Happy Halloween.

 

School Lunch Redo

Ems and I were standing in line at the checkout at the grocery store.  I was ogling Southern Living and the gorgeous pumpkin pie on the cover, when Ems said to me.

“Mommy, I don’t understand why they can’t change school lunches.  I mean why can’t they make them like a lunch you pack me.  You could have one section where you pick your sandwich and it could be peanut butter and jelly, or turkey or ham or chicken salad, then you could pick a fruit.  They could have apples here and bananas or pears next to them.  And then down there on the end they could have the chips and stuff for a snack.  It would be so much better”.

She has a major point.  Why can’t they change school lunches?  I know they probably get like $0.23 to feed each child and so much of our food is caught up in a corporate nightmare, but really.  Can the school board and the county and the state and even our Federal government not have the wisdom of an eight year old.

It’s something I’ve considered over the last year or two.  Not so much for my kids.  I pack their lunches everyday.  That way they get fresh fruit and organic milk, but what about the other children.  The ones who we deem it so important that they get a meal every morning that we feed them donuts, honeybuns and Pigglesticks (pankcake wrapped sausage, for those not in the know).  Perhaps some of these kids wouldn’t get a breakfast at all, I get that  point.  Our school is a Title 1 school meaning that there is a high poverty level.  It’s based on the percentage of children who qualify for free or reduced lunches.

And I realize that children aren’t asking for fresh pears and chicken salad with apples and almonds.  I’ve watched Jamie’s School Dinners enough to know this.  They want cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets because that’s what they are used to.  I’ve seen the carts of those around me in the grocery.  I’ve seen the lines at McDonalds and I’ve also seen Food Inc, so I realize it’s not always easy for those on a limited income to afford fresh, wholesome food.

Ack, it’s a giant mess of a problem.  I just thought it was an interesting thought coming from my daughter and has jarred my noggin enough to want me to check into it a bit further.  In the meantime, she’s  good to go.  Chicken salad sandwiches and fresh pears.

Now if only I could get Boo on the bandwagon……..

Almost Wordless Wednesday-The Trees

Fall Continues…….

The back path.

The mossy beds.

The ferns at the edge of the woods.

The lighter mossy bed.

The view from the front porch.

October Everywhere

Gotten a Mimi yet from Michelle‘s shop?

Or one of these cute little tiles from robotcandy?

Very, very dirty windows.

Gathered pine cones, free centerpieces.

Hello, Mr. Bones!

He’s been with us for some time.  Ems is finally not afraid of him.

Rottingly disgusting jack o’ lanterns.

Finally….

The leaves are starting to change.  Now it truly is feeling like Fall.

A Ladybug Flurry

In the midst of all of last weeks chaos there were a few bright spots.  On Tuesday the temperature climbed back up towards 75 degrees and Ems and I were given a treat.  We walked outside and the air was filled with ladybugs.  They too must have been taken with the warm weather.  There they were climbing up the house, the windows, on the car and just flying roundabout through the air. We weren’t out too long before Ems started laughing and pointing, “Mommy, you have ladybugs in your hair” and sure enough she did too.  We had them in our hair, crawling up and down our arms and legs, one even rode back into the house in my sweater.  The warmth, the little red ladys, the laughter, all were a much needed simple joyful pleasure.

Ack.

I’m done.  Spent.  Wrecked.  Blitzed.  You name it.

This week I’ve tried to conquer, stomach anxieties, a flat tire, an unexpectedly  flooded basement, lack of sleep, deaf children and my own self-doubt and anxieties.

The girls and I aren’t meshing this week about the household. I KNOW, I KNOW, they are six and eight years old.  I KNOW, I KNOW they are children, but I am tired, tired, tired of this:

Put your shoes away. Hang up your jacket.  Unpack your backpack.  Unpack your lunchbox.  Turn out the lights.  Flush the toilet.  Put your clothes in the hamper.  Do not splash the tub water all over the floor.  Clean up your dishes.  Do not roll your eyes about doing your homework.  Please go get in the car.  Please wear play clothes when you climb trees not your school clothes.  Did you feed the dog?  Did you feed the rabbit?  Is your room picked up?  Did you brush your teeth?  Please get up Mama is going to be late for work.

We had a family meeting at the onset of this week because I’m overlwhelmed.  They were given tasks to do each day.  Talking calmly and explaining is not working. Yelling is definitely not working.  Taking away the DS or the computer is not working.  So we tried bribery.  They would get 10 cents each for doing each of their tasks for the day.  They would get a 30 cent bonus if I did not have to get after them and not tantrums.  They would split this money up between their Give, Save, Spend jars.  I outlined how much money they would have in their jars at the end of the week, if they just did these simple things to help out.

Oh yeah, it went great the first day.

I hate being the nag.  I hate how I hear them laughing and playing upstairs and I am annoyed because I know that they are not doing what they are supposed to.

I hate coming home from work, making dinner, doing homework, cleaning up dinner, getting baths, going through mail and school papers and trying to squeak in a book before bed and then coming downstairs spent.  Everyone keeps telling me what a great job I’m doing.  Some friends are melting my heart with kind words.

But sometimes, I want someone else to nag.  I want someone else to back me up.  Sometime I feel like I’m on the losing end of two against one.  I want someone with a deep baritone voice to put the fear of God in them every once in awhile.

I’m trying to not sound like I’m whining.  I’m just trying to keep it real.  It’s not all sunshine and daisies over here.  Sometimes being the only parent just plain sucks.

With My Girl

Ems has been having a rough time.  Problems with eating and her stomach.  Anxiety?  Maybe.  She is a very sensitive little creature.  Takes a little after her mother.  So she’s been nibbling.  Dropping pounds.  Not sleeping much.  Have been keeping a close eye on her.  She slept horrible Monday night.  Rough time getting her up for school on Tuesday.  So I sent her back to sleep in my nest in my bed.  Called work.  Stayed home to take care of my girl.  Made her breakfast, watched her closely all day.  It’s been so long since we had a day to ourselves.  We love Boo Monkey, but it was so very peaceful just the two of us home together.  My gentle girl.

So that morning I was perusing Little Alouette.  Because I LOVE them and I just realized I FINALLY know someone having a baby who might be in need of one of their beautiful little natural wooden teethers.  (Bestest friend Liz can let me know which she likes or I can choose, I have a lot of favorites).  So on their blog, I saw this post about making little hearts to give to someone you love.  And I knew she needed one.  She could use a small heart with a whole lot of love inside.  So we broke open the craft cabinet and we sat side by side and we cut and we stitched.

I think I like her heart better, but we each put kisses into both, so no bother.

Wordless Wednesday: Why? Everytime?