Kids really are cruel enough without someone like PETA joining in on the verbal (or visual) assault.  From Vegansaurus, the new campaign against fat kids in Kentucky is paid for with promises of vegan burgers to a school system,

I know getting upset about PETA’s press releases is completely futile* but still I rise. Can you imagine a little fat kid (who, btw, is already teased mercilessly because kids are the motherflipping MEANEST) coming to the playground and seeing those teeter-totters? Stunts like this don’t turn kids vegan but I bet they could turn them suicidal. Further, how many fat kids do you know who venture near a teeter-totter anyway, it’s already ground for public humiliation. Way to know your audience, PETA!

Self image is so important to our kids growing up.  Heck even to adults, a positive self image is vital.  Big sigh.

According to the State-Journal in Frankfort, Kentucky, the ads may not be accepted,

The animal rights organization sent a letter to Superintendent Harrie Buecker Thursday morning, “offering to provide the district’s students with a free veggie-burger lunch in exchange for advertising space on school teeter-totters,” according to a press release.

But Buecker said Thursday that the Board of Education doesn’t support direct advertising to students. The board must approve any advertising from outside organizations that appears on school property.

Thankfully, the school system encourages teachers to discuss proper nutrition with students rather than assailing them with pictures of fat kids.

Thanks again for the H/T brittney.

Sadly, I like people who give me cookies too.

Have a happy weekend!

When Annie was in kindergarten, the bus brought her right to our driveway since she only went a half day.  One day I came home from work to learn that the bus zoomed right by the house without stopping, ultimately giving Annie’s Grandma, a heart attack.  Luckily the bus just circled the block and brought her right to our driveway like it was supposed to.

The same thing happened to Les the other day.  When the bus came up the street, his Katie wasn’t on it,

Just about that time Melissa said she saw the bus coming back up the street. Katie was on it. The bus driver said he had finished his route and was heading back when he saw Katie’s head pop up in his rearview mirror.

Melissa asked Katie, “Why didn’t you get off the bus on our street?” Her answer? Her friend Abby was reading her a story and she wanted to find out how it ended. “You still should have gotten off the bus!” “But I wanted to see where the bus went.”

I understand your heart clutched in your chest, Les.  I really do!

Photo by katerha via flickr creative commons.

Today is the first day of spring break in my house.  While I’m working, my husband and youngest are enjoying a day off (try writing serious columns while listening to Raymond Barone talk about his wife… it’s not easy to be sure!).

The weather last week was glorious – sunny, warm days and everyone felt uplifted with the break from winter.  This week?  It’s cold and overcast.  The husband says it’s because he’s on vacation – the weather always turns ugly when he’s off work.

What do I love about spring break?  I slept in this morning and it was glorious.

What do I not like about spring break?  Erin keeps asking, “Will you take me to the movies?” and “Will you take me shopping?”

Kids are so easily bored.  Teenagers are the worst.

Hey kid… I’m working today.  Go ask your dad.

Tomorrow we’ll talk about the teenager’s salt addiction!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Photo by CharlotteSpeaks♥{Charlotte.Morrall}’s via flickr creative commons.

If this isn’t the coolest idea since sliced bread, I don’t know what is!  From The Kitchn, these pie birds keep the hot bubbly center of pies from boiling over because they ventilate the sweet goodness while baking.  Now if only they whistled when the pie is done!

H/T Brittney’s Shared Items. Thanks!

Well, the move is taking place as I speak!  We’ll pick up keys this afternoon, and start moving the boxes in this evening.  My children are elated!  Many people are concerned about how their children will respond to a move, as were we.  But there are a few things parents can do that will minimize the stress on the children, and perhaps even build excitement about their new place!

• Allow the children to be involved in choosing the new home.  You can only do this to an extent, but being involved gives children a sense of control,which is something they can feel a loss of when a move is taking place.
• Give the children choices…of rooms, paint color, room decor, etc. 
• Ask the kids to “help” pack…and remain patient as they do this!  I am very structured when it comes to packing, so I was a little nervous when my daughter offered to pack for my two-year-old.  But she has packed over three times what I have, and the important thing is that we get it there, right???
• As tempted as you are to send the kids away while you’re moving in, let them be a part of it…even if it’s just for a few hours.  My son is DYING to play with his “cars and trucks and trains in his new house”.  So the plan is to get some of his toys there, unpack them in his space, and let him play while we unpack elsewhere.

Remember to remain as calm as possible during your move, and speak positively of the experience.  We’ve been referring to ours as our latest adventure.  Your children will follow your lead.  And with your positive guidance, the move will be a positive experience for everyone.

Photo by popofatticus via Flickr Creative Commons.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Services.  Today, I’m ready to give it back.  My almost three-year-old is OUT OF CONTROL. 

My sweet angel of two and a half years has morphed into the devil’s spawn.  He unlocks every lock on the doors and runs into the front yard and street, he pours EVERYTHING pourable out of it’s container onto any surface available, he shouts “potty words” at the top of his lungs when we’re in public, he opens exit doors that “alarm” when opened, AND…he takes his diaper off and pees…in MY bed…and on his sister.  A couple of nights ago, my husband and I awoke to a bottled water being poured into our bed at 2AM! 

You know what the worst part of all of this is?  Almost everyone I have talked to about this who has a boy has claimed this as “normal” boy behavior.  THIS IS NOT NORMAL.  Typical, maybe, but not normal. 

Thank GOD the kid is cute!  I am going to fall back on that until this “stage” passes.  And until it does, WATCH OUT PEOPLE!!! 

Photo by soursob via Flickr Creative Commons. 

We had our last yard sale in our current home this past weekend.  And, God willing, our last yard sale EVER.  I say it every time…but this time I mean it…I’m done.  We’re downsizing into a smaller home, so it needed to be done.  But I hereby vow NEVER to accumulate so much CRAP that I don’t know what it is, when I purchased it, or why it has spent the last two to three years in my garage with tags on it. 

I vow never to wake at 5 am on a Saturday morning to set up heavy, rotting tables that I have kept for this purpose alone.  I vow never to smile at those early birds who arrive, watch me take things out of my garage for an hour, then leave saying, “Nothing we want here.”  I vow not to have to lie to my mother when she asks me why I threw away the fish tank, books she gave the kids for Christmas, or UGLY vase we’ve had in yard sales for the last seven years. 

And…I vow not to send my children away so that I can sell those toys that they have CLEARLY outgrown.  Instead, I will continue to remind them that “giving” is better than receiving.  My goal is to be on a first name basis with my buddies at the Good Will trailer!  Not after a yard sale, but with one small bag, gathered while spring, summer, fall, or winter cleaning! 

For those of you that enjoy them, YARD SALE TIL YOU DROP!!!!  For me and my house, WE’RE DONE!!!

Photo by Daquella manera via Flickr Creative Commons.