto a gangster. This stuck.

He liked the hat the best. It's very cute with his dark hair. We may draw in a mustache. He did have to ask me in car on the way home what a gangster was. I sugar-coated it.

After we found his costume we headed over to look at the selection for women. I was mortified. I almost felt like I was in an adult novelty store with my son! And no, I've never been in one of those stores if you were wondering! The costumes were mostly R and X rated in my opinion. Now 15 years ago I may have been all over the SEXY German barmaid or the Sassie Lassie (Scottish tartan-clad hookerish look), but probably not. I did dress up one year with three friends as Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and that was so much fun. However, I have a simple neighborhood party to go to full of married couples this year. As I stood there pondering my choices mini#1 tried to assist by saying "Look mom. You can be Alice in Wonderland!" Umm. Alice must be experiencing the effects of global warming or early menopause because that costume was way too short showing all kinds of skin. And come to think of it- ALL of the costumes were lacking yards of material. Is there a shortage of cloth/polyester in China these days? I looked in disbelief from Little Miss Riding Hooker, um Hood to Daring Dorothy of Oz to Snow not-so-White and all were teensy weensy! I will give it to Party City. They had a huge selection! I finally decided on a PG rated Go-Go girl costume because I already have a short black wig my friend and I bought on a whim in Atlanta years ago. The black/white dress is short but not minuscule and it has a cute hat. I'll just wear black boots. If I chicken out with this costume I'll just be a witch. I have a hat and orange and black tights. The minis already think I'm mean enough to pull it off. You know that's not true!

So what are you doing for Halloween and who are you dressing up as?

First Field Trip

This morning I accompanied mini#2 on his first field trip. We met his classmates at the NC Museum of Life Sciences. All the minis had on matching preschool t-shirts. I'd post pics, but they have the name of the preschool and mini#2 had on a name tag. They lined up quietly outside and put "bubbles in their mouth" (looked like holding breath) to keep from chatting. I may mention this to mini#1's teacher at our conference tomorrow. Kidding. Once in the Discovery Room, the guide, Anthony, gave the best presentation. He really had a way with kids and they were mesmerized. They even got to touch a few animals.

My child got the most laughs of the day, too. When Anthony pulled out a large snake skin from a box, he asked the preschoolers "Where did this skin come from boys and girls?" Mini#2 quickly answered, "From your box!" Anthony told their teacher "This is a super smart bunch of kids this year!"

We had such a great time together looking at snakes, butterflies and even hissing cockroaches (gag!). My little one is growing up quickly. I'm proud of him. He's not the least bit shy and made sure to say hello to every child he knew. He even told another museum guide "How are you today?" as we passed by. The guide got a chuckle out of that.

Afterwards we went to get his Halloween costume. No more cute animals or miniature professional outfits. We've moved on to Power Rangers. He'll be the pint-sized blue one! Now if only mini#1 can decide what he wants to be. He's changed his mind about ten times already.
I plan to take him on Saturday to pick out his costume. He loves Halloween! It makes me get even more excited to see him excited. Ok, got to go. The bus arrives in a few minutes. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Note from school

So, your child has been gone all day. Your day has gone well and you even make it to the bus stop to meet said child before the big yellow bus squeals to a halt. You give big hugs and exchange kisses (He's 7. This WILL end soon I'm certain) and chat about his day as you walk back home. All is sunny, happy and loving. A Hallmark movie.

Until, you open loving child's daily folder and....what's this extra piece of paper on the wrong side of the folder? Hmm. A note. From the teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Pink, Mini#1 has not been following directions...not using inside voice in cafeteria...talking in hallway after warnings...please speak to him about the importance of following the school expectations. Good grief! Hallmark movie is quickly a thing of the far past. We had the "talk" to end all talks, did his homework together, and then I made him write sentences. I WILL LISTEN TO MY PARENTS AND MY TEACHERS. No play outside, no TV and then more talking. I don't know why I imposed the sentence punishment. I remember my mom doing this once, but I was an angel (well, for the most part) in school. I never had notes sent home! Mini#1 is only in 2nd grade. I really don't want to think the kid has ADHD, but I think the kid has ADHD! It's driving me crazy. He can't sit still for homework. He remembers one task if I give him two or three to complete. Is this boys? Is it ADHD? Whatever it is it's tough. He's a good kid, but his lack of listening is really a concern for me these days.

And, can you believe this? After he wrote an entire page of sentences he gave it to me. I asked him, "What did you just write?" Do you know he couldn't remember???? He said "I will not...I forgot the next part." Once I supplied "LISTEN!" he suddenly remembered the rest. I think my head spinning around while steam blew from my ears triggered his memory. The best part of this whole situation is that we have parent/teacher conferences on Thursday. He's doing so well academically, but it's the behavior area I better be prepared for on Thursday. Most days I still feel like a kid myself. When exactly did I sign up to become a 38 year old responsible parent in charge of this hall talking, outside voice speaking, ants in the pants 7 year old? Anyone have any advice? Books? Websites? Medications (for me or mini#1)? I think we need all of it!

Change of Plans

I forgot to mention that my friend and I saw a different movie after dinner Friday night because the other one was no longer playing. We saw Trans Siberian. It stars Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer (Match Point and others). It was pretty good (What we remember. They do serve wine.) We just remember laughing a little more than the other movie patrons. Well, it was a suspenseful movie so why were we laughing? I think it was because Woody Harrelson was channeling his Woody from Cheers character for this movie. The popcorn was excellent! Besides this though, I had a great time with my friend and we had much needed girl talk.

Manic Monday

The weekend was a whirlwind of activity.

Saturday, Mr. Pink and mini#2 went to the NC State game. Mini#2 was so excited that he got to see Mr and Ms Wuf (our mascots) in the parking lot and he even threw his football with Mr. Wuf. He could not stop talking about it! Then Mr. Pink told me how the "three prettiest girls" (did he have to add that comment?) from the tailgate party next to them played football with mini#2 as well! He said it was funny to see the jealous guys from the girls' tailgate looking at #2 wondering what the "prettiest girls" saw in mini#2! Anyway, one of them offered to babysit anytime so you can never have too many babysitter choices.

After the game mini#1 and I picked up Mr. Pink and #2 and headed two hours east to make it to Mr. Pink's grandmother's birthday dinner. We had a table for 20 in Calabash, NC! It was crazy, but a lot of fun, too. Yummy seafood! Then back to my MIL's house. Other than looking thinner, she seems to be handling this slower paced round of chemo very well. She was glad to see the kids and vice versa. Sunday Mr. Pink did some things on her "to do" list and then we headed back to our house. We got home at 7:45, 15 minutes before mini bedtime! Fast trip, but minis had school bright and early this morning.

Then we get to manic Monday. I'm putting on mini#2's shoes for preschool this morning when I receive a call from mini#1 at school. In his pitiful voice he told me his head and stomach hurt. He'd been there for one hour! So what did I do? I grabbed mini#2, a bottle of Motrin and headed to mini #1's school to medicate the pitiful child. I was praying this would do the trick. I'm not entirely unsympathetic. I always tell him to "call me after lunch" if you don't feel any better and this morning was no exception. Usually this wards off the future call and keeps him from being counted as absent since he completes over half a day at school. Am I the only one to do this?

After this stop I went to two gas stations and both were out of the super unleaded gas. I was getting nervous as I pulled into preschool with mere fumes in the tank. After drop-off I ventured a little further out and, luckily, found some gas before I ran out! Then I stopped by Wal-Mart and saw half of the preschool moms there as well. Something about shopping without kids makes us all giddy from excitement! It's so nice to talk without whiny kids interrupting! Wal-Mart and toddlers just aren't a good mix.

After preschool pick-up, mini#2 and I go home, I make lunch and then I happen to check voice mail (always forget to do this). Mini #1 had called about 50 mins earlier to say he still felt bad. Good grief! I grab mini#2 again, no shoes this time, and head for the school. He only missed an hour and fifteen minutes today, but you just wouldn't believe how his illness has magically dissipated since we've been home! I'm sure it will resurface tomorrow morning.

I have promised myself that I will never be the mother that lived next to my family growing up. She let her daughter stay home from school if the poor girl had a hangnail! It was all over when her daughter started menstruation. Gee. Never thought I'd write "menstruation" on my blog. Anyway, the cramps are probably why she ended up with a G.E.D.! Ironic thing is she is a nurse now!

Ok, back to laundry before dinner. "Skud" Scouts, as mini#2 calls it, is tonight.

Now Playing...

Tonight at the White House the boys will be eating hot dogs and french fries and watching:

However, Mrs. Pink will be eating tapas with a friend in downtown Raleigh and then going to the Rialto theater to see:

I think I'm getting the better end of the deal tonight! Enjoy your Friday night.

It's a good one!

As the weather starts to get cooler I start wanting to make food to warm us up. I love making soups. I received this recipe from a friend last year and made it several times last winter. It is so yummy, a definite "comfort" food and it's made in your slow cooker (crock pot).

BAKED POTATO SOUP

6 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 3/4 lbs)
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 (14 oz) cans Swanson chicken broth with roasted garlic*
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup whipping cream or half-and-half (I use fat free half/half)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 8 oz container reduced fat sour cream (optional)
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
extra cheese

1- Combine first 6 ingredients in a 5 quart slow cooker.
2- Cover and cook on HIGH 4 hours or on LOW 8 hours or until
potatoes are tender.
3- Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soup is
slightly thickened; stir in cream, shredded cheese and chives. Top
with sour cream, if desired, and sprinkle with bacon and cheddar
cheese before serving.
Makes 12 cups.

*I only use 2 cans of the broth with roasted garlic and 1 can of
regular chicken broth. I found that 3 cans of garlic was a little
strong.

Enjoy!