Talk to you in 5 days. Pray for us. :)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Burnin' Ring of Fire
I haven't talked about the burning ring of fire. Which by the way I only call the burning ring of fire because it's a ring and I love that song and the song only should be sung for two things....hemorrhoids and crowning. but...it is a ring and is placed in my nether regions...so, there it is.
Remember my rantings about PMS symptoms. About the extremeness of it all. After talking to my doctor..her suggestions were the ring and also to up my dosage of zoloft. Now, I KNEW that my problem wasn't the zoloft but was in fact PMDD and after a couple of months of the ring I'd be a new woman.
Not so much. I mean, it did help with my PMDD but my PMDD had slowly started trickling into weeks 1,2 and 4 as well.
After a while of feeling like this I was able to self diagnose myself with seasonal depression. It seemed everyone had it.
I was crying all of the time. I didn't want to leave my house, shower, clean, make dinner. I had absolutely NO patience and I couldn't stop shoving my face with mostly sweet and carbohydrated items.
I knew that if the sun would just come out and spread warmth on to my rapidly growing body, life would go back to normal. I would be better. We went to Disneyland. it was mid 60's and that warm sun seemed to help. I really did feel a difference when I came home. But like the rest of the vitamins my body absorbs and then pisses out, the stored up vitamin D didn't last long either.
So a week ago....as I reached up in to the cupboard to serve myself my slow dose of happy and a few horse pills that I will absorb and piss out....I decided to up my dose of happy to ecstatic. Ecstatic being the highest you can go. It goes from content to smiley to happy to ecstatic, for those who don't know.
Part of the reason I didn't want to take a higher dose is because I know that this is the highest it goes. When I self diagnose myself with seasonal depression again...then what ? I mean, where do I go from there ?
I felt like my super controlling and easily angered personality was winning once again.
The next day. I had a few dizzy spells. but overall...I was back to my medicated easy going self. The one I wanted to be. Day 2 was calming and by day 3 I don't know if I would have become hysterical at my house going up in flames.
"oh, did you spill the entire box of cereal on the floor. and pull every piece of clothing out of the drawers AGAIN and throw them about your room and break my drawer standing in it after you threw all of my clothes out as well ALL while mommy was drying her hair? That's ok."
It's just that easy.
People change their hair color, their eye color.....the style of their clothes.....there is surgery if you don't like the look of your face or your body.
What's the difference for someone who wants to be a more easy going person. To change their personality.
I explained it to a friend like this. I could hold it together mostly on my own. Trying not to shout. Squeezing fists, digging my nails in to the palms of my hands when all I want to do is scream and yell and lock kids in closets. I can fake it to the faces of the people around me, that I've got it together....I'm happy....things are good....look at all of this energy. And inside I'm gripping my own collar bones trying to keep it together. Why live like that. Why hold it in when you can just exhale and enjoy (ie. pop a pill).
Thing is...I know that this will wear off and then I will be no closer to finding a real solution to this band-aid that I've got on. I'm just hoping that when that day comes I will at least be out of this everyone is so little stage. Everyone needs so much and can't do anything for themselves stage.
Sydney being able to wipe her own ass and make herself a sandwich and get herself a drink....OH MY GOD how nice is this. SO NICE !
(don't comment on how things change but stay hard...I get it. I know that it's not going to be easy streets in a couple of years...the challenges with 5 kids will still be there. Just let me live in this fantasy that I have framed and locked away in my medicated head for now, ok)
My mother just told me that my cousin had a blood clot in her lung in December (we just found this out and it's so weird that I now know 3 people in a matter of months to have pulmonary embolisms. Only 1 because of the ring though) and a good friend of hers, daughter, had a stroke because of it. She wants me off ?
I'm scared. I've heard scary stories about all contraceptives. They won't rip my girlie parts out. so where do you go ?
Anyone ? anyone ?
I remember feeling like a failure a big loser who couldn't handle things when deciding to take that first pill. Even when it was for post partum. You know what. I'm not a failure. I'm a happier person who lets my kids help stir the peanut butter and jelly together because even though it's messy and I don't really have the time. I know that this is what matters to them. Not a hysterical mommy who's always on edge. That little blue (now white) or 2 pills is the reason for this. Even if post partum isn't an issue anymore. I wouldn't know because I'm still having a love affair with them.
And I want to say Thank you. Thank you pills.
This is what mommy can do when she's on her ecstatic pills.
M is for Monster
Remember my rantings about PMS symptoms. About the extremeness of it all. After talking to my doctor..her suggestions were the ring and also to up my dosage of zoloft. Now, I KNEW that my problem wasn't the zoloft but was in fact PMDD and after a couple of months of the ring I'd be a new woman.
Not so much. I mean, it did help with my PMDD but my PMDD had slowly started trickling into weeks 1,2 and 4 as well.
After a while of feeling like this I was able to self diagnose myself with seasonal depression. It seemed everyone had it.
I was crying all of the time. I didn't want to leave my house, shower, clean, make dinner. I had absolutely NO patience and I couldn't stop shoving my face with mostly sweet and carbohydrated items.
I knew that if the sun would just come out and spread warmth on to my rapidly growing body, life would go back to normal. I would be better. We went to Disneyland. it was mid 60's and that warm sun seemed to help. I really did feel a difference when I came home. But like the rest of the vitamins my body absorbs and then pisses out, the stored up vitamin D didn't last long either.
So a week ago....as I reached up in to the cupboard to serve myself my slow dose of happy and a few horse pills that I will absorb and piss out....I decided to up my dose of happy to ecstatic. Ecstatic being the highest you can go. It goes from content to smiley to happy to ecstatic, for those who don't know.
Part of the reason I didn't want to take a higher dose is because I know that this is the highest it goes. When I self diagnose myself with seasonal depression again...then what ? I mean, where do I go from there ?
I felt like my super controlling and easily angered personality was winning once again.
The next day. I had a few dizzy spells. but overall...I was back to my medicated easy going self. The one I wanted to be. Day 2 was calming and by day 3 I don't know if I would have become hysterical at my house going up in flames.
"oh, did you spill the entire box of cereal on the floor. and pull every piece of clothing out of the drawers AGAIN and throw them about your room and break my drawer standing in it after you threw all of my clothes out as well ALL while mommy was drying her hair? That's ok."
It's just that easy.
People change their hair color, their eye color.....the style of their clothes.....there is surgery if you don't like the look of your face or your body.
What's the difference for someone who wants to be a more easy going person. To change their personality.
I explained it to a friend like this. I could hold it together mostly on my own. Trying not to shout. Squeezing fists, digging my nails in to the palms of my hands when all I want to do is scream and yell and lock kids in closets. I can fake it to the faces of the people around me, that I've got it together....I'm happy....things are good....look at all of this energy. And inside I'm gripping my own collar bones trying to keep it together. Why live like that. Why hold it in when you can just exhale and enjoy (ie. pop a pill).
Thing is...I know that this will wear off and then I will be no closer to finding a real solution to this band-aid that I've got on. I'm just hoping that when that day comes I will at least be out of this everyone is so little stage. Everyone needs so much and can't do anything for themselves stage.
Sydney being able to wipe her own ass and make herself a sandwich and get herself a drink....OH MY GOD how nice is this. SO NICE !
(don't comment on how things change but stay hard...I get it. I know that it's not going to be easy streets in a couple of years...the challenges with 5 kids will still be there. Just let me live in this fantasy that I have framed and locked away in my medicated head for now, ok)
My mother just told me that my cousin had a blood clot in her lung in December (we just found this out and it's so weird that I now know 3 people in a matter of months to have pulmonary embolisms. Only 1 because of the ring though) and a good friend of hers, daughter, had a stroke because of it. She wants me off ?
I'm scared. I've heard scary stories about all contraceptives. They won't rip my girlie parts out. so where do you go ?
Anyone ? anyone ?
I remember feeling like a failure a big loser who couldn't handle things when deciding to take that first pill. Even when it was for post partum. You know what. I'm not a failure. I'm a happier person who lets my kids help stir the peanut butter and jelly together because even though it's messy and I don't really have the time. I know that this is what matters to them. Not a hysterical mommy who's always on edge. That little blue (now white) or 2 pills is the reason for this. Even if post partum isn't an issue anymore. I wouldn't know because I'm still having a love affair with them.
And I want to say Thank you. Thank you pills.
This is what mommy can do when she's on her ecstatic pills.
M is for Monster
We are working on sensory issues with Cam.
Spencer doesn't have sensory issues :)
If you tell Cam it looks like Snowman poop....he doesn't either.
Sorting by shapes and colors.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Movie Monday
I'm gonna get in trouble with this one. Think of this though, while reading my mostly biased critiquing of these movies. I am just a stay at home, extremely brain dead mom...who NEVER gets out and who's television viewing is limited to that of Word Girl and Wow Wow Wubzy.
I'll start with the punch in the stomach and then leave you with something lighter...that way you don't leave all pissed off. Or maybe you do. I'm sorry.
New Moon.
It's the 2nd part to the twilight saga. The movie that everyone rushed to see. That people slept out for...outside.....like black friday, only it was on a Saturday, to buy on DVD. We watched it. hmm ? Lets just say that if you asked me who wrote this movie....I would have guessed that it were a Mormon, stay at home mom, with no experience in writing a book or movie.
There were a few points in the movie that the dialogue seemed so scripted. And the repetitive dialogue of her telling him...I want to be one of you. No, I'll never let you. But I want to be with you. No, I'll never let you, got extremely old.
My opinion. I didn't love New moon. I think it's a movie geared to 15-25 crowd and I would never let my 15 year old watch it. I will watch the last one though because that's just the way I am. :)
A friend of mine who actually read the series though, said it was good. I think that may have been my number one problem, I didn't read the books. Maybe not. Maybe is just me. Maybe it was the hype built up around it...and that it was supposed to be better than the first one.
Ok, understand that my expectations are much higher for New Moon and some of the other movies I review given that they are box office hits. I can in no way compare new moon to the gay movies I critique. So saying that New Moon sucked but that I liked Claire of the moon....well that's just crazy.
So now telling you that I liked She likes girls 4 : tomboys and tough girls, is probably going to ruin any reputable opinion I had with you up to now, right ? ha ha
It's true though.
She likes girls 4 : tomboys and tough girls
This movie TOTALLY sounds like something you'd buy for 4.99 at the local Days Inn. but interestingly enough it was really good and not at all porno 101.
I didn't even know there were 1-3 when I put it in my Netflix queue. I just added it when it came up as a suggestion on the gay and lesbian section.
It's a series of shorts. None were cheaply done. They were a little sundancey, but personally I think most of these gay movies are.
Some were more subtle and some were just funny.
Either way, neither J nor I felt like it was a wasted night at the movies.
I also immediately went upstairs to add 1-3 to my queue.
My opinion. Watch it.
The opposite of sex
I know what you are thinking. I got it just because the word sex was in it. Not at all. I did move it up on my queue because the word sex was in it. but also because Christina Ricci and Lisa Kudrow were in it.
I don't know how many people have watched the movie Freeway, with Reese Witherspoon. Or the movie Natural Born killers. Not that it's all violent like these movies...but it leaves you with the same disturbed feeling afterwards.
Strange movie.
Christina Ricci leaves home and moves in with her gay brother and his partner and then starts screwing everything up.
My opinion. Watch it if you liked Freeway. (I owned Freeway at one time. I loved the lines in that movie and still use them on occasion. "just keep talkin' Bob aint nobody listenin" FREEWAY has some gay in it...I TOTALLY need to review it. Add it to the list.)
Puccini for beginners
A movie about a girl who just breaks up with her girlfriend and then starts having an affair with both a man and a woman. At the same time. but not at the "SAME" time. It's a 3 way of sorts :)
I didn't mind the affair with the man in this because it's Justin Kirk from Weeds who I love. (Weeds is great if you haven't watched it. Start from the beginning or you'll hate it)
It's cute and it has a happily ever after ending (sorry if that ruined it for you...I look forward to these)
My opinion. Watch it.
Brushfire
I don't even remember a lot of this movie. This is what I do recall, Low Low Low budget. shorts.
My opinion. Terrible. Don't waste the time.
Drifting Flowers
This is 3 stories woven in to each other. It takes place in Taiwan. It is subtitled not so that you would mind it.
The main story takes place around a blind woman who falls for a lesbian musician who plays for her (she sings). Her young sister whom she is responsible for gets jealous because she too falls for the musician (as we all fell for our teachers and such, not sexual)
The ending is a little strange and I wished it would have had a more cut and dry happily ever after.
My opinion. Watch it on a weekend when you have nothing to do and no expectations.
That's it. That's all she wrote.
Please don't leave me hate mail if you happen to be a person who has a Twilight bumper sticker.
Honestly. We don't have to agree on the same movies. Well except for the classics like Beaches, Life as a House, Blindside and Return to me. Them are indisputably GREAT movies. :)
I'll start with the punch in the stomach and then leave you with something lighter...that way you don't leave all pissed off. Or maybe you do. I'm sorry.
New Moon.
It's the 2nd part to the twilight saga. The movie that everyone rushed to see. That people slept out for...outside.....like black friday, only it was on a Saturday, to buy on DVD. We watched it. hmm ? Lets just say that if you asked me who wrote this movie....I would have guessed that it were a Mormon, stay at home mom, with no experience in writing a book or movie.
There were a few points in the movie that the dialogue seemed so scripted. And the repetitive dialogue of her telling him...I want to be one of you. No, I'll never let you. But I want to be with you. No, I'll never let you, got extremely old.
My opinion. I didn't love New moon. I think it's a movie geared to 15-25 crowd and I would never let my 15 year old watch it. I will watch the last one though because that's just the way I am. :)
A friend of mine who actually read the series though, said it was good. I think that may have been my number one problem, I didn't read the books. Maybe not. Maybe is just me. Maybe it was the hype built up around it...and that it was supposed to be better than the first one.
Ok, understand that my expectations are much higher for New Moon and some of the other movies I review given that they are box office hits. I can in no way compare new moon to the gay movies I critique. So saying that New Moon sucked but that I liked Claire of the moon....well that's just crazy.
So now telling you that I liked She likes girls 4 : tomboys and tough girls, is probably going to ruin any reputable opinion I had with you up to now, right ? ha ha
It's true though.
She likes girls 4 : tomboys and tough girls
This movie TOTALLY sounds like something you'd buy for 4.99 at the local Days Inn. but interestingly enough it was really good and not at all porno 101.
I didn't even know there were 1-3 when I put it in my Netflix queue. I just added it when it came up as a suggestion on the gay and lesbian section.
It's a series of shorts. None were cheaply done. They were a little sundancey, but personally I think most of these gay movies are.
Some were more subtle and some were just funny.
Either way, neither J nor I felt like it was a wasted night at the movies.
I also immediately went upstairs to add 1-3 to my queue.
My opinion. Watch it.
The opposite of sex
I know what you are thinking. I got it just because the word sex was in it. Not at all. I did move it up on my queue because the word sex was in it. but also because Christina Ricci and Lisa Kudrow were in it.
I don't know how many people have watched the movie Freeway, with Reese Witherspoon. Or the movie Natural Born killers. Not that it's all violent like these movies...but it leaves you with the same disturbed feeling afterwards.
Strange movie.
Christina Ricci leaves home and moves in with her gay brother and his partner and then starts screwing everything up.
My opinion. Watch it if you liked Freeway. (I owned Freeway at one time. I loved the lines in that movie and still use them on occasion. "just keep talkin' Bob aint nobody listenin" FREEWAY has some gay in it...I TOTALLY need to review it. Add it to the list.)
Puccini for beginners
A movie about a girl who just breaks up with her girlfriend and then starts having an affair with both a man and a woman. At the same time. but not at the "SAME" time. It's a 3 way of sorts :)
I didn't mind the affair with the man in this because it's Justin Kirk from Weeds who I love. (Weeds is great if you haven't watched it. Start from the beginning or you'll hate it)
It's cute and it has a happily ever after ending (sorry if that ruined it for you...I look forward to these)
My opinion. Watch it.
Brushfire
I don't even remember a lot of this movie. This is what I do recall, Low Low Low budget. shorts.
My opinion. Terrible. Don't waste the time.
Drifting Flowers
This is 3 stories woven in to each other. It takes place in Taiwan. It is subtitled not so that you would mind it.
The main story takes place around a blind woman who falls for a lesbian musician who plays for her (she sings). Her young sister whom she is responsible for gets jealous because she too falls for the musician (as we all fell for our teachers and such, not sexual)
The ending is a little strange and I wished it would have had a more cut and dry happily ever after.
My opinion. Watch it on a weekend when you have nothing to do and no expectations.
That's it. That's all she wrote.
Please don't leave me hate mail if you happen to be a person who has a Twilight bumper sticker.
Honestly. We don't have to agree on the same movies. Well except for the classics like Beaches, Life as a House, Blindside and Return to me. Them are indisputably GREAT movies. :)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
WRONG wordless Wednesday !
I just now opened my blog and realized that the wrong wordless Wednesday was posted. hee hee
Not so much a wordless wednesday now is it.
Not so much a wordless wednesday now is it.
You can lead a child to vegetables....
Monday, March 22, 2010
I'm sorry, I didn't hear you...twat did you say.
A conversation between me and the wife a mere moment ago.
J- Can you pop my back. (lays on her stomach on the floor)
K- (feeling along her back bone. (I know you won't believe me...but I can seriously feel where it's out and when I tell her, J will confirm that this is the point of her pain)) Take a deep breath. (pushing on her back with no training and with all of my strength) ok, again. ( I do this a few times and then we hear the big pop...sometimes I get a TON of cracking...it's so fun)
J- That was it.
K- Wait, roll over. I'm not done.
J- No, really. That was it. I don't want you to hurt me.
K- I'm not gonna hurt you (pshaw) I'm only here to help you.
J- Don't hurt my neck.
K- J, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm SO good at this. I should be a gynecologist.
That really is for a different post a different day.
Goodnight.
J- Can you pop my back. (lays on her stomach on the floor)
K- (feeling along her back bone. (I know you won't believe me...but I can seriously feel where it's out and when I tell her, J will confirm that this is the point of her pain)) Take a deep breath. (pushing on her back with no training and with all of my strength) ok, again. ( I do this a few times and then we hear the big pop...sometimes I get a TON of cracking...it's so fun)
J- That was it.
K- Wait, roll over. I'm not done.
J- No, really. That was it. I don't want you to hurt me.
K- I'm not gonna hurt you (pshaw) I'm only here to help you.
J- Don't hurt my neck.
K- J, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm SO good at this. I should be a gynecologist.
That really is for a different post a different day.
Goodnight.
Sydney's very unbirthday birthday party :)
We planned to have this great unbirthday Alice in wonderland kind of birthday party for Syd and some of her closest girlfriends.
We were originally going to stay in the hotel presidential suite downtown. Take Syd's friends to see the new Alice in Wonderland movie and then have a tea party back at the room. Swim maybe. Pizza. Watch the original movie and end with a sleepover in the hotel.
GOD doesn't that sound fun.
Well then we went to Disneyland which is WAY more fun....and it didn't matter because this was all planned MONTHS ago and as the movie got closer to release we realized we couldn't take Syd to it. I don't want to be up with her any more than I already am at night. Sensitive this one.
SOOOO. we planned an "original" alice in wonderland unbirthday party. We had this whole idea to build a tunnel going from our back door doggy door to the garage door doggy door. maybe 8 ft long. and have them crawl through it, like it was the rabbit hole. When they emerged in the backyard there would be chinese lanterns and butterflies hanging and a table for tea. Well our wonderful 60 degree day came. and it was 60 degrees. however it was a kite flying kind of day and we didn't want our chinese lanterns or the sandwiches to end up at the next door neighbors house.
So we had an impromtu change of plans and everything was set up downstairs.
We used one piece of the tunnel and put up a blanket in the doorway to the playroom and had everyone crawl through it instead.
I dressed up like the female "savers" dressed mad hatter. and did everything from squirt one of the girls right in the eye with silly string to let them all drink out of tea cups, only to yell "clean cups, move down, clean cups" and they would all change seats.
We played a few games and then we were able to sit and visit with the moms. It was a lot of fun. We barely pulled it off, but we did it and I'm glad we did.
blah blah blah.....and now PICTURRRRRES !
We were originally going to stay in the hotel presidential suite downtown. Take Syd's friends to see the new Alice in Wonderland movie and then have a tea party back at the room. Swim maybe. Pizza. Watch the original movie and end with a sleepover in the hotel.
GOD doesn't that sound fun.
Well then we went to Disneyland which is WAY more fun....and it didn't matter because this was all planned MONTHS ago and as the movie got closer to release we realized we couldn't take Syd to it. I don't want to be up with her any more than I already am at night. Sensitive this one.
SOOOO. we planned an "original" alice in wonderland unbirthday party. We had this whole idea to build a tunnel going from our back door doggy door to the garage door doggy door. maybe 8 ft long. and have them crawl through it, like it was the rabbit hole. When they emerged in the backyard there would be chinese lanterns and butterflies hanging and a table for tea. Well our wonderful 60 degree day came. and it was 60 degrees. however it was a kite flying kind of day and we didn't want our chinese lanterns or the sandwiches to end up at the next door neighbors house.
So we had an impromtu change of plans and everything was set up downstairs.
We used one piece of the tunnel and put up a blanket in the doorway to the playroom and had everyone crawl through it instead.
I dressed up like the female "savers" dressed mad hatter. and did everything from squirt one of the girls right in the eye with silly string to let them all drink out of tea cups, only to yell "clean cups, move down, clean cups" and they would all change seats.
We played a few games and then we were able to sit and visit with the moms. It was a lot of fun. We barely pulled it off, but we did it and I'm glad we did.
blah blah blah.....and now PICTURRRRRES !
making our mad hatter hats before the tea party
Tea party right after the silly string fight (it was supposed to be outside remember, but what is a party without silly string I ask you. No really. what kind of a party doesn't have silly string ?)
I call this..."At 6, I'm already embarassed of my mother"
and I like how Syd's friend's smile is similar to the Cheshire cat behind her :) ha ha
This is during one of our several "clean cups, move down" episodes...and also to show you my SuhWEEET outfit.
I suppose this picture works too.
SERIOUSLY, am I the only one with this face in 9 out of 10 pictures. Good hell.
Well, it is a MAD hatter tea party. Show me MAD
GOOD mad, right ?
Not so mad. kind of holding back a laugh mad.
This is past mad and to the, I'll go crazy on your ass, mad.
This picture is titled simply, "Defiance" Because when I ask her to smile she frowns, show me mad and I get a sandwich smile.
And of course the girlie girl purses and makeup and heart shaped pillows that Syd was thrilled about.
Thanks everyone for coming and sharing this special day with us.
Next year we're going to classic skating.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Dun dah duh dun !
My first ever....layered - chocolate/chocolate cake.
After I put all of the ingredients away...I added 3 eggs, water and oil and mixed on medium for 2 minutes. :) twice. as it was a 4 layer cake.
Pictorially skipped steps : cut to level, froze (cakes are MUCH easier and less crumby to work with when they are frozen) iced, spread, spread, spread, spread,
A present was pushed in to the side of the cake and it had to be fixed....so it's not perfect. but it's my first time EVER and I was proud and Sydney was happy :)
While I was frosting it Syd came in from playing out back and said, "WOW mom ! That looks great. Thank you for making my cake mom." SUCH a thoughtful little person.
The end.
Syd looking at her new fairy plant and grow garden she got from her Aunt.
Her brothers ;-) picked out the perfection and operation game.
J and I loved those games when we were little. (what ? they were picked for her not for us. jeeze)
Syd woke up this morning and immediately started playing. Success !
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
It's not that I feel like...HOLY SHIT ! Wasn't she 2 a few days ago ? When did she turn six ?
In fact, it feels like it's been, well, 6 years since that little person came in to our lives.
6 full and fun and very busy years.
We have been asking Sydney what she wants for her birthday for months. She thinks and thinks but hasn't been able to come up with ANYTHING. Well, anything but a chocolate cake. Like the one on Matilda. The one that Miss. Trenchbull makes the fat kid eat in front of the whole school. And also like the ones on Pollyanna. The ones they make and take to the carnival. (pictures to come. it will be my first layered cake)
So the other night I'm laying by her in bed, talking high's and low's and putting good thoughts in to her head.
I asked her again...."what do you hope your friends get you for your birthday?" This is also helpful for when I'm asked...what does Syd want? I'm armed with good ideas.
She laid there quiet and then giggled and said nervously...."I can't tell you. I'm too embarrassed"
Well that sparked my interest. I know she wanted a kissing boy from the tooth fairy. what next ?
"Syd, you can tell me."
I almost had her...and then she squealed and covered her face with her hands and said once more, "I can't tell you....I just can't"
So I played along, "ok. well when you are ready to tell me (knowing she would) I'll be here."
"Oh, OK ! I want a bra." throwing her arms over her face and hiding. emerges quickly and adds, "and boobs, with milk in them."
OH GOOD LORD ! I don't remember wanting boobs at this age. I didn't get them until I had kids for hell sakes. That's a long time for this little person to want boobs. (if she has my genes)
I told her about when I asked my mom for my first bra. I was going in to Jr. High. All of my friends had them. A lot of them needed them. sadly I did not. I was sick of rolling my undershirt up to look like a bra so I sat in the car....wringing my hands....on our way to Fred Meyer to buy some new school clothes....waiting for the perfect moment to ask...and then I just blurted it out. "MomcanIhaveabra"
her response, "Why?" I was so embarrassed and had nothing else to say.
I got one. :) a training bra. with a little pink flower right in the middle. I wore it until I was 28 :) ha ha
While in Disneyland Syd fell in love with a Jessie doll. (from toy story) Now, Syd doesn't play with dolls. or barbies. or pet shops. or anything collectable and cute that every other 6 year old girl collects and plays with. UGH.
So she showed interest in this Jessie doll. She had 10.00 that her grandma gave her to buy anything she wanted. Jessie was 25.00. After 3 days of asking for it and wondering how she could scrape up that last 15.00...we decided to buy it for her for her birthday. And because J is her mother....she's had it since we bought it.
She hasn't left Jessie out of ANYTHING. She sleeps with her. Eats with her. Takes her in the car. LOVES Jessie. She has talked about her like she's real for the first time. NONE of her stuffed animals, dolls, anything have been alive. I would say to her as she'd throw a doll in to her room carelessly, smacking it's head against her nightstand, "Careful sis...you don't want to hurt her" Syd would say very matter of factly, "mom, she's not real. she's a doll. she can't feel anything"
She's been saying this since she was old enough to talk. ha ha
I hope she has a good birthday. I'm making her green pancakes with a candle to blow out. We are going to grandma's to share dinner (her favorite, white spaghetti(butter and parm cheese) we'll eat ours with sauce :) and my first ever layered chocolate cake. J's mom and sister will come too. It's gonna be a big celebration I tell ya. Huge. :)
I'm not trying to rush it. but it is so much fun to watch her grow and evolve. I always wonder what kind of a person she will be when she's older.
She's the sweetest little person. and I can honestly say....she is my most favorite little girl in the whole wide world. EVER. I love her to infinity and beyond, clear past the stars and all the planets, clear til it's not dark anymore and back. (when she says that. I never try and beat it. :) but I love her even more than that)
Happy Birthday Syd. I love everybody. ;-)
In fact, it feels like it's been, well, 6 years since that little person came in to our lives.
6 full and fun and very busy years.
We have been asking Sydney what she wants for her birthday for months. She thinks and thinks but hasn't been able to come up with ANYTHING. Well, anything but a chocolate cake. Like the one on Matilda. The one that Miss. Trenchbull makes the fat kid eat in front of the whole school. And also like the ones on Pollyanna. The ones they make and take to the carnival. (pictures to come. it will be my first layered cake)
So the other night I'm laying by her in bed, talking high's and low's and putting good thoughts in to her head.
I asked her again...."what do you hope your friends get you for your birthday?" This is also helpful for when I'm asked...what does Syd want? I'm armed with good ideas.
She laid there quiet and then giggled and said nervously...."I can't tell you. I'm too embarrassed"
Well that sparked my interest. I know she wanted a kissing boy from the tooth fairy. what next ?
"Syd, you can tell me."
I almost had her...and then she squealed and covered her face with her hands and said once more, "I can't tell you....I just can't"
So I played along, "ok. well when you are ready to tell me (knowing she would) I'll be here."
"Oh, OK ! I want a bra." throwing her arms over her face and hiding. emerges quickly and adds, "and boobs, with milk in them."
OH GOOD LORD ! I don't remember wanting boobs at this age. I didn't get them until I had kids for hell sakes. That's a long time for this little person to want boobs. (if she has my genes)
I told her about when I asked my mom for my first bra. I was going in to Jr. High. All of my friends had them. A lot of them needed them. sadly I did not. I was sick of rolling my undershirt up to look like a bra so I sat in the car....wringing my hands....on our way to Fred Meyer to buy some new school clothes....waiting for the perfect moment to ask...and then I just blurted it out. "MomcanIhaveabra"
her response, "Why?" I was so embarrassed and had nothing else to say.
I got one. :) a training bra. with a little pink flower right in the middle. I wore it until I was 28 :) ha ha
While in Disneyland Syd fell in love with a Jessie doll. (from toy story) Now, Syd doesn't play with dolls. or barbies. or pet shops. or anything collectable and cute that every other 6 year old girl collects and plays with. UGH.
So she showed interest in this Jessie doll. She had 10.00 that her grandma gave her to buy anything she wanted. Jessie was 25.00. After 3 days of asking for it and wondering how she could scrape up that last 15.00...we decided to buy it for her for her birthday. And because J is her mother....she's had it since we bought it.
She hasn't left Jessie out of ANYTHING. She sleeps with her. Eats with her. Takes her in the car. LOVES Jessie. She has talked about her like she's real for the first time. NONE of her stuffed animals, dolls, anything have been alive. I would say to her as she'd throw a doll in to her room carelessly, smacking it's head against her nightstand, "Careful sis...you don't want to hurt her" Syd would say very matter of factly, "mom, she's not real. she's a doll. she can't feel anything"
She's been saying this since she was old enough to talk. ha ha
I hope she has a good birthday. I'm making her green pancakes with a candle to blow out. We are going to grandma's to share dinner (her favorite, white spaghetti(butter and parm cheese) we'll eat ours with sauce :) and my first ever layered chocolate cake. J's mom and sister will come too. It's gonna be a big celebration I tell ya. Huge. :)
I'm not trying to rush it. but it is so much fun to watch her grow and evolve. I always wonder what kind of a person she will be when she's older.
She's the sweetest little person. and I can honestly say....she is my most favorite little girl in the whole wide world. EVER. I love her to infinity and beyond, clear past the stars and all the planets, clear til it's not dark anymore and back. (when she says that. I never try and beat it. :) but I love her even more than that)
Happy Birthday Syd. I love everybody. ;-)
Monday, March 15, 2010
Picking up the pieces of Disneyland
I did want to finish up my Disneyland ideas post. AND I have 2 movies to tell you about...as it is a Monday.
Money Savers
It is much cheaper to buy a 7 day park hopper pass and share it than it is to buy a 3 or 4 day park hopper pass alone.
You can go on ebay, craigs list, KSL (for the local folks) and search. You will find lots of people selling them. Plan your trip dates. go online and find passes that will correspond with your itinerary and then buy them.
They buy the tickets (or you could and risk selling off the extra days) go to Disneyland the apr1st-5th, then they give them to you. You use them the remainder 3 days. (I think you have a total of 12 days to use them once purchased) It's a win win really :)
Now I have heard warnings of fraud with this. Check the persons ratings. Make sure that they have positive feedback before buying them. We have done this twice now and it's worked out great for us both times.
You will have to arrange to meet them or have them left at the hotel front desk to pick up once you are there. but it sure saves you a lot of money this way.
When getting a hotel...think about getting one with a kitchen. Not a kitchenette wich is a mini microwave and a tiny little fridge that would barely fit a 1/2 gallon of milk.
They can be more expensive daily. but if you take in to consideration how much money you'll save on food, it's worth it.
Feeding our crew in Disney was no less than $80.00 for ONE MEAL ! You'll probably eat there. but you don't have to eat every meal out this way.
Hell, even McDonalds was $50.00 there.
We planned our menu items. made a grocery list and then went shopping once we were there. It really is also a must with little ones who drink a lot of milk still.
They have all of the stuff you need, i.e. pots and pans, dishes, silverware and baking utensils. There's a microwave (bring popcorn) and a dishwasher. It's GREAT !
We brought cups and plates for the babies....the dishes don't bounce as well as ours.
We had cereal and mac n cheese, chicken nuggets (a must, right ?) sandwiches and we even made pancakes while we were there.
Now, Chaos was much better prepared. They brought the frozen pancakes and the little sandwiches that are already made. I will TOTALLY do that next time.
You can take food into Disney. Pack a lunch. Make sure to pack lots of snacks. Pack drinks. An apple is like 2.50 in the park. (save it for the 4.00 churros :)
Disney magic
If you want to run into all of the characters....go with Chaos. I don't know how they managed it, but I'll be damned if they didn't see everyone cool the second they walked in to Disney. It was as if they were waiting for them to arrive. :)
I can't tell you about the character meals, although I've heard they are great and it's a good way to get a little more one on one with the characters. $$$ though. There's also a beauty shop that you can have your little girls primped and pressed like a princess. Not for us.
The 2 things that I can HIGHLY recommend is this.
FAST PASSES BABY ! We just learned about them this trip. I don't know why more people don't take advantage.
There are rides that offer a "fast pass"...basically there is the regular lines and then there are the lines for the "fast pass" ticket holders. Those tickets take you right to the front of the line and on the ride.
In order to get a fast pass you take your disney tickets and swipe them into the machine (near the entrance of the ride) it will spit out a fast pass ticket. There will be a time posted above that tells you when those tickets are good. Usually it's about an hour later.
Once that hour has passed you are able to use your disney tickets to get another fast pass for another ride. (your disney ticket will only let you get one fast pass at a time)
The advice here is this. You do not have to use the fast pass tickets at the time that is listed. You just have to use them AFTER that time.
So. You can go up to a ride and get a fast pass ticket. Then, go play and ride the other rides that don't have long lines or don't offer fast passes and shop. THEN once you are able to use your disney ticket to get another fast pass ticket (once that original fast pass time has elapsed)...go to another ride and get a fast pass ticket for that ride. Collect them as you go.
LATER. when the park is crazy and the lines are long....you now have a pocket full of VIP fast pass tickets that put you at the front of each and every line.
It's like being in a wheel chair baby.
OH ALSO. They have tickets for the otha motha. Ok, so if you have a baby and can't both go on a ride because someone has to stay back with the little ones. You can get a switch pass from one of the employees. This works like a fast pass only you don't have to wait for a time, just for your partner to return from the ride so that you can go without waiting in the long line all over again.
We did this at the tower of terror. The pass is good for you and one other person. So I waited back with Cam and the babies. J, Spencer and Syd all went and then when they were done Me and Cam (and Syd...the guy was cool and let her go again) went. MY KIDS LOVED that ride by the way.
Make sure you have the schedule (you can get it online) for the parades. The pixar parade (California side) is not every day. It really is a must to catch the parades on both the California side and the Disney side. One of the greatest things about Disneyland is their employees. There's not a one that can't answer your questions. Whether it be where the closest bathroom is or where the parade starts they know it all.
The fireworks are also scheduled differently. When we went they were only on the weekends. Figure out which day works best and then take a blanket that day. Lay it out about an hour before hand. Stay pretty close or leave someone there....people will move your blanket or push it over. Some might even sit on it :)
Park yourself right up by the castle. About 20-30 minutes before the fireworks start it packs in like sardines. Seriously. We got yelled at for going in front of the rope to get back to our spot. There would have been NO WAY to get there otherwise. I wished we would have gone back to our spot before so that we didn't have to deal with the stress. Sitting for a while would have been easier.
I think that's all of the advice I have for you.
Oh...our boys just met the height requirement for most of the big rides 40". I'm so glad we waited to go because they loved going on all of the bigger rides.
Disney rocked. I hated it when I was young. I don't remember enjoying it at all and I think it's because we went with someone who didn't know anything. I remember waiting in line for over an hour for like 2 rides. mmmm. I think that was all we did there.
Oh and I found out Mary Poppins wasn't REALLY Mary Poppins and the whole thing was a farce and that was the final straw.
The Goods
I don't really have the goods on our new blogger in real life friends Carey and Steph. I wish I could tell you something super juicy and dramatic. (lips are zipped) ;-) hee hee JK.
I will say....reading their blog I put personalities on them and when meeting them in real life it was all backwards. I took Steph for the super mellow semi soft spoken one. I thought Carey would be the strong minded and less soft spoken one. Totally opposite. :)
I also didn't know how comfortable it would be....they are a little crunchy....and structured. I was worried that I would feel a little judged if my kids ate McDonalds for lunch and played with plastic, battery operated toys. ha ha
SO NOT THE CASE. They are awesome. They believe that whatever works for your family is great for your family and they don't judge you for it. Well unless it was hurting your child. I'm sure that wouldn't be ok with any of us. Or if you bring a huge big chocolate cake into Disneyland. ha ha
I have found from reading their blog that they have ALL of this vast knowledge of information in regards to raising children. I mean, a child therapist and pediatrician. Can it get any better. They have used this training and the mountains of information at hand to decide what works for their family and what is important to them. They use their blog to share this information. I have sometimes felt worse when reading about some of the concepts they use. Which makes no sense at all....I guess I felt like because they are the "trained professionals" if I wasn't using that same method, then I was doing it wrong. I couldn't be more wrong. (they said it themselves :)
They have these awesome tools and share it with us to use or to think about for free. I love that.
We had so much fun putting the kids to bed and then sharing a glass(es) of wine and just talking with them for hours.
PLUS. they chased my kids down the hall and stairs a couple of times. (next time we are bringing a gate)
I'm a huge fan of theirs. Bigger now after meeting them.
oh. and I still want to steal Little Miss.
On to Monday Movie Madness (thunder, lightening)
Sorry to burst your bubble. I got nothin really.
Butch Jamie.
The title says it all really. A movie about a butch woman who wants to be an actress. She "dresses" up like a girlie girl to try and get parts but fails. because she looks scary and talks like a man. She then lands a roll as a guy. Dates a straight girl from the cast. Comes out. and ends up back where she started.
My opinion : terrible. Don't bother.
Alice in Wonderland
It's about Alice grown up, returning to wonderland to help with the fall of the Queen of hearts.
The special effects rocked. I especially LOVED Helena Bonham Carter, who played the queen of hearts. How did they make her head look so big ?
My opinion : It was fine. I really did like the special effects. I wish they didn't have the couple of violent scenes in it so that it could be viewed by the younger crowd. (although there were a few little kids in the theater...who does that?)
I've heard the 3-D rocks. I can't watch 3-D, but I do think it would be awesome to see it in 3-D if you can stand watching it.
So, if you can watch it in 3-D....go to the theater...other wise, wait to rent it.
I want to know the names of you who actually read this post in it's entirety. I will be sending you a gift card. :)
Money Savers
It is much cheaper to buy a 7 day park hopper pass and share it than it is to buy a 3 or 4 day park hopper pass alone.
You can go on ebay, craigs list, KSL (for the local folks) and search. You will find lots of people selling them. Plan your trip dates. go online and find passes that will correspond with your itinerary and then buy them.
They buy the tickets (or you could and risk selling off the extra days) go to Disneyland the apr1st-5th, then they give them to you. You use them the remainder 3 days. (I think you have a total of 12 days to use them once purchased) It's a win win really :)
Now I have heard warnings of fraud with this. Check the persons ratings. Make sure that they have positive feedback before buying them. We have done this twice now and it's worked out great for us both times.
You will have to arrange to meet them or have them left at the hotel front desk to pick up once you are there. but it sure saves you a lot of money this way.
When getting a hotel...think about getting one with a kitchen. Not a kitchenette wich is a mini microwave and a tiny little fridge that would barely fit a 1/2 gallon of milk.
They can be more expensive daily. but if you take in to consideration how much money you'll save on food, it's worth it.
Feeding our crew in Disney was no less than $80.00 for ONE MEAL ! You'll probably eat there. but you don't have to eat every meal out this way.
Hell, even McDonalds was $50.00 there.
We planned our menu items. made a grocery list and then went shopping once we were there. It really is also a must with little ones who drink a lot of milk still.
They have all of the stuff you need, i.e. pots and pans, dishes, silverware and baking utensils. There's a microwave (bring popcorn) and a dishwasher. It's GREAT !
We brought cups and plates for the babies....the dishes don't bounce as well as ours.
We had cereal and mac n cheese, chicken nuggets (a must, right ?) sandwiches and we even made pancakes while we were there.
Now, Chaos was much better prepared. They brought the frozen pancakes and the little sandwiches that are already made. I will TOTALLY do that next time.
You can take food into Disney. Pack a lunch. Make sure to pack lots of snacks. Pack drinks. An apple is like 2.50 in the park. (save it for the 4.00 churros :)
Disney magic
If you want to run into all of the characters....go with Chaos. I don't know how they managed it, but I'll be damned if they didn't see everyone cool the second they walked in to Disney. It was as if they were waiting for them to arrive. :)
I can't tell you about the character meals, although I've heard they are great and it's a good way to get a little more one on one with the characters. $$$ though. There's also a beauty shop that you can have your little girls primped and pressed like a princess. Not for us.
The 2 things that I can HIGHLY recommend is this.
FAST PASSES BABY ! We just learned about them this trip. I don't know why more people don't take advantage.
There are rides that offer a "fast pass"...basically there is the regular lines and then there are the lines for the "fast pass" ticket holders. Those tickets take you right to the front of the line and on the ride.
In order to get a fast pass you take your disney tickets and swipe them into the machine (near the entrance of the ride) it will spit out a fast pass ticket. There will be a time posted above that tells you when those tickets are good. Usually it's about an hour later.
Once that hour has passed you are able to use your disney tickets to get another fast pass for another ride. (your disney ticket will only let you get one fast pass at a time)
The advice here is this. You do not have to use the fast pass tickets at the time that is listed. You just have to use them AFTER that time.
So. You can go up to a ride and get a fast pass ticket. Then, go play and ride the other rides that don't have long lines or don't offer fast passes and shop. THEN once you are able to use your disney ticket to get another fast pass ticket (once that original fast pass time has elapsed)...go to another ride and get a fast pass ticket for that ride. Collect them as you go.
LATER. when the park is crazy and the lines are long....you now have a pocket full of VIP fast pass tickets that put you at the front of each and every line.
It's like being in a wheel chair baby.
OH ALSO. They have tickets for the otha motha. Ok, so if you have a baby and can't both go on a ride because someone has to stay back with the little ones. You can get a switch pass from one of the employees. This works like a fast pass only you don't have to wait for a time, just for your partner to return from the ride so that you can go without waiting in the long line all over again.
We did this at the tower of terror. The pass is good for you and one other person. So I waited back with Cam and the babies. J, Spencer and Syd all went and then when they were done Me and Cam (and Syd...the guy was cool and let her go again) went. MY KIDS LOVED that ride by the way.
Make sure you have the schedule (you can get it online) for the parades. The pixar parade (California side) is not every day. It really is a must to catch the parades on both the California side and the Disney side. One of the greatest things about Disneyland is their employees. There's not a one that can't answer your questions. Whether it be where the closest bathroom is or where the parade starts they know it all.
The fireworks are also scheduled differently. When we went they were only on the weekends. Figure out which day works best and then take a blanket that day. Lay it out about an hour before hand. Stay pretty close or leave someone there....people will move your blanket or push it over. Some might even sit on it :)
Park yourself right up by the castle. About 20-30 minutes before the fireworks start it packs in like sardines. Seriously. We got yelled at for going in front of the rope to get back to our spot. There would have been NO WAY to get there otherwise. I wished we would have gone back to our spot before so that we didn't have to deal with the stress. Sitting for a while would have been easier.
I think that's all of the advice I have for you.
Oh...our boys just met the height requirement for most of the big rides 40". I'm so glad we waited to go because they loved going on all of the bigger rides.
Disney rocked. I hated it when I was young. I don't remember enjoying it at all and I think it's because we went with someone who didn't know anything. I remember waiting in line for over an hour for like 2 rides. mmmm. I think that was all we did there.
Oh and I found out Mary Poppins wasn't REALLY Mary Poppins and the whole thing was a farce and that was the final straw.
The Goods
I don't really have the goods on our new blogger in real life friends Carey and Steph. I wish I could tell you something super juicy and dramatic. (lips are zipped) ;-) hee hee JK.
I will say....reading their blog I put personalities on them and when meeting them in real life it was all backwards. I took Steph for the super mellow semi soft spoken one. I thought Carey would be the strong minded and less soft spoken one. Totally opposite. :)
I also didn't know how comfortable it would be....they are a little crunchy....and structured. I was worried that I would feel a little judged if my kids ate McDonalds for lunch and played with plastic, battery operated toys. ha ha
SO NOT THE CASE. They are awesome. They believe that whatever works for your family is great for your family and they don't judge you for it. Well unless it was hurting your child. I'm sure that wouldn't be ok with any of us. Or if you bring a huge big chocolate cake into Disneyland. ha ha
I have found from reading their blog that they have ALL of this vast knowledge of information in regards to raising children. I mean, a child therapist and pediatrician. Can it get any better. They have used this training and the mountains of information at hand to decide what works for their family and what is important to them. They use their blog to share this information. I have sometimes felt worse when reading about some of the concepts they use. Which makes no sense at all....I guess I felt like because they are the "trained professionals" if I wasn't using that same method, then I was doing it wrong. I couldn't be more wrong. (they said it themselves :)
They have these awesome tools and share it with us to use or to think about for free. I love that.
We had so much fun putting the kids to bed and then sharing a glass(es) of wine and just talking with them for hours.
PLUS. they chased my kids down the hall and stairs a couple of times. (next time we are bringing a gate)
I'm a huge fan of theirs. Bigger now after meeting them.
oh. and I still want to steal Little Miss.
On to Monday Movie Madness (thunder, lightening)
Sorry to burst your bubble. I got nothin really.
Butch Jamie.
The title says it all really. A movie about a butch woman who wants to be an actress. She "dresses" up like a girlie girl to try and get parts but fails. because she looks scary and talks like a man. She then lands a roll as a guy. Dates a straight girl from the cast. Comes out. and ends up back where she started.
My opinion : terrible. Don't bother.
Alice in Wonderland
It's about Alice grown up, returning to wonderland to help with the fall of the Queen of hearts.
The special effects rocked. I especially LOVED Helena Bonham Carter, who played the queen of hearts. How did they make her head look so big ?
My opinion : It was fine. I really did like the special effects. I wish they didn't have the couple of violent scenes in it so that it could be viewed by the younger crowd. (although there were a few little kids in the theater...who does that?)
I've heard the 3-D rocks. I can't watch 3-D, but I do think it would be awesome to see it in 3-D if you can stand watching it.
So, if you can watch it in 3-D....go to the theater...other wise, wait to rent it.
I want to know the names of you who actually read this post in it's entirety. I will be sending you a gift card. :)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
I-fer I-fer I-fer
"One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to DisneyLand, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said, "DisneyLand burned down." He cried and cried, but I think that deep down he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real DisneyLand, but it was getting pretty late."
Deep thoughts, by Jack Handey
Oh hell, I know that really has nothing to do with this post. That it has something to do with fire...and we just got back from Disneyland is what made me do it.
So to add to the night terrors, yes they are back. Not every night, no pattern yet...but back none the less. If she's not terroring, she nightmaring. She will come in our room shaking with fear about something she's just dreamt about. NOW. Sydney is terrified of our house burning up at night. She has this fear about her beloved piggy and her new Jessie doll being melted away in a fire.
I feel so terrible for this little girl. She gets NO peace at night. (neither do we unfortunately) but seriously, I feel horrible for her and what she's going through.
To help with this new fire issue I planned a fire alarm preparedness family meeting. Tonight we all got into bed. Well I didn't. I stuck a hanger up into the smoke detector and listened to the kids giggle and scream and run in circles and then narrated what was going to happen.
J's job is to grab Nathan and get the big boys outside. I run in and get Syd and Ryan. oh fuck, who am I kidding...I CARRY Ryan from my bed and get Sydney. (ahem)
We were all standing out front freezing and there was this relief that fell over my sweet little baby girl's face.
When we came inside I explained how to get out of the house if me and mommy J were outside visiting with neighbors (AKA already dead because we had succumbed to the fire)
I realized how much I depend on that 5 3/4 year old. I told her she needed to get Ryan out (oh who am I kidding, he died in our bed with me mommy J and Nathan) and head to the boys room to get them outside.
I explained how smoke rises and its safer on the ground. I told her about stop drop and roll, never run. Putting the back of your hand on doors. Breaking the window in your bedroom to get out if all exits are blocked. I told it all to her and pretty much her alone because at this point both boys had stopped listening and were gathering all of their blankets and pillows and piling them in my doorway.
I tested them...."Spencer, what do you do if there's a lot of smoke"
Spencer's response....(yelling with his scratchy no voice)"SMOKE IN A HOUSE, SMOKE IN A HOUSE"
"ummm, NO, you get down buddy. Crawl like a tiger, fast outside"
Both boys started growling and wrestling in the pile of blankets like tigers and Sydney quietly sat in my lap and started in with, "What if there's fire everywhere and I can't get out...what if you don't help me get out. What if I die?"
I told her that fire is scary and it's ok to be scared. That the best thing we can do is to be prepared. And that we have a family plan now...so we'll all work together to be safe.
I didn't see the contented look that I saw out on the front lawn. but I do think it helped.
JEEZE ! Such big issues for such a little person.
OK. GOOD STUFF TO REPORT !
This is Sydney's report card. Because today I just love her whole guts out.
Today the kids went out back and played. It was warmer than usual and OH MY HELL I need them to get outside. SPRING FEVAH !
Everyone had come in but Syd and Nathan. I looked out the window to check on them and I see Syd hoisting Nathan up as high as she can to put him in the baby swing. The kids not little. He's damn near the same weight as his big brothers. (no lie)
She couldn't quite get him in it so she set him down and started lower on his body. (was I scared he would topple...yeah...but it was worth it to witness the kind effort Sydney was putting forth)
I think the thing that stuck out was that Nathan put his arms up to be held. He was 100% on her side and trusted her completely.
She did get him in the swing...not a bruise...and she pushed him for the next 10 minutes. Too high at times. yeah..was I scared...a little....but he was loving every minute of it.
This is the best story of the day. Sydney and Cam seem to butt heads the most. Sydney is controlling and Cameron is more independent than Spencer. When they don't see eye to eye....someone gets hit in the eye. Usually one hits the other and then the hit is returned...maybe a kick or a jab. It's like a bad game of tennis with fits.
For a while Sydney noticed and would comment on how Cam didn't like her. He really didn't. He wouldn't even let her be nice to him. He just didn't trust her. She has worked very hard to gain his trust back. Playing with him. Working things out instead of yelling and hitting. I've been very proud at the progress they've made. (Cam isn't the one who really needed to work at their relationship, it really had to come from Syd)
ANY WAYS. Tonight I was playing with the 3 older kids. The game was....they would roll the big huge work out ball to me and then run. I would hurl the ball at their backs, sometimes knocking them over.
IT WAS SO MUCH FUN !
Cam wasn't having as much fun as me. He was thrown to the ground early on and cried and cried.
Sydney was laying on the floor in front of me in the beginning begging me to tickle her when I wasn't bowling with the boys. Cam came in and laid next to me and cried and cried. Syd got up and teamed up with Spencer. (oh, Spencer came in and yelled, with his raspy no voice, "MAMA ! That TOO hard !" making sure I knew I had hurt Cam...SUCH a sweet kid)
Ok. So Cam just kept crying. He really didn't fall hard. He is just getting over being sick and was a little more sensitive tonight. I tried for like 10 minutes to get him to go play again. In fact...I think once he did go...but as soon as the ball hit him he returned crying. (hee hee...I know you are thinking I'm ruthless. I was having so much fun)
I gave up on trying to get him to laugh and rejoin the other two, when Syd comes in and bends down and softly says, "Cam, are you ok ? I'm sorry if you got hurt. Why don't you come and play...it's really fun. Come on buddy" and she gently grabbed his hands and helped him up. AND HE LET HER. and he ran to the door to dodge the ball. Syd then stood face forward and as I hurled the ball she stood in front of Cam and deflected the ball with her hands. She blocked the ball from hitting him at least 3 times before he asked to be hit. He fell (aka was knocked) to the floor, Syd helped him up and said, "it's fun huh buddy?" Cam laughed and agreed and we played for the next 20-30 minutes with no tears....until my arms hurt. :)
I worry so often about my kids and their CONSTANT fighting. I worry that they are mean and I worry that they won't like each other. but OMG they can be so thoughtful and kind to each other. I need to remember that. And that's why I'm typing it for you tonight.
OK. to end with a little humor.
another jack handey. because I can't get enough of him. and because this is one I hadn't heard before.
Children need encouragement. If a kid gets an answer right, tell him it was a lucky guess. That way he develops a good, lucky feeling.
Yet another, Deep Thought, by Jack Handey
Deep thoughts, by Jack Handey
Oh hell, I know that really has nothing to do with this post. That it has something to do with fire...and we just got back from Disneyland is what made me do it.
So to add to the night terrors, yes they are back. Not every night, no pattern yet...but back none the less. If she's not terroring, she nightmaring. She will come in our room shaking with fear about something she's just dreamt about. NOW. Sydney is terrified of our house burning up at night. She has this fear about her beloved piggy and her new Jessie doll being melted away in a fire.
I feel so terrible for this little girl. She gets NO peace at night. (neither do we unfortunately) but seriously, I feel horrible for her and what she's going through.
To help with this new fire issue I planned a fire alarm preparedness family meeting. Tonight we all got into bed. Well I didn't. I stuck a hanger up into the smoke detector and listened to the kids giggle and scream and run in circles and then narrated what was going to happen.
J's job is to grab Nathan and get the big boys outside. I run in and get Syd and Ryan. oh fuck, who am I kidding...I CARRY Ryan from my bed and get Sydney. (ahem)
We were all standing out front freezing and there was this relief that fell over my sweet little baby girl's face.
When we came inside I explained how to get out of the house if me and mommy J were outside visiting with neighbors (AKA already dead because we had succumbed to the fire)
I realized how much I depend on that 5 3/4 year old. I told her she needed to get Ryan out (oh who am I kidding, he died in our bed with me mommy J and Nathan) and head to the boys room to get them outside.
I explained how smoke rises and its safer on the ground. I told her about stop drop and roll, never run. Putting the back of your hand on doors. Breaking the window in your bedroom to get out if all exits are blocked. I told it all to her and pretty much her alone because at this point both boys had stopped listening and were gathering all of their blankets and pillows and piling them in my doorway.
I tested them...."Spencer, what do you do if there's a lot of smoke"
Spencer's response....(yelling with his scratchy no voice)"SMOKE IN A HOUSE, SMOKE IN A HOUSE"
"ummm, NO, you get down buddy. Crawl like a tiger, fast outside"
Both boys started growling and wrestling in the pile of blankets like tigers and Sydney quietly sat in my lap and started in with, "What if there's fire everywhere and I can't get out...what if you don't help me get out. What if I die?"
I told her that fire is scary and it's ok to be scared. That the best thing we can do is to be prepared. And that we have a family plan now...so we'll all work together to be safe.
I didn't see the contented look that I saw out on the front lawn. but I do think it helped.
JEEZE ! Such big issues for such a little person.
OK. GOOD STUFF TO REPORT !
This is Sydney's report card. Because today I just love her whole guts out.
Today the kids went out back and played. It was warmer than usual and OH MY HELL I need them to get outside. SPRING FEVAH !
Everyone had come in but Syd and Nathan. I looked out the window to check on them and I see Syd hoisting Nathan up as high as she can to put him in the baby swing. The kids not little. He's damn near the same weight as his big brothers. (no lie)
She couldn't quite get him in it so she set him down and started lower on his body. (was I scared he would topple...yeah...but it was worth it to witness the kind effort Sydney was putting forth)
I think the thing that stuck out was that Nathan put his arms up to be held. He was 100% on her side and trusted her completely.
She did get him in the swing...not a bruise...and she pushed him for the next 10 minutes. Too high at times. yeah..was I scared...a little....but he was loving every minute of it.
This is the best story of the day. Sydney and Cam seem to butt heads the most. Sydney is controlling and Cameron is more independent than Spencer. When they don't see eye to eye....someone gets hit in the eye. Usually one hits the other and then the hit is returned...maybe a kick or a jab. It's like a bad game of tennis with fits.
For a while Sydney noticed and would comment on how Cam didn't like her. He really didn't. He wouldn't even let her be nice to him. He just didn't trust her. She has worked very hard to gain his trust back. Playing with him. Working things out instead of yelling and hitting. I've been very proud at the progress they've made. (Cam isn't the one who really needed to work at their relationship, it really had to come from Syd)
ANY WAYS. Tonight I was playing with the 3 older kids. The game was....they would roll the big huge work out ball to me and then run. I would hurl the ball at their backs, sometimes knocking them over.
IT WAS SO MUCH FUN !
Cam wasn't having as much fun as me. He was thrown to the ground early on and cried and cried.
Sydney was laying on the floor in front of me in the beginning begging me to tickle her when I wasn't bowling with the boys. Cam came in and laid next to me and cried and cried. Syd got up and teamed up with Spencer. (oh, Spencer came in and yelled, with his raspy no voice, "MAMA ! That TOO hard !" making sure I knew I had hurt Cam...SUCH a sweet kid)
Ok. So Cam just kept crying. He really didn't fall hard. He is just getting over being sick and was a little more sensitive tonight. I tried for like 10 minutes to get him to go play again. In fact...I think once he did go...but as soon as the ball hit him he returned crying. (hee hee...I know you are thinking I'm ruthless. I was having so much fun)
I gave up on trying to get him to laugh and rejoin the other two, when Syd comes in and bends down and softly says, "Cam, are you ok ? I'm sorry if you got hurt. Why don't you come and play...it's really fun. Come on buddy" and she gently grabbed his hands and helped him up. AND HE LET HER. and he ran to the door to dodge the ball. Syd then stood face forward and as I hurled the ball she stood in front of Cam and deflected the ball with her hands. She blocked the ball from hitting him at least 3 times before he asked to be hit. He fell (aka was knocked) to the floor, Syd helped him up and said, "it's fun huh buddy?" Cam laughed and agreed and we played for the next 20-30 minutes with no tears....until my arms hurt. :)
I worry so often about my kids and their CONSTANT fighting. I worry that they are mean and I worry that they won't like each other. but OMG they can be so thoughtful and kind to each other. I need to remember that. And that's why I'm typing it for you tonight.
OK. to end with a little humor.
another jack handey. because I can't get enough of him. and because this is one I hadn't heard before.
Children need encouragement. If a kid gets an answer right, tell him it was a lucky guess. That way he develops a good, lucky feeling.
Yet another, Deep Thought, by Jack Handey
My boo girl !
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all. (repeat. repeat)
SUCH a small world.
Let me just tell you how small. I was able to meet with not one but 2 cyber writing friends.
AND my cousin and an old high school friend were both in Disneyland at the same time as we were.
Seriously. Nothing like heading to the tram and hearing someone call your name from across the way. Wild right ?
If I started from the beginning this post would be a mile long. I'm going to make it as short as I can being a long winding kind of gal with a lot of pictures :)
We drove to Las Vegas and planned on staying overnight and finishing the drive the next morning. Everyone seemed to be great so we just kept on going. By the time we arrived at our destination we were ready to be there. It was a long drive. We had the same arrangement on the return and did end up stopping in St George for the night breaking up the trip. Poor Ryan wouldn't have lasted another 5 hours.
We had plans to meet some great blogger friends Finding Chaos a couple of days later so we settled in to our 2 bedroom suite.
There had been some surgery for another blogger friend Jess and if it worked out that she was still in LA, we were going to stop in to say hi.
THEN, her wife Mere unexpectedly came in town. yet another, unplanned surgery happened and so we made the trip to Hollywood to hook up.
First we stopped by the LA zoo. It rocked. The animals are so happy and alert. It made me wonder why they are so shy and seemingly unhappy here in Utah.
Then it was off to dinner to meet Mere. Such a nice person. Very down to earth. Talking to her was like catching up with an old friend. She has 2 beautiful little girls who were back home in AR. and after dinner with my kids I think she's done having them :) ha ha
Let me just tell you how small. I was able to meet with not one but 2 cyber writing friends.
AND my cousin and an old high school friend were both in Disneyland at the same time as we were.
Seriously. Nothing like heading to the tram and hearing someone call your name from across the way. Wild right ?
If I started from the beginning this post would be a mile long. I'm going to make it as short as I can being a long winding kind of gal with a lot of pictures :)
We drove to Las Vegas and planned on staying overnight and finishing the drive the next morning. Everyone seemed to be great so we just kept on going. By the time we arrived at our destination we were ready to be there. It was a long drive. We had the same arrangement on the return and did end up stopping in St George for the night breaking up the trip. Poor Ryan wouldn't have lasted another 5 hours.
We had plans to meet some great blogger friends Finding Chaos a couple of days later so we settled in to our 2 bedroom suite.
There had been some surgery for another blogger friend Jess and if it worked out that she was still in LA, we were going to stop in to say hi.
THEN, her wife Mere unexpectedly came in town. yet another, unplanned surgery happened and so we made the trip to Hollywood to hook up.
First we stopped by the LA zoo. It rocked. The animals are so happy and alert. It made me wonder why they are so shy and seemingly unhappy here in Utah.
Even the koala's were awake. They sleep 22 hrs of the day. What are the chances really.
VERY funny story.
We valet parked Baverly at the restaurant. Only because when we drove into the parking facility we noticed that she exceeded the height requirements. hee hee.
Now Bav's doesn't have fancy gadgetry or special features. No lights or whistles.
We were not about to drive her to California with 5 kids and no movies to keep them happy. Luckily we have a DVD player...it however straps to the head rest and Baverly doesn't have head rests. Bench seats.
My creative and very handy wife rigged up her own entertainment system. :) ha ha There's nothing a little pvc pipe, straps and a 2x4 can't fix.
Ok so we finish dinner and say our goodbyes to Mere and stand waiting for Bav's. who is only a few feet away (they couldn't fit her any where else either) and there is this woman standing near us, also waiting for her car. The guy heads over to retrieve our van and I jokingly say, "wait, wait, there must be a mistake, we have the Jaguar with the 5 carseats."
The classy, although dressed in a nice sweatsuit lady gives me a courtesy laugh and then I hear her say out loud as Bav's pulls up..."WOW!"
I wasn't sure what shocked her more. The sight of Baverly, the white trash entertainment system, the garbage from driving for 2 days with 7 people spilling out when the door opened, or all 5 of our kids screaming in circles around the parking garage.
We loaded up and as we clicked in I glanced over to see this same woman climbing into her convertible Bentley.
Seriously. I don't think I've ever been grounded more than at that moment. My reality was just that obvious. fuh.
Now if you were to have the opportunity to spend time with someone in Disneyland. I think a pediatrician and child therapist would be my pick. :) Well we had just that opportunity.
Finally meeting the Trio was great. They are even cuter in real life. (if that's possible) Little Miss let me carry her around the first day. She weighed all of 7 lbs 12 oz. However all of the talk of sticking her in my pocket and taking her home with me and changing her name to Emily must have scared her, because she didn't let me carry her around after that first day :)
Our rooms were right next to each other. It made for a nice evening of food and wine after all of the kids were asleep. (I'll fill you in on Carey and Steph..it requires a post of it's own ;-)
J's sister lives 20 min. from the happiest place on earth. She also has a 13, 15 and 21 yr old who live at home and LOVE babies. :) We loved that.
Thursday we dropped the babies off and spent a Magical day at Disneyland.
.
(our version of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil)
(I love this picture of Spencer and Mickey)
Day 2 at Disney we had all 5. 2 double strollers. It was INSANE
We didn't have a good day at Disney that day. In fact, at several times during the day we said to each other...."let's just go, nobody is having fun." but we didn't. We stayed and dealt with the tantrums and fighting and tired kids and made it to the pixar parade where the kids experienced another magical moment meeting their favorite characters in real life.
At one point Sydney said, "This is the WORST experience at Disneyland, EVER."
I replied with......
"puuuu"
"seeeee"
Well, I'm not sure if that was exactly what I said, but looking at the pictures I can only come up with one word :) what the hell was I doing any ways. good lord.
Nathan watching the Pixar Parade. He kept screaming. he loved it.
The kids watching the Disney parade. Did I already say magical. It really was a lot of fun.
We went with an empty glass, blindfolded and came home broke, 5lbs heavier, with a Jessie doll, 3 Disneyland balls, 2 toy story lazer guns and some new IRL friends. Our glass was 1/2 empty at times and 1/2 full a lot. It was a GREAT trip.
I have tips on booking your next trip to Disneyland. Another day, another post.
Thanks for making it through this post. Even if you did just look at the pictures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)