Camping it up with the kids

I live to tell about my adventurous night with seven rising first graders in the tent in our backyard. Faith has been looking forward to her "Midsummer Night's Dream" sleepover party since she left school in May. Although none of the girls had much experience spending the night away from family, we managed to make it with only one little one going home. The worst part of it all, was the muggy night Friday. After low humidity early in the week, it was pretty brutal. We kept a small fan running in the tent, but by about 4 a.m. I could do without it. My only regret was not taking the camera out into the tent when I went to sleep. When I absolutely had to get up for a nature call at 7 a.m., the half dozen girls were precious in their various sleep shapes. A couple of heads popped up when I got up, but they sleepily went back down. My plan was to return with the camera, but by the time I got out of the bathroom, all of them were in a single file parade out of the tent and into the house. We managed to take a couple of shots back in the tent, including all of them piled onto my cot. This might turn out to be an annual tradition for Faith. The hardest thing was not being able to accommodate everyone considering our limited tent space. While there were a few girls not able to make it, the magic 7 number proved to be a good one for us. Everyone got along and seemed to have a fun time. I'm just glad I had the rest of the weekend to get some sleep.

- Liz Fabian

School supplies

We have to start thinking "back to school" a little early because Daniel's new glasses take some time to come in. But that gets me thinking about other things kids should have besided paper and pencils.
Eye exams. Yeah, this one's dear to my heart, but it's so important! If your child can't see well, they aren't going to pay attention to the board. If close-in vision is the problem, or dyslexia, you're not going to be raising a reader. So get 'em checked, at least once every couple of years.
Physicals. Young athletes already have to go through this, but I think taking healthy kids to the doctor instills a lifeling habit. Annual checkups are so important for adults - especially women's cancer screenings - that is just seems like the thing to do. I usually take Daniel around his birthday, just so I remember to do it.
A homework plan. We've been trying to get Daniel used to the idea of homework - using handwriting practice as "homework." But when we do get into school mode, we already have established a place for him to work and a regular time. He's got pencils and crayons and we can see him clearly to supervise.
So think about more than paper and notebook in your back-to-school prep. It'll pay off.
Oh, and look for back-to-school sections coming up in the Telegraph and the Houston Peach.
--Misty

mommy's ears are bleeding

After a rotten week highlighted by a three-day migraine and fever, I gave Daniel a break this weekend. He had a friend over at the house yesterday and today I blog from Monkey Joe's. That haven of child-fun with a decible level somewhere above a Meatllica concert. Perhaps not the best chaser for all those migraine meds, huh?
--Misty

guest blogger

To make his baby brother more real for my son, I took my 7-year-old to the doctor's office with me so he could listen to the heartbeat. Our appointment was a 10:30 and when we got there, I had to drink the stuff for the glucose test. It is an orange flavored syrupy drink that made me sick to my stomach for the next couple hours. During the next hour (when we sat in the waiting room), I was thinking, how nice it was to have a child old enough to amuse himself, color for a while, read a book, etc. And now I'm starting all over.
We finally got to see the doctor and he let Nicholas use the heartbeat "meter" thingie (I'm sure there is a technical name for it) and he got to press it against my stomach. He's now my little doctor in training. He thought it was pretty cool. Then the even COOLER thing was seeing mom get her blood drawn. I told him I wasn't responsible if he passed out from watching. He admitted later that it did make him light-headed to watch.
So now its only 2 1/2 more months until D-day and I will see the doctor every two weeks. And the anticipation builds not only for myself but for all of my friends and family. And especially Nicholas who can't wait to see what this squirmy thing looks like out of mommy's belly!
--Angela

Getting crafty in the summer

While Faith is beginning to be a little contrary when I make suggestions, we reached common ground at the craft table this week. The latest edition of The Telegraph's Southern Style magazine included a couple of projects to work on with children. Writer Cindy O'Donnell inspired us to fashion our own glow-in-the-dark butterflies out of water bottles. While the article included instructions for lightning bugs, Faith didn't like the Cootie-like tongue, so we ventured on to colorful butterflies and we improvised on the design. While I had intended to put forth a set pattern to keep us both on track, I let her creative juices flow a little as she did almost all of the wings. Her scissor skills are coming along and we managed to turn out some pretty cute little creatures. The test will come when we put glow sticks inside the plastic bottle and hang them in the trees for her night party this weekend. I admit I was dreading the project as I thought she would buck me at every turn, but I was pleasantly surprised. Plus the craft got her away from the television for an hour! Plus, I'm sure her friends will be impressed that she created and designed her little butterfly friends.

Liz Fabian

Twae Kwon Dwo

Yes, I know there are extra "w"s in the word above. But that's how Daniel pronounces his new hobby. Today was his second class, and he loves it!
I took home lessons from the Museum of Aviation auction and raffle, hoping martial arts would instill a little coordination and a dollpo of discipline. After all, the first thing a "tiny tiger" has to learn is to sit and stand still, and come to attention. Sounds like just the ticket to avoid a few phone calls from the teacher. And good Lord, could someone tech my semi-blind child to walk without tripping, to look where he's going, and to run without bumping into things? So I have high hopes for his new lessons, and the fact that he likes them has me positively giddy.
--Misty

me, too

I know exactly what Liz is going through, and that's reassuring to me. One of the reasons I like blogging about Daniel's and my misadventures is that I get responses from moms who understand what I'm talking about.
In my case, I've been so worried about Daniel starting Kindergarten that a new, grown-up habit snuck up on me. I'm no longer "mommy" or "mama." I've graduated to "mom." Oh, my.
--Misty

Growing pains

Someone has stolen my daughter and replaced her with a tween version. She disappears into the back bedroom and when I come through the door, the television immediately goes black. It's a scary feeling thinking she might be watching something inappropriate.
By turning the television back on, I've discovered her secret channel is Disney. She's graduated from the little kid shows and is now all about teen programming, which we've previously frowned upon. "Zack and Cody" are her two new best friends. I'm not sure who they are. All I know is that they are twin boys. It racks my nerves to consider that I really don't know much about any of these shows. I feel very irresponsible. I saw a little bit of "Hannah Montana" one day and it seemed fairly harmless. But I still wonder. Sometimes Faith squeals with laughter as she's watching. She rushes through supper to get back to the television. I'm not thrilled at all about this new habit, so I've had a little talk with her about my concerns. It must be sinking in somewhat as I heard her trying to convince my husband the show she was watching was OK. "Dad I can watch this," she said. The kids aren't talking mean to their parents or anything." I might be over-reacting, but there is plenty of junk on television. I didn't even like her watching Caillou on PBS because of his whiny attitude. I realize I can't protect her from all the smut of the world, but I hope I can at least help her recognize bad behavior when she sees it.
- Liz Fabian

BillyBear4kids

I have been apalled at the deterioration of Daniel's handwriting since he finished preschool and stopped daily practice. I tried for a while to get him to do "homework" while I cooked dinner, but he was more interested in helping me cook.
His optometrist suggested I start him on some mazes. "It doesn't matter whether he completes the maze or does it correctly." Dr. Simmons said. The practice of drawing between two existing lines will help keep his eyes tracking together, will improve his eye-hand coordination and will make his handwriting neater.
Sold!
So I found www.billybear4kids.com - and a bunch of printable mazes for the elementary school set. Check it out, and let me know what you think: Do your kids backslide noticably during the summer? Or do you get them to practice skills such as handwriting so they are ready when school starts again?
--Misty

No "Easy-Bake"

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's a lesson Hasbro might learn now that it's recalling a million Easy-Bake ovens. The new pink and purple models that look like a range oven do not use light bulbs, but heating elements. The new design allows children to put their fingers inside the oven and get caught. The unit does have a spatula device that is supposed to be used, but serious accidents have happened. The company first issued a repair program that included a part that could be placed over the oven opening. Since implementing the part in February, there have been nearly 250 reports of kids getting their fingers caught, including 77 burns and more than a dozen of them serious. One 5-eyar-old girl even had part of her finger amputated as a result of her burn. Because this is a design issue, consumers are asked to take the ovens away from children and contact Hasbro. The company can be reached toll-free at (800) 601-8418 , or at the firm’s Web site at www.easybake.com. Oven owners will be given vouchers for another Hasbro toy. Children should already know ovens are NOT toys. Although I can see how these injuries could happen, I wonder whether these children were being supervised. I can remember using my own Easy-Bake as a child. It was a yellow model that cooked with a light bulb. Although I have a vivid memory of baking unsupervised, I knew that the oven was hot. Most toddlers learn the "Owee Hot" lesson early in life, so I can't imagine why youngsters wouldn't realize that touching was off limits. It's a hard lesson to learn the hard way.
- Liz Fabian

Monkey see, monkey do

My last post brought something else to mind. "Children learn what they live." In Daniel's case, I never realized he knew how to do a sit-up just from watching me exercise. Then we were at my grandmother's and he flopped down and pulled a couple crunches. oookaaay.
But he has a passion for all the things I do. Cooking, gardening, reading. If only it could translate to cleaning up his room!
--Misty

Harry Potter happiness

I read somewhere that "experts" don't think the Harry Potter series makes kids read any more than they would otherwise. Kids just read the HP books and stop, the story claimed. What?!?
In my view, seven books is better than no books read. And really, Harry Potter opened up the world for Eragon and other sci-fi/fantasy novels - at least in my house. The kids who wait up until midnight to get those books first aren't going to stop reading with one book - and I'd be willing to bet they pass their books on to younger siblings. Daniel has become a reader because he sees me and his dad reading all the time. And you'd better bet I'm reading the Harry Potter series.
--Misty

Horsing around at camp

For kids who are "hot to trot," there is a horse camp in Macon. Faith attended a couple of times with her cousin in recent weeks. Holly Anderson, owner of Sun Valley Arabians, and Lisa Harrelson, (our cousin-in-law), are teaching youngsters how to ride both Western and English saddles at 6401 Fulton Mill Road. Children also learn hands-on grooming techniques and horse etiquette. They have two more all-day camps this month - July 13th and July 20th. Campers arrive at 9 a.m. and can be picked up at 5 p.m., although early drop off and late pickup can be arranged, Lisa says. The day of activities includes a picnic lunch, swimming and arts and crafts. The tuition is $65 for the day, which may seem a little high for a one-day camp, but a horse enthusiast tells me private riding lessons run about $30 per half-hour. Although I haven't been to the camp, Faith has had fun both times she went and came home all tired out. Anyone interested in signing up can call Holly at 788-9357 or Lisa at 447-0940.

Cinema sequels of my childhood

Going to the movies is like turning back the clock. While taking Faith to see Ratatouille this week, we saw previews for "Underdog." The coming attraction provided another opportunity for me to deliver a "when-I-was-a-child" anecdote. In this case, I told Faith that "Underdog" was a cartoon when I was little. The new film with a real beagle and a lot of help from computer animation looks like a winner. I predict a resurgence of the beagle breed the world hasn't seen since Snoopy emerged from Charles Schulz' pen. It looks like Disney has another winner, but I'm only judging from the trailer. The movie debuts Aug. 3, so I guess we'll really see then. With the exception of Ratatouille, the films I've taken Faith to this summer are a throw-back to my childhood - Nancy Drew and Curious George. It's a nice feeling to resurrect the kid in me and so far Hollywood has been kind to my memory. While Faith and I enjoyed the rat flick, I was distracted by a cell phone toward the end of the movie. No, I didn't hear the ring. An alarming flash caught my attention like lightning out a window or a search light at the airport. One of the patrons sitting across the aisle had a Bluetooth in her ear that kept flashing. How annoying. I might have to invest in blinders before Underdog arrives.
- Liz Fabian

Bits of this post has been borrowed from babble.com (I certainly didn't call 1000 people). I found it interesting because I was sure, right up until the doc said "it's a boy" that Daniel Keith would be Katie Susanne. My husband, whose patriarchal side of the family has produced boys only for generations, was just as sure we'd be having a boy. Of course, now I am going to be able to choose the gender opf Daniel's sibling, and I want one just like him (yes, I have lost my marbles. If you find them, please keep them safe).
Apparently Americans have a distinct preference for one gender over another when it comes to babies, and the preference is definitely weighted towards boys.
1000 Americans were Gallup-polled recently and asked the question, "Suppose you could only have one child. Would you prefer that it be a boy or a girl?"
37% said: Boy, while only 28% said: Girl. I know, I know, that doesn't even approach 100%, does it? I'm bothered by that too. A full 26%, almost as many as wanted girls, said it doesn't matter, even though that wasn't an option as an answer. And 9% "didn't understand the question." Those are the ones I'm hoping will opt to NOT reproduce at all.
What does this say about our society? Apparently we're still into the "carry on the family name" mentality.
What about you? Boys? Girls? And why?

--Misty

marriage = commitment?

I was reading the Parade this morning and ran across an article about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, specifically how they aren't planning to get married. They want more kids together, but have both failed at marriage before and therefore don't plan to tie the knot. Parade disagreed with their choice.
So here's my question: Doesn't having kids together - and I don't just mean CREATING an child together but actually raising kids together - make a stronger bond than a wedding and the rings you wear? With the divorce rate somewhere around 50 percent, is marriage the symbol of commitment it once was? Or is it more a traditional value that we'd like to pass along to our kids? And I'll go ahead and cross that line - the gay and lesbian couples Chris and I know are no less committed to each other than we are, even though they can't get married.
For that matter, I know some male/female couples who raised children together before finally getting married. The reason they delayed getting hitched? The cost involved with a wedding, for one. Other couples I know were acutally brought together by the unexpected advent of a child and only got married after they were sure they weren't just "staying together for the kids." They have a strong marriage - now.
So what is marriage? And are couples who live together and raise children together any less committed to each other than those who plann a wedding together? Keep in mind that if Brangelina stay together for seven years, they're married in the eyes of the state anyway. And it's not like Angie's ever been a traditional girl.
--Misty

Consignment sale news

You heard it here first (or maybe not).
Baby Country (behind Chick-fil-a on Watson Boulevard) is setting out all their winter clothes. That means they have a huge stopck of summer stuff on sale for $1. The owners said they plan to be done with the changeover on Wednesday, so go on by then for a look at the summer sale AND the winter lineup! I can't tell you how many brand-new items I picked up (you can tell if something's been washed).
ALSO - the Almost 2 New ladies are gearing up for their winter sale. It will be held at Trinity Church of the Nazarene on Hartley Bridge Road Friday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 25 from 7 a.m. to noon. As usual, Saturday is half-price day and Thursday nights consigners will get in for a preview sale. Now, if you've not gotten around to cleaning out your little one's closet, you've got plenty of time to give these ladies a call and sign up. E-mail jennifer.jordan@cox.net and get in on the action. They report their top consigner in the spring made $430! For me, that's Christmas shopping money!!
--Misty

Still want that brother?

Daniel talks a lot about getting a new brother. He doesn't really understand that we're going through the adoption process, only that some time next year we'll "get" him a brother. In the meantime, I think a lot about how to introduce a child into our family. After all, I'm not having a baby, so we don't have the usuall anticipation time or even ballpark delivery date. Here are some things I've thought of:
We're in the process of cleaning Daniel's room. I'm taking out toys he's done with, setting some aside "for kids who don't have any toys." He found this idea pretty incredible and I realized I had some teaching to do. But he's a generous little bug, so I find I have to keep him from putting HIS favorite toys into the "for others" pile. Fortunately, I've found a lot of his toys have been well-loved, so I don't feel like many of our choices have been wasted. Some things, like his tricycle, I am secretly putting away for his new brother. If he had his way, he'd continue to ride it instead of that wobbly two-wheeler.
I have let him become more involved with his scrapbook. I put it together, but he gets to help pick out the pictures he wants in it, and we read it together afterward. The theory is I can cut down on jealousy as long as he is certain of his place in our hearts.
I read about a first-meeting gift exchange. When we settle on a child and are in the final stages, I'll buy age-appropriate gifts and wrap them. One for Daniel to give his new sibling, one for the boy to give to Daniel. That way they can right away start saying "my brother gave me this!"
Fortunately, my company also allows "maternity" leave in adoption cases. I'm hoping that, when the time comes, I'll take a few weeks off to just be there for both boys. After all, this could be the biggest thing that happens to all of us!
--Misty

Dependent's independence

Fourth of July eve marked a milestone in my motherhood. "Mom, would you like for me to get you a dish of ice cream?" was the question I thought was ushering in a new level of independence for my daughter. "Wow," I thought. "My daughter is waiting on me." When she found an insufficient amount of cool creamy confection in the kitchen, she said she'd go to the freezer in the utility room for more. She came back with two bowls of ice cream. My husband and I decided we could get used to this kind of service from the same girl who recently "forgot" how to make her bed. On the Fourth, Faith arranged her own craft on the kitchen table and proceeded to work quietly by herself as I baked a cake. Once the cake was done, I started teaching her to sew. She nearly mastered the straight stitch without my help and will venture on to curves and circles in the coming days before we try a real pattern. But by afternoon, she was clinging to my side at a pool party. Faith was too shy to talk to the grown-ups, too timid to go swimming alone or talk to another young girl about a year older. After Daddy grabbed her giggling self into the water from the pool steps, she swam right back to me and then plastered her wet self next to me on the side of the pool. She really wanted me to go in the water with her, but I was enjoying the company of other adults and didn't want to go swimming. I know Faith loves the water, so I didn't want to give in and baby her. It didn't take long before she and the little girl were buddies, swimming and eating together and having a great time. While I am looking forward to her self-sufficiency, I know I need to relish these times when she still wants Mom around.
-Liz Fabian

Other summer things to do

There's only a month left before Daniel starts kindergarten, and there's so much I want to do before then! For example:

Camp out: We have a tent (and an air mattress) and I want to sleep out under the stars with my kid. It's one thing this dry weather is good for - star gazing. He wants to stay up late, I want him to notice the big picture. Win-win, especially since I plan on setting up the tent in the back yard.

Make a scrapbook: I've taken a ton of pictures this summer. I plan on having my Creative Memories consultant pin me to the dining room table until I get all the photos in an album. But I also want to give Daniel a disposable camera and make him a small album so he can have his own memory book from our summer. Get a jum start on those "What I did on my summer vacation" essays. If the photos are all right there, the kids can just flip through and write what they see.

Ladybug Day at the library: We are so lucky to have a library system that encourages our kids to become readers. By drawing them into the library with storytelling times and rabbits, bugs, snakes, birds and so on, our librarians make the books accessible as well. So July 19, I'll be taking Daniel to Ladybug Day.

Practice kindergarten skills: already I've noticed a degeneration in his chicken scratch - I mean handwriting. So every night, while I cook dinner, he practices writing his name, address and phone number. It gets him used to the idea of homework and will (hopefully) whip that penmanship back into legible format!

What are you doing with the kids this summer? What do you wish you had time to do?

--Misty

Summer slipping away

Wow, this summer is moving fast. I can't believe we're near the halfway mark and haven't had a daycare crisis yet. Faith has been staying busy with Vacation Bible School and is scheduled for a third week at Avalanche Ranch. She would have made it four, but two of our favorite churches are holding VBS the same week. The first week of vacation, she attended drama camp. Yesterday, it was horse camp where she learned two ways to ride, swam and had great fun with her cousin. Like Misty, we're planning to camp out. We promised Faith when she was finishing kindergarten that she could invite some friends over for a sleepover in the backyard. We'd better get busy. Time is wasting away. Thanks to Angela's post, we'll have to add the Home Depot workshops to our list.

- Liz

Thanks, Angela!

A friend passed this along to me this morning, and so I pass it along to you.

Free Kids Workshop, 9 a.m-12 p.m. on Saturday, July 7 at all The Home
Depot stores - Create a Memory Box. With summer getting into full swing,
kids are starting to make great summer vacation memories. The Home Depot
Kids Workshop will help them create their own summer vacation memory box
to keep valuable memorabilia such as seashells, postcards and photos.
Kids can savor summer experiences all year with this great keepsake. The
Home Depot will provide the complimentary memory boxes, tools, and
expertise to build the boxes, along with kid-sized The Home Depot
aprons. The clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday,
July 7, 2007. At all The Home Depot locations. Free of charge. An
award-winning program that The Home Depot stores have offered since
1997, Kids Workshops are free, how-to clinics designed for children aged
5 -12, available monthly at all The Home Depot stores. Children,
accompanied by an adult, use their skills to create objects that can be
used in and around their homes or their communities.

Free Kids Workshop, 9 a.m-12 p.m. on Saturday, August 4 at all The Home
Depot stores - Decorate An Art Caddy For Back To School. After a long
summer, kids will be gearing up to go back to school and The Home Depot
Kids Workshop can help them decorate a one-of-a-kind art caddy to take
with them. A creative art caddy is the perfect accessory for keeping
crayons, scissors and other art tools handy while still looking neat and
organized at home or at school. The Home Depot will provide the
complimentary art caddies, tools, and expertise to decorate the caddies,
along with kid-sized The Home Depot aprons. The clinic will take place
from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2007. At all The Home
Depot locations. Free of charge. An award-winning program that The Home
Depot stores have offered since 1997, Kids Workshops are free, how-to
clinics designed for children aged 5 -12, available monthly at all The
Home Depot stores. Children, accompanied by an adult, use their skills
to create objects that can be used in and around their homes or their
communities.

Free Do-It-Herself Workshop, 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, August 6 at all The
Home Depot stores - Open the Door to an Organized Closet. Extra closet
space is rare in most homes. Closets are typically stuffed with
clothing, books, mementos and countless household items and getting
control of closet clutter may seem overwhelming. Women across the
country will gather at local The Home Depot stores for the latest
Do-It-Herself clinic and learn how to organize their closet space for
maximum results. 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Monday, August 6, 2007. At all The Home Depot
locations. Free of charge. Participants are encouraged to register for
The Home Depot Do-It-Herself Workshop clinics at
www.homedepotclinics.com.

Free Clinic, 10 a.m. every Saturday in August at all The Home Depot
stores - Wireless Networking and Innovative Solutions for Your Home
Free Clinic, 11 a.m. every Saturday, Sept. - Jan. at all The Home Depot
stores - Tiling Floors and Walls

That's gratitude for you

I've been having car trouble lately. Lots of car trouble. Like, you've probably seen me pushing my vehicle out of an intersection and then kicking the crap out of it as it sits on the side of the road.
It's usually true that we never appreciate the things we have until they are gone. Fortunately, I can say that isn't true of the PEOPLE we know. There isn't a day I'm not grateful for my husband's support, my son's precociousness, my mother's advice, and my father's listening ear. Not to mention the friends always willing to go for a margarita and listen to me either praise or rant about the abovementioned! But I never really appreciated the smooth way my car got me from point A to point B until the road wasn't so smooth anymore.
Which leads me to today's survey. I have a theory that teenagers who are given their first cars don't appreciate them the way teens who have to buy their first cars do. Now I know the cycle: a young person can't get a job until he or she has transportation. But how do you get to and from a job unless you have transportation?!? So it's easier to buy a used car for your kid and make them cover insurance, gas, etc. And maybe that works for some kids. I have a long history with home businesses simply because I didn't have wheels for so long. But I bought my first car, and it lasted me to my first marriage. I'd still have it if the engine hadn't kept falling out - while I was driving! My neighbor, on the other hand, was given her first car, and she drove it to the ground.
So what do you think moms? Did you give your teen their first car? If you did, did he or she take good care of it?
Inquiring minds want to know - it's not like I'm going anywhere.
--Misty

Double trouble for Nancy Grace

The news wires are abuzz now that TV's legal diva Nancy Grace is expecting twins. Don't get me wrong, I'm elated for her. As a woman who struggled for years as a single career woman wanting a family, and then waiting years for a child after I married, I know what it's like to long for a baby. Judging by some of the news items I've read this afternoon, Ms. Grace is not saying whether she used fertility treatments, but she wants women to know there is hope. While she will have her hands full juggling babies and anchoring her show, the "double-trouble" I'm referring to in the headline does not refer to the twins. I'm sure she'll have plenty of help. Rather, I believe she will bombarded from all directions because of her celebrity status. Already the blogosphere has gone wild with unkind depictions of the Macon native, who has always been downright neighborly when she comes home. Her flamboyancy sets her up as a flaming target professionally, but that shouldn't give anyone the right to be so "dis Grace full" about her pregnancy. In the world of criminal justice journalism, the stories are horrific. Already, Nancy wears her heart on her sleeve and is fairly loose with her emotions. I can only imagine how motherhood will increase the fire in her belly for child victims and hone her verbal darts toward predators. Hell really hath no fury like a Mother Grace scorned.

- Liz Fabian

From Babble.com

I found a new Web site I'm liking a lot - For moms on the edge. Found this under the "columns" section.

"In this week's personal essay, "Dr. Mom: the truth about the 'mommy track'," Tara Bishop, M.D., eloquently discusses her decision to stay at home with her children in spite of degrees from M.I.T. and Cornell. Tara is the worst nightmare of suddenly-everywhere writers like Leslie Bennetts, whose new book, The Feminine Mistake, criticizes educated women for opting out of the workplace. Of course, the choice not as simple as pundits like Bennetts make it sound. Dr. Bishop writes in her Babble essay:

We are the generation that took pride in the fact that we could break the glass ceiling or devote our lives to our children; society would accept anything. But it won't. It's very difficult to work overnights when you're breastfeeding. There's always pressure to work more. So we have to give up something. And if you're an educated woman, that usually means neglecting your kids or your career, and feeling guilty either way.

The reader feedback on that piece indicates that one of the hardest things we're all doing is figuring out how to balance work and home. We can't be with our kids full-time and doing whatever else we love full-time, too. So how much of either do we sacrifice? According to this week's Babble poll, as of this writing, 81% of us are working and relying on some combination of stay-at-home spouse (9%), at-home or part-time schedule (22%) and professional help (50%).

So, why are 19% of us staying home with the kids? And why do the rest of us sometimes envy them? Babble sent Helaine Olen to interview Pamela Stone, the author of Opting Out? Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home. Stone is one of the few authors asking women why they made the choices they have rather than attacking them We can't be with our kids full-time and doing whatever else we love full-time, too. So how much of either do we sacrifice?for either working too much or too little. Her conclusion: the lack of flexible work options is making it impossible, or at least extremely difficult, for women to have it all. Stone told Babble:

Bankers used to have what were called banker's hours, because they were good hours. Well, a banker's hours are horrible hours now. All these professions are going into a speed-up at the same time that you have more women with family responsibilities. So there is this head-on collision of these two trends."

--Misty

Unlocking the mystery of Nancy Drew

We snuck off to a matinee of "Nancy Drew" this afternoon. After reading some parent comments on the movie's Web site, I decided Faith would be old enough to catch the action. Plus discovering yet another literary character on film might be a catalyst to start reading the series in coming years. I vaguely remember reading a "Nancy Drew" mystery or two, so it should be fun to revisit the books. Although Faith went straight to her swim lesson after the theater, she's already started asking questions about the plot. The reviews I read did say there were some scary elements, but I found nothing creepily frightening. In her blessed innocence, Faith always has a problem with violence - and that's a good thing. "What is he doing to her?" and "Why is he doing it?" were two of her questions. I found the film precious and entertainingly charming. There were only two other people in the theater. Even Faith commented that more people should see the movie. Emma Roberts plays the role well and you can certainly see she's inherited her aunt's beauty and flair for clothes. It will be interesting to watch her grow to be her own "Pretty Woman." She seems destined to play her Aunt Julia's daughter someday as there is quite a resemblance. The costume designer must have had a field day dressing her. I really love the look of Nancy's 50s/60s thing. Plus, some of the outrageous California fashions are a hoot. Check out Barbara Barbara of Barbara Barbara Realty. I'm off to see if I can squeeze into my penny loafers.

- Liz

Guest Blogger

Choosing a name is so difficult. I want one that sounds good with the last name and rolls off the tongue. My significant other (SO) has said that he wants something that has meaning to him. Unfortunately Leonard DaVinci is one of those people who has meaning. After telling him a definite NO, something to the effect of I would move to Alaska to have our son before I let him put that name on the birth certificate (although my mom was more clever with her "over my dead body"), we have started with family names. Now my family has pretty common names and I don't think that I want to name my second son after anyone. I love my family, don't get me wrong, I just don't want to be reminded by name of any of them.

I tried going through some online sites where they give you the "meaning" of the name and thought I had some nice ones picked out. But apparantly, internet sites are not worthy of our son's name.

At least we have agreed on a "theme" for the room, albeit an expensive one. We want something simple and not really a theme. The only thing that comes close is Pottery Barn, yikes! Thank goodness for ebay!

--Angela

More classes

Oh, also on the list of offerings from CGTC are "Internet Safety for Parents" July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for $49 and "Health &Safety: the prevention of injuries" July 31-Aug. 9 for $30. Call 757-3445 for more info.
M

Classes I wish EVERYONE would take

I got a fax from Central Georgia Technical College the other day and right there, between "Grow your Business" and " Microsoft Word 1" was "Social Development: Character and Manners" for $10. While it's a sad commentary that such a class is necessary, I wish I could run out and sign up every person between the ages of 10 and 30.
And before you get all offended, think about it. When I say "Emily Post," more than half of you say "who?" Miss Manners was part of MY mother's generation, and her mother's before that. We live in a society where answering your cell phone at the dinner table is accepted. Our young people don't know how to dress for formal occasions, or what a formal occasion IS, if attire I've seen at weddings and funerals is any indication. "Business casual" has further put a dent in our manner memory. Try it some time - you'll find you DO behave differntly in dress shoes than in sneakers, and I can only imagine the difference between wearing a tie and a t-shirt.
Part of me is glad I can speak my mind in front of my boss, invite him over for poker night and offer him a beer. But part of my longs for the time when we accorded our elders the respect they have earned, and strangers the respect of keeping our private business private.
--Misty

I'm no girl

This enrty has little to do with being a mom, and yet everything to do with being a grown woman.
By this time in our lives, we moms have learned a lot. We run a home, some of us work, and we juggle doctors, dentists, school activities and everything else to keep our lives running. So why is it that mechanics automatically assume we're dumb as rocks when it comes to our cars?
I don't know about you, but when I was 10, my dad bought an old clunker for like, $50, and he dragged me under it through the engine restoration. Don't know what he sold it for, but that was my first (but not last) encounter with a timing belt. When I was 17 and bought my first car, I was smart enough to ask for the repair records and actually read them before I took it to a mechanic the first time. So when he came out with a list of $1,200 in repairs (including a new timing belt and water pump), I could intelligently say, "no, it's had this, this, this and that. But go ahead with this, this and that." That mechanic quickly reassessed the girl in front of him and we had a good working relationship through my second vehicle, as well.
But I took my car to Dr. Transmission on Russell Parkway last week. I had gotten a transmission error code on a diagnostic and my husband bought a new celuanoid. We took it to the shop to have it put in because it was a bigger job than we had time for at home. "Yep," said the mechanic. "And on this transmission we always replace the ETC, too." So we let him do the job.
Of course, when we got the car back and the problem wasn't fixed, his story changed. "Well, I told you you had a problem with the engine misfiring," he drawled. "Y'all knew this job wouldn't fix the drivability problem."
What?!?! Believe me, I had no such conversation. And don't look at me like I just forgot, or misunderstood. I may be a woman, but I'm no girl.
--Misty

Curb her enthusiasm

When I was pregnant, Patience was not a baby name I considered. Now I know there was a good reason for that. This weekend, Faith was borderline obnoxious over a number of things. First, I'd told her she could borrow some of my new lip color for a wedding. She wanted to put it on before breakfast! I told her to wait until she was dressed, so she wanted to put on her dress four hours before the wedding. Finally, I told her not to ask me about it again. Two more times later, I decided to withhold the coveted lipstick to teach her patience. Then, before my husband could fully open his eyes Sunday, she wanted him to open his presents (they weren't even wrapped yet). He told her he'd open them after church. Then came the hints. I made the mistake of telling her I bought Matt a crochet set as one of her presents. She's always wanted a set, she said. Before I could get back from a special breakfast run, there was no need to wrap the present. She had hinted her way to revelation and the secret was out. Then began the never-ending pestering about when we would play. After church it was way too hot, so we decided after supper. By the time we finished eating, time was running out. There was not enough time to measure the course, and Matt wanted to play according to the rules. She struck out again. But there was another thing she could badger us about - dessert. Would Daddy share the Tiramisu? When are we going to have it? She waited somewhat patiently until Daddy was ready after dinner digested a bit, but there was room for more questions. Can I have a piece of the chocolate on the end? Yes. When we ate, she wanted to know if she could finish the rest. "No. The cake is Daddy's. It's his day." When she convinced him to give her a piece of the chocolate off his plate, I had to put my foot down. While her enthusiasm is cute, it can wear on you. She has to learn the world does not revolve around her.
- Liz Fabian

Guest Blogger: Father's Day

Awww, isn't that cute? Or is it?
By J. Randolph Murray rmurray@macontel.com

For some reason, little kids seem to like me. Standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for seating at a restaurant, milling around wherever ... our eyes meet and bingo — mutual goofiness breaks out. I grin at the baby, the baby laughs, waggles little fingers or begins babbling happily. Peek-a-boo games break out spontaneously, to the embarassment of adult companions. I usually don't have to say anything, it's just something in the look, in the smile, I guess. Or maybe we're just on the same mental level. Recently one of my co-workers brought her 15-month-old grandbaby in to show her off. All the ladies in the office clustered around, cooing and ooohing and aahing at the little darling, who accepted the adulation rather aloofly, like the little princess she appeared to be. From across the room I looked over the gaggle of moms and caught the baby's eye. The little darling promptly wriggled out of grandma's arms and toddled her way through the crowd, little arms outstretched, directly into my embrace. And I had never laid eyes on little Nazhia before that moment. True story. I have witnesses. So now, hopefully having established my babyloving credentials, let me impart some unsolicited advice — delivered with love — to parents of the diaper set on this Father's Day weekend: Even people who just loooove your precious little ones do not enjoy hearing them screech, wail, cry and whine in public places. Like in church. (That's why most have nurseries. Consider using them.) Or in movie theaters. (If you can't get a baby-sitter and you're rolling the dice that your little one will sleep silently through "Ocean's Thirteen," just be willing to recognize when you've lost your gamble and fold quietly and quickly.) Especially in restaurants. (The finer the dining, the less tolerance for whining. Of course, for "family restaurant" buffets and any place that purposely misspells the words "country" or "cooking" with a "k" instead of a "c," you and junior are pretty much given a free pass.) No matter where your baby is interacting with the public, I would suggest a two-shrieks-and-you're-out rule. (Take it from an old pro: Once they turn on the siren, it's going to go a while before it winds down. Be kind to others and remove the noisemaker from the premises, please.) After all, it's never too early to begin training your child by example, particularly in employing the Golden Rule. Have a happy and considerate Father's Day.

J. Randolph Murray is the editor of the Houston Peach. He can be reached at 923-3109 extension 300 or by e-mail at rmurray@macontel.com

"Left" out

Now that we've gotten the parenting basics down - potty training, eating, walking, dressing, etc. - I wanted to branch out with more in-depth skills. Faith and I will be working on sewing this summer. We went to the fabric store, chose a pattern, material and trim. The sewing project will begin soon when we have enough time together. I bought her a flower press, which she painted yesterday and will begin choosing flowers this weekend. To fill in the gaps, she presented me with a little crochet kit she received as a gift. The plastic form that is supposed to make it easier was so cumbersome, I gave up and decided it would be easier to teach her with a hook - the way I learned. One BIG problem, Faith is primarily left-handed. I use my right hand. We encountered this dilemma as she was learning to tie her shoes. Thank God her teacher was left-handed. Can anyone help? My right hand doesn't know what her left hand is doing!
- Liz Fabian

Thomas the Tank Engine recall!

Pass the word to your friends - A number of red and yellow Thomas the Tank Engine wooden toys are being recalled for lead paint. You can find details and the full list at www.cpsc.gov
Daniel will be dismayed because we just bought him the #5 James and it's the first one on the list.
--Misty

Really no longer curious about George

Regulars of Middle Georgia Moms know I'm a "Curious George" fan. It's one of the programs I really don't mind watching with Faith. When I first started watching, I told you how much I liked the format of the show. Well, I took Faith to a free summer movie last week that really satisfied my curiosity about George, where he came from and why the man with the yellow hat was always wearing a yellow hat. The television show flashbacks show him as a child in yellow, but in the movie the man starts out in street clothes as a rather nervous museum curator. Slick salesmen talk him into a yellow safari outfit for his trip to Africa (where he finds George). Another TV question I had - What in the world did the man do that afforded him the luxury of a city apartment, a house in the country and a yellow convertible? Plus, in the movie, the yellow man has a girlfriend. Can you believe it? The television program led me to believe he had way too much decorating sense to be heterosexual. Unless the wealthy museum owner left him a fortune, I still don't see where the money's coming from. Time to go to the H.A. Rey book to be sure. Sounds like a summer reading project and some good, clean monkey business.
-Liz Fabian

Guest blogger

As an expectant mom and mother of a seven-year-old, I have been asked by my mother about all sorts of labor and delivery questions, like I must be an expert. A co-worker of my mother's just had her first child this past weekend. My mom called me every day last week to update me on her condition and to ask me questions. "She's having pains but the doctors say she's not in labor. What does that mean?" "She went in and she's dilated 2 cm and she's 50 percent thinned out. When is she going into labor?" I told her to call my sister-in-law, since she just had a baby two months ago.
Although I am expecting, it by no means makes me an expert on matters of babies, labor, morning sickness nor anything else. I can't predict any better than doctors when I will go into labor, how many hours I'll be in labor and when I call for the epidural. This is all up to baby and how long he decides to be in the womb. Unless I end up going past my due date, which is October 9, which I highly doubt, and the doctors induce me, then I won't have any idea until my little son decides its time, when this miraculous event happens.
I guess it's the way of women to want to know when its all going to happen. My mom happens to work in a daycare filled with many female teachers and many moms coming to pick up their kids. The curiosity is inevitable. I'm sure as soon as I sent her the first ultrasound pictures she was hanging them on the bulletin boards and showing them all around. But grandmas can't be beat for helping! She's already stocking the nursery up with diapers and clothes.
So as much as she drives me nuts about my pregnancy, I know she is just as curious as I am what is going on with my body and can't wait for the birth of her third grandchild.

--Angela

Looking for a swim class?

Advice from ParentCenter.com:

In addition to boosting your child's self-confidence and providing a great form of fun and exercise, learning to swim is a vital survival skill. A good program teaches much more than how to get across the pool — it teaches your child how to be safe in and around water, whether it's at a pool, lake, beach, or water park. That's why it's so important to do a little research before enrolling in a swim program. It's important to understand, too, that kids don't learn to swim in just a few lessons — it takes lots of time and plenty of practice.
If your child hasn't been around water much or is extremely fearful of water, it's a good idea to sign up for a parent-and-child swim class first, or at least take a few recreational dips together in the shallow end of your local pool.

Ia good idea to observe a class before signing up (any reputable swim center will welcome you to do this). If you can't sit in on the class, at least speak to the program supervisor, asking her to describe the focus of the program and the class activities. Some things you'll want to know:

• Class level placement: Find out how children are placed in the various class levels (there should be a "skill set" associated with advancement into each new level) and exactly what will be expected of your child in the level you're planning to enroll him in. Children should be grouped with others in their age range and skill level.

• Class size: If your child has special needs, has trouble learning in groups, or is especially anxious around water, think about signing him up for private (one on one) or semiprivate (one on two or three) lessons. In general, though, it's a good idea to have your child at least try group lessons. Not only are private lessons expensive, but your child will miss out on the valuable social skills (working with others, taking turns) that group classes provide.

• Staffing: In a group class, there should be at least one instructor for every six preschool-aged children or eight grade-school-aged children, or one for every ten parent-child sets. There should also be a lifeguard on duty at all times.

• Teacher credentials: Ask how the instructors were trained and what certifications they hold. The YMCA, for instance, requires that instructors have a current YMCA lifeguard or YMCA aquatic safety assistant certification as well as a specialized YMCA instructor certification for the age group they're teaching. Other programs may require that teachers be American Red Cross-certified water safety instructors.

• Class organization: Kids learn best when they know what to expect, so each class should have a consistent schedule that strikes a balance between skill time and play time. The class should follow a logical progression of swimming skills (for example, children should master breath-holding before they're asked to dunk their heads underwater).

• Instruction style: The teacher should clearly demonstrate what she's asking the kids to do and explain why she's doing it that way. She needs to know what children are capable of at various ages but allow each child to master new skills at his own rate. If the kids seem unhappy, frustrated, or unable to do what they're being asked to, that's a huge red flag.

• Downtime vs. swim time: Notice how much time each child has to wait for a turn with the instructor. Even in group classes, there should be more "doing" than waiting. While the teacher is spending individual instruction time with one child, the others should be busily (and safely) practicing the skills they've just learned.

• Behavior management: Take note of how well behavior is maintained — the kids shouldn't be splashing or dunking each other or running around the pool.

Once you've found a good class that you think your child will enjoy, you may be taken aback to find him crying and clinging to you when it comes time to hop in the pool. Understand that tears and anxiety are pretty common at the beginning of swim lessons. What's important is how quickly your child gets over it — or doesn't. (Another child may have told him that there are snakes in the water as a joke, for instance, or he may be terrified of getting water in his eyes — a common fear that a pair of swim goggles will quickly remedy.) If your child's fear hasn't abated or if he hasn't acclimated to the water after a few sessions in the pool, consider private lessons or a low-pressure parent-and-child water-play class instead.

--Misty

just tall enough

Daniel had a big fifth birthday. We spent a week at Grandma's in Virginia, dropping in a local parks, a pirate ship, and spending the big day itself at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I waited to take him to the theme park until he was tall enough to ride most of the big rides. Of course, the big coasters are out of the question, but I had a good time riding those. And there was plenty for Daniel to do.
"I like the teacups the best," he decided at the end of the day, after turns on the Katapult, balloons, flying machine, Land of the Dragons, and bumper cars. And he slept great that night.
--Misty

Bat girl rides again

With a hot pink "Hello Kitty" cap on her head and new Nikes on her feet, my daughter made tracks through the glistening dew on the lush green grass of Luther Williams Field. Across dirt once trod upon by Pete Rose and the Brave brothers Jones, Faith Fabian got her first lesson in baseball. "Mommy, my hat's broken, she said trying to hand over the hat with a new pink mitt on her hand. An adjustment later and she was up against the fence over which balls sail on those humid summer nights. They've likely taken out a few mosquitoes on the way. Her new baseball has fuchsia stitching. She likes that in a baseball. I watched as the coach trained them to yell "Yee ahh," while stretching out their arms in a giant "T" as they went to catch fly balls. Through the Gaudet All-Star Baseball Camp, she learned to squat behind home plate and rise to throw the balls back to the pitcher, just as Jim Gaudet did in stadiums across the nation. In the infield, she tried to scoop up grounders and direct them toward the baseman. And with a swing of her pony tail, her bat whipped around straight and level. "How did it go?" we asked her later. "I like to bat," she said. "That's what I want to do." When my husband explained how the game works, that each team takes a turn at bat, she said, "Oh, I don't want to do that." Maybe we should try golf.
Liz Fabian

at grandma's

Daniel is having big fun at grandma's this week. Vacations are great - take a week out and just do whatever you want. Yesterday, it was all shopping and playing, today we've been to a great park up here in Virginia. Imagine Commercial Circle, filled with playground equipment and landscaped by the Master Gardeners. Awesome.
--Misty

My friend, "flickers"

School has been out for a week and I bet parents are already looking for inventive ways to entertain their children. I just found a news release on the fax machine about Regal Cinema's Free Family Film Festival. Beginning June 5th, the theater on Tom Hill Sr. Blvd. in north Macon will be showing family films each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. The line-up for the first week includes "Curious George" and "Ice Age 2." Each day one "G" rated film is paired with a "PG" film which gives older children another option. While some of the flicks have been around a while, there are some newer films such as "Charlotte's Web" and "Over the Hedge." Kids meals are available, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. My experience in recent years is that the daycare centers have discovered the festival, too, so it's a good idea to arrive earlier than later. But this year, the films are offered for three days a week instead of two last year so there should be more room. Too bad for me that I'm working mornings this year, or I'd be there! Maybe I can arrange some play dates at the movies for Faith. I'll see if I can talk Daddy into taking her to "Curious George" tomorrow.
- Liz Fabian

summer hot spots

I always pick up the Georgia Family magazine at the gym. Usually, there are pretty good articles and I can make my way through an issue in two sessions on the bike. But June's issue left me wanting.
"Georgia Getaways" the headline read. "Delightful Day trips." Oh, goody. Chris and I had been thinking about taking Daniel to the beach, maybe for an overnight trip so we could spend time together NOT in a car. But the magazine offered only Cumberland Island resort in its list. And I don't know about you, but Cumberland Island is NOT in my price range.
So I Googled Tybee Island camping. This is more like what we are talking about. $30 to $45 a night for a campsite, pool and shower facilities, three blocks from the beach and a little store for those "oops, I should have brought..." moments. So we'll be off to River's End campground one weekend soon, and remember, you heard about it here, not in a magazine!
--Misty

C.S.I. - This stinks to high heaven

In an incident reminiscent of last year's "C.S.I.-Faith's room," we had another mystery in our house. Faith has become the prime suspect once the cat was cleared in the case. Although she professes her innocence, we have our suspicions. In recent days a stench filled our utility room, which is a converted carport that our adult cat now uses as his dining room, bedroom and bathroom. It houses his litter box, bed and food bowls. It's his refuge from intermittent aggression from canine visitors. First, my husband thought the cat started marking his territory now that we have a new kitten. I didn't put much stock in that theory because the smell was more like rotting flesh. Because the litter pan was clean, my thought was that some little creature had died or succumbed to feline torture. Recently Moo Moo the cat deposited half a lizard at the back door. I just figured the tail end was decomposing somewhere inside. As the stench began to rival anything I'd smelled at crime scenes where a body was discovered days or weeks after death, I started poking around under the shelves. Nothing. Alas, as Faith and I were getting ready for bed last night, my husband was headed for our bedroom. "Do you want to see what was causing the stink," he asked as I saw him approaching with something in his hand. "Don't bring something dead in here," I nervously told him. In he walked holding a cat food can. It was a pop-top that was popped but the ring was broken off. A crack in the seal allowed the meaty morsels to become maggot food. None of us, including Faith, remembers leaving a partially opened can of food in the utility room. The scary thing is that we haven't bought that kind of food in months. EEWWW. The smell is gone, but the mystery continues.

a difference of two years

My mother is a full-time babysitter for a three-month-old, a job she delights in. She didn't have the baby over the holiday weekend, and yesterday when I spoke to her she was amazed at the changes over just those three days. "She's getting her own personality," mom said.
I remember those days. I'd get up with Daniel after working overnight and think "When did he start doing THAT?"
Now, at five, I think of my boy as very grown up and chinging more slowly. He's always been an independent little thing, and is proud that he brushes his teeth and takes care of all personal hygine matters by himself. I've even let him start helping me clean his bathroom - "here's a clorox wipe, you wash the sink, I'll get everything else." And he's very proud to do so.
But this weekend we were at a party where he played with a young man just two years older, and I was amazed at the difference. Nicholas was able to ride a scooter (fast!), ride a horse on his own, and dive to the bottom of the shallow end of the pool, all things Daniel was too afraid or lacked the coordination to do. So I realize, as far as we have come, we've far to go, my little man and I.
--Misty

Crossing the bridge

Faith bopped happily across the little bridge at Wesleyan College. Her recent "bridging ceremony" celebrated going from Daisy Scouts to Brownies. The white painted planks symbolized the steps she's taken in learning important tenets such as courage and helping others. Just days later, she wrapped up her kindergarten year and became a "mommy"to a little kitten. Everything is moving so fast that it's nice to take time to pause and contemplate the changes in her life. "I can't believe you're a first grader," I told her over the weekend. "I'm not. I'm in kindergarten until next year," she replied. I bet she'll feel differently at the end of her junior year. She'll be claiming senior status immediately, I'm sure. It won't be long now. When I look at her, she seems so tall, so grown up, so mature. Yet, there is so much more to learn. Do I still have enough time to train her to be tidy? Can I find a happy medium between her eagerness to do things by herself and her ignorance about the dangers she faces? Will I be able to steer her clear of life's pitfalls? Just last night, she broke a crystal butter dish and walked her bare feet right through the shards of glass. Thank God there was only a little cut on her foot. She was on her way to feed the kitten and had one of those pop-top cans. I was telling her to wait for me when she accidentally knocked the dish off the counter. Daddy bandaged her up and she was off to bed. When I went to kiss her goodnight, I remembered we needed to feed the kitten. Too late. Faith had already done it herself, not realizing she was wielding a razor sharp lid just minutes after blood was dripping from the cut in her foot. Life lessons are hard, and I realize I won't always be able to protect her. I just pray we keep the bloodshed to a minimum.
- Liz Fabian

Holy book fair, batman!

Go get your calendar. No, really, I'll wait.....
Got it? Day runner, calendar, chalk on fridge, I don't care how you mark the date, but June 8 and 9, that's a Friday and Saturday, Scholastic will be holding a book fair at the Ga National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry.
Scholastic, the kings of reasonably priced kids and pre-teen books.
At the Ag Center.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
It's gonna be huge moms! I'm so excited I can't stand it. (Does it show?)
--Misty

playdate precautions

I arranged a playdate for Daniel this weekend, but forgot to ask an important question. So it wasn't until we had been at the home for some time that I found out the parents and one of the kids had been sick with a stomach virus. Uh oh.
What questions do you ask before arrnaging a play date? Do you ask about pets? If snacks will be served? Do you bring your own snacks (enough for everybody)? Do you ask if the kids will play indoors or out and if the parents will apply sunscreen and bug guard? Don't be bashful, and as far as I'm concerned there are no dumb or offensive questions. These are your kids, after all!
-Misty

My little chef

Daniel cooked dinner last night. No, really.
I bought a bar stool so he could sit by the stove and watch me cook, but he's pretty inistent about stirring. So last night I showed him how to touch only the pan's handle, brown hamburger and stir in the spices, pasta, liquids and vegetables to make a quick stroganoff. He then proceeded to eat two bowls. "It tastes yummy, mama." It always does when you make it yourself, baby.
--Misty

Where'd my hellion go?

I'm having one of those weeks - you know - "Who are you and what did you do with my child?"
Daniel, as he approaches five, has turned into this sweet, charming young man who says "yes sir" and "no ma'am," who asks before he takes things (like bubble gum or a banana off the counter), who obeys me and the house rules - for the most part - and who is generally self-sufficient in matters of personal hygine.
Now, I still expect battles over picking up "all" the toys and putting them away, and he woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning - cranky and whiny. But then, I have those struggles myself. But I am delighted with this new small person who shares my home - and a little bit proud. "Look what I did!"
-Misty

Summer safety awareness

Today at Turner Field, representatives from GM are getting together with child-safety organizations to put the spotlight on summer safety for kids. Did you know that Georgia is #1 in child deaths from heat exposure? We've had ten children die in nine years from being left in a hot car. And that's inexcusable. So this summer, take the extra minute and a half to unbuckle your kids and bring them in the store with you. I don't care if you're just running in for a gallon of milk. What if there's a line and the register runs out of tape and you've got a trainee cashier and someone needs a price check? Two minutes turns into five turns into ten real quick. Let's have a summer where all our kids (and pets) stay safe and cool away from a hot car.
--Misty

a hard act to follow

It took me a couple of days to get through the "wow" factor of Liz's bunny post. Some things, when you read them, just hit you and stick.
I keep thinking about how many times a week (sometimes a day) I call my mom just to ask a quick question, pick her brain, or tell her about something Daniel has done. And her help right after my surgery in December was a Godsend. I guess even with four states between us, we're close.
I hope I'm cultivating the same kind of relationship with Daniel. We spent the weekend stuck in the house together with the stomach bug that's going around, and for the first time, we didn't have a fight, and he didn't get in trouble, all weekend. We watched movies. drew pictures, read books and he played trains while I scrapbooked. It was a glimpse of what could be - a great relationship between parent and child.
--Misty

Every bunny needs a mommy

The walk through the card aisle hit me right in the throat. This is the first Mother's Day I am not shopping for cards. I wasn't prepared to be so emotional as I was heading for the prescription counter of the drug store. But it was a relief of sorts as card shopping used to be difficult. So often the flowery language didn't fit the relationship I had with my mother, who died last year. Sure, there was plenty of love to go around and sacrifices made in raising my brother and I, but in recent years my mother became more distant. Since I married and started a family, I wasn't visiting her as much as I did in my single days, and she rarely accepted an invitation to come see us. But that doesn't stop the tears from welling in my eyes as the reality hits. Mom is gone. I remember seeing a little bunny rabbit fleeing from a wildfire last year. As smoldering smoke rose through the blackened trees, I wondered where the baby rabbit's mother was. Clearly the little one shouldn't have been on his own in the midst of danger. The little fur ball found a tuft of dry grass and burrowed in for safety. Oblivious to the world around him, the tiny creature didn't protest when I stroked its back. I hated leaving him there, but what would I do with a wild bunny? I hoped his mother would be back to care for him. A year later, I'm thinking maybe he was all right. Perhaps the Mother Bunny taught him survival skills that helped him make it out alive. That's the way I'll approach Sunday. I'll be thankful for all the years I had with my mother and be grateful for all she did for me. But it's still hard to swallow that during the next wildfire in my own life, I'm on my own.
- Liz Fabian

Mother's Day is coming!

Gift ideas from ParentCenter.com:

A "hand"made tablecloth
"My husband bought a large, white tablecloth and had the center embroidered with a Mother's Day greeting and the year. The two of us then painted my daughter's hands and made her handprints next to the date. Each year since, he has the year embroidered along the edge of the tablecloth and we add a new set of handprints next to it. It's been fun to watch the handprints get larger. Last year, we added baby #2!"
— Lara Lei Bailey, mother of Brystan, 4, and Braeden, 1, Santa Ana, California

Berry picking
"We head to our local strawberry farm and spend the afternoon picking luscious, ripe strawberries. Afterward, we go home and find different strawberry recipes (jellies, tarts, pies, and cakes). The strawberries also make a great gift for all the other 'moms' (babysitters, teachers, grandmothers) in our children's lives."
— Jennifer Steed, mother of Danielle, 6, and Daniel, 3, Benedict, Maryland

Love letters
"Each year, I write a letter to my daughters about the things they're interested in, the funny things they do, the things that make me proud, and I tell them that I love them. I place the letters in their baby books. I haven't decided when I'm going to give them these letters — it may be when they start high school, break up with their first boyfriend, get married, or have their own children."
— Janet Roden, mother of Jill, 6 1/2, and Laura, 2, Sharpsburg, Georgia

The gift of giving
"I make a charitable donation to an organization that helps mothers and children."
— Pamela Dickinson, mother of Luke, 21 months, Littleton, Colorado

Picture day
"My husband shoots an entire roll of film of me with my children each Mother's Day. I know I'll always get at least one portrait-quality photo, and I have an exact record of how everyone is growing."
— Heather Schechter, mother of Gabriel, 6 1/2, and Irene, 1, New York, New York

How about it, Middle Georgia moms? What's your favorite Mother's Day present to date? And what do you WISH your family would think to get you?

--Misty

Great gift for both of us

There was such joy in Faith's voice last week as I laid out my jewelry for the next day. "Mommy, that's the necklace I made!" She recognized the bronze-colored glass beads and silver accents that she strung together for my last birthday. My gift consisted of the necklace, matching earrings and bracelet. I wear it with pride, an emotion Faith shares when she sees it on me. Daddy had a stroke of genius last fall and took her to a local bead store to work on Mommy's present. I'm not sure how long it took, or how much it cost, but it was a very thoughtful gift. The ladies at "Bead me Up" were very helpful steering Faith in the right direction, he said. She has made me necklaces before, and although I wore them, the string and plastic beads had a homemade quality that wouldn't grace the covers of fashion magazines. This ensemble was a gift that Faith enjoyed making and I really enjoy wearing. Daddies are you listening? Mother's Day is Sunday.
- Liz Fabian

home again, home again

Daniel didn't want to leave great-grandma's house. Can't say I blame him. After four days of going to bed early and sleeping late, visiting with family and friends I haven't seen in six months, and feeling more relaxed than I have since I was anesthetized for my surgery, getting back into the groove has been a challenge. Maybe I should build in a "lazy day" to come home to!
-Misty

road trippin'

Daniel and I are seasoned car travelers. Five hours is a reasonable trip for us. Twelve is about our limit together, but I've done the seven-day, cross-country jaunt. As we pack for yet another visit to Grandma's house (literally over the river and through the woods to the middle of nowhere), I have been thinking about things I can't live without when it comes to a road trip.
1. map. Duh. I get lost getting out of my neighborhood some mornings. But give me a map and I can get from point A to point B, even if I take a different route every time.
2. Water. also caffeinated beverages. something sweet, something salty. I'm waiting for potato-chip flavored gum, but most often, I'm good with a bag of Gardetto's and some Dentyne Fire.
3. Car tunes. I have been known to make a new CD for every trip. It's interesting how, months later, I pull out that CD and the whole trip comes back. For instance, the theme from "Angel" will always remind me of Daniel's first car trip, at five months old. These days, I'm kind of stuck with the "Little People" CD, but bring on #4.
4. Travel DVD player. Daniel gets a new one for his birthday this year, as we've well and truly worn out the old one. Nothing like a new Thomas DVD to ward off "Are we there yet?" for those last couple of hours.

What's your travel "must?" MAybe I'll add it to my list.

Happily Ever After?

Radio commentator Paul Harvey usually expounds on the "rest of the story," but last night I got a chance to find out what happened after Cinderella married her handsome prince. Thanks to a Disney sequel, Faith and I learned of the challenges the blonde bombshell faced in the castle. She proved to be a formidable foil for the uptight protocol mistress appointed to teach her how to be a princess. While the prince and king are away, Cinderella defies the royal status quo and makes loads of changes in palace rules. I'm glad she didn't marry into Henry the VIII's family! Of course, the king loved chocolate pudding in place of stewed prunes and enjoyed the company of commoners at the royal ball. Although it was a fun little movie, I wasn't expecting so much controversy in her "happily ever after." It was a little like Disney does Princess Di. But the forbidden romance of one of the ugly step-sisters is heart-warming. Cinderella III is now at the video store. Even though I wonder what she's up to next, I can't help but think it might have been better left to the imagination.
- Liz Fabian

sleepover mama

Daniel had his first sleepover Saturday night. He did fine - I shouldn't have worried. But about 6 a.m., I was ready to have him back. It was just strange to not wake up to my little chatterbox. Of course, this weekend we're headed out of town, just the two of us, so by Monday evening I'm sure I'll be ready for that silence again!
--Misty

Carryout Critic: Dinner by Design

I know when you're thinking take-out you're not usually thinking of uncooked food. But give it a chance next time and swing by Dinner by Design on Russell Parkway (next door to SubWay). In the cooler you'll find great tasting, healthy meals in ready-to-cook disposable pans.
Last night I spent an hour and a half making up twelve such meals to fully stock my freezer. Everything I touched was fresh, clean and looked so yummy I can't wait to try it all. And better than that - I prepped all my dinners without someone running a Thomas the Train over my foot and someone else cleaned up after me!
So drop in - I recommend the chicken puttanesca, or the tropical cod. If you're looking for comfort food, try the chicken enchilada casserole or the beef brisket Arizona. And if your family loves it as much as mine does, make a reservation and stock up. Menus change every month!
--Misty

More from the Fairy Tale Ball

I went to the event and took some photos. Adorable!
Click here to see the photos

All dressed up

Daniel went to his first Fairy Tale Ball today. No, he didn't bring the sword.
--Misty

chatterbox

I often joke that Daniel talks so much he falls asleep midsentence - then talks in his sleep! Only, I'm not really kidding.
The child uses more words in an hour than I use in a day. He wakes up talking, chatters to the teddy bear before breakfast, tells me his plans for the day in between bites, discusses his wardrobe and mine (through two doors and a hallway) while we dress, critiques the radio station while we drive, and tells me what he's going to tell his teacher when we arrive at school. I pick him up and there's a nonstop stream of commentary until his dad arrives. Then we start over, with the same stuff I've heard already, until dad begs for the quiet game.
I know by the time he's fifteen I'll be begging for four full sentences a day, but in the meantime, my ears runneth over.
--Misty

bizarre comment spam

Be aware, if you look at the comments on our blog, that anything form "alex" is spam. Usually refers to a bunch of drug names in the posts. It's annoying, but the cost of using a free blog site.
Misty

Carryout Critic: Logan's

I've carried out from both the Logan's in Macon and the one here in WR, and I have to tell you, I almost always prefer it to eating in at this particular restaurant. I mean, is it just me or do they have the worst of all the birthday songs? And for some reason, once one person does it, six more patrons realize, oh, it's my birthday, too!
So, that off my chest, I'm happy to report my steak is always done right, the burgers are still juicy when I get them home, and I've never been disappointed in either the taste or the portions. When I call ahead, the food is ready when I arrive to pick up. I do recommend checking all your boxes to be sure everything is included, but my experiences have been pretty good so far!
-Misty

Kid heaven, parent paradise

Monkey Joe's opened Friday night to a full house. Saturday's grand opening was fabulous. If you've not heard of Monkey Joe's, here's the scoop:
For $7 or thereabouts, the kids get in for unlimited play. Slides, bouncy house, obstacle course, inflatable climbing wall, toddler toys, the works. And the parent zone has comfy chairs, internet access, space to relax. Each parent and child are given matching armbands, so the staff knows who should be leaving with whom.
Here's to hoping the place succeeds!
--Misty

Cops and kids

Parents have a great opportunity Saturday to partner with police to help keep your children safe. Members of the Warner Robins Police Department will be out in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Booth Road from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Officers will be inspecting car safety seats, fingerprinting youngsters for identification purposes and allowing vehicle owners to register in the CAATSCAN program - Citizens Against Auto Theft-Screening Cars at Night.Registration in the program means police will give you a sticker for the car window that signals officers to pull over the vehicle in the overnight hours to make sure it is not stolen. They will also engrave vehicle identification numbers on the windows to discourage car thieves. It could be a good time to foster good relationships with authority figures and help teach youngsters respect for the law.
- Liz

The new one-eyed monster

We've created a one-eyed monster. Although our intention to buy Faith a digital camera fizzled at Christmas, she's been bitten by the photography bug. She has always wanted to take pictures on Daddy's phone, so we thought it would be a good idea to get her an inexpensive digital camera for Christmas. Well, the Disney camera we saw advertised at the end of last year vanished from the shelves. We still haven't found a reasonably priced replacement. Two attempts to purchase cheaper cameras resulted in the discovery that there was no way to view the photographs, so we took them back. Faith is still waiting. A friend lent her a camera for our spring break excursion to Colorado. Before we left, Faith wanted us to pose several times and I feared we were venturing into our own private paparazzi problem. It turns out Faith took very few pictures on our trip. I do want to encourage her creativity and she has a good eye for framing. While we're hunting for a suitable camera for her, I suppose we'll keep finding those surprise snapshots of her baby dolls on our phones.
- Liz Fabian

Tabula Rasa

It means "blank slate" and I've decided it's why I love babies. New baby, new life, no bad habits, no mistakes, just pure potential.
A friend just had a baby boy, and I couldn't wait to hold him. And I couldn't figure out why. After all, given the choice I am adopting an older child. But the more I watched him, the more I thought about this little life with nothing on his slate but love. He could do anything, become anything. He hasn't got any marks "against him" yet. How cool is that?
Almost as cool as the look on his dad's face every time he holds his new son.
-Misty

Out of my baby's mouth

Daniel said to me: "Momma, you make my feelings feel better."
awww.
-Misty

I was on another blog this morning and the writer was reminiscing about her childhood - playing outside, unsupervised, for hours. I was thinking, she must be a lot older than me. Because even though we lived on a military base, my parents made me check in with them every hour. And I don't mean a phone call from the nearest pay phone or friend's house. I had to physically show back up in front of my mother. And boy, as a kid, did I hate it!
But now I think about that hour rule. It kept me out of a lot of trouble, and while I don't know that my mom was particularly worried about abduction, it was a good rule of thumb. Daniel isn't even allowed to play in the front yard unless I'm outside. He can play out back all he wants, because the whole back side of the house is windows. (no kidding)All I have to do to see what he's up to is look out the nearest window.
At this point, I'm more worried about what he's likely to be doing than that someone might try to take him (after all, his first attempt at running away was when he was three) I think this is a good policy to put in place now. Is my paranoia unwarranted? Read the headlines. I don't think so.
--Misty

adding to the family

A co-worker and I are both beginning the process to adopt children into our families. While she is seeking an international adoption to match her ethnicity, Daniel, Chris and I are going through DFCS. Both of us are up to our ears in paperwork, but her process will take about a year longer and cost a lot more. Both of our hearts break with the stories of our potential adoptive children, and both of us just can't wait to welcome a new person into our hearts.
--Misty

Big Kids

Daniel came home from day care with a tummyache yesterday. Many have been the mornings when he claims a stomach ache to try to get out of going TO school, but this time, I really thought he was sick. So we went home, had some popsicles, cuddled up on the couch and got to the heart of the matter.
Because it's spring break, the classes have been combined, and Daniel was in with a group of older students. He's tall, so there wasn't a big size difference, but apparently the older kids picked on him pretty good. "They said they were going to smack me," he whispered on my lap. "They called me names."
Oh, baby. I didn't expect to have to deal with a bullying situation so soon. While this is minor, it does bode of things to come and that concerns me.
So this morning I asked his teacher to keep him in with the younger kids, which might mean some other mom is going to have an upset baby when she arrives at the school this afternoon. I recommend a popsicle, a cudlle, and a phone call to Grandma. 'Cause if a big dose of Grandma love can't fix it, nothing can. And we'll take turns preparing our babies to deal with the big kids.
--Misty

Protecting against perverts

After learning more gruesome details of the sexual assault of a coastal Georgia 6-year-old boy who was recently strangled, packed in garbage bags and dumped in the woods, I have some important information to share. Last week, Faith's principal held a seminar designed to protect children from sexual preditors. Unfortunately, a child is more likely to be abused by someone she knows than a stranger on the streets. Abusers are great manipulators who worm their way into your family or community and wait for their opportunity. Look out for adults who always want to be alone with kids. They go overboard on touching and begin by stroking children or hugging them a little too long. It can begin as tickling or wrestling and eventually progress. One of the ways they get a hold on children is to allow them to do things that are forbidden by their parents. By sharing a "little secret" about drugs, alcohol or pornography, the preditor can move to the bigger secret of abuse. The abuser works the victim over to gain trust. Physical force is normally not necessary as the relationship builds over time. It is important for parents to know the adults they trust with their children and prepare kids for the dangers they could face. Tell your child that no one except parents or doctors can touch them where their bathing suit covers. If grabbed in a public place, a child should fling an arm up and loudly say, "No, you're not my mother," or "You're not my father." That should get the attention of passersby that this is not a normal tantrum. Predators often prey on weaker children, so it's important to teach your child self-confidence and help them learn to be assertive when confronted. Experts also suggest teaching youngsters the proper names for body parts. That way, when reporting abuse, adults will take the children more seriously. It's extremely rare for children to lie about abuse they suffer, but credibility is still an issue at times. Listen to your children and talk with them. If you notice unexplained changes such as moodiness or depression, or a drop in grades or lack of interest in personal hygiene, it's time to have a conversation. When you notice over-friendly behavior from an adult toward a child, confront them. At best, you could be stopping an abuser and at worst, you are alerting a non-abuser that his behavior can be misinterpretted.
- Liz Fabian

A Bitty Battle of the Bulge

Plain as day, there it was. A little pooch on my daughter's belly. From before she was born, I've tried all I knew to keep her from having the weight problem I've had since I was a few years older than she is now. I had been noticing that she was "filling out," but I wasn't prepared for the stomach that poked out as she tried on a new clingy-style dress. I'm trying hard not to overreact. But I often wonder what life would have been like if I hadn't been a "fat kid." My husband is tall and lean and has been most of his life. I had been drawing comfort on the fact that Faith was likely built like him and would be tall and thin, like a super model. Our mission now is to make sure she gets more exercise. We'll also reel in some of those bad habits, such as devouring a half-dozen Oreo's at a friend's house. And while we're at it, I need to teach her not to wipe her gritty Oreo hands all over her dress. This weight challenge is one of those parenting tightropes. Too much control and it could backfire, not enough and she could become a "fat kid." One decision I've already made is to go easy on the Easter candy. I've been picking up little toys and soaps and such for her basket instead of the aisle full of treats that awaits at any drugstore or supermarket. Pool season is almost here. We'll just have to lap up all the fun we can.
- Liz

Houston County High plant sale

Picked nearly clean by the time we got there an hour into the sale Monday! There are a number of beautiful Boston ferns left, but the tomatoes and flowering plants are going, going gone! Below, the kids responsible - and Daniel checks out the koi pond outside the greenhouse.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I was reminded of this as Daniel and I built a raised flower bed this weekend and put in daisies...

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
(Written by a former child)

A message every adult should read, because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted
to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking , I saw you make my
favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be
the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always
talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take
care of our house and everyone in it and I learned
we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come
from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you
and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw
when you thought I wasn't looking."

Just dandy-lions

It's hard to explain to your child what you never understood in the first place. I remember bringing in little bouquets of dandelions to give to my mother. She always told me that they were weeds. I watched as Faith snatched up a sunny dial of feathery petals from the backyard. "Funny," I told her. "I don't know who decided these were weeds and the rest were flowers." I suppose it's all in how you look at it. Or perhaps it is some particular horticultural distinction that escapes me. When Faith presented me with my dandelion delight, I thanked her and added it to the "flowers" I had clipped myself. It still looks like a flower to me.

- Liz

Toy Recalls

Toys "R" Us is recalling about 128,700 of its "Elite Operations" Toy Sets in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The toy sets contain high levels of lead in the paint, which is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Also, the toys have sharp points, which pose a laceration hazard.

This recall affects three styles of "Elite Operations" toy sets. The military-style play sets contain light and sound vehicles, action figures, and accessories. Models included in this recall are: Super Rigs Transport Vehicle (Item # 087286), Command Patrol Center (Item # 920625) and Troop Carrier (Item # 773967). The item numbers are located on the back of the packaging above the barcode. Toy sets sold prior to January 2006 are not included in this recall. No other "Elite Operations" brand toys are affected by this recall.

For more recalls - which I try to keep on top of - bookmark this site: www.cpsc.gov

--Misty

WRALL pix

With much-appreciated help from the Macon.com webmasters, I've posted some photos I took at the WRALL opener Saturday morning. The calendar still read "Winter," but the boys and girls of Summer were ready to Play Ball!
--Misty

Middle Georgia Moms: WRALL pix

click here to view the photo gallery.

Sayonara Mister Snowman

The snowman's smiling face is headed for the drawer. The "Welcome Winter" sign is changing to "Welcome Spring." Faith really wanted to see snow this year. She's been talking about making a snowman all season. Perhaps next year. As for Mom, here, I can't believe it's time to change out clothes again. I'm cutting this short as I have sweaters to put away. Can my legs really be this white?
Liz

At the Cherry Blossom festival

an unpopular position

I've been trying to post for several days, but every computer I touch seems to turn on me!
Anyway, I'm coming out this morning in favor of red-light cameras. I know this is a topic that has been much-discussed recently, and that I'm taking an unpopular position. But as I sat at the intersection of Watson and Houston Road this morning, I watched three cars breeze through the intersection after the light changed. Then I watched one run the red light on Houston. Finally, as my turn light changed and I started through my left-hand turn. And promptly slammed on the brakes as a gray and red older-model truck blew through the intersection, missing me by inches. As far as I can tell, the driver never touched his brakes. And I know he was going faster than the posted 35 miles an hour. The passenger had the nerve to flip me the bird. I'm soooo glad Daniel wasn't in the car!
--Misty

Haunted by the headlines

Most days the bad news outweighs the good news in my job. That's the life of a journalist. Occasionally, there comes a story that chills my bones. I still can't think of Jessica Lunsford without feeling an uncomfortable tingling in my spine. My mind sees her smiling face painted up like a cat in a photograph aired on cable television news in the days after her disappearance in Florida. Then there's the image of her fingers poking through a plastic bag where she was buried alive underground. Her other hand clutched her stuffed dolphin as she drew her last breath. Don't even take me near thoughts of what horrors she faced at the hands of a sex offender keeping her prisoner. Her killer has received the death penalty, but unfortunately it won't end the abuse suffered at the hands of so many innocent children all over the country.
-Liz

Hijacked by the beanstalk

Renting movies has become a weekly event at our house. When we return last week's, we pick up new rentals. Faith's latest find was "Jack and the Beanstalk." When she brought me the case, I was thrilled to see so many names I recognized - Matthew Modine, Vanessa Redgrave, Daryl Hannah, Jon Voight, Richard Attenborough. "Great find," I thought. It was a movie for the whole family. Wrong. This is no fairy tale. (It actually said that on the cover, but the Blockbuster sticker covered that line." I had no idea the film produced by Hallmark and Jim Henson's Creature Shop would be so adult. I suppose I should have wondered when it wasn't rated. Granted, there didn't seem to be bad language or any sexual innuendoes or overtones, but it was a very grown-up movie. Faith handled it superbly and we did enjoy it, but I would definitely not recommend the movie for young children. For kiddies, it lays an egg and I'm not talking about the golden variety.
- Liz Fabian

A golden girl, for sure

The ad campaigns certainly made it look like raisins were a good candy substitute for kids. Tiny red boxes with the brunette lady enshrined in yellow seemed like the perfect take along snack. But often by the time you got to those remaining boxes,the tiny orbs of sweetness were crusty and almost as hard as pebbles. At least that's what I seem to find in the back of my cabinets. Well, now I am sold on golden raisins. How can anyone resist their carmelly goodness in baked goods? If you can't tell, I just made a batch of muffins and opened a new box that was perfectly fresh. Of course I haven't seen the golden raisins packaged as snack size, but they are great. I also particularly enjoyed some Welch's dried fruit snacks I bought for Faith as a substitute for fruit-flavored gummies. Alas, the dried fruit still has added sugar, but I guess we're moving in the right direction.
- Liz

school's out again?!?

Houston County kids have Monday off from school. And Spring Break is the first week in April - just two weeks away! So once again we are faced with the age-old question of what to do with the kiddies when those long days stretch before us. Here are some ideas:
YMCA camp - the Houston County Y is having a remodeling special on their spring break camp. This is an organization I really support, and pretty much trust as far as nonprofits go. Plus, the kids burn a lot of energy during their time there.
Macon Children's Museum - There's enough to do at this indoor playground to keep the kids busy for several hours. And at $5 for a family, it won't break the bank the way spending a rainy day at the movies will.
Michaels - Take in a Saturday craft class, then get enough supplies to spend a day making the craft at home. One for grandma, one for aunt Kim, one for my teacher, one for the neighbor lady who occasionally baby-sits... P.S. - Don't miss the ice-cream making class at the cafe downstairs.
Disposable cameras and a photo album - It's spring - so send the kids out into the yard or take them to the neighborhood park and let them find new things to practice their photography skills on. Budding flowers, new shoots on the trees, that squirrel that's been teasing the dog all winter... Then get Wal-Mart's one-hour developing for $6 and either an inexpensive scrap book or make one out of construction paper and string to tape the pictures in. It's not supposed to last any longer than it takes the teacher to ask, "so what did you do on your vacation?"
--Misty