This morning Sarah came into my room rather distressed by the fact that she could not find the tooth that had been loose the day before. I didn't think it was that loose, but apparently it was because she lost it overnight. I'm pretty sure she swallowed it, as she has done 2-3 times before, but she thinks maybe she took it out and put it somewhere - "oh wait, maybe I just dreamed that." Anyway, she has now lost all eight of her front teeth (she also lost one two days after Thanksgiving) and she is only six and a half. I'm pretty certain there are kids in her class at school that haven't lost any teeth yet and she's lost all she's going to lose until she's twleve. I know neither one of us had anything to do with that, but I'm happy that for once she's got a leg up on her classmates and is able to do something that (right now) they can't. She doesn't have many opportunities to beat them at anything, so it's nice that she gets a little win.
Unfortunately, the female half of the Tooth Fairy used her last $1 bills to tip the pizza delivery man tonight since she was too lazy to cook, and the male half is in Boston on a business trip, so I'm actually going to have to borrow $1 from Sarah's piggy bank to put under her pillow. I could just give her $5, but that would just set a bad precedent and Andy would get very angry. Just not worth it. Because she has no tooth to leave for the Tooth Fairy, Sarah wrote her a note on a orange sticky note that says:
Dear Tooth Fairy,
I can't find my tooth, please come anyway.
Love,
Sarah
Straight and to the point. Lucky for her the Tooth Fairy always comes, assuming she remembers. Sometimes the Tooth Fairy comes a day late because she is so busy in other parts of the world. As of right now, it's etched in my brain.
One other thing that's missing in Sarah's life is her curly hair. It was long and wavy and I thought it just wasn't that curly because it was too heavy. Right before Thanksgiving I took her to get her haircut and asked them to take four inches off, thinking it would be lighter and thus curlier. They did, and the curl is gone. There is a tiny bit underneath and some of her wisps are still curly, but that's about it. When it's up in a ponytail from the back it looks totally straight. It's still thick and beautiful, the most amazing colors, but I'm so sad to see the curls gone. I really thought they would stay forever. She loves that her hair is straight now and was so done with the curls. Supposedly your hair changes every seven years and can do all sorts of crazy things. Hopefully at some point those curls will decide to come back out.
I'm trying not to make too big a deal of it, because I don't want her defined by her curls or her hair, but I really did love them. Probably because I've never had curly hair and would love to have it myself. It can be a pain to brush and take care of, but it's so low maintenance otherwise.
Just two more signs that my little girl is growing up. Now if the whining would just go by the wayside, my life would be so much more zen.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Sleep With One Eye Open
I was washing the dishes from dinner tonight while all three kids were in the office together. They all wanted to play on the computer, which was a problem because we only have two. Remember when it was a big deal to have two TVs and now it's not even a big deal to have two computers? Crazy. Anyway, Andy started yelling at Amanda to stop whatever she was doing and then he yelled some more and then Amanda got really mad and I heard someone (her) banging on the keyboard. The next thing I know Andy was carrying Amanda out of the office and she was crying.
I decided to stay out of it since nobody was hurt and see where it went. Andy and Sarah fight all the time and it usually ends up with Sarah crying, because honestly everything makes Sarah cry, but he rarely fights with Amanda. So Amanda is crying and yelling at Andy and trying to go back to the office and Andy won't let her. Eventually I convinced Amanda to come over where I am and Andy tells me that she was clicking buttons like crazy and he was worried she was going to delete things and so he took the mouse away from her and she went ballistic. That part I had figured out.
I don't remember exactly what happened next but I told the kids it was time to go up to bed and nobody was allowed to play on my computer anymore. Which means all three of them have to share one computer (you know, the KIDS computer), oh the injustice. It was about then when Amanda turned to Andy and said something close to, "You are going to die in your sleep".
Andy and I looked at each other with amazement and kind of asked one another if she just threatened him, which it pretty much sounded like she did. I'm not sure where she learned that, but it freaked Andy out just a tiny bit. He wrapped his arms around me and asked me if Amanda was going to kill him in his sleep.
I'm pretty sure that couldn't happen, he could overtake her any day, but hopefully he has learned that he should not mess with her. Now if only Sarah could learn some of that attitude from her we might have a little peace in this house.
I decided to stay out of it since nobody was hurt and see where it went. Andy and Sarah fight all the time and it usually ends up with Sarah crying, because honestly everything makes Sarah cry, but he rarely fights with Amanda. So Amanda is crying and yelling at Andy and trying to go back to the office and Andy won't let her. Eventually I convinced Amanda to come over where I am and Andy tells me that she was clicking buttons like crazy and he was worried she was going to delete things and so he took the mouse away from her and she went ballistic. That part I had figured out.
I don't remember exactly what happened next but I told the kids it was time to go up to bed and nobody was allowed to play on my computer anymore. Which means all three of them have to share one computer (you know, the KIDS computer), oh the injustice. It was about then when Amanda turned to Andy and said something close to, "You are going to die in your sleep".
Andy and I looked at each other with amazement and kind of asked one another if she just threatened him, which it pretty much sounded like she did. I'm not sure where she learned that, but it freaked Andy out just a tiny bit. He wrapped his arms around me and asked me if Amanda was going to kill him in his sleep.
I'm pretty sure that couldn't happen, he could overtake her any day, but hopefully he has learned that he should not mess with her. Now if only Sarah could learn some of that attitude from her we might have a little peace in this house.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Kid Quote of the Day
ME: I'm going to eat you. Nom, nom, nom, you taste like chicken.
AMANDA: No, I taste like cake!
If the saying "You are what you eat" is really true, she's pretty accurate!
AMANDA: No, I taste like cake!
If the saying "You are what you eat" is really true, she's pretty accurate!
Warp Speed
We made it home safe and sound after a very long day of flying yesterday. We survived the weekend (the fact that they stayed up really late everyday was buffered by the two-hour time change), I got to read an entire book and I became proficient in Plants vs. Zombies. What more could I ask for?
The next several weeks are going to fly by. Hanukkah starts a week from Saturday (luckily I think I have most of my shopping done, I need to take inventory some time this week while the kids are at school) and then Christmas is just a couple weeks after that. I already got my holiday cards out because I wanted everybody to have our new address and not send our cards to the cranky people who bought our house and may or may not forward the mail. Otherwise, that would still be looming over my head as well.
For some strange reason, I'm feeling abnormally calm about this holiday season. I don't know if it's because we got an extra week after Thanksgiving this year or I shopped really early (but I do that every year) or that I decided we aren't going to get the kids as much this year. I say that every year, but I think this year I've actually stuck to that.
I don't know, we'll see. The tree and decorations go up this weekend so maybe my attitude will change. For right now, I'm not stressing about anything which for this time of year is really, really nice.
Let the crazy, fast, loud, hectic holidays begin!
The next several weeks are going to fly by. Hanukkah starts a week from Saturday (luckily I think I have most of my shopping done, I need to take inventory some time this week while the kids are at school) and then Christmas is just a couple weeks after that. I already got my holiday cards out because I wanted everybody to have our new address and not send our cards to the cranky people who bought our house and may or may not forward the mail. Otherwise, that would still be looming over my head as well.
For some strange reason, I'm feeling abnormally calm about this holiday season. I don't know if it's because we got an extra week after Thanksgiving this year or I shopped really early (but I do that every year) or that I decided we aren't going to get the kids as much this year. I say that every year, but I think this year I've actually stuck to that.
I don't know, we'll see. The tree and decorations go up this weekend so maybe my attitude will change. For right now, I'm not stressing about anything which for this time of year is really, really nice.
Let the crazy, fast, loud, hectic holidays begin!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
To Grandmother's House We Go
Amanda has been asking me on a daily basis if today is the day we are going to Grandma's house. Are we going to the airport? Are we getting on a plane today? Everyday I have said, "not today" and then told her when we are leaving. Well, today is the day.
All three of the kids are so excited to go so they can see Grandma and their uncles and cousins, go to the beach, eat Grandma's yummy food and see friends who live in Florida. They are also excited because when we are at Grandma's house during Thanksgiving they get to stay up really late and go do lots of fun things and basically come home from vacation as one big hot mess from which it takes about a week to recover.
I like going to Grandma's house for all of those reasons (except the hot mess part) and because I have built in entertainment for the kids and the pressure is completely off. They are having so much fun with everybody else that they pretty much ignore me for most of the weekend and I get to spend a little time reading or shopping or surfing the web without anybody pulling on my pants or asking me for something.
That is one of the many things I am Thankful for.
All three of the kids are so excited to go so they can see Grandma and their uncles and cousins, go to the beach, eat Grandma's yummy food and see friends who live in Florida. They are also excited because when we are at Grandma's house during Thanksgiving they get to stay up really late and go do lots of fun things and basically come home from vacation as one big hot mess from which it takes about a week to recover.
I like going to Grandma's house for all of those reasons (except the hot mess part) and because I have built in entertainment for the kids and the pressure is completely off. They are having so much fun with everybody else that they pretty much ignore me for most of the weekend and I get to spend a little time reading or shopping or surfing the web without anybody pulling on my pants or asking me for something.
That is one of the many things I am Thankful for.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Spinal Defects Clinic
I know I've said it before, but we have found some wonderful doctors in Colorado through Colorado Children's Hospital. They have such a seamless network that you can talk to one doctor and the next doctor you speak to picks up exactly where you left off with the first one. I continue to be amazed by the service and care that they provide.
Today was no exception. This morning I took Sarah to their Spinal Defects Clinic. This is an all-morning clinic that is set up for kids with spinal cord injuries or spina bifida. They check you in, assign you to a room, and then one by one a large rotation of doctors and nurse practitioners comes to your room. You get all of your appointments done at once instead of going to multiple appointments at different times on different days, and all the doctors are there in one place to discuss your case. At one point we had at least five people watching what Sarah was doing and discussing the best course of action for her.
By the end of the morning she was tired and didn't want to talk to anybody else, but I felt like they truly had a good understanding of what was going on with her and what her needs were going forward. I don't know that I have ever felt that confident with any of her doctors in the past. Not that they weren't good and didn't ease my concerns, these guys just did it better.
I cannot explain how happy I am that we have found such a fabulous medical staff. And I know that even if we were to leave Colorado sometime in the near or far future (no plans to do that right now, just saying), I am confident that we could keep coming back for our yearly visit to the Spinal Defects Clinic and continue to get exactly what we need.
When you have a child with crazy medical needs that you think nobody understands, this is huge.
Today was no exception. This morning I took Sarah to their Spinal Defects Clinic. This is an all-morning clinic that is set up for kids with spinal cord injuries or spina bifida. They check you in, assign you to a room, and then one by one a large rotation of doctors and nurse practitioners comes to your room. You get all of your appointments done at once instead of going to multiple appointments at different times on different days, and all the doctors are there in one place to discuss your case. At one point we had at least five people watching what Sarah was doing and discussing the best course of action for her.
By the end of the morning she was tired and didn't want to talk to anybody else, but I felt like they truly had a good understanding of what was going on with her and what her needs were going forward. I don't know that I have ever felt that confident with any of her doctors in the past. Not that they weren't good and didn't ease my concerns, these guys just did it better.
I cannot explain how happy I am that we have found such a fabulous medical staff. And I know that even if we were to leave Colorado sometime in the near or far future (no plans to do that right now, just saying), I am confident that we could keep coming back for our yearly visit to the Spinal Defects Clinic and continue to get exactly what we need.
When you have a child with crazy medical needs that you think nobody understands, this is huge.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Picture of the Day
Sorry it took me so long to post this picture, I was having some trouble uploading pictures from my phone to the new computer. This is from last weekend's 1/2 marathon, within 30 minutes of us finishing. Of course John finished almost two hours before April and me, so he looks just a little happier than we do.
I'm Tired
Whenever Amanda doesn't want to do anything, she hunches over, drops her arms down and says, "I'm tired". It could be first thing in the morning after she's gotten 12-14 hours of sleep and you ask her to get dressed before she's ready and her response is, "I'm tired". Yes, well I'm tired too but I still need to get dressed.
I'm not sure if she doesn't know how to express herself or if that is just the most polite way she can do it. She doesn't throw a fit or put up a huge fight, just says that she tired. If I try to walk her into school and she doesn't want to go, if she doesn't want to eat anymore dinner, if she doesn't want to go pick up the kids from school or eat her lunch or take her shoes to her room or pick up her toys -- it's always because she's tired.
Either this kid has some serious thyroid disorder or anemia issue or she truly believes that if she claims she's tired she'll get out of whatever we're asking her to do. So far it's not really working for her, but it is amusing.
I'm not sure if she doesn't know how to express herself or if that is just the most polite way she can do it. She doesn't throw a fit or put up a huge fight, just says that she tired. If I try to walk her into school and she doesn't want to go, if she doesn't want to eat anymore dinner, if she doesn't want to go pick up the kids from school or eat her lunch or take her shoes to her room or pick up her toys -- it's always because she's tired.
Either this kid has some serious thyroid disorder or anemia issue or she truly believes that if she claims she's tired she'll get out of whatever we're asking her to do. So far it's not really working for her, but it is amusing.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Kid Quote of the Day
AMANDA: I don't want to be a girl.
ME: What do you want to be?
AMANDA: A boy.
ME: Why?
AMANDA: Because I want to be Daddy.
ME: What do you want to be?
AMANDA: A boy.
ME: Why?
AMANDA: Because I want to be Daddy.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Age Appropriate Vocabulary
When Andy was younger, he had an excellent vocabulary. He still does. When he was little, it was because we didn't talk down to him just because he was a kid or use baby talk. Now, it's because he reads a lot. Sarah has a pretty good vocabulary too, not quite as advanced as Andy's was at her age, and Amanda's is coming along very well but has a few things in it that aren't that normal for your typical three year old.
I noticed it the other day. Andy was doing something obnoxious, as usual, and Amanda told him to stop being annoying. I'm pretty sure that most three year olds know what annoying means, but they don't often tell other people that they are being annoying. Especially if they are child number one, because really, who could be annoying them?
The second thing that Amanda said came straight from Sarah's mouth. She says it all the time to Amanda, so why wouldn't Amanda repeat it? Sarah was doing or saying something mean to Amanda, which she has started doing more often as a way to exert her independence, and Amanda told her Sarah she wasn't her friend anymore. Then she told her that she wasn't her sister anymore. The only thing she left out was that Sarah wasn't invited to her birthday party, but I'm sure that will come. Sarah didn't start saying this crap until at least Kindergarten, but we're getting an earful now that both of them are saying it.
The last crazy thing came out of her mouth last night while I was making dinner (yes, I do that every once in awhile). It went something like this:
AMANDA: Mommy, I want broccoli for dinner.
ME: Okay, we can do that.
AMANDA: PSYCHE!!!
Seriously, she psych-ing me at three? She even used it in the correct context. As a reward, she did get broccoli for dinner.
I can't wait see what comes out of her next. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's going to be a doozie.
I noticed it the other day. Andy was doing something obnoxious, as usual, and Amanda told him to stop being annoying. I'm pretty sure that most three year olds know what annoying means, but they don't often tell other people that they are being annoying. Especially if they are child number one, because really, who could be annoying them?
The second thing that Amanda said came straight from Sarah's mouth. She says it all the time to Amanda, so why wouldn't Amanda repeat it? Sarah was doing or saying something mean to Amanda, which she has started doing more often as a way to exert her independence, and Amanda told her Sarah she wasn't her friend anymore. Then she told her that she wasn't her sister anymore. The only thing she left out was that Sarah wasn't invited to her birthday party, but I'm sure that will come. Sarah didn't start saying this crap until at least Kindergarten, but we're getting an earful now that both of them are saying it.
The last crazy thing came out of her mouth last night while I was making dinner (yes, I do that every once in awhile). It went something like this:
AMANDA: Mommy, I want broccoli for dinner.
ME: Okay, we can do that.
AMANDA: PSYCHE!!!
Seriously, she psych-ing me at three? She even used it in the correct context. As a reward, she did get broccoli for dinner.
I can't wait see what comes out of her next. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's going to be a doozie.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Kid Quote of the Day
"I just want cupcake makers and things like that, no matter how girly they look. The treats are just so good, know what I mean?"
-Andy
-Andy
Band Concert
Andy had his first band concert last week. He's been playing for about two months, so there wasn't a lot of material, but the band director wanted to show them off just the same. The band director -- there is a special place in the afterlife for people who can teach music to young kids. You must have about 100 times more patience than I ever could.
When I told my mom we were going to Andy's concert, she laughed and said something like "good luck" or "have fun!". Having four children, she has been to her fair share (and then some) of band concerts and piano recitals. I bet she missed the orchestra concerts, however, because none of us ever played strings, but we were fortunate enough to get that concert too. It was a band and orchestra mix.
To be perfectly honest and fair, it really wasn't that bad. Then entire thing was only about 40 minutes to see both groups. They each played about three songs. They weren't fabulous, but they weren't horrible either and you could see that after just a few months they were starting to learn a few things. Our money is actually going to good.
We left the girls at home with a babysitter because a) they would have been bored and driven us crazy and b) when the two girls get together they act all goofy and would have driven us crazy. Either way, crazy is a big part of it. After the concert we took Andy out to dinner at the restaurant of his choice. He was pretty happy because he rarely gets to be alone with one of us let alone both of us for that long.
I'm amazed at how much my baby boy has grown up. The past 9+ years have flown by and he's such an amazing kid, even with his strong need to antagonize. I can't wait to see the adult he turns into, but am enjoying all the new things he continues to try and experience.
When I told my mom we were going to Andy's concert, she laughed and said something like "good luck" or "have fun!". Having four children, she has been to her fair share (and then some) of band concerts and piano recitals. I bet she missed the orchestra concerts, however, because none of us ever played strings, but we were fortunate enough to get that concert too. It was a band and orchestra mix.
To be perfectly honest and fair, it really wasn't that bad. Then entire thing was only about 40 minutes to see both groups. They each played about three songs. They weren't fabulous, but they weren't horrible either and you could see that after just a few months they were starting to learn a few things. Our money is actually going to good.
We left the girls at home with a babysitter because a) they would have been bored and driven us crazy and b) when the two girls get together they act all goofy and would have driven us crazy. Either way, crazy is a big part of it. After the concert we took Andy out to dinner at the restaurant of his choice. He was pretty happy because he rarely gets to be alone with one of us let alone both of us for that long.
I'm amazed at how much my baby boy has grown up. The past 9+ years have flown by and he's such an amazing kid, even with his strong need to antagonize. I can't wait to see the adult he turns into, but am enjoying all the new things he continues to try and experience.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Wine & Dine and Walk
This past weekend I flew to Orlando to walk in the Disney Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon. I've been training since August, so I was ready to do the real thing. I was also ready to get away from the house and the kids for 48 hours and spend some time on me.
I flew in Friday night and April from Florida and her lovely husband, John (two of my favorite people), picked me up. We didn't do anything crazy, just hung out in the hotel room and talked, but it was very nice and relaxing. The next morning we had a carb-filled breakfast at the Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort Hotel. It was so yummy and we were so full afterwards. So far everything was going as planned.
From there we went to the Expo to get our racing bibs and shirts and get checked in for the race. They had all sorts of vendors there selling every kind of running gear you could think of, and some you couldn't. We hung out for an hour or two and then went off to Downtown Disney for a few hours. There were a lot of things going on at Disney this weekend, so Downtown Disney was incredibly packed. We didn't end up staying very long because we wanted to get back and take a nap.
John had to run an errand but April and I tried to nap. Except we couldn't. I don't know if it was excitement or nerves or just the fact that neither of us ever gets the luxury of taking a nap during the middle of the day, but we didn't sleep. But we did rest, so that's all that mattered. Around 6:30 we had a nice pasta dinner to get the last bit of carbs that we could and then we got ready to go to the race.
The race itself didn't start until 10p, but the last bus to the race was at 8p. I'm not sure why they make you get there so early, but we had to sit around for almost two hours before the race started. It was kind of cool to see all the people in costume. I don't know if that goes on at a regular run of the mill 1/2 marathon, but tons of people wear tutus and unusual costumes at Disney races. April's favorite was the guy dressed like Hulk Hogan with a yellow tank top, yellow Speedo-like running bottoms, knee-high socks, blond wig with hair down to the shoulders and a yellow sweat band around his head.
They broke everybody up into six groups, A-F. John was in group A as he had run and qualified in a Disney race before, but April and I were in group E (thanks to a nice man at Runner Relations who moved me up from F) so we had to split up from him. He got to start the race right on time, but by the time our group was allowed to start it was 10:20.
It was a long trek, but also a lot of fun. Plus, after the race finished the kept the Food and Wine Festival open until 4am so we could eat yummy foods from all of the countries. We didn't go to run, we both agreed to that from the beginning. In fact, the conversation went something like this:
ONE OF US: I want to do the Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon, but I don't want to run. Do you want to do it with me?
THE OTHER ONE OF US: Only if we don't run, I hate running. But I can walk forever.
THE FIRST ONE OF US: Definitely, no running, I hate running too, but I can walk forever as well.
Looking back after that conversation and after the race, I cannot walk forever. But I can walk a lot longer and fast than I can run. In fact, if I had run the race I'm pretty sure my time would not have been any better and may have actually been worse. We just kept telling ourselves "slow and steady wins the race" (you know, the crap that you tell your kids) and kept walking along. Plus, there was so much to look at that it was very entertaining.
We did actually pick up our pace in the last couple of miles and start to walk really fast when we heard that we were behind the pace leader and we thought they weren't going to give us our medals. That put a huge motivation out there and made us walk faster than we had ever walked. There was no way after weeks of training and all the time and effort and money we had put into that trip that we weren't getting our medals. We didn't beat pace, but we did both set a personal record and we got to finish the race which was most important.
The best part is that neither one of us was discouraged and we are planning on walking (and maybe running just a tiny bit) the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon at the end of February. We saw the medal at the Expo and it's awesome. I can't wait!
I flew in Friday night and April from Florida and her lovely husband, John (two of my favorite people), picked me up. We didn't do anything crazy, just hung out in the hotel room and talked, but it was very nice and relaxing. The next morning we had a carb-filled breakfast at the Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort Hotel. It was so yummy and we were so full afterwards. So far everything was going as planned.
From there we went to the Expo to get our racing bibs and shirts and get checked in for the race. They had all sorts of vendors there selling every kind of running gear you could think of, and some you couldn't. We hung out for an hour or two and then went off to Downtown Disney for a few hours. There were a lot of things going on at Disney this weekend, so Downtown Disney was incredibly packed. We didn't end up staying very long because we wanted to get back and take a nap.
John had to run an errand but April and I tried to nap. Except we couldn't. I don't know if it was excitement or nerves or just the fact that neither of us ever gets the luxury of taking a nap during the middle of the day, but we didn't sleep. But we did rest, so that's all that mattered. Around 6:30 we had a nice pasta dinner to get the last bit of carbs that we could and then we got ready to go to the race.
The race itself didn't start until 10p, but the last bus to the race was at 8p. I'm not sure why they make you get there so early, but we had to sit around for almost two hours before the race started. It was kind of cool to see all the people in costume. I don't know if that goes on at a regular run of the mill 1/2 marathon, but tons of people wear tutus and unusual costumes at Disney races. April's favorite was the guy dressed like Hulk Hogan with a yellow tank top, yellow Speedo-like running bottoms, knee-high socks, blond wig with hair down to the shoulders and a yellow sweat band around his head.
They broke everybody up into six groups, A-F. John was in group A as he had run and qualified in a Disney race before, but April and I were in group E (thanks to a nice man at Runner Relations who moved me up from F) so we had to split up from him. He got to start the race right on time, but by the time our group was allowed to start it was 10:20.
It was a long trek, but also a lot of fun. Plus, after the race finished the kept the Food and Wine Festival open until 4am so we could eat yummy foods from all of the countries. We didn't go to run, we both agreed to that from the beginning. In fact, the conversation went something like this:
ONE OF US: I want to do the Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon, but I don't want to run. Do you want to do it with me?
THE OTHER ONE OF US: Only if we don't run, I hate running. But I can walk forever.
THE FIRST ONE OF US: Definitely, no running, I hate running too, but I can walk forever as well.
Looking back after that conversation and after the race, I cannot walk forever. But I can walk a lot longer and fast than I can run. In fact, if I had run the race I'm pretty sure my time would not have been any better and may have actually been worse. We just kept telling ourselves "slow and steady wins the race" (you know, the crap that you tell your kids) and kept walking along. Plus, there was so much to look at that it was very entertaining.
We did actually pick up our pace in the last couple of miles and start to walk really fast when we heard that we were behind the pace leader and we thought they weren't going to give us our medals. That put a huge motivation out there and made us walk faster than we had ever walked. There was no way after weeks of training and all the time and effort and money we had put into that trip that we weren't getting our medals. We didn't beat pace, but we did both set a personal record and we got to finish the race which was most important.
The best part is that neither one of us was discouraged and we are planning on walking (and maybe running just a tiny bit) the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon at the end of February. We saw the medal at the Expo and it's awesome. I can't wait!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Evolution
Andy and Sarah didn't have school yesterday. There was no polling at their school, but there was at the high school down the street and other schools in the district, so they just chose to leave the kids at home and make it a teacher work day. I'm not sure why the kids can't be there when people vote, whether it's for the safety of the kids or the voters, but regardless I had to do something with the kids. Instead of staying at home driving each other crazy like we normally do, I decided to take them to the zoo. Charlie didn't think I would do it, but I did, and it went pretty well.
The most amazing part of the visit was not the cool Elephant habitat or the fact that the lion was roaring at us right at the edge of the glass (which means if it were not for that glass he was less than 12 inches away from taking Amanda's arm off). Nope. Actually, it wasn't anything about the zoo per se. It was the fact that we didn't have to take a stroller, no diaper bag (truthfully I haven't carried one of those for months and months), no sippy cups or anything else that made me feel like a sherpa for the day. Instead, all three kids walked and Amanda conned me into buying ice cream for everybody but that was about it. We stayed for three hours, everybody had a reasonable good time (I'm the only one in question since the crazier the kids got the more I wanted to go home) and nobody cried. All in all, a success.
Light at the end of the tunnel. All we need now is for Amanda to move from the car seat to a booster and life will be grand. My babies are growing up, but I'm ready for all the new opportunities that will bring.
The most amazing part of the visit was not the cool Elephant habitat or the fact that the lion was roaring at us right at the edge of the glass (which means if it were not for that glass he was less than 12 inches away from taking Amanda's arm off). Nope. Actually, it wasn't anything about the zoo per se. It was the fact that we didn't have to take a stroller, no diaper bag (truthfully I haven't carried one of those for months and months), no sippy cups or anything else that made me feel like a sherpa for the day. Instead, all three kids walked and Amanda conned me into buying ice cream for everybody but that was about it. We stayed for three hours, everybody had a reasonable good time (I'm the only one in question since the crazier the kids got the more I wanted to go home) and nobody cried. All in all, a success.
Light at the end of the tunnel. All we need now is for Amanda to move from the car seat to a booster and life will be grand. My babies are growing up, but I'm ready for all the new opportunities that will bring.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Catching Up
Wow, I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I've written. My days are flying by. I also have a three-yr-old who, when home, doesn't want me to do anything but sit next to her on the couch and watch t.v. Since she's only at school for about 2 hours a day, I spent a lot of time doing nothing, and I mean nothing, with her. However, I know it's not going to last forever, this need to sit with me at all times, so I am trying to just enjoy it and humor her before she wants nothing to do with me.
Last weekend my sister-in-law, Nanci, and my nieces and nephew came to visit. They flew in Thursday night and spent the night with Nanci's brother who lives about 30 minutes south of us. They arrived on our door step on Friday night around 9p, about an hour after we got home from the kids' school sock hop. My awesome neighbor made felt poodle skirts for the kids, so they got to go in costume, and the kids actually had a lot of fun. Nanci and the kids had to leave on Sunday morning at 9a, so we got about 36 hours of quality time with them.
Even though it was a short trip, we had a great visit. We had a big Saturday morning breakfast and then all the girls except Amanda went for manicures and/or pedicures and then a yummy pizza lunch. When we got back I took my nieces and Amanda and Sarah to the mall so I could spoil them some more while Charlie and Nanci relaxed at home. Then that evening Nanci's brother came back and we had a nice steak dinner. Andy and my nephew bonded over video games and only came up from the basement for meals, but that's what they both wanted to do so they enjoyed it as well. It was so good to see everybody even if it was for just a short time.
A couple days later we celebrated Halloween. The kids all had parties at school and got to wear their costumes. Andy was a ninja, Sarah was Rapunzel and Amanda was Minnie Mouse. Wednesday night I took them out trick or treating while Charlie stayed home to give out candy. I was amazed at how many kids were in our neighborhood and how many neighbors participated. In the past maybe one out of every four houses had somebody home handing out candy, and there were kids around, but not tons. This year there were parents and children everywhere you looked, traveling in large groups, running from house to house. Almost every house was lit and had someone at the door handing out candy. Everybody was having a great time, parents included. Sarah saw several of her classmates while we were out and loved that.
On Friday our backyard play set was delivered. It was one of the things we promised the girls we would get when we moved here and just hadn't done it. We finally sucked it up and got one and the kids love it. Today all three of them played in the backyard for quite a while and there was very little fighting. Ah, finally. I'm hoping that they continue to like it as much as they did today.
So now we start November. I can't believe we've been here for over four months and Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. Now that Halloween is over things have calmed down a little, but it's just going to ramp up as we get closer to the holidays. I'm still adjusting, but we're doing well and are starting to enjoy our new home and surroundings.
Things can only get better from here.
Last weekend my sister-in-law, Nanci, and my nieces and nephew came to visit. They flew in Thursday night and spent the night with Nanci's brother who lives about 30 minutes south of us. They arrived on our door step on Friday night around 9p, about an hour after we got home from the kids' school sock hop. My awesome neighbor made felt poodle skirts for the kids, so they got to go in costume, and the kids actually had a lot of fun. Nanci and the kids had to leave on Sunday morning at 9a, so we got about 36 hours of quality time with them.
Even though it was a short trip, we had a great visit. We had a big Saturday morning breakfast and then all the girls except Amanda went for manicures and/or pedicures and then a yummy pizza lunch. When we got back I took my nieces and Amanda and Sarah to the mall so I could spoil them some more while Charlie and Nanci relaxed at home. Then that evening Nanci's brother came back and we had a nice steak dinner. Andy and my nephew bonded over video games and only came up from the basement for meals, but that's what they both wanted to do so they enjoyed it as well. It was so good to see everybody even if it was for just a short time.
A couple days later we celebrated Halloween. The kids all had parties at school and got to wear their costumes. Andy was a ninja, Sarah was Rapunzel and Amanda was Minnie Mouse. Wednesday night I took them out trick or treating while Charlie stayed home to give out candy. I was amazed at how many kids were in our neighborhood and how many neighbors participated. In the past maybe one out of every four houses had somebody home handing out candy, and there were kids around, but not tons. This year there were parents and children everywhere you looked, traveling in large groups, running from house to house. Almost every house was lit and had someone at the door handing out candy. Everybody was having a great time, parents included. Sarah saw several of her classmates while we were out and loved that.
On Friday our backyard play set was delivered. It was one of the things we promised the girls we would get when we moved here and just hadn't done it. We finally sucked it up and got one and the kids love it. Today all three of them played in the backyard for quite a while and there was very little fighting. Ah, finally. I'm hoping that they continue to like it as much as they did today.
So now we start November. I can't believe we've been here for over four months and Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. Now that Halloween is over things have calmed down a little, but it's just going to ramp up as we get closer to the holidays. I'm still adjusting, but we're doing well and are starting to enjoy our new home and surroundings.
Things can only get better from here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)