This is how we do it

Yes, it is for sure. The nation's first black President! I bought newspapers today to keep for memories.
Christine Gregoire was re-elected, YAY!
Death With Dignity, the Washington State assisted suicide initiative, was also passed. Thats a big one- even many of the people backing the initiative didnt think it would pass! But it did, and it's exciting (to me at least).
Im still waiting to hear who the new Superintendent of Public Education is.
All-in-all, Washington did pretty damn good in the elections!

Some of the other states, however, disappointed me.
"Gay-marriage bans passed on Tuesday in California, Arizona and Florida, while Arkansas voters approved a measure aimed at gays that bars unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Massachusetts and Connecticut are now the only states to allow same-sex marriage." Think about that Arkansas measure. Unmarried couples cannot be adoptive or foster parents. Single people can. Married people can. But two people in a loving relationship, no matter if they are straight or gay, cannot adopt or foster. Do you see anything wrong there? The gay marriage bans PISS ME OFF. They make me livid. This Arkansas law? That hurts the kids. That just isnt fair.

are people who dont have kids! You go out and buy candy to give out to all the neighbor kids, and have no kids who you can charge the Candy Tax once they get home!

Where does everyone stand on germs? The whole world seems so germ-phobic these days, especially parents! I work in schools with young children. I wash my hands a lot. Not because im afraid of germs, but because im constantly covered in tempra paint and glue. In the past few years it has become increasingly common (and rule, not the exception honestly) to use hand sanitizer in schools periodically throughout the day rather than have 30 kids waiting in line to wash their hands 5 times a day. Many parents also tote hand sanitizer around for their kids. I keep some in my car in case of emergency but personally im just not a fan of the way it makes my hands feel. I'd rather wash them if I can. Then theres my mother in law. She forbids the boys (8 years old now) to use hand sanitizer and sends a letter to school every year notifying their teachers that they are to wash their hands in the sink when the others use hand sanitizer. She has the organic, go green mentality and feels that the chemicals in hand sanitizer can harm you (they cant use bug spray either, but if I keep going i'll get off on a tangent.)

So using hand sanitizer would be protecting you against something you had already come into contact with. Its similar I suppose to spraying down household surfaces with lysol, and that makes sense. Then there are people who dont come into contact with stuff in the first place. Do you hold your child above the toilet in public restrooms? Wipe down the silverwear when you go out to dinner? Do you use a shopping cart cover?

I have no fear of public restrooms provided you arent rolling around on the floor. Heck, I throw the paper towel away BEFORE I open the door! I dont even use toilet seat covers, and you know thats the cardinal sin. I dont wipe down shopping carts. I let kids play in the dirt. I dont feel like germs are going to take over the world. WITHOUT germs, we would die. Germs make the world go round, baby.

How do YOU feel?

"Quit rolling, stand up! Dont scoot on the grass! You're going to get your clothes dirty! Stand up!"
"Mom, cant you just let them have fun?"
A quote from John and Kate. Kate was yelling at the little kids because they were rolling down a grass hill and this was Cara's reply. Touche!

Diggy came into the world 6 minutes before Zilla. They are as different as night and day. Its kind of crazy, actually. They turned 8 in March. They were totally unexpected babies; Eeyore is 27 and BigBro is 21, parents thought they were done with kids when they boys came along! Because of the crazy age difference the boys get insanely spoiled. I cant tell if the issues that the boys have are genuine or if they are caused by the fact that they are so spoiled.
Zilla is a genius. Ok, im exaggerating. But he is very smart, and incredibly inquisitive. I had to explain Stem Cell Research to him when he was 7, and when I couldnt give him enough answers so he said "UGH! I'll just Google it!". If he doesnt know the answer to something, he finds out and comes back to tell you. He is a fantastic reader, very quick. He doesnt care to participate in or watch sports unless we attend a sporting event in person. However he loves to bowl. He doesnt like trying new foods and doesnt take big risks (like water-slides or ramps at the skatepark). He still uses a plug (pacifier) when he is overly tired or stressed. He stays quiet until he is pushed to the brink and then he will finally snap. He likes to sit around half naked. He is obsessd with anything that is army related, flies, or blows up.
Diggy is the brawns of the family. He will play any sport he can possibly try. His favorite is baseball, and if this kid practices he will go far. He is very strong. He loves clothes and shoes. He will always try new food and loves Sushi and Subway. He doesnt know how to tie his shoes and refuses to learn. He is still reading at a kindergarted level and doesnt try to improve. He has pretty severe anger problems that are actually quite scary at times. He will lie forwards, backwards, and sideways just to strike up a conversation and will go to the grave to prove that he is right.
"Twin" is a word not to be taken for granted!

Leashes really AREN'T necessary. He was having a blast. We didn't lose him. He didn't get run over. He didn't trip anyone. And it was FUN!

Child-leashes have been around forever. And i've never been a fan. But if you MUST use them, at least use them responsibly. When we went to Silverwood I saw dozens of these things (I think they sold them in the gift shop, dont even get me started on that). And i constantly saw the parents walking along, child being drug behind. And more often than not, that child landed on their face because the parents werent paying attention. Seriously guys.

I have some issues. I have never denied that. Im not going to make a list. But one of the big things is a sound intergation issue. All the noise around me comes into my ears at the same time. The dog scratching, the tv, pages turning in a book, and the person trying to have a conversation with me. Most peoples brains automatically decipher what sound they should be focusing on (in this case, the person talking to you).
Men have an easier time of this than women. Tests have been done where they have a person put on a set of headphones and listen to one story in one ear and another story in another ear. Men are able to completely tune out one story (this wont surprise the heterosexual females out there!). Women have a much harder time doing this.
In my case, I can hear everything, every little sound. And when I try to focus on someones voice, sometimes the sound of the dog scratching overpowers it. Noises also bother me. I have never been able to touch styrofoam because of the sound it makes. At the moment I am at work and someone is putting chalk on a cue stick. Its enough to make me nauseous.
Because of this I wear my ipod a lot, and on occasion will wear ear plugs. I wore them the other night for a few hours because my ears were feeling especially sensitive.
The next morning DJ and I were sitting on the couch watching tv and she said to me "How do you think you can raise kids if you have to wear ear plugs just being around us?" I happen to think I will be just fine, thanks. For the most part children screaming and crying does not faze me a bit. And on those days where noises are bothering me, I will cope. Just like I do in everyday life.
I know she didnt mean to offend me, she was really trying to make a point and understand, and thats fair. But im not worried about it.

This is the catch-phrase of Compassion International, the child sponsorship program. I have always loved the idea of sponsoring a child. I know many people who are sponsors and some have even visited their sponsored children in their home countries. I have been browsing different programs, seeing which seems the most reliable and honest and where the children will benefit the most. During my web-surfing today on Compassion's website, I found this:

Is there anything I cannot send to my sponsored child?
"As a sponsor, you have many opportunities to communicate with the child you sponsor and we encourage you to do so. When you communicate with him or her, however, we ask you to provide comments and materials consistent with the Christian values and philosophies we share with our partnering churches. We will not forward photographs and other mateirals depicting activities that:

• Might be considered inappropriate in another culture.
• Promote lifestyle choices that we view as unhealthy and inconsistent with biblically based lifestyles or otherwise inappropriate for sponsored children.
• Might threaten the safety of the sponsored children in any way.

For example, we will not forward materials that depict or describe the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, unlawful drugs and materials or activities that we regard as dangerous or unsafe. We will not forward materials or communications that advocate another religious worldview. In addition, we will not forward materials depicting persons dressed in immodest clothing or engaging in activities inconsistent with our ministry values and beliefs, including the living out of a homosexual lifestyle."

People in the GLBT community face all sorts of problems when it comes to adoption and childrens rights. Evidently we also arent good enough to send money to help children in 3rd world countries. Of course, we could sponsor the child and just not mention the fact that we happen to be lesbians. But if I am going to ahve any influence in a childs life, i'd rather not start out the relationship with a lie. Sorry Compassion, we are looking elsewhere. I hope someday you really will put the children first.

AJ at Thingamababy posted today about regulating things your kids know about and have access too, from electronics to juice. (Read the post here.) I nodded my head in agreement for a lot of this post. Okay, i'd be a bit more lax im sure. About 75% of the strictness. But I like the idea. And his beautiful little girl seems like the coolest kid on the block! I would love my kids to reach kindergarten without being obsessed with whatever disturbing cartoon charectar happens to be on Cartoon Network at the moment.
Yet I have to be honest with myself. I love tv. I have attention problems, and I need to be doing two things at once. Meaning the tv needs to be on while I am online or readhing a book or cooking. I cant concentrate without having my attention going in two directions. I am always on the computer. I drink soda and eat Lucky Charms. And I love gadgets and electronic things. Im scared that my habits will set my kids up for inevitable disaster and they will end up being just another specimine of the next generation.
So lets take a look at the topics AJ covered, im going to give my input on them.


Licensed characters - I am amazed how people avoid this. I suppose not watching television helps. But even just going to the store seems like it would get things engrained in your kids head. There are billboards. The displays in the stores. I am fascinated that a child could see a 4 foot tall Polly Pocket display and not want one, even if they didnt know what it was. When it comes to licensed things I must say that I have a few things I will fall for. I love anything Pooh, and im also a fan of Care Bears. Other than that I might be able to handle not having anything in the house. Once they hit kindergarten tho, I think you're automatically a gonner.

Candy, juice, soda and other sugary treats - This is a hard one because I am a sugar addict and I dont drink milk. Ideally I would say that I will try to limit my kids to 1 juice a day, soda on special ocassions, and candy/cookies.... well thats a hard one. I like dessert. How about saying no unlimited access to sweets for now.

Talking stuffed animals — Not necessary. The only thing way you could convince me are the ones that y ou can record your own voice in.

iPod/MP3 player and Digital camera — No question. My kids will always have these things. Music is my driving force in life. We will have a rule about when the music needs to be off, and will monitor the songs, but they will always have music. Same with the camera. A great thing to learn early.

Cell phone — Cell phones will only be necessary once the kids are old enough to be away from the house by themselves.

Videos/DVD — I really want to have sucessful movie nights someday...

Television — I just know im going to be guilty of this. And it makes me sad. I never want to use the TV as a babsitter. I dont know how we will regulate television. Purchasing a Tivo so mommies can catch their shows would be a good start.

Movie theaters — I want to take my kids to movies as soon as they are old enough to be interested and to sit through the whole movie. I think movies are a great treat.

Console video games — Ok, video game addict talking here. When I was a kid I played Nintendo with my dad and I loved it. We played stuff like Donkey Kong. We didnt hole up in the house and never leave. He was a farmer. I was constantly on the tractor with him. But I enjoyed gaming with my dad. I want to play video games with my kids too. There will be a limit on time and on types of games played. But we will have consoles in the house.

Educational PC games — I dont think any skills should be LEARNED by using a computer or any other learning device. However I belive that in fine-tuning skills some of these things can be helpful. Plus, I love Zoombinis!

Personal computer — To be determined on a kid-by-kid basis. I want my kids to have a strong grasp on technology, it is important these days. I would be happy with having two desktop computers in our office. After 13, we can discuss a laptop that the kids can take in their room when they need to type a paper. (With remote desktop so I know what they are doing.)

Pierced ears and make-up - No makeup until at least 13. No, probably not even play makeup. Chapstick is great. Nail polish, okay. Pierced ears im cool with at any time.


Ok, so am I doing to be a horrible parent? No, probably not. I'm sure we will do okay and our kids will turn out fine. I just hope that they have a good head on their shoulders and are happy people.

Wait, should'nt you be looking? Did I miss something here?
I saw a Duracell commercial today (you know the type: our batteries power the things you cant live without). This time the batteries were powering a GPS Child Locater.

Ok, I knew they had GPS on cell phones for teenagers so you'll know when they are at the mall instead of school. But how far away do you let your 3 year old wander? Almost every kid gets seperated from their parents for a few minutes early in life. But in the large majority of those instances, a GPS locater seems a bit extravagent.

Of course, these arent just for children! The BrickHouse website says you can "Locate Wandering Children, Pets, Or Elderly Family Members" Great, it has multiple uses. Im still not dropping $200 on it. Pay closer attention. Put the cell phone down and watch your kid. If your grandfather had Alzheimers, dont leave him in the pharmacy while you go look at clothing. These things should be common sense!

I am not totally throwing this product ouf the window. I can see it being useful to some people. Working at the Village I saw families with multiple special need children. While they were all very capeable parents; having 5 kids with special needs in tow can be VERY overwhelming. Some of these children have boundary problems and take off running. In this case, I can see the Child Locater being helpful.

Me? I'd probably throw the homing tag in my car and use the tracker to find it in the mall parking lot!