The Girls

Any idea how to get ALL three kids to smile at the same time!?

I had a birthday shout HOORAY!

I had just about the most fabulous birthday a girl could have! Turning 30 was not a problem! Especially since I had so many people wishing me well, and celebrating with me!

Wed, September 15th, I dropped my kids off at school and upon leaving the pre-k room Michelle and her kiddos sang Happy Birthday (their version including some fart noises HA)! Then my sister Kohl and I went to Glen Ivy Spa and I enjoyed my free day in the grotto, hot tub, sauna, and dual head showers! She had a treatment to get the day before her wedding and I just enjoyed the time. Right after I went straight to lunch at Panera Bread with my good friend Genine. I feel like such an adult celebrating my birthday over lunch, she also gave me a fun book about games...all sorts of games that don't need a board and you can play while in the car! Clever and very fun games! I came home to find my mom with my 2 younger kids and their cousin Kurt. Thanks mom for watching my girls! A fantastic package came in the mail from my mother-in-law. Gift card for dinner, money, darling wrapped gum, a little something for each of the girls! She's an amazing Grandma. We lounged around waiting for Jamie and Jillian to come around before going for dinner. While waiting dear Camille came with her kids to sing me Happy Birthday and delivered some delicious lemon cupcakes and balloons! We headed to El Torrito for dinner with my little family and: Kohl and Vernon; Mom and Dad; Chase, Jame and Kurt; Jillian and Phi. So nice to celebrate with family. It was the best best best birthday I've ever had....well except when I turned 5 and the theme was come dressed as your favorite animal.....turns out I invited my whole kindergarten class and tons of them came without my mom even knowing! (Wish I could find that picture!)

Serious Question in need of feedback!

I just got back from a FANTASTIC (that was for you Camille) girls night out!!! We ate out and had such a fun time laughing our heads off! It got better as the night wore on! Ladies, thanks!

Unfortunately, I had to call for a baby sitter for the night because my husband works the night shift. My meal: salad, pizza, soda, and pazookie, plus tip...only came to $13. Great! But my sitter was 3 times that. So I am somewhat kicking myself for paying her $38 for 4 hours. Now my kids are easy. My house was clean, the kids were fed, and healthy. I really needed someone to call for help should the house come crumbling down. Granted I think this girl is a perfect sitter for my kids, who by the way preferred to "play school" than watch TV, funny I know.

So here are my questions:
How many kids do you have and how much do you pay for a sitter?
Do you start the time
-when they walk in to your home?
-the time you get them from theirs?
-the time you actually leave the house?
-to the time you get back?
-or the time they finally make it to their home?
Does the rate change if they have to put them to bed and the kids are asleep most the time vs. middle of the day no naps or sleeping?
Do you pay less for a younger/less experienced sitter?

I really am thinking about this now. These sitters could really make a lot of money, or is this why our nation is in debt because the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of dollars young girls are making as baby sitters is NOT being taxed. So why do we pay someone so much to do a job that they do less than is expected from them. (My sitter tonight did MORE, and I'm grateful!) When I leave the house and have someone "take my place" as mother I expect the children and home to be well taken care of.

Here's an additional thought:

Do you know what 2010 California minimum wage is, particularly in Los Angeles? According to California employment or labor law, the current minimum wage rate in California for almost all employees required by state law.

Effective January 1, 2008, the minimum wage in California is $8.00

per hour. There are some employees who are exempt from the minimum wage law, such as outside salespersons, individuals who are the parent, spouse, or child of the employer, and apprentices regularly indentured under the State Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Regarding of this 2010 California minimum wage, there is an exception for learners, regardless of age, who may be paid not less than 85% of the minimum wage rounded to the nearest nickel during their first 160 hours of employment in occupations in which they have no previous similar or related experience. (http://aboutlawcases.com/2010-california-minimum-wage/

SOOOO, I could be paying $8 an hour and feel fine about it. Or I could pay $7 and say that's the taxed amount. Or pay the only 85% because these sitters are in "training" to become parents one day, paying $6.80/hr and then rip of those $0.80 for those taxing purposes. Bringing us down to a VERY reasonable $6/hr.

OOOORRRRRR do you feel the need to pay a little more because you know they'll be willing to give you a few hours free as their kind act of service when you have a church duty/calling to fulfill, a family emergency or a night to the temple!?

Lots of questions here! And I REALLY hope I get some insightful responses!

"Sign" of Motherhood

Here is my "sign" of motherhood. Yes, I am a mom! This counter space is the most cluttered, out of control, messy, dirty, you name it, space in my home. It's the dumping station! I cleaned my kitchen so nice and realized that this very counter gets out of hand mostly because of ME. Yup, I admit to being the one who contributes to most of the messes, if not all the messes, that occur in the kitchen. I figured that if I can keep the counter clean then others follow. This note has been fantastic for me. Reminding me as well as the rest of my family that it's the little things like a clean counter that make MOM happy!