Oops again.

Well, we have already had a, "Sorry mom," -from the teachers... kind-of like we don't do that...  I sent Taylor with popcorn and they were going to send out a form this same morning informing parents we don't do this do to it being a choking hazard.  So, they made a big deal that I sent him with it.  Well, I wasn't informed yet.  They said they understood and they would give Taylor goldfish.  Well, I said, we don't do goldfish because we don't do dairy.  Goldfish aren't dairy they said... oh really???  Well, I must be a moron...(SARCASM!)  I said, I'm  sorry, goldfish are cheddar and cheddar is dairy.  If you look in the ingredients list, there are also other dairy ingredients.  The teacher still looked shocked and said, oh... I didn't know.  Okay, let's move on.  She finally asked what can he have.  Well, wheat thins, graham crackers, fruit, vegetables... but, she was referring to carbs.  You know something that doesn't spoil that they have on hand...  Now that I am informed, I will do better.  My goodness.  Well, I talked to the director and she said grapes were on the list too.  WHAT?  Well she said you have to cut them into 4ths and there are some other things too.  I should get the list this afternoon in Taylor's folder.  Hmmm.

Are you serious?!

GRAY MATTER

Ugly? You May Have a Case

By DANIEL S. HAMERMESH

Published: August 27, 2011

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Daniel S. Hamermesh, a professor of economics at the University of Texas, Austin, is the author of "Beauty Pays," published this month. 

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Mark Pernice

BEING good-looking is useful in so many ways.

In addition to whatever personal pleasure it gives you, being attractive also helps you earn more money, find a higher-earning spouse (and one who looks better, too!) and get better deals on mortgages. Each of these facts has been demonstrated over the past 20 years by many economists and other researchers. The effects are not small: one study showed that an American worker who was among the bottom one-seventh in looks, as assessed by randomly chosen observers, earned 10 to 15 percent less per year than a similar worker whose looks were assessed in the top one-third — a lifetime difference, in a typical case, of about $230,000.

Beauty is as much an issue for men as for women. While extensive research shows that women’s looks have bigger impacts in the market for mates, another large group of studies demonstrates that men’s looks have bigger impacts on the job.

Why this disparate treatment of looks in so many areas of life? It’s a matter of simple prejudice. Most of us, regardless of our professed attitudes, prefer as customers to buy from better-looking salespeople, as jurors to listen to better-looking attorneys, as voters to be led by better-looking politicians, as students to learn from better-looking professors. This is not a matter of evil employers’ refusing to hire the ugly: in our roles as workers, customers and potential lovers we are all responsible for these effects.

How could we remedy this injustice? With all the gains to being good-looking, you would think that more people would get plastic surgery or makeovers to improve their looks. Many of us do all those things, but as studies have shown, such refinements make only small differences in our beauty. All that spending may make us feel better, but it doesn’t help us much in getting a better job or a more desirable mate.

A more radical solution may be needed: why not offer legal protections to the ugly, as we do with racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women and handicapped individuals?

We actually already do offer such protections in a few places, including in some jurisdictions in California, and in the District of Columbia, where discriminatory treatment based on looks in hiring, promotions, housing and other areas is prohibited. Ugliness could be protected generally in the United States by small extensions of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Ugly people could be allowed to seek help from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other agencies in overcoming the effects of discrimination. We could even have affirmative-action programs for the ugly.

The mechanics of legislating this kind of protection are not as difficult as you might think. You might argue that people can’t be classified by their looks — that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That aphorism is correct in one sense: if asked who is the most beautiful person in a group of beautiful people, you and I might well have different answers. But when it comes to differentiating classes of attractiveness, we all view beauty similarly: someone whom you consider good-looking will be viewed similarly by most others; someone you consider ugly will be viewed as ugly by most others. In one study, more than half of a group of people were assessed identically by each of two observers using a five-point scale; and very few assessments differed by more than one point.

For purposes of administering a law, we surely could agree on who is truly ugly, perhaps the worst-looking 1 or 2 percent of the population. The difficulties in classification are little greater than those faced in deciding who qualifies for protection on grounds of disabilities that limit the activities of daily life, as shown by conflicting decisions in numerous legal cases involving obesity.

There are other possible objections. “Ugliness” is not a personal trait that many people choose to embrace; those whom we classify as protected might not be willing to admit that they are ugly. But with the chance of obtaining extra pay and promotions amounting to $230,000 in lost lifetime earnings, there’s a large enough incentive to do so. Bringing anti-discrimination lawsuits is also costly, and few potential plaintiffs could afford to do so. But many attorneys would be willing to organize classes of plaintiffs to overcome these costs, just as they now do in racial-discrimination and other lawsuits.

Economic arguments for protecting the ugly are as strong as those for protecting some groups currently covered by legislation. So why not go ahead and expand protection to the looks-challenged? There’s one legitimate concern. With increasingly tight limits on government resources, expanding rights to yet another protected group would reduce protection for groups that have commanded our legislative and other attention for over 50 years.

We face a trade-off: ignore a deserving group of citizens, or help them but limit help available for other groups. Even though I myself have demonstrated the disadvantages of ugliness in 20 years of research, I nonetheless would hate to see anything that might reduce assistance to groups now aided by protective legislation.

You might reasonably disagree and argue for protecting all deserving groups. Either way, you shouldn’t be surprised to see the United States heading toward this new legal frontier.

A version of this op-ed appeared in print on August 28, 2011, on page SR12 of the New York edition with the headline: Ugly? You May Have a Case.

Up all night, covered in poo...

He is getting bigger and bigger every day!  Wow!  How quick they grow!  Last night, he couldn't breath so I tried to get what I could out, much to his loud protesting screams.  He woke Case up and it sounded bad!  Anyway, I used the saline and I feel like every time I use it he has more of a runny poo.  Anyway, at 4AM, I fed him again and mid feed, with the lights off, he poo'd, no big deal until I turned on the lights to change him I noticed he had poo'd all over me.  My pants, shirt, his pants, shirt, then I saw it was all over the couch.  So I started changing him and it shot out all over the carpet in a stream.  Now I had to wake Case up to help.  He still needed to be cleaned and fed and I had to clean the mess off the furniture and myself.  Needless to say, we are all tired beyond!  It took a long time to settle him, since he still couldn't breath.  I found him in the crook of his daddy's arms awake and waiting for a snuggle and a swaddle.  He couldn't get adjusted in his sleep seat so we were all awake almost until daylight.  Lucky for us, this will pass.  Happy Tuesday!

We are all sick, sick, sick...

I don't have to tell you, as you can see, Reagan is quite affectionate with her little brother!  She is constantly giving him kisses, giving him a blanket so he is cozy, or a pacifier if he is upset.  I think she is learning how to say shh, shh, shh, since we are almost always pressed up to his little ears shh, shh, shh-ing him.  

Sick as can be and still goofy!  We all climbed into the bed in our pj's for dinner and a movie.  Taylor used a dinner tray and all was good.  We watched Rio.  It was a great movie!  Reagan is already in bed sick.  

My two little dudes.  

Sick, and stuffy and achy oh my.  Aren't they too cute!  

Out cold for now.  Up later.  Sigh.

Our day...

uh oh, Reagan in the drivers seat...

Going to pick up Big Brother from school.

Asleep now, but we will see for how long?...

Goofy kids... I love 'em to death!

And here is "Grumpy Pants" as I affectionately refer to him.

I am loading pictures only, I will tell you how it went when I have more energy... there is LOTS to tell!  For now, enjoy the pics.  So a few days later to update here.  Oh well, here goes.  Taylor when he got home was sick.  First his tummy hurt, then he had a headache, then he turned yellow-green and then he puked on me and then on Case.  I had been up all night with the baby and was at my wits end when I turned to Youtube for some lullabies.  Didn't work.  Sad baby at night made for a wreck of a mom the next day!  Reagan was a good girl but she is starting to get the nerve to climb  out of her crib.  I wonder how long it will take?  I am sure there was more that happened, but amnesia has claimed my brain.  Thankfully!

Quick post...

I don't know how much time I have before A) one of the kids wakes up, B) I have to eat (still haven't had lunch) C) something needs to be started for dinner.  I am accumulating a list of things that I either need to modify in my routine or need to start doing better for the sake of sanity and/or the kids.
-Today, Tuesday, trash day, next time have it out the night before... it is too hard to do it quickly with 3 children, packing lunches, feeding bottles, ect. on Tuesday morning.
-I might need to pack Reagan 2 pairs of clothes, considering today she was the messiest in her class and the teacher changed her since applesauce was all over the place.  Next time, bring a bib also!
-I don't care what Taylor says about getting dressed, I have to set out what he is going to wear the night before.  Same with Reagan.
-Next time, choose a better snack for both kids to send to school.  Next time label the bag with their name on it.  REALLY?!  (Label the lunch box, the water bottle, the snack bag, shoes, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, jackets, ect.)
-Get the kids out of their beds at 0700 so that every day we can get bowels going... Taylor had an accident in his pants today.  Reagan was so wet I had to change her second outfit.  If we have time before we leave, have them clean the playroom.
-Trent just cries and cries.  Start having him fed before the madness begins.  Bring 3 pacifiers, label the stroller, since nobody knows who they are rocking in the middle of the hallway at school.  (Some of the school staff heard him crying and came to my rescue this morning.  They shook the stroller, and gave him the pacifier that fell out of his mouth.  When they stopped shaking the stroller he wailed again...)  Try getting a musical something for him.
-I am sure there is something else I need to modify for school.  At this point, we are just trying to get through the first week.  Reagan is having a hard time adjusting!  She is tired BEYOND!  Trent is not liking being disturbed when we have to get in and out of the car.  Taylor is, of course loving school and very quick to ask me if I am proud of him for his good behavior and then telling me that he didn't really listen to the teachers.  He is really silly and wants to stay after school to talk to the teachers.

Sorry their are no pictures.  Reagan was quickly tucked into her class and they wash her hands first thing so to not spread germs and to get them into the habit.  Taylor has so many things to do that he gets ushered in also while I may or not get a kiss goodbye.  Trent is sometimes crying and sometimes passed out.  Either way, no pictures.  They will come, I am sure.  Bye for now.

It was a beautiful day!

This is just a shot of Trent and it looks like he is going to be yet another dramatic Tibbs!  He is always expressing his perplexities this way!  Gotta love it!

For sanity, I had to swaddle him tightly, prop him up as high as the seat would go, and harness him in and then set the swing to rock at the fastest setting.  He started out crying and then settled down.  Whew!

Cutie pie!  10 minutes before bed!

Monkey-do!  Gross, you can see food!

Taylor's turns 4 years old.

We just had a simple birthday with Taylor and his gramma and aunt.  It was a good thing too because I was so embarrassed at his behavior!  He acted so selfish and expected more and asked why he didn't get something that he saw at the store.  I mean really?!  He was so self absorbed I was shocked!  His manners went completely out the window!  Wow!  We did have fun though and spent the evening playing with his new things!  He got a Spider Man Web shooter and has asked to take it everywhere.  This year at school, he may have an opportunity to take it for show-and-tell.  Yeah!  He got a scooter and a new bike too.  Both, are the envy of his sister!  He is loving it all!  Plus all of the new clothes are perfect!  He is going to look so cute in his new class!  Next year, we will have a party with friends, provided we don't move.  I think we will keep it that way for all the kids.  No parties until your 5.  Then we can all go crazy!  

Gramma Kim & Aunt Kristen for a visit.

Sitting with a now quiet baby.

As long as he is in your arms, he is quiet.  Well, not always.  Aunt Kristen is a great place to relax!

"What do you want to do with me?"  asks Taylor.  There is definitely not a dull moment here and he always wants to do something.  He hid under a dirty wheel barrel for hide and seek with Kristen.  It was gross!

Playing in the playroom and being silly!

Breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  We had yummy blueberry pancakes which were a big hit with the kids and such a big mess.  But mommy had wipes galore to clean up all the mess.  

I LOVE the Cracker Barrell!  Did you know it was my birthday?!  

Grumpy Pants!

He is just fussy, fussy, fussy!  

Just a little colicky!  

Oh wait, he is fine now.  Just for a second, and then it starts all over!

Unsettled yet again.

I don't know what I want...

Before Papa, my mom and grandma were here...

We had some good food and lots of fun!

Cuddle time with Grandma Cheryl.

Grandma Gigi and the baby.  Too cute!

They just cut Reagan's bangs.  They sure do love their Gigi!

We played lots of games!  Here we played Mexican Train.  Taylor wanted to build with the dominoes more than he wanted to play.  

Out for a great breakfast at the Cracker Barrel.

Mom with the baby.

We even had family come from Columbus, GA.  Cousin Diane and her daughter Cindy.

Papa here!

Papa is SO good with the kids!  It is so great to see these tender moments!  He just came out of the playroom with the other two.  

The rocking chair that became Papa's place with little T.

He loves his Papa!  I am sorry that I didn't get any pictures of Reagan with her Papa!

Life as we know it

I think she climbed up to be with her big brother...  I also think this is the middle of the day... meaning, yes, we are still in our pj's.  

This is where we find her when she runs off.  She is either checking to see if the door is open so she can go scavaging through the cabinets in our bathroom, or she is wanting to go be with her baby brother whom we often put in the back room for safety reasons.  She always wants to kiss him and take his pacifier, rip his blankets off him and/or investigate if he is crying.  She wants to snuggle him to make him feel better, most of the time you can find her doing one of these things.  Here, I think she is just being silly.  

Everyone in our house is EXHAUSTED!  Life is rough!

He is our stout little one!  He isn't pudgy like his older brother was, but he is built like a strong boy!  He has a big neck which is the hardest to clean!  Yuck!

Grumpy pants!

This is how we keep him calm and he is most happy here instead of the bouncy seat which we hardly get use out of.  Instead I have to carry this from room to room and it is heavy!  Sigh!  At least it works sometimes.  Mostly, I am carrying him in the carrier we have in the upright position.  He is VERY, VERY colicky!  I have to wear him at night so he is happy, so now I sleep on the couch.  That is where Taylor finds me in the morning now.  

Tired mommy!  Not my best shot, but at least I can give you a smile!