Growing WarriorsJust your typical family…

Even with my feminist parenting, the ills of society are creeping in. Today Meredith told me that she wanted to play golf when she is older, but she fears that only boys play golf. Later, Allison told me that she was sad because if we went to McDonald’s for lunch, she couldn’t get a spy toy because those are in the “boy” happy meal and she’d have to get a doll instead because she’s a girl.

Yes, I corrected them both and it led to a nice discussion, but it still makes me sad. I shouldn’t have to teach them that girls can be spies and girls can play golf. But society is teaching them the opposite, and they have to hear my messages as loud and as clear as they hear any other messages! We concluded that McDonald’s is practicing sexism by assigning a gender to their happy meals, and that they should call them “spy happy meals” or “doll happy meals” with a clear message that you can order either one, because Allison seriously thought she was restricted to the “girl happy meal.” I also realize that I perpetuate this, because I have been heard ordering 3 “girl happy meals” – I won’t do that again. From now on, I will say what is in the happy meal, if there is a choice.

Meredith was delighted to learn that there are LOTS of female golfers out there. She positively beamed when she realized that this could be a real possibility for her (FWIW, I have NO idea where her desire to be a golfer came from. I was shocked as heck when she said it…didn’t even know she knew what golf was, let along picked up on gender stereotypes regarding folks who enjoy the game!)

Today I ran to the mall to see if I could find bedding for the new bed. Allison was the only offspring that cared to join me. We had a lovely afternoon, including her trying on clothes (and me purchasing an outfit for her), and lots of misc shopping. We saw the cutest little hermit crab, and the ugliest HUGE hermit crab. We did not find my bedding…alas, tomorrow is another day.

In our first store, Allison was admiring the earrings, and wondering if you had to pierce your ears before you could wear an earring. I told her about the joys of clip-on earrings and the rest of the day became somewhat of a quest to find clip-ons suitable for a young girl to wear. Finally at the end of our day, we found some. $6.00 each at Claire’s. Now back up a little. A few weeks ago, I started giving the girls an allowance. $1 for each year they’ve been with us, and they must save 50%. As soon as she started getting an allowance, Allison decided to save for a video game. A Sonic game. Not the new Sonic heros…too pricey, would take too long to save for it, but an older Sonic game, costing $20. She was almost there with $14 burning a hole in her purse. Then she finds the earrings. She wanted them SO bad, but wasn’t sure if she wanted to delay getting Sonic just so she could purchase the earrings. We spent probably 15-20 minutes at Claire’s with her debating this in her mind. Finally, she just couldn’t take the dilemma a minute longer and burst into tears. Man, I wanted to buy her those earrings so bad, so she could save her money for Sonic, but then I am sorta defeating the whole purpose of giving her an allowance…to teach her to save and to delay gratification. But she was SO torn. I told her to think about what would make her happy. If she bought the earrings now, would she regret it? Would she feel sad and upset that she didn’t hold onto her money? Or if we left the store without the earrings, would she be upset that she didn’t purchase them? She replied that no matter what she did, she was going to feel sad. I recommended we go home and think about it for a day or so, and see if she still wanted the earrings and we come back for them. She wasn’t sure if that would work either. We just stood there with tears streaming down her face as she learned a lesson in life….and finally she decided. The earrings. She was going to buy the earrings, and then, with her $7.50 change, and her allowance she gets tomorrow, she is going to search ebay for a cheaper sonic game, and if she can’t find one, she is still going to be happy with her earrings. And she walked up to the counter, threw a wad of bills down, dried her tears, and proudly left the store with her new purchase firmly clutched in her tear-dampened fist. And never looked back. I have yet to hear a word of regret. That’s my girl.

We bought a king-size bed, and a huge honking pillow-top mattress. Now where to buy bedding for this beast? I want a comforter that is AT LEAST 110″ wide, and I would prefer larger. If it isn’t 110″ wide, it won’t cover the mattress. I would love to find one that is 120″ wide! That would be splendid. So here ya go, who wants to sew one for me?? I’ve seen a few plain down-filled comforters that would do, but due to allergies, I’m nervous about down, even the hypoallergenic down comforters. Probably doesn’t matter because even the ones I do see are very pricey…like $400. I think if I could find an affordable down-alternative that size, I could sew a duvet cover for it (even though I can’t seem to sew or cut a straight line…that’s why I make dresses and not pillows). Anyone have any thoughts about buying two full-size comforters and sewing them together? I am afraid that would create a weird seam down the middle that wouldn’t look right, or feel right. Right now I am sorta leaning towards buying two nice twin size comforters, just plain and comfy, and then maybe looking into rigging some quilts or bedspreads together? Not sure how that would work either. I have a vision in my head of this HUGE fluffy bed with earth tones, and some red, and the comforter is huge and fluffy too, like down comforters are. I kinda like the colors in this one I found on Amazon:
but it is nearly $300! Oiy. And I’m not so fond of all that baroquey stuff in the detail.

All that aside, I am so excited to have a larger bed with a new mattress! Tonight is the last time I sleep on my old lumpy mattress, and who knows, perhaps tomorrow is the last morning I wake up with horrible back pain??

Hi Jess [[[waving]]]

I took the girls to see Curious George today (JESS watched Lydia for me, isn’t that cute??), and I realized that Meredith is Curious George, and Allison is the man in the yellow suit (she hates that though). Meredith acts before thinking, she’s into everything but not because she is naughty, but because she is curious. She experiences the world around her. Allison is more thoughtful, analyzing situations before acting. She is more cautious, and often experiences the world via books and television. Oh, and back to Jessica. I am reading Pinocchio to the girls at bedtimes, and I think Jess is Pinocchio. A good heart, but a bit impulsive and has a difficult time foreseeing potential outcomes to the choices she makes, which means she gets herself into some situations that aren’t great. Oh and lies Jess was born lying. KIDDING (sorta)! Isn’t that CUTE????

I wonder who Lydia will be….

Tonight Meredith (the four year old) told me that she had a most insatiable curiosity. From The Elephant’s Child, Just So Stories. Kinda odd hearing a four year old with a speech impediment saying that she has a “most insatiable curiosity”….after I figured out what she was actually saying…so I gave her a spanking for her insatiable curiosity and sent her on her way.

Eric is enjoying his first week at the new job! Good news. Here’s hoping that it continues to be a good environment for him!

Jess claims I don’t write enough about her. I tell her she doesn’t do cute things anymore….and she isn’t that adorable anymore.

Jess bought a car last night. A white minivan. A teenager’s dream! $500 though! Can’t beat the price.

Jess found an apt today.. she filled out an application and will find out tomorrow if this is her next home. Here’s hoping (NOT that I want to get rid of her, but because it is what she wants…I swear Jess. Don’t beat me!)

Jess said the cutest thing the other day…..

And then she did the funniest thing……..

Happy?

Have I quoted Lydia here yet? Today she said/did the funniest thing I have every heard/seen. Lately she has been a terror. Seems like every time Meredith is playing with something Lydia wants it. Lydia has been seen knocking down castles as Meredith plays with blocks, and Lydia is often known to grab a toy from Meredith’s hands while screaming and crying, “MY_____” Fill in the blank. “My music” “My baby” “My Pooh”, etc.

Tonight. Tonight..she REALLY pushed the envelope. All the girls were standing in the kitchen when all of the sudden Lydia SHRIEKS and screams, “MY ARM”…we look and see Lydia grabbing and yanking at Meredith’s arm, all the while screaming, “MY ARM MY ARM MY ARM”.

Like to see you prove that one in court ya little terror!

Today Eric came home from work early (his last day at current job!), so we could go get our KS driver’s licenses (its a done deal now), and he was teasing me, stomping around the house saying, “clean up this house woman, its a pigsty”…when Meredith says in this real attitudish voice, “Daddy (like daaadddeee), YOU are NOT the Mommy around here” – kinda like “you are not the boss”. Cute, no?

Another Meredithism from a few days ago. The kids were talking about birthdays in the car when Meredith said, “Mommy, YOU do not need anymore birthdays!” – I reply, “Oh yeah?” “yeah, cause you are old enough already!” – um thanks?

A first!,
originally uploaded by deannajo.

And here is the tooth and the newly holey mouth mentioned in the previous post.