Amanda: I want to go the park!
Me: I don't take little girls who disobey to the park.
Amanda: I'm not a baby!
Me: I didn't say baby, I said disobey.
Amanda: I'm not a dis-o-baby!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
What Do You Call It?
The terrible twos are a misnomer. None of my kids were terrible at two. They were go with the flow, they didn't talk back, they were relatively easy-going - as easy-going as a toddler can be. I'm probably remembering this all wrong, I should go back and look at old posts, but that's how it feels. The threes are a totally different story.
The first few months of three were pretty good, but I knew it wasn't going to last and it hasn't. Amanda is in full-on three mode and I do not have the energy for it. Whenever anybody does anything she doesn't like, she yells. Loudly. She cries, she whines and boy is she ever stubborn. I am stubborn and Charlie is stubborn so we make a great mix. Charlie is better at getting her to back off her crazy and do what we need or want her to do, but I am still working on that skill. I will probably never have it.
This morning I woke to the sound of Sarah and Amanda yelling at each other because Sarah wanted the blinds up and Amanda wanted them down. Yelling, yelling, yelling. We used to yell a lot when I was growing up, I don't know how my parents could stand it. It took me awhile but I finally broke the habit of being a loud person and moved more towards the quiet side, but it's really hard to stay quiet in this house.
I remember when Andy was about Sarah's age and Sarah was Amanda's age and he just couldn't understand why she did the things she did and didn't have his level of understanding. It's like deja vu, we're doing it again. I'm constantly telling Sarah the reason that Amanda does things or doesn't do things or doesn't understand is because she's three. No matter how many times I tell her that, she still doesn't get it. These kids do not understand why their younger sibling, who can talk and interact and seem to know how to do everything, doesn't think the same way they do.
So Andy fights with Sarah, Sarah fights with Amanda, Andy fights with Amanda, and the biggest loser of all is me. I spent most of this week with Amanda who has gotten a double whammy butt kicking of daylight saving time change and horrible allergies related to the crazy weather changes we are having here which makes her impossible to deal with. She won't eat breakfast because she doesn't like anything we have to eat, she wants a barrette in her hair but not a brown one (which is the only color I can find in the house or in any store) because she doesn't like brown, she wants to wear clothes that don't match and shoes that are too small and she doesn't want to go to school because she just wants to be with me all day. Presumably so that she can fight with me continually until I break down and shut her up with candy. She really thinks that will work.
On top of that the bulb in our t.v. went out on Tuesday so she can't even rest and veg on the couch in front of the t.v. because it doesn't work. I know, first world problems.
So, I don't know the fancy rhyming term they give to three year olds that turn your household upside down, but I know we're there in full force. I'm hoping four will be better, but if I remember correctly four is just a lot more whining. Like incessant whining to a point that you think they don't know how to talk normally anymore. I can do it, I can make it to that, if I can just get through this week which for no reason whatsoever seemed like the longest week ever.
The first few months of three were pretty good, but I knew it wasn't going to last and it hasn't. Amanda is in full-on three mode and I do not have the energy for it. Whenever anybody does anything she doesn't like, she yells. Loudly. She cries, she whines and boy is she ever stubborn. I am stubborn and Charlie is stubborn so we make a great mix. Charlie is better at getting her to back off her crazy and do what we need or want her to do, but I am still working on that skill. I will probably never have it.
This morning I woke to the sound of Sarah and Amanda yelling at each other because Sarah wanted the blinds up and Amanda wanted them down. Yelling, yelling, yelling. We used to yell a lot when I was growing up, I don't know how my parents could stand it. It took me awhile but I finally broke the habit of being a loud person and moved more towards the quiet side, but it's really hard to stay quiet in this house.
I remember when Andy was about Sarah's age and Sarah was Amanda's age and he just couldn't understand why she did the things she did and didn't have his level of understanding. It's like deja vu, we're doing it again. I'm constantly telling Sarah the reason that Amanda does things or doesn't do things or doesn't understand is because she's three. No matter how many times I tell her that, she still doesn't get it. These kids do not understand why their younger sibling, who can talk and interact and seem to know how to do everything, doesn't think the same way they do.
So Andy fights with Sarah, Sarah fights with Amanda, Andy fights with Amanda, and the biggest loser of all is me. I spent most of this week with Amanda who has gotten a double whammy butt kicking of daylight saving time change and horrible allergies related to the crazy weather changes we are having here which makes her impossible to deal with. She won't eat breakfast because she doesn't like anything we have to eat, she wants a barrette in her hair but not a brown one (which is the only color I can find in the house or in any store) because she doesn't like brown, she wants to wear clothes that don't match and shoes that are too small and she doesn't want to go to school because she just wants to be with me all day. Presumably so that she can fight with me continually until I break down and shut her up with candy. She really thinks that will work.
On top of that the bulb in our t.v. went out on Tuesday so she can't even rest and veg on the couch in front of the t.v. because it doesn't work. I know, first world problems.
So, I don't know the fancy rhyming term they give to three year olds that turn your household upside down, but I know we're there in full force. I'm hoping four will be better, but if I remember correctly four is just a lot more whining. Like incessant whining to a point that you think they don't know how to talk normally anymore. I can do it, I can make it to that, if I can just get through this week which for no reason whatsoever seemed like the longest week ever.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
The Challenge
In early November Andy and I went to a meeting about joining a Destination Imagination team. Honestly, I don't know all the details, but the basic gist is that the kids form teams in certain age groups consisting of 2-7 kids and they choose a challenge they would like to complete from a list of about seven. The challenges are all different and appeal to different academic and creative strengths. There are several rules that go along with Destination Imagination, but the biggest one is that the kids have to do everything themselves. There are parent coaches that guide the kids and help them think about different ways to do things, but in the end the kids have to do every part of it and the parents can't help.
Soon after the meeting his team was formed and they started practicing once a week. They decided to do the "structural" challenge so had to put a plan together of what they were going to build, how they were going to build it, what materials they were going to use and so forth. They also had to put a skit together and practice Instant Challenges, which are two random short challenges that they have to do between their skit and structure presentation where they are given a whole bunch of random things then they have to create something from in just a few minutes. Kind of like that part in the movie "Apollo" when the people at NASA have to find a way to put a circle into a square hole with only the pieces that are available on the spaceship.
The idea behind it is awesome, but the time commitment is huge. Okay, not so. They practiced once a week for a few months and that was no big deal. The time commitment the last two weeks leading up to the competition is huge. For the past two weeks those kids practiced almost every night and this last week Charlie, who is an assistant coach, practiced instant challenges with them every morning before school. Which meant the whole family was involved by eating early so Andy could go to practice, getting Andy to and from practice and finding all the crazy items needed to practice instant challenges. Every night as Charlie was planning for the next morning it was "do we have any pipe cleaners and where are they?", "do we have any paper plates and where do we keep them?", "where are the ping pong balls?", "do we have any brown paper bags?", etc.
Everything came down the the final competition on Saturday and then a snow storm was predicted and they cancelled (or postponed) it. All that work and they didn't even get to complete. That was disappointing and not knowing when they are going to reschedule is a little unsettling, but the good thing is that we now had an entire weekend with no plans and a lot of snow coming down outside.
So, we had a nice pancake breakfast, which we do most Saturday mornings, and then decided on a family game of Monopoly. Of course we had to set a no crying rule before we started (mostly for Sarah), but with a lot of help from Charlie it wasn't an issue anyway because Sarah kicked everybody's butt big time. After our game Charlie went outside with the kids to shovel and build a snowman and then when they came in we all snuggled down in the basement and watched a movie. This morning we took the girls to swim class and on the way home noticed a bunch of people sledding at the high school down the street from our house so we went home and changed and then took the kids sledding. Then we went out to lunch and took the kids to play at the gym.
By the end of the day the kids were sick of each other which designated to us that we had a very good family weekend. A lot of work all week to get to this point, but in the end it was worth it because I know the kids aren't going to forget Monopoly, snowman building and sledding anytime soon.
Soon after the meeting his team was formed and they started practicing once a week. They decided to do the "structural" challenge so had to put a plan together of what they were going to build, how they were going to build it, what materials they were going to use and so forth. They also had to put a skit together and practice Instant Challenges, which are two random short challenges that they have to do between their skit and structure presentation where they are given a whole bunch of random things then they have to create something from in just a few minutes. Kind of like that part in the movie "Apollo" when the people at NASA have to find a way to put a circle into a square hole with only the pieces that are available on the spaceship.
The idea behind it is awesome, but the time commitment is huge. Okay, not so. They practiced once a week for a few months and that was no big deal. The time commitment the last two weeks leading up to the competition is huge. For the past two weeks those kids practiced almost every night and this last week Charlie, who is an assistant coach, practiced instant challenges with them every morning before school. Which meant the whole family was involved by eating early so Andy could go to practice, getting Andy to and from practice and finding all the crazy items needed to practice instant challenges. Every night as Charlie was planning for the next morning it was "do we have any pipe cleaners and where are they?", "do we have any paper plates and where do we keep them?", "where are the ping pong balls?", "do we have any brown paper bags?", etc.
Everything came down the the final competition on Saturday and then a snow storm was predicted and they cancelled (or postponed) it. All that work and they didn't even get to complete. That was disappointing and not knowing when they are going to reschedule is a little unsettling, but the good thing is that we now had an entire weekend with no plans and a lot of snow coming down outside.
So, we had a nice pancake breakfast, which we do most Saturday mornings, and then decided on a family game of Monopoly. Of course we had to set a no crying rule before we started (mostly for Sarah), but with a lot of help from Charlie it wasn't an issue anyway because Sarah kicked everybody's butt big time. After our game Charlie went outside with the kids to shovel and build a snowman and then when they came in we all snuggled down in the basement and watched a movie. This morning we took the girls to swim class and on the way home noticed a bunch of people sledding at the high school down the street from our house so we went home and changed and then took the kids sledding. Then we went out to lunch and took the kids to play at the gym.
By the end of the day the kids were sick of each other which designated to us that we had a very good family weekend. A lot of work all week to get to this point, but in the end it was worth it because I know the kids aren't going to forget Monopoly, snowman building and sledding anytime soon.
Monday, March 4, 2013
The Big 1-0
Last week was Andy's 10th birthday. It was a huge deal to him. I don't remember 10 being that big of a deal, but honestly my brain is fried and I don't remember that much from my childhood. Well, I remember stuff, just not whether or not I thought being 10 was a big deal. But for Andy, big deal. In fact, he told me he was a tween now. I'm not so sure of that, but whatever, I don't care that much and I don't want to burst his bubble.
Anyway, part of the reason the entire family went with me on my 1/2 marathon trip was because it was Andy's birthday. I didn't really think it would be fair if I was in Disney World the day before Andy's birthday and when we asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said a trip to Universal. So we just did it all at once.
The day before his birthday we went to Animal Kingdom. I told him to get a birthday pin, the ones they hand out for free at the parks that say "It's My Birthday" and a space to write your name underneath, but he wasn't excited about it. Then I told him about how we went to Disney on my birthday a couple of years ago and I got one and EVERYBODY who works at Disney tells you "Happy Birthday". It's nuts. That kind of got him excited so he decided he was willing to wear one. It was amazing how many people wished him happy birthday. When we were watching the parade at least four people in the parade told him happy birthday. The kid had a giant smile on all day.
On his actual birthday I took him to Universal while Charlie took the girls to the Magic Kingdom, which to Andy was the best gift of all. A day with Mom (or Dad would have been cool too) without his sisters. We basically did everything he wanted to do all day, except that after a few rides I realized that I wasn't young and carefree anymore and I couldn't handle roller coasters. So he still got to ride what he wanted, I just stood in line with him, watched him get on, and then was there when he got off. When I was a kid I never understood why my mom would come to the amusement parks with us and never ride. She would always wait by the exit with a book. Now I get it.
The day after his birthday we all went to the Magic Kingdom and he wore his button again. The birthday magic returned. We were even sitting in a Belle "show" and she stopped talking to everyone, wished Andy happy birthday and then talked to him for a few moments in front of everybody before continuing her performance. It was pretty awesome.
All in all, I think the kid had a great, memorable 10th birthday. As it should be, even though I don't remember mine and I turned out okay. Next weekend he's having a very small party and inviting two kids to spend the night and have a video game bonanza, a movie and possibly a hockey game if I can get everything planned on time.
Happy Birthday kiddo!
Anyway, part of the reason the entire family went with me on my 1/2 marathon trip was because it was Andy's birthday. I didn't really think it would be fair if I was in Disney World the day before Andy's birthday and when we asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said a trip to Universal. So we just did it all at once.
The day before his birthday we went to Animal Kingdom. I told him to get a birthday pin, the ones they hand out for free at the parks that say "It's My Birthday" and a space to write your name underneath, but he wasn't excited about it. Then I told him about how we went to Disney on my birthday a couple of years ago and I got one and EVERYBODY who works at Disney tells you "Happy Birthday". It's nuts. That kind of got him excited so he decided he was willing to wear one. It was amazing how many people wished him happy birthday. When we were watching the parade at least four people in the parade told him happy birthday. The kid had a giant smile on all day.
On his actual birthday I took him to Universal while Charlie took the girls to the Magic Kingdom, which to Andy was the best gift of all. A day with Mom (or Dad would have been cool too) without his sisters. We basically did everything he wanted to do all day, except that after a few rides I realized that I wasn't young and carefree anymore and I couldn't handle roller coasters. So he still got to ride what he wanted, I just stood in line with him, watched him get on, and then was there when he got off. When I was a kid I never understood why my mom would come to the amusement parks with us and never ride. She would always wait by the exit with a book. Now I get it.
The day after his birthday we all went to the Magic Kingdom and he wore his button again. The birthday magic returned. We were even sitting in a Belle "show" and she stopped talking to everyone, wished Andy happy birthday and then talked to him for a few moments in front of everybody before continuing her performance. It was pretty awesome.
All in all, I think the kid had a great, memorable 10th birthday. As it should be, even though I don't remember mine and I turned out okay. Next weekend he's having a very small party and inviting two kids to spend the night and have a video game bonanza, a movie and possibly a hockey game if I can get everything planned on time.
Happy Birthday kiddo!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Kid Quote of the Day
Me: Amanda, can you turn the volume down on your game.
Amanda: But then I can't hear it.
Me: I can hear it from here, you will still be able to hear it.
Amanda: But you have big ears. I have little ears and need it louder.
Amanda: But then I can't hear it.
Me: I can hear it from here, you will still be able to hear it.
Amanda: But you have big ears. I have little ears and need it louder.
Princess 1/2 Marathon
Friday the whole family left for Orlando so I could do the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon. I was going to get in one last post before we left, but Charlie was working late and I was trying to pack when the kids were being crazy and unhelpful and before you knew it I ran out of time. The story of my life. Oh well, all I would have told you is that we were all going to Orlando for the Princess 1/2 Marathon, so you're hearing it now.
Originally I thought I would come by myself, but the race was on Sunday and Andy's birthday was on Monday and that was a great excuse for bringing the kids along. I was starting to question that judgement as I was begrudgingly packing, but in the end it worked out great. We arrived late on Friday and didn't get to our rental house until around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning. Saturday we didn't have much planned so we took the kids mini golfing and then grabbed some lunch while we waited for Charlie's mom and my race partner, April, to arrive. Not together, they were just both arriving around the same time. Charlie invited his mom to come because he thought it would be a nice chance for us to see her and for her to see the kids' excitement at Disney. I hope she had as much fun with them as they had with her.
Saturday afternoon April and I went to register and get our race packs and check out the expo and Charlie and the kids swam and then went to the park. We didn't stay up too late because everybody was tired and we had to get up at 3 a.m. for the race. Ugh!
We got up at 3 a.m. and left by 3:30 a.m. and the only hitch was that in my rush to get to the alarm clock I ran into the bed post and got a huge instant bruise on my thigh - and I didn't get there before the alarm. It didn't really bug me too much, except I have found that the kids lean on my leg a lot when sitting next to me, but I do now have a bruise that is bigger than the palm of my hand and it doesn't look like it's going away anytime soon.
We got to the race with plenty of time and then we waited for our start time. we were there by about 4:00-4:15 a.m. and we didn't even cross the start line until around 6:20 a.m. About 1.5 miles into the race we saw the leader on the other side of the road getting ready to finish. She was flying by and we had just started. We joked later that by the time we finished the race she was probably already on an airplane home.
The race itself was great and a lot of fun but a little warm, in the low seventies, and very humid. On top of that the course was very narrow in a few spots so that we actually had to slow down and didn't get to pass anybody or go as fast as we wanted. In the end we beat our time from the last race by 24 seconds, so we were happy that our time improved, even though it was not by very much. We have strong hopes for next time.
Will there be a next time? Of course. We are already planning out the next few races, I just hope Charlie doesn't have any objections to me leaving for a few more long distance race weekends. Someday I hope the kids can race with me, but for now I'll just try to enjoy the training and the fact that I've completed a few 1/2 marathons.
Originally I thought I would come by myself, but the race was on Sunday and Andy's birthday was on Monday and that was a great excuse for bringing the kids along. I was starting to question that judgement as I was begrudgingly packing, but in the end it worked out great. We arrived late on Friday and didn't get to our rental house until around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning. Saturday we didn't have much planned so we took the kids mini golfing and then grabbed some lunch while we waited for Charlie's mom and my race partner, April, to arrive. Not together, they were just both arriving around the same time. Charlie invited his mom to come because he thought it would be a nice chance for us to see her and for her to see the kids' excitement at Disney. I hope she had as much fun with them as they had with her.
Saturday afternoon April and I went to register and get our race packs and check out the expo and Charlie and the kids swam and then went to the park. We didn't stay up too late because everybody was tired and we had to get up at 3 a.m. for the race. Ugh!
We got up at 3 a.m. and left by 3:30 a.m. and the only hitch was that in my rush to get to the alarm clock I ran into the bed post and got a huge instant bruise on my thigh - and I didn't get there before the alarm. It didn't really bug me too much, except I have found that the kids lean on my leg a lot when sitting next to me, but I do now have a bruise that is bigger than the palm of my hand and it doesn't look like it's going away anytime soon.
We got to the race with plenty of time and then we waited for our start time. we were there by about 4:00-4:15 a.m. and we didn't even cross the start line until around 6:20 a.m. About 1.5 miles into the race we saw the leader on the other side of the road getting ready to finish. She was flying by and we had just started. We joked later that by the time we finished the race she was probably already on an airplane home.
The race itself was great and a lot of fun but a little warm, in the low seventies, and very humid. On top of that the course was very narrow in a few spots so that we actually had to slow down and didn't get to pass anybody or go as fast as we wanted. In the end we beat our time from the last race by 24 seconds, so we were happy that our time improved, even though it was not by very much. We have strong hopes for next time.
Will there be a next time? Of course. We are already planning out the next few races, I just hope Charlie doesn't have any objections to me leaving for a few more long distance race weekends. Someday I hope the kids can race with me, but for now I'll just try to enjoy the training and the fact that I've completed a few 1/2 marathons.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Kid Quote of the Day
Amanda: I can't see the sun.
Me: It's right there, see where I'm pointing?
Amanda: That's not the sun. It's a circle in the sky that looks like the sun, but it's not the sun.
Um, okay. An example of why it's useless the argue with a three yr old.
Me: It's right there, see where I'm pointing?
Amanda: That's not the sun. It's a circle in the sky that looks like the sun, but it's not the sun.
Um, okay. An example of why it's useless the argue with a three yr old.
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