Dancing at the state fair. Because it was during the day and the other two had after school things going on it was just Zoe and parents. One on one attention.
Doing her back bend.
Doing her pom routine.
"No, don't touch me"
MMMM nachos!Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Date Night
Saturday night I asked Penni if she wanted to go on a date and out to dinner. She accepted – then both Kristine and Nichole got babysitting jobs so it looked like Zoe was going on the date. Then Nichole’s job fell through so it was back to just Penni and I. My brother in law called to see if we wanted to go to dinner – we agreed – and planned on meeting at 6:30. I noticed that it was 5 so I thought to myself – watch some TV, shower and leave at 6:10. I ran downstairs and passed Penni in the hallway after she had just gotten home from a baby shower and she said “why are you not ready to go”. Been there done that – so instead of saying I am going to watch some TV, take my time in the shower and we will go at 6:10. I said – I am jumping in the shower and will be ready in 5 minutes. Cussing in the shower because I just knew that there was a fabric store or craft store in my future because dinner had not changed from 6:30 and I hate those stores. It's always - I just need to run in for one thing – and 30 minutes of pure h&$* ensues.
So sure enough we hit Target and after trying to prolong the stay with a little game of hide and seek. Penni said that we needed to go to a fabric store – saying that it will not be as bad as the craft store - right. So at the fabric store we get our 1/8th of a yard and we are waiting to check out. I look at the next counter and notice this huge bottle of hand sanitizer. So I think to myself I am going to eat – may not hit the bathroom so lets disinfect now. I hit the pump and a huge glob of hand sanitizer comes out - I mean huge it was all over the place. So I am rubbing it on my hands, my arms, my neck, my head and I still have plenty. I finally find enough places to get rid of it all. By then Penni is done and we are heading out to the car. So like every date I am trying to score just like in college – I have put my moves on her – in Target and the fabric store - but nothing is really working.
We role out of the parking lot headed to dinner and Penni gives me this look. You know the look – and she says – what is that smell? – she says it is a good way – like I have new cologne on. I didn’t want to tell her the truth so I said – it is just me – remember I showered – she says no really – how/why do you smell so good. I smell good?? – trying a different tactic – yes, really good. Finally I can’t keep it up – I pause – it is hand sanitizer that I got at Joann’s. We both start laughing – it was really good to have a good laugh. Note to self - stop by Joann’s after work and get some hand sanitizer.
So sure enough we hit Target and after trying to prolong the stay with a little game of hide and seek. Penni said that we needed to go to a fabric store – saying that it will not be as bad as the craft store - right. So at the fabric store we get our 1/8th of a yard and we are waiting to check out. I look at the next counter and notice this huge bottle of hand sanitizer. So I think to myself I am going to eat – may not hit the bathroom so lets disinfect now. I hit the pump and a huge glob of hand sanitizer comes out - I mean huge it was all over the place. So I am rubbing it on my hands, my arms, my neck, my head and I still have plenty. I finally find enough places to get rid of it all. By then Penni is done and we are heading out to the car. So like every date I am trying to score just like in college – I have put my moves on her – in Target and the fabric store - but nothing is really working.
We role out of the parking lot headed to dinner and Penni gives me this look. You know the look – and she says – what is that smell? – she says it is a good way – like I have new cologne on. I didn’t want to tell her the truth so I said – it is just me – remember I showered – she says no really – how/why do you smell so good. I smell good?? – trying a different tactic – yes, really good. Finally I can’t keep it up – I pause – it is hand sanitizer that I got at Joann’s. We both start laughing – it was really good to have a good laugh. Note to self - stop by Joann’s after work and get some hand sanitizer.
Parenting teenagers is not for the faint of heart!
So many of our FHE are turning into discussions based on what is going on in the girls lives. We have had a few of these over the past few weeks. So this week the discussion was on dating. Yes - dating.Why might you ask?? Based on conversations with my junior high and high school daughters "everyone is dating, and have boyfriends and girlfriends," By everyone I mean their LDS friends. Boys and girls.
I am confused I tell them. Do they not know and understand about the whole 16 thing??? "Mom, nobody follows that,"" their parents don't know" and "welcome to our world" is their response. I then say " so does dating mean they just like someone and talk to them at school if they aren't 16?"
"No Mom, they call, text, meet up, hold hands, kiss etc. etc.."
So the conversation last night started by me asking Todd if I have missed some new information from the church leaders regarding dating seeing how apparently many youth in our ward and at school are doing the above.
As we then talked about dating with the girls it became very evident that what is a date in this day and age is EXTREMELY blurred. I guess it's ok to call, set up a time to meet in the park, talk and do other things.... but technically that's not a date in their minds (and an inappropriate date at that.)
I told Todd that going to the movies and getting an ice cream afterwards would be alot more innocent and better than what some of these kids are doing. The movies and ice cream is a date but hooking up at the park is not...hmmmm, I must be missing something.
Well we were all confused by the end. Kids and parents have different views of what is and what is not a date or what behavior is in the dating category and what behavior is appropriate once you do date.
So I did some researching last night for clarification.
Our next FHE will really be almost like throwing out the word DATE and replacing it with PAIRING OFF and what is appropriate and not appropriate behavior with boys their age.
The prophets and leaders have always been clear on this subject and thank heaven for that. Even though what a date is or is not may have changed in the mind of a teenagers/parents the basic principles still are sound and true.
I guess I didn't realize how unprepared I was to answer these questions about dating as we discussed a variety of situations where we had a hard time labeling if it was a date or not. I thought a date was a pretty black and white kind of thing.
I love my girls very much. Todd and I work hard at being able to talk to them about anything. I am glad that we have a chance to talk about these things with our daughters and that so far they have been receptive to the counsel we give as parents and from leaders who respresent the Lord. I have come to realize that my girls need undiluted information and the opportunities for discussion where they can ask questions.
Next Monday, I will be ready.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Nichole played in the east region golf tournament on Monday and Tuesday. Penni had the day off on Monday and went to watch Nichole play the first round. They didn’t allow the parents to ride in carts so Penni had to hoof it. Each foursome had a scorekeeper and rules official. Penni befriended the scorekeeper and at one point the scorekeeper turned to Penni and said – “I am not sure why I keep getting Meagan’s score wrong – I am always off by one stroke”. Penni told her that she was right – that Meagan was giving her the wrong score – cheating. Then another girl hit the ball and the scorekeeper didn’t see it and the girl didn’t count it. So honesty is a big part of the game and it has been an issue all season long.
The coach sees Penni and told her that Nichole was his best player from tee to green – but she struggles with her chipping and putting. On Monday she shot really well and did the best on the team – the coach told them that it was because of Nichole that they were in fifth place. Their top golfer was not playing well and one girl had been on the verge of tears all day long – aka girl’s golf = very emotional.
The top school was a Catholic private girl’s school – Nichole has been talking about their matching warm-up suits that the girls all envied. Early on Nichole was not that concerned so much about what she did on the course – it is how you look. Although the more Nichole plays golf the better that she wants to get – and there have even been some signs of competitiveness.
But some things don’t sink in – we have had many conversations about the difference between a water ball and a non-hazard ball.
The coach sees Penni and told her that Nichole was his best player from tee to green – but she struggles with her chipping and putting. On Monday she shot really well and did the best on the team – the coach told them that it was because of Nichole that they were in fifth place. Their top golfer was not playing well and one girl had been on the verge of tears all day long – aka girl’s golf = very emotional.
The top school was a Catholic private girl’s school – Nichole has been talking about their matching warm-up suits that the girls all envied. Early on Nichole was not that concerned so much about what she did on the course – it is how you look. Although the more Nichole plays golf the better that she wants to get – and there have even been some signs of competitiveness.
But some things don’t sink in – we have had many conversations about the difference between a water ball and a non-hazard ball.
Option 1
Titleist Pro V-1
$48 per dozen
$48 per dozen
Option 2
Women’s overrun balls (water ball)
$6 per dozen
On Monday Nichole was shooting over a water hazard and hit her ball right in the middle of the lake – ball she used - option #1 a $4.00 Titleist. Her response – but Dad I thought that I had it, I was hitting the ball really good.
So the season is over but Nichole and her new friends are already planning their practice schedule – Penni is ready for a break from golf - but Nichole response is that she has really worked hard and doesn’t want to lose it. Plus I think that enough people have told her how good she is that all she needs to do is practice and she can go as far as she wants. I think that is sinking in. She wants to get a golf scholarship to some college. WOW!! What a difference a year makes.
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