Day 20 - The Bullets, The Bullets...

I have decided to once again participate in November. To read more about NaBloPoMo please click HERE.

In bullets because it is Sunday and I really don't have a coherent thought for a post...

• MineCraft has now invaded imaginary play. Earlier this morning, Willow and I were alternatively zombies, werewolves, creepers, skeletons and wolfs/puppies. Michael fought us with diamond swords, pix axes and the sun.

• Lazy Sunday today, more in anticipation of the coming Thanksgiving weekend and the many activities planned. Lazy meaning I am on the computer in my pjs, Michael is playing an X-Box game, Willow is snuggling with Kif on the couch, Chewy is upstairs taking a nap. And it is almost noon.

• Gaming night on Friday was Lord of the Fries; Michael won, I was last place although I was filling orders the quickest at the beginning (I guess my zombie brain burned out!)

• We re-watched Captain America this Thursday night, and while I liked it a lot and thought it was a good comic book movie--I say it is still not the best one. (Spider-Man 2 is the best comic book movie so far, I would say).

• With the weather getting cooler, I am definitely itching for more time for Board Gaming.

• There is a jar of eyeballs on the desk. I see that decoration from Halloween that has been forgotten to be packed away. Wonder if I will just leave it. (Heck, for a time, before we had kids, we had a brain and a hand in a jar in the bathroom. Year round.)

30 Posts in 30 Days - Day 19

One of my favorite movies, Watership Down is playing in the background. And it is now Willow's favorite movie--usurping Winnie the Pooh at the moment. I know, because this is the third time in less than 24 hours that it has been playing. Last night we watched it. And this morning. And now--watching it again.

The first two times I watched it with her. Luckily, Uncle John has come to visit so that he can watch it with her now.

Oh, and she is eating carrots.

This all comes from gaming--last week we were playing Bunnies and Burrows, which is based on Watership Down. So I had it in my head--and so when I pulled out some children's movies to watch last night--well, it was among them. And Willow took the deceptive looking cover of cute bunnies to heart. And since she is enamored of monsters and Buffy, etc., the blood in it is actually not a bother for her.

Looking at it now as an adult, I am amazed at the wonderful animation and soundtrack, the great voices. It has stood up to the test of time.

I think I may have to dust off the book...I have gotten into the mood for it now.

Although, I have no idea how many more viewings before I am completely sick of these bunnies...

Are there classic movies (animated or otherwise) that you cannot wait to show your children?

Post 18 of 30 Days -- Geek Alphabet

Some Friday Fun!

Geek Alphabet

The Story of the Grape

So yesterday I found that she still had that "baby" grape. Not only did she still have it in all its shriveled up glory, but she was using a small baby bottle to "feed" it. She was giving loving care and milk to a grape. I decided to let it go and see where this would lead.

Then last night, it happened. The baby was not where she thought she left it. She was upset, especially since it was such a baby and needed her. I told her that probably it got lost or maybe one of the cats ate it (I really don't know what happened to it). I figured this would be the time to put a stop to this and even though she was upset, she was not inconsolable, and she was starting to understand that it was just gone.

And then daddy came in with a new grape. And said that he found the baby grape and it had grown! And oh, was she so happy and wide-eyed! And proud that she had made it grow. (Sometimes we are not always on the same page on the parenting--I think Chewy is a little more protective of his daughter)

And then after she was so happy with it...she chose to eat it. Yep.

Day 16 - PINK EYE!

One of my favorite South Park Episodes...

So, yesterday while at the zoo I noticed Willow's right eye looked kinda puffy and red...and I knew. Oh, I knew. It was conjunctivitis. But, I was hoping I was wrong. Because today was a Preschool day and I wanted a day freed up for other adult-doings.

But this morning--the left eye looked puffy. Michael had pink eye a LOT when he was her age, so I remembered it well. And I even had some of his eye drops left...but worried that their effectiveness would not be as good as getting new drops for her. (And I wanted confirmation that there was no other illnesses brewing)

Off to the pediatricians. And then we did some adult-doings anyways at Tar.get. And then off to the pharmacy for expensive eye drops.

That I have now administered to not only her (3 times a day for 5 days)but to ME. Because I always get the Pink Eye when the kids do.

Day 15

It was such a nice day today, Willow and I went to the zoo!

One thing that I do appreciate about having time off is that I am getting a lot of time to have individual time with each child. When I am working, the time I have with them has to be divided up between them and homework, dinner, and millions of other domestic tasks.

Now, I have days when I have the day with Willow (until I have to pick up Michael from school). And I have days where I don't have her, but after school, Michael and I have a few hours together before we have to pick her up from preschool.

So, today, I took her to the zoo. It was very nice to go with just her. To stay at exhibits that she wanted to go to. To spend the time that she needed to see things. And, afterwards, we went out for lunch. Just me and her.

oh, and some animals...

Day 14 - Weekend Snippets

They play with the stuffed animals and she directs the play. Occasionally I hear him ask if he really has to play the part of the "baby" to her "mommy". The fun part is when she switches gears--and somehow they are now superheroes and werewolves. To hear him rev up with the new direction is fun. I wonder that a near four year old somehow has figured out a near thirteen year old's interests.

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EVERYTHING is family sets. Even grapes. She finds an extremely small grape in the group. And holds it and shows me. She exclaims "how cute!" and then says she wants to put it in water so it can grow. I explain how that won't work. And then she plucks off a small grape and says that it is it's brother. And then a bigger grape...the mother. She holds them in her hands, the baby, brother and mom. I finally ask her if she wants me to get a cup to put them in. She hold the cup for about an hour. Then she disappears for a while. I find out that she has distributed the grapes. The baby grape is in her room; brother grape in her brother's room; the mom grape in my room. (mom and brother eliminated those grapes a while ago--the baby grape is still in her room...I am kinda afraid to throw it away yet)

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Big brother piggy back rides, give way (after he swears he cannot do it anymore) to a big brother tickle fest that is joined by me. He is not as ticklish as he used to be. But his sister and I find a way.

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Spontaneously, she decides that she wants to direct the seating at the dinner table. She decides to set the table (she has NEVER done this before). I help her finish it off. And then later I see her taking napkins out and trying to fold them into something to decorate each place. (I hope she does this at Thanksgiving--it is cute as pie!)

Day 13 - Dentist!

Yesterday Willow went to the Dentist for the 2nd time. Well, technically the first time since this was the time he actually counted her teeth and brushed her teeth.

We have had the same Dentist since we moved out here in 1993. I like him a lot. One of my favorite things about him is that he is genuinely a nice guy. He owns a farm, he likes to keep bees, he enjoys life and is a good person to recommend a good restaurant in the area. And he loves his job and enjoys kids. And he thoroughly enjoyed giving Willow her check up!

First, big brother Michael went. I thought I would be in the waiting room with Willow, but the Dentist asked if Willow could "help" him. So, she went in with daddy and Michael. And I could hear him asking her where he had to put things, showing her "Mr. Thirsty" and joking with her and Michael.

At Michael's check up the Dentist decided he was old enough to have some x-rays done--so Willow and daddy left the room. After he developed the x-rays, he let Michael look at them too. He took the time to explain things to the always inquisitive Michael. Michael has no cavities, but still has some baby teeth (two have recently fell out), with grown up teeth slowing emerging under them. I got to see the x-rays too, and it was very cool to see those teeth underneath other teeth.

Then it was Willow's turn. Michael and I stayed in the room. Again the Dentist asked her where did he put his gloves...on his elbows? His ears? Oh, right--on his hands! And the mask? Oh, it doesn't go on his ear--or the top of his head like a hat--oh, no it goes on his nose and mouth!

He counted her teeth and said they were great and coming in fine! She got to pick out what flavor of toothpaste (bubble gum) and he brushed her teeth, giving her breaks to use the water and cup and spit into the little sink like she had seen her big brother do.

Oh and of course, the kids got treasures---a new toothbrush for each (Princess & the Frog one for Willow) and a Scooby Doo Sticker--and a treasure from the treasure box! (Michael got a whoopee cushion, Willow got a bracelet that she has been constantly wearing ever since then).

Here are a couple of blurry pics from my cell phone:

Willow sucking and making noises with "Mr. Thirsty".

After the tooth brushing--and spitting the water out (and wiping herself with the dental bib--and making it into a hat)

PLEASE NOTE: Both Chewy and I asked about her thumb sucking--and the Dentist said that we shouldn't worry about it until she reaches six years old (if she is still doing it at that point). It is not affecting her teeth at all right now. (so, pffft to that Sub.way counter guy who wouldn't give Willow her cookie until she took her thumb out of her mouth!)

30 Posts in 30 Days - Day 12

Michael is in the in-between stage between child and young adult/teen. For example, a while back we were at the mall and he saw a sister and brother coming from Bui.ld A Be.ar. They had made stuffed animals and dressed them up as Princess Leia and Darth Vader. He mentioned that he thought we should take Willow there sometime soon and do the same. I said "sure, sometime" and left it at that. BAB can be expensive and it is an indulgence that I felt we did not need.

Until yesterday. With both kids home for the holiday, our plans changed with the weather...and my suggestion of places included the Mall. (I was thinking the play area for small kids in the food court). Immediately Michael reminded me of the Bui.ld A Be.ar plan.

And I found myself taking them to an overcrowded mall to go get expensive stuffed animals.

I justified it by saying it is an early Hannukah present for each of them.

And he is not getting any younger.

And they are kids...and sometimes you need to indulge.


After getting them dressed up.

Willow did not get one dressed as a Star Wars character--they only had Darth and Jedi's and she wanted--well, she wanted PRETTY. So, she got a dog, she dressed in a white snowflake dress--name is Jack.

Jack is very happy to hang out with Willow.

Michael, of course, got a Bunny Rabbit that Roars and dressed him up in Darth Vader clothes.

Name is Darth Cutie Pie. (He is so my son)

song for maddie

My daughter does not know the background of the purple monster in the corner of her room. One way I remember a special little girl who touched many in her short life. Today, on what would have been her fourth birthday, please help me remember Maddie with a song.

Day 10 - Obsessions - Video Style

As I write this*, Willow is watching Winnie the Pooh (2011) while sitting in her chair holding Winnie the Pooh and Tigger bath toy figures and a stuffed Bunny Rabbit (which is actually from this Book). She is now obsessed with Winnie the Pooh. Daily viewings and playing with the above mentioned toys in intricate scenarios. The music is very catchy from the movie--and even though we are all getting tired of it (well, except for Willow) I must say it is very re-playable.

Michael is obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- which we love to share with him. We are now onto Season Four, and actually just finished watching the Thanksgiving episode. (And now he is practicing his clarinet in hopes that we will allow him to watch another episode after Willow goes to bed). (Yeah, we will)

As for me, during the day when I have a chance to veg out--its past episodes of Judging Amy.

*Yeah, technically I am writing this on November 9th--scheduling this post because of plans to play with a certain 3.5 year old tomorrow. :-)

Day 9 - At the Playground

Yesterday Willow and I went to the playground. Just me and her.

This is a playground near a lake so I could get my nature fix, she could get her playground fix.

It was a wonderfully warm day--nearly 70 degrees(!)

Not only did she have a great time, but she wanted to go back and bring everyone she knew to the playground!

In the background, you can see the lake, with it's requisite ducks and seagulls.

They had put in a new playscape that included a bench to sit down and eat/drink. So, she had a juice box and some Halloween Pretzels.

Then it was time for the climbing portion of the day!

Later, we went to the shore of the lake and she made an Autumn Sand Castle. (Or, as she called it, a house for bunnies.)

Later still we saw a little boy feeding the seagulls.

Day 8

Last evening I got a call from Michael's after school care. (Well, after school care when I am working--right now I pick him up from school). They called because they wanted to let me know that if we decide to have him go back to after school, they are not going to be able to transport him his school to their facility. This really puts a kink into the system, because, obviously, if I could transport him--I wouldn't need after school care.

This puts me in a weird situation. First off--nothing is really changed at the moment--I still don't have a job. BUT. I have a really good prospect or two (including an interview Tomorrow) and if any of those actually take fruit and I get offered a job, I have to scramble to find after school care for him. (Not to mention having to enroll him a new program, etc.--oh, the paperwork!)

Before he went to this place (which is the same place he went to for a month for summer camp this year), he was at an after school program where he ended up getting bullied. So, I am definitely not putting back to that program.

I love the fact that I find a perfect spot for him...and now I have to find somewhere else! Especially since he is on the edge of not having to have after school care at all. (I figured once he went to high school I would just have him come home from school on his own). Right now, I just cannot see my almost 13 year old being home alone for almost 4 hours.

So, I have to see if I can either arrange transportation for him somehow to this program which I love and he loves; or I have to find another program. At the moment I think we will end up having to change his after school program, but he will still go to the other place for vacations and one month of summer camp.

I think this especially is a vexing problem for me because he needs more social outlets because of his social issues and I was already feeling bad that he was not going to this after school program because of my lay off. And now even if we find after school care for him, it will probably not as adequately fulfill that social need.

The good news is that our doctor recently gave me a listing of social skills groups to call for extra help in this area. So I guess there is more that I need to do on that front too.

30 Posts in 30 Days - Day 7

Today is a weird day. I am feeling lazy, slightly sick and tired.

I have not had an uninterrupted night sleep in a while. Last night she woke up at 3:30 a.m. I think she had a nightmare, on the other hand, she seemed to be mostly upset that she could not find her sippy cup of water (which was right in front of her).

Everyone left and I made myself productive despite myself. Nothing on the job front so far for this week, I am anticipating some feedback from interviews from last week.* A watched computer has the same principle as a watched kettle, so I sit down to write a post. But cannot seem to settle on a topic.

I am usually the productive one, but right now, I feel a lack of motivation.

So far, this stint of unemployment has found me busy and sluggish in turns. For a little while I could not even get myself to land my brain on a good book. Thankfully, that stint of non-bookness has left me and I find my brain and imagination engaged once again.

But there is still today. Where I just don't really feel like doing anything. And the things I want to do, I don't have time to do. Or the money to do. Or...oh, hell, I don't know...the endurance to do. Hopefully it is just me being under the weather. Or maybe it is the time change. Or the end of Halloween and the beginning of the holidays?

Maybe I just peaked too soon in this unemployment stint. I think that June and July I just poured myself into the summer with the kids and then August I started to fret and work on the job of finding work. And then school started in September. And then an abnormal Autumn. Maybe I just need a vacation from my forced vacation?

Or maybe I am just having the Monday Blahs today.

Eh, I will have a nice tea with honey for my throat, snuggle with the cat and watch television for a bit and then pick up Michael from school. I will make us all a good dinner tonight.

And then tomorrow--is another day!

*Finally got some news--I have an interview on Wednesday!

Day 6

Some pictures of the cats...

Gabrielle is our first cat. She is about 8 years old (we are not sure of how old she was when we got her, she was a shelter cat).

Here is a picture from when we first got her.

She is a really sociable cat. However, she is not a lap cat. She loves to sleep beside you in bed.

Kif is our youngest family member. He just turned one year old this July. We got him as an 8 week old kitten from the same shelter we got Gabby from.

He is definitely a lap cat.

Often I will see Willow snuggle up to Kif in this manner and they will snuggle up and watch a cartoon together.

In a lot of ways, Kif is Willow's cat.

Kif is also attuned to Willow in other ways. He is a mischief maker. He makes messes.

Currently, he likes to stalk the door to try to escape outside. (They are both indoor cats)

While I have been unemployed, it has been comforting to have them around. And a little interesting to see what their daily habits are. (For example, they seem to snuggle into specific places on the couch).

Day 5

I have decided to once again participate in November. To read more about NaBloPoMo please click HERE.

She is procrastinating bedtime. I had pushed the job on daddy at first, partially because he is really good at putting the kids to bed, but also because I am done with being a mommy to a 3.5 year old today.

But she is still up and daddy is sick (sicker than the rest of us who are dealing with colds), so now it is my turn at bat. She talks to me and I am a bit cold because I really just want her to go to sleep already. Then she of course has to go to the bathroom. I sigh annoyingly as she does so. I am just not in the mood for this crap. (It is after 9 p.m. now..this is getting into my adult time!!)

Tired of waiting outside the bathroom, I go to check in on my son. Who has proceeded slip into bed in his clothes again. I ask if he really is too tired to get into his pajamas...which he reluctantly proceeds to do. I talk to him and tuck him in. And then she walks in.

And starts to sing a good night song of her own making. And I melt. And I smile. We say good night to him and then go into her room.

Where she proceeds to sing several more songs. One about going to bed, one about growing up, one about puppies. Then an encore of the going to bed song. It is too damned cute. She then snuggles in bed. I kiss her and she hugs me and tells me she loves me. Daddy has come up to check on what is going on and she elicits a promise that he will pick up donuts tomorrow morning for breakfast (bad daddy habit).

I don't care that it is now almost 10 p.m. and she is just getting to sleep.

Day 4 - School Pictures - Preview!

Got Michael's school pictures last night. Well, actually not that many last night--because I did something I think will happen more and more in the future. I was able to order the picture digitally (I was still forced to buy one sheet to be able to purchase the CD). So, in reality, I got a sheet of small pictures and ordered some prints through the W-M.ar.t. So much cheaper!

I wish I could have done that with Willow's preschool pictures, but they don't let you order digital. In fact, what they do is much crueler...they give you a whole package and you have to pick the sheets to keep (OH so hard, especially with the different poses and stuff!)

Here is a preview (if you don't want to see them until you get 'em, I am providing some spoiler space here):

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Michael, 12.5 years (7th Grade)

(This is a picture of a picture)

Willow, 3.5 years (Preschool)

30 Posts in 30 Days - Day 3

She is asleep still. Which is good, because she woke up in the middle of the night wet and cold (her pull up leaked). She got into bed with us. Willow coming into bed reminded me of times when Michael was potty training and he would come to us wet and I would strip him down and just let him sleep like a naked little frog in our bed (things you do when it is 3 a.m. and you want to sleep).

But. This was at 1 a.m. and everyone in the house is dealing with a cold bug. So, I had to strip her and her bed, get her new pajamas and pull up, fix up her bed and get her back to sleep. Afterwards, I was uncharacteristically able to go right back to sleep. After coughing a lot and blowing my nose a couple times.

So she sleeps still and I contemplate what to do today.

Yesterday I went to a pre-interview interview, then came home, drove Chewy to work in Boston, had a phone interview, picked up Michael from school, did some laundry and then picked up Willow from preschool and Chewy from the train station (dinner in the form of brisket in a slow cooker was a great help).

Today. Well, today Willow and I may go to a farm. Or maybe walk around a pond. Today is a day to spend with her.

Day 2

Cell phone photos. They are so random. We are out somewhere or something happens that is cute. Or we want to show our partner what is for dinner. We snap a cell phone picture. Sometimes my cell phone pictures are blurry and sometimes they don't quite capture the moment I was trying to capture.

I use my cell phone camera let friends and family know what is going on with my life. And sometimes, it is just the handiest thing at the moment.

And I especially love looking at them at random times during my day.

Here are some random photos from my cellphone:

Willow after swim class in May.

From a Chihuly exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in July.

The gang before leaving on vacation on Cape Cod in July.

Welcome Home sign for dad after his trip to Romania in October.

Pancakes for the kids.

Very blurry picture of me and kids after a minor league baseball game.

Willow has a crush on the neighbor kid!

30 Posts in 30 Days - Day 1

I have decided to once again participate in November. To read more about NaBloPoMo please click HERE.

Today I think we are all coming down from the Halloween High (oh and getting our first colds of the season). It is always kind of sad when a holiday ends.*

I think this year Willow really enjoyed everything about Halloween. She still wasn't all into saying "Trick or Treat!" when she got to the doors--she was usually just stunned that she was getting CANDY by just knocking on doors! (She did remember to say "Thank You!")

The number of times her eyes grew WIDE from someone's costume or decorations--it was just so fun to watch her!

On the other hand, it was a bit bittersweet for the grownups, as Michael went out on his own with friends. It was weird not to have him along with us.

Just as we were thinking of heading home, we met up with his group by accident. And he somewhat surprised me when he decided to join us along our walk home. (He is actually not that into candy--he likes the costumes and scary decorations--that being said, this morning, the first thing he did was sneak downstairs to get some candy).

Our Halloween festivities are not quite over, however. Michael has a band Halloween Party today after school. And now I just found out that we are going to go out Trick or Treating with some friends in New Hampshire this Sunday (there was a lot of postponements of ToTing because of the snowstorm and power outtages).

Tonight we will probably watch our first non-horror movie in a while.

And this weekend...I will put the decorations away for another year.

*My one real regret about Halloween was that my camera had needed new batteries, so I have not too great pictures of the events...