The long weekend without cash

Dear Bank,

If your going to cancel my debit card for fraud prevention on a Saturday of a long weekend, please give me a heads up. I don't appreciate going to the store and having my card denied, only to go onto your website and read that some cards are being deactivated as a precaution. Finding out at 5:00 pm on a Saturday of a long weekend sucks. Not having access to cash for a weekend sucks. Being forewarned would have been much appreciated. You will be hearing from me Tuesday morning.

Okay, thanks.

Whirlwind.

3 am Musings

Here are some thoughts that crossed my mind as I lat awake from 3:30 - 5:00 am this morning. No, I wasn't still feeling sick. I had fallen asleep on the couch and Husband woke me up when he was heading upstairs. He should know by now just to leave me.

* Oh shit, I forgot not one, not two but THREE family birthdays this week. My nephew, my niece and my FATHER. May is Birthday month - I also have another nephew and two really good friends with birthdays. EPIC FAIL!

* With the other school closing and many kids coming to ours, I realized that there is a possibility that my step-sisters daughter could end up at our school. I'm still not sure how I feel about that, but I may need to make some changes to the directory that goes home the beginning of the year to all families (i.e. having our contact info removed from it).

* Not that my parent's haven't sold out my phone number. I'm still getting a host of phone calls it's hugely infuriating. There's a reason we added ourselves to the no call list.

* Whose night time noises are louder, Husband or the Dog?

* I wonder when we'll find the right puppy for us? We've been looking at the local pet finder, but the costs associated with them are almost as much as buying a purebred puppy! We got the Dog for $25 at the pound. We can't see paying $400 for another mutt.

* Man, the bird sounds are nice.

* I should just go downstairs and hop online.

* What am I going to do for Meenie's birthday party? It's a month away and I have no clue whatsoever. I have a theme but that's it. I don't even know when we're having it!

* I hope the kids don't wake up at 5:30 again with their morning antics (they got up later then they normally have been - 6:3- ish, but very very quiet and respectful this morning).

End of the year-itis

There is 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 weeks left of school (depending on the child). The end of the school year also brings an end to soccer and scouts. And end to early mornings (wishfully thinking here) and needing to frantically wash uniforms. And end to making sure homework is done before we can go hiking/play outside/go for ice cream. An end of trying to cram things in between school and soccer (four nights a week :( ). An end to rushing around. An end to obligations. An end to field trips, projects and celebrations. And end to morning school Masses. And end to time constraints and obligations.

I've got end-of-the-year-itis and I don't even go to school.

Mother's Day

Moe was wide awake this morning. And despite her promise of letting me sleep in, I had to shoo her out of my room (and out of my closets) many, many times. She was using every excuse to come in - even bringing me stuffed animals to "help me sleep". Finally, after she was dressed in her "fancy" dress, she and her sisters brought me breakfast in bed. My breakfast consisted of dry cocoa puffs, a cup of milk, a glass of water and a gogurt. Then they retreated downstairs so I could eat my breakfast in peace.

Around lunch time, I took them to the park. We packed a picnic lunch and brought some bread for the ducks. It was cool and windy, but we spent a big part of the afternoon feeding ducks and running around the playground. They found some of Moe's friends so there was plenty of laughter and lots of hide and seek. There was, also, two falls from the balance beam, one resulting in a bumped head and the other a banged up chin and leg. But the tears abated and then there were cries of 'push me on the swing" and "higher, higher". Lastly there was help on the monkey bars.

We came home with hopes of making cookies, but I was out of many ingredients from the brunch last week. So we took some paint out and painted on the deck (and on our paper, and somehow bodies and a bit of our clothes). It was only supposed to be on the paper, but it managed to get everywhere!

We had some Wii time, but that quickly ended when fights erupted over who was playing what character and who was winning what race. I shut the TV and Wii off and told them to find something to do, I was taking a nap! Meenie was mad, I heard her go upstairs to throw a tantrum in her room. I also heard her stop, walk downstairs, see no one paying attention to her and walk back upstairs to continue said tantrum. Once the tantrum subsided, they sat and played their DS's and worked in their workbooks. They colored pictures and let me rest.

And then the question of dinner came up. "what do you want for dinner? We'll make anything you want."

Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there.

A day for moms

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. All week, there has been the squirreling away of gift's carefully made by tiny fingers. There have been warning of not going near windows, or in certain cabinets and bathrooms. There has been voices filled with glee, remarking as we walk into Micheal's "hey, we came here before, want to show you what e got?" And as the light dawns, my voice replying "not today, let's just get what I need, okay?". There has been words spoken by little girls, who so badly want to tell of their creations, their gifts, yet at the same time want to keep it a surprise. I find my self often repeating "stop right there, don't say anymore".

There is also the promise of letting me sleep in and making me breakfast in bed, which if I may say so, scares me a bit. I hear them conversing with each other, asking if hey should make me eggs, or french toast or pancakes? The only problem with their plan is that tomorrow morning, I'll be the only adult in the house. And while I certainly trust Einey with the toaster or the microwave, making eggs or french toast or pancakes is slightly above her ability. Maybe I'll leave out so precut bagels and peanut butter or a bowl of my favorite cereal for them to prepare in the morning.

So in honor of Mother's Day, I'm sending you over to some of my favorite "mom-blogs". So grab a cup of coffee and relax with my "friends".

Clink is my first blogger turned friend. It's weird to say "oh I met her on the Internet, but it's true". Not everyone out there is a crazy person out to get you. Her daughter is the cutest little thing and reminds me so much of Einey when she was little. Clink is great - even Moe hasn't scared her away!

Binky is the one who introduced me to the blog-world. She has two beautiful children, the Boss and Number Two.

Stimey is great. I can see that if her boys and my girls ever got together, the world would never be the same. Stimey writes everywhere, but is also a great resource at giving away the detritus that clogs our lives. Just be careful about visiting, she may send you home with something.

Karen is another super mom with three boys (seriously, I don't know how you guys do it). I hope she knows she's going to need more batteries now that her boys have a Wii.

There are many, many other mother's out there that I admire. But sadly, I don't have the space to write about all of them. So stop by, check out some links on my blog roll if you have time, and visit my friends.

And tell me in the comments who your favorite "mom blogger is". While I'm sipping my coffee and relaxing tomorrow, I'll stop by and read some of your favorites. besides, the girls promised they'd take care of ALL the housework, from dishes, to laundry to cleaning toilets. So I'm off the hook for a day :P

Cheater Cheater

I am a cheater. A liar. A fake.

I was in change of keeping my Daisies seedlings safe from harm. For the first eight weeks they grew and thrived. And then, once we removed them from their greenhouse dome, they withered and died.

So I did what any leader in my position would do. I went out and brought some replacement plants. The girls were very surprised and happy to bring their plants home this week.

Meet Baby

This is Baby. We found Baby on our front step this afternoon. His little gray body trembled in the early afternoon breeze. He was scared and all alone, his cries loud and strong. We tried leaving him alone, hoping his mom would come back for him.

I later found him in the middle of the driveway and then again, about to fall off a ledge. Each time, I moved him back near a bush near where we originally found him. By mid afternoon, he was shivering and not moving much. I wrapped him in a cloth and put a jar or warm water under him in a box on the porch. I fed him some sugar water. It seemed to perk him up.

We took him to the soccer field with us and nestled him up in a tree. By this time, as I was walking across the field, he had regained some energy and was climbing up my arm. And when the girls went to check on him, he was gone.

I like to hope that he'll live out his days running free. But in reality, I don't even know if he'll make it through the night. All I know is that I couldn't watch him die.

Good-bye Baby, we'll be watching for you!

Thank God for small miracles

Today I had to pick up Einey's First Communion dress from the cleaners. A task I dreaded.

You see, on a photo shoot last week, I allowed Einey to get sat in a tree and the dress got dirty. real dirty. On a crisp white dress. Not pretty. We immediately dropped it off at the cleaners, but they couldn't promise the beading wouldn't melt or fall off during the cleaning process.

And so I dreaded today. I feared the worst.

But Hallelujah! The dress is good as new.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go put it in it's air tight glass case where it will reside until the event Sunday.

Tales from the Super Slacker

Lately, there hasn't been much to write about. And after a long, cold winter, I've been doing what many other New Englanders have been and spending time outside. Alot of it. Gardening, hiking, playing baseball (definitely not my girl's sport), soccer, and eating ice cream. Unfortunately, not swimming yet, although the girls ask every day if we can. Unfortunately, I've neglected my blog.

So here's some shorts, heard around the 'hood recently.

In the car:
Moe: ...blah, blah, and we have babies in our bellies.
Me, interrupting: Um, who has a baby in their belly.
Einey: We all do, only right now their eggs. Once we get bigger, they'll grow into babies. Thanks Mrs. Second Grade teacher for teaching anatomy this month (which is the second big class project the Einey finished before anyone else - super hard ass parents!).

On the soccer field:
The kids introducing themselves the first night.
Moe: Mommy Whirlwind
All kids staring at her, that's not your name!
Coach B (laughing): That's not your name, who are you?

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Soccer Trainer from England: We're going to play the stop light game, do you know the colors of the stop lights? ... Yup, red, yellow and green.
Funny Kid: Wait, you forgot blue.
Soccer Trainer from England: What's blue for, I'm not familiar with that one?
Funny Kid: It means to pull over.
Me to Coach B: I wonder if that's from experience?

Poor guy was sad that we all laughed.

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Funny Kid: I've got my super shoes on, I can run really fast.

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Funny Kid: Coach, can you stand back up (when I knelt down)? The sun is in my eyes!

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Funny Kid: Wait, this is too hard, I don't know that, I'm only five! (he's one of the oldest kids on the team).

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Funny Kid (In TJ Maxx after our first game): I had fun, I was the best kid out there.
His mom: Not that he actually stayed on the field.
Me: Yes, Yes you were.
Einey as we walked away: You know, I really like him, he's very funny.
Me: yes, yes he is.

It's going to be a great season, I can already tell. I'm sure we'll get plenty of more laughs out of him! I guess it balances out the kid who hates every game we play and HAS to have a specific ball or he runs of the field pouting.

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Soccer Trainer from England: Okay, I saw some kids using their hands.
Group of 20 kids: I didn't.
Soccer Trainer from England: You know these (holding up hands) are called hands right?
Group of 20 kids: Yup.
Soccer Trainer from England: And none of them used them?
Group of 20 kids: Nope.

The funny thing is, I was watching the girl who grabbed the soccer ball like a football and ran like a defensive linebacker through the field with it answer that she didn't touch it with her hands.

In the house:
Me: Why is the bathroom floor all wet?
Moe: "Cuz there was an ant in it.
Me: That doesn't explain why the floor is soaked.
Me: Spies watter gun in sink
Me: Did you, by any chance, happen to fill up the water gun to shoot the ant?
Moe: Yup.
Me: Ey yi yi.

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In other news, we're T-7 days until Eieny's First Communion and I am awaiting to get her dress back from the cleaners on Monday. We had a bit of a mishap when getting formal pictures done and I pray the cleaners can work magic, do voodoo whatever it takes to get it cleaned in time!

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And since I have the night to myself (the girls and daddy are at the daddy-daughter/mother-son dance) I'm gonna hurry up and clean and hang around on Facebook and then go relax.

What's insanely funny is Einey's comment.

Einey (reading over my shoulder - I hate that!): You don't have any more wine?!!!!!!!!!!! Oh no, what are you gonna do? You can't be serious.

Dude, I'm not much of a drinker, but apparently my kids think otherwise.

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And since I want to know what your doing, tell me what the weather's like this weekend and what your doing! For us, it hit almost 90 today! And we spent the day at the soccer field (and one kid when to the zoo, another a birthday party). Tomorrow, we plan on hiking since Husband goes back to work Thursday. He's been home since April 9th and amazingly, I'm not sick of him. We've been having a blast (and getting things done around here)!

What's in a name?

The other day, I thought that I'd like to change my name. At that point, the name "Dad" sounded very good. The girls, since starting spring break, have thought that 6:00 am is a fantastic time to start the day. And how do you start the day? With lots of squabbling, running around, playing with the loudest toys possible, yelling and walking in my room every 2.5 seconds to ask a question. I thought I was lucky though, when Husband volunteered to go downstairs with them so I could sleep in. That lasted about 10 minutes before they were back upstairs. I shooed them down while still trying to rest a million four times before one of them came in to tell me they were hungry.

"Go tell your dad, he's downstairs".
Klump, klump, klump downstairs. Klump, klump, klump upstairs.
"Dad's sleeping, can you get me something?"
"#%^@ @%* !&(+?"

This happens anytime I want a bit of privacy. For some reason, dad gets tons of room and tons of time to do what he needs to in peace. I think they're afraid of him :P

But then I hear "I love you mom" and "your the best mom in the whole wide why-orld" and remember how much I love being the mom.

Loving spring

After a looooooooong winter, we have been enjoying spring here in New England!

Watching the flowers bloom, painting the stone wall and just playing outside. We gave the girls walkie talkies, and except for the fights that there are only two of them, they've loved them. Add bubbles, hula hoops, baseballs and the jungle gym and they've been having a blast. So if you can't find us, we'll be outside soaking up some sunshine and getting our fair share of Vitamin D!

Over achieving fun loving gal

Sometimes I think we push our girls too hard. We want them to be the best they can be. We don't let them procrastinate. We don't allow quitting. If they sign up, they're in it for the long haul. We've made the older two save their money to buy their own DS's (Meenie proudly went to game stop three weeks ago with her money to purchase her own!)

Last week, Einey was given 11 sheets for a social studies project. I asked her do one sheet at a time, and then work on it over the weekend. It wasn't a hard project, and she finished it over the weekend. That was with redoing one page that got ripped by her sister. The due date on the project is May 6th. So she finished a full month in advance. It wasn't hard and all we asked for from her was to do one page a night.

She's also got a science project she's working on - coloring and cutting out the parts of the body. Husband got a kick out of this when he heard from outside "Hey, you forgot to color the ovaries." She's not finished this project, but only has 6 more pages to color and then cut out what she's done so far. This doesn't have a due date that I know of, but I think by the end of April. I suspect she'll be done it sooner.

We try not to be too strict, but one thing we instill in them is work hard, take your time and do your best (or we'll make you do it over). We also try on projects that take a long period of time, to do a little bit at a time, and try to get it out of the way. That way, you don't have to worry about it.

At first, she was like "but it's not due until May". But now, she's happy that it's one less thing she has to do. Even as I type, she's curled up, playing a Wii game, content with not having projects to work on. And she knows that she doesn't have to worry about it.

And it's times like right now, that I know, even if we push a little bit hard, that the girls are learning some great work habits.

As I mentioned before, I didn't have any set religious upbringing.

In fact, I didn't make my First Communion until I was 18 years old. Midnight Mass, Christmas Eve, 1998. It became important to me to make my first communion before we were married. Our wedding was set for October 9, 1999. I didn't wear a little white gown, in fact, I don't remember what I wore. I have yet to make my confirmation, to become a full adult member of the Catholic Church. I don't know why I haven't, but just haven't. I probably should check into that.

Growing up, there was a white gown, with a lace top and a small cross hanging in my parents closet. It was yellowed, but I would sit there and finger the gown and dream about wearing it one day. I believe it was my mother's, but I don't know what the occasion was (she wasn't Catholic). The other thing I coveted was the family bible, passed down on my mother's side of he family.

Last week, my mother, Einey and I went shopping for her First Communion gown. Einey is beyond excited. She's been waiting for this day for over a year, when she first started asking about it.

I started off by grabbing a few 6 and 7 gown's off the rack. We go to the dressing room and found that they were way to big. There were no size 5's. There was one size 4. She tried it on. It fit, but was plain, not even a first communion gown, just white with a bow. She wanted something more. We asked if other's could be ordered. They said yes, we could look in the catalog. Nothing came in a size 4. A few came in size 5. We found a gown that she likes in a 5. it's on order and should come in this week. I hope it fits.

Her invitations have come in. We mailed them out last week. We're doing a small brunch following the ceremony with just immediate family. Her friends will be celebrating with their families. her gifts are ordered and we've started finalizing the menu. We declare to be Switzerland - at our home and her ceremony.

To be continued..... (in May)

Bless me father, for I have sinned

Monday, Einey made her First Penance in a small ceremony at school. It brings her one step closer to her First Communion in May. For those of you not Catholic, First Penance is first confession, where they confess their sins for the first time (yes, at age 7).

I wasn't going to go to the Mass. I didn't realize that they had things to share with their families. It was only when Einey mentioned she was signing at the front of the church, alone, that I decided to go. She did fantastic!

Prior to making their first confession, the teacher sent home some worksheets for us to follow with the kids, to get them comfortable for when the time comes. She didn't want to practice, she was confident and self-assured. I didn't ask what she was going to confess to, I believe that is between her and God (and the Priest). But I hope, that as she grows, when the time comes, she will come to me if she needs to.

Each year, as she makes her journey through school and grows with the chruch, I too am learning. I wasn't raised in a religious household, although that's not to say I was raised without a religion. I was baptized Catholic as an infant. My father is Catholic, my mother was Protestant. I attended CCD (briefly) in first grade. I went to church with friends - Assembly of God, Episcipalian, Methodist. I attended Synogog's and Southern Baptist Masses. I read the bible and learned scripture. I'm glad I got to find my way, to experience other faiths and tradidtions.

We're open with the girls, and answer questions when they ask. But they love their chruch, their religion. I've said it before, their school is like a giant network of extended friends and family. A place of security and serenity.

To be continued.......

What's worse then keeping one kid home from school sick?

Keeping TWO kids home from school sick.

I didn't think much of it yesterday when Moe didn't really want her lunch. Or when she sat on the couch to relax. I raised my eyebrows a bit when she looked like she was going to fall asleep. But when I told her to go get changed so we can go to the park and she said she didn't want to, then I knew something was wrong. Turns out she is sick. 101.3 fever to be exact (sounds just like Meenie last week).

So I coaxed her into the van to pick up her sister's, promising we'd come right home. We picked up Meenie. And then Einey. Einey stepped into the van and immediately burst into tears. She said she was "sad" but didn't know why. She also said she felt like that all day. But she didn't know why. And she wasn't hungry, so she only ate her sandwich at lunch. Her fever - 103.4. When I asked why she didn't go to the nurse, she said she didn't know she was sick. I gave her some Motrin after school and she slept for about 1/2 hour before coming down and doing her homework (even though I told her she didn't need too).

She wasn't very happy to hear she'd be staying home today. "But Mom, I really want to get perfect attendance again this year". We talked about not wanting to get her friends sick. And we talked about how she felt at school earlier. She's not happy about it, but isn't fighting me about keeping her home either.

So today, I have two sick kids home. And do you know what kids who went to bed with doses of Motrin do in the morning? They wake up wide eyed (and still feverish) at 5:30 am. And start asking crazy questions, like can we go downstairs, can we get a drink, we're hungry (but not hungry enough to eat much when you give them something) and can we play the Wii. All before 7:00 am.

It's going to be along day. I can only hope that they'll be tired enough to nap this afternoon!

Good News

We got good news today.

No merger. Our school will remain open. The other one will close.

It's sad that it's happening, but I am thrilled that the girls school will remain open. I hope some of the kids from the school being closed will join our school community and find the "home" we love. We knew last week that they'd be open as they sent home the registration forms, but we didn't know the status of the merger.

Dusting off the ol' blog

It's been awhile, a week since my last post, which really, didn't even count as a post. It was more of a twitter message. So yeah, it's been a whole freaking moth since I posted.

No real reason why I haven't posted, just little things. My computer contracted a virus, so we had the hard drive wiped and after a weekend of no computer in which I was having withdrawals which was very nice, I've just had no desire. That and really, I haven't had much to write about.

I've felt better than I have in a long time recently. I'm sure that it has nothing to do with giving up coffee for Lent, because what sane person does that??? But I've also learned to relax a little bit more. That there are just some things beyond my control and that it's pointless to worry about what may or may not happen in the future (no matter how frustrating it is!). So in the near future my kids school may merge with another school at their campus (but no matter what, they're school will be open and I sent in the reg. form already), Husband (dude still needs a good name - but no worries, it will come) may or may not be going to upgrade school (because yeah, still waiting to hear on that one :( which is basically why he took the whole month of April as vacation) and I will most likely be looking for a job in the next 6 months (wow September is that close?). Again things that should and would, normally stress me right the fuck out are "meh." The job thing for Husband is the biggest annoyance. Me finding a job isn't to bad - I know that times are rough to be looking, but at least, if I cannot find anything, I still have my sub. position. Which you know, with Moe being in school, I could work more than 4x a year.

School is going well for the kids, we get report cards in a week. Cheer leading is finished and we have a month long break until soccer starts. However, every single scout event seems to fill that void. We has Scouts on Stage last week, cookie booths this weekend (speaking of cookies, I'll be glad when they're gone :P ), comfy cozy day, meetings, a roller skating trip, a teddy bear picnic and zoo trip. All withing the next 5 weeks (whew!). Husband and I have also spent the last few Friday nights at the fish fry booth and will do so for the next few weeks as well.

Moe's speech seems to be improving, despite not having many classes (every. single. snow day has been on a day she gets her speech therapy).

Spring is coming and we cannot wait. We've been teased with a few nice days here and there. There are buds on the trees, plants peeking through the ground and robin's on the sides of the road. And well this winter hasn't been too bad (not too many sicknesses, lots of snow (but fun) and no winter doldrums!), we cannot wait for spring.

Oh and I am in dire need of a haircut. Need to put that on my list!

A friend asked me yesterday if I could give up one thing that I do, what would it be?

A good question because I tend to be wicked involved in my kids activities. I would think though, that soccer would be he first thing I'd let go of. Sure, they'd still play and I would probably still coach, but I'd want off the board. It's just not for me. Then I would think scouts. I like it, but do not know if I'll move up to Brownies or turn them over to another leader. We'll see in a year! I love being involved with school, but haven't been to a HSA or Development meeting since October. And I haven't been into the classrooms really since December. No reason why I haven't, I just haven't seem to have found time. It seems like something always needs to be done, but at the same time doesn't get done! (I could blame Facebook as being a major time suck, but really that's not it).

All in all, that's it. See, I told you nothing exciting going on. See ya in a month soon

Adult Game Night

Tonight we had adult game night. Family game night really, because the kids were invited as well. But only the adults played. Had too much wine. Can't wait to do it again soon. That is all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is...

...letting your loved one's sleep in.

...ignoring gigantic messes as you make your way out to the car for a trip to a destination unknown.

... watching new DVD's in the van, even though it doesn't follow our "longer than an hour rule"

...having lunch amid anatomic animals and fake thunderstorms.

...hiking by historic castles, ignoring the mud beneath our feet.

...having a great day, despite not seeing any eagles.

...a simple dinner and bottle of wine at home

...snuggling up for a movie, five bodies close by.

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Today was a great day. It started off a bit anxiety on my part (but medication does wonders) and soon we were off to destinations unknown. We took the girls to the Rain Forest Cafe for lunch - a place they've been begging to visit. I think it lived up to their expectations, however, Meenie was a bit freaked out during the "thunderstorms". You can tell my girls don't go to the Mall much, they were complete gawkers! Then we travelled down Route 9 to Gillette's Castle, hoping to catch a sight of the bald eagles who winter along the CT river. We didn't see any eagles, but the girls loved playing hide and seek among the castle walls and then frolicking down the trails in search of letterboxes (the two we tried to find we missing :( ).

Then we enjoyed a long trek back, through meandering country roads.

*There was no candy, flowers, jewelry (unless you count the heart earrings we picked up for the girls at Claire's) or other "Hallmarkish" holiday gifts over here. Just a fun day spent with family, doing things we all loved. And it was fantastic!

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Our choice of music once we shut the DVD off was Milkshake. And we defiantly had a "bit of sunshine" today! You can still win a copy of their newest DVD, screen play, over here, as well as concert tickets!

Nothing to see here except a giveaway or two.