"Mommy, did you know that just five years ago Major Monogram had black hair?"
-Andy, talking about a character from Disney Channel's cartoon show "Phineas and Ferb" as if he was our next door neighbor. He went on to ask me several questions about Carl, Major Monogram's side kick, such as "what's an unpaid internship" and "how old do you think Carl is?". The questions never end.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Picture of the Day
Sarah lost her second tooth today. It's been so long since she lost the last one that the permanent tooth is already completely in. Loosing a tooth is a big deal for her. She is the only kid in her class with a loose tooth, which makes her feel so important and special. She needs this confidence boosts, because she's had a really hard time starting school. The days are long, and much different than pre-school last year, and believe it or not she misses her Mommy. I hope this give her the little lift she needs.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
It's Getting a Little Old
This is what I look at everyday in the car. Sometimes it's a few degrees higher, sometimes a few degrees lower, but always over 100. This has been a very hot summer. I'm not complaining, too much, I'd much rather have hot weather in the summer than cold weather in the winter, but it just seems like it's never going to stop.
We never go outside, because it's too hot, we're prisoners in our own home. You wonder why we start to get on each other's nerves, the kids can't run around and blow off any of that energy. On the weekends we go in the pool, but I don't like to take all three of them by myself so it sits sadly idle during the week.
Even worse, I thought my air conditioning was about to die until I figured out something today. You know that recycled air option? It works much better than trying to keep cooling the outside air, since it's way too hot to cool. I'm thankful that there isn't such urgency to replace the a/c now, but am slightly disappointment we've been cooking in the car all summer because I couldn't remember to switch it over to recycled air five minutes after we got in the car.
Oh well, this too shall pass. Hope it's cooler in your part of the country.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Picture of the Day
The girls, hanging out on the steps with one of their babies. Sarah never really got into playing with baby dolls, but since Amanda loves them they have started playing with them together.
Pants'd
Have you ever heard of being pants'd? It's when someone walks up to you and pulls your pants down in front of everybody. It's embarrassing for you, but funny for everybody else. I kind of feel like I'm getting pants'd everyday.
One of Amanda's new ideas of independence is that she isn't going to hold my hand in parking lots anymore. I'm not sure why, probably because the big kids don't always do it so she doesn't think she has to do it. It sort of makes sense, but since she's only two I haven't been able to scare the bejeezus out of her about what a car could really do to her, and after being lectured on the importance of watching for cars and holding our hands about a million times the older kids are usually very good in parking lots.
I remember my mom telling me that when I was about Amanda's age, she had a really bad back and couldn't pick me up. So she would tell me to hold onto her skirt, or the shopping cart, or whatever was close by so that I didn't run away. Although I don't wear skirts, I thought it still might work so I always give Amanda the choice to hold my hand or my pants/shorts. She has to do one. She's cool with that, and lately almost always picks my pants.
I'm happy that she is complying and not running like a maniac through parking lots, but it's not very fun to have a 30 pound two-year-old hanging from your pants. She's not trying to hang, it's just that she doesn't walk that fast so I always feel like I'm dragging her. It's one thing to be dragging her by the hand, a totally different feeling if to be dragging her by my pant leg. When I'm really lucky I've got Sarah hanging onto one side and Amanda on the other. Somebody is probably just waiting to see my underwear.
It's a little slow going and most days my pants aren't as clean as they should be, but it's a compromise that works for both of us and we don't have any fits in the parking lot anymore. At least not getting out of the car, getting into the car is a whole other post entirely.
One of Amanda's new ideas of independence is that she isn't going to hold my hand in parking lots anymore. I'm not sure why, probably because the big kids don't always do it so she doesn't think she has to do it. It sort of makes sense, but since she's only two I haven't been able to scare the bejeezus out of her about what a car could really do to her, and after being lectured on the importance of watching for cars and holding our hands about a million times the older kids are usually very good in parking lots.
I remember my mom telling me that when I was about Amanda's age, she had a really bad back and couldn't pick me up. So she would tell me to hold onto her skirt, or the shopping cart, or whatever was close by so that I didn't run away. Although I don't wear skirts, I thought it still might work so I always give Amanda the choice to hold my hand or my pants/shorts. She has to do one. She's cool with that, and lately almost always picks my pants.
I'm happy that she is complying and not running like a maniac through parking lots, but it's not very fun to have a 30 pound two-year-old hanging from your pants. She's not trying to hang, it's just that she doesn't walk that fast so I always feel like I'm dragging her. It's one thing to be dragging her by the hand, a totally different feeling if to be dragging her by my pant leg. When I'm really lucky I've got Sarah hanging onto one side and Amanda on the other. Somebody is probably just waiting to see my underwear.
It's a little slow going and most days my pants aren't as clean as they should be, but it's a compromise that works for both of us and we don't have any fits in the parking lot anymore. At least not getting out of the car, getting into the car is a whole other post entirely.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Kid Quote of the Day
"What's the latest gossip from Melanie?"
-Andy, my nosy son who pays close attention to my primary sources of information about what is going on about town.
-Andy, my nosy son who pays close attention to my primary sources of information about what is going on about town.
Picture of the Day
We made homemade mini pizzas for dinner tonight. The kids really enjoyed it and I didn't have to cook!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Picture of the Day
Amanda's first day with real pony tails, not just those little halfsies where you pull up the sides but leave the back. She's turning into such a big kid!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Someday
I cannot begin to tell you how many people tell me how cute the kids are. Especially the girls. Usually it's on a day when they've been especially naughty, and I respond with, "mmm hmmm", because what I really want to say is "if you only knew". The other thing people always tell me is to enjoy this time with the kids, because someday I'll miss it. Really?
I don't think I'm going to miss the crying and whining that comes out of Sarah, oh yes and all the yelling that has begun since school started as well, or all the questioning and doubting that comes out of Andy because he is positive he knows more than me. I am definitely not going to miss potty training, or the lack thereof, or the strong sense of independence that goes with turning two.
So, even though I know it's true because everybody says it, I often find it difficult to believe that I'm going to miss the time that we are going through right now. It's kind of like when people tell you your life is going to change immeasurably when you have children, you can't believe or understand what they are saying until you are finally there.
However, the other day Amanda woke up early and I grabbed her from her bed and pulled her into bed with Charlie and me. She snuggled up next to me, breath in my neck, and fell asleep. As I lay there next to her, trying to get back to sleep myself, I realized that there are a few things those people are right about. I will miss cuddling in bed with my tiny, innocent daughter, who only wants one thing in the world, and that is to be close to Mommy and Daddy.
That is one thing that I will never get tired of.
I don't think I'm going to miss the crying and whining that comes out of Sarah, oh yes and all the yelling that has begun since school started as well, or all the questioning and doubting that comes out of Andy because he is positive he knows more than me. I am definitely not going to miss potty training, or the lack thereof, or the strong sense of independence that goes with turning two.
So, even though I know it's true because everybody says it, I often find it difficult to believe that I'm going to miss the time that we are going through right now. It's kind of like when people tell you your life is going to change immeasurably when you have children, you can't believe or understand what they are saying until you are finally there.
However, the other day Amanda woke up early and I grabbed her from her bed and pulled her into bed with Charlie and me. She snuggled up next to me, breath in my neck, and fell asleep. As I lay there next to her, trying to get back to sleep myself, I realized that there are a few things those people are right about. I will miss cuddling in bed with my tiny, innocent daughter, who only wants one thing in the world, and that is to be close to Mommy and Daddy.
That is one thing that I will never get tired of.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Retraction
I take back some of what I said the other day. You know, the part about how great it is that Amanda wants Charlie all the time? That part is great, but the part that is bad is when he so rudely goes back to work on Monday.
Yesterday Amanda spent the entire day lamenting the fact that Charlie wasn't around. At one point she was lying on the floor in the entry way, crying and yelling "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy". He was still at the house when we left to drop Sarah off at school, and when we got home she was so sad he wasn't there. She walked through the house moaning his name.
He's trying to help with her as much as possible, but on the days he has to travel and isn't home I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. If she doesn't let me dress her or change her diaper it's going to be interesting.
Oh two, I hate you.
Yesterday Amanda spent the entire day lamenting the fact that Charlie wasn't around. At one point she was lying on the floor in the entry way, crying and yelling "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy". He was still at the house when we left to drop Sarah off at school, and when we got home she was so sad he wasn't there. She walked through the house moaning his name.
He's trying to help with her as much as possible, but on the days he has to travel and isn't home I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. If she doesn't let me dress her or change her diaper it's going to be interesting.
Oh two, I hate you.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Unexpected Reprieve
I will be the first to admit that sometimes on the weekends I have a tendency to check out. Or, more accurately, on the weekends I try to do as little with the kids as possible. It's not very nice, I admit, but I'm with them a lot during the week and I like to sneak away when I know Charlie is hanging out with them and get just a little time to myself to veg and do something mindless. Of course Charlie works hard and he would like to do that too. Except now he can't.
All three of the kids were very attached to me when they were babies, probably because I nursed them and fed them and took care of their every need, but each one has, over time, started to favor Charlie over me. Who wouldn't really? He's a lot more fun, he likes to play, and he hardly ever yells at them. I definitely would rather be with Charlie than with them, so why shouldn't it be the other way around?
Following this trend, Amanda is all about Charlie right now. So much, that when he is home she wants nothing to do with me and wants him to do everything with/for her. It's great for me, except when he is out of town and I have to explain for the 100th time that Daddy is not home and she is going to have to let me change her diaper. When he is home, she wants him to take her to the bathroom, get her dressed, change her diaper, hold her hand in the parking lot, give her a bath, anything we are doing she wants him to do it.
Am I offended? Am I sad at all? Not really. I get to spend plenty of time with the kids during the week doing all those things. If anything I am happy that he gets to share some of the responsibility and that the task gets done at all. Yesterday Charlie was in the pool with the kids and I needed to change her diaper. She refused to let me put one on her, so we went outside and she sat on my lap with a naked but because no matter how much I tried she was not going to let me put on her diaper. As long as she doesn't pee on me I'm cool with it.
So I get a little break in the action and the kids get their special time with Daddy. A win, win for everybody. The funny part is that if they wake up in the middle of the night or get hurt, they still come to me. So deep down I know where I stand. Charlie may be the fun one, but I'm still Mommy.
All three of the kids were very attached to me when they were babies, probably because I nursed them and fed them and took care of their every need, but each one has, over time, started to favor Charlie over me. Who wouldn't really? He's a lot more fun, he likes to play, and he hardly ever yells at them. I definitely would rather be with Charlie than with them, so why shouldn't it be the other way around?
Following this trend, Amanda is all about Charlie right now. So much, that when he is home she wants nothing to do with me and wants him to do everything with/for her. It's great for me, except when he is out of town and I have to explain for the 100th time that Daddy is not home and she is going to have to let me change her diaper. When he is home, she wants him to take her to the bathroom, get her dressed, change her diaper, hold her hand in the parking lot, give her a bath, anything we are doing she wants him to do it.
Am I offended? Am I sad at all? Not really. I get to spend plenty of time with the kids during the week doing all those things. If anything I am happy that he gets to share some of the responsibility and that the task gets done at all. Yesterday Charlie was in the pool with the kids and I needed to change her diaper. She refused to let me put one on her, so we went outside and she sat on my lap with a naked but because no matter how much I tried she was not going to let me put on her diaper. As long as she doesn't pee on me I'm cool with it.
So I get a little break in the action and the kids get their special time with Daddy. A win, win for everybody. The funny part is that if they wake up in the middle of the night or get hurt, they still come to me. So deep down I know where I stand. Charlie may be the fun one, but I'm still Mommy.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Kid Quote of the Day
"Curse you cleaning ladies!"
-Andy, in utter frustration. The cleaning ladies thankfully came back this week after a six week break because we were gone so much this summer. They did a great job cleaning up the house, which translates into us not being able to find all the crap we leave all over the house.
-Andy, in utter frustration. The cleaning ladies thankfully came back this week after a six week break because we were gone so much this summer. They did a great job cleaning up the house, which translates into us not being able to find all the crap we leave all over the house.
Picture of the Day
The other day Amanda slept all night long in socks and her Mary Janes. This kid loves shoes. This was taken in the morning after she had migrated to our bed.
Day Two
Today was Amanda's second day of school. Sarah has been going every day this week, since she is in Kindergarten, but Amanda only goes twice a week. It took some coaxing, especially since Charlie wasn't here and she loves for Charlie to get her ready in the morning, but I was able to get her dressed in a uniform shirt (unfortunately the uniform does have not Elmo or Cookie Monster on it) and shoes that were not Crocs (family rule you can't wear Crocs to school because of the annoying wood chips on the playground that get in your shoes). She even ate a bowl of cereal this morning, no frozen waffles, and let me do her hair. This is hard core. We almost made it out of the house without an incident until we had to put Sarah's shoes on.
Amanda wanted to put Sarah's shoes on Sarah's feet. Except with Sarah's braces it is almost impossible for me to put them on, let alone Amanda. So, after nicely asking several times for her to give me the shoe, I finally had to rip it out of her hands. That's when she lost it. She refused to leave the house, refused to let me buckle her in her seat (I'm getting very good at the "hold the child down with one elbow while you buckle the car seat" maneuver), kicked her shoes off after she was trapped in her seat (that's her only way of rebelling, she refuses to wear her shoes), and cried all the way to school. That was a lot of crying because first we had to drop Andy off with a friend who was driving him to camp, then stop by the drive through blue boxes at the post office, then finally get to school.
When I tried to take her out of her seat at school she kept trying to buckle herself back in. I was able to get one shoe on but she refused to wear the other. So I handed her shoe to her teacher and then had to pry her screaming self off my body so I could leave the room. I think the first day wasn't that bad because she didn't know what to expect, but the second day she knew exactly what was going on and that I wasn't coming back for a long time.
In the end, after I left, she calmed down and had a wonderful time as I knew she would. It is so great for her to be away from me a bit and get a chance to make some friends of her own that are her age. It's good for both of us. I just hope it gets a little easier for her. Otherwise it's going to be a long year.
Amanda wanted to put Sarah's shoes on Sarah's feet. Except with Sarah's braces it is almost impossible for me to put them on, let alone Amanda. So, after nicely asking several times for her to give me the shoe, I finally had to rip it out of her hands. That's when she lost it. She refused to leave the house, refused to let me buckle her in her seat (I'm getting very good at the "hold the child down with one elbow while you buckle the car seat" maneuver), kicked her shoes off after she was trapped in her seat (that's her only way of rebelling, she refuses to wear her shoes), and cried all the way to school. That was a lot of crying because first we had to drop Andy off with a friend who was driving him to camp, then stop by the drive through blue boxes at the post office, then finally get to school.
When I tried to take her out of her seat at school she kept trying to buckle herself back in. I was able to get one shoe on but she refused to wear the other. So I handed her shoe to her teacher and then had to pry her screaming self off my body so I could leave the room. I think the first day wasn't that bad because she didn't know what to expect, but the second day she knew exactly what was going on and that I wasn't coming back for a long time.
In the end, after I left, she calmed down and had a wonderful time as I knew she would. It is so great for her to be away from me a bit and get a chance to make some friends of her own that are her age. It's good for both of us. I just hope it gets a little easier for her. Otherwise it's going to be a long year.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Picture of the Day
Look how big that backpack is on her back. It was too heavy with the lunchbox inside so she has to carry that as well.
First Day of School
It's finally here. School! We had a pretty good summer, but that doesn't mean I'm not ready to spend a little less quality time with my kids. What do they say about absence making the heart grow fonder? Yeah.
Sarah's first day of Kindergarten was yesterday. It was a pretty big day for her even though she's at the same school, which does preschool for 2s through 4s and then also has Kindergarten, because it's still Kindergarten. Thankfully she got the assistant teacher from her class last year, whom she LOVES, and she knows about half of the kids in her class. She is still pretty apprehensive because several of the kids have asked her why she is wearing braces on her legs and what they are for, but I'm going to go into her class later this week and tell the kids about them and then hopefully she'll feel much better.
Amanda's first day was today. I was a little worried about her and wasn't sure how she was going to react. When I took Andy to his first day of school he barely turned around to say goodbye. He loved it and never looked back. When I took Sarah she cried almost every day for the first 2 1/2 years. So I wasn't sure which way Amanda would go. Luckily one of her teachers has babysat for us a couple of times, and unfortunately we got there late but fortunately it was during snack time. She was all about the snack. She also was very excited to check out the bathroom and wanted to try as soon as we got there. She didn't go for me but went twice for the teachers and pooped once. Now if she can just poop every Tuesday and Thursday while she is at school I will be very happy (see Melanie, I always work it into the story). Since she just turned two she is in a class with younger two year olds and even some kids that haven't turned two yet. So the teachers are pretty excited to have someone in the class who is already potty training. I think it makes things easier for them and sets a good example for the rest of the kids. At least I hope so. Hopefully it will continue to go well.
I wasn't sure how the day was going to go, when we arrived at school Amanda still was refusing to put her shoes on. This is after she threw a huge fit because Charlie wouldn't let her wear her Crocs to school. However I told her she couldn't carry her backpack into school without her shoes on and she wasn't going to pass up that opportunity. I got a good report from the teachers and although she had a few sad moments she did great. On the way out at the end of the day she was even carrying her backpack on her back and pulling Sarah's (hers is on wheels).
So overall, a good day. I just hope the trend continues.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Picture of the Day
All three kids the night we got home from New Jersey. We were picking Charlie up from the airport. It was only about 9:00 p.m., but they were beat.
I Want a Drink of Water
The other night Amanda woke up screaming at around 2a. I went into her room to see what was the problem. As soon as I walked into the room we had this exchange:
Amanda: I wawawa
Me: You want some water?
Amanda: Nah (she still says Nah for Yeah)
Me: Okay, I'll go get you some, hold on.
Yes, that is what talking to a two year old is like. You ask, just to make sure you understood what they were saying, and then try to fulfill their every need. About ten second after I left the room she started to cry again. I wasn't really sure why, but since I knew she wanted water, I went downstairs, found a sippy cup and lid and stopper, filled it with water and then headed back upstairs. When I offered it to her she said no and threw it on the ground. Now I was stumped.
I asked again, "Do you want water?". She either didn't answer or whispered the answer so I couldn't hear it over her noise maker and the air conditioning. I tried to give her the cup again, but she didn't want it. At this point I was confused. She told me she wanted water, I gave her water, and she didn't want it. What was I missing.
So, for the next couple of minutes, I just kept asking over and over again, "Do you want wa-ter?", making sure to enunciate water as well as I could. "Yes, or no?" I must have asked her this question as least 10 times. At that point I didn't really care what she wanted, I just wanted to go to bed.
Finally, and I'm not sure why, I decide to look around the room. I didn't want to turn on the light because it was way too bright and might wake her (and me) up further, so I grabbed her gloworm which just happened to be on the footrest to her glider rocker. I squeezed it's stomach to make it light up and started waving it around the room. I'm not sure I even knew what I was looking for. After two rounds with the worm I looked into her crib and found a cup of water that Charlie had probably given her right before bed. I handed it to her and she was happy as could be and layed right down to go to sleep.
Just one more reason why this baby is going to drive me to insanity.
Amanda: I wawawa
Me: You want some water?
Amanda: Nah (she still says Nah for Yeah)
Me: Okay, I'll go get you some, hold on.
Yes, that is what talking to a two year old is like. You ask, just to make sure you understood what they were saying, and then try to fulfill their every need. About ten second after I left the room she started to cry again. I wasn't really sure why, but since I knew she wanted water, I went downstairs, found a sippy cup and lid and stopper, filled it with water and then headed back upstairs. When I offered it to her she said no and threw it on the ground. Now I was stumped.
I asked again, "Do you want water?". She either didn't answer or whispered the answer so I couldn't hear it over her noise maker and the air conditioning. I tried to give her the cup again, but she didn't want it. At this point I was confused. She told me she wanted water, I gave her water, and she didn't want it. What was I missing.
So, for the next couple of minutes, I just kept asking over and over again, "Do you want wa-ter?", making sure to enunciate water as well as I could. "Yes, or no?" I must have asked her this question as least 10 times. At that point I didn't really care what she wanted, I just wanted to go to bed.
Finally, and I'm not sure why, I decide to look around the room. I didn't want to turn on the light because it was way too bright and might wake her (and me) up further, so I grabbed her gloworm which just happened to be on the footrest to her glider rocker. I squeezed it's stomach to make it light up and started waving it around the room. I'm not sure I even knew what I was looking for. After two rounds with the worm I looked into her crib and found a cup of water that Charlie had probably given her right before bed. I handed it to her and she was happy as could be and layed right down to go to sleep.
Just one more reason why this baby is going to drive me to insanity.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Picture of the Day
Charlie was out of town on Tuesday so we had a very simple birthday celebration at home. No presents or anything. On Saturday we will celebrate a little more. Unfortunately the frosting on the cupcakes was disgusting, the kids didn't even finish them and I threw the rest away, and I accidentally put the kind of candles on her cupcake that relight after you blow them out. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but do you know how hard it is for a two-year-old to blow out candles? She seemed a little confused by everything at first, but liked it in the end and it was good practice for Saturday. As long as everything goes her way.
Kid Quote of the Day
Andy had a play date with his best buddy, Mark, yesterday and I overheard this conversation.
Andy: Mark, what is your favorite subject in school?
Mark: Reading.
Andy: Why?
Mark: Because I don't have to think.
Me: Bwahahaha.
Mark: That much. I meant to say I don't have to think that much (with a sheepish grin on his face).
Andy: Mark, what is your favorite subject in school?
Mark: Reading.
Andy: Why?
Mark: Because I don't have to think.
Me: Bwahahaha.
Mark: That much. I meant to say I don't have to think that much (with a sheepish grin on his face).
Turning Two
Amanda's second birthday was on Tuesday. She is doing an excellent job of fitting the stereotype of a two year old. On the morning of her birthday I was able to get her to put a diaper on but she didn't want to wear the "2" shirt I had picked out for her. She left the house in her diaper and a pair of pink mary janes, but no shirt. It took about 45 minutes and some serious negotiations to get her to put it on.
I do not have the patience for this. I'm pretty sure Andy was not this difficult at two. Sarah was difficult, but we didn't have to go as many places so it didn't matter as much. Now, we have places to be. Gymnastics, camps, yoga, etc. Appointments that need to start on time. However, Amanda wants to do things her way and if they don't go exactly as she plans it then she won't do it. Which means I now have to bake in at least an extra ten minutes everywhere we go so that we aren't late when there is a hiccup in the way she expects things to happen.
For example, she wants me to open the front door. If Andy opens it, she won't go out. She will stand there FOREVER until someone shuts the door and then I open it. Then she'll happily walk out. She has to climb into the car herself, into the car seat herself, and she has to buckle to chest strap on her car seat. If she doesn't, she goes ballistic. There are so many other things I could list, it goes on and on. She does not give in, she is as pig-headed as her mother and father put together, and that's saying a lot.
I'm glad that she's figuring out the world and that she becoming so independent and changing so quickly, but I miss the baby that I could just scoop up and take with me wherever I went. I have to think harder with this one, and I'm too tired to think.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Picture of the Day
Andy and his cotton candy (the hat came with it so they can charge you a ton more than it's actually worth), 
and Sarah's beloved snow cone, which was extremely difficult to eat as you can see from my smiling, happy face.
Circus
On Saturday afternoon we took the kids to the circus. This was kind of a big deal. The kids are always asking me if we can go to the circus. Sometimes we'll be driving down the road and out of nowhere one of them will ask me if we can go to the circus. Really? What brought that on? We haven't been in five years, since Sarah was a few months old. The two things that Charlie and I took away from that experience were a) it's really expensive and b) it's really long. Two things we try to avoid.
As I was saying, the kids are always asking me to take them to the circus. Except that every time I ask Charlie if we can go, he says no because it's expensive and they get to do a whole bunch of other stuff so this is one of the things we aren't going to do. I totally understand that. However, whenever they ask, they ask me, and then I'm the bad guy because I have to tell them no. It doesn't matter that now I even try to drag Charlie through the mud by saying, "No we can't go to the circus because Daddy doesn't want to", they still only hear me say the no part.
So this year when the flyer came in the mail I was determined to get tickets whether Charlie wanted to go or not. I was tired of getting yelled at by the kids. Luckily, when I took them to see Disney on Ice a few months back they handed out half-price circus ticket coupons on the way out. Even better, kids under two are free and the circus was three days before Amanda's birthday so she was gratis.
When we walked into the building I told the kids if they wanted to buy anything to talk to Daddy. I knew they would ask me, I would ask him, he would say no, I would say no, and then they would be mad at me for it. It's not like Charlie is the money guy in the family and I don't make any spending decisions, I make plenty, but I just didn't want him giving me the "you shouldn't be buying that" eyes.
Everything went pretty much as I should have expected it. Charlie bought some popcorn and water so everybody was happy, for a few minutes anyway. Then Sarah HAD to have a snow cone and Andy needed some cotton candy. We told them if they wanted extra snacks they would have to pay for it with their own money and they happily obliged. In fact, they never once complained about having to spend their own money and even shared their snacks with each other and Amanda. We were even slightly impressed. Charlie was so happy he offered to chip in $2 towards each of their snacks. Money for good behavior.
We told the kids they could get their snacks at intermission. That was where the problem started. Andy was fine with it, because he understands what intermission is and that there is a lot of circus before and after that time. Sarah just couldn't get it. She was so focused on getting that snow cone that she couldn't focus on the circus. Fifteen minutes into the show she asked me if it was almost over. When would it be over? She was going to die if it wasn't over soon, she just had to have that snow cone. So basically she didn't watch any of the circus. We kept pointing out cool things to her but she just couldn't concentrate on anything else. I was reminded why I still can't take Sarah to the movies. She cannot stay on track and cannot sit still.
After the intermission and once she had the beloved snow cone everything was much better, but she still didn't watch much. Charlie leaned over at one point and said he was so glad that we didn't have to pay for Amanda. Oh, and even more glad our tickets were buy one get one free. Since Andy and I, for the most post, watched the show we at least felt we got our money's worth.
Now we can wait another five years before taking the kids to the circus again. Maybe by then Sarah will be able to sit calmly in her seat and watch, but I doubt it. It amazes me that her teachers say how focused she is and how well she listens because otherwise I would have already had her tested for ADD. Needless to say, they next time we go to a performance it will just be Andy and me.
As I was saying, the kids are always asking me to take them to the circus. Except that every time I ask Charlie if we can go, he says no because it's expensive and they get to do a whole bunch of other stuff so this is one of the things we aren't going to do. I totally understand that. However, whenever they ask, they ask me, and then I'm the bad guy because I have to tell them no. It doesn't matter that now I even try to drag Charlie through the mud by saying, "No we can't go to the circus because Daddy doesn't want to", they still only hear me say the no part.
So this year when the flyer came in the mail I was determined to get tickets whether Charlie wanted to go or not. I was tired of getting yelled at by the kids. Luckily, when I took them to see Disney on Ice a few months back they handed out half-price circus ticket coupons on the way out. Even better, kids under two are free and the circus was three days before Amanda's birthday so she was gratis.
When we walked into the building I told the kids if they wanted to buy anything to talk to Daddy. I knew they would ask me, I would ask him, he would say no, I would say no, and then they would be mad at me for it. It's not like Charlie is the money guy in the family and I don't make any spending decisions, I make plenty, but I just didn't want him giving me the "you shouldn't be buying that" eyes.
Everything went pretty much as I should have expected it. Charlie bought some popcorn and water so everybody was happy, for a few minutes anyway. Then Sarah HAD to have a snow cone and Andy needed some cotton candy. We told them if they wanted extra snacks they would have to pay for it with their own money and they happily obliged. In fact, they never once complained about having to spend their own money and even shared their snacks with each other and Amanda. We were even slightly impressed. Charlie was so happy he offered to chip in $2 towards each of their snacks. Money for good behavior.
We told the kids they could get their snacks at intermission. That was where the problem started. Andy was fine with it, because he understands what intermission is and that there is a lot of circus before and after that time. Sarah just couldn't get it. She was so focused on getting that snow cone that she couldn't focus on the circus. Fifteen minutes into the show she asked me if it was almost over. When would it be over? She was going to die if it wasn't over soon, she just had to have that snow cone. So basically she didn't watch any of the circus. We kept pointing out cool things to her but she just couldn't concentrate on anything else. I was reminded why I still can't take Sarah to the movies. She cannot stay on track and cannot sit still.
After the intermission and once she had the beloved snow cone everything was much better, but she still didn't watch much. Charlie leaned over at one point and said he was so glad that we didn't have to pay for Amanda. Oh, and even more glad our tickets were buy one get one free. Since Andy and I, for the most post, watched the show we at least felt we got our money's worth.
Now we can wait another five years before taking the kids to the circus again. Maybe by then Sarah will be able to sit calmly in her seat and watch, but I doubt it. It amazes me that her teachers say how focused she is and how well she listens because otherwise I would have already had her tested for ADD. Needless to say, they next time we go to a performance it will just be Andy and me.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Back From the Beach, Again
We arrived home from New Jersey on Wednesday. I'm not sure why I haven't written about it yet. Maybe I'm tired from all the travel, or the heat, or being with my kids for ten weeks straight. Or maybe I'm just trying not to think about it because we aren't there anymore. It could be all of those things but it's probably just because I'm lazy and having a very hard time coping with the fact that there are still two weeks of summer left. Not that I'm sad summer is over, quite the contrary I'm bummed that it hasn't ended yet.
We spend last weekend and then a few extra days with two of my BFFs from college and their families. We all crashed at April's house near the beach and the only thing that would have made it better is if it had just been the three of us catching up and disparaging each other all weekend. Because that's what we do best.
The weather was fabulous, even when we thought it might rain, because it was about 20 degrees cooler than it is in Texas and because there was a nice sea breeze. We spend some time at the beach, one of those beaches I hate because the sand never comes off your body and gets stuck in crazy places like your ears for days and days, and the kids loved the waves. One guy asked me if Amanda grew up on the beach because she had a total blast and had absolutely no fear of the water or the waves. If they knocked her down and dragged her along a few feet she just got up with a big smile on her face. It was truly unbelievable.
We also went to an awesome pool party, had homemade ice cream, ate pizza on the boardwalk and went to a splash park. It was so great to see my kids play with April and Renee's kids, some better than others, and to see how much we've grown and what we've become over the last 20 years. In some ways they were exactly the same, and in others so different and so grown up. The best part was at night, after the kids and the men went to sleep, chatting on the large front porch late into the night as if we didn't live thousands of miles away. I love that.
On our last day we had lobster, the kids gave me a very hard time about eating the lobster, I'm not really sure where they think the chicken they eat for dinner comes from, and then went to Seeside Heights were Jersey Shore is filmed. Unfortunately there weren't any Snookie sightings, but we did play some midway games and go on some amusement rides. It was fun to watch Amanda and April's son, Riza, have so much fun on the little trucks and trains, and to watch my two fight over who was going to ride with Amanda. I'm glad they both like her so much but it was kind of a pain to accommodate all the requests. I think April was a little done with us after that day:)
The best part of the rides was when Sarah really wanted to go on one ride with Amanda but Amanda wasn't tall enough. They had little signs at each ride that had a mark that showed the height you needed to be to go on the ride. Amanda was too short for most of them, but at this particular ride Sarah yelled, "Why do they keep making the signs too high?".
I was so sad to leave my friends who I can never get enough of, but so happy that we have decided to make it a yearly event and have already picked a week for next year. Really girls, we have, it's in my calendar. The kids had a fabulous time as well, after the pool party Andy announced he couldn't wait to come back to New Jersey next year and even Amanda wasn't phased when Riza pooped in the tub (you can read about it here: http://aprilbabyblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/floaters.html).
Thanks girls, for making it so memorable.
We spend last weekend and then a few extra days with two of my BFFs from college and their families. We all crashed at April's house near the beach and the only thing that would have made it better is if it had just been the three of us catching up and disparaging each other all weekend. Because that's what we do best.
The weather was fabulous, even when we thought it might rain, because it was about 20 degrees cooler than it is in Texas and because there was a nice sea breeze. We spend some time at the beach, one of those beaches I hate because the sand never comes off your body and gets stuck in crazy places like your ears for days and days, and the kids loved the waves. One guy asked me if Amanda grew up on the beach because she had a total blast and had absolutely no fear of the water or the waves. If they knocked her down and dragged her along a few feet she just got up with a big smile on her face. It was truly unbelievable.
We also went to an awesome pool party, had homemade ice cream, ate pizza on the boardwalk and went to a splash park. It was so great to see my kids play with April and Renee's kids, some better than others, and to see how much we've grown and what we've become over the last 20 years. In some ways they were exactly the same, and in others so different and so grown up. The best part was at night, after the kids and the men went to sleep, chatting on the large front porch late into the night as if we didn't live thousands of miles away. I love that.
On our last day we had lobster, the kids gave me a very hard time about eating the lobster, I'm not really sure where they think the chicken they eat for dinner comes from, and then went to Seeside Heights were Jersey Shore is filmed. Unfortunately there weren't any Snookie sightings, but we did play some midway games and go on some amusement rides. It was fun to watch Amanda and April's son, Riza, have so much fun on the little trucks and trains, and to watch my two fight over who was going to ride with Amanda. I'm glad they both like her so much but it was kind of a pain to accommodate all the requests. I think April was a little done with us after that day:)
The best part of the rides was when Sarah really wanted to go on one ride with Amanda but Amanda wasn't tall enough. They had little signs at each ride that had a mark that showed the height you needed to be to go on the ride. Amanda was too short for most of them, but at this particular ride Sarah yelled, "Why do they keep making the signs too high?".
I was so sad to leave my friends who I can never get enough of, but so happy that we have decided to make it a yearly event and have already picked a week for next year. Really girls, we have, it's in my calendar. The kids had a fabulous time as well, after the pool party Andy announced he couldn't wait to come back to New Jersey next year and even Amanda wasn't phased when Riza pooped in the tub (you can read about it here: http://aprilbabyblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/floaters.html).
Thanks girls, for making it so memorable.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Picture of the Day
Amanda told me her baby was drinking milk. Little does she know it's out of a nasal aspirator.
Oh My Aching Head!
This morning I told Charlie I felt hung over. I hadn't had a drop of alchohol in over 24 hours so that wasn't the problem. I had a dull headache and kind of felt stuffy in my forehead, so thought maybe allergies were the problem. I unsucessfully looked online to figure out what allergens are high right now, I found the information I just couldn't understand it without my decoder ring, and was still a little perplexed. Then I remembered. Of course, my head hurts because yesterday some lady dropped a suitcase on my head.
Yes, you heard me right, a suitcase. I flew home with the three kids after a wonderful long weekend in New Jersey with two of my BFFs from college. Upon arriving at the airport, the woman behind me went to get her suitcase out of the overhead and dropped it on my head. Yes, it was heavy, and yes, it hurt. I wasn't upset with her, she didn't do it on purpose, but it was the cherry on top to a crappy day. Getting packed, leaving my friend, traveling with three kids alone, getting hit by a suitcase.
When April from New Jersey dropped us off at the airport Amanda was asleep. Needless to say she was not excited about waking up to get on a plane and did not feel like using her best airport behavior. She wouldn't let me put her down. So I had to carry her through the security line, which was extremely slow and long for a Wednesday afternoon and then when I did put her down she yelled and screamed. Which added to the stress of flying with the kids by myself and may have resulted in me raising my voice at a TSA agent who was a little less than helpful. To top it off there wasn't really anything good to eat in the terminal and the kids were being crazy.
Luckily once we were on the plane they were pretty good. Andy slept for the first 45 minutes or so and Sarah and Amanda kept busy playing with eachother and the iPad. Of course Sarah announced she had to go to the bathroom right after we sat down and then we had an extra long taxi and takeoff and then the air was choppy so the pilot wouldn't let anybody get out of their seats. I am amazed she didn't wet her pants but she was shaking and kicking her legs so hard I thought the entire plane would feel the vibrations.
After a bit Amanda wanted to sit on my lap, which was fine, until she dumped a bottle of water on my pants. Oh well, just water. The flight went on like that but there was no excessive yelling and I only had to make a few threats to keep them in check. I thought we had finally made it until the lady dropped the suitcase on my head. Ugh.
So, now we're home, getting unpacked and cleaning up the house a little so doesn't look quite as messy as it usually does when we get home from a trip. Hopefully by tomorrow my head will feel better and then it will be Saturday and the weekend. One more week until Sarah and Amanda start school and then one more for Andy.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
Yes, you heard me right, a suitcase. I flew home with the three kids after a wonderful long weekend in New Jersey with two of my BFFs from college. Upon arriving at the airport, the woman behind me went to get her suitcase out of the overhead and dropped it on my head. Yes, it was heavy, and yes, it hurt. I wasn't upset with her, she didn't do it on purpose, but it was the cherry on top to a crappy day. Getting packed, leaving my friend, traveling with three kids alone, getting hit by a suitcase.
When April from New Jersey dropped us off at the airport Amanda was asleep. Needless to say she was not excited about waking up to get on a plane and did not feel like using her best airport behavior. She wouldn't let me put her down. So I had to carry her through the security line, which was extremely slow and long for a Wednesday afternoon and then when I did put her down she yelled and screamed. Which added to the stress of flying with the kids by myself and may have resulted in me raising my voice at a TSA agent who was a little less than helpful. To top it off there wasn't really anything good to eat in the terminal and the kids were being crazy.
Luckily once we were on the plane they were pretty good. Andy slept for the first 45 minutes or so and Sarah and Amanda kept busy playing with eachother and the iPad. Of course Sarah announced she had to go to the bathroom right after we sat down and then we had an extra long taxi and takeoff and then the air was choppy so the pilot wouldn't let anybody get out of their seats. I am amazed she didn't wet her pants but she was shaking and kicking her legs so hard I thought the entire plane would feel the vibrations.
After a bit Amanda wanted to sit on my lap, which was fine, until she dumped a bottle of water on my pants. Oh well, just water. The flight went on like that but there was no excessive yelling and I only had to make a few threats to keep them in check. I thought we had finally made it until the lady dropped the suitcase on my head. Ugh.
So, now we're home, getting unpacked and cleaning up the house a little so doesn't look quite as messy as it usually does when we get home from a trip. Hopefully by tomorrow my head will feel better and then it will be Saturday and the weekend. One more week until Sarah and Amanda start school and then one more for Andy.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)