Bully Beware

I hate bullies! I've never encountered one, really. I guess maybe in Pecos, we all knew everybody's parents knew each other, and it would not be tolerated. Times, they are a'changin!

Two weeks ago, Blaine started being teary when I would drop him off at school. He never said anything was wrong, and he would suck it up pretty quickly, but he was different. He would ask a million questions as I dropped him off, hesitant to get out of the car, and he would make sure I was coming to get him right after work. I thought maybe he was just tired or worn out.

Then Monday, after we dropped off Kylee and were headed to his drop off, he LOST it. I mean, shoulder-shaking sobbing. He said it was because Mrs. Martinez had said it was far enough into the school year that now she was going to be stricter. I told him he would be fine, because he knew how to act and it didn't matter how strict she was if he was behaving. It didn't help. He then cried that he was scared. I told him I didn't believe he was scared of Mrs. Martinez, and he spilled the beans that there was a boy in his class, Julian, who was calling him names and wouldn't leave him alone.

I don't want to coddle my kids. I don't want to be that mom that thinks her kid is perfect and no other kid should ever look at them funny. But I also don't want to be that callous mom who doesn't care.

I asked him if he had told Mrs. Martinez, and he said no because he did not want to be a tattle-tale. Trying to call his bluff, I said I would park and walk him to the playground and talk to the monitor, THINKING he would NOT have that. He said, "Okay. Let's go." I walked him to the monitor, told her he was worried about this kid, and he wasn't comfortable. She assured me she would take care of it and told Blaine to show her which kid it was. As I drove away, I saw Blaine walking off with Briana,her arm around his shoulder.

I sent his teacher an email, expressing my dilemma between coddling and ignoring, and she called me, telling me that the assistant principal and she had talked to Julian, and I was not overreacting. He came home from school and said everybody had talked to Julian, and he felt better. Joey talked to him, quizzing him if Julian had touched him, or if it was just name calling. Blaine assured him it was just name-calling. Tuesday morning, he got out of the car the old Blaine.

Wednesday moring, we were back to teary and a million questions. Thursday morning, same thing. I told him that if that boy bothered him, he needed to tell somebody, that everybody knew the situation, and that he was NOT being a tattletale. His Daddy questioned him Thursday night if the kid was hitting him. Blaine assured us he was just calling him names and would not leave him alone.

Friday, Julian hit him. Blaine was coming down the slide at lunchtime, and Julian had hid behind the slide and jumped up and slapped his face as he came down. It busted his lip. Blaine said he got in 'big trouble' and they called his parents. Joey is going to the school Monday morning. Last night when I went upstairs, I found thisin my bedroom. At first, I was appalled! I text D'Anne, who has two boys, and she said it's a Dad thing because her husband did the same thing. I also guess I don't want him to get killed, because this Julian kid is huge, after all. Bully beware!!

Oh, how I hope this situation is QUICKLY worked out! Stay tuned.

Also, just to prove he is still my happy seven-year-old, this is him last night.

This is Our Life

Happy Birthday, Kenzie baby!

She Is A Dancer

My Sister Is A Dancer

Saturday Madday

Saturday was one of the crazier days we've had in a while. Blaine had a "short" (even if his dad's idea of short and mine are not exactly the same thing) batting practice at 9:00. Kylee had to be at dance at 11:00 (while her Mom ran to get a much needed and desired pedicure) and picked up at 1:00.

This is when the craziness starts. That's right. What you have read so far is not craziness; just a normal Saturday morning. And we didn't even talk about the feeding and dressing and taxing in between.

Blaine's first official coach-pitch game was Saturday at 1:00. He was so nervous. I had never seen him so nervous before. We kept telling him he had been playing since he was 3, and he could do this. He just kept telling us it was a harder ball and it was being thrown instead of on a tee. He was not hearing that they had been practicing coach-pitch for a month and had two scrimmages. Once he got out there, hit the ball,, and scored, he played like a champ...with a grin even! It helped that a few on the other team had never even played t-ball, and the mercy rule was envoked. I sure hope it boosted his confidence. (Yes, I did take my camera, but the battery was dead. GRRR! Another iPhone save!)

His sister, growing up too fast, was appalled that a lady would sit in the stands and watch a game like this.(The bulk has been blurred to protect the very, very guilty innocent.) I have to tell you, I'm so glad to know I won't be catching my daughter this way.

After the Mercy Rule was invoked, I rushed Kylee home to get her ready for her dance performance at Cielo Vista Mall (and charge the camera battery for as long as possible). She was supposed to be there at 3:00, but due to the tax-free weekend and Christmas Eve-like crowds, she was a little late, as was her performance time. Because she had just danced these dances at the GECU performance and my camera battery wasn't fully charged, I decided not to video. I actually was very excited to get action pictures of her performing.Every time I watch her, I am truly amazed...and a little jealous that I can't move that way.

After her eight-dance performance, we hurried to buy birthday presents for Elijah and Leah's 5:00 birthday party.Elijah is on Blaine's baseball team, and Leah is his little sister, whom Kylee adores and who adores Kylee. We stayed until 11:00 p.m. but we had an great time with great friends.

Loaded Questions

I love that Blaine is old enough to play more games with us now, that include writing down answers. Friday night, after Five Guys burgers, we played Loaded Questions with Dad Dad and Mom Mom. When it was his turn to read the answers aloud, at first I tried to help him. I quickly realized he did not need my help. My baby can read!

One of the questions I picked was, What is your favorite thing? Kylee, of course, put CAKE! I told Blaine not to put baseball because everybody would know it was him. He said, "Yeah, I know. That's why I wrote, 'B', but then marked it out." When we read the answers, he had written, 'Watching my dad play softball.' You know, 'cause none of us would know that was him. Another question was, What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you? Blaine wrote, 'Poop'. Then when the answers were read, he leaned over to me and whispered, "You know, like when I was one and went in my pants." Dad Dad picked the question, What is something you always wondered about. Blaine wrote, Why is your moustache so big?

But the kids were not the only ones with funny answers. Kylee asked, If you were a WWE wrestler, what would your name be? Dad Dad's answer had Joey and I both rolling. His answer? Gonad the Barbarian.

I can't wait to play again, to watch my boy read and write so well, and to laugh at kids and adult answers alike!

Hallmark Sorta Friend

When I read Kelle's post, it really got me thinking about my friends. I have been so blessed with friends in my life. When she says, I’ve read enough parenting tips on raising girls to know it’s not recommended that you encourage talk of “best” friends because “best” just gets you into trouble and, like playing ball in the house never ends up good, publicly claiming someone as your “best friend” just sends another girl crying and crossing you off her birthday party list, I totally get that.

The more I thought about it, I decided I have four "best" friends. They were all my besties in a different period of my life, but as phases changed, lives changed, contact changed, they remain my best friends. (This includes only friends, no family, so no feelings should be hurt....Randa)

Erinn Pattillo. Erinn and I were friends early in our lives. In high school, we became inseparable. We shared the experiences of butterfly love, heartbreak, prom, stock shows, and cheerleading together. Our stories are innumerable and mostly hysterical. We shared our first experience of living away from home together, and we learned some of our stories would never be known by anyone but the two of us. I would have never hestitated then to call her my "best" friend, even if it had hurt others feelings, because it was the truth...and, you know, in high school, it's kinda all about you. After her wedding, with five kids and two husbands between us, our lives became a little busy. Thanks to Facebook and email, we are now in touch quite regularly, but have only seen each other once, and that was for the death of a good friend, so not such a joyous reunion. But I know if I needed her or if she needed me, there would be no question about being there. And for that, I am blessed. And for that, she will always be my "best" friend..

Tanya Kiehne. Tanya and I's friendship is purely providential, I am convinced. My high school sweetheart is her cousin. When we met, she was already married with two kiddos, and I was in high school. When Shane wanted to take me there, I was strongly opposed. When Shane was gone, Tanya was there. When high school was gone, Tanya was there. When the next boyfriend was gone, Tanya was there. I was there for her third pregnancy, and she was there for both of mine. Even though our lives have never seemed to run parallel, our hearts and minds do. Even when she had a newborn and I was partying my 21 year-old heart out, I never hesitated to call her in the middle of the night to tell her something funny or to cry on her shoulder. When I was married with newborns and she was running around with teenagers, we seemed to talk a little less. But we always come back to each other when needed or wanted. And because we know too much damaging information about the other, we will always be friends. And for that, I am blessed. And for that, she will always be my "best" friend.

Daneane Jarzombek and Tina Zbytovsky. These two could not be separated, just as our friendships cannot be separated. We all met at Cavendars Boot City, working our way through our 20s. Our bond was pretty instantaneous. We are all so different from the other, yet so much alike. We all went from small-town girls to Austin together. We all went from strangers to sisters together. We have transitioned from the party girls to the working girls together. And although we are all now in different cities, in different jobs, in different circumstances, we are all in touch very regularly. We are there for the ups and for the downs. I truly believe we are soul sisters and BFFs. And for that, I am blessed. And for that, these girls will always be my "best" friends.

These four girls are truly Hallmark sorta friends. I hope I live up to their high standards as their friend. And I hope, as my children grow and evolve, they are even half as blessed as I with the friends in their lives.

Best Dance Performance Ever

This is according to Blaine. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the dancers! GECU had a grand opening last night of their new branch, and they asked the Champion dancers to perform.

There was a problem. We had some girls, mainly mine, who would perform in more than once dance, and there was only one, one stall bathroom. My quick-thinking, quick-to-volunteer-her-family daughter had a lightbulb moment. We have a tent, so her Daddy could set it up next to the stage for the girls to change in, andhe did.

While the tent was being set up and the girls were doing some rehearsing indoors, Blaine noticed some other activity going on. There were several jumping ballons, slides, and a trampoline being set up. There were free soft drinks, face painting, and popcorn, too. He quickly declared that this was the best dance performance ever! And although he couldn't get on the "fun stuff" until 8, the firemen let him on their stuff before.They let him honk the horn and hold the hose.

When the girls emerged,they were introduced and the dancing began. I know I've said this before, but it slays me the confidence Kylee has when it is related to dance. While they were talking about Champion Studios, she was waving and smiling and doing little dance moves....and she was the only one doing it. I LOVE it!

On The Floor

Around The World

Forget You

More

Eat You Up

Kylee danced in every song. She probably volunteered our tent because she needed the changing room more than any of the other girls. I sure wished she moved that fast when we want her to get ready!!

Blaine was finally set free to go playand even when the performing was done, Kylee was still striking a poseat the best dance performance ever.

If These Are Our Only Worries...

...our world isn't so bad.

Kylee is worried about her weight. Yup, my ever-active, skinny-miniis worried about her weight of all things! (Sorry for the bikini pic here, Joey, but I'm trying to make a point!) She told me yesterday after school that she bets she's gained 10 pounds. After thoroughly explaining to her how there was not ONE ounce of fat on her body, and even if there were, she still looked great, she wanted to bet. So we bet $5 that she had not gained 10 pounds. When we got home, I looked up the post from their physicals last year, to get her weight.

She got on the scale. She has gained 12 pounds, y'all!! She said, "Oh, darn! I should have bet a dollar a pound!" I had another long talk with her about how she looks great; she's too young to worry about her weight; and last year the doctor asked her to gain weight. Dad Dad told her not to listen to that "Hollywood crap." I also explained to her that she's obviously gained some inches to explain the weight gain, because when I gain FIVE pounds, my pants won't zip! She thought that was hysterical. I think her mind is at ease, and I can't wait to go to her physical next month to see the inches she has gained.

Blaine is our fearless wonder. The boy is afraid of nothing...except weather. He's terrifed of any kind of weather. I'm not sure where he gets it, maybe because the only "weather" we have in El Paso is wind. He's always asking about tornados, hurricanes, and earthquakes and making sure I'm sure we don't have them in El Paso.

At four o'clock this morning we had a LOUD and LONG thunderstorm. When I woke up, he was standing by my bed with his hand covering his ears. When I looked at him, he said, "Can I just get in bed with you for a little while?" I told him I would come lay in his bed for a while. When we got in his bed, he was wrapped around me like a winter blanket in terror. Then he would try to "suck it up." He would put his hands over his ears and say, "I'm just going to pretend it is just a loud truck going down our street." I'm not sure it worked, but he finally drifted back to sleep. Boy, did we pay for his lack of sleep this morning.

Life is good.

The Anniversary Cake

When Mom Mom decided to plan her anniversary cake, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do. So we turned to our own personal cake boss, Kylee. This is what she came up with.

Kylee impresses me so! Not only did she come up with the design in her head, but she drew it perfectly!
So we sent her drawing to Rocio, the lady who makes all the kids' birthday cakes, and picked thisup Saturday morning. Everything was just as Kylee asked, except the '30' didn't stand up. I think it was the heat, because when we tried to stand it up, it would start breaking immediately. That didn't stop our celebration or the cake eating, though!

Thanks, Bug!

The Painter Tribe

Here's a story of a lovely lady
Who was bringing up a rowdy boy and girl
Both of them were very spoiled, by their mother,
It was quite a whirl.

Here's a story of a man named Dan,
Who was busy with two kids of his own,
They were Painters, living all together,
Boil-in-the-Bag to make them groan.

Til the one day when the lady met this fellow,
and they knew that it was too much to describe,
That this group would somehow form a family,
That's the way we all became the Painter Tribe.

The Painter Tribe, The Painter Tribe.
That's the Way we all became the Painter Tribe.

Here's the story of the 30th anniversary, When we all come back to celebrate the merge,
What started with just the six, has become 20,
To the pool we did converge.


Here's the story of pool-side fellowship, where we spent a great deal of our time,
And when we ate, courtesy of the Taco Man, Boil-in-the-Bag seemed a crime.

Til the evening when this lady fed this fellow, We enjoyed a very familial vibe, This group has loved into a family,
And that's the way we stay the Painter Tribe.

The Painter Tribe, The Painter Tribe.
That's the way we stay the Painter Tribe.


This is dedicated to the twowho created, formed, and maintain our forever family.

Me Stew

Presenting 'Me Stew' Video

A Dancing Football Player?

My dancing queenhas been invited to be the manager for the 7th grade football team. Yes, it seems odd to me, too, but the football coach, who also happens to be Kylee's PE teacher thinks she would be perfect for the job. Her Daddy strongly disagrees. I, on the other hand, want to encourage her to do whatever her little heart desires in the things I can let her choose.

She chooses no. She may have considered it, but when I told her she was not taking seven dance classes AND managing the football team, that consideration flew right out the window. I told her she didn't have to quit dance, but she had to reduce her classes. Not even a thought in her pretty little head as to what to do. No managing the team. Now she doesn't even want to play volleyball.

I guess there will be no members of the Onick family on a football team...at least not anytime soon. I am so flattered, though, that of all the 7th graders, the coach wanted her. Another proud Mommy moment.

Coach Pitch - Take 1

We have begun coach pitch. No more t-ball.

Last night the boys had a scrimmage just to get used to the whole new set of rules before the season begins later this month. Not only do they no longer use a tee, but instead of everybody getting to bat, this is like the big leagues. Three outs, and it's over. They are also using a hard ball, so everybody has to wear a "cup". You know what I'm talking about. Now the boys are typical baseball players, having to touch themselves...or the cup, I guess...every three seconds.

I was a little anxious about the whole thing. I figured it would be one strike, two strikes, three strikes, you're out...times three, and the game would move really quickly, and the boys would be disappointed. Boy, was I pleasantly wrong! Blaine was up to batthree times, and he hit the ball three times. Good hits! The rest of the boys also played so well. I think I may learn to love coach-pitch.

Don't get me wrong, there were some parts to it I wasn't thrilled about. As I passed out cokes to all the boys after the scrimmage, Blaine said, "I'll be right back. I'm going to talk to that catcher." I said, "Woah. Wait. Why?" Nothing. He just stood there. I said, "Are you going to say something nice?" Nothing. I said, "Blaine, you are not going over there to say something ugly. That's not sportsmanlike!" Nothing.

When we got in the car, he said, "That catcher made me so mad!" When I asked why, he said, "EVERY time we got up to bat, he would say, 'Batter, batter, look at me; I will tell you when to swing.' The first time it didn't make me so mad, but the second and third time, he got in my head. One time, I even swung when he said to, and it made me so mad! So I told him, 'You wanna play that way? Ok. I'll play that way.' Then I told Carlo and Noel, and he was doing it to them, too. So when he came up to bat, Noel did it to him. I can't stand that catcher!"

Here we go. Moving into the big leagues!

First Day of School, 7th & 2nd

Another summer is over, but, oh, what a summer it was! Joey commented several times how he wished his summers had been like our kids'. The easy days of staying up late, sleeping late, and now worries about home work are now over. THe kids started school this morning.

Kylee started 7th grade.She is growing up so so fast. It was such a different morning for me today because as I was walking her to school, instead of clinging to me, scared of the unknown, she was making sure there was enough distance between her. We walked into the school, and she said, "Thanks, Mom! I gotta go meet my friends at the Commons." And off she went. There was no looking around hesitantly, searching for familiar faces, begging me not to go. Just like that, she was gone. I feel just that way. Just like that, her babyhood is gone.When I picked her up from school, she had 7th grade attitude in full force and effect, and she was not happy. We had received her schedule in the mail last week, but evidentally the school overbooked a class or two, so they did some rearranging. Her schedule changed ever so slightly. She still has the same classes, they just moved them around a bit. She found out first thing this morning, so it's not like she had gotten used to it and then they changed it. She was just crabby about it. Come to find out, she used to have "Karina BFF", as she is listed in Kylee's phone contacts, in one of her classes. That is no more. I'm sure she'll get over it, as most 7th graders do.

Blaine started 2nd grade.He's always made my first day of school experiences different than with Kylee. While she was nervous and clingy, he's always been excited and carefree. Kylee went with me to take himWe met Mrs. Martinezand he was ready for us to leave.Within the first hour of my picking him up from school, he said no less than 75 times how it was the "Best day ever!" He talked nonstop about how wonderful it was for about an hour and a half. If he's as good as he thinks he's gonna be this year, he's gonna have all sorts of parties, to include root beer parties, popcorn parties, pizza parties, and ice cream parties!

And so begins another exciting and full year!