Moments of Sanity--Third Time's a Charm

My little carrier family

2012-02-15T19:11:00.000-05:00

When you go in to the doctor for your 3rd strep test in 4 months, the conversation inevitably turns to tonsil removal. I mean, enough is enough, right?

It seems weird. I had strep a lot as a kid, but the last time I had it was senior year of college. Which was...-gulp-...13 years ago. So why are my tonsils suddenly a problem after a decade of no issues? Also, I had a friend a few years ago who had strep 4 times in one winter, and it turned out that her 2 year old was a "carrier" of strep. She was treated and my friend never had strep again. So I had this one solitary hope that someone was a carrier and was simply reinfecting me.

I immediately suspect Jeff. I swap spit with him quite a bit and our toothbrushes cohabitate a cup in the bathroom. He hasn't been sick AT ALL this winter, despite the petri dish of illness surrounding him. He has super immunity! He is carrying strep bacteria in the back of his throat and spewing his germiness with superiority. Bastard! I know it is him! Sew a huge letter "C" for carrier onto his shirt!

Since I can't make him go to the doctor, I dragged the three kids in this afternoon. Andrew took his throat swab like a pro, Lily like a kidnappee getting her kidney taken out in a bathtub of ice, and Michael like a cornered animal at the zoo. It was....fun? The nurse thought I was a crazy person...3 kids, no fevers, no coughs, no rashes, no sore throats, nothing...getting their throats swabbed.

I was vindicated 2 minutes later when a different nurse popped her head in and exclaimed, "They are all positive! Really really positive. The strip turned in like 30 seconds for all of them."

All. 3. Positive.

It was all I could do not to recoil from all my infected little carriers.

Turns out, they don't treat carriers. Because it isn't hurting them even a little bit to be walking around with strep on the back of their throat. But once I explained my situation, and how I was going to have to undergo surgery the next time I got it...they agreed to treat all 3 kids to try and wipe our slate clean.

Now to get Jeff in to the doctor. He can't be spared. Just in case. And I was so sure it was him.

Strep...again

2012-02-15T07:21:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to hate my period more than usual.

November, I get my period AND strep.

December, I get my period AND strep.

January, I get my period and my Memere dies.

February, I get my period AND strep.

Seriously. This trend sucks.

Also? If I get strep one more time, I will be referred to an ENT for tonsil removal. Which I hear can be up to a 3 week recovery. Oh, that sounds easy to schedule. I think that will be feasable in about 12 years. Or so.

Valentine's week

2012-02-13T12:38:00.000-05:00

The kids went to our gym on Saturday night for a special "Valentine's Kids Night Out." They had pizza, a craft, and a bounce house. Andrew got to go swimming. Jeff and I went out to dinner. It was lovely. Well, Andrew didn't have much fun...but it was lovely for the rest of us.

Today was Lily's Valentine's party. We stopped at the grocery and picked up some (cheap) little bouquets of mini carnations for her teachers. She was so so so excited to give them. I'm glad she didn't hear the snarky mom in the hallway say, "Oh brother. Now we're giving presents to teachers for Valentine's Day? Make the rest of us look bad, why don't you." She did not know that Lily belonged to me...I don't think. Now Lily is sugared up and hyper...but she just gave a piece of her candy to Michael without being asked. So I love her despite the hyperactivity.

Tomorrow is Michael and Andrew's parties. I don't know if we'll do flowers or not...the boys have expressed no desire to give their teachers anything.

Wow. This is a truly thrilling post. I am a bit rusty at this, is all. Must. Get. Motivated. To. Be Funny...

Must. Start. Blogging.

2012-02-11T17:26:00.001-05:00

Someday I'm going to be really mad that there is this huge gap in my recollections of their childhood. I need to start recording all the hilarious 3 year old hijinx and the sweet and endearing 5 year old girl stories and the exasperating ordeals of an overly-sensitive 8 year old.

But have I mentioned that I got a Kindle for Christmas.

Like giving a key to the pharmacy to a drug addict.

It is February 11th. Since I got my Kindle on Christmas Day, I have read 12 books. BTW...out of those 12, I have only bought 1 of those...the one that was on it when Jeff gave it to me (yay!)

That is 12 books finished in 7 weeks.

If you are curious...
Dance with Dragons, (book 5 of Game of Thrones)
The Land of Later On
Divergent
Peony in Love
The List
Noah's Compass
Life of Pi
Seven Exes are Eight Too Many
The Memory of Running
Forbidden Mind
Practical Magic
Gossamer

AND...my house is actually cleaner than usual...like I've washed the floors a few times in those 7 weeks.

AND...I've been going to the gym 3-4 times a week.

So no wonder I'm behind on blogging.

Must get on it...

Damn/Wonderful computers

2012-02-04T06:52:00.000-05:00

I have not been blogging, because our DAMN computer is so slow. It thinks and thinks and thinks and thinksandthinksthinksthinksthinks...and then it tells me it cannot open Internet Explorer...would you like to try again? And then the cycle continues with the infernal thinking and not opening. Crazy making. Jeff thinks it is Explorer. So I'm trying to get used to Google Fire instead. But it has none of my favorites. I don't like change. I can search and read on my Kindle, so I'm only missing out on commenting and writing blogs. Blah!

Michael has pink eye. I submit that there are very few things harder than restraining a 40 pound being while trying to aim a single drop in each eye...and then prying that eye open to get the drops in...3 times a day. That's not fair. Jeff is home for the last one of the day. But yesterday...after doing this for 3 days...I finally figured out to use the Kindle as a bribe. Explaining to Michael that he could play Angry Birds after he had his eye drops worked like a charm. My WONDERFUL computer made Michael leap onto the couch and not struggle (much) as I did his eye drops. When he wanted to play before dinner, I explained he could after his drops...which wouldn't be until after dinner. He proceeded to beg me for eye drops for the next hour. Success!

This week

2012-01-26T15:43:00.001-05:00

I don't even know where to begin. So I'll just do a list of things that have happened/are happening this week.

--I had to buy Andrew more pants...again. That kid just refuses to stop growing. I swear, I bought his all new pants in the fall. And while in Ohio, I noticed his pants were too short. At least Michael's hand-me-downs will be barely worn?

-- Michael is spending an inordinate amount of time in time-out, due to his latest phrase. "I hate..." Whenever anything doesn't go his way, he announces angrily that he hates you. Or his teacher. Or this hat. Or whatever. It is really tiresome and annoying and rude...so time-out it is. At this point it is already a habit, so it will probably take a bit of time to break him of it.

--Lily is at the annoying stage of beginning reader. Just because they have successfully read a few easy readers, they assume that the entire world of the printed word is decipherable to them. She gets frustrated. I get frustrated. You know the drill.

--I may actually have to start doing homework with Andrew. He has missed one spelling word on the last two tests...perhaps we'll have to review the words. And he asked me for help with the wording of one of his math questions...and I literally didn't even know what unit they were on. Slacker mom. Need to start paying more attention.

-- I'm in love with Jeff's new boss. I mean, I've never met him. But I love how interested and involved and...managerial he is towards Jeff. And he sent us flowers (from the department) in sympathy. Love!

-- I've been really good about going to the gym. Well...only about 3 days a week...but I haven't quit yet! And my eating has been better also. I'm drinking WAY more water and trying to eat less/better. No real results yet. Not getting discouraged yet.

-- I got Michael enrolled at the new preschool. His current pre-school (where we have been for 6 years now) is making me feel bad. How much they are going to miss Michael, and what are they going to do without a member of our family there. My explanation to them has been that I can't get Lily to the kindergarten bus AND get Michael to pre-school if I go there. It's just a little bit too far away. They tell me they will work with me...I can drop him off early or late, whatever. I just can't tell them that while the bus thing is technically true, I also don't like the teachers for the 4 year old program. I can't tell them...because Lily is in that class for the next 5 months. Don't push me to say it! I'm a big blabber mouth and am likely to spill the beans. And ruin the rest of Lily's school year.

-- My house is a cluttered sty. Yesterday I tackled the basement. I couldn't even tell you how long it's been since I dealt with that room. Months. I vacuumed up some spiders the size of gerbils down there. I took out 2 bags of garbage and took way 6 different toy sets that are too young for the kids now. They went immediately down there this morning and played for 90 minutes. -sigh- Can't we just have a clean room for more than 12 hours? Please?

--I thought exercising was supposed to give you more energy. When does that happen exactly? Also? I just had to look up the spelling of exercise...AGAIN. I think there is something significant to the fact that I can't even spell that word. My body clearly rejects the whole idea.

--February 2010 and February 2011 I had trips to Southern California. Nothing this year. I'm kind of bummed. I really appreciated that weekend of sunshine in the middle of dreary winter.

-- I'm totally into my Kindle now. I've figured out the library thing, and my MIL showed me a website that highlights free books for a limited time each day on Amazon. Now I just have to tear the thing away from my annoying kids so I can actually read on it.

-- I'm cold.

-- I made pumpkin bisque for dinner last night, in our attempt to eat vegetarian one night a week. Turns out pumpkin bisque is good for about 10-15 bites before you get sick of it. An appetizer type of dish. Not a whole meal. Too bad I'm not the type of hostess that serves multi-course meals. Unless you count veggie trays and pigs in a blanket as courses.

-- I should go tackle another room of clutter now.

--Our master bathroom has been sitting stripped of wallpaper for 3 months now. It will take 2 hours, MAX, to paint. Still not done. Loser.

-- I got Michael a table lamp for his room since he has no light switches. I have no idea how early he's been waking up, but judging by his tantrums, sensitivity, and "hating", I'd say he was up REALLY early today.

-- Jeff was reprimanding Michael yesterday, and Michael smiled and said, "Yes, sir!" Don't know where he's heard that, but it was funny. Little booger gets away with murder.

-- Enough randomness for one day?

Memere

2012-01-16T09:08:00.001-05:00

She didn't have a powerful, meaningful, society changing career. She never beat any world record or won any awards that we've heard of. She was never on television or the radio and was certainly not famous. She never had a mansion, or a yacht, and she never saved a group of people from a burning building or developed the cure for cancer. She lived a quiet life being a doting wife to her husband, a faithful Catholic, raising her 2 children, moving around the country (and once out of it), and living independently as a widow for 32 years.

Yet her life was a gift to all that were lucky enough to know her. Her gift to all of us was unconditional love, uplifting positivity, kindness, sincerity, and honesty. She made friends...life long friends, every where she went because of her magnetic, genuine, lovely personality. She saw the best in all people and the sunny side in all situations. Or if she didn't, she was sure good at faking it ;) She was and is an example as to how to live a successful life. Leaving a host of happier, uplifted people in our wake, not through grand life changes or showy gestures, but by caring about each interaction with the people you meet. She inspires me to be kinder, more content, and more grateful for the little unglamorous life I've been given.

Oh, how I will miss you, Memere.

November 18, 1919-January 16, 2012

Lily is reading!

2012-01-14T06:15:00.000-05:00

It seems silly now that I used to think my mom couldn't be excited for me just because my older sister had already done everything first.

Lily is reading. And I couldn't be more excited. Truly.

She and I have been reading this set of sight word books for about a year now. Off and on. A lot of off and then sometimes I'd have a burst of "I should be a good mother" and we'd pull them out and read a few. You know the types of books...big pictures with repetitive sentences underneath so they can use the pictures to help them. I love books. I love desks. I love paint. I love school! We had them from Andrew, and Lily wanted to try...so voila!

Then when we were at Michael's speech a few weeks ago, she and I were coloring. I decided to write one of those sight words on the back of the sheet. No context. Not in the same order or the same book. You. What. Are. Of. Can. Look. Like. It. Is. The. I'm forgetting some, but you get the idea.

She knew them all.

So we've amped up the reading a bit. Getting real books out of the library. And she really knows those sight words. And she is really sounding out 3 letter words. And she can use context to figure words out. And if I chunk words up, she can figure it out (like going).

She read 51 pages of Hop on Pop with very minimal help on Wednesday.

She read 51 pages of Go Dog Go last night. (she actually was watching the pages. She'd heard me tell my mom, so when we got to page 51, she pointed at the number and announced that she'd read enough. Silly girl).

I can't believe how exciting it is to watch someone learn to read. Again. She is amazing and I'm so proud of her.

(and don't tell Andrew, but she is WAY more fun to read with then he was. He used to get so frustrated that at the first word he didn't know, he'd quit and throw the book. She furrows her brow and tries and tries again to sound that word out right. Determined little thing. Future CEO.)

Signs of disaster

2012-01-10T05:50:00.001-05:00

Michael is a great name for this 3rd child of mine. Jeff loved when I named him Mischief Maker Michael in a previous blog. But he also could be called Master Manipulator Michael.

This child is cute. CUTE with a capital Q. Everyone we come in contact with comments on how cute he is. It is alarming how much he gets away with...globally...because of his cuteness. And he does not use this power entirely for good.

He has discovered that people melt when he tells them "I love you." How could you stay mad when those big eyelashes bat over those hazel green eyes and those pouty lips say quietly, "I love you, Mommy" followed by a deep hug? I am POWERLESS over here.

And he knows it.

I realized that he is cognizant of his powers one day about a month ago. He was sneaking into Andrew's room to play with his Heroica game. I said, "Michael. You should not go play in Andrew's room. He will be really mad at you." Michael replied, "It's okay, Mommy. I'll just say 'I love you'."

And I started to notice that he defuses all the chaos left in his wake with sweet little sincere sounding calls of love. Little stinker.

Hits his sister with a car? All I hear from the next room is, "I love you, Lily."

Knocks a cup off the counter with his ball? Michael hollers to me, "I love you, Mom!"

So now, when Michael comes running up declaring his love for me, my first response is, "What did you do?"

Leftover night

2012-01-06T17:15:00.000-05:00

I used to hate leftover night.

When I make dinner, the kids have to eat what they will from it. I don't make anything else. It has been this way for years, and yet children are dumb. They continue to whine and complain and protest the policy...as if we will finally buckle after all these years. While I still don't always enjoy eating leftovers, I really enjoy the peace of those nights. Because we have a policy at our house that leftover night means "kid food" night. If all I have to do is nuke my own dinner, I'm willing to make something else for them.

Tonight we're having leftover beef stew.

Last night it was fresh out of the crock pot. Jeff and I sat down to a steaming bowl of yummy beef stew in a delicious broth with fresh crusty bread to sop it all up with. And there was much crying and carrying on that they were expected to eat it. Then there was much crying and carrying on when they didn't get milk before bed because they didn't eat said dinner. Next verse, same as the first.

Tonight Jeff and I will sit down to a steaming bowl of yummy beef stew with crusty bread to sop it all up with. But the children will be quietly and happily eating chicken nuggets and mixed veggies. We're the only house in America where the kids cheer that it is leftover night.

I'm not about to break down my rules just for a more peaceful eating experience. Every once in a blue moon they try and like something that I make. But I may introduce a new rule. Nights where the kids have to eat "real" food are wine nights for the adults. It may make all the caterwauling more bearable.

A moment with Andrew

2012-01-05T13:34:00.000-05:00

Andrew has a homework sheet that comes home every night to let us know what homework he has due. Since Monday, it has spoken of spelling homework, although Andrew's spelling folder has not come home yet. When I asked Andrew about it he simply told me that Mrs. L. hadn't passed out the folders yet.

So I sent an e-mail to her about it and she replied, "The folders were given out on Monday. Andrew is not always the neatest so it may be in his desk or on someone else's desk. I often find his papers spread all around his table group. :)"

This morning I told Andrew that the folders had been passed out on Monday. He started to protest but I interrupted and told him what Mrs. L. had said in the e-mail.

He stopped protesting, shrugged, and said, "Well, she does have a point there."

A moment with Michael

2012-01-04T19:53:00.000-05:00

Scene: Giselle, Lily, and Michael are trapped in the house. Giselle is on the couch, laboriously peeling the paper off of old crayons so she can hopefully do a craft with the wee ~~animals~~ children later on. Lily is bouncing from rocking chair to recliner and back again, entranced in some pretend game in her head. Michael has taken the stool from the bathroom, propped it up on the fireplace, and is sitting on it while hoarding toys around him.

Lily: Michael, can I play with that train? Michael? Miiiiiiii-CHAEL! Can I PLEASE play with this train?

Michael: Lily, I am a statue. Say, 'Statue Michael can I have your train."

Lily: Okay. Statue Michael, can I have your train?

Michael: Yes.

Oh what a morning!

2012-01-04T11:51:00.000-05:00

Andrew was reading to me this morning. The book we've picked for his next book report is fabulous, but there are a number of vocabulary words above his level...hence him reading to me so I can check his comprehension. We try to do his reading at night, but it just didn't happen. So he was reading to me, and I noticed that for the second day in a row my head was kind of itchy.

Do you see where this is going?

After discovering that indeed the lice are back on my head, I did the medicated wash (I had an extra bottle) and combed through my hair. I announced to Andrew that he was going to have to buy lunch today since I needed to do my hair and then check Lily's. He left for school and I was about halfway through my head of hair. With 10 minutes to spare before leaving for pre-school, I wet Lily's hair down and did a quick but thorough check of her head. Nothing. Nada. Hallelujah! We frantically put on shoes and coats and head out the door. My keys are not where I left them on the steps that morning (I had gotten something out of my car, so I specifically remember leaving them on the steps). I asked Mischief Maker Michael if he'd seen Mommy's keys.

"I put them in Andrew's bag."

I frantically look in our junk drawer...no spare key...Jeff must have it on his key ring. I call my friend that lives close and she agrees to spin around and come take Lily to school. As I call out the garage door to tell Lily to come back inside, the hall closet door falls apart and hits me in the back. It is dangling on it's hinges and I can't pull it off, but I can't leave it to hit the opposite wall. The phone begins to ring. I yell at Lily to get the phone. She can't find it. I yell at her to come and hold the closet door up. The phone stops ringing. I get a kitchen chair to prop up the closet door and check my messages. It is Andrew calling me from school to tell me that he has my keys.

My friend gets Lily and offers to come back and take me to Andrew's school to get the keys. But I don't really have anywhere to go, and I hate to put my lice infested head in her car. So I decline, but ask if she could bring Lily back home.

So here we are. House falling apart. Itchy infested head...again. Laundry being run for the umpteenth time. P.O'd at my youngest.

How's your day going?

Problems with the Kindle

2012-01-03T11:24:00.000-05:00

1) The children love it. Before, I could read while eating my breakfast/lunch/dinner, and the children ignored me. Now, they see the glowing screen in front of my face and they are instantly harassing me to play angry birds or slashing fruit or some other stupid game that they like. And, no, I don't have another paper book to read...I only read one book at a time.

2) The whole library system is a bit disappointing. I mean, I am a HUGE library user. I am there at least 3 times a month and I utilize their hold system and library transfer system and everything else. I like that it is free and easy and everything else.
I am on hold for my book club book (my first e-book hold), and I am 1 out of 1 on hold. I have been on hold for a week. You can only check out ebooks for 2 weeks, so I am certain that I'll get it on time. HOWEVER, I am already stressing over what happens if I don't get it in the next week. Will I call and question the librarians about how the other person could still have it if it has been 2 weeks already. Does that mean there is some secret way to extend the 2 week deadline? I just don't TRUST the e-book system yet. It seems fishy to me in the first place. What are the chances that the other person checked it out the exact day I put it on hold? (maybe high since it was Christmas day, and probably lots of people got new iPads/Kindles/Nooks and were checking out books at the library).
ALSO, the library has lots and lots of romance novels and self help books, but not very many of the books I want to read. Like Divergent. The book that 5 different sources have told me to read. They don't have an ebook of it. After striking out while looking for books on my "to read" list, I decided to look up some of my favorite authors. Anne Rice only had one e-book total...and it was the entire vampire series in one e-book. Did I mention you can only check these out for 2 weeks? Urgh. Another series that was recommended? They have book 2 and 4. That's helpful.

3) I was excited about the prospect of sharing books with other Kindle users. Many of my book club buddies have them as well as my MIL and SIL. HOWEVER, I have yet to meet anybody that has ever actually shared a book. And some have tried...and failed.

4) I don't buy books. I read too fast to make it financially sound. Well, sometimes I do, but only if I think I'll read it again (almost never happens) or if I think someone else will enjoy it. I go to book stores to find titles that I want to check out from the library. But it is starting to seem like buying e-books is the only way to go. Which makes me sad....I hate spending money.

And that just about sums up my upper middle class problems for the day!

Off to school with you

2012-01-02T12:03:00.000-05:00

Andrew got a bum deal this year. Jeff has no work today. Lily has no school. But he had to get dressed and ready to head back today.

His teacher e-mailed us late last night saying she had lost her voice over the weekend and wouldn't be in today.

So I was making my breakfast after receiving his teacher's e-mail and really feeling like school today was optional. I mean, everyone else was still on vacation in our house and he was just going to have a substitute, right? Shouldn't I just let him stay home from school?

Then he ran through the kitchen yodeling at the top of his lungs, followed closely by his screaming sister. He stopped and pointed at 3 different Post-it notes that he had stuck on his shirt. They read, "I farted" and "I'm hungry" and "Lily is annoying." He laughed hysterically and ran off again, while Lily trailed after him yelling, "I am not annoying!"

40 minutes later, I booted him out the door and to the bus stop with a sigh of relief. We are ready for school!

Resolutions

2012-01-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

Oh, man. Is it really 2012?

I am going to resolve, again, to lose weight. Despite resolving to do this for the last 8 years or so, I still am deluded enough to think it may actually happen this year, instead of me gaining 3-5 pounds like I have in the past.

Different this year? Gym membership. Confidence from actually running a 5K last year. Looming mid-life crisis in August when I turn 35 and my baby girl starts Kindergarten and my baby is in pre-school 4 days a week. Crisis is LOOMING people. And I would like to be 15-20 pounds lighter when it hits.

GOAL: Exercise more. Use the gym. Run another 5K this year.
I went for a run this morning, since it is in the 50s. I have majorly slipped from my 5K status...but I am months ahead of where I was last April.

GOAL: Eat less sugar.
I have no strategy for this...but I have no self control when it comes to sweets. So I guess my strategy should be to not have any in the house. The kids don't need it either, right? I can always get mini-marshmallows as bribery for them...I hate them.

GOAL: Make no more goals. Concentrate on exercising and less sugar. That should be plenty to fail at for this year.

Here's to a skinnier mid-life crisis in August!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T08:48:00.000-05:00

Gee...it's December 29th, and I haven't written a blog about Christmas yet.

Blame Jeff. He got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas. And it has internet capabilities, so I can read all of your blogs and my e-mails and facebook, but it is kind of a pain to type on since I've never texted so basically I'm never on the regular computer to blog anymore.

Got it?

For the record, I got Jeff pajama pants and a running hat...so I LOSE in the spouse present competition this year. (Jeff would like to point out repeatedly that he had numerous gift cards to Amazon that he had received as bonuses through work...so he didn't actually have to spend money on my delightfully fancy gift. Whatev's. Still makes me look bad...)

Christmas morning was hilarious and adorable and fantastic...as we expected. We had put Andrew on the floor in Michael's room so that our early riser wouldn't discover the presents and open them before waking us up. Andrew was thrilled to have guard duty. Never-the-less, they came into our room at 5:15am...chatty and excited, with Michael proclaiming, "Mommy! We were good!". But despite their eagerness to tear into their loot, we just couldn't do that to our parents, having promised them the ability to "sleep in" until 6am. We stalled them for FORTY-FIVE minutes in our room...ugh.

We also tried to enforce my family tradition of each person opening their gift individually while others watch. Jeff's family all tears into their gifts at once, which causes you to miss out on who gave them that gift and watching their face while they open it, etc. I personally like the giving of gifts just as much as receiving...I want to watch other open. The kids did mostly okay with it. Michael occasionally laid down on his next present in a pout...but he mostly was excited to hand out gifts and we, of course, let the kids help us unwrap our gifts, which made them happy. Lily was so so so excited to give her gifts to everyone. There were many exclamations of joy, fist pumping, and jumping around in glee. I don't remember much after I opened my Kindle. Luckily, Jeff had hidden it in the back of the tree so it was my last gift opened.

The rest of the day was the typical Christmas afternoon. Lots of opening impossible to open plastic and assembling teeny tiny pieces. We had almost no toys with batteries...so YAY! However, waking up at 5:15 (after going to bed at nearly 9:00 Christmas eve) and with candy as their only sustinance...they were a mass of misery by 2pm. Tantrums, meltdowns, fits of rage, fits of grief... drama.

It was lovely. And irritating. But mostly wonderful.

Oh! My Kindle is done charging. See ya laters-

Christmas eve quotes

2011-12-24T11:01:00.000-05:00

I told the kids this morning that tonight SANTA'S COMING! Michael calmly stated, "Then I will find out if I get a present or coal."

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Andrew announced that tomorrow he would like to wait until after dinner to open his presents. The rest of us can open ours in the morning, but he's going to wait. When we asked him why he would ever want to do that, he shrugged and said, "I don't know. I just want to change it up a bit."
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Lily keeps cleaning up for Santa. After Michael spread his cars out on the fireplace yet again, Lily said, "How many times am I going to have to clean this up?" Welcome to my world, Lily.

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Andrew wrote a card to his regular teacher and his Humanities (aka gifted) teacher. We had a little fight over writing them, so I'd thrown my hands in the air and left the room. He wrote...with no coaching from me... "Dear Mrs. L., Thank you for teaching me all I know. You've given me the greatest gift of all, the gift of learning. Have a Merey Christmas. Love, Andrew." Could this kid be any cheesier? Also, she is going to save that card for all time, it is so funny. What 2nd grader writes that?

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When Memere and Pepere came in our house, Michael gave them the obilitory tour...as if they have never visited before. He showed them the box of Christmas cookies and announced, "These are our cookies. That's all we eat...IS COOKIES!"

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My dad sleeps in around here. You know, until 7 am. Lily expressed some concern this morning that Pepere wouldn't wake up in time for present opening. He'd better go to bed really early tonight.

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I know there's more. I just am drawing a blank. Will write more later...

WHAT?!?! It's December 22nd?!?!?

2011-12-22T06:41:00.000-05:00

Boy-howdy. I can't believe that Christmas is in 3 days. This month has not gone exactly as I planned. And once again it is a lesson in how being a procrastinator doesn't pay off. Will it stop me from procrastinating next time. No. But still...lesson experienced.

We are mostly ready over here. The floor is in need of a thorough cleaning (thank you for tracking dog dirt in, boys) and the guest bedroom (aka Lily's room) has not been overhauled yet and there is still quite a bit of wrapping to do AND I am helping with Michael's class party today AND Andrew's class party tomorrow and I have one more bells practice and the kids have Christmas Eve Nativity practice and my car is going to the shop Friday and...

Stop.

Let me tell you first about Lily's Christmas program. It was AWESOME. That child is a born performer. She scowled the whole time because she was so intent on singing all the words...and she did. I doubt I will enjoy any gift I get as much as I enjoyed watching Michael and Lily's performances. Truly.

The kids are ready for Christmas. Every day, Lily announces that, "Tomorrow is Christmas!" and then she quickly adds, "Not really." Lily has also become quite devout, and kneels and prays at any nativity scene she comes across. It makes us look like really really crazy Christians...but it is really really cute. She got a children's Bible from her teachers for Christmas and all she wants to do is sit and read it. Also, this is the first year she is really really excited to GIVE people gifts. She literally gets giddy when she even thinks about giving Jeff his present...and she thought of the idea all on her own. Wonderful.

Michael is terrified of Santa, so when the old man visits his class today I imagine it will not go well. You also cannot go shopping with him, because even though he SEEMS like he isn't paying attention, the second he sees the recipient of the gifts you bought? He spills the beans about what I went shopping for. His appetite has gone downhill quickly...all he wants to eat is Christmas cookies and candy. There are many fights throughout the day. Michael does NOT get excited about giving people gifts. Everytime we mention it or when we give someone a gift (like his teachers), he instantly throws a mini-tantrum because HE doesn't have a gift. I think all those fall birthdays where his siblings got gifts and he didn't really ruined him.

Andrew is so much fun. I can't believe that he just ACCEPTS all this Santa business, but he does. He has not complained about having school all week (he has less days off than Jeff this year) because he just loves school so much. He came home so excited to sing us a Christmas carol he learned at school to the tune of Jingle bells. To give you an idea, one line is, "911, 911, Santa Claus is dead./Rudolph took a .22 and shot him in the head." Lovely. No wonder he loves school so much. One more thing...sorry in advance, Linda...but it was really funny. When he unwrapped an ornament from his grandmother he smiled and said, "This is nice, Mom, but I have a feeling when I grow up this will be a back of the tree ornament." I smiled and told him that grandma had picked it out at the hospital because she wasn't able to get out and shop this year. His little face melted and he said, "Oh. That's really nice. I'll make sure it isn't in the back...ever."

I have many more stories. And I should write them down...because I know that remembering them someday will be WAY more important to me than how clean my kitchen floor was.

But now the children insist on being fed. Lordy. I guess I can't shirk that duty...

Worst Day of 2011

2011-12-17T06:36:00.001-05:00

I'm going to go out on a limb and proclaim that yesterday was the worst day of 2011 for me. The. Worst. I know this is tempting fate, since there are still 2 weeks left in 2011, but I'm putting it out there anyway.

Thursday was great. I had my first personal training appointment on Thursday morning. The trainer was very nice and the workout seemed hard without making me want to kill myself. My throat was hurting a bit, but it felt like the start of a head cold.

Jeff was home from work so that we could go to Michael's Christmas show at pre-school. I cried like a baby, seeing my baby up there singing along. He was Adorable, with a capital A. And he actually sang! Not like Lily, a.k.a. Aretha, but better than Andrew at 3...who just stood up there doing the motions with his eyes as wide as an owl.

Thursday night we had leftover chili for dinner...and I couldn't finish it because it burned my throat so bad. Not a good sign, but I chose to ignore it because I had bells practice immediately followed by book club. And I was not missing book club! I'd missed my girl's night out cookie exchange last week because of damn lice...I was not missing again. Unfortunately, by the time I got home from the cookie exchange, my throat was a throbbing burning hot poker of pain.

I slept a whopping 3 hours that night. Up for the day at 3 am...trying to sooth my throat with ice chips and popsicles and Advil. I knew what this was...I just felt it a month ago.

But this was worse...
a) There was no way Jeff was staying home or even coming home early...he'd just taken the day off and moved all his meetings to do that. Screwed.
b) My entire body was in pain from the workout with the trainer. Even walking was sending shooting pains up and down my thighs. This does not couple well with the throat on fire.
c) Just like last time, I am in the middle of my period while enjoying the strep. I get headaches...very mild, but annoying, the last few days of my period. PLUS, it make me have to visit the bathroom a lot...which involves a squat...see b) for how painful that was.

Anyhoo...I made breakfast for everyone, got them out the door, took Lily to preschool and made it to the doctor, where I had to entertain my 3 year old for 55 minutes in the waiting room before they got us a room in the back. Urgh. The actual appointment was only 15 minutes? It was clear what I had.

Now I only had 30 minutes until it was time to pick up Lily again, so we race to the drug store and drop off my prescription, run back to the pre-school to get Lily, and drive across our little town to take Michael to speech. Lily and I doodled in a side room while we waited for him...and I could tell I was spiking a fever. I was shaking and freezing and sweating all at the same time. The speech teacher looked at me like I had the plague and told me that I looked bad. Thanks. :) Michael gets out of speech and we race over to the drug store to get the horse pills that they prescribe for sore throats...WTH. My throat is swollen and tender...why do I need to swallow these bad boys?

It's now about 1pm, and the kids and I are starving. So once back at home, I make them lunch. I am so feverish I can't get warm, so I keep my winter coat and hood on the whole time. All our blankets and throws are in lice quarantine. Michael keeps asking where we are going. I eat some soft pears and soup and take my first pill. Kids are eating lunch and watching a show. I am exhausted, since I've been up since 3 am. But there's no time for a nap, because no one naps in our house and in 90 minutes I have to go to the bus stop to get B., the boy I watch. I guess I could have cancelled on his parents...but it's not like my kids are sick, and I have to be up and taking care of them, so why not one more.

My fever breaks just before we go get B. I trudge through the next few hours getting snacks for children and trying to clean up the house a bit. Jeff gets home at the same exact time B.'s parents come. We eat a quick dinner, and then it's time for Jeff to take Andrew to do his swim test at the gym. If you do it this one night, you get 20% off the lessons. So I entertain the 2 little ones a bit more, then turn on a show and finally...finally put them to bed. Jeff gets home 20 minutes later...and brings me a chocolate shake. I take a second pill and go to bed at 8. Jeff tucks me in and points out that at least I no longer have lice. True enough...this is better timed than it would have been last week. ;)

This morning is better. My throat is hurting at a 2 Motrin level rather than a 3 Motrin plus 2 Tylenol level. My muscles are vaguely sore, but I walked down the steps without difficulty. My headache is gone. And I slept for 10 hours...so I feel well rested. AND, Jeff is home today.

So I made it through. Now to muster then energy to bake all those Christmas cookies (supposed to be my weekend project), plan and shop for feeding my visitors next week, and clean up for them too. Oh, and wrapping and shopping for a dress for Lily (she has none?) and more wrapping and stocking stuffers shopping. On second thought, I need another nap first.

Ouchy bells

2011-12-15T14:13:00.000-05:00

There are two new developments that I've been enjoying in my life...which have nothing to do with children. I KNOW, right?

First, I have joined the Christmas bell choir at church. We only practice once a week, but it reminds me just how much I miss playing music in a group. It makes me want to dust off my clarinet and treck 30 minutes to the nearest community band each week. Except...probably not. I'll just enjoy bells.

Second, we've joined the local gym. Calling it a gym is super short selling it. First of all, it costs A LOT. More than I am comfortable with. But we looked at lots of different options, and this one works best...if we use the crap out of it. So now Michael is signed up for a gym class, Lily is taking a musical theatre dance class, Andrew will soon be in swim lessons (cost extra anyway), and I am doing their circuit weight training and running the treadmill (not yet, but soon?). Tuesday I dropped Michael off at school, then took Lily to the KidsClub at the gym and did my circuit. Lily did a snowflake craft and played with playdoh while I was gone...not just watching tv or whatever. I could barely move after my workout. Then I felt better. The next morning I felt like the tin man in Oz...moving so stiffly and painfully. Today I have a personal trainer appointment (you get 2 for joining...I am scared.)

I'm worried about going to bells tonight after going to the gym this morning, however. My arms may not be able to life the bells off the table. These hobbies may be incompatible.

A clarification

2011-12-15T06:30:00.002-05:00

Apparently my last post made it sound like I am teaching my son that his aunt chose to have one child just so she could have gadgets.

Not my intention...and not how I think the conversation actually went...just how it sounded on here? I of course know lots of people who have multiple kids with much cooler stuff than we have. And I know there are people with zero kids who do not have the gadgets...

Tuesday night's conversation happened to be specifically about electronic gadgets. Sometimes he asks why our house isn't as big as his friends or why we don't get to go to Disney. This time, when addressing why certain people have better technology, nicer houses, better gadgets than us, Andrew specifically asked, "Why does Aunt Kate have an iPad and a Nook and Guitar Hero and everything cool?"

And we talked about her decision to work and have only one child. And we talked a little bit about cost of living. And we mostly talked about how no one can have it all, and Jeff and I have made choices about how we spend our money. And someday he will have to make choices as well. And that for the rest of his life there will always be someone with cooler stuff than him.

Just to clarify...because I am NOT teaching my son that you have to choose between a big family and gadgets. I don't think there is anything wrong with treating yourself and your family to fun gadgets. It's all cool, man! That's why they sell them...because it is amazing technology for people to enjoy! Perhaps I should have really stressed that the key to him having gadgets and cool electronics someday is to NOT marry someone who is as cheap and stingy as his mother ;P

Sorry, Kate! I really think it just came out wrong on the blog! Andrew loves you!

Santa wishes

2011-12-14T06:36:00.000-05:00

We aren't huge Santa people over here. We like him, don't get me wrong. But we don't push it too hard. There's no threatening that he's watching, forced photos on his lap, or deep discussions about how he gets down the chimney. Andrew has never gotten much into it, and the others have kind of followed suit.

We do write him a letter each year and put it in the mailbox at Santa's place in the mall. That's usually as close as we get to the old man. This year Michael and I were at the empty mall on a Wednesday morning and Michael was spying on Santa from upstairs. Santa was deep in a conversation with one of his elves when he looked up, waved at Michael, and winked. Best. Santa. Ever.

Anyway, Jeff was taking the older two Christmas shopping with him last weekend, and we decided we'd better get that letter written and delivered. I wrote it, to save time.

Michael has been very consistent with what he wants Santa to bring him. Every time you ask him he says, "I want a big fat train with no face." Alrighty then.

Lily is also very consistent. She has wanted some LEGO princess castle that she saw in a catalog last fall. Except that Mommy couldn't find it anywhere and was worried that Santa might not bring it if it was not age appropriate. A bit of internet searching later, we discovered she meant Playmobile instead...and so we had the correct name to write on the letter.

Andrew went blank. It is hardest for him, since he just had a birthday 2 weeks ago. I kept reminding him that he had a pretty nice life if he couldn't think of a single thing to ask Santa for. He finally came up with the Wild Cats movie by Disney Nature.

The letter was mailed off and all is well with the world.

Until Andrew thought of something better he wanted Santa to bring him. He shyly asked me last night if he could send another letter to Santa because he changed his mind about what he wanted. Which led to another installment of our conversation series, "Why do other people have better things than us." Sorry, Andrew, but Santa is NOT bringing you an iPod or an iPad for Christmas. And Aunt Kate has all the cool things because she has an only child and works full time. Would you like to trade Lily and Michael in and go to before and after care at school and daycare on holidays just to have an electronic gadget?

Thankfully he said no. I could have really backed myself into a corner on that hypothetical ;)

Coming up for air

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Do you know how much TIME it takes to battle lice?

Urgh.

Between the washing of sheets and laundry every day, the folding the laundry each day, the combing through Lily's hair 2-3 times a day (45-60 minutes EACH), the combing through my hair 2-3 times a day (30-40 minutes EACH), disinfecting the combs, brushes, etc., spraying down surfaces, sending new found stuffed toys on vacation in a bag in the garage...PLUS everyone still feels fine so I have to make meals for them and such.

Lordy.

We are coming out on the other side, though. Sunday we did a 2nd chemical treatment on Lily and me and we treated all the boys just to be on the safe side. Yesterday was the first day Lily hair combed out completely clean. I've been clean for 3 days or so.

Now it's time to get back. Take back those 4-5 hours a day and use them for more fun things like baking cookies and cleaning the mounds of toys.

Oh, and blogging. Must write down some of the cute things the kiddos have been doing. And talk about joining the gym! And more devious things my youngest has been up to. Etc. But not in the same post as lice. So, later.

Heebeejeebees

2011-12-07T06:20:00.000-05:00

Lily has had an itchy head for about 5 days. Really itchy. I checked her head for sticky nits, but only found dandruff. Because, you know, I don't actually KNOW what nits look like.

Yesterday we were sitting next to each other and I literally saw a bug climbing in her hair. I grabbed it and went to Master Google and...

As Scooby Doo would say...Ruh-Row.

I spent the next 3 hours alternating between washing a load of laundry and yanking lice out of Lily's hair. I think I figured out what nits look like...but maybe not? How am I a qualified de-louser? How is a little suburban girl like me supposed to be able to buy a tiny box at the drug store and then competently kill parasites without some level of instruction or pictures or anything? They literally don't even have a picture of what nits or head lice look like in that box. WTH? On-line they have pictures taken with an electron microscope. Very helpful, since I happen to keep one of those under my kitchen sink.

So I don't know? Is she good? The box says she's good after one application...but the lice were still crawling around a few hours later in her hair. Does that mean I failed? I think I'm keeping her home from school just because I'm too horrified that I might have done it wrong and will continue to infect the school.

The worst is...she had a play date yesterday. For the first time with this little girl. At the little girl's house. Lily was scratching her head at one point, and I even had a conversation with the woman about how I'd checked her head, but all I could see was dandruff and was it okay to use Head and Shoulders on a 5 year old. Calling their house last night was...well...mortifying. The grandmother was watching the kids since both parents were at work. She sounded so disgusted and horrified and really really upset. I just kept saying I'm sorry I'm sorry. As if I did it on purpose. As if I am a trained louse inspector and should have known that Lily had lice.

So grossed out.

After I had shampooed Lily's hair and was drying her off, she said, "Mommy, I can feel them crawling on my back and down my legs." I replied, "No, Lily. Head lice stay on your head. What you have are the heebeejeebees. When your mind tricks you into thinking they are everywhere. I have them too."

Fast forward 4 hours. I had put in the 100th load of laundry and finally asked Jeff to check me. I'd checked the boys and Jeff and their short haired heads don't even have anywhere for lice to hide. No worries. I was certain I was okay because I only started getting itchy when I first saw that bug.

30 seconds later...Jeff pulls one out of my hair. I jump up and run to the shower. While waiting for the water to warm up (we were out of hot water...I wonder if it was the 100 loads of hot washing I'd done?), I raked through my hair in the bathroom mirror. Not only did I find another louse...I found 2 gray hairs.

COULD THIS DAY GET ANY WORSE? I mean, really universe? On the day I am infected with parasites you have to remind me that I'm getting old. REALLY?

Jeff had to do the combing and looking for lice. I am not confident that he did a good job. I mean...he also is not a trained parasite remover/spotter...but he has the added disadvantage of not having much hair. So he literally didn't know how to separate different sections of my hair to look. He was just kind of moving the hair around. So I'll have the heebeejeebees until sometime next week AND I'll be compulsively checking my head whenever I pass a mirror. Which means there could be some kind of lice party happening on the back of my head and I'd never know it.

Looks like we'll be at home today. Maybe I'll introduce a new game. Instead of playing neighbor, perhaps we'll play chimpanzee friends instead. Nit-picking, anyone?

A good cook

2011-12-01T06:48:00.000-05:00

Have I ever told you that my mother is an incredible cook? Really really wonderful. Growing up, we were exposed to so many different homemade dishes that I didn't appreciate at all. Mom was always trying new things and executing them beautifully. Again...I turned my nose up and stuck my tongue out. And baking! She makes pavlova and lace cookies and homemade banana cake, homemade German chocolate icing...and on and on. If I could have one eating related wish, it would be to go back in time and taste all the things my mother cooked for us...and just enjoy the cuisine she worked so hard to create rather than dismiss it.

I wasn't much interested in cooking as a kid. At least that I remember. I don't think I really liked food very well at all...just desserts. So when I started cooking out of necessity...it was a bit of a disaster.

Some stories are now family legend...

Like when I called my mom in tears because the Tuna Helper called for tuna in spring water...and it didn't tell me how much spring water to add.

Or when I called her frantic from college because the recipe called for cooked chicken...how do I cook chicken before I put it in the casserole?

Flattened brownies, collapsing cakes, unrolled cabbage rolls, etc etc etc.

So it is part of my shtick to make fun of my cooking skills. I am a self-deprecating humorist anyway, so this was just a natural avenue to follow. It's just funny to sell myself as a horrible, miserable cook. My poor family, blah blah blah.

But a few years ago, some things began changing. Like, my mom started asking me for recipes of things I'd cooked for her. Or my mom would call me for help with how to cook something I'd made before. I started trying new recipes just because I was craving something...and it actually turned out good the first time. It was fun to have people over and cook for them, because they seem to enjoy my creations and it wasn't stressful to cook.

-shock-

Last night, I went to a birthday party for a 35-ish neighbor (I watch her son). It was at this little cooking school in our town. The chef used to be the head chef of some swanky $200/plate restaurant in Philly...but he lives in our town and so opened this little school. We learned how to make a swanky appetizer (towers of shrimp, greens, etc), a fancy little chicken roll on potato fritters with cranberry gravy and leeks (first time I'd ever made a chicken mousse...), and some kind of crepe for dessert.

These were complicated dishes. And the chef is very French...and very difficult to understand. And one of the other party guests was late, so for a while I was assembling 2 dishes. Yet it was fun.

And out of 12 people in attendance, the chef picked my shrimp salad tower as, "Perfect. Ook at zeeese one. Is Perfect!"

Then the chicken dish...which was equally complicated...rolling chicken breasts, etc. Again, the chef picks mine out of 12 and chooses it as the best. He even complemented my technique with a few things...and he was not very complimentary.

The crepes...well, I've never been as good at the dessert/baking stuff. I was NOT picked as an example or complimented on my technique ;)

But as I breezed through the demonstration and then glowed in the praises of Chef Jean Pierre, I realized that I AM a good cook. I am a competent cook. I have techniques and skills and confidence in the kitchen.

So no more jokes about my cooking. I'll accept that it is something I'm actually kind of good at.

At least I'll always have my running skills to make fun of ;)

Ohio area bloggers

2011-12-01T06:27:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note for all you bloggers/friends in the Ohio area. We are going to be in Ohio A LOT in the months of June/July...so do you think we could organize a little Ohio/KY/PA blogger playgroup/get together thingy?

I'm thinking July 8th-12th would work best for me.

Discuss.

Grinchy

2011-11-30T13:58:00.000-05:00

'Tis the season to be shopping and planning for your own family as well as giving to the many charities that collect for the less fortunate. Our church has a tree with little gift request tags for kids, the MOMS club is collecting for a group that collects gifts for kids, etc etc. It's fun to pick out a tag and then shop with the kids for gifts someone else wants.

I am happy to help. Really.

But a few of the tags have me feeling like maybe MY kids should have tags on trees. Because I'm not getting them as nice of gifts as those tags are asking for. I mean, dream big, and all that, but shouldn't some social worker let the kids know that perhaps at least one of their requests should be under $100? I'll be damned if I get the kids an iPod. I don't even have an iPod. I'm not buying a 12 year old kid that I don't even know a gift that costs over $100...and that's if I don't include $ for music.

I know I'm a dinosaur...and a cheap one at that...but THIS makes me feel grinchy.

Oh, yea, we're back...

2011-11-29T06:21:00.001-05:00

So Thanksgiving was wonderful. As we sat around enjoying my family on Thursday, and then hung out at my in-laws for the rest of the weekend, I wondered why we don't do this more. Why don't we make Thanksgiving a priority for getting back to Ohio?

And then we drove home on Sunday. With 5,000,000 other people. Lines for the gas pumps were 15 cars long at some stops...damn turnpike. We did better than we thought, though...9.5 hours versus our normal 9...so traffic was moving pretty well.

And Michael spiked a fever as we were driving...and so we were back at the doctor yesterday...and we think his strep wasn't defeated by that round of antibiotics. Every time I think about it, my throat starts to hurt. But since it stops when I'm distracted...I'm pretty sure it's psycological. :)

I'll write more actual stories some other time. My house is DISGUSTING...and we have no food...and yes, I had all day yesterday to deal with these issues. But it was 67 degrees out yesterday. We didn't stay inside much. I did rake 7 tarps full of leaves, though. (we have a lot of dumping space for leaves at the top of our hill...so we rake onto tarp, carry to top of hill, dump, repeat). I am on dose 2 of Motrin for my aching shoulders. Damn genetics...thanks, Dad.

Here

2011-11-23T15:32:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a little bit of agony. Lots of rain and spray and hydroplaning on the turnpike. My neck and shoulders are all out of whack today, and I'm pretty sure it's from the 5 hours straight of death-gripping the steering wheel and concentrating like hell. Then it was Jeff's turn for the next 4 hours.

But we're here! The kids have been happily playing in the basement. I finished a 500 piece puzzle all by myself. Why, yes, I DO enjoy puzzles. And I don't like cell phones. Why, yes, if they took 34 year olds in the nursing home I WOULD have a lot in common with the residents.

Funniest quotes from the trip?

Michael and Lily having a very serious religious discussion in the back seat.
M- Where does God live?
Me- He lives everywhere.
L- No, Michael, he lives right here, in your heart (places folded hands over her heart and tilts her head).
M- NO LILY. GOD MADE THE WORLD AND HE IS EVERYWHERE.
L- -humph- Well he really lives in heaven.

At Cabella's, Michael spotted the polar bears and said, "Look! The Snow-lar bears!"

Andrew, in true big brother fashion, singing in the backseat, "I'm going to fart on Lily's head." When she protested, he insisted that he was just singing to himself.

Tomorrow...3 more hours in the car to get to my family's Thanksgiving. Have a good one!

Frantic preparations

2011-11-22T06:17:00.000-05:00

For the first time since 1998, I am spending Thanksgiving with my family.

We've spent 2 in that time at my in-laws...the one Thanksgiving we lived somewhat locally in KY, and the one my SIL Sara got married.

But never with my family.

I am excited.

But, dear Lord, being sick has really thrown a wrench in my vacation preparations. I have nothing done and we are leaving at noon today.

The question is...WHY AM I BLOGGING????

This week's accomplishments

2011-11-19T15:56:00.000-05:00

Let's see...after this morning's run to the pediatrician, here is what our fridge looks like:

Andrew does not have strep, but his ear has been dripping ~~brain fluid~~ some mysterious clear fluid for the past 36 hours and it hurts him and he threw up 4 times at basketball practice this morning. Turns out it is a serious ear infection with possible perforated ear drum...

So all that medicine is 2 bottles antibiotics for Lily, Michael, and Andrew..and bottle of less-yummy antibiotics for me, and ear drops for Andrew's oozing ear.

Next up? Ohio! We're coming to fully drugged up, so be ready!

Waking up thankful

2011-11-17T06:21:00.001-05:00

I am waking up this morning with some pain in my throat. HOWEVER, this is how I felt yesterday when I was pumped full of Motrin and Tylenol. So I have high hopes that once my Motrin kicks in, I'll be feeling much, much better.

I am thankful today for penicillin. And Motrin.

I am thankful for CVS Minute Clinic, which enabled me to get a quick strep test without a)waiting for the morning to go to the doctor or b)going to the ER.

I am thankful for children who behaved so so wonderfully yesterday. Andrew literally swooped in and helped entertain the kiddos in the morning. Lily and Michael played for hours yesterday morning with very little fighting. Both then took a 2 hour nap, which enabled ME to take a 2 hour nap.

I am thankful for Jeff, who came home from work as soon as he possibly could. Which enabled me to take yet another nap in the early evening and basically sit and relax the night away. He also made dinner for the kids and me.

I am thankful for my immune system, which is using that antibiotic quicker than the nurses told me it would so that I feel much much better in just 36 hours, instead of 3-4 days.

Thankful.

Strep all around!

2011-11-15T21:20:00.000-05:00

I took the 2 littles to the doctor this evening...positive on the quick strep test...and Lily has a massive ear infection on one side.

So I hustled my butt to the CVS clinic on the way to Andrew's swim lessons.

Yup. Major strep here too.

Unfortunately, the nurse said adults don't respond as quickly to the antibiotics with strep as kids do...so my kids should feel great by breakfast/lunch tomorrow...and I may not feel better until Thursday or Friday.

Oh! And Jeff has super important training tomorrow that he! can't! miss!

Should be a grrrrrrr-eat day tomorrow! Let's hope I can sleep at least a few hours!

My sick day

2011-11-15T15:54:00.000-05:00

Woke up with throat on fire. Drink hot cup of coffee. Drink hot cup of tea.

Jeff leaves.

Feed kiddos breakfast. Rather, serve kiddos breakfast. Break up several fights, much to the dismay of my throat. Get them dressed, hair done, homework finished, lunch made. Shuffle Andrew out the door. Michael begins hysterically crying because he has to go to school. Drag him to car. Drag him into school.

Lily and I run errands...mostly because of expiring coupons and the fact that I don't want to have to entertain her at home. She needs new shoes, I get a hair cut, we stop at the grocery for more popsicles. Back at home, Lily plays by herself very well while I drink another cup of hot tea and eat a second popsicle (the first one I downed in the car). I finally wise up and take some Advil. Duh.

Lily and I run to get Michael from school. His teachers say he was just "off" today. We go to the park for a pre-scheduled picnic playdate. Michael plays a little...cuddles with me a lot. He eats all his lunch. Lily has eaten almost nothing in 3 days...complaining that her ear hurts every time she tries to eat or sleep.

Come home from playdate and put Michael down for a nap. Tell Lily that Mommy needs to rest. Make another cup of tea. 30 minutes later, Michael wakes up hysterically crying. He is feverish and saying OW, but unable to pinpoint where it hurts. We cuddle up together and all three have a popsicle. Lily is whimpering that her ear hurts, I can't swallow or talk easily, Michael is just shivery and miserable. I leave them huddled up on the couch watching Dora to make phone calls (and blog...of course?)

I call and make a doctor's appointment, and convince the nurse that they should be able to squeeze both my children in on one appointment this afternoon instead of 2 separate appointment 1 hour apart.

I've set up a neighbor to watch Andrew while I take them. I call Jeff to make sure he picks up Andrew when he gets home from work and feeds them both dinner. Andrew has swim lessons tonight at 6:45. I will have to come home from the doctor and probably pharmacy and make the littles dinner...which they won't likely eat, and then put them to bed.

I anticipate that at 7:15 I'll be able to change into my pajamas and curl up under a blanket with yet another cup of tea and watch some tv.

Some sick day. In hind sight, I should have just come home from pre-school drop off and watched a movie with Lily. I wasn't expecting the afternoon to be quite so unrestful. Shame on me. This day could have gone better.

Big Mama bites the dust

2011-11-15T06:51:00.000-05:00

Oh. How my throat hurts. And my ears are clogged. And my nose is quickly starting to feel like a lead weight on my sinus cavity.

And now begins my least favorite part of being a stay-at-home mother. Meal producing, fight mediating, homework wrassling, activity planning, care taking, mess cleaning...all while feeling like CRAP. No sick days for moms. No naps. No nursing back to health. Just quick sips of super hot tea in between normal activities.

I can't imagine how I got sick ;P Sunday night, I was up with sick-o kids at 10:30, 1:00, 4:00, and 5:15. Last night I was up with sick kids at 11:30 and 1:45 and 5:15. They are fine during the day, I'll have you know. They just couldn't believe I hadn't succumbed to the virus yet, and wanted to collectively beat down my immune system.

Mission accomplished.

Speech progress

2011-11-14T06:40:00.013-05:00

I don't think I've mentioned it here...but Michael has been making astounding strides with his speech.

You know it's good when you meet his new speech teacher, and after a few weeks she admits that he's already met all the goals in his IEP. He has consistent ending and middle sounds. His articulation is basically at age level now. People understand him easily...or as easily as they would any 3 year old. It is very exciting.

So now he is working on his lisp...that Daffy Duck thing he does with his tongue for /s/. He also is terrible with /s/ blends...he basically always leaves the s off when it is paired up in /st/,/sl/, /sp/ or /sw/. I'm probably forgetting some... But this is why he was "Piderman" for Halloween. He didn't like Pooky houses with piders. He does like tickers and top signs. He wakes up from his nap all weaty. He also omits the blend in the middle of words...and I can't think of any examples right now.

Every speech appointment, she tells me what they've been working on. It is always prefaced with, "Now, this is totally age appropriate, but we're working on it anyway." To which I asked if he was even going to qualify when he is reassessed in April. She said she wants to keep him anyway if it's okay with me. Huh? Maybe this is why there isn't room for kids who really need the help...like Michael was 6 months ago when they couldn't find me a therapist?

Whatev's. He's doing great. He is understood. He never shuts up. It's fantastic.

Deep thinking with Andrew

2011-11-13T17:54:00.052-05:00

Andrew has always been a deep thinker. He has always asked good, thoughtful questions. Some that keep me on my toes and some that make me realize how little I know about something.

Lately, taking him to practices and games has been a time ripe for questions and deep conversations. No littles around. Lately, I think he's been really noticing and internalizing the financial differences between families. Here are some examples of our most recent (in the last week) conversations:

A- Mom, why do some people have iPhones?
G- Because they are really fun and useful and a new kind of technology that can do a lot of cool stuff.
A-Then why don't we have one?
G- You dad and I don't think we need one.
A- Do other people need them?
G- No. Not really.
A- Then why do they have them and we don't?
G- Because they want them. Sometimes you buy things because you want them, not because you need them.
A- Don't you want one?
G- Yes. They look really cool and I think I'd have fun with it.
A- Then why don't you get one?
G- Well, everyone has to make decisions about how to spend their money. And Dad and I have decided to spend our money on other things besides an expensive phone and high monthly fees.
A- Like what.
G- ...... (is this where we begin explaining retirement planning?)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A- Mom? Are we millionaires?
G- Heavens, no.
A- Mom? How do we get money?
G- Your dad works hard doing a job for his company, and they pay him money each month to do that job.
A- How much does he make?
G- That's private. You don't need to know how much he makes. He makes enough for us to have a wonderful life...a nice house, fun things to do, food to eat, etc.
A- But we can't get the mansions across the street. What job do those people do?
G- I don't know. But maybe more than one person works. If mommy got a job, maybe we could live there (also: pigs may fly).
A- But how does he GET the money?
G- babbles on about direct deposit and banks...
A- How does a credit card work? It's not money, right?
G- babbles on about credit and interest...
A- What about tax? How come when you buy something they always add a little more on at the end?
G- babbles on about the government needing money and taxes and God knows what else.
A- Who decides how much money each person gets? And how much things cost?
G- Maybe we should talk about something else for a little while. This gets pretty complicated.

He's also recently asked me for details about graveyards...that one ended in tears when he worried that he might not have grandchildren to make sure his death wishes are carried out. Lordy.

What else? Just generally lots of questions about the material stuff in our lives. Why haven't we been to Disney? Why is our house smaller than some of his friends? Why don't we have more than 1 tv? Why doesn't he have a tv in his room? Etc etc. The cool thing is? So far it isn't asked in a whiny, disgruntled tone. He is merely curious...really trying to figure it all out. He seems contented with what we have...perhaps he picks that up from us? Because I have lots of friends whose kids are constantly bickering with them to get the latest gadget. Of course, many of those kids are older than Andrew. So either he's picked up his parent's relative lack of materialism...or he's just too young yet. We'll see...

Raptors

2011-11-12T18:49:00.039-05:00

Today, we took the kids to a free program at our local library. We just brought the kids, because it was supposed to be for them, and Jeff and I really wanted to go. The Delaware Valley Raptor Center came and talked about some of their birds that they rescue. And, of course, they brought live birds with them.

The had a kestrel (falcon), peregrine falcon, great horned owl, some teeny tiny owl, a red tailed hawk, and...a golden eagle. With a 7 foot wing span. In a room the size of my living room and dining room combined. There were probably only 40-50 people present. It. Was. Awesome. I never imagined they would bring a full grown eagle to a little production like this.

The man who brought the animals was so funny and informative and really really good. He told tales of the bad things people have done to hurt these types of birds...but then he told stories of how people have really helped them as well. He never got irritated with the noisy, over-reactive kids (I did). He told cautionary tales of how these animals have hurt him even though they know him (once a talon through his tongue and into his lower jaw. Ouch).

He told us the ways to tell a falcon apart from a hawk. Hawks look annoyed all the time because of their brow ridge, and falcons have nice rounded cute heads. Did you know that Laplanders used to keep trained golden eagles with them when they were taking care of their reindeer herds? If a wolf started to threaten the herd, they would release their trained eagles. The eagles would take down the wolf and hold it until the humans came to dispatch it. If the eagle hadn't killed it first. Can you imagine watching an eagle take down a wolf? Did you know that owls have fantastic eyesight and hearing...in fact one of their eyeballs is as big as their entire brain. He said, "Owls are NOT wise." But they have no sense of smell...so they regularly come into the rescue center smelling like skunk...they hunt them because they can't smell them. Etc etc etc.

It was fabulous. Except for the little boy sitting next to Lily. He was at least Andrew's age...and the worst behaved kid of the bunch. It wasn't that he wasnt' interested in the birds...he knew a lot and paid attention. He was just unable to sit still or be quiet...he kept touching Lily pretending he was a hawk or whatever, and making the animal sounds in her face. She laughed most of the time. I kept telling her to be quiet, because of course I can't tell someone else's child to stop screeching like a hawk and clinging to my daughter's neck like you have talons. But when he started picking up crumbs or something off the floor and crumbling it in her hair, I'd had enough. I grabbed Lily up onto my lap and told him to stop.

His father was sitting right behind me. Never said a word.

Ugh.

Good thing it was a fabulous program. I just wish they'd have had it for adults only. Except then Andrew couldn't have gone. And he was CAPTIVATED. We even went and adopted a kestrel from the organization after the program.

Thankful

2011-11-11T14:36:00.000-05:00

This morning, as I cleaned up the vomit that my little girl spewed all over the recliner after sleeping a whopping 4 hours, I felt thankful.

As I trudged around in my dirty bathrobe and made breakfast for the healthy boys through grainy, sleepy eyes while yelling at them to stay away from their sister, I felt thankful.

As I realized that today was day 4 out of the last 7 that I was home with a sick child because my children insist on rolling around like a pack of puppies, creating the perfect petri dish in my own family room, I was thankful.

I am thankful that I don't have to go to work. That there is no nervous juggling of schedules or bartering for whose work day is more important and therefore can't be missed. Thankful that the worst part of sick kids is a mind crunching boredom and restlessness and not piles of work that will have to be made up. No subs to be called, no (important) meetings to be cancelled.

This is why I like being a stay-at-home mom. This is why I am so grateful to my husband for providing so well for our family. Even though sick kids and all that comes from that (see vomit cleanup above) SUCKS, this is why I stay at home. When I think about going back to work in a few years, it is the sick days that scare me most of all. Who would ever hire me, when my children go on chain-illnesses like this? How do other families do it?

So I will continue pushing Popsicles and wiping runny noses and rubbing Vicks on chests...and thank my lucky stars that I don't have to be as super as all the super moms out there.

At least until I get sick next week. Then I'll be cursing the fact that I don't have daycare to send them to all day ;)

After all that...

2011-11-10T22:37:00.000-05:00

...playgroup has been cancelled because Lily is sick.

She was acting kind of droopy all day. Very scientific of me, eh? Droopy.

Now it is 10:30 and she is coughing like mad. Well, I can't really tell how bad it is, because she is so damn dramatic. But she seems to be having a hard time breathing without coughing.

And I hate dealing with kids' coughs. Nothing works. They just have to get through that horrible first and sometimes second night.

I gave her honey. It did nothing. As usual.

Vicks is on her chest. Doesn't seem to do anything. Ever.

And there is a humidifier in her room. Cold air, since the hot ones are dangerous. They do a pretty good job of making the floor and bed wet, but I'm not sure they help the coughing.

And she has been given a popsicle, because popsicles seems to cure all ills. Except that she is just kind of holding it as she sits in her dad's lap and coughing pathetically.

-sigh-

Looks like it's going to be a long night...

How to create an UNO Master in 7 easy steps

2011-11-09T18:05:00.002-05:00

How to create an UNO Master.***

Step 1: Allow the child to observe UNO games for the first 3 years of his life. Preferably have older children play it, so that he is instantly interested. He will probably take the cards, crumple them, knock over the pile, and enrage other children.

Step 2: Attempt to teach the child the basics of play. Sit him on your lap. He will probably announce your whole hand and insist that you play every turn instead of taking turns with others.

Step 3: When he seems to understand the basics and/or you are sick of his wiggly butt in your lap, deal him his own UNO hand. He will likely throw himself on the floor in protest if he is not dealt any Skip cards. Conversely, he may also get so excited when he does get a Skip that he forgets all the rules and just plays them all right away all at once. Correcting him will likely lead to more flailing on the floor, screaming, and gnashing of the teeth.

Step 4: Continue playing with the older children. Eventually, the desire to be a part of the group will trump his insatiable desire to Skip people constantly.

Step 5: When he is finally playing appropriately, there will be a brief period of "Bad Loseritis". The child will more than likely only be able to play one game per sitting. Or, rather, as many games as he wins plus the first game he loses. That will be his last game of the day.

Step 6: Create silly phrases that make losing more acceptable and fun. Like when someone plays a Draw 4 on you, holler, "Curse You, Michael!" or when you have none of a certain color holler, "I don't have any stinkin' greens!" or just generally make a big deal when you are losing...in a funny way. Soon the child will mimic you and will find it fun to holler these phrases instead of getting upset. Also helpful is making it a game of "who lost by the most". Losers count up how many cards they have and then theatrically moan about how many cards they still have. Pre-schoolers think this is hilarious and it will also make losing taste better.

Step 7: Now that the child knows the rules of the game and can handle losing, play at least 20 games a day. Preferably until the adult loses circulation to their feet or has a strong desire for wine to make it a drinking game.

Congratulations! You have created an UNO Master!

***Warning. Once your child has become an UNO Master, there is no turning back. You will be asked to play countless times. This post was of course inspired by Michael, who is OBSESSED with UNO. I honestly played at least 20 games with him today. After every game finishes, he simply says, "Again." And then I played at least 15 games with Lily during his nap time. Another UNO Master.

Playdate update

2011-11-08T22:10:00.009-05:00

The dad and his daughter cannot make it to our playdate on Friday, because they have some visitors flying in and he has to go to the airport. I offered to just take M. for his while he goes to the airport...and he is obviously not comfortable with it. I mean, we don't know each other really at all. And his daughter is only 4.

And maybe he's a girl-phobic person, like I am boy-phobic.

Although I'm sure Jeff would tell me that it is impossible for a guy to be girl-phobic.

This is the same Jeff that keeps coming up to me and saying in a dirty voice, "I'LL have a daddy playdate with you."

Playdates with dads

2011-11-07T06:24:00.001-05:00

I am not, and have never been, very comfortable around men. This does not stem from any dark or haunted past. It is more of a lack of confidence, I think.

I was friends with boys in high school...but we were always in a larger group. I don't know that I would have been comfortable hanging out with them one on one. In college, I often felt awkward and unconfident in the presence of my male counterparts. (Which led to one of Jeff and my biggest fights in college...the one where he told me it was going to be a "guys only" night, and then I heard my (girl) friend A. in the background. Jeff's response was, "Well, she fits in with them better than you." or something to that degree. I was NOT happy with him...even if it was true.)

When I would babysit, the fathers always made me nervous. Even the husbands of my friends now make me feel strange. And this is not in a predatory or unsafe kind of way. I feel I am portraying this all wrong.

See, I am uber-confident with women. I know I can make them laugh and engage them in conversation. Drop me into a large group of women, and I will canvas the crowd and find a niche I am comfortable in. I am not bothered so much by women that I have nothing in common with. I accept that I will not be liked by many of them and I simply do not get involved in drama (although I am a bit of a gossip).

With men it is the opposite. I am quite certain that I am uber-boring to them. I don't care a wit about sports or beer or finances and I'm not pretty enough to compensate for those faults. Conversations feel forced, and I can't help but feel that they would rather be anywhere other than talking with me. Drop me in a group of men, and I will wallflower my way to a quiet exit.

There have been exceptions to this, of course. There have been a number of men who I instantly felt the desire to get away from. Like an irrational women's intuition kind of fear. I always felt badly about this, because there is no reason...no reason for me to have reacted in that way. There were several fathers that I babysat for and a few boys in college that just creeped me out. I always felt terribly about it, because I'm sure they were very nice people. But there was no getting over that prickle on the back of my neck and the uneasy stomach.

Other exceptions? There was this guy in college who I just instantly felt comfortable with. We had almost nothing in common, yet I don't recall ever feeling uninteresting or self-conscious and I know I made him laugh a lot. But that has been a rare thing in my experiences...which is why I married him.

This long winded dialogue about my problem with boys brings me to my latest issue with pre-school. There are several dads who drop off and pick up their daughters from school...every day. And Lily is in love with them. And I have been friendly and talkative with them because I am a civilized being and we have our daughters in common so that helps me feel more comfortable.

But our daughters want playdates. And one of the dads called last week to see if we could set up a time to get them together. So I invited them over to my house, since Michael naps after school. It is something I do all of the time with other moms. But after I hung up, I kind of panicked. What the heck was I going to do with this man? Offer him tea? Talk about my expanding waist line? Discuss The Help?

So I did what any self-respecting boyphobic person would do.

I invited the rest of the girls in the class and their mothers to come over also.

So now I'm having this huge playdate at my house on Friday. Which I have to clean and buy food for. All to avoid awkward conversations with a boy.

I think I may need therapy.

5 years ago...

2011-11-06T15:22:00.000-05:00

5 years ago today...I walked into a house I'd never been to before.

I just can't believe that it has been so long. It makes sense...Lily was a newborn after all, and look at her now.

But 5 years.

It feels monumental. Which I guess is a sad statement of how our married life has uprooted us so many times.

I also is hard to believe that I lived in California for 9 months longer than this. California never felt right to me. I didn't wear it well.

This place feels like home.

Beautiful day, crummy night

2011-11-05T21:31:00.014-04:00

We had a lovely day. Lovely. Andrew had his first basketball clinic in the morning, which he loved. He loved basketball last year, and this year looks to be no different. The littles and I played with playdoh, read books, did the dishes and laundry, and generally bummed around. Once Jeff and Andrew got home, we ate lunch, Michael refused to nap for the 2nd day in a row, and we went to a great park. Andrew rode his bike while Jeff and I took turns racing after him, and the littles played on the playset.

We came back home and I read a book while Jeff baked with the littles. All three kids played together nicely. We had homemade sausage-vegetable soup while the kids happily munched on their pigs in a blanket.

And then Andrew left the dinner table and announced he was freezing. He huddled under a blanket on the couch for the next hour. He started complaining that his throat hurt and his nose turned on like a faucet. It happened in 30 minutes...from perfectly fine to shaking and complaining under a blanket.

So I guess tomorrow's plans are shot. Church (I'm teaching Andrew's Sunday school class), last soccer game, dinner and football with friends. All down the drain if he is sick...except for the me teaching Sunday school.

As excited as I am to be eating soup for dinner...this part of winter I'm not ready for. Chain sickness sucks.

The hike

2011-11-04T06:41:00.001-04:00

A hike. That's all we want. Jeff and I want to enjoy the crisp fall air, crunch a few leaves, see some beautiful views, work our muscles a bit.

But unfortunately, we had to bring these guys with us. (Good thing they are cute)

Actually, that isn't a fair statement. Andrew is delightful to bring on hikes. He points out woodpeckers and blue jays. He picks up different nuts and leaves and asks questions. He tell us stories from school and asks questions about why some people have more money than others. He never once complains. He loves hiking just like Jeff and I.

And, actually, Michael is very fun also. He charges forward and collects stuff...sticks, rocks, nuts. He wanders perilously close to the edge of the path and chatters and stomps so loudly that no wildlife would possibly stay within a 1 mile radius of us. He occasionally asks to be carried, and eagerly munches on our granola bars, but then announces that his muscles got more energy and he's ready to walk again. He is a powerhouse of energy and just loves being outdoors and the freedom to run away from us without reprimand.

And then there is this one.

Little Miss "I'll dress myself for hiking". Running ahead for the first 100 yards, and then constantly whining and dragging her feet for the entire rest of the 90 minute hike. Being carried so much her daddy's back hurt the next week (he spoils her). Hunching her shoulders and claiming she is going to perish on the path. Desperately hungry. Horribly thirsty. Alternating between sobbing and whining. Unable to enjoy even a glimpse of nature or the animals that she supposedly loves. Finally, after torturing us and herself for the entire time, she spies a hill and a squirrel and starts running at top speed after it for at least a quarter of a mile.

I mean, I love her. She is darling and sweet. But, Lord, I hate hiking with her. She is miserable. She makes us miserable.

However.

She went trick-or-treating longer than either of the boys. She walked well over 1/2 mile to fill her loot bag. No complaining. No slowing down. No whining or crying. It was a pleasure.

So I think the next time we go hiking, I'm going to give her a sack and then stick a treat in her bag every once in a while. We'll see if it works...

Sick

2011-11-03T06:06:00.000-04:00

2 things.

First, all that running? Going down the tubes...and quickly. It is dark and cold in the mornings, and I worry about slipping in ice. (I know people do it, though. I should ask Erin how she does it). I am not a good evening runner...just low energy by that time of the day, plus the whole dinner making/activities/homework rigamarole.

So Jeff and I looked at local gyms. To find a treadmill. Some have "free" babysitting, some have fantastic trainers (for double the cost), some are bare bones. We are not willing to join a gym more than 15 minutes from our home...I know that I won't actually ever show up if I have to drive far to get there. Cheapest in our area is $75/month for a couple membership. No free babysitting at that one. $75 to run in place. We could buy a treadmill...except I don't know where we would put it. I think our basement ceilings are too low. And that is the only place we could fit one. -sigh-

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I took the kids all to the doctor last Thursday. Lily had her well visit, and the boys were dragged along to get their flu shots. We had not been to the doctor since April.

The day after we went, Lily came down with a bad cold. Then Andrew got it. Then Jeff. Now Michael. And Lily still has it. Poor things. I feel like walking around in a hazmat outfit. But as I call day after day to let the pre-school know they aren't coming, I think about the gym membership again. I wouldn't be able to go with them if they were sick anyway.

-sigh-

Off to another day. I was supposed to be spending my Thursday morning alone shopping with a friend. Instead, I will be tending to another sick-o. These "free" Thursdays aren't working out quite the way I planned. ;)

Michael's future plans

2011-11-02T06:17:00.022-04:00

Michael is just super cute right now. And you have to remember that he talks like Daffy Duck or Sylvester from Looney Tunes. He spits all over you when he says his /s/'s. It's Thhhhhh-uper cute. Although, officially we are trying to break him of the habit.

Yesterday morning, he opened the door and walked outside in his pj's. I ran over, yelling at him to comebackinsidewhattheheckareyoudoingitsfreezingout. He came back in and said, "I just seeing if it's still Halloween outside."

Melt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I picked him up from school later that same day, he expressed great sadness that all the snow was melting. And by that, I mean had a screaming tantrum in the backseat.

Me: "Michael, calm down. Snow doesn't last very long. If you want snow all the time, you have to go live with the penguins in Antarctica."

Michael: -calming down- "Okay. I'll build a house there when I grow up."

Me: "But what about swimming? If it's too cold, you won't be able to go swimming."

Michael: "That okay. I'll wear a special suit with a mask to go swim."

At least he has a plan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was admiring his school picture and we were looking at his classmates together. He doesn't know anybody's name. Except Paul.

"Mommy, dat's Paul. He's super annoying."

"Michael, that's not a nice thing to say. I'm sure he's a nice boy."

"No, Mommy. The teachers get him in trouble lots of times. He is super super annoying."

"Well, who is your friend? Who do you like to play with?"

"Nobody. They all take my toys. They are annoying."

I don't see a class presidency in his future.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T06:51:00.000-04:00

Halloween...backwards, because I am still learning how to download pictures in this new blogger format.

The pumpkins. (l-r) Andrew's frustration chop job, Lily's drawing, Michael's pick a picture out of the book)

The goons. Andrew also had a face mask that we forgot until we got to House #3. He ran back and got it.

Michael showing his muscles. Lily showing how Ariel would look after a long night drinking.

What we trick-or-treated through. Beautiful fall leaves and several inches of snow. As the weather men said, it was "Snowtober". (insert me rolling my eyes now)

Lily's Halloween parade the week before Halloween (I said we were going backwards)

The only pictures of our adventure painting pumpkins. Notice there are none of the carving. Paint brushes are only slightly less dangerous than large carving knives when deciding to let my guard down and grab a camera.

Michael's Halloween parade last week. I submit that there is nothing cuter than a bunch of 3 year olds dressed in costume and led around in a confused line.

He was just so stinkin' cute.

So that was our Halloween week. Parades. Snow. Trick-or-treating in the cold. Lots of happiness. Lily woke up yesterday morning and said, "I love October. It starts with my birthday and ends with Halloween."
Jeff added, "And there are lots and lots of sweets for both of those things."

Now begins November. Let's see if I can remember to post every day, shall we?

Lily the tall girl?

2011-10-28T08:26:00.000-04:00

We just went to the doctor yesterday.

Lily gained 4 pounds in the last year.

She grew 4 1/2 inches.

No wonder she looks taller and leaner ;)

The duct tape years

2011-10-23T17:57:00.000-04:00

A little more than a week ago, I talked to my friend Pamela after duct taping my vacuum back together. She sighed in commiseration and said we've entered that stage of marriage.

You know the stage...your shiny new wedding gifts are starting to fall apart, but you don't have enough money yet to replace them.

Year 25, silver. Year 50, gold. Year 12 of marriage...duct tape. Who knew?

BTW...after duct taping the hose back together, the roller brush and belt exploded into pieces on Saturday. -sigh- But it was cheaper to just buy those new parts than a new vacuum...so we keep clunking along with what we've got :)

Random pictures

2011-10-22T03:12:00.004-04:00

What happens when Lily and I go shopping alone together? Shadow costume, that's what.

Random shots of Lily's 3rd birthday celebration...the one with Grandma and Grandpa.
Grandma is so smart...she brought flashlights for everyone. I don't think the 3 year old could have handled ANOTHER day of presents for no one but Lily.

Andrew had a "Star of the Week" poster to finish. We needed a shot of Shadow. Dumb dog is scared of the camera. So she kept rolling over in her submissive pose. We'll just add this to the list of things she's terrified of. Her food bowl being #1.
Morning of The Race. They took shots of us crossing the finish line, but I think that you had to donate a kidney in order to get a copy. (read: REALLY EXPENSIVE). Just in case you can't read the sentence on my shirt it says, "If it weren't for me, you'd have no one to pass" The back said, "If you can read this, then I'm not last!" It was a great conversation starter...and it made people laugh (at me? with me?)

After the race, we enjoyed Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Here's the view from lunch. That's the National Aquarium that we toured for a few hours.
Here's Baltimore's Inner Harbor from across the harbor at Federal Hill Park.
I have no idea where this photo came from. But it's cute, so I'll include it.

Field trips!

2011-10-21T06:22:00.003-04:00

The preschool that my kids attend (and Andrew attended), goes on just one field trip a year. To a farm in the fall. And I have never gotten to go with them, because they don't allow younger siblings and Michael would totally freak out when I left him somewhere...and I just couldn't do that to my friends.

But this year was different. Michael is fine with being left behind now, so on Monday, I dropped him off at a friend's house and joined Lily at the farm.

Lily is simply a blast to watch with her friends. Everyone loves each other and they just run around hugging and playing and dancing. Cute. Well, the girls did that. The boys stood quietly by their mothers and held their hands.

The first thing we did was take a hay ride behind a tractor. All the girls hurried on and sat together...leaving no room for their mothers. My guilt at having missed these events quickly evaporated. Lily was totally fine. She hardly even looked at me. The boys mostly sat next to their mothers and on their laps for the hay ride. The girls barely looked out the sides and chatted like a bunch of ladies playing ma-jong.

Once we got off the tractor, it was time to pick apples and look for pumpkins. I took a motherless boy under my wing, since it was instantly apparent why mothers are needed on these field trips. Mother guilt...back on. So Lily, B., and I reached up high for apples and put them in our bags. Then we wandered over to the pumpkin patch and looked for the perfect pumpkin. Lily wanted "cute". B. wanted "clean". I just hope that other mothers looked out for my kiddos when I wasn't able to be there.

We had fun. I was grateful to be there and spend the morning with "just my girl". Lily must have been excited to, since she repeated that phrase 25 times that morning. Even though she ignored me for half the trip. Whatev's.

Michael's field trip was Thursday, when Lily was conveniently already at school. A friend of mine took Lily to school and Michael and I were off to a different farm. I was really excited about this trip, because I don't know any of the parents or kids in this class. Also, Michael only tells me horrible things about his horrible behavior (his teachers continue to deny this)...I was ready for some first hand observations. ALSO, Michael doesn't know anyone's names...when I ask him who he plays with, he tells me things like, "It's a boy. He has brown eyes and light skin." Gee, thanks for the info, Riddler.

We showed up and all the kids were hiding behind their mother's legs. What a difference a year makes in the socialization of the kids!

We took a hay ride...Michael was enraptured. I got to chat with the other mothers and observe the other kids. No one seemed to take notice of each other. Except for one little boy who was picking straw and trying to shove it down kids shirts. And hit. Interesting.

After the ride, we listened to the farmer tell us about the chickens and turkeys and horses and bunnies. Michael was quiet and polite and focused. He didn't shove and push the other kids. He got pushed around a bit, and just quietly dealt with it. Interesting.

There were lots of lines and needing patience. He waited somewhat patiently and never did any of the things he tells me about. That little boy from his class? A terror. An absolute terror...pushing and harrassing other kids, yelling at them. After he shoved Michael almost off a slide, the mother confided that she's already had several conferences with the teachers regarding her son's aggressive behavior. Perhaps Michael is just telling me what this little boy is doing every day...

It was delightful. Michael really needed me there...he is shy and easily intimidated. He was so excited to be there.

As sad as I am sometimes that I will never have another baby...I am really glad that I can now participate more fully in the lives of the children I already have. This part is really fun!

Out of Michael's mouth

2011-10-18T12:46:00.002-04:00

Michael is discussing how everyone in our family has brown hair. I tell him to look more closely at Jeff's. Michael exclaims, "Oh Daddy! You are getting old! Your hair is like May's (Memere's)."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The phone is ringing this morning. I find Michael holding the phone and looking at the caller ID screen on the phone. He yells urgently, "Mom! Mom! It's somebody!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

His teacher told me that he had bad aim when going to the bathroom today. She found out because he came right over to her and said, "I'm so so sorry. So sorry. I peed on your wall."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All three kids were fighting/playing in another room while I made dinner last night. It was the first time I heard Michael talking so clearly that I couldn't tell if it was Lily or Michael. Pretty exciting. Except that what he hollared was, "Andrew stop that! You are hurting me!"

Uncomfortable

2011-10-17T16:21:00.002-04:00

Andrew is a cub scout now. He is thrilled. I am still trying to get Jeff to stop referring to it as a cult, as in "When is Andrew's next cult meeting." -sigh-

In order to earn patches and beads and things, he has to complete objectives in his cub scout handbook. The last item on his list to earn his Bobcat patch was to discuss Stranger safety guidelines with a parent. So they have a special little booklet for me to read and then I go over different scenarios with him. Like, "A neighbor comes to school to pick you up and tells you that your mom is sick and asked her to come get you. Your mom has never said that this neighbor will come pick you up. What do you do?" or some other more distubing prompts like, "Someone comes up to you in the bathroom and asks to see your private parts. What do you do?"

After about 10 of these, and we still had a few to go, I sum it up for Andrew, "Basically, if anyone tells you stories or asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, you should tell me or Dad."

Andrew speaks up with an embarrassed grin on his face, "Mom? This conversation is making me really uncomfortable."

Break to me busting up laughing and giving him a big hug. Yes. This IS an uncomfortable conversation. You got it, kid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As a side note, thank you for the supportive comments on my run. If I need any motivation to do it again next summer, Lily gave it to me today. She and Michael were playing house, and she asked him to take the baby. She started running down the sidewalk as Michael cheered, "Go Mommy Go!" I asked what they were doing, and Lily answered, "I'm the mommy and I'm running a race."

I did it.

2011-10-15T15:38:00.002-04:00

I did it. I ran the entire 5K...without stopping. I ran 9 minutes longer than I've ever run.

I ran 3 miles in just under 36 minutes. That is a 12 minute mile. Which I know is terrible.

But we are focusing on the fact that I RAN FOR 36 MINUTES STRAIGHT. 6 months ago I couldn't run 90 seconds without stopping.

I didn't quit.

I did what I thought I couldn't.

I am proud of me.

(Jeff ran it in 25 minutes. He should be proud of him too...)

Race-eve

2011-10-14T15:29:00.002-04:00

Any scrap of confidence I had before that I could actually run this 5K was destroyed when I got my period Thursday afternoon. I have never run on the first 2 (heaviest days of "the curse" because I am tired, weak, crampy...you know the deal. So I feel doomed and set up to fail anyway. But I must have had some delusions left...because it all came crashing down once we GOT to Baltimore. It immediately because clear that...

I don't belong here.

We walk towrad the convention center to pick up our bibs and shirt. Everyone around me is sinewy and scrappy and clearly a RUNNER. There's even a guy smoking who is clearly a runner...and will likely kick the marathon's ass tomorrow. I see only one other lady who is slightly pudgy like me.

I don't belong here.

Everyone we meet seems to assume that my thin, healthy husband is the reason we are here...and I am his spectator. When we stand at the check-in desk together, the concierge asks if we are here for the race. When we say yes, he hands Jeff a complimentary bag with a bottle of water, banana, powerbar, etc., and wishes him luck. When I ask to have one, he says, "Oh? You want one too?" And I squeak out that I'm racing tomorrow too. I don't think he believed me. Later, our waiter also assumes I am just here to lend support.

I don't belong here.

The little paper/write up about the race weekend that came in our registration bag of loot describes the 5K event as, "A great way to participate in the Baltimore Running Festival without all the training." I know the 5K is a joke to real runners. I know it is a lame-ass event. But I have worked my ass off for 6 months...and I'm STILL not confident I'll finish. Yet apparently, you should be able to just walk in and run 3 miles...that's how easy a 5K is.

I don't belong here. I belong on the side-lines. I belong in the cheering section for Jeff, who deserves to be here and will kick its ass. I should be trudging along on sidewalks alone in the dark hours of the morning and away from real runners. I should be walking for my healthy and not sullying up these types of events. I am a band geek at a frat party. A Democrat at a GOP rally. The horse in a zebra herd.

I don't belong here.

Just write

2011-10-11T15:08:00.002-04:00

I have been majorly ignoring the blog. Perhaps because last week was full of birthday-girl activities, which included celebrating on her actual day as well as a whirlwind weekend with the grandparents. Perhaps it is because I have to run a race in 4 days and I am fluctuating between scared as shit and depressed that 3.2 miles scares me this bad. Perhaps when I get back from our weekend away and this is behind me...perhaps then I will write down all the insanely cute/annoying/lovable/excruciating things my children have been doing lately.

Like Michael has been coming home from school and telling me horrible stories. Stories like, "The VIP had long hair and I told him to cut his hair or I would punch him in the stomach." Also, "This boy took my truck and I won't share so I took a hammer and hit the truck over and over." I have repeatedly asked the teachers for confirmation and they said while there is the occasional scuffle over toys, Michael seems to be acting appropriately and not overly violent. Maybe he's just telling me what he WANTS to do?

Andrew has a lot going on in his life right now. School, homework, soccer, swim lessons, now cub scouts. He also has a busy social agenda, with boys coming to our door every night begging him to come outside and join them in a rousing game of football/baseball/arguing/soccer. I work hard to encourage him to do his homework early so he can run around outside or go to practice or whatever. Homework is painfully easy, and yet it is like pulling teeth to get him to do it. And last night I asked him to either read or go to bed, since he'd been so tired all day. He just said no. He sat there and refused to do anything. My boy showing defiance? A new experience for us. He's just warming us up for Lily in a few years :)

Speaking of Lily...she is in a delightful explosion of skills. All of a sudden she is coloring in the lines and enjoying crafts and wanting to write messages. She is reading sight words and noticing words in our every day adventures. She wants to read and write and cut and do all kinds of big kid things. She is a joy to cook with, a blast to play games with, and just plain fun to talk to. Is there anything more perfect in the world than a 5 year old little girl? I think not.

Okay, that's a start.

It's MY BIRTHDAY (guest post)

2011-10-06T14:10:00.003-04:00

***It is Lily's 5th birthday today. So she is going to write my blog for me. She took the pictures. And I'll type whatever story she tells me ***
This is me and Mommy.

Shadow is trying to find somebody to pet her.

Shadow is on the chair looking out the window.

She sees some grass and plants, but nothing tasty.

And then Mom found the perfect present...it's a unicorn helmet!

These are the best toys ever...whoever brought them to me? I still like them.
And then my friend Sara gave me some toys.
The cake was the best, but I just still don't know who buyed it or who gave it to me. Huh!
My friend toys comed over...Hoppy, Teddy, and Snap comed along.
And then I said, "Hello!"
Snap said, "I want to take pictures!" So I took a picture of him. And he loved it. "Thank you!"
I was in my house. I love my new house. Santa buyed this for me.
I love my birthday but how old am I? I am 5!! Now that I am 5, I can snap my own pants...I think -heh- and then Mom helps me. That's kind of crazy, you know? I can play with my toys quietly. I am so weird now that I'm 5...but I am still cute! I'm going to eat all my dinner so I can get CAKE! AND...uh...I have no underwear on.

I am stopping this post to go put underwear on my daughter. Geez.

Let's Hear it for the Girls!

2011-10-02T15:34:00.007-04:00

In case you aren't keeping track...Lily turns 5 this Thursday. That's right...FIVE.

-gulp-

In what has become a family expectation, Lily got to host her first birthday party. Andrew had one when he was 5, so it seemed only fair to do it for Lily. Even though Andrew's party was a bit painful. So I pulled on my "Good Mommy" pants and planned a party for 5 little girls.

We decided to do a tea party. Okay, I decided it...Lily was just ecstatic to be having a party. We got the Fancy Nancy tea party book and had fun planning what we would do. The boys were all going to be gone at soccer. Just before the girls arrived we were ready...

Jeff went out and picked up the cupcake cake I ordered. It was super cute and prevented me from having to cut cake. I have learned. Also? Planned party for after lunch so I didn't have to feed them. By the time Michael has a party, the kids won't be allowed in the house and they will be allowed one glass of water ;) Fun parties at our house!

The girls arrived and started in on the craft...a sticker by number crown. I was...shocked. They just sat there for 30-40 minutes doing the craft. And they were spontaneously singing songs from school, or talking about their dresses, or telling funny stories. They were quietly enjoying each other's company. No tackling. No throwing. No destroying the house. My jaw may have hung open in shock through this whole part of the party. Except for the part where I had to listen to Lily being bossy because it was her birthday. She was severely admonished when she told one of her friends to wear a dress at her next birthday party. (Lily! Who never wears a dress ANYWHERE...argh). I immediately pointed out that we had not told people to dress up and that I wasn't wearing a dress either. Little snot. She did quickly apologize and compliment the girl on her shirt. I have to remember that social interactions are learned and not innate. -sigh-

They did eventually want to play. So some girls started playing with Barbies, some pushed baby dolls around in prams, and some dressed up. Then Lily led them to the family room, where we had our video camera set up on a tri-pod and hooked up to the tv in live feed mode.

Needless to say, I discovered that 4 &5 year old girls love to watch themselves on tv:

Then we went back and finished our crowns. The girls helped each other finish and were so complimentary and sweet with each other.

Now that we had our crowns ready, it was time for the tea party. I had one little tea pot full of juice and one of water. The tea cups were so tiny...I think they held only a few tablespoons. Which was perfect, because pouring was the most fun part. They all politely passed the teapots and crackers and things. I explained that ladies talk and get to know each other at tea, so maybe we could ask each other questions. I asked what everyone's favorite color was, then another girl asked what their favorite animal was, and then M. raised her hand and eagerly asked everyone what their favorite kind of cake was. It was...adorable. And time for cake.

Lily blew out her candle and everybody had a cupcake. Well, a few bites. The cake looked good, but didn't taste that great.

It was time for more playing. They built with blocks and Lily taught them how to play one of her favorite board games.

I got out the sugar cookies I had made and the girls came and went decorating their cookies to bring home. The neon icing was a hit...and the cookies tasted much better than that nasty cake.

The girls were doing so well, I decided to let Lily open her gifts in front of them. In my experience this is a bad idea, since all the kids tend to pile in and open the birthday kids' gifts. These girls were different. They all sat patiently waiting to give Lily her gifts. They reminded her to read the card first. S. started to tear Lily's first gift open, asking if she could help. Lily politely told her no, it was not her birthday. S. backed right off and never crowded Lily again. Each gift was appropriately ooohed and aaaahed over. It was amazingly cute and wonderful.

Then the girls went home. It was...so easy. Such a nice little group of friends. No tears, no fights, no destruction of personal property. But I sincerely hope Lily isn't this prima-donnaish on non-birthday days. :)

No analogys...just bullets

2011-09-29T12:29:00.003-04:00

-- We are on day 4 of no husband week #2. I miss him. Look, I know there are women out there without husbands, or with husbands who work nights, or who work all day and night themselves. But this isn't my normal...and I miss him. It's not that hard, but it is lonely. And I miss him.

-- Michael had to miss school on Tuesday. He was up with a bad cough from 12am-2am...while we waited for the home remedies to kick in. Then he was up at 5:15 asking to get up for the day. Needless to say, I decided to keep him home from school. Organic lady at swim lessons was pretty upset that he was coughing. She probably thought it was from the Froot Loops.

-- I thought the transition back to school would be super difficult for him, since a week had gone by with no school. But all day Tuesday he asked if he had school. Then all day Wednesday. This morning, he told me he didn't want to go, and then got ready without a fight. Then he told me he hated his teachers, and excitedly picked out a book to bring to school to show them. Then he told me, "I not going to cry today, Mom." And he didn't. He eagerly walked into his classroom and sat on his spot and waved to me. Little booger.

-- Andrew had no school today, because of Rosh Hashanah. Since it was just he and I, we dropped the littles off at school and went to IHOP for breakfast. He ate more than me...2 triangles of French toast, 3 pieces of bacon, 3 pieces of toast with jam, and a glass of lemonade. Oh, and a banana. Have I mentioned that we measured him at 54 inches tall? 4ft6in. And he's 63 pounds. He is going through a serious growth spurt.

-- Lily's having her very first birthday party on Saturday. We invited 4 little girls to our house for tea and dancing. We invited them before school started. Now Lily is sad that she doesn't get to invite her new friends (Lily only has best friends). I'll have to think of something else to do with her new friends.

-- I've recently read books 1-4 of the Game of Thrones series by George RR Martin. I am waiting for book 5 to come in at the library. While Andrew and I wandered Barnes and Nobles this morning (did I mention how much I love having just the 7 year old?) I picked up book 5 and started reading it. I thought book 5 was the end...and I was excited to be enjoying a fantasy series with an achievable number of books. Much to my dismay I read the forward in book 5 and realized that there will be a book 6. Le-sigh. Let's just hope the author doesn't die before he ties up all these loose ends.

--I'm ready for FALL. I have no motivation to plan meals because I am angry I can't make fall meals. It is 80 degrees and MUGGY today. As it was yesterday. And the day before that. It feels like an August morning in South Carolina all day long. And yet I'm pretty sure this happens every September. Fall just doesn't start as early as I think it does.

--Out of bullet ideas. Must go make cut out sugar cookies for Lily's party.

The new religion

2011-09-27T11:43:00.003-04:00

Another analogy post. Lucky you.

I was caught in the middle of a conversation today that made me very uncomfortable. As my 3 year old shoved Froot Loops into his pie hole, these 2 women began talking about how organic their families eat. They weren't talking to me, per se, but they pointedly started the conversation after I handed the bag to Michael.

I've overheard many such conversations. They are almost always glorified pissing contests.

"Have you tried these organic fruit snacks? They are really the best thing."
"Oh, yes, the dyes they put in everything else are just killing our kids. We have switched to such-n-such a brand because the other brand just lies about what is on their packaging. I mean, think of our kids! But I just can't do it all because I'd have to drive all over to find it."
"I know it is expensive, but I don't know how families can't think of their kids health first."
"Well, I only buy organic milk."
"Well, I buy unpasturized milk directly from the farmer."
"Well, I drive 45 minutes so that I can buy a brick of organic buffalo meat."
"Well, I only eat meat if I can buy it directly from the farmer."

Etc., etc., etc....

I do not necessarily agree with the whole organic craze. I understand parts of it, but I think it has been blown into a huge scam on the consumers. But that doesn't matter. It works for some families. It makes them feel good about how they are raising their children, it gives them control over what is good and bad going into their bodies, and I'm sure that in many cases it is a wonderful thing for their overall life experience.

Just as I'm sure that born-again Christians feel good about how they are raising their children, it gives them control over what is good and bad going into their souls, and I'm sure in many cases it is a wonderful thing for their overall life experience. I don't agree with their whole belief system, but I don't think my way is necessarily the only right way, so more power to them.

However, because religion has been around longer, there are certain accepted social limits. In polite conversation with virtual strangers, a person may announce where they go to church. They do not typically try and convert the strangers present. Or belittle others beliefs.

Taking this morning's situation as an example...

Let's say during swim lessons I had whipped out bulletin from church, they may have politely asked if I go to church there and then mention where they themselves worship. And that would be the end...unless I asked a question about it. Then the door would be open for debate and conversation.

If we were following the organic religion rules, I think I would have whipped out my church bulletin and the women would immediately begin discussing how Methodists are going to hell and how sad that some families won't switch away from it to save their families souls. And then the one woman would talk about how good SHE is at keeping Sabbath, and then the other woman would tell how she keeps the Sabbath AND she never wears sleeveless shirts, etc etc.

-sigh-

I understand that going organic has changed your life. I get it. I'm happy for you. Just don't openly judge me for not joining your new religion. And for cripes sake...your constant bickering about whose organic diet is the "best"? Doesn't make me want to convert any time soon.

The Long Haul

2011-09-22T07:41:00.003-04:00

When you are dating someone, anniversaries are very important. 2 weeks since our first date. 6 months since our first kiss. Oh my God, we've been a couple for 18 months. Etc. etc. etc. I think marking every inch of your journey is so important because you just don't know how long it will last. So each step, each milestone IS significant. Dating relationships are precarious. One day you are happily eating at Applebee's, the next you find out that he uses his toothbrush to clean his teeth and his toenails. Or whatever. Who knows how long they will last.

When I got married, the anniversaries became less important. We still mention them and reminise, but we often forget them. Because when you are expecting to be together forever...what is 6 years? 12 years? Just a small fraction of the whole. Worth celebrating, certainly. But not as significant or monumental.

Let's just say that I have been dating Pennsylvania for the last 5 years. Every month and year is a milestone. We've been in this house longer than any other. We've potty trained all 3 kids here. 10 more months and we'll have lived here longer than any other place. All because it feels precarious and temporary. Will we break up this month when Jeff moves us to MN? Or next spring when he moves us to TX. Enjoy the fall this year, because who knows where we'll be next year.

It's time to take my relationship with PA to the next level. It's time to be committed. THIS is my home. THIS is where my children will identify with and grow up. This is where I will go back to work. Where I'll learn how to parent teenagers. I can grumble about things I don't like, like cost of living, but we are choosing to stay and live here and to accept the good with the bad. We may have a smaller house and crappier furniture than if we lived in the mid-west. But we are content and happy and living a good life here.

I am sad that I will not live near my nieces and nephews. That I won't be close enough to help family move or take them to doctor's appointments or cheer along side them at my kids' extracurriculars. I am sad that family guests will always be overnight guests, with all the inconveniences and stress that it brings...for us and them. I am sad that my kids will likely say "soda" instead of "pop" and may even begin saying "wuh-der" for water and "crown" for crayon.

But I'm happy that we have seasons and farms to visit and friendly neighbors. I thrilled with the schools my children will attend. I love the idea of history coming alive with short weekend trips to Plymouth Rock and Independence Hall and Gettysburg. I like having a history with friends and doctors who have known my kids forever and where to go to get great apples. I'm grateful that my husband is happy in his job and makes enough money that I can stay home with my kids. We have a good life here. A very good life.

Jeff accepted a new job yesterday. An engineering job that will make him happier and challenge him in new ways. A job that is better suited to his strengths and gifts and talents. A job that has the potential to last him a long long time. A job that is located in the greater Philadelpia area.

I know nothing is certain. But that could be said in marriage too. I just live life assuming that Jeff and I will be together forever...even though I know the realities of infidelity, tragedy, etc. So...it's time to commit to Pennsylvania. I think we're in this for the long haul. Halleluia!

To school

2011-09-20T09:33:00.003-04:00

He walks nonchalantly to the bus stop. No big deal, he's cool. He has a spelling notebook and book reports and is reading The Chocolate Touch. His ankles and wrists are gaping out of his long sleeves and pants from last spring. After school he eats a snack and tells me sparse bits and pieces of his day. Then he begs to run outside and play football with the neighbors for hours.

She waves and shouts hello to her old teachers as she skips down the hall to her new classroom. She excitedly dresses each morning for school with no complaint, sings all the words to the new songs, tells me every detail of the VIP, and recites everything she learned about sunflowers/apples/making friends.

He wails at the prospect of going to school. He tells me very seriously, "I cry because I need you, Mommy." He proudly shows his art work and tries to sing a few words of the songs he's heard. He bravely carries his bookbag into school and hangs it on a hook. Then he covers his eyes and walks blindly into his classroom, sobbing quietly.

How is it that all 3 can make me swell with pride and break my heart in the same instant? For such very different reasons?

Getting used to the new norm

2011-09-17T06:15:00.002-04:00

I'm exhausted. I would like to fast forward a few weeks to when I am used to our new schedule. Because right now I am always looking at my watch so I don't miss the next drop off/pick up.

But the next two weeks won't be any easier, since Jeff will be out of town. Well, technically he'll be in Philadelphia. But they're going to have him working so many extra hours, he's actually staying in a hotel down there Monday-Thursday.

I'm going to document what next week looks like on my calendar, just so when I'm really running around when they're in junior high I can laugh at myself. Or maybe it will just make me glad I don't have 2 in pre-school anymore ;)

Monday:
6:15- Jeff leaves for work...and won't be back until after dinner time on Thursday
8:40-Andrew leaves house to go to bus stop
9:00-Leave for pre-school drop off
9:20-Grocery
11:30-Leave for pre-school pick up
3:15- Leave for Brandon bus drop off (he's the boy I'm watching in the afternoon...but he goes to a different school than Andrew, so it's a different bus time)
4:15- Watch for Andrew's bus (I no longer go down to the stop to get him, but I still watch for the bus so I can walk out the driveway to say hi)
7:00- Education committee meeting at church...I'll have to bring all 3 kids since Jeff will be gone

Tuesday:
8:40- Andrew bus stop
9:00- Leave for pre-school drop off
10:30- Lily swim lesson
11:30- Leave for pre-school pick up
3:30- Take Shadow to groomers
3:45- Pick up Andrew from school on the way home from groomers? Tuesday is the only day I don't have B...so maybe
6:45- Andrew swim lesson...I'll have to bring all 3 kids since Jeff will be gone
7:30- Pick up Shadow from groomers on the way home from swim? Or maybe before swim and leave her in the car? Go to Wendy's for dinner so we can pick up Shadow? Haven't worked this out yet.

Wednesday:
8:40- Andrew to bus stop
9:00- Leave for pre-school drop off
11:30- Leave for pre-school pick up
3:15- Go to bus stop to get B
4:15- Watch for A's bus
5:40- Leave for A's soccer practice...I'll have to bring all 3 kids since Jeff will be gone

Thursday:8:40- Andrew to bus stop
9:00- Leave for pre-school drop off...drop off BOTH KIDS!
9:30- Help set up for church rummage sale
11:30- Leave for pre-school pick up
3:15- Go to bus stop to get B
4:15- Watch for A's bus
7pm-Anxiously wait for Jeff to enter the house again

Friday:
8:40-Andrew to bus stop
9:00- Pre-school drop off
10:00- Drop off meal to a mom in MOMS club with a new baby
11:30- Pre-school pick up
12:15- Michael's weekly speech appointment at a local church
3:15- Go to B's bus stop
4:15- Watch for A's bus
6:00- Curse Jeff, because he's not coming home from work again this night because he is going to open fencing straight from work.

The week after that gets less interesting because even though all 3 kids have dentist appoinments spread out over 2 days, Andrew has no school on Thursday and Friday, and I won't have Brandon on those days either. I will be getting ready for Lily's birthday party on October 1st though ;)

Thursdays, 9:30-11:30

2011-09-15T14:26:00.002-04:00

Today was the first day in 8 years that I didn't have children. Don't get me wrong...I have had some time off. But if it was during the day, it meant that I was rushing to an appointment while someone else watched my kids. Or one set or another of grandparents were watching them while I felt mildly guilty that they had to navigate our schedules and routines.

No, this is the first time that I had 2 hours of uninteruppted, free of guilt time. And I am looking forward to having it once a week for the entire school year. Except for 2 weeks from now when Andrew has off for a Jewish holiday on a Thursday. And the month after that when Lily has a doctor's appointment. Okay, let's just say 3 days a month, shall we? Oh, that sounds terrible.

ANYWAY...ahem...

So I packed the littles into the car to go to school. And there was an envelope on the driver's seat of the van with my name written in it. It was a little "Just thinking of you" card. Inside it said, "Enjoy your first Thursday morning without children in a LONG time!! I love you, Jeff" And there was a $10 gift card to Starbucks tucked inside.

Does this make you love him as much as I do?

So...for the record...JEFF made me cry this morning, not the fact that I was childless for the morning.

Also, Michael threw a FIT at school today. Grabbing my shirt with a death grip, screaming, "NO MOMMY! DON'T GO," as I tried to put him through the doorway of his classroom. Apparently he thought he got to go to school with Lily today...like in her classroom with her. He was a little confused about why they were both going today. I have a feeling going to school is going to be a bit like Russian Roulette for him. Every day we drive to his school...but will Mommy leave him today? No? Today? When?

A Tale of Two Mornings

2011-09-13T12:22:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was Lily's first day of school. She was nervous about her new teachers until the orientation last week. Then she realized that she is just about a professional pre-school student at this point.

She got all dressed up and packed her bookbag. And then she posed for a picture with Andrew before he left for the bus stop.

She piled in the car so early that we got to her school 15 minutes early. Plenty of time for another first day shot in front of the school.

Then her friends started cat calling her from across the parking lot, "Liiiiiiily! Liiiiiiily! Wait for me!" They all know each other and were running around reuniting.

We went into school, and when Michael caught sight of his teachers (who we met last week at HIS orientation), he dove behind my legs and told me, "I not go to school today!" And then he ran in the opposite direction. Not looking good for Tuesday morning.

After school, I asked Lily who she sat next to. It happened to be someone new, that wasn't in her class last year. Lily easily told me, "Sophia. Isn't that a pretty name? And she has a Barbie backpack."

Her brother took AT LEAST a month before he learned anyone's name...in Kindergarten. And not only does Lily learn the little girl's name, she knows which back pack she has. I love having a girl! She also told me...in detail...what toys were out and which she thought Michael would like. I had to remind her again that Michael was in a different classroom down the hall. Sweet little thing has been trying to get Mikey excited about going to school there.

While Lily was at her first day, Michael and I went shopping and then did a little of this: (not an actual picture...but we did build with blocks...and this is such a cute shot I had to include it)

Last night we talked about school with Michael. I asked him what he wanted to play with at school. He smiled slyly and said, "I want to play with Mommy." Stinker.

Imagine my surprise this morning when he eagerly got ready. Imagine my surprise when he grabbed his bookbag and hopped in the car. He had a misty moment on the drive, when he told me I couldn't leave him there because, "I need you, Mommy." But he posed nicely outside the school. And then he literally stepped over screaming and crying children and handed his teacher a paper I'd given him...and he never looked back.

Apparently he didn't cry the whole day. He did tell me that he liked learning all about dogs and singing a dog song. He told me that 2 boys annoyed him because they wouldn't stop crying. So apparently compassion is not his strong suit ;P

While he was in school, Lily had another fantastic swim lesson. Today was just 110% better than I thought it would be.

An ode to running

2011-09-10T06:53:00.002-04:00

Oh running, how I hate thee
Since April I've been trying
Since April I've been dying
Oh running, how I hate thee

I'm scared to run in front of others
Not even my own mother

In my dreams I run wild and free
But when I wake my legs are like lead
I'd rather that I were dead
Oh running, how I hate thee

There's never a moment in my run
Where I'm having the least bit of fun

The whole time I have pain in my shin and knee
I pant like a half-dead dog
I sweat like a half-cooked hog
Oh running, how I hate thee

25 minutes seems to be my wall
But at about 17 minutes I want to quit it all

My weight remains at one hundred seventy three
I still have to squeeze into my size fourteen
Despite 6 months of exercise I am not any more lean
Oh running, how I hate thee

I can't possibly run any faster than I do now
I can't possibly run any slower than I do now

Everyone else does it better than me
Or at least that's how it seems
If only I could run like I do when I day dream
Oh running, how I hate thee

Jeff's ready for the race
I am totally going to lose face

I am just so disappointed in me
I thought 6 months was sufficient to train
So why am I still in so much pain
Oh running, how I hate thee

Snow day!

2011-09-08T08:29:00.002-04:00

We're in day 3 of rain. Lots and lots of rain. And we got a call early this morning that Andrew's school district has been forced to cancel school. Creeks and rivers in the area are cresting, and have shut down 3 major roads in the area...so our buses can't get from the bus compound to the schools. So let's see...we've officially used up 2 of our snow days in the first 2 weeks of school. Lordy, at this rate we'll be in school until JULY! But I'm thankful they are on top of things and no children were stranded on buses or at bus stops when the rivers crested. I don't envy their jobs.

Today Michael gets to go to school to meet his teachers. He's so excited. And I'm kind of glad that Andrew gets to come too. I know he'll be super sweet and excited for his brother and long ago he had these very same teachers, so they'll have fun seeing him as well.

What a crazy-daisy start of the school year!

Whirlwind of social activity

2011-09-06T21:00:00.002-04:00

Oh, did we have a weekend.

Saturday I ran errands in the morning with my favorite shopping buddy, Lily. Except she was a grump, so it wasn't as much fun as it should have been. Then we had my friend Elizabeth and her daughter over for dinner. Her husband was supposed to come also, but he got sick. Having people over makes us clean the house and get all ready. Which is really funny, because Elizabeth and her daughter come over pretty frequently during the week and I do no such preparing for her.

Sunday, we went to pick apples at a farm nearby. The boys had So. Much. Fun. Lily grumbled that she was hot and asked every 35 seconds if it was time to go home yet. That afternoon, we headed to a friend's house for a Labor Day bbq/birthday party. I know this woman from book club and one of my 1,000 playgroups I've been involved in since moving here. We showed up, and it turns out Jeff knew at least 4 of the husbands from all the social activities I've dragged him to. So he had fun catching up with them while he supervised the pool fun (they had an in ground pool). There was the pool, and inflatable bounce house, corn hole (which is not call corn hole here...it's something weird like Bumpo or Bingo or something), play set, and tables set up with crafts for the kids to do...with a woman who was hired to help take care of the children. Holla! It was a great party. We stayed until 9 pm...which means the kids didn't get to bed until 9:30. That's how good it was.

Monday, the kids woke up at 6 am. Le-sigh. So it was grump grump grump all day. We had another Labor Day dinner to go to at someone else's house, and I was pretty certain my children were going to be monsters. I spent the morning being all Honey Homemaker...making applesauce from our apple picking spoils, making side dishes to bring to dinner, etc. When all was said and done, it was another very lovely evening. The kids did awesome, Jeff knew and liked both of the husbands...just fantastic. The kids didn't get to bed until 8:30...about an hour past their bed times.

All this socializing made me once again realize how settled and rooted we've become in this area. It is so easy right now. I can't really imagine moving and starting all over...again. -sigh-

Today, it was back to reality. Andrew had school, so of course he didn't wake up until 7:50 am. Lily had her first swim lesson ever...and she did so well that I was actually tearing up in the parent observation room. Lordy. Andrew had his swim lesson tonight at 6:45, and he also did fantastic.

Tomorrow I am hosting a playdate, so I really should be scrubbing the house and not blogging. Thursday, Michael gets to go to school to visit his teachers and classroom while I fill out a million papers. Then Friday we go back to the same school to meet Lily's teachers while I fill out the very same million papers. Saturday is our first soccer game of the season and Sunday church starts up their Sunday school program for the year. Monday, Lily starts school and I start my babysitting job in the afternoons. Tuesday, Michael starts school and there is Back to School night so I can get in the know about Andrew's teacher and year ahead.

Phew! Life is getting going!

She's different than the boys

2011-09-02T19:15:00.000-04:00

Today we went to the zoo with a friend of mine. Our school district had no school (3 days...whew...better have a 4 day weekend???) So we were 2 adults, 6 kids under 8, wandering the zoo. It was actually quite fun. The kids did reasonably well and it was a beautiful day.

We were eating lunch by a big fountain and my friend offered Michael 2 pennies to throw in. The other kids were running around and didn't notice. The first thing Michael did was give one of his pennies to Lily to throw into the fountain. My heart melted. Each other child also eventually got 2 pennies...very fair and even.

At dinner, we were telling Jeff about our day. I retold the story of Michael sharing his penny with his sister. Then Lily and I had this conversation:

Me: Lily, wasn't it nice when Michael gave you one of his pennies?

Lily: Yes. And Maddie gave me one of hers too. And Andrew gave me one of his.

Me: Did you share one of your pennies with anyone?

Lily: No. And later I found another coin on the ground and I threw that in too.

Me: Oh, I see. Well it certainly was kind of your brothers and Maddie to give you one of their pennies. I bet it made them feel good to be nice and share. How does it make you feel that they shared their pennies with you but you didn't share any with them?

Lily: (smiling innocently) It makes me feel good.

Cut to Jeff giggling unstoppably behind his milk glass.

She just doesn't get it. Lily is so different from the boys. She is very sweet and can be very kind and thoughtful and shares easily and well when asked. But I don't think it comes naturally to her. Which is why SHE will be CEO of our family company someday.

2nd grader

2011-08-30T17:03:00.003-04:00

After our false start yesterday, we were off and getting ready for school this morning. All was well...we were ready 30 minutes early and went across the street to feed and water the cats we are watching. Then we walked down to the bus stop. Halfway there, Lily wiped out. Huge skinned knees and bleeding palms. She was hysterical. And I couldn't exactly take her back home...the bus was coming any minute. So she limped and screamed to the bus stop and then just cried...loudly...the whole time. -sigh- Better than locking myself out of the house like last year.
Andrew has had zero nerves...he's an elementary school pro at this point. But 2 minutes before the bus came, he wrapped his arms around my waist and whispered, "What if I don't like Mrs. L?" My sweet sweet baby. How much longer will he hug me for comfort in front of his friends. -sigh- And then the bus came and he was off.

I watched 2 little boys all day for a friend of mine, so it made the day pass rather quickly. She even paid me...whoopee! We made cookies for Andrew's first day...and I doubled the batch for my friend so she'd have cookies for her daughter as well.

I had to drag the kids out to walk down to the bus stop...Lily was having...um...pooping problems, so she was screaming and hollaring AGAIN at the bus stop. Lordy.

Andrew skipped off the bus with a huge smile on his face. I had told him this morning that I didn't want to get shrugs and "I don't knows" when I asked him about his day. So he gave me Every. Single. Detail. about his day. Literally from the moment he walked into the school until the end of the day. They did an amazing amount of work in the first day of school. And apparently Andrew absorbed it all :)

After his dissertation, Lily dragged him away to play Pokemon. And they are happily entranced in their own little game again. Reunited and it feels so good!

First Day of School!!!...oh...wait...

2011-08-29T06:05:00.002-04:00

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene has done a number on local roads and power grids. Allegedly. Our house was untouched. We never lost power and we have a few sticks on the ground...nothing else. Unfortunately, the rest of the district was not so lucky. One dad sent out a picture of a MAJOR road...completely underwater.

So Andrew gets one more day of summer vacation. -sigh-

The Shore

2011-08-23T17:57:00.004-04:00

We made it back home from Jersey today! I closely followed my friends...and they were so worried about losing me on the freeway, we drove slower than a funeral procession. I have good friends ;)

It was a simply gorgeous day...low humidity, breezy, some cloud coverage. Perfect for the beach. And this one is only a little more than an hour away from our house!

But, I'll admit it, my children are spoiled brats. The water was too cold (it was). The sand was too gravely (it was). The beach was too crowded (it was). Guess who the biggest spoiled brat of them all is ;)

No, seriously, if you weren't constantly comparing it to another beach, it would be a simply lovely place to spend the day. And, in fact, we had a lovely day.

Andrew refused to do anything at first. Just driving by the beach to look for a parking lot he announced, "I don't like this beach. It's too crowded." He also refused to go in the water. But he had a blast finding treasures in the sand...little shells and crab claws, etc.

It certainly was more crowded than we are used to...and this is in the middle of the day on a Tuesday...I can't imagine the weekends!

Lily is truly my beach girl. She just loved it. She was also scared of the water...there is almost no shelf, so the waves really smash into the shore. So she just flitted in and out and dug holes and threw sand into the waves. Happy girl.

Michael was scared beyond reason of the water. He wouldn't get within 8 feet of it. Screaming in terror. But he loved the sand. He kept burying himself in it. Unfortunately, he wouldn't get in the water to wash it off. -sigh-

The most frustrating thing was that the kids wouldn't stay in the same area. Lily was by the shore, Michael was by the blanket, and Andrew was wandering by the boardwalk to look for treasures. And there were 5,000 people milling around us for me to search through. I am so exhausted from trying to keep an eye on them all the time.

But it was successful. I would go again. It is so close to us! And the homes near the beach were so huge and gorgeous...I could just walk around the neighborhoods and house hunt ;)

I'm glad we did it! We survived Jersey!

34

2011-08-22T08:23:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I turned 34. Jeff treated me like a queen for a day...letting me hole up in my room and read a book, making stuffed french toast for breakfast, taking the kids to a birthday party while I went to get my cousin Nicole from the airport, giving the kids a bath while I drove back from the airport sans Nicole due to storms, and finally driving back to the airport to actually get Nicole when her plane arrived a few hours later. Honestly, I feel like he's buttering me up for something. Like today he'll come home from work and say, "Hey, I didn't want to ruin your birthday, but I have a job interview for an oil rig in the Persian Gulf. Won't that be a fun experience for you and the kids?!?"

But he was probably just being nice ;) The kids were...not as cooperative as you would hope. They were hilariously excited to give me their gifts (chip clips, 2 Tervis cups, a candle, an ice cream scoop, and a new spatula) and nearly frantic to cut into the birthday cake.

I wanted to make resolutions for my 34th year. My resolutions are always very similar and I always always break them. So I won't even write them down. No point. One was to challenge myself to write a blog entry every day of my 34th year. And then I forgot to do one yesterday. FAIL! Another is to finally lose 20 pounds. But I've been saying that for as long as I've been blog writing, and all I've done in the last 6 years is GAIN 15 pounds. -sigh-. I suck at resolving to do things.

One thing I'm determined to do this year is venture into Jersey (insert shaking fist) more. We've lived here almost 5 years (can you believe it? 5 years ago on labor day we found out we were moving to Philly. FIVE YEARS), and I avoid the nearby state of New Jersey like it is a 3rd world country. But they have enticing things...like beaches, and Whole Foods, and Trader Joes, and Pottery Barns. So tomorrow I'm venturing to the shore for the first time. Don't ask me which one. I don't know. I didn't ask because it wouldn't mean anything to me anyway. I will blindly follow one of my friend's cars through the confusing intersections until we reach sand.

So hello, 34! We'll try to reach 35 with more blog entries, less pounds, and more Jersey (insert shaking fist) driving experience.

Photo catch-up

2011-08-15T17:00:00.004-04:00

So we had a delightful weekend. I'm glad Nicole doesn't have a blog, because hers might read something like:

Dear Lord. If I have to play another game of UNO or Yahtzee Jr. or Monopoly Jr or pretend restaurant I may line my pockets with stones and sink to the bottom of a river.

But she DOESN'T have a blog, so you only get my version ;)

We didn't do much, honestly. She was here en route to Germany, so I didn't want to wear her out too much. And we are boring. But I'm sticking with the Germany thing to make myself feel better.

We DID go check out a cool sculpture garden that I've been meaning to go check out. Despite the fact that it is in Jersey (insert fist shaking here) and we managed to miss the turn-about (not marked) that would have taken us left to the park, it was pretty cool. Very nicely landscaped grounds and sculptures tucked in every nook and cranny. Of course, I only remembered to take 4 pictures:

The kids ran from sculpture to sculpture reading the tiny signs to see if they were able to touch to artwork. Imagine little voices yelling across the open spaces, "Can't touch this!" Now imagine the group of 30-somethings giggling and immediately getting MC Hammer stuck in their heads. All. Day.

We also went swimming with Nicole (no photos), to the mall with Nicole (no photos), and hung out at the house an obsene amount of time due to rain (no photos). We stayed up chatting like college roommates, but went to bed like lame-o 33 year olds. I can't wait for her to come back next Sunday and celebrate our birthdays together. She insists that we will be celebrating MY birthday, but I've informed her that if I have to turn 34, she is going down with me.

Some other random photos on my camera...

Playing UNO. Michael is not so good at it yet. He just wants to skip people.

At the wedding in Cleveland:

I don't know why I'm the only one squatting in this one. We later took a shot of all of us crouching down to make Andrea the tallest sister...but instead I have this one of me looking like I'm collapsing. I only had 3 (or 4?) raspberry martinis...I swear!

My sisters and I with my Aunt Jeannette, mother of the groom.

The kids dancing in front of a tv display at the mall.

Andrew posing with his block creation at Grandma's.
The ice cream cake that Lily picked out just for me. She knows me so well...purple icing with dinosaurs in the middle ;)
Michael is potty trained! Yay! It means we can't lock him in his bedroom anymore. Which leads to us finding him asleep in the hallway outside his room.
Lily playing a game all by herself today. She does this a lot. But this is the first time I've found her playing with a toy. So stinkin' cute. She was making a voice for him as they played.

Preparing to be self-concious

2011-08-12T07:13:00.003-04:00

I am preparing today. Preparing for a much anticipated visitor. My cousin Nicole.

Nicole is my twin. Not really, but that's what we call each other. She was born 20 hours before me and stole my intended name. If I hadn't been so insistant on arriving on my actual due date (I've always demanded being on time), I would be Nicole instead of Giselle. She always lived in Chicago while I lived in Ohio, but I have so many great memories of me and my twin. We thought we looked so much alike that if we dressed the same, people wouldn't be able to tell us apart.

Funny, because we are quite different in many ways. I think I've always been in awe of my cousin...even as a very young child. And before every visit, I get nervous and self-concious of myself. It has been 5 full years since I've seen her, and the feelings are intense.

Nicole is beautiful. Crystal blue eyes, wavy dark hair, and straight white teeth. Contagious laugh and smiling eyes.

Nicole is confident. She never seems awkward or out of place. She is who she is, and makes no apologies.

Nicole is brave. She went to a alternative high school hundreds of miles away from her parents. She has faced chronic debilitating headaches, heart ache, living far from support systems. And without an ounce of self-pity (that I know of), she soldiers on and makes friends and supporters wherever she goes.

Nicole is adventurous. She has traveled the world, taken on big issues, and overseen obstacles to get there.

Nicole is humble. No matter how amazing her life has been, she has the ability to make you feel interesting and worthwhile.

Nicole is so much more. :) How silly to think I could sum her up here. Add that to the fact that I don't even really know her very well...to me she is a composite of childhood memories (she was so good at roller skating and she painted her bathroom freehand and she had this cool closet that you could walk in and play) and stories passed between her father and my mother and then to me (she just spent a year in Uganda working on her PhD something or other) and the few visits we've had as adults (the last time I saw her I was in the first trimester of my pregnancy with Lily...so I'm pretty sure I barfed while I was hanging out with her...and we were randomly at a fencing tournament for Jeff...I'm sure THAT was exciting for her...and yet I remember her laughing...).

She is in stark contrast to me. You know, the girl who uses self-depricating humor at every turn? The one who cried for 2 weeks because she went to college 45 minutes away from her mommy? The one who has never lived by herself and has kept herself cocooned in safe loving family her whole life? The one who ate at McDonald's in china town in San Francisco because I couldn't read the menus? The one whose most recent great accomplishment is teaching a child to not eliminate his waste into his pants?

After being in Africa for a year, will she look with disgust at the excess that we have? Will my children be obnoxious (yes) and will it make her want to run out and get her tubes tied? There is a lot of pressure for my children to be charming and funny and well-behaved...because they are MY life's work...all I have to show for the last 8 years.

Luckily, I know that when Nicole walks through the door, it will be a blast. There has never been a time where I've felt self-concious or awkward while I'm with her. That's the cool thing about cousins...you just kind of pick up where you left off. So she just needs to GET here, so I can put all this self doubt behind me. Well, I need to sweep the kitchen floor first...but THEN she can get here.

Tour de Ohio, 2011

2011-08-08T07:11:00.002-04:00

July 29th- drive to Ohio with little issue. Lily slept for 2 hours...a personal and family record. My favorite Michael quote came when it was his turn to pick the movie and he picked The Little Mermaid. Lily was so excited. Mike told her very seriously, "I'm just a boy...who loves mermaids."

July 30th- Jeff and I get all gussied up and pose for pictures like it was prom all over again. We leave the children with my fabulous in-laws and head to Cleveland for my cousin's wedding. I see all kinds of family I don't get to see much, enjoy a beautiful wedding service that reminds us of our own, drink, eat great food, drink some more, dance, and enjoy a hotel room all to ourselves. A lovely lovely 24 hour date.

July 31st- Wake up and realize that we are getting too old to stay up until 1:30am. Curse the children for prematurely aging us. Go out to eat breakfast just the two of us to try and stretch out our date day a little longer. Head back to Mt. Vernon and jump in the car to go fishing and ride a pontoon boat with the kids and in-laws. Catch nothing. Get adorable videos of the children taking turns driving the boat and playing with the worms.

August 1st- Go to the random Amish Farm, and wander happily looking at and feeding animals. I even had a giraffe wrap his tongue completely around my arm...several times. That night we had dinner with my sister and her husband and sat around the fire pit cooking s'mores.

August 2nd- Leave for Cincinnati...without Jeff, who was working from his parents' house for the week. We visited with my Aunt Jeannette a bit, and then went to visit my Memere. The kids were fabulous at the nursing home and it was nice to see her smiling. Went to the library and out to pizza.

August 3rd- It was a stormy day. We went to the mall and played at Pottery Barn Kids and the Lego store. Children were spoiled ;) That afternoon, we took the kids to see The Smurfs. Dinner was a birthday feast for me (even though my birthday isn't for a few weeks), complete with presents and a homemade German Chocolate cake. Jeannette and "Uncle Buck" stayed to celebrate with us.

August 4th- Went to a park in the morning and let the kids run around and feed ducks/fish. In the afternoon, we went to the pool with my cousin and her son. It was refreshing and relaxing. The kids watched Fox and the Hound while I ate dinner quietly out on my parents' porch.

August 5th- After a quiet-ish morning, we headed on the road again. We stopped in Columbus to have lunch with Andrea and Dave. It was...a fast lunch. Going out to eat with tired children is never a relaxing venture. Once back in Mt. Vernon, Jeff's parents shooed us out the door to have a pre-anniversary date. We got back in time to help put the kids to bed and then retreated into his parents' hot tub and ate Graeter's.

August 6th- Jeff and his dad went zip-lining, Linda went to a shower, and I stayed back and ignored the children while I finished my book (The Paris Wife...very good). That afternoon we went to the water park in town and had a blast. I think Andrew went down the water slide 20 times. And off the diving board the same amount. Came back home and had another birthday dinner and cake and presents (still 2 weeks before my birthday). Great-Grandma and Dottie stayed to celebrate.

August 7th- Jeff and I celebrate 12 years together while driving back to Philly. Michael slept 45 minutes. Favorite Lily quote came when she was mumbling and I complained I couldn't understand her. She said, "I. Am. Speaking. English." Tee hee hee. Got home to a house empty of food, but we were too lazy to go shopping.

August 8th- I avoid the piles of crap in my front hallway and bedrooms and kitchen counter by writing an unnecessarily long blog entry. Must take all 3 grouchy children to the store. Must hide all sharp implements and rope so I don't do myself in instead. Ugh.

Lazy summer

2011-07-28T06:27:00.004-04:00

We are preparing for yet another road trip around these parts. The in between trips part of our summer has been a long stretch of unscheduled, uncoordinated free time. Andrew, Lily, and Michael have been playing beautifully together. Not at the same time. But 2 will pair off and go play. So we kind of have just done that. Our house is trashed every day. But it is because they are playing with our toys...all. day. long. It is kind of wonderful to see them. Terribly boring for me ;) since I'm stuck playing with the odd man out all the time. But I'm so glad that they have each other.

I fluctuate between feeling really pleased and really guilty. Really pleased that my children have learned how to entertain themselves for hours on end. Imagination and creativity are such important tools to have. Then I swing over and feel guilty that Andrew really isn't interacting with his own age group much, we aren't doing any cool science experiments or tree journals or independent studies like I had planned. I make sure the kids do their "homework" every day, so we don't fall completely off track with writing and reading...but that's about all the structure we have. Will Andrew go back to school stunted socially? What will he write about when they ask him "What did you do this summer?"

But whatever. We have all year to be scheduled. We're just going with it.

It is fall activity scheduling time. There is much pressure around these parts (maybe everywhere?) that your child be introduced and exposed to many many activites. I get asked all the time...Is Andrew doing...? Piano lessons. Sports. Swim lessons. Scouts. Religious education. Foreign language classes. And that is just for Andrew. It is...overwhelming. Financially. Time wise. Overwhelming. I want to introduce my kids to all these things...who knows what they will like! But I do not wish to live my life running from one thing to the next. I don't want Lily and Michael's childhood spent waiting in fields and cafeterias and car seats. I want my kids to play in the backyard and go to bed at a decent time and to have family dinners around the table. I think these wishes will be impossible when Andrew AND Lily AND Michael have activities on different nights. So I should just embrace it now, right? Except for the whole cost of everything. I don't know how we would even fund all those activities for all those even if we wanted to. Swim lessons, $50/month. Dance, $55/month. Gymnastics, $60/month. Piano, $100/month. Soccer, $200/season. Spanish, $45/month. Not including equipment costs. Ugh. Everyone else seems to do it, but I can't think too hard on why we can't.

I know I just need to be confident in what we're doing now. What works for THIS family. Doing activities that the children request and show interest in and not worry about exposing them to everything. Andrew's doing a Lacrosse camp this week because it is the one thing he wanted to do this summer. Lily will do dance in the fall, because it is something she really wants. Do I wish they would play piano? Yes. But no one is interested. Yet.

If I signed them up for everything, they would complain as adults that they were too busy and stretched thin. If I follow my current path, they will complain that they missed out on all the good scholarships because I never put them in golf or whatever. I think as a parent you can't win. So I'll do what I'm comfortable with, I guess. So at least one of us is happy in the end ;)

Here's some photos of us bumming around...

Covering all your bases

2011-07-25T14:39:00.003-04:00

The strangest thing just happened.

My doorbell rang and there was a young man holding pamphlets waiting to be attacked by my 12 pound guard dog. He smiled nicely, joked about the size of my dog, and said, "Good morning! I am from -name of synogoge- Temple and we are raising money to rebuild Israel. Do you happen to be of Jewish heritage?"

Whew. I thought. I'm going to get out of this one easily.

"No, sorry, I'm not." Immediately I regret saying this. Why am I sorry my ancestors didn't happen to be Jewish? And, hey, wait a minute, technically they WERE, right? I mean before Jesus came and all.

He nodded and pulled out another hidden stash of pamphlets from beneath the Israel ones. Here's where it got weird.

"Okay, well then you may be interested in this. We are teaming up with -name of church- Baptist Church. They are only 15 minutes from here if you would like to try church on Sunday. And you may be especially interested in this here, " he opens the pamphlet and points to the bottom of the 2nd page, "This lets you know how to get into heaven."

I smiled and thanked him and told him to stay cool. And then I closed the door and wondered about how strange that was. Born-again Baptists sending Jewish boys out to try and get people saved. What is his motivation to try and point out to me what in his eyes is a bogus way to get to heaven?

Huh. I guess they're just being uber-efficient with their missionaries.

Kiawah...Michael style

2011-07-20T06:16:00.006-04:00

Michael...sweet, adventurous, fearless, funny Michael. He is the only one of my kids who didn't remember going to Kiawah. His delight in rediscovering it was tear-inducing, it was so joyful. Here he is jumping into the waves for the first time:

We were actually nervous that first night. He was unstoppable. Waves knocked him over, crashed into his face...and he just wiped his eyes and kept going out. Luckily, we had many many adults with us, so he was always closely monitored. But whatever anyone else did, Mike wanted to do. If he saw Pepere going out to ride waves with a boogie board, he went up and retrieved a boogie board and chased down Pepere to join him (he was not allowed...which also led to many a tantrum on the beach). He also loved chasing birds, digging holes, driving his trucks in the sand, picking up gross things that washed up, and eating. Michael took more snack breaks on the beach than anyone. In one morning he would easily have 4 snacks and several waters/ juices. He just didn't want to miss a thing...so if someone was having a snack? Michael did too.

Michael also loved the bike riding. On one path, you pass by the fire station, and he was thrilled. Imagine his delight when we went to the little shopping center to get ice cream and the fire trucks were all lined up and on display! He was a little nervous too, as you can see here:

Here's another bike ride...to the marshes. We unfortunately didn't get the littles into the bike carrier until late in the week. They loved it and we wish we'd been taking them out all week. Ah, well. In this picture, Michael is pointing the way. He always points with his hand right at his face.

Michael did a lot of bonding with his cousin. Colin was just the coolest big kid around. Unfortunately for Colin, he was very good at amping Michael up, but then he got the brunt of hyper Michael's flailing, throwing madness. Michael just wanted to do everything that Colin did. Here they are goofing around on the back porch/mosquito diner.

You put a chair in the water? I think I will too!

Michael and Uncle Greg bonded a lot. Greg was like putty when Mikey was around. He loved to make Michael laugh and Michael was happy to oblige. Here is Greg "falling asleep" on Michael while watching tv.

We don't have enough pictures of it, but playing in the sand was a big part of the day. Michael managed to get some of the big kids involved as well. He's so cute, all of us are willing to do his bidding.

One day on the beach next to us, a family was driving a remote control car around. Michael wandered over and the next thing you know, he was helping drive it! This child is charming, I'll say. Everyone is powerless against those big blue eyes. A few days later he recognized the family (even though the tide was too high to drive the car) and bolted right over. He said, "I wan roun and roun." and then started running in a circle moving his hands like an imaginary steering wheel. They were ready to adopt him.

He went on the boys day to Patriot's Point and was...energetic. From what I hear, he was super excited about each new plane/room/whatever, enjoyed it for approximately 2.5 seconds, and then ran to the next thing. A bit nerveracking when you are way up on an aircraft carrier and it is a looooong way down to the water.

Oh, Michael. It was fun to see Kiawah for the first time through your eyes. I'm sure you won't forget it anymore! You already keep pointing to South Carolina on our US placemat and say, "Dat's the beach. Let's go again!"

Kiawah...Lily style

2011-07-19T07:10:00.008-04:00

Lily...sweet Lily. She is my beach kid. Michael also loves the beach, but Lily's transformation at the beach makes it truly remarkable. No tantrums. No whining. Just pure and utter joy.

My favorite picture of the year comes from Uncle Greg. He and my sister took Lily and Michael for a night walk on the beach and captured Lily's joy in a beautiful shot. (I might also add they brought them down in their clothes and told them to not get in the water. Shall we all have a chuckle at their expense and then thank them for the lovely picture?)

Lily never takes a break. Well, she does if you force her. But she spent hours, literally hours, lying in the surf, jumping over waves, digging in the sand. She was a mermaid and a mommy sea gull and a million other imaginary things. If the boys would play pretend with her, she was in heaven. If they wouldn't, she just happily made up her own game. She was a delight.

On one night, we got to visit with my Aunt Jeannette. Here you can see the 3 Jeannettes, Giselle Jeannette, Lillian Jeannette, and one of the original Jeannette's. Lily was instantly in love with Jeannette, and I'm pretty sure she never shut up the whole night. Jeannette was patient and loving, and it was easy to see why Lily warmed up so quick to her namesake.

Here she is taking an imposed snack break. She was amazing. No one enjoys the beach as much as this girl. Except maybe for the occasional labrador we saw walking the beach. They seemed pretty stoked as well.

We did occasionally drag Lily away from the beach. Here she is all dressed up for a hike near the marsh.

We did take her there in style, though. With snacks.

On the day the boys all went to Patriot's Point, Lily came with Memere, Grandma, and me for a "Girl's Day in Charleston." Lily had a blast. She was spoiled rotten, first of all. But she was such a little shopper, fingering all the wares in the open air market and showing us all sorts of treasures she found with enthusiasm. She was even fun in the restaurant. And she ate a piece of calamari (I'm pretty sure she thought it was a french fry) and tried a hush puppy. Sometimes it's good to be the only granddaughter.

She also handled down time at the house well. She ate poorly, but it didn't seem to affect her mood much. She watched a lot of tv, played games, played more pretend, and fit in a few book readings as well.

She also bonded with her cousin Colin. Last summer...they didn't get along. Let's just leave it at that. This summer? They really liked each other. My favorite conversation between them was this:

Lily: When we get to the beach we should play sea gulls. I'll be the mommy and you can be the daddy and we'll get food and things for our babies.

Colin: Or we could just run in and out of the water.

Lily: Okay.

Lily is also showing signs of following in her mother's footsteps:

My beach girl! I'd go on vacation with her any day!

Kiawah...Andrew style

2011-07-19T06:51:00.004-04:00

Andrew had a blast at Kiawah this year. It is the first year that he just dove into all the beach fun with no adjustment period at all. It is also the first year that he could ride a bike, and although he still isn't very good at riding bikes, he will tell you it was his favorite part of vacation this year.

Andrew was really a mess physically. He had two green, healing goose eggs on his forehead (one from slipping while dancing in front of the bathroom mirror and the other from falling out of bed). He fell just before we left for Kiawah and skinned his elbow and left knee...pretty terribly, actually. He got a boogie board wrapped around his neck and got a welt and scrape. He fell off his bike and skinned his right knee and elbow. He ran into a pole while bike riding and scraped a huge chunk out of the palm of his right hand. I'm amazed no one called social services, honestly. But he just picked himself back up and kept having fun. He's such a cool kid.

We went on a walk to the point with just Andrew. We saw sea stars and 3 types of crabs and not much else. It was my mom and dad, Jeff and I, and Andrew. A very special morning with just our boy. And it was a really long walk...Andrew never complained. Here are my 2 peas in a pod.

Of my 3 kids, Andre w enjoys the beach the least. If we've spent the morning there and come home for lunch, Andrew is done for the day. Everyone else wants to go back in the afternoon, but he'd rather do something else. Of course, he is a good boy, and came with us when we wanted and didn't complain. He was patient with his siblings and cousin and ever patient with the disorganization and frenzy that comes with vacation.

He just seemed so OLD this vacation. He was so fun to be with and play in the waves with and hang out in the house with. He's really growing up, and I just like him more and more. I mean, I'll always LOVE him, but I just really LIKE him right now.

The last day, Jeff, his dad, Andrew, and I went on a kayak tour. It was Andrew's first time in any kind of row boat. He took the training very seriously:

And even though it poured down rain on us, and we didn't really see any wildlife, he just beamed from ear to ear the whole time. He had a blast!

Oh! These pictures are totally not in order...thank you blogger. Jeff and the 2 grandpas took all the boys to Patriot's Point...and this is the only picture I have of Andrew on it. -sigh- Paul took a million shots that I'm sure are beautiful...I fully plan on stealing them when we visit Ohio next.

Andrew also got lots of bonding time with his cousin. His only first cousin is just 13 months younger than him, and they don't get to see enough of each other.

As mature and wonderful as Andrew is, he still got to have lots of time being a kid. He had crying fits, fell asleep on the couch during one of them, had squirt gun fights and rode boogie boards and noodles, threw balls on the beach, played card games, video games, etc etc.

All in all, I think he had a pretty good week. We sure loved being there with him!

Kiawah

2011-07-19T06:39:00.002-04:00

Ah, Kiawah. Every year as we pack up and contemplate the looooooong drive, we wonder why we do it. We have a beach 90 minutes away. Okay, so it is the Jersey shore, but it is technically a beach.

And every year we get there and Jeff is instantly looking at real estate and talking about quitting his job and becoming the engineer at Kiawah's sanitation plant or something so we can live there. We just love it. The kids love it. This year was even more special because we got to share it with my in-laws. Although we were very sad Andrea and Dave couldn't make it, it was really fun to show off Kiawah to people who have heard so much about it.

The drive was okay. We hate D.C. What could be an 11 hour drive was stretched into a 13.5 hour drive. Ugh. No one slept. But they happily watched movies and opened their state line gifts with as much delight and enthusiasm as Christmas morning. Honestly.

And we had a fabulous week. We saw this big guy almost every day on our short walk to the beach:

My father-in-law and Andrew watched a different gator come in our own backyard and try to snatch a bird. We also saw lots of deer in our housing area.

Generally, with the kids getting older, Kiawah was just easier this year. Jeff and I even found some time to get in a squirt gun fight:
And of course we have the obligatory, "How many chins does Giselle have THIS year?" picture. I was holding that board up to hide the underarm/back fat...apparently I should have pulled it up just a shade higher ;)

When we went on a walk to the point (where the Kiawah River meets the sea), Jeff took this picture. Kiawah Island, on July 4th. Seriously. He wanted to have photographic proof why we don't just go to the "the shore"

Swimming at the pool

2011-07-15T08:06:00.001-04:00

I know, I know. Kiawah. I'll get there.

A friend of mine lives in a townhome right around the corner from me. Her townhome complex has a little pool that we have been invited to in past years. This year, my friend is in Slovakia for the entire summer, in an attempt to immerse her young children in her husband's native language. (now that her husband has returned to the US for work, she is the lone English speaker for 5 long weeks, might I add, which I believe makes her the clear winner for wife of the year). Anyhoo, she was kind enough to give me a few of her pool tags to use this summer.

We finally went for the first time on Tuesday. I was a little nervous to go with 3 kids all by myself, but I knew this is a small, uncrowded pool...so my best chance of success compared to other summer pool options.

It was...fun! Lovely! We went again yesterday. And it was again wonderful. Andrew is diving after the diving sticks I bought him and wearing himself out re-learning his swimming skills. Lily is nervous and scared, but willing to let me take her out into the water. Her job this summer is to just get comfortable with the water, so swim lessons will go better in the fall. After 2 pool visits, she is already holding on with just hands, blowing bubbles, and kicking off the wall. Huge progress. Michael is being his normal fearless self...but he has surprised me with what a good listener he can be. When I take Lily out in the water with me, he sits obediently on the steps with his trucks. When I needed to take Lily to the bathroom, he got out of the pool and happily sat on a towel in the grass with a bag of pretzels.

Yesterday, he was in rare form. He snagged a someone else's noodle and started walking towards the steps. I told him he needed to ask if he could take it (even though the owner had already smiled and nodded at me that it was okay). Mike looked at the man, hugged the noodle, and said, "I love this!" Not quite the question I was looking for, but it worked!

He took the noodle and floated around with it a bit. But it was much more fun for pretend. It became his elephant trunk, his monkey tail, and his trumpet. Finally, he got the idea that it was a fishing pole. He stuck it in the water and instantly caught a fish...Andrew. Andrew flopped himself up on the side of the pool and wriggled like a fish. Michael announced, "Dis poodle ha dead fish!" (this pool has dead fish). He really was traumatized by that Bald Eagle Lake.

He was also mischievious...squirting me with water from our water shooters. As soon as I'd approach him to tickle him or drag him into the water, he would begin saying, "I love you ma, I love you, I love you." Trying to soften up the attack. He did the same thing to Andrew.

Oh, and Andrew got his quips in too. Lily was telling a joke at the dinner table after swim time. No one was really listening because we were still rushing around getting everyone's plates ready. After she finished her joke and got no response, Andrew said, "Apparently, we are NOT amused."

Ms. Sheehan was right

2011-07-13T08:02:00.003-04:00

I will write about Kiawah. I am overwhelmed by the pictures, etc. I must write about this boring running stuff because it is bothering me this morning and it will help me to dump it on here. Kiawah. Tomorrow.

When I was in 4th grade, my gym teacher, Ms. Sheehan, called a conference with my parents. Have you ever heard of a gym teacher needing to conference with a parent? Anyway, her big announcement to my parents was, "Your daughter runs wrong."

Now that I'm struggling to run...I think she may have been right.

Jeff is sailing. He is running 3 miles in 26 minutes. He is ready.

I am struggling. I still feel weak. Every run a fight against pain and the mental message "STOPPPP" that my body sends me. I have run 25 minutes successfully 2 times. That's it. And after driving 9+ hours home on Saturday, my ankles are shot. Driving has set me back. Stupid ankles.

So this morning I had yet another aborted run due to extreme pain in my lower shin/upper ankle. This used to happen every single run when I started, but since I hit the 10 minute running mark it hasn't bothered me. Until driving for 9 hours (I am the driver in our family...Jeff the entertainment director).

I was crying in frustration and desperate to find a stretch or medicine or amputation technique to help me. Why is this so freakin' hard for me?

I went to Dr. Google. And I've come to find out that I run wrong. I under-pronate, also known as supinate. Which means I have a stiff foot, run on the outside of my foot, and basically no shock absorbing capability in my feet. If you are so inclined, you can read more here. Or, since blogger no longer lets me add hyperlinks, http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-326-435-0,00.html

I have all the symptoms. My shoes are worn severely on the outside of the tread. My toes poke through the top. When I leave wet foot prints, they match the pictures on the web. I have a high arch. I have heel pain. Shin splints.

On one hand, I feel better about my sucky running. It is the way I run that sucks, the shape of my foot that sucks...not poor will power or psychosomatic issues. On the other hand, this is extremely discouraging. Running this 5K is not going to be easy, and possibly won't be good for me.

First remedy...good running shoes. I've been running on my $30 Sacony walking shoes, which are worn completely down. We'll see if new shoes help me at all. That's pretty much all the websites say to do.

-sigh- I just wish there was another form of exercise that was as convenient as running but I wasn't so rotten at.

Also? I hate that the mean old witch from 4th grade was right.

I am from

2011-06-30T14:33:00.003-04:00

...Okay. I'll jump on the bandwagon. But beware. Poetry is NOT my thing. If that's what this is. Seriously...not my thing. You can blame Jane.

I am from wood paneled station wagons, from Tasty Marshmallow Krispies, Up and Down the River, Little Big Man, The Last Unicorn, and vacations to wide sandy beaches with nothing to do but be together.

I am from many different houses, each filled with the smells of cooking and artwork created by an uncle, clean and fresh, comfortable furniture and no forbidden rooms.

I am from window boxes full of annuals and houseplants with Proper Person names.

I am from never-ending game playing and straight brown hair with hazel eyes, from Laliberte's and Borchers's and Welch's and Brodeur's.

I am from the passive aggressive and teasing, non-confrontational and forgiving, welcoming and never ever forgetting.

From you are the most beautiful girls in the world and I'm going to put a brick on your head and I picked out a great dad for you and I first fell in love because your mother was so beautiful.

I am from CCD and sacraments and a kind nun and intimidating priests and trying to make each other laugh in mass and praying the rosary when someone is sick.

I'm from Ohio, French stuffing, lace cookies, and mushrooms that are great on steak or with turkey.

From the Pepere who was an orphan at 16 with 4 younger siblings he managed to keep together, the uncle who asked me why I was wearing a bra when I clearly didn't need one, a twin cousin who stole my name ;), and the amazing love stories and examples of true, sustaining, thick-and-thin marriages.

I am from photo albums in basements, tea cups from my Memere, odds 'n' ends hand-me-downs loaded with memories, and anecdotes of family history never told the same way twice.

From much love, stability, and easy to be taken for granted.

Fireflies

2011-06-27T15:04:00.002-04:00

Saturday night we let all 3 kids stay up to catch fireflies. Lightning bugs. Whatever.

My kids go to bed early. Mostly because they wake up early and I am...ahem...sick of them by 7:00 at night. So Saturday was a real stretch. Michael was up at 5:30, Lily at 5:45, and Andrew at 6. It doesn't get dark enough for fireflies until around 9pm. By the time the kids were in bed, I was also ready for bed...my normal bedtime is between 9:30-10 pm. I was mentally spent. And then Sunday morning, Michael was up at 5:45, Lily at 6, and Andrew at 6:30. Lordy...what am I going to do when they stay up later than me? No peace and alone time!

I digress.

Catching fireflies was fantastic. It was Michael's first time, and he was ecstatic. Maybe as excited as seeing Thomas for the first time. Seriously. Jumping up and down, screeching when the one in his hand flashed for the first time, running about with general giddiness and hyperactivity. It only took him a few seconds to start catching them on his own. It was a joy to watch him and one of those times where Jeff and I catch each others' eyes and grin as if to say, "Oh, yes. THIS is why we keep them alive."

Andrew was over-tired and uncharacteristically rough with his siblings. Not physically rough...that's totally normal. Just constantly expressing his dominance over them. "Wow, Michael, you caught one. Well, I've caught 5 already." and "Gee, Lily, you aren't very good at seeing them. I am having no problem catching them." Grrrrrr.

Lily was...well, she was Lily. Of our 3, she gets the crankiest when she is sleep deprived and she is just generally over dramatic. She was screaming when she wasn't seeing them and catching them as quickly as Andrew. She was screaming when she realized that catching them meant they would touch her skin. She was screaming as she tried to explain to us that the flashing light would burn her skin...even as we tried to reasonably show her that her brothers were not getting hurt. She screamed a lot. But then Jeff tricked her into holding one, and she was delighted and shocked that it just tickled her. And then she happily bubbled around catching fireflies, naming them, and having conversations with them...in her totally charming and endearing Lily manner.

We should do things like this more. There were so many cute moments. Like when Michael stepped out into our super long grass and said, "Oh! This grass is too deep!"

The next day we took all 3 kids to the movies...for the first time ever. Well, the first time all together. We went at 11 am on Sunday...and the total cost was $44. That's just tickets! I totally smuggled in treats. So this may well be the LAST time we take all 3 kids together to the movies. Cars 2 was a clever and amazing movie. Not a KID movie, per se, but a great movie. When many of your jokes are in the subtitles or regarding crummy cars from the 70s and 80s, I'd say you are not even trying to appeal to the children.

It was a nice weekend. And hard to believe that next weekend we'll be sitting on the beach in South Carolina. Kiawah, here we come!!!

Thomas!!!!

2011-06-23T06:43:00.008-04:00

I am finally sitting down to write about Michael's weekend. His Thomas weekend. It was a lot of money, a lot of rip offs, and most of all? A lot of joy.

We drove down the day before seeing Thomas so that we could ensure Michael saw Thomas in the morning when he was fresh and happy.

We met my parents for lunch in Strasburg, PA...the crazy grandparents drove from Ohio to experience "Michael's moment." (as Andrew kept calling our weekend).

We went to a farm playland, and bounced and slid and mauled baby chicks and drank $4 lemonades.

Then we went to our hotel. We had pick one that had a tremendous pool experience, so that Andrew and Lily would have something...just in case Thomas didn't rock their world. The pool was amazing...but Michael just might have enjoyed it the most out of the 3 kids. Daredevil. Then the kids had dinner in bed...a delightful swing on the popular breakfast in bed concept.

Downside to the expensive hotel? They placed us in a room overlooking the atrium. Where a wedding reception went on until 10 or 11. Loudly went on. My tip? Don't stay at a Doubletree...even if the pool is cool. Or at least ask if they have an atrium for events and then request to be far far away from it.

The day finally came. All we heard all weekend was, "Now I ride on real Thonas?" We had the first ride of the day...so Thomas wasn't quite ready yet. We got to see the other Strasburg Rail Engine...which was pretty cool.

We sabotaged a conductor on his way to work. He had a very cool handlebar mustache and was so friendly and nice to the kids.

We acknowledged Father's Day a few hours late. Nothing says "I love you!" to the dads in your life like packing them in with emotional toddlers and a huge blue train.

Here's the moment we first saw Thomas up close and chugging down the track. I swear, if you went to a Justin B. concert with a hall full of 12 year old girls...the reaction would be the same. All these toddlers were screaming and jumping up and down and crying and yelling out "THOMAS!" It was hilarious.

My Andrew was patient and enthusiastic and never complained a second. He was a good sport about letting Michael get his way and I just wish I had taken him when he was 3 and loved Thomas.

They did have some cool things for him to do. Like pump this thing down a track. See? I learned lots of technical trainy terms this weekend!

Lily was less enthusiastic and a bit whiny. She was excited to see Thomas the first time, but when we were pointing him out again later on, she said, "Yea. I already saw him." Thomas has never been her thing.

But she got into the spirit a bit. She was very kind to Michael and even let him pick the movie in the van because, "This is Michael's weekend."

Here we are riding Thomas. Michael has just felt the train start to move.

Andrew enjoyed the train ride too. We all did. But doesn't he look about 12 years old in this shot. Eerie.

Lily was an angel on the train. It was cool and breezy and put everyone in a good mood. Too bad it was ridiculously short. We honestly paid more than $1 a minute for this train ride. My dad was calculating how much money they were making each day. Disgusting. And yet? I have no regrets because of how much fun we all had.

There were other little train rides too. Not nearly as cool.

All in all, a successful little trip. We left Thomas and ate lunch at a silly little restaurant in a caboose...that was right next to the train tracks. Michael was giddy each time Thomas went by. As we drove home, he must have said 4 times, "I had so much fun riding real Thomas." And when I was posting these pictures just moments ago, he started reliving it again. "I love riding real Thomas!" Now I just feel like I should plan little weekend trips for the other kids. I'm thinking Hershey for Lily ;)

PS. Dude. I hate blogger the last month or so. Seriously? Could blogging be less fun with all the glitches and technical issues to deal with? Each time I blog it is something different. I can't hit publish. The pictures download with an entire page of space between them. No spacing between anything. Can't link. Stops to save every 5 seconds and messes up the type. Spell check that only works in one area and then gives you no suggestions for any misspelled words. Are they just trying to get rid of everyone?

Endings and beginnings

2011-06-16T19:19:00.004-04:00

Let me just say that for the record, Andrew's first grade teacher is a genius. The kids had 2 1/2 days of school this week. What in the world would you do with that time? Wasted. Not for this teacher. She created a Flag Day performance and spent last week teaching them their lines and patriotic songs and facts about the American Flag. Then she invited parents to come and watch...and had 2 performances so no one would miss. One on Monday and one on Tuesday. Genius. We will miss Mrs. C. Her 32 years of experience teaching will be a hard act to follow next year.

Here's Andrew back on August 30th. The day I locked us out of the house. -sigh-

Here we are on the last day, June 15th. I really wanted a similar shot and pose for the last day of school. But I waited too long to go out and take it, so Andrew ended up missing the bus. -sigh- I really need to get it together.

So today started S____n Summer Camp. Basic structure is less screen time. Positive feedback jars that can earn them cool rewards. More reading, more playing, more crafting, less vegging in front of tv, less fighting, less laziness. That last one is for me.

Day 1 was successful, I'd say. The marble jars were great. Michael got a marble each time he went potty. He didn't wear a diaper all day and even went to Target without one (I forgot). No accidents, AND he asked almost every time. No prompting necessary. The kids earned marbles by cleaning up, by playing nicely together, and by random acts of kindness to each other throughout the day. No marbles are given if a child asks for one. No marbles are ever taken out of the jar. Prizes include getting a treat from the ice cream truck, staying up an hour later, going to AC Moore and picking out a craft, $2 to spend at the grocery store on anything they want, etc. Ideas are welcome, peanut gallery.

One of our first activities was to make puppets out of their faces. Each kid posed for 3 shots of just their head, trying to show different emotions. Samples:

I printed them out on white computer paper, cut out their heads, and glued them on the end of Popsicle sticks. We took turns putting on plays with their head puppets. A huge hit. I'm sure we'll do it again as the summer goes on. We'll probably get Jeff and my heads involved and maybe even Shadow.

We went outside to paint our toilet paper tubes/future safari binoculars. I kid you not...it was fun! We have passed some kind of a threshold in the house where painting is fun. Everyone sat and painted and shared colors and no one freaked out about getting paint on their skin and they kept the correct paintbrush in the correct color and I don't think I yelled or started sweating or anything. Miracles. After we painted our toilet paper tubes, it was going so well that the kids just continued painting masterpieces:

Once finished we let them dry. They had blown all over the yard, and we lost one of Michael's initially. Andrew being the amazing big brother he is, quickly traded with Michael and took the monocle for himself. (5 marbles for that one...) I stapled the tubes together and added string and Voila! Safari binoculars. We went on a little safari in our backyard, and the kids had a blast! And no one got a tick! Success! I of course forgot the camera for that part, so the kids posed for me in the family room later:

While we were painting, Michael suddenly had to pee and asked if he could go in the grass. I don't know where he got the idea, but perhaps it is deep in the DNA of the male that it is cool to pee outside? Anyway, he was all excited about his act of maleness and Lily speaks up from the picnic table where she is painting, "Great. You peed in the grass...like SHADOW DOES." Ha! You tell those icky boys, Lil'!

It was a nice day. I am TIRED. The kids don't miss tv...yet. Andrew and Lily played for the entire time Michael was napping. They played pretend for 2 hours. Heaven. And in the morning they were totally absorbed with a board game. The only problem is...Michael. He wants to play with them DESPERATELY...but he's not very good at it yet. He gets too rough and has a short attention span and is, you know, three. So our challenge this summer is going to be to include Michael but not let him ruin the older two's fun. Should've had 4 kids...that's the hidden answer. ;)

Tomorrow we have a playgroup in the morning, and I have to pack for out trip to see Thomas this weekend. At some point I should go and get some food for when my parents come back with us from Thomas. And everyone will be re-learning how to shop together. It's been a while since I've done food shopping with 3 kids in tow. Yippee!

A week without Lily

2011-06-13T06:43:00.003-04:00

Sunday we parted with Lily for the week. She left Bald Eagle State Park with Grandma and Grandpa and we went on home. I had grand plans for great one-on-one time with Michael and doing fun things with just 2 kids. We ended up doing virtually nothing. Ugh.

Things that thwarted my plans:

--heart troubles over the weekend led to a doctor's appointment Monday, lab visit Tuesday, and cardiologist appointment Friday. Childcare was found for 2 out of 3 visits. At the lab, Michael entertained the other patients by saying things like, "Red is for lemonade" (on the water cooler) and "You need to go to the doctor" (to the woman asking him questions about his name and age). I am probably just fine, by the way. I have a bunch of tests scheduled for the end of the month, so obviously they are not worried about me keeling over and dying yet.

--Heat, my God, the HEAT. It was in the high 90s for much of the week, preventing any park adventures. Also preventing me from going to museums because there is nothing I like less that entering a car after it has been sitting in a parking lot in 100 degree heat. Also, Andrew's school had early dismissal on Thursday because they don't have air conditioning and it was dangerously hot.

-- The boys don't really know what to DO with each other. Lily seems to be the glue. The idea lady. I had to kind of teach the boys how to interact. And they did. But they didn't have nearly the fun times that Lily ensures. I mean, there was a lot less screaming. But there was a lot more tackling and ball throwing and rough play that led to injuries. No one pretended to be a cat or a Pokemon. It was a weird week. Michael came up to me a few times a day and said, "Where my best friend Luly?" Kind of sad and cute.

-- I borrowed season 5 and 6 of Grey's Anatomy from the library. So every afternoon and evening I was sucking into the soap opera drama of it. Meaning...no cleaning or projects were accomplished. I've never watched the show, and I really enjoyed the melodrama. But I think I'm over it now. Oh! And I read a book. Not a good one. But I read it. Very unproductive.

-- I decided that while Lily was gone I was going to hard core potty train Michael. We had no diaper on whenever we were at home. It went...okay? He is definitely ready. And he is definitely NOT ready. So. I don't really know what to do next. He will not ask to go if he's wearing a diaper, but he frequently goes potty when he is not wearing a diaper. Underpants feel enough like a diaper that he also has no problem going in those. So commando is the only way we have success. But it still isn't fool proof. Or should I say, Poop proof. Exhibit A:

This happened minutes after he'd successfully gone potty on the potty. Apparently he wasn't done. And he stepped in it with his shoes and walked through the house to get Jeff and I in the family room. He stood in front of me and said, "Ma. You got to come see this. I poo on the floor." -sigh- I hate potty training.

All in all, despite the craziness and the whining and the stubborness...we just aren't right without Lily. It's very Jerry Maguire. You know...she "completes" us.

And the boys were so happy to see her. She jumped out of the car and first ran to Shadow. Ouch. Then Michael ran out yelling, "My best friend!" and Andrew tackled her in a hug. And they ran in the house playing like a pack of puppies. A few minutes later we found them like this:

Just watching tv cuddling up on the couch. What a blessing to have kids that love each other. I'm so glad they have each other!

Bald Eagle State Park

2011-06-06T06:53:00.005-04:00

We went on a mini-vacation with Jeff's parents this weekend. To Bald Eagle State Park. We stayed at the inn. I have been trying for 2 days to embed links on those...but D&!n Blogger.

The inn was beautiful and fabulous. The park was scenic and lovely. We had ideal weather. And almost ideal children. It was a wonderful weekend.

The patio off the back of the inn. Overlooking Bald Eagle Mountain and PJ Sayers Lake (I think it is called that). Notice the grills...that's where we made our Saturday night dinner. Steaks. Tube steaks for the kids and yummy steaks for us.

Views from the patio.

There were bald eagles nesting on the far shore of the lake in front of the inn. They had telescopes set up on the balconies so you could see them. We saw two babies (huge!) and the adults with their regal white heads. Amazing.

One of our excursions on Saturday was fishing. Lily loves fishing. Well, actually, she wants nothing to do with the actual fish. But she likes picking out the worm and casting and reeling in her catch. She is uncharacterisically patient while fishing.

Andrew also loves fishing. He is also a bit too chicken to touch the fish but he is patient and calm about the whole process. I think he empathizes a bit too much with the fish and the worms. Like his mother.

Andrew's bass.

We don't have any pictures of Michael fishing because he was too impatient. We'd get his line cast out and he'd throw down the pole and yell, "I wan go fishing!" To which we explained this IS fishing. This is it. Then he'd throw a little screaming fit. And when one of his siblings would catch a fish, he screamed, "But I WAN GO FISHING!" -sigh- Did I mention he didn't sleep so well the first night in the hotel?

We also went to a sandy beach for a picnic lunch. There were dead fish everywhere. This was possibly the highlight of the trip for Michael. He talked about the dead fish all the time. (apparently they lower the level of the lake a few weeks ago, and the change in pH is killing just this one kind of fish).

Another one of Michael's favorite things were the bird footprints set in the concrete sidewalks. Simple pleasures. Andrew riddled the naturalist with questions about birds and eagles and bats and a millipede that he found on a walk. The naturalist was around quite a bit throughout the weekend, coming to talk about the eagles on the balcony of the inn, leading a nature walk, and giving an evening talk about bats. Andrew drank it all in and LOVED it. He did cry a bit about the bats (they are dying in vast numbers from a white fungus)

All in all, a fabulous weekend. Thank you, Linda and Paul! And I hope you are enjoying Lily...since you kidnapped her away after the trip. It is strange around here without her.

Our weekend, our week

2011-05-31T06:29:00.002-04:00

I hope you all had a nice Memorial Day weekend. We certainly did. It has become our tradition to have a metric ton of mulch delivered on the Friday of the long weekend. And so we spent much of our days doing yard work while the children played around us. Andrew and Lily were in a pretend play nirvana...honestly entertaining each other for hours at a time. Michael was just happy to be wandering around in the dirt, finding "pie-der wehs" (spider webs) and helping move the mulch around in the wheelbarrow.

We bought a bigg-ish inflatible pool that took all afternoon to inflate. The kids played in it so long it was well worth the chest pains.

We ate outside several nights. Kids sitting around the picnic table, still dripping from the pool, shoveling food in because they are so hungry. Dripping ice cream all over themselves and then rinsing in the pool. Going to bed tired and happy.

Michael is having some issues with sunscreen, I think. I bought a gigantic bottle of Target brand sunscreen last year that I never opened. So last week I cracked it open and slathered it on my kids several times a day. Fast forward to Michael scratching huge sores open on his back and chest. Ugh. Since stopping the sunscreen, he seems to be healing. Oh! And he has a huge plantar's wart on his second toe, which we are slowly and painfully removing with drops. Try keeping a band-aid on that bad boy as he plays for hours in the hose. Ugh.

This morning, we are back to normal. Except that Jeff just left for Texas. For the week.

Today Andrew has school and Michael has speech. Tonight Andrew has his very last baseball game, which will likely go late...and I won't have the option of leaving early to get the littles to bed. Oh! And it is supposed to be 90 degrees and humid or something. Good times.

Tomorrow we are hoping to go downtown to a park while Andrew is at school. He has chess and it will likely be pizza night. A pretty low-key day.

Thursday, we have a make-up gym class in the morning and shopping and planning and packing and cleaning the house will be happening for our weekend trip. I also need to go to the bike shop to pick up our bikes from being tuned up. I've never used the bike rack before. Should be interesting.

Friday, Jeff will arrive home around noon. I'll drop Shadow off at her foster family and pick up Andrew a bit early from school so we can start our drive to the state park where we'll meet up with Jeff's folks. We will have a fantastic weekend of boating, hiking, and hanging out with family.

What's your week look like?

In a sentence or less

2011-05-26T12:50:00.001-04:00

1. Is there anything cuter than a 3 year old helping mow the lawn?

2. Still (not) photogenic

3. What Andrew did for most of the baseball game he went to with his school for family night.

4. Lily moves on to the 4 day 4's program at her pre-school with an adorable musical production.

5. Upon seeing my latest book sitting next to our recliner, Jeff exclaims, "Just looking at a book that big puts me in a bad mood."

6. My latest book is Roots, by Alex Haley.

7. No I have never seen the mini-series.

8. I ran 20 minutes this morning, despite being convinced that the only way I would make it home from such an undertaking would be in a hearse.

9. Jeff is going to be gone for most of next week and I'm not even blinking about it.

10. We had the most beautiful family evening last night with the kiddie pool and sprinkler and hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill and ice cream and all.

11. Except for the part where Andrew sulked up at the top of hill, a.k.a. "tick alley", because we wouldn't let him body slam his brother and sister at the bottom of the water slide.

12. It is now established in the neighborhood that I am the stick-in-the-mud mother with a house full of un-interesting activites.

13. I need suggestions for music to run to, keeping in mind that the music I tend to like does not really work for exercising.

14. Have I mentioned my love affair with Phil Collins's music?

15. Add "hopelessly uncool" to #12.

How much longer?

2011-05-21T21:14:00.000-04:00

How much longer will my biggest boy cuddle with me during family movie night?

No, wait. Don't answer that.

Creative Parenting

2011-05-21T06:45:00.006-04:00

Last week marked the end of the class that I took with Michael, Creative Parenting. It was a fun little pre-preschool...for ages 18 months to 3 years...an hour filled with arts and crafts, play time, circle time, snack, and songs. It is amazing how much the teacher fit into an hour class...and equally amazing how it matched the attention span of the children.

Here's Michael waiting for class to begin.

First you do arts and crafts. Michael was the speed champion in this area. If there was no paint for him to smear his hands in, (liquid glue would also appeal as a second best) he wanted little to do with the craft. The one on this day had those paint dot thingies. He took about 2 minutes and then ran to the next room to play.

This is the second step...the toy room. There are toddler toys strewn about the room for the kids to play with. A kitchen set, a doll house, cars, building blocks, puzzles, light-up noisy toys, you name it. When the time is up, all the kids have to clear the room of toys...because this is where we have circle time/snack time/the rest of the class. It is an amazing thing to watch 8 two year olds clean a room of toys with little to no tantruming.

One of the toys is a little mailbox. At the beginning of the year, Michael would bring me a letter and I would "open" it and read it. It always read, "Dear Mommy. It is time to tickle Michael." And then I would tickle him. And he would run off and find another little plastic letter and bring it back to me to read..."Dear Mommy. It is time to kiss Michael on the ear." Etc etc. A few weeks ago, Michael started reading the letters to ME. Nothing cuter than hearing his little voice, "Sccccooo sccccchooo (ripping open the letter)...Dear Michael, Tie to tickle Mommy. Tickle tickle tickle." Love him.

After we cleaned up the toys, it was circle time. We recited rhymes and sang songs. Here the kids are gathering with Miss Maryanne to sing 5 Little Monkeys. After the song is done, they each get a little finger puppet monkey to bring back to Mommy's lap and exercise with. Very well done.

Here's Michael and his two "teachers"...they had a mock graduation from the class since it was the last day.

Here's the whole class. No way could anyone have gotten a shot where everyone was facing forward. Can you find Michael?

He really has changed so much since we started this class in September. I think he's going to have a lot of fun in pre-school next year. He's just really acting like a kid lately. For example...

Yesterday morning, I was talking to my mom on the phone while Michael ate breakfast. He all of a sudden called out, "Mom? May nee tah to me." (Memere needs to talk to me). I of course handed the phone to him and he proceeded to tell her about our stink bug problem and what he was eating for breakfast. Very cute. What can we say? Memere needed to talk to him ;)

It just takes a little threatening...

2011-05-19T15:04:00.002-04:00

So I sent out another e-mail to my contact at the agency for Michael's speech...and I amped up the desperate tone a bit. I Cc'd anyone and everyone whose e-mail address was found on their website. The problem with all of your advice to just speak to another supervisor, or to go to their boss...is that I have no idea who any of those people are. I have one phone number and one e-mail address.

Anyhoo, I'm pretty sure my e-mail must have sounded like my next step was to visit their offices with a pipe bomb or something. I sent the e-mail at 6:30 am.

At 7:05, I got an e-mail response from one of the people I'd Cc'd. She said, "I can tell you are frustrated. I am not involved with pre-school speech, but I'll make sure this e-mail is forwarded to the appropriate person. If you have any additional problems, feel free to contact me again." See? I must have sounded like I was going postal...she doesn't even deal with this issue and she was trying to talk me down ;)

At 8:15, I got a phone call from a man who is the scheduling coordinator for speech services. He gave me the name of the speech therapist who would be calling me. If she hasn't called me by Friday (tomorrow), he instructed me to call him back. Of course, he only works on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. He also sounded a little snarky when he said that according to Michael's paperwork, "We seem to owe Michael 2 1/2 hours of missed therapy time. That will be made up during -sigh- our vacation." I mentioned that I wasn't so worried about making up time, just about starting at all. He said, "No, no, we owe you this time so it WILL be made up." Like I'm the difficult one here.

-sigh- It is Thursday afternoon and I haven't heard from the speech therapist yet. I also forgot to ask where she is located. Hopefully she is closer than 30 minutes away. If she ever calls me in the first place. I have a feeling that this supervisor man and I will be getting to know each other better. Oh! And! While I was picking Lily up from school, my original contact left me a phone message telling me that she's been trying to get a hold of people to find out about scheduling a therapist for Michael. So she is apparently not in the loop that this other guy already contacted me.

Whatever. This is so incredibly awful. I am so grateful that Michael is not severely disabled. Because Lord knows what kind of hoops I'd have to jump through to get occupation AND physical AND speech therapies. Ridiculous.

Why do I...?

2011-05-18T06:08:00.004-04:00

Why do I find it so difficult to sign my children up for swim lessons? I am so lazy. I found lessons at our local high school's pool for the summer, but you have to drop off the forms in person at the pool between 3 and 6 pm during the week. I don't know where the pool is, so it would mean wandering around a high school with 3 children. So perhaps they won't ever learn how to swim because I'm too intimidated. Also? Don't want quite know how to get all 3 into lessons, since I still have to go in the pool with Michael and Lily is petrified. -sigh- Too bad they won't magically figure out this skill on their own.

Why do I feel the need to point out obvious things when leaving a phone message? Like when I leave a message for a mom that I know pretty well, I'll say, "Hi! This is Giselle S----, Andrew's mom." No s--t, Sherlock! How many Giselle S's is my friend likely to know? Or, "Hi, I'm calling at about 5:00...that's 2:00 your time." No s--t, Sherlock! Do you really think your friend can't figure out the 3 hour time difference?

Why can't I get ANY RESPONSE from our Intermediary Unit (the agency responsible for providing Michael with speech services)? It has been 6 1/2 weeks since Michael's IEP meeting. I e-mailed my contact 3 times and left her 2 phone messages, which resulted in one e-mail that basically said she'd sent my info on. Last week, I went to their website and pulled the e-mail of the director. I sent her a note begging for any information if she couldn't provide some action. No response. Nothing. Nada. I have no other names or numbers. Do I contact my local representative next? Let him know that a government agency is denying services to a child with an IEP? I have no idea where to turn next or who to talk to. Why won't they just send me a note explaining that they don't have enough therapists, or they're waiting for more spots to open up at the end of the school year, or ANYTHING. So frustrating.

Why do I think I can teach Andrew to play piano? We inherited an electric piano last weekend, and everyone is really excited about it. It was going to be one of my projects for the summer with Andrew. Except that we run into the same problem as always. There are 2 other children in the house. And the only time I have alone with Andrew is after Lily goes to bed...and I'm pretty sure he'll be too tired and grumpy to practice at that point. I suppose I could put her in front of the tv while he plays or something...but the sound of the tinkling keys will inevitably bring her in. I think we may have to find a teacher for him...other than me. I can help him practice with Lily around, but I'm not sure I can instruct him. Homeschooler I am not.

Why do I think I can teach Andrew to ride a bike? Ditto to argument above. We get weekends. Otherwise, Jeff is at work and I am trying to run down the street holding on to Andrew's bike seat, while Mike and Lily fight over the 4 other trikes that we have and roll uncontrollably into the street. -sigh- I think I am probably qualified to have just 1 child.

Why do I start these blog entries without any good material to fill it?

The annoying neighbor

2011-05-16T08:22:00.005-04:00

We have recently welcomed a new neighbor with children just Andrew and Lily's ages and genders (G and A). It is fabulous. Playdates are spontaneous and often short. The children get along. They are respectful and kind and the kids have genuine fun. Dare I say a dream come true?

But there is another girl, H. She is homeschooled and 10 years old. She is wanting to play with our 4 year olds every day. In fact, I think she must go to my neighbor's house every day, because now when I call to see if A. wants to play, H. is always there or always comes over with her.

I feel bad for H. She is obviously a very social girl, and I don't know why she is being homeschooled, but it is hard on her. She was in the public schools until January or February, and she was always so friendly and social as she got on and off the bus. I can tell that being home is difficult. She apparently only gets schooled in the mornings, because she is wandering the neighborhood starting just after lunch.

The thing is? I don't really want H. playing with Lily and A. all the time. When they are alone, Lily and A. play very very well. They take turns being bossy and controlling. They are thoughtful of each other in a way I didn't know 4 year olds could be. But H. clearly favors A., since they play more and I think because A. is a lot more sophisticated than Lily (in the music she likes, her knowledge of pop culture, etc). So when H. is involved...they basically ignore Lily. Which is really irritating when they come to play at our house. A. and H. traipse through our house playing with our toys and literally don't even respond to Lily. Lily is so desperate for playmates, she just kind of pathetically follows them.

It is beyond irritating. And H. just doesn't get the hint. I've asked her to go home...she comes back 30 minutes later. She is persistant and has the attention span of a fly and gets into stuff that the little girls wouldn't. Like using my big extra supply of bubbles as "tea" while playing outside instead of water or nothing.

Yet? She's not actually doing anything wrong. She's just being a kid who plays with much younger children. She is the ring leader naturally, since she is SIX YEARS OLDER than her playmates. And now that she is a permanant attachment to A., Lily's basic choice is to not have a neighborhood playmate or to be ignored and mistreated by an older girl.

So I don't know what to do. Logically I know that summer vacation is coming, so H.'s older friends will be home...perhaps she'll ditch the younger girls for more appropriate friendships. Logically I know I can just make playdates for Lily with little girls outside the neighborhood like I did before A. moved in. Logically I know that this is a learning experience for Lily...to learn how to navigate complicated girl relationships...to know when to stand up for yourself, when to be quiet and put up with things, and when to let friendships go.

But she's 4. And she doesn't know how to do this yet. And I'm really annoyed.