Candy Rant

Not to be confused with Candy Gram. But anyhoo, what is up with candy at school? I'm not talking candy once in a while for a school party or something. I'm talking candy. every. single. day. Hello childhood obesity! How about diabetes? (And that is on top of the lunch menu, which includes about as many different versions of FRIED as you can imagine.)

In our K-2 school, this doesn't seem to happen. But M3 has hit third grade and moved to a new school, where it seems candy is constantly used as a reward. She came home upset one day, because the student who finishes his/her work first every day gets a piece of candy (and that is usually not M3). She was sad, because more often she gets candy only when the whole class gets candy. In fact, her teacher has a popular reputation because he gives candy. When M3 was chosen to help clean the tables after lunch, she got candy as a reward. So excuse my language, but WTF?

It's not like I deny my kids candy! They get plenty! Y'know why? Because they are given candy when we got to the post office, the grocery store, the bank, not to mention the 4th of July parade and the Homecoming parade! In fact, those last two events provide them with enough candy to make it through the low-candy season (high-candy season runs from Halloween to Easter).

So I am proud to say, I prepared for the conference. I actually planned how I would register my complaint in a non-confrontational way. I didn't want to put M3's teacher on the defensive, because I know he's not the only one. And I did it!! (He only got slightly defensive.) But aside from mentioning obesity and diabetes, I wanted him to get that the kids need to be rewarded by accomplishing the WORK ITSELF. You worked hard and finished your math...yay for you!! You should be proud! Cuz when you get bigger, ain't no one goin' to be handing you candy...or bonuses...or compliments...or appreciation. (Well, maybe once in a while but c'mon people, let's be honest...not much!!) You have to feel good about a JOB WELL DONE!

Honestly, I could go on and on but long blog posts are boring, and this one is long enough!! More on the parts of the conferences where I actually discussed my children later. (Could I be going overboard with the italics?)

Today in Iowa

Yup, it's the white stuff...the first snow of the year is always exciting. Better get the garage cleaned out!

And on a completely vapid note...

...I liked the dress!

Yes, we can!!

OK, I know it's cheesy...I can't help it! I may be idealistic, but I feel like it's a new day for our country. Maybe we'll be able to hold our head higher in this crazy world. Maybe we'll actually be able to come together to get problems solved (although when I heard a blurb from Rush Limbaugh today, I heard exactly the kind of idiotic and immature assholery that prevents that from happening. I feel sorry for his unhappy self. Rush, put your country above your ego and your ratings, OK?)

Here are some lovely pics of election day in Miami that my cousin Stephanie took. Bonus pic of one extra special little voter at the end:

Today's the Day!

Take your coffee and your book and go get in line! Really, I can't remember being as excited about any election as I am about this one! Not even 20 years ago when I voted in my first presidential election!

BTW, our friend Astrid will comment for MSNBC! Little blurb here.

Happy Halloween!

Here are our little historical characters. And a big thank you to Grandma and Grandpa who helped with costume issues, the small Halloween lunch/party the kids had (I don't think I'll do that again! I'm just not one of those moms who can whip up a kiddie party like a batch of cupcakes...I was frakkin' wiped out even with my parents' help!), and trick-or-treating escort. It was a gorgeous, gorgeous day for Halloween!

Where did he get those pants?

A somewhat macabre picture of a red-tailed hawk feasting on a bunny (see the ear??) on the lawn of a church downtown. I've never seen one this close! It wasn't perturbed in the least by people trying to sneak up and snap pics.