Do You Know What "Ersatz" Means?

D.P. begged me to make an "oldie but goodie" for dinner--Cheesy Meatballs.

Being as we have had spaghetti and meatballs twice already in the past five days, I really wasn't up to rolling another batch of balls. Instead, I mixed the yummy ingredients squished the meat into a 9x13 pan. Then I simply cut the meat block into 1" squares (Meat squares instead of meat balls.!) before baking in the oven.

Now for a side dish...oh! I've used all the spaghetti noodles but I have rotini. I'll change it up by adding only butter and parm.

D.P. sat down for dinner and stared at his plate. "Nice ersatz Italian dinner Mom." he says.

Where'd he find his vocabulary!

Curious George

D.A. loves to mix paint on Curious George's PBS for Kids web page.

http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/games/mix_and_paint/mix_and_paint.html

Yesterday, she painted all of the pictures while Dad and I met with a contractor about my ceiling. She was proud of her work but did not want to interupt the meeting so she simply shut the laptop to preserve her work until she could share.

Well...a lighting storm quickly approached in the meantime and D.P. responsibly unplugged all technology (including the laptop D.A. was working on).

In true D.A. style, she did not remember her art until this morning. She woke up only to discover the laptop was off and immediately broke down in tears. She revealed why she was crying so hard. I suggested starting over. Not acceptable. I suggested creating a new piece and printing in. Not acceptable.

Running out of ideas, I asked what she would suggest to which she quickly replied "Give me $10?".

&*%@!(

Now You Are Ready!?!

D.A. was born a thumb sucker. She never accepted the binky (pacifier). This fact is deep family lore because her brother LOVED LOVED LOVED the binky. He always had a binky in his mouth, one in each hand and one stashed away for emergencies. Until one day, I took it away and he simply gave it up. No tears, no arguments, no hassle. D.A., however, chose the thumb over the binky and it has been a struggle ever since.

D.A. still sucks her thumb to this day. Last summer was a huge milestone for her because she gave up her "One Bear" (blanket) and stopped sucking her thumb during the day. However, she still sucks her thumb at night when she sleeps. This is still very private for her. She is 8 and knows that she is too old.

Today, her brother had an appointment with the dentist. While sitting in the waiting room, D.A. ran into a friend (who also sucks her thumb). This friend went into great detail about the appliance she had to wear last year to help her stop sucking the thumb at night. $400 and 6 months later, she still sucks her thumb. Devan remembers her wearing the appliance. She had nothing to say in reply.

Well, tonight before she went to sleep, we were talking about the thumb. "I think I am ready to take the binky now" she tells me. WHAT?!?!?!?!

Did you say my son is a Fart Smeller...uh...I mean a Smart Feller?

I was impressed by his genius when he helped me figure out how to replace the bulbs on my rear brake lights. In the dark.

My jaw dropped when he figured out how to install internet access on the Wii/Television.

But then...my darling D.P. decided he would use the kitchen scissors to cut his lavish eyelashes. His excuse was that his lashes are too long for his swim goggles. (It's true, the lashes rub against the goggles). Ugh!

Happy Father's Day

To celebrate Father's Day, D.P. and D.A. decided they wanted to take their dad to see a movie. Dad invited me along. :-) Dad wanted to see "The A-Team" but because it is rated PG-13, he acquiesced to see "Toy Story 3" instead.

What an excellent movie with a tear-jerking scene toward the end. Andy, the main character throughout the series, is now grown up and moving away to college. His mom is so busy packing him up that it is not until his bedroom is empty that she stops and realizes that her son is moving away. :-( Although I sat contently watching, my son felt the need to hold my hand and tell me that "its okay". What compassion! I rarely cry during movies yet he anticipated that I might feel sad at a scene that he knew would be difficult if it were to occur in my own life. I pray he maintains this rare strength as he grows to be a strong father some day.

And speaking of fathers, I want to wish both of my dad's a very special day! I love you both!

Summer is slipping away...

Cover Charge for the Event of the Year

As I pick D.P. up from summer camp this afternoon, he meets me at the door with a huge smile and a fistful of cash. I look at him suspiciously and ask how he obtained so much money.

He replied that he is charging his friends admission to his birthday party at Planet Jump to help defray expenses on our end. (!)

Did I mention his birthday is 6 months away?

Yeah...he returned every last penny much to his dismay.

Good Morning! I am your new 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Munn. Welcome.

...ok! There is a lot to do before the first day of school.

Pirates

(Watching Pirates of the Caribbean...)

D.P. Don't ever take an apple from a pirate.

D.A. Why?

D.P. Its poisoned.

D.A. How do you know?

D.P. Trust me. Pirates don't eat healthy! Just look at their teeth!

(I guess between all the recent visits to the doctor and the dentist, D.P. is taking his health seriously!) Regardless, Johnny Depp is the cutest pirate ever!

The Pinellas County School District is laying off employees, closing schools and eliminating programs. Florida cut education spending for the first time in decades this year. Even deeper cuts are expected next year.

Florida gives teachers some money for supplies but only about $100-$250 each. But it's not enough to cover the average teacher's cost, which surveys have pegged at $500 to $1,200. From what I have observed in the classroom, that number seems conservative.

The following is a list of websites that allow you to donate directly to your local school district, individual school or even your child's teacher.

GoldStarRegistry.com

ILoveSchools.com

DonorsChoose.org

A Visit to the Dentist

The kids saw the dentist today. The looks on their faces tell the whole story.

D.P. has been to the dentist before. He does not care to be poked at. He took it like a trooper, even feeling as sick as he was. Unfortunately, he has 5 cavities. Ugh.

D.A. on the other hand was ecstatic! She could not contain herself she was so excited. She changed her outfit twice before finding EXACTLY what she wanted to wear on this momentous occasion. She insisted on styling her own hair. She was the first one out the door mumbling to herself that she could not wait to get to the dentist. And she did GREAT! The dentist would not allow me to go back to the exam room with her but she was ok with that. She sat still and did not even try to bite or kick the dentist. And best of all...

SHE HAS NO CAVITIES!!!!!!!

That said, now I must lament.

The dentist they saw was at the health department.

I have never had the experience of visiting the health department.

Today, they were giving free exams and x-rays to children returning to school.

Free is important when you do not have dental insurance or even a job to make the copays if I did have insurance.

As I sat in the crowded waiting room, I had to bite my tongue many times to fight back the tears. Here was my sweet daughter so excited to see the dentist for the first time and I bring her to the health department. When D.P. saw the dentist for the first time, I had a comfortable salary to pay for the visit. There were trains, video games and playhouses in the waiting room. He was able to watch some kind of Disney movie as he sat in the dental chair.

The dentists give your children the same care you would receive at a private dentist, right? It is better than nothing, right? Then why do I feel so icky about it?

Truth of the matter is that I don't think D.A. really noticed the difference. She was just happy to get her back of goodies and the eraser that said "No Cavities Club".

P.S.

From my observations of others in the waiting room, I am lacking

1. a Giant designer handbag
2. A Blackberry type cell phone
3. Breast implants
4. BCBG shoes (which I adore)
5. Manicured finger tips

But the most bizarre was the little girl sitting next to my son. She must have been 7 or 8 years old. Her finger and toe nails were manicured and painted with the french tip style. She also had on a dress, fancy sandals and chandelier earrings but some girls are fancy girls ??????

D.P. poked me and whispered in my ear "See mom, I told you I am old enough for a cell phone. The little girl next to me has one". I reassured him it was probably her mother's and that she was just playing with it.

Not long after that, the cell in the little girl's hand rings and she answers it. I am curious now so I pay attention to see if she hands it to her mom. She doesn't, and I hear her talking about where she is and how she wished her dad would bring her McDonald's because she was hungry. (He did show up about an hour later with McDonalds and the little girl was the only one who ate).

Interesting day.

Taking Care of my Sick Babies (again!)

ok...they aren't babies anymore.

Sickness has hit our home yet again! D.P. had strep and ear infections last week. Now D.A. has a high fever. She has not yet complained about her throat so perhaps it is just a flu bug. If so, this is the 3rd time in 4 months!

Drink plenty of fluids, cuddle up and rest.

Mornings with Matt Lauer

My daughter is enamored with Matt Lauer.

I usually turn on The Today Show each morning and listen to it as I get dressed for the day. She always wakes up when she hears it come on and will sit on the couch and watch intently. She talks about Matt Lauer as we watch the show...I like his suit...He is a smart man...he laughs all the time--stuff like that.

Well, I didn't appreciate the depth of her devotion until this morning.

She crawled into bed with me before I was awake and turned the TV on to The Today Show. I did not open my eyes but I was awake at this point. Next, I hear her mumble "Where is Matt?" (it is Saturday so he is not on). I can't help but giggle causing her to get totally irate. She starts to yell at me "what?! I like Matt Lauer!"

I secretly don't blame her--I mean, just look at him!

Summer Reading

...in addition to 100's of children's books (both picture and chapter books).

#1 Publix Superfan!

We are in lockdown mode-d has strep throat. He also has Swimmer's Ear (a non-contagious ear infection likely resulting from too much time in the pool).

Anyway, Publix is offering FREE antibiotics. This is especially helpful after the doctor visit cost me $50. Insurance is helpful but the co-pays are still painful when you are on a tight budget.

Publix has always been a good place to shop. True story...my husband collected the Thanksgiving Pilgrim dishware that Publix formerly released every year. Two years ago, I accidentally broke one of his salt/pepper shakers and he was FURIOUS with me. I felt terrible as I knew how much he treasured his little pilgrims.

Because I am/was a thoughtful wife, and was tired of living with the guilt, I e-mailed Publix in hopes of obtaining a new shaker from a collection that was discontinued. I explained in detail my husband's devotion to the collection and shortly thereafter, I received several calls from a Publix store manager attempting to contact me about possibly replacing the shaker.

It was during this time, my mom was diagnosed with glial-blastoma. I put everything on the back burner if it didn't relate to my mom. Well, this manager was so concerned about my husband getting the replacement that he actually drove to my house to drop it off! I was in such shock that I didn't even think to pay him for it until after he left. My husband went to the store the next day but the manager was not in and the staff had no idea what he was talking about. So, he left his contact information so the manager could reach him to work out payment arrangements. We never heard from him.

Now that is service! Worth every penny of the $80,000+ a store manager makes a year!

Unemployment Sucks!

I have been actively searching for work since 5/1 and NOTHING!

I am consumed with securing employment! I do nothing but mail resumes, fax resumes, fill out applications, interview with temp agencies, follow-up and cry. What have I done?

The summer is slipping away from me...

:-(

The school where my children attend give "Bobcat Awards" to those students that exhibit exceptional character such as responsibility, citizenship or caring. Each month this year, D.A. worked SO HARD in hopes of receiving this award. Each month, she was passed over. However, her efforts did not go unnoticed. Her teacher nominated her for the "Bobcat of the Year" Award because she was diligent all year long.

Today is the award ceremony...and D.A. is home in bed with a 101 degree fever. I simply can't believe it. She is so sick that she doesn't even care that she is not going to be there to receive the award.

The heat is on...

and the Lemonade Stand is open for business! (Check out D.P. sitting under the stand in the shade playing his Nintendo DS. He really does not enjoy the outdoors!)

Daily earnings...$1.50
Minus $.50 to buy pretzels from our new neighbor down the street who also set up a stand. Minus $1.00 to buy ice cream from the ice cream truck.

Still dragging...

Sick on the couch all weekend...

The sparkle in my daughter was darkened by the stomach flu.