Lost Dogs

This morning I went for a walk up the big hill. Close to the top, I saw 2 dogs running down the hill. Another woman was walking behind the dogs but they didn't seem with her. One dog ran up to me and sniffed my hand. I reached down to pet the dog and checked, but their was no collar. Then the woman walking gave me a dirty look as if to say, "you really should control your dogs and keep them on a leash." I replied back with my own dirty look, the one that says, "these are not my dogs thankyouverymuch."

One dog turned around and started running up the hill. The other took off running down the hill. I followed the dog up the hill and saw it stop in front of a house. So I rang the doorbell. It was only about 8:20am so I was a little nervous, but I didn't want to just the dogs keep running around all morning.

A lady answered the door and as soon as she saw the dog, she asked, "did someone leave the gate open?" Turns out the gate was open. I told her that the other dog was running down the big hill on the main road. I started to return to my usual walking route and the dog was coming back. What a relief! So both dogs were eventually returned the owner. And if the lady who was walking down the hill is reading this, I just wanted to point out that I am not the owner!

What a Day!

Today has been a busy day. This morning I worked in the library at my son's school for an hour. Then I worked in my son's classroom for 2 hours. I went straight from there (with a quick stop at a grocery store) to meet my husband for lunch at a bagel deli we have both been anxious to try. Then I picked up my 4 year from preschool and stopped by another grocery store on the way home. When I got home, I had things to put away, phone calls to return, and I could feel a headache coming on. I had only 20 minutes before it was time to go down to the bus stop and pick up my 6 year old.

We walked home from the bus stop, chatted with the neighbors and immediately did the first grade homework. The boy next door played with my kids for about 45 minutes before it was time to get ready for the 400 meter "Pumpkin" race. There were about 80 first grade boys in the race this year. My son came in 6th place! I am very proud of him. But they only get prizes (the prize is a pumpkin) for 1st-5th place. 6th place gets a ribbon just like all of the other participants. I'm even more proud that he didn't cry or throw a fuss because he didn't get to take home a pumpkin. He was so happy to go and run in the race. His cub scout friends were there, boys from his school, boys from his soccer team, and boys from his old T-ball team. It was like a huge reunion of first grade boys! One of his friends (in his class and on his soccer team) came in second place. Another soccer teammate came in 3rd place and one more soccer teammate came in 10th place. That certainly makes for one fast soccer team! Of course, that doesn't say anything about their aim ;)

You would think the race would be the end of my day, but no. We had to stop by one more grocery store and then go to the end of the season soccer party for dinner. It was at a pizza restaurant. I made word searches for the kids to do. I found this great website that let's you type in words and decide how big to make the puzzle. So I put in the names of all of the players, the coach, other soccer related and team related words. It was a big hit at the party.

I just finished putting the kids to bed and now I'm exhausted! Luckily tomorrow isn't going to be quite as busy. I plan to go for a walk and jog in the morning after my 6 year old gets on the bus. Then just some cleaning and errands, maybe even shop for curtains! Pick up my preschooler at 1:30 and my 6 year old at 3:15. At 4:30 we have a cub scouts field trip to the library and at 7:00 is my dance class. So sometime in the afternoon I'll have to make something for dinner.

To What?

I had to run some errands this morning and as usual I had to take my 4 year old with me. The radio was on in the car and there was a commercial encouraging people to get their flu shots. The announcer was saying, "To flu or not to flu." My 4 year thought it was funny and tried to repeat the commercial, "Tofu or not tofu." He does like tofu!

Who Are You Voting For?

My 6 year old asked me, "Mom, who are you going to vote for?" I told him the truth, "I'm not sure yet." My 6 year old said, "I want the Seahawks to win."

I explained that everyone is voting for the president, not for the Seahawks. So my 4 year joined in the conversation, "I'm voting for George Washington."

George Washington versus the Seahawks would make for an interesting election!

Oh Crud!

As we approached the house from walking home from the bus stop today, I pressed the button on the remote garage door opener. Nothing happened. The battery is dead. My 6 year old says, "Oh Crud!" This is not something I normally say, so I was a little surprised to hear it. Before I could ask where he learned that from, my 4 year decides to copy him. But since my 4 year old is not familiar with this expression, he says, "Oh Credit Card!" I couldn't help but laugh.

Directions From a 4 Year Old

This morning I took my 4 year old son to the library. I asked him if he remembered the way to get there. His directions were simple. "Take the interstate to the exit. Turn at the traffic light and then turn again at the sign." In reality there were a few exits to choose from, a few more traffic lights, a few more turns and a few more signs. If only everything were as simple as a 4 year old sees them.

Bad Words

This morning my 6 year old came up to me and smugly announced, "Mommy, I know the 'F' word."

Me: Oh really? What is the "F" word?

6 year old son: Fart.

Me: Yes, that isn't very nice to say.

6 year old son: I also know the "C" word.

Me: (My heart is racing now. I wasn't expecting a list of bad words! Especially the "C" word. Yikes!) What is the "C" word (asked very hesitantly)?

6 year old son: Crap.

Me: (Whew) Right. That isn't a nice word to say either.

6 year old son: I also know the "I" word.

Me: (Hoping this is the last round for my son's new little "game" of "see how much we can scare mommy" and totally confused as to what the "I" word could be.") Ok. What is the "I" word?

6 year old son: Idiot.

Me: Yes, that isn't a nice word to say. I hope you don't use any of those words.

6 year old son: No, mom. I don't say those words, but I heard other kids.

Me: Good. (Whew! So glad he didn't answer with other bad words!)

We Have Certain Rules

Today my first grader invited 2 of his friends over to our house after school. They are both kids in our neighborhood and they are all in the same class. I had some wooden Halloween masks that I bought a while ago and thought it would make a good project to keep the kids busy.

They were excited to see the project and couldn't' wait for me to clear off the table and get the paints ready. They grew louder and louder each second until finally all 4 (2 friends and my 2 kids) were screaming so loud that I couldn't hear myself when I calmly asked them to settle down. So I did what any calm parent would do. I stamped my foot so that I was louder than their screaming. When that got their attention. I explained that we are not allowed to scream in our house and that if they wanted to do the project, they would have to stop yelling.

All 4 kids made a "sorry" face and I was able to get everything set up. A few minutes later when everyone was very into the painting, one of neighbor kids looks at me and the conversation went like this:

6 year old neighbor kid: I don't like your rules.

Me: What do you mean? (I had already forgotten about the screaming a few minutes ago.)

6 year old neighbor kid: When I go to my other friend's house, we're allowed to scream. I think I should be allowed to scream here too.

Me: Well, I'm sorry you don't like it, but we are not allowed to scream in this house.

6 year old neighbor kid: I think you should change that rule.

Me: I'm sorry. I guess that means that you don't want to come and play here again?

6 year old neighbor kid: Uh... I do.

Me: Ok, so there will be no screaming.

I was shocked! I may sound old when I say this, but I'm going to say it anyway. When I was a kid, I would never have dreamed of speaking to an adult like that! I'm still shocked. Just shocked. Oh, and I'm also very glad it wasn't my kid who said it! (whew!)

A Little Reward

Yesterday I volunteered to help at my son's school as I do every Tuesday. I spent the first hour in the library putting contact paper on some new paperback books to make them ready for circulation.

At 9:30 I go to my son's first grade classroom. The teacher has a pile of things that need to be cut, glued, stamped, photocopied, laminated, sorted etc... I sit quietly at the back table and go right to work. It's not exciting, but it feels good to be able to help. The teacher always appreciates it. After about 30 minutes 2 firefighters walk into the classroom. The teacher had scheduled them to do a presentation about emergencies. Yes, they totally fit the hot fireman stereotype. They were in great shape and looking good. So finally a nice "reward" for my volunteering. I can sit int he back and cut, paste, and sort papers while I watch the cuties give their presentation.

You won't believe what happens next. The teacher comes over and asks if I would mind going to the workroom by the office so that I could use the paper cutter there?! And leave the firefighters behind??? Of course I did as she requested. She acted like the papers were so important but I know the truth. She wanted those firefighters all to herself! ;)

Just Another Day

Did you ever have one of those days when you have nothing to write? It's a little depressing as you review your day in your head and think, "There is nothing interesting enough to write on my blog." Well, that is me today.

Maybe I could write about taking my son to Japanese story time at the library. He had a great time. I didn't understand much the whole 45 minutes that we were there.

Maybe I could write about my trip to the grocery store. But I dropped my son off at the playroom and I went shopping alone for 45 minutes.

Maybe I could write about soccer practice. It was almost cancelled for rain but then went on as scheduled.

Maybe I could write about how I need to get the dishes done and pay the bills and organize my errands for tomorrow.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have better inspiration.

Spelling Test

My first grader gets a homework assignment at the beginning of the week that is due the following Monday. Most of the time this turns out to be homework that I have to help him complete or at least get started. This week we procrastinated. So the homework is due tomorrow and tonight I get around to giving him the spelling test.

The teacher asked for the parents to give a spelling test using all of the "ap" words, meaning words that end in "ap." Ok, not a very difficult test since it's already given that all of the words will end the same.

My son takes out a pencil and his paper and gets ready. What's the first "ap" word that I can think of? How about "crap?" Oh, that's not a good word for a first grader's spelling test. How about "pap?" As in, "I don't like being reminded that it is time for a yearly pap."

After a few moments I was able to come up with a few more appropriate words. When I was all done with tap, cap, flap, nap, lap, gap, map, sap, zap, and wrap, my 6 year old says, "wait mom! You forgot 'crap!'" Another proud parent moment.

Things that Grow

Sorry I've been gone a few days. I wasn't feeling well this weekend and then had trouble getting everything back to "normal." Today I did some yard work. Here is a picture of the pumpkin growing in my garden!


I hope it turns orange in time for Halloween! I'm a little disappointed because the vine has taken over the entire garden and only produced one pumpkin. Well, there was another rotten pile of mush that looked it could have been a baby pumpkin last week, but today it was mush.

This next picture may be a little more difficult to figure out. You might think you are looking at a picture of Kennett Square (Elizabeth, that reference is for you ;) ). In case some of you don't know, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is the Mushroom Capital of the World, and No, I did not just make that up. Check it out here. They have a mushroom festival, a mushroom museum and lots of other mushroom attractions, I guess.

So while this may look like a picture taken at one of those risque mushroom social events, it was actually taken in my backyard. And I didn't plant mushrooms. They are taking over the grass. Or maybe just this old tree stump. But they are still threatening the grass around it. OK, so maybe I'm a little prejudiced against mushrooms. I don't like them in my yard!

Attention Kmart Shoppers

We interrupt this blog for a very important message. No, there is no Blue Light Special to tell you about. There is a Super Double Coupon Deal to let you know about! Sunday is the last day, but I think Kmart will be out of stock long before then.

Here are the rules: Kmart will double manufacturer's coupons up to $2. That means coupons that say save $2 will now be worth $4. You are allowed to use up to a total of 75 coupons and only 4 of each coupon.

www.hotcouponworld.com (my favorite message board BTW) has a thread about all the ways to use your coupons to get lots of free stuff. I went to one Kmart on Thursday afternoon and then to another on Thursday night. My total went from $126 to $26 in the afternoon and then from $70 something to $2.72 on Thursday night.

Your regularly scheduled Cookie Jar blog will return tomorrow at it's normal time.

He Said What?!?!?!

My 6 year old came from school as always ready to tattle on someone. This time he told me that an other boy on the bus had called his friend "the S word." I'm pretty sure that my 6 year old does not what most people refer to as the "S" word. So I asked my son, "what is the 'S' word?"

6 Year old son: (with a look that says I'm totally stupid) Mommmm, you know, the "S" word.

Me: No, I'm not sure what the "S" word is. Please tell me. What did the boy call your friend?

6 Year old son: Mom, it was the "S-L" word.

Me: Hm... I really don't know what the "S-L" word is. Can you whisper it to me.

6 Year old son: (Now clearly annoyed at my ignorance) Mom, you know, the "S-L" word. It's "stupid."

Me: Oh, that "S" word! (Whew!)