Getting Locked In A Spa Locker At Midnight On Your 10th Birthday

Wow! That's a title that says it all, doesn't it?

It was Birk's 10th birthday. She crossed into double digits, excited and happy to be leaving 9 and all that baby jazz behind her.

Around 11 PM, her dad took Birk, her sister, Ruth, and her best friend to the pool to finish off what was a pretty terrific day. It was time for the famous night swim.

What we didn't expect, was for her best friend to lock her into a pint size spa locker and forget the combination.

No staff on duty, no manager at the front desk of the resort, and my baby trapped in a locker. This puts "use at your own risk" in a whole new light.

Luckily, after 10 minutes of panic, the smartest of the group on the outside of the locker (which included a 9 year old, my husband and a security guard), 13 year old Ruth, figured out how to talk Birk through opening the locker from the inside.

I was blissfully cleaning up from the happy day when Birk arrived shaken and tear ridden. The story was outrageous. We, of course, went on and on about how you would never put yourself into that kind of situation.

Then, we also remembered, kids get into trouble. They get into all kinds of trouble. They get into the kind of trouble that you can't begin to think of warning them about.

Even after 10 years, parenting is still a tricky job. It will always be a tricky job. Things just keep changing, and you never know what is coming up next.

Just To Let You Know--Holiday Cards Are Finally Sent

Ruth right before her ears are pierced!

Russian River Getaway!
Mother-son trip to Europe--the London Eye
Ice Cream at Balderson, Ontario, Canada
Proper sun protection in Mexico

Holiday Angel--painted by Ruth

It's taken me this long, but I'm sending out the last of the holiday cards today. I got a late start, I'm getting a late finish, and please don't be offended if you didn't get one. I got a little mixed up, and I'm not even sure who got one and who didn't.

My list is missing. My official Ye Olde Handwritten Christmas Card Address book is missing. I am a loser in this category this year. Do I get points for trying?

Above you'll find Ruth's excellent Angel. I love this painting! Also, all of the pics we've included on the card...just in case you didn't get the card and wondered what you might be missing.

Guest Blogger Ruth's Poem, "I AM"

I AM

I am from cherry pie
and from deep woods exploring
I am from swimming
and two wheeled bikes
I'm from tossing and turning and lat night snacks

I am from Debra and Chris
and from chocolate and hammock
I am from "are you scared?" and "you're so brave!"
I am from "I love you" and "Kiki, dust bust!"
I am from maple syrup and Canada

I am from Barbara and Jerry
I am from coke cans and paint cans
I am also from John and Shirley
from "tough it" and "rough it."
I'm from cats and dogs

I am from walks with dogs
I am from lakes and pools
I am from forests
I am from Earth
I am from...LIFE

My Friday Dilemma: Adopting Ugly Dogs

We have a wonderful 11 year old collie-lab cross named Kiki, but maybe, just maybe, she needs a friend. This new dog discussion is floating around our household. Ruth especially is excited about the idea of a new member in our family.

Some stupid parent (ok, it's me), might have, just might have, mentioned that if Ruth did well in her studies this year at school that we might get a dog in the summer. My husband is not a fan of this idea. In fact, he called me out on my bad parenting in bold face.

Now, Ruth is glued to the Humane Society website. She tracks every adoption and calls it a "missed opportunity" when a dog she likes gets a new home. She knows that it's the best thing for the dog, but she is longing for a canine companion.

I understand her feelings. I love animals. I grew up on a farm. We had animals running around everywhere. There was space and food and love. Anyone remember the story of Ariel the Christmas Cat? Yup. Strays were welcome, there is always room for one more.

I stupidly took my daughters to our local Humane Society. We found a cute pup, fell instantly in love and called dad--he threw a fit. He called me out on "Bad Parenting Mistake" number 2. If you are going to make a deal, do not change the terms of the bribery, er, deal. So, that trip, no dog.

However, there was this dog for adoption named Wally. Wally is 3 and he looks like his head was cut off of one dog and sewn onto another dog's little body. He is not cute. My daughters didn't give Wally the time of day. He was just sad and lonely in his little cell, er cage.

Wally has been on my mind. I don't want to say that he's ugly, but as in life, if you're pretty or cute, sometimes doors open up for you. No doors have opened for Wally in over a month.

I am going with a friend to the Humane Society today to help her pick up a "cute" dog that she is adopting. This means I will have to walk past Wally. Lord help me.

Demanding and Unusually Stubborn Guests

We were listening to Christmas carols at breakfast. Bing Crosby was crooning, "I wish you a Merry Christmas.

I was flipping french toast when Ruth said in a mock aristocratic tone, "My, now those are some unusually stubborn and demanding guests, aren't they?"

I looked up, lost in my world of french toast.

"You know, demanding figgy pudding and refusing to leave."

This kids just cracks me up.

Merry holiday preparations to you all, and may no one have guests that demand you whip up some figgy pudding and bring it right there.

Unplugged from School

"The good thing about a book is it can pause forever...until you want to finish."

11 year old Ruth