My daughter is obsessed with technology - primarily the computer, and e-mail in particular. She wants to check her e-mail ALL the time. Not only that, she is constantly organizing her e-mail. She has files for every person she corresponds with. They are color coordinated! I am telling you, she could teach classes to people about the ins and outs of managing your gmail account. Have I mentioned she is 8?

I know I am partiality to blame. We constantly have the computer out and we too are often checking our e-mail or on the Internet. The fact is, its our source of information - ALL information. We read the paper on-line so we are constantly staring at the computer. I know this does not set a good example, but I found myself having a hard timing setting time perimeters for her, and myself for that matter.

We recently banned her from the computer in the morning. And then I decided a 1/2 hour a night was sufficient. But I am finding it a little hard to stick to. The fact is she so enjoys writing and this is an outlet for her - maybe even a bit therapeutic. Especially since we moved, there are lots of people she genuinely wants to keep in touch with. She e-mails her old teacher, her teacher's aid, her friends. Even a few boys who she would never have admitted to being friends with at school. Their conversations are so cute. (We can read all her e-mail so its not like I am worried she is doing anything wrong. Sweet Pea may be many things but she is, at least for the moment very much a rule follower. Lord help us if, dare I say WHEN, that changes.)

I think I may have to approach this like a diet - moderation.

Coincidentally, I just stumbled upon this article. Good to know there are at least some redeeming values to all this screen time.

In my next life

I think I want to be Kelly Ripa. I've decided she has the perfect life. A job that pays her lots of $$. Where she just has to primarily chit chat for an hour with various celebrities as just "part of the job." Where someone does her hair and makeup and dresses her, EVERYDAY. Where she can bring her kids to work with her if she so chooses. Where she can still be available to pick her kids up from school and take them to their various activities. She probably doesn't even have to pay for the trainer she uses to keep in such great shape because its probably part of her contract with the networks.

I'm sure there are "downsides" though I can't seem to come up with any. And I am sure the grass is always greener on the other side, but I'd switch sides with her any time!

Hello....anyone there....

After a long break, but very short time frame within which to move, we have moved and set up shop not far from our digs. The kids are transitioning to a new school, which so far, seems to be going well. I am starting to kick up the job search. Though it would help if I knew what I wanted to do. I keep thinking one day someone will knock on the door and hand me this opportunity that I've been waiting for my whole life. You never know....could happen. I just hope that someone knows I moved!

News? I think NOT.

Over the past week I have become a little fed up with news. And its not just because of the psychotic lunatics who are engaging in horrific crimes. These are bad, but at least they may qualify as news, as unpleasant as it maybe to hear about.

No, I am talking about the other news. The news about the waffle shortage or that eating movie popcorn is the equivelent to eating 3 quarter pounders with cheese? I mean we do need to know there might be a shortage of Eggo waffles this spring? Could this possible effect anyone's life so much as to make it newsworthy?

And the movie popcorn - really? Do I really need to know just how bad it is. Can't anyone go to the movies any more and enjoy a bag of popcorn without the quilt. Its not like people eat it everyday. For those who do - well they have bigger problems then eating movie popcorn every day - that being the fact they are actually AT the movies everyday.

*******

Sweet Pea is home sick today with some kind of stomach bug. Apparently its the kind of stomach bug where you intermittently complain about how much your tummy hurts and than how hungry you are and proceed to eat toast, two eggs and a bowl of tomatoes all before 10 AM. If she hadn't been awake half the night with stomach pain, I'd really think I'd been had.

All I can say is I hope I don't catch it. It's bad enough to get the stomach bug but at least you can usually look on the bright side by acknowledging at least you'll loose a couple pounds in the process. With this bug, looks like you get the pain and the pounds. Who the hell needs that!

Mama's Boy

ME: JJ, do you want to go watch TV in the other room with Sweat Pea? Sweat Pea is watching the same thing you are watching in here."

JJ: No, I want to be with my Mama. That's what boys do - be with their Mamas.

Can't argue with that. No matter how much I'd rather be watching the news.

Also below is an e-mail we received from our financial advisor, who happens to have the same name as JJ. Make sure to scroll all the way down so you can see the e-mail he is referencing:


Sent: Thu 11/12/2009 8:55 AM
To: Jonathan
Subject:

Jonathan,

I think something got lost in the translation in this email.

Can you please resend?

Have a great day.


-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 7:02 PM
Subject: JJ

Babbj
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Gihhfjkogg
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Ggffggddczff
Vvbccbcgkf
Bbbbvbmvjv
Nbjnngkcjxxh
Jxkxjxjxjznxnx
Bzzjxjxjjxnx
Nxncjco
Djdj
Djjfjnddj

Xnjxjxjjjjnd. Jxkxjxbxjxb. JJ
Vzhzhxjchhcjxjhxjxjxhjhx. Sweet Pea
Jxjbxbxbxbbcbxbcbcccbx. Daddy
Hzxhzhxbbxbxbzbxbbzbx. Mommy
Hzhxhhxhxhxnhxxhhxbbx. Nanana
Jdjbndxnnxnxncnzncnsnx. Poppy


Sent from my iPhone

*******

Apparently while we were out to dinner JJ was playing with Jonathan's iPhone. Oops.

My two cent tip of the day

For what it's worth...we have discovered how to get our 7 year old daughter to snap out of her funky moods - and when you are home from school for a holiday, it sure does come in handy:

Stick her on the treadmill with her ipod and some headphones. I am amazed how happy this makes her. Works for the rest of us....only makes sense it would work for her too....for a few minutes anyways.

*********

Sweet Pea has recently shared with me her belief that one is supposed to attend the college nearest to their home. I have no intention of correcting her anytime soon. MassBay here she comes!

Deep thoughts

As all parents know the bed time hour can get a little hairy. Lots of running around (by the kids), lots of screaming (by the parents), because everyone has had enough, and we'll we're just tired and cranky. Makes for some lovely quality time.

However, my kids are on to something. They have taken to providing Jonathan and I with back and foot massages before they go to bed. Yes - that's right. They are give US massages. Just when you think you might be screwing up the parenting thing, your kids go do something like this and you realize you must be doing something right. After all, this is the way it SHOULD be.

I realize their actions are an effort to prolong going to bed. This is not lost on me. But those are some smart kids. I would NEVER turn down a massage - not at the end of a long day.

Jonathan and I lie side by side on our bed and they take turns - first Sweet Pea gives me a massage, and JJ gives one to Jonathan. Then they switch. Last night Sweet Pea was even helping Jason master the foot massage a bit - sharing with him her technique. And she's good!

It the event your thinking we might be taking advantage of our children, let me assure you how this lends to some serious quality time and discussion. Take last night for example:

Abby had unhooked my bra strap so she could get the full range of motion over my back. A few minutes later Jason says, "Mommy, why do women wear bras."

"So their breasts don't sag." I replied. Nothing like the truth.

"No really." He said. And then as if a light bulb went on over his head, he added, "I know why. They wear them so their breast don't smell. No wait, it must be to keep them warm."

I think amid my uncontrollable laughter I managed to say, "Yes, you might be right."

So you see, we have some very deep conversation from which I am sure our children are benefiting from greatly.