It's Friday. What can I say? It's been a pretty slow news week in our house. Everyone is healthy - YAY! I haven't forgotten any special appointments this week, like basketball or piano lessons. My house is clean...pretty boring stuff around here. I will say that I'm getting a bit tired of the cold and snow. I know, I know, it's way to early to be complaining about it! It's only January after all and winter in New England lasts a LONG time! I guess I haven't settled into the winter routine yet. Do you feel like January is kind of a tough month? I mean, the holidays are over, it's cold, it's snowy, warm weather is far away still...and there's 31 days of it!! Yeah, January is tough. On the other hand. I love the evening time when we all hang out together in the family room. Sometimes we are cozy under a blanket watching a show or reading a book. Sometimes the girls are running around like crazy people. And sometimes everyone is doing their own thing in the same room. We don't hang out as much when it's warm out. We DO stuff. Soccer in the front yard, go for a walk or bike ride, play with the neighbors. So I guess I like the down time of winter.
Becky lost her boots yesterday. We thought she left them on the bus but I checked with the bus driver this morning and - no boots. I told her to check at school, again. She does have her pair from last year which I will bring to school in a little while. But they are tight on her toes. If we don't locate her new boots she'll be getting another pair of new boots. That's one thing we can't live without is BOOTS. And in all fairness I should say that the missing boots are LL Bean hand me downs from Katie. So technically Becky didn't get brand new boots this year. No one did actually. We had hand me downs! And Katie's feet haven't grown so she'll be wearing her boots until they need replacing! No one needed new winter coats either. That was nice on the pocket book! That's how I justify spending a little extra on good winter outerwear. I figure it'll last and we'll be able to pass it down! That's one of the many great things about my children all being girls!
Time to get somethings accomplished! Happy Weekend!
Friday, January 9
Wednesday, January 7
Wednesday News
Allison has a new friend. She moved into a house across the street, and she's in Allison's kindergarten class at school. Her family just relocated back to the states after four years in New Zealand. This little girl, being barely six years old, has the most adorable accent you've ever heard! We arranged a playdate today because the kiddos had a snow day, and all of this newly relocated family's belongings are en route to the U.S. and therefore they are living with rented furniture and NO TOYS for the children. Just a few things. This made a playdate very important! Allison was quite distracted over the fact that her new friend has no toys. I assured her that the toys were on their way. So Allison and her new friend spent no less than FOUR hours in Allison's room playing Little Pet Shops and Barbies. I had to go check on them to see if all was well because they NEVER CAME OUT of the room! They did break for a QUICK snack and then right back to playing. By the way, I spent a little while visiting with the little girl's mom and she seems like a really nice person. I look forward to getting to know them all!
I worked with Buddy yesterday afternoon. He was a bit out of sorts but once we settled into our time together we had a nice day. I think working with some of our school's special needs children has made me more patient as a parent. I'm so thankful that my girls are all healthy and without the challenges of a disability - I definitely appreciate that more than ever. Another thing I realized is that I want very much to see these kids smile or hear them laugh or anything that shows they 'get it'. It's kind of like trying to make an infant smile. We work so hard to get that little face to light up into a grin and when we do it's just -- awesome. I think that's why I like working with Buddy. He giggles, he smiles, he gives high fives, and he talks to me - which is a pretty big deal, trust me. It's rewarding in a way I didn't expect. And of course, getting to see my girls during the school day is one huge bonus!
Shop Talk: I haven't contributed to my shop talk section in a LONG time. Honestly, writing got shoved onto the back burner - the WAY back burner. Lots of projects are needing some revision and then I'll send them on their way into Slush Pile Land. But more importantly, I've got a story idea rolling around in my head that is starting to come together in a tangible way. I can actually see the pieces of the story fitting together. It'll be geared at young teens and I think I'll tell it from my protagonist's point of view. I have to submit something to my critique group in early February so I'll need to get writing SOON. Now that the holidays are over I WILL pay more attention to this venture of mine.
Did you watch the Biggest Loser last night!? Good Grief!! What a season it will be. There are some BIG people on this time. It will be quite inspiring to see them transform their bodies and their lives, I'm sure. Tune in Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. and check it out!!
I think it's time to get things settled down for the evening. Showers, stories, and bedtime are right around the corner.
I worked with Buddy yesterday afternoon. He was a bit out of sorts but once we settled into our time together we had a nice day. I think working with some of our school's special needs children has made me more patient as a parent. I'm so thankful that my girls are all healthy and without the challenges of a disability - I definitely appreciate that more than ever. Another thing I realized is that I want very much to see these kids smile or hear them laugh or anything that shows they 'get it'. It's kind of like trying to make an infant smile. We work so hard to get that little face to light up into a grin and when we do it's just -- awesome. I think that's why I like working with Buddy. He giggles, he smiles, he gives high fives, and he talks to me - which is a pretty big deal, trust me. It's rewarding in a way I didn't expect. And of course, getting to see my girls during the school day is one huge bonus!
Shop Talk: I haven't contributed to my shop talk section in a LONG time. Honestly, writing got shoved onto the back burner - the WAY back burner. Lots of projects are needing some revision and then I'll send them on their way into Slush Pile Land. But more importantly, I've got a story idea rolling around in my head that is starting to come together in a tangible way. I can actually see the pieces of the story fitting together. It'll be geared at young teens and I think I'll tell it from my protagonist's point of view. I have to submit something to my critique group in early February so I'll need to get writing SOON. Now that the holidays are over I WILL pay more attention to this venture of mine.
Did you watch the Biggest Loser last night!? Good Grief!! What a season it will be. There are some BIG people on this time. It will be quite inspiring to see them transform their bodies and their lives, I'm sure. Tune in Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. and check it out!!
I think it's time to get things settled down for the evening. Showers, stories, and bedtime are right around the corner.
Tuesday, January 6
A Wild Turkey Slammed Into Katie's Bus...
That's right. A wild turkey - in flight - slammed into the passenger side of Katie's bus yesterday morning. The bus was on its way to school - before it got to our stop - when the turkey hit it. Apparently the crazy, kamikaze, bird managed to crack the windshield and everything. So, due to the damage caused by said turkey, the bus had to pull over and wait - with children on it - for another bus to come and pick up the kids and take them to school. Standard operating procedure I guess. The turkey, bless his little heart, ran into the woods and wasn't located after the accident. Some coyote enjoyed a late Thanksgiving, no doubt!
We have a new family member. I can't believe I keep forgetting to tell you! Becky bought herself a HAMSTER (with permission, of course!)!! His name is LUKE - funny name for a hamster, huh? And he is a Roborovski hamster. He looks like a Siberian dwarf but the Robos have been bred to reduce BITING! So far the little bugger won't let anyone pick him up but we have been able to pet him a bit. Lucy tried to taste him through the glass of his little home, but she has since lost interest in him and his hamster antics. He's awfully cute and Becky loves him.
I get to work with Buddy this afternoon! I'm so glad. I hope he is adjusting to Back to School well after such a long Christmas break. We'll see. I can put up with anything he dishes out for 2.5 hours!!
We are supposed to get another Winter Storm tonight into tomorrow. This one will start as snow and change to sleet and freezing rain, then back to snow. Fun!! That's when it gets tricky to shovel!! That's right, I said shovel. The snow blower has been on the fritz since last winter and they are just too EXPENSIVE to go out and pick up another one. So we shovel - I say we but I mean Ed. Sometimes I shovel but only if it isn't too deep or too heavy. Katie shovels too. She's actually quite good at it and if she isn't careful it could become her permanent JOB!!
Happy Tuesday!
We have a new family member. I can't believe I keep forgetting to tell you! Becky bought herself a HAMSTER (with permission, of course!)!! His name is LUKE - funny name for a hamster, huh? And he is a Roborovski hamster. He looks like a Siberian dwarf but the Robos have been bred to reduce BITING! So far the little bugger won't let anyone pick him up but we have been able to pet him a bit. Lucy tried to taste him through the glass of his little home, but she has since lost interest in him and his hamster antics. He's awfully cute and Becky loves him.
I get to work with Buddy this afternoon! I'm so glad. I hope he is adjusting to Back to School well after such a long Christmas break. We'll see. I can put up with anything he dishes out for 2.5 hours!!
We are supposed to get another Winter Storm tonight into tomorrow. This one will start as snow and change to sleet and freezing rain, then back to snow. Fun!! That's when it gets tricky to shovel!! That's right, I said shovel. The snow blower has been on the fritz since last winter and they are just too EXPENSIVE to go out and pick up another one. So we shovel - I say we but I mean Ed. Sometimes I shovel but only if it isn't too deep or too heavy. Katie shovels too. She's actually quite good at it and if she isn't careful it could become her permanent JOB!!
Happy Tuesday!
Monday, January 5
Weird Dreams and More Budding Photographer Pics
I had a weird dream last night. I'm a little embarrassed to even tell you about it. But because I aim to entertain my little audience I will. I think I was at Wellby's drugstore - remember I worked there in high school. It was where Hannaford is in downtown Brunswick. Anyway, I think I was standing inside the front door there. I'm also pretty sure that at least one of my children were with me. The part I do remember clearly is the pink turtle -- that flies. At first, in the dream, I thought it was a bug, but as it flew closer I could see that it was a turtle. Its shell was pink and it seemed kind of like a ladybug but with a turtle head and snapping mouth. I was worried that it would get in the store and bite the child I was with. Fortunately I woke up before the pink, snapping turtle sunk its jaws into anyone. Weird, I know. Please don't think less of me because of my strange sub conscience...
I scored bad mommy points AGAIN yesterday. The day was going fine. We got up and went to church. Then came home, had lunch, and sent Ed, Becky, and Allison off to Allison's 1:15 basketball game. I was bringing Katie to the youth group Christmas party. Ed left....and came back. I'd gotten the time wrong and Allison completely missed her game. What a dope I am!! Then at around 2:20 I was cleaning out Allison's school folder. I found a couple of Christmas pictures that she'd done at school along with a birthday party invitation...for Sunday at....2:00!!! I blew it again! Twice in one day, with the same child! Good grief. I felt horrible. She didn't seem too bothered about either thing, disappointed but not TOTALLY BUMMED. Bad, bad, mommy points...
This is Allison's little dog dressed as Underdog!
This is Allison's hand posing as a SPIDER!
And some self-portraits...What a clown!
It's a little quiet in my house today with everyone back at school. I volunteered in the library for a little while earlier but now I'm using the time to catch up on some housework and other things I've put off. I even turned down the chance to work with Buddy again this afternoon. I'm pretty available the rest of the week so I don't feel too guilty for saying no. Now that the holidays are over it's time to hunker down and settle in for the LONG winter! I'm sure I'll have plenty of other days to work!
Happy Monday!
I scored bad mommy points AGAIN yesterday. The day was going fine. We got up and went to church. Then came home, had lunch, and sent Ed, Becky, and Allison off to Allison's 1:15 basketball game. I was bringing Katie to the youth group Christmas party. Ed left....and came back. I'd gotten the time wrong and Allison completely missed her game. What a dope I am!! Then at around 2:20 I was cleaning out Allison's school folder. I found a couple of Christmas pictures that she'd done at school along with a birthday party invitation...for Sunday at....2:00!!! I blew it again! Twice in one day, with the same child! Good grief. I felt horrible. She didn't seem too bothered about either thing, disappointed but not TOTALLY BUMMED. Bad, bad, mommy points...
We did make it to Becky's basketball game on Saturday. Allison wanted to take more pictures. They crack me up. I thought you might get a kick out of them too...
This is Allison's little dog dressed as Underdog!
This is Allison's hand posing as a SPIDER!
And some self-portraits...What a clown!
It's a little quiet in my house today with everyone back at school. I volunteered in the library for a little while earlier but now I'm using the time to catch up on some housework and other things I've put off. I even turned down the chance to work with Buddy again this afternoon. I'm pretty available the rest of the week so I don't feel too guilty for saying no. Now that the holidays are over it's time to hunker down and settle in for the LONG winter! I'm sure I'll have plenty of other days to work!Happy Monday!
