So I had a holy hell of a toddler experience yesterday. Zoe is on spring break this week, yay for no taxi-driver duties! We pretty much read stories and watched videos until about three in the afternoon, at which point I decided that if I was going to cook ham for dinner, we'd better get moving. I put the ham in the oven, then loaded everyone up to find some dinner rolls at Wal-Mart. (Have you ever tried their Texas ranch rolls? So yummy! I hate Wal-Mart for so many reasons, but they do have this one saving grace.)
Before I go on, you should know that Zoe has a new fascination with charts and checklists, which I decided to capitalize upon by giving her a couple of chores. She earns a dollar a week for each chore that gets checked off the list every day. (I know, I'm totally generous, right?) Yesterday was her first payday. Two whole dollars! Plus, the one she already had, that Uncle Adam or someone gave her. Anyway, long story short, Liam is NOT into charts and checklists. Or chores. AT ALL. He strongly opposes anything that means picking anything up. His one chore is to clear the kitchen table before dinner, so we can eat, and after dinner so we can do the dishes. Or at the very least, stack them near the sink. Anyway, all week Zoe was rubbing it in that she would buy a prize with her allowance and he wouldn't have any. Which was true, even though I tried to get her to leave him alone about it and quit bragging already!!
So I'm in Wal-Mart with all three kids and a cart full of crap I didn't come in for, trying to convince Zoe that if she wants to buy anything she should SAVE her allowance for next week, so she'll have five dollars instead of only three. She would not be convinced. Which is fine- because I refuse to be the mom that tells her how to spend her money; but maddening- because she wasn't pleased with anything she could afford. She wandered aimlessly, (and S-L-O-W-L-Y) refusing to believe that the only things in the toys section for less than three dollars were matchbox cars, or bubbles. In the meantime, Liam found a dinosaur book he wanted, and I cant really justify buying him a book just to shut him up, when I made her earn her money and refused to cover the difference between her three dollars and a five dollar littlest pet-shop creature. He walked backward from the back wall, all the way to the register, "hiding" the book behind his back. I figured I would yoink it from him right after we checked out, saving the bulk of the imminent tantrum for after we were in the car, safely out of the public eye. Well, that didn't work.
I forgot to take it from him until just before we were out the door. I think he must have thought he was home-free, because he was shocked when I told him I didn't pay for that, and he would have to put it back until next time. He started crying, saying he was "just" taking it home. So, I enlisted the door greeter to help me, thinking that if it didn't come from mommy, he would put up less of a fight. Wrong again. The stupid old man wouldn't take it! I told Liam he couldn't steal, and needed to give it back to the worker. Just as Liam was about to hand it to him, the old man looks at me, and says "You don't want him to have it?" What!?!? The fact that I'm on my way OUT THE DOOR, with my stuff in bags, and a three year old throwing a fit, wasn't a clue enough for you that I'm trying to get the kid to leave the frickin book here? Sheesh! I pried the book out of Liams hands (no exaggeration), practically chucked it at the stupidest old man I've ever met, and start heading out the door. But no, Liam wants to "stay HERE!" badly enough to stand right in the entryway and stomp and scream at the top of his lungs.
I picked him up and carried him to the car, suffering kicks to my thighs and screaming in my ears all the way. I had to set him down to fish my keys out of my purse, and he ran to the other side of the car parked next to ours, screaming and stomping all the way. He seemed to be sticking close, and I learned a few years ago that you should never chase a running toddler, so I just kept and eye on him while unloaded everything from the cart to the car and got the other two kids buckled in. No less than three people asked him if he was lost, and all three gave me that disgusted look of horror, when I popped around the other vehicle to explain that he was not lost, but just letting off some steam.
Finally, there was nothing left to do, so I walked around to get him and take him back to the car. Yeah, the chasing a toddler rule still holds true. The second he saw that I was ready to pick him up, he turned and RAN, full speed, down the parking lot. I ran after him. Just as I started to run, I hear "Is that you, Rachelle?" -UGG...Of course not! Rachelle is totally together, and calm, and never has to chase her perfect children through the Wal-Mart parking lot just so she can take them home. I turned around and there was Cory, a co-worker from Arbys, who I haven't seen in about 6 years. She has her husband and two-year old with her, and looks fantastic (of course! and not at all frazzled, I might add). Cory gushes "How are you!?" -haha! Obviously I'm wonderful!!- As I ran past her, I tried to joke that I'm usually better than this, and gestured wildly to the tow-head quickly disappearing between the rows of cars. He nearly got hit by a car before I caught him by the straps of his overalls and threw him over my shoulder sack-of-potatoes style.
Accompanied by the kicking and screaming I wrestled him into his seat-belt by holding his hips down with one hand and buckling with the other, with flashes of the Dr Phil show on abusive parents going through my head. After pausing a moment to close the back door, and check myself for bruises, I started to drive out of the parking lot. I had a silent debate going in my head over whether the headline would read "Mother abuses boy in Wal-Mart parking lot" or, "Search for child-killer ensues" as Liam climbed out of his (still buckled) seat-belt, and tried to open the door. Yes, while the car was moving. When he couldn't get the door to open he figured beating the back of my arms and head with his fists would suffice, and upped the screaming volume a notch for good measure.
About a block away from Wal-Mart, I pulled off on the side of the road, pulled him out of the car, stood him on the sidewalk and asked him if he wanted to walk home. First he got louder, screaming that he didn't want to go home. I walked back toward the car, telling him that if he wanted to walk back to Wal-Mart instead, he should feel free to do so. Zoe was bawling, and screaming "Mom, he's too little to walk home! He'll get lost!!" (Oh, to be so lucky...) Of course the second I got the drivers door open again, he wanted to come with us. So, we reviewed his options again. He could SHUT THE HELL UP, buckle his seat-belt, and ride home with us. OR, he could WALK HOME ALONE. (I realize I'm a bully, and this tactic goes against every parenting experts advise, but holy freaking crap people, have the "experts" ever even seen a kid? Or less, taken one to Wal-Mart?) Whatever...
Anyway, he made it all the way home without freaking out again. The second I pulled in, I carried him to his bed and told him to stay there. He didn't cry, or even try to come out. When dinner was ready an hour later, he was sound asleep. We woke him up, but he wakes up grumpy (even on his good days, which this obviously wasn't) so we left him to drift in and out until he was ready to come eat. From the dinner table we heard him call out in his sleep "I want to WALK HOME!!" Ha ha, too late kid.
When Liam finally did come out of his room, he was contrite and sweet, apologizing on his own before being lectured by his dad, and again after. It still amazes me how I can go totally mommy-monster on them, but less than an hour later one little "I'm sorry momma" with a big hug, will still melt me completely. Brian grounded him from watching any shows, or going to any stores for a week. (Haha I guess he didn't think getting the crap beat out of me by my own three year old was enough of a punishment for taking the kids to Wal-Mart, and I needed a week of finding things for them to do, on top of it.) The joke was on him though, at least for that night, because soon after dinner, Zoe and I left for our "girls night".
Girls night is a little thing we came up with so that Zoe and I could go out without the boys. Haha - obviously. Usually she wants to go to a movie, which is more complicated than it should be, because there is almost never a movie out that we both want to see and, she almost never sits through a whole movie. For this GN, I convinced her that the bookstore and ice-cream would be way more fun. We hung out at Barnes and Noble for a couple of hours, read a bunch of books and each picked one to buy. Then we went to the Red Mango, for some ridiculously overpriced, but oh-so-yummy pomegranate frozen yogurt. She picked a Princess diary at B&N, so we completed some of the fill-in the blanks about me pages together while we ate our yogurt. Then, we headed to the dollar store (she still had three dollars to spend).
She was so funny, as it got later, she was getting overtired and giddy hyper-active. She kept saying "This is the best night of my life!" I kept thinking how the best night of my life was probably the night of her birthday. Laying there in a hospital bed, watching her every move with total fascination. I couldn't even believe it was true, that she was really there, and I was a mother! Finally! Our girls night out felt like a pretty close second best night of my life though, after the ordeal with Liam earlier, to be able to go out and spend time with my child, in public, and be reminded that they do in fact, know how to behave appropriately. So about two and a half more years, and I'll be able to take Liam in public without total humiliation...? I hope.
Apr 6, 2010
Jul 16, 2009
Boyfriends
Zoe had a sleepover with her best-est cousin Kaylissa the other night. They had lots of fun fighting over who would sleep where, and who was being meaner to whom until the wee wee hours, but the next morning all was well. Sleepy, but otherwise happy to play together.
I decided to take the kids to the park (mostly I needed a HUGE diet coke from a major lack of sleep the night before) where they played happily for a solid couple of hours. I heard them pretending with each other as they played, and most of it was the usual five year old girlie princess stuff, accented by Liams insistence that he was a horse. So cute! Kaylissa is already a little boy crazy; every boy she saw, she would insist that the boy was their boyfriend. (not just hers, mind you, but theirs, both of them - I had to laugh)
Anyway, on the way home, we stopped by Brian's work to say hi for a minute, and as we were leaving there was a man sitting on the grass... Kaylissa got excited "That guy is our boyfriend." Zoe, in her most disgusted tone replied "No, he's gross." (he was.) I giggled, and interrupted with some of my usual sarcasm, "Well, aren't we selective!" Zoe looked right at Kaylissa and said "Yeah, Kaylissa, I'm- (insert sexy shoulder shimmy) selective." I nearly wrecked the car trying not to laugh out loud!
PS - Katie, if you are reading this - where the crap is Kaylissa getting this boyfriend stuff? It's hilarious!
I decided to take the kids to the park (mostly I needed a HUGE diet coke from a major lack of sleep the night before) where they played happily for a solid couple of hours. I heard them pretending with each other as they played, and most of it was the usual five year old girlie princess stuff, accented by Liams insistence that he was a horse. So cute! Kaylissa is already a little boy crazy; every boy she saw, she would insist that the boy was their boyfriend. (not just hers, mind you, but theirs, both of them - I had to laugh)
Anyway, on the way home, we stopped by Brian's work to say hi for a minute, and as we were leaving there was a man sitting on the grass... Kaylissa got excited "That guy is our boyfriend." Zoe, in her most disgusted tone replied "No, he's gross." (he was.) I giggled, and interrupted with some of my usual sarcasm, "Well, aren't we selective!" Zoe looked right at Kaylissa and said "Yeah, Kaylissa, I'm- (insert sexy shoulder shimmy) selective." I nearly wrecked the car trying not to laugh out loud!
PS - Katie, if you are reading this - where the crap is Kaylissa getting this boyfriend stuff? It's hilarious!
May 13, 2009
Best Buds
So I was sitting at the computer, sorting spam out of my inbox. The boys were finally napping, and Zoe was behind me building a lego tower, patiently waiting for me to get her some lunch.
She picked up the tower and brought it around to show me how tall it was (all the way up to her earlobe!!). As she carried it away, the bottom half broke off, and she exclaimed "Way to go, Jesus!"
Needless to say, I was appalled. We do more than our fair share of cursing around here, but this isn't one she is likely to have heard, well, anywhere she has ever been. I gasped, then inquired as calmly as possible. "What did you say?"
She laughed! Then explained; "Well, we were trying to carry the tower without breaking it, and Jesus just broke the bottom right off!"
"Um... Oh."
Well, I'd have thought he'd be better at legos than that, but apparently not.
She picked up the tower and brought it around to show me how tall it was (all the way up to her earlobe!!). As she carried it away, the bottom half broke off, and she exclaimed "Way to go, Jesus!"
Needless to say, I was appalled. We do more than our fair share of cursing around here, but this isn't one she is likely to have heard, well, anywhere she has ever been. I gasped, then inquired as calmly as possible. "What did you say?"
She laughed! Then explained; "Well, we were trying to carry the tower without breaking it, and Jesus just broke the bottom right off!"
"Um... Oh."
Well, I'd have thought he'd be better at legos than that, but apparently not.
Apr 24, 2009
green teeth?
Scene: We are sitting around the table, just finishing up dinner.
Brian: "I'm so tired, I had a Green Tea Sobe and it gave me a major buzz, and now I'm totally drooping."
Zoe: "Did your teeth ever go back to white?"
Brian: "Uh... I guess they are kinda yellow, huh?"
Me: Laughing... "She thought you said you had green teeth!"
Zoe: Laughing...Rolling eyeballs... "Dad! You were trying to trick me! You don't have green teeth!"
Brian: "I'm so tired, I had a Green Tea Sobe and it gave me a major buzz, and now I'm totally drooping."
Zoe: "Did your teeth ever go back to white?"
Brian: "Uh... I guess they are kinda yellow, huh?"
Me: Laughing... "She thought you said you had green teeth!"
Zoe: Laughing...Rolling eyeballs... "Dad! You were trying to trick me! You don't have green teeth!"
Apr 15, 2009
Easter
Saturday we decided to go to the art museum and get take pictures of the kids,in honor of Finn being six months old now! (If you can believe it... I can't.) Getting my kids to all sit still at the same time is definitely better left to the professionals; but, we did get a few cute snapshots, and had some fun wandering around looking at all the paintings and sculptures.
Then we headed over to Brians' Parents house for the annual easter egg hunt.
Besides the hunt, Brians' mom always comes up with fun little games and activities for the kids. She is so creative!
This year they played easter bingo, had a bean bag toss (complete with prizes for the "winner(s)") then made puddle jumpers out of empty food storage cans! They LOVED it! Especially Zoe, she thinks walking on cans is the coolest thing in the world, and asked me why I never told her about it before!
The kids love to go to "grandma and grandpa oggies" to spend time with their cousins too. Grandpa barbecued some hot dogs and hamburgers for us too, so we ate a yummy lunch, and hung out way longer than we should have. Liam was long past the point of needing his nap by the time we got home!
Since Liam had such a late nap, and we didn't want to continue the trend at bedtime, we needed some serious playtime to wear him out. (Stupid rain!!) So, we headed for McDonalds. Lena and Allie and Lydia and Laurel and eventually Jessica, came over later and we played cards till the wee hours... Then, woke up to check out what the easter bunny brought the kids!
Zoe and Liam each got a little notebook in their easter baskets, and Zoe calls hers a diary. She came up to Brian Sunday afternoon and said "Dad, I cant find my diarrhea, have you seen it?" Funny kid.
My parents took the sisters still living at home, and took off to Arizona for the weekend, so instead of the usual Sunday dinner at moms, we had a "big kids" dinner at my house. It was fun to have all my siblings over (well, most- the adult ones anyway), but my house is way squishy with that many bodies in it! My house was built in 1943, and for that time, it was an average sized house. Now, though, its definitely considered teeny tiny. Makes me think about my Dad's parents house; it is even smaller than mine, and they raised 8 kids in it! I am for sure not having eight kids crammed into this house - my limit is four- and even then, I dont know how people did it! We had fun though, we like each-other, so squishy was okay for a few hours. I was sad when everyone left, that meant the weekend was officially over!
Then we headed over to Brians' Parents house for the annual easter egg hunt.
Besides the hunt, Brians' mom always comes up with fun little games and activities for the kids. She is so creative!
This year they played easter bingo, had a bean bag toss (complete with prizes for the "winner(s)") then made puddle jumpers out of empty food storage cans! They LOVED it! Especially Zoe, she thinks walking on cans is the coolest thing in the world, and asked me why I never told her about it before!
The kids love to go to "grandma and grandpa oggies" to spend time with their cousins too. Grandpa barbecued some hot dogs and hamburgers for us too, so we ate a yummy lunch, and hung out way longer than we should have. Liam was long past the point of needing his nap by the time we got home!
Since Liam had such a late nap, and we didn't want to continue the trend at bedtime, we needed some serious playtime to wear him out. (Stupid rain!!) So, we headed for McDonalds. Lena and Allie and Lydia and Laurel and eventually Jessica, came over later and we played cards till the wee hours... Then, woke up to check out what the easter bunny brought the kids!
Zoe and Liam each got a little notebook in their easter baskets, and Zoe calls hers a diary. She came up to Brian Sunday afternoon and said "Dad, I cant find my diarrhea, have you seen it?" Funny kid.
My parents took the sisters still living at home, and took off to Arizona for the weekend, so instead of the usual Sunday dinner at moms, we had a "big kids" dinner at my house. It was fun to have all my siblings over (well, most- the adult ones anyway), but my house is way squishy with that many bodies in it! My house was built in 1943, and for that time, it was an average sized house. Now, though, its definitely considered teeny tiny. Makes me think about my Dad's parents house; it is even smaller than mine, and they raised 8 kids in it! I am for sure not having eight kids crammed into this house - my limit is four- and even then, I dont know how people did it! We had fun though, we like each-other, so squishy was okay for a few hours. I was sad when everyone left, that meant the weekend was officially over!
Mar 11, 2009
This is how it works...
...you peer inside yourself
you take the things you like
then try to love the things you took
And then you take that love you made
and stick into into some-
someone else's heart pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm you hope it wont get hard
but even if it does, you'll just do it all again...
We love this song at my house. Its been stuck in my head for days. The kids love how it says "uh-oh" Haha... I'm loving all of Regina Spektor lately. She's been our cleaning music. If I turn it up, the kids will "help" clean up the house. Liam wanders from room to room singing "uh-oh!" because that's his job. Oh! Speaking of cleaning- I have to put in some pictures of the little worlds I find when I'm cleaning... always crack me up. Last time around I took a couple shots before I undid the mess and sent it back down to the toy room.
Pony S&M??
And rush hour in toddler town.
I started a part time job a couple weeks ago, so this blog has been neglected a little lately. It sucks to have to leave my kiddies behind, but its only a couple days a week, and I'm hoping the extra money will ease the stress a little. I'm trading one stress for another I guess. Zoe will start Kindergarten this fall, so the plan is to quit the job before that happens so I wont have to have anyone take her to school. Thank goodness for my friends being willing to watch my kids on the weekdays when I have to work. Most of the time I work on Saturdays and Sundays though, and Brian "watches" them. They love being home with dad for a change. He does a great job with them, and it makes for some great bonding time. That doesn't stop me from being bitter about leaving them all day though. I'm glad to be able to work during the day instead of nights, even if it is every weekend.
Baby Finn has started eating rice cereal. He LOVES it! He eats it better than Liam ever did. Of course, Liam wanted people food almost from the second he popped out, so that's not much of a comparison. He's also getting teeth (still). They seem to be going up and down without breaking through his gums. So they just cause him all kinds of pain! Poor baby Finny-din-din.
Zoe came home from pre-school yesterday and told me that dinosoars are cold blooded, and extinct. And they are lizards, and have a back-bone. She was so funny! I was holding in giggles the whole time she was reciting her dinosoar facts! She held up one hand and checked off a finger for each dinosoar fact, and was very serious about the whole thing. This is why I am glad I sent her to pre-school after all - they are teaching her all the things that I would never consider. Not that its all that important for a five year old to know useless trivia about dinosoars, but it's fun that she feels smart because she knows useless trivia about dinosoars. Oh, and a darling song about them too! I love it!
Liam is finally talking. YAY! It's still kind of garbled a lot of the time, but at least he's trying, which is major for him. He's so funny, he says "No WAY! Mama!" when I tease him. And he tells me when he's hungry, and what he wants to eat, instead of screaming his brains out while pulling me toward the kitchen. He's pretending a lot more too, not just cars and horses anymore; now he gets Zoe's purses, and fills them with random things, and comes in to kiss me bye-bye before "leaving" on a little trip. When I ask him where he's going he says "uhh-no-no..." (I don't know) and gets shy and ducks his head. His pretend games are more private than Zoes. He doesn't share his imaginary world too much, which is nice for me because he doesn't need me to be the prince or evil step-mother. But, it would be fun to know what he's playing without spying on him!
you take the things you like
then try to love the things you took
And then you take that love you made
and stick into into some-
someone else's heart pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm you hope it wont get hard
but even if it does, you'll just do it all again...
We love this song at my house. Its been stuck in my head for days. The kids love how it says "uh-oh" Haha... I'm loving all of Regina Spektor lately. She's been our cleaning music. If I turn it up, the kids will "help" clean up the house. Liam wanders from room to room singing "uh-oh!" because that's his job. Oh! Speaking of cleaning- I have to put in some pictures of the little worlds I find when I'm cleaning... always crack me up. Last time around I took a couple shots before I undid the mess and sent it back down to the toy room.
Pony S&M??
And rush hour in toddler town. I started a part time job a couple weeks ago, so this blog has been neglected a little lately. It sucks to have to leave my kiddies behind, but its only a couple days a week, and I'm hoping the extra money will ease the stress a little. I'm trading one stress for another I guess. Zoe will start Kindergarten this fall, so the plan is to quit the job before that happens so I wont have to have anyone take her to school. Thank goodness for my friends being willing to watch my kids on the weekdays when I have to work. Most of the time I work on Saturdays and Sundays though, and Brian "watches" them. They love being home with dad for a change. He does a great job with them, and it makes for some great bonding time. That doesn't stop me from being bitter about leaving them all day though. I'm glad to be able to work during the day instead of nights, even if it is every weekend.
Baby Finn has started eating rice cereal. He LOVES it! He eats it better than Liam ever did. Of course, Liam wanted people food almost from the second he popped out, so that's not much of a comparison. He's also getting teeth (still). They seem to be going up and down without breaking through his gums. So they just cause him all kinds of pain! Poor baby Finny-din-din.
Zoe came home from pre-school yesterday and told me that dinosoars are cold blooded, and extinct. And they are lizards, and have a back-bone. She was so funny! I was holding in giggles the whole time she was reciting her dinosoar facts! She held up one hand and checked off a finger for each dinosoar fact, and was very serious about the whole thing. This is why I am glad I sent her to pre-school after all - they are teaching her all the things that I would never consider. Not that its all that important for a five year old to know useless trivia about dinosoars, but it's fun that she feels smart because she knows useless trivia about dinosoars. Oh, and a darling song about them too! I love it!
Liam is finally talking. YAY! It's still kind of garbled a lot of the time, but at least he's trying, which is major for him. He's so funny, he says "No WAY! Mama!" when I tease him. And he tells me when he's hungry, and what he wants to eat, instead of screaming his brains out while pulling me toward the kitchen. He's pretending a lot more too, not just cars and horses anymore; now he gets Zoe's purses, and fills them with random things, and comes in to kiss me bye-bye before "leaving" on a little trip. When I ask him where he's going he says "uhh-no-no..." (I don't know) and gets shy and ducks his head. His pretend games are more private than Zoes. He doesn't share his imaginary world too much, which is nice for me because he doesn't need me to be the prince or evil step-mother. But, it would be fun to know what he's playing without spying on him!
Mar 5, 2009
Oh my Zoe!
She makes me laugh so much. We were at my mom's last night, and my mom pulled out a roll of frozen sugar cookie dough, and was letting the kids help her cut slices and put them on the cookie sheet.
Zoe said "Can I eat some of this, or does it have raw eggs in it?" My mom told her it has frozen eggs in it, and it was safe to eat. I said "WHAT?!!? How do you figure?!" Zoe looked at my mom and said "I'm not gonna eat it, because my Mom and Dad taught me better than that."
My poor Mom. I was proud of Zoe though. That was pretty brave of her to say.
I told Brian later, if Zoe ever decides to do something she knows she shouldn't we can pretty much rule out peer pressure as an excuse. Also, my mom is probably going to get salmonella one of these days. Frozen eggs are ok to eat? She must be delusional!
Zoe said "Can I eat some of this, or does it have raw eggs in it?" My mom told her it has frozen eggs in it, and it was safe to eat. I said "WHAT?!!? How do you figure?!" Zoe looked at my mom and said "I'm not gonna eat it, because my Mom and Dad taught me better than that."
My poor Mom. I was proud of Zoe though. That was pretty brave of her to say.
I told Brian later, if Zoe ever decides to do something she knows she shouldn't we can pretty much rule out peer pressure as an excuse. Also, my mom is probably going to get salmonella one of these days. Frozen eggs are ok to eat? She must be delusional!
Feb 28, 2009
Unseal the door; the danger has passed
Okay, so we are officially out of quarantine. The kids are still finishing up their antibiotic for the nasty ear infections, but the lingering cough is really nothing more than annoying. I've re-washed all the bedding (again), sanitized doorknobs, light-switches, and cupboard pulls, and finished up {almost} all of the laundry overflow.
Phew, it's been a busy day. Normally, I'm proud of myself if I do one load of wash from start to finish- (What's that? You mean you aren't supposed to let each load sit in the washer for a few days and get all smelly before rewashing with vinegar and drying? Huh- that's weird...) -let alone eight! Yep, I've folded and put away eight loads today. My mother would be so proud. I even paired socks; which is a pet peeve of mine. Why is it that I'm missing one sock from exactly half of all the pairs, but not one of the remaining socks match up at all to any of the other remaining socks? Every single one is a different size and color. It should be illegal to sell socks in colors other than white. Maybe I should plead my case to the Federal Government. Seriously, they can eliminate incandescent light-bulbs from my lamps, they ought to be able to eliminate oddball socks from my laundry! At least then we could say the government did something useful. Stupid, yes, but that would be different... how?
Zoe is hanging out with me tonight; sitting right here next to me, "reading" over my shoulder and eating a bowl of cereal. She took a late nap. She rode her bike today for the first time this season, (Praise this warmish, beautiful day!!!) so she was exhausted and fell asleep right after dinner sitting up at her little craft table. We figure its the weekend, and our schedules are non-existent right now anyway with everyone still thrown off by this round of illness. She feels like she's getting special treatment though, because Dad and the boys are all sleeping.
It brings to mind a time when I was little, maybe eight or nine. I couldn't sleep one night (although I'm pretty sure I was always a pain to get to bed, because I have always been a night owl) - and my mom was up late sewing something. I came into the kitchen and just sat next to her at the table, doing my best to watch without becoming too conspicuous or obnoxious- lest I be sent back to my bed. I could tell that my Mom was mostly glad for the company; she took off her "Mom hat" for a few minutes, and listened to my chatter about my friends and the progress on our latest treasure hunt. Ha-ha! My best friend and I used to write up these treasure hunts for my younger siblings, which were actually more like plays. They involved acting, and costumes and imaginary villains. Wow, I really don't know how my Mom listened to it without laughing at me, right out loud.
Zoe was telling me this morning about a crab nightmare she had the other night. She went into great detail about how this crab looked; with hair, and blue and green eyes, and a cut on his throat... (yeah, I know...) I admit I was only half listening, and then she said "Mom, isn't that unusual?" I snapped out of it at that point. What four year old uses the word unusual? And correctly? I'm not even sure that's a word I use much at all! "Um, yes honey, it truly is." She got a satisfied twinkle in her eye. I passed the test.
Phew, it's been a busy day. Normally, I'm proud of myself if I do one load of wash from start to finish- (What's that? You mean you aren't supposed to let each load sit in the washer for a few days and get all smelly before rewashing with vinegar and drying? Huh- that's weird...) -let alone eight! Yep, I've folded and put away eight loads today. My mother would be so proud. I even paired socks; which is a pet peeve of mine. Why is it that I'm missing one sock from exactly half of all the pairs, but not one of the remaining socks match up at all to any of the other remaining socks? Every single one is a different size and color. It should be illegal to sell socks in colors other than white. Maybe I should plead my case to the Federal Government. Seriously, they can eliminate incandescent light-bulbs from my lamps, they ought to be able to eliminate oddball socks from my laundry! At least then we could say the government did something useful. Stupid, yes, but that would be different... how?
Zoe is hanging out with me tonight; sitting right here next to me, "reading" over my shoulder and eating a bowl of cereal. She took a late nap. She rode her bike today for the first time this season, (Praise this warmish, beautiful day!!!) so she was exhausted and fell asleep right after dinner sitting up at her little craft table. We figure its the weekend, and our schedules are non-existent right now anyway with everyone still thrown off by this round of illness. She feels like she's getting special treatment though, because Dad and the boys are all sleeping.
It brings to mind a time when I was little, maybe eight or nine. I couldn't sleep one night (although I'm pretty sure I was always a pain to get to bed, because I have always been a night owl) - and my mom was up late sewing something. I came into the kitchen and just sat next to her at the table, doing my best to watch without becoming too conspicuous or obnoxious- lest I be sent back to my bed. I could tell that my Mom was mostly glad for the company; she took off her "Mom hat" for a few minutes, and listened to my chatter about my friends and the progress on our latest treasure hunt. Ha-ha! My best friend and I used to write up these treasure hunts for my younger siblings, which were actually more like plays. They involved acting, and costumes and imaginary villains. Wow, I really don't know how my Mom listened to it without laughing at me, right out loud.
Zoe was telling me this morning about a crab nightmare she had the other night. She went into great detail about how this crab looked; with hair, and blue and green eyes, and a cut on his throat... (yeah, I know...) I admit I was only half listening, and then she said "Mom, isn't that unusual?" I snapped out of it at that point. What four year old uses the word unusual? And correctly? I'm not even sure that's a word I use much at all! "Um, yes honey, it truly is." She got a satisfied twinkle in her eye. I passed the test.
Feb 26, 2009
Mmmmm.... Bagels
I've decided that if I don't post my kitchen adventures every now and then I'd be a failure as a blogger. And, since we made bagels for dinner tonight (which, before about a week ago I considered to be un-home-make-able), I've decided to share the experience.
My sister gave me this recipe. She got it from google. So it's been in the family for a solid couple of months, I suppose we'll claim it. (Since we modified it to make them our way, that's not plagiarism right?) just go here, for the real recipe with measurements and such. Does anyone remember Bayside Bagels in Provo? I miss them oh-so much. Especially when I was pregnant. Curse them for closing down! These bagels are the closest thing to Bayside's yummy bagels that I've had since they closed their doors. I'm pretty excited about them. Anyway,
First, you'll need a helper:
Because you couldn't call them home-made if they were completely free of toddler germs, right? (Kidding Ginger, kidding ;) of course, he washed his hands!)
Next, put your water, sugar and yeast in a small dish together and let it sit for about five minutes (it will go foamy and sort of nasty looking):
Here is where I cheat, the recipe says to mix it with a wooden spoon, but why would you do that when the kitchen-aid has a "stir" speed? Of course, that means if you don't have a kitchen-aid, you are actually just following the real directions! - So you dump the yeast foam in, add the flour slowly until you get a stiff dough - and they really do mean "stiff":
Then dump onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 mins (after about 3 minutes, I was thinking "Has it been 15 minutes yet?" needless to say, we only kneaded for 10). Then cover with some plastic, and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Next, roll it into a big log, and cut it in the middle, then cut each of those pieces in the middle, until you have 8 pieces.:
Roll each piece into a ball, and poke your finger through to make a hole. Stretch your holes, so when the bagels rise, they wont close up. Let them rise fot about 15 minutes.
Depicted here in classic, and toddler style, respectively.
In the meantime, get your kettle water going, and turn your oven on to pre-heat at 450. Kettle water is water with salt and honey in it (go figure). The recipe calls for liquid malt, but I couldn't even find that at the grocery store, (probably because I wasn't sure what I was looking for) and our baker cousin Lydia said honey would work. I have no idea what the salt and honey do, but the bagels turned out yummy, so we are afraid to eliminate them.
Boil each bagel for 45 seconds on one side, then flip them over, and do 45 seconds on the other side. Take them out and set them on a clean lint-free cloth. This is where you add your toppings. I like asiago best, so we just globbed a bunch of asiago cheese on top, then transfered them to our prepared baking sheet. Cornmeal keeps them from sticking to the pan, and is just as easy as parchment paper (plus I don't normally buy parchment paper).:
Last time we tried some jalepeno cheddar and some sesame seed too, and those were also delicious. I was thinking next time, some cinnamon sugar would be fun to try, or onion. Anyway, you bake them on 425 for 15-20 minutes (depending I suppose, on your toppings, and your oven) and then you have yummy yummy results! :
We fried some eggs to go with ours, and called them dinner. We are attempting to hoard some long enough to eat them for breakfast tomorrow, but the outlook is not so good, those last few are calling to us from the kitchen...
My sister gave me this recipe. She got it from google. So it's been in the family for a solid couple of months, I suppose we'll claim it. (Since we modified it to make them our way, that's not plagiarism right?) just go here, for the real recipe with measurements and such. Does anyone remember Bayside Bagels in Provo? I miss them oh-so much. Especially when I was pregnant. Curse them for closing down! These bagels are the closest thing to Bayside's yummy bagels that I've had since they closed their doors. I'm pretty excited about them. Anyway,
First, you'll need a helper:
Because you couldn't call them home-made if they were completely free of toddler germs, right? (Kidding Ginger, kidding ;) of course, he washed his hands!)
Next, put your water, sugar and yeast in a small dish together and let it sit for about five minutes (it will go foamy and sort of nasty looking):
Here is where I cheat, the recipe says to mix it with a wooden spoon, but why would you do that when the kitchen-aid has a "stir" speed? Of course, that means if you don't have a kitchen-aid, you are actually just following the real directions! - So you dump the yeast foam in, add the flour slowly until you get a stiff dough - and they really do mean "stiff":
Then dump onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 mins (after about 3 minutes, I was thinking "Has it been 15 minutes yet?" needless to say, we only kneaded for 10). Then cover with some plastic, and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Next, roll it into a big log, and cut it in the middle, then cut each of those pieces in the middle, until you have 8 pieces.:
Roll each piece into a ball, and poke your finger through to make a hole. Stretch your holes, so when the bagels rise, they wont close up. Let them rise fot about 15 minutes.
Depicted here in classic, and toddler style, respectively.In the meantime, get your kettle water going, and turn your oven on to pre-heat at 450. Kettle water is water with salt and honey in it (go figure). The recipe calls for liquid malt, but I couldn't even find that at the grocery store, (probably because I wasn't sure what I was looking for) and our baker cousin Lydia said honey would work. I have no idea what the salt and honey do, but the bagels turned out yummy, so we are afraid to eliminate them.
Boil each bagel for 45 seconds on one side, then flip them over, and do 45 seconds on the other side. Take them out and set them on a clean lint-free cloth. This is where you add your toppings. I like asiago best, so we just globbed a bunch of asiago cheese on top, then transfered them to our prepared baking sheet. Cornmeal keeps them from sticking to the pan, and is just as easy as parchment paper (plus I don't normally buy parchment paper).:
Last time we tried some jalepeno cheddar and some sesame seed too, and those were also delicious. I was thinking next time, some cinnamon sugar would be fun to try, or onion. Anyway, you bake them on 425 for 15-20 minutes (depending I suppose, on your toppings, and your oven) and then you have yummy yummy results! :
We fried some eggs to go with ours, and called them dinner. We are attempting to hoard some long enough to eat them for breakfast tomorrow, but the outlook is not so good, those last few are calling to us from the kitchen...
Feb 25, 2009
Shoot me now
and get it over with. When will this end? Last week, I thought Zoe was over her sickness; most of Thursday and all day Friday and Saturday she was a hundred percent better. Then, Sunday night she started screaming bloody murder that her ear hurt. Yup, took her in to the doctor on Monday, and she has a raging ear infection. Goody! The poor kid has missed almost two weeks of pre-school.
In the meantime, poor baby Finn just keeps getting worse, he sounds wheezy and coughs, and has a slight fever off and on. He's been in to the doctor every day this week, to listen to his lungs, and make sure they are staying clear. Oh, and he has two ear infections, and pukes up his antibiotic every single time. Poor kid. I thought maybe Liam was going to get skipped, but he started fevering up on Sunday as well - I may as well get him some antibiotic too, cuz his ear infections will be starting in a couple of days.
But that's not all, oh no, that is not all. This morning I woke up with pink eye! Yay! I thought I was a pretty good hand washer, but apparently I suck. Actually, I was thinking about it, and I went in for an eye exam on Thursday, got new glasses and all that jazz, so now I'm wondering if that optometrist is a freaking idiot. AAHRG!
I've been sanitizing the doorknobs and light switches almost every day since this thing started, and changing pillow cases and sheets so often that my mound of laundry is quite literally a mountain of laundry. I am on a first-name basis with the folks at Walgreen's (yesterday the pharmacist's assistant said "back again, already?" yeah...) Frickin ridiculous. I need to be put out of my misery.
In other news, we are having a little bit of neighborhood drama around here. Old man Roy is trying to eliminate all neighborhood cats. Stupid old man. Saturday, I while was enjoying Brians mad waffle making skills, gazing out the window, I saw an animal control police truck pull up across the street. I told Brian maybe Roy has a raccoon or something, so we watched for the officer to come back out. He walked around to the front of the house with a yowling Leo-kitty in a live trap. Yes, our cat. Granted, this pampered feline thinks he owns the whole neighborhood, but seriously? You'd send your neighbors cat to the pound? Zoe was freaking no, FREAKING out. Brian went over to rescue her cat, and she was going on and on. I told her to just calm down, and she says "Mom, I can't calm down, I just found out that Leo is NOT okay. I just got done paying thirty bucks for him!" Thirty bucks? Where does she get this stuff?
Anyway, I went out and talked to the cop with Brian, and the other neighbors (who live next to old Roy, and came out to investigate when they heard Leo's distinctive yowl). Seems the problem is that some animal is leaving poops on Roy's lawn. Except that cats normally dig, and like to poop in gardens and flower beds, AND there is a nasty yappy spaniel and a poodle who live a couple of houses down that poop on each yard as they walk down the street. But whatever, if Roy says its the cats, it must be- right? The cop says to him, "There are a lot of animals in these kinds of neighborhoods, you aren't going to be able to control this." We got our cat back, and Kallie and Sean (who live next-door to Roy) tried with me to explain to Roy that it should be a dog he is after, and besides, if you put a can of tuna in a cage out in your yard, you're going to attract every cat in the neighborhood, whether they'd normally go in your yard or not! (Idiot!)
So, eight hours go by, and Kallie knocks on my door wondering if we've seen their cat, Willie. Nope, not since this morning when I pointed him out to Roy as an example of one of the ten or fifteen other cats he needed to catch. Their cat was totally missing. Sean went over and knocked on Roys door and asked him if he'd caught another one. Roy said the traps hadn't been re-set yet. They didn't fully believe him so, they figured they'd wait till Monday and check the animal shelter. They did, and didn't see Willie there, so they were eyeballing a big orange persian for adoption, and decided on Tuesday to go back and get him. And thats when they noticed Willie actually was at the shelter. Kallie got a look at the paper work. Turns out someone with Roy's same address turned the cat over to the shelter at five o'clock Saturday night! So, poor Sean and Kallie had to pay 70 dollars to get their cat back! AND discovered too late that not only is their neighbor old and crotchety, but he's also a heartless Asshole. And a liar. Not sure which is worse.
We were thinking about it, and yes, it would suck to be the only homeowner in a whole entire neighborhood who didn't own some kind of pet. And he is that guy. His is literally the ONLY pet-free house for about a 3 block radius. But wouldn't it be much more neighborly (and more effective) to just inform your neighbors that you'll be trapping whatever is crapping on your lawn, and give them a chance to attempt to control their animals? Or you know, move or something? Oh well, on the bright side, he couldn't live much more than a few more years. He's got to be in his eighties. And then, he'll rot in hell.
In the meantime, poor baby Finn just keeps getting worse, he sounds wheezy and coughs, and has a slight fever off and on. He's been in to the doctor every day this week, to listen to his lungs, and make sure they are staying clear. Oh, and he has two ear infections, and pukes up his antibiotic every single time. Poor kid. I thought maybe Liam was going to get skipped, but he started fevering up on Sunday as well - I may as well get him some antibiotic too, cuz his ear infections will be starting in a couple of days.
But that's not all, oh no, that is not all. This morning I woke up with pink eye! Yay! I thought I was a pretty good hand washer, but apparently I suck. Actually, I was thinking about it, and I went in for an eye exam on Thursday, got new glasses and all that jazz, so now I'm wondering if that optometrist is a freaking idiot. AAHRG!
I've been sanitizing the doorknobs and light switches almost every day since this thing started, and changing pillow cases and sheets so often that my mound of laundry is quite literally a mountain of laundry. I am on a first-name basis with the folks at Walgreen's (yesterday the pharmacist's assistant said "back again, already?" yeah...) Frickin ridiculous. I need to be put out of my misery.
In other news, we are having a little bit of neighborhood drama around here. Old man Roy is trying to eliminate all neighborhood cats. Stupid old man. Saturday, I while was enjoying Brians mad waffle making skills, gazing out the window, I saw an animal control police truck pull up across the street. I told Brian maybe Roy has a raccoon or something, so we watched for the officer to come back out. He walked around to the front of the house with a yowling Leo-kitty in a live trap. Yes, our cat. Granted, this pampered feline thinks he owns the whole neighborhood, but seriously? You'd send your neighbors cat to the pound? Zoe was freaking no, FREAKING out. Brian went over to rescue her cat, and she was going on and on. I told her to just calm down, and she says "Mom, I can't calm down, I just found out that Leo is NOT okay. I just got done paying thirty bucks for him!" Thirty bucks? Where does she get this stuff?
Anyway, I went out and talked to the cop with Brian, and the other neighbors (who live next to old Roy, and came out to investigate when they heard Leo's distinctive yowl). Seems the problem is that some animal is leaving poops on Roy's lawn. Except that cats normally dig, and like to poop in gardens and flower beds, AND there is a nasty yappy spaniel and a poodle who live a couple of houses down that poop on each yard as they walk down the street. But whatever, if Roy says its the cats, it must be- right? The cop says to him, "There are a lot of animals in these kinds of neighborhoods, you aren't going to be able to control this." We got our cat back, and Kallie and Sean (who live next-door to Roy) tried with me to explain to Roy that it should be a dog he is after, and besides, if you put a can of tuna in a cage out in your yard, you're going to attract every cat in the neighborhood, whether they'd normally go in your yard or not! (Idiot!)
So, eight hours go by, and Kallie knocks on my door wondering if we've seen their cat, Willie. Nope, not since this morning when I pointed him out to Roy as an example of one of the ten or fifteen other cats he needed to catch. Their cat was totally missing. Sean went over and knocked on Roys door and asked him if he'd caught another one. Roy said the traps hadn't been re-set yet. They didn't fully believe him so, they figured they'd wait till Monday and check the animal shelter. They did, and didn't see Willie there, so they were eyeballing a big orange persian for adoption, and decided on Tuesday to go back and get him. And thats when they noticed Willie actually was at the shelter. Kallie got a look at the paper work. Turns out someone with Roy's same address turned the cat over to the shelter at five o'clock Saturday night! So, poor Sean and Kallie had to pay 70 dollars to get their cat back! AND discovered too late that not only is their neighbor old and crotchety, but he's also a heartless Asshole. And a liar. Not sure which is worse.
We were thinking about it, and yes, it would suck to be the only homeowner in a whole entire neighborhood who didn't own some kind of pet. And he is that guy. His is literally the ONLY pet-free house for about a 3 block radius. But wouldn't it be much more neighborly (and more effective) to just inform your neighbors that you'll be trapping whatever is crapping on your lawn, and give them a chance to attempt to control their animals? Or you know, move or something? Oh well, on the bright side, he couldn't live much more than a few more years. He's got to be in his eighties. And then, he'll rot in hell.
Feb 18, 2009
Cabin fever with a fever
Does anyone want some kids? I'll give them away for a free trial period. In about a week, I'm going to require them back, but for now, I need to find someone who needs practice wiping noses and cleaning up puke. Oh, and administering food and medicine to less than willing participants.
We're going on two weeks now, with this stupid cold. Every time I think we're over it, someone starts hacking again. Zoe fevers up every night, but seems fine during the day. Finn cant sleep for all the phlegm in his throat and nose, and if I hear Brian whine about feeling like crap one more time, I swear I'm going to insist on a frontal lobotomy! (for him, obviously)
I'm feeling a little trapped in my house these days (more-so than usual). The mailman walks up to the house to drop my mail off, and finds me staring at him out the window like a caged animal. I plead with my eyes for him to open the door and let me out. But, the weather is lame, and where would I go anyway? I need SUMMER! Then at least I can drag the kids out to the back yard even if they are sick!
Its funny you know, I go through phases; some days I cant remember what we did with ourselves before we had kids, and other days I remember those days all too well! I say things like "Remember when we wanted to take a nap on a Sunday afternoon, and we'd just go lie down and go to sleep?" Or "Remember how we used to do "it" without stopping every five seconds because we thought we heard someone?" And "Remember when we could talk during dinner, and no one was yelling, singing, or crying over their food?" Yeah, those were the days. Of course, those were the same days that we were so wrapped up in ourselves that we'd pick fights with each other over stupid stuff that seemed to matter, and we frequently played with the cat for entertainment.
These precious little chickadees sure make you take stock of what really matters, and make you appreciate being able to do the stuff you could do before they came along - even if it didn't matter. The next time I'm able to have a meal with a normal, uninterrupted conversation you can bet I wont take it for granted! And, for now, I'll focus on appreciating the constant hum of the kiddies little voices, singing, laughing and whining - as the case may be.
Speak of the devil - I have to go now and- "Read book! Read book! Read book!"
We're going on two weeks now, with this stupid cold. Every time I think we're over it, someone starts hacking again. Zoe fevers up every night, but seems fine during the day. Finn cant sleep for all the phlegm in his throat and nose, and if I hear Brian whine about feeling like crap one more time, I swear I'm going to insist on a frontal lobotomy! (for him, obviously)
I'm feeling a little trapped in my house these days (more-so than usual). The mailman walks up to the house to drop my mail off, and finds me staring at him out the window like a caged animal. I plead with my eyes for him to open the door and let me out. But, the weather is lame, and where would I go anyway? I need SUMMER! Then at least I can drag the kids out to the back yard even if they are sick!
Its funny you know, I go through phases; some days I cant remember what we did with ourselves before we had kids, and other days I remember those days all too well! I say things like "Remember when we wanted to take a nap on a Sunday afternoon, and we'd just go lie down and go to sleep?" Or "Remember how we used to do "it" without stopping every five seconds because we thought we heard someone?" And "Remember when we could talk during dinner, and no one was yelling, singing, or crying over their food?" Yeah, those were the days. Of course, those were the same days that we were so wrapped up in ourselves that we'd pick fights with each other over stupid stuff that seemed to matter, and we frequently played with the cat for entertainment.
These precious little chickadees sure make you take stock of what really matters, and make you appreciate being able to do the stuff you could do before they came along - even if it didn't matter. The next time I'm able to have a meal with a normal, uninterrupted conversation you can bet I wont take it for granted! And, for now, I'll focus on appreciating the constant hum of the kiddies little voices, singing, laughing and whining - as the case may be.
Speak of the devil - I have to go now and- "Read book! Read book! Read book!"
Feb 13, 2009
It's almost here, which means it's almost over
Valentines day. Ugh. I hate this holiday. It's a good idea, in theory, I guess; to do something extra special for that special someone on a special day. But we fail at it at our house. In the eleven Valentines Days that Brian and I have been together, I can count on one hand the number of times he's done something "Valentiney" on that day. And even less than that are the times he's done it without me telling him I expect him to. Now hold on, before you go thinking my husband is a heartless monster - you have to understand: I DON'T CARE. I truly don't. Not about the date, or teddy bear, or chocolates, flowers and jewelery. And he knows that I really couldn't care any less, so, he usually doesn't bother. But, the past few years there is something that gets me about not getting anything on such a "getting" holiday - the questions.
The day after Valentines Day is when everyone you see tends to size up and compare. Even my parents casually chide "What did Brian get you for Valentines Day?" And this right here is the part that kills me. Whether its to my parents or my friends - or even the checker at the grocery store - I hate that I have to answer "Nothing." And then try to defend his "unlovingness" in his absence. So, I have taken to threatening him a few days beforehand to at least bring home something. Even if he steals a plant from the office, or draws me a picture on a sheet of computer paper. I have to be able to say that he remembered the stupid holiday and did something in honor of it, so I don't break down under the pressure of comparison.
The poor guy. I know he loves me. He shows me every day. He does more dishes and laundry than any other husband I've heard of. He heaved himself out of bed in the middle of the night just last night, because I saw a spider on the ceiling. He killed the thing, and climbed back in bed, without even complaining that I woke him up just for that. He is my hero every single day. I get so upset that I have to explain to people that his normal doting heroic self is enough for me, every day of the year. Besides, if I were to get an extra special gift, I would want it to be because he thought of me because of something I'd done for him, not because the calender (or I) told him to. But, I did tell him to, so ask freely. I'll let you know what he did special for the day.
That said, I LOVE the school-kid aspect of Valentines day! The cookie decorating, heart cutting, secret notes in your desk kind of thing. I haven't really grown out of that. I am really excited to go be a parent helper in Zoe's class for their Valentine party this afternoon! She helped me make the cookies they will decorate, and she's been dancing around all excited that I get to come to her class with her. Which is good, because yesterday she told me I was the "meanest parent", and she wasn't going to play with me ever again. I asked if that was a threat or a promise. Unfortunately for me, it was neither.
The day after Valentines Day is when everyone you see tends to size up and compare. Even my parents casually chide "What did Brian get you for Valentines Day?" And this right here is the part that kills me. Whether its to my parents or my friends - or even the checker at the grocery store - I hate that I have to answer "Nothing." And then try to defend his "unlovingness" in his absence. So, I have taken to threatening him a few days beforehand to at least bring home something. Even if he steals a plant from the office, or draws me a picture on a sheet of computer paper. I have to be able to say that he remembered the stupid holiday and did something in honor of it, so I don't break down under the pressure of comparison.
The poor guy. I know he loves me. He shows me every day. He does more dishes and laundry than any other husband I've heard of. He heaved himself out of bed in the middle of the night just last night, because I saw a spider on the ceiling. He killed the thing, and climbed back in bed, without even complaining that I woke him up just for that. He is my hero every single day. I get so upset that I have to explain to people that his normal doting heroic self is enough for me, every day of the year. Besides, if I were to get an extra special gift, I would want it to be because he thought of me because of something I'd done for him, not because the calender (or I) told him to. But, I did tell him to, so ask freely. I'll let you know what he did special for the day.
That said, I LOVE the school-kid aspect of Valentines day! The cookie decorating, heart cutting, secret notes in your desk kind of thing. I haven't really grown out of that. I am really excited to go be a parent helper in Zoe's class for their Valentine party this afternoon! She helped me make the cookies they will decorate, and she's been dancing around all excited that I get to come to her class with her. Which is good, because yesterday she told me I was the "meanest parent", and she wasn't going to play with me ever again. I asked if that was a threat or a promise. Unfortunately for me, it was neither.
Feb 11, 2009
Q&A
I found this one on Facebook, and I think its a fun one, so I thought I'd add it here too. Tag! You're it! I'd like to see everyone else's Q&A as well!!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Ok, so. My first name is Hedie, after my "grandma" Hede - whose name was actually Hedwig- but wasn't actually my grandma, just an old lady friend of the family who was a fabulous cook and candy-maker. Rachelle is from my moms middle name- Rochelle.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Um, I don't remember, I must have put it out of my mind. :)
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Nope. My writing looks like a fourth grade boys.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes. Three of them.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
If I took the time to get to know me, maybe. I don't know though, I have a weird sense of humor and I swear very few select people can tell when I'm joking and when I'm not. Therefore, very few select people get me enough to like me. But I would still be me, only someone else, so I would get me, wouldn't I? So yes, I guess I would. Be my friend I mean.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Nope. Never. That's why EVERYONE likes me.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Nope!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Corn Chex
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Never.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Oreo cookie, and mint chocolate chip tie for the winner.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Eyes. Mostly because I am really bugged by asymmetrical or too close together eyes.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My mean streak.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Grandma B
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
Of course!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Shoes? no. Blue flowery pj bottoms. Yes Lena, the retarded ones.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Brian is snoring, he doesn't usually do that, he must really feel like crap!
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Fluorescent Orange - just because it's obnoxious, and if I was gonna choose to be a crayon, I'd want to make it worth my while.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
My Aunt Cleo - I don't know what she wears, but she smells sooo good! Subway restaurants - that fresh bread smell, or maybe its the veggies too - I don't know, but that smells yummy. New baby- Even before the first bath my baby smelled good to me - you think that might be instinct?
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Brian
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Well, she didn't send it to me, I stole it. But yes, I like her very much
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Figure skating. Or football.
27. HAIR COLOR?
Dish water blond.
28. EYE COLOR?
Greenish brownish orangish
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No, I got some once, but my left eye has astigmatism, and I couldn't stand the special thicker contact they use for those, so I gave it up.
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
The kind you eat. No, I like Chicken and rice. Any nationality, Mexican, Chinese, American...if its predominantly chicken with rice, and there is no fish involved, you can bet I'll like it.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING?
Happy Ending.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Um, wow, maybe I cried during it, cuz its seems that is blocked too!
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
LOL.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER
I say Spring and Fall! (I'm stealing your answer on this one Crystal!)
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs. Wait. Kisses. No, um, I don't know
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan a few minutes ago
37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
No mouse pad
38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Didn't.
39. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
My kids having a conversation with each-other - totally hilarious! Classical piano music, but not hymns - hymns thump on the piano. I also like the sound of summer at dusk - if that makes any sense...
40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Pink Floyd. I like the Beatles, don't get me wrong - but really?
41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
If you count being a smart-ass
42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Payson Utah.
43. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
A fickle friend decided she didn't like her boyfriend anymore, but didn't want to hurt his feelings, so she enlisted me to "take him off her hands" -LOL Who knew I'd end up marrying the guy?
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Ok, so. My first name is Hedie, after my "grandma" Hede - whose name was actually Hedwig- but wasn't actually my grandma, just an old lady friend of the family who was a fabulous cook and candy-maker. Rachelle is from my moms middle name- Rochelle.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Um, I don't remember, I must have put it out of my mind. :)
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Nope. My writing looks like a fourth grade boys.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes. Three of them.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
If I took the time to get to know me, maybe. I don't know though, I have a weird sense of humor and I swear very few select people can tell when I'm joking and when I'm not. Therefore, very few select people get me enough to like me. But I would still be me, only someone else, so I would get me, wouldn't I? So yes, I guess I would. Be my friend I mean.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Nope. Never. That's why EVERYONE likes me.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Nope!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Corn Chex
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Never.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Oreo cookie, and mint chocolate chip tie for the winner.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Eyes. Mostly because I am really bugged by asymmetrical or too close together eyes.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My mean streak.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Grandma B
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
Of course!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Shoes? no. Blue flowery pj bottoms. Yes Lena, the retarded ones.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Brian is snoring, he doesn't usually do that, he must really feel like crap!
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Fluorescent Orange - just because it's obnoxious, and if I was gonna choose to be a crayon, I'd want to make it worth my while.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
My Aunt Cleo - I don't know what she wears, but she smells sooo good! Subway restaurants - that fresh bread smell, or maybe its the veggies too - I don't know, but that smells yummy. New baby- Even before the first bath my baby smelled good to me - you think that might be instinct?
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Brian
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Well, she didn't send it to me, I stole it. But yes, I like her very much
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Figure skating. Or football.
27. HAIR COLOR?
Dish water blond.
28. EYE COLOR?
Greenish brownish orangish
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No, I got some once, but my left eye has astigmatism, and I couldn't stand the special thicker contact they use for those, so I gave it up.
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
The kind you eat. No, I like Chicken and rice. Any nationality, Mexican, Chinese, American...if its predominantly chicken with rice, and there is no fish involved, you can bet I'll like it.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING?
Happy Ending.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Um, wow, maybe I cried during it, cuz its seems that is blocked too!
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
LOL.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER
I say Spring and Fall! (I'm stealing your answer on this one Crystal!)
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs. Wait. Kisses. No, um, I don't know
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan a few minutes ago
37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
No mouse pad
38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Didn't.
39. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
My kids having a conversation with each-other - totally hilarious! Classical piano music, but not hymns - hymns thump on the piano. I also like the sound of summer at dusk - if that makes any sense...
40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Pink Floyd. I like the Beatles, don't get me wrong - but really?
41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
If you count being a smart-ass
42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Payson Utah.
43. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
A fickle friend decided she didn't like her boyfriend anymore, but didn't want to hurt his feelings, so she enlisted me to "take him off her hands" -LOL Who knew I'd end up marrying the guy?
Feb 10, 2009
imagination nation
Why should I be made to feel guilty for taking out the trash? Nothing is trash around here. If I want to get rid of anything it is a covert operation, involving distractions, speedy hands and good lying skills.
"What? Space helmet? I don't know what you are talking about... Oh, riiight, the cracker box. I thought you ripped that into twelve pieces and scattered it around your room - it's not there? Sorry honey, I'm sure it's here somewhere... Did you look under your bed?"
Oh, it's still around all right, until Thursday morning at nine AM sharp - when the garbage man comes and I am free of it forever - finally.
"What? Space helmet? I don't know what you are talking about... Oh, riiight, the cracker box. I thought you ripped that into twelve pieces and scattered it around your room - it's not there? Sorry honey, I'm sure it's here somewhere... Did you look under your bed?"
Oh, it's still around all right, until Thursday morning at nine AM sharp - when the garbage man comes and I am free of it forever - finally.
Feb 8, 2009
Oh my freaky friday!
I'm a complainer. At least I admit it right? If something is not going the way I want it to, everyone will know about it. And then, they will know about it again. I truly don't expect anyone to do everything they way I want them to, or even change anything at all, based on my complaints. I am not a hint-dropper. If I want someone to take some action, or make some change, I will spell it out for them, very clearly. I mostly want to be heard and understood, for the sake of being heard and understood. Is that narcissistic? Huh... That being said, I'd like to complain about my whole day Friday. Well, from Noon to five, anyway.
So, Zoe had pre-school at 12:30. I considered just not taking her, because after all, it's just pre-school, and I wasn't feeling like getting the boys bundled up to run her over there. But Finn had his well child check at 2:30, so I figured I may as well get them ready to go, since I was going to have to do it anyway - and if Zoe was at school, that would be one less kid to keep track of at the Doctors office. (My mother in law always watches them for me while we are there, since she works there - lucky me!) Anyway, I got Zoe to school, and was walking back to the van, when one of the other Dad's stopped me and said "Did you know you had a flat tire?" I said "Oh my gosh, no! Thanks for telling me!" Then I took a look at it and realized what he really meant to say was: "Hey lady, you must be pretty freaking dumb... no one drives around on a tire that flat without noticing." But at least he was nice enough to bring my stupidity to my attention. I decided to risk driving to Jims' Texaco (which hasn't been called Jims Texaco for years, but I really don't know what its called these days) and use their air hose. I figured since I'd already driven six or eight miles on my flat tire, a couple more blocks was worth the risk.
I get to Jims' only to discover that their air compressor is broken. I call Brian. He informs me that I'm going to have to change the tire. This is the part where I 1. COMPLAIN. and 2. Give very direct and specific instructions, LOUDLY. I informed him that although I'm aware of how to change a tire, I've never actually done it, and I'm not about to have a practice run with my two kids in the car. He says to sit tight and he'll come change it. My hero!
I know, I know the whole damsel in distress bit is very 1945, but I think there are certain things that are still "man work", and I intend to keep it that way. So, the boys and I hang out for a bit while we wait for Brian to come to the rescue. Around 1:15 we are back on the road, just in time to get the boys fed, and make it to Finns check up by 2:30.
We had some kind of road hazard insurance on the tire, so when the appointment ended at ten to three, we headed over to Sears. I was thinking it would take a half hour or so, if there was no one in front of us. WRONG.
I walk into Sears lugging my baby in his "bucket", the suitcase that passes for my diaper bag, and a 32 ounce diet coke, dragging Liam behind me by one finger. The showroom was deserted. I called "HELL-O" a couple of times, and finally a walrus named Bill came kalumphing out of the office. I told him the problem, informed him of the road hazard insurance, and inquired about the wait time. He said there was one other customer they were just finishing up, so it shouldn't be long. Sweet!
As we are getting settled in the waiting room, one of the grease monkeys was apologizing to the other customer for a miscommunication. Then she left, and I heard several of the grease monkeys talking about someone getting in trouble. Liam was pretty excited that they had a big window to look out in the shop so he could watch the "vroom-vrooms" and was quick to point out the machine with "nacks". After a few minutes, I looked out and noticed that someone was indeed getting in trouble. They were having a full-blown employee meeting out in the shop. I was thinking good, then my service will be better than that last lady's was!
The novelty of the window wore off pretty quick for Liam (could it be that nothing was happening to the vroom vrooms?) and after coloring and having snacks for about a half hour, he had resorted to playing puppy, and was totally BLACK from crawling on the floor. Eew.
After I'd been waiting about 45 minutes, I looked out and noticed that they were still standing around in their employee meeting, only now it was clearly a bull-shit session. They were joking and laughing and teasing, just having a great old time. Nine of them. NINE. And not one could take five minutes and change my tire? I took a picture with my phone :
Finally, the "meeting" broke up and most of the grease monkeys went back into the office. I saw one of them open up my tailgate and take out my flat tire. Mind you, this is after my van had been sitting in the shop for 45 minutes. He rolled the tire over to the puncture repair machine, and set it on the ground, then walked into the office. Ten minutes later, he walked back out, got the tire, and rolled it into the office, then back out. Then he walked back into the office. I could hear the seven of them joking and visiting in there for a few minutes, then the same guy came back and said he couldnt find me in the system, and did I have my receipt? Why, yes I did, why didn't they ask for it in the first place? Only about five minutes after that I saw them back my van out of the shop, and rushed Liam into the restroom to wash his hands and face. Finally, we were getting out of there!
As we came out of the restroom we walked past the office where six of the nine grease monkeys were hanging out. Like actual primates. (To their credit, three guys were out in the shop pretending to work). They all stopped and looked right at me as we walked past them into the showroom. It was deserted. I figured the guy must be looking for me in the waiting room to tell me my car was ready to go. We walked past the office again, with the infant-bucket, 32 ounce drink, suitcase-diaper-bag, and two year old in tow, again six pairs of eyes on me. The waiting room was empty. In the interest of keeping Liam walking so he wouldn't crawl again, we walked between the showroom and the waiting room a few more times. Every single time, every single one of those six guys looked right at us. And not one of them said a word. Finally, I walked right in the office, and said, "I don't know what the problem is, but I'd like to leave." Bill the walrus (who happened to be the manager) told one of his underlings to check me out.
The kid had to fight with the printer, then call for help to get my receipt to print. No apology for the wait, no gracious holding of the door, not even a "Have a nice day". Nothing. An hour and forty minutes for a tire change! ONE TIRE! By comparison, Brians tire change took thirty minutes, and he had to drive from Springville first, didn't have the luxury of hydraulic jack and wrench, and he was trying not to get his work clothes muddy! Thirgy minutes! With nine guys and all the equipment at Sears, that second change shouldn't have taken more than ten seconds! Then I get home and realize that they didn't even bother to put my doughnut in its cubby under the car, they just chucked it in the back on the carpet and upholstery! Idiots! AND they falsified the times on my receipt! It says my check in time was 3:55 and check out time was 4:25! HA! Just ask my starving baby, blackened two year old, and my engorged boobs for that matter; we were sitting in that waiting room only about THREE TIMES that long!!!
Don't you worry, I intend to complain to the people who are supposed to care about my experience at Sears tire center. In fact, I think I'll write a letter and print 50 copies, and send one every other day or so for a couple of months. Then maybe they'll notice the people who make it possible for them to have their jobs.
In other news... Finn and I are both sick. I hate being sick. I hate it even more when my kids are sick. So yeah, I'm hanging out today just filled to the brim with hate and negativity. I hope every one of those nine grease monkeys gets my sickness. And I hope they know who gave it to them too.
So, Zoe had pre-school at 12:30. I considered just not taking her, because after all, it's just pre-school, and I wasn't feeling like getting the boys bundled up to run her over there. But Finn had his well child check at 2:30, so I figured I may as well get them ready to go, since I was going to have to do it anyway - and if Zoe was at school, that would be one less kid to keep track of at the Doctors office. (My mother in law always watches them for me while we are there, since she works there - lucky me!) Anyway, I got Zoe to school, and was walking back to the van, when one of the other Dad's stopped me and said "Did you know you had a flat tire?" I said "Oh my gosh, no! Thanks for telling me!" Then I took a look at it and realized what he really meant to say was: "Hey lady, you must be pretty freaking dumb... no one drives around on a tire that flat without noticing." But at least he was nice enough to bring my stupidity to my attention. I decided to risk driving to Jims' Texaco (which hasn't been called Jims Texaco for years, but I really don't know what its called these days) and use their air hose. I figured since I'd already driven six or eight miles on my flat tire, a couple more blocks was worth the risk.
I get to Jims' only to discover that their air compressor is broken. I call Brian. He informs me that I'm going to have to change the tire. This is the part where I 1. COMPLAIN. and 2. Give very direct and specific instructions, LOUDLY. I informed him that although I'm aware of how to change a tire, I've never actually done it, and I'm not about to have a practice run with my two kids in the car. He says to sit tight and he'll come change it. My hero!
I know, I know the whole damsel in distress bit is very 1945, but I think there are certain things that are still "man work", and I intend to keep it that way. So, the boys and I hang out for a bit while we wait for Brian to come to the rescue. Around 1:15 we are back on the road, just in time to get the boys fed, and make it to Finns check up by 2:30.
We had some kind of road hazard insurance on the tire, so when the appointment ended at ten to three, we headed over to Sears. I was thinking it would take a half hour or so, if there was no one in front of us. WRONG.
I walk into Sears lugging my baby in his "bucket", the suitcase that passes for my diaper bag, and a 32 ounce diet coke, dragging Liam behind me by one finger. The showroom was deserted. I called "HELL-O" a couple of times, and finally a walrus named Bill came kalumphing out of the office. I told him the problem, informed him of the road hazard insurance, and inquired about the wait time. He said there was one other customer they were just finishing up, so it shouldn't be long. Sweet!
As we are getting settled in the waiting room, one of the grease monkeys was apologizing to the other customer for a miscommunication. Then she left, and I heard several of the grease monkeys talking about someone getting in trouble. Liam was pretty excited that they had a big window to look out in the shop so he could watch the "vroom-vrooms" and was quick to point out the machine with "nacks". After a few minutes, I looked out and noticed that someone was indeed getting in trouble. They were having a full-blown employee meeting out in the shop. I was thinking good, then my service will be better than that last lady's was!
The novelty of the window wore off pretty quick for Liam (could it be that nothing was happening to the vroom vrooms?) and after coloring and having snacks for about a half hour, he had resorted to playing puppy, and was totally BLACK from crawling on the floor. Eew.
After I'd been waiting about 45 minutes, I looked out and noticed that they were still standing around in their employee meeting, only now it was clearly a bull-shit session. They were joking and laughing and teasing, just having a great old time. Nine of them. NINE. And not one could take five minutes and change my tire? I took a picture with my phone :
Finally, the "meeting" broke up and most of the grease monkeys went back into the office. I saw one of them open up my tailgate and take out my flat tire. Mind you, this is after my van had been sitting in the shop for 45 minutes. He rolled the tire over to the puncture repair machine, and set it on the ground, then walked into the office. Ten minutes later, he walked back out, got the tire, and rolled it into the office, then back out. Then he walked back into the office. I could hear the seven of them joking and visiting in there for a few minutes, then the same guy came back and said he couldnt find me in the system, and did I have my receipt? Why, yes I did, why didn't they ask for it in the first place? Only about five minutes after that I saw them back my van out of the shop, and rushed Liam into the restroom to wash his hands and face. Finally, we were getting out of there!
As we came out of the restroom we walked past the office where six of the nine grease monkeys were hanging out. Like actual primates. (To their credit, three guys were out in the shop pretending to work). They all stopped and looked right at me as we walked past them into the showroom. It was deserted. I figured the guy must be looking for me in the waiting room to tell me my car was ready to go. We walked past the office again, with the infant-bucket, 32 ounce drink, suitcase-diaper-bag, and two year old in tow, again six pairs of eyes on me. The waiting room was empty. In the interest of keeping Liam walking so he wouldn't crawl again, we walked between the showroom and the waiting room a few more times. Every single time, every single one of those six guys looked right at us. And not one of them said a word. Finally, I walked right in the office, and said, "I don't know what the problem is, but I'd like to leave." Bill the walrus (who happened to be the manager) told one of his underlings to check me out.
The kid had to fight with the printer, then call for help to get my receipt to print. No apology for the wait, no gracious holding of the door, not even a "Have a nice day". Nothing. An hour and forty minutes for a tire change! ONE TIRE! By comparison, Brians tire change took thirty minutes, and he had to drive from Springville first, didn't have the luxury of hydraulic jack and wrench, and he was trying not to get his work clothes muddy! Thirgy minutes! With nine guys and all the equipment at Sears, that second change shouldn't have taken more than ten seconds! Then I get home and realize that they didn't even bother to put my doughnut in its cubby under the car, they just chucked it in the back on the carpet and upholstery! Idiots! AND they falsified the times on my receipt! It says my check in time was 3:55 and check out time was 4:25! HA! Just ask my starving baby, blackened two year old, and my engorged boobs for that matter; we were sitting in that waiting room only about THREE TIMES that long!!!
Don't you worry, I intend to complain to the people who are supposed to care about my experience at Sears tire center. In fact, I think I'll write a letter and print 50 copies, and send one every other day or so for a couple of months. Then maybe they'll notice the people who make it possible for them to have their jobs.
In other news... Finn and I are both sick. I hate being sick. I hate it even more when my kids are sick. So yeah, I'm hanging out today just filled to the brim with hate and negativity. I hope every one of those nine grease monkeys gets my sickness. And I hope they know who gave it to them too.
Jan 29, 2009
Who's the boss?
Me: We need to go on a short ride.
Zoe: Why?
Me: Because I'm gonna need a giant diet coke, cuz Liam decided not to sleep last night.
Zoe: Oh no, you are dare not having a diet coke!
Me: I get to choose, because I am a grown-up
Zoe: But grandma says diet coke is bad for you!
Me: Grandma is not the boss of me
Zoe: (eyes wide, mouth ajar)MO-om! She is your mother!
touché
Zoe: Why?
Me: Because I'm gonna need a giant diet coke, cuz Liam decided not to sleep last night.
Zoe: Oh no, you are dare not having a diet coke!
Me: I get to choose, because I am a grown-up
Zoe: But grandma says diet coke is bad for you!
Me: Grandma is not the boss of me
Zoe: (eyes wide, mouth ajar)MO-om! She is your mother!
touché
Jan 28, 2009
I know I usually barely ever blog, let alone two in one day, but I had to post this. Liam finally went to sleep, with his books. Don't ask me what he did with his sheets, I have no clue.
And while I'm at it here is Finn after his bath tonight...
My other two NEVER got rolls like this! I just LOVE the chubbies!
And while I'm at it here is Finn after his bath tonight...
My other two NEVER got rolls like this! I just LOVE the chubbies!
And then, I remember why I love them.
I am the most spoiled wife and mother on this planet. Brian makes sure of that. He came home from work today, and since the part finally got here- made another (albeit failed) attempt at fixing the downstairs refrigerator. Then, he made pizza and bread sticks for dinner (he has a couple of recipes that only he can make - you know, because it just isn't the same when someone else does it - lol). And, like he does almost every night, rocked Liam and got him in his bed. Liam had other ideas though, and for the past two hours Brian has been snoring on the floor next to the toddler bed, while Liam, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed reads to himself. It gets better- he is getting the books by leaning his hand on Brians forehead and streeetching out to reach the bookshelf, which is just barely too far away to actually reach without getting out of his bed. Poor Brian!
Liam is too funny lately. He has started throwing some major temper tantrums, the kind where he yells gibberish at us, and stomps off. We try to be irritated with him about it but he looks so hilariously cute while he's doing it, its more than we can do just to hold the giggles in. The other day Brian realized what it is he is saying when he's mad: "BOY!" OH my goodness! I had tears, I was laughing so hard! Just like we say to him! "BOY! Sit down, you're going to fall!" or, "BOY! Do not hit your sister!" So, when we do something to tick him off, such as mess up his perfect row of cars, or tell him that no, he cant have cottage cheese instead of his normal meal for the third time today, he yells BOY - cuz that's what ya say to someone who has made you mad - right?
Poor Zoe and the window. She has cheerfully put up with her punishment. Mostly. The first day she was really sad that she couldn't have "rock-a-rock and a Simpsons" (Brian's nightly bedtime routine with the kids)and Liam still got to, but when she asked me why, I took her over to the window and gently explained that because she was doing something she knew she shouldn't we had to take away a privilege that she likes, for a while. After that, she was really pretty good about it. So tomorrow she can watch her movies again. She usually just watches a movie while Liam takes his nap, and an episode of the Simpsons while Brian rocks them before bed, so its been a lot harder on me than it has been on her. I'm used to having an hour or so to myself while Liam naps and she watches her movie, but without her movie, I have to come up with something for her to do while her playmate recharges his batteries. So tonight at bedtime, I told her that she'll get her movie privileges back tomorrow, and she can rock-a-rock with daddy again. I gave her a teeny tiny lecture about making right choices (because lecturing is what I do), and she said "You are my bestest Mom, I pinky promise to be the bestest daughter." I nearly cried. I'm thinking maybe I'll release her (me) from her ban on friends early - mostly because I miss hanging out with Ginger. Man, I'm a wuss, cant go a week without a buddy. She'll never know it hasn't been two weeks, right? She has very little concept of days and weeks... NO! I should really just be consistent, and do what I said I would do. We'll see, I guess. I really do have the sweetest kids! :)
Liam is too funny lately. He has started throwing some major temper tantrums, the kind where he yells gibberish at us, and stomps off. We try to be irritated with him about it but he looks so hilariously cute while he's doing it, its more than we can do just to hold the giggles in. The other day Brian realized what it is he is saying when he's mad: "BOY!" OH my goodness! I had tears, I was laughing so hard! Just like we say to him! "BOY! Sit down, you're going to fall!" or, "BOY! Do not hit your sister!" So, when we do something to tick him off, such as mess up his perfect row of cars, or tell him that no, he cant have cottage cheese instead of his normal meal for the third time today, he yells BOY - cuz that's what ya say to someone who has made you mad - right?
Poor Zoe and the window. She has cheerfully put up with her punishment. Mostly. The first day she was really sad that she couldn't have "rock-a-rock and a Simpsons" (Brian's nightly bedtime routine with the kids)and Liam still got to, but when she asked me why, I took her over to the window and gently explained that because she was doing something she knew she shouldn't we had to take away a privilege that she likes, for a while. After that, she was really pretty good about it. So tomorrow she can watch her movies again. She usually just watches a movie while Liam takes his nap, and an episode of the Simpsons while Brian rocks them before bed, so its been a lot harder on me than it has been on her. I'm used to having an hour or so to myself while Liam naps and she watches her movie, but without her movie, I have to come up with something for her to do while her playmate recharges his batteries. So tonight at bedtime, I told her that she'll get her movie privileges back tomorrow, and she can rock-a-rock with daddy again. I gave her a teeny tiny lecture about making right choices (because lecturing is what I do), and she said "You are my bestest Mom, I pinky promise to be the bestest daughter." I nearly cried. I'm thinking maybe I'll release her (me) from her ban on friends early - mostly because I miss hanging out with Ginger. Man, I'm a wuss, cant go a week without a buddy. She'll never know it hasn't been two weeks, right? She has very little concept of days and weeks... NO! I should really just be consistent, and do what I said I would do. We'll see, I guess. I really do have the sweetest kids! :)
Jan 22, 2009
Four going on ten - or seventeen?
Zoe is in BIG trouble tonight. She's been whiny, and bossy and rude to her friends and brother - but that's not why. She pee'd her panties THREE times today, simply because she didn't want to stop playing to go use the toilet! But that's not the reason either. Somehow she and her little friends managed to punch a hole in the wall of the playroom with a closet door, but she topped even that little number!
Yep, I really couldn't believe her day could get any worse, until she broke a window. I know, WTF? Seriously, I didn't even know what else to say. She sat on the rug in the hall for fifteen solid minutes while Brian and I tried to first, calm down, then figure out how the HELL you are supposed to discipline a four year old for breaking a window!!
If it had been a matter of just getting too rough, or throwing a toy, or some other age appropriate thing, that would be different. But no, she broke the window because she was trying to open it (with a butter knife ha-ha) so she could sneak out and "have a party in the backyard"!!! Again, WTF??? She and her cousin Kaylissa were playing in her room, dressing up and other fun stuff. They came out and got their shoes on, and Kaylissa said Zoe was going to come with her to her house, to help show her the way. Okaaay, I thought, these girls have pretty funny ways of pretending - but whatever. Then a few minutes later we heard the door close. I didn't think much of that really, because they'd been dressing up, and sometimes they like to have a little privacy to change. A few minutes after that we heard what sounded like a clanking. I sent Brian to check on Liam, and he found him in the bathroom with his cars, so we figured the clanking must have been the cars against the base of the toilet or something. Another couple of minutes goes by, and Zoe came down the hall to tell us that she thinks the window might be breaking. Huh? We just kind of looked at her, then asked her what she was talking about. Didn't make much sense coming from a kid her age. Broke the window? With what? Why? HOW? So, we finally decide she might not be making it up, and go check it out... YUP, she cracked the window alright. Stuck her butt in time-out, then tried to get the story out of Kaylissa. Apparently the girls each had different motives for getting out the window. Kaylissa wanted to get glue from her house for the party (glue??). The "party" in question being the one Zoe was throwing for Gaston (yes, the bad-guy from Beauty and the Beast is frequently her boyfriend and/or fiance/husband). She stuck the butter knife up in between the frame and the glass, and tried to - I don't know, pry the glass out? Anyway, it is totally cracked.
What peeves me is that she obviously knew she shouldn't be doing that, because she closed the door. AND she dragged her friend into it. I've been noticing stuff like this more and more lately. She doesn't do that kind of thing when she's playing by herself, or with Liam. But get another little kid over here, and suddenly she's the show-off trouble maker, getting her friends to go along with some crazy scheme. I'm not sure if she's trying to impresses them with some kind of bad ass act, or if she's trying to get them into trouble, or if she just gets so caught up in whatever game she's playing that she loses all common sense! (and I really mean ALL common sense). It's kind of funny to say that she broke a window with a butter knife, but she is soooo gonna pay! No friends for two solid weeks. AND she has to do chores to help "pay" for the window. AND no movies for one week (so she can spend her movie time doing chores). It sounds a little harsh for a four year old, but I'm hoping that maybe her common sense wont get forgotten so easily in the future if she has to do some serious time for this hellish day. In all reality, her punishment is going to be WAY harder on me than it is on her. Dang kid! Just THINK! Some times I swear I'm that dude on Back to the Future "HELL-O McFLY!!"
Yep, I really couldn't believe her day could get any worse, until she broke a window. I know, WTF? Seriously, I didn't even know what else to say. She sat on the rug in the hall for fifteen solid minutes while Brian and I tried to first, calm down, then figure out how the HELL you are supposed to discipline a four year old for breaking a window!!
If it had been a matter of just getting too rough, or throwing a toy, or some other age appropriate thing, that would be different. But no, she broke the window because she was trying to open it (with a butter knife ha-ha) so she could sneak out and "have a party in the backyard"!!! Again, WTF??? She and her cousin Kaylissa were playing in her room, dressing up and other fun stuff. They came out and got their shoes on, and Kaylissa said Zoe was going to come with her to her house, to help show her the way. Okaaay, I thought, these girls have pretty funny ways of pretending - but whatever. Then a few minutes later we heard the door close. I didn't think much of that really, because they'd been dressing up, and sometimes they like to have a little privacy to change. A few minutes after that we heard what sounded like a clanking. I sent Brian to check on Liam, and he found him in the bathroom with his cars, so we figured the clanking must have been the cars against the base of the toilet or something. Another couple of minutes goes by, and Zoe came down the hall to tell us that she thinks the window might be breaking. Huh? We just kind of looked at her, then asked her what she was talking about. Didn't make much sense coming from a kid her age. Broke the window? With what? Why? HOW? So, we finally decide she might not be making it up, and go check it out... YUP, she cracked the window alright. Stuck her butt in time-out, then tried to get the story out of Kaylissa. Apparently the girls each had different motives for getting out the window. Kaylissa wanted to get glue from her house for the party (glue??). The "party" in question being the one Zoe was throwing for Gaston (yes, the bad-guy from Beauty and the Beast is frequently her boyfriend and/or fiance/husband). She stuck the butter knife up in between the frame and the glass, and tried to - I don't know, pry the glass out? Anyway, it is totally cracked.
What peeves me is that she obviously knew she shouldn't be doing that, because she closed the door. AND she dragged her friend into it. I've been noticing stuff like this more and more lately. She doesn't do that kind of thing when she's playing by herself, or with Liam. But get another little kid over here, and suddenly she's the show-off trouble maker, getting her friends to go along with some crazy scheme. I'm not sure if she's trying to impresses them with some kind of bad ass act, or if she's trying to get them into trouble, or if she just gets so caught up in whatever game she's playing that she loses all common sense! (and I really mean ALL common sense). It's kind of funny to say that she broke a window with a butter knife, but she is soooo gonna pay! No friends for two solid weeks. AND she has to do chores to help "pay" for the window. AND no movies for one week (so she can spend her movie time doing chores). It sounds a little harsh for a four year old, but I'm hoping that maybe her common sense wont get forgotten so easily in the future if she has to do some serious time for this hellish day. In all reality, her punishment is going to be WAY harder on me than it is on her. Dang kid! Just THINK! Some times I swear I'm that dude on Back to the Future "HELL-O McFLY!!"
Jan 8, 2009
Back to real life again
Yep, I'm noticing the post-Christmas letdown. Now I have to go back to my "real" life again. Which is weird because I swear the only difference during the holidays was that Zoe didnt have school. Still, December just has a different feel, and now its gone. *sigh*
Well, I made resolutions again this year, I focused on keeping them realistic and achievable. Previous years resolutions have always been forgotten or given up on by about Valentines Day, so this year I am keeping it simple:
1. Every dollar, on paper, on purpose. (that means I have to stick to my budget - something that will be a new habit for me)
2. Count to ten. (If I cant control my temper, then a least I should delay it a little, right?) And finally,
3. Ten Crunches a day, every day. (ok, this is the doosey - every year I say something like "I'm going to get physically fit this year" or "I'm going to lose 40 pounds by Thanksgiving" HA! Ya, obviously thats been working for me! So, ten crunches a day, easy. Keeps me from feeling overwhelmed and giving it up. And when I feel like that little bit is not going to do me one bit of good, then I can say to myself "As of today you have done 80 crunches, which is about 70 more than you did all of last year combined! YES!!") Hopefully I'm as good at outsmarting myself as I think I am... HA HA!
So I havent been blogging much at all lately, mostly cuz I like to add pictures, and my stupid camera has been broken. Its in the shop now, so I'll be getting it back soon, but I've really missed having it, especially at Christmas, and While Finn is changing so much all the time! Aaargh! Soon though, soon.
Well, I made resolutions again this year, I focused on keeping them realistic and achievable. Previous years resolutions have always been forgotten or given up on by about Valentines Day, so this year I am keeping it simple:
1. Every dollar, on paper, on purpose. (that means I have to stick to my budget - something that will be a new habit for me)
2. Count to ten. (If I cant control my temper, then a least I should delay it a little, right?) And finally,
3. Ten Crunches a day, every day. (ok, this is the doosey - every year I say something like "I'm going to get physically fit this year" or "I'm going to lose 40 pounds by Thanksgiving" HA! Ya, obviously thats been working for me! So, ten crunches a day, easy. Keeps me from feeling overwhelmed and giving it up. And when I feel like that little bit is not going to do me one bit of good, then I can say to myself "As of today you have done 80 crunches, which is about 70 more than you did all of last year combined! YES!!") Hopefully I'm as good at outsmarting myself as I think I am... HA HA!
So I havent been blogging much at all lately, mostly cuz I like to add pictures, and my stupid camera has been broken. Its in the shop now, so I'll be getting it back soon, but I've really missed having it, especially at Christmas, and While Finn is changing so much all the time! Aaargh! Soon though, soon.
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