I know I've mentioned our little jaunts to the small pet store in town before. We are frequent customers as we need to pick up crickets 1 to 2x per week to feed the lizards (which, btw, we are contemplating getting more of). Over the past six months we've been frequenting this place, the kids have really come to enjoy our small trips. And of course, the owner/workers have come to recognize us as well.
On normal trips, we go in, browse the animals. The girls like to see what's new or what's been sold. They talk to Jake the Parrot. They stand and watch the high school students who come in to change the cages. One morning, when it was just Moe and I, she stood there for a half an hour watching a girl put together a fresh cage, pull out rodents to place in the new cage. Clean the old cage and start over. Moe was just fascinated with watching her.
Three weeks ago, their were some baby bunnies, about a month old. The owner looks at the girls and said, "do you want to hold one?" So of course, we stood there for a half hour holding a bunny. In trips since, the girls have watched as one by one the baby bunnies have grown and been sold. There is one left, but it is significantly larger than it was a month ago. To the point that Moe asked "where are all the baby bunnies". The owner, upon hearing this, looks at the girls and says "you want to see baby bunnies? Come here but you have to be real quiet." She led the girls through a back room into another room and there, in the quiet space was a mother bunny and her four newborn babies. They were three days old and still pretty hairless. They were pretty darn cute! The girls of course, loved this little treat.
Within the next year, there will be a big box pet store opening in town, along with other large box stores. Some we are eagerly anticipating (because really, I HATE driving an hour just for Husband to by paintbrushes and other supplies, so thank god they are building an art store!). I just hope that our small pet store will be able to survive when the big one opens. I for one, still plan on visiting our little favorite spot. I know the girls will still prefer their little treats.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home
Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home..
If your like me, it's that time of year that ladybugs have invaded your house. And while I know they're here, I tend to ignore them. I leave them in peace, crawling along the ceiling or walking on the window as I go about my day. Occasionally, if I see one in the sink or on the floor, I'll move it to the safety of a plant. And this seems to work.
Moe on the other hand, sees a ladybug and run in the opposite direction screaming her head off while hysterically crying. I've gotten her the tolerate them in the same room as her, as long as they stay on the ceiling. She has even gotten to the comfort level of having them on the floor, she just gives them a real wide arc as she walks as far away from them as possible. This was all fine and dandy until yesterday. I put her upstairs for hernap quiet time and just as I was settling down to rest myself I heard
If your like me, it's that time of year that ladybugs have invaded your house. And while I know they're here, I tend to ignore them. I leave them in peace, crawling along the ceiling or walking on the window as I go about my day. Occasionally, if I see one in the sink or on the floor, I'll move it to the safety of a plant. And this seems to work.
Moe on the other hand, sees a ladybug and run in the opposite direction screaming her head off while hysterically crying. I've gotten her the tolerate them in the same room as her, as long as they stay on the ceiling. She has even gotten to the comfort level of having them on the floor, she just gives them a real wide arc as she walks as far away from them as possible. This was all fine and dandy until yesterday. I put her upstairs for her
"THERESALADYBUGINMYROOM. GETITOUT. LADYBUG. WAHHHHHHHHHHH. LADYBUG."
This was as she's sobbing and flying out of her room. This came a day after she screamed bloody murder the whole ride from picking her sister up from school to dropping girl scout cookies off at a friends house. Distance: 1 mile. Time: Under two minutes. Cause: There was a ladybug on the window but not touching her.
We finally told her to suck it up. It's a ladybug. It's not going to eat her, bite her, sting her or suck her brains out.
Hopefully she grows out of it before spring comes and the bugs REALLY come out.
On aside note, it's odd to see her afraid of bugs (and it's not just ladybugs, it's spiders, ants, anything). Her sisters LOVE bugs. Einey is always finding something and with the amount of time spent outside, I hope she outgrows this phase soon!
We finally told her to suck it up. It's a ladybug. It's not going to eat her, bite her, sting her or suck her brains out.
Hopefully she grows out of it before spring comes and the bugs REALLY come out.
On aside note, it's odd to see her afraid of bugs (and it's not just ladybugs, it's spiders, ants, anything). Her sisters LOVE bugs. Einey is always finding something and with the amount of time spent outside, I hope she outgrows this phase soon!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Put a smile on her face
To see just what happened to put a smile on my face, look over here.
**************************************************************
Here's a great blog I've been reading, The Junk Pyramid. In fact, she's inspired me to do a little cleaning myself. The other day while one of the girls was taking her sweet time in the bathroom, I cleaned out under the sink tossing many items we didn't use and were no longer needed. Then I opened the two drawers and cleaned them out, and put all the kids hair ties and clips in their boxes so I could actually find them when I wanted them. Next up was the nightstand and then the hall closet. I now actually have room to store stuff! Some things tossed were bottles of old perfume and cologne, a brand of contact solution that neither of us use, old tub toys, old magazines, pieces to our old vacuum, plastic bags, an old bath pillow, empty bottles (no clue why they were saved) and various other little pieces of old things.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Homegrown Scientists
In Einey's school, there is such a focus on reading, writing and math, that the teacher is only allowed 20 minutes a week for science and history. 20 minutes! So when I saw the topic for this week's parent blogger blast, I just had to share some of the ways we've brought science back to our kids.
Science is all around us. It's prevalent throughout nature and the natural world. Last summer, when the girls found this cicada emerging from it's pupal state, we watched. And took pictures. And discussed. And then we looked it up on the computer. We frequently take hikes in the woods on our letterboxing quests. On our hikes, we discuss weather (and how it changes - we've been caught out in the woods in rain bursts), we identify plants and animals. We look under rocks and logs. We catch frogs and salamanders. In short, we take the time to really look at our surroundings and discuss the hows, the whys, the whats. How things change and why they change. How every little creature affects other creatures.
In addition, we do experiments with our gardens. When planting seeds inside for the spring, we measure and chart their progress. When building our sunflower house, we measured the sunflowers, first from seedlings with a ruler, then outside with the kids. We discussed how the plants were growing and then when they finished their growth, how they provided nectar for the bees and lastly seeds for the birds. In the spring, I have a suspicion we'll discuss the life cycle circle they made, as I am sure we'll have new sunflowers sprouting in the garden.
We've done sink or float test with them gathering objects and making predictions. Currently, we have a crystal growing on the counter in the kitchen.* We've frozen water and watched it melt. We mix water and other liquids to see what's heavier. We've looked at the viscosity of different liquids. We take tours where they are offered - power plants, nature sanctuaries, science center. We've discussed actions and reactions (like the time Husband threw a wooden block at the window - of course it broke). We spend evenings out on the deck looking at the stars. We pull out the telescope and search the sky's. We watch meteor showers and eclipses (Einey was very impressed by the lunar eclipse the other night). We visit science centers on rainy days. We discussed changes that come with the season (and living in New England, we have four very unique seasons each with it's own specific characteristics). Just the other day, we discussed how and why this river changed from autumn to winter. I wasn't at all surprised last week, when Einey's teacher told me they started discussing the water cycle and Einey knew all about it and was able to name the cycles.
Science is all around us. It's all a matter of taking time to look at the little things and really discuss the how and why's. As long as they keep asking questions, we will answer. We'll keep searching under logs, splashing in rivers, filling jars with liquids. We'll keep measuring and labeling and recording. For my girls, science is fun. And learning is a bonus. We will bring science back through hands on fun.
This post was created for the Parent Blogger Network's Friday Blog Blast and the Zula Patrol's Zula Intergalactic Inquirer. They want to know, how will you bring science back for your kids, and why do you think it’s important?
*Because it's a quick and easy science experiment, here's what you do: You need a jar, water, salt, a string and a pencil. Tie the string around the pencil. Fill the jar with water and then salt until the salt is dissolved. Put the pencil over the jar with the string hanging in the jar. As the water dissolves, the salt will crystallize to the string. You can see the results start within hours! Just add a little more water and salt as it dissolves for a bigger crystal.
Science is all around us. It's prevalent throughout nature and the natural world. Last summer, when the girls found this cicada emerging from it's pupal state, we watched. And took pictures. And discussed. And then we looked it up on the computer. We frequently take hikes in the woods on our letterboxing quests. On our hikes, we discuss weather (and how it changes - we've been caught out in the woods in rain bursts), we identify plants and animals. We look under rocks and logs. We catch frogs and salamanders. In short, we take the time to really look at our surroundings and discuss the hows, the whys, the whats. How things change and why they change. How every little creature affects other creatures.
In addition, we do experiments with our gardens. When planting seeds inside for the spring, we measure and chart their progress. When building our sunflower house, we measured the sunflowers, first from seedlings with a ruler, then outside with the kids. We discussed how the plants were growing and then when they finished their growth, how they provided nectar for the bees and lastly seeds for the birds. In the spring, I have a suspicion we'll discuss the life cycle circle they made, as I am sure we'll have new sunflowers sprouting in the garden.
We've done sink or float test with them gathering objects and making predictions. Currently, we have a crystal growing on the counter in the kitchen.* We've frozen water and watched it melt. We mix water and other liquids to see what's heavier. We've looked at the viscosity of different liquids. We take tours where they are offered - power plants, nature sanctuaries, science center. We've discussed actions and reactions (like the time Husband threw a wooden block at the window - of course it broke). We spend evenings out on the deck looking at the stars. We pull out the telescope and search the sky's. We watch meteor showers and eclipses (Einey was very impressed by the lunar eclipse the other night). We visit science centers on rainy days. We discussed changes that come with the season (and living in New England, we have four very unique seasons each with it's own specific characteristics). Just the other day, we discussed how and why this river changed from autumn to winter. I wasn't at all surprised last week, when Einey's teacher told me they started discussing the water cycle and Einey knew all about it and was able to name the cycles.
Science is all around us. It's all a matter of taking time to look at the little things and really discuss the how and why's. As long as they keep asking questions, we will answer. We'll keep searching under logs, splashing in rivers, filling jars with liquids. We'll keep measuring and labeling and recording. For my girls, science is fun. And learning is a bonus. We will bring science back through hands on fun.
This post was created for the Parent Blogger Network's Friday Blog Blast and the Zula Patrol's Zula Intergalactic Inquirer. They want to know, how will you bring science back for your kids, and why do you think it’s important?
*Because it's a quick and easy science experiment, here's what you do: You need a jar, water, salt, a string and a pencil. Tie the string around the pencil. Fill the jar with water and then salt until the salt is dissolved. Put the pencil over the jar with the string hanging in the jar. As the water dissolves, the salt will crystallize to the string. You can see the results start within hours! Just add a little more water and salt as it dissolves for a bigger crystal.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Raging Meltwater
Now - February
Tons of rain (we set the record for monthly rainfall yesterday and we still have 10 days left of the month) and melting rain transformed the tranquil river we visited this summer into a raging river. The girls were intimidated and stayed safely away.
Then - September:
That time, the girls hoped from rock to rock. They turned over stones looking forr crayfish and cought frogs on the banks of the river.
Tons of rain (we set the record for monthly rainfall yesterday and we still have 10 days left of the month) and melting rain transformed the tranquil river we visited this summer into a raging river. The girls were intimidated and stayed safely away.
Then - September:
That time, the girls hoped from rock to rock. They turned over stones looking forr crayfish and cought frogs on the banks of the river.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
New England in the winter...
New England winters can be tricky to navigate. One day, it might be 20 degrees with a wind chill that throws the temperatures below zero. The next day, it might be 20 and snowing. And still the next day, you might get temperatures in the 50's or even 60's.
Friday was one of those nice days. The girls had the day off as part of their winter break. Instead of a full week off like most schools have this week, they got Friday and Monday off. By 10 am, they had started bickering. The temperature was crawling up into the low 40's. It was then I made my decision. We needed to get out.
So I bundled the girls up and we hit the zoo. Many people don't think about visiting the zoo during the winter, but we love going in the off-season. One of the main draws for us, of course, is the lack of crowds. You can stand in watch the animals as long as you want, without blocking other's views. You can meander as slowly or as quickly through the empty monkey house.
Another benefit is you'll see the animals in a whole different setting. Animals that are usually just laying in a shady spot during the summer months, trying to stay cool, are usually up and moving around. The girls came face to face with a penguin instead of watching them from afar. The cheetah, the snow leopards, moon bear, lemurs, wallaby's and gibbons were all active and visible in their cage.
Even though we have a season pass, this trip to the zoo was different. We hadn't been since last March, when the zoo was working on some of many improvements to the zoo. So there were many new things to see. There were wild dogs, a new bald eagle exhibit, the giant anteater (which we couldn't find) and more giraffe's. Last spring, the zoo welcomed two giraffe calf's.
The downside is, sometimes the weather is too cold, so some animals are taken off exhibit. So in addition to the giant anteaters we didn't see, the tortoises and Australian pig things were not out.
All in all, we had a great time. We even ate lunch at the zoo (something we never do) but I failed to plan ahead in my desperation to get out and get some fresh air. So I grudgingly coughed up $3 per grilled cheese sandwich and we ate in the warmth of the zoo cafeteria. At the same time, I let the girls pick an item from the gift shop, something we also never let them do. We came home with a stuffed hedgehog, a bag of plastic animals and a bag of rocks. Because you know, we don't have any of those.... We even ran into some friends who made the trip to the zoo from our hometown. As we were sitting waiting for our lunch, Meenie was watching out the door and said, "hey mom, look, it's our friends!"
The one complaint I got was "my legs are tired, I want to go home". Luckily, it happened towards the end of the trip and I didn't have to carry any of them. Apparently the zoo is too much when you've spent most of the winter cooped up inside. Sounds like it's time to get moving and build up some strength again. I look forward to more nice days when we can start spending more time outside.
So if you have a chance, visit a local zoo or aquarium in the off season. You'd be surprised at how different it can be.
Out of the corner of our eyes...
Yesterday, Husband and I had to do some shopping. So we loaded up the kids and headed to the shopping mall area. I needed gas so we pulled into this little gas station.
As Husband and I were fighting the wind, waiting for the receipt, she approached us from the drivers side of the van. She began with how she saw us here, and that she doesn't see many families out. And how she wanted to pass on information of God's Kingdom to us.
Yup, that's right, we were hit up by a Jehovah's Witness while pumping gas. And there was no place to hide.
Husband explained that we were Catholic and after a few more kind words, we were on our way. Then we got to talking about religion. Really talking. And while we both are pretty tolerant of different religion, we both agree that we don't like being approached and having religion forced on us. It's just weird.
Has anyone else ever been approached outside of home?
As Husband and I were fighting the wind, waiting for the receipt, she approached us from the drivers side of the van. She began with how she saw us here, and that she doesn't see many families out. And how she wanted to pass on information of God's Kingdom to us.
Yup, that's right, we were hit up by a Jehovah's Witness while pumping gas. And there was no place to hide.
Husband explained that we were Catholic and after a few more kind words, we were on our way. Then we got to talking about religion. Really talking. And while we both are pretty tolerant of different religion, we both agree that we don't like being approached and having religion forced on us. It's just weird.
Has anyone else ever been approached outside of home?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
Message I noticed while kneeling on the floor fishing an item out of the bowlThis morning, I was all set with not recieving any gifts. Husband and I talked about not knowing what to get each other (because you know, we buy everything we want). That and well, who needs a holiday to tell someone they love them. After all, we show each other we love each other throughout the year in little ways. It's the little things that matter most.
So this morning, I was very happy with this little message I found on the medicine cabinet door.
So when he walked in the door, I greeted him at the door with a great big hug, kiss and thanks.
His reply. "I'm glad you liked them. Iwas worried because I thought you'd page me".
Me: ???????
...... "page you for a message written in shaving cream?"
Him: "go look again"
Inside the cabinet was a lovely pair of opal earrings from his favorite jeweler (I say his favorite, because it's where he always buys my jewelery from, I've only been there once).
Of course, Husband chose this spot specifically to hide a gift because he knew I needed my contacts. I however, choose last night as the one night to sleep with them in. I didn't even think about opening the door.
I am so lame that I was happy with just a simple little I love you message!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
What's that Smell?
That's a question I've fielded about 20 bajillion times the last few days. It really doesn't help that I can't smell a thing at this point in time. So I wasn't to alarmed when I heard "what's that smell". It's could be anything. "No it smells like burning plastic (smell learned the other night when someone touched a plastic item to the lamp)". Well I was all at attention at that, even before one of the other girls added in with "yeah it smells real bad".
The culprit?
So yeah, apparently Moe tried to microwave a snack. Luckily that was all the damage done. The tiny flame I noticed when I walked into the kitchen (at which point, the smell had permeated the mucus in my nose) extinguished itself before I could grab the fire extinguisher.
I would almost have preferred the smell of dead rodent....
The culprit?
So yeah, apparently Moe tried to microwave a snack. Luckily that was all the damage done. The tiny flame I noticed when I walked into the kitchen (at which point, the smell had permeated the mucus in my nose) extinguished itself before I could grab the fire extinguisher.
I would almost have preferred the smell of dead rodent....
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Whon-Horns and other small tales
The origins of Whon-Horns
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who liked Whon-Horns. It took her parents many moons to figure out just what a whon-horn was. They even took her to the speech therapists because they suspected a problem with her language development. It turns out her speech was fine, she just wasn't supposed to be able to pronounce whon-horns right. Then one day, in the magical toy store, there standing in front of the little girl was a whon-horn. It was then that her parents were able to finally understand that she liked unicorns. Day in and day out, she would carry her whon-horn around and quickly, her siblings adapted to the new found pronunciation of their sisters favorite toy. Now as the little girl grew, she was finally able to pronounce unicorn right. The only problem is her sisters still call it a whon-horn, thus confusing the poor little child. The end.
Puppy Dog Tales
Once there was a puppy with dry skin. She itched and itched and chewed until her owners couldn't stand it anymore. They called the pet groomer and took the cute puppy dog for a trip. The puppy tolerated the bathing and drying and brushing and then found a nice giant bone. That is, after trying to drink the water from the fish tank. Now she weighs about 10 pounds less, left the groomer pretty hairy and has a nice shiny coat and big new bone. The end.
Color Kids Phase
Do you remember the color kids? I had forgotten about the color kid phase until just recently. The color kid phase hits around two and a half to three years old. You'll know your in it when your child wants to wear one color and one color only. Even her "undies" have to match. And your up the creek without a paddle you if you don't have a specific color shoe or coat.
Lessons in Fairness
Einey: "It's not fair, I have four pages of homework and everyone else in my class only has two"
Mom: "Well, if you remembered to bring your homework home yesterday, you wouldn't have had that problem".
Dad: " Yesterday you had no homework and everyone else had two pages".
Einey: "It's still not fair."
Mom: "Life's not fair"
Mardi Gras
It's the beginning of the Catholic season of Lent. And prior to Ash Wednesday is Fat Tuesday. Yesterday Einey came home from school with a set of Mardi Gras beads. They were given to all the kids from the cafeteria ladies. (Throughout the year, they'll come home with trinkets - stickers, chalk, jump ropes, batons, ect given to each child at lunch from the cafeteria ladies). Husband turns to me and says "I don't want to know what she had to do to get those"....
Four little words for you
Airborne is your friend.
and finally, I'll leave you with what I believe is the grossest thing I ever had to say.
Ewwww
To Moe.
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who liked Whon-Horns. It took her parents many moons to figure out just what a whon-horn was. They even took her to the speech therapists because they suspected a problem with her language development. It turns out her speech was fine, she just wasn't supposed to be able to pronounce whon-horns right. Then one day, in the magical toy store, there standing in front of the little girl was a whon-horn. It was then that her parents were able to finally understand that she liked unicorns. Day in and day out, she would carry her whon-horn around and quickly, her siblings adapted to the new found pronunciation of their sisters favorite toy. Now as the little girl grew, she was finally able to pronounce unicorn right. The only problem is her sisters still call it a whon-horn, thus confusing the poor little child. The end.
Puppy Dog Tales
Once there was a puppy with dry skin. She itched and itched and chewed until her owners couldn't stand it anymore. They called the pet groomer and took the cute puppy dog for a trip. The puppy tolerated the bathing and drying and brushing and then found a nice giant bone. That is, after trying to drink the water from the fish tank. Now she weighs about 10 pounds less, left the groomer pretty hairy and has a nice shiny coat and big new bone. The end.
Color Kids Phase
Do you remember the color kids? I had forgotten about the color kid phase until just recently. The color kid phase hits around two and a half to three years old. You'll know your in it when your child wants to wear one color and one color only. Even her "undies" have to match. And your up the creek without a paddle you if you don't have a specific color shoe or coat.
Lessons in Fairness
Einey: "It's not fair, I have four pages of homework and everyone else in my class only has two"
Mom: "Well, if you remembered to bring your homework home yesterday, you wouldn't have had that problem".
Dad: " Yesterday you had no homework and everyone else had two pages".
Einey: "It's still not fair."
Mom: "Life's not fair"
Mardi Gras
It's the beginning of the Catholic season of Lent. And prior to Ash Wednesday is Fat Tuesday. Yesterday Einey came home from school with a set of Mardi Gras beads. They were given to all the kids from the cafeteria ladies. (Throughout the year, they'll come home with trinkets - stickers, chalk, jump ropes, batons, ect given to each child at lunch from the cafeteria ladies). Husband turns to me and says "I don't want to know what she had to do to get those"....
Four little words for you
Airborne is your friend.
and finally, I'll leave you with what I believe is the grossest thing I ever had to say.
Ewwww
To Moe.
"Did you just lick the side of my van?" "Uh-huh"
Yuck double yuck. Do they make disinfection wipes for the mouth? Keep in mind, I live in New England, it's winter, my van hasn't been washed in months (although I've tried a few times, but it seems like when the weather warms up, the car washes are always broken, or not accepting credit cards), and there is all manner of sand and salt and who knows what stuck to the side. Yuck!
Monday, February 04, 2008
I'm not here right now....
Psst. I've posted another bird themed post over at the New England Mamas site today. Today's topic is Eagle Fest 2008.
So once your finished reading about this weekend's disappointments, head over there and check out that post.
So once your finished reading about this weekend's disappointments, head over there and check out that post.
Groundhog Day Prediction
The girls were hoping for an early spring, so they were disappointed that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.
I guess when we look on the bright side, there is still time to actually get enough snow to use the sleds we brought earlier in the year and haven't gotten a chance to use. The reason being the snow either melted to quick or turned to ice. They used their old sleds once this winter. Oh well, same thing happened last year as well. Although, I remember as a kid having snow almost all winter and sledding almost every day. That or building forts and having snowball fights.
Next up, Super Tuesday. The girls are already talking about "Superbowl Tuesday" and how we can pick the President. They've also decided to nominate themselves this morning for Presidency. Einey and Meenie both decided that they want to be President! I even tried to explain to them that it's not the actual vote for Presidency, but the vote to decide who will eventually run.
Let's hope it's not 3 for 3 in terms of disappointment for the girls (not in them not getting the Presidency but in our pick not getting the majority of votes).
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Superbowl Fever
Yeah Yeah, I know, another superbowl post...
Superbowl fever has hit this house hard. The surprising part? It's from the under 3 foot tall crowd. We're not a very sports family. Sure, we enjoy playing sports and watching, just not on TV. We'd take a farm league, high school, middle school or even kiddy league game in person over any (well most any) game on TV any day.
So I have been getting a chuckle out of "Patriots this and Patriots that" coming out of their little mouths this morning. Frankly, I was surprised they knew about the Patriots let alone knew it was football. Meenie has it in her mind that we are going to watch the Patriots play tonight. I had no plans to but maybe I'll let them watch for a few.
This morning, I had to search for Pats gear for the kids for school. They have a dress down day tomorrow that's tied into their favorite Superbowl team and they have to wear their team colors. Of course, most things were sold out. I did manage to grab two adult small sweatshirts (I know, I know) which are only slightly too big. I just need to cuff the sleeves alot to make them fit. Once the Pats win tonight, I know there are going to be Championship Tees everywhere, so I may just make Husband stop on the way home from work in the morning to grab a few tees that actually fit them for school.
So yeah, Go Pats.
Superbowl fever has hit this house hard. The surprising part? It's from the under 3 foot tall crowd. We're not a very sports family. Sure, we enjoy playing sports and watching, just not on TV. We'd take a farm league, high school, middle school or even kiddy league game in person over any (well most any) game on TV any day.
So I have been getting a chuckle out of "Patriots this and Patriots that" coming out of their little mouths this morning. Frankly, I was surprised they knew about the Patriots let alone knew it was football. Meenie has it in her mind that we are going to watch the Patriots play tonight. I had no plans to but maybe I'll let them watch for a few.
This morning, I had to search for Pats gear for the kids for school. They have a dress down day tomorrow that's tied into their favorite Superbowl team and they have to wear their team colors. Of course, most things were sold out. I did manage to grab two adult small sweatshirts (I know, I know) which are only slightly too big. I just need to cuff the sleeves alot to make them fit. Once the Pats win tonight, I know there are going to be Championship Tees everywhere, so I may just make Husband stop on the way home from work in the morning to grab a few tees that actually fit them for school.
So yeah, Go Pats.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Old School...
Who needs a Wii when you have a Super Nintendo (SNES). Einey was given Super Mario Advance 2 for her Game Boy Advance for Christmas and loves playing it. While cleaning out the closet last week, I came across the SNES. A few days later, I came across the box of games in the basement. So on the day off of school, I pulled out the system and Einey was ecstatic! She has been enjoying playing ever since.
Now to find the box of N64 games.....
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
On Birthdays...
We celebrated Einey's birthday with her friends this past weekend. To celebrate, we went roller skating at a local skating rink. It's a place that barely changed in the 10 plus years since Husband and I have last been there. And yet, the children had a blast. They didn't care that half the arcade games didn't work or that they could barely stand in the skate. They were trying their hardest and having fun.
Even after numerous times falling down and getting back up, they were all full of smiles. They did the hokey pokey on skates and played the four corners game. It wasn't private, so there were other families there but no one cared.
Of course I have to show of her super cool cake! That's the Pokemon, Manaphy, on roller skates.
Except, it was the first time we had a kids party and Husband didn't enjoy himself. I don't know if it was because he spent most of the time chasing Moe, despite the fact that we had two capable adults invited for the sole purpose of watching her. But he just kind of sulked. He admitted to me later, that it was just a step up from Chuck E. Cheese in his eyes (which to him, is the bottom of the barrel). He also admitted that it brought back memories of being wicked sore after skating. I don't remember this, but apparently he spent alot of time falling while skating in his youth.
Meenie takes after her dad, spending time on her tush. She preferred the carpet to the actual rink.
In the mean time, daughter gushed on and on about how it was her best party evah. And how she wants all her parties there from now on. And how she really wants to go back. So it looks like if we do any playdates, I'll be the one bringing her.
At least Einey had fun, that's all that matters!
Best. Party. Evah!
Even after numerous times falling down and getting back up, they were all full of smiles. They did the hokey pokey on skates and played the four corners game. It wasn't private, so there were other families there but no one cared.
Of course I have to show of her super cool cake! That's the Pokemon, Manaphy, on roller skates.Except, it was the first time we had a kids party and Husband didn't enjoy himself. I don't know if it was because he spent most of the time chasing Moe, despite the fact that we had two capable adults invited for the sole purpose of watching her. But he just kind of sulked. He admitted to me later, that it was just a step up from Chuck E. Cheese in his eyes (which to him, is the bottom of the barrel). He also admitted that it brought back memories of being wicked sore after skating. I don't remember this, but apparently he spent alot of time falling while skating in his youth.
Meenie takes after her dad, spending time on her tush. She preferred the carpet to the actual rink.In the mean time, daughter gushed on and on about how it was her best party evah. And how she wants all her parties there from now on. And how she really wants to go back. So it looks like if we do any playdates, I'll be the one bringing her.
At least Einey had fun, that's all that matters!
Best. Party. Evah!Sunday, January 13, 2008
Out with the New, In with the Newer
I posted before about the new camera that Husband brought me for Christmas. Quite frankly, it sucked. It was a Sony 7.2MP Cybershot. The pictures, no matter what we tried, were horrible. They were blurry and highly pixilated. Here's some examples:
So New Year's Day, we trekked back to the store to return said camera and look for another one. We ended up with a Cannon Cybershot A560. It's 7.1 MP and much, much better. I think it's my new favorite toy! Here's some examples:
Baby sling made by 'Nama
See the difference?
All in all I'm happy. It's a point and shoot until we can finally make up our minds as to which SLR we want and can save enough to buy all the related paraphernalia that goes with it (because we want all the good lenses).
So New Year's Day, we trekked back to the store to return said camera and look for another one. We ended up with a Cannon Cybershot A560. It's 7.1 MP and much, much better. I think it's my new favorite toy! Here's some examples:
Baby sling made by 'NamaSee the difference?
All in all I'm happy. It's a point and shoot until we can finally make up our minds as to which SLR we want and can save enough to buy all the related paraphernalia that goes with it (because we want all the good lenses).
Thursday, January 10, 2008
"Maybe they are looking for their babies"
Driving down the road, I heard "maybe they are looking for their babies" sadly remarked from the backseat of the van. A quick glance out the window told me that, yup, we were driving by one of the 16,532 places in the area that normally house cows. Moe's reasoning for missing cows when they aren't where we can see them is that they are out scouring the woods, in search of their lost little one's.
It's safe to say that Moe has an obsession with cows. Even before we took that tour of the cow farm and saw the calf's birth. She knows every field, every barn and every backyard that houses a cow in the area. She was excited when her dad found a new cow farm. It was a little known road that cuts the farm in half, used so little, there is nothing preventing the cows from crossing the road (and Husband almost hitting one the first time he drove down there). As a special treat, when her siblings are in school, we sometimes take her on a drive to see the cows. We took her to the farm Husband found and parked in the road. As we glance out at the cows, we noticed a calf shakily standing beside it's mother. Still sticky from it's birth moments before.
Her new favorite cow area is where they play "follow the leader". On the way to the park, their is a cow farm. Across the street, is another farm. That farm, has a cow trail leading from the barn, down close to the road and up a hill to greener pastures. Once and only once, we saw the cows, all in a row moving from pasture to barn thus earning the name of the place where the cows play follow the leader.
And so, one this cool winter's morning, the cow's were out looking for their babies.
***********************************************************************************************
Apparently it's National Delurking Day, Mrs. Chicky told me. So come on and comment already. Then when your finished, visit Rude Cactus and thank him for declaring it NDD and Greeblemonkey to thanks her for the graphic you see above.
Monday, January 07, 2008
For the Birds
Winter in New England is anything but predictable. Take this week for instance. Last Thursday, we had high temps of 12 degrees with a wind chill of below zero. Today, the high is supposed to be above 50 degrees! Throw snow and ice into the mix and you weather that's for the birds.[To read more, visit New England Mamas...]
Friday, January 04, 2008
The tooth fairy is coming...
Yup another tooth has been lost. But this time it wasn't Einey losing her pearly whites, it was Meenie! Yup, just four years old and her teeth are falling out. The dentist told us last month that one was loose, but I didn't think it would fall out so soon (it took Einey a year and a half from the time the dentist first noticed a loose tooth in her mouth). She has been eating apples for a week now trying to get it loose enough to fall out. It came out when she was brushing her teeth before bed.
And now I'm off to see if the tooth fairy can find a gold dollar (customary first tooth gift) and another paper dollar. She definitely was not prepared to make a stop tonight.
And now I'm off to see if the tooth fairy can find a gold dollar (customary first tooth gift) and another paper dollar. She definitely was not prepared to make a stop tonight.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Words of Wisdom
Don't leave crickets in your van when it's 6 degrees out.
Yup. I went to get the lizard his food and left it in the van. I now have a dozen frozen crickets. Looks like I need to go back to the pet store.
Edit: Apparently crickets are pretty resilient! I put the bag on the heater vent and after about 10 minutes, they started moving again and flipping over from the "dead and on my back" position.
(FYI. I've now posted three times today, so be sure to check out my other new posts as well)
Yup. I went to get the lizard his food and left it in the van. I now have a dozen frozen crickets. Looks like I need to go back to the pet store.
Edit: Apparently crickets are pretty resilient! I put the bag on the heater vent and after about 10 minutes, they started moving again and flipping over from the "dead and on my back" position.
(FYI. I've now posted three times today, so be sure to check out my other new posts as well)
New Years Eve Kids Bash.
I forgot to mention the cool shirts. The back includes the names of all the kids there. Just another notch on the tree for Husband's conviction that I am turning into Martha Stewart.
Go girls!That's the best way to describe the New Years Eve kids bash we attended at a friends house. We arrived around 6:30 where the kids sat down to color for a coloring contest. After that, it was time to decorate for the boys vs. girls snowball fight. The snowball fight consisted of lobbing socks at the other team. Sadly, the boys took the cake on that contest.
Einey wanted to join the boys side (go figure!)Amazingly, Einey and Meenie made it through all of the festivities (cake, karaoke, hat decorating, a story and the time capsule) to ring in the new year. They were very excited. At midnight, after the ball dropped and everyone drank their glass of champagne, the kids headed out onto the deck for some sparklers.
Moe didn't make it to midnight. She was one of four kids who missed it (they were all under three. One of them made it up until 11:55)We left our friends house around 12:30 with Moe, after bringing Einey and Meenie upstairs where they were sleeping over. This was a HUGE deal, not only was it their first sleep over at a non-family member's house (because MMRK, you guys are family :P and we all slept there) but they were spending the night with their friends. Five of them were all tucked into their sleeping bags when we left.
The next morning, we went back over to have our first breakfast of the new year with those same friends we celebrated with the night before (sans one family). The kids had some worksheets which they filled out.= with wishes for a new year. With a full array of foods and mimosa's it was a great way to start the new year.
I hope this is the start of a wonderful tradition of ringing in the new year!
Cheers! Happy New Year!This is the part of winter I hate...
I finally remembered why I dislike January. It's cold. Very cold! It is currently 6 degrees but with the wind chill, it's sub zero. I came down stairs this morning to find the heat dropped to a mere 60 degrees (which in the spring and fall is a great temp!). This usually happens when the mercury falls, the heathers need to work harder to heat more. I cranked the heat up, with hopes to kick the system into over drive. What I need is about 30K to install all new windows in the house. Gotta love a house with wicked old windows that let air in everywhere! And Husband doesn't believe in covering them with plastic (I know tacky, but he doesn't have to sit here all day freezing his buns off) or the gunky clay stuff (that you bead around the windows).
I also changed the air filter with hopes that will help. And most importantly, I fixed the air vent. The one on the floor 2 feet from where i am sitting. The one that collapses all the freakin' time and heats the basement more than the living room. It's fixed for the time being, but I'm sure it will collapse soon. We have forced air heating and this one vent just won't stay up. It's flexible ducts with the insulated tube. I would like to redo (and just this section for now) it to the permanent duct work so at least I can be guaranteed heat in the room we use most often. The room with not only a huge glass window/door to the deck, but also a large picture window. Did I mention the windows leak air?
It was so cold, I briefly thought about letting daughter stay home from school. But then I figured they would drive me nuts, after all, they've only been in school one day so far this week. Bringing her to school gave me an excuse to stop and get coffee!
Stay warm guys and lets hope March comes soon!
I also changed the air filter with hopes that will help. And most importantly, I fixed the air vent. The one on the floor 2 feet from where i am sitting. The one that collapses all the freakin' time and heats the basement more than the living room. It's fixed for the time being, but I'm sure it will collapse soon. We have forced air heating and this one vent just won't stay up. It's flexible ducts with the insulated tube. I would like to redo (and just this section for now) it to the permanent duct work so at least I can be guaranteed heat in the room we use most often. The room with not only a huge glass window/door to the deck, but also a large picture window. Did I mention the windows leak air?
It was so cold, I briefly thought about letting daughter stay home from school. But then I figured they would drive me nuts, after all, they've only been in school one day so far this week. Bringing her to school gave me an excuse to stop and get coffee!
Stay warm guys and lets hope March comes soon!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Confusion Reigns
Einey's best friend is a boy. And as such, since she's gotten to the age of sleepovers, she has been informed that while he may be her best friend, she just cannot sleep over at his house. We just explained that boys sleep at boys houses and girls sleep at girls houses. After much protesting, she finally accepted our terms.
All was fun and dandy until we got th invitation to a New Years Eve, kids sleepover bash. At her other best friend's house. Who also happens to be a boy. We explained our plans and they happily accepted the fact that we were going to have a sleepover and play games and stay up until midnight (or attempt to at least). All the kids are camping in the host kid's bedroom - which is currently divided into "boys against girls" fun. Each gender has it's own side. Until yesterday. As we were talking about the party, she paused and I saw the wheels turning. Then I heard:
"How come I can sleep over at his house and not house?".
She finally accepted that it was because the whole family was spending the night.
So soon, we're off to have tons of fun!
We'll see you next year!
All was fun and dandy until we got th invitation to a New Years Eve, kids sleepover bash. At her other best friend's house. Who also happens to be a boy. We explained our plans and they happily accepted the fact that we were going to have a sleepover and play games and stay up until midnight (or attempt to at least). All the kids are camping in the host kid's bedroom - which is currently divided into "boys against girls" fun. Each gender has it's own side. Until yesterday. As we were talking about the party, she paused and I saw the wheels turning. Then I heard:
"How come I can sleep over at his house and not
She finally accepted that it was because the whole family was spending the night.
So soon, we're off to have tons of fun!
We'll see you next year!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Worst. Mother. Evah
Today I earned the above title "Worst Mom Ever" from Einey. I really didn't do anything wrong, I just didn't do what she wanted me to do.
I sent her upstairs to get dressed so we could head to church. Only she wanted to sit and watch Pokemon. She was in tears as she told me it was the worse day of her life and that I was the "worst mom she ever had!". I still made her get dressed and we went to church. At church she was snuggling into me and told me she stilled loved me, even though she was mad at me. By the time church ended, she said she wasn't mad at me.
Hopefully, she'll learn that she cannot always have things her way.
I sent her upstairs to get dressed so we could head to church. Only she wanted to sit and watch Pokemon. She was in tears as she told me it was the worse day of her life and that I was the "worst mom she ever had!". I still made her get dressed and we went to church. At church she was snuggling into me and told me she stilled loved me, even though she was mad at me. By the time church ended, she said she wasn't mad at me.
Hopefully, she'll learn that she cannot always have things her way.
Friday, December 28, 2007
We survived
We survived Christmas and it's aftermath. I swear, if I have to un-box, un-wrap, un-tape and un-twisty tie another toy any time soon, I may go bonkers! Most of the gifts the girls got were locked up tighter than Fort Knox! Do toys really need that much excess packaging?
Husband looked at the dizzying array of toys (in their packages) and was wondering when we were going to start building another play room to house them all. Once they were all un-packaged, they fit nicely in their
proper baskets / on their shelf. Nice and neat!
Wednesday the girls went to see Waterhorse with a friend. It was daddy's day out. Moe and I hung out with the mom and little sister of the friend. We basically hung out at the McDonald's play place for an hour. First time I've done that and Moe had a blast! Waterhorse was apparently good, but not necessarily a kids movie (it's PG). I guess there were a few scene's that scared the girls.
This morning we spent an hour at the local pet store for a "field trip". The girls got to hold all types of animals. Einey has decided she wants more lizards as well as a snake and a hamster. Moe wants fish. Then we went to a pizza / movie lunch at friend's house before relaxing for the afternoon at home. Then we hadcommunity service parental volunteer hours at the girls school for a basketball tournament. It's part of the agreement with her doing pep squad - each parent has to volunteer. Luckily, it also goes towards our yearly required volunteer hours! The girls were real good hanging out in the cafeteria area where the concessions were while I manned the admissions area. They did of course devour copious amounts of popcorn, water and candy.
Tomorrow brings a trip to the craft store to pick up make your own party hats and tee shirts for the New Years Eve Kids Bash we are going to and roller skating in the afternoon. And Sunday brings a birthday party. I think I need a vacation from this winter break! Actually, I can't complain as we've basically lounged around the last few days!
Husband looked at the dizzying array of toys (in their packages) and was wondering when we were going to start building another play room to house them all. Once they were all un-packaged, they fit nicely in their
proper baskets / on their shelf. Nice and neat!
Wednesday the girls went to see Waterhorse with a friend. It was daddy's day out. Moe and I hung out with the mom and little sister of the friend. We basically hung out at the McDonald's play place for an hour. First time I've done that and Moe had a blast! Waterhorse was apparently good, but not necessarily a kids movie (it's PG). I guess there were a few scene's that scared the girls.
This morning we spent an hour at the local pet store for a "field trip". The girls got to hold all types of animals. Einey has decided she wants more lizards as well as a snake and a hamster. Moe wants fish. Then we went to a pizza / movie lunch at friend's house before relaxing for the afternoon at home. Then we had
Tomorrow brings a trip to the craft store to pick up make your own party hats and tee shirts for the New Years Eve Kids Bash we are going to and roller skating in the afternoon. And Sunday brings a birthday party. I think I need a vacation from this winter break! Actually, I can't complain as we've basically lounged around the last few days!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Time for Christmas
Time we were awoken Christmas morning 6:00 am. No not, by the sound of kids discovering the plethora of toys under the tree. We were awoken by sounds on the roof. Uh huh. Yup. Again.
6:30 am - The time the kids woke up for the day
8:00 am - When they were finished opening their gifts.
8:30 am - Time that I opened my new camera
8:40 am - Time that I realized that I hate* my new camera.
How long it took us to lose our first toy - 10 minutes
Amount of time it took to remove toys from packaging - 1 plus hours
Time Christmas dinner was supposed to be ready - 2:30 pm.
Time we we actaully sat down to eat - 3:30pm
Amount of time it took from opening new presents until we threatened Moe that Santa would be back to take the toys back - 7.5 hours.
Time spent with family - 4 days and counting....
Merry Christmas and enjoy your time together today!
*Possibly, I am going to try playing with it some more, but I think it may get returned.
6:30 am - The time the kids woke up for the day
8:00 am - When they were finished opening their gifts.
8:30 am - Time that I opened my new camera
8:40 am - Time that I realized that I hate* my new camera.
How long it took us to lose our first toy - 10 minutes
Amount of time it took to remove toys from packaging - 1 plus hours
Time Christmas dinner was supposed to be ready - 2:30 pm.
Time we we actaully sat down to eat - 3:30pm
Amount of time it took from opening new presents until we threatened Moe that Santa would be back to take the toys back - 7.5 hours.
Time spent with family - 4 days and counting....
Merry Christmas and enjoy your time together today!
*Possibly, I am going to try playing with it some more, but I think it may get returned.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Memories
Six years ago, on Christmas Eve, I was sitting at my parent's house with my whole family. After eating, I got an upset stomach. At the time, I thought it was the pizza, I always got an upset stomach with pizza from a certain place. Husband and I left my parents house around 11 pm. It was the last time we did a Christmas Eve gathering which lasted so long (now we meet for a few house the weekend before Christmas). We headed straight for our church where we attended midnight Mass. After mass, we headed home for a peaceful night's sleep.
On Christmas morning, I awoke to my water breaking. In a fog, I stumbled to the bathroom, cleaned myself up and headed back to bed. About a 1/2 hour later, it dawned on me what actually happened. After I was finally able to rouse Husband, he took his sweet time taking a shower and grabbing our things. I still hadn't started having contractions, but we headed to the hospital anyway (we didn't know!). After getting there and checked in, my contractions finally started. At this point, we called our families to inform them we would not be coming to visit. Around 3 pm, one of the nurses mentioned to Husband that the hospital was offering free Christmas lunches. Husband, who apparently felt he was starving, snuck out when our favorite nurse was in the room to grab a bite to eat. Only he didn't eat and come back. He brought the food back to the room to be with me. I think it was the only time I ever kicked him out of the room! (To be fair, I had just entered a transition phase and for the first time, was highly uncomfortable) When he came back into the room, the smell of turkey and cranberry sauce swirling around him, we found out it was time to start pushing the baby out. 45 minutes later, Einey was born.
Einey's birth and the moments leading up to it are forever stuck in my mind, just like the events leading up to her sister's births. I was not ready for her to be born, there were so many decisions we had yet to make. She was 4 weeks early so we had no last minute time to prepare. In fact, I had visited my OB the day before she was born and he felt was still had at least two weeks. Apparently the upset stomach I had was in fact early labor. I didn't know, it wasn't intense like I heard it would be. I was always told when you went into labor, you'd know. In fact with all three of my girls, I didn't know. After we had Einey, everyone who saw us the night before commented on "I knew you'd have her soon, I could see how uncomfortable you were".
So here I am, on Christmas Eve, thinking of that Christmas Eve six years ago that would forever change our lives. We still do most of the same traditions, we've just modified them to fit our family's need.
Merry Christmas!
On Christmas morning, I awoke to my water breaking. In a fog, I stumbled to the bathroom, cleaned myself up and headed back to bed. About a 1/2 hour later, it dawned on me what actually happened. After I was finally able to rouse Husband, he took his sweet time taking a shower and grabbing our things. I still hadn't started having contractions, but we headed to the hospital anyway (we didn't know!). After getting there and checked in, my contractions finally started. At this point, we called our families to inform them we would not be coming to visit. Around 3 pm, one of the nurses mentioned to Husband that the hospital was offering free Christmas lunches. Husband, who apparently felt he was starving, snuck out when our favorite nurse was in the room to grab a bite to eat. Only he didn't eat and come back. He brought the food back to the room to be with me. I think it was the only time I ever kicked him out of the room! (To be fair, I had just entered a transition phase and for the first time, was highly uncomfortable) When he came back into the room, the smell of turkey and cranberry sauce swirling around him, we found out it was time to start pushing the baby out. 45 minutes later, Einey was born.
Einey's birth and the moments leading up to it are forever stuck in my mind, just like the events leading up to her sister's births. I was not ready for her to be born, there were so many decisions we had yet to make. She was 4 weeks early so we had no last minute time to prepare. In fact, I had visited my OB the day before she was born and he felt was still had at least two weeks. Apparently the upset stomach I had was in fact early labor. I didn't know, it wasn't intense like I heard it would be. I was always told when you went into labor, you'd know. In fact with all three of my girls, I didn't know. After we had Einey, everyone who saw us the night before commented on "I knew you'd have her soon, I could see how uncomfortable you were".
So here I am, on Christmas Eve, thinking of that Christmas Eve six years ago that would forever change our lives. We still do most of the same traditions, we've just modified them to fit our family's need.
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas Wish
"For Christmas, I would like to spend time with my whole family." ~Einey
Einey got her Christmas wish. Originally, this weekend was to be filled with spending the holidays with my extended family and then a Christmas party and caroling with friends. But then Moe got sick. She has had this nasty cough (croup?) for a few days and hadn't been sleeping. The end of the week, it was also accompanied by a fever. Now all that lingers is a cough, but it's enough to keep us home together.
Einey, Meenie and I still made the trip to visit our family (the gathering was originally scheduled for our abode, but last minute scrambling led us to my sister's house), drop off the gifts we brought and to pick up their gifts. We stayed for a bit and Einey and Meenie opened their Christmas presents with their cousins. Einey also opened her birthday gifts.
There are a few duplicates which will need to be exchanged after the New Year (it's not worth fighting the crowds!) but for the most part, they got plenty of fun toys. I didn't ban all things Made in China because some of their favorite toys are from there. We will just keep an eye on the consumer reports and toss what needs to be tossed.
Husband took one look at the bags of stuff I carted back into the house and shook his head. They outdid it again I see. Where are we going to put all that stuff? But once it was out of it's ridiculous packaging, it all fit nicely in the designated bins in the playroom. In fact, their is plenty of room to spare for the new toys Santa is bringing!
On a side note, I found Area 51.
That is what I saw when I walked down into the living room the other day. The kids couldn't understand the humor I found in the sign.
P.S. I'm not sure what's up with my header. It keeps changing so I think it has something to do with blogger. I'm going to leave it for a few days and see if it rights itself. It looks a little better today than it has the last few days.
Einey, Meenie and I still made the trip to visit our family (the gathering was originally scheduled for our abode, but last minute scrambling led us to my sister's house), drop off the gifts we brought and to pick up their gifts. We stayed for a bit and Einey and Meenie opened their Christmas presents with their cousins. Einey also opened her birthday gifts.
There are a few duplicates which will need to be exchanged after the New Year (it's not worth fighting the crowds!) but for the most part, they got plenty of fun toys. I didn't ban all things Made in China because some of their favorite toys are from there. We will just keep an eye on the consumer reports and toss what needs to be tossed.
Husband took one look at the bags of stuff I carted back into the house and shook his head. They outdid it again I see. Where are we going to put all that stuff? But once it was out of it's ridiculous packaging, it all fit nicely in the designated bins in the playroom. In fact, their is plenty of room to spare for the new toys Santa is bringing!
On a side note, I found Area 51.That is what I saw when I walked down into the living room the other day. The kids couldn't understand the humor I found in the sign.
P.S. I'm not sure what's up with my header. It keeps changing so I think it has something to do with blogger. I'm going to leave it for a few days and see if it rights itself. It looks a little better today than it has the last few days.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Wii Crazy
Santa was going to bring a Wii. Then he wasn't. Now at the last minute, he decided he wants to.
I don't know what, except for temporary insanity, propelled me to try to find one this morning.
8:30 am Dropped Einey and Meenie off at school
8:50 am Stopped at GameSpot to check and see if they got any Wii's in (wishfull thinking!). There were three people waiting.
9:05 am Went inside. Found out they had a shipment due that morning and they usually arrive around 10 am. Decided to wait - hey I'm the fourth person here, I should be lucky!
9:07 am Moe declares she needs to potty. I initiate a game of I-Spy.
9:30 am Moe is hungry. I pull out a granola bar (not sure when I put it in my purse, but it was there). More people filter in and join the group.
10:00 am Moe is a little antsy. She's wandering around, looking at game boxes, playing the display games.
10:16 am Still no UPS. I decide to wait a bit longer.
10:30 am Moe and I are sitting on the floor coloring.
10:45 am I decide to wait until 11:05 so I can make it back to pick Meenie up.
11:05 am UPS pulls up into the plaza. I wait. I'm not getting this close only to leave.
11:15 am Truck pulls up to the store. Unloads in the back.
11:20 am Store Employee walks out. They have three Wii's.
Did I mention I was fourth in line?
Store employee does tell Moe and I we can come back two other days they are expecting shipments in. Um thanks but no thanks, Moe would probably not behave as well.
11:38 am Arrive at school a tad late to get Meenie.
11:45 am Stop at McDonald's to reward Moe for behaving so well!
It's not that big of a deal, especially since we initially decided to wait. Waiting until later in the year really isn't going to be so bad. Really.
Edit: Day 2 - 15 minutes in line, #3 in line, 3 Wii's. One was needed to replace a defective one.
Day 3 - 1hour, 30 minutes, #4 in line, 3 Wii's. Not in the cards. We'll wait awhile! At least that's $250 + ( plus for all the games/accesories I'd buy) I still have.
I don't know what, except for temporary insanity, propelled me to try to find one this morning.
8:30 am Dropped Einey and Meenie off at school
8:50 am Stopped at GameSpot to check and see if they got any Wii's in (wishfull thinking!). There were three people waiting.
9:05 am Went inside. Found out they had a shipment due that morning and they usually arrive around 10 am. Decided to wait - hey I'm the fourth person here, I should be lucky!
9:07 am Moe declares she needs to potty. I initiate a game of I-Spy.
9:30 am Moe is hungry. I pull out a granola bar (not sure when I put it in my purse, but it was there). More people filter in and join the group.
10:00 am Moe is a little antsy. She's wandering around, looking at game boxes, playing the display games.
10:16 am Still no UPS. I decide to wait a bit longer.
10:30 am Moe and I are sitting on the floor coloring.
10:45 am I decide to wait until 11:05 so I can make it back to pick Meenie up.
11:05 am UPS pulls up into the plaza. I wait. I'm not getting this close only to leave.
11:15 am Truck pulls up to the store. Unloads in the back.
11:20 am Store Employee walks out. They have three Wii's.
Did I mention I was fourth in line?
Store employee does tell Moe and I we can come back two other days they are expecting shipments in. Um thanks but no thanks, Moe would probably not behave as well.
11:38 am Arrive at school a tad late to get Meenie.
11:45 am Stop at McDonald's to reward Moe for behaving so well!
It's not that big of a deal, especially since we initially decided to wait. Waiting until later in the year really isn't going to be so bad. Really.
Edit: Day 2 - 15 minutes in line, #3 in line, 3 Wii's. One was needed to replace a defective one.
Day 3 - 1hour, 30 minutes, #4 in line, 3 Wii's. Not in the cards. We'll wait awhile! At least that's $250 + ( plus for all the games/accesories I'd buy) I still have.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Ice, Ice Baby
Ice hurts. Or more specifically, what's under ice hurts. Even more specifically, falling down concrete steps because you slipped on ice hurts.
We just had our sand/salt bucket filled after the snowstorm last Friday. And we used all of it on the driveway under the cars so they would be able to get out in the morning. Unfortunately, we had none left for the stairs. And just my luck, leaving this morning to pick up Meenie from school, I slipped and hit three of them on the way down. Luckily, Moe didn't fall. And then, after walking out the door with Meenie, we both fell. Not fun.
When I picked Einey up from school, they warned us about the ice in the parking lot. The whole lot is like an ice rink! The teacher on car duty was going to complain after we left. She said if it was still like that in the morning, to call and complain. It's just not safe.
I found some kitty litter(don't ask why I have kitty litter if I've never ever owned a cat) in the basement and used it to cover the stairs and the front walk so the mailman didn't fall. It seems the have worked.
Now to get more sand/salt before it snows again.
Edit: 4:30 PM Yah! I have more sand/salt. Thanks Dad!
We just had our sand/salt bucket filled after the snowstorm last Friday. And we used all of it on the driveway under the cars so they would be able to get out in the morning. Unfortunately, we had none left for the stairs. And just my luck, leaving this morning to pick up Meenie from school, I slipped and hit three of them on the way down. Luckily, Moe didn't fall. And then, after walking out the door with Meenie, we both fell. Not fun.
When I picked Einey up from school, they warned us about the ice in the parking lot. The whole lot is like an ice rink! The teacher on car duty was going to complain after we left. She said if it was still like that in the morning, to call and complain. It's just not safe.
I found some kitty litter(don't ask why I have kitty litter if I've never ever owned a cat) in the basement and used it to cover the stairs and the front walk so the mailman didn't fall. It seems the have worked.
Now to get more sand/salt before it snows again.
Edit: 4:30 PM Yah! I have more sand/salt. Thanks Dad!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Nationality, Language and Religion...
Last week, while we were driving, Einey asks me, "how did you know I was going to be English and not Spanish?". I glanced back and told her "you're neither, you are American". After a blank look, she asks well what is an "American". So we talked about how your nationality is determined by where you are born and that since we live in America, it makes her American. I guess I never quite answered her question, because a few minutes later, she asked, "How did you know I would speak English and not Spanish". After a few chuckles, I told her that the language you speak is usually determined by the language you hear spoken at home.
*********************************************************************************************
At school this month, the girls started off their lessons learning about Hanukkah and Kwanza in addition to Christmas. So while they were lighting the weekly advent candles, they were also making Menorah's. Meenie's preschool class talked about how all three celebrations have things in common. They all use candles to celebrate, they all have families gathering for feasts and have some sort of present giving. And it's all a way to celebrate your heritage.
At the end of their lessons, their Menorah's came home. Meenie asked if we could light it. As I lit the candles, she started to spin her dreidel and sing the dreidel song. At this point, Einey flipped out and stormed out of the room.
At school this month, the girls started off their lessons learning about Hanukkah and Kwanza in addition to Christmas. So while they were lighting the weekly advent candles, they were also making Menorah's. Meenie's preschool class talked about how all three celebrations have things in common. They all use candles to celebrate, they all have families gathering for feasts and have some sort of present giving. And it's all a way to celebrate your heritage.At the end of their lessons, their Menorah's came home. Meenie asked if we could light it. As I lit the candles, she started to spin her dreidel and sing the dreidel song. At this point, Einey flipped out and stormed out of the room.
"I don't want to be Jewish, you need to stop right now. It's not fair. I just don't understand"
When I finally got her to calm down I tried to explain to her that what we did did not make her Jewish. That it takes alot more to convert to a new Religion. And also that being Jewish means much more than religion because it is also an ethnicity.
At the same time, we brought up the subject of tolerance. We explain that while it wasn't something she normally celebrates, nor something she fully understood, that her reaction was unacceptable. We explained that as she grows up, she is going to meet people who don't share the same beliefs as she does and that's it's okay. It's part of that diversity that makes everyone special. One day, she's going to have friends who have different religions, heritage and political beliefs than she does and that she's going to need to accept it.
Of all the kids, I didn't think she would be the one to react like that. She is usually pretty tolerant and has never let anything like religion or ethnicity bother her before. But as I look back on it, I think she was scared. And while I know she still doesn't fully understand, one day she will.
At the same time, we brought up the subject of tolerance. We explain that while it wasn't something she normally celebrates, nor something she fully understood, that her reaction was unacceptable. We explained that as she grows up, she is going to meet people who don't share the same beliefs as she does and that's it's okay. It's part of that diversity that makes everyone special. One day, she's going to have friends who have different religions, heritage and political beliefs than she does and that she's going to need to accept it.
Of all the kids, I didn't think she would be the one to react like that. She is usually pretty tolerant and has never let anything like religion or ethnicity bother her before. But as I look back on it, I think she was scared. And while I know she still doesn't fully understand, one day she will.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Cancelled
It's official. I've canceled Einey's birthday party, to be rescheduled at a later date in January. And she took it very well, no complaining at all!
After 10 inches of snow yesterday and a "Nor 'Easter*" on the way for Saturday into Sunday I didn't want to risk it. On the bright side, friends who couldn't come due to Christmas obligations may now be able to make the rescheduled party. The downside is I may have to buy more party favors as we invited extra guests after some declined.
*Forecast changes frequently
After 10 inches of snow yesterday and a "Nor 'Easter*" on the way for Saturday into Sunday I didn't want to risk it. On the bright side, friends who couldn't come due to Christmas obligations may now be able to make the rescheduled party. The downside is I may have to buy more party favors as we invited extra guests after some declined.
*Forecast changes frequently
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Winter Weather Rant
I'm glad to see snow. Really I am. I even went out and brought new sleds this morning. I can't wait until after nap time to go out and play with the kids.
But why, oh why, do you send kids home early because the roads are slick but NOT send out the snowplows before hand? We live close to the school - it normally tames me two minutes to get there. I live on a main road in town and have to briefly get on a main state road (one that is always on the list of most dangerous roads in the country). Yet when I went to pick up Einey at 12:45, none of the roads were plowed and no corners were sanded. Now the snow started to fall at 11:15. I had come home from a playgroup at 11:45 and the roads were not to bad. Forty-five minutes later, they were pretty slick (and yeah, the snow is coming down pretty hard and fast). It took me almost 20 minutes to make the 5 minute round trip drive. And the kicker - we've seen the plows (because the town owns several) out and about. Just not doing what they should be doing.
So again, why send school buses out on the crap-tastic roads without first treating them?
But why, oh why, do you send kids home early because the roads are slick but NOT send out the snowplows before hand? We live close to the school - it normally tames me two minutes to get there. I live on a main road in town and have to briefly get on a main state road (one that is always on the list of most dangerous roads in the country). Yet when I went to pick up Einey at 12:45, none of the roads were plowed and no corners were sanded. Now the snow started to fall at 11:15. I had come home from a playgroup at 11:45 and the roads were not to bad. Forty-five minutes later, they were pretty slick (and yeah, the snow is coming down pretty hard and fast). It took me almost 20 minutes to make the 5 minute round trip drive. And the kicker - we've seen the plows (because the town owns several) out and about. Just not doing what they should be doing.
So again, why send school buses out on the crap-tastic roads without first treating them?
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Please, Please, Please let them be wrong....
Saturday Night
A chance of snow in the evening...then snow... rain and sleet after midnight. Moderate snow accumulation. Lows around 20. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
Sunday
Rain...snow and sleet with freezing rain likely in the morning...then a chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Additional moderate snow accumulation possible. Highs in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
For once, I am hoping and praying that the weather forecasters are wrong. With our luck, it will be the one time they are right!
You see, Einey's birthday party is scheduled Sunday morning. Einey, whose birthday falls on Christmas Day and already at the age of almost six, feels jipped (thankfully she has a great teacher who is helping us to realize that it's a special day... more on that later). Einey whose single biggest fear right now is that her friends won't get to celebrate her birthday with her because they can't come over on Christmas (even though we told her a hundred times her party is not on her birthday). Einey who has been counting down since the first of the month.
I have until Saturday morning to make the call on whether we want to reschedule or try to go ahead with it.
I just hope it's not a repeat of three years ago when I had to cancel Moe's baptism three times and finally in February said "let's do it in June!"
For once, I am hoping and praying that the weather forecasters are wrong. With our luck, it will be the one time they are right!
You see, Einey's birthday party is scheduled Sunday morning. Einey, whose birthday falls on Christmas Day and already at the age of almost six, feels jipped (thankfully she has a great teacher who is helping us to realize that it's a special day... more on that later). Einey whose single biggest fear right now is that her friends won't get to celebrate her birthday with her because they can't come over on Christmas (even though we told her a hundred times her party is not on her birthday). Einey who has been counting down since the first of the month.
I have until Saturday morning to make the call on whether we want to reschedule or try to go ahead with it.
I just hope it's not a repeat of three years ago when I had to cancel Moe's baptism three times and finally in February said "let's do it in June!"
Sunday, December 09, 2007
One Crazy Mama...
What do you get when you have 13 kids under the age of 6, 7 dozen sugar cookies, containers of colored frosting and more toppings than you can imagine? Sugar highs to last until Christmas!
{Rest of the story...}
{Rest of the story...}
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Psst. Wanna know something?
My girls are blabber mouths! Every year, we take them out and let them pick out gifts for their siblings and parents (Husband takes them to shop for me, and I take them to shop for him). So far, the two little one's have spilled the beans.
Meenie to Moe: "I got you puppy in my pockets with a bracelet"
Meenie to Einey "I got you Pokemon cards with Cradaily and Roserade"
After shopping with with daddy yesterday:
Moe to Meenie "I got you a penguin" (which in fact she did but it wasn't a Christmas gift)
and then signing in the other room "We got Mommy socks and".................. shhh don't tell me!
Every time they open their mouths, I need to remind them NOT to tell what they brought someone. I think i need to start walking around with my fingers in my ears saying "lalalalalalala"!
Meenie to Moe: "I got you puppy in my pockets with a bracelet"
Meenie to Einey "I got you Pokemon cards with Cradaily and Roserade"
After shopping with with daddy yesterday:
Moe to Meenie "I got you a penguin" (which in fact she did but it wasn't a Christmas gift)
and then signing in the other room "We got Mommy socks and".................. shhh don't tell me!
Every time they open their mouths, I need to remind them NOT to tell what they brought someone. I think i need to start walking around with my fingers in my ears saying "lalalalalalala"!
******************************************************************
Yesterday UPS pulled up in front of the house (not unusual since I did alot of shopping online and I am still waiting for at least 3 more packages). Only I couldn't identify what was in the box. I mean the box was HUGE and the items I ordered were small. They shipped this:
Inside a box like this:
A little bit of overkill, no?
Inside a box like this:
A little bit of overkill, no?
******************************************************************
Speaking of Christmas and gifts, don't forget to visit the New England Mama's blog for your chance to win some great prizes! Some are from New England vendor's such as Little New Englander, Brooks Pond, and Yellowhale Photography. I wish they had (or I knew about) that Brooks Pond baby carrier cover when I had the girls. I would always slip one of Husband's sweaters over whichever girl was in the front pack at the time. It made getting out in the spring and fall much easier! And the Little New Englander tee-shirts are great! The girls love walking around in their Virginia Beach shirts, so why not a local shirt. Finding a children's photographer is hard. I have a hard time finding one who fits our families need. But Yellowhale Photography does amazing work. Just browse through their gallery to check. Other prizes include a gift certificate to Sephora, a set of sacks from Envirosax (these are truly an amazing product - and they really do hold alot. So far, I have managed to fit almost everything inside of them), some gift certificates to Dunkin Donuts, Digital Day Counters from Days Ago, some HP photo books, A homemade Christmas Ornament made by our Maine blogger, MomonCoffee (do you take order's because Husband thought they were cool!) and a diaper bag by Skip Hop.
Make sure you visit and sign up for the contest. Contest ends 12/8! Be sure to tell them Whirlwind sent you!
Make sure you visit and sign up for the contest. Contest ends 12/8! Be sure to tell them Whirlwind sent you!
A tad chilly...
This is what one of the million 19 pumpkins from Halloween looked like yesterday:
I'm not sure why they are still hanging around outside, but I think it's time to pluck them and add them to the compost pile. I did finally pull the Mums (and while I was going to add them to the compost heap, I noticed that despite lack of water for over a month and freezing temps, they had new growth, so I trimmed them back and they are currently residing in the basement). I did finally get some poinsettia's for outside.
I'm not sure why they are still hanging around outside, but I think it's time to pluck them and add them to the compost pile. I did finally pull the Mums (and while I was going to add them to the compost heap, I noticed that despite lack of water for over a month and freezing temps, they had new growth, so I trimmed them back and they are currently residing in the basement). I did finally get some poinsettia's for outside.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Alone
Hear that? No not the heater running nor the hot water percolating. The silence! The kids grudgingly went to school (I say grudgingly because they were hoping for a day off - but as usual, the winter weather predicted was less than anticipated) and Husband is gone for the day. With Moe. On his own free will!
Yup, despite standing in line on Black Friday t oget me mycamera *surprise* he feels he needs to buy me more things for Christmas. And thus, he volunteered to take Moe shopping.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to do the laundry, dishes, and finish decorating visit the New England Mama's Blog and see what kind of prizes I can win.
Yup, despite standing in line on Black Friday t oget me my
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Emergency Surgery
This morning I performed my first ever emergency surgery.
You see, Squeaky the Elephant, encountered some trouble which resulted in a split back. As he lay on the side of the computer desk, with stuffing slowly falling out and his beedy black eyes watching me, I realized, it was bettr for him if I ended the suffering. Normally I would wait until I met up with the master surgeon, but with the holidays and all, I knew he would be suffering for a long long time.
With a steady hand, I cradled Squeaky in one hand and with the other, carefully stitched his back together. It's not perfect, and he'll always bare the light green scar against his light gray skin, but in the end he was very happy.
Meenie, Squeaky's handler, was very happy. As I wrapped him in a pink ribbon tourniquet, she gently took him from my arms and is now helping him rest comfortably on the sofa.
As my surgery schedule picks up (and I'm sure it will now that they know surgeries can be performed at home rather then away, I am sure my technique will improve. And I'm sure that eventually, I will be able to match their skin color to stiching material, minimalizing the scarring.
But for now, they are happy.
You see, Squeaky the Elephant, encountered some trouble which resulted in a split back. As he lay on the side of the computer desk, with stuffing slowly falling out and his beedy black eyes watching me, I realized, it was bettr for him if I ended the suffering. Normally I would wait until I met up with the master surgeon, but with the holidays and all, I knew he would be suffering for a long long time.
With a steady hand, I cradled Squeaky in one hand and with the other, carefully stitched his back together. It's not perfect, and he'll always bare the light green scar against his light gray skin, but in the end he was very happy.
Meenie, Squeaky's handler, was very happy. As I wrapped him in a pink ribbon tourniquet, she gently took him from my arms and is now helping him rest comfortably on the sofa.
As my surgery schedule picks up (and I'm sure it will now that they know surgeries can be performed at home rather then away, I am sure my technique will improve. And I'm sure that eventually, I will be able to match their skin color to stiching material, minimalizing the scarring.
But for now, they are happy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)