What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, my a$$ (butt). With teenagers, there’s a whole new take on that saying…What doesn’t kill you is just waiting to sneak up and smack the cr*p (crud) out of you later on. And smack you it will.
In an earlier blog (Leaning Libra) I tell the story of a heart-stopping phone call from the Middle School Principal about a fight after school hours in the field across from the school. It ends up the Principal was calling because he wanted to see the video he heard Older Son had taken of the fight (actually a staged “fight”). Older Son had used poor judgment, but it was a teaching moment and that’s really the purpose that these lapses serve. Here’s what I didn’t tell you: next year, new school, real fight, no phone call, but guess what MY kid did? Smack.
When Younger Son was in kindergarten, I was waiting to pick him up outside the school with the other Moms. Younger Son’s friend’s Mom (who I actually knew) was talking about having sent her family pictures from yesterday of her son’s black and blue face and me being the Mom of the kid who caused it. Totally caught with my pants down. I went in and spoke to the Teacher who said that Younger Son and this other kid were playing tag. Younger Son tagged his friend and the friend fell on the concrete. Younger Son was upset, got help, and went with Other Kid to the Nurse. It was an accident.
Every day Younger Son comes home and I ask him how school was (“fine”) and if anything new happened (“no”). This kid is totally left-brained (right, Joyce?). He is concrete and literal and can’t help it. I asked the wrong question. If I had asked if he had tagged anyone who had fallen down and hurt themselves he would have told me the story. I spent quite some time that day explaining to him examples of “important things you must tell Mom immediately”.
Fast forward to Middle School. I’m talking to the Vice-Principal and he mentions the incident a few days earlier when Younger Son and another kid had an altercation in the hall and had been sent to his office. Smack.
I’m not telling you that my kids never listen to me, or that they don’t ever learn a lesson the first time. I could tell you that but I’m not. The truth of the matter is that all kinds of circumstances arise. Some of them do make you stronger. But there are some situations that are just sitting back waiting for another go at you.
Got kids? Take my advice and don’t believe old sayings (or new songs). Watch your back. Me? I think I’ll head for the kitchen.
Sherbet "Watermelon"
Sherbet “Watermelon”
©www.BakingInATornado.com
Small pineapple sherbet or vanilla ice cream
1.5 quarts raspberry sherbet
Mini chocolate chips
Directions:
*I know the amounts above are ambiguous, but how much you need will depend on the container you use. I have a serving dish that’s about the size and shape of a watermelon half so I use that. You can also use a round bowl as watermelons come in that shape as well. Just make sure you use something that can go in the freezer.
*I know the amounts above are ambiguous, but how much you need will depend on the container you use. I have a serving dish that’s about the size and shape of a watermelon half so I use that. You can also use a round bowl as watermelons come in that shape as well. Just make sure you use something that can go in the freezer.
*Take lime sherbet out of freezer to soften until workable.
*Line the inside of your bowl. I use a few layers of heavy foil with a layer of plastic wrap on top. Make sure your foil and wrap are longer than the bowl and lay out of the bowl (to later use for removal).
*Scoop out lime sherbet (works best to sort of slice it out with a knife) and line the inside of the bowl with a layer of lime sherbet. It’s cold, but works best if you work it around with your hands till fairly smooth. Work quickly so it doesn’t get runny.
*Freeze till set. Meanwhile take pineapple sherbet or vanilla ice cream out of freezer. (I use the vanilla as I like the little bit of creaminess it adds to the flavor of the end result).
*Add a thin layer of white over the green and freeze again to set.
*While the white layer is setting, take out the raspberry sherbet and let soften.
*Put the raspberry sherbet into a large bowl and mix in mini chocolate chips.
*Fill the "watermelon rind" to the top with the raspberry sherbet. Use a knife to flatten the top. Freeze to set. Cover when frozen. Keep in freezer, slice to serve.
*While the white layer is setting, take out the raspberry sherbet and let soften.
*Put the raspberry sherbet into a large bowl and mix in mini chocolate chips.
*Fill the "watermelon rind" to the top with the raspberry sherbet. Use a knife to flatten the top. Freeze to set. Cover when frozen. Keep in freezer, slice to serve.
