Running away from home

This actually happened last week and I have been waiting for the pictures in the camera that Darwin has had.

Porter got mad at his dad over something while I was at work and decided to run away. He packed his bag, grabbed his blanket and headed out the door. The furthest he got was across the street over by the church, but decided that was too far and settled down on the far side of our neighbors house. Darwin said he couldn't help himself and spent more time taking pictures than trying to talk Porter into coming home. The picture taking actually made matters worse and made Porter even more upset.

Well, I am happy to report that Porter didn't run away for good and was actually home and still in bed when I got home the next morning. Thanks for coming home buddy. I would have missed you big time.

Another lost tooth

I was in the bathroom tonight combing through Maegan's hair as she brushed her teeth. All of a sudden she got a strange look on her face and she paused and spit into the sink. I was surprise when I heard a clink. I looked down and she had lost a tooth.

She was even more surprised than I was. The tooth hadn't been that loose, but the new tooth was growing in behind it. Usually she has to work her loose teeth to death before they finally fall out. So, this was easy in comparison. We had quite a laugh over the whole thing.

I just hope the tooth fairy doesn't forget to come. :)

Bullies

Porter was beaten up walking home from school on Thursday. He is okay- no blood or bruises or anything like that. What happened was a 4th grader had been calling him names and Porter started returning the favor. The bigger kid didn't like that and ran across the street and tackled him. Porter said at some point his foot hit the kid in the face and the next thing he knew, he was being punched in the side of the head.

When the kids first told me, I was seeing red. The tough thing was, no one knew who this kid was, so we didn't know how to resolve the issue. Then a little boy, who I think is sweet on Maeg, showed up at our house and said he knew who the kid was. Maegan talked him into telling on the boy's mom and off he went. I had talked to Porter by this point and was thinking about letting the whole thing drop when a knock came on the door. It was the 4th grader coming to say he was sorry. To tell the truth- he looked like a good kid. He had come on his own, with no mom making him, and he was almost in tears the whole time. It actually took me a long time to get Porter to come to the door and say he was sorry for his part in the whole thing. I felt good how it all turned out.

Porter has faced bullies before on the playground at school. When I ask him if he is standing up to the bullies and not letting himself be pushed around he says 'Mom, we are supposed to be nice to others.' How do you fight with that? Porter is such a good hearted kid. He tries to include everyone when they are playing and is usually the first one to make sure the littler kids are included and that everyone is having a good time. So how does he find the balance between that and self preservation?

Boobytrap

Our church schedule changed to 9am which of course means that Sunday afternoon naps are back on. Yesterday we fed the kids lunch, played a game of Phase 10 Dice and then we all laid down for a little piece of heaven. At least I thought we were all going to lay down. Darwin and I both had a good nap, but the kids couldn't quite get to sleep. Well you know what happens when your sweet angels are unsupervised for an hour or so- yep, you guessed it- the candy cupboard got raided.
We were laughing about it when we were eating supper and I said I would have to put up boobytraps to keep everyone out. One of the kids said that it wouldn't work on them because they didn't have boobies. Then everyone said I don't have boobies either. Porter all of sudden perked up and said 'Wait, I do have a booby' and he lifted up his pant leg to show a big bruise. 'Oh wait' he said, 'that's an owie'. Too funny!

Update

Life becomes the same old, same old and it is hard to think up "interesting" things to write about. Kids still say crazy things, funny things happen but by the time I sit down to blog I can't think of a thing. Update at work- things are better. I finally decided to change my work status. What that means is that work will be a little more absolute and I won't get called off so much. It also means that I could qualify for benefits through the hospital. We have been on private insurance since Darwin quit but the coverage isn't that great. So- wahoo for us.
Darwin has started teaching concealed weapons classes, we feel very lucky and blessed that he got a 'contract' with the Cabela's here to teach classes exclusively at their site. They even advertise for us. Then he also travels to California to teach classes there. I have been helping him by getting everyone in the class fingerprinted and taking pictures and getting copies of I.D.'s so they have everything for their packets. I need to get my notary so that is even one less step for people to have to do. So if you have ever thought about it- check with Cabela's for the time and dates or call for the out of state classes. (You never thought you would have to sit through a commercial on a blog before did you?)
Lastly, I have discovered the wonders of facebook. A friend from high school who I have talked to in almost 20 yrs contacted me and encouraged me to join. It has been fun reconnecting with so many random people that I didn't know of any other way of getting a hold of them. It is great fun, but I find my blog suffers when I get so distracted.
Kids are doing great. We just had parent teacher conference yesterday. When we left I asked Darwin, what do the teachers say when they don't like your kids? Both Maeg's and Port's teacher went on and on about what great kids they were and what a joy it was to have them in class. Do you think when your kid is a brat the teachers just lie through their teeth or do they just say nothing at all? Just something to think about.