My children love to read. And not much in this world makes me more proud than watching my children get lost in a book. Though I don't tell him this, my heart swells with pride when I find Zach in his bed, way past his bedtime, reading a book, begging to "just finish this chapter".
This summer one of the banks in the area had a challenge: read 10 books, get a bank account with $10 in it. Zach was all over it.
Yesterday was the last day to go in and open an account with this program so I took both boys down with their reading lists.
And the story goes like this:
Andrew was at the end of his rope. He was tired and cranky and wired. Thursdays are hard days and towards the end of the week his behavior gets a little out of hand.
Thankfully, Dan, the man who was helping the boys open their accounts, was very patient. He laughed with them and fell for Andrew immediately (as most people do). Even through Andrew's farting (that he felt the need to announce every time - as if the stench wasn't enough). Even through Andrew's incessant questions about "the vault". He even heard someone answer the phone "TD Bank, how can I help you?" and it got caught in his mouth (meaning he felt the need to repeat it over and over and over and...).
In the end they both had new passbook savings accounts with $10. They also walked out with "vaults" of their own (big green TD Bank coin banks). I gave them each $20 and let them make their first deposits, showed them how to fill out the paperwork and how the passbook worked. Zach got a lollipop and Andrew informed us all that "lollipops are bad for your teeth" and that he didn't want one.
On the way home Zachary and I had a little conversation:
Z: I'm one lucky kid!
Me: Why's that?
Z: The bank account! Thank you, Mom!
Me: Oh, honey, you did all the hard work by reading those books. You deserve it!
Z: That wasn't hard work reading those books!
That's when my heart melted. Who's the lucky one here? Him for opening his first bank account or me for having such an amazing child that opening a bank account makes him feel so lucky and grateful? Not a video game or a new bike but a bank account.
I am so damn lucky.
Showing posts with label Andrew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andrew. Show all posts
10/1/10
9/21/10
I miss you!
Yesterday was Andrew and Zachary's first time with their new babysitter. Kirby and I have always done our best to arrange our schedules so the kids don't need sitters, but as my business grows and since he started driving for the school district, things have had to change.
We were so lucky to know a young lady who has the time and desire to watch our two monsters for an hour or so after school. She is fantastic and I am so thankful she was able to make it work with us.
Back to the story.
Yesterday was her first day. She picked them up at school, brought them home, got snack and started homework. I walked through the door before 4:30 - they have only been home for 45 minutes. Andrew runs to the door, jumps in my arms, "Mooooommmyy!!! You're back!! I missed you!!". You'd think I had been gone for days.
God I love that kid.
We were so lucky to know a young lady who has the time and desire to watch our two monsters for an hour or so after school. She is fantastic and I am so thankful she was able to make it work with us.
Back to the story.
Yesterday was her first day. She picked them up at school, brought them home, got snack and started homework. I walked through the door before 4:30 - they have only been home for 45 minutes. Andrew runs to the door, jumps in my arms, "Mooooommmyy!!! You're back!! I missed you!!". You'd think I had been gone for days.
God I love that kid.
9/11/10
Don't get your shoes!
A friend of mine posted about her nose blowing experience on Facebook today. She was 2 miles from home and had to use an oak leaf.
For some reason, her story reminded me about peeing in the woods with Andrew (who I also had to teach how to poop in the woods this summer...but that's a different story).
A few years ago, while we were at camp, we were fishing at the lake and I had to pee. The lake is about a mile and a half from the camp so I was stuck peeing in the woods. I had to take Andrew with me for fear he would fall into the water while I was gone. To keep him occupied I gave him the toilet paper and asked him to hold it.
As I was squatting, arrange my pants and trying to ensure I didn't pee all over myself, Andrew kneels down. He gets real close to my stream...
Meanwhile I can do nothing unless I want it to end up all over me (and him).
He reaches out and puts the toilet paper right in the steamy stream of pee. Awesome.
These are the things I want to remember forever so I can absolutely mortify him at 23, when he brings home his fiancee.
For some reason, her story reminded me about peeing in the woods with Andrew (who I also had to teach how to poop in the woods this summer...but that's a different story).
A few years ago, while we were at camp, we were fishing at the lake and I had to pee. The lake is about a mile and a half from the camp so I was stuck peeing in the woods. I had to take Andrew with me for fear he would fall into the water while I was gone. To keep him occupied I gave him the toilet paper and asked him to hold it.
As I was squatting, arrange my pants and trying to ensure I didn't pee all over myself, Andrew kneels down. He gets real close to my stream...
Meanwhile I can do nothing unless I want it to end up all over me (and him).
He reaches out and puts the toilet paper right in the steamy stream of pee. Awesome.
These are the things I want to remember forever so I can absolutely mortify him at 23, when he brings home his fiancee.
12/14/09
Some things I want to remember...
-Yesterday Zach says: "Did you know that Will Smith played a wrestler in a movie called MudMad Ally". Me: "Huh, never heard of that one". Kirby (who overheard the whole thing): "Do you mean Mohammad Ali the BOXER?".
-Saturday on our way home from breakfast with Santa Zachary asks Andrew "whose glasses are you wearing"...they were Kirby's. Seriously, all morning he has been wearing someone else's glasses and nobody noticed? HE didn't even notice...what's up with that?!
-I love that my children are becoming more independent but when it gets to the point when he thinks it's okay to take a different bus home (one that arrives 15 minutes later than his) and put me and Kirby (and both elementary schools) into sheer panic mode - NOT COOL! Yeah, he's grounded and I am NOT happy.
-"I have a train here that could, like, ahhhhh, huh...what?" -Andrew....and all the glory of his attention span.
-My latest Mother of the Year moment: Me in kitchen spilling raw egg "SHIT". Kid: "Bad word". Me: "Oh yeah, SUCK IT! How's that sound". I'd like to thank Roseanne Barr and all that she has taught me...
-Here in the boonies all snow days will be made up on Saturdays this year. I mentioned the Saturday school day to Andrew who is now having an absolute fit because "Saturday is an at home day!!!". Oh, my black and white boy...
-One day I locked us out of the house, making us VERY late for a family party. Zachary says to me: "Mom, I am so furryous". Furryous? WTF?!
Oh man, my kids crack me up. Someday I am going to write a book - they'll be the main characters alongside a bottle of Absolute (the bottle that mom used to help her make it through their lives).
-Saturday on our way home from breakfast with Santa Zachary asks Andrew "whose glasses are you wearing"...they were Kirby's. Seriously, all morning he has been wearing someone else's glasses and nobody noticed? HE didn't even notice...what's up with that?!
-I love that my children are becoming more independent but when it gets to the point when he thinks it's okay to take a different bus home (one that arrives 15 minutes later than his) and put me and Kirby (and both elementary schools) into sheer panic mode - NOT COOL! Yeah, he's grounded and I am NOT happy.
-"I have a train here that could, like, ahhhhh, huh...what?" -Andrew....and all the glory of his attention span.
-My latest Mother of the Year moment: Me in kitchen spilling raw egg "SHIT". Kid: "Bad word". Me: "Oh yeah, SUCK IT! How's that sound". I'd like to thank Roseanne Barr and all that she has taught me...
-Here in the boonies all snow days will be made up on Saturdays this year. I mentioned the Saturday school day to Andrew who is now having an absolute fit because "Saturday is an at home day!!!". Oh, my black and white boy...
-One day I locked us out of the house, making us VERY late for a family party. Zachary says to me: "Mom, I am so furryous". Furryous? WTF?!
Oh man, my kids crack me up. Someday I am going to write a book - they'll be the main characters alongside a bottle of Absolute (the bottle that mom used to help her make it through their lives).
11/8/09
Rocket Launch with Cub Scouts
We spent a couple hours launching rockets with the Cub Scouts on Saturday. It was a beautiful day with little wind. The boys all had a great time!
10/28/09
Stomp out the anger
My youngest son, Andrew, has an autism spectrum disorder. Many of you know what this means to our family, but for my new readers...I will explain a bit.
Andrew is incredibly "high functioning". He is in a mainstream classroom with the assistance of a full time aide. He reads and writes and does math. He leaves the classroom for occupational therapy, speech therapy (because while his language is sophisticated, in comparison to other children his age, you cannot have a conversation with him), he is part of a social skills program and he uses the nurses office to go to the bathroom (and has only been potty trained for 6 months).
He is the sweetest boy you will ever meet. He is polite and has exceptional manners. He makes friends wherever we go. In fact, we walk to the local coffee shop every morning and there is an entourage of people waiting for him - mostly elderly folks who enjoy seeing his smiling face.
Andrew is black and white. He follows rules because it is what he knows to do. He will tell you the rules if he feels you are breaking them. He is blunt and abrupt and often causes me embarrassment in public. He does not understand broken promises or changes in routine.
And this is where my story starts....
Weekends tend to be hell in our home. Andrew is off his routine and he does NOT like it. He doesn't even realize why he is angry or why he is acting out but dad and I sure do!
Sunday was one of the worst days we have had in a very long time. He was driving everyone in the house crazy. He was in and out of the fridge. He was mouthy. He was hitting...he was off his routine. And I was exhausted (having not gotten to bed until 3:30am as I was volunteering at a local memorial walk doing massage until 2am).
At around noon I had finally had enough. It was a gorgeous day (but we didn't have any plans as my older son, Zachary, was sick). I grabbed the camera and I grabbed Andrew and we went for a "nature walk".
Getting out of the house was hell. He was insistent on bringing his "monster truck" and I was insistent that he was not bringing said monster truck. He stomped down the stairs, he screamed at me, he growled...and we walked.
We went downtown to window shop. We went to the docks to see the fire boat, we took some gorgeous pictures:
And then we made our way to the walking path (much to Andrew's dismay). The walking path in town is one of my favorite places in the world. It is a path that was created where the railroad tracks used to run into town. It runs by 3 different lakes, you see wildlife and mountain tops, it's quiet and peaceful...it also runs rather close to a playground and Andrew wanted no part of walking he wanted the playground.
We weren't going to the playground - we were going for a walk. Andrew had other plans. He took off on me 3 times trying to get to the park. Yesterday I explained that I had been running...today you understand why. I HAVE to run so I can keep up with my little escape artist.
I feel I need to stop here and explain why I don't take Andrew to the playground. I am not an awful mother - I'm just a mother of a child who has ASD. A playground often just exacerbates his symptoms. He gets overwhelmed and wired and when it is time to leave we have meltdown after meltdown and the "angry" mood I was trying to get rid of has just intensified.
I explained to him (as I have in the past) that if he is angry and outside he can stomp his feet and yell. He did. I slowly watched my loving boy making his way back...
We sat down on a bench and I tried to take some pictures of him looking into the camera. These pictures were taken one after another (and there are about a dozen on my computer that look exactly the same) and will give you a pretty good idea about Andrew's attention span and inability to "look me in the eye":
This is as close as we get to "looking at the camera". And even still he eyes are squinting because he, literally, does not have the ability to look me "in the eye".
As we walked I watched him quiet himself. He started to be able to see what was going on around him. He started to come back to me.
The path we were taking is only 1/2 mile, at which point you can either take the road into town (and back to our home) or continue on the path past more lakes and through more woods. I knew that Andrew would only tolerate so much walking (and this short time had already taken us nearly an hour).
Andrew has recently joined Cub Scouts and needed to gather leaves for a project. He LOVED gathering leaves but has a hard time not leaving without all of them. Here he is gathering a "bouquet". I was amazed at the distance I could travel from him without him sprinting in another direction. He truly was calming....
We continued onto the road and meandered to our home. He stopped and looked at more leaves and bugs and looked for landmarks that he walks past regularly. On the way I tried to remind him how his behavior and his mood had changed during our walk.
"Andrew, when we left the house before our walk how did you feel?"
"Mad and sad."
"What kind of words were you using?"
"Angry words."
"Yeah....and how do you feel now?"
"Happy!"
"And what kind of words are you going to use when we get home?"
"Nice ones."
And he gave me a great big hug.
The best part of this was that not only did I notice and his father notice (when we got home) but HE noticed. It was truly and eye opening day.
Now, what the hell am I going to do when winter comes?
Andrew is incredibly "high functioning". He is in a mainstream classroom with the assistance of a full time aide. He reads and writes and does math. He leaves the classroom for occupational therapy, speech therapy (because while his language is sophisticated, in comparison to other children his age, you cannot have a conversation with him), he is part of a social skills program and he uses the nurses office to go to the bathroom (and has only been potty trained for 6 months).
He is the sweetest boy you will ever meet. He is polite and has exceptional manners. He makes friends wherever we go. In fact, we walk to the local coffee shop every morning and there is an entourage of people waiting for him - mostly elderly folks who enjoy seeing his smiling face.
Andrew is black and white. He follows rules because it is what he knows to do. He will tell you the rules if he feels you are breaking them. He is blunt and abrupt and often causes me embarrassment in public. He does not understand broken promises or changes in routine.
And this is where my story starts....
Weekends tend to be hell in our home. Andrew is off his routine and he does NOT like it. He doesn't even realize why he is angry or why he is acting out but dad and I sure do!
Sunday was one of the worst days we have had in a very long time. He was driving everyone in the house crazy. He was in and out of the fridge. He was mouthy. He was hitting...he was off his routine. And I was exhausted (having not gotten to bed until 3:30am as I was volunteering at a local memorial walk doing massage until 2am).
At around noon I had finally had enough. It was a gorgeous day (but we didn't have any plans as my older son, Zachary, was sick). I grabbed the camera and I grabbed Andrew and we went for a "nature walk".
Getting out of the house was hell. He was insistent on bringing his "monster truck" and I was insistent that he was not bringing said monster truck. He stomped down the stairs, he screamed at me, he growled...and we walked.
We went downtown to window shop. We went to the docks to see the fire boat, we took some gorgeous pictures:
And then we made our way to the walking path (much to Andrew's dismay). The walking path in town is one of my favorite places in the world. It is a path that was created where the railroad tracks used to run into town. It runs by 3 different lakes, you see wildlife and mountain tops, it's quiet and peaceful...it also runs rather close to a playground and Andrew wanted no part of walking he wanted the playground.
We weren't going to the playground - we were going for a walk. Andrew had other plans. He took off on me 3 times trying to get to the park. Yesterday I explained that I had been running...today you understand why. I HAVE to run so I can keep up with my little escape artist.
I feel I need to stop here and explain why I don't take Andrew to the playground. I am not an awful mother - I'm just a mother of a child who has ASD. A playground often just exacerbates his symptoms. He gets overwhelmed and wired and when it is time to leave we have meltdown after meltdown and the "angry" mood I was trying to get rid of has just intensified.
I explained to him (as I have in the past) that if he is angry and outside he can stomp his feet and yell. He did. I slowly watched my loving boy making his way back...
We sat down on a bench and I tried to take some pictures of him looking into the camera. These pictures were taken one after another (and there are about a dozen on my computer that look exactly the same) and will give you a pretty good idea about Andrew's attention span and inability to "look me in the eye":
This is as close as we get to "looking at the camera". And even still he eyes are squinting because he, literally, does not have the ability to look me "in the eye".
As we walked I watched him quiet himself. He started to be able to see what was going on around him. He started to come back to me.
The path we were taking is only 1/2 mile, at which point you can either take the road into town (and back to our home) or continue on the path past more lakes and through more woods. I knew that Andrew would only tolerate so much walking (and this short time had already taken us nearly an hour).
Andrew has recently joined Cub Scouts and needed to gather leaves for a project. He LOVED gathering leaves but has a hard time not leaving without all of them. Here he is gathering a "bouquet". I was amazed at the distance I could travel from him without him sprinting in another direction. He truly was calming....
We continued onto the road and meandered to our home. He stopped and looked at more leaves and bugs and looked for landmarks that he walks past regularly. On the way I tried to remind him how his behavior and his mood had changed during our walk.
"Andrew, when we left the house before our walk how did you feel?"
"Mad and sad."
"What kind of words were you using?"
"Angry words."
"Yeah....and how do you feel now?"
"Happy!"
"And what kind of words are you going to use when we get home?"
"Nice ones."
And he gave me a great big hug.
The best part of this was that not only did I notice and his father notice (when we got home) but HE noticed. It was truly and eye opening day.
Now, what the hell am I going to do when winter comes?
3/25/09
One of THOSE days
Have you ever had one of those days? The days that every single little thing grinds your nerves so hard that you want to scream? Yeah, THOSE days. I am having one...
Z is going through a bag of clothes a friend of mine handed down to him and he feels the need to pose in every-single-thing...including each winter hat and mitten set. Cute most days...today I am annoyed.
Kirby was watching Home Improvement earlier (while searching the web for job possibilities) and laughing at the most ridiculous things. Great that he was having a good time...down right annoying to me.
A isn't doing his work in school. Most days I would chalk that up to a typical "autistic moment". Today I forced him to do the work he was supposed to do at school AND his homework and re-write anything that wasn't "perfect" - meaning something that actually resembled the "A" he was supposed to be writing.
I have sent 3 emails today minus the attachments they were supposed to have. That's always fun (expecially when you are emailing people that you don't even know - way to make a first impression).
Every time I hear, "hey Mom" I cringe a little bit....
It is one of those days that my children should be thankful I don't use corporal punishment...
And I'm not even PMSing.
Z is going through a bag of clothes a friend of mine handed down to him and he feels the need to pose in every-single-thing...including each winter hat and mitten set. Cute most days...today I am annoyed.
Kirby was watching Home Improvement earlier (while searching the web for job possibilities) and laughing at the most ridiculous things. Great that he was having a good time...down right annoying to me.
A isn't doing his work in school. Most days I would chalk that up to a typical "autistic moment". Today I forced him to do the work he was supposed to do at school AND his homework and re-write anything that wasn't "perfect" - meaning something that actually resembled the "A" he was supposed to be writing.
I have sent 3 emails today minus the attachments they were supposed to have. That's always fun (expecially when you are emailing people that you don't even know - way to make a first impression).
Every time I hear, "hey Mom" I cringe a little bit....
It is one of those days that my children should be thankful I don't use corporal punishment...
And I'm not even PMSing.
3/22/09
Happy 7th to my "baby"
It is hard for me to believe that 7 years ago today my youngest baby was born.
Andrew has not been an easy child. He has been sick since he day he was born, seen more doctors than I have seen in my life, had more surgeries than I...
I wouldn't change it for the world.
He is my perfect child.
In the past year he has learned so much. Today he was riding a two wheeler (with training wheels) with no problems. He is currently on the computer playing with his new Webkinz and navigates around the internet better than most adults. Yesterday he was sitting on the couch reading one of my books (I don't joke, he was reading it). He has gotten so big.
I am so proud of my baby!!
Happy Birthday Big Boy!
2/24/09
SERENITY NOW!
I am trying to be tolerant of my child with autism this evening….as I was working my ASS off on the brochure on tolerance that my non-profit, EANH, the child I am teaching how to use the freaking computer CLOSED OUT OF IT!!! Of course I had not saved it. Of course…..
1/13/09
The words...oh the words!
As I was sitting on the toilet yesterday (and on the phone with Nicki - sorry, Nicki) A came into the bathroom:
A: "what's a predicament, Mommy"
Me: "well, it's a sticky situation"
A: "ewwwww, a STICKY situation"
Me: "well, no, not STICKY really"
A: "oh, it's just an expression"
Me: "Yup, just an expression"
Where does my child come up with this stuff? Of course, I can deal with "predicament" and "expression", whereas the OTHER words he has used in the past...eh, not so much.
On another note, Z is working on his Pinewood Derby car. Any suggestions? We tried baking it tonight. I guess it is suppose to dry out all the water from inside the wood, making the car weigh less so when you add the weight to the back (because it should weigh 5oz in the end) it will go faster...didn't work for us. The car didn't lose a single pound (or ounce, as the case may be).
Although, the house smelled like really nice, warm pine for a good couple hours.
And on a completely different note (VERY WAY DIFFERENT) my "blogga from anotha' motha'" over on the west coast is having a contest. I warn you - THIS IS NOT FOR THE PRUDE AT HEART OR ANY OF MY SIBLINGS. If you can't deal with anything that has anything to do with anything referring to your nether regions DO NOT CLICK THE LINK!! If you are one of my siblings (or Nana Sue who recently started her own blog) DO NOT CLICK THE LINK! I SWEAR, it could burn your corneas!!
Otherwise, go check her out here!
A: "what's a predicament, Mommy"
Me: "well, it's a sticky situation"
A: "ewwwww, a STICKY situation"
Me: "well, no, not STICKY really"
A: "oh, it's just an expression"
Me: "Yup, just an expression"
Where does my child come up with this stuff? Of course, I can deal with "predicament" and "expression", whereas the OTHER words he has used in the past...eh, not so much.
On another note, Z is working on his Pinewood Derby car. Any suggestions? We tried baking it tonight. I guess it is suppose to dry out all the water from inside the wood, making the car weigh less so when you add the weight to the back (because it should weigh 5oz in the end) it will go faster...didn't work for us. The car didn't lose a single pound (or ounce, as the case may be).
Although, the house smelled like really nice, warm pine for a good couple hours.
And on a completely different note (VERY WAY DIFFERENT) my "blogga from anotha' motha'" over on the west coast is having a contest. I warn you - THIS IS NOT FOR THE PRUDE AT HEART OR ANY OF MY SIBLINGS. If you can't deal with anything that has anything to do with anything referring to your nether regions DO NOT CLICK THE LINK!! If you are one of my siblings (or Nana Sue who recently started her own blog) DO NOT CLICK THE LINK! I SWEAR, it could burn your corneas!!
Otherwise, go check her out here!
1/8/09
Letter to the Thieving Whore
Dear Tooth Fairy,
I want to thank you kindly for the past few nights of little to no sleep. I am sure that in Fairy Land you are ensured a minimum of 8 hours sleep after flying all night...but lately, I am lucky if a get an hour or two of uninterrupted sleep at night.
It all started a few weeks ago when we noticed A had his very first loose tooth. It was exciting and he was so proud.
The tooth still hadn't come out this past Monday but it was incredibly wiggly. So wiggly, in fact, I was scared he might swallow it in his sleep. We tried to help him get it before he went to bed to no avail.
Then, in true A fashion, I got woken up at 3:15am. He told me he had to go pee. I walked him downstairs and the second we got into the bathroom he SCREAMED "IT CAME OUT" and he handed me his tooth.
Of course we were excited. He even got to wake Daddy up and tell him all about it. We decided that we would wait until the next night to put it under his pillow...and two hours later A was still talking about it. TWO HOURS LATER I was still NOT SLEEPING!
Last night I worked and Dad, of course, forgot to put the tooth under the pillow. Never fear, however, A was sure to remind me all about it at midnight. So under the pillow it went, at midnight...
Somewhere between then and 5:30am you must have made an appearance. I know this because that is the point in time was when A woke, checked under his pillow and proceeded to cry for the next two hours because you "STOLE" his tooth. I mean REALLY cry. HUGE tears. He was SO sad.
Of course, I realize that you left a beautiful note (that only slightly resembled my handwriting)and a $5 in its place. I know all the things he can do with $5 and I am sure he is very grateful for that...but Christ almighty, could you have left the freaking tooth?!
Seriously, lady, do you understand what it is like to go night after night after night with only an hour or two of uninterrupted sleep? Do you know what it is like to walk around all day in a haze because you haven't slept properly in weeks? No, I am sure you don't because you don't have kids. Every morning after flying around stealing children's teeth from under their pillows you lie your ass down on a puffy white cloud and you fall asleep. No one there to wake you up, no kids screaming your name or claiming to have to pee.
So, Fairy Girl, next time you decide you are going to make an appearance in my home you have to options:
1) Bring a sleeping potion from the evil step mother and pass it along to me so I can be sure to get a full night's sleep. Or,
2) LEAVE THE FREAKING TOOTH UNDER THE FREAKING PILLOW!
If this means he doesn't get the money, I am sure he will understand. In all honesty, he doesn't give two craps about the money, he wants the nasty, old tooth. And, really, does it make all that much difference to you anyway? I mean, you have been collecting teeth for years...does my ONE child with his crazy tooth obsession (and amazing ability to function with little to no sleep) really make a difference?
I thank you for your time,
Bitch Mom from Hell
P.S. Could you clue me in as to how inflation effected your payout? I got a lousy quarter for my teeth - these kids are getting $5 for the first and, at least, $1 for each tooth thereafter? And if I pull my teeth out and leave them under my pillow, how much do you think you could get me?
Please be sure to check out the blog all about the new lead regulations the will lead to the closing of hundreds of thousands of thrift stores and consignment stores while also making it illegal for you or I to resell our children's used clothing and toys HERE.
I want to thank you kindly for the past few nights of little to no sleep. I am sure that in Fairy Land you are ensured a minimum of 8 hours sleep after flying all night...but lately, I am lucky if a get an hour or two of uninterrupted sleep at night.
It all started a few weeks ago when we noticed A had his very first loose tooth. It was exciting and he was so proud.
The tooth still hadn't come out this past Monday but it was incredibly wiggly. So wiggly, in fact, I was scared he might swallow it in his sleep. We tried to help him get it before he went to bed to no avail.
Then, in true A fashion, I got woken up at 3:15am. He told me he had to go pee. I walked him downstairs and the second we got into the bathroom he SCREAMED "IT CAME OUT" and he handed me his tooth.
Of course we were excited. He even got to wake Daddy up and tell him all about it. We decided that we would wait until the next night to put it under his pillow...and two hours later A was still talking about it. TWO HOURS LATER I was still NOT SLEEPING!
Last night I worked and Dad, of course, forgot to put the tooth under the pillow. Never fear, however, A was sure to remind me all about it at midnight. So under the pillow it went, at midnight...
Somewhere between then and 5:30am you must have made an appearance. I know this because that is the point in time was when A woke, checked under his pillow and proceeded to cry for the next two hours because you "STOLE" his tooth. I mean REALLY cry. HUGE tears. He was SO sad.
Of course, I realize that you left a beautiful note (that only slightly resembled my handwriting)and a $5 in its place. I know all the things he can do with $5 and I am sure he is very grateful for that...but Christ almighty, could you have left the freaking tooth?!
Seriously, lady, do you understand what it is like to go night after night after night with only an hour or two of uninterrupted sleep? Do you know what it is like to walk around all day in a haze because you haven't slept properly in weeks? No, I am sure you don't because you don't have kids. Every morning after flying around stealing children's teeth from under their pillows you lie your ass down on a puffy white cloud and you fall asleep. No one there to wake you up, no kids screaming your name or claiming to have to pee.
So, Fairy Girl, next time you decide you are going to make an appearance in my home you have to options:
1) Bring a sleeping potion from the evil step mother and pass it along to me so I can be sure to get a full night's sleep. Or,
2) LEAVE THE FREAKING TOOTH UNDER THE FREAKING PILLOW!
If this means he doesn't get the money, I am sure he will understand. In all honesty, he doesn't give two craps about the money, he wants the nasty, old tooth. And, really, does it make all that much difference to you anyway? I mean, you have been collecting teeth for years...does my ONE child with his crazy tooth obsession (and amazing ability to function with little to no sleep) really make a difference?
I thank you for your time,
Bitch Mom from Hell
P.S. Could you clue me in as to how inflation effected your payout? I got a lousy quarter for my teeth - these kids are getting $5 for the first and, at least, $1 for each tooth thereafter? And if I pull my teeth out and leave them under my pillow, how much do you think you could get me?
Please be sure to check out the blog all about the new lead regulations the will lead to the closing of hundreds of thousands of thrift stores and consignment stores while also making it illegal for you or I to resell our children's used clothing and toys HERE.
1/5/09
What is going on with today's music?
I promise you that I am not one of those old people that screams about her child's choice in music. If anything, they learn to like new music because I am playing it.
I try not to censor too much of what they hear (well, too much of what Z hears). I typically buy the "radio" version of the song, meaning they do censorany most cursing. And I certainly don't let him listen to things like Eminem (although I will admit that there are a select few songs that I do enjoy that Eminem sings raps performs)whose lyrics typically follow these lines:
The way you shake it,
I can't believe it
I ain't never seen an ass like that
The way you move it,
you make my pee pee go
Doing, doing, doing
Anyway...Z handed me an "updated" Christmas list 2 days before Christmas. Still believing in Santa, he thought that it would be no problem to get whatever he wanted. I had to inform him that Santa would NOT be bringing a Nintendo DS (because I don't believe that an 8 year old child needs - or is responsible enough to take care of - a $130 hand held gaming device). Also on the list were CDs (which he had not originally asked for).
The CDs were not a problem. I have a pretty extensive Itunes library and I know that he loves a lot of the music I listen to (aside from Les Miserable and The Newsies Soundtrack...oh and Phantom of the Opera). I also bought about 15 new songs.
I burned the CDs for him and presented them in his new CD holder under the Christmas tree. I also added them to my Ipod and listened to them while I was washing the Christmas dishes...
And I heard lyrics like this about a woman drunk at a nightclub:
I've had a little bit too much, much
All of the people start to rush, start to rush by
How does he twist the dance?
Can't find a drink, oh man
Where are my keys?
I lost my phone, phone
And this one about the woman with super powers (and, yes, even the radio "edited" version had bitch in it):
Some days I'm a super bitch
Up to my old tricks
But it won't last forever
Next day I'm your super girl
Out to save the world
And it keeps getting better
One about a woman being abused by her boyfriend:
Do you feel like a man
When you push her around?
Do you feel better now, as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend,
one day this world's going to end
As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.
And one with incredibly bad grammar that encourages you to accept me "just the way I are" and to tip when I strip:
~ Timbaland ~I ain't got no money
I ain't got no car to take you on a date
I can't even buy you flowers
But together we could be the perfect soulmates
Talk to me girl
~ Keri Hilson ~
OhBaby, it's alright now
You ain't gotta flaunt for me
If we go touch
You can still touch my love, it's free
We can work without the perks just you and me
Thug it out til' we get it right
~ Chorus ~
Baby if you strip, you can get a tip
'Cause I like you just the way you are
I'm about to strip and I'm well equipped
Can you handle me the way I'm are?
I don't need the G's or the car keys
Boy I like you just the way you are
Let me see ya strip, you can get a tip
'Cause I like, I like, I like...
Now, I am not a prude. These are things that my kids hear on the radio every day. I wonder...is this a sign of my getting older? It's not that I don't like the music (honestly, I enjoy all the songs above)...but I am not so sure about allowing my son to hear music that demoralizes women, encourages lousy grammar (and cursing) and encourages drinking...I mean, he is 8!!
And if all this isn't bad enough, A has the memory of an elephant. He takes things and locks them in immediately. Today in the car we were listening to the radio, per usual, and we heard the latest Nickleback song. A immediately learned the chorus and began to sing:
You naughty thing
You’re ripping up the dance floor honey
You naughty women
You shake your ass around for everyone
You’re such a mover
I love the way you dance with anybody
The way you swing
And tease them all by sucking on your thumb
Your so much cooler when you never pull it out
Cause you look so much cuter
with Something in Your Mouth
Lovely....
I try not to censor too much of what they hear (well, too much of what Z hears). I typically buy the "radio" version of the song, meaning they do censor
The way you shake it,
I can't believe it
I ain't never seen an ass like that
The way you move it,
you make my pee pee go
Doing, doing, doing
Anyway...Z handed me an "updated" Christmas list 2 days before Christmas. Still believing in Santa, he thought that it would be no problem to get whatever he wanted. I had to inform him that Santa would NOT be bringing a Nintendo DS (because I don't believe that an 8 year old child needs - or is responsible enough to take care of - a $130 hand held gaming device). Also on the list were CDs (which he had not originally asked for).
The CDs were not a problem. I have a pretty extensive Itunes library and I know that he loves a lot of the music I listen to (aside from Les Miserable and The Newsies Soundtrack...oh and Phantom of the Opera). I also bought about 15 new songs.
I burned the CDs for him and presented them in his new CD holder under the Christmas tree. I also added them to my Ipod and listened to them while I was washing the Christmas dishes...
And I heard lyrics like this about a woman drunk at a nightclub:
I've had a little bit too much, much
All of the people start to rush, start to rush by
How does he twist the dance?
Can't find a drink, oh man
Where are my keys?
I lost my phone, phone
And this one about the woman with super powers (and, yes, even the radio "edited" version had bitch in it):
Some days I'm a super bitch
Up to my old tricks
But it won't last forever
Next day I'm your super girl
Out to save the world
And it keeps getting better
One about a woman being abused by her boyfriend:
Do you feel like a man
When you push her around?
Do you feel better now, as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend,
one day this world's going to end
As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.
And one with incredibly bad grammar that encourages you to accept me "just the way I are" and to tip when I strip:
~ Timbaland ~I ain't got no money
I ain't got no car to take you on a date
I can't even buy you flowers
But together we could be the perfect soulmates
Talk to me girl
~ Keri Hilson ~
OhBaby, it's alright now
You ain't gotta flaunt for me
If we go touch
You can still touch my love, it's free
We can work without the perks just you and me
Thug it out til' we get it right
~ Chorus ~
Baby if you strip, you can get a tip
'Cause I like you just the way you are
I'm about to strip and I'm well equipped
Can you handle me the way I'm are?
I don't need the G's or the car keys
Boy I like you just the way you are
Let me see ya strip, you can get a tip
'Cause I like, I like, I like...
Now, I am not a prude. These are things that my kids hear on the radio every day. I wonder...is this a sign of my getting older? It's not that I don't like the music (honestly, I enjoy all the songs above)...but I am not so sure about allowing my son to hear music that demoralizes women, encourages lousy grammar (and cursing) and encourages drinking...I mean, he is 8!!
And if all this isn't bad enough, A has the memory of an elephant. He takes things and locks them in immediately. Today in the car we were listening to the radio, per usual, and we heard the latest Nickleback song. A immediately learned the chorus and began to sing:
You naughty thing
You’re ripping up the dance floor honey
You naughty women
You shake your ass around for everyone
You’re such a mover
I love the way you dance with anybody
The way you swing
And tease them all by sucking on your thumb
Your so much cooler when you never pull it out
Cause you look so much cuter
with Something in Your Mouth
Lovely....
1/1/09
A few quick thoughts...
- I hate undecorating from Christmas almost as much as I hate decorating for Christmas. But I have discovered that Kahlua helps...
- Z is a lot like his mother when he plays games. The trash talk is unbelievable and he is determined to win.
- A is a lot like his mother when he eats. If it looks edible he eats it (I can't assume that the fake gingerbread ornament on the tree tasted all that good - but it looks like A only tasted his foot but by tasted I mean too a bite out if it...).
- Those little mittens that they have for kids that allow the top half of the mitten to pull down and it exposes a half glove (while the kid's hand is still covered)...yeah, they pretty much suck.
- Dick Clark makes me cry every year. I can't watch him anymore since his stroke without breaking down.
- Any person that would stand in NYC amongst millions of people in subzero temperatures should be checked for a severe mental illness.
- I sent out my Christmas cards late this year. The majority of my family probably didn't even get them until after Christmas AND I don't feel badly about it.
- I should probably never blog again after having a drink...
Happy New Year!! I hope you all have a healthy, happy, prosperous year full of family, friends and good food...and Kahlua :)
12/30/08
Another Andrew Shenanigan...
Have I told you all about last year's New Years Eve celebration? I didn't think so. I can't imagine why I haven't because, I swear, this one is priceless!
Every year we walk downtown and watch the New Years Eve parade with the boys. It's a short parade with lots of noise and lots of fun. As the parade passes you join in and walk down to the town docks to watch the fireworks. It is always cold and busy and CRAZY down there but we love it.
Last year we were standing in about 5 feet of snow (now, now, I am not know for my exaggerations)...it was especially crowded and it was dark (or course). At the time, A had a bit of an obsession with Barack Obama (nothing like his mother). He also has a bit of a hard time keeping his attention on any one thing...
He turns to talk to the people behind us (we do NOT know these people). It's dark...there is a Hispanic man standing behind us...A screams:
"OH MY GOD.....MOMMY, IT'S BARACK OBAMA!!"
I want to melt. I want to fall to the ground and die. Right there. Of course, I don't because those times that you really wish death on yourself due to humiliation it never comes.
I turn and apologize to the man who is laughing hysterically behind us.
HU-MILL-EEE-ATION! Seriously.
So, we are hoping for a repeat this year :)
Happy New Year to you all! I am sorry I have been a bit MIA but I promise I will be back as soon as I have my house back (the boys and Kirby are all enjoying an extended Christmas break and won't go back until Monday - have I ever told you how much I LOVE Mondays).
Every year we walk downtown and watch the New Years Eve parade with the boys. It's a short parade with lots of noise and lots of fun. As the parade passes you join in and walk down to the town docks to watch the fireworks. It is always cold and busy and CRAZY down there but we love it.
Last year we were standing in about 5 feet of snow (now, now, I am not know for my exaggerations)...it was especially crowded and it was dark (or course). At the time, A had a bit of an obsession with Barack Obama (nothing like his mother). He also has a bit of a hard time keeping his attention on any one thing...
He turns to talk to the people behind us (we do NOT know these people). It's dark...there is a Hispanic man standing behind us...A screams:
"OH MY GOD.....MOMMY, IT'S BARACK OBAMA!!"
I want to melt. I want to fall to the ground and die. Right there. Of course, I don't because those times that you really wish death on yourself due to humiliation it never comes.
I turn and apologize to the man who is laughing hysterically behind us.
HU-MILL-EEE-ATION! Seriously.
So, we are hoping for a repeat this year :)
Happy New Year to you all! I am sorry I have been a bit MIA but I promise I will be back as soon as I have my house back (the boys and Kirby are all enjoying an extended Christmas break and won't go back until Monday - have I ever told you how much I LOVE Mondays).
12/17/08
IT'S A MIRACLE
Yes, I made it through the majority of my to do list yesterday. I did not get to the playroom, however, and that comes today...god help me. I do not exaggerate when I tell you it looks like a bomb exploded in there. No matter how many times I try to organize that room it is to no avail. A is not a organized kid. He likes his toys all around him in a heap. He throws them from the toy box, the drawers and the boxes that I use to keep it organized. I promise he will do that before the end of the day today, but only AFTER I have worked my butt off to clean it up.
Last night was the boys' holiday show. And I will blog more about that later. It is my favorite time of the year. And, honestly, just sitting here thinking about it, I am getting teary again...
But right now I want to talk about the miracle that we found yesterday. Something that took 10 LONG years to find me:
NUMBING EAR DROPS
Why has it taken 10 years to find these? Why has no doctor informed me of this miracle before now?
All 3 of the boys (including my stepson) have had tubes. A is on his third set and, without a doubt in my mind, will need a fourth.
This poor kid has been sick since the day he was born. Both my kids have immune systems that seem to grab hold of anything within a few feet from them and it doesn't let go until it has been sure to wreak havoc through their entire bodies and pass it along to anyone unfortunate enough to come in contact with them (my poor sister can probably blame her children's last 10 sicknesses on my kids). But, poor A has a constant runny nose, a cough that starts in October and ends in June and ear infections upon ear infections upon ear infections (unless his tubes are working properly and then they just drain this stinky, sticky fluid - gross, believe you me).
I am not big on antibiotics (and I think I have shared this in the past). Antibiotics are used for BACTERIA and most ear infections are caused by VIRUSES (like the common cold). Therefore, giving a kid (or anyone) an antibiotic to "cure" a virus is not only ineffective but almost as havoc wreaking as the virus itself. Antibiotics kill most all bacteria in its path (including the good stuff that lives in your small intestine - which is what leads to "the runs" when you take antibiotics). The bacteria that it DOESN'T kill then starts to become resistant to antibiotics (this also happens if you don't take the antibiotics correctly) and we end up with the super bacterias like MRSA. Having said all that, when kids get ear infections if they do not clear up quickly enough it is possible that the fluid sitting in the Eustachian tubes will grow bacteria and they DO need antibiotics - but there is no way for a doctor to know by looking at it. Of course, antibiotics are AMAZING as well, just way over prescribed and thought of as a necessity by too many people (including doctors).*
Okay, off my soapbox and back to my story...
I don't often bring him to the doctor if he has an ear infection because I know that, most of the time, they clear up on their own. His pediatrician has been great about working with me on this and agrees that, more often than not, antibiotics are unnecessary when treating ear infections.
This one was bad, however. A had been sick for over a week, had a strange rash all over his body (that the medical assistant tried to tell me was a heat rash - I asked her to step outside to remind herself of the temperatures) and, most importantly, he had his holiday show that night and he NEEDED to get to it. No way was I going to keep him from it. But he was MISERABLE and I knew we needed to take action.
So off to the doctor we went. Well, actually, off to the nurse practitioner since all the doctors were booked. We spent about 5 minutes in the office (she informed me that the "rash" was just his eczema acting up and it appeared to be inflamed because of his virus) and left with two prescriptions, an antibiotic and THE MIRACLE: numbing ear drops. I am okay with the antibiotics this time since the stuff coming out of him is colors that only show up in nightclubs lit with black lights. In other words, it was neon green. But the miracle, oh the miracle of all miracles (makes me think of Fiddler on the Roof* - I told you I was a geek) were the numbing ear drops.
It makes me wonder why I was never given these before. I do not joke when I say that my kids have had more ear infections than I can count on both my fingers and toes. And everyone that I have spoken with about them since says, "oh, I have about 3 of those bottles in my medicine cabinet, I would have given you one" or "you've never heard of those".
After bombarding the nurse practitioner about the safety of them I have decided (with her help) that from now on, we will be using those ear drops at the slightest sign of an ear infection. Since they also loosen wax (which tends to build up around A's tube) it will help keep his ear clear so they can drain on their own.
And, I fully intend on bombarding his regular pediatrician with questions next time I see him (which will, more than likely be sooner rather than later) as to WHY he has never prescribed these before - because, as you parents know, ear infections only seem to bother them in the middle of the night when nothing in the world you do can console them!
And, most importantly, A made it to his show last night and performed perfectly! More to come on that in a later post...
*I am not a doctor, I do not play one on TV and I do not pretend to be one. If you have concerns about antibiotics speak with your doctor. Google it, do some of your own research and don't diagnose your kids yourself (like I tend to do).
*
Last night was the boys' holiday show. And I will blog more about that later. It is my favorite time of the year. And, honestly, just sitting here thinking about it, I am getting teary again...
But right now I want to talk about the miracle that we found yesterday. Something that took 10 LONG years to find me:
NUMBING EAR DROPS
Why has it taken 10 years to find these? Why has no doctor informed me of this miracle before now?
All 3 of the boys (including my stepson) have had tubes. A is on his third set and, without a doubt in my mind, will need a fourth.
This poor kid has been sick since the day he was born. Both my kids have immune systems that seem to grab hold of anything within a few feet from them and it doesn't let go until it has been sure to wreak havoc through their entire bodies and pass it along to anyone unfortunate enough to come in contact with them (my poor sister can probably blame her children's last 10 sicknesses on my kids). But, poor A has a constant runny nose, a cough that starts in October and ends in June and ear infections upon ear infections upon ear infections (unless his tubes are working properly and then they just drain this stinky, sticky fluid - gross, believe you me).
I am not big on antibiotics (and I think I have shared this in the past). Antibiotics are used for BACTERIA and most ear infections are caused by VIRUSES (like the common cold). Therefore, giving a kid (or anyone) an antibiotic to "cure" a virus is not only ineffective but almost as havoc wreaking as the virus itself. Antibiotics kill most all bacteria in its path (including the good stuff that lives in your small intestine - which is what leads to "the runs" when you take antibiotics). The bacteria that it DOESN'T kill then starts to become resistant to antibiotics (this also happens if you don't take the antibiotics correctly) and we end up with the super bacterias like MRSA. Having said all that, when kids get ear infections if they do not clear up quickly enough it is possible that the fluid sitting in the Eustachian tubes will grow bacteria and they DO need antibiotics - but there is no way for a doctor to know by looking at it. Of course, antibiotics are AMAZING as well, just way over prescribed and thought of as a necessity by too many people (including doctors).*
Okay, off my soapbox and back to my story...
I don't often bring him to the doctor if he has an ear infection because I know that, most of the time, they clear up on their own. His pediatrician has been great about working with me on this and agrees that, more often than not, antibiotics are unnecessary when treating ear infections.
This one was bad, however. A had been sick for over a week, had a strange rash all over his body (that the medical assistant tried to tell me was a heat rash - I asked her to step outside to remind herself of the temperatures) and, most importantly, he had his holiday show that night and he NEEDED to get to it. No way was I going to keep him from it. But he was MISERABLE and I knew we needed to take action.
So off to the doctor we went. Well, actually, off to the nurse practitioner since all the doctors were booked. We spent about 5 minutes in the office (she informed me that the "rash" was just his eczema acting up and it appeared to be inflamed because of his virus) and left with two prescriptions, an antibiotic and THE MIRACLE: numbing ear drops. I am okay with the antibiotics this time since the stuff coming out of him is colors that only show up in nightclubs lit with black lights. In other words, it was neon green. But the miracle, oh the miracle of all miracles (makes me think of Fiddler on the Roof* - I told you I was a geek) were the numbing ear drops.
It makes me wonder why I was never given these before. I do not joke when I say that my kids have had more ear infections than I can count on both my fingers and toes. And everyone that I have spoken with about them since says, "oh, I have about 3 of those bottles in my medicine cabinet, I would have given you one" or "you've never heard of those".
After bombarding the nurse practitioner about the safety of them I have decided (with her help) that from now on, we will be using those ear drops at the slightest sign of an ear infection. Since they also loosen wax (which tends to build up around A's tube) it will help keep his ear clear so they can drain on their own.
And, I fully intend on bombarding his regular pediatrician with questions next time I see him (which will, more than likely be sooner rather than later) as to WHY he has never prescribed these before - because, as you parents know, ear infections only seem to bother them in the middle of the night when nothing in the world you do can console them!
And, most importantly, A made it to his show last night and performed perfectly! More to come on that in a later post...
*I am not a doctor, I do not play one on TV and I do not pretend to be one. If you have concerns about antibiotics speak with your doctor. Google it, do some of your own research and don't diagnose your kids yourself (like I tend to do).
*
12/11/08
Kids think up the darndest things and try to manipulate you every step of the way
If you are here for the contest please click HERE. The contest will end on Thursday December 11th (today) and the prize will be mailed out Monday. I hope to post this winner this evening! You can earn multiple entries so go forth and spread the word.
The grocery store in town is collecting toys for the needy. While I was there last week with the boys A was enthralled by the large box filled with toys. Of course, he saw something that he wanted...
If you don't know my kid then you probably aren't aware that this incident is prime meltdown material.
I take his hand and say, "I know, honey, those are really cool toys."
He throws himself to the ground.
"A..., those toys aren't for us, we need to go now."
"BUT, I WAAAAAAANT IT", dragging his feet the whole time...
I get him out of the store, he is still screaming.
"I understand, A, but those toys are for children whose parents don't have a lot of money to buy them things."
His eyes widen, his face perks up....he is putting it together.
"Do YOU have A LOT of money, Mommy."
I smile, I know where he is going with this...
"Well, no, not A LOT of money, sweetie."
"Then those toys are for ME!"'
Ah, crap. How do you explain this to a kid who is so black and white? He's too smart for my good and just doesn't get that gray area enough for me to explain to him the difference...
What a monster.
The grocery store in town is collecting toys for the needy. While I was there last week with the boys A was enthralled by the large box filled with toys. Of course, he saw something that he wanted...
If you don't know my kid then you probably aren't aware that this incident is prime meltdown material.
I take his hand and say, "I know, honey, those are really cool toys."
He throws himself to the ground.
"A..., those toys aren't for us, we need to go now."
"BUT, I WAAAAAAANT IT", dragging his feet the whole time...
I get him out of the store, he is still screaming.
"I understand, A, but those toys are for children whose parents don't have a lot of money to buy them things."
His eyes widen, his face perks up....he is putting it together.
"Do YOU have A LOT of money, Mommy."
I smile, I know where he is going with this...
"Well, no, not A LOT of money, sweetie."
"Then those toys are for ME!"'
Ah, crap. How do you explain this to a kid who is so black and white? He's too smart for my good and just doesn't get that gray area enough for me to explain to him the difference...
What a monster.
12/9/08
A night out with....zzzzzzz....I'm sorry - what were you saying?
If you are here for the contest click HERE. The contest will end on Thursday December 11th and the prize will be mailed out on Monday. You can earn multiple entries so go forth and spread the word!
I have discovered just how old I really am. Remember when I turned 30? Remember how I told you all that 30 was NOT old? Well, this weekend I discovered that it is.
We had a relative busy weekend. Really we only had a busy Saturday but it felt like it lasted all weekend. That is how old I really am.
My nephew's celebrated their birthdays on Saturday and had a joint/open house birthday party. I, of course, had not picked up their presents. So after working for a bit that morning we went off to buy their gifts. I wrapped in the car (or really just threw them into gift bags) and off we went to celebrate.
Z was staying with my sister for the night and A had his very first sleepover and Grampie and Nana Sue's. Kirby and I were headed out for a night with old friends.
We were all nervous about the sleepover and were grateful to hear that Nana Sue would be sleeping in the spare bedroom with A. He is an awful sleeper and often gets up a half dozen times a night. He was also very nervous about the sleepover. Being autistic he loves his routine and this was way off course for him.
After dropping the boys Kirby and I headed out for dinner before we met our friends. The plan was to meet at a bar around 8pm.
7:30pm: I was ready to get on with it. I wanted the night to be started already. And I wanted it to be over shortly after.
8pm: We meet at the bar that is EMPTY because nobody really starts going out until 10 or so. I have already had one drink (because we got there a little early) and am ready to start working on my second (or fall asleep on the comfy leather couches that we were sitting on).
Chris, Josiah (the Birthday Boy) and me
9: Josiah is in the middle of a very interesting story. We are sitting side by side on those comfy leather couches. He's talking away and I yawn. Right in his face. Horrifying. Embarrassing. He looked at me, rolled his eyes and turned away. One of my oldest, dearest friends. I haven't seen him in a few months. It is his birthday and I can't stop yawning.
In my defense, aside from Chris, Kirby and I are the only ones with kids. And Chris only has his kids part time. We are the only ones that go out once every 6 months. Still, it is only 9 and I am so exhausted I can't even suppress a yawn in someone's face?! O-L-D!
Me and Kirby laughing at something hysterical Will is sharing
Me, Will and Leah - the last bar
11: We decide that the first bar has gotten a bit to "yuppy" for the rest of us. It is time to find another bar. ANOTHER BAR? This bar, although less yuppy, is PACKED. Standing room only...I refuse to stand all night in a bar...I am too old for this. Eventually we get a table for the 5 of us, we sit, we drink a bit more, we visit...
Thankfully, I am not the only one that is exhausted:
Chris the DD...
Kirby and I made it home a bit after 1am. The house was quiet, there are no kids...nobody to wake us in the middle of the night. Nobody to interrupt our quiet time together.
I FELL ASLEEP.
Let's be honest here, I am sure you parents can relate, time without the children is so infrequent that we do our best to enjoy every moment of it. To take advantage of every second alone with our significant others. Not me...I sleep.
Seriously...can't even enjoy a night without the children. I fell asleep probably before my head even hit the pillow.
8am: Alarm rings for us to get up and go pick up the kids from their sleepovers. I scream at it to shut the hell up - I am trying to sleep.
9am: After hitting the snooze button 6 times I scream at the alarm again...but roll out of bed and hop in the shower...
And all day Sunday all I wanted to do was sleep.
It was a wonderful night. I love to see Josiah and Leah. We were the best of friends in high school - we were inseparable. We don't get together nearly enough. This time was to celebrate Josiah's birthday. In fact, the last time the three of us were together was to celebrate Josiah's birthday...we need to get together more often.
Maybe next time we can do a nice game night...maybe Bridge or Cribbage or Canasta...aren't those the games that old people play?
Oh, and for anyone interested, A had a great sleepover with Grampie and Nana Sue. Although, I am not sure how often his old parents will be enlisting them for help anymore...
11/12/08
October in Pictures
Things are, to say the least, crazy around here. Do we expect anything else in Crazy Town? I think not.
Your prayers are appreciated for my family through a rather difficult time. I will post as I can.
Until then, enjoy the pictures of our month!
10/24/08
Potty Training Saga...
Can someone please explain to me why A decided he had to go pee at 4 am this morning....but I have now cleaned up two "accidents" by 9 am...
Seriously. I am getting more than frustrated here. Bribes aren't working. Threatening isn't working. Beating isn't working...well, that could be because he hasn't actually been beaten.
I'm losing precious sleep because he decides that he IS potty trained in the middle of this night but during the day he doesn't care. ARGH!
Seriously. I am getting more than frustrated here. Bribes aren't working. Threatening isn't working. Beating isn't working...well, that could be because he hasn't actually been beaten.
I'm losing precious sleep because he decides that he IS potty trained in the middle of this night but during the day he doesn't care. ARGH!
10/20/08
TGIM
I love Mondays. Truly, they are my favorite day of the week. Don't misunderstand me, I love spending time with my family on the weekends...but Mondays are good.
We had an incredibly busy weekend. There were many wonderful things about it but I was, unbelievably, ready for it to be over. For things to slow down. For our routine to be back.
Thank God it's Monday!
Saturday was Z's first Cub Scout outing. They all built model rockets and met at the den leader's house for a BBQ and a rocket launching party. Unfortunately I was not able to attend. Instead, Kirby took both boys (which he seriously deserves a merit badge for). I hear they had a great time (until Z shot his rocket a second time and lost it in the woods) and the pictures came out great.
We had an incredibly busy weekend. There were many wonderful things about it but I was, unbelievably, ready for it to be over. For things to slow down. For our routine to be back.
Thank God it's Monday!
Saturday was Z's first Cub Scout outing. They all built model rockets and met at the den leader's house for a BBQ and a rocket launching party. Unfortunately I was not able to attend. Instead, Kirby took both boys (which he seriously deserves a merit badge for). I hear they had a great time (until Z shot his rocket a second time and lost it in the woods) and the pictures came out great.
I, on the other hand, spent Saturday in the car. Well, not entirely in the car, but about 10 hours of my day were spent in the car. Monica, Loren and I went down to CT for Andrea's father's funeral.
It was heartbreaking and sad and awful and every other thing you can imagine when a man dies too young. He was only 58 but from what I understand (and I did not know him) he lived a very full life. He loved his family more than anything, loved his job and loved my brother (but, of course, who wouldn't).
We felt it was important that we go down and support Alex and Andrea through this time. So I left at 6:30 am to meet them at Monica's house (nearly an hour from mine) and we traveled another 3 to meet up with Kolbe and Dana at Kolbe's house in CT (I don't know what it is with my younger siblings falling in love CT folk) where Kolbe then chauffeured us to the funeral, burial and "reception". I arrived back at my home around 9:30 pm...exhausted.
I am glad we went. It was hard and long and tiring but I am glad that we were there. And all considered, it could have been an awful trip but it wasn't. Monica only nearly killed us once (but really it was only me, she and Loren would have survived the crash).
Sunday was a very busy family day.
We started the afternoon by going hiking. The last time we hiked as a family A was still in a stroller. Not so much anymore.
Blue Job is a quick mountain (I was told 15 minutes, but it probably took us closer to 30 - little legs and little attention spans). The view is incredible and well worth the effort.
After the hike we went to visit with my grandfather for a bit. He and his girlfriend will be heading down to Florida on Saturday for 6 months. I wanted to say goodbye.
Every year it gets a little harder to say goodbye.
My grandfather will be 81 at the end of this month. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease maybe 10 years ago and each year it gets a little worse. I know that one year he will leave and he won't come back. That kills me.
For as long as I can remember we have had Saturday night beans with my mother's family. Every Saturday (except when they were in Florida) we would meet at my grandparent's house for baked beans and hot dogs. My grandmother use to spoil me rotten because I hate baked beans. She would make me a tuna fish sandwich every week instead.
The tradition has continued even since my grandmother passed away over 8 years ago. Instead of meeting at Gramp's every week we rotate. I live too far to be in the rotation (thank GOD) but my sister Monica and Mom don't. So each week the family gathers at someone's home.
Because of the medication that my grandfather is on he has a low tolerance for loud noises. He has never been an incredibly patient man but he has gotten much worse over the years. He would never yell at anyone but we can certainly see when his stress level hits. Therefore, my family doesn't spend a lot of time with him while he is home. A doesn't understand what it means to be quiet or slow down...then I get stressed out and then nobody is having a good time. I try to see them every other weekend or so when beans are at Monica's or Mom's - where Gramp can leave if it gets to be too much.
Though Gramp has gotten older he has certainly not lost any of his wit. He promised me that we would not get a good picture. He told me flat out that he would stick his tongue out. I told him he would fit in with the rest of the family. And his daughter did the same damn thing.
My grandfather is a huge part of the reason I will vote democrat in the upcoming election. Without stem cell research I do not believe a cure will be found for Parkinson's. While it will not save MY grandfather's life it will save someone else's. I can't begin to explain how awful it has been to watch the man I have always looked at as so strong wither away. His brain is there, his body is not. He gets embarrassed, he is easily frustrated and it breaks my heart.
After visiting with Gramp and Lorraine and Aunt Deb for a bit we went to my father's house for the last Movie in the Barn of the season. We watched The Wizard of Oz - a family favorite. It ended way too late, it was long, it was FREEZING in the barn - but we all had a great time.
We got the kids home around 9:30, threw them in bed and I fell asleep on the couch...
I love Mondays! Now I am off to clean my carpets (YES, again, this potty training thing isn't working out like I had hoped)...
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