Dates From Weekend Family Fun

Good Thursday morning!

NOTE TO JENNIFER - I love the "parent orientation" notes. For those of you who didn't read yesterday's comments, Jennifer leaves notes in her children's pencil boxes on orientation night and in her older child's locker at open house. In middle school world, nothing is more exciting than opening your locker and having a note waiting for you in between classes from a friend (or so I am told). I can't wait until Roxie's Open House.

AUSTIN UPDATE - GOTCHA! I'm just kidding. No update today. You can relax!

But I did want to tell a little story that doesn't really have a purpose except I thought about it today. (Sometimes that's all it takes. A stray thought wandering through my head.)

When I was very pregnant with Josh, I met six girlfriends for dinner at Ruby Tuesday's in the Galleria. Three of us were great with child. We were enjoying our meals (some of us more than others, if you know what I mean), when at the table directly across from me, a woman started choking.

Within seconds, it became apparent she wasn't just strangled. She was really, really choking. Now, I had taken not one, but two, courses of CPR in my lifetime. I had not one, but two, certificates saying I was not only capable, but obligated to do something to help this woman. So I did what every double certified, extremely pregnant woman would do in the same situation... I stood in my chair and started yelling "Paramedic! Paramedic!" at the top of my lungs. (I personally do not recall doing this, but my friends insisted they witnessed it... and they were pretty appalled.)

By this time, the woman was in the floor and literally turning blue. People were running, some idiot was screaming "Paramedic! Paramedic!" in my ear (oh, that might have been me), and the woman's two year-old child was sitting in her booster seat watching everything.

From my perch high above the other people in the restaurant, I noticed a man dressed in a suit come up behind the baby and try to lift her out of her seat. I'm sure his intentions were good... He didn't want her to witness what was happening to her mother and be traumatized for life (like I was going to be). However, she was strapped into her seat and his repeated jerking trying to get her out was only making matters worse.

Again, I have no recollection of this, but my friends say I climbed down from my chair, walked over to the man, physically pushed him aside and bellowed, "MOVE! I'M A MOTHER!"

At that point, I do remember unbuckling the straps, slipping the crying baby out of her seat and holding her with her face turned away from the commotion.

Paramedics arrived... I'm assuming they heard me yelling. They performed CPR on the woman and dislodged a piece of meat the size of a softball, and then all was good with the world again. The restaurant settled down. I handed the crying baby off to a family member, and the woman sat up and her table proceeded to finish their meal.

My table also sat back down, but we had lost our appetites... I'm assuming from seeing the softball-size wad of meat being projected from the woman a few seconds earlier.

A few moments passed in complete silence, and one of my friends said, "I'm surprised when you yelled 'MOVE! I'M A MOTHER!' you didn't tear your shirt open to reveal your blue spandex T-shirt with the giant 'M' emblazoned on the front," she said.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"You know. When you climbed down from the chair and pushed that man and yelled," she repeated.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said again, weakly.

"It was pretty impressive," one of the other girls chimed in.

By now, I was feeling more than a little embarrassed. "Did I really push the man?" I asked, because I had no memory whatsoever of doing so.

"I guess I should go apologize to him," I mumbled.

However, it was the general consensus of the table to leave a bad situation "bad," and not make it "worse."

All things considered, and with all my extensive CPR training, I think I handled everything pretty well. I mean, out of the entire restaurant, I was the only one with the presence of mind to stand in my chair and summon the paramedics.

I'm great in emergency situations. (I've even got another story tomorrow that proves the point even further. Bet you can't wait, can you?)

Topic of the Week - Passing Down the Formula for a Virtuous Wife

Here's some more good "stuff" from Vicki Courtney for all the "boy moms" out there.

"'She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers... . She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.' Proverbs 31:13-19, 24.

"This woman is no slacker. She is hardworking and devoted to her work. She is assertive and decisive, and her confidence shines through in all she does. She is strong, yet it does not diminish her femininity.

"Key questions for your son: Does this young lady have a princess attitude and expect others to serve her? Is she lazy and demotivated in life, or is she devoted to the task at hand and committed to hard work?"

All very good questions. There are eight more "sections" with questions in this chapter... all of them relevant and thought-provoking. I'll add one more section tomorrow, and then you absolutely must buy this book! (No pressure... I'll call this weekend to make sure everyone bought a copy!)

Weekend Family Fun

The first two activities were on http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/.

IHOP - Available for a limited time at participating locations, IHOP's "Kids Eat Free" dinner promotion is from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each night. The free meal is with the purchase of one adult entree. Children 12 and under qualify.

There is a "Just for Kids" menu. (Drinks are not included unless otherwise specified on the "Just for Kids" menu).

Calling All Kids Chef Class - Calling All Kids Chef Class lets children create a unique edible masterpiece each month.

It only lasts about 25 minutes and it is free. It's in the Bruno's Riverchase Community Room. Parents can get a free cup of coffee, then watch or assist the children.

Here's the location information... 3780 Riverchase Village in Hoover. The phone numbers are (205)987-2523 or (205)985-2294.

Here's what you need to know:

Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

An adult will need to sign a Kids Circle form to allow participation.

Kids should wear play clothes.

Those with food allergies or who are lactose intolerant should notify the Kid's Circle Leader.

The classes are once a month and the following is the schedule:

September 12 - Krabby Patty Cooking School
October 31 - Halloween Party Edible Decoration and Trick or Treat in the Store
November 21 - Holiday Decorating Class
December 12 - Brunch with Santa

Sounds fun, doesn't it? Another one of those great "things to do" I wish had been available when my kids were small. (I sound bitter, don't I? I am just a little.)

Dollar Movies in Hoover - There are several good family films still showing this weekend at the Dollar Movie. Check their website (www.carmike.com) for showtimes. (Don't forget it is the Carmike 10 in Hoover.)

Dates from Weekend Family Fun

I'm not trying to cheat or be lazy or anything, but may I suggest planning a date with one of your kiddos doing one of the activities listed above in Weekend Family Fun. There are three very good possibilities just staring you in the face.

If you have multiple kids, the Chef Classes would be a great way to take each one to a different FREE class. If you go to Hoover to see the Dollar Theater, a FREE IHOP dinner would be an excellent way to end the evening. Well, that or Krispy Kreme. You can't go wrong with a Krispy Kreme stop... EVER!

Get to planning, and have a great time with your date.

Have a terrific Thursday... my favorite day of the week. Tomorrow I'll share a favorite book, and our Weekend Happenings, and one more excerpt from Your Boy by Vicki Courtney. And maybe, just maybe, I'll tell another little story about how calm, cool and collected I am in an emergency. (I'm afraid I come off sounding too good on the blog sometimes, and I don't want to do that... because it just ain't so! And this story should help prove that beyond a shadow of doubt.)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda