Enabling

I've decided that I'm an enabler. I enable my kids to be less organized and less responsible than they should be and could be. I guess all moms do this to a certain extent because the idea of watching them fall on their face is difficult. And, let's face it, a major reflection on us.

Here are two examples, both from this morning.

At 6:30 this morning Brooke came into my room and told me that the 3rd payment for her Disney trip is due today. Seriously? She couldn't have mentioned this yesterday? Nope. So, instead of having her tell the band director that she forgot it and would bring it on Monday, I got out of bed and filled out the payment coupon and off she went.

Fast forward 35 minutes, Kevin has left for the bus and the phone rings. Surprise! It's Kevin. He left the school's flip video camera on the railing. Can I bring it to him at the bus stop! OK. Now I am in my bathrobe and slippers and it is snowing out. So, what do I do? I grab my jacket and keys and drive around the corner, in the snow, in my bathrobe and slippers to give him the camera. No motivation whatsoever for him to not make the same mistake again.

Or is there?

I'm thinking that there will be a list of chores for both of my forgetful friends when they get home from school. There has got to be a price to pay for them... and a reward for me.

Eeeewwwww!!!

Here is the text of the global connect phone call we got from the high school this afternoon:

Good Evening:
This is Dr. Michael Wanko, principal of Piscataway High School.

This week, we discovered a bedbug in the girls locker room of the West Patton Wing. We quickly closed the locker room and checked the entire area. There is one row of lockers in the girls locker room that is affected. A specially trained dog inspected all nearby facilities and there are no bugs in the offices or boys locker room.
Over the winter break, we will be deep cleaning the entire locker room facility. Tomorrow students who use the affected locker room area will be given a plastic bag to bring home their belongings. It is imperative that all items be brought home sealed, that they be washed in hot water, and dried on the highest heat setting possible. Students will receive these instructions in writing.
Students not using the affected locker room will bring their belongings home for laundering as they usually do over the winter break.
We appreciate your assistance in maintaining the high level of sanitation we are accustomed to in the Piscataway School District. If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Office at x 2259 or the school nurse.
Thank you and have a good evening.

Have a good evening? Seriously?

Oh, and in case there was any doubt...there are 2 girls locker rooms at PHS. And Brooke uses...you guessed it... the one in the West Patton Wing.

I think we can go ahead and spend his college money

Well, I think we can go ahead and spend Daniel's college money.

He asked me today to guess what he wants to be when he grows up. After failing with the old standbys -- policeman, fireman, football player, doctor (yeah, right!) -- I told him I give up. He announced that he wants to be an invisible ninja!

I'm thinking that does not require a college degree. Maybe Eric and I can use the extra money for a bigger retirement home because I'm thinking it will be the three of us. How much money could an invisible ninja make? And what are the chances that any self-respecting woman is going to marry a guy who aspires to be an invisible ninja? Nope. The future does not look bright.

Seriously?

Here's how the conversation went.

Mark: Mom, I have two questions.

Me: (in a pleasant and not irritated tone -- I promise!) What?

Mark: Never mind. I heard anger in your voice.

I guess next time I need to reply with "Yes, dear?"

Jeez. Everyone is so sensitive around here!

Maybe DWTS isn't a family TV show

Daniel and Brooke were watching Dancing with the Stars last week and Cheryl and Rick were dancing and after the dance, Daniel said to Brooke "She needs to put some more clothes on. I can see her boob crack!" Sure do hope he doesn't repeat that in his Kindergarten class!

Early onset alzheimers?

Is it possible for a 6 year old to have Alzheimers? I kind of doubt it. But, assuming I'm correct, then it is entirely possible that Daniel is otherwise mentally impaired. :)

First, his teacher told me last week that he forgets his lunch every day. I told her I was sure he was bringing his lunch...I carry it myself and hand it to him at the door. She replied, "No, he forgets to bring it to lunch!". Are you kidding me! The teacher announces that it is time to go to lunch and he gets on line WITHOUT HIS LUNCH?!?

So, we have come up with a strategy. I am now packing his snack in his lunchbox. So, after snack he puts his lunchbox right into the lunch cart. Seems fool proof. We'll see.

And then, I listen to the following exchange between Daniel and Eric:

Eric: Daniel, would you like to go to the football game?

Long pause...engrossed in Wii: Lego Star Wars

Daniel: What did you say?

Eric: I asked if you want to go to the football game.

Daniel: Did I say yes?

Yup. He might have early onset alzheimers. Or be mentally impaired.