Library Volunteer

Mica's continuing to volunteer at the library a few hours a week. He collects zip codes for their Read to a Dog Program.

The teacher in me already had to get after him. We went to pick him up, and he was on his cell phone checking something. I said, "Mica you're at work. No cell phone!" He said, "Mom they don't care." I said, "I do. Get off it!"

Otherwise I think volunteering is good for him!

The boy has already read his Summer Reading hours. I'm making him wait to cash in for prizes until Isaak gets there. 

I signed the boys up for a few things through the library. 

Babysitting Class:

Mica took a 2nd Babysitting Class. He wasn't too excited about joining in because he took it last year. I said, "You may learn something new. A refresher is good for anyone." 

He came out of the class thanking me. He said he did learn a lot. I guess the girl that headed it up was a different person than his other class. 

• He learned different games to play with different ages of kids. 
• They talked about how a lesson is more important than discipline. Example: Instead of taking something away, explain why what a kid did was bad. Then they know not to do it again. That's not to say that they shouldn't be disciplined, but have a lesson first.
• He learned more First Aid. He's not certified with it, but knows how to deal with certain situations. 

Cupcake Decorating Class:

I kind of thought Mica may not want anything to do with cupcake decorating, but Isaak wanted to take the class when I brought it up. They could choose between just frosting and sprinkles, making a rainbow with an Airhead Strip of Candy, or a Sunflower with the center being a small Oreo. 

Isaak picked the Sunflower. He was happy to eat it afterwards.

We have a few more classes underway:

• Didgeridoo for Isaak
• Teen Movie Night (Possibly)
• Chess (Possibly)
• Ukulele Lessons

I say possibly because some we didn't have to sign up for all the classes. It's more like you just show up. 

Are you active with your public library?

Conniption Fit

See these cute little Apel's:

Don't let them fool you! Turn that Apel into another word. I think you can figure out what that word is. 

I wish Bill Cosby and all the others I liked that turned to the dark side weren't such punks. Cosby had a skit about kids eating chocolate cake for breakfast, and the Mom having a conniption fit. It would be so fitting to post with this. 

The two Apel's have been at home. I made them lots of food, and mentioned lots to do, and left them very little tasks to do.

Day 1: Mica washed and dried the sheets, but forgot to switch the last load over. Then he brought up Isaak's comforter partly wet. 

Isaak decided it was a great idea to eat lunch at 10 something. Why? Because he was hungry. Never mind that there are snacks in the house. I left them a 9x12 pan full of Pizza Burgers. They ate 3 each, and barely touched the bag of veggies I left.

Day 2: I got home, was finishing up an app. Isaak was extra bouncy, needed attention. I was getting annoyed big time. 

Then I asked what they did all day? Isaak said Mica was in his room most of the day reading, playing with Legos, and listening to music. 

That's when I snapped. I got on Mica big time. Mica can be alone all the time, and be ok with that. Isaak on the other hand needs interaction! There was a time when Isaak was in Kindergarten where he didn't get time with us because Travis was sick, and I was decorating cookies with my Mom and sisters. He was a green dot kid that turned to yellow and red. He stepped on a kid's scissors and wouldn't take his foot up. Well Isaak was in one of those needy bitter moods yesterday.

I said, "Mica your job as a babysitter is to make sure the house doesn't blow up, make sure everyone gets fed when it's time to eat, and to entertain who you are watching. Cleaning up is a perk. I can overlook some of the mess." 

He said, "Mom I'm not babysitting." 

I said, "Watching anyone younger than you is considered babysitting. Get out of your Mica world, and see how your brother feels." 

By this time Isaak was in his room crying. 

Two different personalities  + a mom that had a conniption.

Travis was going to take them to work but I said, "No let's see how they did after we got after them." 

Today at the end of the day they are to write how their day went privately. We'll see how they did.

Yesterday I Felt SO OLD

I went to my cousin's {wife} baby shower. My cousin's cousin for their other side was there. I know confusing! I used to babysit her. She's now getting her master's degree.

Then I got on Facebook and the little boy, whom I babysat a lot just got married. I went down a little bit on his wall and someone said, "Congrats on the baby boy!" My jaw sort of dropped. He's old enough to have a baby, but I haven't seen him for years, which makes him still young in my mind. I can always remember his age because he's the same age as my two cousins Stacy and Brent, who are both married. Stacy has an adorable kid as well. I think the boy whom I babysat had an surprise with this baby though. No pictures of the baby or the wedding were up. That's usually something people want to share. I hope it all goes well! He was such a great kid to babysit. I loved him and his Mom!

This sounds crazy, but I think babysitting was so much fun most of the time! I got to play with the kids and read fun little stories. It was a blast!