Cooperation

I have great kids. Really. They're smart and creative, entertaining and introspective, thoughtful and loving.

However.

Sometimes they cause me to be speechless. Sometimes they pull a stunt that is particularly ridiculous. More than once I've called my mother-in-law to ask such things as: 'Is the child supposed to be able to scale such heights at this young age?' and 'But why does the child insist on surfing toys down the stairs...repeatedly?' and 'At what age exactly did your son stop talking without pause?' Because surely, such behaviour must be intrinsic to my In-Law's side of the family. Because otherwise, I'd be tempted to call in a professional. Mostly for my sanity as such things make absolutely no sense to me. And I had a couple of brothers and a testosterone-heavy set of older cousins.

It's been quite a while since any stunt-like implausible behaviour has happened. Sure enough, as soon as I let down my guard, R shows me the lump on his head.

A half hour after said lump was inflicted on his person. By a snow shovel. Wielded by his sister. Because they were 'play fighting' in the snow. What does a mother say to that??!

Who swings a snowshovel at anyone's head?!!?!?? No wonder he was lying down in the driveway he that he had supposedly gone out to shovel!

Anyway, as they say, 'all's well that ends well'. I found my words. K apologized and R was forgiving. It was cold enough out that any swelling had been kept to a minimum. Perhaps the bruise will be unnoticeable...there, on the middle of his forehead. <sigh>

The driveway did get shoveled and soon enough the two of them were holed up at the computer working on a project together. R dictates and organizes while K types.

So what is it? A small lapse in common sense due to burgeoning hormones? Were they stunned by the cold? Perhaps there is something to the 'violent video games = violent children' argument. Whatever it is, it's fleeting. As most of the time, it is just the two of them, holed up somewhere working on something, helping each other, putting up with the other. I think they would be lost without the other around.

Note To Self:

Hello Self. Wonderful Christmas we had this year. And that bit we did sticking to a school schedule really paid off as the kids and I have really appreciated these last two weeks of 'school holiday'.

Just a thought, Self. When planning your Science curriculum, peek ahead and see exactly what the required elements of each unit are. It may have been prudent to discover back in September that the Biology unit we've been planning on starting in January (tomorrow!!) requires a number of natural elements found in the warmer months here in this corner of Canada.

The beetles, ants, worm and pond water teeming with microscopic life are currently in short supply. The chapter on 'Releasing Your Butterfly' is not likely to turn out well anytime in the next ten weeks.

Self, may I suggest we do the Physics unit and then tackle the Biology unit in the Spring?

Now, don't we have some things to print? Gather? Prepare?

Welcome T'mortons, Can I Take Yerder?

SillyMortalMama reminded me of something when she mentioned Chester Drawers.

A disturbing trend has been noticed at our local Tim Horton's. When the kids remark on it, I know it must be a fairly pronounced trend. Occasionally we'll use the drive-thru.

Welcome t'mortons. Can I take yerder?

Yes, I'm flattered to be welcomed to Tim Horton's. You most certainly can take My Order. Or-der. Two words: Your. Order.

Then, while you're at it, you may also make eye contact, you may put the lid on correctly after stirring my coffee and then pass it out the window to me. If you notice it dripping, do not sigh and roll your eyes as hot coffee trickles over my wrist and onto the ground while I scramble for napkins over in the glove box all because you lack the courtesy and common sense to prepare a coffee in the cup!

Also, if my coffee or-der totals $2.60 (large double-double and a medium triple-triple decaf) and I hand you $2.75, you are then obligated to return $0.15 to me!! Don't stand there looking out the window at me like you expect me to drive away without my change. What IS that? Such an attitude of entitlement. Unless, of course, I'm now expected to tip sloppy customer service?! I don't recall that memo.

Which reminds me of another story. Same Tim Horton's. I'd say a different employee, however, since they all seem to acquire the same drawled vernacular, it's hard to tell.

Employee: (while having chest and an elbow draped on the counter) That will be $4.60.

Customer #1: (opens wallet to get money)

Employee: Oh!! I take $20 tips you know!!

Customer #1: (ignore rude comment from Employee who continues to lean over counter and stare into wallet; hand over cash to pay) Thank you, Ma'am.

Employee: Ma'am!!?? You called me 'Ma'am'!! Hoooollllyyy! I should keep this $20 as a tip. 'Ma'am' is for old ladies! (turn to fellow employee) Hey Jessica, this guy called me 'Ma'am'!!

Customer #1 gets his change and moves on. Customer #2 approaches counter.

Employee: What can I getcha, Ma'am?

Seriously. How would you feel if you were Customer #2. I cannot believe the ignorance of some people. If this is how they behave at work, I am scared to think how they behave in the company of friends and family.

Step Into My Frustration

A little bit of history before I explain. We rent our home. It is in a complex of rental townhouses. Management and maintenance have always had a bit to be desired. However, this situation suits our needs for the time being. The kids have their own bedrooms, it's not my parent's house, there's a garage, we're in town and grounds keeping including snow removal is included.

Imagine my surprise when we received a form letter explaining that wintertime snow removal services would no longer be continued. (Actually, some of my surprise stemmed from the fact that we had been given adequate notice, but I digress.) This is a disappointment. Having year-round grounds keeping services included in the rental agreement was a deciding factor for us. It makes the cost, compared to the other options, worth it. Not that we are unable to shovel our driveway, in fact, the kids and I quite often will shovel our driveway as well as the neighbour's.

The reason we were given was that the cost of upkeep has risen and so that we continue (?!) to receive value for our rental monies (!?!?) this cost cutting measure would be taken. I guess the regular rental increases haven't been keeping up with the expected expenses. Curious.

So would someone please explain to me why, why, why, were the contracted groundskeepers here yesterday with leaf blowers. Yes, leaf blowers. For an entire morning, leafs were blown around the property to collect in the communal green. Then, for some reason, it was necessary to then mow the leaves. I would say that they mowed the grass, but since the grass has not been growing these last few weeks, I think that would be inaccurate.

Today, all evidence of this prudent and economical use of our monies is gone. The wind has continued to send leaves to the ground. The green is leaf strewn as are the front yards and back yards. Am I surprised? No. Just more convinced that the people running this place are lacking. I know it doesn't seem like much, but it seems kind of frivolous if management is trying to be economical.