Twofer in their First Horse Show at Potomac Horse Center

M & L lookin' darn cute before their 1st horse show

Riding at Potomac Horse Center

As you may know, the Twofer have been taking riding lessons at Potomac Horse Center since September. It's a great place to start riding because they offer lessons as early as age 5 (Twofer have been asking since age 3!) and they are #1 in terms of safety and instruction. They offer a number of 'client shows' each year which are a great way to introduce kids to competition and showing horses.

Here are the details you need to know:
1. They were excited to sign up for the show...but then not very excited to participate the day of the show.
2. They looked darn cute in their white shirts and braids/pony tails
3. L got a 2nd Place and M got a 3rd Place!
4. This was their first ever competition...you know, where not everyone wins.

L- 2nd Place with Pumpkin

Here are the things you don't really need to know but I will tell you anyway
1. They did NOT put them in the same class (whew!)
2. I'm not sure they even knew it was a competition.
3. Afterward L was upset that she got 2nd place (the red ribbon) and not 6th place (the pink ribbon).

4. M handled the whole getting third while her sister got a 2nd place really, really, really well.

M - 3rd Place with Minnie

First competition = food for my neuroses

The neurotic me was thinking this could be a nightmare. The logical me realized this is something they have to learn NOW. Not everyone wins. Not everyone gets the same color ribbon. Some days you will perform better than other days. But going out there and having fun DOES matter because in the end, that's what you take home - a smile.

Here's a short video showing them hanging with their friend Jenna before their events, and then L walking and M trotting.

You might also like:
First we learn to ride a horse, then a bike

Feeling proud,
Janine

Someone get me a Stop-Growing pill quick!

L and M 2003

I'm a slow learner. When people told me time would fly when I had kids I thought they were just trying to make me feel better because they knew I'd be up all night with newborn twins. During those early days time stood completely still.

Even as the girls entered preschool I didn't think time had passed any faster than normal. They were still little, still had funny ways of saying things, and still fit comfortably on my lap.

It has taken me five, almost six years to finally learn what people are talking about when they say time flies once you have kids. They are talking, of course, about those angry little men that come out in the wee hours and fast forward all the clocks in my house.

Those little men have made it impossible for M to fit comfortably on my lap, her skinny legs crunched up or dangling off, and my legs going numb from the weight.
My innocent little girls now come home from school talking about boys, and which 5th graders are getting boobs throwing me into a tailspin of neurotic 'what-if' thinking.

L and M 2009

I will not let this go on without a fight!
I will develop a Stop-Growing pill that will not only keep my little girls 5 forever, it will keep my rear-end from expanding.
I will make millions, I will have a sort-of-ok ass, and I will have all the time in the world to enjoy it!


Janine

Holidays are the time to be thankful, merry, and Fire Smart

Now I'm not sure if this counts as a neuroses because fire is a legitimate concern.
What makes me neurotic is that I've been known to go through periods where I lose sleep over it. I have weeks where I unplug the toaster, the coffee maker, and anything else I can get my hands on before leaving the house.

After talking with some friends it seems I'm not alone.
I remember in school, a hundred years ago, I had to go home and make a fire plan with my family. But for some reason I was a lot smarter as a kid because I haven't a clue how to do that now.

Good thing Liberty Mutual has created a Be Fire Smart website (www.BeFireSmart.com) with all kinds of cool games, check lists, and fun stuff for kids to remind everyone about fire safety.

I just played the "How fast can you spot trouble game" (look in the right column) and I didn't spot everything. I didn't know you shouldn't leave clothes on a dryer!

I also played the "Dress a fireman" game which is terrific because it explains what each piece of equipment does and reminds kids that if they ever see someone in a suit like that, it's not a monster, just a fireman inside.

I'm going to print out 2 copies of the fire fighter coloring book for the girls to work on as we drive to my mom's this week.

Then I'm going to print out the Hazards Checklist and the Fire Escape Plan and work on that during the 6-hour drive. As with everything, I'm a control freak and having a plan will simply make me feel a whole lot better.

Here's my own quick quiz for you.
Which of these is TRUE?
a) Never leave heavy objects on the bed when an electric blanket is in use
b) You should vacuum your smoke alarms every six months.
c) Exhaust vents covered with snow can cause a fire
d) Don't leave your dryer running while you are not in the house

I'm going to pass along the BeFireSmart.com website to family, friends, teachers, and everyone else I care about, including you dear reader.

Leave me a comment if you decide to do your own plan, or if you blog about this post to your own readers. I'd love to see what others are doing.

Happy planning...
and the ANSWER: all of the above.

Janine
Thank you to Mom Central and Liberty Mutual for making me
Fire Smart!

Miley Cyrus isn't the only one with 7 things

Sorry, you have to have 5 year old girls, and specifically girls who love Radio Disney to know the Miley Cyrus song "7 Things" so I hope that title didn't lose you.

But it's appropriate because The Coupon Coup tagged me with a meme called Seven Things.

So here are the 7 things about me:
1. I know all the words to Don McLean's American Pie

2. I've always wanted to join Stacy & Clinton's as the third Style Guru on TLC's What Not to Wear

3. I didn't have a middle name until I got married.

4. I hate spiders but ALWAYS put on a brave face and play it cool for the benefit of my kids when there is one in the house.

5. Our 2 cats are named after Grateful Dead songs

6. I've been inside the Pyramids in Egypt and all I could think about was how hot and stinky it was, but I was floored by the devotion I witnessed in India.

7. I was an extra in an episode of Sex & the City.

Here are the people I'm tagging:

Kitrona
MV On the Spot
This Military Mama
The Neurotic Mom
Life on the Run
JerseyMomma
MamaDivas

Let me know your 7 things in a comment and then check back to see who else left some!

Janine (SM)

Neurotic - all the cool kids are doing it

When Kelly over at The Neurotic Mom asked for "neurotic moments" I was happy to share one of my more recent ones about my dread of letting the Twofer use a port-o-potty.

I know I'm slightly neurotic and I spend equal amounts of energy fighting off those neuroses as I do giving in to them. I've also accepted that it's just part of who I am, for now.

Check out my moment and let me know what you think, or if you have any tips to help me to get over it!

Janine (SM)

Almost forgot to "Let it go on Tuesday"

It's 10:00pm Tuesday, but never to late to let it go, right? In fact, the best time to think about what I will Let Go of is right before I go to bed so I can have a chance at a good, restful sleep.

That said, here's what I will let go of tonight since I can't do anything about it anyway:
1. The amount of chocolate I ate while watching the debate (it's 60% cacao so it's good for me, right?)
2. The fact that I have volunteered for way too much stuff at school already including math lab...and I am terrible at math.
3. My to do list - never ending, always growing.

What are you letting go of?

ScaryMom

Third week of school, first phone call from the school nurse.

It is the reason I keep my cell phone with me at all times: work, running errands, at yoga (silenced of course), on a walk, even at home!

Only once did I get the call when the Twofer was in preschool. M had an earache and by the time I got to the school (30 min. post phone call) she was in agony and completely melting down in her teacher's lap.

Today I got that call. Just after yoga while I was in the grocery store and had luckily turned the ringer back on.

M somehow hit her head on the monkey bars (Aren't those the things you hang down from? How exactly would you hit your head ON them?)

So yes, she's fine and still in school. Part of me felt like a cool mom in the grocery line, taking a call from the school nurse, and brushing it off like an old pro.

The other part of me had a very strong urge to visit the school and see how big the bump was and do that eye test to make sure she doesn't have a concussion....you see how easily the neurotic in me creeps up?

Update: When I picked up the Twofer from school I got 2 completely different versions of what happened.
And so it goes...
SM

Now this got me thinking....

We've been working to teach the Twofer what it means to be responsible. Some of the things we came up with:
1) As a member of this family you have certain chores you have to do.

2) As a student, friend, and sister you are responsible for your actions. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

3) As a family that has so much to be grateful for, we put money in a "charity bowl" every week and together we'll decide how to donate that at Christmastime.

4) As the Twofer of a neurotic mother with co-dependent tendencies...we've learned that when all is said and done, you don't have control over any other person, place or thing*. The only thing you can control is yourself. (*If you'd like to weigh in on this statement see my Poll to the right)

My Biggest Responsibility
(L & M at 6 months)

So when Mom Central gave me the opportunity to learn about the Liberty Mutual Responsibility Project and share it with others, I was thrilled.

When I got to the site an started watching the short films, I was completely wowed.

And when the Twofer watched one of the films, they told me about a saying at school: " We are Responsible, Respectful and Ready to Learn". Interesting.

This project started when Liberty Mutual ran a commercial showing "people doing things for strangers". They received thousands of emails and from that came the idea for the website and a series of short films to get people thinking and talking about responsibility.

The Films

• Very web friendly
• Most are 3-8 minutes long
• Professionally produced and directed

Some, like Hot Seat, had me laughing out loud! (If you've ever worked in an office and got stuck with the bum chair you'll be chuckling too.) Watch them with your family in place of game night, or have a screening with your friends.

The Blog
Here you'll find great topics about responsibility to generate a lively discussion with your kids, co-workers, students, bookclub, in-laws and anyone else you care to engage.

What's Your Policy?
We are asked, "What's your idea of a responsible _____" and the blank can be filled in with things like friend, athlete, celebrity, parent, school principal, and currently the most discussed - chef.
Really? Yes!
Apparently people feel very strongly about giving their opinion on how to be a responsible chef! (My theory? Everyone has done their "time" in a restaurant and we know you NEVER send food back. Not if you plan to eat it again!)
Once you give your opinion, people can agree with you, or you can agree with someone else's statement.

Check it out www.responsibilityproject.com and feel free to vote in my Responsibility Poll on whether we are responsible for other people's feelings.

Here's big Twofer Thumbs Up to Liberty Mutual for recognizing the need to continue the dialogue that started with their commercial, and for developing a fun, entertaining way to do just that.

Responsibly yours,
ScaryMom

This post sponsored by:

Family Fun at an NFL Game

Is it appropriate to take kids to an NFL game?

This, dear friends, is what I've been asking myself since last weekend.

The testosterone-heavy crowds didn't bother me.
The sketchy parking lot with broken glass everywhere, and the greasy street sausage didn't make me hesitate either.
Nor did the beer and cuss words...of which there were LOTS.

As season ticket holders, I knew what to expect. But I haven't been to a game since the twofer was born.

However... the minimally-dressed ladies promoting a questionable club, and lining the street corner is what made me question my judgment.

I'm wondering...
were the ladies there 5 years ago? Or do I just look at things differently now?

Protection

We took precautions to increase the fun factor and reduce the "eeew" factor. We chose a pre-season game, got seats much closer to the field than we usually have, purchased 2 mini jerseys and said a little prayer that the crowd around us would keep the belligerence to a minimum. It paid off!

L & M loved the whole experience.

M, L & Mr. looking a the big TV screen

They loved, in this order:
1. the junk food
2. the cheerleaders
3. spying on people with the binoculars

The Mister loved sharing the experience with his little Ravens fans and discussing which players have "the power".



And I loved returning to the parking lot to find the car still in one piece, with all 4 tires inflated, and her beloved Sirius radio still on the dash.



All in all - a great night. Would I do it again? Maybe. I've done scarier things twice.

Janine

Can I wish that they would wish differently?

What does a 5 year old wish for?

Today at one of Yoko Ono's Wish Trees we each took one of the slips of paper (these look ironically like enlarged price tags) and a pencil, and started to jot down our wishes.

When I asked E & E what they wanted to wish for I was, at first, a little disappointed:

"New dolls!"
"More Webkinz!"

Was I really thinking they'd come up with something like "World Peace" or "No Hunger"? I mean, they have no idea the world they live in isn't peaceful. They've never experienced true hunger.

I've decided that what we wish for really depends on our life experience.
And so while their wishes seem shallow, it's a good thing (for now) and means they really have all they need.

It's our job as ScaryMom and Dad to teach them that not everyone is so lucky, and that may just alter what they wish for in the future.

For the record:
L settled on "I wish I had a bunny".
M chose "I wish I had more dolls. "
ScaryMom would like to consult with her dad one last time.
ScaryDad offered something unprintable in a family blog such as this!

Twofer Thumbs Up to Yoko and her idea/experiment to keep Lennon's Imagine fresh in our minds, and for making us active participants with Wish Trees all over the world.

Peace,
The Scarys

Chores? Or am I breaking child labor laws?

The list of chores is neither long, nor difficult.
The fact that I got rid of my cleaning lady, and now actually pay my kids to help is what concerns me.

I'm really trying to look at my motivation.
Note: another of my neuroses is thinking everything I do is going to screw up my kids

My reasoning to them (and to myself) is this:
We are a family.
Each member of the family has a job.
If I (or Mr. Scary) have to do ALL the work, then we don't have time to do fun things like go to the park, the pool, etc.

The fact that they earn "an allowance" is a way for them to start learning about the value of money. RIGHT?

Or am I just trying to get some help cleaning my house for $4 a week?

So far I know of only one other family (and I know lots of families) where the kids have chores...and get paid. And I keep hearing from my kids that no one else they know has "jobs".

But then I think of how cute (and proud) they were when we took them to Target and they shopped for themselves (travel pillow for M, Hannah Montana magazine for L) using money they had earned, and stuffing the change back into their wallets.

And I think - maybe I'm not so scary.

ScaryMom

Sugar, Sweat & Tears...just another day at Hershey Park

"This is the BEST DAY Ever Mom!"
A direct quote from L & M.

Not so much for the parents.

I think you have to go into any amusement park in the summer knowing:
a) you'll be hot and sweaty
b) whatever the day, there will be crowds and lines
c) you will spend too much money and eat too much junk



In addition, if you're a neurotic like me you will also
d) yell too loudly as one child keeps wandering too far away
e) cringe at the thought of the germs living in the water park area




And if you are married to Mr. Scary you will
f) get annoyed when he keeps walking off and not telling anyone where he's going
g) give him the silent treatment
h) make-up and still love him because it's a team effort to get through a day like that.


That said, you are also guaranteed to get huge smiles, screams of joy, and lots of giggles from your kids. And that is what makes it worth the trip.


ScaryMom

My Side of the Backpack Debate

I just spent $130 on backpacks for school.

Let that sink in for a minute.

$130....backpacks.....5-year olds

Of course when you break it down it's really $60 for the backpack plus tax and shipping but we twofer moms always get slammed having to double it.

Here's my rationale (which my neurotic self only reached after weeks of reading, talking, and thinking about the pros and cons of different backpacks)
1. My kids are "walkers" and will be trudging up and down hill about 4 blocks (8 round-trip) for the next 6 years so I'm set on wheeled packs.

2. This will save MY back when they complain their packs are too heavy to carry.

3. The $20 wheeled packs at Target were missing "little" things... like some way to tie up the straps so that they aren't dragging in the mud when you are wheeling it.

4. I'd probably have to replace the cheaper versions sooner so I might as well bite the bullet now.

And now, presenting the newest members of the family...
The ClassMateTM Wheel Pack from Lands End

Comparisons

I don't have a sister. I have a brother. And there are days I'm thankful for that. Sure, we fought. We competed. But it was different, because we were different. We were different ages, we were different sexes, and we accepted each other as siblings and everyone around us expected us to have different friends, hobbies, and the like.

For L & M it's trickier.

They are the same sex, the same age, and while they look different - this has meant they have ALWAYS been compared.

The really 'smart' folks say things like:
"WHY does this one have curly hair and this one straight?"
"Oh look, this is the happy one..."
"I can see who the smart one will be!"

For me, the neurotic mother who projects 10 years ahead, you might as well be saying:
"WHY is this one more popular?"
"Oh look, this is the fat one.."
"I can see who the dumb one is!"

I can only hope that now as they are starting to compare themselves to each other (as well as their friends), they find a way to appreciate their differences, be thankful of what they have, and respect themselves.

I guess that's where I come in huh?
Scary thought.

ScaryMom

Kindergarten Here We Come!

Tomorrow is Kindergarten Orientation for L & M (and Mom and Dad too). I think I'm more nervous than they are. It's a whole new world, and not in the Disney sense.

They'll be sitting down in a small group with the 4 kindergarten teachers who I just know will be secretly testing and evaluating them on their reading, writing and social skills. How can I not be nervous? This is their first chance to charm the teachers so that I don't have to bribe them at the holidays with creative and expensive gifts.

Wish us luck! And above all, I hope the school doesn't have that stale cafeteria smell and scary bathrooms (oh you know I'll be checking) or I'm apt to start looking into private schools.