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:

Twincident #144...they try to burn the house down

Full disclosure:
1) I have not really kept track of every Twincident. I started this blog way too late in their lives and I had to start somewhere. (I like the number 4 and I know there have been more than 100 over the past 5 years and so I'm starting here with #144. Some day I'll count back to 1 and list all the other twincidents.)

2) In case you haven't noticed, I can be a little dramatic...they weren't actually trying to burn the house down. But that doesn't mean they couldn't have done it!

It all started with 2 brand new matching Penguin Webkinz, given to them by a friend of mine (who is also very understanding and will not at all mind finding out about her gift by reading it in this blog).

The Twofer wanted to warm up one of their chilly little friends and decided the top of the light in their room would be just great! So there Fluffy sat...for what I can only guess is at least 2 hours. When they remembered he was on there and pulled him off, a little patch of fur stuck to the bulb and Fluffy felt like a loaf a bread just out of the oven!

Fluffy and the lightbulb

Thankfully Fluffy wasn't left long enough to ignite, and after a real ScaryMom moment in which my voice shrilled high enough to attract the neighborhood dogs, we all learned a lesson. I will remember to do a quick walk-through the house before leaving for the day to turn all lights off. And the Twofer will not experiment with anything they even think might be hot, or electrical.

This Twincident is dedicated to GrandpaScary who is also our Guardian Angel and has saved the Twofer and our family from certain disaster over the years. It is also dedicated to Great-GrandmaScary who insisted I learn how to sew and thus is responsible for Fluffy's repair job that I will perform later in the week.

Peace,
SM

Send in the Clowns!

It is a fact, that no matter what your age, the circus will bring out cheers of amazement, and sighs of wonder.

This year we could no longer ignore the whining, the begging, and the pleading...of my mother.
She hadn't been since I was young and didn't want to miss out when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came to our town.

And so we treated her to near front-row seats, and she treated us to cotton candy (that came with a hat)! The clowns made the Twofer giggle. The acrobats gave us chills. And the husband and wife team getting shot out of the cannon left our eyes wide and our jaws slack! (Now that's a marriage.)

For those lucky enough to live in the following cities, you can now save 20% on Ringling Bros. tickets by using the code MCC from our friends at Mom Central. Simply plug in your zip code and when you go to purchase the tickets be sure to reference the code: MCC.

Valid cities:
Indianapolis, IN - Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO - Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO - Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA – Oct 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH - Oct. 24 - Nov. 2
Chicago, IL - Nov. 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO - Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI - Nov. 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY - Feb 27 - Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH - Mar. 4 - 8, 2008

Plus, the Baby’s First Circus program allows babies to receive a free ticket voucher that can be exchanged for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance, anytime, anywhere. No expiration date.

For me, the circus was an opportunity to make new memories for me, my children, and even my mom. Three generations enjoying something together. Throw in the fact that Mr. Scary was enjoying himself and we have quite a success story!

Now if I could just get him to commit to a Hannah Montana concert...

ScaryMom

This post sponsored by:

Football Sunday and our Wall of TVs

kickin' back, watching the games

Football Sundays: these are Sundays between September and mid-January when Mr. Scary spends the entire day watching football. It is his ONE THING. He doesn't golf, ride road bikes, or even go out much with the guys. He loves football and I have learned to compromise.

That compromise comes in the form of a Wall of TVs. One large TV surrounded by 6 smaller ones, plus satellite boxes for each and a mound of wiring that could sink a small ship. All this neatly packaged in a custom-made "cabinet" on caster wheels so you can get behind the Beast if necessary. Oh, and there's a TV in the corner by the pool table too.

If I added up what all the TVs, satellite, cable, and electricity bills cost I'm sure it would be disturbing. However, I cannot put a price on what the Wall of TVs has given me in terms of family time, peace of mind, and general happiness on football Sundays.

You see, Mr. Scary isn't out at a bar all day. He's in the basement basking in the glow of the TVs, often with the Twofer playing down there too. He's got his laptop and his cell phone to manage his fantasy teams and suicide leagues. I get to read the entire Sunday paper (a luxury in most households) AND he's available if I should have to run out for errands, or even if I want to sneak upstairs and watch a movie! So really in some ways, this compromise is more like a win-win situation... and a win-win-win if the Ravens do their job!

NOTE: we had this set up before any MTV Cribs episode.

And so without further ado...let me present
The Wall of TVs.

If I was smart I'd find some way to get Best Buy or Tweeter to sponsor this post.

Happy start of football!
ScaryMom

Milk vs. Juice - A Kitchen Showdown

"Arrrrrrrrre you ready to ruuuummmmbbbbllleeee?"

In the right corner wearing yellow trunks with a picture of fruit we have the defending Lunch Box Champion, our favorite low sugar juice box!

In the left corner wearing red trunks with a cute cow we have the Horizon Organic single serve strawberry milk!

Ding Ding Ding!

The Twofer sits down to decide what they want in their lunch box to accompany a Turkey-and-American-on-Wheat.....they both seem to be reaching for the juice box out of habit, BUT WAIT!

L is now sizing up the Horizon Organic single serve milk.
And now M is eyeing up the Horizon Organic milk as well!

They are picking up the milk folks. They SLAM it into their lunchboxes! It's a huge hit for the Horizon Organic milk team!

ScaryMom takes the juice back to the corner to wipe the sweat and puts it back into the fridge.

We have a clear winner folks... Horizon Organic single serve milk is the new Lunch Box Champion!

In all seriousness though, a big thanks and Twofer Thumbs Up to Mom Central and Horizon Organic for sponsoring this kitchen showdown and for the samples of single serve milk.

As a ScaryMom I'm thrilled because Horizon Organic means there aren't any of those icky pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics in it. As you can guess, I read one article years ago about all the stuff they give to cattle these days and I went organic for meat and dairy practically overnight. The fact that my kids like it is just the cherry on top!

Let me know what you think of the kitchen showdown...I may make it a regular segment.
Scary(organic-loving)Mom

Twofer Thumbs Up:

First we learn to ride a horse, then a bike.

We all knew it was in their blood. What with Mr. Scary's love of thoroughbreds and his occupation which often takes him and the Twofer to the track to visit, feed, and in general talk horses.

ScaryMom and M walking Dallas to the riding ring
(notice the fear in my gritted teeth?)

But was it asking too much to think my kids would learn to ride a 2-wheel bike before learning to ride a beast that weighs as much as a small car???

Apparently so.M riding Dallas like a pro

For years L & M knew that the horse center near us offered riding lessons starting at age 5. And for the past year and a half they have been counting down the days until they turned 5 and could take riding lessons. I successfully held them off through the summer, but come fall, there was no stopping them.

L holding Mozart
(and showing him who's boss)

What I didn't know is that there is a fair amount of parent participation in riding. Oh yes, see I am responsible for tacking up the horse (I don't even know if I used that term correctly). I have to secure the bridal, reigns, stirrups, and girth belt thingy that holds the saddle on. The girls are simply too short to do it right now, but they are supposed to learn by watching me every week. (So really, I'm paying over $300 per kid to learn how to be a ranch hand.)

However you can see that within the first 30 minute lesson, they learned to climb onto, as well as start, stop, turn, and otherwise "drive" their new friends named Dallas and Mozart. And I have to say they walked away with huge smiles, and feeling like they could rule the world...not that we need much more of that in our house but I guess it's good starting at a new school and all.

Giddyup Mozart. Ride 'em L!

Am I crazy to let them do this? Let me know by answering my poll in the column to the right.

I'll check results after I'm done mucking out the stalls.

ScaryMom

On Becoming an Empty Nester

The freedom!

The excitement!

I have become an "empty-nester" (during school days). Both my children are finally out of the house (from 8:30am-3:00pm) and I'm ready to redecorate (clean up and organize).

Yes, today was the first day of kindergarten, and I couldn't muster up a tear to save my life. Had I been able to wipe the grin off my face for even a moment, and maybe dug deep or tried the Alexander technique I picked up in an acting class, then maybe.

I was just too excited for them, for me, and for the mimosas I would be enjoying at my neighbor's house shortly after kissing them goodbye.

A few things of note:
1) We are "walkers" and that, it turns out, is half the fun. Catching your buddies along the way...I felt at times like the Dr. Pepper guy. "I'm a walker. You're a walker? Wouldn't you like to be a walker too!"

Notice we're making good use of those backpacks!

The note cards pinned to them are name/address tags,
NOT price tags (I'm Scary but give me some credit).

2) My issue with over-packing has now spilled into school...I stuffed in extra shoes (more on this), sweaters & jackets...and then almost forgot their lunches!

3) My little fashionista had to change shoes within the first 2 blocks because the new ballet flats were giving her a blister...I'm just glad she's not a total slave to fashion. See her bravely sporting the orange Frocs (fake Crocs) below.

M lining up outside her classroom.

L waiting patiently at the end of her line.

4) Both girls seemed nervous but excited and neither of them cried nor clung. They were brave and I am so very proud of them...ok, I feel the smallest tear now starting to form.

5) I have learned the real secret to stopping global warming...make all school memos electronic. Of course, then we wouldn't need a backpack. It always come back to the backpack.

Happy back-to-school everyone,

ScaryMom of 2 kindergarteners