It's one of the things I hate when someone says "Kids grow up so fast". I reply as quickly as possible, "You forget!"

...the daily aggravations? pick up, hurry up, wash up

...the worries? where are they with their friends, what are they doing up there out of sight, when will they encounter drugs, sex, bad internet sites

...the sacrifices? forgeddabout trips abroad, dates with your spouse, chasing your own dream for awhile

WHOA.

Then I read this little essay in a book from the library fundraiser. Intriguing first few paragraphs, put me right in my place. Thank goodness.

The Gift
by Renee R. Vroman

It was a warm summer day when the gods placed it in her hands. She trembled with emotion as she saw how fragile it appeared. This was a very special gift the gods were entrusting to her. A gift that would one day belong to the world. until then, they instructed her, she was to be its guardian and protector. The woman said she understood and reverently took it home, determined to live up to the faith the gods had placed in her.

At first she barely let it out of her sight, protecting it from anything she perceived to be harmful to its well-being; watching with fear in her heart when it was exposed to the environment outside of the sheltered coccon she had fromed around it. But the woman began to realize that she could not shelter it forever. It needed to learn to survive the harsh elements in order to grow strong. So with gentle care she gave it more space to grow, enough to allow it to grow wild and untamed.

Sometimes she would lie in bed at night, feelings of inadequacy overwhelming her. She wondered if she was capable of handling the awesome responsibility placed on her. Then she would hear the quiet whispers of the gods reassuring her that they knew she was doing her best. And she would fall asleep feeling comforted.

The woman grew more at ease with her responsibility as the years passed. The gift had enriched her life in so many ways by its very presence that she could no longer remember what her life had been like before receiving it, nor imagine what life would be like without it. She had all but forgotten her agreement with the gods.

One day she became aware of how much the gift had changed. It no longer had a look of vulnerability about it. Now it seemed to glow with sternght and steadiness, almost as if it were developing a power within. Month after month she watched as it became stronger and more powerful, and the woman remembered her promise. She knew deep within her heart that her time with the gift was nearing an end.

The inevitable day arrived when the gods came to take the gift and present it to the world. The woman felt a deep sadness, for she would miss its constant presence in her life. With heartfelt gratitude, she thanked the gods for allowing her the privilege of watching over the precious gift for so many years. Straightening her sholders, she stood proud, knowing that it was, indeed, a very special gift. One that would add to the beauty and essence of the world around it. And the mother let her child go.


(reprinted without permission, but certainly allowed within the spirit of the editors, from A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul)

Yes, I skipped a little along with my kids the next day ~ and will do so today and the next day and the next day ...

Guitar lessons are over. (see my last entry called 'Discouraged').

Just before going to the 'delayed' lesson my kid said quietly he didn't want to go. He wanted to quit, he didn't like lessons.

Without much drama (again) I asked him if it was him, me or just why. He said him and me. That the music was becoming a chore (dreaded chore!), that I was too stressed in getting him to practice, and so forth.

We taked a little more, ie remembering whey he started lesson in June, summer vacation, to try it out when there were fewer demands on time. And that the goal was met in giving it a try, seeing if he liked it, learning to read the music. Success!

So happy and proud that both of us were calm and rational, that we spoke honestly and from the heart. Believe me, we are both fairly high strung and sparks fly.

So sorry to make that call to the teacher, but I was candid and he was great. One of his messages was 'If it isn't fun for a kid, time to re evaluate.' Even the guitar teacher is going to have reduced income in this economy, sad.

OK. This wasn't about money at all. But it is all a big relief to me now.

A couple hours ago getting the kids off to school. It is 37 out, sunny but cold. My kid refuses to wear a coat. Without much drama, I gave him the choice, the coat or no guitar lesson today after school.

He picked no guitar lesson. Unfortunately wearing a winter coat regularly brings out his stubbornness. He really likes the lessons, but is a typical kid in practicing too little, too fast, and trying to wear me out getting around the house rules (believe me, I'm am tired).

Over the many past months it has taken alot of will power (and I am a disciplined person) to resist picking up the phone and just ending the music lessons. The making him practice ... the using lessons as a reward for what should be helpful work around the house, etc.

It costs $100/mo, not more than we can pay, but I'm constantly discouraged with the present situation struggling wills with him.

What a relief it would be to just remove this source of conflict.

Yes, to the detriment of his future. A music education is very important, I know, I had one as a kid too.

Anyway...
I had a good idea just writing this entry. Am going to call the guitar teacher and ask him to change our lesson to tomorrow or the next day, instead of cancelling. I hope the delay is enough to make my son make a better decision next time.

The Pretty Cheap Jewelry clan is getting a family portrait taken in October.
What to wear?? Ideas please!

Given:
1. Don't want to spend a lot of money (you knew that!)
2. Don't want to be completely matching.
3. I'd like to be formal or at least well dressed if possible.
4. Small copies will be part of my Christmas cards.

There are 4 of us: me, Dad, 10-yr old son, and 8-yo daughter.

Ideas:
1. Hawaiian shirts ?? Not my style really, but Dad already has one, and I can get kid's ones easy at the thrift store.

2. ____fill in here_____

They will be giving us a grey background.

By the way, this whole thing is a great bargain from my kids school. It is part of a fundraiser to the 5th grade camp out week. We get one sitting and a professional 8x10 for $20.

And fits in really perfectly with the family chronicles -- I had a portrait done 5 years ago and was hoping to have one done at milestones such as every 5 or 10 years.

Thnks.

Just some fun tips and news in between interviews of colleagues in the California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) that I have been writing:

FUN summertime boredom busters for little girls
aka Thrift Store Finds

1. Does your little kid always want to cut her dolls hair, her own hair, the dog's hair????

Get thee to the thrift store for a $1 long haired stuffed creature. We had a very happy, relaxed hour long 'groomer-to-be' session last week doing this!

2. Dress Up!

I cannot believe the gorgeous, passed over formal gowns in the thrift stores. (Actually I should remember I bought my wedding dress at a thrift, so I shouldn't forget...)

What a treat for kids dress up!!! We got a really nice slinky purple lame number with rhinestone sleeves for $6 and a white satin ruffled number for $2. Yes, I am handy with the needle and thread and took them in to fit a kid. If you are not as handy, get out the safety pins and alter away!!

FUN summertime boredom busters for little boys
aka More Thrift Store Finds

1. I scored a BMX type dirt bicycle for my kid for $10 on another thrift store trip. We saw a girl's bike, which was $30 (!) and too pink! So I said something to the clerk who told us about this black and neon orange one which was in the back (for less $$). We are taking it to our weekend property where there are no sidewalks but plenty of trails!

2. Take it apart! My son is also of the age where he wants to take apart -anything - clocks, remote controlled cars, cameras, small electronics, you name it. Find it for a buck or less and let 'er rip (it apart).

Hope your stayin' cool wherever you are.

It has been a struggle the past two weeks handling my grade school kids in the late afternoon and early evening hours.

Being outside to play is far more attractive than the routine necessary:
piano practice,
homework (thank goodness there's not much lately),
dinner (6:30 is about as late as I'll let it go),
shower (needs to be underway by about 7pm),
reading assignment (*sigh* if there is any time left)

What a dichotomy! Why am I'm nagging them to get outside for fresh air on weekend days, and nagging them to get inside on weekdays.

Will someone please send the Spring Fever Relief medicine over here?

When I was working at the dining room table making painted wood pins (like the curved heart in the mini picture, left column), my 8-y-o daughter decided to paint. (She still wants to do whatever I'm doing much of the time).

She has a nice set of acrylic tube paints. So she grabbed a piece of white printer paper and sat at the table.

A vase of roses happened to be on the table. I glanced at her making the beginnings of what might have been the vase. And remarked "Oh, are you making the vase? Many famous artists do 'still life' and paint what they see". Whether or not she was going to paint the vase, I just wanted to subtly teach what a still life was (you learn while doing much more).

In our dining room is a corner curio with some pottery items on the shelf. I was pretty busy but looked over after she worked for a good 1/2 hour.

WOW! Here is what she saw and what she painted. I am flabberghasted at her creative talent. She did the whole scene including the cabinet, the items on the shelf and mixed black into her main colors to give the walls shadow/depth.

I could never do this!

Girl Scout Cookies.
Need I say more?
I am a troop leader and this is the 2nd year we are selling.

Not much of a sales person, I can hardly believe how easy this is.

These things go on nostalgia and I don't know what else.

effortless

our kids are going to have an educational and fun sleepover at a zoo with their earnings.

As a longtime environmental advocate and past volunteer with urban river groups, I wrote and handmade a BIG oversized book gratis last summer for an exhibit curated by a local artist on our Fading Treasures.

The book is reproduced on-line here.

There is a pic of me with my 8yo girl under 'About Nina' (without my glasses!)

It is a quick read, with a lot of mini topics on endangered species, river habitat, and more.

I hope it entertains and educates!

My 4th grader has an assignment to research a historic person from the gold rush times.

The chosen person was 'William Fargo'.

Now I obviously suspected he was part of the 'Wells Fargo' bank empire. But here's more of the story:

Mr. Wells ran a stagecoach company based in the east during the 1800s. They carried people, of course, and there is some element they did 'express' work -- mail. Mr. Fargo joined as an employee and partner soon after. As gold was discovered the two used the stagecoach business for transporting gold and money as needed. They knew anyone with a strong safe and a room was going to be important to the miners. So they got set up of course.

At some point, the express part of the company broke off separately and became American Express. (Which I hold a card today).

Fast forward to the present, and look in my purse: there it is check book from Wells Fargo.

The best part? My kid got the big picture.
....the Wells Fargo commercials show a stagecoach to this day due to their roots...
....risky travel by stagecoach across the country with money/gold avoiding banditos, Indians, and being saved by the Lone Ranger!! (he's seen some old westerns)...
....that daily life for the easterners was far different than the westerners at the time of the gold rush, and what was each were like...

great assignment, fun for me too

Needed a replacement desk chair for my son who has a rad big wood office desk in his room (which I salvaged from an old job when they converted to cubicles).

He had been using a high back, swivel chair handed down from my hubby who bought himself a LEATHER one (!) as a gift to himself a couple years back. (Remember we are the odd couple, DH is the spender, and I am the saver!). The high back chair never fit the desk or the son well.

I promised to get boy wonder a replacement.

(puts on thrift store queen crown...)

Found it! A Steelcase Brand armless wheeled, upholstered office chair in tawny brown. Marked down from $3.95 to $2.95. With tax made it $3.16, but I found a dime on the corner on the way to the car.

Does that make it $3.06?

And all it needed was a hit of Woolite rug cleaner to remove a spot. Left a fresh scent too.

It's hard being 10 and a boy! Even harder for the mom to give a 'cool' birthday party without spending alot.

! ! SUPER MOM to the rescue ! !

Venue: the city park skateboard bowl, FREE
Although my son is not highly into skateboarding, it is a 'cool' place to party. He wanted to have his party at the indoor skateboard rink, LUCKILY they closed. It was his idea to have the party at the park.

Lunch: Pizza for boys is primo, and the nearby parlor constantly runs a special for 2 medium pizzas about $15. This should feed 5 boys easy. I will bring drinks! Cake for another $11 because I don't have time to cook one for the first time in 10 years!!!!

Games: If needed...2 games which cost $0!
1. Poseur. One boy goes off a ways and closes his ears. The rest secretly decide among themselves what 'pose' they want him to make. When the first boy returns, the group expresses cheers, applause, boos (in moderation), until the correct pose is attained.

2. Sheepdog Tag. One boy is designated wolf, one is designated sheepdog and the rest are designated sheep. The sheepdog and sheep link arms or hold hands. They have to run from the wolf, as a team, until the wolf tags the sheepdog. Then repeat with new assignments.

One game which costs a couple dollars:
3. Whip Cream Frenzy. For each player, place a grape or M&M or small food item on a paper plate. Cover with a moderately sized mound of whip cream. Players stand in front of their plate with hands held behind the back. Upon the word 'GO' players try to grab the little item at the bottom of the whip cream in their teeth. First one wins.

Prizes? Maybe I'll dig some out of the 'gift' closet.

Favors: I kind of hate that this is so expected now, but am happy to do something inexpensive and NOT CANDY related. This time I got 'Skateboard Company stickers. They are about $1 ea, and I got 10 (bleh), but the shop gave me as many Skateboarder Posters as I wanted FREE!

Total for the party under $50 by a long shot (for 5 kids).

This question comes up for me most years.

My kids have plenty, they are not spoiled (imo) but have items that just are hardly used.

For example, my daughter was given a "Groovy Girls" set a couple birthdays ago with two cute dolls, a clothes chest and dozen little outfits. She never really took a great liking but it has remained well-kept in her room. (I do the 'well-kept' part).

(btw I used to intercept many of the excess toys given to the kids when they were younger and they didn't notice to regift, return or donate later...this is much more diffucult now though as they are older)

Some books, puzzles, and other toys fall into this category as well.

On Monday, my next block of free time, I plan to go through the kid's room with them and remove with their permission all these items in anticipation of making room for new things from Santa.

SO---------
My preference is to give the dolls, for example, to a girl who really wants and wouldn't otherwise have such a toy.

How?

I am contacting the Boys & Girls Club first. I am not a churchgoer, and have no contacts in that department (unless through a friend). Last year a County Children's agency had a room where families could come 'shop'. They are not doing it this year due to staff cuts

Instead of giving to the thrift store (who would make some money on these), or Toys for Tots (who probably won't take a used toy anyway) I wish it to be more personal if possible.

This comes up almost every year. I need to find some solution.

These little guys are a little harder to please than little girls. Let's consider the ages around 7-12. (By the way, scroll down for a previous entry in this blog on gifts for girls that age).

Help is here!

Rules:
1. Cost $20 or under
2. Educational as possible
3. Electronic gaming is an absolute LAST resort.
4. Refrain from guns, war stuff as much as possible and oh yes, they hate clothes.

Soooooooooo, here's a few ideas to swipe.

A. Models--Make sure to give only the easier kits!! These are snap together, or minimal glue, and NO PAINTING kits. There are good ones, especially; cars (cast metal types), aircraft (plastic), ships (plastic).

And use the 40% off Sunday coupon from Michaels to lower the price more!

B. Legos. There are nice kits that make warrior type characters, the only problem is boys who like these usually have LOTS of them already. Try to get a different one, although sometimes the most fun is putting them together so a duplicate is just fine.

C. Good (inexpensive) camera. OK, this does not fall into the electronic category basically in my opinion. Not digital! This can be a decent film camera which is both educational and appropriate for the age.

D. Book Store Gift Cert. Believe it or not, kids still get excited at the book store. And this is a WAY easy one to mail.

Post your ideas here, because I still need a few more (but follow the rules please!).

Actually these are easy! I have 3 nieces:

1. Knee Socks - Remember getting these as kids? New socks always seem to be enjoyed. Why do I have trouble finding ones less than ~$3+, arghh. They are kind of expensive at Target and even Pay Less Shoes.

Found there are GREAT ones at the dollar store right now as it is fall. Check a couple different dollar stores if you need to. I bought my 7-y-o 5 or 6 pairs. Nice medium weight, good quality!

2. Youthful Cosmetics - Sheer lipgloss, hair brushes, specialty shampoo, light body spray, maybe even a blush. I'm going to fill a small tote (which I've sewn) or buy a makeup bag at the dollar store and fill it up with things also found there.

Michael's (crafts) also has really cute $1 soap, notepads, cards and other stuffers that are not too grown up right now.

3. Diary or Journal - I gave the girls these last year and they were perfect.

Next blog: 'What to Give Tween Boys for Holidays?'

I'll need some help on this one :-/

YaY! Was asked by a relative for ideas as holiday gifts for my kids (7 and 9 year old). These are my (getting up there) father-in-law and his 2nd wife. They are retired, on fixed income.

Unwritten Criteria:

1. Inexpensive (under $20 each)
2. Not Electronic!
3. As Educational as possible

Sooooooooo, here are some thoughts----

A. Pokemon Cards! They both still love these (??). I really hate letting them buy them because it seems such a waste. Why not let the relative get a pack or two as gifts? They are about $6/pack, and come also in larger sets around $12. and the kids love them

B. Gel Pen Set and a small blank book. Doesn't everyone hoard their gel pens? I love mine and don't let the kids touch them! They have a few, and love them too but are careless in taking care of them. A small set of 4-6 can be had at the craft store, Wal Mart, etc. For some reason, my 9-y-o loves blank books too?! Small blank books are available at the dollar stores.

C. Gift Card for the Book Store. My kids have learned what fun gift cards are (after receiving ones for Amazon last year). Even a $10 card is alot of money to a grade school kid. And picking out a book or two is very suitable to me.

More ideas coming soon in this blog!

Summer memories in the making!

My kids earned a free ticket each to 6 Flags Magic Mountain during the school year for reading 6 hours.

We went and they had a BLAST! I had to pay for:

$30 my ticket (using a coupon)
$20 food (I brought extra snacks)

We shared driving and parking with a neighbor family and their kids.

And stayed until closing till 10pm.

Worth every bit for a once a year, to-be-relived event they will remember for a long time. (Besides, their mom LOVES fast roller coasters).

Are the dog days of summer here yet? We are holding them off, all be it barely.

Today 'let' my 7-y-o wash the Camry. She wanted to. Her payment would be a big build it yourself ice cream sundae (we have many toppings at home already).

She recruited a couple neighborhood friends and another little sister wandered in for a total of 4 kids. Mine was the 'boss' in charge of another 7-y-o, a 6-y-o and a 4-y-o.

hee hee 'Dry there', 'Pick up those'...

The car got clean! Mom was happy, the kids were happy, and big ice cream sundaes were served up to all.

Tonight we watched 1 hour of David Blayne, Street Magician on TLC.

I love these guys. Even being a highly educated, serious minded, practical thinker, it is impossible not to have fun watching and WONDERING.

OK, have you heard of him? He is a 20's something highly accomplished fellow walking around the country showing tricks to the man on the street. It is intentionally anti-high theatrical. Apparently he is fed up with the David Copperfield types and wants to bring the magic and fun back to the average person.

For example:

1. He asks the small town cop (sitting in his patrol car no less) to pick a card and without further ado (and I mean NOTHING else) tells him what the card is.

2. He walks into the auto factory and asks 2 guys (with their half dozen buddies standing around) to simply THINK of 2 cards, not even pick one. And proceeds to tell them what they were thinking of.

3. He joins a group of oldsters in an Italian restaurant, hands the grandpa type a brand new sealed deck. Doesn't touch them himself. Turns around and instructs the guy to shuffle, pick one, shuffle profusely, spread them out like a fish pond, and stop. He then turns back around, covers the fish pond of cards with a menu and stabs the menu with a steak knife. Capturing of course, only ONE card, which is the one the grandpa had picked.

4. Stops in front of the tattoo parlor and does some more tricks for the freaks there. They are flabberghasted.

5. Does a trick to a mom and little girl and somehow NEVER touching her, gets her card in the girls back pocket!

7. Visits the lockerroom of the Dallas Cowboys football team, and makes the big guys fall over in a stupor switching cards in their hands without touching them.

8. He gets a few folks in front of a store window, does the pick a card, any card routine. Then takes the deck and THROWS it at the window. The card of choice ends up stuck to the window-ON THE INSIDE!!!!!!!!! The only card that stuck.

6. OK, his best trick. He somehow rises up off the ground about 6-8". He does this over and over to different people. It looks REAL. It is a riot. People practically faint over this one.

So we had an hour of pure fun, free. Whew.

Back from an extra long weekend out to the country to escape the fireworks noise for my dog.

One of the days we took a day trip to the Mineral King part of Sequoia National Park. This is a little visited, lesser known valley at the south end, and is accessed by a separate (long windy) road than the Giant Forest.

Wonderful!

1. Packed lunches and jumped about at a picnic table under a huge redwood, the first my 7-y-o has seen.

2. Spotted a large wild blackberry patch along the way and stopped to pick several cups full (one for the cup, one for the kid).

3. There was no entrance fee!? The Mineral King portion is remote enough to not warrant a visitor booth, although there is a full ranger station at the main area.

4. Walked a 1 mile nature hike twice. Once up and once back. Of course, words cannot give you the feeling of being in the high country. Far far away from the familiar life (cars, buildings, electricity). Plentiful butterflies, babbling creek and small waterfalls.

5. Got close to a deer.

6. Saw a bear on the drive out, lumbering across the road. Another priceless experience for my kids.

Costs? $55 in gas. And a pizza dinner for four in Three Rivers on the way home.

EEP! Two more days until mayhem!

My 1st and 3rd grader have 8 weeks of freedom, mom - here - has the ultimate plans!

1. Free passes to the Getty Museum in LA (given to the 1st grade class this year).

2. Free passes to the Santa Barbara Art Museum (given to the 3rd grade class this year). To be expanded to a full day trip riding the 25cent electric shuttle to the pier, going to the (elaborate wooden) playground, etc.

3. Free kids passes to Magic Mountain (earned by reading 6 hours in school).

4. Swim Lessons for 2 weeks in July (already registered).

5. Trampoline Class later in August (once a week, for 4 weeks)

6. Ocassional $3 movie.

7. Many trips to the beach to collect sea glass, the latest kids obsession (we are fortunate to live near the Pacific Ocean).

8. Sleep overs with friends at our place and theirs.

And the rest of the time for bickering and nitpicking with each other! Whee! Can't wait!

My son has been carefully and diligently saving allowance and chore money for a Game Boy this summer.

(I am not crazy about his choice of product, but after almost 2 years of negotiating this issue, it's time has come)

Today he exchanged a $2 bill, several golden Presidential dollars and at least 1 silver dollar for a $20 bill with me.

What to do with these fun and unusual items?

On the way from work to pick up kids at school, I needed a drink. Although the fountain drink cost is low, I do not support the 7-11. They are smarmy, all 7-11's are a magnet for crime.

And rarely do I use a drive through, it's against my environmental conscience. But there I went, to McDonald's where a big sign said -

42oz for 69c

Whereupon I got out the coins rattling around in my change purse. Didn't even break a 1 dollar bill.

It was enough for all three of us (mom and 2 kids) on the way home from school.

Now just to remember to bring a 6-pack of drinks to the office refridge and this wouldn't happen anymore!

My 9-y-o son's friend sent him to miniclips for lots and lots of free computer games.

He didn't need any encouragement

Take a look, you won't believe the variety, and they're all free. I don't see any 'strings'.

Just about finished with my spinach salad last night, when, 7 year old daughter shrieked "
THERE'S A SNAIL IN THE SALAD!

Let me See Let me See *Everyone running around the table*

"Was that the spinach I picked?," asked DH.

"Yup," says Mom

Just another day in the backyard organic farming at Pretty Cheap Jewelry.

Son groans UUUGGGHHH - Daughter sasses No Spinach for ME!

*Dad takes remaining salad to the compost bin*

Thank goodness I didn't look

The whole first grade was taken to the J. Paul Getty Museum this week. Admission is free. (Parking personal vehicles costs.)

The only cost incurred by the school was for bus transportation, covered by our fundraising.

The kids brought a bag lunch. The experience is priceless for 7 year olds.

Our grade school has a FREE afterschool chess club (as probably does yours or the city rec dept).

I thought it would be 5 or 6 nerdy boys sitting quietly playing seriously.

HA! What a misconception. I volunteered so my 3rd grader would 'decide' to play.

There are at least 20 simultaneous games played at lightenin' speed (10 minutes). Well, a few of the games take longer.

The kicker is I know a few of the kids:
- one of the kids is the 'surfer'
- another is the 'slacker'
- there's alot of girls too

So if you have a need for NO Cost activities, try out the chess club. My kids already knew the basics, and it is a NO Brainer this is better for their brain than sitting around the TV/computer/video game.

What can you say to a smart alecky 3rd grader? He highly suspects I am the tooth fairy and runs around proclaiming he wants $5 and big ticket toys under his pillow!

I try to retort, "If you know the tooth fairy's secret, then the magic disappears and you'll not get any more visits!"

The tooth fairy still leaves only $1 be it for a 6 year old or older in our house

But it might be a Silver dollar, or a golden Sacawega dollar if you truly believe...

Anyone bought helium balloons at their local 99C store?

Today is Thurs and I need to decorate for birthday parties Sat and Sun in the house (both kids have birthdays this weekend). If I buy them 2 to 3 days ahead, will they stay afloat?

I believe they are mylar not latex :?

Yikes! My mom bought a load of birthday clothes for my little girl this past week. From Nordstrom! (Expensive!) And many do not fit, too big!

Nordstrom, king of service, allows you to go to an actual store instead of returning via mail. So off we'll go soon,
but what to exchange for???

Grandma wants good quality togs for her little one, but kids don't care about clothes!

Maybe: (1) kids shoes for a wedding we are going to in May, both my son and daughter need some; (2) ???