Moms Can Over-React

So I blew it. Jonathan was a chef at the CTE Cafe at school today. His section of CTE opened a breadstick and lemonade cafe for the other CTE sections. The other classes used their "reward dollars" to buy from the cafe. Jonathan was evidently working with a bunch of bonehead seventh graders who were not concerned about quality control issues. Each breadstick was to be 8" long, brushed with butter, sprinkled lightly with salt or cinnamon sugar, and baked. Well, I guess some of his fellow chefs were making breadsticks as long as possible and as thin as a pencil. Jonathan was having to go and fix their inept breadstick shaping. Then Jonathan was supposed to melt butter in the microwave, but forgot to cover the container and had to clean up a butter explosion inside the microwave (this has cured him from wanting to put an unpunctured potato into the microwave to see what would happen). Then he somehow got a baking pan tilted inside the oven spilled breadsticks down to the bottom of the oven. He did not enjoy fishing them out. I guess he got so frustrated that he started to cry. When I heard that, that's when I blew it. I chewed him out for crying in class. I told him that the kids were thinking he was a baby and would make fun of him. I told him to learn some stress/frustration management skills. Boy, I really helped him out, right? Anyway, his evidently teacher handled things much better than I did. She took him out into the hall and helped him calm down. She thanked him for being a conscientious worker. He survived the rest of the class period. I just checked his grades/attendance and noticed that she gave him an "R" for attendance today which mean "Positive Present- Really Here". Thank goodness for teachers who understand and care.

How to Block a Web Site?

Anyone know how to block me from a web site? Gymboree is getting far too much of Dan's paycheck and I'm having far to much fun giving it to them. Dan is not a believer in getting rid of stuff (I assume he inherited that from his family). We have all of the baby stuff since Jonathan was born. Jonathan and Nolan wore the same clothes from birth because they were born during the same season (spring). Skellington is going to be a fall baby and therefore, he needs seasonally-correct clothes (that means warm clothes!). Gymboree has been having great sales lately and I placed my third (yes, third) order in 2.5 weeks this morning.

This morning I found an email in my inbox from Gymboree saying that all sale items were an additional 20 percent. I got a 20% off coupon from them in the mail earlier this week, so I had to go see what was such a great deal that I couldn't pass up. I love getting name-brand clothes for less than Wal-Mart prices. Skellington is going to be one warm and stylin' little guy (now, if he only had a real name...).

Oh, I also got a Gymbuck from my purchase today. I that means I'll have to buy something else in a few weeks!

Be Prepared!

Warning! Dan is a grump! It's a good thing that he doesn't read my blog...Yesterday, Dan was sustained as the Deacon's Quorum Adviser and SCOUTMASTER. I can't stop laughing, but he's one ornery tiger.

To put it plainly, Dan HATES the scouting program. It was used as a "motivator" when he was in Scouts... No Eagle=No Driver's License. He finally got his Eagle, but it means nothing to him. Not only does he dislike scouting, but he generally dislikes the boys in the Deacon's Quorum. He taught them in Primary when they were 10/11 year old annoying boys. They really haven't changed much.

Anyway, the Bishop wants Dan to "motivate" the boys and to catch them up on their scouting advancements (as well get them to wear their uniform each week, catch them up on Duty to God, and prepare them to be missionaries). The truth is, most of the boys (and their) parents are very apathetic about scouting. The boys would rather shoot hoops than do scouting stuff. I told Dan he needs to find a way to have them do scouting without them knowing it is scouting. I also suggested that after mutual opening exercises, to do a 10-15 minute scouting requirement and then do the main mutual activity. At the end of each month, he could send home a note saying what was done each week and what needs to be "made-up".

Anyway, the Little Black Raincloud was pouting last night. He needs to get over it... I guess my feelings are that once you accept the call, get over your issues and get busy.

Nolan's Birthday Party

We finally had time and a free night to celebrate Nolan's 9th birthday. He turned 9 in China, but didn't think the trip counted as a party. He decided this year that he didn't want a friend party- he's having friend issues and was worried about who he should invite. Nolan decided that we would celebrate his birthday as a family at Boondocks.

Boondocks is a "fun center" with batting cages, arcade, laser tag, mini-golf, go-carts, and bumper boats. Dan came home from work early. Nolan wanted to be there from 6 p.m. to close (midnight). Costco sells discounted "unlimited attractions" tickets so I bought our tickets there.

First thing Nolan wanted to do was play Laser Tag. We had to coerce Jonathan to play. He thought it would be dumb, but guess who is our biggest fan of Laser Tag? Next the boys headed out to go on the bumper boats. They cruised around the pool chasing and squirting water at each other. They were soaked. And then the breeze started blowing and they were freezing! They played a round of miniature golf and drove the go-carts. They have go-carts that are designed for those between 4 and 5 feet tall, so Nolan was able to drive by himself. They had a blast. We ate dinner there then played more Laser Tag, did another round of miniature golf, and several more go-cart rides. Finally at 11:55 p.m., Nolan realized that we hadn't gone into the arcade yet. I told him that Boondocks was closing we'd have to come back another day to use our tokens. He said it was a great birthday party and as soon as we got into the car, he asked when we could go to Boondocks again! Oh yeah, the ladies room at Boondocks is evidently named after me!

Skellington

Aly said I needed to add this email I sent her to my blog. I sent it from Shanghai, China about our far too eventful trip...

Okay- Skellington is in time out for the next 5.5 months. I had some brown bleeding on the plane ride to Beijing. I had some pink bleeding after climbing the Great Wall. Yesterday I had increased brown/pink bleeding. Needless to say I have experienced the Chinese medical system first-hand now.

We went to the "expensive" Shanghai hospital at 5 a.m. this morning with our tour guide. It does not have 24 hour full service care. They doppplered me at 5 a.m.& we heard the heartbeat. I had to go back at 8:30 a.m. for an ultrasound. There was Skellington- measuring 14 weeks 6 days. The doctor said everything looked fine and
put me on prescription progesterone for the next few days. My total bill for 2 doctor visits, an ultrasound, and 4 taxi rides was $100 Yuan (or about $14 USD).

This trip has really been quite stressful and I haven't slept basically at all for the past week
(less than 24 hours total). We left the boys alone in the hotel when we went to the hospital for the first time (They were still sleeping). In between appointments, we told them what was going on and that I was pregnant. Both boys were excited- especially Jonathan. Wow! Shocker for me. Anyway, today I am laying low in the hotel. I had to miss today's tour to the "Venice of the Orient". The boys, however, are on the tour. Yes, my boys are 2 hours away from me by bus, unaccompanied by parents (Dan is with me), in a foreign country. The tour group really likes the boys and wanted to watch them for us today. Anyway, wish me a successful last few hours in China and plane ride home. I feel relieved but am still quite stressed out.

That day's excitement didn't end there though... We were in the taxi headed to the restaurant with our tour guide to meet up with the tour (okay, really for us to meet up with the boys) for dinner. Michael the Guide got a text message from the other tour guide asking us if Nolan could have Pepto Bismol. We said yes... but it was too late for Nolan. Nolan puked on the bus several times. He burst into tears as soon as he saw us. "My tummy hurts" is what he had to say. Nolan visited the bathroom 3 more times during dinner... By the next morning, he was fine and ready to see more of Shanghai. No one else got sick and the rest of the trip was uneventful!

Proud Mom of the MVP

Oh yeah! I have a blog. Let's see, no posts for nearly 6 weeks. I'd better give a recap... let's see... went to China, found out we're having boy #3, and been beyond busy with end of the year stuff for Jonathan and Nolan. Yep- that summarizes the past month and a half.

So why blog today? Well, I actually have something to write about (and a few minutes to spare!). Last night Nolan pitched his very first inning in Little League. He's on the Mariners and this is the first year where they boys actually get to throw the ball at each other. He's been playing some form of baseball since kindergarten... T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch, and now finally Little League.

Yesterday morning he was in a funk. I asked him what was bugging him. He told me "Coach says I'm pitching tonight. I bet I'll be bad and walk every batter." I told him better to walk every batter than hit every batter. Well, I sent him off to school with encouraging words and a tennis ball so he could practice pitching at recess.

Nolan was last night's starting pitcher. He looked so little on the mound. He did a great job. He walked a few. Threw some strikes. Two runs were scored off him (all the other Mariner's pitchers had at least 3 runs scored off them). Onekid hit one of Nolan's pitches. It was a blooper to Nolan. He caught it (for the second out of the inning) and threw the ball to third where that runner was tagged out (for out #3). Nolan was responsible for a Double Play! The inning was over. Nolan was relieved! He felt pretty good about his pitching and ecstatic about the outs!

In the fourth inning, Nolan was playing third base (a triumph for him!). Another in-field blooper was hit just to his side of the pitcher's mound. Nolan called everyone else off and charged in for the ball. He caught it while running and the batter was out. He was floating on cloud nine. And of course, I forgot the camera.

Well, the Mariners lost 15-2, but Nolan was named the game's MVP for his pitching, role in the double play and the running catch he made while playing third. Today while Nolan was taking a bath, I noticed that his game ball was in the bathroom with him.

A Blatant Rip-off of Amy's Blog

So I should be really busy trying to get ready to leave for China, but I'm not motivated by the mundane takes that are in front of me. Actually I've already been pretty productive for 9:19 a.m.- I got Jonathan's absences excused, signed off on the Oak Canyon Trust Lands Expenditure plan, paid 9 bills, and filed my 2007 federal taxes.

Anyway, I thought I'd copy a post from Amy's blog and do the "about me" questions...

1. What is your occupation? I'm a mom, and listed as "retired" with the AARP as a cytotech.
2. What color are your socks right now? White
3. What are you listening to right now? Nothing, but everything on my iPod got deleted yesterday thanks to my stupid old computer deciding to randomly shut down.
4. Can you drive a stick-shift? Yes. Automatics are for wimps!
5. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red- the real red, not any other blend of red
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Aly- she called this morning to report that Sean (Amy's dude) spent an obscene amount of money on a bike from WalMart (makes Dan's bike look cheap!)
7. How old are you today? 36.448 years old
8. Favorite drink? Water, but not the frigid Utah tap water
9. What is your favorite sport to watch? My boys think it should be NASCAR... I like to watch skiing.
10. Pets? Right! I intensely dislike animals. I tell Nolan that he's my pet.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, and what a bad experience it was. Never again. I'll go gray peacefully.
12. Favorite food? Right now, quesadillas from Taco Bell or an Ensalada Bajio from Bajios.
13. What was the last movie you watched? Harry Potter IV on DVD
14. Favorite day of the year? The one when my daffodils bloom... means the end of winter to me!
15. What do you do to vent anger? Call Aly, say Grrrrrrr!
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? My doll Ann
17. What is your favorite--fall or spring? Spring! Fall allergies kill me!
18. Hugs or kisses? Depends- from my boys- hugs! From Dan- well, you know!
19. Cherry or blueberry? Love cherries/hate blueberries! When cherries are in season, I'll eat several pounds a week. I hate blueberries because of that pokey part on the bottom (or it that their top?)
20. Living arrangements? 1 house, 5 bedrooms, contemplating moving to the guest room downstairs and making our room the guest room. 34 house payments to go!
21. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes and dirty laundry.
22. Who is the friend you have had the longest? I really am not in contact with old friends, except at Christmas Card time. If we count that, the answer would be Lora Lee Mather.
23. What did you do last night? Sat through Nolan's baseball practice (and froze!), made waffles, colored Jonathan's homework, edited Jonathan's research paper, delivered 2 wedding gifts, fought with the old @#!$ computer, reloaded my iPod, watched the news.
24. Favorite smells? The air right after it rains!
25. What inspires you? Jonathan
26. What are you afraid of? Big spiders, snakes
27. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Nope! Must be a Veggie burger with ketchup, lettuce, and tomato on whole wheat bread/bun.
28. Favorite car? Any that is paid for!
29. Favorite dog breed? Hate All Dogs!
30. Number of keys on your key ring? 5- car key, truck key, deadbolt key, door knob key, Bona's house
31. How many years at your current job? nearly 13
32. Favorite day of the week? Whichever one resulted in the boys doing their work and not fighting!
33. How many states have you lived in? 4; Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, and Utah
34. Favorite holidays? I like my boys' birthdays. It's fun watching them feel so special.
35. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? No, but I got a burn on my leg from a motorcycle exhaust pipe.

Back to Blogging after China!