I just used red in several areas of my home. For a boys room I would paint the window wall and one other wall only. I would then paint the remaining two another complimentary tone in beige/white. I used BM spanish red in my laundry room. With all four walls the same color, I knew it would appear alot "more" red than I thought it would be, which is why I chose a much softer red than what I would typically chose from a paper sample of the color. Be careful with really "bright" purple, blue, or orange reds as when they have the same color bouncing off all walls, it can get quite "loud" to say the least. The spanish red for me had more of a beigy, brown, terra cotta feel to it on the sample paper. When all four wall were done however, it was a beautiful red that was not too bright of a red - like a fire engine or a wagon red might be. In my kitchen, I have very minimal wall space to cover so I chose BM pomegranite. It is also a great red however if I had to cover a large area, again, I would limit it's use as an accent color rather than a color to surround the room in. Hope this was helpful and good luck. It can be so frustrating as I went through many samples before finally chosing paint for my entire house. Just remember, it's only paint!

yes, the oldest has add... which I work with to upteenth degree. We actually already have the homework rule... ours is more like even if you dont have homework you have homework... you have to review what you did in school that day to make sure that you understand everything. Which, is why I find it so frustrating that he or rather they lie about having homework. It is not like they get out of doing work, they just end up in trouble for lieing and not doing their homework. It is ridiculous in a lot of ways ... why spend an hour reviewing everything from the day when you could have spent 15 minutes doing the assignment the teacher gave you. They are just playing every angle that they can and unfortunately it's working on a lot of fronts and I am exhausted. For example: the kids were at their moms house this weekend. The oldest had a report to do. I meet BM at 6 monday morning to take kids to school and oldest didnt do his report. I asked if BM knew and he said "well I asked her if I should finish at your house and she said I guess so" Ofcourse I am highly irritated because we had a very specific conversation on satureday about what he needed to do. And, ofcourse, I make him sit there and do his report. But, to top off the entire deal I show DH what he didnt do... he gets onto oldest ss about it makes a big deal. But then I have to go to school that same evening (report did not get finished before school which I made sure DH knew) and I dont get home until after 9 and he didnt do the first thing on the report and DH says that he didnt realize what he needed to do. So, I end up staying up with ss until late late to make sure the report got done. And then, the next morning DH gives the grounded boys doughnuts even though it is his own rule that when grounded you dont get treats. I don't know... I feel like they are doing it to test me sometimes. It's not like anyone else is holding them to right and wrong and doing what they are supposed to do. (well I suppose that is unfair DH does back me up but i feel like if I didn't say this is the problem it wouldnt be brought up) Really, I honestly feel like they are testing how far they can push and I will still stand strong... but then I feel like maybe they are starting to have an attitude of you arent my parent that has never really been an issue before because they weren't teenagers. i tried to disengage tonight and just let DH handle everything but that sooo didnt work... it is not in my nature. I tired to busy myself in my room organizing... I didnt ignore them, I helped them with homework and answered questions but my goal was to make sure that DH made sure they got their homework done and made sure they werent just wandering around doing nothing... but i couldnt help it... I couldnt just watch oldest ss playing with the girls knowing that he had a stack of homework on his bed... ugggghhh it pretty much boils down to I am frustrated!!

I'm on a website looking at atv's and every single ATV I have come across has an "Important Safety Information" Pop-up on the page that says " Recommended for experienced riders 16 years of age and older. _____ recommends that all ATV riders wear a helmet, take a training course, and read their owner's manual thoroughly. Also here is a manual that I found online, please look at pages 7 & 12. www.etonamerica.com/PDF/EA%20ATV%20Rider%20Safety%20Handbook.pdf - Never allow a child to operate the ATV without adult supervision. (pg. 7) Never operate an ATV without wearing an approved helmet that fits properly. You should also wear eye protection (goggles or face shield), gloves, boots, long-sleeved shirt or jacket, and long pants. (pg. 12)

I think it's great you want to start this tradition! I did something similar with my kids, and I thought I was lame because I didn't plan too far in advance. And I never consulted Pinterest, the bad mom that I am. But every year my kids and their friends (and their parents) kept participating and appreciated that someone was providing the venue. They won't remember your food or how you decorate, but will remember how you brought them together for fun. Saying that, 13-year-olds are completely unpredictable and irresponsible when it comes to serving themselves food. Unless you want to police how many slices of pizza or how many sundae toppings they can have, I recommend planning for much more than you think will be eaten, unfortunately. I love this age group, but they haven't learned the "my eyes are bigger than my stomach" mantra. Regarding what type of food, I would serve a variety of healthy foods presented in a fun way, like fruit kabobs and fun veggie dips, as well as easy-to-serve like pre-ordered deli sandwiches or pizza. Maybe an ice cream sundae bar if you have the means to keep the ice cream cold during serving time. I would not serve any virgin version of a cocktail. Even among parents you think you know, someone will misinterpret this in a way you did not intend. Water and lemonade are all that I would serve. A craft root beer is as adventurous as I'd get. Music, a few activity items available, etc., and the kids will create their own entertainment. I love what they can create to keep themselves entertained!