Tons of treats and not so many tricks

We had a great day... a great month! I love fall and I love Halloween. The remarkable warm weather has had us spending a lot of time outside cleaning up the summer plants and playing in the leaves. Every year our trees get a little bigger, but we still don't have enough leaves for a really great pile to jump in, so Jade and Logan (along with their neighbor friends) proceeded to gather armfuls of leaves from the neighboring yards. They had a blast raking, jumping and re-raking. Someday leaf raking may be a chore.


This month involved the usual fun Halloween activities, a party at Nate's mom's, school party & parade, and trick-or treating. Tonight I took Logan and his friend Matthew out for trick-or-treating, while Jade went out with her friend Ella and her dad.

Here's a little conversation the boys had about their candy as we roamed the neighborhood:

Logan: I have the biggest bag so I can get lots of candy. (Mind you anytime someone tried to give him more than one piece of candy he handed back the extras and said "just one please.") It's one of my Mommy's pillowcases.

Matthew: How much candy can fit in there?

Logan: Umm I don't know.

Matthew: ten?

Logan: Probally (Logan's pronounciation, not my misspelling) more than that.

Matthew: A hundred?

Logan: Umm I don't think a hundred. Maybe... like ten hundred or something.

They did make quite a haul. It's a good thing Mom and Dad are around to help them eat it.

What my kids know about me

Last May Logan's preschool teacher asked the kids a bunch of questions about their moms. Then at a Mom and Me party she read them out loud. It was hilarious. Then I read a post on a friend's blog that listed some questions she'd asked her kids about her. Since Jade hadn't answered the questions last time I thought I'd do it again.


1. What is something your mom always says to you?

Logan: no (sad, but true)
Jade: I love you (also true :)

2. What makes mom happy?

Logan: being nice (absolutely!)
Jade: when we give her hugs and kisses and make her feel special (and they do it a lot!)

3. What makes mom sad?

Logan: not being nice
Jade: when something bad happens

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Logan: tickling
Jade: umm... telling funny things

5. How old is your mom?

Logan: hmmm I just don't know
Jade: 32

6. How tall is your mom?

Logan: Let me count how tall you are... (he proceeds to tap me from my toes to the top of my head, counting). You are 17 tall!
Jade: 5 ft (she shorted me two whole inches!)

7. What is her favorite thing to do?

Logan: read books
Jade: Read. Mom LOVES to read!
(Since they both came up with this one it MUST be true!)

8. What does your mom do when you're not around?

Logan: well, hmmm ... (a couple of minutes later) ... I can't even figure that one out. You tell me what it is, 'cause I don't know.
Jade: go shopping (without the kids? You bet!)


9. What is your mom really good at?

Logan: exercising (Nice... I wish!)
Jade: being a mom and a piano teacher


10. What is your mom not very good at?

Logan: ummm I'm thinking... hmmm... riding scooters (I guess I need to show off my scootering skills some more)
Jade: doing gymnastics (pretty much, yup!)


11. What does your mom like to watch on TV?


Logan: hmm... conference. Was that right?
Jade: uh oh. That's a hard one. All kinds of shows.


12. What is your mom's favorite food?


Logan: oatmeal
Jade: cooked vegetables
(funny answers here... they both picked something they WON'T eat)

13. How do you know your mom loves you?

Logan: by snuggling with me
Jade: because she has a big heart and she forgives us

Ahh, they're adorable.

Half Time Entertainment

How in the world...???
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What kids are seeing on department store TVs

I doubt this is new, but I just noticed it recently. As Nate and I browsed the electronics department at our local Wal Mart I glanced at the numerous TVs all playing the newly released DVD Iron Man. If you've seen this movie you probably enjoyed it, as I did, but I wouldn't find it appropriate for my young children who were with us at the time. Note that this movie is rated PG-13 for "some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and brief suggestive content." View an online parents' guide here. Three weeks later, they were showing the latest Indiana Jones movie, rated PG-13 for "adventure violence and scary images." View an online parents' guide here.

I don't think this is okay and I'd like to do something about it.

I sent the following comment at this address.

"Why are you showing PG-13 movies in public viewing areas of your store? Twice in the last month I have shopped this store with my three young children and twice I have seen movies (Iron Man & Indiana Jones) being played on every TV in and around (several directly in the aisle) your electronics department which have been rated PG-13 for violence and scary images. There are scientific studies proving the negative effects of violent images on young children. These movies are NOT appropriate for young viewers, so I choose not to allow my children to see them. Let's protect our children from these things, not put them in plain sight. What are you going to do about this problem?"

If this concerns you, you may want to take a minute and send a comment as well. They will likely not see a need for change unless they hear from more than one customer.

Rejects

Taking family photos with little kids is always a priceless moment. We tackled this task last weekend so we'd have an updated picture to hang up before Jade's baptism (more about that in an upcoming post). For us it's extra fun since we're both the subjects and the photographer (Nate). He sets up a tripod, then uses a wireless remote to take as many pictures as the memory card will hold, knowing the majority of them will have to be thrown out, but amongst the rejects will be the jewel that makes it to everyone's mailbox as our holiday greeting. Just for fun, I thought I'd give you a sneak peak of some of the trashed photos from this year's shoot. Logan's expressions are always my favorites!

The conversation behind the scenes goes something like this...

Nate: "Okay, smile!"

Aeris: WAAAAHHHH

Logan & Jade: "CHEEEEESE"

Flash & Click

Aeris: WAAAAHHH

Nate: "No. Don't say cheese. Just SMILE. Ready? Everyone SMMMIIILE!"

Flash & click

Nate (directed at me): "Can't you bounce her or something so she stops crying? Ready? SMILE!"

Logan: "Lightnening McQueen!"

Flash & click

Jade: "I'm not saying THAT, Logan! I want to say something girly!"

Aeris: WAAAAAAHHHH

Nate: "No. Just SMILE! (directed at me again) I can't believe you can't get her to stop crying."

Aeris: Slurp, slurp. (now holding and sucking on my bracelet)

Me: Remember we'll have cookies when we get home if you be nice"

Jade & Logan: "We'll be nice. We'll be NICE"

Flash & click

To those in my neighborhood

In the fall a new elementary school will open in the new city center (along with the rec center, library, etc.). A committee has been working hard to determine where the boundary changes should take place to fill this beautiful new school (two story... houses 1000 students!) As of now, my house will not be affected by any of the possible boundaries in that my kids will not be moving to the new school. However, my family IS still affected by this change. If you live anywhere near this new school, your family will be affected as well. Why? Our neighborhood schools are overcrowded. That's the whole reason they're building new schools. So, they take a few students from each of the surrounding schools and put them into the new schools to lessen the overcrowding. We want to attend this meeting and "vote" for the boundary change that is best for us. We want to lessen the crowding problem at our own schools. The kids hardly have any asphalt left the way they've been building portables out here! Please, if you can, attend this open house. It will only take a few minutes of your time to look over the maps and other information available. Rate the maps in order from the best to worst, and offer any comments about the boundaries. Though this vote will not decide the boundaries, the commitee will use the information to assess the feelings of the neighborhood. It will greatly effect their final decision.

The meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, October 9, from 6-7:30 pm at Fort Herriman Middle. If you have any further questions, check the district web page http://www.jordandistrict.org/general/boundaries/herriman/ or call or e-mail me. Thanks!

Jury Duty, with lots of little details

I spent time online the night before my big jury assignment, planning the best way to get downtown at rush hour and determined that TRAX was my best option, even though it meant walking a couple of blocks from the nearest station. I looked forward to reading my book on the train and a leisurely walk in the quiet morning. I planned to leave home at 7:15, hopefully arriving at 10000 S. in time to catch the 7:15 train, but would still be on time if I made the 7:53 train.
The alarm clock blared early. I drug myself out of bed anyway and was ready and pulling out of the driveway at 7:18, three little minutes behind schedule. I could catch up if I hit the lights just right. Heading down 13400 S., I considered the possible routes to the station. I-15 would be crowded, it might be best to take Bangerter all the way to 11800… just then I glanced down at the dash. My van was full of gas. I’d filled it myself late last week. But I didn’t take my van. I left it for Nate in case he had to take the kids somewhere. His car was empty. At least that’s where the needle pointed. How empty was it really? I had no idea, and wasn’t about to take any chances. So I stopped for gas. Then one wrong decision after another left me stopping at a ton of red lights.
The train station parking lot was packed. I could see the train waiting there. I jumped out of the car and started walking toward the train. Then I ran. I looked ridiculous but whatever. I no longer had the time cushion I’d been planning on. I had no idea what they did to late jurors. Then the train left. It actually left! I debated chasing after it like you see in the movies. I stood there on the curb dumbfounded. Did I get back in my car and try to make it on the crowded freeway? There was absolutely no way I would be there on time. It didn’t matter what I did now. I might as well wait for the next train and prayed I wasn’t held in contempt of court or something. Worse… I didn’t want to have to go again the next day.
Have you ridden TRAX lately? I started to read my book, but it felt like the train was bouncing all over. I’d remembered such a smooth ride the other times I’ve ridden. Without my book as a distraction, I kept checking the time. The minutes rushed on by, like the scenery out the window. I don’t know what time it was when the train stopped at Gallivan, all I know is I practically flew out of my seat and onto the sidewalk. I speedwalked those two blocks and took the steps in the building two at a time. There were a bunch of people in the waiting area, but none of them looked official. I asked one of them if they had any idea where I needed to be for jury duty. A lady directed me to a room. I peaked in the window. They were watching a video in there. I was sure to make a grand entrance. The lady at the front gave me a nasty look as I stepped in the door and found a seat. After the video all about the glories about jury duty they called roll. Only my name wasn’t called. I panicked, thinking maybe was in the wrong place. Then I’d really be late to wherever it was I needed to go. She asked for my name. I was on her list afterall. I filled out a questionnaire, ate some taxpayer provided snacks, and received my $18.50 cash for my service. Then we moved in to the courtroom next door where the judge asked us all a bunch of questions. “These are the attorneys. These are the witnesses. Do any of you know any of these people? Do any of you have any close ties with law enforcement?” This was my opportunity. My hand goes up. “My husband spent the ten years working in law enforcement… No, it wouldn’t effect my ability to make a decision in this case… blah blah blah.” Following a quick potty break, the judge announced the 4-member jury. I wasn’t called. So that was it. The end of jury service. I walked out of the building at 10:30 am. I enjoyed my leisurely walk to the train station in the quiet morning. I read my book until the train began to bounce again. I stopped at the mall, the bank, and made it home in time for lunch.