How old is CJ? 13?

Hrm. I was mercilessly teased as a kid, and it would have made a huge difference had an adult intervened. Since Cj has already said he doesn't feel like he can handle it (in so many words) I think you need to listen to that.

I'd have a quiet word with J's dad, since you are friendly, and then -- and this is me, cause I am not subtle -- I would find a quiet moment with J and say, "You know, I see it when you do stuff that leaves marks on my kid. Adults really DO see more than you think. Every bad thing you've done up til now? I've done badder, and I did it smarter, because I didn't get caught. Make sure you are making really good decisions when you're roughhousing, because I am watching. And I will know. So be the good kid I know you can be."

Kids can be awful, and especially when it's under-the-radar stuff that they won't be caught it. It freaks the shit out of them when they realize that someone sees INTO Kidworld, and not over it. Sometimes, all you have to do is say "I see you. I'm watching. I know." to get the behavior to stop.

Oh, and sarameg? What kind of cookie recipes do you need to come up with, for what? That seems like a task I, and maybe others, could help with, at least.

And those leaves ain't hurting nothing; fuss about those last. Also, you have done a Herculean job on those banisters. They'll wait, too.

CJ is 14. He is physically stronger than J, but has much better control over his temper than J.

Erin, I'll have to write a crib sheet of that. I love it!

CJ and I talked a bit more and I think he is going to talk with his Language Arts teacher since that is where they were when J stabbed him in the shoulder with a pencil. He drew blood. I want to draw blood.

I will follow up with J's dad tomorrow afternoon, depending on what happened with CJ's talk with the teacher.

I'm glad CJ is going to try and do some himself. Esp since he has had some of J's issues. Even if you and J's dad have to to step in, it is good for CJ to see what he can do

The leaves get tracked inside, so I gotta deal with them. And it is satisfying, just LEAVES FALL ALREADY.

As far as cookies, it is for a cookie challenge I did last year, put on by lisah's friends at Atomic Books. Then, I came up with white chocolate chile lime cashew cookies, and they were good. I want to do something outrageous and weird again. I make a good chocolate chip bourbon cookie, but this is my chance to play around. I'm thinking of doctoring up a peparkokr with ginger or glaze or something. Or weird nuts. I like taking a couplethree weeks of experimenting and foisting it off on neighbors and coworkers, but I don't know when I'll have the time to bake. And peparkokr is a bitch, not being a drop cookie and me with minimal counterspace.

That sounds like a good plan, Suzi.

Glad your over-scheduling is for stuff that you want to do, sara.

Shrimps. Wrapped in bacon. All sorts of win.

Follow up question: how do I get some?

how do I get some?

Chilli Thai, West LA. Their duck curry is too spicy for me, but these rolls, severe success.

Yeah, if he's gonna be proactive about it, I would encourage that. (I would, however, follow up with the teacher, just a little "So, what actions will be taken following this? Just to let them know that you know that they know.)

In my experience, it would probably be a mediation between the two boys, unless the teacher or other students witnessed it.Or if J has a history of Bx problems.

The "I want this fixed now" part of me wants to send an e-mail to the teacher and just ask, innocently, what the policy is regarding bullying.

CJ hasn't been a bully, but he has been bullied in the past. But never anything like this. And apparently J doesn't even say anything, it is just physical stuff.

Somehow I rsvped to cookie swap and have no memory of having done so! I saw sara's post and was all wha? why wasn't I invited?? Oh brain. Of course I have no idea what to make!