Monday, September 28, 2009
Still Dragging
Man, two days after the birthday party, and I'm still dragging. The joys of chronic fatigue. Not only do I get really tired, but things that should be routine take days to recover from. I'm not sure if I need to visit a coffee shop this afternoon or what. Caitlin and I needed to get out of the house this morning. I was in serious danger of falling asleep on the floor. That, plus the urge to clean up the mess from the weekend and get the house in order were gnawing at my brain. If I succumb to that today I may be too tired to wake up tomorrow!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Birthday Party
Wow - 10 days since my last post. We're still around. I'm still here. I'm just tired. Every time I think that we (meaning me and the kids) have adjusted to our new schedule, I'm reminded in so many tangible ways that I'm wrong!! Brandon's birthday was yet another reminder of how unprepared I've been lately.
Over the summer the local bowling alley ran a $2.00 per game special if you got there before 5 pm. We went one day at 4:45 and the whole family did two games. Our total bill, including shoes, was $22.00, I think. It was cheap. It was fun. The kids had a blast all through game one, and about halfway through game two. It was a fun thing we did as a family. On the way home Brandon announced that he wanted to have his birthday party there - well, either the bowling alley or the roller skating rink. The bowling alley was closer, and Caitlin doesn't cry at the music like she does at the roller rink.
So, off we go.....
Even thought it was at the bowling alley, I still had to prepare a few things. Goody bags and cupcakes were on the agenda. I'm a little tired of goody bags. They may go out the door in the future. I just can't see the point! But I did them this time for posterity, complete with mini-bubbles and glow sticks! Then there were the cupcakes! I had forgotten until the evening before that I was in charge of bringing cake. It was easy to forget, as the general rule at the bowling alley is no outside food allowed, except cake during birthday parties. So, due to a lot of frozen butter and short supply of sugar, I was at Safeway this morning buying cupcakes. I left with 36 of them. Yes, you read that right. 36. We only had 11 kids there! I got in my car and started to back out of the parking space before realizing how unnecessary those numbers were and returned a dozen cupcakes! Luckily the store took them back! Probably because only 5 minutes had passed since I purchased them.
Other things, besides the cupcakes, that I seemed unprepared for:
The bowling alley
While I did pay them to set up a party and provide us with food and fun, they assumed I was in charge and did nothing until I asked. I'm not use to this. No instructions. No "what is expected of the kids". No bowling guidelines. And the food was late (which was hard, since that was suppose to be the first order of business)! We did manage to keep the kids entertained by opening gifts. Little kids are almost as excited to give gifts as to receive them! It was cute.
The arcade
No, I did not know there were arcade games there. I would have brought quarters. Especially in light of the late food (see above).
Shoelaces
We had reservations about a couple of the kids that Brandon wanted to invite. The mere thought of those particular kids with bowling balls brought fear to our hearts. But never once did the horrific thought of shoelaces enter my mind! And how most kids Brandon's age have always worn velcro shoes and don't know how to tie shoelaces anymore! 20 shoes to tie. It took a while.
Shoes
No, I don't know all the sizes. Help! And returning them was another thing to keep in mind. Only one pair of shoes left the alley, which the parents returned later in the day.
In as much as I complain, we had a fun time. Brandon was so excited and happy he could hardly contain himself. Brian and I are grateful for the parents that stayed, since many kids needed a little help with aiming, bowling technique, and being told not to jump off the benches. The pizza was better than at most places, and we only left with 4 cupcakes!
And Brandon had his happy birthday party, which is what it was all about!
Over the summer the local bowling alley ran a $2.00 per game special if you got there before 5 pm. We went one day at 4:45 and the whole family did two games. Our total bill, including shoes, was $22.00, I think. It was cheap. It was fun. The kids had a blast all through game one, and about halfway through game two. It was a fun thing we did as a family. On the way home Brandon announced that he wanted to have his birthday party there - well, either the bowling alley or the roller skating rink. The bowling alley was closer, and Caitlin doesn't cry at the music like she does at the roller rink.
So, off we go.....
Even thought it was at the bowling alley, I still had to prepare a few things. Goody bags and cupcakes were on the agenda. I'm a little tired of goody bags. They may go out the door in the future. I just can't see the point! But I did them this time for posterity, complete with mini-bubbles and glow sticks! Then there were the cupcakes! I had forgotten until the evening before that I was in charge of bringing cake. It was easy to forget, as the general rule at the bowling alley is no outside food allowed, except cake during birthday parties. So, due to a lot of frozen butter and short supply of sugar, I was at Safeway this morning buying cupcakes. I left with 36 of them. Yes, you read that right. 36. We only had 11 kids there! I got in my car and started to back out of the parking space before realizing how unnecessary those numbers were and returned a dozen cupcakes! Luckily the store took them back! Probably because only 5 minutes had passed since I purchased them.
Other things, besides the cupcakes, that I seemed unprepared for:
The bowling alley
While I did pay them to set up a party and provide us with food and fun, they assumed I was in charge and did nothing until I asked. I'm not use to this. No instructions. No "what is expected of the kids". No bowling guidelines. And the food was late (which was hard, since that was suppose to be the first order of business)! We did manage to keep the kids entertained by opening gifts. Little kids are almost as excited to give gifts as to receive them! It was cute.
The arcade
No, I did not know there were arcade games there. I would have brought quarters. Especially in light of the late food (see above).
Shoelaces
We had reservations about a couple of the kids that Brandon wanted to invite. The mere thought of those particular kids with bowling balls brought fear to our hearts. But never once did the horrific thought of shoelaces enter my mind! And how most kids Brandon's age have always worn velcro shoes and don't know how to tie shoelaces anymore! 20 shoes to tie. It took a while.
Shoes
No, I don't know all the sizes. Help! And returning them was another thing to keep in mind. Only one pair of shoes left the alley, which the parents returned later in the day.
In as much as I complain, we had a fun time. Brandon was so excited and happy he could hardly contain himself. Brian and I are grateful for the parents that stayed, since many kids needed a little help with aiming, bowling technique, and being told not to jump off the benches. The pizza was better than at most places, and we only left with 4 cupcakes!
And Brandon had his happy birthday party, which is what it was all about!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Happy 6th Birthday, Brandon
Six years ago today, at this hour, I was probably in the hospital in labor with my firstborn. Aahh, what memories. Painful memories (in a literal sense).
This morning, while Brandon was getting dressed for school, his zipper got stuck. He struggled and struggled with it. When I offered to help, he retorted with "I totally *do not* need your help, Mom!"
So much for turning 6 today. I think he's turning 13 and is just really short for his age.
This morning, while Brandon was getting dressed for school, his zipper got stuck. He struggled and struggled with it. When I offered to help, he retorted with "I totally *do not* need your help, Mom!"
So much for turning 6 today. I think he's turning 13 and is just really short for his age.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Caitlin and the Dime
Tonight, as I was putting her diaper on for bed, Caitlin looked up at me with big, sorrowful eyes and said "Mommy, I don't want to talk to you." I wasn't sure why she would say that, so I treated it lightly and said "Why, honey. Don't you like me anymore?" Caitlin answered with "I love you Mommy. I just don't want to tell you." "Tell me what, sweetie." "That I swallowed the money."
A few minutes earlier Caitlin had found a Canadian dime on the floor. We didn't come home with much change, but we did have some change on us, and the kids took to it immediately. They get money from time to time, but have not put it in their mouths (at least not that I'm aware of).
So now I have a preschooler laying up in her room with a dime in her tummy. Should I be worried? There is no after-hours pediatric nurse at the pediatric office. Should I wait until morning to call? Should I try harder to find answers? Brandon didn't do stuff like this. Then again, Caitlin hasn't either. I just don't know.
I'll keep you updated.
A few minutes earlier Caitlin had found a Canadian dime on the floor. We didn't come home with much change, but we did have some change on us, and the kids took to it immediately. They get money from time to time, but have not put it in their mouths (at least not that I'm aware of).
So now I have a preschooler laying up in her room with a dime in her tummy. Should I be worried? There is no after-hours pediatric nurse at the pediatric office. Should I wait until morning to call? Should I try harder to find answers? Brandon didn't do stuff like this. Then again, Caitlin hasn't either. I just don't know.
I'll keep you updated.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
People Of Wal-Mart
People of Wal-Mart. Have you seen this one? Makes me feel very, very normal. And glad that I don't work at Wal-Mart.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Homework
Brandon has had one homework assignment so far - picking out a reading place in the house. He needed to do a good quality drawing of that place (according to the sheet), and answer several questions. The first question was "What room are you in?" (where is your special reading spot). His answer- "My bedroom". Another questions was "What will help you focus?" Brandon's answer - "my sister not in my room." Although I couldn't agree more, these were his unprompted words, not mine. My mom, a former preschool teacher, had a great idea of having Caitlin do her own homework, and got her a large basic skills comprehension book at Costco, with tear-out pages. Each time Brandon does his homework, Caitlin can do hers. Brandon has never really been excited about the prospect of homework, but Caitlin couldn't wait to do hers!! She was very intent on coloring all the yellow objects, and stayed inside the lines better than Brandon did at the same age.
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