I have a couple of topics bubbling up to the surface, so you may have to endure a couple of long-winded, incoherent, oh-so-serious entries here over the next few days. I'll try to pepper my blog with the crazy antics of my kids (or myself, as the case may be), just to keep you guys happy, but I need to get these thoughts out. It's cathartic for me.
So, the first topic is friends and authenticity. On more than one occasion lately, I have had separate people tell me that what they are looking for in a friend is someone who's real. Someone who has a grasp on reality and shares not just the good, but also the not-so-good. Someone who doesn't need to overdo the makeup or overdo the concern over appearance. These people are looking for someone to connect to that is real. Because life doesn't always wear lipstick. Sometimes, life involves dealing with things like infertility or arguments. Bad things happen and not everyone lives the life of the Cleavers.
I feel like there have been very few people in my life that have totally accepted me for exactly who I am. Not needing anything. Not wanting to change who I am. Taking the good with the bad. Allowing me to be exactly who I am. I can count on my fingers the people in my life that fall into that category. I have tons of friends whom I have a lot of fun with. We laugh and we support each other, but only up to a certain point. When the going gets tough, some people don't know how to handle it. I will admit that to some, I am that person. I'm the one that is just a casual friend. I'm the one that gets all flustered when bad things happen and doesn't know what to say. To others, I'm more. I guess it just boils down to who you "click" with, what you have in common, etc.
And also? If life is so grand and everything is so great, then what on earth do we need friends for? I have enough people in my life that would love to come along on the celebratory ride. How many would stand by me when times are hard and life takes you down a different path?
The deep friendships I've maintained aren't people I talk to daily. They are friends I've had and kept along the way. Right now, I have a few friendships which are developing. Recently, I've met some new people and have gotten closer to some existing friends. I don't need more surface friendships. I don't need someone who's kid is better behaved than mine or who knows everything there is to know about everything. I need someone that I can pick up the phone and call when I'm sobbing. I need someone who will understand if I tell them that I made a mistake and I'm sorry and will really forgive me. I need someone who acknowledges their own mistakes and shortcomings and allows me to accept them. I need someone that doesn't care if I haven't shaved my legs or if my car needs to be washed. I need someone who cares about me enough to NOT pass judgment. I have a great relationship with my husband and my mom. But I'm looking forward to finding that friend. Because there's nothing quite like a good girl friend that you connect with regularly. To help keep you sane in the very REAL world.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
It's the thought that counts
On the way to church this morning, I was explaining to Morgan that on the way home, I thought it might be nice to stop and get a card for her friend who's dog just died. This led us through the usual suspects, with regards to questions about death and animals and what you do with them when they die, and where they go. At the end of it all, she decided that she would like to pick out a card and that hopefully it would cheer him up.
So, on the way home, we stopped at the store and she was determined to pick out a card with a picture of a dog on it. Like, the get well card she brought to me. I had to explain to her that it wasn't exactly appropriate and that I felt like maybe we should steer away from pictures of dogs, since that might actually make him more sad. This conversation took a lot of explaining, because pictures of dogs does NOT equal sad to Morgan, but I think she eventually got it.
So, we bring the card home and after lunch, she goes to "decorate it". She says she knows just what she wants to do. She has pencils and stickers and markers and that will "really cheer him up!" She comes back, very proud of the work she has just completed and reveals it to me. I take one look and can't help but laugh. She has about half a dozen drawings of faces, all with frowning faces and tears coming out of their eyes. But, mixed in with this sad testimony and tribute to the lost pet is a scattering of stickers that say Neat! Way To Go! Cool! LOL She'd gotten a hold of her "motivational" stickers that we use on her chore chart and littered the sympathy card with their positive statements.
Hopefully he'll understand that it comes from a good place in her heart.
So, on the way home, we stopped at the store and she was determined to pick out a card with a picture of a dog on it. Like, the get well card she brought to me. I had to explain to her that it wasn't exactly appropriate and that I felt like maybe we should steer away from pictures of dogs, since that might actually make him more sad. This conversation took a lot of explaining, because pictures of dogs does NOT equal sad to Morgan, but I think she eventually got it.
So, we bring the card home and after lunch, she goes to "decorate it". She says she knows just what she wants to do. She has pencils and stickers and markers and that will "really cheer him up!" She comes back, very proud of the work she has just completed and reveals it to me. I take one look and can't help but laugh. She has about half a dozen drawings of faces, all with frowning faces and tears coming out of their eyes. But, mixed in with this sad testimony and tribute to the lost pet is a scattering of stickers that say Neat! Way To Go! Cool! LOL She'd gotten a hold of her "motivational" stickers that we use on her chore chart and littered the sympathy card with their positive statements.
Hopefully he'll understand that it comes from a good place in her heart.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Teach that boy some manners
Bennett's vocabulary is just exploding lately. He's saying all kinds of words, mimicking them at first and then using them after. But the one word he REFUSES to say is please. He'll sign it like a champ, but he will not verbalize it. I've resorted to pointing to my lips and saying "use your words!" while slowly mouthing the word PPPP-LLLLL-EEEEEAAAA-SSSSS-EEEE. His response is to point to his lips and say "words". Ahh!!
He can say his name now, sort of. He won't just say Bennett, but if you ask him to say baby Bennett, he'll say it. "baby bebe".
A funny thing he's doing right now is if you ask him what a Bennett says, he'll say "noooooooo". I taught him that Momma says I love you and so, if I ask him what a Momma says, he'll say "wuvoo". Nothing can melt the heart quite like that. Which is good. Because I probably told him three thousand times today that it's NOT okay to stand on the couch, or hit when you're told to get down because you were standing on the couch, or throw things because you aren't allowed to hit. This boy is the definition of a time out.
He can say his name now, sort of. He won't just say Bennett, but if you ask him to say baby Bennett, he'll say it. "baby bebe".
A funny thing he's doing right now is if you ask him what a Bennett says, he'll say "noooooooo". I taught him that Momma says I love you and so, if I ask him what a Momma says, he'll say "wuvoo". Nothing can melt the heart quite like that. Which is good. Because I probably told him three thousand times today that it's NOT okay to stand on the couch, or hit when you're told to get down because you were standing on the couch, or throw things because you aren't allowed to hit. This boy is the definition of a time out.
More of the same
I'm exhausted from the back-to-school schedule. I slept in until 8:20 this morning, but had to get up so I could make the 9:30 kickboxing class and also be ready to hit the beach this afternoon (we were supposed to be 20-25 minutes away at 11 and the class ended at 10:30). We got there about 20 minutes late, which isn't too bad considering we had to circle back home to get the TOWELS that we somehow forgot we needed when going to play in the water and sand. Once we finally got there, it was great. Except, as soon as I got the blanket all spread out and stuff unpacked, Bennett promptly plopped his little tush down and pointed to his mouth and declared "eat". So, he ate lunch and then played in the water for all of maybe 20 minutes before he was done. Luckily, Lance was able to wrangle him while Morgan and I enjoyed the cool water for a bit before we had to leave. It was well over 100 degrees today, so it was nice to spend some time in the water with friends. But if I wasn't exhausted before, spending a few hours in the blazing hot sun was sure to do it.
During nap time, Lance and I finally finished watching a movie we've had from Blockbuster Online for, I dunno, at least three months? It wasn't even that good. And it kept me from napping! But at least we get to progress our queue now. And Lance took all three of our movies back to Blockbuster and got the whole second season of Dexter on DVD. Guess what we are doing tonight?? So much for going to bed early. :)
We don't have anything planned for tomorrow except church. After that, I look forward to getting ready for the week ahead. Morgan has an early release day on Monday, but the rest of the week should be more of us adjusting to the new routine. I even get to start working in her class on Friday.
During nap time, Lance and I finally finished watching a movie we've had from Blockbuster Online for, I dunno, at least three months? It wasn't even that good. And it kept me from napping! But at least we get to progress our queue now. And Lance took all three of our movies back to Blockbuster and got the whole second season of Dexter on DVD. Guess what we are doing tonight?? So much for going to bed early. :)
We don't have anything planned for tomorrow except church. After that, I look forward to getting ready for the week ahead. Morgan has an early release day on Monday, but the rest of the week should be more of us adjusting to the new routine. I even get to start working in her class on Friday.
Friday, September 5, 2008
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...
We've had a lovely day so far. We were EARLY for school. I was able to get back home and do some chores before dropping Bennett off at Tot Drop. I wanted to try him out there for a couple of hours while I was at home, to see how he will do. I plan to use Tot Drop as a backup in case I need it for working in Morgan's classroom (which I start next week!). The teachers that were there when I used to take Morgan there were still there and they remembered me and Morgan and couldn't believe that she's in Kindergarten now. They adored Bennett as much, if not more and he did FABULOUSLY. I thought he was going to lose it when I left, but he was easily distracted by the slide outside. :)
I came home to an empty house (VERY STRANGE FEELING!) and got to work on the yard. I mowed and weeded and swept. And then, before I knew it, it was time to get showered up and go pick Bennett up. He was happy to see me and we had enough time before I had to go get Morgan that I was able to prep macaroni and cheese for the kids and a salad for adults. Went to school and picked Morgan up and then her friend, Kaitlyn (and her mom), came over for a play date. The kids ate and then Bennett went down for his nap while the girls watched a movie and played. Kaitlyn's mom and I got a chance to sit and chat for a while and it was really nice! She's such a sweet person and we have a lot in common.
Kaitlyn and her mom just left and now Morgan is having quiet time in her room (things started to deteriorate towards the end of the play date since Morgan was hanging nap-free). Bennett is now up, so I'm still "on". We've been invited to Superfranks tonight and I'm not sure if we'll go or not. Need to check with the hubby. This time between now and dinner is the hardest, so I'm tempted to go to (1) beat the heat and (2) get the kids out of the house. Guess we'll see how quiet time goes.
Better go get Bennett before he starts pounding on the walls. :)
I came home to an empty house (VERY STRANGE FEELING!) and got to work on the yard. I mowed and weeded and swept. And then, before I knew it, it was time to get showered up and go pick Bennett up. He was happy to see me and we had enough time before I had to go get Morgan that I was able to prep macaroni and cheese for the kids and a salad for adults. Went to school and picked Morgan up and then her friend, Kaitlyn (and her mom), came over for a play date. The kids ate and then Bennett went down for his nap while the girls watched a movie and played. Kaitlyn's mom and I got a chance to sit and chat for a while and it was really nice! She's such a sweet person and we have a lot in common.
Kaitlyn and her mom just left and now Morgan is having quiet time in her room (things started to deteriorate towards the end of the play date since Morgan was hanging nap-free). Bennett is now up, so I'm still "on". We've been invited to Superfranks tonight and I'm not sure if we'll go or not. Need to check with the hubby. This time between now and dinner is the hardest, so I'm tempted to go to (1) beat the heat and (2) get the kids out of the house. Guess we'll see how quiet time goes.
Better go get Bennett before he starts pounding on the walls. :)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
One word
Can you describe me in one word? Try to do so in a comment, and I will respond to your comment with a one word description of you. :)
Another one for the baby book
September 4, 2008
Bennett climbs on top of and stands on tables. Repeatedly. Without fear. Laughs and thinks it's funny.
Ahhh, the joys of parenting!
Bennett climbs on top of and stands on tables. Repeatedly. Without fear. Laughs and thinks it's funny.
Ahhh, the joys of parenting!
Just to "close the loop"
Gosh, I haven't used that term since quitting my high-tech-high-acronym job. But, I didn't want to leave my readers hanging. So, here is the ending to the lamb breast story.
I boiled it up for the dog on Saturday. Made with extra love and care. Not sure what this level of fat would do to her system, I carefully cut off one of the ribs and brought it outside. I let her out there and had to practically DRAG her over to where it was.
She sniffed it, licked it, and then walked away.
EVEN MY DOG WON'T EAT IT.
I was relaying this story to my mom on the phone a little earlier and when I said to her, "Take it from me, don't ever buy lamb breast", she responded with "Don't worry!" Because I'm the only idiot who didn't get the clue when the butcher looked at me like I was crazy when I had to "special order" it because they didn't have any out. On the last day of the sale. Gosh, they'd probably just sold so much of it that they now had to get some more out and cut it up special, just for me.
Lesson learned. Loop closed.
I boiled it up for the dog on Saturday. Made with extra love and care. Not sure what this level of fat would do to her system, I carefully cut off one of the ribs and brought it outside. I let her out there and had to practically DRAG her over to where it was.
She sniffed it, licked it, and then walked away.
EVEN MY DOG WON'T EAT IT.
I was relaying this story to my mom on the phone a little earlier and when I said to her, "Take it from me, don't ever buy lamb breast", she responded with "Don't worry!" Because I'm the only idiot who didn't get the clue when the butcher looked at me like I was crazy when I had to "special order" it because they didn't have any out. On the last day of the sale. Gosh, they'd probably just sold so much of it that they now had to get some more out and cut it up special, just for me.
Lesson learned. Loop closed.
Two reasons I love my husband
1. He took Morgan to school this morning, thus resolving my conflict over when/where/what to feed Bennett.
2. I had to admit I was wrong about something this morning and when he didn't throw it in my face, I said, "What no comment about me being wrong?". He said, "No comment necessary. I'm expecting the entire universe to stop." See, he thinks the world revolves around ME. Ha! :)
I'm enjoying my non-driving-drinking-coffee-from-a-coffee-mug-instead-of-a-travel-mug-morning. Bennett woke up on his own accord and is now dressed and happily eating pancakes and pears. I have unloaded the dishwasher and have no worries about making it to our play date on time.
We didn't do leftovers last night, so we'll do them tonight and I'll hit the 5pm athletic challenge class at the club. I love it when things work out.
2. I had to admit I was wrong about something this morning and when he didn't throw it in my face, I said, "What no comment about me being wrong?". He said, "No comment necessary. I'm expecting the entire universe to stop." See, he thinks the world revolves around ME. Ha! :)
I'm enjoying my non-driving-drinking-coffee-from-a-coffee-mug-instead-of-a-travel-mug-morning. Bennett woke up on his own accord and is now dressed and happily eating pancakes and pears. I have unloaded the dishwasher and have no worries about making it to our play date on time.
We didn't do leftovers last night, so we'll do them tonight and I'll hit the 5pm athletic challenge class at the club. I love it when things work out.
Beauty sleep and other random thoughts.
I have to (1) quit staying OUT too late and (2) quit staying UP too late. This new school schedule is wrecking my beauty sleep.
After Morgan decided yesterday that she wasn't ready to get out of bed when her alarm went off, we discussed that it was kind of THE WHOLE PURPOSE of having an alarm. You know, getting up before you are ready to. So you can get somewhere on time. So, this morning, when her alarm went off, I knew she was up because I could hear her stomping around. I'm pretty sure she was channeling my Dad, being quiet.
I had to wake Bennett up to get ready before school both yesterday and the day before.We have a play date at a friends' house this morning at 8:30 (after school drop off, but not right after), so my plan is to let him sleep until the very last moment and then possibly just getting him out of bed and into the car. This means that I either need to feed him in the car, or I'll have like 20 minutes to feed him and change him when we get back from dropping Morgan off. Except, I don't know what kinds of food, besides dry cereal, to feed a toddler in the car. Any suggestions? I may try to warm up a pancake and let him snack on that. Or, maybe because I'm planning this, he'll wake up before we leave. Who knows. Parenting is always a craps shoot.
I'm tired and have a bunch of stuff to catch up on from yesterday (ahem, Melissa, ahem). I gave myself permission yesterday to have a "slack" day. Just as if I was still working outside of the home and sometimes I would have a day where I just wouldn't get everything non-essential done on that day. It's amazing how much harder it is to give yourself permission when you're, in essence, working for yourself.
So, today I will need to catch up. Oh, and go to the gym. Because I slacked off from that yesterday. It was just too busy of a day with school, PTO meeting, playgroup, and board meeting last night. Today we just have the play date. And then I might take Bennett to the park before it gets too warm.
After Morgan decided yesterday that she wasn't ready to get out of bed when her alarm went off, we discussed that it was kind of THE WHOLE PURPOSE of having an alarm. You know, getting up before you are ready to. So you can get somewhere on time. So, this morning, when her alarm went off, I knew she was up because I could hear her stomping around. I'm pretty sure she was channeling my Dad, being quiet.
I had to wake Bennett up to get ready before school both yesterday and the day before.We have a play date at a friends' house this morning at 8:30 (after school drop off, but not right after), so my plan is to let him sleep until the very last moment and then possibly just getting him out of bed and into the car. This means that I either need to feed him in the car, or I'll have like 20 minutes to feed him and change him when we get back from dropping Morgan off. Except, I don't know what kinds of food, besides dry cereal, to feed a toddler in the car. Any suggestions? I may try to warm up a pancake and let him snack on that. Or, maybe because I'm planning this, he'll wake up before we leave. Who knows. Parenting is always a craps shoot.
I'm tired and have a bunch of stuff to catch up on from yesterday (ahem, Melissa, ahem). I gave myself permission yesterday to have a "slack" day. Just as if I was still working outside of the home and sometimes I would have a day where I just wouldn't get everything non-essential done on that day. It's amazing how much harder it is to give yourself permission when you're, in essence, working for yourself.
So, today I will need to catch up. Oh, and go to the gym. Because I slacked off from that yesterday. It was just too busy of a day with school, PTO meeting, playgroup, and board meeting last night. Today we just have the play date. And then I might take Bennett to the park before it gets too warm.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
I think my son is suffering from PMS
You know how they like to label everything with an illness these days. Well, according to Bennett's behavior today, I'd say he's suffering from PMS.
Here are his symptoms:
1. Moody -- one minute wants nothing more than to be held by me, the next wants nothing to do with me.
2. Hungry -- he's pretty much been eating all day
3. Sleepy -- had to wake him up this morning to take Morgan to school and then he fell asleep in the car on the way to pick her up
4. Grumpy/Mad -- throwing stuff. A lot.
5. Constipation?? -- no poop today!
I attempted to go to my first PTO meeting this morning, but he threw a banana across the room and then started to say NO! NO! so loudly that I couldn't hear. So we left. Leaving for playgroup, he gets upset for no particular reason and decides to chuck his sippy cup on the ground. After playgroup, he yells at me (all the way to the school to pick up Morgan) EAT! EEEEAAAATTT!! Momma!!! EEEEAAAAT! Then, he falls asleep before we even get there. He hasn't had a poop all day.
Should I give him a midol and some chocolate??
Here are his symptoms:
1. Moody -- one minute wants nothing more than to be held by me, the next wants nothing to do with me.
2. Hungry -- he's pretty much been eating all day
3. Sleepy -- had to wake him up this morning to take Morgan to school and then he fell asleep in the car on the way to pick her up
4. Grumpy/Mad -- throwing stuff. A lot.
5. Constipation?? -- no poop today!
I attempted to go to my first PTO meeting this morning, but he threw a banana across the room and then started to say NO! NO! so loudly that I couldn't hear. So we left. Leaving for playgroup, he gets upset for no particular reason and decides to chuck his sippy cup on the ground. After playgroup, he yells at me (all the way to the school to pick up Morgan) EAT! EEEEAAAATTT!! Momma!!! EEEEAAAAT! Then, he falls asleep before we even get there. He hasn't had a poop all day.
Should I give him a midol and some chocolate??
"He's not really that into me"
Yes, these are words that ACTUALLY came out of my FIVE YEAR OLD daughter's mouth today after I picked her up from school. I had to do a double take and just make sure that time hadn't accidentally shifted ahead a decade or so.
There's a kid that goes to her school that she met this summer at camp. I guess he made quite the impression on her, because when she saw him at one of the park play dates, she was all excited. After school started, she would tell me how excited she was that he was at her school.
One day last week, she tells me that she "really likes the way he looks". After I picked up my jaw off the floor, I asked her what she meant by that. What, exactly, did she like about the way he looked? "I just like his shape," she tells me. We go on, talking about this little boy and how when she goes by him, he always says "Oh no, not you again!" and she laughs. I asked her if he was joking around or what and she said she didn't know. She just knew that he said it whenever she walked by him.
So, today, she tells me that he's just not that into her. I asked her what she meant and she just repeats that over. Trying to get the focus off this one little boy, I tell her that maybe he has other friends that he's busy playing with right now. And she says that he does. One friend. Joe. They played baseball together. That's the only kid he plays with.
I'm thinking to myself that she sure does know a lot about this boy. Don't get me wrong, he's a VERY cute kid. And his mom is really nice and involved -- she's VP of the PTO. I'm just thinking to myself that I'm in big, BIG trouble. Lance doesn't want to talk about it. In fact, if I reacall his reaction, it was to stick his fingers in his ears and go "la la la la la".
There's a kid that goes to her school that she met this summer at camp. I guess he made quite the impression on her, because when she saw him at one of the park play dates, she was all excited. After school started, she would tell me how excited she was that he was at her school.
One day last week, she tells me that she "really likes the way he looks". After I picked up my jaw off the floor, I asked her what she meant by that. What, exactly, did she like about the way he looked? "I just like his shape," she tells me. We go on, talking about this little boy and how when she goes by him, he always says "Oh no, not you again!" and she laughs. I asked her if he was joking around or what and she said she didn't know. She just knew that he said it whenever she walked by him.
So, today, she tells me that he's just not that into her. I asked her what she meant and she just repeats that over. Trying to get the focus off this one little boy, I tell her that maybe he has other friends that he's busy playing with right now. And she says that he does. One friend. Joe. They played baseball together. That's the only kid he plays with.
I'm thinking to myself that she sure does know a lot about this boy. Don't get me wrong, he's a VERY cute kid. And his mom is really nice and involved -- she's VP of the PTO. I'm just thinking to myself that I'm in big, BIG trouble. Lance doesn't want to talk about it. In fact, if I reacall his reaction, it was to stick his fingers in his ears and go "la la la la la".
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Boys and girls
Morgan has been talking about bringing flowers to her Kindergarten teacher for almost a week now. Yes, I do realize that she started school a week ago. Yes, that's pretty much when she started talking about it. Well, I've talked to her about possibly doing that sometime later, when all then newness of everything wears off, but she keeps asking every day. Today, she was actually making plans for when we would go, where we would go, and what we would get. The girl is determined! She told me that today they were given time to draw ANYTHING they wanted. She drew pictures of flowers for her teacher.
Fast forward to tonight at Back to School night. The parents are all sitting in tiny little chairs and checking out the workbooks and stuff the kids will be working on this year. One is a writing journal and they've completed the first page. It's where they've drawn a picture at the top and their teacher wrote what they told her about the picture underneath it.
There are two boys at Morgan's table. To the right, Joey, who had drawn a picture and the caption said, "I trapped a pink coyote". To the left, John, with a picture of a snake and a caption, "I saw a snake when I went shooting with my Dad."** I open Morgan's and there is her picture. Two stick figures, one with longer hair (which always indicates an older female), with flowers in the middle. Her caption? "I'm giving Ms. A___ flowers". The other moms are all "awwww". I'm all "teacher's pet!". Ooohhh, the difference between boys and girls!
Back to school night was a big success. With every day that passes, I'm positive that we made the right decision on the school for Morgan. The teachers are so excellent and the stuff that they are doing is top notch. The kindergartners get music and PE each week (starting this week!)and get to go to the library once a week. The music teacher told us that they'll start talking about how to keep a steady beat this week and to expect to hear a lot about it at home. They start Spanish, Art and Sciences in the first grade! The curriculum for kindergarten looks to be really awesome and I'm just so impressed with what they have planned for this year. I'm so excited for Morgan. Her little brain is going to be buzzing with all the new information.
It was sign-up time for helping with our teacher. I think I did okay and only volunteered for a couple of things. Working on Fridays, particularly helping out with stations, and to be Room Parent/Party Planner WHATEVER THAT MEANS. It was totally peer pressure, too. After the teacher's presentation, a group of us moms go to see what is left over at the sign up sheets. Nobody had signed up for Room Parent. One of the moms looks at me and says, "I'll do it if you do it". How can I say no to that?? Yeah, I know it's a fairly easy word to say, but somehow SURE! came out. It's a sickness, I tell you. We also signed up to bring the teacher some supplies off her wish list and Lance signed up to help build a fence around the school's soon-to-be garden. At least I know I'm not the only volunteer in the family.
**I got the FULL disclaimer from John's Mom. She was a little reluctant to show me what he drew and his caption at first. She made me show her ours first. Then, she gave me the disclaimer that "they are locked up and unloaded". Just in case I ever decide to send my daughter to her house, I suppose.
Fast forward to tonight at Back to School night. The parents are all sitting in tiny little chairs and checking out the workbooks and stuff the kids will be working on this year. One is a writing journal and they've completed the first page. It's where they've drawn a picture at the top and their teacher wrote what they told her about the picture underneath it.There are two boys at Morgan's table. To the right, Joey, who had drawn a picture and the caption said, "I trapped a pink coyote". To the left, John, with a picture of a snake and a caption, "I saw a snake when I went shooting with my Dad."** I open Morgan's and there is her picture. Two stick figures, one with longer hair (which always indicates an older female), with flowers in the middle. Her caption? "I'm giving Ms. A___ flowers". The other moms are all "awwww". I'm all "teacher's pet!". Ooohhh, the difference between boys and girls!
Back to school night was a big success. With every day that passes, I'm positive that we made the right decision on the school for Morgan. The teachers are so excellent and the stuff that they are doing is top notch. The kindergartners get music and PE each week (starting this week!)and get to go to the library once a week. The music teacher told us that they'll start talking about how to keep a steady beat this week and to expect to hear a lot about it at home. They start Spanish, Art and Sciences in the first grade! The curriculum for kindergarten looks to be really awesome and I'm just so impressed with what they have planned for this year. I'm so excited for Morgan. Her little brain is going to be buzzing with all the new information.
It was sign-up time for helping with our teacher. I think I did okay and only volunteered for a couple of things. Working on Fridays, particularly helping out with stations, and to be Room Parent/Party Planner WHATEVER THAT MEANS. It was totally peer pressure, too. After the teacher's presentation, a group of us moms go to see what is left over at the sign up sheets. Nobody had signed up for Room Parent. One of the moms looks at me and says, "I'll do it if you do it". How can I say no to that?? Yeah, I know it's a fairly easy word to say, but somehow SURE! came out. It's a sickness, I tell you. We also signed up to bring the teacher some supplies off her wish list and Lance signed up to help build a fence around the school's soon-to-be garden. At least I know I'm not the only volunteer in the family.
**I got the FULL disclaimer from John's Mom. She was a little reluctant to show me what he drew and his caption at first. She made me show her ours first. Then, she gave me the disclaimer that "they are locked up and unloaded". Just in case I ever decide to send my daughter to her house, I suppose.
I know I'm going to jinx myself...
But we are having a good day around here! It started out a little hectic, with Morgan's alarm clock not going off (need to figure that one out), so we had to rush through the morning a bit. Luckily, Morgan had asked me last night if she could make her own breakfast, so last night, I put out a covered bowl of cereal and put a little bottle of milk in the refrigerator where she could reach it. That made breakfast time a lot easier this morning. I also had already prepared Bennett's fruit (in a bowl, of course), so I was able to pop him into the highchair and have his food to him in less than ten seconds, while I heated up his pancake and then unloaded the dishwasher.
We got to school just on time and then Bennett and I moseyed on over to the tennis club. I did a cardio and core class, which wasn't enough of either for my taste (mostly lunges and squats) and then I hit the showers. I was able to take my time getting ready, even got to put lotion on! And it was gardenia lotion so I even smell good! :) I picked up Bennett from the nursery and was happy to hear that he did great and did not hit anyone with his chunky little hands or any toys. He was super happy to see me, and we headed off to the grocery store. He did great at the store, with the exception of throwing down his sippy cup and BREAKING IT. I'm not sure how one BREAKS a PLASTIC sippy cup, but my son managed to. Luckily, I had already purchased two new sippy cups for him.
We got home and spent some time playing and reading books and then I prepared lunch for the kids (baked chicken nuggets and cucumbers) and then it was time to go get Morgan. She was all excited about some envelope that she's supposed to bring back and forth between school and home. It's the little things, people! We got home and she was excited that lunch was waiting for her and it was "CHICKEN NUGGETS!! You are the best, Mom!". The kids ate while I made my lunch and ate and then I did the post-lunch cleanup while they played.
Things got a little out of hand with Morgan needing to expend some extra energy and running around screaming like a mad woman. But, I asked her to go sit on her bed and she obliged (with just a little attitude). I was able to finish up a lot of my chores - dusting their rooms, cleaning out my purse, diaper bag and wallet, and cleaning the bathroom mirrors while they played.
Just before nap, I actually had the foresight to put out their pajamas and clothes for tomorrow. We have our back to school night tonight and Lance and I are both going (my niece is going to babysit - yeah!). So, now I don't have to worry about doing the scramble before she gets here for pajamas and stuff and their stuff is already laid out for tomorrow morning. I'm pre-prepared. :)
Now, I'm sitting here with my exercise and chores done and I even have time to make a phone call. Loving the new schedule and routine!
After nap, we'll do snack and maybe hit a park or have a play date with the neighbor. Back to school night starts at 6:30, so I've asked my niece to be here at 6. Leftovers for dinner, so I'm pretty much done for the day.
Now where are those bon bons? Oprah's about to come on. :)
We got to school just on time and then Bennett and I moseyed on over to the tennis club. I did a cardio and core class, which wasn't enough of either for my taste (mostly lunges and squats) and then I hit the showers. I was able to take my time getting ready, even got to put lotion on! And it was gardenia lotion so I even smell good! :) I picked up Bennett from the nursery and was happy to hear that he did great and did not hit anyone with his chunky little hands or any toys. He was super happy to see me, and we headed off to the grocery store. He did great at the store, with the exception of throwing down his sippy cup and BREAKING IT. I'm not sure how one BREAKS a PLASTIC sippy cup, but my son managed to. Luckily, I had already purchased two new sippy cups for him.
We got home and spent some time playing and reading books and then I prepared lunch for the kids (baked chicken nuggets and cucumbers) and then it was time to go get Morgan. She was all excited about some envelope that she's supposed to bring back and forth between school and home. It's the little things, people! We got home and she was excited that lunch was waiting for her and it was "CHICKEN NUGGETS!! You are the best, Mom!". The kids ate while I made my lunch and ate and then I did the post-lunch cleanup while they played.
Things got a little out of hand with Morgan needing to expend some extra energy and running around screaming like a mad woman. But, I asked her to go sit on her bed and she obliged (with just a little attitude). I was able to finish up a lot of my chores - dusting their rooms, cleaning out my purse, diaper bag and wallet, and cleaning the bathroom mirrors while they played.
Just before nap, I actually had the foresight to put out their pajamas and clothes for tomorrow. We have our back to school night tonight and Lance and I are both going (my niece is going to babysit - yeah!). So, now I don't have to worry about doing the scramble before she gets here for pajamas and stuff and their stuff is already laid out for tomorrow morning. I'm pre-prepared. :)
Now, I'm sitting here with my exercise and chores done and I even have time to make a phone call. Loving the new schedule and routine!
After nap, we'll do snack and maybe hit a park or have a play date with the neighbor. Back to school night starts at 6:30, so I've asked my niece to be here at 6. Leftovers for dinner, so I'm pretty much done for the day.
Now where are those bon bons? Oprah's about to come on. :)
Monday, September 1, 2008
File under strange things children do
My son insists on eating his cheerios a certain way. You *have* to put them in a bowl. But, then he has to take them out, one by one, and place them on the back of his hand. Then he carefully navigates is hand up to his mouth, where he eats it off the back of his hand. EVERY TIME.
Bizarre!
Also, along the same lines, Bennett slept until 8:45 this morning. Not sure why! But, I liked the extra sleep.
Especially since Lance was up early to go hiking, so I was on kid duty. By the time we all got moving this morning, we were headed out to the park and Lance walked back in from hiking. So, we walked over to the park and he drove over after he made lunches for us and we all hung out at the park, flying a kite and having a picnic. A nice way to spend labor day. :)
Now I'm trying to get caught up on my weekly planning (meals, exercise, errands, etc) as well as chores for today. I really wish our Roomba was working. I got so spoiled with not having to vacuum by hand. Now it really seems like a huge pain to pull out the vacuum. Like, a CHORE. Geesh. Well, better get back to my shopping list.
Tomorrow marks the first week of full-half-day kindergarten. Yeehaw!
Bizarre!
Also, along the same lines, Bennett slept until 8:45 this morning. Not sure why! But, I liked the extra sleep.
Especially since Lance was up early to go hiking, so I was on kid duty. By the time we all got moving this morning, we were headed out to the park and Lance walked back in from hiking. So, we walked over to the park and he drove over after he made lunches for us and we all hung out at the park, flying a kite and having a picnic. A nice way to spend labor day. :)
Now I'm trying to get caught up on my weekly planning (meals, exercise, errands, etc) as well as chores for today. I really wish our Roomba was working. I got so spoiled with not having to vacuum by hand. Now it really seems like a huge pain to pull out the vacuum. Like, a CHORE. Geesh. Well, better get back to my shopping list.
Tomorrow marks the first week of full-half-day kindergarten. Yeehaw!
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