Back to School

Make sure you head over to Simple Things this week to check out the Babywearing Bonanza! I already entered for a chance to win a Posh Papoose and you can too! Woo Hoo! On a more serious note, the post today is an interview with Mary Finch founder of No Mother Left Behind- check it out!

So today is the day that almost all of my friends went back to school. Some are going back to work and leaving their little ones in the care of someone else. I have these moms in my heart today because I know how hard it is to go back to work. I know some unquestioningly would rather stay at home. Others, enjoy the time at work( adult interaction) but also miss their precious babes. Regardless, it is never an easy choice.

I lost my walking partner but I will continue to walk everyday! I am so proud of the fact that I walked almost every single day this summer. Sometimes I woke up feeling lazy but I always forced myself out the door no matter how tired or glum I felt. In the end the walk always made me feel better and I am happy I made the effort. As summer turns to fall and then quickly to winter I will lose these precious opportunities to breathe fresh air and enjoy nature. I really DO take the time to appreciate nature and all it has to offer.

What's you stance on toy guns?

Yesterday I took Eliza for our usual evening stroll. This is one of my favorite times of day. Yesterday was no exception. The weather was beautiful, the birds were chirping and the sweet smell of honeysuckle filled the air. I used this time for quiet reflection. I tell you it is much needed after a day of boisterous kindergartner.

I usually walk all around my mom's neighborhood. I like to walk for an hour but sometimes I run out of places to go. One place I do walk is through a path at my old elementary school. It is a tiny little path with houses on the right and a wooded area on the left. There are usually kids playing basketball and and just hanging out enjoying the weather.

Anyway, on a previous walk I was just about to get to the path, which is right past the kids playground and a kid jumps out from behind the dumpster with a toy gun. It totally freaked my freak. It turns out that he wasn't trying to scare me- his friend was coming up on a bike behind me. Nonetheless, I just had the creepiest feeling. I am always on high alert when I have Eliza. I feel like a mother tiger ready to strike at the first sign of danger. My mom lives in a good neighborhood, but I am small and pretty much anyone could hurt me if they want to bad enough. I guess it is the wooded side of the path that scares me a little. Granted, I used to play in these woods all the time when I was in grade school and I never gave it a second thought. Now, I err on the side of safety and never walk there if it is too late or too dark. And I always carry my cell phone.

OK. I kind of got off topic. Anyway, yesterday I walked to the school and there were tons of kids playing. They were holding relay races; probably in preparation for a district track meet. Some kids were on bikes and skateboards and other kids were shooting hoops. Then I look behind me an I see two kinds, probably middle school age, walking with a big toy gun. Again, I was so creeped out by these kids. Unfortunately, I think they were going to play in the woods and were walking bend me on most of the path. So I spent most of my walk with a weird feeling in my gut.

I know they are kids and it shouldn't bother me that they are playing with toy guns. I don't care for guns- real or toy-they creep me out. Well, I don't think I would be scared of a musket. But I don't see too many people using muskets these days. I have had quite a bit of gang training in my school district and have seen countless pictures of kids holding guns. It is just scary to me and very sad.

All of this just got me to thinking about where I stand on kids playing with toy guns. I usually think of this as boy's toy- but who knows these days. I have to admit I don't think I would ever purchase a toy gun for my children. It just doesn't sit right with me. My husband said he played with them when he was little. And I guess he turned out okay. haha In my head I know that a well adjusted child can probably play with a toy gun, or a violent video game and everything will be fine. However, I always think there is a small number of children who just can't distinguish fantasy from reality and something terrible ends up happening.

What are your thoughts?