Chris left tonight for yet another week away from home for work. He travels a lot for work - and you think I would get used to it. But I don't. I still feel sad when he starts to pack and I still have to blink away tears when I watch him drive away. Life just isn't as good when he isn't with me, with us.
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While Griffin is our family dancer, Brennan is our singer. He is the only one that rivals me for the amount of singing done around the house. He sings himself to sleep at night and awake in the morning. He makes up his own little songs to entertain himself while we drive or if just to amuse himself during the day.
His latest? He sings, loudly, while he goes about his business in the bathroom. You haven't heard anything until you have heard our three year old busting out a tune while going poopie.
Good times in our house. Nothin' but good times.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Moving On Up
Today was Griffin's last day in the infant room at school. He moves up next week, into the toddler room to become a "Yellow Duck." The time has truly flown.
My baby really isn't all that much of a baby anymore. He fights to walk everywhere, rather than be carried. He waddles into school, insistent on carrying his own backpack on his back - in order to be just like his brothers, in spite of the fact he nearly falls backwards from the weight. He is such his own little person, a stubborn, sweet, loving, funny and fearless little boy.
I just wish it didn't always feel like it happens overnight - this transformation from baby to boy.
My baby really isn't all that much of a baby anymore. He fights to walk everywhere, rather than be carried. He waddles into school, insistent on carrying his own backpack on his back - in order to be just like his brothers, in spite of the fact he nearly falls backwards from the weight. He is such his own little person, a stubborn, sweet, loving, funny and fearless little boy.
I just wish it didn't always feel like it happens overnight - this transformation from baby to boy.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Let the Swim Season Begin...
Aidan had his very first swim team practice this morning. SWIM TEAM! My little boy who became famous at the Y for his screaming tantrums of rage at each and every swim lesson is now a member of a swim team. He did laps today. Laps! Some of those laps required the assistance of a kickboard, but still! Laps! It's enough to make a mother cry tears of joy.
Oh, yes I did. Tears welled up in my eyes watching my five year old attempt laps today. Tears of pride. Tears of joy. Tears of how far we have come. I also have a little habit of just getting a wee bit overwhelmed with emotion when I see my children happy. Today was such a day. I watched the boys swim the morning away. After Aidan finished swim team practice, I watched Brennan and Aidan move over to swim lessons while Griffin was content to splash on the pool stairs. We enjoyed lunch in the beautiful summer weather. And all three boys were almost eager for an afternoon rest. All of it - just joyful, perfect summer fun.
Of course it didn't start out that way. The other side of not so much summer fun? I opened my day this morning with taking out a bag of garbage into the garage, missing a step on the stairs, and falling three steps into a giant bin of toys. I have a bruise the size of Texas on my ass and it still hurts to sit down. I realized after I managed to get myself out of the toy bin that I had also locked myself out of the house.
But at least the day got better, right?
Oh, yes I did. Tears welled up in my eyes watching my five year old attempt laps today. Tears of pride. Tears of joy. Tears of how far we have come. I also have a little habit of just getting a wee bit overwhelmed with emotion when I see my children happy. Today was such a day. I watched the boys swim the morning away. After Aidan finished swim team practice, I watched Brennan and Aidan move over to swim lessons while Griffin was content to splash on the pool stairs. We enjoyed lunch in the beautiful summer weather. And all three boys were almost eager for an afternoon rest. All of it - just joyful, perfect summer fun.
Of course it didn't start out that way. The other side of not so much summer fun? I opened my day this morning with taking out a bag of garbage into the garage, missing a step on the stairs, and falling three steps into a giant bin of toys. I have a bruise the size of Texas on my ass and it still hurts to sit down. I realized after I managed to get myself out of the toy bin that I had also locked myself out of the house.
But at least the day got better, right?
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Why Guy
Griffin's new favorite word to his bursting vocabulary is : "Why?"
"Griffin, please stop climbing on the chair!" I yell. My one and a half year old turns to me, smiles and ask, "Why?"
"Griffin, it's time to get out of the tub." Griffin scowls at me and shouts, "Why?"
"Griffin, stop hitting Brennan with the hammer!" I shout over Brennan's screaming. My little devil gives me a satisfied smile and asks sweetly, "Why?"
Why? WHY? Oh dear lord, I am not ready to start reasoning with boy number three. I have boys one and two negotiating, asking and whying me into the ground already.
"Griffin, please stop climbing on the chair!" I yell. My one and a half year old turns to me, smiles and ask, "Why?"
"Griffin, it's time to get out of the tub." Griffin scowls at me and shouts, "Why?"
"Griffin, stop hitting Brennan with the hammer!" I shout over Brennan's screaming. My little devil gives me a satisfied smile and asks sweetly, "Why?"
Why? WHY? Oh dear lord, I am not ready to start reasoning with boy number three. I have boys one and two negotiating, asking and whying me into the ground already.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Busy, Busy and the Return to Nothing
The last few days have been busy, busy, busy. Social engagements galore - and add in a furious addiction to watching every last episode of Season Three of Weeds - keeping me up past midnight every night. (I love that Weeds. Love.)
On Wednesday, I rushed home from work, got the kiddies settled and gussied myself up to attend a fundraiser for Carvings for a Cause. Our BFF's Diane and Scott are visiting from Oregon and joined us and our friends Christine and Dylan to eat, drink, be merry, and oh, well give back to the greater good right? Diane and I lucked out when we discovered a martini tasting bar buried in a back room of the festivities. They scantily clad vodka babes were making free assorted martinis in teeny weeny martini glasses for the guests. I promptly poured out my giant glass of wine, gave them my LARGE empty glass, smiled sweetly and requested a quadruple cosmo. The tasting martini ladies endured Diane and I's request for "cosmo samplers" the first time kindly. The second time, somewhat politely. The third time, they were not pleased.
Diane and I were pleased. We were extremely pleased. So pleased, in fact, we decided it was a great idea to be the ONLY people bustin' a groove on the dance floor. The hubbies pretended they didn't know us.
I admit to leaving for work on Thursday with a slight, icky hangover brought on by the indulgence. As I was walking from the parking garage, shielding my eyes from the early morning glare, a coworker stops me to exclaim she saw me on the news this morning at some fundraising thing. It was an innocuous crowd shot, thank goodness. As long as it wasn't a shot of us dancing. Anything but the dancing.
After the boys were in bed Thursday night, we headed out to meet Di and Scott for dinner. And Friday morning, we got all six kids together for some play. The adults engaged in our own play - knocking back some drag out wii boxing.
Friday afternoon, Chris and I met up to buy patio furniture. ( Hurray! BBQ and outdoor dining for everyone!) I hit Wegmans with Brennan and Griffin, while he took Aidan to whoville soccer. We met up at home to get the boys in bed. Chris met some of his buddies out for a drink and I settled in to finish up my marathon of Weeds.
And I am done. Season three in all its glory. But like any good addict, I am twitching with the force of my addiction - knowing that we don't have Showtime and Season 4 has only just begun. It will be a year until I have any more Weeds action.
On the plus side, at least now I can get some sleep.
Today - the sun is back and we will hit the pool. I am thrilled to have a few empty days to fill up with nothing, nothing and some more nothing. Nothing is the whole purpose of summer. Hurray for Nothing.
On Wednesday, I rushed home from work, got the kiddies settled and gussied myself up to attend a fundraiser for Carvings for a Cause. Our BFF's Diane and Scott are visiting from Oregon and joined us and our friends Christine and Dylan to eat, drink, be merry, and oh, well give back to the greater good right? Diane and I lucked out when we discovered a martini tasting bar buried in a back room of the festivities. They scantily clad vodka babes were making free assorted martinis in teeny weeny martini glasses for the guests. I promptly poured out my giant glass of wine, gave them my LARGE empty glass, smiled sweetly and requested a quadruple cosmo. The tasting martini ladies endured Diane and I's request for "cosmo samplers" the first time kindly. The second time, somewhat politely. The third time, they were not pleased.
Diane and I were pleased. We were extremely pleased. So pleased, in fact, we decided it was a great idea to be the ONLY people bustin' a groove on the dance floor. The hubbies pretended they didn't know us.
I admit to leaving for work on Thursday with a slight, icky hangover brought on by the indulgence. As I was walking from the parking garage, shielding my eyes from the early morning glare, a coworker stops me to exclaim she saw me on the news this morning at some fundraising thing. It was an innocuous crowd shot, thank goodness. As long as it wasn't a shot of us dancing. Anything but the dancing.
After the boys were in bed Thursday night, we headed out to meet Di and Scott for dinner. And Friday morning, we got all six kids together for some play. The adults engaged in our own play - knocking back some drag out wii boxing.
Friday afternoon, Chris and I met up to buy patio furniture. ( Hurray! BBQ and outdoor dining for everyone!) I hit Wegmans with Brennan and Griffin, while he took Aidan to whoville soccer. We met up at home to get the boys in bed. Chris met some of his buddies out for a drink and I settled in to finish up my marathon of Weeds.
And I am done. Season three in all its glory. But like any good addict, I am twitching with the force of my addiction - knowing that we don't have Showtime and Season 4 has only just begun. It will be a year until I have any more Weeds action.
On the plus side, at least now I can get some sleep.
Today - the sun is back and we will hit the pool. I am thrilled to have a few empty days to fill up with nothing, nothing and some more nothing. Nothing is the whole purpose of summer. Hurray for Nothing.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
La Legos
I walk into Aidan's room and find legos all over his bedroom floor. "Aidan!" I yell, "Pick up your Legos and put them away, please."
Aidan nods his head as he walks into the room and responds, "La legos a vito ala upa?"
I give him an odd glance and ask, "What did you just say?"
Aidan smiles at me and says, "It means 'pick that stuff up' in a foreign language."
"It does?" I say with both disbelief and a little excitement. My kid is, like, bilingual and stuff! And all it took was five plus years of exposure to a little Dora the Explorer!
"What language is that?" I ask while smiling at my little genius.
"French!" He proclaims with emphasis.
"Really?!" I ask, my head cocking to the side with curiosity. Hmmm, should he go to Harvard or Yale? Definitely Ivy League, though right?
Aidan laughs loudly at my expression and falls onto his bed. "No!" He starts to giggle harder. "Mom, I was making the whole thing up! French! And you believed me!" He yells as he laughs so hard he can barely speak.
I think we laughed for a good five minutes.
My five year old may be more prepared for Last Comic Standing than the Ivy League.
Aidan nods his head as he walks into the room and responds, "La legos a vito ala upa?"
I give him an odd glance and ask, "What did you just say?"
Aidan smiles at me and says, "It means 'pick that stuff up' in a foreign language."
"It does?" I say with both disbelief and a little excitement. My kid is, like, bilingual and stuff! And all it took was five plus years of exposure to a little Dora the Explorer!
"What language is that?" I ask while smiling at my little genius.
"French!" He proclaims with emphasis.
"Really?!" I ask, my head cocking to the side with curiosity. Hmmm, should he go to Harvard or Yale? Definitely Ivy League, though right?
Aidan laughs loudly at my expression and falls onto his bed. "No!" He starts to giggle harder. "Mom, I was making the whole thing up! French! And you believed me!" He yells as he laughs so hard he can barely speak.
I think we laughed for a good five minutes.
My five year old may be more prepared for Last Comic Standing than the Ivy League.
Monday, June 16, 2008
A Little Golf and Whole Lot of Pool
Our gift to Chris for father's day was a morning free to enjoy a leisurely game of golf with his buddies. I also threw in a box of golf balls and the boys made crafty cards. (One of the pluses to day care is that most of the holidays are taken care of with crafty handmade projects.) Griffin even made a hat for Chris, displaying Griffin's fingerprints all over the hat in bright rainbow hues. I love the hat even more when Griffin puts it on backwards and refuses to take it off.
After golf, we met up at the pool for lunch and some swimming. After a week without their Dad, the boys were in full on daddy mode, but Griffin may have outdaddied them all. Griffin refused to let Chris do or go anywhere without being in his arms. I was quite the third wheel.
As I played in the pool with Brennan and Aidan - challenging their friends to races around the pool - Brennan hugged me tight and whispered in my ear, "You are lots of fun Momma. I love you." He finished off his sweetness with a wet, chlorinated kiss on my cheek. Oh, the little love.
We went home for quick naps mid afternoon, only to wake the kiddies up to head over to my grandparent's house for dinner. The boys are like rock stars among the company of their adoring cousins. Patrick wowed them with his skateboard tricks off of the deck. Liam took Griffin for rides on his skateboard. Aidan and Brennan threw rock after rock with Nicole into the stream. My cousins Bridget and Casey even got Griffin to bust his groove and renamed the little dance, "the Griffin." (Later that evening, I heard Bridget asking her father to do the "Griffin" Dad! And then she illustrated the patented dance moves for which our little guy is slowly becoming famous.)
It was a perfect ending to a wonderful family day.
After golf, we met up at the pool for lunch and some swimming. After a week without their Dad, the boys were in full on daddy mode, but Griffin may have outdaddied them all. Griffin refused to let Chris do or go anywhere without being in his arms. I was quite the third wheel.
As I played in the pool with Brennan and Aidan - challenging their friends to races around the pool - Brennan hugged me tight and whispered in my ear, "You are lots of fun Momma. I love you." He finished off his sweetness with a wet, chlorinated kiss on my cheek. Oh, the little love.
We went home for quick naps mid afternoon, only to wake the kiddies up to head over to my grandparent's house for dinner. The boys are like rock stars among the company of their adoring cousins. Patrick wowed them with his skateboard tricks off of the deck. Liam took Griffin for rides on his skateboard. Aidan and Brennan threw rock after rock with Nicole into the stream. My cousins Bridget and Casey even got Griffin to bust his groove and renamed the little dance, "the Griffin." (Later that evening, I heard Bridget asking her father to do the "Griffin" Dad! And then she illustrated the patented dance moves for which our little guy is slowly becoming famous.)
It was a perfect ending to a wonderful family day.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Cleanin' House
I think I am slightly deranged. Chris was gone on a business trip from Sunday until midnight on Thursday. The week was challenging, but apparently not challenging enough - because I decided to end the week with a bang: by participating in the neighborhood garage sale.
I greeted my husband early Friday morning with a "welcome home honey," now will you help me move all our old baby crap into the garage?
The sale was supposed to start at 9 a.m. We were swarmed by 8 a.m. with serious garage salers. My friend Christine had brought her stuff over and we sold, sold, sold until we both had fistfuls of one dollar bills stuffed in our pockets.
We continued the festivities on Saturday morning with Christine and our friends Cynthia and Greg. It was a garage sale party, complete with Starbucks delivered fresh by Greg. Our six kiddies kept each other entertained as we wheeled and dealed.
At the end of the morning, we had a fire sale with the leftovers, delivered two carfuls of stuff to Goodwill, and grilled up some hot dogs to celebrate. I ended up with about $350 in profit - not bad for a few exersaucers, some baby clothes, and books.
The garage sale was not just an excuse to clean out the basement, but it signaled a firm end to the baby years. While I have given baby clothes away here and there, this was the first full scale clean out of all our baby paraphernalia. Goodbye high chair. Goodbye exersaucers and bouncy seats. Goodbye boppy and your sweet soft chamois cover. So long changing table and baby swing. It's all gone now.
I am not going to dwell on the numerous customers of our garage sale who were forced to buy our baby stuff because they had sold/given away all their baby stuff and then got unexpectedly pregnant with baby three, four or five (!!). (My favorite was the woman on Friday who told us she just had her fourth baby, a two month old baby girl. When she broke the news to her husband that she was unexpectedly pregnant, he got dizzy and almost passed out. Hee.)
I greeted my husband early Friday morning with a "welcome home honey," now will you help me move all our old baby crap into the garage?
The sale was supposed to start at 9 a.m. We were swarmed by 8 a.m. with serious garage salers. My friend Christine had brought her stuff over and we sold, sold, sold until we both had fistfuls of one dollar bills stuffed in our pockets.
We continued the festivities on Saturday morning with Christine and our friends Cynthia and Greg. It was a garage sale party, complete with Starbucks delivered fresh by Greg. Our six kiddies kept each other entertained as we wheeled and dealed.
At the end of the morning, we had a fire sale with the leftovers, delivered two carfuls of stuff to Goodwill, and grilled up some hot dogs to celebrate. I ended up with about $350 in profit - not bad for a few exersaucers, some baby clothes, and books.
The garage sale was not just an excuse to clean out the basement, but it signaled a firm end to the baby years. While I have given baby clothes away here and there, this was the first full scale clean out of all our baby paraphernalia. Goodbye high chair. Goodbye exersaucers and bouncy seats. Goodbye boppy and your sweet soft chamois cover. So long changing table and baby swing. It's all gone now.
I am not going to dwell on the numerous customers of our garage sale who were forced to buy our baby stuff because they had sold/given away all their baby stuff and then got unexpectedly pregnant with baby three, four or five (!!). (My favorite was the woman on Friday who told us she just had her fourth baby, a two month old baby girl. When she broke the news to her husband that she was unexpectedly pregnant, he got dizzy and almost passed out. Hee.)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Welcome to the Peanut Allergy
In April, Brennan had an allergy attack. The doctor has recommended all our boys get allergy screened at three years of age based upon Chris’s history of severe food allergies. Brennan’s attack made it apparent we may have an allergy issue on our hands.
I finally took him for blood work to have the allergy screen on Monday. Brennan handled the process like a champ and afterwards asked me with great seriousness, “Momma, why do those people have to suck so much of my blood out of my arm?” I explained we were having him tested for allergies and our doctor would call us with the results in a few days.
Our doctor called us this morning. Brennan tested as severely allergic to peanuts, as well as a whole host of other things, including dogs. I have to pick up an epi-pen today. I was directed to carry it with us at all times. I was told to get rid of anything and everything in our house with nuts. I also made an appointment with a specialist for further testing for our B.
I know there are worse things. I know. But my heart still broke a bit for Brennan, and the restrictions and care he will now have to put into his food choices and his life. He will have to be in a peanut-free room at school. He will have to be warned and warned again about safe snacks. And he is always at risk for an attack – a scary, horrifying thing for me to even think about, particularly if it happens when I am not there. I can’t guarantee that every bite he takes is peanut free. I can’t protect him from all of this. This scares the hell out of me.
I finally took him for blood work to have the allergy screen on Monday. Brennan handled the process like a champ and afterwards asked me with great seriousness, “Momma, why do those people have to suck so much of my blood out of my arm?” I explained we were having him tested for allergies and our doctor would call us with the results in a few days.
Our doctor called us this morning. Brennan tested as severely allergic to peanuts, as well as a whole host of other things, including dogs. I have to pick up an epi-pen today. I was directed to carry it with us at all times. I was told to get rid of anything and everything in our house with nuts. I also made an appointment with a specialist for further testing for our B.
I know there are worse things. I know. But my heart still broke a bit for Brennan, and the restrictions and care he will now have to put into his food choices and his life. He will have to be in a peanut-free room at school. He will have to be warned and warned again about safe snacks. And he is always at risk for an attack – a scary, horrifying thing for me to even think about, particularly if it happens when I am not there. I can’t guarantee that every bite he takes is peanut free. I can’t protect him from all of this. This scares the hell out of me.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Bedtime Blues
Last night before bed, Brennan had an accident. As I cleaned up the urine soaking Griffin's rug, Griffin found a nearly full bottle of softsoap in the boys' bathroom and dumped the entire thing on the floor. I found the boys skating on the slippery mess a few minutes later.
After many "what are you thinkings?" all the way around, I cleaned up the soap and threw a towel down on the floor. Brennan walked into the bathroom, looked me square in the eye, squatted on the towel and said to me, "Now you're going to have to clean this up too." He them promptly peed on the floor.
Have I mentioned I hate the age of three? Yes, several times, right? 'Cause I do.
It took every ounce of mommy willpower for me not to lose my shit right then and there. I went to my happy place, conjured up a calm from some reserves I didn't even know I had, and put Brennan immediately to bed without snack, books or cuddles. He screamed for a good fifteen minutes at full volume.
It was quite a relaxing Sunday evening.
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I get obsessive about enjoying the outdoors in summer. If it is sunny and warm, we must be out and about soaking up every last bit of it. We have hit the pool for three days in a row, sometimes twice a day. We will go again today. Last night, I told Chris I am actually hoping we get a nice day of rain to have the excuse of a lazy day. So far, no luck - just sun, sun and more sun. How can I complain?
After many "what are you thinkings?" all the way around, I cleaned up the soap and threw a towel down on the floor. Brennan walked into the bathroom, looked me square in the eye, squatted on the towel and said to me, "Now you're going to have to clean this up too." He them promptly peed on the floor.
Have I mentioned I hate the age of three? Yes, several times, right? 'Cause I do.
It took every ounce of mommy willpower for me not to lose my shit right then and there. I went to my happy place, conjured up a calm from some reserves I didn't even know I had, and put Brennan immediately to bed without snack, books or cuddles. He screamed for a good fifteen minutes at full volume.
It was quite a relaxing Sunday evening.
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I get obsessive about enjoying the outdoors in summer. If it is sunny and warm, we must be out and about soaking up every last bit of it. We have hit the pool for three days in a row, sometimes twice a day. We will go again today. Last night, I told Chris I am actually hoping we get a nice day of rain to have the excuse of a lazy day. So far, no luck - just sun, sun and more sun. How can I complain?
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Movin' On Up
Aidan is officially a first grader. Kindergarten graduation was sweet. The two kindergarten classes lined up, in kickin' Styrofoam and cardboard graduation caps, for a procession onto the stage in the school gym. I saw Aidan, in his shirt and tie, walking with such confidence and joy, and the tears all started a-flowin'. He was so handsome. He looked so happy. I was beyond proud.
The temperature was expected to reach 90 degrees, but Aidan insisted on wearing a shirt and tie for the festivities. (of course, right?). We had to get to the school early to assist with set-up, but after we left Aidan's best friend Danny called our home to ask what Aidan was wearing for graduation. I saw his mother later and she told me Danny informed her, "If Aidan is wearing a tie, then I have to wear a tie, Mom." Chris told Danny, Aidan was, indeed with tie, and so Danny opted for the Alex P. Keaton kindergarten wear with Aidan.
Did I mention the school gym has no air conditioning? 90 degrees, humid and approximately 175 people in a school gym with one door propped open for air? It was hell. The only benefit of assisting with the set up was it allowed me a good excuse to run into the kitchen attached to the gym and keep sticking my head into the freezer.
Each child received a diploma, handed over by the school principal (who used to teach me math back in the day.) They sang four songs, showed us a picture slide show of their year and gifted their teachers with flowers. Afterwards, the homeroom parents hosted a reception in the gym. In spite of the heat, things went smoothly.
While other families went off to nice lunches to celebrate graduation day, I told the boys I would take them straight to the pool. BEST decision I have ever made. I was even eager to get on my suit and jump right in to the water. We stayed at the pool for hours, swimming and playing.
We then raced home so I could get a cookin' and ready for Chris's Mom's birthday dinner. The dinner was a success. Everyone went home happy. And I fell asleep watching a movie with Chris at 9:15 p.m. Another rockin' Friday night for our family.
The temperature was expected to reach 90 degrees, but Aidan insisted on wearing a shirt and tie for the festivities. (of course, right?). We had to get to the school early to assist with set-up, but after we left Aidan's best friend Danny called our home to ask what Aidan was wearing for graduation. I saw his mother later and she told me Danny informed her, "If Aidan is wearing a tie, then I have to wear a tie, Mom." Chris told Danny, Aidan was, indeed with tie, and so Danny opted for the Alex P. Keaton kindergarten wear with Aidan.
Did I mention the school gym has no air conditioning? 90 degrees, humid and approximately 175 people in a school gym with one door propped open for air? It was hell. The only benefit of assisting with the set up was it allowed me a good excuse to run into the kitchen attached to the gym and keep sticking my head into the freezer.
Each child received a diploma, handed over by the school principal (who used to teach me math back in the day.) They sang four songs, showed us a picture slide show of their year and gifted their teachers with flowers. Afterwards, the homeroom parents hosted a reception in the gym. In spite of the heat, things went smoothly.
While other families went off to nice lunches to celebrate graduation day, I told the boys I would take them straight to the pool. BEST decision I have ever made. I was even eager to get on my suit and jump right in to the water. We stayed at the pool for hours, swimming and playing.
We then raced home so I could get a cookin' and ready for Chris's Mom's birthday dinner. The dinner was a success. Everyone went home happy. And I fell asleep watching a movie with Chris at 9:15 p.m. Another rockin' Friday night for our family.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Of Stress, Car Inspections and Graduation
Chris and I are a good match because we balance each other out. I tend to be, well, slightly emotional and (ahem) somewhat high strung, while not much rattles my dear husband. His constant calm in the face of my emotional up and downs help keep me centered.
Last night, I got home from work already stressed out. My stress level just increased as I exchanged a few hundred emails with the other kindergarten homeroom parents regarding the plans for the upcoming graduation ceremony, reception and the teachers’ gifts. I realized I had to get the kiddies fed and I had all of a half an hour to race around the house to get out in time for my very first tennis lesson. (Tennis? What am I thinking?) My stress only went higher as I navigated dirty dishes, Aidan’s school papers and I tried to come up with a plan as to when, exactly I was going to bake cupcakes for Aidan’s graduation reception. Oh, and did I mention I am hosting Chris's family for dinner Friday night for Chris's Mom's birthday?
Chris couldn’t handle my running around the house like a wound up ball of anxiety and finally forced me to stand still as he asked me, “What are you stressed about? What is going on with you?”
I gave him my evil overworked mommy glare as I blurted out, “Work was crazy. The house is a mess. I have to leave for tennis in fifteen minutes and I’m hungry. Should I eat dinner or wait? I have to make cupcakes for the graduation reception on Friday – but I don’t know when I am going to do that since I have to work tomorrow and set up for graduation on Thursday night. Two of the parents from the class haven’t paid the money for the teacher gift. I need to buy the teacher gift. And now I am going to be late for tennis!” I threw my hands up in frustration as my head spun.
Chris hugged me, pulled away from and said quietly, “So basically this is about cupcakes, kindergarten and tennis lessons?”
Well, when you put it like that – even I think I sound a bit like a nutcase. Damn it.
_______________________________________
My friend Cynthia called me this morning to warn me the Whoville Police had staged a roadblock on the way to the boys’ schools to check inspections and registrations. As I may have mentioned, my inspection expired back in January. (I know. I KNOW. I just haven’t had a chance.) Thanks to Cynthia’s kind phone call, I took the back roads and avoided a showdown with the law enforcement of Whoville. (And I still got Aidan to school and myself to work on time. How’s that for a morning success story?)
________________________________________
Did I mention tomorrow is Aidan’s kindergarten graduation? I cried after I dropped him off at school today. My baby, a boy who had to be carried kicking and screaming into school for his first day, is happily moving on to first grade. I am so proud of the boy he is, but a part of me will always miss my baby.
I give myself one minute into the ceremony until I am weeping inconsolably.
Last night, I got home from work already stressed out. My stress level just increased as I exchanged a few hundred emails with the other kindergarten homeroom parents regarding the plans for the upcoming graduation ceremony, reception and the teachers’ gifts. I realized I had to get the kiddies fed and I had all of a half an hour to race around the house to get out in time for my very first tennis lesson. (Tennis? What am I thinking?) My stress only went higher as I navigated dirty dishes, Aidan’s school papers and I tried to come up with a plan as to when, exactly I was going to bake cupcakes for Aidan’s graduation reception. Oh, and did I mention I am hosting Chris's family for dinner Friday night for Chris's Mom's birthday?
Chris couldn’t handle my running around the house like a wound up ball of anxiety and finally forced me to stand still as he asked me, “What are you stressed about? What is going on with you?”
I gave him my evil overworked mommy glare as I blurted out, “Work was crazy. The house is a mess. I have to leave for tennis in fifteen minutes and I’m hungry. Should I eat dinner or wait? I have to make cupcakes for the graduation reception on Friday – but I don’t know when I am going to do that since I have to work tomorrow and set up for graduation on Thursday night. Two of the parents from the class haven’t paid the money for the teacher gift. I need to buy the teacher gift. And now I am going to be late for tennis!” I threw my hands up in frustration as my head spun.
Chris hugged me, pulled away from and said quietly, “So basically this is about cupcakes, kindergarten and tennis lessons?”
Well, when you put it like that – even I think I sound a bit like a nutcase. Damn it.
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My friend Cynthia called me this morning to warn me the Whoville Police had staged a roadblock on the way to the boys’ schools to check inspections and registrations. As I may have mentioned, my inspection expired back in January. (I know. I KNOW. I just haven’t had a chance.) Thanks to Cynthia’s kind phone call, I took the back roads and avoided a showdown with the law enforcement of Whoville. (And I still got Aidan to school and myself to work on time. How’s that for a morning success story?)
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Did I mention tomorrow is Aidan’s kindergarten graduation? I cried after I dropped him off at school today. My baby, a boy who had to be carried kicking and screaming into school for his first day, is happily moving on to first grade. I am so proud of the boy he is, but a part of me will always miss my baby.
I give myself one minute into the ceremony until I am weeping inconsolably.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Did You Hear All That?
Chris was out of town on an overnight business trip yesterday. He called home at bedtime to say goodnight to the boys. When it was Brennan's turn, I heard loud explosive sounds coming from the floor where Brennan was sitting as he carried on the conversation. After a minute or two, I heard Brennan ask, "Did you hear all that Daddy? Did you?"
Brennan shook his head and asked, "No?" He waited a beat, listened to his next self generated explosive sound and said into the phone, "What about that one?"
"No?" Brennan asked again, surprised and continued, "That was me! Passing lots and lots of big gas! Okay? Love you Daddy!" With that, Brennan dropped the phone and ran into the playroom to play.
I picked up the phone to the sound of Chris's laughter. I am sure that little slice of home made his cushy, kid free hotel room seem lonely in comparison. At least that's what I like to tell myself.
Brennan shook his head and asked, "No?" He waited a beat, listened to his next self generated explosive sound and said into the phone, "What about that one?"
"No?" Brennan asked again, surprised and continued, "That was me! Passing lots and lots of big gas! Okay? Love you Daddy!" With that, Brennan dropped the phone and ran into the playroom to play.
I picked up the phone to the sound of Chris's laughter. I am sure that little slice of home made his cushy, kid free hotel room seem lonely in comparison. At least that's what I like to tell myself.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
A Perfect Afternoon
I had a perfect afternoon with the boys today. After partying it up at Mile's first birthday party, the boys snoozed a bit on the ride home so I opted to skip nap time in favor of an early bedtime. We popped some popcorn, watched a movie and snuggled up on some pillows on the playroom floor. After the movie, we colored, we danced, danced revolution and had an early dinner. Before bed, we grabbed a stack of books and snuggled up in my bed to read.
It was one of those days where I sighed after they were all in bed and said a quiet prayer in awe of these three little blessings. (Instead of, you know, those days where I say a quiet prayer they are all quiet, in bed, and I pour myself a glass (a big, overflowing glass) of wine to calm my nerves.)
It was one of those days where I sighed after they were all in bed and said a quiet prayer in awe of these three little blessings. (Instead of, you know, those days where I say a quiet prayer they are all quiet, in bed, and I pour myself a glass (a big, overflowing glass) of wine to calm my nerves.)
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