Taking A Cup of Tea with Mom and Me to a New Level

 Sometimes, you can be so dedicated to an idea that it starts to define you.  DD and I have always enjoyed our tea time together, thus the blog title; but this weekend, we took it to a new level.  It wasn't just a cup of tea with mom and me: it was mom and mom and mom and mom and mom and mom and several me's.  We celebrated DD's 16th B'day at a tea house with 5 fellow girls and 6 moms.  Some people may think this could be boring, but with our group boring is not in our vocabulary.  Fun is wherever we are.  And on this afternoon fun was at Tea Roses Tea Room. Where we devoured yummy food (those cucumber sandwiches where the perfect blend of sweet and pepper), laughed until we cried, reminisced about days gone by, and planned to never let these friendships dissipate.

So here is to a little more tea for all the moms and daughters out there.  May you always find time for tea with each other.

PS Happy Birthday, yet again.

Love,
Mom

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar, author of Holes, is about Alton, a teenage boy, who is forced to play bridge with his blind, dying, uncle in attempt to get Uncle Trapp Lester, to add his family into his will so all of Alton's family's money problems would disappear. Alton slowly starts to fall in love with the game of bridge while being Trapp's cardturner. Alton starts playing at home attempting to understand the game and become a better bridge player. When Trapp dies Alton doesn't let the game go, and neither does Trapp. Trapp and his first bridge play, Annabell channel there bridge experience through the children. Trapp talks to Alton, while Annabell talks to her granddaughter Toni. The Cardturner is wonderfully written and not only follow's Alton's life and how he's feeling, but also adds in a little bridge. This is a must read book for all genders, and I highly recommend it!

Cae

Mother's Day Sale and New Cell Phone!!

So yesterday on our way home from Pleasant Valley, CT we stopped at the Holyoke Mall in Holyoke, MA to get my cell phone! See I've always wanted a cell phone, and since dad has always had Nextel/Sprint, I had to  get a Nextel cell phone! So at the mall, there was a Nextel Kioisk, and not only was dad able to renew his exsisting Nextel contract, but my mom and I were both able to get a new Motorola Clutch and a family plan (only about $70.00 for 700 minutes).

Even though it took about 3 hours to do everything, the guy that was helping us was very nice, and I liked him! I would deffiently stay as a Nextel costumer. . Also for every mother out there Sprint/Nextel is having a Mother's Day Sale! So go buy a new phone ;)

Cae ♥

Check out some accessories that would go great with this phone!

Valentine's Day Fact

Sweethearts

My favorite Valentine candy Sweethearts from NECCO haven't been changed for the past 145 years. This year in 2010 there are new sayings, "text me" and "tweet me". I have to say this is true, I ate some of them last night. The additions are new to NECCO, and personally speaking should be followed up with "Facebook me".

What is your favorite Valentine candy?

Happy Valentine's Day!! ♥

C ♥

Teenager Thursdays

I’m going to start a weekly thing, and this weekly thing will be called Teenager Thursdays. It will happen every Thursday and it will involve something a teenager will like, and since I’m a teenager, It’ll be easy. For today I figured I will decode the teenager language for all parents to read, especially my mom, because she needs to know what she’s typing to my friends :-p
OMG: Oh My God/Gosh!
WTF: What The Fuck!?
JK: Just Kidding
JC: Just Chilling
K: Okay
OMFG: Oh My Fucking God/Gosh!
BRB: Be Right Back
BBL: Be Back Later
BBML: Be Back Much Later
G2G: Got to Go
2: To
Pwned: Owned (like a burn)
Pwnage: Ownage (like a Pwn but better)
Liek: Like
NW: No Way
BF: Boy Friend
GF: Girl Friend
FB: Facebook
MYS: Myspace
Pic: Picture
Rly: Really
RP: Role Play
OOC: Out Of Character
Charrie: Character
S/N: Screen name
Plz/pls: Please
w/:With
2gether: Together
HW: Homework
O: Oh
WEML: Whatever Major Loser
W/E: Whatever
NM: Nothing Much
Wu/what’s^: What’s Up?
Lol: Laughing Out Loud


By: C :)

CORI This, CORI That

Paperwork, I know feel bad for adults that need to fill a lot of paperwork out! My parent just filed to become Foster Parents, which I think is cool, and nice. Of Course they need to do a Criminal Background Check on every except for my brother, he’s under the age. So my parents and I need to file out CORI’s, but wait it gets even better! We also need to fill out Connecticut Criminal History Record Request Form, because we moved 3 months ago, and we haven’t had time for a record (not that I had one in CT anyways) in the new area, so now I need to fill out another form kind of like a CORI, but the CT way, but I figured it’s fine, we’re helping people out right fostering is a great way to help out, but now I’m also volunteering at a Shelter later in the month, and what do they need? A CORI! So there is one more I need to do, I’ve been thinking about it, I’m not an adult, but for being a young adult there is a lot more paperwork, then just when I was a kid! Now it’s like wow, what do adults need to do? Kids/Teenagers/Young Adults, should be aware, of what we’re going to get ourselves into in 10 (or more) years, because trust me, I’ve never thought about the paperwork involved.
P.S. This is our 100th post :-p

Forehead Kiss

Some small children have rituals to allow them to go to bed: bed time stories, bath times, maybe a special blanket of stuffed animal. My fourteen year old still has one ritual which I will saddly miss when it ends. Every evening before she goes to bed, I still have to give her a forehead kiss. This simple act can mean forgiveness for a difficult teen / mom day. It can be the affirmation of a day of working together. It can be the symbol of solidarity when times are tough. Just because our kids grow up we should not stop these simple, perhaps childish forms of affection. If you don't have a ritual, maybe it is time you make one up.

I Elfed My Family :-p

Do Not Watch If Afraid of Elves

When my mother was sleeping and I had full control of the computer. I raided my mom's pictures and I Elfed my whole family. The dog in there is Max. Well I hope you enjoy :)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

What should I be when I grown up?

I know we must all get asked this question at least once in our life, “What are going to be when you grow up?” And yes the answer changes throughout the years as you get closer and closer to college, where you finally decide. Well, I want to know this answer. I have too many options and I’m good at too many things. Tonight, I got compliments on my fashion design (option one) and that I should go into college for fashion, but then I have my love and talent of horses (option two). I just love the animal. Then acting (option three) is also something I have always loved and would love to just go out and accomplish. Then I would love to be a minister (option four and final option). I just love the places my minister goes and I think it would be cool to do. I want to know what you answered the question as a kid.

What would you like to be when you grow up?

By <3C

How Much TV Should Kids Watch?

My DF (dear father) wants my brother and I to graph our computer, tv, and phone time. Computer – ok. We’re only allowed on for an hour (whole different story). Phone – OK. I’m the only one that uses it and I am only allowed 30 minutes per time (one hour total). But – TV –I don’t watch that much non-educational tv – maybe 3 hours on Thursday (Survivor is a must!), but other than that it is the news or music choice. I feel that Dad wants to limit us even more. I already don’t have time like all my friends do, nor do I have that cell phone that everyone else does (excluding my brother, he is still in that age group that doesn’t need one), but why limit me on tv? It is usually news and music, but I don’t watch music. It’s not like I don’t ask to go and use it, but when I do it is only for 2-3pm or 3-4pm for A Haunting on Discovery Channel and on Thursday 8-9pm on CBS for Survivor. I always ask and my mom always has the right to say “no”.

What is your view on this?

By,
C

Note: At this time, there is no judgment of what DH is going to do with this information and frankly, I think it will be interesting to everyone to see what the truth is of their viewing habits.

By,
D

Homecoming Dance

DD was asked to the homecoming dance. This is a biggy. This is the first date / dance, she will go on. We have one week to find a dress. It is a semi-formal. She is aiming towards:







I think something like this may be a better choice.

Or this one, which comes in a beautiful Lagoon (blue) color:

It is frightening how quickly they grow up. She will be beautiful. I hope that she has a good time.

How Much Do You Tell Your Teen?

Being a teen is tough. We adults know it because we've been there. You teens know it because your in it.

I've always tried to be honest with DD about life, but I'll be honest that I also have not given full disclosure about my life experiences. Some things are just better left in the past, but maybe she needs to know that I didn't come out as a fully formed, responsible adult. I made stupid choices too and got in trouble for them. I share these stories not because I want to encourage her to make mistakes, but so that when she makes them or are considering making them that she knows she can ask for my opinion or come to me to help her. The question is - how do you know how much to disclose? Do your kids really need to know all your stupid choices? Or is it better to be perceived as perfect? Do you tell them everything at once or disclose as they are having problems in specific similar areas?

There are days DH and I really wish there was a parenting manual.

From Carousel to Vampires to Obama on a Unicorn

I think that it is great that DD is still involved in Girl Scouts. It is a great program for her and a great opportunity for us to spend time together too. We may do a lot of good works, but this weekend was just fun. We went to see Carousel at the University of Hartford and then went to dinner. We were supposed to go the Cheesecake Factory, but with a 1 ½ to 2 hour wait, we opted to go to Cosci.



Theater tickets can be very expensive, but if you find a local college especially one with an acting / music program like the University of Hartford has the HARTT school, you can see excellent theater in an intimate setting for a very reasonable price.

Of course if you go with a group of five crazy teenagers in your car, you better be prepared for theater performance of your own on the way home. I was treated to the never-ending story (kind of like telephone, but each person adds a segment of the story) of a vampire, Jasper, and his human girlfriend, Tally. It was bizarre enough, but when we got closer and closer home and they realized that they had to finish up, the story took an even stranger twist when the dark dreary setting was suddenly pierced by blue skies and flowery meadows and out of nowhere a pink and white unicorn came prancing in with Obama on it. You can only guess that DD added that portion to which she “Dot, Dot, Dotted”(in other words, passed it to the next person to add their section). To which the next person added, “McCain then walked in since he didn’t have enough money to buy a unicorn and said, “My Good Friends” . . . Ok, I will not bore you with their craziness, but I will share with you the bases for their plot change, as we all know that every story has an inspiration.

Time for Some Campaignin' Funny Jokes at JibJab

Guidebook to Raising Teenagers

Someone please tell me where the guidebook is for raising teenagers. I am trying so hard. I remember how difficult it was to be a teen, to try to fit it, to have your body change before your eyes; but I think DD, thinks that I have no idea what it is like.

We tried the mall again this weekend and then they came back to the house to hang out. I could tell you the good and the bad parts of the day, but suffice it to say there was a few times that I spoke to them and apparently in doing so completely embarrassed DD. After they left, she broke down in tears. My heart broke for her and I apologized for her being embarrassed, but refused to retract or promise not to do anything I did. Trying to maneuver our way through this time is going to be very difficult.

I welcome all advice, especially from those of you who have been through this and endured.

She is such a smart, interesting, creative girl. I don’t want her to shortchange herself. I wish that we could offer her so much more, but we do the best we can. I hope the one thing that she knows is that we love her with all our heart.

Early Bird No More

I must be slowly migrating to a night owl, because it is 10:43 pm on Saturday night. I can’t sleep. I’m in my jammies and I just did all my homework including Latin (come on - - - that tires me out during the day!!!!). I’m not even tired. I don’t know why, but I’m not. I even just finished babysitting too!!! I used to be an early bird; up at six and be done by 12, but now I HATE mornings and LUV nights. I think I am turning into my mom and brother (They have always hated mornings and luved nights. I wouldn’t be surprised if my brother is still up.). I really need to go to bed . . . off to get some warm milk.

Are you an early bird or a night owl? What is your secret to falling asleep?

By, C

Certified Bow Hunter

DD is now a certified bow hunter too.

I remember when she was so young and cute. I wanted her so badly to continue to be cute, but also be able to kick the butt of anyone that took advantage of the cuteness. You know fathers sometimes joke about putting the boyfriends in place, but I figured we could only do so much and eventually she would be on her own. When she was in 1st grade, I signed her up for karate. She continued for several years and even competed. Eventually, her interest in theater overtook the karate, but I have always been glad that it is in her background. Three years ago, as I have mentioned, the kids started shooting competitively. Now she is certified to hunt with both a gun and a bow. Hopefully with such credentials, all her future boyfriends will think twice about behaving badly. Plus, I have always found in my life, that having / being something just a little unexpected, has suited me well and I hope that it will her too.

By, D

First Cell Phone

My mom just got off the phone with Mrs. T. She talked for 64 minutes!!! (My mom was complaining about my friend, Eva, calling everyday). I looked at Mom as she hung up and asked, “How long was that?”

“64 minutes. Why?”

“And you are complaining about me and Eva?”

“Ya, but I don’t call 7 times!”

“She was seeing what she could do with her new cell phone.”

“ok”

“You know what it - - -Hold on. You haven’t had a phone until that one?!?!?! No way!!!!”

It was so funny. My mom being sooooooo old and not having a cell. OMG

By C

To read my version of the story, go here.

By D

Nientendo DS - $8 away

Well, yesterday I got my bank statement for my “spending” account (I also have a savings account that I can’t touch.) My brother and I both like Pokemon and with the new handheld games, they change the episodes. New games go the new handhelds. Well, my brother has a GameBoy Advanced – SP, but Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are only in Nintendo DS.I have just enough money to zero out my account, but I am part of a credit union, and my mom says that I should keep it in their since it is hard to get into one. I looked at my balance. I only needed $8 more dollars to keep my my account upon and buy a DS, Pokemon, trading case, and charger.



I almost blew up . . I just need one hour of babysitting. Now I need $8 to that DS for my brother and I. I can’t wait until I get enough money. My brother will be happy 2 : )

Not Back to School Picnic without a Bathing Suit

Today, the kids and I spent the day at the beach with fellow homeschoolers. A Not Back To School Picnic, for those of you that don’t homeschool, is a celebration of our freedom to homeschool. We get together to enjoy the sunshine while other children are stuck inside stuffy schools (We always wonder what the other beach goers think when we are there).





Of Course, our house would not be the home with a teenager in it without a little bit strife on our way to the beach. Apparently, she never took her swimsuit out of her father’s truck when we went to Salisbury Beach – ONE WEEK AGO! Grrrrrr! Even in this she has to fight with me, “It’s Fine. I’m not going to swim anyway!” I was going to call the whole thing off, but relented and just had her bring an extra pair of clothes. Good thing too, because she spent most of the day is the water. Proof she is my dear daughter. If mermaids were real, we’d both be one.

Pink Bunny Pajamas

Two nights and two days at the beach and DD was either in her bathing suit or her pink bunny pajama bottoms. She even went out on the beach in them. This is definately my DD who used to ask me to paint each nail a different color.

My own little Pipi Longstocking.

By D