Now I am officially irked. I have spent the whole day washing, drying, folding, sorting, purging and putting away my children's clothes. With the exception of the clothes on their backs and what they wore yesterday, they are all accounted for and put away. Items still missing? FIVE long sleeve dress shirts for school. WTF!!!!
Note to Husband, I may wash, dry and fold, but your clothes are not going to put themselves away. Get to it.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
It's not cheating when there is ice cream involved....
We took the girls to a local corn maze on a sunny, autumn afternoon. We arrived, paid our fee and was given a map (to use if lost) and a list of blank spaces in which to answer questions relating to, of course, turkeys and Thanksgiving. Thinking we were pretty smart, we headed into the maze, map in pocket. Before long we, came to the first question. Okay, not to bad, we can do this. A little more wandering and question number two. Yup, got that. A bit more and question number five. WTF? How did we miss three and four? Pull out the map and figure out where we are and how we missed them (they're not listed on the maps, but we could see we skipped a big section of it). Start heading back. At this point, we encountered two lost souls on cell phones talking to other lost sols and trying to reconnect with their group. A little further back and we meet another family - they looking for five, and found three and four. We point one direction and they indicate to us to "follow the trail of corn ala Hansal and Gretal style on the ground". Heading back, we encounter the rest of the lost souls and indicate they follow the corn the opposite direction to find their friends.
We get those and head back. Throughout the maze - we kept bumping into 2-3 groups of the same people. At one point, we were two of us were standing at a question and someone whipped out an IPhone to look it up. Heh. We laugh and go on our separate ways. We kept bumping into the same groups - often someone asking if they found a specific sign. At one point you heard shouted over the corn - "x question is wrong, it's B". At one point, one of the girls asked, "isn't this cheating?". It's not cheating if you want the ice cream was the reply :)
So we made it through the maze and were taking pictures of the kids when one of the IPhone groupies came over and told us "X question" was wrong*. So we were able to change it and the kids got their free ice cream.
All in all, it was a great day - corn maze, free ice cream, hay rides and free face painting (which were AMAZING).
* We did figure out most of the questions on our own - we had our answers written down when the other group looked theirs up. The girls were able to figure some of them out by remembering things they learned on our trip to Plymouth last spring.
We get those and head back. Throughout the maze - we kept bumping into 2-3 groups of the same people. At one point, we were two of us were standing at a question and someone whipped out an IPhone to look it up. Heh. We laugh and go on our separate ways. We kept bumping into the same groups - often someone asking if they found a specific sign. At one point you heard shouted over the corn - "x question is wrong, it's B". At one point, one of the girls asked, "isn't this cheating?". It's not cheating if you want the ice cream was the reply :)
So we made it through the maze and were taking pictures of the kids when one of the IPhone groupies came over and told us "X question" was wrong*. So we were able to change it and the kids got their free ice cream.
All in all, it was a great day - corn maze, free ice cream, hay rides and free face painting (which were AMAZING).
* We did figure out most of the questions on our own - we had our answers written down when the other group looked theirs up. The girls were able to figure some of them out by remembering things they learned on our trip to Plymouth last spring.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Cousins, we have cousins?
That sad statement was asked with awe by my kids today.
Yes, in fact they have cousins. Four of them whose ages range from 3 to 9 live within 5 to 10 miles of us. To say they don't see them often is obvious in the fact that they didn't know they existed. Once I told them who their cousins were, they remembered. Unfortunately, they usually see them for birthdays and Christmas.
Today, it happened that my great-niece was having a birthday party. And I only knew because my sister (her grandmother) asked if I was going to the party last night. A party I had no idea about (which is typical). But none-the-less, we went. And it was mainly because my sister received a package in the mail belonging to my husband. She lives half a state away, so since she would be in the area, we decided to go to the party and get the package. The party, like most others for family members, lasted about 45 minutes. Yeah, enough time for cake and ice cream, opening presents and a pinata.
Growing up, my niece, the mother of the birthday girl and I were very close. She is just 2 years my junior, so we grew up the best of friends. She was my closest relative. Her mother (my sister, whom I am now close to) was more an adult figure than sibling. My niece and I played together all the time. We had sleepovers, campouts and danced together. Sadly we grew apart in our teens. She blamed my Husband, I blamed her's. In reality, we chose different paths and friends in life that the other didn't approve of.
I hate that my kids are growing up not knowing their cousins, so for every birthday or cook-out invite we get, I make an attempt to go. I am usually the only family member who goes, and thus the only one making an attempt. About five years ago, I made the effort to initiate a Christmas Eve gathering with the whole family. To some, you'd think I asked them to have a kidney removed. Still, to this day, I am adamant that it happen. Even if I need to go with half my family (the last two years, someone has come down with something, making it necessary to me to go as part a family.
For every party we have, we invite the family. Two of my older sisters are always there, along with older brother. My younger sister, who pouts and throws a hissy fit when no one goes to her parties, has never once set foot at a birthday party for any of my children. My other older sister, occasionally stops by, but not usually. Of all my siblings, she is the one I am least close to. My niece, with her two children, will come if her Husband is out of town with the National Guard. My mom and most of the time, Dad will come. My in-laws are always there, for every thing. Even the kid parties. But there is just the two of them. Husband is an only child and they live a mile away, so the girls get plenty of attention for them.
Today, big brother asked me "why did you have him (younger sister's husband) do some work for you" (he removed bags of leaves from my yard for me). This is a task I've asked time and time again (my brother, my uncle, my dad) if they could please help me out with. I've even called outside contractors. Some who either wanted me to sell a kid for them to do it and others who verbally agreed to the job, only to repeatedly stand me up. Younger Sister's Husband volunteered for the task last week. I told him this week what days would work well for me. And the task is done. He didn't ask for payment and did a great job in a timely manner. He may not be someone many people in the family agree with, but at least he's willing to help out. I felt put out that I had to defend my decision to allow him to help me. But that's just how my family works. Well I'm done picking sides.
Most of the time, I feel like I am grasping at straws trying to keep everyone together (I have five siblings and it seems like most are on the outs with others). I know that if my Mom wasn't around, that those straws would blow away faster than a dandelion on a windy day. My siblings would walk away without looking back. Many times, I ask myself why. Why am I putting myself through the hassle. No one else makes an effort, why should I. But the answer is, for them. I want my girls to know where they came from. I want them to know who their relatives are. I don't want them to pass one another by on the street as strangers.
Yes, in fact they have cousins. Four of them whose ages range from 3 to 9 live within 5 to 10 miles of us. To say they don't see them often is obvious in the fact that they didn't know they existed. Once I told them who their cousins were, they remembered. Unfortunately, they usually see them for birthdays and Christmas.
Today, it happened that my great-niece was having a birthday party. And I only knew because my sister (her grandmother) asked if I was going to the party last night. A party I had no idea about (which is typical). But none-the-less, we went. And it was mainly because my sister received a package in the mail belonging to my husband. She lives half a state away, so since she would be in the area, we decided to go to the party and get the package. The party, like most others for family members, lasted about 45 minutes. Yeah, enough time for cake and ice cream, opening presents and a pinata.
Growing up, my niece, the mother of the birthday girl and I were very close. She is just 2 years my junior, so we grew up the best of friends. She was my closest relative. Her mother (my sister, whom I am now close to) was more an adult figure than sibling. My niece and I played together all the time. We had sleepovers, campouts and danced together. Sadly we grew apart in our teens. She blamed my Husband, I blamed her's. In reality, we chose different paths and friends in life that the other didn't approve of.
I hate that my kids are growing up not knowing their cousins, so for every birthday or cook-out invite we get, I make an attempt to go. I am usually the only family member who goes, and thus the only one making an attempt. About five years ago, I made the effort to initiate a Christmas Eve gathering with the whole family. To some, you'd think I asked them to have a kidney removed. Still, to this day, I am adamant that it happen. Even if I need to go with half my family (the last two years, someone has come down with something, making it necessary to me to go as part a family.
For every party we have, we invite the family. Two of my older sisters are always there, along with older brother. My younger sister, who pouts and throws a hissy fit when no one goes to her parties, has never once set foot at a birthday party for any of my children. My other older sister, occasionally stops by, but not usually. Of all my siblings, she is the one I am least close to. My niece, with her two children, will come if her Husband is out of town with the National Guard. My mom and most of the time, Dad will come. My in-laws are always there, for every thing. Even the kid parties. But there is just the two of them. Husband is an only child and they live a mile away, so the girls get plenty of attention for them.
Today, big brother asked me "why did you have him (younger sister's husband) do some work for you" (he removed bags of leaves from my yard for me). This is a task I've asked time and time again (my brother, my uncle, my dad) if they could please help me out with. I've even called outside contractors. Some who either wanted me to sell a kid for them to do it and others who verbally agreed to the job, only to repeatedly stand me up. Younger Sister's Husband volunteered for the task last week. I told him this week what days would work well for me. And the task is done. He didn't ask for payment and did a great job in a timely manner. He may not be someone many people in the family agree with, but at least he's willing to help out. I felt put out that I had to defend my decision to allow him to help me. But that's just how my family works. Well I'm done picking sides.
Most of the time, I feel like I am grasping at straws trying to keep everyone together (I have five siblings and it seems like most are on the outs with others). I know that if my Mom wasn't around, that those straws would blow away faster than a dandelion on a windy day. My siblings would walk away without looking back. Many times, I ask myself why. Why am I putting myself through the hassle. No one else makes an effort, why should I. But the answer is, for them. I want my girls to know where they came from. I want them to know who their relatives are. I don't want them to pass one another by on the street as strangers.
Friday, April 18, 2008
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream
The other day at the zoo, I promised the girls ice cream. The only problem was, we didn't see any ice cream carts after I made that promise.
So today being the last day of spring break (we're not counting weekends here) and a fabulous 80 degrees and sunny, we decided to go get that ice cream. You know, ice cream from a stand where there are choices, many of the places which make their own on site and where we don't have to scoop it from a box. The only problem is, none of the 645 million ice cream stands were open. First we tried their favorite place. Nope. Then the giant ice cream cone - the one with melted ice cream because its just kept in freezers - that just re-appeared for the summer. Nope. Okay, well let's drive across town to Carvel, they're open all the time. "Carvel is closed until further notice. Sorry for the inconvinece" WTF man, why is it so hard to find ice cream? The kids were getting upset, and I was getting desperate - almost desperate to show the kids that McDonald's serves ice cream.
Okay, well I know of one the next town over which is open for the season already. And actually, that town has TWO places open, which I found out!
So we found a nice place and the kids made their choices. AT the counter when asked, the ice cream lady got the reply of
Repeated a dozen or so times until Einey looked up and said,
After getting our ice cream and finding a seat, we all sat quietly enjoying our treats. I was able to sit around and take in our surroundings. We were seated next to a friendly older lady who enjoyed making small talk with the girls. She even got up and grabbed napkins for them. Before she left, she stopped at the table and had a nice conversation with us, before handing each of the girls a dollar bill (in our conversation, she mentioned a recent fund raiser for a friend of ours where she attended and handed out treats to the all of kids. When she remarked about how my girls were special - because thats what Einey told her - Einey replied "Everyone in the world is special". At that point, she seemed a bit taken by surprise, and then she smiled and said "that's right" and to me "your doing a great job with these girls") Behind us sat the older gentleman who appeared to be a companion to a handicapped gentleman. All three of them appeared to be regulars at the stand, you could tell from the banter back and forth. Then in came the small group of teenagers, followed by the father and two daughters. Next were the two mothers with their four tweens and another family like ours. In and out, there were older folks, tweens, teens and tots. Young parents with their mother and baby. Fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. In that short span of time, while we sat licking our ice cream cones, many people passed in on out of the doors. Some staying to eat in the air conditioned room, some taking it outside and others getting it to go.
But do you know what I saw on everyone's face? Every single person had a smile on their face and a relaxed look in their eye. They seemed happy to be there in that span of time. With nothing more important than enjoying that ice cold treat. It's something that we don't see everyday in our busy lives. I was happy to be apart of it, and to be able to say that for once, nothing else mattered.
So today being the last day of spring break (we're not counting weekends here) and a fabulous 80 degrees and sunny, we decided to go get that ice cream. You know, ice cream from a stand where there are choices, many of the places which make their own on site and where we don't have to scoop it from a box. The only problem is, none of the 645 million ice cream stands were open. First we tried their favorite place. Nope. Then the giant ice cream cone - the one with melted ice cream because its just kept in freezers - that just re-appeared for the summer. Nope. Okay, well let's drive across town to Carvel, they're open all the time. "Carvel is closed until further notice. Sorry for the inconvinece" WTF man, why is it so hard to find ice cream? The kids were getting upset, and I was getting desperate - almost desperate to show the kids that McDonald's serves ice cream.
Okay, well I know of one the next town over which is open for the season already. And actually, that town has TWO places open, which I found out!
So we found a nice place and the kids made their choices. AT the counter when asked, the ice cream lady got the reply of
May I please have cotton candy ice cream in a cone?
I would like cotton candy please, in a cone.
The blue and pink cotton candy in a cone. Please?
Repeated a dozen or so times until Einey looked up and said,
May we have three cotton candy ice creams in cones, please?
After getting our ice cream and finding a seat, we all sat quietly enjoying our treats. I was able to sit around and take in our surroundings. We were seated next to a friendly older lady who enjoyed making small talk with the girls. She even got up and grabbed napkins for them. Before she left, she stopped at the table and had a nice conversation with us, before handing each of the girls a dollar bill (in our conversation, she mentioned a recent fund raiser for a friend of ours where she attended and handed out treats to the all of kids. When she remarked about how my girls were special - because thats what Einey told her - Einey replied "Everyone in the world is special". At that point, she seemed a bit taken by surprise, and then she smiled and said "that's right" and to me "your doing a great job with these girls") Behind us sat the older gentleman who appeared to be a companion to a handicapped gentleman. All three of them appeared to be regulars at the stand, you could tell from the banter back and forth. Then in came the small group of teenagers, followed by the father and two daughters. Next were the two mothers with their four tweens and another family like ours. In and out, there were older folks, tweens, teens and tots. Young parents with their mother and baby. Fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. In that short span of time, while we sat licking our ice cream cones, many people passed in on out of the doors. Some staying to eat in the air conditioned room, some taking it outside and others getting it to go.
But do you know what I saw on everyone's face? Every single person had a smile on their face and a relaxed look in their eye. They seemed happy to be there in that span of time. With nothing more important than enjoying that ice cold treat. It's something that we don't see everyday in our busy lives. I was happy to be apart of it, and to be able to say that for once, nothing else mattered.
********************************************************************************************
In contrast to the short time we spent at the ice cream shop, just being, we had a few more in depth conversations on the way home.
The first was about a sign Einey saw outside the window:
The second was about the environment. She wanted to know what the eco-friendly label on the on the new Poland Springs bottle meant. So we talked for a bit about the environment and ways we help to protect it. I'm not going to go into much here though as Earth Day is right around the corner.
The first was about a sign Einey saw outside the window:
"Freedom is not Free"We talked about what that meant to us and how it affected our lives.
The second was about the environment. She wanted to know what the eco-friendly label on the on the new Poland Springs bottle meant. So we talked for a bit about the environment and ways we help to protect it. I'm not going to go into much here though as Earth Day is right around the corner.
Friday, November 23, 2007
The day after....
As of right now, Husband is coming off of a 12 hour shift at work (minus the hour commute) and where is he? He's standing in line at Best Buy waiting to get my Christmas present. At one point he called and said he was just going to come home and pay what ever the cheapest he could find it for online, just to get out of the line. Then his carpool buddy managed to snag the item - I guess from nagging the person behind the counter at the front of the line. God I love this man!
Last night I posted about some of the things I was thankful for. Today, while those are still in my mind, I will be attended the funeral services of the girl's cousin. She was 17 days old and it just doesn't seem fair. They knew awhile ago about the twins - and a host of problems with them. She's been on hospitalized bed rest for months at the only hospital with a pediatric heart surgeon - they knew one of the twins had a hole in her heart. Even with all of this, they just couldn't save her. I don't know what to say to the mother - a mother who lost one of her babies while I have three happy, healthy daughters.
*****************************************************
Last night I posted about some of the things I was thankful for. Today, while those are still in my mind, I will be attended the funeral services of the girl's cousin. She was 17 days old and it just doesn't seem fair. They knew awhile ago about the twins - and a host of problems with them. She's been on hospitalized bed rest for months at the only hospital with a pediatric heart surgeon - they knew one of the twins had a hole in her heart. Even with all of this, they just couldn't save her. I don't know what to say to the mother - a mother who lost one of her babies while I have three happy, healthy daughters.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Heartwalk
The sky was blue and the air was brisk, but still held a tad or warmth. We headed down to the coast with breakfast to go (trailmix in a bag) and made it with time to spare. At ten minutes before 10, we started our walk (a bit before the actual walk started). We walked by the salt marsh, out onto the main road in and all the way to the entrance of the park. We then turned back through the campground area and ended our last mile across the white sand beach. All three miles completed in just over an hour. All done without a stroller or wagon. Einey and Meenie walked, much to their dismay, well Moe got to ride on Daddy's shoulders. Einey and Meenie started to enjoy it when we had them race to the yellow route signs. Competition brings out the best in them.
All in all, I was happy with the results. We usually do the full five miles but due to having all girls walking (instead of being carried or pushed) I was happy with three. I thought we would have to do the quick one mile loop! Overall donations were lower than our previous years, but not as bad as they could be. We raised $730 this year (bringing our seven year walk total to approximately $5,500!).Thank you to all of you who continue to support us in this cause!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Who Am I ?
Recently, I was asked for a photo and blurb about who I am for the New England Mamas blog. Always being the person behind the lens, I don't have very many good photo's of myself. Having no drawing talent, I can't draw one. So I did what any sane person would do. I handed my camera to my four year old.
Not sure what this is.
Warmer.
Even Warmer.
The results?
Um thats the bars.
Um thats the bars.
Not sure what this is.
Warmer.
Even Warmer.Okay so that's not working. Let's try giving it to the three year old.
Well I am actually in this shot...
Well since that didn't work, I'm going to have to try something else. Luckily, I have a tentative family photo shoot set up for October 15th with a friend. Maybe she can get a decent head shot for me.
Well I am actually in this shot...Well since that didn't work, I'm going to have to try something else. Luckily, I have a tentative family photo shoot set up for October 15th with a friend. Maybe she can get a decent head shot for me.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Happy Independence Day!
We at Whirlwind would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!
Moe NOT enjoying the fireworks!
The Girls and their cousin playing before the fireworks
Fireworks! 
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Every once in a while, you stumble across a post that reflects what every parent feels. Last month, I can across this post by Chicken and Cheese. If you'd like to learn more about perfect posts, check here or here.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Mother's Day
I hope everyone had a relaxing Mother's Day! I got to sleep in, while Husband tended to the kids and washed the leftover dishes. Then I was made a very nice breakfast of French Toast. We spent the morning at church and then came back for lunch where we had grilled sandwiches. While the younger girls were napping, Husband took Einey to the grocery store and I got to relax on my deck swing in the sun. I think I slept for most of the hour and a half they were gone (or at least quiet). I didn't even have to help put the dishes away!
After lunch, we took the girls to one of our favorite local playgrounds to do some Letterboxing. This is our new favorite family activity! If you follow the above link, you can find clues for hundreds of letterboxes. Inside the letterbox, you will find a logbook, stamp and generally ink and a pen. You need to bring your own stamp and logbook as well. When you find a box, you stamp their logbook with your stamp and use their stamp to stamp your book. The girls really enjoy looking for the each clue and finding the boxes. We usually write the date, stamp name and location in our books so we know where we've been.
We went searching for five boxes on Mother's Day. We found all five and a Hitch-hiker stamp. This is a stamp that if you find, you take it with you and drop it in another box. This one hails from Washington State via Texas. We haven't decided where we are going to drop it yet. We need to go back and find one more box. The last box gave hints for a bonus box, but sadly, we didn't know exactly what a poplar tree looked like and it was getting late. So it's going to be back to the park in search of a poplar tree one day.
This was our second time letterboxing. The first was about a month ago and we found all four boxes on that trip.
The fun thing is, both places we looked were local playgrounds where we spend hundreds of hours a year. They weren't in the playground area, but the one's we found on Mother's Day, we must have walked past hundreds of times! We were just never looking! The first time, we found trails we didn't even know existed!
All in all, Letterboxing is a great way to spend time exploring the great outdoors. It is also a great learning activity for kids. They need to count paces, read a compass (on some), identify types of plants and learn to appreciate nature. Plus deciphering some clues is pretty difficult as well!
That's how I spent Mother's Day. How was yours?
After lunch, we took the girls to one of our favorite local playgrounds to do some Letterboxing. This is our new favorite family activity! If you follow the above link, you can find clues for hundreds of letterboxes. Inside the letterbox, you will find a logbook, stamp and generally ink and a pen. You need to bring your own stamp and logbook as well. When you find a box, you stamp their logbook with your stamp and use their stamp to stamp your book. The girls really enjoy looking for the each clue and finding the boxes. We usually write the date, stamp name and location in our books so we know where we've been.
Prince Hill Park
We went searching for five boxes on Mother's Day. We found all five and a Hitch-hiker stamp. This is a stamp that if you find, you take it with you and drop it in another box. This one hails from Washington State via Texas. We haven't decided where we are going to drop it yet. We need to go back and find one more box. The last box gave hints for a bonus box, but sadly, we didn't know exactly what a poplar tree looked like and it was getting late. So it's going to be back to the park in search of a poplar tree one day.
This was our second time letterboxing. The first was about a month ago and we found all four boxes on that trip.
The fun thing is, both places we looked were local playgrounds where we spend hundreds of hours a year. They weren't in the playground area, but the one's we found on Mother's Day, we must have walked past hundreds of times! We were just never looking! The first time, we found trails we didn't even know existed!
All in all, Letterboxing is a great way to spend time exploring the great outdoors. It is also a great learning activity for kids. They need to count paces, read a compass (on some), identify types of plants and learn to appreciate nature. Plus deciphering some clues is pretty difficult as well!
That's how I spent Mother's Day. How was yours?
Friday, March 23, 2007
Feeling Better...
The stomach bug only seemed to have affected Husband and Einey (unless of course, it shows up over the weekend in someone else). Einey went back to school the next day and all is well on the home front except...
I now have a killer sinus infection. I can't complain much because I used to get frequent sinus infections and over the last few years, I haven't had any. Unfortunately the Sudafed PE isn't working so i need to try something else (as long as I haven't used my allotted decongestant purchase for the week. What really bugs me is when you have a family of 5 (most of whom are prone to allergies and require a decongestant at the same time) but you are limited to how much you can buy. How do you pick who can get relief and who can stay miserable and snotty?
Anyway, that all that's up here.
Edit: 9:00 pm I was able to pick up some Tylenol Cold and Sinus today, but I still feel like crap. My head is pounding, my throat hurts when I talk (so the kids are going to get away with alot the next few days) and my chest hurts when I cough. I can't take anything to knock myself out either as Husband is working nights and I don't want to be unconscious if needed.
I now have a killer sinus infection. I can't complain much because I used to get frequent sinus infections and over the last few years, I haven't had any. Unfortunately the Sudafed PE isn't working so i need to try something else (as long as I haven't used my allotted decongestant purchase for the week. What really bugs me is when you have a family of 5 (most of whom are prone to allergies and require a decongestant at the same time) but you are limited to how much you can buy. How do you pick who can get relief and who can stay miserable and snotty?
Anyway, that all that's up here.
Edit: 9:00 pm I was able to pick up some Tylenol Cold and Sinus today, but I still feel like crap. My head is pounding, my throat hurts when I talk (so the kids are going to get away with alot the next few days) and my chest hurts when I cough. I can't take anything to knock myself out either as Husband is working nights and I don't want to be unconscious if needed.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Round 4 (or is it 5, I've lost count)....
It came without warning, without pain without aches. It came very suddenly, not one could escape.
We have entered round 4 (or possibly 5) of PukeFest '07. Is it even possible to be sick that often? It seems like once a month since December (possibly November - I can't remember that far back) we have been hit with the stomach bug. Yesterday it started with Husband and moved to Einey. I may or may not have gotten it, if so it was very mild. I am not taking the kids to playgroup for at least a week because last time, we went FIVE DAYS return to school once she is feeling better, but between kids getting sick. We thought we were out of the woods, you know, the whole 24 hour thing, but nope. I will let Eineythat's it.
There is nothing worse than trying to lift a puking child off the top of a bunk bed when you can hardly reach her. Did I mention she was puking? So we all stripped and showered, threw one load of disgusting bed stuff in the laundry and tried to sleep. She slept well and that was it, but Husband was up every 2 hours and I slept lightly.
This morning, I have already washed 3 loads of puky blanket, Lysoled the entire house and am working on washing everyone else's bedding. I am minutes away from scrubbing down the entire house, floor to ceiling. However, I think that may end up being a project set out over days - one room at a time. That way I don't neglect the girls and I can get everything done. I want to clean the baseboards, wash the walls, scrub the floors and organize the toys (yes I just did this, but this is a once a week job).
Thankfully, spring arrives tonight. With it, I hope the warm weather arrives, so we can air out the house and get out in the fresh air much much more often.
I am sick of being sick!
We have entered round 4 (or possibly 5) of PukeFest '07. Is it even possible to be sick that often? It seems like once a month since December (possibly November - I can't remember that far back) we have been hit with the stomach bug. Yesterday it started with Husband and moved to Einey. I may or may not have gotten it, if so it was very mild. I am not taking the kids to playgroup for at least a week because last time, we went FIVE DAYS return to school once she is feeling better, but between kids getting sick. We thought we were out of the woods, you know, the whole 24 hour thing, but nope. I will let Eineythat's it.
There is nothing worse than trying to lift a puking child off the top of a bunk bed when you can hardly reach her. Did I mention she was puking? So we all stripped and showered, threw one load of disgusting bed stuff in the laundry and tried to sleep. She slept well and that was it, but Husband was up every 2 hours and I slept lightly.
This morning, I have already washed 3 loads of puky blanket, Lysoled the entire house and am working on washing everyone else's bedding. I am minutes away from scrubbing down the entire house, floor to ceiling. However, I think that may end up being a project set out over days - one room at a time. That way I don't neglect the girls and I can get everything done. I want to clean the baseboards, wash the walls, scrub the floors and organize the toys (yes I just did this, but this is a once a week job).
Thankfully, spring arrives tonight. With it, I hope the warm weather arrives, so we can air out the house and get out in the fresh air much much more often.
I am sick of being sick!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
It Happens Again
Once again, I made arrangements with the grandparents (the other set this time) to watch the girls while I go to my annual Dr. appointment. At least they had the decency to call 2 hours before my appointment and cancel. I was lucky enough to find a friend willing to watch the three while I went.
The kicker though? I made arraignments with them to keep the girls over night over a month ago so I can surprise the husband with a night out. I got tickets to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra and we made semi-plans to meet some friends after. It was supposed to be our first full night out without the kids (we've gone out for dinner or a movie a few times). And what do they say today when they call? "Oh and can you find other arraignments for the girls Saturday, we don't think we can take them?" WTF? It's the first time we've ever even asked this. It's not like we freeload on them every single weekend so we can go out partying!
The last night husband and I spent alone together was the Christmas Eve, 5 years ago - the night before Einey was born. And even that wasn't completely alone as we had to wake up at midnight for Mass.
One freaking time that we ask for something and of course they have to screw it up.
But whenever they want to take the kids, we have to bring them over right away. There was one time when the girls had rotovirus and they still tried to get us to let them take them to a Christmas Party. We have to make sure we are always available so they can take them to their company's annual Christmas/Easter/Halloween Parties (regardless of whether we had plans or not). We stopped telling the girls when they want them to sleep over because they always wait to the last minute to bail (even when they are the ones asking for them on specific nights and I have to change plans to suit them).
Whenever we visit them, we end up staying awhile to visit. We arrive around the time dinner is supposed to be served (but for some reason, it is usually an hour later) and stay a bit helping them clean up after dessert. We then stay for a bit of conversation. If they come over for dinner, they arrive right when dinner is ready to be served and leave within 5 minutes of dessert being finished. For holidays they come, let the girls open their gifts and leave shortly after.
Once, we had plans to go to Vermont to visit friends and they were going to keep our dog for the weekend. At the last minute, they cancelled on us. So we had to endure a 4 hour car ride with Dog in tow. Never again! After that, we found a good kennel that we can leave her at when we need to (which isn't often at all)!
Here's to hoping I can find a sitter so we can go out!
The kicker though? I made arraignments with them to keep the girls over night over a month ago so I can surprise the husband with a night out. I got tickets to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra and we made semi-plans to meet some friends after. It was supposed to be our first full night out without the kids (we've gone out for dinner or a movie a few times). And what do they say today when they call? "Oh and can you find other arraignments for the girls Saturday, we don't think we can take them?" WTF? It's the first time we've ever even asked this. It's not like we freeload on them every single weekend so we can go out partying!
The last night husband and I spent alone together was the Christmas Eve, 5 years ago - the night before Einey was born. And even that wasn't completely alone as we had to wake up at midnight for Mass.
One freaking time that we ask for something and of course they have to screw it up.
But whenever they want to take the kids, we have to bring them over right away. There was one time when the girls had rotovirus and they still tried to get us to let them take them to a Christmas Party. We have to make sure we are always available so they can take them to their company's annual Christmas/Easter/Halloween Parties (regardless of whether we had plans or not). We stopped telling the girls when they want them to sleep over because they always wait to the last minute to bail (even when they are the ones asking for them on specific nights and I have to change plans to suit them).
Whenever we visit them, we end up staying awhile to visit. We arrive around the time dinner is supposed to be served (but for some reason, it is usually an hour later) and stay a bit helping them clean up after dessert. We then stay for a bit of conversation. If they come over for dinner, they arrive right when dinner is ready to be served and leave within 5 minutes of dessert being finished. For holidays they come, let the girls open their gifts and leave shortly after.
Once, we had plans to go to Vermont to visit friends and they were going to keep our dog for the weekend. At the last minute, they cancelled on us. So we had to endure a 4 hour car ride with Dog in tow. Never again! After that, we found a good kennel that we can leave her at when we need to (which isn't often at all)!
Here's to hoping I can find a sitter so we can go out!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Family....
Having family who live close by is usually a blessing. However, it is also a headache.
Our only babysitters are family. I try to make appointments on Tuesdays so that I know the girls are in good hands at Grandma's house while I go to my appointment. However, more and more, it is proving to be a hassle.
Tuesday, Meenie had her first dental visit. My plan was to drop Moe off at Grandmas and bring just Meenie. When I got to Grandma's no one was home. So I had to take Moe with me. By the grace of God, Moe actually sat still the whole appointment. She even got to pick a tattoo from the toy basket and got a new toothbrush and toothpaste. However on the way home, I look into the rearview mirror and there's Moe, toothpaste container half empty in her mouth and blue sparkling toothpaste smeared all over her face, jacket and car seat. Luckily, it looks like most was all over her and not ingested. Part of me wants to blame Grandma, because if she was home like she was supposed to be, Moe wouldn't have had toothpaste. The rational side blames myself for leaving it within her reach.
Regardless, it's not the first time Grandma has stood me up. It's a pain as I have to drive 15-20 minutes just to get there and then usually backtrack to my appointments. One time, my friend was supposed to drop the girls of at Grandma's and Grandma wasn't home so she had to keep them. It was my first day back at work and having problems like that just made going back to work worse! I hate having to cancel/change plans when things like that come up!
Family, you can't live with them, you can't live without them!
Our only babysitters are family. I try to make appointments on Tuesdays so that I know the girls are in good hands at Grandma's house while I go to my appointment. However, more and more, it is proving to be a hassle.
Tuesday, Meenie had her first dental visit. My plan was to drop Moe off at Grandmas and bring just Meenie. When I got to Grandma's no one was home. So I had to take Moe with me. By the grace of God, Moe actually sat still the whole appointment. She even got to pick a tattoo from the toy basket and got a new toothbrush and toothpaste. However on the way home, I look into the rearview mirror and there's Moe, toothpaste container half empty in her mouth and blue sparkling toothpaste smeared all over her face, jacket and car seat. Luckily, it looks like most was all over her and not ingested. Part of me wants to blame Grandma, because if she was home like she was supposed to be, Moe wouldn't have had toothpaste. The rational side blames myself for leaving it within her reach.
Regardless, it's not the first time Grandma has stood me up. It's a pain as I have to drive 15-20 minutes just to get there and then usually backtrack to my appointments. One time, my friend was supposed to drop the girls of at Grandma's and Grandma wasn't home so she had to keep them. It was my first day back at work and having problems like that just made going back to work worse! I hate having to cancel/change plans when things like that come up!
Family, you can't live with them, you can't live without them!
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