Monday, September 28, 2009

What will you Eat Tonight?

Will you go to Chili's to eat dinner? Would you go if I told you 100% of the proceeds are going to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and helping fight childhood Cancer? Would you go if I told you that by doing this you would be helping
* St. Jude treat more than 250 patients each day
* Fund the daily operation cost of St. Jude which is nearly $1.4 million
* Research findings at St. Jude around the world
* A child receive treatment at St. Jude even if a family is unable to pay

Pepper in some fun at Chili's. And while you're there create a pepper for a child with Cancer. It's a treat for your family and a treat for these poor children with Cancer.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Bowling Fun

Our local bowling alley had a Saturday night special of Pins, Pizza, and Pop. Two hours of bowling, shoes, a large cheese pizza and soda. So we decided to do that. As we were bowling CJ was getting restless in his stroller. Last time we went he wasn't able to walk yet so sitting in his stroller was fine for him. This time not so much. So after a while we included him in the bowling fun. He's a good bowler. And if I do say so myself the cutest little almost 2 year old bowler ever!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Week In Review: September 20 - September 26, 2009

Here is this weeks Week In Review for September 20 - September 26, 2009

Sunday: Got up feeling better. Went on the computer looking up more information about adoption. Started chatting with a friend. Joe went to work and I invited my friends over for dinner. They accepted. So I started cleaning up and doing laundry. Made some brownies and some pudding after CJ had gone down for his nap. Got the roast I was making for dinner started. Joe came home from work. CJ was awake so I vacuumed. Our guests arrived and spent a nice evening here. They left just after 8 and I sent the girls for a shower and cleaned up after dinner. Joe got everyone in bed. I did more laundry and folded two baskets full. Watched TV with Joe. Got a really bad headache. Took a shower thinking that would make my headache go away. It didn't help. Made it worse. So I took some aspirin and tried going to bed. Felling very achy all over.

Monday: Got up feeling better. Got the kids ready for school and got dressed. Joe had a day off so he brought the girls to school with me and we went in to the school to clean out the PTA closet making more room for all of the cases of popcorn we got. Did that for about an hour and went down to the FRC to give them a few things we didn't need from the closet. Then laminated our Mum parade popcorn signs and left. Did a few other things and went out for lunch and came home to put CJ down for a nap. He didn't want to sleep though. So we ended up going to a friend's house to get a dresser she was getting rid of for CJ. Then we tried to find another person's Freecycle house to get some aquariums. Couldn't find it and needed to go bring the dresser home to get the girls from school. Brought that home and then went back to the school. Made a sign to put on the PTA closet asking the after school program to stop putting stuff in front of the door. Hung that and then got the girls. Left and went to look for those aquariums again. Found it, but they were too small. Took them anyways and headed to the grocery store for a few things. Came home for the girls to do homework and to figure out what to do with some of the stuff we've never used in the PTA closet. Cooked dinner and then got the kids ready for bed. Sent them to bed and stayed up and watched some TV. Then went to bed.

Tuesday: Got up and got the kids ready for school. Brought them to school and then came home and straightened up a little. CJ had his first PAT (Parents As Teachers) visit of the year. He had fun playing with our PAT teacher and she's very pleased with how well he's doing. She left and we gave CJ lunch and put him down for a nap. Then we just hung around the house and I went to pick the kids up after school. I also got my friends son and brought them back to the house. I had the girls start on their homework and Natalie fought with me about her need to study for her math test. So I called her teacher. Joe went to work and we were getting ready to walk back to the school to get my friend's daughter when Natalie's teacher called me back. I talked to her for a few and then walked to the school. Got my friend's daughter and sent the girls to their classrooms to get things they had forgotten. Talked to Natalie's teacher some more and then came home. I started doing some dishes when my friend showed up to pick up the kids. They didn't want to leave. I convinced them to go and finished the dishes and started on dinner. While cooking I discovered CJ like this. Cleaned him up and finished cooking dinner and ate. Cleaned CJ up again and got the kids ready for bed. Quizzed Natalie on her math and then sent the kids to bed. Joe came home from work. We watched some TV. I took a shower and then we went to bed.

Wednesday: Got up very tired. Got the kids ready for school. Joe left for work. CJ threw cereal on the floor. I cleaned up the mess. Got him dressed and we headed out to school and playgroup. Got to school and showed the person who's taking over the Box Tops program for me how to use the copy machine. Watched CJ walk away from me at playgroup and actually play with other children. Amazed at how fast he's growing up. After playgroup I talked to my PTA secretary for a while. Then walked home. CJ was beat and went straight down for a nap. I did a few things and then laid down myself to try to make my headache go away. Joe came home from work and we left to get the girls from school. Then we went over to my friend's house to feed the animals and bring in the mail while they are away. Came home and the kids did homework. Joe went to lay down. When he got up we went to Subway for dinner and came home and ate. I wasn't feeling too well so didn't eat a lot. Got the kids ready for bed and sent them to bed at 8. Then Joe and I watched some TV before going to bed.

Thursday: Got up and got the kids ready for school. Joe went to work. CJ threw cereal on the floor again. I cleaned that up and got him dressed and myself dressed. We had to get Natalie to school early so as we were walking out the door to walk to school I noticed Kaitlyn didn't have her headband or her hair brushed. So I made her get her brush and headband to walk and brush. We got to the school and Natalie went in for chorus and I took Kaitlyn out to the playground. Then Natalie came walking out. The music teacher told her to go outside. Guess we didn't have to come early today. Grrr. So I waited with them until the bell rang, said goodbye to them, and walked back home. I worked on my speech for open house and tried to keep CJ from getting into every single thing. I gave him lunch and put him down for a nap. Cleaned up and washed dishes. Then I had lunch and laid down on the couch. I fell asleep. Joe came home. CJ got up from his nap. I got up from my nap. We went to get the girls from school. Came home. Started homework. I gave CJ a bath. Then I went and took a shower. Joe cooked dinner. I got dressed and ready for open house. We ran out of the house. Went to the school and began setting up a table for PTA. I gave my speech and went up to talk to the girls teachers. Kaitlyn's teacher wants to wait until conferences to fill out the paper about ADHD. She thinks she has a feel for her, but wants to give it a few more weeks. Conferences are October 13, 14, and 15. So not too much longer. Natalie aced her math test. Got the highest score in the class. Her teacher seems very impressed with Natalie which is great to hear. After visiting their classes we went back down to check on PTA sign ups. It went pretty well. We cleaned up and went home. Put the kids to bed and then watched TV. Then we went to bed.

Friday: Got up a little later than usual. Got the girls ready for school and brought them in. I went to the FRC to talk to some people about information for the weekend mum parade. Then went to the office to check the PTA mailbox and came home. Sent out a few e-mails and joined people to our new PTA notification site. Fed CJ lunch and put him down for a nap. Joe left for work. I had something to eat and cleaned up around the house. CJ got up from his nap and we walked to pick up the girls from school. Came home and did some dishes. Joe came home from work. We ordered a pizza for dinner. Kaitlyn wanted ziti so I heated some up for her and CJ. Everyone ate and we sat down and watched some recorded shows we had for the kids. We put CJ to bed. The girls stayed up a little while longer watching TV and we sent them to bed. I took a shower and did some laundry and went to bed.

Saturday: Got up early. Did some things around the house. Got dressed and the kids dressed. Went to the bank to get change for the Mum parade. Then went to Dunkin Donuts for something to eat. Then went to the school to pop popcorn. We popped for 2 hours then brought the popcorn to my friend's house. Then we went home and put CJ down for a nap. I had a terrible headache so I ended up laying down too. Fell asleep and when I woke up I felt worse. Took some aspirin. Went with Joe and the kids bowling. We had a fun evening. Then we went to Walmart to get the kids some ponchos for the parade and stopped at a Redbox to rent a movie. Came home put CJ to bed and did a load of laundry. Started the movie and when it was over sent the girls to bed.

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Friday, September 25, 2009

My Firsts

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?
First and only date to prom ;). His name was Alberto. We dated for a week and then decided to just be friends. So we went to prom as friends.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
Yes, Joe is my first love ;).

3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?
Well, when we were little my dad used to try to get me to take a sip of his Brandy. I don't think I ever actually did it though. Too many fizzies up my nose ;). So actual drink where I drank it was probably a beer in college. Didn't like it then and don't like it now.

4. What was your FIRST job?
Babysitting

5. What was your FIRST car?
A 1986 pontiac 6000 station wagon

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
I don't get texts.

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
CJ because he charged into my room to wake me up ;).

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
Mrs. Wentworth

9. Where was your FIRST ride on an airplane to?
Florida when I was about 5 I think to go to Disney and my aunt's wedding.

10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?
Anne. Yes, I just found her on facebook.

11. Where was your FIRST sleep over?
Probably Anne's house. She was my next door neighbor.

12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
Natalie. She was chasing CJ into my room and I was telling her to get out.

13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
Uhhh, my own. That's pretty sad, isn't it? I'll be in my cousin's wedding in May.

14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Ummm, I think #12 probably answers this question.

15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
Tiffany

16. FIRST tattoo?
When I was 19. I got a butterfly on my ankle.

17. FIRST piercing?
Ears, for my 9th birthday

18. FIRST foreign country you've gone to?
Canada I guess by accident on the way back from a trip to upstate NY.

19. FIRST movie you remember seeing?
I don't know, ET or 101 Dalmations.

20. When was your FIRST detention?
Never had detentions.

22. Who was your FIRST roommate?
I think her name was Amanda. I can't remember. She was only my roommate for like a month. Then she decided she didn't like me. You know because I would be asleep at 2 a.m. go figure. She opted to have a private room instead and then I got a great roommate that I got along with great. Her name was Katie.

23. What was the FIRST sport you were involved in?
I didn't do sports.

24. What were the FIRST lessons you ever took?
Dance, but I never actually danced. I was like 3 and I just cried the whole time. I hated it. My mom always wanted to dance so she figured I would too.

25. What is the FIRST thing you do when you get home?
Hang up my purse and keys and get on the computer

26. What was you FIRST cuss word or words?
I think it was shit. I said it on the school bus and my brother tattled to me. I didn't realize it was a bad word.

27. FIRST time you went wrapping houses or egging?
Never did this.

28. FIRST person to break your heart?
I don't remember.

29. FIRST CD you've ever bought?
Debbie Gibson or Tiffany probably.

30. Where did you go/do for your FIRST date?
I went to see Space Balls in 3rd grade with a boy named Randy ;). His mom drove us, but sat in the back of the theater.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Will you join PTA?

I wrote this for tonight's Open House to encourage parents to join PTA. Would you join if you heard a speech like this?

Good evening! The PTA would like to welcome you to O'Connell school open house. It's nice to see so many families here. And what that tells me is that you care about your children and their education.

More than thirty years of research shows that children do better when their parents and families are involved at home and at school. Grades are higher. Test scores rise. Self esteem grows. Schools improve. Because you are here tonight that shows you already know that.

To stay involved we would like to ask everyone to join PTA. It's just $5 per person to join and it will keep you connected in the school so you know what's happening. It will give you great resources. You will have a network of support with the parents and teachers of this school which you can share ideas, concerns, and experiences with. You can grow as a parent and be a role model for your children in showing them you value their education. And you can enjoy many member benefits including discounts and offers from sponsors, magazine subscriptions, leadership training, e-newsletters, and much much more.

So please stop by the PTA table before you leave to join PTA and sign up to volunteer for an upcoming event. You will not regret it and your children will thank you for it.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Would you believe me if I told you...

I was in the same room when this happened...












It's a window crayon. I was cooking dinner. I didn't notice he had taken it out of the drawer. I turned around and just saw blue. Natalie cleaned him up a little for me while I finished seasoning and stirring my sauce and then I got a full look at him. He must have been eating the crayon because it was in his mouth. So I brushed his teeth and tongue. All I can say is window crayon is definitely easier to clean out of the mouth than play dough is. Natalie ate play dough when she was about CJ's age. That was a disaster. This was a much quicker clean up. I just hope it isn't too toxic. They are from crayola so I think he'll be okay and he's acting fine.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Week In Review: September 13 - September 19, 2009

Here is this weeks Week In Review for September 13 - September 19, 2009

Sunday: Got up to a quiet house. CJ slept in. When he got up I fed him breakfast. Joe left for work and CJ threw a fit. I put him on my shoulder and he fell asleep. So I put him down for a nap. Then I cleaned up. Washed dishes. Picked up the living room. Had some lunch. Took a shower. Before I knew it Joe came home from work. We waited for my parents to bring the girls home. When the girls got home my parents hung around. I ended up cooking dinner while they were still here. They finally left when dinner was finished cooking. Natalie was very upset she kept crying. The kids barely ate. After dinner Joe got sick and went to bed. The girls went and took a shower. CJ wouldn't stop throwing a fit so I put him to bed. The girls went to bed a little while later. Joe got up after they had gone to bed feeling a little better. We started to watch TV together, but I fell asleep. So we went to bed.

Monday: Got up and got the girls ready for school. Natalie was having a difficult time getting things done. She cut up her reading log for some unknown reason. I was furious. I told her she wasn't bringing that to school and we had to go. She was not happy. She did end up bringing what she had for the reading log and I guess it was okay. But I really don't know what she was thinking. I brought the girls to school and came home to confiscate all of the scissors. We hung around the house for the morning. CJ was driving us nuts when we were trying to order popcorn for the PTA so Joe put him down for a nap. I got the popcorn order placed and had lunch. CJ got up from his short nap and had lunch and then we went out to run a few errands. Before we knew it it was time to pick the girls up from school. So we got them from school. Came home and they did homework. I worked on my PTA agenda. Got everything ready for my meeting. Joe made dinner for the kids. I washed up and went to my PTA meeting. It was a good meeting with a nice turn out. I came home in time to put the kids to bed. I ate some dinner and then called my father. While I was at my meeting he had called to find out how Natalie was because she was so upset when he left. So I talked to him for a while and then Joe and I watched some TV. I took a shower and we went to bed.

Tuesday: Got up and got the girls ready for school. Brought them to school and came back home and cleaned off my desk. It was way overdo for a cleaning. CJ spent most of the morning eating whatever he could get his hands on so we ended up putting him down for a nap without lunch. When he got up he had something to eat. I went to pick up the girls from school. Came home to work on homework and Joe went to work. The kids were wild. After homework Natalie ended up locking Kaitlyn in the closet. So she got punished for that. Then CJ was getting into everything. I tried to cook dinner, but with CJ right under foot it was not working too well. I did manage to get dinner on the table. After dinner I cleaned up and sent the kids to bed. Then I just vegged and waited for Joe to come home. When he did we watched some TV together and went to bed.

Wednesday: A typical morning got up and got everyone ready. Joe went to work. Got the kids dressed. CJ ready for his first day back to playgroup. Walked the girls to school and went downstairs for playgroup. There was the biggest crown there I've ever seen in all my years of going to playgroup. They are going to have to do something about the size. Luckily for me if they do decide to ask those who are out of district to leave we won't be one of those people since we're not out of district. I personally think some people just won't come back though. After playgroup I hung around and chatted with some people and went up to the office to check the PTA mailbox and give the secretary some upcoming event dates. Scheduled a PAT (Parents As Teachers) for CJ with the FRC and went on my way. Came home, fed CJ lunch, and put him down for a nap. Then i cleaned up the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Someone was coming over to learn how to do Box Tops from me because she's taking over. She arrived shortly after 12 and we chatted and had a nice time. She left and Joe came home and CJ got up from his nap so we went to pick the girls up from school. Chatted with our friends there for a little while and came home. Got the kids going on homework. Then Joe decided to try to make these sugar cookies. But he got the dough too wet or something. It just wasn't able to be worked with. So he was frustrated and I was frustrated. He ended up putting it in the fridge overnight to hopefully make it less soft. Then he was chatting with a friend of ours online and we ended up making plans to all go out to dinner. It was very impromptu. So there were ten of us at the restaurant. We had a nice time and didn't realize how late it was when we got to the car. So we came right home and sent everyone to bed. Then Joe and I watched some TV together. I went and showered and we went to bed. I couldn't sleep so I went on the computer and eventually laid down on the couch and fell asleep.

Thursday: Woke up way too early and couldn't go back to sleep. Figure I will crash early. Had some drama in the morning. Natalie had her shirts lined up on the floor picking what to wear and Kaitlyn who had already gotten dressed and was trying to brush her hair stepped on Natalie's shirts on the floor. So Natalie hit her. So a nice way to start out the morning. Got them dressed, fed, washed, snack made, and out the door. Joe dropped them off at school and came back home. I cleaned up the house a little. My friend was going to drop off her son for us to watch for a few before bringing him to school in the afternoon. By the time they ended up showing up with him they only gave us 5 minutes with him. We brought him to school and then went out to run a few errands. We came back home and put CJ down for a nap. I had something to eat. Then we went to pick the girls up from school. We had to exchange a game we had gotten for our friend's birthday because it didn't work so we got the game from them and went and exchanged it. We called up our friends and asked if we could bring it to them now. They said yes. So we headed over and ended up spending the rest of the evening there. We ended up eating over there. We got home late and sent the kids right to bed. Then Joe and I had separate movies we were going to watch. He went in the bedroom to watch his and I watched mine in the living room. I couldn't finish it though because I was too tired. So I turned it off and fell asleep on he couch. When Joe finished his movie I went to bed.

Friday: Got up early again. I don't know why I can't sleep anymore. Checked some things and then got the kids ready for school. I brought them to school and picked up my friend's son to watch him for the morning again. Brought him back to the house and he played nicely with CJ. I ran out to the Chamber of Commerce to drop something off and came back home. Then before I knew it it was time to bring my friend's son back to the school with me so we could count out fundraiser things. We did that and I showed my PTA secretary some things with our new website and then left to come home. I got a phone call that our popcorn delivery arrived. I had to walk to pick up the girls and check on the popcorn delivery. All the popcorn made it and mostly in tact. The boxes were a little damaged and the closet is a mess now. I'll deal with that later though. I walked home. Natalie had homework. So she did her homework. Joe called me from work all upset about his schedule so that got me ticked off. CJ was getting into everything trying to get his sister's attention. I tried to lay down and relax for a little while, but that wasn't happening. Got up and made a quick dinner. The kids ate and CJ went to bed. I let the girls stay up until Joe got home. He got home and the girls went to bed. Joe and I watched a show together. Then he watched his wrestling while I played on the computer before going to bed.

Saturday: Woke up feeling blah and crampy. Went and took a shower. Didn't help too much. Got dressed and cleaned up around the house a little. Kaitlyn decided she didn't want to help clean up her mess so she got herself punished with a time limit to clean her room to my expectations or she will loose all of her stuff. Had lunch and put CJ down for a nap. I made some lobster cookies with the girls. Joe went to work leaving me crabby with all three kids. I cooked dinner and we ate. Then we watched some TV and I put CJ to bed. The girls stayed up until Joe came home from work and they went to bed and Joe and I stayed up and watched some TV together and discussed this beautiful baby Ryan and whether or not we could adopt him.

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Hey Everyone Get out of Here There's a Lobster Loose

I baked lobster shaped sugar cookies with the girls today. I think they came out cute. The girls had fun sprinkling the sugar on top of them.



I didn't have enough dough to make another lobster cookie so I made a few hearts and the last bit of dough I just made into a circle and put it on the pan. The girls asked what it was and I told them it was lobster poop. Well, perhaps I shouldn't have called it that because while they were baking Kaitlyn kept saying, "Who's going to eat the lobster poop? I want to eat the poop! Natalie do you want the poop?" And when it was done she was running around saying, "The poop is done, the poop is done!"

I do not know who will end up eating the "poop", but I sure hope it tastes good...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The Business of Child Traumatizing

So I had this big long post written and even posted about my crazy mixed up family. It was a sorted Jerry Springer tale. But it didn't really capture what I was trying to say. So I've completely rethought and revamped the post.

According to some people's theories of traumatizing a child I apparently do this to my children on a daily basis. I just went through it now with CJ. Joe was getting ready for work and CJ wanted daddy to pick him up. I picked him up instead. Not what he wanted so he screamed and cried. Joe walked out the door and got in the car CJ screamed and cried. I came in the house and closed the door and put CJ down so I could use the bathroom CJ screamed and cried. Is this traumatizing? I don't think so. This is parenting. Can't live our moments around what our children want, when they want it, and how they want it. CJ's not the only child I traumatize either.

I traumatized the girls earlier this week when I told them to clean their room and they didn't want to. I traumatized them when they didn't want to go to school, but I made them anyways. I traumatized them when I wouldn't sign a permission slip that took away all of my rights. But I do this in the best interest of my children. They needed to clean their room because things were missing. They need to go to school because that's their job and to become productive people in society they need an education. I did not sign that permission slip as it was written because it was dangerous and not appropriately worded.

Most parents do this on a daily basis without thinking twice. I know I don't think twice about the temper tantrum that CJ threw yesterday when we came home after a party and daddy had to leave for work, but CJ didn't want him to. He was screaming at the top of his lungs for half an hour. He was very upset. I understood he was upset. I hugged him and kissed him and eventually put him down for a nap. He has probably forgotten all about that. Daddy came home from work. Daddy will always come back and he needs to learn that. We don't like that daddy leaves, but we will see him again. It's a valuable lesson.

So why would I be calling this child traumatizing then? It's an important lesson, right? Well, not according to my brother in law. Nope, his step daughter doesn't want to go with her father so she cries and they don't make her go. His step daughter's father is not just some complete stranger one night stand guy that they don't know either. This is his nephew who is the father of his step daughter. Now you see why I had this whole twisted tale written out. It's almost unbelievable that something like this could happen in real life, but I'm living it. My brother in law does not see that this is not right. That he cannot keep this five year old child away from her father just because she cries. Sometimes we as parents have to do things that just are not pretty. There is no good reason why she's saying she doesn't want to go. It's just boring for her. She doesn't come home with bruises. She doesn't come home with wild tales of inappropriate things. She doesn't come home a completely different child. She just does not want to go. Much like my daughters don't want to go to school, or my son doesn't want daddy to leave for work, or my daughters don't want to clean their room, or my son doesn't want to stop climbing on the furniture. He doesn't see that she's ruling the roost. Eventually everything she might not want to do in the moment will turn into a crying fit.

Are you in the business of child traumatizing like me? I'm a child traumatizer and proud of it. If traumatizing was defined the way my brother in law believes it to be defined that is.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Week In Review: September 6 - September 12, 2009

Here is this weeks Week In Review for September 6 - September 12, 2009

Sunday: A lazy Sunday. Everyone woke up late. We had breakfast. Joe went to work. The kids and I just hung around the house. After lunch I put CJ down for a nap. Then I washed dishes. Joe came home from work and CJ got up. I made dinner. We ate and I gave CJ a bath. Put him to bed and the girls stayed up watching TV with us. We sent them to bed and I don't know why, but I ended up falling asleep on the couch. We went to bed.

Monday: I got up early. Had lots of quiet time. When the kids finally woke up I fed them breakfast. I was planning on doing laundry all day, but I got a phone call from my parents. They wanted to come up. So I frantically cleaned up the house. Got everyone dressed. Fed the kids lunch and put CJ down for a nap. My parents came over with a whole bunch of old books and stuff I had. They stayed later than I had anticipated. Joe went to work and they stayed over an hour after that. I ended up having to order pizza. I sent the girls to take a shower while we waited for the pizza delivery. We ate dinner and then I got everyone ready for bed. Sent them to bed and I worked on my laundry that I didn't get a chance to wash. Did a couple of loads and then went to bed.

Tuesday: Got up and got the kids ready for school. Joe went to work. I walked the girls to school. Came home and played with CJ and made a few phone calls. I gave him lunch and put him down for a nap and then cleaned up a little. I had some lunch. Joe came home from work and we went to the bank. Then we picked the girls up from school and went to the grocery store. Got a bunch of groceries and came home and put it all away and made a quick dinner. We ate dinner. The girls worked on cleaning their room and I worked on more laundry. Got a few more loads done and put the kids to bed. Then Joe and I stayed up. He ended up chatting with his brother on face book for a while. There are some major issues between them they were trying to hash out. I am not too sure that they did. After that we went to bed.

Wednesday: Got up early and got everyone ready. Joe went to work and I walked the girls to school. As soon as I came home I started cleaning up. Washed dishes and folded some laundry. Put some chicken in the crock pot for dinner. My friend brought his son over for me to watch while they went to a doctor's appointment. They played nicely. I fed them lunch and thought I was going to have to bring my friend's son to school, but they got back in time to bring him. So he left. I put CJ down for a nap. Then I relaxed. I went to pick the girls up from school and chatted with my friend. Then walked back home. Got the girls settled and working on their homework and finished up cooking dinner. We ate and sent some very cranky children that were driving us nuts to bed early. Did some more laundry and went to bed.

Thursday: Got up and tried to get the kids ready for school. Had to get Natalie to school early, but it was difficult when they weren't getting ready. Kaitlyn was losing everything. Joe went to work and somehow I managed to get everyone dressed and fed and out the door for a comfortably cool walk to school. Stood around chatting with a friend and then walked home. Had a relaxing morning. Gave CJ lunch and put him down for a nap. When Joe came home we went to check something and then to the bank and back to the school to pick up the girls. Then we went to get a birthday present for the party we're going to on Saturday. Me, Joe and CJ anyways. Found a great gift and came home for the kids to do homework. Joe didn't want the tacos I planned for dinner so we went back out to get Subway. Came home and ate. The girls cleaned their room and then took a shower. Got everyone ready for bed and in bed. My mom called to discuss plans for the weekend. We talked for a few and then hung up. Joe and I played some cards and then watched TV together before going to bed.

Friday: Got up and fought with the girls again. Joe had a day off, but wasn't feeling well. So I got dressed to bring the girls in. Natalie had to be in early again. So I got her there and stuck around chatting with the FRC. Came home and found Joe talking to his brother's wife on Face Book. I guess she's trying to get everyone closer, but I am so uncomfortable around this woman and she's always telling us to come over and join them for their holiday family activities. I'm a little annoyed with that because there's so much history with everyone that I'm not a part of and I feel invisible. So we've been trying to get them to do things with just us or on our terms. Probably why we end up not seeing each other because no one seems to be comfortable. Gave CJ lunch and put him down for a nap and Joe went and took a nap. I did some laundry and straightened up a little. Picked the girls up from school and brought them home so they could pack for their weekend with grandma and grandpa and clean up their rooms. I washed dishes and cleaned the bathroom. Did another load of laundry. Got a phone call from my parents that they were on their way and then went to take a shower. Checked the girls bags and made them take some stuff out and put other things in. My parents came over to take the girls. Caused problems again. But I still let them take the girls. Joe, CJ, and I went out to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. Then we went to get a movie from the Redbox. Came home and put CJ to bed and tried to watch the movie, but it was pretty bad. We ended up turning it off and just finding something to watch on TV and then went to bed.

Saturday: CJ woke me up early. Well, earlier than I would have liked. I'm coming down with a cold. He's been suffering from the cold for a few days now. So he laid down with me on the couch for a little while. About an hour later he was ready to eat though. So I fed him breakfast and had breakfast myself. Joe got up after that. We just quietly hung around the house. Joe put CJ down for a nap around 11 and laid back down too. I wrapped presents for a birthday party we were going to later. Had something to eat. Then shortly before having to leave I got CJ up and dressed him and we went to the party we had to go to. Had a nice time there, but had to leave early. We came home and Joe left for work. Then it was just me and CJ for the night. CJ threw a fit and then was just so tired I put him back down for a nap. I laid down too. I ordered a pizza and CJ got up just before it came. We ate and I tried to keep CJ up until Joe got home from work, but he was not interested in staying up. He went in his room and dragged me with him. I guess he was ready. So I put him to bed. Joe came home and ate and then chatted with his brother on face book for the rest of the night before we got ready for bed.

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Sent off with the Wolves

It's pretty sad that I feel that way about sending my children to spend time with my parents, but I do. They are just so manipulative. If you've been reading for a while you know that in the past I have had some serious boundary issues with my parents. They like to tell me how to raise my children and if they think I can afford to have another one and what not. There's also been some major favoritism going on. Natalie's their first grandchild and can do no wrong. Kaitlyn is nothing like Natalie and has been picked on for that for most of her life. I finally get it drilled into their heads that their constant criticism of Kaitlyn is just wrong and hurtful, but now here's CJ. So they are finally a little more accepting of Kaitlyn, but they can't love CJ because they don't know him. Their words not mine. That's what they told me when I invited them to CJ's 1st birthday last year. They weren't going to come because of that.

CJ had gone through a long stranger anxiety stage. Much like my other two children. It took him a while to warm up to anyone he saw on a regular basis and even longer for those he rarely saw at all. He's still stand offish around people he doesn't know very well. All part of being a one year old though. All normal development. And in spite of being through this twice before with their own children and then again with my two older children they still seem to not understand why CJ runs to me when they are around and needs a little time to get used to them.

So instead of trying to build a relationship with him anytime they want to see the children it's the two older girls. And it's not just a day they want with them it's an entire weekend once a month they want with them. And one overnight is not good enough for them, no it has to be Friday all the way until Sunday. And if I offer pick them up Friday night and bring them home late Saturday night they won't take them at all. It's all or nothing. I cannot get them to see that one this is just too much for them especially once a month during the school year and two that they have another grandchild they are ignoring here. So most recently during an argument about this I kept asking them why can't you ever make a plan once a month to come see all of your grandchildren? Why does it have to be a whole weekend with just the girls once a month? Lots of lame excuses and turning it around on me of course and then my mom comes up with well okay if we take the girls some weekend and bring them home early on Sunday to spend time with you and CJ will that work. Okay, it's a start. Yes, we can do that. So we plan the weekend.

It just so happened to be this weekend. It was the only one that worked for both of us. I did get an invite after I agreed to this to a very good friend of Natalie's birthday party, but she hesitantly chose grandma and grandpas. And not because it was more fun, but because it was more time. But the girls were very excited about this. No time frame was given at the time. My mom called up Thursday night to let me know they shouldn't be here to get them Friday night any later than 6. I was not pleased with the timing because that's dinner time and while they were taking the girls out to dinner I still had to worry about the 3 of us left behind. But what can I do? So Friday they called up around 4:30 and said they were on their way. It's an hour away so they would be there sooner than I had anticipated which was nice. They came and were less than supportive of Joe and my instructions to the girls of only bringing two toys each with them. But we got through and got them packed the way we had wanted them. Then my mom says to me so we'll bring them home at 5 on Sunday okay? What? No back this train up. That's not what we agreed on. I said, "No, I thought you were bringing them home early so you could spend time with me and CJ."

My mom says, "I meant we would plan another day we could come up to spend with you." Then she proceeds to try to make plans with me on a weekend that does not work for me. My polite suggestions of hey that might not be the best weekend because I have this to do and that to do were not getting through. And now it seems she has invited herself to a parade that the rest of us (me, Joe and the kids) will be walking around selling popcorn for. And then our sweaty, tired, popcorn smelling bodies have to come home and entertain them. Really not what I want to do that day.

But they are bustling the children out the door and saying well we'll see you at 5 on Sunday then. Okay, well are you staying for dinner? No, that's okay I don't want you to have to cook for us. Ugh, yeah and when exactly am I going to cook for everyone else when you come with my hyper hopped up on sugar children at dinner time to my house and stay for an hour until you are hungry enough to go out to a restaurant for your own dinner leaving me with these sobbing over tired children that don't want to see you go? Then I have to feed them something, calm them down, unpack them, get them showered, and in bed for a school day the next day. Yeah, this just is hugely inconvenient for me. But hey, as long as they are not inconvenienced by only getting 24 hours time with them instead of 48 hours time. And so long as they don't have to spend any real quality time with their only grandson who they don't know. I'm so glad this all works out so well for them.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Never Forget



Today is the 8th anniversary of the horrible events that rocked a nation, but made us stronger. On September 11, 2001 an American Airlines flight flew straight into one of the towers of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. I will never forget watching those events unfold. I got up like any other morning and went to my computer. Suddenly everyone was all abuzz with stuff about a plane hitting a building. I quickly checked a news site and thought my gosh what a tragic accident. Who would have thought anyone in this world could be so crazy, so cruel, so suicidal to fly a plane straight into a building? But then it happened a second time. I got off the computer grabbed a 2 year old Natalie and went to the living room watching in horror as people were screaming and running from the building. So thankful that my husband did not work there. Thankful that I didn't know personally anyone who did. Sad for those people there living such horror. Sad for the wives who's husbands did work there. Sad for those families of people who worked there. Then I thought about the fact that I was pregnant! Pregnant with Kaitlyn. What am I doing bringing another child into this crazy world? Can you imagine being the woman giving birth to a baby on this day? I felt for her. For the women having babies who were surely going to lose their husband in this awful tragic event. My family was still in tact. I was paralyzed with fear. Watching the television off and on all day. It went on for weeks after as they are showing the clean up and rescue efforts. Those terrorists may have taken the lives of countless innocent people, but they did not accomplish the one thing they wanted to! They did not break the spirit of America. If anything our patriotism grew stronger. Flags were waving all across the country. Horns blowing and voices in unity crying out. It was a scary and amazingly solid time. I don't think I'll ever forget where I was on September 11, 2001. Will you?

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Presidential Address to the Children

I wasn't really planning on doing a post about the president speaking to the children. It's all over the internet with people's feelings for or against it. Very strong feelings I might add. And I'm left to wonder why are people so up in arms about this? Let me start off by saying I am NOT a political person by any means. I'm almost afraid to admit this, but it's not often that I vote. I did not vote in the presidential election. My reasoning? Well, I just couldn't decide which candidate I liked best. You see to me Obama just comes off as this person who could sell ocean front property in Arizona to anyone. That's not to say he's not a good man, but I just didn't get a good feeling from him. And McCain well I did agree with a lot of his policies, but I didn't think he would be a strong leader. So my indecision turned into a no vote for me.

Last Friday I was in my children's school and I had heard the principal talking about this speech that Obama was going to give though. I knew it was going to be the message of stay in school and follow your dreams. And while yes I tell my children this every day they are also getting to an age where well lets face it mom doesn't know anything. So to me the more people telling my children to stay in school the better. I didn't see a problem with that. And beyond that the principal mentioned that it ties in perfectly to the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades social studies lesson. So this is a part of their education.

Now living in America we have many wonderful rights and freedoms. We have the right to free speech. That's what makes it okay for me to write here that I didn't vote for our president because he was too much of a salesman for me. So yes, others have the right to say they don't want the president talking to their children. But what I don't get is why does it have to trickle down and be that no ones children can watch it? The principal of my girls' school was saying that there were principals in the district who were refusing to show it regardless of parent consent. They just did not want the fight. I am glad my children don't go to any of those schools.

My children have the right to an education. And that education should include everything that is appropriate to what they are being taught. I chose to send my children to public school. I could have home schooled them and monitored every single thing they were being taught. Making sure that anything I personally did not believe did not get into their heads. But I don't want my children to be mini mes believing everything I believe. I want them to have my values and morals, yes. But I do not want them blindly following what I say just because I say it. I want them to be independent thinkers. I want them to make their own choice about politics and not do something just because I am doing it.

Where does the line in the sand get drawn? Are our children going to be banned from watching key speeches in history because it might be offensive to someone? Will Martin Luther Kings I have a dream speech be banned because some KKK member doesn't like the person who gave the speech? When does it end? Our children already can't have a Christmas party at school because it's offensive to those children who don't celebrate Christmas. Can't have a Halloween party because it's offensive to the children who don't celebrate Halloween. They have to invite every child in their class to their birthday party because we don't want hurt feelings. Now we have to get permission for the leader of our free country to talk to our children? It just goes against everything our forefathers envisioned for this country.

We have at least four years of speeches from our president people. Lets be respectful and listen to what he has to say. We don't have to agree, but we should listen. And we should be proud to have a leader who takes the time out to talk to our children and give them this important message. It might not be needed for your child, but for someone who doesn't have a parent at home telling him to stay in school, work hard, and follow your dreams this message could be a real life saver and something that turns his life around. So those that are so against the president and what he has to say need to stop and think about someone other than yourselves. Instead think about the child a message like this could be saving. The children are our future, lets give them every opportunity to be the best they can be.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

I Wish He Would...

I wish he would stop making snide comments every time he sees me

I wish he would accept me for me

I wish he would see me the way other people do

I wish he would listen to me for once in his life

I wish he would love all of my children equally

I wish he would be able to love my son just because he's his grandson

I wish he would see value in the things I do

I wish he would stop saying it's all his way or no way at all

I wish he would be the loving and accepting father I think I deserve

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Week In Review: August 30 - September 5, 2009

Here is this weeks Week In Review for August 30 - September 5, 2009

Sunday: Another lazy Sunday. Got up and fed the kids breakfast. Joe went to work. The kids and I just hung around the house. I gave the kids lunch and CJ spilled his juice all over the floor. Kaitlyn walked through it and got foot prints everywhere so I ended up on my hands and knees cleaning the entire kitchen floor. I put CJ down for a nap and then watched my soaps. Joe ended up working an hour later than he was supposed to. I washed dishes and prepared a meatloaf, but had to wait for him to get home with some onion soup mix. Put the final ingredient in and popped the meatloaf in the oven and then sat down to begin watching a movie with Joe while the girls cleaned their rooms. Or were supposed to be cleaning their rooms anyways. Paused the movie to finish cooking dinner and fed the kids. Then continued watching our movie so we could return it before we got charged for another night. Put the girls in the shower and got CJ ready for bed. Sent the kids to bed and finished watching our movie. Joe went to return the movie with about half an hour to spare. Then we watched some TV and I showered and went to bed.

Monday: Got woken up by the phone ringing at 6 this morning. It was Joe's work. Someone called out and they needed him to come in. He didn't want to because it was a day off, but he has another one on Saturday and we could use the money. So he called them back and told him that he'd be in. So we had to get up and get the kids dressed and bring Joe to work. Then we came home and had breakfast. Packed their backpacks and snacks and brought them to school. Then CJ and I came home for a little while. I had an appointment at 10:15 so we left shortly after 10 for that. It was quick though and we were home before 11. CJ was getting restless. He was laying on the floor rubbing his own back. It was really cute. I gave him lunch at 11 and he fell asleep in his high chair. So I put him down for a nap. Then I cleaned up a little and laid down on the couch and dozed for a few. The phone rang. It was Joe. So I talked to him for a little while and shortly after CJ got up from his nap. I gave him something to drink and checked my e-mail. Found out that the fundraiser packets were delivered to the school on Friday. So I needed to go find out where those were. So we went to the school and I found the packets. Moved the heavy boxes into the PTA closet for safe keeping until we're ready to send them home. Opened a box to take a look. Then went over to the gym where I pick up the kids. Saw my PTA VP's husband there picking up the kids so I went over to chat with him while I waited for the kids to come down. Got my kids and went home where they started homework. Then we had to go pick Joe up from work. Came home and the kids finished up their homework. I started dinner and washed dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. Finished cooking dinner and we ate. Then got the kids washed up and ready for bed. Sent them to bed for 8. I cleaned up from dinner and Joe and I watched some TV. I took a shower and went to bed.

Tuesday: Got up with the kids to make sure they were getting ready for school. They are doing okay so far. Kaitlyn wanted a hair band that she swore was in the car so I went out to look for it. Couldn't find it though and then noticed the passenger slider door on the van wasn't working right. So went and told Joe who went outside to try seeing what was wrong. He oiled it and looked at it. It's still on the track and the oil didn't help. I had to get the girls to school though. So we just let it be. It's opening and closing for now. Dropped the kids off and came home and folded laundry. Hung around the house chatting with Joe for the morning. Then CJ had lunch and took his nap. I ate and was doing some stuff on the computer. I checked the bank account knowing that I needed to get some money into it, but wanted to check just how much to cover something that would be debiting. Turned out I was very overdrawn and there was a check that I did not write nor authorize. So I called the bank and they told me I'd need to close the account. Put a freeze on it for now and file a fraud complaint. I didn't have time to go to the bank though so they just put the freeze on my account. Now I can't write checks or use my debit card. Such a mess. I went to the store and picked up some flour with the points I had on my card to be able to make dinner and went to pick up the kids. While I was standing there waiting for them to open the doors my girlfriend called me asking if I could get her kids they were running a little late and she'd meet me there. So I got her kids with some objection from one of the teachers. Sad thing is the teacher knows me, but turns out she wanted to talk to her mom anyways so she just hung out with us. They got there and I hung around and waited because I wanted to talk to my friend too. Chatted with her and then went home. Joe was getting ready to leave for work. The girls started their homework. I made breakfast for dinner. Natalie went to the bathroom and told me the toilet was leaking. I checked it out and she was right there was water all over the floor. So I cleaned that up and figured out where it seemed to be coming from. I called my landlord who was a complete tool. I managed to get him to come look at it rather than leaving us with a busted toilet for who knows how long. Turned out it was an easy fix, but it will probably break again. My landlord left and I got the kids ready for bed. Sent them off to bed and then decompressed from the day a bit. Went and washed dishes. Then Joe came home and we watched TV together. Then I showered and went to bed.

Wednesday: Got up and got the kids ready for school. Natalie was complaining that she didn't have any socks. Like there was something I could do. She found some socks though. Joe went to work. I got the girls lunches together (they didn't want hot lunch) and fed them breakfast. Got dressed and got CJ dressed. Then we walked the girls to school. Said my goodbyes to them and walked back home. Once we got home I started making some phone calls. Had to order lunch for the teachers/staff at the school on Friday. Then also wanted to call Quassy to see what their carload weekend is all about. Fed CJ lunch and put him down for a nap. Cleaned up around the house some. When CJ got up from his nap we went to pick the girls up from school. When we got home Joe came home shortly after and we went to the bank to fix the problems we were having with our bank account. Then it was off to Target for a quick thing. Then back to my friend's house so he could look at the sliding door on our van which was getting kind of stuck and making this awful noise when we opened and closed it. He fixed it. Yay! Joe couldn't get in far enough to oil the wheel that was getting stuck. The door needed to be partly removed. Home for dinner and for Natalie to finish homework and kids in bed. Then I washed and dried the whites. Decided I wanted a fountain soda so went to 7-11 for that. Came home and played around on the computer drinking my soda and went to bed way too late.

Thursday: Got up and fought with the girls all morning about getting ready and not fighting with each other. Then realized at 4 minutes till 8:30 that today was supposed to be Natalie's first day of morning chorus. It wasn't happening. I wasn't dressed yet. Got dressed and got the kids to school. Saw a friend and chatted with her for a few. Went to the library to return books only two days late. Came home and cleaned the bathroom and straightened the living room. My landlord had a plumber coming to fix our dripping sink. He did that. Joe went to work. CJ had lunch and took a nap. When he got up we walked to pick up his sisters from school. Came home and looked at the kids papers. Discovered the ominous permission slip from Natalie. Tried to contact someone about my not signing this violation of my rights. When Joe got home we went to Walmart to buy the girls some sneakers. Fought with Natalie because she tried on every sneaker and didn't like a single one. We ended up having to go to a second Walmart for her sneakers. Finally got them both their new sneakers and went to get gas and dinner. Came home and sent everyone to bed and I spent the rest of the night catching up on stuff on the computer. Took a shower and went to bed.

Friday: Got up and the kids dressed, fed, and ready for school. They had to be in early. Well, Natalie did. She was getting a little extra instrument help in music. So I brought them in and then talked to the music teacher. Then I spoke to the FRC. Then I went to the bank to sign something and home. I only got to be home for a short time before having to head back to the school to set up the teacher's luncheon for the PTA. Got that set up and came home. Ate something and just relaxed. Then my phone rang shortly after 2. It was one of my officers who was cleaning up from the lunch. Turned out there was tons of food left so I needed to go there and get some. We had about half of the food there that we had ordered. That's crazy. So we split up the food and I brought it home real quick. Joe had to go to work for 3. So he took the car and I walked back to the school to pick up the girls. Spoke to the person who works for Youth Services (the group taking the 5th graders on a field trip with the permission slip I didn't like). She said I do have to sign that for her to go, but after discussing it with her more she told me I can cross out the parts I don't like and "we'll see what happens". So that's what we're going to do. Gives me a little peace of mind. My friend gave us a ride home. I ended up bickering back and forth with Joe's brother in messages on Face Book about whether or not he's making an effort to see his family when he's home. I don't think he is. Well, I should say I know he isn't since he's seeing no one in his family. He's just seeing his wife's family like always. He keeps trying to get us to do things on his terms. Sigh, such a shame. We had sandwiches for dinner courtesy of PTA. CJ went to bed and the girls stayed up until Joe got home from work. I washed some dishes and we sent the girls to bed. Then Joe and I stayed up way too late both of us arguing with his brother. He's still not getting it. I did a load of laundry and went to bed.

Saturday: I actually slept in. Got up and Joe was already up and had fed the kids. That never happens. He was on the phone with a friend of ours. I took a shower and then we got ready to go out. Went to the store and bank to get some money. Came home and ate lunch and packed up the car with food and beach stuff to go to Quassy Amusement park. Went over a friend's house who was coming with us. Joe drove and ended up missing the exit because he wasn't listening to me. And then get so aggravated with me he planned on not going. I convinced him to go anyways though and we got there around 2. We had a great time riding rides and doing the water park. Stayed there until it closed at 10. CJ was so tired he passed out in the car and barely opened his eyes when I changed him. Put the kids to bed. Had another message from Joe's brother about how much he's tried. I give up and told him so and then got ready for bed.

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Thursday, September 3, 2009

Would you Sign a Field Trip Permission Slip...

for your 5th grade child to do during school hours that read like this:

I fully assume all risks associated with utilization of and participation in the Pine Lake Challenge Course, even if due to the negligence of the City, its agents, servants or employees.

I hereby release, and agree that I will not sue, the City, its agents, servants and employees, and all of its departments, boards, commissions and agencies, including the Youth Services and its staff members from any and all claims, suits of demands by anyone arising from my or my child's use of or participation in the Pine Lake Challenge Course, even if caused by the negligence of the City, its agents, servants, or employees. I certify by my signature that I have read this document carefully and fully understand the risks involved with the Pine Lake Challenge Course participation and wish to continue in my participation. I further understand that by signing this agreement I am giving up substantial legal rights. I have not been induced to sign this agreement by any promise or representation, and I sign it voluntarily and of my own will.

Should an injury or accident occur, I grant permission for (child's name here) to receive necessary emergency treatment by licensed or certified medical personnel at the nearest medical facility.

Parent or Guardian:
This is to certify that I, as parent or guardian with legal responsibility for this participant, do hereby consent and agree to his or her release as set forth above, and for myself, my heirs, assigns, successors, executors, administrators, and legal representatives, agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City, it's agents, servants, and employees, and all of its departments, boards, commissions and agencies, including the Youth Services and it's staff members from any and all claims, suits or demands by anyone arising from said participants use of the Pine Lake Challenge Course facilities and equipment including claims of negligence on the part of the City, its agents, servants or employees.


This is the second time Natalie has come home from school with this permission slip. She brought this same one home 2 years ago and I refused to sign it then. I fought it too. I don't think I was the only parent who argued it. It didn't matter too much then though because they didn't do the Pine Lake Challenge. They told me I could just cross out the parts I didn't like, but they needed that. They also tried to tell me that no judge would hold me to a contract like that anyways. Ummm, then why even make parents sign it? Of course they are going to hold me to that. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying if my kid trips and falls on a stick and breaks her arm I'm going to run out and sue the entire city here. But you better believe that I am not giving my permission for them to neglect her. If they aren't watching her and another child strangles her with a rope and she gets serious injuries I'm going to be wondering where the supervision was. I send her to school during the day under the impression that she's getting the proper care and looking after. If she is playing on the playground at school and chases a ball out on the street and gets hit by a car yeah I'm going to be wondering where the supervision was and I just might want to pursue something legally. This is a legal school day and I'm sending her on a field trip with the school I expect her to be watched and if she's not I should have some sort of recourse for their negligence if they are neglectful. Now of course neglect is going to be hard to prove most likely, but seriously what kind of parent would I be if I signed this?

And sadly I know what they are going to tell me. Well, you can come along on the field trip. Sure, can I bring my 22 month old along? Nope, I can't. My husband works during the day. I can't go on every single field trip to make sure my child isn't going to be neglected and get injured by someones negligence. The stupid thing even tells me that by signing this I'm giving up my legal rights. I won't do that. But unfortunately my ten year old doesn't get why I need to refuse this. And if I don't sign it and can't come along then she is stuck at the school all day doing busy work while her friends are having this wonderful adventure. And I'm the bad guy. If I can get more parents who refuse to sign this, then I might have a leg to stand on.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A Love Hate Relationship with the Age 22 months

CJ turned 22 months yesterday. I love him dearly. I love his smile. I love how he flirts. I love his laugh. I live his giggle. I love his wiggle. I love his dance. I love how excited he gets when he hears the "Lollypop" song from the Dell commercial. I love how he blows kisses. I love how he gives hugs. I love how he says baby. I love that he calls the gerbils berbils. I love how he cuddles. I love how he looks for his sisters when we come back home from bringing them to school. I love that he tries to give me tickles. I love how he likes to show off his belly. I love his toes and I love his nose. I love his curiosity. I love him dearly.

On the other hand I hate the drop down on the floor kicking and screaming temper tantrums. It's a good thing there's so much to love about him.