Blast from the past

Being a mom


I thank God EVERY day I was blessed with children. Yes I know many times I may complain and wonder what the heck I was thinking but deep down they are the reason I get up in the morning and the light of my days.

Vern has been very trying lately and I am frustrated and want to do the right thing with him. He even knows how naughty he has been. He acknowledges this and said he is going to try and shape up. Gotta love it. Well here is todays blip with him that made me glad he is mine....

"mom"
"yes Vern"
"Its so hard being popular" rolling eyes
"Why is that?"
"Because EVERYone always wants to talk to you. Sometimes it gives me a headache!"
"well good thing you can always go to your room for some piece and quiet"
"shaking his head yes, thank goodness I can get away from it all"
THAT is my Vern.

Naming Vern

Ok readers WARNING – IF you do not know Vern’s real name this blog is not going to make a lot of sense to you but for those that do know his real name it will.


Looking back I guess it must have been divine intervention on the naming of Vern. The older siblings were on the way to the hospital to visit their new brother and Vern STILL did not have a name. There was just nothing that sounded right or could be agreed upon. I wanted a 7 letter name because that is how many letters his brother and sister’s names have. Vern’s dad wanted crazy football star names like Eller. It was chaos the entire 10 months! Even after we had decided upon his name I just didn’t know if that should be his name. I was unsure and kept second guessing it. Now all these years later it was the ABSOLUTE right name for him. He is ornery and funny and sensitive and loving and the name is perfect. It is funny how sometimes things just fall into place. This was one of those times.

East is 2-0!

Vern has his second football game and they WON! WOOT WOOT goes the mom again.

It was a really close and good game. The kids are still really into learning the game and listening. I NEVER have seen Vern listen so closely and try so hard. I knew he had it in him.

Ok there is one in the picture that doesn't seem enthralled with what coach is saying...

The opposing team had super fast girl on their team. She was the star player as she knew how to run, knew a lot about the game and was not afraid of those boys!  Coach ran our players the other way when she was on the field. :-)

The boys got to play some different positions. Vern really does need to be in tackle football as when he was running back and got the ball he charged up the middle pushing kids out of the way but forgetting that they could pull the flag off him easy that way.  Maybe soon I'll have to look for a tackle football league although that scares the mom.

Vern also got to play wide receiver. The only time he got the ball thrown to him he dropped it... Here is a shot where he was a decoy.

Vern's team scored on the last play of the game and team East won 14-7.

A couple of side notes, his sisters team had yet ANOTHER coach and they of course lost all games. Their team has even forgotten how to serve. Poor thing.  My college and pro football teams both won so fabulous football weekend!

Conferences

Our school district does mid-term conferences. This means that in between quarters we have to meet with teachers verus at the end of the quarter when the report cards come out.  Tonight was our first conference.

Ann was first and had a student led session. This is where she talks about her grades and the teachers just walk around and you can ask them questions when they wonder by. She is doing well and I am very happy with her progress.

Next it was off to the high school and wait and wait and wait in line to visit with John's teachers. I didn't get to one teacher as it was time for Vern's conference.

The smaller kids are also tackling the student led conference. This was the first time and Vern was AMAZING!  There were 7 people in the room and he spoke really well and did everything he was supposed to do. He had to read an exerpt out of a book and then finish the story. He had to talk about the centers he does. Then Vern read a worksheet he did about things he does well.

The highlight for me was Vern's rendition of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. Vern had to rewrite and change the story so his story was Goldilocks and the 3 Dinosaurs.  I will try to tell Vern's story and I am sure I will not give it justice. I would have typed it here but we were not allowed to keep that one.

Goldilocks got in a boat and rode for an hour before she came to land. Here she saw a house without a roof. In she went and saw a table full of MEAT.  The first plate of meat was too hot. The second plate of meat was too juicy and the third plate of meat was just plain discusting!  After all that meat Goldilocks had to go sit down. The first chair was way to big, the second chair was way to hard and the third chair was just right. Next Goldilocks decided to go up stairs when she got there she saw 3 dinosaurs in bed. She screamed and went running from the house. The baby dinosaur asked if he would ever see the little girl again and he didnt.

Hearing Vern read this story was great, especially the meat part. He had us all laughing.  We all praised Vern and he seemed to just glow with all the attention. KEEP up the good work Vern...

East 28 West 7

Vern had his first “official” football game Saturday. He could hardly wait. We arrived early and he had a chance to eyeball the other team. As we were going back to the car to get his G2 he leans over and says “Mom, we are going to smoke them. I have been watching the other team and they just don’t look that good.” I smiled and thought ok my little story telling Vern you just keep thinking that. We shall see how your team does. (We had just come from Ann’s volleyball game where her team was smoked 2 games to 1.)

Vern’s team had a 10 yard penalty after the second play! This was not going well. Vern’s team was on defense… They are 8-9 year olds how can you give them 10 yard penalties???? Our team had not been told the rules before the start of the game so they really were at a disadvantage as they had no time to practice the 5 second delay when there is a pass play. Anyway Vern’s team finally gets the ball and on our second play the speed demon on his team runs and scores!!! WOOT WOOT

Near the end Team East had another fabulous run but it was called back for holding?!?!?!?!?! WOW. On the bright side they ran the exact same play as the next play and scored again. :-)

I have to say I was very impressed with how well the kids listened and wanted to do well. There is a girl on Vern’s team who is way taller and older than the rest of the boys but was a great wide receiver. She scored on a reverse play I did NOT think they would pull off but did great. Hats off to coach (Vern’s dad). He did a decent job with the kids. I hope he rotates the kids to different positions during the season and treats them as fairly as he can as I heard one kid say “Yes that is the coach’s son.”
In the end Vern was right – they did smoke ‘em. I’m glad that Vern’s team won as all my other football teams (college/pro) lost this weekend.

Steady as he goes!

I have good news to report, Vern made it home safely on Friday.

Chuck pulled the phycho mom's kids off Vern's bus and put them on a new bus.  Plus he had the Sheriff there to be sure no trouble was made. Chuck also assured me that this coming week someone would be around the bus area a couple days to be sure Vern was safe.

I have some pictures from the first game but I will have to post that later.

The Plot Thickens

Poor Vern just can't seem to catch a break but at least now his mother is P*SSED for good reason and I think things will be a bit calmer in the near future on the school bus.

This week a parent (yes you read that right) has been threatening and harassing Vern. Yesterday she yelled at him and I found out tonight swerved and honked the horn at the kids.  Tonight she once again yelled at Vern, threatening to call the Sherrif and put Vern in his place. Poor Vern was crying and scared when he came home.

I called my friend Chuck and he promised to take care of things. If he doesn't this mom may have to pull out all the stops and take care of things myself. What sort of adult threatens and harasses an 8 year old that she doesn't even know!!! I'm P*ssed all over again.

Random topics

EGADS the mom has not posted for a few days. I have good intentions but it isn't always easy with 3 kids, and their activities.

Vern has been doing well on the bus. He has made 7 school days!!!!!! He really likes his "job" of doing counts of kids. He told me the other day if he has another good week he is getting a "CERTIFICATE"  from Chuck. He is engaged. I am SOOO thankful.

He has been trying to do his homework better. I am trying new tactics on his reading. I talked to the reading teacher last night and she gave me some good hints so that he takes ownership for his reading. I hope I can keep it up.

Here is Vern's report on football practice tonight:

I got to be center. That is an important job dad said.
We had to do those running things. BOY that is tough.
I got to be running back once.
I did some blocking and busted through the line once but the girl kept running away from me.

Sounds like he had a productive practice.

We have had a go around with the school. Vern is alergic to milk and milk products. His dad found out even though I signed papers and have told school since he started kindergarden of this allergy and not to give him milk they still were!!!! I was upset at this and talked to the nurse who promised to clear it up. Vern tells me he has not had milk at school. I sure hope not. I was wondering why his arms were all broken out. Now I know why.

I think that pretty much sums up Vern the past few days.

Ribbit

Vern was at his dad this weekend but he came to the door yesterday and rang the bell with a McDonald's cup in his hand.

Look Mom.

He took the lid off and had a toad inside.

He was beeming!

Ah to be 8 years old again.

I love my kids

Rollin Rollin Rollin

Day 2! Who would have thought that is such a big mile stone?

Hey, I will take every one I can get. Vern has made it two complete days on riding the school bus. (woots and cheers from this mom)

He is trying to do his homework and follow directions. It is SOOOOOOOO very difficult for him but I can see he is trying.

He was incessent tonight with questions.  Here are just a few I remember...

Mom, can you help me?
How do I write this number? As thousands? (five hundred thousand and fifteen)
WOW, I wish I was that old.
Is that how old Jesus is?
How old is God?
Is he older than air?
Is he older than the universe?
Mom, did you know air can't make you sick but bacteria do? I saw that on Bill the Science Guy.
Can I have my YMCA card?
Will you watch me play the Wii?
Can I have $.75?
Can I have $.50?
Can I eat this fiber bar?
Can I walk down the street?
Can I go into the YMCA?
Can I throw this wrapper into the trash barrel?
Can I open my comforter?
Will you help me put it on the bed?
Where is the pillow case?
Will you say the prayer tonight?

I kid you not he asked all of these plus a ton more I forgot between 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm.

Dear Lord,
Please help me do right by this child and not duct tape his mouth shut.
Love,
Mom

Football has started...

Football practice has started in Vern's world. He is SOOO glad.

There is one bad part - practice is on dad's visitation night so I only hear how practice went from him.

This is what he reported to me.

Football was good mom.

Dad wore us out. He made us run and pass and stuff.

There is a girl on our team!!! She is as big as you mom.

My friend "Joe" is supposed to be on my team but his phone is disconnected so he couldn't come. His mom must not have paid the bill.

Amazing the thought process of an 8 year old.

Guns, Indians, and Forts

Vern and family went to a local fort this weekend. He had a GREAT time. He got to see a fort in action and it was hard for him to choose his favorite activity or site of the day.

He really enjoyed the torture devices used back then. He moaned (as did all the men that entered) about this wooden saw horse looking contraption that was sanded to a rough point and men were made to sit on it. He also liked the whips and solitary confinement.

Vern really enjoyed watching the men fire a small cannon and this other lead ball into the air. His eyes were as big as saucers! To bad the only picture I got was the back of him.

Let's hope this is NOT the case. Sometimes the picture is all that needs to be said.

On a brighter note Vern also got to dig inside one of the buildings and find archeological treasures and mark them down on paper. 

Everyone had a great time and the weather was beautiful. Mom’s favorite part was seeing the Indian wearing only a teeny tiny breechcloth but I’d better not digress on Vern’s blog. (Big Smiles)

Football

“Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, when is football practice?”


“7pm at YMCA”

“When do we leave?”

“After dinner.”

“When’s dinner?”

“After I get it made.”

“How long till it’s made?”

“15 minutes.”

“Supper ready yet?”

“DO YOUR CHORES!”

“Mom, when is football practice?”

Fire shot out of my brain and wow guess what dinner was burnt instantaneously.

Fast forward to arriving at YMCA.

Football has been canceled because of the rain. Your packets should be ready later today. Volleyball will still be held.

“MOM, why is there volleyball and not football? Couldn’t they have cancelled volleyball instead? When is practice?”

“Vern, we will find out when I get the packets.”

Approximately 500 more times this same evening…

“Mom, when is football practice?”

“Mom, when is football practice?”

“Mom, when is football practice?”

“Mom, when is football practice?”

“Mom, when is football practice?”

“Mom, when is football practice?”

I finally lose some of my patience and say “VERN, I am NOT hiding anything from YOU! When I know when practice is I promise I will tell you. Now GO TO SLEEP!!!”

Mom, I died.

“Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm”


I hear this frequently at my house with 3 kids running amok. This was my little Vern looking for me. He finally finds me and is bursting with news. I ask him what is going on and he proceeds to tell me he just died!

I ask how that happened and he said he was trying to do hand stands and summersaults in the living room when BLAM he hit the bookshelf by the fire place. Here is as close as I remember him telling me.
Vern: “Mom I was doing summersaults and handstands and fell. Can you believe I died for a minute? I mean all the air went out of me! But I did come back to life. I am pretty tough hu?”
Me: “Yes, I am glad you came back to life.” (As I am wondering what is broken and how many more grey hairs I will get out of this…)

I administered a giant hug and off he trotted glad to have died and came back to life. :-)

A good turn.

In cubscouts when you do a good deed and someone notices it is called a good turn.

While playing at the school playground he found his teacher's coat. He picked it up and plans on giving it to her at school tomorrow.

Vern did his good turn of the day. We like these days.

On a side note he also brought home a bracelet with a lot of sentimental value that I had lost while at the school meeting. (Bonus points for Vern!!!))

THE Meeting

We had the big meeting on Vern. In attendence were the principal, bus director, school councelor, myself, and part of the time Vern's father via conference call.

Overall the meeting went well. We discussed Vern and what to do to keep him on the right path. The only thing we could all agree on is that he is craving attention. We are going to try and focus the attention on positive attention versus negative attention. We all went away with some action items.

Principal - to pop into see Vern on a positive basis occasionally when he is caught doing good.
Bus Director - giving Vern a "job" on the bus that is just between those two.
Councelor - will work with Vern to teach him when its ok to say no and sibling rivalry.
Mom and dad - give positive reinforcement, teach him not to use bad words about people.

Vern was very excited about his "book" that Chuck (bus director) gave him and is ready to help out. He was concerned when told he has to first serve his sentance of a 3 day suspension and will start his job next week.

His sister Ann was also given a stern talking to by me and told in no uncertain terms if she contributes to him getting in trouble SHE would be in more trouble than he is. She did not like that very well but accepted she can't taunt him on the bus any more.

Sorry this is not funnier but I thought I'd better toss out a serious blog just to let you all know I am very serious on raising a great child.

I promise to have a funny story next time.