Holiday

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The Crayon Saga...Part II

Saturday night, after the kids were forced to bed, I did some calculating and realized that they ruined over $100 worth of their little brother's clothes. So I had some heart and figured if they bought $60 worth of new clothes for the youngest then I'd call it even. That's 3 weeks of allowance for each of them so I figure that's sufficient, besides, by the time they bought $100 worth of clothes, their brother would've grown out of them.

So it was off to the store. *insert constant, "I want that, I want that, I want that" here* I took them straight to the toddler section and we hit the clearance racks. All was going well, the oldest girl was picking out stuff for her brother, I was trying to explain to the 6 year old why we were looking at the clearance racks only, and the baby was chewing on my cell phone. 45 minutes later we had 5 shirts, 3 pairs of jeans and a package of socks. We headed to the check out. This is where it got ugly.

The Wal-Mart here is set up so that you literally cannot walk through the store without going by or through the electronics department. It's huge and it's smack dab in the middle of the bloody store. There was no way around it. I handed out verbal warnings "we're not getting anything else. We are going to the check out and leaving." We keep walking. Then it happens, 6 yr. old boy, who just happened to get a Nintendo DS for his birthday last week, sees a game he wants. It's on sale, for $10 dollars. Chaos ensues. He whines, he cries, he throws a tantrum. In the middle of Wal-Mart. And I look like the teenage mother who you'd like to explain the mechanics of sex to. I'd like to note here that the 6 yr. old is 59 lbs. He's almost up to my shoulder. The 8 yr old is almost eye level with me. Not exactly the kind of kids you can grab and make a mad dash for the check out before you die of embarrassment. So I grabbed his hand, and headed to the check out. The tantrum continued through the check out, in the car, and all the way home.

I asked 8 yr old to get her baby brother from his car seat and bring him inside. I get 6 yr old out of car, march him inside, down the hallway and into his room. Told him he could leave his room when he was done with his fit. More screaming, yelling, throwing things. I went to the living room, turned some music on, and went about my business. The tantrum went on for 2 hours. It suddenly got quiet and I went to check on him, he was asleep--on the floor. I left him there. Figured he wore himself out. Made lunch, put the baby down for a nap and painted nails with the 8 yr. old

Stay tuned for The Crayon Saga...Part III. Oh yes, there's more.

Patience

I've often been asked how much a kid would have to do in order for me to start yelling. I tend to have a lot of patience with kids, more so than adults. I will do everything possible to NOT yell at kids. Well this weekend I found out just how much a kid (or kids) have to do to cross that line into yelling territory. Here's the story:

3 kids, girl-8 1/2, boy-6, boy-almost 2

Saturday night:

Youngest boy is getting 3 molars in at the same time. He's cranky, irritable, and just all around whiny. I was rocking him back to sleep for the 5th time after I orajelled & tylenoled him. 8 yr. old & 6 yr. old were in the living room watching a Disney movie on tv while having their before bedtime snack. It was 9pm. I got the youngest one back to sleep, laid him in his crib, and went to go pull a load of laundry out of the dryer to fold. I open and dryer and as I'm pulling out the clothes I'm noticing a lot of multi-colored clothes that weren't multi-colored when I put them in there. I look a little closer, it's crayon. CRAYON!!! After a little investigative work I find out that 8 yr. old and 6 yr. old put an entire box of crayons-(24 count)-into the dryer while I was rocking the baby back to sleep. I lost it.

"GET IN YOUR ROOMS NOW" I bellowed to them. *insert whining about their movie not being over here* "I'M NOT ASKING YOU, I'M TELLING YOU. BEDROOMS, NOW!" Off they went. I then rounded up all of their crayons, every last one of them, and put them into a container, hidden away for safe keeping. After I calmed down, about 20 minutes, I got them from their bedrooms and sat them down on the living room couch. They would be getting 5 crayons back a day. For every day they used the crayons appropriately-(i.e. not in the dryer, or drawing on the walls...which they're also fond of)-they would get 5 more back. For every day they did NOT use the crayons appropriately, they would lose 5. *insert more whining about how it's not fair* In addition, their allowances-($10 a piece each week)-would be going towards buying their baby brother clothes to replace the ones they ruined with their little crayons in the dryer stunt. They asked about their clothes that were ruined, I told them they should've thought about that BEFORE they put the crayons in the dryer. *more whining about being unfair*

They then went to bed. And I stewed some more. Sunday morning came and they were both mad at me when they wanted to draw and only had 5 crayons between the 2 of them. I shrugged and told them they would get 5 more tomorrow if they used them the right way today. So yeah, a little tension going on right now between me and the 2 older ones. But I'm holding my own against hte incesant whining and full out double tantrums they're throwing over me being a b*tch-(the 6 yr. old's words, mind you. That's another post though).

Remind me again why I love my job?

Reading

In between reading college textbooks for class, I've found time to read some other stuff. Here's my reviews for your reading pleasure:

A Cup of Comfort for Teachers

A compilation of many small stories from teachers, former teachers, students, etc. I had high expectations for this book. I can honestly say that the book didn't meet a single one of those expectations. The stories left a lot to be desired. I felt like the authors had a lot more to say but couldn't due to a probable word count maximum. Can't say I'd really recommend this book.

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle-by Hugh Lofting

An oldie but goodie. Everytime I read this book I LOVE LOVE LOVE it even more. I absolutely adore the writing style and Dab Dab is definately my favorite character. It's a book that will be on my bookshelves until I die. My kids will be required to read it. It's a classic, and for good reason.

Personal Finance for Dummies-by Eric Tyson, MBA

Good book if you wanna learn more about personal finance. I'm highly interested in investing and creating a nice comfy cushion for when money is tight. Definately a book in laymens terms that pretty much anybody can understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone curious about personal finance, or in the need for getting your personal finances in order.

The Total Money Makeover-by Dave Ramsey

Another personal finance book. This one was given to me curtousy of my parents. While reading this book, I didn't quite enjoy Mr. Ramsey's in your face attitude. He writes as though everybody is an idiot and only he has the key to financial freedom. He puts down other personal finance books regularly and basically thinks he's the answer to everything money related. I didn't really enjoy this book.

Halloween

Halloween around here is a multi-day affair. Here's the breakdown for candy seeking kids in our neighborhood this year:

Friday: Downtown trick or treating 4-7pm. Campus haunted house.

Saturday: Campus haunted house & campus trick or treating from 4-7pm. Haunted woods in the next town over from 7-11pm. Police Post trick-or-treating. Trick or treating on the Reservation & along with 2 haunted halls as well as fun and games from 4-10pm.

Sunday: Haunted Woods again from 7-11pm

Wednesday: Actual trick-or-treating around the town neighborhoods.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, the kids get a TON of candy. I mean, they've got 3 full days of trick or treating. Hence the reason the Halloween candy most kids get lasts until next Halloween. At about the time it runs out, Halloween is already here again. It's a never ending supply of candy in this place. Man, I wish I grew up here.

Gay

I'm sure you've all heard about J.K. Rowling announcing that Professor Dumbledore is gay. Let me preface this post with the statement that I have never had an issue with the homosexual lifestyle nor people with a homosexual orientation. My issue is with J.K. Rowling. How dare she throw something as debate ridden as homosexuality at innocent children who were simply at a question and answer session. I firmly believe that homosexuality, along with sex education, and drug abstenance should be learned about from ones parents. Not some high on her horse author who has some great books. Shame on her.

I honestly believe that this 'outing' was sad attempt at keeping her books in the popular media a little bit longer. I mean, the latest book was the last of the series. Time will tell if it is a series that will withstand the test of time.

Shame on you J.K. Rowling, for taking that road. Let me remind you, Ms. Rowling, that Dumbledore is a FICTIONAL CHARACTER. Part of the joy of reading fiction is creating the characters in ones own mind. Thanks for taking that away from countless children who enjoyed your books.

That is all.

The Job Story-A Timeline

August 2007: Give my boss my schedule for the fall semester. Aunt is due with a baby boy in early November. She quit her job. I am scheduled to work every Monday, Wednedsay & Friday. Aunt will work every Tuesday and Thursday.

September 2007: Everything going well with the schedule.

October 2007: Boss has multiple meetings out of town. Aunt takes care of Charge while Boss is out of town. I'm not sure what will happen in November when Aunt has her baby. I have class until 5pm on Tuesday's and Thursday's and the after school program only runs until 4:45pm at Charge's school. I'm told that Aunt is going back to college in January. I ask about me having a job. Nobody's really sure what's going to happen because nobody's sure of their schedules yet. At the very least, I will be doing Monday's because Charge has ballet class on that day and the other children Aunt watches won't sit there while Charge is in class.

That's where I'm at right now. Everything is up in the air but I'm counting on Aunt watching Charge more often because babysitting is her only source of income.

One of my professor's is setting up a 'social night' with some of his co-workers and, if everything goes as planned, I will be watching 4 kids every other Saturday for the parents at 'social night.'

Over Being Angry

Maybe it's the cough syrup with codiene in it-(I have bronchitis again), but I'm over being angry about my job situation. I realized last night that being angry about it is not going to get me anywhere. Though I'm upset at the possibility of not seeing Charge at all, I needed to take a step back from the situation and look at it objectively. That's where I'm at right now. I will post more later, but codiene is starting to kick in and the words are going blurry.

Heat

So I finally broke down and turned the heat on yesterday. It's been in the 40's during the day here so it was time. I sealed all of my windows and then put plastic up over them. Now I just need to finish the curtains for all of them!

As a side note, I only have the heat on in my bedroom and the living room. The kitchen and bathroom don't really *need* the heat on yet. I figure if I use the oven once a day it will heat up the kitchen nicely, and if I run the shower for 10 minutes before I hop in, the bathroom will be nice and warm when I get out of the shower. Now it's time to sit back and wait for the next electric bill to come. Gee, I can't wait.

Just Call Me "Driver Jen"

Friday = Drive to school and pick up charge -1 mile. Drive her to her Aunt's house - 1 mile. Drive to charge's house-(2 miles) and take the family dog for a walk. Drive home - 3 miles.

Monday = Pick up charge from Aunt's house - 1 mile and drive her to dance class - 1.5 miles. Sit around for 45 minutes until class is over and drive her from dance class to Aunt's house 1.5 miles. Drive home -1 Mile

Miles driven = 12

Pay for Monday & Friday = $6

Feeling Like I'm Being Used = Priceless

*I'm doing the chauffering duties because charge's Aunt doesn't have a car*

Just when I get baby fever

I go to work and get a reality check. This weekend, I kept my friend's 21 month old little boy. Sure it was fun, but it was also very stressful. An average day with him involves 15-25 tantrums, he'll wake you up at 7am, and he will run you ragged with his tantrums, constant eating, and no fear attitude.

I was definately glad to get home tonight. I got to sit down, relax, and not have to worry about anything. Yes, it's good to be home.

Update on the School Situation

So I get home from class at 5pm & find a voicemail on my cell phone from the principle of the school. Charge can't go back tomorrow--I kind of figured something like this would happen. I'm now doing 2 things relating to this issue:

1. Trying to find care for Charge during the hours I am attending class at the local university.

2. Trying to get Charge's explusion changed to a suspension.

The first one I'm not too worried about. The second one I'm not sure that I'll be successful at. Don't get me wrong, I believe that expulsion is necessary in certain situations-(bringing a weapon to school, bomb threats, significant acts of aggression, etc.) I do not believe that this situation requires expulsion of Charge or Other Child. I got the question today "Why are you so concerned about this?" There's a few reasons for my concern in this situation:

a. We teach Charge to stand up for herself. If she sees the person who is responsible for her while her mother is away-(that'd be me)-just sit on the sidelines & not stand up for her in a situation where I feel she was wronged, what is that teaching her? I am a firm believer that children emulate the behavior they see from those that they respect. Maybe I'm giving myself too much credit here, but I've been with Charge for 3 years. She does respect me and I am a role model for her-in my opinion.

b. This will go on her permanant record. The societal stigma for expulsion versus suspension is vastly different in this area. In addition, I feel that expulsion was overkill in this situation--for both children involved. I understand that what the other child said is considered a death threat under the current school system policy. I also know that a 6 year old is not likely to come up with that out of the blue, nor do I believe that this will be an isolated incident. This child needs help, by essentially getting rid of him and & sweeping the problem under the rug, he can very easily fall through the cracks and that can have devestating effects in the future. He needs to know that somebody cares enough to give a damn about his wellbeing. Is that the school's issue? I'm not sure. But I do believe that it would be in everybody's best interest to take the necessary steps involved in getting the intervention ball rolling.

c. The last reason is personal. I am personally invested in this situation. Every step I take in this situation reflects on me professionally. Charge's mother has entrusted her care, both physically and emotionally, in me while she is away. I do not take that trust for granted. I am not in any way related to Charge, but yet I have been given the job of caring for her despite the numerous family members that in the same town Charge and I do. That is no small decision on Charge's mother's part, and I take my job seriously. Some might say too seriously, but I would rather do more than enough instead of nothing at all.

I'm off to make more phone calls. Wish me luck.

Principle Matters

Talked to the principle of my charges school today. Mom's out of town so I'm playing primary caregiver for the next 2 days. I got a call that there was a 'situation' involving my charge. I rushed over to the school to find my charge nearly hyperventilating in the principles office. Then I get this explanation from the principle-(while holding my charge and trying to calm her down):

"Charge said to other child 'my mom says you're rude.' Other child replied back 'I am going to kill your mom with an axe.' Charge told the teacher, the teacher sent them down here to me. They are both-(charge & other kid)-being expelled for the remainder of the week."

Insert shocked look on my face. The conversation continued:

Me-"Why is charge being expelled?"

Principle-"Because she instigated other child."

Me-"By telling him he was rude?"

Principle-"Yes"

At this point I'm appalled at his reasoning. I rambled off to him that:

1. She's 6

2. We-(her mother and I)-do teach her to stand up for herself

3. I found it very hard to believe that they were sitting there quietly working on homework and charge just blurted out that other child was rude.

Anywho, I ended up taking charge home for the rest of the day. I gave charge some ice cream to calm her down and popped in a movie because I had phone calls to make. The first phone call was to charge's mother, the second was to the superintendent. He told me that he'd look into it, I ended the phone call by telling him that charge WILL be in school tomorrow. He told me that would be fine--but that because he was allowing her to come back to school, he would have to let other kid come back to school. I thanked him and hung up. The third call was to charges teacher. I made it clear that charges desk is to be moved to another pod, away from other child, until this matter is solved. I also made it clear that I will be dropping by the school to be sure that her desk is moved away from other child's. Teacher blabbered on about how it's too hard to move charge's desk. I told charge's teacher that I would come in at 8 and move it myself if necessary. Charge's teacher said that it would be done before the children arrived. I thanked her and hung up.

I guess in the end, I'm just really pissed. Pissed at the lack of respect I recieved, pissed that charge was expelled because it was the easy way out, and just overall dissappointed with the school system here.

When It Rains

It pours, and lightenings, and thunders, and the house shakes from the power of the thunder. It started raining last night, around 11 or so I think. Rained all night, and it's still raining at noon. It supposed to rain all day today, all night, and tomorrow. Definately no drought here. Here's a satellite picture:

See those 2 little yellow blobs that are sort of connected on the right center side of you screen? I live just North of that. And here's another picture. This picture is the satellite image that is to the west of where this picture was taken:

If you look closely you can kinda line the two up. So yeah, I'll be inside for most of the day. Good day to study I guess. If you see the sun, say 'Hi' for me :)

The Latest

AGREEMENT IS REACHED

State legislators have reached a comprehensive budget agreement to end a government shutdown. State government will be open for business on Monday, October 1 and all state employees should report for your next scheduled shift. The budget agreement includes reforms and new revenues that will fund the vital work of state government and help Michigan avoid the types of structural budget issues that have contributed to recent financial problems.
The notice of temporary layoff you received on Friday, September 28, 2007 is no longer in effect. Again, all state employees are expected to report for work at the beginning of your regularly scheduled shift on Monday, October 1, 2007. More information on the details of the agreement will be provided via your department director and supervisors. Thank you for your patience and commitment throughout this difficult process.

Once again, I would just like to point out that I HATE MICHIGAN!