This is going to have to be short because there are more things to pick up in my family room than I can count. (That may be just a bit of an exaggeration.... After all, I actually was a math teacher at one point.)
Today was the sugar holiday, I mean Valentine's Day party at school. It was T's turn to have me in his class and off we went with store ordered sugar cookies, candies, and frosting. When I went to pick up the cookies at the store I saw gazillions of orders (I'm into exaggerating right now.) They must have made a killing off of all of the parents that have to have store bought treats but don't really want to make cute Valentine bugs out of licorice and Twinkies.
The kids were wired when we got there and they left even worse. But it was fun. T was thrilled to have us there and I was lucky enough to take a picture or two to document it.
It was also good because it gave me a deadline to have the giant heart chocolate chip cookies done for the teachers. Two small batches made exactly 3 cookies. They were pretty thick. I hope they weren't too disgusting.
Speaking of yummy things, I was sorely tempted to break my 'diet' today. I had the hardest time. I don't know what was up. Grrr.... I stuck it out but didn't drink enough water. I'll pay the price for it tomorrow when I wake up to sausage fingers. I also realized today when I went to get a pair of black pants that I feel pretty great in that I gave them to the thrift store last weekend instead of the ones I found today in my closet which are two sizes too big. Go me!
M went on a date with her dad tonight. He picked her up from dance, took her to dinner, then headed to the movies. I was going to use my time to clean.
Instead, I told the kids to go down and pick a picture book. D had a problem with that. He couldn't stand being told to get a picture book without knowing why. T brought a seek and find book (oops, not what I asked for) and the little girls each willingly complied. T then brought up a beginning reader book. I don't know what he was thinking. They were all thrilled to sit down and have their books read. (Actually, T was wishing he had picked a different one.)
Then the little girls went to bed and D asked to go to bed as his meds had kicked in. T and I sat and did his seek and find book for a while and then we chatted.
And that is why I have nothing done. (Okay... and a little internet too.)
Lucky for me Saturday is chore day :) DH will be here to help with the kiddos and I will be able to get things done. Everyone has an extra incentive in that there is a birthday party for a cousin tomorrow and DH and I have ballet tickets (that means a babysitter is coming and I want the house clean). Why I no longer feel the need to impress my MIL but worry about a teen is beyond me.
And with that I will go and see how much I can get done in the two or three minutes before they get home from their date.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
WTG Me! (or have I mentioned I hate giving titles)
I'm giving myself a high five or whatever for getting my keester out of the house and onto the pavement. We didn't go super far or super fast but we moved.
We ran into one stray dog and I managed to not get too freaked out.
Could we have run more? Sure.
Could we have run faster? Most definitely.
Was it great to move and chat it up with a friend? Certainly.
Would I change how we did it? Nope (well, except I wouldn't have gone down a street with a stray dog.)
So, 1.4 miles run and 2.4 miles walked.
We'll see how the knees feel manana. I have them all braced up like an old lady. Of course I am hoping that having a little less weight on my frame will also make running more knee friendly for me.
My choices pretty much were to eat my way out of stress or sweat the stress off a bit. I think this was a wiser choice.
We ran into one stray dog and I managed to not get too freaked out.
Could we have run more? Sure.
Could we have run faster? Most definitely.
Was it great to move and chat it up with a friend? Certainly.
Would I change how we did it? Nope (well, except I wouldn't have gone down a street with a stray dog.)
So, 1.4 miles run and 2.4 miles walked.
We'll see how the knees feel manana. I have them all braced up like an old lady. Of course I am hoping that having a little less weight on my frame will also make running more knee friendly for me.
My choices pretty much were to eat my way out of stress or sweat the stress off a bit. I think this was a wiser choice.
Desperate Measures
I did something today that I never thought I would do.
Everything was going wrong this morning and he just couldn't get a grip. I couldn't figure out what to do to 'fix' thing. He wouldn't do anything I asked him unless I let him be in complete control (a RAD kid thing for certain). He wouldn't get dressed. He told me he wouldn't go to school unless I did what he wanted me to do. That's feeding the monster and I am smart enough to not start that. What to do?
I called the psych and therapist's office. The receptionist told me I could probably get one of his evaluations scored but didn't know if the other one could be done. There was no promise that if I drove the hour there that it would help my situation in any way. I was ready to still drive up there in hopes that when they saw him them might try to give me an emergency appointment. I contemplated taking him into school in his jammies since he wouldn't get dressed. But in the end, that would have only made life harder on his teacher as he spiraled out of control at school. I told him we were leaving and he could go in jammies or get dressed. He did nothing. So I started gathering up his shoes and socks to put into a bag and before I knew it he was in his room putting on some clothes.
We headed out and I was planning on going try to get an emergency psych appointment but instead had a kid who wouldn't get buckled. I had already told him that he had to be buckled or we would have to go to the police station. And so off we went.
As I type this I still can't believe I took my kid to the police station.
We never even talked about the buckling with the Lieutenant. He talked with me first and made sure that I was okay with what he would say. He has dealt with enough kids just like D to know that follow through is key. (I told him I was there as a result of follow through and apologized a bit.) As he talked to me he advised a shock him type of approach. He said that many of the kids really decide to obey when they think someone means business. He also said that sometimes the kids get extra help or therapy in the court. I told him I wasn't ready for him to be taken in for assault and what not and that I needed to talk to the psychiatrist and therapist first.
He did talk to D for a while. D wasn't completely disrespectful either.
It seemed to work for a bit and then we came home to grab his school stuff and he started back up a little. I grabbed his stuff as fast as I could and told him that if he had a single problem at school he couldn't go to his after school program.
Boy was I happy when I didn't get an email or a call.
Maybe the visit at the police station worked. I was at my limit this morning and I am so grateful that they were willing to work with me even if we don't take their advice.
But I still can't believe I took him there. I probably looked like a freak.
Everything was going wrong this morning and he just couldn't get a grip. I couldn't figure out what to do to 'fix' thing. He wouldn't do anything I asked him unless I let him be in complete control (a RAD kid thing for certain). He wouldn't get dressed. He told me he wouldn't go to school unless I did what he wanted me to do. That's feeding the monster and I am smart enough to not start that. What to do?
I called the psych and therapist's office. The receptionist told me I could probably get one of his evaluations scored but didn't know if the other one could be done. There was no promise that if I drove the hour there that it would help my situation in any way. I was ready to still drive up there in hopes that when they saw him them might try to give me an emergency appointment. I contemplated taking him into school in his jammies since he wouldn't get dressed. But in the end, that would have only made life harder on his teacher as he spiraled out of control at school. I told him we were leaving and he could go in jammies or get dressed. He did nothing. So I started gathering up his shoes and socks to put into a bag and before I knew it he was in his room putting on some clothes.
We headed out and I was planning on going try to get an emergency psych appointment but instead had a kid who wouldn't get buckled. I had already told him that he had to be buckled or we would have to go to the police station. And so off we went.
As I type this I still can't believe I took my kid to the police station.
We never even talked about the buckling with the Lieutenant. He talked with me first and made sure that I was okay with what he would say. He has dealt with enough kids just like D to know that follow through is key. (I told him I was there as a result of follow through and apologized a bit.) As he talked to me he advised a shock him type of approach. He said that many of the kids really decide to obey when they think someone means business. He also said that sometimes the kids get extra help or therapy in the court. I told him I wasn't ready for him to be taken in for assault and what not and that I needed to talk to the psychiatrist and therapist first.
He did talk to D for a while. D wasn't completely disrespectful either.
It seemed to work for a bit and then we came home to grab his school stuff and he started back up a little. I grabbed his stuff as fast as I could and told him that if he had a single problem at school he couldn't go to his after school program.
Boy was I happy when I didn't get an email or a call.
Maybe the visit at the police station worked. I was at my limit this morning and I am so grateful that they were willing to work with me even if we don't take their advice.
But I still can't believe I took him there. I probably looked like a freak.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Weekend Staycation
We got away for a weekend. I should probably retype that all in caps because it's worth a scream.
On Friday I went and picked up DH's sister. I gave her the scoop on the kids and told her that I wasn't worried because the second I was out of the house things would simmer down quickly. It's an RAD kid thing. They save the good stuff for mom and dad :)
I have to admit I was a bit embarrassed to have her come over. My house was a wreck. I'm not talking about the 'wreck' you say your house is when your visiting teachers are coming over and you have been cleaning like a mad woman but still can't finish. We're talking the I am frazzled and lucky to not be in the loony bin type of wreck.
Anyway... D had a melt down before I went. He's was putting on quite a show for my SIL. I was talking to her and he was jumping up and down screaming in my face like he was on a pogo stick. But he was sans a pogo stick. The kid has springs for legs.
I left with my neighbor to meet DH at M's dance class. Of course I ended up calling my SIL and just like I said he stopped when he realized I was gone. He came inside and asked if I was there and then she said he turned into a little angel just as I had told her he would. (See I so don't make this stuff up.)
DH and I went to a burger place where they were kind enough to put their yummy ol' burger on lettuce for me. Then we went to Costco. (Does this sound datish or WHAT?) I was thrilled to get a good deal on macadamia nuts for my cheese (which I still haven't started).
The next day DH woke up at 5 something and went down in the lobby to use the Internet to work. There is no real vacation these days (even on a Saturday). We later went to a steakhouse for 'brunch' and then went shopping at this random store that carries some cool stuff and a lot of crap. We bought a ton of crap ;) Actually we mainly stocked up on corn chips for the kids' lunches. I've been trying to figure out what to do with T. But I know if I give him these little Scoops with some beans he'll at least ingest a little protein during the day.
Later that night we went out with friends to see a show that is a spoof on the Stephanie Meyer books. It's up my alley to go to these sort of corny and wholesome shows. While it was going on DH and his friend were talking a bit and they got 'caught' by one of the cast members. They were called onto stage and behind the curtain. You have to know that DH is so not into being the center of attention. So I knew it would be interesting. Out they came with the other cast members, DH in a pro basketball jacket and hat and his friend in a giant chicken hat. It was hilarious as they had to stand up and sing to the Ghostbusters song. (I guess when they got backstage the people weren't as thrilled that two tall people were picked as the clothes didn't really fit.) It so made it worth going to. (The wrapless wrap that had no fork wasn't so great... but that's another story.) We then went and played games and watched an episode of Little Mosque until about 1:30 in the morning.
The next day we stayed at the hotel until checkout and then went to get something to eat. Can I just say how guilt I was feeling for going out to eat on Sunday when we were only an hour from our own home. And then after eating I went to put my bowl on my plate and it grazed my shirt leaving a nice big stain. I didn't even get the stain from shlepping while eating. (I have no clue if that is a word but it means something to me.)
Later that day the stain was the first thing M noticed. I tried to hide my guilt with a little, "Well, we had to eat." And M just looked at me and said, "Well, I guess Heavenly Father will forgive you."
Next time I'll take my own food for Sunday.
The kids are back to normal. It happened almost instantly. The chaos began but I felt much better having rested.
Today I was supposed to go and spill my guts to the kids' therapist. It took over a month and a half to get the appointment and then T started throwing up this morning. I guess it wasn't meant to be. I'll just mail the psych evaluations too and hope the psych can help me with D before March.
And that is life.
(Not to worry, it's not too bad. T got to the bathroom .)
On Friday I went and picked up DH's sister. I gave her the scoop on the kids and told her that I wasn't worried because the second I was out of the house things would simmer down quickly. It's an RAD kid thing. They save the good stuff for mom and dad :)
I have to admit I was a bit embarrassed to have her come over. My house was a wreck. I'm not talking about the 'wreck' you say your house is when your visiting teachers are coming over and you have been cleaning like a mad woman but still can't finish. We're talking the I am frazzled and lucky to not be in the loony bin type of wreck.
Anyway... D had a melt down before I went. He's was putting on quite a show for my SIL. I was talking to her and he was jumping up and down screaming in my face like he was on a pogo stick. But he was sans a pogo stick. The kid has springs for legs.
I left with my neighbor to meet DH at M's dance class. Of course I ended up calling my SIL and just like I said he stopped when he realized I was gone. He came inside and asked if I was there and then she said he turned into a little angel just as I had told her he would. (See I so don't make this stuff up.)
DH and I went to a burger place where they were kind enough to put their yummy ol' burger on lettuce for me. Then we went to Costco. (Does this sound datish or WHAT?) I was thrilled to get a good deal on macadamia nuts for my cheese (which I still haven't started).
The next day DH woke up at 5 something and went down in the lobby to use the Internet to work. There is no real vacation these days (even on a Saturday). We later went to a steakhouse for 'brunch' and then went shopping at this random store that carries some cool stuff and a lot of crap. We bought a ton of crap ;) Actually we mainly stocked up on corn chips for the kids' lunches. I've been trying to figure out what to do with T. But I know if I give him these little Scoops with some beans he'll at least ingest a little protein during the day.
Later that night we went out with friends to see a show that is a spoof on the Stephanie Meyer books. It's up my alley to go to these sort of corny and wholesome shows. While it was going on DH and his friend were talking a bit and they got 'caught' by one of the cast members. They were called onto stage and behind the curtain. You have to know that DH is so not into being the center of attention. So I knew it would be interesting. Out they came with the other cast members, DH in a pro basketball jacket and hat and his friend in a giant chicken hat. It was hilarious as they had to stand up and sing to the Ghostbusters song. (I guess when they got backstage the people weren't as thrilled that two tall people were picked as the clothes didn't really fit.) It so made it worth going to. (The wrapless wrap that had no fork wasn't so great... but that's another story.) We then went and played games and watched an episode of Little Mosque until about 1:30 in the morning.
The next day we stayed at the hotel until checkout and then went to get something to eat. Can I just say how guilt I was feeling for going out to eat on Sunday when we were only an hour from our own home. And then after eating I went to put my bowl on my plate and it grazed my shirt leaving a nice big stain. I didn't even get the stain from shlepping while eating. (I have no clue if that is a word but it means something to me.)
Later that day the stain was the first thing M noticed. I tried to hide my guilt with a little, "Well, we had to eat." And M just looked at me and said, "Well, I guess Heavenly Father will forgive you."
Next time I'll take my own food for Sunday.
The kids are back to normal. It happened almost instantly. The chaos began but I felt much better having rested.
Today I was supposed to go and spill my guts to the kids' therapist. It took over a month and a half to get the appointment and then T started throwing up this morning. I guess it wasn't meant to be. I'll just mail the psych evaluations too and hope the psych can help me with D before March.
And that is life.
(Not to worry, it's not too bad. T got to the bathroom .)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Let's Pretend
This is what I hear from S while playing with C.
"Let's pretend we are sisters and our mom is dead."
Nice!
So yesterday I didn't post. I was a little bit on the bummed/busy side as M's ceiling started dripping yesterday morning. So we had plumbers here fixing it. She now has an enormous hole in the ceiling and the wall is really soft and is going to have to come out too. It's a big fat chunk of change for nothing dang it.
I just really didn't feel like doing much except haul storage water from the basement to flush the toilets for a chunk of the day.
But now we have water and lucky ol' me got to scrub the floors today :)
I went and got T's teacher a baby gift today. They were going to have a shower for her. I decided to take D's new papers for the psych in while I was there so she could work on the evaluations. I ran into his teacher and it was just 'perfect' as she was getting ready to email me for the day. She's a chipper thing and is really good about letting things just roll off her.
Then C and I went shopping at the mall for a bit. I don't do that often. I used to love wandering around the mall but I really don't adore it anymore. I'm more of an in and out person there. But send me to Target and I can wander for a couple of hours. On the way back we went for Moms and Muffins at S's preschool. She was happy that I could come and read to her. They have it for two months this time though and I really won't be able to go in every week. But she was happy I was there today. It was funny. Every book she chose had to do with food. One was on how ice cream was made. One was on how different skin colors reminded a girl of all these yummy foods. I just think it's kind of interesting how she gravitates to that.
I'm interested to see D's interpretation of why his day was rough. I have an idea of how it'll go but I would love for him to surprise me.
"Let's pretend we are sisters and our mom is dead."
Nice!
So yesterday I didn't post. I was a little bit on the bummed/busy side as M's ceiling started dripping yesterday morning. So we had plumbers here fixing it. She now has an enormous hole in the ceiling and the wall is really soft and is going to have to come out too. It's a big fat chunk of change for nothing dang it.
I just really didn't feel like doing much except haul storage water from the basement to flush the toilets for a chunk of the day.
But now we have water and lucky ol' me got to scrub the floors today :)
I went and got T's teacher a baby gift today. They were going to have a shower for her. I decided to take D's new papers for the psych in while I was there so she could work on the evaluations. I ran into his teacher and it was just 'perfect' as she was getting ready to email me for the day. She's a chipper thing and is really good about letting things just roll off her.
Then C and I went shopping at the mall for a bit. I don't do that often. I used to love wandering around the mall but I really don't adore it anymore. I'm more of an in and out person there. But send me to Target and I can wander for a couple of hours. On the way back we went for Moms and Muffins at S's preschool. She was happy that I could come and read to her. They have it for two months this time though and I really won't be able to go in every week. But she was happy I was there today. It was funny. Every book she chose had to do with food. One was on how ice cream was made. One was on how different skin colors reminded a girl of all these yummy foods. I just think it's kind of interesting how she gravitates to that.
I'm interested to see D's interpretation of why his day was rough. I have an idea of how it'll go but I would love for him to surprise me.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Real Groundhog Day
The title really has nothing to do with this post. Quite frankly, I just didn't have anything better.
But to go with the title, I guess we have more winter coming our way.
I will keep this one brief . (That is most likely a lie that I will not come back to delete as I am long winded.)
The victories today-
-lots of laundry done
-dishes done
-floors swept
-books read to kids
-had neighbor girls over this morning and let them play
The unvictories (not a word, I know)-
-visit to the principal's office for one kid in the family
-finding out that D can't handle his ballet class
-C wore a sweater that only has one button as a shirt all day with her belly exposed. (We didn't go many places and it wasn't worth the fight.)
-more of the same ol' everyday stuff
I really felt like I was handling my day. Then I found out D has been struggling in dance. (That doesn't bother me. You don't have to be excelling in everything to be happy.) While I am on the phone the kids come home and D tells me he had a little bit of a bad day at school. He ended up in the principal's (don't forget he's your pal) for pushing the dance teacher's son of all people. UGH!
This is the deal. D is a nice kid down inside. He's tender and hard working. When he is anxious, annoyed, frustrated, mad, etc. he goes primal. I think occasionally he can get himself out if the motivation is really high. But unless there is a really good reason he just can't seem to do it and he gets physical or he rages.
Tonight I talked to my MIL who is also one of those pal principals and sought her advice. I felt a little glimmer of hope after talking to her. D's principal most likely knows of the struggles that come with a hard beginning of life. MIL gave me a needed boost to keep on plowing forward. I can do this. I have to be in this for the long haul.
A few other highlights of the last day-
M- finally let me help her after she fussed and fussed on a new spot for her violin piece. When she started playing it she got tears in her eyes. I don't think she could play something in which she shifts back and forth. She did it and I was so proud of her.
T- wore shorts after school today. I thought it was warmer than it was. Weather.com said it was 29 degrees. He also let my neighbor use eyeliner to turn him into a puppy because the little girls wanted him to be a dog.
D- wrote a cute cartoon book and had cartoon characters peeking out from each letter in the title. He also did one cartoon picture for each of us in the family and thought hard about our interests. (See... he can be very thoughtful when he isn't primal.)
S- made me laugh today. I handed her a bar of soap to wash with before she got out of the shower. She got dressed and then complained of feeling icky. She didn't rinse all the way. I took a time out for me when I went to get her from school and we cozied up and I read her a book. She really liked that.
C- thinks hot chocolate counts for lunch.
But to go with the title, I guess we have more winter coming our way.
I will keep this one brief . (That is most likely a lie that I will not come back to delete as I am long winded.)
The victories today-
-lots of laundry done
-dishes done
-floors swept
-books read to kids
-had neighbor girls over this morning and let them play
The unvictories (not a word, I know)-
-visit to the principal's office for one kid in the family
-finding out that D can't handle his ballet class
-C wore a sweater that only has one button as a shirt all day with her belly exposed. (We didn't go many places and it wasn't worth the fight.)
-more of the same ol' everyday stuff
I really felt like I was handling my day. Then I found out D has been struggling in dance. (That doesn't bother me. You don't have to be excelling in everything to be happy.) While I am on the phone the kids come home and D tells me he had a little bit of a bad day at school. He ended up in the principal's (don't forget he's your pal) for pushing the dance teacher's son of all people. UGH!
This is the deal. D is a nice kid down inside. He's tender and hard working. When he is anxious, annoyed, frustrated, mad, etc. he goes primal. I think occasionally he can get himself out if the motivation is really high. But unless there is a really good reason he just can't seem to do it and he gets physical or he rages.
Tonight I talked to my MIL who is also one of those pal principals and sought her advice. I felt a little glimmer of hope after talking to her. D's principal most likely knows of the struggles that come with a hard beginning of life. MIL gave me a needed boost to keep on plowing forward. I can do this. I have to be in this for the long haul.
A few other highlights of the last day-
M- finally let me help her after she fussed and fussed on a new spot for her violin piece. When she started playing it she got tears in her eyes. I don't think she could play something in which she shifts back and forth. She did it and I was so proud of her.
T- wore shorts after school today. I thought it was warmer than it was. Weather.com said it was 29 degrees. He also let my neighbor use eyeliner to turn him into a puppy because the little girls wanted him to be a dog.
D- wrote a cute cartoon book and had cartoon characters peeking out from each letter in the title. He also did one cartoon picture for each of us in the family and thought hard about our interests. (See... he can be very thoughtful when he isn't primal.)
S- made me laugh today. I handed her a bar of soap to wash with before she got out of the shower. She got dressed and then complained of feeling icky. She didn't rinse all the way. I took a time out for me when I went to get her from school and we cozied up and I read her a book. She really liked that.
C- thinks hot chocolate counts for lunch.
Monday, February 1, 2010
On Groundhog's Eve
It was so dang sunny today that I had to don my capris and sandales again. I am so turning into a person that isn't from AZ. When we first moved to cold country I would see these 'crazies' wearing capris in March. I thought they were nuts. You don't go to Costco when it is freezing in flip flops and capris. Well, I did just that today except I wore my Keen sandales.
Costco wasn't too exciting today as it was a soy milk and dog food run. (Okay, I also grabbed some almonds, broccoli, heavy cream, milk, and mini bagels.) It had to be a fast trip because I had to go to the dentist. I just love that place. The only thing that could make it better was if they would take all of my dang coupons.
The dentist was fine. I now have a nightguard that will hopefully keep my jaw from getting stuck. It hasn't been super horrible for a while but is catching again. It's only been really bad a few times and then I could only open it less than an inch. Maybe this will do the trick.
And then after school it was crazy Monday which means preschool pickup, violin lessons, and dance. M's violin teacher was bummed she couldn't go to the Suzuki institute. I wish she could but a. it's a pretty penny and b. it's at the same time as ballet intensive which is 27 hours a week for a month. I just can't manage it all. ( Have I written this before or is it just the story of my life?) I found out T needs a new violin. It's the only size we are missing. So I am in the market for one pretty much in the next day or so. I'm thinking of going with another Romanian one like the one I bought M. Well, maybe I would buy one that isn't quite as nice as M's. The good thing is that until the kids hit fulls I will have no more to buy. One more would give us 7 violins in one house.
Tonight, as DH is working late, I sat and pondered an article in this month's Ensign magazine. It was on over scheduled families. I feel like mine is over scheduled but I don't know how to fix it. Of course I would cut activities. It's an option but then they don't get much of a chance to develop any one thing. I usually only allow one athletic/dance thing and one musical thing. How is that taking over? Maybe it's where we live as well. You have to be good at everything it seems. Anyway, I don't have an answer and I think we are lacking balance.
Speaking of activities, T had a funny thing happen last Friday. I was overloaded and had to have T at swim practice in one town at the exact time I was supposed to have the dance carpool in another town. This one I just couldn't pull off so I decided to drop T off 15 minutes early. I told him to sit and read. (It's at a private pool and so he could do that type of thing.) I came back after dropping the girls off to watch the end of his practice (the other three were at a friend's house as I can't drive any carpool with all of the kids as I don't drive a bus). I walked back and found him on a giant mound of dirt with another boy on his team. They weren't wet and were just having so much fun. I asked him what he had been doing and he said it wasn't his turn yet and that some other group was practicing. I walked in and his coach looked so shocked. The little turkey didn't even pay attention to what was going on and missed over 2/3 of his practice. She didn't see him out there and just assumed we missed practice. He seemed surprised too. I would have been mad but he was just so cute playing on that giant mound of dirt (we are talking maybe and 8 ft mound as it's left over from the pool). That's what boys do. He had to get in and swim a few laps with the other boy that didn't make it in to practice. On the way home he says to me, "It just isn't fair." "What's not fair T?" "Some people have big dirt hills in their backyard."
Hmmm... can't help you with that one kid.
Costco wasn't too exciting today as it was a soy milk and dog food run. (Okay, I also grabbed some almonds, broccoli, heavy cream, milk, and mini bagels.) It had to be a fast trip because I had to go to the dentist. I just love that place. The only thing that could make it better was if they would take all of my dang coupons.
The dentist was fine. I now have a nightguard that will hopefully keep my jaw from getting stuck. It hasn't been super horrible for a while but is catching again. It's only been really bad a few times and then I could only open it less than an inch. Maybe this will do the trick.
And then after school it was crazy Monday which means preschool pickup, violin lessons, and dance. M's violin teacher was bummed she couldn't go to the Suzuki institute. I wish she could but a. it's a pretty penny and b. it's at the same time as ballet intensive which is 27 hours a week for a month. I just can't manage it all. ( Have I written this before or is it just the story of my life?) I found out T needs a new violin. It's the only size we are missing. So I am in the market for one pretty much in the next day or so. I'm thinking of going with another Romanian one like the one I bought M. Well, maybe I would buy one that isn't quite as nice as M's. The good thing is that until the kids hit fulls I will have no more to buy. One more would give us 7 violins in one house.
Tonight, as DH is working late, I sat and pondered an article in this month's Ensign magazine. It was on over scheduled families. I feel like mine is over scheduled but I don't know how to fix it. Of course I would cut activities. It's an option but then they don't get much of a chance to develop any one thing. I usually only allow one athletic/dance thing and one musical thing. How is that taking over? Maybe it's where we live as well. You have to be good at everything it seems. Anyway, I don't have an answer and I think we are lacking balance.
Speaking of activities, T had a funny thing happen last Friday. I was overloaded and had to have T at swim practice in one town at the exact time I was supposed to have the dance carpool in another town. This one I just couldn't pull off so I decided to drop T off 15 minutes early. I told him to sit and read. (It's at a private pool and so he could do that type of thing.) I came back after dropping the girls off to watch the end of his practice (the other three were at a friend's house as I can't drive any carpool with all of the kids as I don't drive a bus). I walked back and found him on a giant mound of dirt with another boy on his team. They weren't wet and were just having so much fun. I asked him what he had been doing and he said it wasn't his turn yet and that some other group was practicing. I walked in and his coach looked so shocked. The little turkey didn't even pay attention to what was going on and missed over 2/3 of his practice. She didn't see him out there and just assumed we missed practice. He seemed surprised too. I would have been mad but he was just so cute playing on that giant mound of dirt (we are talking maybe and 8 ft mound as it's left over from the pool). That's what boys do. He had to get in and swim a few laps with the other boy that didn't make it in to practice. On the way home he says to me, "It just isn't fair." "What's not fair T?" "Some people have big dirt hills in their backyard."
Hmmm... can't help you with that one kid.
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