Invited to the Police Station

I woke up nervous for the Police Department's First Ever Potluck Award Dinner for the 8th Grade Leadership Program. I hadn't settled on what to bring or what I would wear. But that wasn't making me nervous. I was nervous because I'd never been to an 8th Grade Leadership Potluck at the police station with people I didn't know.

Makayla wasn't nervous even though she had volunteered to stand and give a speech.

She was invited along with 19 other 8th graders to participate in a FREE leadership program developed by the police department and the school district.
The program promoted leadership and valuable life skills and included educational team building skills in the classroom and at a ropes course.

After completion of the program, the students and their families were invited to a potluck dinner to be awarded for participation and to thank the police department, local businesses, and school district for the opportunity.

The evening was wonderful. I was in good company with other mothers I knew and admired. Matthew's teacher from preschool and an acquaintance from church were with their sons and several other moms I knew from soccer and baseball were supporting their 8th grader too.

And even though I'm still nervous about things I haven't done before like parent an 8th grade leadership participant, the highlight of this program should prevent me from doing it at the police station with people I don't know. ;)

Remember the Sash?

Remember the Mother's Day when Tom bought me a Mother's Day sash and a bike because I was training for the family Triathlon? It was a great day full of great surprise.

But remember when I wanted to race the family home by riding it and wearing my Mother's Day sash? And remember how I would have won had the chain not fallen off 1/4 block away? And remember how I was running dragging the bike, laughing, and running with my Mother's Day sash around my ankles as you pulled into the driveway and beat me? Oh, ya, I remember.

Shopping With A Dollar

Tom was going to the grocery store for me again, so Travis filled his pockets with almost enough change to make his pants fall down. It's not that I won't go to the store. I go too often to grocery stores, drug stores, clothing stores, department stores and even Costco, but I hate going. So, let the record show that Tom regularly goes grocery shopping, and therefore, I don't have to.

But when Tom does the shopping, he'll deviate from the 'list' and he'll take Travis with him knowing they won't buy just groceries because Travis's pants are extra heavy. This is good for Travis; bad for our budget.

The price tag on the ball Travis wanted was $3.99, and he knows that you've got to round up for tax. I think he had a little over a dollar and came home with a dollar worth of glow sticks instead.

It's moments like this when I'm glad I let Tom do the shopping, say no, and get the look. The look you could have prevented had you given in and filled his pockets with more money. It's not that I won't say no to balls that are more than a dollar. I often say no to candy in the checkout lane, snacks at the gas station, white bread and even sugar cereal, but I hate doing it. So, let the record show that Tom can say no, and therefore, I didn't have to.