Pancakes!

Saturday morning, and I had a request from Willow to make pancakes. I actually haven't made pancakes in a while--we have been on a waffle kick for a while...so, I thought it would be fun to use my ole' pancake molds...

As usual lately, Willow likes to "help" me cook...she helped me mix the batter and then watched while I made two pancakes.

The molds are a heart and a bear.

I'm afraid I put too much batter in them this time...

So, when I flipped them over, they kinda did not keep the shape totally. Michael's heart shaped pancake fared better. I am afraid the bear one got a little more mangled.

But, in the end, the shapes are not what really counts anyways!

The next shaped pancake came out better--and I gave the dinosaur one to Willow. (The little bitty pancake by the tail is for the dinosaur to eat)

(Dad and I got regular old round-ish pancakes)

If you are interested in seeing other 30 posts in 30 days writers, please stop on by NaBloPoMo, or stop on by Suzy's place.

Early Present

The afterschool program that Michael attends has a little shop off their front lobby. They sell foam swords, cloaks, shirts that say "Zombie Academy", Star Wars figures, etc. (i.e. essentially a geek child's fantasy)

Every day for the past, oh, I would say 2 months, Michael has went in there to look around. For the past month he has been drooling over a General Grievous Star Wars figure.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought it for a Christmas present for him. It has been sitting in the trunk of the car, the perfect hiding place.

Friday night he was looking and playing with a General Grievous in the store. And as we sat in the car, he asked if he could go home and get his saved allowance money and then drive back so that he could purchase it himself.

I am good at surprising people, but even I know my limits.

His eyes grew big as I showed him the "body" in the trunk. I warned him that if he got it now, he would be one present shorter at Christmas/Hanukkah. His amazement and his profound gratitude (he said he loved me several times in a row) showed me that he did not mind.

It's a pretty cool General Grievous, if I do say so myself, and seeing him play with it now warms me just as much as it would on X-Mas morning. (and...he doesn't know there are already more surprises for him scattered in hiding places around the house!!)

Purr

I was going to read, but got caught texting. So it is close to midnight and I am texting laying sort of on the bed and sort of not. He comes and sits right on my chest. And then he nuzzles my hands and my face. I stroke his fur and rub his belly. He is annoying me, but is cute in doing so. And soon I am just fascinated at this small creature (not as small as he used to be) and how beautiful he is. I finish texting and I spend some time just looking at him and petting him. Looking into those eyes and hearing his LOUD purring. It is no wonder that they say pets can help relieve stress. I try to read a little, despite the time. He nuzzles under my chin, making it almost impossible to read. But I reposition him and the book. And I lay there at midnight, reading a book with a kitten under my chin.

The Girl

Helping mom cook...

Willow is a Whirlwind. She is in motion as soon as she gets up in the morning. She loves jumping, running, spinning and climbing.

Things she can do astound me. She can express herself in so many ways, not only verbally, but with body language and expressions. She knows what is right and wrong (generally). She plays with dolls playing house. She pretends to be a cat (to the point of trying to have me pet her and give her cat treats). Lately, she points to me and says "You -- Willow. I'm mommy." and we role play.

She likes to go down the stairs on her bum sometimes. Or sometimes she gets to the bottom stair and jumps down. She wants to do most things herself...but yet has no real interest in potty training or getting herself dressed (undressing--no problem).

After being a child not at all into books, she has become a book devourer. She loves handing books to me one after the other. She is also a book destroyer...but we are working on that.

Willow loves juice and juice boxes, has a wicked sweet tooth. Doesn't understand when we say to ask for things "nicely"--she then says "I want _______ nicely." Once we tell her to say "please" she says "pleeeeeeeeeeze" with a huge smile.

She is growing and growing--into 3T clothes and her opinions of shoes and clothes keeps being refined. I can tell I won't have as long as I had with Michael to dictate what clothes I want her to wear.

She is becoming opinionated and sparky...wonderfully curious and smart.

She is 2 1/2--where the hell did the time go!?!

Random Songs In My Head

My job is fairly quiet. Well, the office is fairly quiet. I work with three attorneys, who often are either quietly working in their offices or they are brainstorming (or BSing) in their offices with the doors closed. It is a small enough office that I cannot indulge in one of my past favorite activities--having a small radio/Ipod set up so I can hear music through the day. (Oh, I have a small set up, but I can only use it when they are not there--cuz its "too distracting")

I don't really mind too much--but it does mean that when it gets quiet--too quiet--my mind starts running through various songs in my head. And then. Then I am in trouble--cuz they won't Go.Away.

So here are some melodies going on lately in my head (and why).

Spongebob Campfire Song This is actually on my Ipod in my summer mix. I recently used Genius on some other song (from Juno Soundtrack) and this song was put into the mix. Jarringly so.

Go, Diego, Go! Obvious reasons, really. He is in our house every morning and every evening, whether I like it or not. Crys of "Iego! eeeagggooo!" are heard. Okay, he isn't as annoying as his cousin (DORA), and...well, he did have a show about Chinchillas (saved indefinitely on our DVR--not cuz she wants it saved, mind you.)

Mad TV Michael's been watching the new Cartoon Network Mad Magazine show...but for some reason, this tune keeps popping into my head.

Melanie by Weird Al
I have no idea why this, of all the Weird Al songs that my son plays in the car, why is THIS one sticking in my head?? I don't even like it that much!

The Freeze Ray Song from Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog
This is more because it randomly popped into my head. Of course, I then had to watch it again.

Add to this mixture some random Violent Femmes songs, some They Might Be Giants, soundtracks from Lion King, Joseph and the Technicolor DreamCoat and various other artists that just pop in every so often, and its musical chaos! (Yeah, I got an eclectic palette)

So on my drive home...sometimes a nice ole' Podcast of This American Life is a nice change. (Or blaring one of those Violent Femmes songs...)

So, what do you have randomly playing in your head?

If you are interested in seeing other 30 posts in 30 days writers, please stop on by NaBloPoMo, or stop on by Suzy's place.

The Cats

Gabrielle (named after that Xena character) has gotten a lot heavier lately. Which is interesting because if we did not intercede, I am sure she would not get food because Kif eats up every thing he sees...

Gabby is our older cat. Isn't it the way of things--you do not realize how old you (or your pets/kids) are until they are compared to a new addition. I think that Gabby is both pleased and irritated with the new addition. The picture above shows them at their most happy--cuddling up with each other, licking each other softly.

Unfortunately, there are also times where we hear running running, thump, thump, crash...as Kif chases Gabby around the house to tackle her. Most times she is fine with it...but there are times when we really think Gabby would like to kick Kif's ass.

Maybe things will be a bit more calm once Kif has his neutering. I hope it doesn't change his personality TOO much...but it would be nice if he was not like the second toddler in the house.

Kif is rambunctious. He is into everything. He wants to eat any food left out in the house. He wants to cuddle and lick your face at 4 a.m.---he wants to bite your socks. Right now he is moving the huge water dish around the kitchen floor (it has a big water bottle on top).

Kif is damned lucky he is so damned cute.

The Boy

Outside of After School program, last week.*

I had to take this picture of him. Of course, it doesn't do him justice, but I was just struck at the time how he is starting to come into his own in so many things lately.

I think school has been good so far. He has had a few incidents. He is definitely having anxiety/OCD issues. But he is also getting 100%'s and A's (except for having a bad grade for the evening reading assignment--he just cannot read as many pages as needed to get a good grade on that--but he is trying and I think we have figured out how to help with that). He is enjoying the freedom the variety of classes give him. He really enjoys French and Science class. He is doing well with Band--they have a concert in about a month. Tonight he brought home a stuffed penguin pillow that he made in Sewing class...and boy was he proud of it! (woodworking class is next term)

I am proud of him and I am glad he is gaining self awareness and confidence.

*Cthulu is his familiar in his After School Role playing game. He is also wearing a new winter coat.

If you are interested in seeing other 30 posts in 30 days writers, please stop on by NaBloPoMo, or stop on by Suzy's place.

Fun With Girls

On Sunday we went to Chunky's and watched Mega-Mind with a few friends. Afterwards , the girls all hung out together, as only little girls can...





It got me to thinking about how different it is to have a little girl. I actually did not think there would be so much of a difference between having a boy and having a girl, but even at this early stage--I can tell there is a difference. And its not like I am trying to perpetuate stereotypes or anything...I was a tomboy as a child, I have given both my kids gender neutral toys and both gender equivalent toys (i.e. my son got an easy bake oven one year, my daughter gets cars and trucks, etc.). And yet...she definitely has a more feminine bent. It will be interesting to see how this evolves...and fun!

Morning Snuggles

Laying in bed, its the weekend. Long night last night (full of fun, but still long night).

It's 6 a.m. I don't have to get up! Which means that the small voice asking for "daddy" is not what I want to hear. We tell her to come on up---and into bed she comes. She is surprised that I am here "You are HERE?!" (I went out the night before, to her chagrin). She snuggles in.

And then the kitten comes up and snuggles on my right shoulder...purring, purring. His collar is gone...where did it go? Then the other cat comes in and snuggles on my feet. I try very hard not to move. Let all the small creatures settle and let me sleep. (Hubs has no issues--still sleeping)

We rest. I do not sleep, but I think how wonderful this is--how it is missing one crucial element--30 mins later that element bounces into the bed--yep, no my son has joined the crew--and now I am barely in the bed anymore. But I am complete.

(Daddy decides the group hug is over--takes everyone downstairs so I can get some sleep!)

Bloggy Love

The wonderful Mel from Stirrup Queens is in town to be the keynote speaker at the Bay State Resolve Conference.

So a few of us Boston area bloggers (I had never met any of them before in RL) went to her hotel last night and had a wonderful time at the nearly empty hotel restaurant...we spent over 3 hours laughing, talking and generally enjoying each other's company. It seems that with each and every blogger I meet, I can sense a real rapport with them from the start. It was like we were just old friends hanging out...and I LOVED it!

It was so much fun that I barely realized the time--and was sad to have to say good bye.

Thank you Mel, for giving of yourself and your time! Thank you gals, for a great and stimulating time!

Life Alphabetical

A twist on some of the alphabeticals out there...

A - The amount of apples my children eat is astounding. Apples sliced, diced, whole or in parts. Applesauce, apple juice (rarely). Apples--its for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

B - Bears are a big thing with Willow. Bears of all types, bears in books, stuffed bears, animals that look like bears (like Koalas) are BEARS! Not sure where this fascination with bears comes from, but it is almost as strong as her love of BABIES(!)

C - Cats. We have two of them. One is big and a bit lazy. One is small and a bit of a rascal. For instance, the other morning he got up on the counter and was able to push and pull enough to get the dry food container to fall onto the floor, spilling all the dry cat food out, where my husband found him gorging himself.

D - Dancing. She does a LOT of this in our kitchen. Usually to They Might Be Giants or Dan Zanes. Often she drags me in, so I can go around and around and around with her, until I am DIZZY.

E - "E" eats everything.* (He must know my son)

F - Finding things. We have a lot of fun finding things that are lost in our house. Well, I guess the word "fun" can be interpreted differently for us. I guess some "people" (Willow & KIF) would find what they do with our items FUN. We find it amusing at first and then frustrating (especially cuz those two are not so good with the descriptions on where they put things). Especially when we cannot FIND said items (oh, like daddy's car keys, the new DVD we just bought, our glasses)

G - Grover is a nice monster (see below). Do not innocently start reading "The Monster at the End of this Book" before bedtime when your house is under siege by monsters. Even cuddly Grover can be a menace in those situations.

H - Holiday shopping has already begun (actually began in September). I got Michael a Weird Al DVD and CD (yeah, a CD--I want him to have something to hold--and the liner notes are cool) for Hannukah. In the trunk of my car are two Christmas presents for Willow. And my excel spreadsheet has begun (adults on my list are not going to get much if anything this year--spending the money on the kids in the family).

I -Two Iguanas died in this house. TWO. Now whenever we see iguanas (whether live, stuffed animals or on video) we sigh.

J - Jumping. Its another thing that is big with the kids. Jumping and more jumping. Jumping in the kitchen, in their bedrooms, on their beds (somewhat allowed)...just (apparently) not jumping in the kangaroo costume.

K - The kangaroo costume--was a hit again and I feel that now the expensive of it has been earned. We used it two Halloweens and now the feet have little holes in them from all her walking around this past Halloween. So...now it goes into her toy box for dress up.

L - LOLLIPOPS. Tons of them in the house right now. They are the STICKIEST things in the world. I think I am starting to hate lollipops and the sticks that are left gnawed and sticky around my house...

M - Monster Patrols have gotten to be a regular fixture of our house right now. Just tonight I sent some monsters packing...I clapped my hands, told them sternly to get out. She said I needed to get the ones downstairs too. So down I ran, and gave them what for. Along with a good old kick. Those monsters are OUTTA HERE! (until tomorrow!)

N - Neutering...as it what is going to happen to Kif in a couple of weeks. And it cannot come soon enough sometimes...

O - Offensive smell in my car...not sure what it is...thought it was a sour milk bottle, but I guess (from what my husband says, cuz he has an acute sense of smell) the smell is still there and I have cleaned everything out...I guess detailing is in the future...

P -Patience. I want more of them, but someone keeps taking them and hiding them where I cannot find them.

Q - "Fry: What do you monsters want?

Donkey Kong: One thing and one thing only: Quarters! A million allowances worth of quarters! No slugs or tokens.

Beserk: Fork 'em over! Fork 'em over!"

R - Repeated viewings in our house (thank you DVR): Superhero Squad, Mad (new cartoon based Mad Magazine satire), X-Men, Go Diego Go, 30 Rock, Family Guy, American Dad, How I Met Your Mother.

S - Michael's school pictures came in. They are the best school pictures I have ever seen. And of course I did not buy enough of them (cuz the packages were $$$). He looks so 13 in them...but he is only 11 1/2! But he looks so grown up and mature! Damn! I am going to have to buy more school pictures...

T - Yes, our Turtle Congo is still alive and swimming. In dirty water. Cleaning his aquarium is on my list for this weekend. As it was last weekend. Turtle doesn't mind...I do.

U - If you cannot find me and Willow--we are under the blanket over there! She is now enjoying a classic game that Michael used to call "fort" but she calls "house". Her 'house" is under a blanket (where it seems there is very little breathing room).

V - Victory is Mine! I finally got the kids to bed!

W - Love our Wii. Well, in reality, it's our second Wii...cuz the youngest members of the household (Willow and Kif) ganged up on our previous one. But, I still love our Wii...it is fun and helpful too. And now its stored in a plastic box so little fingers cannot put disks or coins in the slot; and wires cannot be chewed.

X - Oh, and we have an X-Box too. An old style one, and every so often we play him. Poor, sad lonely X-Box....why could they have not destroyed YOU so that we would have felt compelled to buy a 360?

Y - This is yet another post for the 30 posts in 30 days. Yay!

Z - Zen. I need some of that right now. Usually my zen is gotten through reading, but I also think I need a chance to go to a day spa or even just a 2 hour spa....to just be Zen.


*TMBG's song reference. If you know the song--can you get it out of your head now??

There is always time...

Trying to get him to bed so that I can go down to get the kitchen cleaned up. It's been a long night and I just want to get that one thing done so that I can finally relax after the long day.

But. He is supposed to read at least 20 mins. a night for school. He is reading The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (I bought it for him a while ago and he picked this book above all others to read).

Now he suggests that he read it out loud to me. (I hate being read to--I really like the feel of the words drifting past my eyes, I like to be in control) I hesitate and then say I really have to get downstairs to do stuff. His expression shows his dissapointment. I instantly feel like scum and I try to take back what I said. At first he says it is okay, I should go ahead and leave.

I then sit down and tell him that I do want to hear him read this book, one of my favorites. He reads to me. He has an interesting reading voice, at first faltering over some of the bigger words, he has a small voice. But there is authority there, and you can tell that he is enjoying reading this to me. He reads "against" with an accent that sounds almost British. I want him to say "against" again and again. The kitten comes up on my lap and purrs and nuzzles me. I am happy for this perfect moment that I almost missed.

There is always time.

Leaves

Before they even were falling she was intrigued by them. Finding the most tattered, green, dirty leaves she could find. Some brown and crinkly--great toys for the cats who then distributed parts of the favored leaves throughout the house.

Driving around New England, I see yellows and oranges and reds unfolding in front of me. It is hard to not keep driving and enjoying the view.

One of my favorite things is to shuffle my feet with a big pile of leaves in front of me. The crunching, rattling sound and the crisp smell of the leaves reminds me of a time when I was young and I walked home from school with my best friend and we would talk about things (some important and existential, some superficial and long forgotten) as we shuffled the leaves under our feet.

I bought wax paper again this year. Every year the leaves remind me of my Grammie. She and I would pick out our favorite leaves and put them between wax paper. Then she would use her iron to wax the leaves. I would gently pull the wax paper apart to find waxed leave decorations. We would then arrange them on her kitchen mirror.

As I wax the leaves this year, they are a paltry bunch. I only picked a few, I let her pick the majority (her taste still seems to be for the forlorn ripped, dirty leaves). He picked a few too, but not as many as he used to...too busy being a teenager to want to do the leaf thing this year...and she is too small, but interested, so she watches while I warn her that the iron is too hot for her to play with.

I tried to put them on our big kitchen window, but Kif went right for them, so my efforts this year were hastily relocated before he got them all...



There is a pile of leaves in my yard, soon to be jumped into and thrown about.

I love autumn.

If you are interested in seeing other 30 posts in 30 days writers, please stop on by NaBloPoMo, or stop on by Suzy's place.

Motivation - Or How Punching Bears Inspires Me to Work Out

Every morning I get up and get on my stationary bike. And I look forward to it (GASP!) Why? Cuz I gots my secret weapon--DVDs!! My carrot in the morning is Babylon 5 and I am greatly enjoying reliving this television series (before B5, I have re-watched all the New Dr. Who's). Unfortunately, I am almost at an end of the series...I have to come up with another one...I was thinking Angel...see, it has to be something I look forward to. Something that I will be wanting to watch more of...so I will get my 40-45 mins on my bike and mini-stepper in the mornings. (Sometimes I miss it on the weekends...its that good of motivation)

As for my other motivating work out--I punch bears. Or air. I love my WiiFit, but I especially love my Gold's Gym Cardio WorkOut. One of the exercises is a Roadwork run--on a wooded path, where every so often you stop...and "cardboard" Bears pop up and you punch them. (Oh, and be careful, sometimes a person pops up--and although his expression makes you want to punch him...if you do, you lose 10 seconds on your time!) I usually do the Wii in the evenings, 2-3 times a week--usually when the kids are asleep...although one time I did do it while they were up. And Willow then took out a Wii remote (no batteries in it) and ran along with me. And kept shouting--BEARS!! (her favorite animal)

If you are interested in seeing other 30 posts in 30 days writers, please stop on by NaBloPoMo, or stop on by Suzy's place.

30 Posts in 30 days

I have decided to do NaBloPoMo this month...which means you post each day of November.

I have thousands of stuff I have thought of to post--and not always had the time to do it. So, I hope this will get me to get some of those "only in my head" posts out there.

Of course, there is still the whole "time" issue. But we shall see. (Like, right now--I started this post and then I heard THUMPING in our downstairs bathroom...my son was jumping up and down for no apparent reason when he should be going to BED...) (Oh, and I should be using this precious time while Hubs is putting Willow down for some Wii time....um, after this post, eh?!)

So, for post number one...let's see what I can write...about....KIF, will you please stop trying to chew on my socks?!?! (with my feet still in them?!!?)

Post number one....Michael. Will.You.Please.Go.To.Bed. (Thumping has commenced upstairs in his bedroom)

(Oh, and did I mention the computer chair is in the kitchen right now so I am on my knees writing this?)

Okay, hubs is now calling for a sippy cup of water.......

Let me get this straight. I go up to the door, and get CANDY?

This is the year it is clicking. The year where she is starting to understand cause and effect. This is the year she finally said "Trick or Treat" and meant it.



Okay, she finally said it at the end of the night, actually--before then, she was amazed at the whole process of going up there and getting FREE CANDY!! Mostly she said "Thank you" and "Good Bye" to the nice people.



We went Trick or Treating with some friends in New Hampshire, and Michael and their two little girls blitzed through houses, while we kept watch of Willow.



Her reaction at one of the first houses (you can see Michael as General Grievous and one of our friend's girls as Glinda the Good Witch as they leave the house):







The kids had fun, got lots of candy, enjoyed a really good haunted house, and finally konked out at about 9:30 p.m. Not bad for a Halloween!


Here are some random photos (some taken by Michael) of this Halloween:


One of our favorite Halloween books. (This was taken by Michael--glad to know he likes it!)



I colored my hair for the night.


Michael just before we went out (before getting into his costume).


Our window gels.



I also painted my finger nails black--which meant Willow wanted hers painted too.




Willow's costume being ready to go.

Corn Maze

Pictures from our trip to the giant corn maze. It was children's weekend, so we got a discount and there were lots of extras there for the kids.


Entering the Corn Maze. Last year it was Family Guy; this year, a tribute to Clint Eastwood.


I like that this year, if you get lost, you could TEXT your way out!



Michael was in the lead!



The corn was pretty dead, this late.


Finding our way out of the maze!



Spongebob was the first to greet us outside of the maze.



Willow was both excited and scared by the characters.


A mini-maze with haystacks.


Pumpkins everywhere!


While Willow was intrigued to see Elmo, Scooby Doo was the only one she got this close to. (After I petted Scooby, she then petted him) Oh, but she had no problem whatsoever on getting the CANDY that the characters were handing out!

There was also a bouncy house and a corn cannon. For a dollar you could shoot corn out of a cannon (well, technically they ran out of corn and were shooting apples). Michael got a kick out of doing it. A quick look into the petting zoo, and then a stop into the farm stand to get some homemade sourdough doughnuts...and we were done! It was a very fun way to spend Halloween Weekend.

Pumpkin Carnage

Sunday night we made our Jack O'Latern. As per our tradition, Michael drew out the design, I laid out a mess mat/papers that did not pick up all the mess, I stripped Willow down to her diaper (cuz why have pumpkin guts on her clothes, when she can just be plopped into a bathtub?). This year, dad wanted to do some cutting (he had gotten a nice knife his brother had made for him). And then he proceeded to cut his thumb. After the Marvel bandages were applied, it was determined that I keep the traditional role of pumpkin cutter (with some small assistance from Michael).



Before the carnage.


I like the symmetry on this photo..with Willow and Kif both head down...


Pulling out the guts.



Okay, two things about this. 1. After a while, every time she took out some guts, she would go "ewww" and flit her hands around, thus making my mess mats obsolete, as pumpkin guts flew all over. 2. She picked up a name tag from one of our gaming conventions and was wearing it like a necklace.



Finished product...yeah, its much scarier in person. (the other pumpkin is a free one Willow got for "coloring" a Halloween handout at the grocery store-she drew on it)

Imagination

Spongebob:when you use your IMAGINATION you can do anything!

I imagined this.

We are sitting in his room; he has brought out an action toy set, explaining to me that he has only one figure, needs to spend some of his allowance on another.

She plops right down on the floor, starts playing with the set. Her imagination has blossomed lately and she has little scenes she plays out. She plays, quietly putting words into the action figures mouth, using the toys in ways that only she understands.**

He goes and gets the Halloween Mr. Potato Head that I got him this weekend (he collects them, he has all the Star Wars ones, a Spider-Man one). He shows me the various creations he can make with the Halloween one, and we talk about how Mr. Potato Head has changed from when I was a girl.

And I watch as my two children play before me. All troubles melt away and I remind myself that sometimes real life is even better than we imagine.


**Generally speaking, her themes of play concern “mommy” “daddy” and “babies” and variations on “house”. (well, as far as I can tell) Which means Iron Man has one heck of a complex right now—I have no idea if he was the mommy, daddy or baby!

Family Portrait Preview...

Got a great deal at a portrait shoppe...went today, here are fuzzy cellphone photos...

Willow was great, our hair was messed, we were all a bit dazed--some because we have colds, some because we had no idea what we were doing, some because they had just come to the mall right from karate...

Still, the photos turned out well. I HATE standard posed portraits...I like to see personalities in them. And we definitely have that.

Show & Tell

For this week's Show & Tell:

The Circus!

The Circus came to Boston last week, so we got some good discounted tickets and went.

Here are some fuzzy cellphone pictures...


Of course, we had to be indulgent and get the $7.00 Popcorn and the $12.00 Cotton Candy (hey, it came with the wizard hat!)


The opening number...

There was a lot of song and dance numbers (most I could have done without). But the tigers and elephants were wonderfully exciting, as were the dancing horses and dog tricks--not to mention the trapeze artists and high wire acts!

Willow was a bit restless during the little production numbers between the big acts, but otherwise, she was entranced.

It had been a long time since I had seen this big of a circus and it was great fun!


Please stop over to participate!

The Meeting

The first one was horrific. My butterflies were gigantic, and I felt like I was to blame. Why could he not be "normal"? Why? What did I do wrong? Blame.Blame.Blame.

The second meeting was after some tests. By then I was more informed, but yet. There was guilt and worry. Maybe if he had a sibling? Why can we not provide this to him? What did we do wrong? Why could he not be "normal"?

A meeting with a doctor, more tests. Testing provided measurable proof of something that we knew in our guts was true.

But.

Meeting after meeting I became more aware of myself, of my son, of my family. Of factors that I could and could not control. Of laws and rules and medications. What is "normal" anyway? Are any of us truly "normal"?

And now today we have another meeting. This time with his middle school to discuss 504 accommodations. And while I still have the smallest feeling like I am going before a firing squad, I am in control and understand much more. I understand that this meeting is not about blame (there is none to place). I understand that we are his advocates, his voice in these proceedings. That what we say can provide his teachers tools in helping him in his day. This is a meeting to help my child. My wonderfully quirky, intelligent, frustrating, warm, kind, witty son. Each time at a meeting we get at least one person complimenting us on what a wonderful child he is.

And we are there to help him as we always have been. And while I don't think I have been the perfect mother, I do know that I am proud of him and know that I have and will keep doing whatever I can to help him become this wonderful young man that I see emerging.

Ode to a Kitten and a Toddler

How alike you are

Both so damned cute

Whirls of energy (sometimes exhausting)

Into things I was sure you could not get in to (do you conspire?)

Food—one of you always eating, anything and everything

One of you always eating, demanding almost anything and everything (not sure which is which sometimes)

Both of you know how to plead and beg

Both persistent

One SCREAMS and POUTS and CRYS (tonight it was for a 3rd lollipop after dinner--denied)

The other PURRS and POUNCES OVER AND OVER AND OVER (you put him down—he is up/you move him to another room/he comes back)

Under foot, underneath, under covers (one to play sleepy time—and laugh and “hide”; the other to play “surprise! – let me stab your feet with my claws!”)

Both

Frustratingly cute

And Growing before my eyes

Show & Tell

For this week's Show & Tell, we go to Williamsburg, VA once again. I was the first one to arrive and the last one to leave the Braces Bunch Gathering...so on Sunday afternoon, before my flight, I went to the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum.




I have a fascination with the weird and bizarre, which is something I can share with my son. I have found him reading with the same veracity that I had as a child, all those Ripley's books. I have fond memories of watching the old Jack Palance show...so, when I had found out there was a Ripley's Museum in Williamsburg, I hoped that I could go. I had told my son that I might go there. As I was getting my ticket to go into the museum, my family called...and I heard in the background my son's voice--and my husband telling him that "yes, she is there right now!"

I made sure to take some pictures and video for him.


A ceremonial skull (neat-o!)


Two headed cow (moo! moo!)


A few strands of President George Washington's hair (with certification that its authentic)




All in all, I did not find the museum as creepy as I would have liked, but it was still an interesting diversion and I was glad to share it in some way with my son.



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Under The Weather; Under Foot

Yesterday, Michael and I both felt rather ill...in those vague symptom-ness ways where you feel achy and sleepy and...well, not well. So, I left work early, luckily, everyone else was home for the holiday. Both Michael and I slept ALOT yesterday. And we both are not feeling 100% today. I think, as usual, he will recover quickly and be well by the end of day today. As usual, I will have gotten the brunt of whatever illness...I think I might be getting a sinus infection...or maybe its just a rough cold...or strep (yes, that was what I was thinking at 3 a.m. this morning).

Willow and Kif made sure to let their presence be known, however. When I got home from my half day of work, her toys were EVERY WHERE. She ate our crackers along with us, she made sure to point out that she needed many, many juice boxes. Luckily, hubs was home and kept her amused most of the time.

Kif likes to try and eat any left overs people leave around the house...and with Willow and my hubs that usually means there is a lot of food around for him to get into. Add in sick people--he was having a field day! Hope its okay for kittens to eat spaghetti o's...

Kif has also become fascinated with the basement--where our laundry is done. So he sits right by the door, awaiting his chance to pounce on past you as you are carrying clothes...so far he has only been trapped down there once.

Willow is doing pretty good with the toddler bed. Once she is down to bed, she if fine--no getting up in the middle of the night and she is keeping her normal sleep patterns (not getting up before us). HOWEVER, getting her down to bed has become trickier. Last night it took 1 1/2 hours to get her to finally stay asleep.

Borrowing from Suzy...

outside my window... it is dark, cool, almost time for bed.

i am thinking... that my stomach hurts (I think I might be a little lactose intolerant), my head hurts and its time to go to bed soon.

i am thankful for... a sleeping toddler--we converted her crib to a toddler bed today...and so far, she is sleeping away!

from the kitchen... I did not cook dinner tonight, was going to, but someone (HUBS) put the chicken roaster in the freezer, and we had promised the kids ice cream...the day was just that weird that yes, we went out for ice cream before dinner; came home and I prepared meals for the kids cuz my husband and I were not hungry any more, then my tummy started hurting...so, yeah, its 10 o'clock at night and I have had no dinner, not going to have any...(um, well, I guess the one scoop of pumpkin and one scoop of apple pie cheesecake ice cream ended up being my dinner...)

i am wearing... blue sweat pants, blue shirt and my robe (even tho its not that cold)

i am creating... nothing at the moment, although I am hoping to scrap book soon.

i am going... to go to bed soon--but first--T.V.!

i am reading... a memoir; a fiction book that was on my son's summer reading list; and a fictional book that I have read before.

i am hoping... that my stomach quits hurting and that Willow stays asleep in her toddler bed all night.

i am hearing... a pretty quiet night...husband is in the kitchen studying for a technical exam he is taking on Thursday.

around the house... Hubs in kitchen, Willow in her toddler bed (I hope), Michael in his bed asleep (I hope); Kif and Gabby are sleeping on various chairs near Hubs in kitchen, me I am on the computer, not the laptop.

one of my favorite things... fall leaves and their crunching noise--still waiting for that around here...any day now. :-)

i don't understand... why I can be in a bad mood on a beautiful fall day...

i wish... this weather would last longer. (Here ya!)

a few plans for the rest of the week...Tomorrow I go to work; hubs has off with the kids (may haps they come and visit me at lunch?); Thursday night is gamer night; Friday morning we have a 504 meeting at Michael's school; Friday night we are all going to the Circus; Saturday we are going to a friends house to "play".

and a photo to share...HA!



Ooooh, okay, here are some photos...

Michael in his Halloween costume; Willow in her new pjs...

Show & Tell - Braces Bunch Gathering

Last week, I went to Williamsburg, VA to meet up with some Braces Bunch Gals and had a very nice time.

I arrived on Thursday and hung out with Amy from A Somewhat Ordinary Life, who was a very nice host. She opened up her house to us and we even got our kid fix with her wonderful son, Smooch.

Everyone brought some snack foods...SeussGirl brought "puppy chow" (a mixture of melted chocolate/peanut butter and crispix--YUM!). She also brought some nice goodie bags for all of us.

JJ had an adventure driving to our gathering, but finally was able to join us safe and sound.

I was indoctrinated into the world of Grey's Anatomy and other shows I don't watch. (I think it was more fun cuz they were there!)

Friday morning we got up and decided to go to Colonial Williamsburg. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed a good meal at a Cheese/Sandwich shop. It was a very busy place, but the sandwiches were worth the wait! While there, we saw a Santa Claus...and then another. It seemed that there was a Santa Claus gathering that weekend too!

That evening we went out to a nice restaurant to meet with Hannah. The atmosphere was wonderful, the conversation fun. The food great.

Saturday was a slower day, especially when JJ learned that she would have to leave our gathering a little earlier than expected. We still made the best of it and met up with Erica and Hannah for a relaxing lunch at a nice Mexican restaurant! We stayed long after our food was finished...just talking and enjoying each other's company.

Things I have learned this past weekend at the BB Gathering:

SeussGirl loves games and is ruthless with her trains.

JJ does NOT like pizza.

Amy is a great listener.

Hannah is as adorable in person as she is on her blog.

I can swear in front of Erica.

I found that we all love books (talk of a book exchange), that we all love Mexican food.

That carrot sticks don’t travel well (they were forgotten until I got home—they were more like carrot juice)

That people may be different, but they can be alike too. And that life’s unexpected turns can make us all turn to each other and find that support that we need in the most unexpected places.

I hope to be able to meet up with these wonderful ladies again!

Some pictures...


Hannah and Erica

Braces Bunch Logo JJ created at dinner.


Colonial Williamsburg

Me, JJ and Amy - a shout out to another BBer...



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Scattering of Moments

Conversations with women from various points of views; good food; good drink; good laughs.

Calls from home with pleas to come home, bringing tears but also joy to realize that there is a little one there to come home to.

Sights and sounds of a different town; more friends to meet and greet as old friends off of the battlefield.

Intimate conversations into the night; playing a game coyly, laughlingly.

Bunking down on air mattresses, a girls sleep-over.

Chocolate.

Coming home to "Mommymommymommy!! You are here!!" (as she pokes me to just make sure); the boy giving me a silly grin and smiling eyes that show me how much he missed me than mere words can say.

Snuggling on the couch after they are to bed and falling asleep in his lap...like I usually do.

Boldly Going Where A Lot of People Have Gone Before…

I am going to Williamsburg, VA to meet up with some Braces Bunch Gals that I have known on-line and through the Postal Service for over three years.

Here is what I posted about this some place else:

“The end of September I am going to be going to Williamsburg, VA. Alone on an airplane, to meet people I have never met. But, I have something in common with them. I am going to meet up with some women, some of whom I have known online for over three years, who are or who have struggled through infertility. We met online through our various blogs and created a group that supported each other through cards and gifts through the regular mail. In the past three years, I have gotten cards, "lucky socks", letters, chocolates when I was down and other gifts. I have sent words of encouragement and little gifts to cheer to various women from various parts of this country. We are going to meet for the first time. And yet...we already know what is in our hearts.

Please remember that many of you are struggling--but you are NOT alone. There are women out there facing the same difficulties. Support them when you can; be supported when you are in need.”
However, I have had a little bit of anxiety about this trip. I am leaving my comfort zone. I am going somewhere I have never been to meet people I have never seen. And I am leaving my family behind for the first time ever. As I have gotten older, I have noticed this tendency I have in wanting to stay “safe” and “comfortable” and the panic attacks that I have when I am trying something new. I think it is partially age, partially some bad experiences, partially because my life in general is pretty damn good.**

But whatever the reasons, I know that those feelings can hold me back. So, last year when I turned 40, I decided I would try not to let those feelings take hold in me. That I would grasp at opportunities that I may have not taken before or have shied away from, either because of fear or more often, lack of time or motivation.. Move outside my comfort zones. Not that I have ever been one not to try something new…I actually have always enjoyed having many different experiences and trying new things (one of my favorite things about living in this region of the country is the myriad of things to do around here).

But I am talking about more subtle things. Like trying to define myself. Not as a wife or mother or employee. But as a human being with needs and wants that may or may not be the same as those titles.

So here I find myself worrying about a plane trip, anxious about leaving my son and daughter for the first time, worrying about the added stress that my husband gladly took on to let me do this trip…and leaving on Thursday to meet some wonderful people.


**Actually, like many people in these times, we are actually pretty highly stressed and anxious, but we are better off than most and we do have each other.