Rocks In My Dryer

Talk Amongst Yourselves: The Tooth Fairy

I'm just curious: how much does The Tooth Fairy pay when she stops by your house?  I'd tell you about ours first, but I suspect she's way stingier than yours, and, well, I don't want to look like an idiot. 

Talk Amongst Yourselves: Co-Ed Sleepovers

Last week my oldest son was invited to a co-ed sleepover.

Let me re-type that in all caps in case you missed it. 

LAST WEEK MY OLDEST SON WAS INVITED TO A CO-ED SLEEPOVER.

I answered him in my typical understated, never-over-reactive way (I believe the words "over my dead body" and "when pigs fly" were part of my answer.  And I think there might have been a shriek).  Yes, I am a veritable fount of gentleness and grace.

But I was just curious if there was some line of reasoning I'm missing:  anyone out there a fan of co-ed sleepovers for elementary-aged kids?  Would you be more or less inclined to allow this of teenagers?  What are your sleepover guidelines, in general?

Talk Amongst Yourselves: Squeaky Toddler Shoes

Yesterday at my son's soccer game, I heard a really fast, high-pitched squeaky noise coming from the other side of the bleachers.

It was a little preschool girl, wearing shoes that squeaked--on purpose.  One of my fellow soccer moms told me this is The New Thing in the toddler world:  shoes that squeak-squeak-squeak with every step, to make it easier to find your child.  (You can find examples of these shoes here and here.)

And while this particular peanut of a girl was absolutely adorable, and I'm sure her mother was absolutely lovely, her shoes nearly drove me ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. 

Squeak, squeak, squeak.

Now, I adore my children to the core of my being, but this does not mean I need to be audiotorially aware of every step they make. 

Have y'all seen these?  What do you think?  Is it a great kid safety tool, or one more thing to make a momma want to put her head through a wall?

Talk Amongst Yourselves: Home Alone!

Knowing full well that there's no "magic age" (every child is different), at what age do you let your kids start staying home alone during the daytime?  At nighttime?  What ground rules do you give them?