Tweens
Friday, July 3, 2009, by Sherra
With years of bad customer service stories under our collective (and expanding) belts, it’s always nice when we can share a RAVE instead of a rant!
Scary Baby arrived back from Texas this week. She spent three weeks with Granny, who has now moved into Saint status in my life. 
We have never sent any of our children on a plane to visit anyone by themselves. I’m a weenie mom like that. There are a host of reasons for my decision that I’ll be glad to explore another day.
Meanwhile, after the many, many exhausting weeks with the darling twins and then shipping them off to Basic Training…
A parenting break looked pretty darn good.
Until I started reading some horror stories online about unaccompanied minors on flights. And the add-on price for this luxury is a breathtaker. Even if Granny was so kind to purchase her ticket.
AirTran had the most reasonable flight price and the most reasonable unaccompanied minor price.
I wasn’t shopping bargain prices if it meant bargain services for Scary Baby. I wanted her to feel safe and for us to not worry.
Only one parent can accompany them to the gate and PhilBillPaul won this honor because he is her favorite parent. It’s okay, it’s pretty much been this way since her birth.
Anyway, the praise came directly from him. He said AirTran really has their act together with their system of helping a parent get a kid to their destination. He was impressed by their customer service and felt very comfortable putting our daughter on the plane.
Kudos to AirTran and thank you for helping get Scary Baby to and from Texas!
I hope you all enjoy a wonderful 4th of July weekend with your family and friends celebrating the blessings of freedom in America!
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Categories: Raves, Tweens
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Monday, June 8, 2009, by Sherra
Her suitcase has been packed since the day we told her she was going…
Which was last Tuesday.
She left yesterday.
But before PhilBillPaul put her on a plane on Sunday afternoon…
He took her up to the North Georgia mountains for some quality Dad/Daughter time…
Ahem. Yes, he did. On that girlfriend.
I wish I had a close-up photo of that wiener dog tattoo she plastered on her left cheek. Really a nice look.
Remember, I lost control a long time ago.
Scary Baby is now at Granny’s house in Texas.
For the record, I have never, ever sent any of my kids anywhere without one of us.
Well, the twins did get to go to Tampa on their 16th birthday which was a giant step of freedom and now looking back, may have begun the downward spiral?
Anyway, we’ve gone from six to three in a matter of two weeks.
It’s just me and PhilBillPaul and The Grunter.
It occurred to me on Sunday afternoon that we have come full circle because 18 years ago in June - at least until the 25th, The Grunter was an only child. He will get to experience that again, but only for a couple of weeks.
No…I’m actually not crying, thank you very much.
I’m quietly rejoicing in the silence in my house. I might even sneak away on a little trip myself. 
Thank you Granny for being brave enough to fly Scary Baby to your house and give us a much needed parenting break!!!!!!!!
It’s only June but this has been the longest year of my life…
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Moments, Teens, Tweens
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009, by Sherra
Retail value of 5 shirts and 1 pair of sweatpants at JCPenney
$135.94
Price we paid because I kept telling Scary Baby the only rack she was allowed to choose from was the one that said “Final Clearance $3.97″
$25.25
Note on my bed with tags and receipts after PhilBillPaul and I got home from the FREE movie…
Priceless
Disclaimer: Scanned note has been altered to use her blog code name. She does not sign her notes “Scary Baby” or “Scary” for short. I just loved that she signed it twice otherwise we wouldn’t have known who it was from.
I didn’t check her math until I was writing this, so for you math lovers out there who already know what I’m about to say…because when you see numbers, your mind is like a calculator and you added it up as you read it and know that…she’s off by $45 bucks. Which should be added to our total and brings our grand total savings to $155.19 if we had paid full retail!
Shining Moment #1
Teaching your kids how to find the sale racks, bargain shop and save money is worth the time investment. In today’s instant gratification world, it’s good to show them how to watch and wait for something to go on sale. And it doubles as a great real life, fun math review!
Shining Moment #2
Scary Baby is now officially in the home stretch of her first decade here on earth.
Here she is wearing one of her bargain shirts in honor of her birthday and Earth Day.
I can hardly believe that it was 10 years ago today that I brought that giant last baby home.
Happy Birthday monkey!
You have always shined and made our family brighter.
We all love you as big as the whole world.
Life Lesson (LL): Bargain shopping can be fun and does count as math review!
Share a Life Lesson (SALL): What are some ways you are saving money in these hard times?
P.S. Happy Birthday to my *oldest* friend Kerri! and Happy 18th Birthday to Rebecca
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Life Lessons, Tweens
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Monday, April 20, 2009, by Sherra
Just when you think…
NO ONE ever listens to you
and all the years of mothering and teaching lecturing
have exhausted you and you question your own sanity.
You get a tiny glimmer of hope
in a note that a daughter leaves on your bed.
And a shining teachable moment
rises up to meet you and whispers…
“She really is learning
valuable life skills
from you
even when you think
she isn’t paying attention.”
On Wednesday, I’ll share what one Humpfreeze daughter did to inspire me to recognize that I haven’t totally failed my children
because I’m the first to admit…
I AM NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS JOB
Until then, did you have a good weekend? Feel free to share any shining moments of motherhood that have happened to you recently.
Your shining moment could help another mom who needs a little hope…
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Tweens
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009, by Sherra
In all the stress excitement of last week and for those of you not plugged into national news, it snowed in Georgia last Sunday.
With snowflakes so big, it looked like rain.
Seriously. A big deal.
Big deal because schools closed on Monday for a Snow Day. Which happens, oh, once every 5 or 10 years here!
And Georgia-born Scary Baby was in her glory outside in a summer bucket hat, pajama pants and giant gloves.
Because every kid should have the experience of catching snowflakes on their tongue.
It’s just part of childhood not to be missed ~ even if you live in the South.
Three inches did stick to the ground and she actually got to use a sled we bought in North Carolina some years ago. It quickly becomes a smud sledding activity. (That’s snow + mud.)
And then, exactly one week later…
…that same child should put on their bathing suit and ride down the street in the neighborhood.
Yes, we are those yay-hoos.
And I only wish I had captured a picture of her on that bike.
It has been 80 flippin’ degrees for the last three days.
I don’t care where you live…that’s just not right.
As I type this I’m barefoot and not pregnant in shorts sweating in my house. The sun has gone down and it is a chilly 69 degrees. What the heck?
I don’t know about you but I need a little transition time in my seasons.
Random side note: Keep the Facebook input coming. I typically don’t cave to peer pressure but I’m weighing my options.
P.S. I’m not a fan of boys/men wearing nail polish but holy schmoly did anyone see Adam on American Idol last night? Yes, the girls and I continue to watch it every single season…
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Tweens
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009, by Sherra
Since I revealed the BIG news yesterday about life at the Humpfreeze house, I can move on to other events happening on *normal* days. Not to be upstaged by those twin sisters of hers, Scary Baby had an honor bestowed upon her last week at school.
In spite of or because of being in our family - we’re still not sure - she is a voracious reader and also loves to write. Language Arts a.k.a. English is her favorite subject. She’s been writing stories for as long as we can remember.
This year, in 4th grade, she submitted her story for the Young Georgia Authors Competition and…
She won at her school!
Her submission now goes on to the county competition.
It dawns on me as I write this, that maybe I should set her up with a blog. It might just keep her busy and cut down on the whining. Hmm…I’ll think about that one.
I have her permission to reprint her story here. Such a generous artist she is.
Always There
Once upon a time, near a small town in Arizona, a girl, no more than nine, walked on the sandy, barren ground. The sun was beating down on her face, sweat dripped from her forehead like rain. it looked as though the terrible desert would never come to an end. Somehow, by her facial expressions, it looked as though she was enjoying herself. She was tired and hungry and had walked for miles. Eventually she saw something in the distance, she did not have the energy to run so she walked toward it. As she walked, she felt a bit uneasy, for she did not know what this mysterious thing was, yet she kept going. It turned out to be nothing but a coffee shop. She opened the door, as a bell rang, she slowly slid herself inside. She quickly found herself a table, wondering if she was supposed to be there.
An old man walked up and said, “May I help you?” The girl said she needed to find her parents. The old man said he could most likely track them down. He asked for the girl’s name, she did not know how to answer. Finally she said that she did not have one. The man was astonished. Nobody knew who she was or how she became, she was just there. She walked out of the shop, a little confused herself.
It actually turned out that she didn’t have parents, she was literally a nobody. Some people like to think of her as a ghost, other people say she was always there.
Hard to believe this lovely child has so much creativity in her, isn’t it?
She’s all dressed up for the Wacky Tacky dance in 4th grade.
Remind me, please…
How many of you had dances in the 4th grade?
This was the final dance of the school year. In an elementary school housing over 1,000 children in grades kindergarten through 5th grade.
Do we seriously need dances at this age?
I’m an *old* parent of a 4th grader but when I was a *younger* parent with the first three lovelies, I’m glad to say I didn’t even have to worry about the elementary school dances…they were in a private Christian school…
with no dancing allowed.
We’ve been at both ends of the educational spectrum.
I must say I prefer the very conservative end of that spectrum.
Who knew I would some day be glad to say I am old-fashioned?
Don’t even get me started on the over-the-top homecomings and proms in high school. With gowns, limos, fancy dinners, photographers, etc., I wonder what they’ll do for their wedding. Okay, I’ll stop for now.
Leave a comment and tell me about your opinion on dances in the school years.
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Tweens
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Monday, February 16, 2009, by Sherra
I tried a new approach this weekend to getting my kids to clean their rooms.
I’m trying to embrace modern technology and we all do text message back and forth quite often.
I didn’t take actual photographs but this is a fairly accurate picture of my lovely childrens’ rooms…
*****
It was a moment of serendipity when this was the cartoon that showed up yesterday on my computer just a few hours after I had sent a text message to my three darling teenagers.
Back Story and Disclaimer:
There are so many great things about living in the South…
- Friendly people.
- Beautiful scenery.
- Southern cooking.
- All four seasons with the shortest being winter.
But no matter how I long I live here, I will never, ever get used to the
R-O-A-C-H-E-S. They are right up there with spiders and snakes. They make me squeal and run and stand on my bed and sometimes even cry. When the weather starts warming up, these icky varmit come out and I get really cranky when I see one in the house.
You’ll understand why I share that after reading this exact text messaging to my lovely teenagers on Saturday night. Roger Leroy was the only sassy teen to reply (probably only because the other two were working).
Text “Conversation”
Me: Important News Flash. Tomorrow everyone is cleaning their rooms, clean bedding, vacuum, shmop, etc. before ANYONE is allowed to do or go anywhere. xoxo mom
Me: P.S. I saw ALL your rooms & I know why a roach was crawling on Everett this week.
RL: No
Me: Get ur bags packed. I’ll drop u off at xxx’s.
RL: K
Me: That was XXX not xxxxx. I’ll call Mrs. XXXXX in the a.m.
RL: K
Me: We will miss u 
RL: K
Me: U r a butthead & will still be cleaning ur room tomorrow before u leave…restoring it to the condition it was in when u were born.
RL: Then i don’t need to leave
Me: We’re delighted that u have decided to stay
Truly, their rooms were FRIGHTENING. And I try to avoid even going down the hall to even see them. I’ve heard I’m suppose to give them space and freedom to live like pigs if they want to.
But when the roaches come, I have to ready myself for battle.
I’ve heard you are suppose to be careful to choose you battles. Make sure it’s the stuff that matters. Yeah, yeah, I try to do that.
But I would have appreciated a little more warning about how to prepare for and at what age that EVERY. SINGLE. THING. we ask them to do becomes a battle.
BIG SIGH.
On the positive side, their rooms are vastly improved.
I’ll let you know if the varmit sightings decline.
UGH.
Happy Monday - have a great week!
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Rants, Teens, Tweens
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Friday, February 13, 2009, by Sherra
Scary Baby got a package in the mail from Granny. It arrived after the holidays but before her birthday. Bonus for the unexpected surprise factor!
Talk about some brilliant marketing. This must be advertised in the 9-10 year old demographic as I saw that blog friend Rhonda’s son had requested this very item for his 10th birthday.
Somehow the commercials really spoke to this age group. They must have bought lots of ad space on Nickelodeon.
Have you guessed what they were advertising?
Go ahead.
Scroll down.
See if you’re right.
And admit if you already own one.
Don’t be shy.
Have you seen the ads?
Don’t despair, you can watch the ad online right here.
Even after seeing the ad once or twice, I didn’t think for a minute, “I really would love a blanket that has sleeves!”
I mean really, who knew that conventional blankets caused so much trouble and frustration?!
But the tween kids know. They really want/need a blanket that has sleeves.
Scary Baby ripped the brown paper off the box and absolutely beamed when she discovered she was now the proud owner of a Snuggie with bonus booklight!
She didn’t hesitate to model her new wardrobe addition blanket.
It looks like a monk robe in fleece if you ask me. But what do I know about fashion?
The 9-10 year old market isn’t the only age group they targeted…
Because when The Grunter came in and saw the Snuggie box, he declared with a tear in his eye:
“Who got a snuggie? I WANT A SNUGGIE.”
Okay, he didn’t really cry but he was jealous.
And we have found it in the darling twins’ room too.
In her defense, Granny wasn’t playing favorites. I don’t think she knew.
P.S. Upon re-reading this and because I’m sometimes slow, back in my day a “snuggie” did not mean “blanket that has sleeves.” Anyone?
P.S.S. Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone - may everyone be sweet to you on Saturday!
P.S.S.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY *BABY* SISTER!!!!! She who turns 4-0 on Valentine’s Day and is in total denial
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Moments, Tweens
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Friday, February 6, 2009, by Sherra
I know I promised to tell you about the ice cream cake we bought for the Superbowl Party.
But to do that I have to to first tell you about my very first trip to Aldi here in Georgia.
Aldi is a small store/large supermarket chain and I was vaguely familiar with the stores from my life in the Midwest.
PhilBillPaul read a sale flyer a few days before Superbowl and pointed out that they had the Carvel football cake we all love so much on sale for $8.99. That is some mad savings and it was totally worth the drive to pick up this cake. That was at least HALF PRICE if not cheaper!!
I decided to ask Wizzy to join me as I like to spend quality one-on-one time with the lovely children whenever possible.
As I drove home to pick up Wizzy, I thought I should call my cousin Sally in Indiana.
I know she has her Aldi bargain shopping down to a fine art and I wanted to know what items she loves and if there were any items she didn’t like.
I was so glad I called her because she gave me a few good tips and reminded me to bring my own shopping bags. I knew that you had to bag your own groceries but I had no idea you had to bring your own bags.
I picked up Wizzy and 4 reusable shopping bags and we headed out for our mother/daughter shopping excursion.
Now some of you may already know this but as an Aldi newbie, we were startled to find that all the shopping carts were locked together.
Since Wizzy works at another more “upscale” grocery store here in town, she found this very amusing.
Thank goodness for the kindness of a stranger who came up to the carts as we were trying to figure out why they were all locked up and she announced with a southern twang:
“Oh, you need a quarter!”
To which we both replied:
“Huh?”
She then graciously told us that we needed to use the quarter in a slot on the cart lock and we’d get our quarter back when we returned the cart.
“Huh?”
Then we fought over who got to put the quarter in the slot to release the cart.
Hey, thanks for the heads-up on this cart system, Sally.
Super fun Friday night, I’m telling you! That’s the kind of mom I am.
Wizzy was a little stressed by all the unrecognizable store brands. I reassured her that while the food was cheap inexpensive, it wasn’t EXPIRED.
I was made painfully aware that my children are a bit of “brand name snobs” and I needed to bring each of them to Aldi in the coming weeks so they can all experience “incredible value every day.”
Roger Leroy loved the cart story and pointed out that it was a smart move so that employees don’t have to go get carts in the parking lot - can you tell what she does in between being a cashier and a bagger at the “upscale” store?
Wizzy also noted that the Aldi cashier got to sit on a stool which she thought would be way better than her grueling shift where she has to actually
stand up and wait on customers.
Meanwhile, we scored THE CAKE for $8.99 along with some other great bargains.
Imagine our distress when we put THE CAKE in the fridge at the beginning of the party and The Grunter’s girlfriend noticed it was made with
PEANUT BUTTER ice cream.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Have you heard anything recently about a little peanut butter recall?
Wait Wizzy…the food they sell isn’t expired…but it might be recalled?!
Mild hysterics began. Guests arrived.
Scary Baby announced to all the guests:
“We have Salmonella Cake for dessert.”
Yum.
Funny kid.
The Grunter googled to make sure no Carvel cakes had been recalled. What did we do before Google? Whew, the cake wasn’t on the list.
The darling twins wouldn’t eat it. Girlfriend said she would. We all watched to see if she got sick. She didn’t.
Guests said they wouldn’t hold it against us. We did have them sign waivers.
Everyone is FINE.
The End.
Have you ever been to Aldi? Any other tips to share for all of us newbies who love a bargain…and need bargains this year more than ever!?
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Food, Friends, Teens, Tweens
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Wednesday, December 24, 2008, by Sherra
Merry Christmas Eve to all!
Growing up, we got to open one present on Christmas Eve.
It was very, very, very EXCITING.
All those presents under the tree and we waited in eager anticipation to get to open ONE present early!
I decided to carry on the same tradition with my kids because I remember it so vividly.
I have also come to find out that it isn’t all that unique and I’ve met many people who have the same darn tradition.
I’m guessing many mothers discovered what my mother discovered in the early years with toddlers.
We might have looked a little ratty - I appear to have outgrown my pajamas (unless they were capris).
But let’s be real - who looks great when they pop out of bed at 6:00 am to see what Santa brought them?
But mothers across the land decided the kids photograph better in NEW matching pajamas!!
Ahem. Sort of.
I’m pretty sure we weren’t allowed to come downstairs until Mom fixed our hair too. I think everyone will agree that part of the reason I am the way I am today is because of the childhood trauma of my mother pulling my hair back, exposing my forehead, with no bangs. Hello?!
As we got older, I think it got harder to make us look decent for pictures. We have evidence (that appears to have been tampered with) to prove it. But she still tried.
Bless her heart.
Side note: My youngest sister is not special needs. I think she is the one who tampered with our matching pajama Christmas Eve evidence tradition. She may have creased the above photo trying to destroy the picture.
I think we were not cooperating for the pajama photo shoot. I sense some holiday tension. Those *smiles* don’t look genuine.
Probably got in trouble for making the youngest laugh…I’ll get back to you on that because luckily, my mother will remember in excruciating detail what happened that Christmas Eve as soon as she reads this.
But in spite of the trauma of no bangs and feathered bangs and all the years in between, I continued this adorable tradition with my own children…
Imagine how excited I was when Grandma sent matching Red Flannel pajamas from Cedar Springs, Michigan for the darling twins first Christmas just like the ones we wore back in the 70’s!
Whoa! Check out that startled bug-eyed look Roger Leroy is sporting. Unfortunately it’s genetic. Yet another thing I blame thank my mother for.
Or maybe it was the granny cap pinching her tiny head?
Or maybe not.
Yeah, so the bug-eyed thing is genetic. There’s no denying it…
Scary Baby asked me yesterday if everyone could open ONE present on Christmas Eve.
I immediately said:
Absolutely.
She countered with:
Can it please NOT be pajamas?
Such a silly child - we’re not breaking tradition here!
In honor of Grandma, those new p.j.s are in the warsh right now!
How many of you have this tradition? Or do you have a truly unique tradition to share?
Wishing you all a very happy holiday with your loved ones,
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Toddlers (& babies), Tweens
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