$93.70 and a couple 'a quarters

I am always astounded by the cash that I walk out with after work. I love that part of my job. (Who wouldn't). However, there are 3 people that I live with that enjoy it too.

Miranda informs me that she needs lunch money. At the rate that my two children go through the money in their lunch accounts, I am positive that I could feed a third world country for a month. Unbelievable. $52.00 - twenty five for each of them with a $2.00 convenience fee. Convenient for who, I ask you?

James is in the 4th grade and has come home with the paper that I have been dreading. The recorder. I have to pay $2.50 for a torture device. Mike asked if Miranda still had hers and of course she does - why wouldn't she? James is adamant about NOT using his sisters and really, I'm fine with that. Mike thinks this is ridiculous. Whatever. I dig out the $2.50 and sign the sheet and realize that Mrs. McDonald is "Strongly recommending the safety strap". Why in the HELL do you need a safety strap to play a recorder? Mike says it's so the parents won't go over and grab the recorder and throw it out the window. The child will be stuck to it so "That would really slow ya down." Nice. $1.20 for the Safety Strap.

Soccer pictures are today, I ordered the "Star player" package. Plenty of wallets for my ginormous family. Buttons for mom and dad. Buddy pics with cousin Katie. $38.00.

On the way out the door James asked for a couple 'a quarters. What for? "Oh, I don't know".

Absolutely not.

Sweet Baby James

James is going to be 10 in a few weeks. It's hard to believe sometimes, but he is showing me all the time that he really is a pre-teen boy. He is doing his homework without being asked. He is growing his hair out (and taking care of it) so he will look "cool". He gets up in the morning without any whining. Basically, he is becoming more independent every day.

Last night, when I was tucking him in and talking, he snuggled up to his beloved "Michael" (a stuffed black bear that he still sleeps with) and asked, "Mama - will you sing me a song?" He fell asleep while I was singing all his old favorites (James Taylor is high on his list). Watching him breathe in and out I could still see that baby I rocked not too long ago. Maybe he knew I needed a glimpse of that Sweet Baby James.

Why Boettcher Daze?

I told my family that I was going to start this blog and asked, "What should we call it?"

Mike: Can you make Boettcher look like the Sopranos?
(I'm not sure why we need the R to look like a gun, although some days I'm glad we don't own one)

Jackie: How about "The Boettcher Follies?"
(This was vetoed right away - understandably)

Jackie: "This is based on a true story?"

Mike: Ooh - we could post them all like a CSI episode.
(Mike may watch too much TV)

Mike: "Boettcherass!"

Jackie: Giggle, Giggle

Jackie: "Days of Our Lives?"

Mike: Is Days spelled with a z?

Jackie: Giggle, Giggle

Mike: "Dazed and Confused."

So there you have it - "Boettcher Daze"