Recession affecting the kids

Today was a joyful occasion. As I’ve posted practically everywhere, my kids made the honor roll again! Being that it’s a school night and we were not attending bible study, hubby and I decided to let them stay up a bit later and take them to the mall. They were allowed to go to one store each just to look. That was a part of their treat. It may sound boring but since the age of two, they have been taught that we don’t buy anything just because we’re in a store. To this day, they have never thrown a tantrum over not getting what they want. Of course there are times when we go for the sole purpose of actually shopping, but the rule for that is they need to get rid of one toy to buy another, same with books. It seemed impractical to go toy shopping when I know for a fact they will receive plenty for Christmas!

My son chose the Lego store…of course and my daughter chose Libby Lu…of course!

That’s when the recession “hit”. I read on the the counter that Libby Lu will be closing as of January 2009. I asked the sales attendant if it will only be the Glendale store. Sadly, all 98 stores including the one in Downtown Disney are affected because of the Economy. I looked at my daughter and saw her eyes glistening with tears. My heart sank. She attempted to enjoy herself but I knew she was bothered. As we left the store I asked, “Mika, are you okay?” and she responded with “Mommy, that’s my favorite store” and “Why do they have to close?” With that came the lesson about Recession on our way home.

It went something like this…

People don’t have money to buy.

When people don’t buy from stores, stores don’t have money.

When stores don’t have money, they close.

We could have stopped there but we decided that there’s a greater lesson in this

When stores close

People lose their jobs

When people lose their jobs, they don’t have money to buy and when people don’t buy, stores don’t make money so they close.

With that final sentence my son responded with “It’s like a life cycle!” My sweet smart boy!

And so, the lesson concluded with

You may feel sad that you’re favorite store is closing but imagine how those people who will lose their jobs feel? Imagine how their family’s feel? Do you remember when Daddy didn’t have a job?

A mere lesson about Recession concluded with it’s not always about us, it’s not always about you and always be grateful!

It was a great evening after all!

Even she noticed

Mika: Why is everything made in China?

Mommy: How do you know that?

Mika: Because I read it on everything

Mommy: Oh. Why do you think it says that?

Mika: Cheap?

Politics in relation to kids

My kid’s were super excited about voting.

They will be voting in school today.

All week my Mika kept saying “I’m voting for Obama!” and “Who’s the other guy mommy?”

JC however was still undecided and kept asking me who I will be voting for.

I told them that I never share who I’m voting for. It’s a personal choice people have and when people ask their intent is to argue and they act dumb if they disagree with you.

So my kids decided Obama it is.

Never did I impose my view with regards to the candidates. I never encouraged them to vote Christian, Republican or Democrat. I simply allowed their teachers to introduce each candidates and hope that they will choose wisely in accordance to the knowledge they attained

This morning, I hear, “Daddy, I changed my mind, I’m voting for McCain.” That was from JC.

On the way to school I asked both of them why they changed their mind. Simply stated, “because he’s Christian and Obama is not.”

Mika: Mommy, who are you voting for?

Me: Mika, mommy doesn’t share that

Mika: I promise i won’t act the D word.

Mommy: What’s the D word?

Mika: D U M. You said people act that way if you share who you vote for and they don’t agree.

JC: I’m voting for McCain because Shant (his classmate) said it’s the wise choice

Some Christian bombarded my children with their set of truths which I find offensive in so many levels not because it opposes my political views but rather because free will and their right to exercise to vote was taken from them for the sake of “Christianity.” They were made to conform.

I’m bothered because it’s my children but I’m more disturbed because this is how society operates and adults conform in the same manner. This is how the church operates and Christians apply similar tactics yet this is not how Christ operates.

What’s wrong with this picture?

She’s got it all figured out

Mika:  I’m not going to college!

Mommy:  Why not?

Mika:  Because I don’t want to.

Mommy:  What are you gonna do?

Mika:  I’m going build a lemonade stand and make a lot of money!

Honestly?

Me:  Have you guys seen Daddy’s new glasses?

Kids together:  Ummm, yes.

Me:  How does he look?

Kids together, though not very genuine:  Good

JC:  We can’t say ugly!

Me:  Smiling

JC:  What?  At least we didn’t lie!

Mixed Matched

Commenting on the dancer’s socks while watching her recital dvd.

Mika: They’re socks are mitched matched

Daddy: You mean matched mitched?

Mika: Same thing!

What’s another word for “unsmart?”

While watching Shane and David on the Upside Down Show on Noggin Mika yells in frustration

Mika: THEY’RE NOT SMART

Mommy: Why?

Mika: BECAUSE THEY’RE NOT DOING ANYTHING SMART!

In our home we don’t use the word “stupid.” I assume that this is how the conversation would have gone if she were familiar with word.

Mika: THEY’RE STUPID!

Mommy: Why?

Mika: BECAUSE EVERYTHING THEY’RE DOING IS STUPID!

Daughter’s thoughts on hygiene

My kid’s shower twice a day. Sometimes three times when the weather is hot. According to Mika her friend’s come to school “dry,” meaning a lot of her friends don’t shower before school.

This morning she came to the conclusion that her best friend always comes to school “dry.” She casually stated that “Bernice only takes a shower on Holidays,” followed by an innocent nod and “Yea, that’s what I think.”

He finally asked…

Son: Mommy, where do babies come from?

Mommy: Hmmm…that’s a good question.

Long Pause

And silence…

That was two weeks ago

And still…it’s silent.

The stork – too fairytale

God – it worked but it was followed by “How did He put the baby in the Mommy’s tummy?”

The whole sperm and egg bit otherwise known as the truth – I’m afraid it might traumatize a seven year old.

Silence – Golden thus far as I do further research.

The Zoo

Daddy: Do you guys want to go to the zoo?

Mika: No

Mommy: Why not?

Mika: There’s too many animals there