Soap Boxes and School Lessons

So I made blueberry waffles in the toaster for the girls' dinner (I know. It's that kind of day) and they both said "I am the bestest cook ever."

Yes, I'll take my compliments where I can. And just to make things tense, I am going to get on my soapbox about a moronic comment by a senatorial candidate in Missouri, Todd Akins, who said that if a woman has experienced legitimate rape, (as opposed to illegitimate rape?) then he believes, based on his understanding of a woman's body, that her body has a way of preventing pregnancy. Holy shit! Really?! And here I've been paying through the nose for birth control all these years!

Wait! Wait! I have a great idea! This is big news, Mr. Akins! Just inform every other uterus in the world that they can use this power for real healthcare reform: they can prevent unwanted pregnancy, and we can legitimately make birth control and Planned Parenthood obsolete (as opposed to Akin's party's proposal to just defund it).

Then the healthcare industry, and some super rich philanthropists can work on genetically engineering a cervix that "slams shut" like a steel door at the first sign of an intruder, and unwanted sex of any kind would be cut off, literally. Oh wait. Isn't that what Mr. Akins says we already have the power to do?

Okay, now back to reality. The truth is that crusty old men who lack the basic knowledge of biology should NOT legislate on women's health and protection. Put the pen down, and step away from the vagina legislation!

Whew!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program: life.

Back to School Lessons for Mom

Adjusting to school again has been a learning curve--for me. Just as I do every year, I try to squeeze in "just one more" fun thing for the kids and me to do, and well, as usual, with embarrassing results. I thought a trip to Wheeling to a paint class with a child who just spent 6 hours in school (still sleep deprived because she just refuses to go to bed before 9), and then strapped to her seat in the car for an hour and a half drive to Wheeling, and then sitting in a chair for a two hour painting class at a museum we'd never been to before with thousands of cool things to do, with friends who get along well and excite each other immensely, and then dinner at a restaurant. It was too much sitting.

Lesson learned.

Again.

But when I look at the pictures, it looks like a pleasant evening was had by all.

The teacher offered to paint little butterfly wisps on the girls' faces, and Maisey was excited, since I'd already washed her face twice during the painting class. So downstairs they went, and a few minutes later, the teacher emerged to tell me that Maisey wanted to paint her own face. I told her it was okay, and sorry my child was acting like a street urchin. Then said street urchin emerged, looking like she was preparing to go into battle--with Braveheart.

Exhale

So, until further notice, we are spending much needed relaxing time at home after school.

I need butterflies and unicorns after this past week; the B vitamin just isn't working.

I Love My Job

I love my job. It's the hardest job I have ever done, and yet the most rewarding in so many ways. I never had a job with such emotional highs and lows, that takes so much of my time, my energy, my soul, and yet I don't get a paycheck.

Kids really do put life into perspective. They teach you as much as they learn from you. They test you and push you to the brink of emotional exhaustion or frustration, and you realize they have minds of their own and you're here to encourage and love and guide them, and at every opportunity you must step back and let them take baby steps towards maturity and independence, and encourage them to follow their dreams. And what you get in return is a lot of guilt, a lot of doubt, and a lot of love. Teaching your children to be productive members of society, to do something good for the world, to give back, as well as to achieve their dreams is one of the most difficult jobs there is. And it's the most important.

I am learning to know when to gently encourage, and when to push my kids to do for themselves, even if they make a mistake. Even if they fail. Because laziness and entitlement should never be the result of my compassion for my children's feelings and my desire to see them succeed. Life can be unfair. If kids are handed everything, if they're never expected to do anything for themselves, or to endure the consequences of their actions and be held accountable, however embarrassing or unpleasant, then how in the world will they ever survive in the real world? How could they possibly begin to improve the world--you know there's room for it!--if they lack the determination, the self-esteem and motivation to try.

I am in the midst of this angst as I checked Maisey into first grade today. I entrust her education to others. It's my choice, and for many reasons I feel the best one for our family. But I am also actively doing my part to teach both girls at home: why we have and follow rules, being responsible for yourself and your things, being honest and living up to your word, having empathy and caring for others, showing good manners to friends and strangers alike, developing healthy habits, and the list goes on. In return, my girls are teaching me to keep my mind open, to see and respect other possibilities, other perspectives. My heart has still more room to expand with love for them. It's incredible. They're not just my job, they're my life's work.

The Fair

With swim lessons all week and the DH preparing to leave yet again for China early Thursday morning, we decided to have a lot of fun at the Mon County Fair.

This was Maisey's favorite ride, but Evie looks like she's about to scream bloody murder.

Digging the chickens. This was Evie's favorite ride. She rode three times with me and twice with Daddy. Not that they care much about the Cars movies, but it was fun to pose in front of Mater. They loved petting the cows. Stepping in cow patties, not so much. Maisey's not happy because we made her ride with Evie. Ah, the joys of family life.

Family Time is Time Well Spent

DH had a whole week off for vacation, and rather than squander it with home projects and repairs (which we need and, well, we did do some of that), we decided to hit the road for some quality family time. While DH cut a fallen branch and mowed the yard and fixed his Jeep, I took Maisey and Evie to swim lessons at Krepps Park. On Monday we went with Maisey's friend to the Waynesburg pool, also known as Alpha Aquatic Park. We will definitely be going back to this gem of a place!

We spent a much needed afternoon at my friend's swimming and relaxing. And I even got my camera back. Of course, this picture was taken on my iPod.

Carnegie Museum

We met my Dad at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. A great time. I was surprised because the girls loved the minerals and gemstones exhibit more than the dinosaurs. They literally screamed and squealed and jumped through each of the exhibits. It was hard not to laugh, but I think I heard DH tell Maisey that he pitied her future husband.

Some of their favorites.

The dinosaurs were fun too.

The girls enjoyed the dino dig.

Now where did I leave that fossil?

Have you seen my tools?

Historic Leesburg, VA

We enjoyed a quick two day trip to Leesburg, VA. DH did guy things, so the girls and I went antiquing. I found three or four pieces in the first shop that I've been looking for since last year. Like this table, that DH haggled down from a perfectly reasonable price (I thought) to a WOW I love it even more! price.

We really had fun in historic Leesburg visiting antique shops and spending time in their vintage closets. Playing dress up is still a big hit with the girls.

Even Daddy got in on the fun.

Given the choice, Maisey insisted we return home for birthday parties. I'm learning to let her have some control, and I think she was happy to see her friends at the parties. Besides, I am thinking of a weekend-long date with just DH in Leesburg in the near future.

I don't know how next week will go, but I'm hoping to transfer a few more sticks from the Fun Jar to the Done Jar.