No tv, no computer games, no problem.

No problem may be a bit of an optimistic statement.  

We have a lot of looooooong car trips ahead of us.  

June 15th...8-9 hours to Great-grandma's 90th birthday

June 20th...8-9 hours home

June 29th... 13 hours to South Carolina

July 7th... 13 hours to Ohio (my family has a reunion on the 13th, so we are just bypassing home)

July 15th... 10-11 hours back to PA

That's a lot of car time in a month long period.

So I came up with this brilliant thought that the movie player and video games would be much more entertaining in the car if the children were hungry for it.  June 1st we eliminated all tv and all types of computer games.  They are allowed to play on the computers at the library and allowed to watch tv in the Kids Club at the gym.  That's it.

The first day was a bit tortuous.  For me most of all.  I realize that I use the tv and computer games to get things done, to diffuse bad moods, to break up fights, and sadly, to ignore the children (a little artificial  nap time built in each afternoon).  

But I am lucky.  My children really enjoy playing with each other.  And they can do so for hours.  It's just the in-between that's tough.  We've been reading a lot more...which is saying something.  I realized that Lily can read much more fluently than I realized.  We've been coloring and writing.  Playing lots of games and doing our puzzles.  We've been playing outside and in the basement.  I've cleaned up a lot.  If I'm busy with a chore, the kids tend to play very nicely together.  So the garage is cleaned out and the basement is started.  Jeff may just throw the tv out, I'm becoming such a productive stay at home mom.

This weekend was fine.  Saturday we were moderately busy.  We filled the empty afternoon time with bucket swimming.  Sunday was wide open.  So we went to our favorite covered bridge section of the nearby state park and played in the water.  We mostly just caught minnows and threw rocks.  Then a huge thunderstorm chased us off and we came home and had warm baths and played Attack UNO.  Not too bad of a day.  

The water was a bit high...this beach is usually quite wide and not so muddy.

 Posing.

 Trying to figure out how to use that net

 Michael before he sat down in the water.  I forgot to bring towels or change of clothes.  Fail.

 I love the zoom capabilities of my new camera.

 Big rocks are fun...until you drop them on your foot.

 These two are looking more and more like twins.  It will be weird when he passes her and people assume she is the youngest.

 Pure Michael.  Notice how wet he is now.

 Michael and I left the creek a bit early so he could dry off and have a snack.  He was watching Jeff, Andrew, and Lily across the river.  Man, I love that covered bridge.

 Coming back after a spill in the mud.  

 My crew...snackin' and chillin' just before the heavens thundered and opened up on us.

W.T. Summer begins

Summer is almost here!  Andrew still has 6 days of school left, and I'm still waiting for my annoying on-line teacher to get back to me...but it feels like summer.

Yesterday, Andrew finished up his last organized activity for the year.  I think we've finally found a sport that he's really really enjoying.  Lacrosse.  This is the first time a sports season has come to an end, and he is disappointed that the practices and games will be ending.  He'd be happy if they'd keep having practices all summer long.  :)  Some shots from yesterday's game...Andrew is #49 in white.  Notice how close up we can get with our new camera!

We got home from the game and decided it was just too beautiful to stay inside.  Also?  We have a strict ban on all tv or computer games until our trip to Ohio on June 15th.  That is a whole different post waiting to happen.  2 posts...the trip and the ban.

But yesterday afternoon, Jeff and I decided to clean out our garage.  The kids got to play in our new "swim buckets".  Really they are for storing all the outside toys, but when dumped out, they make decent individual swimming pools.  We may have scared away potential buyers from the houses for sale across the street.  ("Are those kids swimming...in buckets?").  At least they had bathing suits on and not droopy diapers.  Only because we are all potty trained now.

I was also excited to post pictures of myself in scanty clothing.  Don't YOU get excited...it's more frightening than anything.  I took a front and side shot on January 1st in a sports bra and spandex shorts.  Then I spent 6 months working out 4-5 times a week.  I've lost 17 pounds, and dropped a pants size.  I was all set to take another pair of pictures on June 1st.  I thought it would be really motivating to see the changes.  Except there weren't any.  Well, the bathroom looks newly painted and I'm holding a nice new camera.  :)  But as far as my body goes, if anything, I look worse in the June 1st shot.  WTH.  Apparently, I didn't do a good enough job accentuating my newly slender wrists in the shot.  -sigh-  

I KNOW there are differences.  I have muscles now that I never had before.  I am just totally surprised and depressed that the camera shows none of it.  It makes no sense to me.  Jeff compared the shots and said, "Maybe your face looks a little different?"  -sigh-  At least I feel good?  But had these illusions that I'd go see family I haven't seen in a while and they'd be all, "Oh, wow, Giselle, you are looking great!".  And now if they say that, I'll know they are lying and just reading my blog and trying to be nice.  Kind of like when I went into the OB at 40 weeks with Andrew and he told me I was a "fingertip dilated".  Which isn't really anything, but they want to encourage you and throw you a bone.  As far as looking thinner though...I KNOW it isn't true...because I have actual photographic PROOF that it is not true. 

Okay!  Enough whining!  And you can be grateful that my pictures turned out this way, so that you can enjoy cute picture of kids in buckets instead of pictures of a pudgy 34 year old standing in her bathroom! 

Almost back

I only have one more assignment to go...and then I'll be finished with my classes.  And hopefully blogging more frequently again.  Although this new blogger format really sucks.  Internet Explorer does not support Blogger, so I cannot create new posts unless I'm on Google Chrome.  So that takes some getting used to.  But now that I'm on Google Chrome, the top bar of posting...you know, with little tabs like SAVE and PUBLISH, is completely covered up by the tool bar of Google Chrome.  Grrrrr...

A story to whet your appetite..

Last night the kids were milling about after dinner.  Michael comes crying into us because he wants to be king, but Andrew and Lily won't let him.  Andrew is in the bathroom...an extended stay, shall we say.  Lily is the go between the high commander and the peon.

After conferencing with Andrew, Lily comes over to Michael and tells him that he can be the prince.  New wails come forth from Michael.  Jeff and I try to play up the prince role.  Jeff (unwisely) suggests Michael reenact The Lion King and kill the king so he can be king.  Michael cries harder.

Lily runs back to Andrew to discuss.  Michael continues sobbing on Jeff's lap.

Lily comes back with this offer,  "Andrew says you can be king, because he's going to be a God now."

Jeff and I die laughing.  Future politician, master manipulator.  Give the kid what he wants, all the while changing the rules so that you retain your most powerful position.

The really funny thing is, Michael figured it out immediately.  And refused to be king if Andrew was a god.  Crying continued for a while longer.

11 days until Andrew is out of school.

It's going to be a long summer.

Out of touch with reality

These children of mine...they live in an alternate universe.

Andrew is a super-star Lacrosse champ, spending literally hours practicing shooting and scooping in our side yard.  He is often muttering to himself, so I imagine he is calling out the plays and live streaming the announcers comments as he makes amazing plays versus his evil opposing team.

Lily swings and sings in the backyard.  She is a mommy, an explorer, a princess, a dog, a squirrel, an artist, a bird with a nest, a dolphin, a teacher, a dancer, a singer.  Each day she slips effortlessly from character to character, drawing in whomever she can entangle into her imaginary game.  Often it is Michael.

Michael recreates computer games with blocks, stuffed animals, game pieces from toys, rocks from the garden.  He creates elaborate "worlds" and conquers them all.  He loves to play with his sister, and becomes her baby bird, her pet cat, her dance student, her VIP student, her train conductor, her knight.

Occasionally, all 3 will engage in an elaborate pretend game...usually Ninjago or Pokemon inspired, but last weekend they were all whales because of a whale book Andrew brought home.  When Andrew plays, the game becomes more planned and more chaotic at the same time.  He writes instructions and draws diagrams to lead their play, but he also creates conflict by trying to manipulate the master pretend player (lily).

This morning, Lily and Michael woke up first.  They watched tv for about 15 minutes, and then played gym class for a while.  They took turns being the gym teacher and instructing the other how to do a specific move.  Andrew woke up and began playing Battleship with Lily, leaving Michael to follow me around and tell me the latest intricate Angry Birds board he invented...something with a new orange bird that shoots baseball bats.  But Andrew and Lily weren't ACTUALLY playing Battleship...they set it up and were pretending they were whale watching ships and...I don't know.  Something about finding whales.  They played for a good 35 minutes without fighting, so I don't care.  Right now Lily and Michael are playing something involving a train (I have the kitchen chairs set up in a row while I washed the floor...voila! A train), and Lily is some kind of animal while Michael is a dragon trainer?  I'm not sure.  But they are having so much fun.

The best part?  I'm not needed in the pretend play anymore.  Remember all those hours of playing neighbor?  No more.  Remember all the playgroups I was a member of?  No more.  This is really the reason Michael and Lily will go to school the same time of day next year...I need playmates for the non-school half of the day!

PDA

Before I begin this post, let me just say that I KNOW my husband is going to hate this post.  It will embarrass him to no end.  But I think it is funny and sweet, and I want to document it.  

Jeff and I are affectionate people.  We try not to gross people out, so we don't do much PDA.  But we haven't worried much about our kids.  We kiss frequently in front of them and cuddle and what not.  Those days are quickly coming to an end, I think.  They used to just play around us and ignore all the kissy stuff.  But Andrew is getting more and more uncomfortable with it.  -sigh-

For example...

The kids and I discovered a CD that Jeff had burned.  Turns out, there were 4 new songs on it.  One was the pop song that Lily is performing to in her dance recital next month.  She was elated to be able to practice at home.  The second was a pop song that I always sing to when it comes on the radio.  The last was a song that Jeff likes that he thought the kids would enjoy dancing to.

But we didn't know the 3rd song.  It is a cheesy boy band song.  Odd.  So when Jeff came home from work and thanked him for the new songs and asked about the 3rd song.  He said it always made him think of me.  The kids turned it on, and then he proceeded to sing it to me while dancing me around.

The song is What Makes You Beautiful, by One Direction.  (and I'm linking to a video of boys singing that makes me feel very very old.  Yikes.)

Here's the refrain, to give you an idea...

Baby you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
But when you smile at the ground it aint hard to tell
You don't know
Oh Oh
You don't know you're beautiful

If only you saw what I can see
You'll understand why I want you so desperately
Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe
You don't know
Oh oh
You don't know you're beautiful
Oh oh
That what makes you beautiful

Cheesy, right?  And also cute...his little performance had me grinning from ear to ear and laughing.  The children had very different responses.

Michael ignored us and continued building his block castle.

Lily looked bewildered and asked a million times, "Why is this song about Mommy?  What does it mean?  Why are you singing it to her?  What does it mean?"

Andrew looked...sheepish.  He was kind of grinning in an embarrassed way and almost rolling his eyes.  

I supposed we need to stop these public displays before our children are too horrified to even come out of their rooms.  -sigh- 

BTW...Now every time that song comes on the radio or in the grocery store or whatever, Lily lights up and says, "Mommy!  Mommy!  It's your song!"  And since I'm not 12 years old, it's a little embarrassing to have that announced to the world.

Just wait

A few years ago, I wrote this post.

If I could go back in time 3.5 years, I would sit myself down and have a heart to heart.

I'd say:  Don't feel bad about not doing anything with your kids.  Painting with them, baking with them, extra-curriculars like gym and swim lessons, going out to eat, getting enough exercise, eating better, cooking better, losing weight, going ANYWHERE is so hard right now.  Just wait.  In a few years these activities will be easier...enjoyable even.  And you will still be making memories...just a little later.  You know, when they may actually have a chance of remembering them.  So don't stress.  Don't feel guilty.  Just keep going...you're going to get there.

And that's what I will advise parents of toddlers.  Whatever you want to do, try it.  If it SUCKS, just wait.  Just wait and see...it'll get easier.  

***brought to you by me...who is blogging while her children paint in the next room.  PAINT.  With actual paint and there is no fighting or crying or too much mess.  Just children happily chatting as they create with colors.  Easy. 

Gratuitous bragging

It's my blog, and I'll brag if I want to.

Andrew is amazing.  Have I mentioned that?  There are so many moments where I just watch him in awe.  He's mine.  That funny, handsome, intelligent, kind kid is MINE.  Kind of crazy luck.

Parenting has been made so much easier because my first born is so naturally caring.  For example, Michael and Lily come home from birthday parties and happily share everything in their party bags.  Why?  Because Andrew's been doing it for years.

He teases them endlessly and knows how to push every one of Lily's buttons.  Twice.  But he also comforts her during movies, explaining what is happening and hugging her close.  He doesn't protest when Michael gets extra help during a game...in fact giving him hints that I wouldn't give.  He cheers on Lily when she is stumbling through a reading book.  He loves them.

When I go to his school to volunteer, I am always approached by other parents and teachers.

"I just love Andrew."

"Andrew is a natural born leader. He doesn't get frustrated with others and enjoys bringing them along on his mental journeys."

"Andrew is one of my favorites to work with.  He comes up with the best stuff.  I was helping him with his writing and he wanted to know whether to spell it Brasil like they do in Brasil or Brazil like we do in the US.  What 2nd grader asks that?"

"Are you Andrew's mom?  My child always tells me how much he helps her in class.  What a wonderful boy."

"Is Andrew your son?  I was helping in the cafeteria and a lot of the boys know me from baseball.  Andrew came right up and introduced himself to find out who I was.  He is so polite and speaks so well."

"I wish my son's friends were more like Andrew."

It's overwhelming.  Because I don't know who their children are, so I have no equal compliments to send back their way.  All I can do is murmur my thanks and agree with them. He is so wonderful.

I know that all this adoration from parents will be his downfall someday soon.  No kid wants to be friends with the kid that his PARENTS like.  Right?

But for now, Andrew is in a delightful middle ground.  Other kids respect his intelligence and enjoy his sense of humor.  The parents and teachers admire his calm respectful demeanor and willingness to help.

Despite his popularity, Andrew is hungry for praise.  Despite being this fantastic human being, he craves acknowledgement and reassurance.  He still needs lots of hugs and cuddles and stories of how wonderful he is.

I take no credit for this person.  He was born special and continues to grow into a person you'd like to meet, know, and work with.  I think my job is mostly to just love him and cheer him on and believe in him.  And to let him know that no matter what happens, I'm just the luckiest mother alive to get to be here for all of it.

Gum chewing...Michael style

One of the big deals about turning 4 around here is that you are allowed to chew gum.  Michael has been so envious of Lily (gum enthusiast) and Andrew (occasional gum chewer).  A few months before his birthday, if you asked him how old he was going to be he would say, "I is4andicanchewgum!" all in one breath.  Which was very confusing for the hapless grocery store clerk who had NO IDEA what he just said.

One of his presents was a huge stack of gum packages.  I'd say we got him about 10 different flavors.  We warned him of the 3 big rules with gum chewing. #1- Don't swallow it  #2--When you are finished, throw it away into the trash.  #3--Don't play with it with your fingers.

Every once in a while, there is an experience with your children that makes you SO GLAD that instead of buying a yacht and a yacht crew and sailing the world you decided to spend all your money and time on little humans instead.  I have to say that watching Michael chew gum is the most hilarious and satisfying activities we've had at this house for quite a while.  It makes me glad we had children.

At first, I think he was really terrified of swallowing it.  So nervous that he couldn't even swallow his spit.  So he would put a piece in his mouth and chew it about five times with his mouth wide open.  The second a bit of drool started to collect in his mouth, he would run to the trash and spit it out.  The gum was hardly wet or chewed at this point.  And then he would happily open his pack of gum and get a new piece.  Chew for 2 seconds, spit in trash.  Repeat.  Repeat.  Part of the problem was the flavor of gum...he really wanted to try them all.  When you open a pack of Skittles, you get to try each flavor instantly.  That is how Michael tried the gum.

I indulged him in this concentrated chew chew spit get another piece pattern for a few days.  But we were going through gum like water.  So I actually sat down with him and showed him how to chew gum.  What a strange parenting experience.  I put a piece in my mouth and showed him how I swallowed my spit without swallowing the gum.  He studied my mouth and my piece of gum with such concern and thoughtfulness.  Adorable.

Yesterday he chewed the same piece of gum for about 10 minutes.  A new record.  It is just so so cute how much concentration it takes him to chew gum.  He is actively thinking about NOT swallowing it the whole time.  He smacks his lips really loudly and opens his mouth SO WIDE for each chew.  It is hilarious.  And endearing.  And oh-so-Michael.

Who knew that gum would keep me from quitting this gig!?!  It's the little things, I guess.

Too far behind

I am too far behind to even know where to begin writing in this thing.  If I had been good about blogging, here are the blog posts that would have been...

Spring Break Busy--My in-laws visited us the week before Easter and we celebrated Easter early, celebrated Michael's birthday early, had an Easter egg hunt with Jeff's cousin, visited The Franklin Institute, visited Longwood Gardens, and visited Crayola factory.  We had so much fun, and I have many many pictures...

Ideal Easter-- They woke up early, found eggs inside and out, ate candy all day, and went kite flying for the first time.  Oh, and we had 4 adults and 5 children come over for a relaxed enjoyable dinner as well.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

Kite Flying--  This deserves its own post.  After giving the children a big lecture about how kite flying is not as easy as it seems on tv, we had the easiest time flying kites EVER.  We have an ideal park near us with steady wind and no trees.  I have many pictures of the kids LYING DOWN as they maneuvered their kites.  So easy.  So many pictures...

Bragging post about Andrew--  This post is actually already started somewhere in my blogger account.  I am just overwhelmed by how amazing this child is.  I think I'll post it later, because he'll need to read that someday.

Bragging post about Lily--  This post is started in my head.  Her transformation is the most incredible of all my children.  Andrew has always been wonderful.  Lily was so difficult and so daggone stubborn for SO LONG...that it is almost unbelievable how lovely she is now.  I'll have to post this for her also.

Post about Michael--  While I don't have as many brags...lordy is this child funny.  I must post some of the crazy things he's said and done lately.

Bragging post about Jeff--  I should probably include a post about how wonderful and exceptional and barf-inducingly sweet my Jeff is...especially since he reads this, and it would embarrass him royally.  Oh well!  Too bad I didn't get to it :)

Proud post of myself--  I am really so proud that I am still going to the gym regularly and eating relatively well.  I have never stuck to something for so long!  I am still losing an average of 1 pound a week, which brings me to 15 pounds.  My watch is ridiculously loose!  Still not moving down to a size 12, but I think I was really pushing a size 16 when I started this, so there's that.

A rant about Khloe Kardashian-  I watch bad daytime tv when I'm running at the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  KK was guest hosting a talk show last week and talked about her weight.  How she should not be compared to her tiny sisters.  She is 5'10", but still a size 6.  To which I say, BULLSHIT.  I am 5'9" and a size 14, and I think we look about the same girth... When I was in high school and weighed 120 pounds, I barely fit into a size 6...mostly it was size 8s.  So I call bullshit on her and dream of doing a photo comparison between her and I and see if we can figure out how exactly she would be 4 sizes smaller than me.  BULLSHIT.

A rant about my on-line classes-- Does't the title just sum it all up?

The baby turns 4

Michael learned the date of his birthday this year.  So ever since the calendar turned to April, he would wake up and ask if it was his birthday yet.  One conversation went like this...

Michael- Is it April 9 today?
Jeff- No, today is April 6th.  So what is tomorrow?
M- April 9?
J- No, April 7th.  What comes after the 7th?
M- April 9?
J- No, April 8th.  THEN comes April 9th.

Perhaps we should make counting next year's goal ;)

Finally it was April 9th!  He woke up and was serenaded by his big brother and sister and cuddled fiercely by his mom and dad.  He was very cool about it all.  When it was time for breakfast, our conversation went like this:

Me- Michael, what would you like for breakfast?
Michael- You mean 'Birthday Boy'?
Me-  Okay, BIRTHDAY BOY, what would you like for breakfast?

Little prima donna.

He had a lovely day...Chick Filet for lunch, blanket forts built at home, pizza for dinner, nap in the car...all good stuff.  We were all excited for him to open his presents...but it was very anti-climatic.  Between Grandma and Grandpa bringing Easter baskets with gifts last Sunday, and then having birthday gifts and celebration with Grandma and Grandpa last Monday, and then Easter Bunny bringing gifts on Sunday...getting presents had become pretty standard fare.  I videotaped the whole unwrapping...and it lasted 4 minutes, 2 seconds.  I think that's a new record.

He kept asking when his party was.  The 3rd kids is so much more savvy than the older two.  Luckily for him, his next birthday he'll get a real kid party.  But not too soon.  He gets to be 4 for 363 days more.

Where I've lived and what I've loved

Devan has a blog that I read, although I can't remember how I found her.  Anyway, she wrote a post about all the places she's lived and what she liked about them, so I thought I'd do the same...

Let's see...

Dayton, OH...I was born in Dayton, and the nurse in the delivery room was in the delivery room when my dad was born 30 years earlier...so it's where my dad's family is from, obv.  I have no recollection of living in Dayton...at least until college brought me back there.

Indianapolis, IN...we moved to IN when I was 6 months old?  A year old?  And moved away a year later.  No recollection of this place, obviously.

Lexington, OH...this town is northeast of Columbus...and actually really close to where Jeff grew up.  I lived there from the age of 1 until 7.  I remember walking FAR to school, and a big hill in the backyard that overlooked the cornfields behind us.  I remember the park at the end of our cultisac and big buckeye trees.  I remember wallpaper that looked like the old Wendy's tables (remember those old time newspaper designs?), yellow carpet, and how we had cinder blocks in the basement that we used as shelves for our toys.

Mansfield,OH...this is the "big" town next to Lexington.  I lived there for only 2 years, age 7-9.  I remember walking to school...far again...I remember the woods in our backyard, and our driveway that was on a busy-ish street.  I remember my blue bedroom, with wallpaper on the ceiling and a teeny tiny closet that I liked to make reading nests in the bottom of.  I remember my baby sister being born there.  I loved school and that house and the pool (Possum Run).  And I remember that the moving truck showed up on my 9th birthday...and I was NOT happy.

Cincinnati, OH...or a suburb of, in actuality.  This is where I consider myself "from".  I lived there from age 9 until I got married.  I love Cincinnati...but I know it through the eyes of a dependent, having never lived there or gotten into the politics or raised a family there.  It was a great place to grow up...lots to do and places to go.  Great schools.  Friendly people, but enough of them that you aren't always running into people you know.  4 distinct seasons, not much snow, humid as heck, allergy central.  Great food, fun culture, beautiful river and skyline.  Loved it.  Would move back. 

I spent 4 years in Dayton for college...but I was in the college bubble...so I don't know much about Dayton at all.  UD is awesome, though.  ;)

Orange County, CA...Jeff and I got married 2 months out of college and moved out to Southern California for his new job.  I got a job teaching 5th grade.  To say I was miserable would be the understatement of the year.  I distinctly remember creating scenarios in my head of how I could run away.  The weather was incredible and there was so much to do.  Beaches, mountains, museums, amusement parks...but we had very little money or vacation time to appreciate any of it.  ;)  We could watch the Disneyland fireworks from our apartment balcony every night, but we couldn't afford to go there ;)  And there were too.  many.  people.  Everywhere.  On the roads.  In the mall.  At the beach.  Just people everywhere.  Generally people were less friendly and more materialistic than my experience in OH.  Everything cost too much and everywhere was too crowded.   I did enjoy the weather and lack of bugs tremendously.  I missed song birds and seasons...  I was too homesick for much of our time there to really appreciate it.  But I made some great friends and truly feel like it solidified our marriage because I had no one to turn to but Jeff...and he couldn't pass me off on anyone else.  We bought our first property there, a little townhome after living in 2 different apartments.  We were there almost 6 years, and when we finally left, selling that property was like winning the real estate lottery.  So in the end, California set us up financially for a long time.

Louisville, KY...in a desperate attempt to get us back to a lower cost of living and closer to family, Jeff took a leap and took a job that he ended up hating.  We only spent 18 months in Kentucky, but I loved it.  I loved the people and how eagerly they took me under their wings.  I loved how family centered the city was.  I loved the size and what it had to offer...beautiful parks, good food, great people.  I loved our house and neighborhood...even though it was WAY more than we needed at the time.  Cost of living was terrific, and our closeness to family made me so content.  I think it would be a fantastic place to raise a family.  But not if it is giving your husband an ulcer.

Our town, PA...I moved sight unseen to our little house here on the outskirts of Philly.  After more than 5 years here, I have to say it is wonderful.  Historical buildings tucked everywhere, you can just sense the birth of America as you walk around.  Our town was founded in the late 1600s, and there are still many many buildings from the early 1700s still in use.  We have lovely seasons, and no real natural disasters.  We are close to so many amazing cities, but there are farms and little towns surrounding us.  People are abrupt and blunt and a little hot headed, but fiercely loyal and proud.  The cost of living is a bit high, but when you are surrounded by NYC and New Jersey and DC, you start to feel down right affordable. 

I don't know if I'll ever believe I'm permanently planted...it's just not my life experience.  But I feel privileged to have experienced so much of our country and tasted a bit of the flavor of the regions.  Midwest, West, South, and Atlantic.  The only place left would be the Northeast and the Northwest.  Not that I need to give Jeff any ideas...

Our new grownup

One of the great things about living near a large city, is sometimes our far away family and friends just happen to have an event nearby.  And then we get to see them.

My big sister had a Public Library Conference in Philadelphia last week.  I drove down to meet her on Saturday, where we listened to Betty White talk.  (she's awesome and so cute and with it...and 90!)  Then I drove her north to our little town so she could bond with her niece and nephews a bit.  They were a little disappointed that she didn't bring her energetic side kick, but still really enjoyed hanging out.   She played UNO with Lily, discussed measurement with Andrew, and zombies (of course) with Michael.  Jeff enjoyed having someone to drink beer and talk basketball with.  And I enjoyed catching up in a relaxed atmosphere and talking about anything and everything.

My favorite quote of the weekend came from my youngest, of course.  Michael couldn't remember her name at first, so when he wanted to tell her something, he would first turn to me and say, "Mom?  What's our new grownup called?"  When I answered Aunt Kate, he would turn to her and say, "Aunt Cake, look at this..."

Oh, Aunt Cake, how we wished we lived closer...

Sexy wrists

Well, it's official.  I've lost 10 pounds in 10 weeks.   

But if I didn't weigh myself, I would have no idea.  Jeff says the scale doesn't lie, but my body sure isn't listening to it.  My pants fit the same.  My shirts fit the same.  I still have that lovely muffin top pushing down my pants and my side/back fat bubbling over the edges of my sports bra.  I'm dead sexy.

Only one part of my body shows those 10 pounds of loss.

My body is obviously very good at prioritizing body fat.  Muffin top with matching hamburger roll above it...let's keep that around a bit longer.  We need those extra chins!  But those wrists really could use some slimming down...phew!  Top priority!

My wrists.

My watch is so incredibly loose compared to 3 months ago. My rings also some off a lot easier, now that I think about it. 

So...fabulous?  It's just what every girl dreams of.  You watch those commercials for the miracle weight loss pill or read those articles about amazing slim downs.  And the first thing that pops into your mind isn't the cute little black dress or bikini...it's finally setting your watch on the 2nd hole instead of the 5th.  That spells success.

And so I will take you on a bit of time travel and show you my "after shot" of weight loss.  This will be me at the gym after losing 20 pounds...

Lookin' good, baby.

Nervous

I am looking at a single sheet of paper on my desk.  A registration form for on-line classes...(ironically you cannot register on-line for these on-line courses...it must be printed out and mailed in.)

These classes are no big deal.  Every 5 years I must earn 6 graduate level courses to maintain my teaching credential in Ohio.  My certification expires at the end of 2012...so it's time to get on the ball and get this done.  (Certificate?  Credential?  I can't even remember which one I technically have.  I know it isn't a license...that changed a year after I graduated or something.  Lordy...do I deserve one of these if I can't even remember what I have?)

But still the paper sits.

On one hand, it makes a ton of sense.  It is costly and time consuming to earn a teaching degree...and I already have one.  It is simple to renew and keep current.  I have no idea what job opportunities will be available when I go back to work...perhaps having this certificate will give me an edge over someone else.  Jeff is getting hotter and more muscular every week AND he's approaching 40...aka mid life crisis age.  There's like a 75% chance he's leaving his tubby housewife for some hotty soon.  I'll need a good paying job when that happens, and teaching would be that. 

On the other hand, it seems ridiculous.  In every scenario I have in my head of going back to work, teaching is no where to be seen.  I am way too lazy to be a teacher, much less a teacher AND a mother.  Even if I wanted to teach, who in the world would hire me?  I taught for one year way back in 2000, I have no computer skills to speak of, and all the jargon and what-not has changed.  I might as well have a degree in zoology for all the good my degree would do me in a classroom now.  I am not qualified to have this certificate/credential/license anymore...is it a farce to even have it?  False advertising?

Perhaps my most pressing concern is the fact that I am going to take on-line course on the computer that is so slow and annoying I can't even blog more than once a week.  Frustration is sure to be at a high.

-sigh-  I'll do it.  Don't worry.  It is just too easy to keep it current not to.  I just have to mail this stinkin' sheet of paper.

Yes Day!

We have a new book in the house...Yes Day!  The premise is that this little boy gets one day a year where his parents will say yes to anything he asks.  In the front of the book there is a little calendar where all the days of the month are variations of No...Not on your life day...Go ask your father day...What part of no don't you understand day...etc.  Until the last day of the month...which is yes day.

Andrew quickly figured out that this calendar had 30 days in the month and that based on the activities they do it is in the summer.  So Yes day must be June 30.  And he and Lily asked if we could have a Yes day on June 30th.  We will be in Kiawah that day this year, so I agreed.  Lily and Andrew have been so excited...they are already planning what they will ask for that day.

Last night, Lily was tired.  She'd had a big day of swim lessons and school and running to Andrew's swim lesson, etc.  She didn't want her dinner of chicken nuggets, and so she accepted that she wouldn't be getting chocolate milk before bed.  A few minutes after leaving the table she asked if she could play on my Kindle.  I said no, because they'd already played with it quite a bit that afternoon.  She went to the steps and quietly cried.  She insisted she was okay.  She came up a few minutes later and asked if she could have a piece of gum.  I said no, because it was almost bedtime.  Her shoulders slumped, her head dropped, and she sadly muttered, "It's like it's a No day."  She was so so sad.  I asked if she needed a hug, and she sobbed into my shoulder. 

It was so stinkin' cute and sad all rolled up into one.  So I let her play Kindle for a little bit.  I'm not a monster.

Anyone?

2 things you should know about Michael for this story. 

#1- Michael does not like to be alone.  He panics if he is on a level of the house without anyone else.  Unless the Kindle is on...in which case half the house could be carried away on flow of lava and he wouldn't notice.  But NORMALLY, he is frantic to be with other people. 

#2-Michael wakes up early on most days.  He has learned to wait until the clock says 6 to come out.  Well...most days.  Last Saturday he came into our room at 5:54 and asked, "Mom?  Can I come into your bed?  My clock won't turn to 6."  So, usually when he gets out of his room, he comes straight into our room.  Unless there is a light on downstairs, in which he will go find out who else is already awake. 

But it is getting light out earlier, and this is throwing the poor boy for a loop.  On Sunday, Jeff and I were lounging in bed after a night out partying.  I'm serious.  Anyway, it was already 6:15, and we heard Michael's door open for the first time.  He went immediately downstairs (I'm assuming because the sun was up and lighting the kitchen).  We then hear his little voice...

"Anyone?"

"Anyone?"

(with increasing panic in his voice) "ANYONE?"

I stumbled downstairs to find him frozen in the hallway, freaking out because he just realized no one else was awake yet and he was downstairs...alone!

Photo blog

I don't think I've posted pictures in a very long time.  And I haven't seen family in quite a while, either.  So pictures it is!

This is what the kids would like to do all day long.  Play with my Kindle.  I have to admit I use it as a bribe or threat quite a bit.  It also brings out my inner 3 year old...I don't wanna share!

 Andrew's Humanities class had a puppet show about the ocean world.  It was nice to meet the other parents and to see Andrew in a class full of Andrew's.  Except I think he has exceptional social skills compared to some.  Others are silly and friendly like him.  But others...whew.  Future Bill Gates's in there.

 I took a lot of pictures like these.  Lily always wants a whole apple instead of cut up, and when I tell her that she never eats very much of the apple, she protests and complains and moans.  Same with a cup of hot cocoa.  So I started taking photo evidence to support my argument. 

 Michael has become just as much of a pretend player as the others.  When not wandering around the house moaning "I will eat your BRAAAAAAINS", he likes to be Worker Mike.  And that is what you have to call him while he is in character. 

 Lily loves to cook, and unfortunately Mommy's new diet is not giving her nearly as many experiences as she would like.  But occasionally I give in...like when we made Valentine's cookies and then delivered them to neighbors.  I need to do more of that...bake and give away. 

 Lily's last photo with long hair.  After many weeks of begging, I finally gave in and let her get it cut off.  But I didn't put the photos in order, so you won't get to see it for a few shots.  Oh, the anticipation!

 Andrew is in cubscouts this year...which is a whole post in itself.  For now I will leave you with photos of the pinewood derby.  Andrew came in 5th.  Of 6.  At least he wasn't last?  That's what you get for waiting until 2 days before to begin.  Again...another whole post about Jeff's apathy towards this activity.  No, not apathy.  He actively hates cubscouts, and it shows.

 Michael and I made a floor puzzle, and he told me it was big enough to be a bed. 

 Shadow also loves the sunny spot in the living room.

 My handsome blue-eyed boy.  Isn't he getting big?

 Michael's typical pose for photos.

 I bribed him to look at the camera...no strawberries until you smile for the camera.

 Andrew's lying face.  His eyebrows go way up...I believe he was lying about tucking his pants into his socks on purpose just to drive me crazy.  He was trying to convince me that he didn't do it.  I got photo evidence of the lying face. 

 Lily's new hair.

 Isn't she cute?



Ninjas!

Another  favorite pretend game around here is ninjas.  It is one of the only things that all 3 kids can do peacefully together.  Semi-peacefully at least.  This stems from all 3 children being obsessed with Ninjago, which is a Lego based cartoon.  Doesn't make sense to you?  Me neither. 

The show has 4 different colored ninja trainees who are striving to become the "green ninja" that has been prophesied.  It is kind of funny and they are Legos, so the violence isn't too much, whatev's.

So my kids are constantly playing Ninja.  Which Michael endearing calls "Inja".  As in, "I am a INJA!"

The other day, they were all sitting quietly drawing ninjas.  Andrew was asking them what kind of ninja they were and drawing their weapons and costumes.  Michael drew a really cute 12 fingered ninja that I will be keeping as one of his non-scribbling pictures.  And Lily was drawing the people in our family.  Not ninjas, now that I think about it.

Here's how Andrew described their chosen ninja powers...

Michael decided that he was the grass ninja.  Not as in "duuuuuuude, awwwwwesome" grass, but as in green -won't come out of the knees of jeans- grass.  His sword was covered in grass blades.  When he attacks, the grass blades cut people and cover them with grass.  Fierce?

Lily was the flower ninja.  Her sword throws flowers at the enemy.  (?)  I don't think Lily understands the point of ninjas or what they really are.

Andrew is a red ninja.  He has a lava sword that shoots hot lava at the enemy.  By far the coolest weapon.  Coincidence?  I think not.  It pays to be the artist.

When Andrew isn't home, the ninja game falls by the wayside.  Like as I type this, Lily and Michael are playing Barbies.  You may think this was Lily's idea...but you would be wrong.  Michael is a non-discriminate toy player.  He will be pummeled in elementary school.  But he'll make a great husband and daddy.

Best Pretend Game Ever

Michael and Lily were playing some pretend game while I started preparing dinner in the kitchen.  Lily came up and asked if I would be the monster.  I told her yes...and then told her that I was a Mommy Monster who was making dinner for her little monster children.  And that I wouldn't bother them if they were nice and quiet. 

And then Lily and Michael snuck upstairs and hid from the monster for 30 minutes.  I heard them deeply engrossed in their playing house and keeping quiet from the monster.

Ah...pretend play can be good.

Gym rat

You guys....I am really enjoying the gym.  WTH...did I just type that?  No, seriously. 

Running that race last October has changed me.  I feel legitimate when I walk through the doors, where I used to feel silly and out of place in work out facilities.

I love the weight machines, and that I've had to increase the weight a few times.  I can feel the changes in my strength...which is an exciting new thing for me.

I love that I am not losing all that progress I made last summer.  There is no way I could run a 5K right now, but I can run 15-20 minutes, which is WAY better than last spring.  I couldn't run 3 minutes back then.  And I haven't really been trying to get my time up more...I'm having fun playing with interval workouts and incline challenges, etc.  I'm just in better shape all around.

I love dropping the kids off for an hour in the afternoon.  And I love that they enjoy the play room and the classes they are taking during that time.

I love the open swim and how it is making all 3 kids more comfortable with the water.

I'm proud of myself for going 3-4 times a week...for making the time a priority. 

I like that it has motivated me to change the way I am eating.  And that I've been good now for 2 whole months...which is some kind of a record for me.

I am sloooooooowly losing weight.  I think my muffin top has reduced a bit, but otherwise I don't see any changes in myself.  In 2 months, I've lost 8 pounds.  But rather than get frustrated and discouraged and quit, I am somehow just continuing on.  Jeff thinks I should reward myself at 10 pounds.  But all I can think about is food rewards...hot fudge sundae, breakfast out, etc etc.  Seems a little counterproductive, eh? 

I cannot think of a reward for myself.  I have not lost enough weight to need new clothes...that will be my 20 pound reward.  I am sleeping enough and reading enough and getting out with my friends enough...life is very good in those regards.  I'm stumped.  And quite happy that life is so good I can't think of a  little reward for myself.

What would YOU do as a reward?

Bullets

--We went to our favorite historical working farm this weekend to experience their maple sugaring.  It was typical of our family outings.   Andrew LOVED it...from collecting sap from the trees to asking loads of questions to eating the bottle of syrup they made enthusiastically the next day.  Michael got nothing out of the maple sugaring experience, but he enjoyed harassing the chickens and running through the open fields and picking up rocks.  Lily moaned and dragged her feet and was generally miserable.  You know, par for the course.

--We also went to another family swim at our gym.  Every weekend night the pool is open from 4-10pm.  We try to go a few times a month.  This time our friends joined us (they just joined as well).  Lily was happily entranced in her game of mermaids with her friend Maddie for 90 minutes.  Just so you know we don't just torture her for our own pleasure.  We do try to plan activities that she will enjoy as well.

-- Michael is obsessed with this Zombie vs. Plants game on my Kindle.  He is amazing at it, and even when we make him turn it off, he keeps playing.  Which is a little awkward at playgrounds, when he approaches other 3 year olds and asks them if they want to play zombies.  I get many disapproving glances at that one...and rightfully so.  It is a fantastic motivator for Mikey, though.  He is playing right now...and he earned it by cleaning up all the toys on the floor.  Fantastic.

-- I picked up some forms from the pediatrician for Lily's kindergarten registration on March 6.   I was getting all sappy and emotional about signing her up...how can my baby girl be going already.  Pragmatic Jeff pointed out that next year at this time I'll really be a basketcase.  OMG...next March I'll be signing MICHAEL up for kindergarten.  Crap.  Midlife crisis is coming fast.  Helpful, Jeff.

-- We are happily settled into our town now that Jeff has his new job and he is enjoying it.  And we find out that 2 of our across the street neighbors have decided to move.  If any more put their houses on the market, I'm going to start to get a complex.  What, we decide to stay, so you suddenly think you need a smaller house, a house closer to your job, DEAR GOD ANY HOUSE AWAY FROM THOSE PEOPLE WHO TEACH THEIR 3 YEAR OLD ABOUT ZOMBIES!!!?

Manic Monday

According to the local news I watched this morning, gas prices are climbing rapidly, and based on the hysteria in the newscaster's voice, I am supposed to be frantically worried about it.  So I decided that I would try to consolidate my errands and drive less.  Then I looked at today's schedule.

5:30 am- Go to the gym to run before Jeff leaves for work
9:00 am- Take Lily to school
9:30 am- Pick up forms from doctor's office for kindergarten registration next week
11:30am- Pick up Lily from school
1:30pm- Go to the Y for Lily's swim lesson
4:00pm-Pick up Andrew from school and take him to his swim lesson
7:30pm- Go out for coffee with some girlfriends I haven't seen in a while.

Looks like maybe I should just stop eating to save money. 

Splash and Polly

Do you know how hard it is to buy a present for an 8 year old boy who isn't into Legos? 

Really hard.

For Christmas, I got Andrew something called Planet Frog.  It is a little aquarium, and you order tadpoles to be sent to your house and then you get to observe the wonders of metamorphosis.  Andrew's been asking to get a lizard for quite some time now, and we enjoyed the caterpillars we ordered a few years ago...so I thought this would be a fun in between thing.  And I was envisioning the frog being like one of those African dwarf frogs, like they sell at Hallmark and all sorts of non-pet-store locations.  Easy care.

We finally got the tadpoles last weekend.  They apparently won't send them until temperatures are above freezing.  Andrew excitedly helped add our two tadpoles into the tank.  And then we read the directions.

I'm going to have to buy live crickets to feed these things once they are frogs.  We are also free to catch flies or earthworms (chopped up) to feed them.  Um...ew?  And annoying to have to go to the pet store every week to get food?  And they don't even eat stink bugs (a renewable resource at our house).  And to clean the tank, I'll have to wet my hands down and pick up the things and put them in some sort of container with a lid so they don't escape? 

What have I gotten myself into?

Polly (Andrew actually named her Polywag...a Pokemon, for those of you not in the know), is quite large already, and her back legs have started growing.  The kids are FASCINATED.  And I have to admit...it is pretty cool.  I think this morning I see the front legs too.  I think it will blow their minds when this thing actually turns into a frog.

Splash is a little developmentally delayed.  He is smaller and lighter colored, and I have my hopes he may actually turn into an easy-to-care-for African dwarf frog.  Probably not.  He just started getting his legs...and they are not nearly as impressive as Polly's.

I clearly have a favorite frog.

Anyhoo...that's the latest misadventure in my gift buying experiences.  Good thing Andrew's birthday isn't for another 9 months.  Perhaps I'll have more ideas by then...

Catching up

I didn't mention this last week, but when I took all 3 kids to the doctor last week they had to get weighed.  Michael was 38.0 pounds.  Lily was 38.12 pounds.

Heh.  Heh.  He's catching up!  They already wear the same size shoe, and it's getting harder to tell their voices apart.  You'd think this would bother Lily...but she is like a small terrier or dachshund.  She's so used to going up against giant Andrew, that she's learned height doesn't matter.  She can and will and does emotionally dominate them.

Atta girl.


As a side note into how we are training Lily to dominate the men in her life...

Lily was cuddling with Jeff and I on Sunday morning.  She asked for something and I told her to ask Dad, since he's the boss of the family.  She emphatically shook her head and said, "No.  Mommy is the boss."  Then she went on to say, "And Grandma is in charge of Grandpa and Memere is in charge of Pepere."  Jeff just smiled, rolled his eyes, and nodded.  My poor future son-in-law.

Stinky bugs

We have stink bugs here in PA.  They are little slow, dumb, hard shelled critters that come out in droves in the spring and fall.  Then they nestle themselves in your siding or wall boards or whatever, lay their eggs, and come out the next season.   Other than their sheer numbers, annoying habit of flying straight at your head, and the fact that exterminators can't really help you eliminate them, they are low on the scale of freaky insects.  When that scale includes yellow jackets, termites, and spiders.

Oh, and did I mention they STINK?  Only when they are smooshed...which is every time you catch one.  I have a rule that they must be flushed down the toilet because I cannot stand the smell of one in the trash.  It is AWFUL.

Except that Jeff can't smell them.  Really.  He doesn't notice a thing.  I don't think it bothers the kids either.  But I HATE it.

Fast forward to this afternoon.  While I was out shopping with the kids, Jeff got his painting clothes out of the garage (a.k.a. Stink Bug Land), and found lots of dead stink bugs clinging to the fabric.  He...wait for it...decided to throw his clothes in the dryer to get them off.

No big deal?  Except that the basement REEKS of stink bug.  My dryer/vent/entire basement now stinks to high heaven.  I can't imagine doing laundry down there.  Putting the food away was torture.

And Jeff can't smell a thing.  He just shrugs and says he doesn't see the big deal.

-sigh-

My little carrier family

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

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

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.

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

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!