Breakfast table vandalism

Just some pretty spring pictures

An Important Message

I need to share this story, because it is a scary story. Buzz has recently been allowed to explore the neighborhood on his bike a little more--just a few streets where we knew people as "safe houses" in case of an emergency. We also set a time limit that he must be back at the house by, so that if he misses that curfew, I come looking for him. On the ride home from the park yesterday, Buzz relates to me a story that scared me. A few days before on one of his bike rides, a van pulled along side Buzz, and he reported that an older man asked him if he knew "Ben" and that he (Buzz) looked like "Ben." He also told him where this person lived. Buzz then said he drove away. We went ballistic--asking him questions about the person and the car, and told him under no circumstances should he speak to anyone he doesn't know on his bike rides. Of course we have pulled back his bike riding territory again, but we are trying to play it safe. We've also gone in depth with action plans and emergency plans with all the kids, explaining what to do. Now this person may have been the nicest, safest person in town, but nonetheless we had to take serious precautions. It makes me mad and sad that this has to be the case--I was allowed to bike all over the place, but never feared for my safety. This is not the case today. Keep your kids safe!

Update, Gravois Creek Chronicles

We have checked all suspect areas, and Buzz does not have the lunch money. It appears there was a mix-up somewhere between the student teacher (who is gone now) and the regular teacher, and the $10 got lost between the two of them. I did cave and pay the $.75, but no more for now. I think of this as my silent protest over the poorly written flyers from school.

What a beautiful day today! It was so nice to be out, getting my vitamin D for the day. The kids played and played and played. With the exception of the dog eating chocolate chip cookies, it was a good day.

2nd notice

Yet another "red slip" from the school, saying I owe them $.75....still no sign of my $10. Who's going to give in first?

No baby bikes here!

Beav is officially on two wheels! What a big day! I was shooting baskets in the cul-de-sac when I see Bear and Beav conspiring near the gate. Bear says "I'll teach you," in a gentle manner. "Teach him what?" I yell. He explains that he's about to teach his little brother how to ride a two-wheeler. "Oh no, you're not!" I toss the ball and go running up the driveway. I get up there and talk to him about going slow, using the brakes and keeping his balance while keeping his eyes on the road. "I can do it, Mom," he says to me, almost in a flustered voice. He takes off down the driveway, with me running along side, hand on his neck. "Let go Mom!" he yells. I let go--and off he goes, as if he always knew how to do it. He made about 10 laps altogether, before I made him get off for awhile so "Mom's blood pressure can go back down."

A few observations--found among the photos

The box of pictures was out today, so of course I lost about 30 minutes going through some photos. I have noticed a couple of things:
1) Buzz has a lot of photos where he has different things on his head. Large hats, pants, a book...
2) Why didn't anyone tell me my hair looked that bad?
3) My kids seemed to hang around a lot in their underwear from age 2 to age 3.
4) Bill had very large glasses when we were dating.
5) I lost a lot of "chestiness" after nursing the 3rd baby, as evidenced by the camping trip pictures of me in my swimming suit. I already knew this, but now I have proof in the form of photography.

***$10 still not found yet.......