Why Does It Matter?
The conversation at our dining table this past weekend was initiated by my son. He asked us, “why does it matter if other people want to marry the same sex, if they love and care for each other?” That came from my 14yr old son.
It shouldn’t, was our reply. But there are other people out there who believes a certain way and we must respect them too and hope that these people would also respect other people who believes a different way.
And then last night, North Carolina passed the same-sex marriage ban. I went to bed with a heavy heart, and wished for our move to happen soon. You go through the days feeling like you’ve accomplished something in raising your children well, and then you wake up one morning feeling defeated coz you can’t find the words on how to explain to them why certain things are unfortunately, just the way they are. 
Reminiscing Time
My son is turning 14 next week, Wednesday to be exact. So here I am looking at old pictures, reminiscing, and thinking where I’ve done wrong in raising him. Kidding on the latter, haha. Well, you know, I think every parent go through that thinking stage almost everyday. I saw this old picture of him playing a keyboard. He really loved that. I think even I learned how to play children songs those years too so we could maximize having a keyboard in the house. As years went by though, he never really showed interest in learning more so we took that as a sign that playing instruments is really not his thing. We tried guitars and drums throughout the years but he’d only show interest for a few months then after that it was back to drawing. He’s really more into art, graphics, games, and all that techy stuff. He still has a keyboard in his room though and he’d play once in a while. There’s also some game in Nintendo DS which teaches you how to play piano so he does that sometimes. I would get him one of those Suzuki Keyboards for his birthday if he’s really really into music like that but being a good parent also means accepting what your child is really not into and just support and help cultivate what he likes to do.
Oatmeal Container Turned Kids Organizer
I ate the last cup of oatmeal for breakfast yesterday and as I was about to throw the container away, I said, “Hey I Betcha I can do something with this.” I remembered how every time we go somewhere, I’m always looking for my daughter’s sunglasses. Then I saw the pencils at the dining table, and remembered the markers in my desk, and all over her bedroom floor. VOILA, organizers out of an oatmeal container. This is actually one of the classic ways in recycling oatmeal containers. When it comes to covering stuff with paper, I’m your pal. Just check out the Customized Toilet Paper Roll Telescope I made for my daughter last year. Now let me show you how I made these organizers out of an oatmeal container.
My Son, The Artist’
If you’ve been following me for years, like waaaayyy back in ’97, you’ve practically watched my son grow into a Teenager. Chances are, I’ve watched your kids grow as well. I suddenly feel all nostalgic. Anyhoooo, part of his growth that you’ve witnessed is his art work. I can’t even count how many times I’m raved what a great artist he is and how many artwork of his that I’ve posted throughout the years. They’re not limited to drawings either. My son can do digital better than anyone. Well, maybe I’m exaggerating but what I mean it, he’s really good. He once drew Popeye in Photoshop just using the draw tool then printed it and when his cousins saw it they all wanted one. These days he’s into creating videos and video games. I won’t even attempt to look into his computer to check out his files coz I know he’s got folders and folders of them. He has a YouTube account where he uploads the videos though. I’ll share some of the videos sometime. Right now, here are some recent and not-so recent drawings all over his room.
As you can see, he’s into Sonic these days. He’s also into Halo and he has drawings of that too which I’ll post sometime. When he was in grade school, except for that one week when he brought home 3 tickets in a span of one week for talking too much, he never really got in trouble for the usual stuff that kids gets in trouble with at school. Yah know like bullying, picking a fight, or being a distraction to other kids. Every time I had a meeting with any of his Teachers, his trouble was mostly because he liked to draw a lot. It sounds strange, doesn’t it? See, he would always rush his work so he could have that extra quite time to do whatever and in his case, to draw. So every time we’d talk to him about focusing on the task at hand, I always had this pain in my stomach. It always bothered me so much telling my son to ease up on something he’s obviously so passionate about so he could concentrate on other things.
Honesty Is Best Served…..
Or something like that. Oh wait, that’s totally something else. It’s actually Revenge is best when served cold. Well, I’m just going to borrow it coz it’s kinda cool.
It’s only Wednesday but I have been served with Honesty twice this week by my children. Yah know what they say, Honesty is the best policy. Aren’t all parents teaching their children to always be honest? We also know that kids don’t lie. And if they do, they’re terrible at it so parents will always know. We’ve been there, done that, after all. Admit it, Haha!
After working out last Monday for 45 minutes with my TurboFire Fire 45 routine, I was sweating my ass off, and had to catch my breath a few times. It was an intense workout and I Loved It. I was so proud of myself. In between trying to breathe and feeling so proud of myself for another awesome workout, my 5 yr. old daughter blurted out, “You Stink!”
I supposed I did… Haha!
What Is The Right Age For A Kid To Stop Wearing A Halloween Costume?
2 years ago, when my son was Mario for Halloween, was the time we told him to be his last year of wearing a Halloween costume and trick-or-treating. I mean he could still accompany his sister and be part of the merriment of it all but we figured it was time to let the little ones take first dibs on houses with candies and chocolates wearing their cute or scary costumes. But then last year, we decided, OK, 1 more year. So my talented and artistic husband turned our son into a zombie.
Hubs did the makeup really well and my son gamely played his character too when I took the pictures. This year he could walk along with his sister and father while they go around the neighborhood trick-or-treating. I’ll be left at home giving out candies. He’s really not happy about not wearing anything for Halloween. I am kinda feeling guilty about that but yah know, we figured there has to be a cut off limit for kids. Like when you tell tell them Santa is actually Dad, and Easter Bunny is just someone in a Bunny costume scaring little kids in the mall, unintentionally of course, so the parents can have pictures of their children with the Easter Bunny. I am proud to say I never subjected my children to that commercialism, Heh! We didn’t tell him all of that about Easter Bunny of course. Just that he’s not real, short gist of it all. We try not to be too cynical all the time.
Food, Cooking, Marriage, & Parenting All In One
Whenever my husband enjoys our dinner immensely he would say,
“damn that was disgusting I ate all of it”
Sometimes that involves second and third helpings.
Early on, my son would react coz he didn’t get the irony between the empty plate and the word disgusting. It was kinda cute how he would defend me by firmly saying the food is not disgusting and I’m the best cook in the world although it usually takes him 2 hours to finish his dinner. He just doesn’t like it when someone says something bad about my cooking. Father or not.
Anyhooo, last week I made some broiled chicken pieces where the skin got a little bit burnt. Just a little of course, yah know, broiler effect which my husband likes apparently.
My husband told our son after thanking me for a delicious dinner,
“Caine, I hope you find a wife that cooks just as good as your mother.”
And I said oh so surely…
“I hope so coz I’m certainly not cooking for you all your life.”
Of course that was a big fat lie.
The Egg In A Hole Experience
This food post could have easily gone to Feistycook but I’ve decided to post it here instead because it is such an easy breakfast to make that is very kid-friendly. Seriously too easy. Cut a hole or any other shapes on a slice of bread, melt butter on a griddle or non-skillet pan, place the slices of bread on the griddle, break an egg into each hole, season with salt and pepper, cook for a few minutes, flip to cook the other side and VOILA, fun breakfast for the whole family.
This is a classic breakfast that is so easy to make you can make this with your eyes closed. Well, maybe not. Campers love this stuff.
