Awards with Bling!
I’ll tell you one thing for free, I’m beginning to understand the purpose of these awards as they certainly boost my morale.
I really don’t know what’s happening around my home at the moment and these awards make me happy to escape reality.
Reality at the moment seems to be turning me into an all day random day care facility. Only a couple of weeks ago another mum and I agreed that it would be lovely for the girls to get together for a playdate. We had a playdate here. Then we had another play date here. Now we are having another play date her. A pal is coming for a pre-arranged play date this afternoon.
Less than five minutes ago, a Dad pulled into the roadside, opened the car door and tossed his daughter out. We watched from the window. He didn’t even pause to see whether she went safely from the gate to the door, or whether the door opened, or whether she went inside, or whether she was greeted by a Grizzly bear! Don’t even get me started on the reciprocal side of things, not that I’m counting of course. Perish the thought! Come one, come all seems to be the motto of the moment.
Now where was I?
Ah yes, Awards with Bling!
It sounds like an menu item with something on the side! But there you go, that’s just me. My pal over at “Around the Island” has been kind enough to sent me this very neat [that means tidy] award. What does ‘neat’ really mean out here anyway? I hear it so often although fortunately it’s not affected my household yet. You can check out her blog and her family’s antics at “Around the Island.” I’m very impressed with these people who can combine a post with an awards ceremony!
So now it’s my turn to send a little sanity out there through the ether. First to “Delilah” over at “Floating in Space.” If you’ve not visited before, then you might like to start here on her post called “A goal.” Don’t worry it has nothing to do with English football.
Then to “Joey Mom” over at “My Life with Joey.” She’s down with the flu like everyone else at the moment, but this post called “addicted” applies to just about all of us. There again, if you’re more of a shopping type, then you might prefer “here.”
Also to “Kassiane” over at “Rhettdevil,” now that I’ve found her blog again rather than whizzing off to that strange blue page that never changes. [what a twit I am!] If you’re a newbie I would suggest you start here on her post called “Thank you,” just you were in any doubt about the power of blogging.
Next to “Joker” at “The Musings of a Lurcher” not to be confused with a ‘lurker.’ This is for all you doggy fans who wish your pup could talk. A good place to start would be over here in her posting called “In the doghouse,” as we’ve all been there once in a while.
I think I’ll pause there as I forgot to save this half way through and therefore mislaid the other three! I refuse to get hung up on the number seven.
I am back again [6 hours later, post play date]
So over to “FXS Mom” at “Fragilex.” She’s one of the troopers that still visits my old Black and White blog. You never know, maybe I can lure her over to the new one! If this is a new site for you then you might like to start here at her post “What kind of Cartoon Animal Are You?” coz those are always fun unless you end up being the Tasmanian Devil!
Then to “Corky” from “Corky’s log.” If you need a baby fix [go on, we all need one every now and again!] then nip along to “boy small,” but if you’re really a hard hearted cynic like myself, then start of here as this makes a great introduction to “Corky Shares from the heart.”
Do you know how I know that the play date is over? Well, I know because 45 minutes after pick up time passed, a car pulled up outside the gate, honked the horn, the play date pal fled from the house and they zoomed away in a pile of dust and a scattering of gravel. I assume they are late but my milk of human kindness begins to curdle!
Don’t you just love ‘normal’ behaviour?
Maybe I should rename my blog = “Grumpy 24/7″
At least it’s saved me the bother of making an appointment at the tattoo parlour so that I can permanently plant ‘twit’ on my forehead.
Ooo a quick international question from the ever so slightly confused [take pity on me!]
When you send your child to someone else’s house for a sleepover do you expect:-
a] a bed with linen to be provided
b] a mattress and sleeping bag to be provided
c] send your child with their own sleeping equipment
d] none of the above
Cheers dearies
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 am
sleepover? nooooo! thank you for the bling!
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:23 am
Bed with linen, definitely. Also food and adequate supervision.
If I don’t get a reciprocal invite I am not interested in letting that child have any more playdates. Call me old-fashioned.
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:37 am
Generally, when I went on sleepovers, we discussed sleeping arrangements beforehand. For larger slumber parties, it’s almost always “bring your own sleeping bag.” For one-on-one, it depended on what they had available. I’m a bit fuzzy, but I think I remember bringing my sleeping bag more often than not. For spending the night at Grandma’s, my sister and I slept in their spare beds. Linen and everything provided.
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:47 am
Your patience is definitely a virtue… and it seems it’s being tested quite regularly of late!
And the sleepover thing…?
Certainly a, or at the very least b… well, I would think anyway.
Hmmm… did I mention that I think you’re very patient?!?
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:56 am
So when do you get to have a sleep over?
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:35 am
At least you know they are not the type of people you would want your daughter to have a “play-date” with.
Throw away kids…are usually very personable because it is a survival mechanism.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:37 am
They should bring their own sleeping bag …
Shut and bar the door!
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:45 am
As to the sleepover: ask.
As to the playdate: that’s just weird.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:52 am
Well, if she shows up with a sleeping bag you’ll know you’re in deep trouble! I could understand the whole “shove the kid out of the still moving car at the curb” if you and the other parents were great family friends. But this? Very strange. Makes me a little sad for the girl.
You’re a good soul, Maddy, with a soft spot for the underdog or forgotten child, aren’t you? It’s one of the things I admire.
Oh, and the sleepover question? When I was a girl (eons aga!), it was shared bed w/my best friend but I brought my own pillow. Larger group gatherings (such as a birthday party) required sleeping bags.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:57 am
Geez Maddy, they’ve got their own personal Nannies- you and your daughter.
I’m sure it’s good for your daughter, but how presumptous and rude.
Congrats on your award. Your writing is spectacular.
Love you.
Suzy
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
Be glad the playdates are at your house! Would you really want DD over at their house given their lack of parenting? I wouldn’t!
As she gets older, it is a huge compliment if the ‘playdates’ continue at your house. I remember going to a funeral where the grownup kids were talking about their father (who had just passed on) and their mother, and saying how proud they were that all their friends wanted to come over to their house rather than vice versa because their parents were cool. They clarified cool as meaning involved, knowing who their kids were with, and spending time with them. I want my house to be like that. I have discussed with DD exactly why I don’t want her going to certain houses for playdates. (Definitely NOT the neighbor who sent her 5 year-old over on her own the day after we moved in to ask if DD would like to come over to her house and play. “Who are you, where do you live, and where is your mother?!!!!”)
DD has done one sleepover – she took her own pillow and a sleeping bag because that made it a ‘proper’ sleepover for her. In that house there was a spare bed, but I think she chose to sleep on the floor in her friend’s room. I think it has to be discussed in each case what is being provided, what to bring.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:03 am
Geesh… At least he stopped the car before tossing his kid out! At least, I think he did… You did say he pulled over?
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 am
You do have a soft spot for kids. I’ve never been all that fond of play dates and play groups. Maybe it’s because of the adults…I much prefer outdoor play at parks or in a neighborhood yard where the kids kind of find each other and the adults peep out occasionally to make sure everything is OK.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 am
I feel the same as Almost American. When I was growing up 95% of playdates/group gatherings/sleepovers/etc. were at my parents house. It was welcoming and inviting and my friends parents trusted my parents almost to a fault. My parents later told me that they wanted it that way so that they could be sure we were safe and looked after.
As for the sleepovers, always ask ahead of time. Everyone’s ideas are different. Usually best friends shared a bed. Once in a while there was a trundle bed available. Large group sleepovers always required sleeping bags on the living room floor.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:40 am
If i send my child for a sleepover, i ask the other parent if she needs a sleeping bag or whatever.
These people are insensitive jerks. I can’t believe the guy who just dumped off his daughter.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 am
I can’t believe the nerve of some people. Do they think you run a drop off service? How rude!
As for a sleepover, I always say, bring a sleeping bag just in case. Alot of times children want to camp out on the floor and at least your child is prepared. Either way ask the parent because some parents have certain rules about what they expect.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
It all depends. The norm in my group was: first and second time, back & forth talk between the parents about expectations. If the parents became friends, it became more casual.
I’m with all the parents who said Drive-By-Late-Pickup parents were rude. You’ll have to play it by ear about further playdates with this girl — you certainly don’t want your daughter going to their house!
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:49 am
I’d provide sleeping “stuff” unless I’d specifically asked for a child to bring.
So far we’ve only had 1 sleepover though, and that one was spontaneous.
And yes, drive-by late pickups are definitely rude.
Hang in there, it’s nearly Monday…
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:06 am
Corky is a great guy, I read him with a tenacity unforeseen by mankind
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
You no doubt have a very warm and welcoming demeanor that draws all of these kids to your home. God bless you for opening your door to them!
Thanks for the award. You are too kind, as always.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Thank you sooo much for the award. They are great for morale and I need it today. Of course, it gave me another reason to be weepy but at least these are happy weepy tears. I do visit your black and white a lot. It’s loads faster for my computer but at work I love to view the other one. Unfortunately, I can’t go back to work for at least 3 more weeks
.
When I send my wee ones off on a sleepover I expect a pillow and a blanket. Where they sleep doesn’t much matter to me. When I have kids at my house they usually at camp out on either the bedroom floor of my kid or the living room floor. I lay out the thickest blanket I can find. Provide them a pillow and a blanket and they are content.
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Applause for the award and your acceptance speech.
As for the sleepover, I can’t allow my boys to go on them right now…too many issues, but I would expect parents to discuss and make necessary arrangements.
BTW, you should be charging for your daycare services…gee, the nerve of some parents.
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I normally say “so, does he(meaning older brother, I’ve not trusted anyone other than close friends to have Patrick sleep over) need a sleeping bag?” Normally he doesn’t. But at this age boys can sleep just about anywhere and on just about anything.
As for the drop off/pick up/lack of reciprocating….grrrr. That’s very rude. You’re such a sweet woman!
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
You do find some rude people don’t you. I have had my fill of rudeness today.
I did bring my sleeping bag to sleepovers when I was little, but I am 26 and my son is 2 1/2 so I am not quite sure how things are handled today
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Really it depends on how hot my friend’s mother is… if she’s really smokin, I generally sleep in nothing but my boxers, but if she’s a hag then I bring my flannels and a sleeping bag.
Thank you very much for the award, Maddy. I am very touched that chose me.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Oh, thank you for the new award! You are too sweet.
As for sleepover accommodations, I would hope that I would know the other family to know what they are providing or expecting me to provide, or be able to just ask outright.
But if I didn’t know, I would be sending a sleeping bag and pillow.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
LIfe just kind of happen between blog moments and gravel flying—-