A growing boy...

I'm hoping that tonight I will have a little time to post some pictures fromt his weekend. We took a weekend trip to visit family and had a blast! Some things I learned:

1. I need sunscreen, but not much, when it's 70 degrees and sunny. We sat by the pool all day (5 hours) and I didn't even get pink, except for the few places I didn't get sunscreen. Apparently, SPF 8 was more than I needed.
2. Evan (11 yrs old) is now old enough to get a girl's phone number. A 13 year old girl. Whom he promptly ignored after getting said number.
3. Boys will play barefoot in the sand and water even when it is 50 degrees. They just can't resist.
4. Boys will climb trees even if the tree branches out over Mobile Bay and there is a very good chance they will fall into the freezing water.
5. Short hair is awesome. I may never let it grow out again. I never would have cut it this short by choice...and it may not be the best look for me. But I don't care. 5 second hair care is under-rated.
6. Giving Evan a cell phone has made things so much easier and so much harder at the same time.

Dude, where's my money?

Long ago, in the dark ages, there was a girl who was a band geek. Ok, it was me. I loved being in the band, despite the social stigma. Ok, the stigma really wasn't bad for me, but it was for a lot of people. It never stopped me from dating or having friends outside the band, but the stereotypical band geeks had a hard time socializing. We worked hard all summer to perfect our half-time show. We competed in marching competitions. When that was over, we practiced for hours on symphonic band - we also competed with that. And once a year, we took a trip to compete somewhere out of state. One year it was Panama City Beach, FL. One year Chattanooga, TN. And we paid dearly for these trips. We did fundraiser after fundraiser. Washed cars, sold doughnuts, sold wrapping paper. We worked. And all profits went to offset the cost of the trip. And whatever we didn't raise, we (or our parents) paid. But we worked so hard, that the costs to our families were minimal.

Fastforward to today. I work for a pretty large company. We have an electronic 'bulletin board'. Glamour Girl knows what I'm talking about. It's a pretty neat tool. If you lose something, a ring, a watch, earring, whatever, you can put up a little post and hopefully someone will find it and return it. If you are having to do a school/scout fundraiser, just post it out there and interested people will make a purchase. If you are participating in a marathon to raise money for whatever cause is near and dear, post it and people will donate.

Today I was picking through it and found a post that just pissed me off. This is not a rant against social programs - believe me, I know those are needed. So don't twist what I'm about to say into me being 'anti-helping people out'. I believe in working for what you want. So when I came across a post asking for donations to fund a student's $6,500 trip to Europe (Spain, France, Italy) I was shocked. When did students start asking total strangers to just donate cash? Is this the norm? He may have participated in fundraisers, but that was not mentioned. Just a straight out request for cash.

I honestly believe that kids who are given everything lose the ability and will to work for things on their own. What is he learning if people just hand him cash in exchange for nothing?

A ray of sunshine

OK, I had this whole fabulous post about snow with pics and everything. And I lost it. So. Screw it. On to another subject. Oh, and as part of my solution to the previous posts...Miss Grace reminded me about parental controls. I'm so slow sometimes.

I've always loved music. Always. And I've always had a few bands that just rocked my little world. But. Nothing has ever made me as happy as Blue October. I found them at a time in my life when I was a little down. Depressed. They have a song for every situation, every mood I have. And really, how can I resist that face?

But last March when they released their latest CD, Approaching Normal, there was one song that just blew me away. See, that's when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. And I needed an anthem in a bad way. Because with the right soundtrack, I can deal with anything. They delivered. Jump Rope (lyrics below). It set my attitude. It reminded me on a daily basis that things suck, but I can deal with it. Make the choice to deal. The end. No moping, no pity party. Well, maybe a pity party here or there. But they had to be short.


And that's when I decided if they EVER came close to B'ham, I was going.

So I'm going.

To Atlanta, GA. On April 7, a friend and I are going for a girl's night out. Tickets purchased, hotel booked. It's something fun to look forward to - and it came at the perfect time!

Here is a link to the song on Youtube...


Lyrics:
Remember how you used to say
You couldn't wait till tomorrow for a brand new day?
And no fuss when you had to ride the bus
You just add a little blush
To paralyze your school crush


Now you're older and the weight is on your shoulder
Make the world a little colder
No more hiding in the old day
Be strong
Don't you give up hope
It will get hard
Life's like a jump rope


Up, downUp, downUp, downUp, down, yeah
'Cause it will get hard
Remember life's like a jump rope
Up, downUp, downUp, downUp, down, yeah
It will get hard
'Cause it will get hard


There'll be a bump and there will be a bruise
There'll be alarms and there will be a snooze
There'll be a path that you will have to choose
There'll be a win and there will be a lose and
You gotta hold your head up high and
Watch all the negative go by
Don't ever be ashamed to cry
You go ahead
'Cause life's like a jump rope


I want to tell you that everything will be okay
That everything will eventually turn itself to gold
So keep pushing through it all
Don't follow, lead the way
Don't lose yourself or your hope
'Cause life's like a jump rope


You stomp your feet so hard you make it pound
Raise the bottom to the top
And now we're never coming down
Up, down, stomp your feet spin around
Clap hands to the rhythm
Then you slip down

The plan

I've spent a lot of time thinking about how I'm going to monitor Evan's computer usage. Right now, both computers are in my office. Kind of hard to monitor through a closed door. Not that he's been asking to use the computer this week...but there will be times when he DOES need a computer. I finally came up with a solution.

The desktop needs to stay in the office. Many reasons - it's hooked to the printer and my Cricut. Plus I need an office space where I can close the door. So, I will be getting a keyed lock for that door. Guess who will have the key?

The laptop. I have a corner of the living room that is unused. It's a little area by the stairs - completely unfunctional space. I'm going to get a little mission style desk that he can use for homework and put the laptop there. I can look over his shoulder at any time.

I know kids are curious, but there is TOO much he doesn't need to see yet!

My heart is in a million pieces...

It finally happened last night. My heart is shattered. I know a billion other moms have been through this. But I finally have proof positive that I no longer have a baby. 11 years old and I no longer have a baby.

Last night E was in his room - it was way past bedtime and I wanted to make sure he was in bed. We had a lot to do this morning, and I didn't want him any grumpier than he had to be. So, I went in to check on him. I opened his door quietly because I honestly thought he might be asleep. Well, I caught him off guard. He had my laptop in his room and had the earphones on. When he saw me, his eyes bugged out and one hand immediately went to the power button while the other hand tried to close the screen down. I immediately went into 'interrogator mom' mode. "What are you looking at?" He was caught so off guard, he couldn't even lie. "Boobs - I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry!" and on and on it went. When he finaly calmed down I explained the best way I could. "E, it's only natural that you are curious, but there are viruses on those websites and I need this computer for work."

I mean, really, I don't want him to think he's a freak for being curious. But I don't want him surfing the net for it either because the net holds a lot more than boobs. Where did the good old days go when boys would innocently find their dad's porn stash, or their mom's Victoria's Secret catalog???

A WTF moment...

Last night we celebrated Evan's 11th birthday. The actual date was during the week of Thanksgiving, but everyone is usually really busy that weekend, so we postponed. We had a total of 5 boys running around here - 10 and 11 year olds. They played hide and seek in the dark. Played the Wii, Playstation, Nintendo DS and SuperNintendo. We ordered pizza, rented a movie and had a giant cookie. All in all, it was a good night.

The boys were up until 1, I was up until 2. The kids had heard that there MIGHT be snow...so one of the little monsters set his cell phone alarm for 6:30 AM. That's right. 6:30. Sure enough, there was snow. Just enough for 5 determined boys to have a snowball fight. Guess who the first victim was... Me, the innocent photographer!

While they were having fun (4 of them wearing MY gloves) I went inside, made hot chocolate and waited for them to destroy every patch of snow they could find. There wasn't much on the ground...mostly on cars, bushes, our grill... But it was enough. Around 10:30 the moms started coming around to get the kids. Except for 1. It is now 2:30 and I still have one.

WTF? Both parents have called and talked to the child. Neither has talked to me. So I have no idea what their intentions are! Are they coming? Or am I going to have him another night?

Not to sound pitiful, but I am tired. I still don't have ALL of my energy back. I had planned on watching the SEC championship and sleeping all afternoon. But Evan is still having a good time, so I hate to call and ruin his fun.

Oh, and have I mentioned that Mike has gone to a friends house to watch the game? And was in bed last night around 8? Did I mention that shit?

Edited @ 2:48 PM - His mom just called - she's on her way. Dad was supposed to pick him up earlier, and didn't. She just got off work. Great.

Updated on Monday. After I had time to recover. Get this. I had one mom that called her son on his cell phone, had him gather his stuff and meet her by the street. Couldn't even come to the door for him. How rude is that??? I know my driveway is a bitch, but come on.

Next time we do this, I will make it very clear from the beginning. Kids to be picked up by 11. Good grief.

The next countdown is ON!

OK - New Moon is over, all I have to do is wait for the DVD. I will watch it over and over again. But, up next is Eclipse!!! And I have a handy dandy countdown clock to help me keep watch!

Awesomeness!