Mallow Blasters

My son is working toward a Bow & Mallow with his popcorn sales in Cub Scouts. It's a really cool toy. Now I've found a blog which gives everyone else a chance to both locate the company that sells them and to win something for your kids. The Blog - "And Twins make 5!". The prize - your choice of a blaster from the company site. Check it out.

My son - Class council

My son decided he was going to run for class council. So, this past weekend he wrote his speech and created a sign. His comment was that people seem to respond well to a colorful ad. Out of the mouths of babes. He was scheduled to give his speech on Monday, so I waited until today to post anything about it. As much as my son loves science and robotics, he decided he'd rather do the class council thing instead. It'd make his grandaddy proud (my father is on various councils/boards for his city and has been off/on for quite a few years) to know that his grandson is apparently following in his footsteps so early.

Donations for Clarkdale Elementary

There's a donation box set up at the UPS store on Rockbridge at Lawrenceville Highway in the Publix Shopping Center. Here's a list of things they've asked for:

Wide ruled notebook paper,
NO MORE PENCILS NEEDED
pack of eraser caps,
pocket folders with prongs and without prongs(solid colors),
composition notebooks,
highlighters,
erasable pens (red, blue, black),
boxes of Kleenex,
bottles of hand sanitizer,
boxes of small (quart size) zip locks bags (gallon and quart)
white copy paper,
NO MORE CRAYONS
glue sticks,
2½ inch pink erasers,
WIDE RULED spiral notebooks (solid color),
3x5 and 4x6 blank index cards,
sticky-notes,
NO MORE NOTEBOOKS
Expo dry erase markers,
Clorox or Lysol wipes,
band-aids,
pencil sharpener w/ attached shaving holder,
colored pencils,
scissors,
pencil boxes (standard size),
BOOKS

Here are supplies that the TEACHERS have listed that they need:
Binder Clips
Classroom electric Pencil sharpeners
file folders
Hanging file folders
staplers/staples
clipboards
rulers
3 hole punch
NO MORE BACKPACKS
flash drives
lamps
masking tape
butcher paper (bulletin board paper)
laminating film
dividers
chart paper
sentence strips
flash cards
office organizing supplies
Scotch tape
tape dispensers
paper clips
construction paper

You can get more information on where/what to donate on Facebook here.

Zhu Zhu Pets Giveaway part 2

There's another site that's giving away Zhu Zhu pets. This one is Double Bugs. You can find the entry info and more here.

Zhu Zhu Pets giveaway part 1

Momma in Flip Flops is having a giveaway as well.. this one for the ZhuZhu Pets Hamster toy. Since I won't let my children have any real rodent-type pets, this is a good alternative for us. Check it out!

Birthday Bash Giveaway

Another Blog = Flying Giggles and Lollipops = is giving away some cool stuff to celebrate her daughter's first birthday. Check it out!

Product Review - Bounce Dryer Bars

I don't normally do reviews on products, but occasionally one stands out and I'll make the effort. I put one of these in my dryer more than a month ago and it has seen a lot of use since. I won't say that it OUT SOFTENS the dryer sheet, but it does just as well. The freshness and static cling factor work out to the same. It's nice not having to remember to toss a dryer sheet in. It's even nicer not having to keep the box of them sitting on my dryer (or elsewhere) getting in my way. The bar is still going strong even though I do (on average) 2-3 loads a week. So, I recommend it's use and will keep using it myself. I have a few $1.50 off coupons that I'll share with those local to me if you drop me a note. I'll update in a couple of months if it actually lasts the claimed 4 months.

New fish tank

My daughter has been working at keeping her bedroom clean. now that it's been rearranged, she's having an easier time of it. So, the 5G tank we found at Goodwill has been cleaned and new fish "stuff" has been purchased. It's now running to establish the tank and possibly this weekend she'll get new residents for it. My son has a 10G tank that he has to figure out what he wants to do with before we can set it up.

Rearranging Son's room

I took the queen bed out of my son's room and replaced it with the 'extra' twin bed out of my daughter's room. He then decided to move a few things around. Admittedly, it's not "clean" yet, but it opened his room up immensely.

Sept. Storm (Monday)

I have to say yesterday was interesting. I've been listening to the thunder storms most mornings around 1a and haven't thought too much about them. Yesterday I got up and found out that the schools are delayed by an hour and a half. We were scheduled to take Bill's car in to the shop to get some body work done. So, we figured we'd head out and get back before the bus came. On the way TO the shop, we hear that the schools are closed. On the way we see at least one street blocked by police. As we got to where the body shop is, we find the area blocked by police.. we can't even get to the body shop. The area it's located in is flooded. Given what we saw, we decided we'd hold off on getting his repairs done. Since my condensor is dead, I'm taking it in Wednesday instead to get fixed. This repair is almost as much as the body work his car will require. So, it'll be a while longer before his gets fixed. In the meantime, here's hoping we don't float away like my new friend here who was definitely trying to find his way OUT of the current.. I can't say he appreciated my help much, though..

Gremlins in the House

There's something happening in my house and I suspect that a friend of mine is right.. it's gremlins.. Here's why..

June - had to replace 4 tires on my car
Aug - had roof repaired due to April hail storm, power surge from GA Power meant replacing AC, oven, computers
Sep - have to get hubby's car repaired (dented end, busted tail light), have to get my car repaired (leaking condenser), had to fix garage door (screws popped off, hinge bent back separating sections), had to get lock on rear door fixed, have to replace ceiling fan in master bedroom.. and this month isn't even over..

This all because (in my opinion), I'm working toward fixing the house to sell.. I don't think they want us to leave..

Rearranged Bedroom

Well, I took the second twin out of my daughter's bedroom yesterday. Part of the 'big plan' to rearrange the house before listing it. The room itself is still a mess (she has way too many things), but it made a HUGE difference.

Popcorn Season!

It's that time of year again, popcorn season! My son starts selling today and really wants to support the military as well as fill up an order form. Trails End will send popcorn directly to units stationed abroad. There's a $25 option and a $40 option to support the troops. You can see some really cool info on what they do here.

You can order online here.

WeLOTS

WeLOTS = Webelos Leaders Outdoor Training Skills = where I was this past weekend. We started at 8a on Saturday, went to bed around midnight, were back up by 7a, finished by around 11a. At which point I came home, got a shower and went to my den meeting. Tiring, but enjoyable.

Dutch Oven cooking demo View of Lake Lanier A knot The Forestry/Naturalist badge session

Yellow Daisy Festival pics

These are a few of the pictures I took last Friday at the Yellow Daisy festival out at Stone Mountain Park.

Look Ma!

Changing a tire... Fixing a bike...

HandyMan badge

Today the 'men folk' are running the den meeting. The boys will be earning their Handyman badge. I fully intend for the boys to actually CHANGE the tire on a car (or two) as well as learn to grease chains, fix flats, etc on a bike. They can "earn" this badge at summer camp, but they do more talking and theory than actually hands on. I like hands on. So, even if they've earned it, they'll really earn it today. Of course, I have to get back from camping in time to make it, something I fully intend on doing.

Outdoor Leader Skills

This weekend I'm at a workshop at Lake Lanier. It's a Cub Scout thing. I'll be learning how to camp with the boys so that we can take the boys camping. 'eh, you might say? Well, we'll leave it at this: if I want to take my patrol camping and not have it be Family camping, I have to take this course. So, I'm taking it. Back tomorrow in time for the den meeting.

Remember September 11, 2001

Day 3 of Sick Boy

Who's really not THAT sick, it's just a fever that won't go away. Now, admittedly, it's hovering around 101, but you wouldn't be able to tell half the time just watching him. Fortunately(?) for me, he's discovered the joys of Zoo Tycoon. Now that his dad has 'fixed' his computer so that it has memory and wireless network, he can sit in his room and goof off. This doesn't get the school work that's been sent home finished, but it does keep him occupied. It also keeps him fairly quiet, which is good when you don't feel well.

Whatever it is, it's going around the teachers. Since taking him to the doctor yesterday, I've had 5 teachers call to ask me to work today. Apparently, their children are sick as well. It'd be interesting to see what the student/teacher 'out sick' ratio has been this week at the school.

Just for Fun

Back Pains

I've been having random back pain for the last month. I finally got tired of it and went to the doctor's office at the end of August. I received the results late yesterday afternoon: arthritis. IN MY BACK? Lordy, just what I needed to know. So, I'd guess that makes now a good time to find a fitness program and MAKE it fit my schedule. Now if I can make it fit my budget.

I already get out and walk in the mornings when my kids are at school (or at least I try), so I need something "more". I'd love to try a yoga class again, I'm sure that'd help my core strength and flexibility, though doing anything should be an improvement.

That said, I'm looking at rejoining the YMCA, though I'll join a different one than before. I'm looking at the Robert D. Fowler facility. It offers gymnastics (which my daughter wants to try) as well as other things to keep my kids busy while I work out. That way if I have to go after school, I don't have to worry as much about them.

I'm also looking at the Curves which is here near home. It's closer to home and the kids can sit and do homework if I have to go to school first. That one should only take a 30 minute workout.

I'll have to evaluate costs and advantages to each before I make a decision, though I'm leaning heavily toward the Y.

Zhu Zhu Pets give away

This is one of those toys that my daughter would love to have. I haven't had a chance to look at it in the stores yet, much less even think about going shopping for the holidays (which I dread the financial side of), however I love the idea of winning it for my daughter. That being said, there's a great blog that's giving it away and so I am referring those of you with kids there to check it out: Therapeutic Reviews and Giveaways - Zhu Zhu Pets- Hamsters *GIVEAWAY*

Decatur Book Festival

I ended up going all by myself, which was probably a good thing. The boys hung out around the house goofing off. I, on the other hand, cruised the exhibitors and found books for the kids for $.50, including a graphic Star Wars novel. I listened to Kate DiCamillo read part of her new book and picked up 3 of her books (2 Mercy Watson & Tales of Desperaux) autographed.

I visited Stephanie Bond and got two of her Body Movers (5&6) books signed.

Then I went and listened to Jon Scieszca (very funny man, my son likes his Time Warp Trio books) and had two of his books signed.

I was out there for probably 4 hours and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Maybe next year one of my son's most favorite authors (Tony Abbott) will be there, or even one of his buddy's favorite authors (Geronimo Stilton). My daughter loves the Kate DiCamillo (Mercy Watson) books, so maybe she'll be back. Of course, to truly help my son out, we'll likely have to hit Dragon Con to meet someone like Timothy Zahn.

Cub Scouts

We had round-up at my son's school Thursday night. We had a GREAT turn out. Assuming they all show up, there are 7 new Webelos II joining the pack. Fortunately, another parent (my co-leader's husband) has said he'll be a patrol leader for them. I'm QUITE happy about this as I already have 10 boys and can't absorb 7 more. That's assuming that they all so. If it's only one, that's a different story. So here's hoping it's all or nothing. It'll make it that much easier to handle.

Decatur Book Festival

I sent my daughter off to a friend's home last night and will get her back sometime tonight. IN the meantime, I let my son bring a friend of his over for the evening. It's going to be a gorgeous day and I don't want the boys to be inside playing video games all day. *I* plan on going to the Decatur Book festival, with or without the boys. I'll have to keep an eye out for stuff for my daughter, but it should be a blast.

Safety Patrol story

I just had to share this. I was standing in the hallway Tuesday morning at school, making sure kids behaved on their way to class or breakfast. One of my son's friends walked by, he'd been selected for safety patrol as well. Most of them got their badges Monday morning and this boy had brought in an empty wallet Tuesday as well. He took his safety patrol badge and pinned it into the center of his wallet.. just so he could take it out and flip it open to flash his badge. In his best TV cop voice, his comment was.. "Michael -- Lilburn Elementary -- Safety Patrol". I just had to laugh.

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