Pop Tart Thieves

Annie & Aslan

It's a Silly Bandz Infestation

Surely you've seen them around.

They're hard to miss.

They're at stores...and on the arm of almost every elementary kid I've seen!

Silly Bandz.

My third grader collects them. 

The ones he doesn't like, he takes to school and trades.

He has army tanks and gun bandz, dolphinsand other animals and sports ones, and all kinds of shapes.

It's brilliant.

They can't cost much to make, and kids are crazy about them.

Why didn't I think of that?!!

At least they're not plotting to take over the world, like those Webkinz!
 

But, this one...I have no idea what it's supposed to be.

My super-genius, evil sneaky plan

I have a plan.

to give someone an alpaca for their birthday.

Because I know that someone has a spouse who would LOVE to start an alpaca farm.

Do you know what an alpaca is?

They're related to camels and llamas.  And I think you can sell their fur/hair for clothing...because it's super soft.

They sure are cute!!

And, if this certain someone ends up having to buy a farm...then I can move my family onto the farm and start a vegetable garden and raise horses and live off the land...

So, that's my super sneaky plan...and it all starts with this guy:

Look at those cheeks!!

The Things We Carried...into the Closet

I've lived in North Texas now for three years.  

And every month there is a siren test...and it still freaks me out to hear those sirens.  

So, needless to say, when the sirens go off during an actual storm, 

I practically pee my pants in fear.  They're horrible sounding!!!

I grew up in Central Texas, where there were NO sirens.

The boys and I heard the sirens this evening and headed straight to my walk-in closet.  

We turned the news on the TV in my bedroom so we could hear what was going on.

Remy grabbed every blanket he could find and his favorite pillow.

I grabbed my purse and my iPhone.

Donny grabbed his guitar, his backpack and homework, and the Bible.

The dog, Sweet Annie, thought we were playing a game and followed us in there practically dancing and wagging her tail.

First we called my grandmother, who lives less than a mile away, to make sure she heard the sirens.  She answered, did hear the sirens and was currently sitting on top of her washer and dryer in her laundry room.  LOL  She was giggling up a storm and wondered how she'd know when it was safe to come out.

After a while, we got bored.

We made "in the closet" jokes.

I got on Facebook and left a bunch of status updates sharing our plight.

I texted everyone I knew.

We took photos of each other.

Donny doing his homework:

Remy, Annie & I all cuddled together:

And then the storm passed and it was OK to come out.

And we saw this rainbow:

All was good and happy.

However, a tornado did touch down in Dallas and do some damage. 

And another storm dropped a couple of tornados nearby also.

It was THAT kind of day.

Banned in Schools: The Portrait of a school board gone overboard.

Our school district has decided to no longer allow parents to bring

homemade treats into the school for birthdays and holiday parties.

And, my 8 yr old's school has decided to take that a step further

and encourage parents to bring only non-food items for birthday celebrations. 

They made this decision to focus  on the children and his or her special day...and not on the food. 

It's to focus on childhood allergies, diabetes, obesity and the overall safety of the students. 

Here are a few suggestions of acceptable non-food items:

- pencils

- notepads

- tattoos

- crayons

- books

For holiday parties at the school, only pre-packaged food items

with nutritional labels will be allowed.

Now, I'm not insensitive, I understand difficult issues facing parents and educators these days. 

But I couldn't read this handout without laughing. 

Seriously?! 

We're saying no to homemade food and yes to toys and processed food?!!

Do your children's schools have these rules?

What do you think?

I think this is taking things a bit overboard. 

As with anything, I think moderation is the rule. 

In about ten years we have a note coming home about how materialistic birthday celebrations at school have become and to just bring cupcakes instead. 

Or a back to basics campaign where they'll want only fresh food and no chemically processed.

Sheesh. 

What next?!

Why do I bother?

This year, as with every year, I bought my son the school planner with his school supplies so that he could keep on task and know what his assignments are and when they are due.

It's my job, no, my RESPONSIBILITY to make sure he is given the tools he needs to be successful in life.  To teach him how to organize and keep up with his stuff.  So that when he's older, he has a better chance at keeping a job and completing projects.  And getting married.

An assignment planner is just the first step in a long line of stepping stones to reach the other side of the river, the lake of success and finding your dreams!!

I've seen it in his binder.

I know he out it there...

However, the other day, he came home with Sharpie written all over his hand.

"Donny, what's all over your hand?" I asked, thinking it just might be a girl's phone number.

"It's my homework," he replies.

"That's not where you're supposed to write your homework!  What if you wash your hands and then can't remember what your assignment is?!"  I'm horrified.

"That's why I use sharpie," he says in his matter-of-fact manner. 

Oh.  

Hunh. 

So much for that fancy planner.

Do You Give Good Phone Voice?

Have you heard yourself on the phone?

Our voices sometimes change.

Mine goes up a few octaves, and I sound like a middle schooler.

I know others whose voices get all polished and smooth..

I know some women whose voices sound downright sultry and naughty.  

I know someone who never makes sense on the phone.

Some people can handle the phone, others can't.

I used to fear the phone.

Like panic attack mode if I was asked to deal with the phones at work.

Now, I still get a little nervous, but I can do it!

It's a big accomplishment for me.

I've conquered a fear.

How are you on the phone?

At work, at home?

Does your voice change?

The Dormouse Bridge

Ye Old Brits have lost their minds!!

Why do I say this?

Because they have built a bridge in South Wales for dormice.

DORMICE.

So the dormice can cross the road safely.

I kid you not.

It's made of  steel mesh walkways suspended over the road by tall poles.

And it cost around $290,000.

I have one question for you to ponder...

Do the dormice know they're supposed to use this bridge?!!

photo © John Robinson

P.S. After I wrote this post, I looked up photos of dormice to include in the post, and I'm in love.  They're ADORABLE!!  I would totally build a bridge for them.  I would build a boat for them.  A cruise ship. An Airplane.  TOO CUTE!