I’m a little sad tonight for a 5 year old boy in Ethan’s pre-k class. I spent the morning at his school and accompanied them on a field trip to a play. This little guy came to school, but didn’t end up going on the outing. During morning circle time he was sitting in a crunched up position rocking and appeared to be in pain. The teachers all attended to him and decided to call in the principal to assess the situation.

What I didn’t know is that the little guy had been seriously injured a week ago and was just returning to school. He and his older brother had been playing with matches, and he received second and third degree burns on his stomach.

It was obvious that there was no way he would be able to participate in this field trip. The bus ride alone would have been terribly painful. He could barely move. They decided to have the mother return to pick him up immediately and I heard the principal explain that they would need a doctors release before he could come back to school.

The mother was very put out with the situation and remarked, “I have things to do and can’t care for him at home. He’ll be fine in a few days. Just let him sit and watch.”

I’ve been around this little guy before and honestly always found him disruptive and needy. The more interaction I’ve had with his mother (and father) I’m beginning to see that his outward behavior is probably a result of his home life. She is a stay-at-home mom and anytime I’ve seen her outside of the classroom she hasn’t been friendly. In fact she can be pretty rude.

His parents never remember to dress him in the field trip t-shirt, so the little guy always looks like the odd kid out when everyone has on a red shirt and he’s wearing something else. They never remember when it’s his snack day. If it’s 40 degrees outside he’ll be dressed in shorts. If it’s 90 degrees outside he’ll be dressed in long pants and long sleeves. It’s just the way they roll.

Those things alone do not make them bad parents. Letting your child hear that you don’t care if they are hurting however, is cruel. The teachers have all dealt with this family for several years and have a way of handling them. I think I’d have a hard time keeping my mouth shut if I were in that role. She can’t or won’t care for her own child?

Will wonders never cease? I hate that saying. My blue color won out and there are now two lovely coats on the kitchen wall. Thanks for all the reassurance that I was right, but I knew I was.

Ethan spent his afternoon in the new clubhouse. There is this very tall monstrosity in our backyard for kids. You can see it for miles. Ok, maybe not miles…but from way down the road. It’s got lights and electricity. What more could a kid want? I’m thinking it will come in handy after we move in and Nate disagrees with me again. Perfect place for him.

How much do you think it would cost to add heat out there?

After 7 years of marriage my husband has yet to learn that I am right about most things. Even when I remind him of past events in which I let him be right and it turned out badly. Just this week I told him that Ethan’s baseball team would not be wearing their uniforms to practice. Nate disagreed and dressed him accordingly. Guess what? I was right.

Then, there was that time when the old man next door was acting funny. I kept telling Nate that he was loopy and semi-dangerous. He kept telling me I was paranoid. A week later the old man climbed over our back fence, came in our back door and when I approached him he tried to kiss me. Since he was wrong we built a 6 foot fence to divide the houses.

Over the past few weeks we’ve made some decisions on flooring and paint in our new home. For the most part we’ve agreed or compromised. There was that one time I had to remind him that putting hardwood floor in the laundry room would be stupid, because I’ve been known to have a washing machine overflow with water a time or two. He finally agreed on ceramic tile.

When it came to choosing paint colors for the walls we disagreed on the kitchen. My husband has good taste, I’ll give him that. Although I frequently must remind him that a black shirt and brown shoes do not match.

Nate is stuck in the mind-set of Carol Brady having a yellow kitchen. I’m much more modern. I like yellow, but if you look at the light living room wall it is the same color that runs down the side of the kitchen and hallway.

I think we need something contrast it. Let me show you four possible options. This wall will eventually have a chair rail and white wainscoting below that line to the floor.

So you tell me who is right here. I vote for the far right blue color. Nate votes for either yellow color. I know I’m right.