For the love of money

Thanks to everyone who participated in the conversation yesterday regarding vaccinations.  It’s an important topic and I’m glad people are talking about it.  And thanks for being so respectful of one another and of the differing opinions.  It was nice to read the different perspectives without feeling any tension.  You guys are great!

On Wednesday, I took the kids to Target to buy Tia a new stroller for her baby dolls.  An overzealous neighbor boy broke hers and I promised her a new one if she did a good job getting her ears cleaned out.  And since she didn’t scream (thank you Vercet), she got the much coveted stroller.

Sloan had seven dollars in his wallet.  Lee and I don’t give the kids an allowance, but on occasion we reward them for work they do around the house, particularly when that work is done from a serving heart.

And, oh my, that seven bucks was burning a hole in his pocket.  So, after picking out the perfect baby stroller, we headed to the Star Wars isle.  Did you know there is little to nothing you can buy for seven dollars?

Sloan found the toy he really wanted, but it is 25 dollars.  So he put it down and looked around and said, “Well, I guess I’ll just buy something I don’t really want because I’m ready to spend my money.”

At that moment, a huge light went off over our heads and a voice blared over the loudspeaker, TEACHABLE MOMENT, TEACHABLE MOMENT!!!!

Okay, not really.  But wouldn’t it be nice if that happened?

I did however, get down on Sloan’s level and explain to him the wisdom in saving his money so that he could buy the thing he really wanted.

“But that will take too long,” he protested.

It took a little convincing, but I finally helped him understand that waiting and working to earn the money for something he wanted would be better than wasting his money on something he didn’t really want.  What a lesson, huh?  I need to remember that myself sometimes.

So, we came home, Sloan’s back pocket still burning with unspent dollars.  Last night, Sloan rushed to his room and “cleaned” it up – which means he tossed all the loose toys into the closet and shoved the door closed.  Because that’s how we roll in the Stuart house…

“Can I have a dollar?” he asked.  Sound the alarm! TEACHABLE MOMENT, TEACHABLE MOMENT!!!

“Son, did you do that because it needed to be done, or because you wanted money?” Lee asked.

“Because I wanted money,” Sloan replied oh so honestly. 

Lee then tried to explain to Sloan that there are certain things we do because we’re supposed to.  But I could see Sloan get more and more dejected and confused, and I could understand why.  You see, once, maybe twice, we have given him money for cleaning his room.  It wasn’t because he cleaned his room, but because his heart was so pure and sweet and we were rewarding him for that.  But we obviously didn’t do a good job explaining that to him, so I could see why he would feel frustrated with us last night.  But then it got worse…

“I LOVE money, though.  I just want it so bad!” he cried.

Yikes.  We have some training to do.  Teaching kids the proper way to think about and handle money is a little daunting.  While Lee and I don’t spoil our children by any means, we are blessed to be able to provide them with not only comforts, but special privileges as well.  We try to make them aware of the fact that Lee and I work hard for our money and we work to spend it in the proper manner. 

I know as they grow older, there will be more opportunity to have a discourse over how and where it is wise to spend money, but we want to start training them now.

We also talked with Sloan about giving a portion of the money he earns back to God as a tithe.  Oh, he was not happy to hear that.  We had a lot of discussion about it this morning.

What are some things you’ve done to train your children in finanaces and the responsiblity that comes with money?  Nicole, could you leave the name of the piggy bank you guys use in the comments?  I would like to get one of those.

I think it’s important to not only model to our children the correct way to spend, save and give money, but also to give them the opportunity to practice.  So Lee and I are working on some projects that Sloan can do around the house to earn more money.  Today, I’m going to have him and Tia wipe down all the baseboards in the house.  Which, wow – I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of this earlier!  I hate cleaning baseboards!  Is it bad that I’m excited about the benefits of teaching this life lesson?  Ahem

So, please, help me out.  What are some ways we can teach our children to be responsible in earning, saving, spending and giving money?  What are practices that have been effective for you?

On Immunizations

So, it’s been awhile since I discussed immunizations on my blog.  Some of you will remember reading about my concerns with the current immunization schedule promoted by pediatricians, which I wrote about here, here and here (the second post is particularly lengthy as I was in the middle of my quandry on what to do).  Lee and I took quite a journey in our decision on how to vaccinate Landon and how to continue vaccinations for Sloan and Tia.  I’m still on that journey a bit, actually.

For the most part, we’ve stayed true to our convictions with Landon and we’ve vaccinated him completely different than the first two.  He has not received more than two vaccinations at a time since his disasterous two month check up, except in the case of the MMR vaccination, which is a combo of three that my doctor was unable to split for us.  But, when he had to receive the MMR, he received no other vaccinations on the same day.

This was a very comfortable schedule for me.  It meant we had to return to the peds office a little more frequently as I wanted at least a month in between shots in order for his little body to be able to process the inoculations properly.  But, despite the fact that we delayed and held off on a few shots, Landon is now, at 20 months, completely up to date on all his vaccinations.  And I feel like we did it on a schedule that was healthier and safer for his little body.

The only vaccination he has not received, however, and the one he absolutely will not receive, is the chicken pox vaccination.  (Well, that and rotovirus, which I just think is the most ridiculous vaccination they’ve come up with yet).  I listened to a recording yesterday, which discussed the dangers of the chicken pox vaccination and it further confirmed to me that Landon will not be receiving that shot.  And at this point, Tia will not receive the booster for it, in the hopes that she will get a mild case of the illness when she is young.

It makes me sick that Sloan has received all the chicken pox shots, knowing what I do now.  I wanted to attach the recording to this post, but couldn’t figure out how to do it.  If you’re interested in hearing it, leave me your email and I’ll forward it to you.

My concern with the chicken pox vaccination is the fact that it is not proven to be effective for lifetime immunization.  It’s only shown to be effective for about ten years.  Which puts children at risk for getting chicken pox or shingles later in life, which is much more dangerous and serious than getting it as a child.

So children will now need boosters for the chicken pox for the rest of their lives.  Where is the logic in that?  Getting chicken pox naturally, however, is proven to give a lifetime immunity to the illness.  And, given the fact that the mortailty rate of chicken pox is extremely low, the vaccine seems unjustified.

This recording gave an explanation for why the chicken pox vaccination came into effect that I found interesting.  I’m not sure if there is complete validity in this explanation, but I think it’s worth knowing and researching more (which I will be doing).  The doctor speaking gives the explanation that the chicken pox vaccination was originally developed for leukemia patients as it was extremely dangerous for them to get chicken pox due to their comprimised immune system.

But pharmaceutical companies would not make money if only cancer patients were innoculated, so they began innoculating all children.  Now, do I think that doctors are vaccinating all children simply because of a money issue?  No, I don’t.  I don’t believe that those in charge of implemeting these immunizations are soley out for the dollars.  I do think, however, that there are factors that played into the decision to make the chicken pox vaccination mandatory that had more to do than protecting children from a childhood illness that is not known to be fatal.  I also think that making an immunization like the chicken pox mandatory is a bit hasty given what little they knew/know about it’s long term effects.

It makes me angry that enrolling my child in school will now be more difficult simply because I am making the choice to do what I think is best for him.  Vaccinating for the chicken pox is, in my opinion, unwarranted and unnecessary.  I do not feel like it should be a mandatory shot.  Parents deserve the right to decide whether or not to vaccinate their children for something as minor as the chicken pox.  Putting us in the position where we feel threatened is unfair.

So what are your thoughts on vaccination and on the chicken pox shot specifically?   I know this is a heated topic and people feel strongly about both sides.  I hope there can be some discourse in the comments and that we can be open to differing opinions.  So give me your thoughts!  I really want to know what others think…

Blink

I’m not sure how it happened, but it seems that I blinked my eyes and this baby grew up…

Sloan Alexander Stuart

Sloan Alexander Stuart

Blink...

Blink...He's 1

Blink...He's 2

Blink...He's 2

Blink...He's 3

Blink...He's 3

Blink...He's 4

Blink...He's 4

Blink...He's 5

Blink...He's 5

Blink...He's 6 and he's in Kindegarten!
Blink…He’s 6 and he’s in Kindergarten!

I never thought I’d get emotional sending Sloan off to school.  In fact, I haven’t been at all emotional about it…until yesterday when I sat in the cafeteria of his school and it all hit me.  Even though he’s only going a half day (which I’m so thankful for), it’s still a big step in life.  I’m now the mom of an elementary school student.  I am getting information on the PTO. How the flip did I get here?

Sloan had a blast at school.  When asked what his favorite part of the day was, he replied, “Everything.”  He thought riding the school bus was “rockin’ awesome,” and “super loved” gym. 

So there it is.  I blinked and my baby grew up.  And I spent the entire morning blinking hard against the tears that kept pricking my eyes.  Especially after the big yellow bus drove away with my boy inside it’s belly.

Summer '09 143

Blink…blink,blink,blink,blink,sniffle,blink,blink…

The Campout

On Friday, Lee bought a tent.  For some time now, we’ve talked about wanting to campout with the kids.  I have great memories growing up of camping with my family and I wanted to create similar memories for my children.

So, with a little help from some very excited kiddos, Lee pitched a tent in our backyard.  We figured that was the best place to try a first campout in case we needed to bail in the night.  But we did not need to worry!  The kids did fantastic.  They had a ball.  We ate S’mores, put a movie on the garage, let them play until well into the darkness with the neighbor girl, then hosed them off and tucked them into their sleeping bags. 

They fell asleep around 10:30 and slept all night!  I was very proud of them.  Lee, of course, slept in the tent with them.  I did not…

Not because I didn’t want to, ahem, but I wasn’t comfortable with Landon asleep in the house by himself and we don’t own a monitor anymore so I worried he might wake up.  I can’t say I was overly diappointed, though, when Lee stumbled in the house Saturday morning with a sore back and circles under his eyes.

It went so well that this Friday, weather permitting, we’ll do it again.  Only this time we have scheduled Sloan’s very first sleepover so he and two friends will sleep in the tent.  Because we’re gluttons for punishment, I guess.  Lee will sleep with them, of course – only this time, I think he’s using an air mattress!

Enjoy…

Daddy pitching the tent.

Daddy pitching the tent.

So excited...

So excited...

It's up!

It's up!

Much fun was had by all

Much fun was had by all

S'Mores

S'Mores

Tia thoroughly enjoyed hers. Who's surprised?

Tia thoroughly enjoyed hers. Who's surprised?

Time for bed

Time for bed

Landon and Mommy slept well in the house...

Landon and Mommy slept well in the house...

Pancake breakfast in the tent

Pancake breakfast in the tent

It was a fun way to “end” our summer vacation. Today is school orientation and tomorrow is the first day. Stay tuned for a weepy mom post sometime tomorrow. I know…you can hardly wait.

He-ey Wait a Minute Mr. Postman!

Several times a week for the last month or so, when Sloan is home, he’s run out the door as the mailman came by to collect the mail.  I haven’t paid much attention to this – I’ve just assumed he likes having this little responsibility and I’ve been grateful to him for it.

Yesterday afternoon, however, I got a further glimpse into this amazing little boy I get to call my son.  Sloan and I were enjoying a rare moment of quiet together on the front porch when the mailman drove up.  Sloan leapt to his feet and said, “Oh, Herman!”

As he raced down the driveway, I wondered what on earth he meant by “Herman.”  Then I heard him call out, “Hey Mr. Herman!” as the mail truck came to a stop.

Our kind old mailman leaned out the window and replied, “Well hey there Mr. Sloan!”  He handed Sloan our bundle of mail, then he and Sloan proceeded to talk for several minutes.  I just sat on the porch and marveled at my son’s ability to engage this man in conversation.  I’m a grown woman and I’m not even that good at talking to strangers.  And here is my 6-year-old, sharing life with the mailman.

It was so sweet and tender to watch Sloan talk with Herman and to see the delight in Herman’s eyes.  And I felt convicted as I realized that my kindegartner is better at showing the love of Jesus than his stodgy old mom.

After about 5 minutes, Sloan waved good-bye to Herman saying, “Have a great day delivering mail, Mr. Herman!”

“Okay, Mr. Sloan,” Herman replied.  “I’ll see you again soon.”

As he walked up and handed me the mail, Sloan said, “That’s Herman.  He lives in Afton, Missouri.  I like him.”

I’m proud to be Sloan’s mom.  Some days are really, really difficult.  He is a passionate child, which can lend itself to passionate responses, both negatively and positively. 

But Sloan is a lover of people.  He genuinely loves to be with others and he has an uncanny ability to make others feel loved.  He’s so much like his daddy in that regard. 

Needless to say, I was very proud of him yesterday.  It’s amazing what we can learn from our children when we take the time to observe the positive qualities they possess.  Because days can be difficult with Sloan, I sometimes forget to stop and recognize all the goodness and sweetness that God has instilled in him.  He’s a neat kid and I’m so excited to see how God is going to use Sloan’s passion to impact the world.

I also resolved that I need to walk down to the mailbox with Sloan and meet Herman myself.  Because I am not ashamed to follow the example of my child.

Not really Wordless Wednesday: The Last Few Days of Summer

I’m late getting this up but my computer was having issues this morning.  I think it had something to do with the 400 pictures I uploaded.  I’m pretty sure I heard the computer cuss me out as she crashed – twice…  Ah well, enjoy the photos.  I’m sorry about the alignment – not only has the computer given me trouble, but my blog is having issues as well.  It appears all technology is out to make me crazy today.

Oh - he is yummy!

We've visited Gran't Farm...

where we saw bison...

and watched Tia feed the camels. After she fed them 3-4 times without me giving her monye for food, I noticed that she was stanindg under the food bin, blinking up at people with her big blue eyes and they were giving her quarters! Little mooch.

 

After finding the kids asleep like this several nights in a row (Tia is sounds asleep on the hard wood in this shot!), Lee and I finally told them they could camp out under the bed on Friday nights only. I think this is going to become  a fun little tradition for them.

Summer '09 354

They've had sweet fun together this summer, but I think we're all ready for the routine of school to get going!

They've had sweet fun together this summer, but I think we're all ready for the routine of school to get going!

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

The screaming – Oh my the screaming…

Yesterday was Tia’s long-anticipated visit to the ENT. Well, long-anticipated for me. She didn’t know we were going until about an hour before the appointment.

Because I believe in the element of surprise. And because I believe in not listening to the fearful cries of my daughter for any longer than necessary.

Actually, she handled the news very well. Surprisingly well, in fact.  She didn’t freak out or ask repeatedly why.  She took it like a champ.  And I actually convinced myself that the appointment was going to go smoothly.  I entered into a fairy land where I suddenly believed that she would shed a few silent tears, but otherwise sit like a charm as the Dr. dug the hard, compacted wax out of her ears.

Further adding to my delusion was the fact that she was very excited about the ice cream treat that awaited her after the appointment as long as she promised not to scream.

Yes.  I bribed my child.  Shamelessly, I might add.  And I worded the bribe carefully in an effort to set her up for success.  All she had to do was not scream.  Crying was permitted.  Because I’m generous and a realist.  Well, almost a realist anyway…

As we waited for the nurse to call her name, Tia was as chipper as could be.  She actually seemed exctied.  Until, that is, they took us into the examining room.  That’s when she began to crumble. 

First, her chin started quivering uncontrollably.  Then, her eyes got so big they threatend to overtake her tiny little face.  After that, she crawled into my lap, her lovey bear clutched in her white knuckled fists.  Finally, she looked up at me and with a quavering voice said, “We go now and has ice team?”

I reminded her of our little deal – no screaming and we’ll go get ice cream.  She nodded her head and turned as the door opened and the nurse came in with a  thermometer.  The kind that measures the temperature in the ear.  And that, my friends, was the moment her desire for ice cream went out the window.

She screamed.  She screamed really, really loud.  And she arched her back and fell off my lap onto the floor.  It took me and the nurse by surprise.  Then it made me laugh.

After the nurse left (without getting her temperature), I reminded Tia of our little deal once more (I was willing to dole out grace at this point) and she nodded again.  Then the doctor came in and she immediately clamped her hands over her ears.

After I pinned her arms down and wrapped my leg around her legs, the doctor cautiously approached.  I think we scared him.  And just as he got the very tip of his othoscope in her ear, she let loose.

“I DON’T WANT ICE CREAM!” she screeched.  And the wailing commenced.

At that point, we all started laughing.  I tried to hold her down, but there was no containing her.  My daughter is freakishly strong.  The doctor got a quick peek in one ear.  Enough to determine that she does indeed have a lot of wax, but not enough to tell whether or not it might be impeding her hearing.

And the screaming – oh my, the screaming…

It wasn’t worth it for anyone to go on.  He sent us to audiology where they determined that she is hearing fine, then gave me my options.

1.) Ignore it and try again in a couple of years when she’s older.  The down side to this option is that the wax will continue to build and will eventually affect her ability to hear sounds.

2.) Put drops in her ears for a couple of weeks to soften the wax, then bring her back and try again.  The down side to this is that somehow we will still have to contain her long enough to let them get the wax out.

3.) Put her under general anesthesia for about 10 minutes and let them clean her ears out completely.  As far as Lee and I can tell there is no down side to this.  So I’ve got an appointment to go back in a couple of week.

All that to say…we did not get ice cream yesterday.

Re-Post: Literal Art and the Worst Toy Ever Created

I’m exhausted today and I have mountains of laundry chasing me through the house like a really, really bad horror film. So I’m not going to even try to be original this morning. I’m just going to repost one of my favorites. The reason I pulled this one out is because my kids are marching through the house with that d*@# bird right now intent on driving their poor mama crazy.

Good times.  Do enjoy, for a second time…

So Sloan came home from school with this masterpiece the other day. He was very proud of it. I placed it in the window in our kitchen. When Lee came home he looked at it told Sloan how cool it was. “What is it? What does it represent?” he asked.

“It’s just bread and goldfish,” Sloan responded, looking up at Lee as if he had just sprouted a second head.

Riiiight. So, it’s clearly not abstract art.

In other Lee stories (I post these with his permission), the other night Sloan and Tia were running around the house after their bath. They like to run “in their nakeds” as Sloan says. Apparently Sloan tripped and twisted his foot. He cried pretty hard and it was his “I’m really hurt” cry as opposed to the “I’m just making noise” cry. So Lee spent some time putting pressure on the foot and turning it to make sure there wasn’t any real damage.

Then, in what was an apparent attempt to be funny gone terribly awry, Lee told Sloan to stand on his feet, then reach down and touch his toes. When Sloan reached down, Lee pushed him. He was hoping to make Sloan laugh and forget about his pain. Instead, Sloan fell on his face and twisted his wrist underneath him. So now the concern was not whether he had broken his foot, but his wrist.

Sheesh. Boys (eyeroll).

Then, yesterday Lee came home for work all bright eyed and excited.

“Where are the kids?” he asked. “I’ve got a surprise for them.”

I was in the nursery trying to clean out the closets and drawers of all the clothes that no longer fit. I heard Lee tell the kids to sit down on the couch and close their eyes.

“Now, this is something for you guys to share.”
At this point, my heart fell slightly because my kids and sharing do not mix well. Then, I heard a bag crinkling and Lee told the kids to open their eyes. This is what I hear.

“Oh boy! Thanks dad! It’s a talking parrot!”

At this point I almost cried and let me tell you why. When we go to my parents condo, there is a man that lives down there that is precious and he loves kids. Every time we come, he brings this fake, talking parrot that repeats everything you say to Sloan to play with. After about ten minutes of Sloan screaming at the parrot and it screaming back at him, I generally feel a migraine coming on. That bird always mysteriously ends up on the very highest shelf, where he stays until we leave and have to give it back to Mr. Neal. This is the exact bird toy that Lee bought for the kids. It’s like a cruel joke. When he came in the bedroom he was all smiles.  “They love it!” he said.

“Are you mad at me?” I asked. “Have I done something to offend you in any way?”

It was at this point that he realized what he had done. He started laughing, and God love me, I tried to laugh with him, I really did. Then he offered a mild apology. “It’s just so fun to shop at Cracker Barrell,” he said.

So now, as I post this, Sloan and Tia are in the basement screaming at the top of their lungs at the parrot and laughing hysterically as it screams back at them. And I am secretly plotting revenge on my husband.

Girl’s Nite

Don’t you hate it when people misspell a word just because they think it amkes the event sound more catchy?  I mean, really, what’s the purpose of spelling night, NITE?

Anyway, moving on…I had the privilege of joining my lovely neighbors for a girl’s NIGHT out last night.  I had been looking forward to this for a while and the evening did not dissapoint.

We began our evening at The Old Spagetti Factory in the valley.  I haven’t been there in years, and I’ve never been to the new one.  I forgot how good their food is.  And coupled with pleasant conversation made for a fabulous dinner.

Following our dinner, we headed to the mall where we saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Let me tell you what I thought of the latest installment of the Harry Potter franchise.  Pull up a chair, grab a Cup of Joe – let’s have a chat.

So far I’ve been slightly disappointed in the Harry Potter movies.  Up until last night, that is.  I realize that the books are long and the storylines are complex so to make all of the movies true to the books would mean they would each be 5 hours long.  Which isn’t realistic.

However, in the first five movies, I felt like such an emphasis was put on the special effects (which were fantastic for sure) that a lot of the dialogue was missing.  In my opinion, if you’ve never read the books, they movies would seem very confusing.  The movies make the assumption that everyone’s read the books first, so they cut out key elements of the books.  (For example, little explanation was given on the prophecy concerning Harry and this was a key element I felt was missing in movie 5 – I could list a lot more examples, but I won’t bore you.

You are welcome.)

Did you like how I ended that paranthetical pause in a completely different paragraph?  My college professional writing professor would have had a small heart attack over that one.

Last night’s movie, however, I felt was the best so far – until the end when they seemed to run out of time and steam.  It followed the book pretty accurately, had great effects, and actually gave us a better insight into the characters of Harry, Ron and Hermione, which we haven’t really seen so far.

In short, I really liked it.  It was funny, sweet, exciting and well done. Alan Rickman as Snape is superb, in all of the films, really, but particularly in this one.  The the kids playing the title characters have just gotten better and cuter with age.  It was just a really good movie.

Okay, I need to sign off.  We’re headed to meet some friends this morning and I am still in my pajamas.  I have roughly 20 minutes to change, fix mine and the kids’ hair, pack a lunch and get out the door.

I think we’re going to be late…

The one with all the vomit – and other funny stuff…

It is amazing to me how two children from the same two parents can be so very different. 

Sloan has a penchant for melodrama.  He gets that from me.  I know you’re shocked.  I’ll give you a minute to let that bit of information sink in before we move on…

 Better?  Yes, as a child I tended to be slightly over dramatic about a few everything.  I like to think of myself as a passionate person.  And Sloan is my passionate child.  Thus the reason he and I butt heads constantly.  I’m positive my parents prayed fervantly that I ended up with a child just like me.

Tia, on the other hand, is relatively even-keeled.  Unless she loses a race or gets beat in a game, then the gloves come off and she releases with a mighty fury.  She only slightly competitive – just slightly like her daddy.

But when it comes to things like falling down, getting sick, etc… She’s our tough one.

When Sloan throws up, the world will know.  There is great wailing and gnashing of teeth.  There is a fair amount of bemoaning (Why did I have to get sick?) and he makes it plenty obvious that he’s not happy.  And I can appreciate that – I really can.

So when Tia started throwing up last night, I braced myself for the hysterics.  But they never came.  In fact, we didn’t even know she had a stomach ache.  (This is the same child who, the last time she got the stomach flu, threw up in her bed and went back to sleep in it – we never knew she’d gotten sick!)  And as I held her over the sink and washed her mouth off, our conversation went like this:

Me: Are you feeling better now?
Tia: Yes. (heaves and spews)
Me: Does your tummy still hurt?
Tia: No (heaves and spews)
Me: Do you want a little drink?
Tia: No – I want to go night-night. (heaves and spews)

Sweet little girl threw up on and off all night last night, and each time she leaned her head over her bowl, took care of business, then rolled over and went back to sleep with hardly a word.

Yes – they are different.  Both sweet and spicey in their own little ways.

_________________________________________________________

In other, slightly less disgusting news, Sloan and I had an interesting discussion yesterday.  I won’t recount the whole thing because it’s not entirely appropriate for this public platform, but let’s just say it involved him giggling over the word penis.

Boys!  Honestly, they don’t have to be taught do they?

And finally, this morning I took my brood (yes, even the sicko) to the Social Security office where I had to get all of our cards replaced due to them being stolen last year.  That’s fuuuuun.

As we left, we walked past a man taking a smoke break.  And my terribly un-shy 6-year-old piped up, “Why do you have a smoker?  Don’t you know that’s bad for you? It makes your lungs black.”

Out of the mouth’s of babes…