I put Connor to bed on Friday nights. We have taken to telling stories instead of reading them. This Friday I told him the story of how he got all the stuffed animals on his bed, which is plenty. "Me and Daddy got Rocky for you when we went to Colorado. You were in my belly." and "Papa Craig gave Cowboy to Maddy and she gave him to you."
Then I told him the story of when he was born. I told him how at 2:00 in the morning I woke up and told Daddy that the baby was on it's way! I told him that we got to the hospital at 4:30 and they said "Yup! The baby is coming!" I told him how they gave me some medicine and he came out of my belly. (Just that easy!) I mentioned how we didn't know if he was going to be a girl or boy so when he came out Daddy said "It's a boy!"
"Did you know I was boy because of my short hair?"
"No. We knew you were a boy because you have a peanut."
That was so hilarious that he actually choked himself laughing.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Murderer on the Loose
There was a murder by my house. One subdivision over a lady was shot in her home at point blank range. Murdered.
I didn't know her but I have a friend whose kids knew her kids. She had 4 kids. She was killed at about 3:00 in the afternoon, right when her Jr. High student was coming home. I just think about how this past summer was the last summer she will spend with her kids. How she went school clothes shopping for the last time. How she got up in the morning, made lunches, sent her kids off to school like a normal day. Not knowing it would be the last time they would see each other. She was probably waiting for them to come home not knowing she would be dead by the time they got there. My heart is breaking for them.
The killer was her daughters boyfriend. Or ex-boyfriend maybe. I don't know the details but she had probably told the daughter to break up with him because he was bad news. Probably violent. And does it make it better that it wasn't just a random crime? Not for them it doesn't, but for me it does. At least I'm safe from this particular horror... for now.
The kid was on the loose for about 2 hours. They thought he might be hiding in our subdivision. There were cops EVERYWERE. They had so much trouble finding him because all the schools were letting out right then and there were kids all over the place. Even the sniffer dogs were having trouble keeping his scent because of all the people walking every direction. Of course this is all happening right when my kids are getting off the bus at 3:45.
Which only makes me think back to just last week when the bus driver let my kids off at the wrong bus stop. I felt like I was being crazy for getting so upset about it. I felt like everyone was snickering behind my back for how mad I was. What did I think, that a murderer was hiding around the corner? Well... yeah, maybe. And then 5 days later there really is a murderer hiding in our subdivision. So there! I told you so!
I didn't know her but I have a friend whose kids knew her kids. She had 4 kids. She was killed at about 3:00 in the afternoon, right when her Jr. High student was coming home. I just think about how this past summer was the last summer she will spend with her kids. How she went school clothes shopping for the last time. How she got up in the morning, made lunches, sent her kids off to school like a normal day. Not knowing it would be the last time they would see each other. She was probably waiting for them to come home not knowing she would be dead by the time they got there. My heart is breaking for them.
The killer was her daughters boyfriend. Or ex-boyfriend maybe. I don't know the details but she had probably told the daughter to break up with him because he was bad news. Probably violent. And does it make it better that it wasn't just a random crime? Not for them it doesn't, but for me it does. At least I'm safe from this particular horror... for now.
The kid was on the loose for about 2 hours. They thought he might be hiding in our subdivision. There were cops EVERYWERE. They had so much trouble finding him because all the schools were letting out right then and there were kids all over the place. Even the sniffer dogs were having trouble keeping his scent because of all the people walking every direction. Of course this is all happening right when my kids are getting off the bus at 3:45.
Which only makes me think back to just last week when the bus driver let my kids off at the wrong bus stop. I felt like I was being crazy for getting so upset about it. I felt like everyone was snickering behind my back for how mad I was. What did I think, that a murderer was hiding around the corner? Well... yeah, maybe. And then 5 days later there really is a murderer hiding in our subdivision. So there! I told you so!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
First Day of Kindergarten!
Well the first week of school is over. Everyone is very happy. Connor is so proud of himself. He feels like such a big kid now, especially since he has some experience at that school because he went to preschool there. So he knows the layout and sees his old teacher in the halls. I think that gives him a lot of confidence and security. It's not all brand new.
Maddy is moving up in the world too. In 4th grade they move upstairs in the school, which is big kid. They also move to the big kid playground. Very exciting. Her classroom is laid out much more big kid too. Rows of desks instead of tables. They are really starting to transition into jr. high. Jr. High! Ok, breathe, it's still 3 years away.
And you know it's not the official start of school until I get into a fight with the bus driver. Allow me to remind you of last year. I never finished the story last year but after much drama they moved the bus stop to the park, which is the best bus stop in the whole wide world.
So this year when the flyer came out saying where the bus stop is they put it back at the bad bus stop. The one that caused all the drama to begin with. I tell myself to say out of it. I tried to stay out of it last year but that didn't happen. I tell myself I don't care, just stay out of it. So my friend emailed the bus boss and asked what was going on. He said it was mistake and the bus stop will be at the park.
Fine.
On the first day of school the bus driver says no, the bus stop will be at the old spot until they can "officially" change it. My friend told her that her boss said this was the stop. She didn't like it.
So after school on the very first day Larry and I and other parents are waiting at the park, the good bus stop. The bus pulls up and I'm all excited to see Connor's face as he gets off the bus for the very first time. I got the camera ready and everything.
The bus driver says to me "Your kids are at the other stop."
"What?!"
"Your kids got off at the other stop."
Why on flipping earth did she let me kids off at another stop? So Larry and I go running over there. I was so mad. I wasn't there when Connor got off the bus!! Maddy was crying because she knew she had made a mistake. But I wasn't mad at her. I was mad at the bus driver. I was so so so mad.
So I called her boss. Convienently I have his number in my phone from last year. They wanted me to leave a message for him. That wasn't going to happen. I told them I would wait. They tried to explain that they didn't know how long it would be.
"I'm extermely upset. I'm not leaving a message, no one is going to call me back, I'm talking to someone right now. I'll wait."
I didn't have to wait long. He got right on the phone. I tried to hold it together, really, I did. He is already fully aware of all the back and forth that has occured. I tell him "She left my kindergartener standing on the side of the road by himself!" I started to cry. I tell him that I was waiting at the other bus stop and she let Connor off at the wrong stop!
He said he would talk to her and change the bus stop officially to the park. The next day everyone came home with a letter saying the bus stop was moved to the park. Jeeze! I don't know why I have to get involved before anything gets accomplished. I tried to stay out of it!
Maddy is moving up in the world too. In 4th grade they move upstairs in the school, which is big kid. They also move to the big kid playground. Very exciting. Her classroom is laid out much more big kid too. Rows of desks instead of tables. They are really starting to transition into jr. high. Jr. High! Ok, breathe, it's still 3 years away.
And you know it's not the official start of school until I get into a fight with the bus driver. Allow me to remind you of last year. I never finished the story last year but after much drama they moved the bus stop to the park, which is the best bus stop in the whole wide world.
So this year when the flyer came out saying where the bus stop is they put it back at the bad bus stop. The one that caused all the drama to begin with. I tell myself to say out of it. I tried to stay out of it last year but that didn't happen. I tell myself I don't care, just stay out of it. So my friend emailed the bus boss and asked what was going on. He said it was mistake and the bus stop will be at the park.
Fine.
On the first day of school the bus driver says no, the bus stop will be at the old spot until they can "officially" change it. My friend told her that her boss said this was the stop. She didn't like it.
So after school on the very first day Larry and I and other parents are waiting at the park, the good bus stop. The bus pulls up and I'm all excited to see Connor's face as he gets off the bus for the very first time. I got the camera ready and everything.
The bus driver says to me "Your kids are at the other stop."
"What?!"
"Your kids got off at the other stop."
Why on flipping earth did she let me kids off at another stop? So Larry and I go running over there. I was so mad. I wasn't there when Connor got off the bus!! Maddy was crying because she knew she had made a mistake. But I wasn't mad at her. I was mad at the bus driver. I was so so so mad.
So I called her boss. Convienently I have his number in my phone from last year. They wanted me to leave a message for him. That wasn't going to happen. I told them I would wait. They tried to explain that they didn't know how long it would be.
"I'm extermely upset. I'm not leaving a message, no one is going to call me back, I'm talking to someone right now. I'll wait."
I didn't have to wait long. He got right on the phone. I tried to hold it together, really, I did. He is already fully aware of all the back and forth that has occured. I tell him "She left my kindergartener standing on the side of the road by himself!" I started to cry. I tell him that I was waiting at the other bus stop and she let Connor off at the wrong stop!
He said he would talk to her and change the bus stop officially to the park. The next day everyone came home with a letter saying the bus stop was moved to the park. Jeeze! I don't know why I have to get involved before anything gets accomplished. I tried to stay out of it!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Chinese Food
There is a show on Nickelodeon called Ni Hao, Kai-lan that Connor loves. I've never really watched it but it's about a Chinese girl. I don't know if it takes place in China or what, but it's Chinese themed.
A few weeks back we were in the pool and some older boys mentioned the show. Connor just lit up! He loves that show. But then before he could say anything to them one of the boys said "That show is for babies." Which just crushed Connor. I was interested to see how this would play out.
I kinda half forgot about it but I noticed recently that now when he watches the show he sings the theme song but adds the word "stupid" into it. And then the other day he was in the living room with me and it came on in the family room. He said "UH! Ni Hao, Kai-lan is on." kind of angry about it but then rushed in there to watch it. Like he was mad at himself for liking it.
So I followed him in there and said "Oh, this is such a good show." and watched the whole thing with him.
Well! Since then Connor has gotten interested in all things Chinese. He knows a couple Chinese words. He can count to three in Chinese. He knows the Chinese characters for a couple of numbers. "The symbol for the number 8 looks like a moustache." he says. I think he has been taking notes this whole time but keeping them to himself since he didn't want anyone to know that he's been watching this baby show.
He told me the other day that he wanted to go to a Chinese restaurant. Ok, well... that's new. We never eat Chinese. I thought we could go down to Panda Express or something. No. It had to be a real Chinese restaurant with Chinese lights hanging from the ceiling. This was going to take some research.
I found a place that I was hoping would fit the bill. It got good reviews and was reasonably priced. I just had to cross my fingers that it had Chinese lanterns on the ceiling. They didn't mention any authentic decor on their website.
We headed down there on Saturday afternoon. Much to our delight they DID have some Chinese lanterns. I was supposed to ask the waiter if he spoke Chinese so that Connor could practice his Chinese words but I didn't. I felt kinda weird about it and Connor didn't bring it up so I let it slide. Besides, I think he would have been too embarrassed anyways. Maybe next time.
The food was very good and Connor did a great job and tried everything. We got him sweet and sour chicken with fried rice. It came with Egg Drop soup and an egg roll. He liked the outer shell of the egg roll and said he liked the soup but didn't eat much of it. He ate all the fried rice and a bit of the chicken.
I was so proud of him! He really stepped out of his comfort zone on this one.
A few weeks back we were in the pool and some older boys mentioned the show. Connor just lit up! He loves that show. But then before he could say anything to them one of the boys said "That show is for babies." Which just crushed Connor. I was interested to see how this would play out.
I kinda half forgot about it but I noticed recently that now when he watches the show he sings the theme song but adds the word "stupid" into it. And then the other day he was in the living room with me and it came on in the family room. He said "UH! Ni Hao, Kai-lan is on." kind of angry about it but then rushed in there to watch it. Like he was mad at himself for liking it.
So I followed him in there and said "Oh, this is such a good show." and watched the whole thing with him.
Well! Since then Connor has gotten interested in all things Chinese. He knows a couple Chinese words. He can count to three in Chinese. He knows the Chinese characters for a couple of numbers. "The symbol for the number 8 looks like a moustache." he says. I think he has been taking notes this whole time but keeping them to himself since he didn't want anyone to know that he's been watching this baby show.
He told me the other day that he wanted to go to a Chinese restaurant. Ok, well... that's new. We never eat Chinese. I thought we could go down to Panda Express or something. No. It had to be a real Chinese restaurant with Chinese lights hanging from the ceiling. This was going to take some research.
I found a place that I was hoping would fit the bill. It got good reviews and was reasonably priced. I just had to cross my fingers that it had Chinese lanterns on the ceiling. They didn't mention any authentic decor on their website.
We headed down there on Saturday afternoon. Much to our delight they DID have some Chinese lanterns. I was supposed to ask the waiter if he spoke Chinese so that Connor could practice his Chinese words but I didn't. I felt kinda weird about it and Connor didn't bring it up so I let it slide. Besides, I think he would have been too embarrassed anyways. Maybe next time.
The food was very good and Connor did a great job and tried everything. We got him sweet and sour chicken with fried rice. It came with Egg Drop soup and an egg roll. He liked the outer shell of the egg roll and said he liked the soup but didn't eat much of it. He ate all the fried rice and a bit of the chicken.
I was so proud of him! He really stepped out of his comfort zone on this one.
Friday, July 29, 2011
12 Days!
School starts in less than two weeks! Can ya believe it? I'm trying to put it out of my mind. Not because I feel sad about it. Oh no. It's because when I let reality really sink in that I'm going to be home alone for 8 hours a day, free to do whatever I please, an excitement wells up in my chest that I feel pretty guilty about.
Plus some place deep inside me worries that if I get too excited it will be taken away. So I'm not focusing on it. I'm trying to be sad. I really am.
We went to "Kindergarten Roundup" last week. The teachers took the kids to "evaluate" them and the grown ups got a tour of the school. It was a big waste of time as far as I'm concerned but Connor had a blast. He came back ready to get started.
I made the HUGE mistake of telling him that he will get music classes. I thought that was a good thing considering his love and enthusiasm of all things musical. I, very casually, mentioned that he would do a Kindergarten musical. You know, sing on the stage.
oops.
Every 15 minutes for the next two days I had to assure him that it will be fine. "You know what sweetie, it's about one year away. You really don't have to worry about it right now." We seem to have no passed that trauma. I'll be sure not to mention it again.
12 days and counting!
Plus some place deep inside me worries that if I get too excited it will be taken away. So I'm not focusing on it. I'm trying to be sad. I really am.
We went to "Kindergarten Roundup" last week. The teachers took the kids to "evaluate" them and the grown ups got a tour of the school. It was a big waste of time as far as I'm concerned but Connor had a blast. He came back ready to get started.
I made the HUGE mistake of telling him that he will get music classes. I thought that was a good thing considering his love and enthusiasm of all things musical. I, very casually, mentioned that he would do a Kindergarten musical. You know, sing on the stage.
oops.
Every 15 minutes for the next two days I had to assure him that it will be fine. "You know what sweetie, it's about one year away. You really don't have to worry about it right now." We seem to have no passed that trauma. I'll be sure not to mention it again.
12 days and counting!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
New Year's Resolutions!
Guess what? We are half way through the year and you know what that means?! New Year's Resolution check in time!! We have to think of a catchier name for that. NYRCHIT ehh.
Ah yes, New Years Resolutions... remember those pesky things? Let's review...
My 3 Resolutions were:
1. Paint the living room: Done!! Aww yeah.
2. Read 25 books: Half done. So we are on track for this one. Sweet!
3. Pay off all non mortgage debt: Working on it. Should have this done by November.
Hitting this out of the park this year! Oh yeah.
Happy 4th of July!!
Ah yes, New Years Resolutions... remember those pesky things? Let's review...
My 3 Resolutions were:
1. Paint the living room: Done!! Aww yeah.
2. Read 25 books: Half done. So we are on track for this one. Sweet!
3. Pay off all non mortgage debt: Working on it. Should have this done by November.
Hitting this out of the park this year! Oh yeah.
Happy 4th of July!!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Swimming
We have been living in the pool which is my Summertime dream. Sometimes Connor just randomly comes down stairs in his bathing suit. You know, in case the opportunity arises to swim. He wants to be ready. He has been teaching himself to swim and he's doing awesome!!
When we started the summer he would touch his face to the water and then spit and sputter for five minutes as he cleared every last drop from his face. Then he got more confident about putting his whole face in the water. He would also motor around the pool in the middle of a blow up ring. He could go anywhere in that thing.
Then one time we were up there and there were some older boys playing catch across the whole length of the pool. He wanted to play and they were letting him catch and throw the ball every few throws. But he couldn't really do it with his ring on. So he took it off.
He is tall enough to touch the bottom in the shallow end so he hopped around over there playing catch with the big boys. It was great. He got some confidence being in the pool without his tube on.
He practiced this new skill for a while and decided he liked being without his tube. Awesome. In fact, he doesn't even bring it to the pool anymore. He got more and more confident in the pool and was putting his face in the water (which he calls diving) a lot better but still wouldn't go under all the way.
Then my niece and nephew came over. My niece is one. She goes under... all the way. There was no way on Earth that Connor was going to let a one year baby girl show him up. So under he went.
Awww... yeah.
Now he does "cannonballs", which means sliding in from the side on his butt as slow as steady as possible and then while holding on to the side of the pool goes under the water. A Connor Cannonball.
He will also hold on to the side with both hands, put his face in the water, and kick. Gosh that is as close to swimming as a human can get!
In the kidde pool he will stand in the middle and glide himself the 3 feed over to the side. Which again, is almost actual swimming. He's so close I can taste it! I keep waiting for the moment he decides he's going for it.
One thing he will NOT do is let me touch him. He freaks if I even act like I'm going to touch him in the pool. "No Mommy NOO!!" Gosh, I mean seriously. What am I going to do?
But anyways, my goal was to have that boy swimming by the end of summer. I think we are in good shape!
When we started the summer he would touch his face to the water and then spit and sputter for five minutes as he cleared every last drop from his face. Then he got more confident about putting his whole face in the water. He would also motor around the pool in the middle of a blow up ring. He could go anywhere in that thing.
Then one time we were up there and there were some older boys playing catch across the whole length of the pool. He wanted to play and they were letting him catch and throw the ball every few throws. But he couldn't really do it with his ring on. So he took it off.
He is tall enough to touch the bottom in the shallow end so he hopped around over there playing catch with the big boys. It was great. He got some confidence being in the pool without his tube on.
He practiced this new skill for a while and decided he liked being without his tube. Awesome. In fact, he doesn't even bring it to the pool anymore. He got more and more confident in the pool and was putting his face in the water (which he calls diving) a lot better but still wouldn't go under all the way.
Then my niece and nephew came over. My niece is one. She goes under... all the way. There was no way on Earth that Connor was going to let a one year baby girl show him up. So under he went.
Awww... yeah.
Now he does "cannonballs", which means sliding in from the side on his butt as slow as steady as possible and then while holding on to the side of the pool goes under the water. A Connor Cannonball.
He will also hold on to the side with both hands, put his face in the water, and kick. Gosh that is as close to swimming as a human can get!
In the kidde pool he will stand in the middle and glide himself the 3 feed over to the side. Which again, is almost actual swimming. He's so close I can taste it! I keep waiting for the moment he decides he's going for it.
One thing he will NOT do is let me touch him. He freaks if I even act like I'm going to touch him in the pool. "No Mommy NOO!!" Gosh, I mean seriously. What am I going to do?
But anyways, my goal was to have that boy swimming by the end of summer. I think we are in good shape!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Last day of school
Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?
Oh Hello! Nice to see you again. How have you been?
Big changes around here. Connor had his last day of preschool today. Which means that he's officially and kindergartener. Crazy. My emotions have been all over the place about that fact. I'm thrilled at the thought of having 8 hours a day kid free. EIGHT HOURS A DAY KID FREE!!! But I'm also sad to be losing my shadow. We have fun together. He's a cutie and I'll miss him quite a bit. I'm sad to think about it.
I went to Costco the other day while he was a preschool. I think it was the first time I had been to Costco alone. It was weird. Usually Connor and I will get lunch at their little cafeteria there but I really didn't want to sit there alone. That would be weird. So i was feeling sad to be there without him. There was a mom and her son sitting at one of the tables eating lunch and it made me really miss my little man.
When I picked him from preschool I told him about it.
Me: I went to Costco all by myself today!
Connor: So.
Well I was lonely without you. I saw another mom and little boy eating lunch and it made me miss you.
There was another boy there!
Yeah, and it made me miss you.
Was he the same age as me?
Yes, but that's not the point.
What was his name?
I don't know.
Do you think he will be there next time we go.
Connor... that's not the point. The point was that was missing you!
So clearly he's ready for school. Me? Not so much.
I'm also kinda nervous about what I'm going to do with myself. I feel a little pressure to actually be productive and not sit around here doing nothing. So what am I going to do? I don't exactly know.
Maddy's last day is tomorrow. She will be coming home as a fourth grader. That which is also crazy.
Oh Hello! Nice to see you again. How have you been?
Big changes around here. Connor had his last day of preschool today. Which means that he's officially and kindergartener. Crazy. My emotions have been all over the place about that fact. I'm thrilled at the thought of having 8 hours a day kid free. EIGHT HOURS A DAY KID FREE!!! But I'm also sad to be losing my shadow. We have fun together. He's a cutie and I'll miss him quite a bit. I'm sad to think about it.
I went to Costco the other day while he was a preschool. I think it was the first time I had been to Costco alone. It was weird. Usually Connor and I will get lunch at their little cafeteria there but I really didn't want to sit there alone. That would be weird. So i was feeling sad to be there without him. There was a mom and her son sitting at one of the tables eating lunch and it made me really miss my little man.
When I picked him from preschool I told him about it.
Me: I went to Costco all by myself today!
Connor: So.
Well I was lonely without you. I saw another mom and little boy eating lunch and it made me miss you.
There was another boy there!
Yeah, and it made me miss you.
Was he the same age as me?
Yes, but that's not the point.
What was his name?
I don't know.
Do you think he will be there next time we go.
Connor... that's not the point. The point was that was missing you!
So clearly he's ready for school. Me? Not so much.
I'm also kinda nervous about what I'm going to do with myself. I feel a little pressure to actually be productive and not sit around here doing nothing. So what am I going to do? I don't exactly know.
Maddy's last day is tomorrow. She will be coming home as a fourth grader. That which is also crazy.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The ghost of parties past
But it's not really fair since this picture was taken on Feb 4th, 2001. Three years BEFORE facebook waseven founded. I shouldn't have to be protecting myself from something that doesn't even exist. Am I doing something right now that will haunt me for the rest of my life? In 10 years will it be common knowledge not to sit in recliners while hungry? Come on.. everyone knows not to sit in recliners while hungry, jeeze what if your boss finds out! You'll never be able to get a job!
But the point of this post really isn't about facebook and ability to make you both a celebrity and the paparazzi at the same exact time. It was the amazing coincidence of the date that picture was taken. Feb 4th 2001.
There I was...
#1: I was pregnant with Maddy. Yup, I'm pregnant in that pic.. but I don't know it yet! See the smile? Totally clueless! In just a few days I would wake up and feel a little sick. Nah... I'm sure it's nothing. And then the next day I would wake up undeniably sick. And the day after that I would wake up and run to the bathroom knowing exactly what was wrong.
#2: In 5 years to the day of this picture I would give birth to Connor. To Connor! Married, homeowner, mother of two. WHAT?! That's crazy. In just 5 years from the date of this picture.
What would I say to my past self? Well, first I would say "put down that drink, you have a baby in your belly!" Then? I don't know... I'd tell myself to relax. It's ok, you don't have to try so hard. Everything is going to work out. Just do what you know is right... even if it's hard.
I'd probably be more specific, but I also wouldn't be posting it on the internet. And I can't just put all out there on the internet cause you know... what if my boss finds out!
Monday, February 28, 2011
The zity bus
Connor's class went on a field trip on a city bus the other day. No, they didn't take the city bus to their field trip... the city bus WAS the field trip. They went on a 30 minute bus ride around the city. (Budget cuts?) Connor was very excited about it.
Connor: "Guess what Mom!"
Me: "What."
"We got to ride on the zity bus!"
"I know!"
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"It has two doors, you go in one door and out the other door!"
"Cool!"
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"There is a yellow button but it was too high for me to push."
"Oh yeah."
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"When you push the yellow button there is a sign that says 'stop requested'"
"Oh yeah?!"
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"I sat next to Gavin on the zity bus"
"Oh good."
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"We pretended to put money in the... in the... money thing"
"Oh yeah."
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"You could have come because there was one extra seat."
"Were there any other Mommies on the city bus with you?"
"No."
"I think the ride was only for you and your friends."
"Yeah... but there was an extra seat... so you could have come."
Did you hear that!? I missed my chance to ride around for 30 minutes on the zity bus. Darn it!
Connor: "Guess what Mom!"
Me: "What."
"We got to ride on the zity bus!"
"I know!"
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"It has two doors, you go in one door and out the other door!"
"Cool!"
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"There is a yellow button but it was too high for me to push."
"Oh yeah."
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"When you push the yellow button there is a sign that says 'stop requested'"
"Oh yeah?!"
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"I sat next to Gavin on the zity bus"
"Oh good."
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"We pretended to put money in the... in the... money thing"
"Oh yeah."
"Guess what Mom!"
"What."
"You could have come because there was one extra seat."
"Were there any other Mommies on the city bus with you?"
"No."
"I think the ride was only for you and your friends."
"Yeah... but there was an extra seat... so you could have come."
Did you hear that!? I missed my chance to ride around for 30 minutes on the zity bus. Darn it!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Last weekend we finally took Connor's car seat out of the van. It was one of those car seats that goes from the little baby one with the 5 point harness to one that just used the seat belt. But even with the seat belt it was still a full on car seat with the hard side walls and everything. So now that's 5 and no longer needs to be in any kind of car seat whatsoever I moved him to a traditional booster seat. *eyeroll* I'm annoyed at myself for being so crazy about the whole car seat thing. I just stopped making Maddy sit in a booster less than a year ago. I'm sorry! I didn't MAKE her sit in it... I just never told her she could stop.
Not too much else is goin on. Connor is counting down until Kindergarten begins. (So am I... kinda)
Not too much else is goin on. Connor is counting down until Kindergarten begins. (So am I... kinda)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Lazy Girl
I am so lazy! Seriously. I've done nothing for two days and my kitchen looks like the trash exploded. (Are there counters under there?) Not cool.
I'll get to it just as soon as this episode of Desperate Housewives is over and I look up the original story line of "Peter and the Wolf" (Peter really does convince the hunters to take the wolf to the zoo.)
I actually kinda miss going to school. (Don't tell Larry.) It's easier to enjoy procrastinating when you actually have work to avoid.
Another reason (besides laziness) I haven't moved off the couch in 48 hours is because my knee has been bothering me. It's the running. I've been running if I haven't mentioned it. So I'm letting my knee rest, it's the responsible thing to do. I'm also researching better running shoes and have an ice pack chilling in the freezer as we speak. We'll see how that goes.
I'll get to it just as soon as this episode of Desperate Housewives is over and I look up the original story line of "Peter and the Wolf" (Peter really does convince the hunters to take the wolf to the zoo.)
I actually kinda miss going to school. (Don't tell Larry.) It's easier to enjoy procrastinating when you actually have work to avoid.
Another reason (besides laziness) I haven't moved off the couch in 48 hours is because my knee has been bothering me. It's the running. I've been running if I haven't mentioned it. So I'm letting my knee rest, it's the responsible thing to do. I'm also researching better running shoes and have an ice pack chilling in the freezer as we speak. We'll see how that goes.
I'm lazy. But it's the lazy people who invented the wheel and the bicycle because they didn't like walking or carrying things.
~Lech Walesa
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Chicken noodle soup
Me: "Barbecue sandwhiches."
Maddy: "I don't want a barbecue sandwhich."
Me: "Well I guess you will have to make dinner for yourself then."
Maddy taking a can of chicken noodle soup out of the pantry: "Can I have soup?"
Me: "Yup."
She starts to get the can opener out of the drawer but I point out that the can has a pop top. Then she asks for help with the pop top and when I look over I point out that she is opening it from the wrong end. After some nail biting moments and visions of chicken noodle soup flying across the room she finally gets it open. She pours the can's contents into a bowl and throws away the can.
Me: "Did you read the directions on the can? Do you know how to make it?"
Maddy digging the can out of the trash: "Cook in the microwave on high for 2 minutes."
Me: "The directions can't start there, there must be something before that."
Maddy: "Mix soup with one can of water. Oh." She puts the can down and starts to walk towards the sink.
Me: "You are going to need the can."
She goes back to the can, picks it up, and stands there.
Larry: "Do you know where the water is?"
Maddy: "Yeah." She puts down the can and starts to walk back to the sink.
Me: "You are going to need the can. It's one can of water. You need to fill up the can with water and add it to the soup"
Maddy: "ohhh." She picks up the can and goes to the sink.
Me: "Use the water out of the fridge, it will taste better."
Maddy: "But I was going to rinse it out first."
Me: "You don't need to rinse it out."
Maddy: "But there is soup in it."
Me: "Yeah, you wouldn't want to get soup in your soup!"
Finally she gets the bowl into the microwave.
Maddy: "Phew! Making dinner is HARD!"
Friday, February 4, 2011
The big 5
Happy Birthday Connor!! 5 years old today.
I have to say he isn't handling it very well. Maybe signing up for Kindergarten and turning 5 all in the same week was too much. We had also promised to take his car seat out of the car today and take the baby monitor out of his room. But perhaps that is too much change for him. He's not one for change after all.
He was kinda freaking out yesterday saying he didn't want to turn 5, that he just wanted to stay 4. I asked him how come and he said "What if I don't love you anymore?" awww... "Yes yes yes, you will still love me." and then when I put him down for a nap he asked if he will still fit in his bed when he is 5.
What a sweetie he is. I guess he thought he was just going to wake up in the morning a full grown man. How do you explain that, after all the build up, a birthday isn't really that big of a deal?
He's doing a little better today. Not really excited about it but only freaking out a little bit. We are trying to put the focus on presents rather than getting older. Gosh, poor thing, if he can't handle 5 how is he going to handle 50?
**Update**
That night when he was going to bed I asked him "How was your first day being 5?"
"I'm not 5 yet.. tomorrow I will be 5."
"No you are five right now. You've been 5 all day!"
"But I don't feel any different."
"No, you aren't going to feel any different. You will always be YOU."
"Oh.. I feel much better!"
haha... So we're good.
I have to say he isn't handling it very well. Maybe signing up for Kindergarten and turning 5 all in the same week was too much. We had also promised to take his car seat out of the car today and take the baby monitor out of his room. But perhaps that is too much change for him. He's not one for change after all.
He was kinda freaking out yesterday saying he didn't want to turn 5, that he just wanted to stay 4. I asked him how come and he said "What if I don't love you anymore?" awww... "Yes yes yes, you will still love me." and then when I put him down for a nap he asked if he will still fit in his bed when he is 5.
What a sweetie he is. I guess he thought he was just going to wake up in the morning a full grown man. How do you explain that, after all the build up, a birthday isn't really that big of a deal?
He's doing a little better today. Not really excited about it but only freaking out a little bit. We are trying to put the focus on presents rather than getting older. Gosh, poor thing, if he can't handle 5 how is he going to handle 50?
**Update**
That night when he was going to bed I asked him "How was your first day being 5?"
"I'm not 5 yet.. tomorrow I will be 5."
"No you are five right now. You've been 5 all day!"
"But I don't feel any different."
"No, you aren't going to feel any different. You will always be YOU."
"Oh.. I feel much better!"
haha... So we're good.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Off to Disneyland!!
We are leaving for Disneyland in less than 2 hours!! All our stuff is packed up and sitting by the door. And even though it is an overwhelming amount of stuff, (two full size suitcases, cooler, tote filled with food, three full backpacks, dvd player, movies, camera bag, DS bag, and various odds and ends like a Mickey Ears Hat and a pair of shoes) it's the least we've ever taken. This is the first year we are not taking a stroller. Which will really change the experience. It will give us better manuverability but less storage space. So that will be interesting. We'll see how that goes. I'm worried about Connor getting tired of walking but in reality he has the most energy out of all of us.
We are very excited. I can't believe we are going to be in Disneyland for dinner! wohoo! We got a super nice hotel this time. We are becoming quite the hotel snobs. It's a two bedroom apartment that is walking distance to Disney. I can't wait! It's going to be so nice.
Oh by the way, I found out what was going on at the Idiot's house the other day. The police log said "theft of business". So there you go...
We are very excited. I can't believe we are going to be in Disneyland for dinner! wohoo! We got a super nice hotel this time. We are becoming quite the hotel snobs. It's a two bedroom apartment that is walking distance to Disney. I can't wait! It's going to be so nice.
Oh by the way, I found out what was going on at the Idiot's house the other day. The police log said "theft of business". So there you go...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Scaredy Cat
So my friend and I started running. Her idea of course, because I would never suggest turning our quiet, fun, stress reducing walks into heart pounding, sweat inducing, lung burning torture. That really doesn't sound like me.
Anyways, so we have been adding some running into our nightly walks around the block. It's actually kinda fun. I like the challenge. I'm surprising myself. I've never been one to try to push myself physically. I'm more the type to see how many hours I can sleep in a row.
There is this one long stretch that has no street lights and it happens to be right along the water retention area. This is where we have chosen to do our running. Last night we were doing our thing... running. And about 10 steps in I see this shadow go past us down in the water retention. It scared me. I kept my eye on it and wondered if I was too tired to run away if I needed to. I never actually saw anyone, just a dark shapeless shadow that flashed by.
My creep-outedness wasn't helped by the fact that there was a group of kids on a trampoline at the end of the street screaming like they were being murdered.
I kept a close eye on this scary spot on the next time around. Again, it chased us. Oh freaky... what is that?
Finally on the third time around I saw it... it wasn't a shapeless blob. It was shaped like a person... a person running.
Oh... it's me! It's my shadow! Dur.
Anyways, so we have been adding some running into our nightly walks around the block. It's actually kinda fun. I like the challenge. I'm surprising myself. I've never been one to try to push myself physically. I'm more the type to see how many hours I can sleep in a row.
There is this one long stretch that has no street lights and it happens to be right along the water retention area. This is where we have chosen to do our running. Last night we were doing our thing... running. And about 10 steps in I see this shadow go past us down in the water retention. It scared me. I kept my eye on it and wondered if I was too tired to run away if I needed to. I never actually saw anyone, just a dark shapeless shadow that flashed by.
My creep-outedness wasn't helped by the fact that there was a group of kids on a trampoline at the end of the street screaming like they were being murdered.
I kept a close eye on this scary spot on the next time around. Again, it chased us. Oh freaky... what is that?
Finally on the third time around I saw it... it wasn't a shapeless blob. It was shaped like a person... a person running.
Oh... it's me! It's my shadow! Dur.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The love of a 4 year old boy
Me: "Do you love me more than this house filled with love?"
Connor: "No"
"Do you love Daddy more than this house filled with love?"
"Yes."
"Do you love me more than the kitchen filled with love?"
"No."
"A cabinet?"
"No."
"The microwave?"
"No."
"A spoon?"
"No."
"Not even a spoon filled with love?"
"No. Toilet paper."
"You love me a toilet paper roll filled with love?"
"Yes. And I'll wipe my booty with it."
Connor: "No"
"Do you love Daddy more than this house filled with love?"
"Yes."
"Do you love me more than the kitchen filled with love?"
"No."
"A cabinet?"
"No."
"The microwave?"
"No."
"A spoon?"
"No."
"Not even a spoon filled with love?"
"No. Toilet paper."
"You love me a toilet paper roll filled with love?"
"Yes. And I'll wipe my booty with it."
Saturday, January 8, 2011
The Idiots
We had some neighborhood drama today. When I came down this morning Larry asked me if I thought he should call the cops on the idiots. He said that two of them slept in a minivan parked across the street from our house and that when he came in from the walk with Red this morning there was a computer monitor and half a bottle of vodka sitting next to our trash can. He went over to one of the idiots and asked them to please move it. Which they did.
Then he watched them take quite a bit of interest in my van, not coming into the driveway but trying to see in the windows. Then he walked over to Larry's car and tried the door handles. But they were locked and he didn't force it. Then him and another guy left on foot.
Idiot boy (King of the Idiots) came out with two girls. One drove away in the minivan the guys had slept in and the other drove away in another car.
So we let it go. Odd, but nothing worth calling the cops over.
So like an hour later we are getting ready to leave and notice that there is a cop car over there. Then Larry was really wishing he had just called the cops cause obviously someone else did. But we were leaving and didn't feel like waiting around, so we just left. Larry decided to call the cops when we got back and tell them what he knew and if they wanted to come back and talk to us fine. If not, fine.
Well when we got back an hour and a half later the cops were STILL there, along with a van that said Forensic Crime Scene Unit. Everyone who lives in the house was outside and the front door was open along with all four doors of one of their cars.
Interesting!
We were rubber necking out of our windows for a good couple of hours. But we weren't able to figure out what was going on. Towards the end they took all of Idiot Boy's clothes which was pretty funny. He was standing outside in nothing but his boxers. Barefoot and everything.
So we have no clue what happened. It seems like maybe they broke into some houses? Seemed like maybe the cops had a search warrant, but then why take the clothing? I don't know... if I find anything out I will let you know.
Then he watched them take quite a bit of interest in my van, not coming into the driveway but trying to see in the windows. Then he walked over to Larry's car and tried the door handles. But they were locked and he didn't force it. Then him and another guy left on foot.
Idiot boy (King of the Idiots) came out with two girls. One drove away in the minivan the guys had slept in and the other drove away in another car.
So we let it go. Odd, but nothing worth calling the cops over.
So like an hour later we are getting ready to leave and notice that there is a cop car over there. Then Larry was really wishing he had just called the cops cause obviously someone else did. But we were leaving and didn't feel like waiting around, so we just left. Larry decided to call the cops when we got back and tell them what he knew and if they wanted to come back and talk to us fine. If not, fine.
Well when we got back an hour and a half later the cops were STILL there, along with a van that said Forensic Crime Scene Unit. Everyone who lives in the house was outside and the front door was open along with all four doors of one of their cars.
Interesting!
We were rubber necking out of our windows for a good couple of hours. But we weren't able to figure out what was going on. Towards the end they took all of Idiot Boy's clothes which was pretty funny. He was standing outside in nothing but his boxers. Barefoot and everything.
So we have no clue what happened. It seems like maybe they broke into some houses? Seemed like maybe the cops had a search warrant, but then why take the clothing? I don't know... if I find anything out I will let you know.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Smokey G
Have I ever told you about Smokey G? She is the grandmother of one of the kids at the bus stop. She only has one eye (true story) and she is severly asthmatic. So she has an eye patch and walks with tiny little steps everywhere she goes cause she if she goes too fast she has an asthma attack. She is also pretty hard of hearing which took me a while to figure out. But now I realize that is why she is a close talker and interrupts all the time.
You can be just standing there talking to someone "Oh, yesterday at Costco..." and then BAM! Smokey G is in your face all eye patch and coffee breath with a "You know what happened to me this morning..."
I call her Smokey G because despite having life threating asthma she still smokes and I often see her sitting on the front porch with a cigarette. I actually gave her that nickname before she ever started coming to the bus stop.
Ok, so Smokey G; the one eye'd, close talking, smoking asthmatic, is actually pretty funny if you talk to her. Or allow her to talk to you is more accurate since she can't hear anything you say anyways. She's had quite the life.
Anyways, I introduce you because there was an incident yesterday. I was at the bus stop picking up Maddy and my friend Kim and I were talking and the kids were having races in the water retention area. I was just hanging out since who is going to stop two chunky kids from running? NOT ME! So Kim and I are just chit chatting and this little girl comes up and says "My grandma is laying in the grass." I glance over to where the kids are playing and Smokey G is laying face down in the grass. So I go running over there while Kim gets her phone and follows.
I run up and say "Are you ok?"
No response. Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.
I kneel down and put my hand on her shoulder "Kay! Are you ok?" She does have a real name, it's Kay.
This got her to look up at me. Phew. "I can't get up the hill."
"Is there anything you need?"
She didn't really answer. I think that she was having some confusion. She just kept telling me "I can't get up the hill. I shouldn't have come down here."
"Do you just need to rest?"
She nods.
"Ok, no problem. Just rest." But then she starts crawling up the hill.
"Is there something from your house that you need?" I'm thinking if you don't need medicine then just stop and lay there for a second and catch your breath. I'm assuming she must be trying to actually get to something.
"I have my breather in my pocket if I could just stand up." What the heck is a breather? But I dig around in the pocket of her sweatpants and find an inhaler.
This helped tremendously! She started coughing which I took as a good sign. Within a few mintues she was standing and we helped her get to the bench. But we still have to get her home. Luckily her son in law was home (she lives with them) and she used Kim's cell to call him to come pick her up.
While all this is going on there are like 15 other people around the park/ water retention area and not one person comes to see if she is ok. WTF?
You can be just standing there talking to someone "Oh, yesterday at Costco..." and then BAM! Smokey G is in your face all eye patch and coffee breath with a "You know what happened to me this morning..."
I call her Smokey G because despite having life threating asthma she still smokes and I often see her sitting on the front porch with a cigarette. I actually gave her that nickname before she ever started coming to the bus stop.
Ok, so Smokey G; the one eye'd, close talking, smoking asthmatic, is actually pretty funny if you talk to her. Or allow her to talk to you is more accurate since she can't hear anything you say anyways. She's had quite the life.
Anyways, I introduce you because there was an incident yesterday. I was at the bus stop picking up Maddy and my friend Kim and I were talking and the kids were having races in the water retention area. I was just hanging out since who is going to stop two chunky kids from running? NOT ME! So Kim and I are just chit chatting and this little girl comes up and says "My grandma is laying in the grass." I glance over to where the kids are playing and Smokey G is laying face down in the grass. So I go running over there while Kim gets her phone and follows.
I run up and say "Are you ok?"
No response. Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.
I kneel down and put my hand on her shoulder "Kay! Are you ok?" She does have a real name, it's Kay.
This got her to look up at me. Phew. "I can't get up the hill."
"Is there anything you need?"
She didn't really answer. I think that she was having some confusion. She just kept telling me "I can't get up the hill. I shouldn't have come down here."
"Do you just need to rest?"
She nods.
"Ok, no problem. Just rest." But then she starts crawling up the hill.
"Is there something from your house that you need?" I'm thinking if you don't need medicine then just stop and lay there for a second and catch your breath. I'm assuming she must be trying to actually get to something.
"I have my breather in my pocket if I could just stand up." What the heck is a breather? But I dig around in the pocket of her sweatpants and find an inhaler.
This helped tremendously! She started coughing which I took as a good sign. Within a few mintues she was standing and we helped her get to the bench. But we still have to get her home. Luckily her son in law was home (she lives with them) and she used Kim's cell to call him to come pick her up.
While all this is going on there are like 15 other people around the park/ water retention area and not one person comes to see if she is ok. WTF?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Back to reality
Here we go. Did the normal morning routine today for the first time in quite a while.
7:00 sharp. Connor bouncing into bed with me. Cozy cuddles. Then I sent him in to Maddy's room to make sure she was up. They got in a big fight about her calendar (I don't know) and he climbed back into bed with me crying. Which I have to confess, I didn't mind because he let me snuggle him and rub my cheek on his fuzzy head which he normally doesn't let me do.
7:15 I sent him to get dressed and go downstairs for breakfast while I got changed.
7:30 Slam a protein shake and find out what all the ruckus was over a calendar. Turns out Connor wanted to look at the pictures while saying the names of the Month. And Maddy wanted to look at the pictures while saying the name of the fluffy baby animal. This "argument" ended with a door being slammed so hard that a picutre fell off the wall.
7:40 Walk dog. During which Connor and I had a confusing discussion about what letter is the middle of the word "done".
Completely out of the blue he said "I know what is the middle of done."
"Oh yeah? What?"
"you"
"I'm in the middle of done?"
"No, you is in the middle of done"
"I'm in the middle of done?"
"UGGGGG No! You is in the middle of done! D. U. N. Done!"
"Ohhhhh..... done. It's D.O.N.E."
"D.O.N.E? Done"
7:50 Off to the bus stop. The bus stop was fun cause no one has seen each other in two weeks. All the kids played nice and I don't know... it was nice to be back in the swing of things.
Now I'm sitting here waiting for Costco to open. I'm trying to cook dinner on a regular basis again since I'm not in school anymore. My plan today is to make some chicken crock pot dinner thing. I have to get it into the crock pot by noon. Which I have to get some chicken to make that happen. I wish Costco opened at 9:00. That would make my life easier.
Then work at 2:00 and hopefully home by 5:00. 6:00 at the latest, hopefully. But either way I will have a hot dinner on the table at 5:00 for my man. (Stop laughing)
And overall I feel very relieved that I don't have school tonight. I know classes ended like 3 weeks ago but life has been totally crazy since then and I haven't had a chance for it to really sink in. Now that we are back to real life here I'm starting to realize... I'm out of school! Wohoo!
7:00 sharp. Connor bouncing into bed with me. Cozy cuddles. Then I sent him in to Maddy's room to make sure she was up. They got in a big fight about her calendar (I don't know) and he climbed back into bed with me crying. Which I have to confess, I didn't mind because he let me snuggle him and rub my cheek on his fuzzy head which he normally doesn't let me do.
7:15 I sent him to get dressed and go downstairs for breakfast while I got changed.
7:30 Slam a protein shake and find out what all the ruckus was over a calendar. Turns out Connor wanted to look at the pictures while saying the names of the Month. And Maddy wanted to look at the pictures while saying the name of the fluffy baby animal. This "argument" ended with a door being slammed so hard that a picutre fell off the wall.
7:40 Walk dog. During which Connor and I had a confusing discussion about what letter is the middle of the word "done".
Completely out of the blue he said "I know what is the middle of done."
"Oh yeah? What?"
"you"
"I'm in the middle of done?"
"No, you is in the middle of done"
"I'm in the middle of done?"
"UGGGGG No! You is in the middle of done! D. U. N. Done!"
"Ohhhhh..... done. It's D.O.N.E."
"D.O.N.E? Done"
7:50 Off to the bus stop. The bus stop was fun cause no one has seen each other in two weeks. All the kids played nice and I don't know... it was nice to be back in the swing of things.
Now I'm sitting here waiting for Costco to open. I'm trying to cook dinner on a regular basis again since I'm not in school anymore. My plan today is to make some chicken crock pot dinner thing. I have to get it into the crock pot by noon. Which I have to get some chicken to make that happen. I wish Costco opened at 9:00. That would make my life easier.
Then work at 2:00 and hopefully home by 5:00. 6:00 at the latest, hopefully. But either way I will have a hot dinner on the table at 5:00 for my man. (Stop laughing)
And overall I feel very relieved that I don't have school tonight. I know classes ended like 3 weeks ago but life has been totally crazy since then and I haven't had a chance for it to really sink in. Now that we are back to real life here I'm starting to realize... I'm out of school! Wohoo!
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