Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Being honest

Baby Boo is back with her mom and I am so worn out. One thing I realized is that times sure have changed since I had kids. Parents are way more cutthroat and competitive. For instance, I take Baby Boo to storytime at the library for kids her age. They sing songs, do crafts and listen to the teacher read stories. I noticed that first of all, most of the parents there only wanted their kids to sit next to another kid that appeared to be "smart". Little Heather Sue sat next to Baby Boo and instantly, her momma said, "Honey, why aren't you sitting next to your friends?" Heather Sue was 4 years old and could give a rat's you know what who she sat next to. Then, as the kids pointed out different colors, the parents were smug when their kid knew the right color before the other kids. It was like I had stepped into this, "My kid's smarter than your kid" clique. So, Baby Boo, being that she is not paper trained (toilet trained that is) and isn't use to socializing with kids her age, she was a tad slow on the colors and songs and even the dancing. She became the laughing stock of the parents who smirked at her for yelling, "Bwown" 20 seconds after the other kids. They laughed when instead of her doing hand movements, she cut the rug and danced instead. Okay, maybe they weren't laughing at her for not being smart, maybe they were jealous that their kid wasn't taught to let loose and have some fun. At craft time, once more, Baby Boo sat at a table where two parents literally moved their kids to other tables. One being a boy and the other who's mom said outright, "C'mon, let's sit by your friends." Baby Boo showed them. She smeared glue stick on her wreath like it was marker. Then, painted it with glue stick some more. I looked around to make sure the other parents weren't glancing our way and I quickly stuck the leaves on her wreath. She colored it with glue stick once again and then, declaring it "done", she did what she thought was the "right thing to do" and stuck it on her head. Of course, she walked around with pride, wearing her wreath as a hat. The teacher said, "Oh my! She's wearing a wreath on her head." I smiled and said, "Yes, she's very creative that way!" and I meant it. So, we walked hand in hand out of the library with her wearing her wreath inspired hat.
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I've been given two wonderful awards from Menopausal New Mom. Her blog has become one of my favorites. I love her sense of humor and honesty and find that I relate often to what she shares. So thank you, MNM!

The first is the Lemonade Stand Award. In spite of circumstances beyond our controls, sometimes the best thing to do is make lemonade out of the lemons in life. So many bloggers I follow or enjoy reading have done that. I unfortunately don't follow the award rules so this award is for all of you because there is not a single one of you that hasn't been able to live through those lemon moments.
The next award is the Honest Scrap award. As a part of the rules, I am to award others for their honest and open blog wisdom. Once more, this award is yours! As a part of the rules, I have to list 10 honest things about me....

1) Boo has a few possible job opportunities in Utah so we may be relocating. I have no relatives or people that I know in Utah and it frightens me to think I'll be out there on our own (if it works out that way). Yet, I'm exhilarated by the possibilities too.

2) I am a book junkie and have way too many books that I have yet to read, yet I can't resist buying more at the used stores.

3) I treat my puppies like they are little people and hate when they appear to be sad or bored. I admit that I give them too many treats but they've suckered their way into my heart.

4) I'm considering going to school and getting my physician's assistant degree. I've always been fascinated with the medical field. Maybe this is MY time.

5) I'm torn between learning Swahili and Korean and Mandarin Chinese so I'm learning all three with Rosetta Stone.

6) When my sister and I were little we would create our own recipes. Lately, I've been craving a taco dog. (Hot dog in a fried taco shell with cheese and taco sauce.)

7) I'm very germphobic so I wipe down my shopping cart before touching it, wash my hands with germ cleaner when I get in the car and hold my breath when I walk past someone that has been coughing without putting their hands over their mouth.

8) I have won two cooking contests. Another big name company stole my recipe but didn't give me credit for it.

9) I have a collection of Little Rascals videos and watch them when I'm in need of a good laugh.

10) I had my four front teeth knocked out when I was 3 from hanging upside down from a bar and falling face first. I hated to smile showing my teeth and even now, I have to practice in the mirror before I do.

If you decide to grab either of the awards, please link back to me and let me know. I would love to read your honest musings.

21 comments:

Sheryl said...

I am so sorry for what you went through at the library. But you both held your head of high on moved on. Did you take a picture of her new hat?

ethelmaepotter! said...

I LOVE the wreath story! Shows you passed on your creativity gene for posterity!
I
I'll take those awards, thank you very much, but it may be a week or more before I post them. I work at the post office, it's Christmas time in my department, and I am busy, busy, busy!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I loved that Baby Boo is confident enough to do her own thing. The wreath hat is too precious. You rock Miss Baby Boo.

Be proud of 'little ones' creativity and have a great day!!!

Deidra said...

I love how you supported Baby Boo and her creative look at life! She is certainly a better person for knowing you!

Congratulations on your awards! Well deserved, my friend!

Ina in Alaska said...

1. I would love to smack those "parents" at the library. How utterly obnoxious. Yesterday, Kirstie Alley was on Oprah. She had a humble background and cleaned some lady's house and drove the "richer" girls to their pool at their Club. The lady told Kirstie, some day you will own a large magnificant house and those girls will just know how to swim! So there!

2. Simone, dear lady even though we do not know each other I can see you have been through a lot this year .... and.... I say this carefully and in my most respectful voice: are you seriously thinking of moving to Utah with a man who changed his mind about marrying you....

OK everybody, I'm ready...,let me have it.... but it is only my humble opinion....

3. It IS your time!! Go get that PA degree!! Yay for you!!!

Many hugs... xoxo

Menopausal New Mom said...

you are an inspiration the way you handled those parents at the library. The bottom line, Baby Boo had a wonderful, creative experience and you made sure of that. The rest of it, who cares!

BTW, congratulations on your awards, you deserve them and thanks for writing such a nice piece about me :)

Unknown said...

I wasn't too worried about the parents at the library. Baby Boo and I had a ball being ourselves.

@ Ina and others concerning the canceled wedding...I know that in the blogging world, there will always come a time where the whole picture won't or can't be painted and this is one of those times. As open as I am on my blog, there are some things that I won't reveal for respect of privacy.

We have discussed future wedding dates but will also depend on when his brother and his family will be out here from Germany. We would like them to be a part of it as well.

Joanna Jenkins said...

All the "parenting crap" drives me nuts. I went through some of that when Godson was a baby and was glad when I left them in my dust. It was like being back in high school. Ugh. And I'm sure baby Boo's wreath as lovely.

Utah and school! Those are two very big changes. I hope you have time to sort them out and come to terms with your decisions. Utah is a beautiful place. And school-- WOW, my brain is too old for that so I really admire you for considering it.

xo

Liz Mays said...

I do the same things you do about germs!

How rude of those parents to act that way at the library! The kids wanted to sit next to Boo!

Veronica Lee said...

Congrats on the well-deserved awards.

Those parents are obnoxious.I've had my share of them when the boys were in preschool.

I love the list about you.

Michelle DeRusha said...

I loved your post today -- so honest and real! I found you through Deidra at Jumping Tandem -- read about your get-together in CA. As for your library experience today...I can relate. One day my red-headed Rowan was acting a bit fiesty in the library. The librarian at the desk noted, "Wow, he sure is ornery." And I responded, "No, just spirited!"

Anita said...

I remember those story-time days at the library, ending with a craft. And you described it perfectly - everyone was SO competitive! Everybody wanted to show how "smart" their kid was. Some things you just have to go through. Gotta have all those childhood experiences to earn all your stripes. :)
Congrats on the awards from Menonewmom-Deb. She's one of my favorites too.
I liked reading your 10 very honest admissions.
So...you're a bit of a germaphobe, huh? :)

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

There are an alarming number of parents who live vicariously through their kids and who think if their kid does X, then they, the parent, look better. It's all about low self-esteem, if you ask me. These will be the same parents who take credit for how their kids do in high school, college and the work place. It's so tiresome.

I'm all for the wreath hat. I may make one for myself!

Buckeroomama said...

Ugh... that was not pleasant, what happened at the library. I'm glad you and Baby Boo had fun anyway. :)

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Sorry that you had to experience the world of the wrong kind of parents. We should be feeling sorry for their children. Good for you in standing up for Baby Boo.
Enjoy your day
Maggie

Cindy said...

I love your attitude and I love that she got to wear her wreath hat. I'll bet she will be one of the few kids in school who has an original thought in her head instead of parroting what everyone else is saying.

Unknown said...

reading this makes me so thankful i dont have little childrens anymore....my bestie deals with things like this...yiyiyiyi...I am speechless

congrats on your awards...you rock!!!!

Kwana said...

That library trip just about wore me out. What a PITA some people are. I'm sure Baby Boo was a true beauty in her wreath hat. A total winner!

Unknown said...

Pfft, whatever! You are on the right track, just let them be little! If you keep pushing all you'll have in the end is a stressed out OCD, anal retentive kid that can't have fun! Have a great Friday!

Sherry said...

Three cheers for Baby Boo!! That girl is going to grow up with the right ideas and a tremendous sense of self. Those others? heir mamas moving them here and there, telling them who to play with and be friends with? Good luck ladies..I see a little "rebellion" in your futures!!

Loved the 10 things about you -- go for that Physicians Assistant education.. is IT your time!! ♥

Lin said...

I have a cousin in Utah and it is supposedly very lovely there. I hear the scenery is incredible--something to look forward to anyway.

 

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