No Common Sense in Colorado either...

Ok - this is just a follow-up to my Common Sense blog/rant the other day. These are headlines from Fox News today:

• Florida Man Gets 1 Month in Jail for Posting Nude Photo of Underage Ex-Girlfriend on MySpace
• Cops: Austrian Teen Killed, Ate Roommate in Homeless Shelter
• Woman Gives Birth in McDonald's Restroom, Tries to Flush Baby Down Toilet
• Rabies Survivor Viewed as 'Medical Marvel'
• Shrimp Boat Cook Gives Birth 30 Miles Off Shore; Captain Delivers Baby
• Cops ID Boy Abandoned by Fleeing Shoplifter at Oklahoma City Wal-Mart
• Oklahoma Cops Try to ID Boy Abandoned at Wal-Mart by Fleeing Shoplifter
• Colorado Springs School Bans Tag on Playground, Citing Conflicts
• Hillary Clinton Campaign Donates Fugitive Contributor's Money to Charity
• Report: 6 Face Firing in Michigan Police Sex Scandal
• Florida Mom Charged in Bathtub Drowning Death of 9-Month-Old Son
• Champion Bulldog at Center of Pennsylvania Neuter Case
• Owen Wilson Drops Out of Movie Amid Report That He Was Hooked on Drugs
• Witness: Hulk Hogan's Son Nick Was Racing Another Car Before Crash

Basically several schools in Colorado have "outlawed" tag because children were being chased without their consent. Yes, that's really what happened - I couldn't make up anything this stupid. A simple - "Knock it off!" couldn't possibly do! Anyway, I was just struck with how pathetic you must be when all this other crap is going on in the world and your child being chased in a game of tag is a big issue for you. I thought the headlines were a perfect illustration of the utter stupidity of this whole movement! By the way, they did acknowledge that a few parents have objected - all I can say is - WAY TO GO!!!!!!!! Keep on standing up for common sense in a world with very little!

Pictures to make Shane cry and Tiffanie proud

I almost had forgotten about these pictures that were taken at the Iowa State Fair. Morgan isn't here because he said "I'm a Hawkeye Fan and there's no way I'm taking a picture with Cy!" I tried to use my reverse psychology on him but it failed miserably. :( Kelvey wasn't excited about taking a pic with Cy either but after I told her it would drive her dad crazy - she was all for it. Tweens, ya' gotta love 'em.

Oh Common Sense, Wherefore art thou????

OK - so I was perusing a local school's website the other day when I ran across this playground rule that made my head want to explode: "There will be NO chasing or tag games on the equipment, on the field, or on the blacktop. NO PHYSICAL CONTACT OF ANY KIND IS ALLOWED ON THE PLAYGROUND." The emphasis is not mine - this is exactly what it says.

SAY WHAT?????? There are few things that make me angrier than this whole move to strip children of their childhood one little piece at a time under the guise of safety or educational issues. Don't even get me started on my major pet-peeve - "all-day kindergarten" but this is right up there. There are even schools out there that have had the gall to cancel recess all together. What is wrong with allowing kids to be kids - do we really have to turn them into miniature adults as early as age 5?

I get so much joy watching my kids, for example, at homeschool tumbling, running around, and even (gasp) chasing and playing tag with their friends - a.k.a. ACTING LIKE CHILDREN!!!!! I think it's awesome when all the boys in Mo's class gather under the trees with their light sabers and have their miniature versions of the Luke and Darth Vader moments. That is what kids should be doing - and for heaven's sake - NO PHYSICAL CONTACT? What is it - a school or a prison? These aren't hardened criminals, these are children, children with energy to burn. Is there no common sense in making these rules? The bigger question for me is why any parent would put up with them. I wouldn't let my kid near a school that was hell-bent on stripping my kid of all things child-like. It's ridiculous and way over the top - it's zero-tolerance for the playground. Unfortunately, zero-tolerance is often the result of zero common sense adding up to 100% stupidity. It's enough to make me scream!!!!

For myself, this is simply another reminder of why we homeschool!

An Iowa afternoon...

So we had a great afternoon today in downtown Des Moines. We decided to talk a walk down by the river because it is running so high with the flooding upriver. It is really high - of course, not nearly as high as in '93 but pretty dang high - and it is moving way fast. The huge amount of debris in it is amazing too.

We went down to the Simon Estes Outdoor Amphitheater next to the river. Behind the stage area there are stairs that go right down to the edge of the river on each side with a path inbetween. It is covered with water up to the 2nd step from the top. Unbelievable, another rain and it will be up onto the stage area. Craziness!

We also had a lovely time at the Ice Cream Social at Brenton Plaza - the new outdoor ice skating place they built last year. They had live music and free ice cream. There was a slight breeze blowing and it was just perfect. What a great day for it. We hadn't realized they did this but we may make it a regular Sunday thing. It was too much fun!

So there, if you thought Des Moines wasn't exactly the most happening place - well, you're right - while it isn't the most happening place - you can always find something fun to do!

More Lupron drama...

Well, we did the whole Lupron shot thing again today. It only took two nurses and myself to accomplish the magic feat of giving Lil her shot. Even though that sounds bad, it actually went better than last time! Yeah, a little progress is a good thing! Yippee skippy! Maybe by the time she is finished with the shots she won't be afraid. :)

Sooooo Lily! :)

One thing everyone knows about Lily - she is a talker! She will fill you in on all the details of her life whether you want her to or not. She just keeps on talking! Anyway, Kelvey told me this story today and it so perfectly captures Lily - I had to pass it on.

The kids and Shane were up at Russ & Sonja's (see my post about the McDonald's and you'll understand). Sonja is from Germany and her mother and sisters live there but come visit often. Anyway, her mother doesn't speak much English. But does this bother Lily - NO WAY! Apparently, Lily was chattering on and on to Sonja's mom out on the porch just like always. Kelvey was out there too. Kelvey said at one point she turned to her and just shrugged - like I have no idea what she's saying but she just keeps talking. I could so totally see it and it made me laugh so hard. It is just such a perfect Lily story - my little motormouth! Gotta love her!

McDonald's BAAAAAAAAAD!

Well, Mickey D's and I are aren't on the bestest of terms right now. We took the kids there on Saturday night and (like a fool) I got ranch sauce to dip my fries in. BIG MISTAKE!!!!

By that night, the bucket and I were becoming friends and Scott Tissue was hoping I'd buy stock - if you get my drift. Not a fun night/Sunday! It fact, it really stunk.

Sonja and Russ (Shane's aunt and uncle) had invited everyone up because their daughter Tiffanie - she lives in the D.C. area so we don't see her often - and to celebrate Sonja's 50th. Unfortunately, they live about an 1.5 hours from us and the thought of driving that far in Shane's wee little car made me even sicker. So the day was a big old bummer for me. After about four rounds with the bucket that afternoon - I started feeling better. Yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck!!!!

Suffice it to say, Cheryl's not having anymore ranch sauce at the Golden Arches.

HSM 2 - What team? WildCats!!!

What time is it? High School Musical 2 Premiere Party time!!!!!

We had an awesome time tonight with about 10 of the kids friends over to see the HSM sequel that premiered on the Disney channel tonight. The kids have been waiting like crazy for this night and have been planning for weeks. It is 12:45am and they are FINALLY asleep. I think the sugar + adrenaline rush has finally worn off - thank goodness!

Corbin Bleu was at the fair this week and Kelvey sooooo wanted to go see him. I don't think I'm ready for the whole "Oh, he's so cute!" thing. My little tween is so definitely becoming tweeny - not to be mistaken with being tweedy - which she is definitely not! :)

Here are a few pics of the par-TAY!

Today we watched some home videos from 2003/4 when the kids were 6 1/2, 5, and 3. Oh man, that took me back. It was sooo darn cute. I just kept cracking up. In one part all the kids were riding their bikes and Lily was riding this little Bigwheely type thing where the seat had a lid that lifted so you could put stuff in it. On the video you hear me ask her, "What's in your seat?" She turned around and grabbed a snake out of the seat. She held it up all proud and was giving it kisses. I had totally forgotten about that. She used to put garter snakes everywhere - even in her pockets. We have her on video on the swingset and she is swinging away and then she stops and takes this snake out of the front pocket of her overalls. Too funny!!!! Lily is and was fearless!

I think the funniest part was where Lily asks me to put in her Spanish game on the computer. I asked her if she could say some words in Spanish and instead she said her numbers in Spanish. I asked her if she could say them in English and she looks in the camera and says, "I don't know English!" I busted up on that one.

There were so many awesome reminders on there - like Mo "breakdancing" and Kelvey (at just turned seven) telling me about her favorite books - Little Women and Moby Dick. Then there was wrestling with Dad and watching their homeschool choir performance. Man, it just reminded me again of the precious blessings my children are from the Lord. It is truly my honor and pleasure to be their mother.