Emma's 5th Birthday Wish

What do you think of these puppy names?  

Oliver, Mack, Joey, Cooper, Gator, or Finn???? 

We're pondering (almost positive) we're going to be getting a puppy. If I had my way, I'd drive a few hours and pick him up tonight. But, the big guy says we must wait!

Emma has decided she wants this for her birthday. She had previously asked for a DS, her very own iPod (I'm tired of just a family iPod, Mommy), a swing set for our backyard, and even her own computer.  She's got a Leapster and a TAG Learning System, so there's no way we're getting her a DS.  She'd rather color anyway, and it'd just sit in her room or get lost!  She's also got a few computers to choose from if she really wanted one.  There'd be no need for her to have her own.

I have been trying to steal my nephdog, Baxter, for quite some time.  To no avail, they keep saying no.  So, we've decided an inside non-shedding smaller dog will do the trick, rather than stealing Baxter.  Emma was ecstatic with the idea.  She immediately said we'll need to make sure all toys are picked up so the puppy won't eat them.  She's crazy about the puppies at her daycare, so she has asked me every night for the past three nights when we're getting our puppy.  She has even said that she can take care of feeding it and taking it outside to do his 'business'.  We'll see if she ends up holding her end of the bargain.... :)


So, any ideas or advice before we take on this new adventure in our journey called life?  You can start with name suggestions :)

Are You Sick of Teachers' Salaries? - Thanks Holly! :)

Are you sick of highly paid teachers?

Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit!

We can get that for less than minimum wage.

That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).

Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.

However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.

LET'S SEE....

That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).

What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.

Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is!

The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) 


WHAT A DEAL!!!!

21 Questions!

Emma is almost 5.  I found this a few years back and thought it'd be  fun to do with her someday.  Oh, the things they say....

1. What is something Mom always says to you? 
"Do you have a book in your bag to read me?" 
This is true...I say this to her every day when I pick her up from daycare.  I can think of a  few more things I say to her more frequently, though..

2. What makes Mom happy? 
"When I be good" 
Yes, Emma, this makes Mommy happy :)

3. What makes Mom sad? 
"When I'm not good" 

Yes, Emma, this sometimes makes me sad too :)
4. How does Mom make you laugh? 
"When she says silly words" 
I must do this often.  I also asked her what kind of silly words, and she said, "You know, Mommy.  The really silly ones..."

5. What was your mom like as a child? 
"I have no idea to that answer“ 
Then she asks me to tell stories about when I was five!

6. How old is your mom? 
“twenty-nine?" 
Then...."You'll be THIRTY soon!"

7. How tall is your mom? 
"Big." 
I'd have preferred taller than me....but whatever, Emms!

8. What is her favorite thing to do? 
"Play with kids” 
I sure do like to play :)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? 
"Clean up" 
She couldn't be more correct!  She knows me too well!

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? 
"Her kids" 

Yes, Emma, if I become famous, it'll be for something you did!

11. What is your mom really good at? 
"Making kids laugh and clean" 
:)

12. What is your mom not very good at? 
"Nothing" 

Aww, thanks Emma. I'd have thought she'd say cooking, sewing, singing, folding clothes, or dishes!

13. What does your mom do for her job? 
"Teach 4^th grade" 

14. What is your mom's favorite food? 
"I do not know the answer to that question.  Macaroni and cheese?  Is that night Mom?" 
Nope, sorry - chicken and pasta! I think mac-n-cheese is YOUR favorite food!

15. What makes you proud of your mom? 
"When she cleans the house" 

That makes me proud too, Emma!

16. If your mom were on TV, who would she be? 
"Rocky from Shake it Up.... but she's a teenager. And....YOU are NOT." 

Yes, that's correct, I am NOT a teenager, Emma :)
17. What do you and your mom do together? 
"Crafts" 
Really, Emma!  I'm not that creative, but I'd like to learn a thing or two from you!

18. How are you and your mom the same? 
"Because we are both girls. That’s a silly question” 
That is silly, sweetie!

19. How are you and your mom different? 
"Because she’s older than me" 
That I am :)

20. How do you know your mom loves you? 
"She tells me lots and lots" 

That's what I say to you all the time....even more than, "Do you have a book in your bag to read to me!?"

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? 
"To the nail place in Cedar Rapids.  Mine too."

Favorite, not quite, but I LOVE going there with you, Doodle!