Sweet 16

OK, so Lane really at times might not be considered "sweet," but he turned 16 yesterday. Because it was our usual maddening school / work day, we celebrated last night at our local Dave and Buster's. This was Lane's choice for a party. Because he is working on the driving thing ---- and I do mean WORKING on it, we gave him a choice on two of the following things:

• Party at someplace like Schlitterbahn, Fiesta Texas etc... that cost Mom & Dad mucho dinero.
• A physical present (his list here was quite lengthy) or
• a significant amount of money for a car.

He chose the presents and the car money. Soooo we took the guy and his friend Michael out to eat at D&B's and then played video games in their game room. A fun time was had by all, even Maren who did not do so well at the Dance, Dance, Revolution type game.

We came home for cake and presents. Lane got a new MP3, a cordless PS2 controller from his grandparents and a "significant amount of car money." Michael slept over and pancakes were had by all this morning. Now if you will excuse me, I have a new wealthy relative in the house....... he just LOVES me.

Boy's Breakfast

So Lorna and I decided that once a month instead of us going out to eat as a family, we would go out in two smaller groups and give some more individual time to each kid. This works out well becuase the boys LOVE breakfast and will eat a ton of food while Maren HATES breakfast and will eat nothing.
Today is our first time doing this format and both the boys and I went to breakfast. It was a total guys morning. Reed, of course woke us up at the crack of dawn (7:10 am) ---- OK, so not exactly when the sun comes up, but give me a break, its SATURDAY for crying out loud. Anyway, I sent him to get Lane out of bed and we quickly got ready and went to IHOP. All I can say is YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! Pictured is a sample of the Breakfast Sampler that both Lane and I had ---- good stuff! Reed got the Rooty Jr. and ate almost the entire plate! IHOP definitely beats Denny's in Japan, IHOP doesn't serve salad and miso with with their eggs and bacon. After breakfast, we went and got haircuts. Do you know that if you go for haircuts at 9:10 on a Saturday morning, you can walk right in and sit down, no waiting? Next, we went to AutoZone and got bulbs to replace my turn signal. Now I ask you, how much more guyness can you get than a big breakfast, haircuts and an autoparts store. Did I mention that Maren and Lorna are going for a lunch of Chinese and then shopping? Hmmmm, can we say gender specific Saturday activities. Lorna will tell about girls lunch out later I guess.

King for the Day

Reed was King for the Day in Kindergarten today! What does this mean you might ask? EVERYONE in the class had to practice spelling and writing Reed's name today, he got to wear the fashionable crown pictured and he came home with a way COOL book that each member of the class contributed. We all might want to think about returning to kindergarten, you get snacks, a short rest time after a yummy lunch and you get to be King for the Day! What's not to like? I dunno.

I Dunno....

This is virtually what takes place at our dinner table each evening with Reed. It is amazing to both Lorna and I that he can spend 7 hours a day in kindergarten and not know one thing that he did. He can't tell us games played in PE - heck, he can't tell if it was even PE day. About the ONLY thing we can get out of him is what he put in his mouth at lunch ---- even if he is frightened of the cafeteria ladies. What's a parent to do? Wait, Lorna asked him what he had for lunch today and he said he didn't know.

He also has a new behavior chart at school and was quite excited about it on Monday when it began. He came home telling us all about it: green is happy, yellow is a warning, blue means you miss recess and.... red means YOU HAVE TO CALL YOUR MOM! So we discussed the importance of staying on green. Today he came home and admitted that his clip was on blue today. Lorna asked him what he did to be moved to blue and he said...

I dunno.

Photo of the Day

Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers, therefore, it is in their nature to burrow. Dachshunds that are house pets like to burrow and curl up in blankets to make their bed. However, as Lola is not housebroken yet, she doesn't have that option as I'm not willing to wash towels and doggie blankets daily. So she sleeps at night in a crate lined with newspapers and in our laundry room during the day.

You can't fight nature, though, and I guess this was the best she could do:

Grocery Shopping with Reed

We were out of town for most of Saturday and Sunday so today was the day to shop for groceries and get us prepared for another week. Tim usually goes with me and we leave those silly children at home, but today, due to the lack of weekend left to run errands, he did other things and I went to the store.

Reed wanted to go with me so he could ride in one of those kiddie carts with the steering wheels that you drive. We got to the store, found a cart and were off. Reed was in a good mood and was very pleasant to shop with. He "drove" his cart for awhile and then got out so he could help me put things in it. He was very patient for a long time -- we buy LOTS of groceries and it usually takes an hour and a half (with Reed in tow, more like 2 hours)-- until I forgot some things on the list and had to backtrack down aisles we'd already visited.

Me: Reed, I forgot something. We have to go back to get it.

Reed: Okay.

We get the item and return to where we left off.

(A few minutes later...)

Me: Reed, I forgot one more thing. Let's go get it.

Reed: (as we're walking) Mom! We've already been past these rooms (aisles)-- we've already seen this stuff!

Me: I know, Reed, but I had to go back and get something.

Reed: Well, I don't 'preciate it.

Me: (cracking up) I'm sorry; I'll try not to let it happen again.

Now I know how Tim feels. I forget at least a couple of things every week and don't remember until we're on the other side of the store. Tim usually goes back to get the items, but I guess he doesn't 'preciate it either.