Fireworks.

Hey, friends, how was your holiday?

We had a wonderful 4th of July.

We had a terrible 4th of July.

Lots of fireworks, of both the driveway pyrotechnic variety and the explosive mentally unstable teenager variety.

We had corn on the cob, burgers and dogs on the grill, baked beans, watermelon, fresh salad, bomb pops.

We had cops in the driveway, cops hightailin' it down the street in pursuit, handcuffs, neighbors staring.  Questions, decisions, but no answers.

We had colorful fireworks against a dark sky, we had giggling teenagers, we had 4 girls passed out in a tent.

We had colorful police lights against a twilight sky, we had an hysterical teenager, we had an exhausted teen passed out on my bed.

4th of Julys can be quite exhausting.....

The Cinnamon Challenge

I saw a story on the news a few nights ago about some kids needing to be sent from school to the hospital because they partook in the "cinnamon challenge".

Haven't heard of it?

Then I guess your kids are smarter than mine.

The "challenge" is to try to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon without any liquids.  Usually it results in a bunch of coughing and sputtering and the feeling that you never want to look at another cinnamon roll again so long as you live.

Or so they tell me.

                                 Image source



So anyway, some grade school kids brought some cinnamon in to school and tried it at lunch and it apparently did not go well.

And the news report featured some "man on the street" interviews on the topic.

Folks were outraged....

"They should provide more supervision in the lunchroom!"

"It comes down to the parents.  They should know what their kids are doing and be able to prevent this kind of thing!"

Good thing they didn't interview me.  I would have said,

"Kids are stupid!"




End of story.








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Movie Review: Gimme Shelter

A few weeks ago I was asked if I would watch an upcoming movie and write up a review on my blog. Since I like nothing more than sitting back to empty my head and take in a movie, I was quick to accept.

I actually had the option of getting a "press pass" to see it on the big screen the night before it premiered, but my schedule put its foot down and said no way, Jose, you can't fit a movie in on a Thursday night! So instead I watched it on my laptop from the comfort of my couch. I Just followed the link they sent me and voila, movie time.

I'm fancy.

I'm high falootin'.

Anyway, the movie is Gimme Shelter. It stars none other than High School Musical's own Vanessa Hudgens. When I told my friend that Vanessa was in it, she said, "Who?" And I just stared at her and said, "Uh, High School Musical....? DUH?" She continued to stare at me blankly while I stared at her like she was an idiot until it dawned on me. She's no idiot. Just the mother of two sons.

But I digress. Here is the official two sentence synopsis of the movie:


Based on a true story, Gimme Shelter centers on pregnant teenager Agnes "Apple" Bailey (Vanessa Hudgens) who flees her drug-ridden mother (Rosario Dawson) in search of a better life of her own. Turned away by her Wall Street father (Brendan Fraser), Apple is forced into the streets on a desperate journey of survival.

Cast:
Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson, Brendan Fraser and James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones didn't have a large part, nonetheless, he was amazing. Don't you just love James Earl Jones? Is there anyone who doesn't love James Earl Jones in anything he does? I even love to say his name.
James Earl Jones.
James Earl Jones.
James Earl Jones.
Say it with me,
James Earl Jones.

Ok enough of that.

As for Vanessa Hudgens, she was wonderful. As you may or may not know, it is generally true that an actress's talent in a movie is indirectly proportional to her attractiveness. Vanessa uglied herself up pretty good for this role, and as a result, her performance was stellar.

The story line was a bit predictable, but since it is based on a true story, I guess that's not much of a factor upon which to weigh the merits of the movie.

Because the protagonist is a traumatized, abused, foster kid with attachment problems, I kept a watchful eye as to how they would portray this angle, and I have to say kudos. Job well done.

With a very minimal soundtrack, the movie had a bit of a documentary feel to it. Id didn't seem very "movie-ey". That's a word, isn't it? Can fancy high falootin' movie reviewers say "movie-ey"? I say yes.

Even so, I enjoyed the movie. I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me.

Well, hold on. I don't think I laughed. I did cry. I cheered a little. I smiled. I related. I rooted.


Would you like to see the trailer? Here it is for your viewing pleasure:




Gimme Shelter.
Check it out!





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Mommy's Little Helpers

I'd been going through a dinner-cooking slump the past few months.

Partly due to everyone's schedules pulling us a million directions.
Partly due to the fact that I. Hate. Cooking.

Actually, mostly due to that.

So new year, new optimism, new resolutions and all that, I decided I was going to do something about it.

Did you decide to cook more, you ask....?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahahahaha

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

Hahahaha....

Sigh (wipes tear from cheek).

Yeah.... NO.


I decided I would have my KIDS cook more.

Yes. I am a genius. You can say it. Gen.Ius.

There now.



Anyway, here's what I did. I wrote a list of all the meals we typically eat, then passed it around a table of very morose looking teenagers. They were each to pick four meals: one that was "challenging", one no-brainer, and two middle of the road meals. They were not allowed to pick the same dishes. That gave us 24 meals with no repeats. Plus room in the month for Friday night pizza as well as a few leftover/scrounge nights. Shoot, maybe I would even cook a meal now and again.

So then I wrote it all out on chalkboard paint next to my fridge.



On Sunday I look at the calendar and see who will be out on which nights, and then I plan who will be cooking what on which nights. For those "challenging" meals that were selected, I make sure I will be home so that I can walk the child through it, though I keep hands off. That way when they try it again a month later, they should know how to make it all by themselves.  "Should" being the operative word.

Once they've made a meal, I place a little checkmark next to it so I can keep track of which meals we've had. Otherwise they might try to convince me that we haven't already eaten macaroni and cheese 17 times in one month and I might just believe them.

So far, so good. We've been doing this for a couple weeks now. We have had no repeat dinners. I have still been in the kitchen a good bit helping kids learn how to make quesadillas and chili dip and baked ham, but there have also been several nights that I could either be out and about playing chauffeur or home sitting on my haunches and eating the proverbial bon-bons. Plus, they will each know how to prepare four things well. Just think of the life skills lessons here! I am doing these children of mine a service, I tell you, a service. They will thank me.

And for those of you sane people out there with only two or three kids, this could work just as well for you. Two kids could still cook two dinners a week for you, which is two fewer than YOU have to cook. That is a good thing. A very good thing. Or if you're not afraid of being reported to the authorities for child abuse, you could even have them each cook TWO meals a week. GASP!

Anyway, hope this helps those of you that are wondering how you can be at home getting a hot meal on the table while you are across town sitting in an overheated gymnastics studio waiting area enduring the smell of sweaty feet and the sound of overbearing helicopter parents bragging on their daughter's perfect back handspring.

Now fist bump with me and say "Parent Powers ACTIVATE!"




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Rosie's Turn

This house now has three teenagers that drive.

One with his license, one scheduled to get his license this weekend (fingers crossed)....

....and one with a brand new permit.

That would be my Rosie.

She took her permit test this past Saturday, and walked away with permit in hand. She said it was the scariest test she's ever taken.





She's been practicing in parking lots here and there for a while now, and I felt she was ready, so I let her drive home. For those of you city-slickers out there, I should tell you that means a bit more than just driving a couple blocks. None of the exam centers are nearby, with the closest being about 45 minutes away.

So with snow on the ground and salt on the roads from the storm the day before, she got behind the wheel, buckled up, adjusted her mirrors, and away she went.

"Oh God", she muttered as the car rolled over the asphalt. "Jesus take the wheel".





She did great. Her first time driving on the roads she drove all the way home from Lancaster. She dealt with twisty-turny roads, hills, little towns, speed changes, and last but not least, buggies galore. She learned the fine art of Amish buggy passing.

Not one horse spooked. Not one middle finger was raised in salute.




She's driven every day this week, and I have to say, she's a natural. She's already driven at night, on the highway, on back roads, and in busy traffic. I barely have to give her any corrections. Bigger than that, I actually feel comfortable when she's driving. Anyone who's ever done driver training with a teen knows that is huge. Those first 5 - 10 hours can be sheer hell, and I've got the scorch marks to prove it.

So I look forward to teaching this one to drive.

More than that, I look forward to handing over my grocery list in six months when she gets her license!








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Sweet 16. Sweet.

I threw a surprise sweet 16 party for Rosie last Friday.

She had been asking me for a surprise party since she was about 10, and had really been ramping up those requests in the last year.

I kept telling her, "I can't throw you a surprise party if you ASK me to throw you a surprise party. It kind of defeats the purpose."

Regardless, on and on she kept going about wanting one.

Little did she know I had been planning one.

And let me just tell you, in this day and age, surprising a teenager is no easy feat. What with all the tweeting and skyping and texting they do, it's hard to keep anything under wraps.

But I managed to pull it off.

We held it at the fire hall, because it ended up being pretty cheap, and no WAY was I going to have dozens of teenagers at my house eating and drinking and dancing and what not.

So friends and family helped me with...


Setting up a gift table,




Putting together dozens of pretty little candy jars




setting up the room with blue, silver, black and white decorations
(there were lots of balloons in those colors floating on the ceiling after this picture was taken)




Creating a "candy bar"




And taking lots of fun pictures.





As for Rosie?  All she had to do was have lots of fun....
















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Motivating Kids to be Active

I have a wonderful guest post for you today from the lovely and talented Caitlin Hudson.  Take it away, Caitlin!


Motivating Kids to be Active
A post from Caitlin Hudson

With all the electronic distractions, it seems my kids could be happy never leaving their rooms some days. Just give them an iPad, and they’re good to go. But it’s not good for them to live like that. It’s important that they stay fit and exercise regularly, especially as they get older. Once they become teenagers, their natural resistance will make it even harder to get them to try new routines. Starting while kids are young is the wisest move. But if older kids and teenagers need to get in shape, there are still some good ideas to get them moving.

Monkey see monkey do
An important thing to remember, especially with younger children, is that they learn by example. If you want your kids to lead an active life, you also need to practice what you preach. I try to show my kids that exercising is fun and enjoyable. I make it a fabric of my own life and that rubs off on my family too. On the weekends my husband and I try to make it a family affair. Quality time, family bonding and little sibling rivalry can go a long way. Some of my fondest memories growing up involve playing games outside with my siblings, and I hope to provide my children with the same.

Outdoor activities
When the weather’s reasonable, it’s great to get the kids outside. During the summer and fall, my kids never seem to want to go inside. They will run and play for hours. We love to patronize splash pads and water parks. In the spring and fall, we go hiking. I have found that motivation can go a really long way. A kid who ordinarily would think a walk or a hike is really boring might be more excited with a scavenger hunt of items to find on the trail. You can find great ideas for scavenger hunt ideas. Sports are also a great idea. Not only does it also teach them the importance of teamwork, but being around other kids their age is great for socializing and many times, this is where they make great friends. A little competition plus vigorous exercise can really encourage healthy development.






Screen-time
Motivation can work just as well at home. It just takes the right approach. Kids and teens watch an appalling amount of television, despite expert recommendations that they have no more than two hours of screen time per day. So, I try to maximize that time. Balance balls are fun and work several muscle groups. I incorporate them into my own workouts, but my kids really enjoy bouncing on them while they watch TV.  Otherwise, competition at home is just as good as competition on the field. There are numerous pieces of equipment such as the Wii and Wii Fit that are designed to get families up and moving. The games are fun and improve balance and coordination while burning calories. For a lower-tech approach, I like to have a family calisthenics competition during commercial breaks. The person who does the most pushups, stomach crunches or squats gets to pick a healthy snack for all of us to share.

Let’s face it–we all could do with a little less sitting on the couch and a little more getting up and moving. The best thing I can do for my kids’ health is for me to set a good example. If I stay active and help them understand that exercising is important to me, it will be more important to them. And the work we do as a family to improve our fitness will last them into adulthood.



Author Bio:
Hi all, I'm Caitlin Hudson, a full-time SAHM, nature lover, writer, and health nut! I am in the process of starting my own blog, but in the meantime, Anne has been generous enough to let me contribute to her awesome blog. Today, I'd like to share with you some of my favorite tricks to get younger kids to exercise and be active! If you have any questions feel free to email me at Caitlin.hudson1@gmail.com!




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New Job

First day on a new job for Rosie yesterday. She's a ref for the local recreational soccer league. She reffed three games for U5 and U7 teams, so some of the kids were as young as four years old.

Adorable.

Rosie has a whistle and a t-shirt and a giant wrist watch/timer. She feels very special, in a helmet-wearing kind of way.




She loved the little tikes, but already got her first taste of the wrath of the Soccer Mom. There were a couple of shots on goal that the defenders were able to kick out before they crossed that invisible line that represents a score. So Rosie told them to play on, but apparently the parents were none too pleased that little Brandon's and Austin's goals weren't counted.

They'll live.

It was such a drastic change to watch some of the games. Were my kids ever that little? In these games, the coaches were right on the field with the kids. There were no goalies, no off-sides, no throw-ins.

The "language" I hear from my daughter's U17 teammates sounds something like this:

Let it.
Here, here!
Man.
Time, time!
Yeah, yeah!
Cross!
Keeper!

The "language" on these teams comes all from the coaches, and it goes:

Stand up, honey.
Run!
Go the other way!
Where's the ball?
Kick the ball.
No, the other goal.

You know when you're training a puppy, and you want it to learn to come, so you kind of run away from it just to get it to run in your direction? I saw a coach use that method with a five year old yesterday.





Rock on, Rosie!





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Hot Flash

I experienced a bit of a hot flash yesterday, though I haven't had any of those in awhile.

Could it be that the orthopaedist I took James to bore more than a passing resemblance to Denzel Washington??



Image source


Image source


Humminahumminahummina.

Sorry, I guess I should have led with that other part.

The part about James needing to see an orthopaedic surgeon.

See, he broke his hand.  Third metacarpal of his left hand, to be exact.

He was out doing some stupid teenaged boy thing, namely riding dirt bikes with friends, when a tree jumped out in front of him.

When Fred and I saw it last night, we were like, "Yeah, that looks broken. It'll keep till tomorrow morning."

We have been parents of teenagers wayyyyy too long at this point.

Someone needs to remove us from the home.

So anyway, James went in with Fred to the hospital this morning, and got him an xray. Then I picked him up later and took him to see the orthopaedist which Fred had so nice and neatly arranged.

And the guy walks in and starts looking at films and pressing on James' hand and talking about metacarpals, all the while with that sly Denzel grin goin' on.

And every now and then he would look ever at me and ask me a question about the whole thing, and I would just answer,

"Flibberty fork."

And he would say,

"Excuse me?"

And I would be all like,

"Hvzkamenoff."

And he would say something about inflammation and alignment and I would politely nod and say,

"Incandescant" just to sound smart.

Then he kind of chuckled and told me something I'm sure I was supposed to remember about pain meds and ice and elevation and follow-ups, but it's all kind of a blur.


I'm sure James will be just fine.  I don't even think it was his dominant hand or anything.


Meanwhile, I think I'll just go lie down for a bit so I can swoon without fear of falling.


Although maybe if I fell and broke my hand.....



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Miley, Miley, Miley....

Turned on the computer earlier today to see everyone all in an uproar over Miley Cyrus' performance at the VMA awards last night.

I watched the video, I read some blogs and comments and tweets, I laughed at the Smith family's reactions.



Image source

And then I sat back and thought about it, and asked myself how I felt about the whole thing.

Being the Mom of three teenaged girls (girls who grew up on Hanna Montana), I found that, oddly enough, I wasn't all that bothered.

See, when my kids were three and four years old, they went through a potty stage. I'm not talking about potty training. I'm talking about anything that remotely relates to the potty is disproportionately funny and intriguing. And although I witnessed this firsthand in my own kids, this applies to every kid of that age group pretty much across the board. You Moms know what I'm talking about. For a good two or three years, everything relating to poop or pee or potties is just hilarious. If they see a pine cone? Poop. Apple juice? Pee. You get the picture.

I think young adults go through a similar phase, only sex (and being uninhibited in general) replaces poop and pee. Normally, these kids cut loose at college. I have a friend whose daughter, who was Catholic school educated K - 12 and a wonderful girl, broke both arms as a freshman while dancing on a table at a pub.

The pub was her stage. Her place to cut loose and go a little wild with no parent/teacher/priest watching over her shoulder.


For Miley? The world is her stage.




Image source

And for years, she has had no one watching over her shoulder, no one whispering a little guidance in her ear.

Even her song lyrics sound like a little child, don't they? "It's my party I can do what I want." With as many sexual (poop and pee) references as she can put in, because that's what is looming so large in her mind right now.

When my kids were going through the potty thing, I basically ignored them, knowing it was a phase that would pass.

So with Miley,  I say everyone just back off.  Don't give her the attention she is so desperately seeking.  She'll work through her phase and move on to more adult behavior soon enough.  I think she'll be with us for a while.  She's actually quite talented (in my opinion anyway).

And believe it or not, I kind of like her song.  I just put my fingers in my ears and go lalala for the drug references, and I burned my eyes out with a hot poker after watching the video. 

But you've gotta admit, it's a catchy little tune.


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How to Stop Your Child from Hanging out With the "Wrong Crowd"

It's Chicken-Scratch Saturday here at the Funny Farm, and I have another wonderful guest-post for you today. This is from Agnes Jimenez, who wrote a piece for me (a few months back) entitled: How to Help Kids Live a More Simplified Life. Do you remember it? I do, it was wonderful.

Take it away, Agnes!




How to Stop Your Child from Hanging out With the Wrong Crowd

Parenting is difficult, especially when teens become involved with the wrong crowd. It is important to approach the situation with care. There are ways to convince a teenager that hanging out with the wrong crowd will cause more harm than good. Here are ways to intervene.

It is essential to discuss the situation with the teenager, but it is important not to condemn the friends. This can alienate the child and send the teen even closer to friends who can potentially influence him or her to make the wrong choices. It is vital to speak in direct words and outline specific actions. A parent should ask why the teen likes the friends. Getting insight into the thoughts behind the friendship will help a parent down the line.

A parent is meant to be a figure of structure and less of a friend to a child. A parent must set limits, but allow a teen to hang with friends of choice as long as no trouble is occurring. However if rules are broken, it is important to let the child know about the consequences of his/her actions. This way, the possibility of doing the wrong deed again and again will be lessened.

If a parent still does not feel comfortable with the teenager's friends, it may be wise to get to know them better. One of the best ways to know them is by inviting them over to the house. Letting them hang out with the kid at home can give the parent an opportunity to observe and analyze their behavior. Also, this will let them know that the child belongs to a decent family, which can prevent them from thinking or doing anything that can result to punishment or worst, the severance of their friendship.

Sometimes a parent must give a teen an alternative to hanging out and getting into trouble. It may be helpful to offer different activities to the teen. A parent may invite other friends from sports, clubs, or the church over for a movie or to play video games. It may also be nice to dedicate one night a week to a family activity like bowling or playing board games. This will instill better values into a teenager and show them that there are better ways to have fun.









Keeping communication open with a teenager means that the child will not be afraid to confide in a parent or call when trouble is near. For example, this will help a teen be more likely to call a parent for ride home when other teens have been drinking. Not judging the teen or the friends will keep everyone safe.

There are many ways to stop a teenager from hanging around with the wrong crowd. A parent must be watchful, but not forceful unless extreme danger looms. A teen must have limits, but be free to learn from mistakes. In the end, a parent can support a teen and show them how bad behavior can cause more harm than good.


About the Guest Author
Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She writes for many online establishments and currently partners with HelpYourTeenNow.com in spreading awareness about troubled and depressed teenagers (and how to deal with them). Help Your Teen Now aims to increase awareness on the current psychological and societal stresses of today's teens and how these factors affect the future of our society.




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Like it?
Follow it.
Please?
Thanks.
(Follow my blog by adding yourself as a follower with Google Friends Connect in my sidebar!)


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In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.  Check out my schedule in my sidebar and come join the fun!



*************

Rudeness disclaimer:

I love all your comments,
I read every one!
But I can't hit 'reply',
I've no time for fun.
Please don't judge me,
Please don't hate.
If you have a question that just can't wait,
Send me an email at farmbeachgal@yahoo.com,
And I'll answer right back because I'm, you know, the Mom.

I-Need-Therapy-Thursday: Moms Are Cool-Suckers

I drive my kids around a lot to activities and what-not.

And they play their music in the car.

There's almost no such thing as listening to the car radio anymore. It's plug in the ipod and listen to the music over and over.

Recently, Rosie fawned over this song:

Radioactive, by Imagine Dragons



And you know what? I liked it.

I really, really liked it.

And then I heard it a couple times on my own, and then the next time I was driving Rosie somewhere, she plugged in her iPod and this song came on again.

I decided to turn it up.

I sang along.

I was rockin' it OUT.

But she wasn't joining me.

Hmm. Odd.

"I guess it probably knocks the coolness of a song down a couple notches if I like it, huh?"

........

cricket, cricket

........

I think I just answered my own question.




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In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop, Natural Living Mamma's Natural Living Mondays, The Chicken Chick's Clever Chicks, A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras, Ponder Wonder's Soul Food Monday and @ Home Take 2's Mom's Monday Mingle
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday, Crafty Garden Mama's Tuesday Greens, and The Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny, Tilly's Nest's Down Home, and Crafty Spices Wordless Wednesday
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop, and Two In Diapers' Mommy Brain Mixer
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday, Fresh Eggs Daily's FarmGirl Friday, Little Becky Homecky's Fantabulous Friday, @Home Take 2's Weekend Blog Walk, and Oh So Amelia's Friday Chaos
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop, and Tutus and Tea Parties' Pinteresting Party.


Since today is Thursday, that means I'm linking up my post "Farm Friday: Sandy" with A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop; and "Daylight Savings" with Two In Diapers' Mommy Brain Mixer




Come join the fun!



****************

Rudeness disclaimer:

I love all your comments,
I read every one!
But I can't hit 'reply',
I've no time for fun.
Please don't judge me,
Please don't hate.
If you have a question that just can't wait,
Send me an email at farmbeachgal@yahoo.com,
And I'll answer right back because I'm, you know, the Mom.

Chicken-Scratch-Saturday: 6 Ways to Boost Your Teens Self Esteem

I have a guest-post for you today, written by the lovely and talented Debra Johnson.
Take it away, Debra!

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6 Ways to Boost Your Teens Self Esteem

Remember your teen years? They probably weren’t your favorite, so you can relate to your teen when they seem to be feeling down about themselves. Boosting your teens self-esteem takes a little tender, love and care from you. Here are 6 different things you can do to help your teen through their difficult time.

Get them physically active: You know that satisfied feeling you get after you take an evening walk or job for 30 minutes? That’s normal and it happens to everyone after an exercise. Raising your heart rate and increasing your blood flow does the body good because it releases your body’s naturally happy hormones, endorphins. Get your teen active by signing them up for a sports team or even getting them a bike to bike after school. A 30 to 45 minute exercise each day is healthy for the whole family!

Get them involved in the community: Teens seem to forget that life ain’t all that bad. It’s not their fault they think like that, every teen does and has thought that way. It just takes a few simple reminders that their life isn’t shabby after all. Helping those who are less fortunate in your community is beneficial not only to your teen but to your community. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities, whether a soup kitchen, animal shelter or a nursing home, get your child involved. Helping someone is good for the soul.

Pick a hobby: A teens life centers around friends, family and school. Talk to your teen and see what interests them. Do they like to paint, write, and listen to music? Ask questions and find something that they can do that will make them happy. Focusing on a task that makes them happy will help their self-esteem.

See a counselor: Hormones are to blame in a lot of cases with teens that have low self-esteem, but sometimes it can be more. Some schools offer free counseling to their students, consider having your child speak to a counselor. Teens tend to have an easier time expressing their feelings to someone they don’t know rather than someone they do know.

Start at home: Sometimes low self-esteem can start at home. Take a step back and examine your family’s home life. If there is any stress like financial problems in your family, this stress can be sensed by the teen and the teen starts to stress. Do your best to keep a positive environment for your children.

Check out their friends: Your teens friends have a huge impact on their lives and if they are surrounded with negative influences, chances are your teen will mimic this. You want your teens friends to benefit and better their lives, not hurt them. If your teen is having trouble making friends with the right crowd, consider sports teams, scholar groups or other teens who volunteer.



About the Author:

This guest post is contributed by Debra Johnson, blogger and editor of Liveinnanny.com. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: - jdebra84 @ gmail.com.



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Read it. Like it? Follow it. Please? Thanks.
(Follow my blog by adding yourself as a follower with Google Friends Connect in my sidebar!)


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Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.



Thanks!



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In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop, Natural Living Mamma's Natural Living Mondays, The Chicken Chick's Clever Chicks, A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras, Ponder Wonder's Soul Food Monday and @ Home Take 2's Mom's Monday Mingle
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday, Crafty Garden Mama's Tuesday Greens, and The Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny, Tilly's Nest's Down Home, and Crafty Spices Wordless Wednesday
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop, and Two In Diapers' Mommy Brain Mixer
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday, Fresh Eggs Daily's FarmGirl Friday, Little Becky Homecky's Fantabulous Friday, @Home Take 2's Weekend Blog Walk, and Oh So Amelia's Friday Chaos
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop, and Tutus and Tea Parties' Pinteresting Party.


Since today is Saturday, that means I'm linking up my post "Chicken ADHD" with Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop, and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up; and "Lunch-Schmunch" with Tutus and Tea Parties' Pinteresting Party.


Come join the fun!







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Rudeness disclaimer:

I love all your comments,
I read every one!
But I can't hit 'reply',
I've no time for fun.
Please don't judge me,
Please don't hate.
If you have a question that just can't wait,
Send me an email at farmbeachgal@yahoo.com,
And I'll answer right back because I'm, you know, the Mom.

Heat Wave + Bored Teen Girls = Katy Perry Movie

I love the movies.
Always have.
Always will.

And I love it even more than usual when we're smack-dab in the middle of a blinkin' heat wave.

So yesterday, I took my girls (and niece Amanda) to see the Katy Perry movie.

I like Katy Perry, I do. But if I'd had my druthers, I would have chosen a different flick.

You Moms know, I don't need to tell you: we rarely get our druthers.

Anyway, I went, and I have to say...

I LIKED it.

I have my problems with Katy Perry where role models for young girls are concerned. But she saves herself in my eyes with her song "Firework", as that's about as inspirational a song for my daughters as a Mom could hope for.

Anyway, I actually found myself crying at the sad parts. Can you say dipping hormone levels? Crying. At a Katy Perry movie.

That's unheard of, right? Tell me that's unheard of.










Anyway, I'm over it now. I pretended I got some popcorn salt in my eye, amd I wiped a tear and pulled up my big girl britches and moved on.





Now if you'll excuse me, Fred got me an iPod for our anniversary, and I need to go download a few tunes.....





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I'm joining up yesterday's post "Farm Friday - If You Give A Mouse To Granny C" with two blog hops today:

1)Country Momma Cooks

and 2)The Saturday Pet Blogger Hop over at Life With Dogs. Check it out!
















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Thanks for stopping by.
If you like my blog, I hope you'll be able to take a minute to add yourself as a follower.
Come back soon! I'm here every day, rain or shine...

~Anne


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Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs.
You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Mirth Monday Becomes (for today) Guest Posting on Gadget Girl

Today I'm guest-posting over on Holan Kerrick's blog Gadget Girl Tips.

I know what you're thinking...

Why is a gal who doesn't know an IP from a URL guest-posting on a technology blog?

Well, it's true, I don't know much (cough - anything - cough) about technology, but I DO know kids. I'm kinda like an expert in that department, though I'm still waiting for any awards that would verify that claim.

Anyway, my post is called "Why I'm Not Friends With My Teen," so it's more about Facebook, and age appropriateness, and when to allow independence, than about anything technical, but Ms Kerrick, in her infinite graciousness, thought it fit the bill of somehow discussing technology and she let me guest post.

She is all kinds of awesome.

So. Gadget Girl Tips. Go check it out.



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PS: Must have gotten our wires crossed, b/c the post went up today, 7/3. If you click the link now, it will take you to my guest post. Thanks for your patience!



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Oh, wait! Before you go, you'll throw me a quick vote, won't you? You know, like you do everyday to vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs? I knew you would, you're a dear. Just click this brown button. Thanks!




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Oh, and one more thing. I'm linking up my post "Farm Friday - Floating" on the Barn Hop over at Homestead Revival today. Come join the fun!