Visual Check

This is why you MUST do a visual check

AFTER Daddy changes the diaper and

BEFORE you send the child out into the cold, cruel world. 

Seasons

It seems even the plants are confused around here.  Last week we had weather similar to summer.  This week we've had a rainy day, a snowy day and now a sunshine/blue sky type of day - all beautiful. (Although, today's sunny weather does not mean the temperature is in the 70s or even 60s range - it was 30 degrees this morning when I drove the boys to school.  It's a good thing we have a sliding door on one side of our van - the 'manual' one was frozen shut.)

Fall or Winter?

I look great!

I was combing Megan's hair after her bath.  This conversation happened out of the blue.

Megan:  I look great!  My mom told me I look great. 

Mom: You look great?  (Hoping to get more out of her.)

Megan: Yes, you told me I look great.

Mom: Well, you do look great.

Megan: Yes.  And you told me I can make good choices too.

Somehow, somewhere she has remembered something.  I'm glad. How great it would be to be able to tell yourself each day (like you meant it) that you look great and you are able to make right choices. What a great life.  It doesn't matter that most of the time she doesn't match - still learning all about that.  It also doesn't matter that her hair is 'done' when it's actually combed - no fancy stuff around here. (They have a habit of running when I get out the comb.)  How great that even though she knows she makes mistakes sometimes - she really is capable of making good choices.  What a great way to live your life.  I need to make that my mantra too - I look great and I can make good choices.

Mayor Jonny

I get to help with Social Studies right now in Jonny's class.  We've been learning about governments - Federal, State, County, City and School.  They did a mock congress that was kind of cool.  They also did a City Council and have just gone through the process of a class election in order to choose a representative for their class in the school wide government.  It's been entertaining to be there while all of this has taken place.

The City Council needed a mayor - so, the teacher decided to just go with 'pick sticks' (same idea as all of the students names being placed inside a hat and randomly choosing).  She drew names and the person had a chance to either accept or decline.  The first girl declined and then Jonny was picked.  He said, 'sure' without much hesitation (rare for him).  So, he was Mayor for a seemingly long drawn out City Council.  (The teacher wanted them to really appreciate what some of their representatives do without much in the way of compensation.)  The Council heard from different groups asking for permission and money for whatever cause was on the table.  Jonny got to say who spoke when, when the council members were to vote and which citizen from the audience got to ask their questions.  He did a pretty good job.  

This past time around they did class elections.  All of the candidates gave a speech and then the rest of the students asked questions.  Jonny chose not to run, but every time it was his turn to ask the candidates a question - the other kids would say..."and now presenting...Mayor Jonny Williams!" and they'd do some sort of fanfare.  I thought it was a bit humorous considering the whole 'City Council' deal was over...AND, Jonny says he has no friends in his class.  Whatever!

Blossoming as a Rose

Our roses have suffered at my hand this past summer. I haven't given them any attention - no water, pruning...not much of anything. I decided a week or two ago to actually water and prune the poor things - all in the same day even. It rained a couple of days later and just between the two chances at a little moisture, the roses really bloomed. We still don't have as many as we could have if I'd just kept up with it - but, at least we have some pretty flowers and a chance to 'smell the roses' when we're outside. We'll miss having them right outside our window. It's probable that by next summer someone else will get a chance to take care of them. Well, if they decide to keep them.:}