So yesterday I got a call from a girlfriend , she wanted to go shopping for some new work clothes and she wanted my company. It's funny how such a small gesture like a phone call " hey lets go do something" can really make you feel good. It's nice. So we head to the mall with her two small children. During the course of the afternoon I watched her do her "mommy" thing.
There were times she struggled , they are young and they are girls and I often thing in my experience that girls can be more demanding than boys. It's nature I think. There were moments where she struggled as I said but even in those moments she was and is such a good mom. I think sometimes she doesn't think so and she fears others might feel she lacks in the mom department. I think its a very real fear we all have as mothers and sometimes I think as mothers we can look at other moms as less than if they don't "do" what we do.
Let me tell you what I saw. I saw a mom desprately trying to find clothes while keeping two tired girls engaged and quiet. In everything she did she thought of them first. She got them sweets from a machine before they even asked. She just thought it would be nice for them. It's amazing how a few Runts can work magic on tots. She watched where she put her stroller, never too far from her. When she ordered food she thought of them first. She cut up a corndog in small pieces so that her 1 yr daughter wouldn't choke. She patiently let the child hold the half of a corndog still intact when her loving gesture of cutting it up went unappreciated. She walked the opposite way she wanted to go so her other daughter could use the bathroom. She did all of this because thats what moms do but let's ask ourselves one question. WHY? Why not leave them with a babysitter? Why not give yourself some peace?
My daughter babysitts for her children everyday. She could have left her with MTA but she didn't. I even offered to let her bring her girls over while we went to the mall and this is what she said to me. " Well I wanted to bring them because I have been gone a lot lately ( She has to work since her hubby is under employed right now) . I know they would be unhappy if I left so soon after getting home from work. Plus I want to spend time with them" Simple reasons but they speak volumes as to who she is and what kind of mom she is.
Iv'e done my fair share of outings with my kids and for years every grocery trip , doctors appointment, anything. They went. I remember always feeling overwhelmed and less than as a mother. To watch her yesterday brought back so much of those memories but in a way I didn't expect. I didn't remember how hard it was, or the tantrums or how inconvenient it was to nurse a baby mid shopping trip in a hideaway bathroom of a mall. I didn't recall how stressful it was to tote 4 or 5 kids around as we looked for shoes or backpacks. I didn't recall how it made me want to cry at the end of shopping trips because they wore me out so badly.
What I recalled was this. Walker TR even as a baby had the most infectious laugh( he still does) People would leave their check out lanes to come find the laughing baby. I recalled how he used to love to ride in the cart and he and Farty Papa would race down the isles of Wal Mart late at night , yes that is when we shopped. So what. He loved and still does, to help put things in the cart. When he was smaller it used to be whatever he could reach. A constant source of frusteration for me but now I just remember how serious he was about filling up the cart. We need this, and this, and this.
I recalled when MTA was a baby and she would ask questions the whole trip as we shopped. "Why is that bag purple? How much does the bread cost? What time is it? Can I have that? I want a Kasimodo pillow ( Quasimodo , it was back when the Disney movie Hunchback of Notre Dame came out ) Can I have a Kasimodo pillow? How come carrots are orange? Do you like my shoes? " It used to wear me out but now I miss it. She used to have a band aid fetish and used to wear them on her upper lip like a mustache. *laughs* People would ask her if she had an owie and she would say " No I don't" I would then have to explain that she just really liked band aids. As she slips further into teenhood I miss how everything she wanted to say, she wanted to say to me. I remember how important talking to me was to her.
Macguyver used to take it upon himself to make sure we had the best cart. Sometimes checking 4 or 5 carts before he found one that was suitable. He was about 4 at the time. Imagine how long that could take. Now imagine the time it took when we graduated to 2 carts at a time. Yea. He took a great interest in how much things cost and listened intently to Farty Papa's many lessons on price per ounce and how to determine the best price for the amount in the package. He also loved the toy aisle. It used to be an aisle I would avoid because he had so much to say on every toy. How cool it was and how it would work great with something he already had. How he wanted this builder set so he could make this cool robot . It killed me because we could never afford new toys but once a year at Christmas and most years not even then. Now I can only see the light in his eyes in those memories and how wonderous a new toy was.
Sketch is a quiet one and even as a baby he was content to just ride in the cart. Mostly what I remember was Farty Papa carrying him around in a backpack and Sketch would bang on his head as they walked and pull his hair. I remember one time I looked up at Sketch in the backpack and the butt area was soaked. Sketch had peed down Farty Papa's neck as we walked through Wal Mart. I remember as he got older his attention was drawn to crayons , markers and paper. He loved paper. It used to be overwhelming because he wanted to go to the art supplies but I had two carts I had to fill with groceries. Now I just remember his smile as he browsed supplies he knew he couldn't get. He was content to just look.
When superman was smaller ( hes still small) He could be fairly vocal about his needs. I can't say that any of my kids every really threw tantrums that I can remember but Suprman cried sometimes. He loved bananas ( he still does) When he was very young would have to carry a little teether thing that was like a net cup so that when we got bananas we could put a piece in it for him so he would just be quiet about the bananas. Now I miss that. Now he sits quietly and spends the time I am shopping, telling me how much he loves me and how he "wishes" I would get him this or that . Or how he thinks I am going to get him this or that. His way of subliminal messaging my brain I think. He thinks he is clever. In truth he's just cute and growing up too fast so I give in sometimes just because I like his smile and I know one day I will miss his shopping cart conversations.
So getting back to my story about the trip to the mall. As I watched her during the time I also began to watch other mothers. We went to a small play area in the mall ( ok so it needs to be known there were NO play areas in shopping malls when my kids were small . I am a tad miffed . ) In the play area I got to see several moms in several stages of mommyhood. Pregnant with small kids, tots and even a little older kids. All with moms either avidly and carefully watching and observing their play or with moms who were actively playing with their kids. I witnessed moms of all colors, races and nationalities doing what we all do. Mother. Women with overladen strollers and bags under their eyes, some moms were put together , with full make up and hair but mostly they looked tired and just greatful to have a moment to sit. While others hovered over little ones helping them slide or climb.
Now before I go on I want to be clear about something. I knew there were a ton of good moms in the world , in my community etc. It wasn't something that I wasn't aware of I mean I just took for granted that most moms were good moms. Different maybe but still good to their kids. However sitting there watching these moms it became really evident that motherhood surrounds us all.
There are so many good moms and not a single mom in that play area looked like another. Not a single one did things the same way , they didn't dress alike or think exactly like another. They were all inherently different yet they formed a sisterhood in my mind so suddenly and completley. Suddenly they were one woman. One purpose and one goal. The purpose to be the best mom they knew how to be. The goal to raise their children safely and well. Not a single one will do it the same as another yet somehow they will do just that. In that moment suddenly I didn't feel less than. I felt part of something so much bigger than myself . I am raising 5 parts of the world. 5 people who in some way or fashion will leave a mark on the world after I am gone. Suddenly I didn't feel like I would never get my chance to leave my mark on the world. I realized I already have.
I always knew I would be a mom but I didn't always know I would be greatfull for it. I knew I would love my children but I didn't always know I would want to be someone they could love in return. I just didn't think about it.
I know now. I might be a different mom but I am the best mom I know how to be and I try every day to be better. I hope someday when my children are raising children they will look back on their time with me and remember the good things and much as time has done for me, forget the bad.
I suppose I want to say to any moms who might read this, keep your head up and do what you know is best for your families. Do your best because that is all that anyone can expect from you. Silence your worst critic, (your own mind) Try to see the good you do and do even better tomorrow. Accept that somedays will be bad and some will be worse. Allow yourselves to be imperfect. Allow yourselves to be different. Allow yourselves to be who you are and get ok with who you are.
As soon as you do you will see that those who matter were always ok with who you are and those who aren't never really mattered.
I don't know where all this has come from but I think it has some merit. Let me know what you think, pass it on to moms you know if you wish. Leave a message if you feel impressed to do so. Thanks for listening.
One more thing.
Thank you for everything DM. Thank you for so many things I can't count. Thank you for saying once you were proud of me. Thank you for being brave enough to go it alone with a young child for the best of both of us.
also I want to thank the moms out there that mothered me and didn't have to.
Including but not limited to
MIL who taught me to crochet and encouraged me to nurse my babies. And many other things.
Kaye who took care of me and my kids when I needed it.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Frusteration and Bar graphs
Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a blank bar graph? I need a 15 row 5 column bar graph for estimating and it is like pulling teeth to find. Unless I can make one myself which I fear would take me the better part of a day to do, I am stuck.
Doesn't the great wide net world know it needs to provide for my homeschooling needs free of charge and on demand?! Sheesh the internet is FIRED today.
Oh and trust me when I tell you that drawing bar graphs by hand with sharpies SUCKS. Also doing it without a ruler is not advised and is possibly illegal. sigh.
I need a homeschool sugar daddy AND a robot slave to do all of my technical junk so I have the materials I need before I even know I need them. Yep. Yep.
Oh and it should be known that the childrens first art and music class was a smashing success! They had a great time.
Stuff to do today:
Laundry
WalkerTR's Baptism invitation.
Calling SIL's E and K and ask them if they will sing at his Baptism.
Writing out a list of groceries for his reception.
So far my friend Kelly and my mom are bringing stuff to help with the cost. SUCH a huge relief. I hate to ask for help with that stuff , it was so nice that Kelly offered. However it should be known that I shanghied DM into bringing stuff..LOL. She has always been more than willing to help with pretty much anything offers before I have to ask but this time I asked because I suppose I really wanted her to be involved. It is a huge relief that she and DBF are coming.
(Darling Boyfriend) .
WalkerTR reallllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy wanted them there but he didn't want to say anything because he knows they don't really dig the churchy stuff.
Anywhoo I am sure I will write more later but I will leave you with this parting thought.
Never ever believe your kids when they say they will clean the kitchen while you go to bed. You will wake up with a plastic cup stuck in your garbage disposal and dirty dishes that mock you incessantly. It's like a law. Oh and two sets of needlenose pliars liberates a plastic cup from a garbage disposal prison. Grunting helped. Cursing not so much.
Oh and one last golden nugget. When an 11yr old boy and a 9yr old boy get together after they both ate beans and cheese. A nuclear explosion occurs in an invisible cloud of fallout. Thus creating scene of mayhem and destruction that only a smell so bad it makes you cry can do. People we are talking devastation. Open the windows and burn every candle and pray there is no "residue" kind of devastation. It should also be noted that said boys are OBLIVIOUS to their own "brand" and even find it HIGHlarious that they can gas you out. Wicked mongrels.
*marks pinto beans off the grocery list"
Have a less gassy day than me, please for the love of all that is holy and good in the world. Oh and if you knock on my door the cloud that will greet you WAS NOT ME!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Love,
Mrs.F
Doesn't the great wide net world know it needs to provide for my homeschooling needs free of charge and on demand?! Sheesh the internet is FIRED today.
Oh and trust me when I tell you that drawing bar graphs by hand with sharpies SUCKS. Also doing it without a ruler is not advised and is possibly illegal. sigh.
I need a homeschool sugar daddy AND a robot slave to do all of my technical junk so I have the materials I need before I even know I need them. Yep. Yep.
Oh and it should be known that the childrens first art and music class was a smashing success! They had a great time.
Stuff to do today:
Laundry
WalkerTR's Baptism invitation.
Calling SIL's E and K and ask them if they will sing at his Baptism.
Writing out a list of groceries for his reception.
So far my friend Kelly and my mom are bringing stuff to help with the cost. SUCH a huge relief. I hate to ask for help with that stuff , it was so nice that Kelly offered. However it should be known that I shanghied DM into bringing stuff..LOL. She has always been more than willing to help with pretty much anything offers before I have to ask but this time I asked because I suppose I really wanted her to be involved. It is a huge relief that she and DBF are coming.
(Darling Boyfriend) .
WalkerTR reallllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy wanted them there but he didn't want to say anything because he knows they don't really dig the churchy stuff.
Anywhoo I am sure I will write more later but I will leave you with this parting thought.
Never ever believe your kids when they say they will clean the kitchen while you go to bed. You will wake up with a plastic cup stuck in your garbage disposal and dirty dishes that mock you incessantly. It's like a law. Oh and two sets of needlenose pliars liberates a plastic cup from a garbage disposal prison. Grunting helped. Cursing not so much.
Oh and one last golden nugget. When an 11yr old boy and a 9yr old boy get together after they both ate beans and cheese. A nuclear explosion occurs in an invisible cloud of fallout. Thus creating scene of mayhem and destruction that only a smell so bad it makes you cry can do. People we are talking devastation. Open the windows and burn every candle and pray there is no "residue" kind of devastation. It should also be noted that said boys are OBLIVIOUS to their own "brand" and even find it HIGHlarious that they can gas you out. Wicked mongrels.
*marks pinto beans off the grocery list"
Have a less gassy day than me, please for the love of all that is holy and good in the world. Oh and if you knock on my door the cloud that will greet you WAS NOT ME!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Love,
Mrs.F
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Farty Papa and Elephant Jokes
Well this week has taken off so fast and just continues to run and run. We had a decent first week of school bearing in mind that half the kids were sick.
We seem to be in a really good routine and I love that. I need routine in my life to make me feel settled. I have always been a firm believer that children need routine as well. I also don't believe in scheduling every moment of their days. We are a busy family but by no means are out children swamped with actvities.
Our days start out at 6 am with the kids getting up and dressed and tidying their rooms. We generally breakfast at 7:30 am. They generally have an hour to read or watch cartoons until my first daycare girl leaves. I have her every other week for 3 hrs in the mornings. So on weeks she isn't here they read on weeks she is they get cartoons. After I take her to school we start our school at 9am.
It goes generally as follows:
Journaling
Handwriting
Spelling and Vocabulary
Notebooking for the older kids.
Reading for 1 hour and then writing summaries on chapters read.
Language and Grammar
Math
Science
History and Geography.
Three times a week we have science experiments
Once a week art and music lessons. At least one other day will include art homework. Music practice is determined by their teacher.
All in all I think a very good school day. Speaking of homeschool. A sister in my church ward called me this morning and said there was a friend of hers who used to homeschool but her kids are grown now and she is selling all of her stuff. OH! How I wish I had any money to be able to take advantage of this because no doubt this would be a great opportunity to get some great things for much less than retail. We just don't have the funds. My friend said she had maps and a globe! I would just about kill for a globe and some maps for the walls. I really want to just go SEE what she has. Maybe I can convince FP to take me and just look. Sadly he knows me too well. :(
Speaking of Farty Papa. That man just makes me laugh. Last night we were laying in bed with a couple of the kids and just talking when he starts talking in this accent. He calls it his Bill Cosby impression. When I remember what it did sound like I will let you know. GAH I can't remember. He just had me in stitches last night. Soon Macguyver2 was telling jokes as was MTA. Soon the inevitible happened.
You see. Farty Papa is notorious for his Elephant jokes. They are such groaners. Yet he tells them over and over and no matter how hard I try not too I laugh. The kids love them and I see a very real possability that they will pass these down to their children because there will be no family heirlooms or fine china. Our legacy is going to be recipes and elephant jokes.
Life is good.
I don't know why I was allowed such a great family but there isnt a bucket large enough to hold my gratitude.
More later
Mrs. F.
We seem to be in a really good routine and I love that. I need routine in my life to make me feel settled. I have always been a firm believer that children need routine as well. I also don't believe in scheduling every moment of their days. We are a busy family but by no means are out children swamped with actvities.
Our days start out at 6 am with the kids getting up and dressed and tidying their rooms. We generally breakfast at 7:30 am. They generally have an hour to read or watch cartoons until my first daycare girl leaves. I have her every other week for 3 hrs in the mornings. So on weeks she isn't here they read on weeks she is they get cartoons. After I take her to school we start our school at 9am.
It goes generally as follows:
Journaling
Handwriting
Spelling and Vocabulary
Notebooking for the older kids.
Reading for 1 hour and then writing summaries on chapters read.
Language and Grammar
Math
Science
History and Geography.
Three times a week we have science experiments
Once a week art and music lessons. At least one other day will include art homework. Music practice is determined by their teacher.
All in all I think a very good school day. Speaking of homeschool. A sister in my church ward called me this morning and said there was a friend of hers who used to homeschool but her kids are grown now and she is selling all of her stuff. OH! How I wish I had any money to be able to take advantage of this because no doubt this would be a great opportunity to get some great things for much less than retail. We just don't have the funds. My friend said she had maps and a globe! I would just about kill for a globe and some maps for the walls. I really want to just go SEE what she has. Maybe I can convince FP to take me and just look. Sadly he knows me too well. :(
Speaking of Farty Papa. That man just makes me laugh. Last night we were laying in bed with a couple of the kids and just talking when he starts talking in this accent. He calls it his Bill Cosby impression. When I remember what it did sound like I will let you know. GAH I can't remember. He just had me in stitches last night. Soon Macguyver2 was telling jokes as was MTA. Soon the inevitible happened.
You see. Farty Papa is notorious for his Elephant jokes. They are such groaners. Yet he tells them over and over and no matter how hard I try not too I laugh. The kids love them and I see a very real possability that they will pass these down to their children because there will be no family heirlooms or fine china. Our legacy is going to be recipes and elephant jokes.
Life is good.
I don't know why I was allowed such a great family but there isnt a bucket large enough to hold my gratitude.
More later
Mrs. F.
Friday, September 12, 2008
I've been tagged by one of my favorite people.
Four Places I've Lived:
1. Phoenix, Arizona
2. Mission Bay, California
3. Mesa, Arizona
4. Mankato, Minnesota
Four Favorite Books:
1. Man's Search For Meaning
2. The Earth Children Series
3. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
4. The Frugal Gourmet
Four Favorite Movies:
1. The Abyss
2. Noises Off
3. Phanton of the Opera I prefer the Opera though.
4. Underworld
Four Embarrassing Facts About Me:
1. I don't often pay attention when hubby is talking to me and often have to have him repeat it. Its embarassing because I don't mean to zone out but I get focused on what I'm doing and everything else tends to just go away.
2. I laugh outloud at the most inappropriate times, when something strikes me as funny and when people fall down. The movie theatre, late at night in bed while hubby is sleeping, In church.
3. I have mooned an undercover cop once. I was young and unaware he was the po-po.
4. I have been known to on occasion, snort when I laugh. Don't ask me about it I won't demonstrate it.
Four Dreams Of Mine:
1. I want to write a series of cookbooks as well as a Sci Fi series I have been working on for several years.
2. I want to get my degree in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts. I want to be a Caterer.
3. I want to be my childrens friend when they are adults. I want to have close positive relationships with them all of their lives.
4. I want to further my painting hobby possibly through education.
Four Pet Peeves:
1. Drop Ins.
2. Buttinskys.
3. People who hurt you on purpose and try to pass it off as a loving gesture.
4. Gossip.
Four Things That Make Me Really Happy:
1. Dates with my Hubby.
2.Lunch with my girlfriends.
3. My children.
4.My nieces and nephews. So very happy. Being an Aunt is one of my favorite things. I wish circumstances made it so we could see them more.
People I tag:Freddie, Farty Papa, Neetzy
1. Phoenix, Arizona
2. Mission Bay, California
3. Mesa, Arizona
4. Mankato, Minnesota
Four Favorite Books:
1. Man's Search For Meaning
2. The Earth Children Series
3. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
4. The Frugal Gourmet
Four Favorite Movies:
1. The Abyss
2. Noises Off
3. Phanton of the Opera I prefer the Opera though.
4. Underworld
Four Embarrassing Facts About Me:
1. I don't often pay attention when hubby is talking to me and often have to have him repeat it. Its embarassing because I don't mean to zone out but I get focused on what I'm doing and everything else tends to just go away.
2. I laugh outloud at the most inappropriate times, when something strikes me as funny and when people fall down. The movie theatre, late at night in bed while hubby is sleeping, In church.
3. I have mooned an undercover cop once. I was young and unaware he was the po-po.
4. I have been known to on occasion, snort when I laugh. Don't ask me about it I won't demonstrate it.
Four Dreams Of Mine:
1. I want to write a series of cookbooks as well as a Sci Fi series I have been working on for several years.
2. I want to get my degree in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts. I want to be a Caterer.
3. I want to be my childrens friend when they are adults. I want to have close positive relationships with them all of their lives.
4. I want to further my painting hobby possibly through education.
Four Pet Peeves:
1. Drop Ins.
2. Buttinskys.
3. People who hurt you on purpose and try to pass it off as a loving gesture.
4. Gossip.
Four Things That Make Me Really Happy:
1. Dates with my Hubby.
2.Lunch with my girlfriends.
3. My children.
4.My nieces and nephews. So very happy. Being an Aunt is one of my favorite things. I wish circumstances made it so we could see them more.
People I tag:Freddie, Farty Papa, Neetzy
This Just In.
According to a very reliable source ( Superman) apparrently his private has a bone in it. He informed me this morning and went on to say "it's" just like Walker TR and Sketch's.
Mrs. F " with bones in?"
Superman" yes, just like theirs"
This seems to be a symbol of his big boyness. Boy howdy yes it is. Sigh. Why do boys inform eachother of their non boneless properties?
anyone?
anyone?
Thus begins his facination I presume.
Mrs. F " with bones in?"
Superman" yes, just like theirs"
This seems to be a symbol of his big boyness. Boy howdy yes it is. Sigh. Why do boys inform eachother of their non boneless properties?
anyone?
anyone?
Thus begins his facination I presume.
Your Boogers are Bigger Than That! and Lost dogs.
Yes this post needed it's own home so I didn't jsu throw it in with the bathwater of the previous post.
Ok so the background on this post is as follows. Sketch hasn't been feeling well. He made friends with a cold and it callously turned on him. Don't they all? Why didn't I mention that he was sick before? As I told you before I felt this story merited it's own place in the blogosphere. So there.
So poor Sketch has had a low grade fever and a stuffed nose that is something to behold. So for the past two days he has been laying low, reading and journaling and making BFF's with Motrin. This evening he came into FP's and I's room and asked if he needed more Motrin before bed. Upon hearing his congestiony tone asked Sketch if he thought he could swallow a pill. Sketch being timid in nature and fairly healthy most of his life has never had the need to "learn" to swallow a pill. He was pretty sure he couldn't.
FP then decided Sketch needed a Benadryl and told Sketch to get a cup of water. He freaked. Now freaking out for Sketch is a very subtle thing and unless you know him you don't see it. It's the subtle widening of eyes. No larger than saucers. It's the gentle shake in his voice. And thats about it. There is no thrashing and wailing. No tears and no drama. It is just not his style.
Sketch dutifully obeyed and left the room to get his glass of impending doom. When he returned he had brought a friend with him. Namely the bright pink throw up bowl. Yes we have a bowl dedicated to throw up. Have you ever had six kids? Have you ever had 4-6 sick at the same time with the flu? Then don't judge me. *grin* He has the trusty throw up bowl tucked under his arm and FP and I do not miss the meaning of it's presence. Though we do try hard not to laugh at his silent declaration of his torture.
Sketch knows he is going to throw up.
I wonder if I am in the mood to watch that but I want to see him succeed so I stay , impending puke or no. Hey thats the kind of mom I am. I'm supportive. Unless it involves frogs, spiders, boogers or exploding diarrhea. And Cicadas. But I'm still supportive. Yea. So FP gets out the tiny pink pill of doom and proceeds to explain to Sketch how to swallow his doom. Sketch is riveted on his Dads' words. He takes the pill and places it in his mouth , takes about half a teaspoon of water and yes you guessed it. Gags and spits it out. " I can't do this " he quivers. FP" yes you can. Try again" Sketch doesn't move. FP louder " Put it in your mouth and try again" Sketch hesitates and I wonder if we are going to have a parent child meltdown. Sketch comes through with the bravery and puts the pill back in place and resigns himself to impending death. He takes an only moderately bigger sip of water and FP says " more water Sketch" sip. FP sighs " MORE water Sketch" A gulp ensues and the pill goes down . SUCCESS!
The aftermath is as follows. Sketch begins to extoll his fears about how he was so certain he was going to choke to death. " My heart is pounding so hard Dad! I was so scared I was gonna choke" Turns out the puke bowl was his best case scenario. Puke =best outcome. Death= worst outcome. Poor guy.
Now FP is stunned and his comment illustrates that entirely. As you may or may not know Benadryl is only slightly bigger than the size of an ant. Yes an ant like you find on the sidewalk. FP proceeds to say:
" Your boogers are bigger than that!" Hilarity ensues . I laugh and FP laughs and finally Sketch decides yea thats pretty funny. He relaxes and decides he is pretty proud that he can swallow pills now. WOOHOO!
It should be noted that Sketch does not in fact eat his boogers. He never has. He's a picky eater.
So pill success and yet another one of FP's comments that are blog worthy.
On to lost dogs. If you note the time stamp of my previous entry you will note that it was written in the middle of the night. As I was writing it I heard very very loud barking right outside my house. So loud that my dogs sleeping in their kennels inside my house woke and began their own chorus. I woke FP and asked him what I should do ? I looked out the window and determined that the dog was a boxer or pitbull. That gave me pause. If I went out there then I might DIE! You see where my kids get their dramatics? Oh be quiet.
Anyway, when MTA woke from the dog barking outside her window which is actually what prompted me to ask FP his advice. His bleary eyed advice was to call 911 and report a lost dog. Seriously? yes seriously. I just love him..LOL.
So no I didn't call 911 and I didn't call animal control because they aren't open in the middle of the night. I'm pretty sure.
So I decide I am going to go meet this dog and hopefully determine it's owners or at least get it to shoo. I go out there and my daughter decides she should go with me and I agree as I tell her " If it attacks me get dad and then call 911." Hey it was a medium size dog and it was obviously a pitbull or boxer. I think she was a boxer. My only experience with a boxer was not a pleasant one. Talk about the most irritating, destructive and LOUD dog. It was not trained and it was aggressive. So suffice to say i'm just a tad.....concerned.
I go out there and I can hear that the dog is right on my carport between my two cars. She lets out a warning " woof" I speak calmly to her , almost like a baby and she trots up to me tail wagging and head down. I hold my hand out and she flops her big head into my palm and licks me and then leans against my leg in total submission. Instant love. I LOVE this dog. LOVE it. Now I have been known to fall for animals easily but not generally dogs. Dogs take me time to love and often it is a constantly fluctuating relationship. I don't know why that is . Now I don't hate dogs. I actually really do like them. I just prefer small dogs. Really small. Big dogs just are not my forte. I have had a couple of big dogs and I am not a good big dog owner. I can't invest the time they need and it's not fair to them so I decided a long time ago that I just can't have big dogs.
This dog however , she for some reason just got my soft bits and gave em a big hug. Doggie love. Too bad she isn't mine. We gave her some water and it turns out two other neighbors were woken by her antics and came over to help find her home. I haven't blogged about my neighor Anna but I just really like her. Anyway Anna comes over as well as a young man from across the street. The young man came over first and called the numbers on the dogs tags to no avail. We were at a loss until Anna came over. She knew the dogs owners and proceeded to tell us that this dog drove her crazy. It was always out and would come to her house and bark at her front window and drive her dogs crazy. Much like she did to us.
We take the dog back and fashion a tie because the owners were asleep. They suck. Their dog woke up the whole neighborhood and they get to sleep? Suckage. So MTA gets the pink throw up bowl ( yes it was clean) and fills it with water and leaves it for the dog. Thus the bowl has a new home. I find some sick satisfaction knowing that these owners who selfishly slept while the neighborhood tended their dog, are now the proud owners of our throw up bowl.
Yea thats good stuff.
So I left Choxie with her pretend owners ( cause she's really mine) . She cried as we walked away. I hated to leave her like that but there was no way to get her into her backyard. The upside is I don't hear her anymore so I think either she settled down and went to sleep or her she finally woke her owners and they let her in. So that was our eventful night.
Time for me to begin getting lessons together. Superman has been waking up in the middle of the night and he woke up a few minutes ago and wants some mommy time. I should put him back to bed but how long will he actually be wanting to spend time with me? I am going to take advantage of this while I can.
Till next time.
I hope your days are as chaotic and wonderful as mine.
Mrs. F.
Ok so the background on this post is as follows. Sketch hasn't been feeling well. He made friends with a cold and it callously turned on him. Don't they all? Why didn't I mention that he was sick before? As I told you before I felt this story merited it's own place in the blogosphere. So there.
So poor Sketch has had a low grade fever and a stuffed nose that is something to behold. So for the past two days he has been laying low, reading and journaling and making BFF's with Motrin. This evening he came into FP's and I's room and asked if he needed more Motrin before bed. Upon hearing his congestiony tone asked Sketch if he thought he could swallow a pill. Sketch being timid in nature and fairly healthy most of his life has never had the need to "learn" to swallow a pill. He was pretty sure he couldn't.
FP then decided Sketch needed a Benadryl and told Sketch to get a cup of water. He freaked. Now freaking out for Sketch is a very subtle thing and unless you know him you don't see it. It's the subtle widening of eyes. No larger than saucers. It's the gentle shake in his voice. And thats about it. There is no thrashing and wailing. No tears and no drama. It is just not his style.
Sketch dutifully obeyed and left the room to get his glass of impending doom. When he returned he had brought a friend with him. Namely the bright pink throw up bowl. Yes we have a bowl dedicated to throw up. Have you ever had six kids? Have you ever had 4-6 sick at the same time with the flu? Then don't judge me. *grin* He has the trusty throw up bowl tucked under his arm and FP and I do not miss the meaning of it's presence. Though we do try hard not to laugh at his silent declaration of his torture.
Sketch knows he is going to throw up.
I wonder if I am in the mood to watch that but I want to see him succeed so I stay , impending puke or no. Hey thats the kind of mom I am. I'm supportive. Unless it involves frogs, spiders, boogers or exploding diarrhea. And Cicadas. But I'm still supportive. Yea. So FP gets out the tiny pink pill of doom and proceeds to explain to Sketch how to swallow his doom. Sketch is riveted on his Dads' words. He takes the pill and places it in his mouth , takes about half a teaspoon of water and yes you guessed it. Gags and spits it out. " I can't do this " he quivers. FP" yes you can. Try again" Sketch doesn't move. FP louder " Put it in your mouth and try again" Sketch hesitates and I wonder if we are going to have a parent child meltdown. Sketch comes through with the bravery and puts the pill back in place and resigns himself to impending death. He takes an only moderately bigger sip of water and FP says " more water Sketch" sip. FP sighs " MORE water Sketch" A gulp ensues and the pill goes down . SUCCESS!
The aftermath is as follows. Sketch begins to extoll his fears about how he was so certain he was going to choke to death. " My heart is pounding so hard Dad! I was so scared I was gonna choke" Turns out the puke bowl was his best case scenario. Puke =best outcome. Death= worst outcome. Poor guy.
Now FP is stunned and his comment illustrates that entirely. As you may or may not know Benadryl is only slightly bigger than the size of an ant. Yes an ant like you find on the sidewalk. FP proceeds to say:
" Your boogers are bigger than that!" Hilarity ensues . I laugh and FP laughs and finally Sketch decides yea thats pretty funny. He relaxes and decides he is pretty proud that he can swallow pills now. WOOHOO!
It should be noted that Sketch does not in fact eat his boogers. He never has. He's a picky eater.
So pill success and yet another one of FP's comments that are blog worthy.
On to lost dogs. If you note the time stamp of my previous entry you will note that it was written in the middle of the night. As I was writing it I heard very very loud barking right outside my house. So loud that my dogs sleeping in their kennels inside my house woke and began their own chorus. I woke FP and asked him what I should do ? I looked out the window and determined that the dog was a boxer or pitbull. That gave me pause. If I went out there then I might DIE! You see where my kids get their dramatics? Oh be quiet.
Anyway, when MTA woke from the dog barking outside her window which is actually what prompted me to ask FP his advice. His bleary eyed advice was to call 911 and report a lost dog. Seriously? yes seriously. I just love him..LOL.
So no I didn't call 911 and I didn't call animal control because they aren't open in the middle of the night. I'm pretty sure.
So I decide I am going to go meet this dog and hopefully determine it's owners or at least get it to shoo. I go out there and my daughter decides she should go with me and I agree as I tell her " If it attacks me get dad and then call 911." Hey it was a medium size dog and it was obviously a pitbull or boxer. I think she was a boxer. My only experience with a boxer was not a pleasant one. Talk about the most irritating, destructive and LOUD dog. It was not trained and it was aggressive. So suffice to say i'm just a tad.....concerned.
I go out there and I can hear that the dog is right on my carport between my two cars. She lets out a warning " woof" I speak calmly to her , almost like a baby and she trots up to me tail wagging and head down. I hold my hand out and she flops her big head into my palm and licks me and then leans against my leg in total submission. Instant love. I LOVE this dog. LOVE it. Now I have been known to fall for animals easily but not generally dogs. Dogs take me time to love and often it is a constantly fluctuating relationship. I don't know why that is . Now I don't hate dogs. I actually really do like them. I just prefer small dogs. Really small. Big dogs just are not my forte. I have had a couple of big dogs and I am not a good big dog owner. I can't invest the time they need and it's not fair to them so I decided a long time ago that I just can't have big dogs.
This dog however , she for some reason just got my soft bits and gave em a big hug. Doggie love. Too bad she isn't mine. We gave her some water and it turns out two other neighbors were woken by her antics and came over to help find her home. I haven't blogged about my neighor Anna but I just really like her. Anyway Anna comes over as well as a young man from across the street. The young man came over first and called the numbers on the dogs tags to no avail. We were at a loss until Anna came over. She knew the dogs owners and proceeded to tell us that this dog drove her crazy. It was always out and would come to her house and bark at her front window and drive her dogs crazy. Much like she did to us.
We take the dog back and fashion a tie because the owners were asleep. They suck. Their dog woke up the whole neighborhood and they get to sleep? Suckage. So MTA gets the pink throw up bowl ( yes it was clean) and fills it with water and leaves it for the dog. Thus the bowl has a new home. I find some sick satisfaction knowing that these owners who selfishly slept while the neighborhood tended their dog, are now the proud owners of our throw up bowl.
Yea thats good stuff.
So I left Choxie with her pretend owners ( cause she's really mine) . She cried as we walked away. I hated to leave her like that but there was no way to get her into her backyard. The upside is I don't hear her anymore so I think either she settled down and went to sleep or her she finally woke her owners and they let her in. So that was our eventful night.
Time for me to begin getting lessons together. Superman has been waking up in the middle of the night and he woke up a few minutes ago and wants some mommy time. I should put him back to bed but how long will he actually be wanting to spend time with me? I am going to take advantage of this while I can.
Till next time.
I hope your days are as chaotic and wonderful as mine.
Mrs. F.
Art lessons and General chaos.
So lately we have been so busy it's like we are swimming upstream with our pants full of rocks and not in a good way. Let's see we have the kids engrossed in school, Hubby working more hours, Mrs. F's daycare open for business, Youth activities once a week for 4 of the 5 broodlets, Science experiments, music lessons,art lessons, reading reading reading, Not to mention the daily chores we all love. I still haven't been able to open my business, funny thing about capital is that you have to have it and spend it to be able to run a business. It seems like there are so many more important things that need our money and my business just is not a priority.
Farty Papa is still loving the job. He talks about retiring there and how he hopes the salary will be one that we can live on comfortably and enable him to do just that. We are just hoping for good things when he meets with the Big Boss in a couple of weeks.
We don't hear much from Textman anymore. He is 16 with a job and a girlfriend , not to mention he doesn't get much encouragement to visit us from his "other" family. Me being an evil stepmother and all. *sigh*
Miss Teenage Argumenative is up to her eyeballs in school and work and she is struggling with balancing the two. So much so that she had to have some disciplinary help this past week which she was not at all thrilled with. I am hoping that she will soon be able to juggle both and be successful but FP and I told her squarely that if she can't find a happy medium she won't be able to continue with her job. School comes first. She is loving her social life right about now though. I love that she has BFF's now. She was never able to have that when we lived so far from civilization. Aka Minnesota. So aside from a minor setback regarding scheduling her time she is doing well and seems to be as normal a teenager as a teenager can be normal. Heaven help us.
MacGyver2 has discovered he loves to read. It is an amazing thing when a child discovers that love. I checked in on him tonight and he was zonked out in his bed with his Dads' flashlight on and a book butterflied on his chest. Yay Leven Thumps! He is currently between two books. Harry Potter 1 and Leven Thumps. So now I need to find study guides for both to enable him to use them as his literature picks for school. I am thrilled that he is loving school and his desire to read makes life in the schoolroom so much better for him and for me. YAY!
Sketch has just blossomed this summer. He is still timid when asked to read out loud but his reading comprehension is awesome. His writing is better as is his spelling and he continues to improve daily. He discovered he actually likes to read. He hates to write. LOL. He is intimidated by spelling and how the english language just isn't spelled how it sounds. So we are just reinforcing his spalding phonics and the rules and keeping the pressure off of him as best we can. He loves math , art and science. He and his brother Walker TR were thrilled to find out that we are having an art major friend of mine come in once a week and teach the children art and music. I think we are all excited about that.
I love the idea of outsourcing some of my lessons. It takes the pressure off of me to provide the inspiration for art projects and lessons and allows me to let someone else help out. My friend is excited to come do this and the kids love the idea that someone other than Mom is going to teach them. Iv'e decided that I am going to investigate homeschool co-ops in my area and see what they have to offer. Who knows what will come of it but maybe they have curriculum at a discount . I am a self professed curriculum junkie.
Moving on to Walker TR. He is probably the most excited about school next to Superman ( who isn't officially IN school yet.) He is the first one up everyday and he eats breakfast before the rest of us bleary eyed suckers can even say good morning. It was funny , the other day WalkerTR was eating cereal when I came out, he said a chipper good morning and proceeded to say" I'm eating now so I don't have to worry about it later when we start school" LOL! It should be noted we eat breakfast everyday and it is in no way a special occasion. I just grinned and refrained from telling him that he was SUPPOSED to have breakfast before school and that is how we have always done it. Excitement tends to make one take leave of their senses temporarily and none more that Walker TR. Two days ago he was really sorry he ate his breakfast before Mom got up. Mom made dutch babies with ham. Needless to say he had two breakfasts that day. He makes me giggle.
Superman was THRILLED to "do school" He learned the letter one and two and colored an octopus. He got to write on his dry erase board and "read" a book or two. He liked silent reading time. I think he felt big like the other kids. He continues his infatuation with Little Miss Princess and its a good thing. For now. LOL.
I think that wraps it up for the family. I didn't really update about me but honestly im just trying to keep up with these freaks. I love my freaks.
More later
Mrs. F
Farty Papa is still loving the job. He talks about retiring there and how he hopes the salary will be one that we can live on comfortably and enable him to do just that. We are just hoping for good things when he meets with the Big Boss in a couple of weeks.
We don't hear much from Textman anymore. He is 16 with a job and a girlfriend , not to mention he doesn't get much encouragement to visit us from his "other" family. Me being an evil stepmother and all. *sigh*
Miss Teenage Argumenative is up to her eyeballs in school and work and she is struggling with balancing the two. So much so that she had to have some disciplinary help this past week which she was not at all thrilled with. I am hoping that she will soon be able to juggle both and be successful but FP and I told her squarely that if she can't find a happy medium she won't be able to continue with her job. School comes first. She is loving her social life right about now though. I love that she has BFF's now. She was never able to have that when we lived so far from civilization. Aka Minnesota. So aside from a minor setback regarding scheduling her time she is doing well and seems to be as normal a teenager as a teenager can be normal. Heaven help us.
MacGyver2 has discovered he loves to read. It is an amazing thing when a child discovers that love. I checked in on him tonight and he was zonked out in his bed with his Dads' flashlight on and a book butterflied on his chest. Yay Leven Thumps! He is currently between two books. Harry Potter 1 and Leven Thumps. So now I need to find study guides for both to enable him to use them as his literature picks for school. I am thrilled that he is loving school and his desire to read makes life in the schoolroom so much better for him and for me. YAY!
Sketch has just blossomed this summer. He is still timid when asked to read out loud but his reading comprehension is awesome. His writing is better as is his spelling and he continues to improve daily. He discovered he actually likes to read. He hates to write. LOL. He is intimidated by spelling and how the english language just isn't spelled how it sounds. So we are just reinforcing his spalding phonics and the rules and keeping the pressure off of him as best we can. He loves math , art and science. He and his brother Walker TR were thrilled to find out that we are having an art major friend of mine come in once a week and teach the children art and music. I think we are all excited about that.
I love the idea of outsourcing some of my lessons. It takes the pressure off of me to provide the inspiration for art projects and lessons and allows me to let someone else help out. My friend is excited to come do this and the kids love the idea that someone other than Mom is going to teach them. Iv'e decided that I am going to investigate homeschool co-ops in my area and see what they have to offer. Who knows what will come of it but maybe they have curriculum at a discount . I am a self professed curriculum junkie.
Moving on to Walker TR. He is probably the most excited about school next to Superman ( who isn't officially IN school yet.) He is the first one up everyday and he eats breakfast before the rest of us bleary eyed suckers can even say good morning. It was funny , the other day WalkerTR was eating cereal when I came out, he said a chipper good morning and proceeded to say" I'm eating now so I don't have to worry about it later when we start school" LOL! It should be noted we eat breakfast everyday and it is in no way a special occasion. I just grinned and refrained from telling him that he was SUPPOSED to have breakfast before school and that is how we have always done it. Excitement tends to make one take leave of their senses temporarily and none more that Walker TR. Two days ago he was really sorry he ate his breakfast before Mom got up. Mom made dutch babies with ham. Needless to say he had two breakfasts that day. He makes me giggle.
Superman was THRILLED to "do school" He learned the letter one and two and colored an octopus. He got to write on his dry erase board and "read" a book or two. He liked silent reading time. I think he felt big like the other kids. He continues his infatuation with Little Miss Princess and its a good thing. For now. LOL.
I think that wraps it up for the family. I didn't really update about me but honestly im just trying to keep up with these freaks. I love my freaks.
More later
Mrs. F
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Birthdays and The Runway to Homeschooling
It's been awhile since I wrote and I'd have to say it wasn't for lack of desire. I wanted to write but sometimes I just don't have the brain power to sit down and order my thoughts.
This past week was eventful. Walker TR had a birthday. His excitement was palpable. He has a list of requirements for his day and FP and I tried our best to accomodate. It was strange though. It was almost as if we were still across country for his birthday. It was just our family that celebrated. All extended family was absent. It felt odd to be so close and yet still fairly alone.
Walker had a specific idea about how is day should go. He planned his dinner menu and the evening activity as well. What he didn't know is that FP and I had plans for him as well. It worked out. His plans were as follows.
Walker TR's plans.
Play Nuke'em in the backyard with dad and siblings. Accomplished.
Have Mom's mac n cheese with chicken , three kinds of green veggies with cheese sauce ( broccoli, peas and green beans) His favorites. Dinner. Accomplished.
Bake a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting with sliced strawberries with Dad. No FP was not a cake topper but baking with Dad was the topper for the day as far as WTR was concerned. It is funny because WTR likes strawberry anything but not as much as this cake confection might indicate. His real reason for such a strawberry carnival? Sketch HATES strawberries. He said to me when we were planning his menu " Oooh Sketch is gonna hate me!" *insert wicked wicked giggle here* All in all it was a yummy cake and even Sketch liked it. He picked off his strawberry though.( he has an odd strawberry seed phobia, don't ask me). Accomplished.
After dinner watch Spongebob Squarepants marathon. accomplished.
Mrs.F and FP's plans for Walker TR :
We decided to take him shopping for his present. Make him part of the experience. He loved it. This was a special birthday , he turned 8. That means he will be baptized this month. Very exciting. Very important. FP started a tradition. Upon turning 8 every child receives their first pocket knife. ( please no drama about kids and knives. This is about teaching your child to be safe with knives and the proper use of knives. As a tool etc. All of our children were/are Scouts and as such need them for activities and for emergency preparedness.) The children love this birthday. They wait for it like none other. So FP picked out his pocket knife and presented Walker TR with it and he has not parted with it since. He carries it everywhere. Thank goodness he isn't a frequent flier. lol.
So after picking out his knife we went on to shop for ingredients for his meal. He was very serious about it and it was nothing short of adorable. " Mom we need this and don't forget that. " So like his father.
After shopping we took Walker TR out to lunch for his Birthday lunch. Chik Fil A. I should tell you that we have the BEST store near us. The Manager and owner are soooooo nice. They made him feel special. They made us feel valued. It was a great experience. Thank you Chik Fil A.
We left with our ice cream cones in hand and headed home to commence baking. All in all a good day. Walker TR said it was his best birthday yet.
That was great to hear.
His birthday was a geat lead in to the week. MTA and I spent the last several days printing hundreds of copies for the homeschool year. I found some awesome resources online and we will begin with this material until their tangible books arrive. Such a blessing the internet is. Of course you have to be thorough and careful what you choose to use. Not everything you find is a gem. However I have spent years compiling my net resources and I could confidently teach just about every grade from material I found off the net if I chose to do so. I buy the core curriculum so that we have physical books to use as well 1. because its a great curriculum and 2. because we all love books.
So here I sit with a good grasp on the rapidly approaching start date for homeschooling, feeling confident and mostly prepared. The kids need school supplies and FP and I don't have the funds to do that yet. So we are scrounging for stuff we used last year. Anyone have any three ring binders? folders? LOL
More later.
Mrs. F.
This past week was eventful. Walker TR had a birthday. His excitement was palpable. He has a list of requirements for his day and FP and I tried our best to accomodate. It was strange though. It was almost as if we were still across country for his birthday. It was just our family that celebrated. All extended family was absent. It felt odd to be so close and yet still fairly alone.
Walker had a specific idea about how is day should go. He planned his dinner menu and the evening activity as well. What he didn't know is that FP and I had plans for him as well. It worked out. His plans were as follows.
Walker TR's plans.
Play Nuke'em in the backyard with dad and siblings. Accomplished.
Have Mom's mac n cheese with chicken , three kinds of green veggies with cheese sauce ( broccoli, peas and green beans) His favorites. Dinner. Accomplished.
Bake a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting with sliced strawberries with Dad. No FP was not a cake topper but baking with Dad was the topper for the day as far as WTR was concerned. It is funny because WTR likes strawberry anything but not as much as this cake confection might indicate. His real reason for such a strawberry carnival? Sketch HATES strawberries. He said to me when we were planning his menu " Oooh Sketch is gonna hate me!" *insert wicked wicked giggle here* All in all it was a yummy cake and even Sketch liked it. He picked off his strawberry though.( he has an odd strawberry seed phobia, don't ask me). Accomplished.
After dinner watch Spongebob Squarepants marathon. accomplished.
Mrs.F and FP's plans for Walker TR :
We decided to take him shopping for his present. Make him part of the experience. He loved it. This was a special birthday , he turned 8. That means he will be baptized this month. Very exciting. Very important. FP started a tradition. Upon turning 8 every child receives their first pocket knife. ( please no drama about kids and knives. This is about teaching your child to be safe with knives and the proper use of knives. As a tool etc. All of our children were/are Scouts and as such need them for activities and for emergency preparedness.) The children love this birthday. They wait for it like none other. So FP picked out his pocket knife and presented Walker TR with it and he has not parted with it since. He carries it everywhere. Thank goodness he isn't a frequent flier. lol.
So after picking out his knife we went on to shop for ingredients for his meal. He was very serious about it and it was nothing short of adorable. " Mom we need this and don't forget that. " So like his father.
After shopping we took Walker TR out to lunch for his Birthday lunch. Chik Fil A. I should tell you that we have the BEST store near us. The Manager and owner are soooooo nice. They made him feel special. They made us feel valued. It was a great experience. Thank you Chik Fil A.
We left with our ice cream cones in hand and headed home to commence baking. All in all a good day. Walker TR said it was his best birthday yet.
That was great to hear.
His birthday was a geat lead in to the week. MTA and I spent the last several days printing hundreds of copies for the homeschool year. I found some awesome resources online and we will begin with this material until their tangible books arrive. Such a blessing the internet is. Of course you have to be thorough and careful what you choose to use. Not everything you find is a gem. However I have spent years compiling my net resources and I could confidently teach just about every grade from material I found off the net if I chose to do so. I buy the core curriculum so that we have physical books to use as well 1. because its a great curriculum and 2. because we all love books.
So here I sit with a good grasp on the rapidly approaching start date for homeschooling, feeling confident and mostly prepared. The kids need school supplies and FP and I don't have the funds to do that yet. So we are scrounging for stuff we used last year. Anyone have any three ring binders? folders? LOL
More later.
Mrs. F.
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