Unwelcome!

I am really very frustrated. We have this little neighbor boy who has discovered us. He lives around the corner and is rumored to have druggie parents. He is 5 years old and roams around our neighborhood and surrounding area completely unsupervised. Whenever he hears us playing in the backyard he comes over through our side yard entry. I really wish we had a fence there. He is dirty and has poor speech and he is a problem causer. My kids or whatever friends we have over always get hurt when he is around. He is wild. The last time we had friends over, he took off with Cambria's bike while we weren't paying attention. He brought it back muddy and in less than perfect condition. He said he fell. Cambria was upset because he broke the pom-pom streamer thingy that came out of the handle bar.

Yesterday we had a very pleasant visit with our friends the Mauldin's. We went out to eat at a little Chinese restaurant. As we were driving home we passed a park near our house. Guess what I saw, a little shirtless boy riding a bike with one missing pom-pom on its handle bar. I was so mad. I hate the thought that he thinks he can help himself to whatever is in our backyard. We pulled over to reclaim our bike and then we drove to his house to talk to his mom. Useless. When I think of the look in her eyes, the phrase deer in the headlights come to mind. Or maybe, the lights are on, but no one is home. I told her what had happened. She called him a little thief and told me that she would let him know that what he did was wrong.

Today, as we were walking home from church, we see this same little boy in his swim suit and slightly dripping. Kai asked him if he had been swimming in our pool. He of course said no. I proceeded to tell hem that it was absolutely not okay for him to swim at our house when we are not home. We checked our pool when we got home and sure enough the evidence of his pool visit was everywhere. The ladder, which was left out of the pool near our back door was now in the pool by our laundry room door. There was a tee ball base in the pool as well as several pieces of chalk. I was so mad. Not only did he litter our pool with junk, but he could have been hurt.

So what do we do? Obviously if he asked his mom about swimming at our house she didn't think it was important enough to check if it was okay, or if it would be done under adult supervision. The kid is 5. What parent gives her five year old that kind of freedom? So my question is: How do you stop a child from coming to your house? Especially when you are not home? Especially when his parents don't help?


Enough of that! We had an exciting week. First of all, I got the new Stephenie Meyer Book, The Host. It took me awhile to get into it, but I ended up loving it. I truly have an addiction. I seem to cease all other functions when I read. I have never used any illicit drugs or formed unhealthy dependencies, but I wonder if this is what it would be like. When I get a book, all I want to do is read. I don't want to do chores, make meals, keep my kids on the routine that I am usually so strict about. When I am forced to do other things, you know the important things, like take care of my kids, all I can think about is holding that book in my hands and filing my head with the words that turn into a movie inside my brain. All too often I stay up late into the night reading so that I can be undisturbed and also so that I can finish the book and be free from its overwhelming powers. It took me three days to read.

Kiera also got her first haircut this week. We chopped off six inches into a long bob. I wish I new hair terminology better. I should have asked for a long "A" line cut so it had a little more modern shape to it. I guess it doesn't matter that much though because I keep it up mostly. It just gets too tangled when I leave it down. Kiera sat so good for her haircut. I was very impressed. I expected her to get bored or to complain, but she was a champ.


Kai also thought it would be fun to let Cambria cut his hair. He is trying to be thrifty.

Cambria went to kindergarten round up. I don't think I mentioned that yet. She did very well on all of the tests. She thought it was all very fun and can't wait to go for real. I however, am still dreading the thought of sending her to all day Kindergarten. I am still toying with the idea of pulling her out at half day. I just don't think a school should have that much control over my 5 year old. I am sure you all think I am crazy just like the rest of my friends here do.

Malachi is cutting his third tooth and fighting off another ear infection. He is really such a joy. He is such a sweet baby. He is easily entertained by his sisters and it is so sweet to watch the love between my children grow. This is the kind of family I have wanted my whole life.

My brother Chris is doing well on his mission in Washington. He is currently living in a huge mansion. I told him it is going to spoil him for every other place he stays in. He said his testimony is growing and the change that is taking place in his heart is very evident in his letters. He is such a good boy and I miss seeing him.

Kai's grandma Tutu (Hawaiian for grandma) just left our house. She stayed with us for two days and the girls just loved having her. They kept asking her to take a nap with them or swim with them and play with them. But they settled for hugs and kisses since Tutu's flesh is weaker than her spirit. I am glad that the kids got to see her and have such a good time with her. Who knows when we will get to see her again.