Bang! Bang! Let's Play.

I have a few questions before I allow my child to come to your house;

#1 Do you own a gun?

#2 Is that gun under lock?

People might think that I'm crazy but in the first three weeks that we lived here there were at least 6 shootings where a child shot the gun. Yes, they were 'playing' with a gun that they had 'found' that was not under lock and key I'm not even going to mention the fact that it was loaded!

There have been 2 times that I have not asked. Luckily those households ended up fine. But it is something that I will not do again. I'm not chancing it!

Unfortunately we have neighbours who not only have a gun loaded in a shoebox, "but it's okay because it's up high in the closet" they also allow their 9 year old to play with a BB gun out in the middle of the street and yard. They have allowed this since he was 6. Now, please tell me, what do you think will happen when he comes across that 'real' gun?!?

I know people try and tell me that it's about freedom, that they have The Right to Bear Arms but due to my upbringing I fail to see the freedom in any of it.

One bloggie friend mentioned a little while back about how stores are running out of ammunition because people are buying it up like crazy for fear of the Obama administration putting a tax on it. Have I mentioned lately how much I love taxes?!?!

I have been told numerous times that there are laws about guns here and you do have to go through a screening...but I guess there is a loophole. One can buy a gun at a gun show without a background check. Now, how safe does that make you feel?!?!

Georgia also passed a law a couple of years a go allowing you to have a concealed weapon in your car. Again, it's freedom.

So, what do you need to know about a family/house before you allow your child, or yourself to visit?


Many friends were surprised when we allowed Geordie to have a gun with his costume this past Halloween.
It's a toy, he knows this. He also knows that real guns are extremely dangerous.

Wordless Wednesday

It's A Cultural Thing...

As Reese Witherspoon's character in Sweet
Home Alabama says, "People need a passport to come here!"

We have found many cultural differences between here and home. Truthfully, we didn't think that we would see as many as we have American television as well as books, magazines, etc...

But alas, there are. Starting with the graduation situation (yes, I realize that rhymes in a weird way... and I'm keeping it!). As soon as the notice came out for the pictures Callum and I were laughing our heads off! Pre-schoolers?!?! Cap & Gown?!?

Back home you do not get a gown until high school graduation (grade 12) but there is no cap. When you graduate from University with an undergrad, again, there is a gown but no cap. When you receive your Masters, during the ceremony at the time you receive your 'papers' they put the cap on you for a second and then take it off. I'm almost positive you have a cap for the ceremony when you receive your PhD. These same 'rules' exist for your grad photos.

Now, as funny as we think this is... HOW CUTE IS THIS PHOTO?!?!?

Yes, I am afraid I have turned into one of those parents!! ...and just wait, the ceremony is this coming Monday evening!


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Wordless Wednesday - Could one be any happier?!?

Remember my cute little listener?!?!?

There is a rule in Geordie's class about listening;

-First time you are spoken too you are put on 'green'
-Second time you are spoken too you are put on 'yellow'
-Third time you are spoken too you are put on 'red' and a note goes home to your parents that needs to be signed by one of them.

In the first two weeks of school this year, we had one. Now, in the last two weeks of school we have another.

Truthfully, I'm kind of proud that we have only (knock on wood) had two. Thought that there might be more due to his negotiating skills and stubbornness that could give his Uncle Greg a run for his money.

Here are the 3 this time;

(1) Green - Had to be asked several times to sit up during circle time.

(2) Yellow - Yelling on the way back from the bathroom, after he was told that quiet voices were to be used.

and finally, the one that does not surprise me what-so-ever at all...

(3) Red - Using the building blocks in the classroom as a skateboard immediately after he was told that was not what they were used for and that he was to put them away.


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Possilby too observent!!

Many of my stories are usually at someone else's expense. Today, and hopefully only today, it will be at mine. This was told to me by Callum who had a hard time getting it out between breathing and wiping the tears away;

Geordie; "Mummy's doing yoga to make her parts long and skinny."

Callum; "What parts? "

Geordie; "You know, those lumpy parts!"

Callum; "What do you mean lumpy parts?"

Geordie; "You know the ones around here (as his hands hover around his belly/waist) that move around like this (then grabbed his belly and shook it up and down)."

Little does he know that those 'lumpy parts' are partially his fault!!!


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