The kids are home. Again. In New Jersey, the teachers have off for the union's annual conference, which few actually attend. I'm using the two days to catch up on mountains of laundry, sort out old toys, put away Halloween crap, dump the candy, and drag the kids around to various errands. We've already done a trip to the Orthodontist who is trying to close the gap between Jonah's front teeth. Jonah proudly told the assistant that he can put a straw between his teeth and drink his milk without opening his mouth.

What's not going to happen today? Video games. Because they've already lost computers privileges for wrestling with each other and not listening when I told them to knock it off. Jonah returned from a three day field trip to the woods. Every school in New Jersey has to do this damn field trip now. They walk across a rope ladder and learn about cooperation and team work. They also get really hyper and often come home with bedbugs. Another goal for the trip is to have the kids make new friends. Jonah spent the whole trip with the insane kid who sticks French fries up his nose. So, he's out of his mind right now and needs to calm down. No video games.

But no video games means no time on the computer for me. I'll try to get back here later the afternoon, but you all are on your own until then.