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!)