Don't You Just Hate That?

"When your kids reach the age where they can spell I-C-E C-R-E-A-M" and "B-E-D-T-I-M-E."

-- from Don't You Just Hate That? 738 Annoying Things by Scott Cohen

Saturday Survey

It's that time again! Answer the poll on the right and then explain yourself with a comment.


How do you put on your shoes each day?

Mommy Quote of the Week

"Dad needs to show an incredible amount of respect and humor and friendship toward his mate so the kids understand their parents are sexy, they're fun, they do things together, they're best friends. Kids learn by example. If I respect Mom, they're going to respect Mom."

-- Tim Allen

Saturday Survey

Answer the poll on the right and then leave a comment to elabortate.

What's your favorite day of the week?

Mommy Quote of the Week

"Cleaning up with children around is like shoveling during a blizzard."

-- Unknown

At Least They Taught Their Kids to Dial 911

The epidemic of kids having to report their parents to the police has seemingly increased in the past few weeks. It just seems too simple to think that parents would want to be a role model for their children, but, unfortunately, it isn't always so. It's disgusting to me that so many mothers and fathers abuse their position or take it for granted, when there are so many people in the world begging to be parents.

Watch this video about the rash of parents who have abandoned all sense of decency and responsibility in front of their children. Their children are the law-abiders who are desperately trying to enforce the rules on their parents, calling for help in the process. Then leave your comment.

Saturday Survey!

It's Saturday Survey time! Answer the poll to the right and then comment here to explain.

Are you a night owl or an early bird?

Mommy Quote of the Week

"The phrase working mother is redundant."
-- Jane Sellman

And So It Goes...

If you are a surveyor of Mommy Blogs across the Blogosphere -- and those Daddy Blogs, too -- you may notice the trend of Back to School posts. Well, how can we resist? We parents are constantly complaining about our brood, until it is time to let them venture off on their own, independent beings who have to make their own choices, their own decisions, and their own mistakes. Then, surprisingly, after begging for some peace and quiet, we shed a tear and wax sentimental about having our children out of the house.

It is a bittersweet goodbye for me. Tomorrow, Volcano starts his first day of kindergarten, and I have a vast array of emotions and thoughts about it. I am so proud of what he has become -- no longer a baby but a little boy, ready to tackle whatever lies ahead. I'm also proud of the job I have done in creating this person, not just physically -- but his personality, intelligence, wit, and friendliness. He has become a charming little 5-year-old, with many talents and a brilliant sense of humor. I will miss having him in the mornings, but I look forward to the adventures that lie ahead for him.

And it's sad to think how fast this time has come! I remember when he was just a baby, looking up at me with wide, innocent eyes. Now he's talk talk talking (constantly!) about Legos, Zoo Tycoon, and Hot Wheels. He has his own taste, his own thoughts, and his own preferences. It's getting harder and harder to tell him what to do. ("Yes, remember? You like shopping!")

I also look forward to the valuable time I get to spend with Monkey. Monkey, as the little sister, has never had me all to herself, while Volcano had two whole years sister-free. As Volcano is in kindergarten, I will have the opportunity to actually talk and play with Monkey by herself, without the conflicts of sibling rivalry. It will be a time to discover her talents, her likes and dislikes, and her individual voice.

I'm sad, proud, happy, but (most of all) excited. For all of us -- Me, Volcano, and Monkey -- have a new life ahead of us.

Saturday Survey!

It's time for another Saturday Survey! This one's a piece of cake:


What's your favorite meal of the day?


Answer the poll to the right and then leave a comment!

Mommy Quote of the Week

"It is amazing how quickly the kids learn the operation of the DVD, yet are unable to understand the vacuum cleaner."

-- Etienne Marchal

More McDonald's Mama Drama!

What is it with me and the McDonald's Playplace? Every time we go, there is some sort of conflict. One time we went again with Ali and her kids, and a little boy accidently stepped on Volcano's hand, and he literally erupted. The whole place echoed of Volcano's screams as I dragged him out of the building, while Monkey was crying madly, "I still want to play! I still want to play!" I can still feel the disappointing looks of the other patrons, wondering why I can't control my children.

Recently, Hubby and I took the kids to the infamous restaurant after a day of shopping, hoping the kids would eat, then burn their restlessness from sitting in a shopping cart all day. Volcano decided to play while Hubby got our food. As he ascended the play structure, I noticed another, older boy follow him. My Mommy Senses could tell trouble was on the horizon.

"Go!" the little boy shouted at Volcano. "Hurry up!"

Volcano sat firmly in the plastic play structure. "You can't talk like that," he informed him.

"Hurry up!" the boy insisted, getting frustrated.

"Stop talking to me like that!" Volcano spoke firmer, standing his ground.

The little boy hit him on the back. "Hurry up, baby!" he yelled, then pushed him aside and proceeded through the structure.

Volcano came out of the slide and immediately ran to me. "That boy hit me!" he said, on the brink of tears. "I told him to stop yelling at me, and he hit me!"

"I know," I told him, scanning the other people in the play area for signs of concern. "I saw him. But you did the right thing, using your words and telling him to stop. I'm proud of you." I continued to look around the room, but the other parents continued eating.

Hubby came back in with a tray of food. "You won't believe it," I told him, arranging the food on the table. "Some little punk hit Volcano in the play place."

"Did the parents do anything?" Hubby asked, barely surprised.

"No," I gestured around the room. "I don't even think his parents are here."

We ate our lunch as a family, with Volcano rehashing the event. "That little boy hit me. I didn't even do anything." Like son, like mother.

Then we see the family behind us packing up. "Come on, Cody!" a young woman calls, "Time to go!" Out from the slide comes that little punk who hit Volcano. Apparently his mom and his sister had been sitting there the whole time, ignoring the conflict, ignoring my comments -- basically sitting there doing nothing.

"That's the boy!" Volcano pointed, frowning.

"I know..." I said, slightly shocked. I shook my head and Hubby just shrugged.

What else could we do?

Happy Labor Day!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly will be out for the holiday. So, please, look back on old posts, answer this week's Saturday Survey, and cruise around. You could also leave a comment about what your plans are for this three-day weekend.

And return later this week for some new posts!