This week's chuckle

A few weeks ago a local grocery store had their warehouse distribution people go on strike. Every day there are guys standing there with their signs, trying to convince people to not shop there. I truly feel for these guys, and even stopped to talk with them one day. They just want a good wage and enough to feed their families. After the conversation I actually turned around and left without going in. I was so torn.

Since then, I'm ashamed to admit it, I have shopped there. I'm trying to feed my family too. The concept of striking is obviously hard for kids to grasp, or so I thought. When checking Alanya's spelling sentence homework this week it read

"My mom hurries through the picket line at the grocery store."

Alanya Flower

When you buy a new home, there is a year or so of discovery as you learn things about the new place you live. The furnace might make a weird clicking noise. The ceiling fans may wobble on high. The refrigerator may sweat when it’s over a certain temperature. New discoveries are made every day, and the same goes for your yard. What color will those leaves turn? That area of the driveway gets covered in ice because of bad drainage. Is that a weed or a flower? Should we pull it or hope for the best?

Seven years ago was our first year in this house and I was also pregnant. It was a learning process as we discovered what each flower bed had to offer from the previous owners. Out near the mailbox we had a number of things coming up, and one plant was taking a longer time than normal to show itself. It was nearly August and still no flowers, although it was bursting with buds. What would it be?

In the wee hours of August first we left for the hospital. That morning we called my mom and the boys at home to tell them about the new little girl in our family. Much to our delight, my mom told us that the mystery flower had burst open over night, and it turned out to be spectacular pink and white stargazer lilies. A celebration of pink and perfume for our little girl we had waited so long for.

We call them “Alanya Flowers” and every summer she continually checks to see how they are growing. Finally, within days of her birthday they burst open just for her. I’ll never in my life be able to look at one of those pink blooms without thinking of my little girl.

Crazy Hair Day!!

Just as good as Farter's Day

Not too long ago, Jason got a card on Father's Day and one of the boys had written with sure confidence "Happy Farter's Day". It was classic. They had no idea, and we didn't let on that it was wrong. The other day Alanya gave me a book that is just as good as that Farter's Day card. Here it is with all her original spellings. It doesn't get much better than this when a little hand writes these words for you.

Happy Mathrs Day.

Tobay is mathrs bay. It's may 10th the best day evre.

Because it cams wants a year. and the best prt is that I mad a book for my momay.

It is not abut you. It's abut your mom. the best persin ever.

It's fun fur every won. The best day of hre life. I love you mom.

She thinks she's all that at the age of six

Last night Miley Cyrus, someone who is revered in our house by a certain six year old someone, was going to perform on American Idol. When I was six I would have done anything back in the 70's for the ability to record the Donnie and Marie show, or a Shaun Cassidy special, so being the cool mom that I am I DVR'd it for her. When I got up this morning Alanya begged me to put it on.

Keep in mind my kids rarely watch prime time television, not because we don't want them to, it's just that our bedtime routine requires us to start getting washed up and winding down before eight every night. When it really comes down to it, I'd rather have my kids reading in bed than watching tv. Don't get me wrong, they know about American Idol and who is popular and who isn't likely from the bus or playground, they just never watch it.

So this morning I fast forward to the Miley Cyrus song, and Alanya kept watching after that. She saw Matt Giraud get voted off, then he sang, and (gasp!) the judges used their save! Well, Alanya thought this was the best 6 minutes of any tv show she had ever seen! All of a sudden, Matt was her favorite, and he was the best singer, and thank goodness he didn't have to leave! As if that wasn't funny enough, she got off the bus and told me that she was talking to her teacher about American Idol and who her favorites are - Matt, because she has never even seen anyone else! I hope the teacher realizes I DVR'd it because if Alanya really saw it she would have been up at ten last night!

For now, Alanya was the coolest of the cool first graders... finally able to hang out at the water bubbler and talk about American Idol. Somehow I have a feeling next week she'll be begging me to tape it again!

The last first ride

The weather hit the low 60's today, and we pulled out the two-wheeler for Alanya to try. Her coordination, balance and confidence were finally all aligned and she took off. But in true 21st century fashion, none of our batteries were charged for the camera! Argh! Good thing it is daylight savings because after charging batteries all afternoon we just went out at 6pm to take this official video of the first day she rode her bike. And she's off!