Last night I was informed by my eldest child that I was slacking, and really needed to get a new Blog post up. No pressure or anything.
This past weekend was George's Birthday. We have managed to keep him in one piece for 4 years now. Which is nothing short of amazing, when it comes to George.
I was so excited about George's birthday present, hidden away for several months now. I could hardly wait to give it to him. Last summer, when we were at the Buffalo Museum of Science, George had gotten engrossed in the museum's wooden train set. He was so into it, that I started looking for one for him. And, this past fall, stumbled upon one mostly by accident. And this train set was the Cadillac of train sets. It included an enormous table, every wooden track piece imaginable, trees, houses, wooden people, cranes, bridges, signs, trains, a limited edition "Silver Thomas" train Polar Express, a conductor's hat, and a wooden train whistle. It. Was. Amazing.
We decided to not give it for Christmas, and instead, hang onto it until George's Birthday. I could hardly wait.
Birthday morning dawned, and George came tearing down the stairs, and set upon this huge train set, taking up a large portion of the living room, and was so happy! We had set up a basic track, and I had put trees and signs all over, so he could see how amazing this train set was. State of the art, and all that.
He unwrapped the trains we had bought as an addition to the existing set. And then looked at me in confusion.
"Mom! Where are the other presents?"
"What? What other presents? This one takes up half the living room, and has about 2 million pieces! This IS your birthday present!"
"Ohhhh!!!!! Haha! You hid them in the Family Room!" He announces, and runs out of the living room. And then back. "Mom. Where are the monster trucks?"
"What Monster Trucks? You got a train set!"
"Oh."
"George, do you LIKE the train set?"
"Well, yes. I do. Thank you so much! I can make a whole town for my monster trucks, and drive them on it!"
"What?! It's a TRAIN set, George! I mean, you can play Monster trucks on it if you want, but...."
"Oh good! I will just put all this stuff away..." he breathed in relief, and began dismantling the entire set, and putting all the trains, all the tracks, the trees, the signs, away. In their many many bins, that fit under the set. He trotted off, found his basket of Monster Trucks, and used the train table for a monster truck track and town.
I feel as if this was a complete failure. Joe seems to like it. And they play with it after I tuck them in at night. So there is that.
The new puppy continues to thrive. Having a Siberian Husky in Siberian weather is rather inconvenient. He LOVES the cold and the snow. Every morning between 5:30 and 6:00 am, I am standing out in my back yard with this dog that thinks this is the perfect time to play. I have noted that, after living in my house for 11 years, more of my neighbors are outside at the same time during the pre-dawn hours, than they are during daylight. Every morning, as I stand outside in my bathrobe, nightgown, winter coat, gloves, occasionally sweatpants thrown on when it gets below -5, Bearded Man's knee high rubber boots, and my insane hair, I see my neighbors. Almost all of them. And no one talks. Once, I heard the guy who lives behind me, whom I think I have spoken to exactly 3 times ever, I think his name is Kurt, or someone from his household, gasp in shock, as I stood out back under flood lights, in my crazy cat lady outfit, with this psychotic puppy. Otherwise, no one talks. Not sure if it's because it is too early, or if it's because I am terrifying.
I feel like I should apologise every single day, for possibly scaring the neighbors.
Kaila went and saw "Wicked" in Buffalo with the school last weekend. She has sung "Popular" every minute of every day since. Memories of my voice lesson days, and practicing opera, opera in Italian, and show songs on top of my lungs daily for five years, came back to haunt me. Kaila has decided show business is for her, so, sing on, kiddo! In your room.
I could write an entire Blog, on Joe's one liners. Joe continues to be a little too big for his britches. He informed me the other day that he couldn't wait to live on his private island, in a tent surrounded by guards. (After we did our evening "I hate dinner!" "SIT DOWN AND EAT!!!!!" Routine) I asked if I could visit his island sometime. "What part of 'PRIVATE' did you not understand?" he retorted. Yeah, well. The title of this Blog indicates that I am not a perfect parent.....
Honestly, there isn't a whole lot in the way of excitement going on. Bearded Man continues to bake bread. Honestly. It is so amazingly wonderful. Recently, I was crazy busy at work, and I get this text: "Call me. I was in an accident" Which produced strong language from me. The type ladies and non-sailors are not supposed to utter. This being the second accident in less than a year....
The next day, someone at work came into my office and inquired as to the status of the accident, and all involved. I was in the middle of an on-line meeting, and wasn't sure if it was the kind with microphones. But, I said "UGH! I am SO aggravated! He is allergic to apricots. I am THIS CLOSE to hiding apricots in every single one of his meals this weekend! Oh, never mind. I CAN'T. Because he makes BREAD. And it is the best stupid bread ever, and I love it, and it is amazing, and and his baking is what is going to restrain me from buying apricots today."
And then realized I had just pretty much admitted to premeditated homicide in front of almost 300 Federal Employees. And then, with relief, realized that the microphone wasn't on for this meeting. I am not REALLY going to hide apricots in his meals. I am not all the way convinced he is really allergic to them anyway. His mother said he had a reaction to them when he was a toddler. And, there is the bread. I have been craving it all day, at work. It is so good.
In other news, the weather continues to be freezing, and, other than the puppy, who loves it, the rest of us are in the house. All the time. I have been flooding my Pinterest boards with Garden ideas. And trying not to think about the puppy potentially destroying them. I cannot wait until I can throw my kids out the door, and order them to play until dinner time. This weekend, they will be occupying their time cleaning bedrooms. Because it needs to be done, and because it will keep them quiet, as they spend their days in their rooms quietly, hoping that I don't notice they aren't cleaning, while I enjoy the new book I have on my phone's Kindle in peace. Win win!!!
Till next time! Stay warm!
Friday, January 24, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Over Tired Mama
Not sure about the rest of you out there, but, when I am over tired, nothing makes sense. With that thought, I am going to attempt to put something here that is somewhat clear and unconfusing.
The other day, I told bearded Man that I think I need to go away for just a night, to get some uninterrupted sleep. You know that point you can get to, where, you are cold from the inside out, with chills, and slightly nauseous, due to lack of sleep? And EVERYTHING is the FUNNIEST thing ever, and you laugh till you cry at the most inappropriate things? I am so there.
Part of this is due to the psychotic puppy, and part of it is due to a sick Ninja. AKA, George. It isn't much more than a mild cold, but, it's enough for him to be whiny, and in my lap at all times when I am at home, and up and down all night fussing off and on. If it isn't the puppy, it's the George. If it's the weekend, and the opportunity to chuck breakfast at the kids and go back to bed presents itself, it only means that one child or other will be hanging in the bedroom doorway or hovering over my bed with some urgent need or other approximately every 2 minutes. So tired. Please tell me I will look back on these days with a smile and be all misty eyed and miss it. Tell me in person, so I can accidentally kick your feet out from under you, and sic the puppy that likes to chew on people with razor like teeth, onto you.
The other day, my little sister dropped off a bag of Christmas gifts from assorted family members. It included a package for Joe, from my youngest brother Malachi, who is also Joe's Godfather. Joe unwrapped it, and thought it was the coolest most perfect gift EVER. I was so tired, that I laughed so hard I cried. It was a 10 hour documentary called "War Machines" in a handy 3 DVD set. My weapons and explosions fanatic thought it was wonderful. "Submarines. The Silent Killer" he read out loud. "Mom! I think we need to start with this one." What my brother was thinking, when he bought that for my 8 year old, I will never ever know. I honestly wondered if maybe he meant it for my Dad, who had accidentally received a Disney movie. Who knows? Joe thinks it's wonderful. He is hoping for a 10 hour marathon to watch it all at once.
I have also found that this special brand of tired has completely removed that brain to mouth filter. The other night, Lexi came downstairs with a Barbie Doll that she had received for Christmas. One of the legs had broken off at about mid calf. Eyes full of tears, she handed the parts to me and I was all "She isn't BROKEN! She's now Amputee Barbie! Lots of people have amputations, and manage to have full and wonderful lives."
Didn't matter. My kid ran back upstairs crying, Kaila was howling with laughter, and Lexi is probably scarred for life. So so tired. When I inevitably go to hell, I don't think it's hot. It's probably full of guilt and no sleep for eternity.
Anyone who does not live in a cozy little cave someplace, is probably aware of the Blizzard that hit Buffalo last week, and the weather that seemed to shut down half the country. We did not get the snow, but, all of Western New York was hit with freezing temperatures and wind chills. (If you live someplace that does not include the words 'Wind Chill' in your regular forecast, I kind of don't like you. I will probably like you again around Springtime. When weather like this, not unlike labor pain, is forgotten.) Anyhow, it was cold last week. The Niagara Falls, and the inside of my kitchen window both froze. Bearded Man baked lots of bread, including a trial run at cinnamon bread, but, it didn't unfreeze the kitchen window. In all seriousness, we were lucky overall. The cold caused a lot of damage everywhere. The quick warm up caused even more damage in the form of flooding.
The crazy weather, on the heels of the holidays, and Christmas Vacation from school, meant that the kids didn't know if they were going to school or not. For almost 3 weeks, there was no routine in the household, which caused cabin fevered kids, and a slightly crazy mom. I don't yell much, so, when I do, it's usually a doozy. Shortly after yelling one morning, (And we all have those times, don't we?) It was of course one of those days when lots of people post things on Facebook about how wonderful their lives were, and how much better their parenting is, and their relationships with their kids are, now that they don't ever yell. Then there was the post from one mother, about how her neighbor called the police and CPS, because they thought something was terribly wrong at her house. Turns out she had been yelling at her kids.
When the inevitable October baby boom happens, post blizzard, it will likely be couples that didn't currently have children.
Honestly, As far as fun chatty stuff - I have nothing. Once again going to point out that I am tired. And, these breaks at work are not nearly long enough to be terribly coherent. Esp when a person is tired. And I kinda really am. Tired. Not coherent. At all. Anyhow, next time will probably be better.
The other day, I told bearded Man that I think I need to go away for just a night, to get some uninterrupted sleep. You know that point you can get to, where, you are cold from the inside out, with chills, and slightly nauseous, due to lack of sleep? And EVERYTHING is the FUNNIEST thing ever, and you laugh till you cry at the most inappropriate things? I am so there.
Part of this is due to the psychotic puppy, and part of it is due to a sick Ninja. AKA, George. It isn't much more than a mild cold, but, it's enough for him to be whiny, and in my lap at all times when I am at home, and up and down all night fussing off and on. If it isn't the puppy, it's the George. If it's the weekend, and the opportunity to chuck breakfast at the kids and go back to bed presents itself, it only means that one child or other will be hanging in the bedroom doorway or hovering over my bed with some urgent need or other approximately every 2 minutes. So tired. Please tell me I will look back on these days with a smile and be all misty eyed and miss it. Tell me in person, so I can accidentally kick your feet out from under you, and sic the puppy that likes to chew on people with razor like teeth, onto you.
The other day, my little sister dropped off a bag of Christmas gifts from assorted family members. It included a package for Joe, from my youngest brother Malachi, who is also Joe's Godfather. Joe unwrapped it, and thought it was the coolest most perfect gift EVER. I was so tired, that I laughed so hard I cried. It was a 10 hour documentary called "War Machines" in a handy 3 DVD set. My weapons and explosions fanatic thought it was wonderful. "Submarines. The Silent Killer" he read out loud. "Mom! I think we need to start with this one." What my brother was thinking, when he bought that for my 8 year old, I will never ever know. I honestly wondered if maybe he meant it for my Dad, who had accidentally received a Disney movie. Who knows? Joe thinks it's wonderful. He is hoping for a 10 hour marathon to watch it all at once.
I have also found that this special brand of tired has completely removed that brain to mouth filter. The other night, Lexi came downstairs with a Barbie Doll that she had received for Christmas. One of the legs had broken off at about mid calf. Eyes full of tears, she handed the parts to me and I was all "She isn't BROKEN! She's now Amputee Barbie! Lots of people have amputations, and manage to have full and wonderful lives."
Didn't matter. My kid ran back upstairs crying, Kaila was howling with laughter, and Lexi is probably scarred for life. So so tired. When I inevitably go to hell, I don't think it's hot. It's probably full of guilt and no sleep for eternity.
Anyone who does not live in a cozy little cave someplace, is probably aware of the Blizzard that hit Buffalo last week, and the weather that seemed to shut down half the country. We did not get the snow, but, all of Western New York was hit with freezing temperatures and wind chills. (If you live someplace that does not include the words 'Wind Chill' in your regular forecast, I kind of don't like you. I will probably like you again around Springtime. When weather like this, not unlike labor pain, is forgotten.) Anyhow, it was cold last week. The Niagara Falls, and the inside of my kitchen window both froze. Bearded Man baked lots of bread, including a trial run at cinnamon bread, but, it didn't unfreeze the kitchen window. In all seriousness, we were lucky overall. The cold caused a lot of damage everywhere. The quick warm up caused even more damage in the form of flooding.
The crazy weather, on the heels of the holidays, and Christmas Vacation from school, meant that the kids didn't know if they were going to school or not. For almost 3 weeks, there was no routine in the household, which caused cabin fevered kids, and a slightly crazy mom. I don't yell much, so, when I do, it's usually a doozy. Shortly after yelling one morning, (And we all have those times, don't we?) It was of course one of those days when lots of people post things on Facebook about how wonderful their lives were, and how much better their parenting is, and their relationships with their kids are, now that they don't ever yell. Then there was the post from one mother, about how her neighbor called the police and CPS, because they thought something was terribly wrong at her house. Turns out she had been yelling at her kids.
When the inevitable October baby boom happens, post blizzard, it will likely be couples that didn't currently have children.
Honestly, As far as fun chatty stuff - I have nothing. Once again going to point out that I am tired. And, these breaks at work are not nearly long enough to be terribly coherent. Esp when a person is tired. And I kinda really am. Tired. Not coherent. At all. Anyhow, next time will probably be better.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Snowed in with 4 Kids and a Puppy
If I am remembered for anything after I die, I want it to be for giving the advice to never ever acquire a dog during winter. Especially a dog that needs to be house trained. Because, chances are, doggie is going to need to be taken outside into the frozen tundra approximately every 4 minutes round the clock. Further more, half of that frozen tundra will be tracked through your house.
After my vacation at the beginning of December, I managed to keep the house looking amazing right up until Christmas morning. Even then, that was okay, because, EVERY ONE'S house looked like mine did on Christmas morning. And, if you have kids and your house looked amazing Christmas morning, seriously, there is something wrong with you. Relax, for Heaven's sake!
The Saturday after Christmas, I spent the day taking all the Christmas trimmings and trappings down. The tree was completely dead, and it all needed to be done, anyway. The house was starting to look great again, and I figured I would do all those fun little odds and ends, such as laundry, on Sunday. Sunday, however, I woke up to the the message that we could go get Turbo.
Now, it's sort of like having a newborn vampire in the house, because I am up constantly with the doggie, and he pretty much just wants to chew on people. I am hoping this is a phase we grow out of relatively soon. Sadly, I would almost rather see him chew on the kids who heal fairly quickly, than my furniture, which will not....
Flashlight, the cat, is still completely enraged over this puppy. She sits and glares at him, clearly conveying that eventually his novelty will wear off, and he will be alone. And that she will probably cast evil spells on him, and eat him for dinner. We've pointed out to her repeatedly that, according to most web sites, Huskies like to eat kitties, but, she seems pretty sure she can take him. It's kinda creepy, how she lurks in dark places, just sitting there glaring at him.
Yesterday, the weather, which seems to have gotten progressively worse all week, really was awful. The entire State was under a State of Emergency, and pretty much everything was closed. If it wasn't closed, it was at a standstill due to accidents everywhere. I left work early, so I could pick my kids up from their respective schools and the babysitter.
After 45 minutes of picking everyone up and getting them into the house, I was begged to let them go outside and play. I am going to go all bad Mom here, and confess. I told them "No." Because it was too cold and windy, and I had just taken 3 hours of personal leave at work, to haul them all home so they weren't in the bad weather, and, just, No. Also, because I had a pounding headache, and seriously was not up to the half an hour required to assist with getting them all dressed to go out, only to have them trudge back in and through the house with snow covered wet clothes 3 minutes and 42 seconds later. I just wasn't up to it.
AND, I told them they could play on all their gadgets, if they would let me and my headache lie on the family room couch for an hour. This on the heels of New Years Day, in which all TV, ipads and Kindles were forbidden for the day. We can't be awesome all the time. Now, after having confessed that, my mind is drawn immediately to all the perfect Moms I know who would never do any such things.
Want to know a secret? I privately hope that all those moms out there that seem so very very perfect ALL. THE. TIME have SOMETHING wrong. Not something terrible, just something that would make me feel better. Like, Vodka for breakfast, or bodies in the basement or something. Nothing big. It would just make us not so perfect Mama's feel a little better about our slip ups. Ah well.
Also, since I am here, I may as well mention that I am off the hook for training for the Mudderella. Unfortunately it is being held elsewhere now. Which was great, because I was all mentally committed to it, and not physically ready for it.
I was slightly relieved about this, because, I really am not ready. However, my friend and carpool buddy - you know, the ex drill Sergent? - has convinced me we need to train for a run in April. Sort of a precursor to a mud run in Buffalo in September. I suppose it's a good thing the school gym opens back up next week. And, that I have a puppy that will be needing a good run every day... what better training buddy than a former Army drill Sergent?? If I survive, I will keep you updated to that project.
That's about it. Headed into the weekend. I received a call today that my children need to be present at church tomorrow to practice a play for Sunday. I am sure they will be delighted with the news, when I break it to them later. Heathens.
Till next time!!
After my vacation at the beginning of December, I managed to keep the house looking amazing right up until Christmas morning. Even then, that was okay, because, EVERY ONE'S house looked like mine did on Christmas morning. And, if you have kids and your house looked amazing Christmas morning, seriously, there is something wrong with you. Relax, for Heaven's sake!
The Saturday after Christmas, I spent the day taking all the Christmas trimmings and trappings down. The tree was completely dead, and it all needed to be done, anyway. The house was starting to look great again, and I figured I would do all those fun little odds and ends, such as laundry, on Sunday. Sunday, however, I woke up to the the message that we could go get Turbo.
Now, it's sort of like having a newborn vampire in the house, because I am up constantly with the doggie, and he pretty much just wants to chew on people. I am hoping this is a phase we grow out of relatively soon. Sadly, I would almost rather see him chew on the kids who heal fairly quickly, than my furniture, which will not....
Flashlight, the cat, is still completely enraged over this puppy. She sits and glares at him, clearly conveying that eventually his novelty will wear off, and he will be alone. And that she will probably cast evil spells on him, and eat him for dinner. We've pointed out to her repeatedly that, according to most web sites, Huskies like to eat kitties, but, she seems pretty sure she can take him. It's kinda creepy, how she lurks in dark places, just sitting there glaring at him.
Yesterday, the weather, which seems to have gotten progressively worse all week, really was awful. The entire State was under a State of Emergency, and pretty much everything was closed. If it wasn't closed, it was at a standstill due to accidents everywhere. I left work early, so I could pick my kids up from their respective schools and the babysitter.
After 45 minutes of picking everyone up and getting them into the house, I was begged to let them go outside and play. I am going to go all bad Mom here, and confess. I told them "No." Because it was too cold and windy, and I had just taken 3 hours of personal leave at work, to haul them all home so they weren't in the bad weather, and, just, No. Also, because I had a pounding headache, and seriously was not up to the half an hour required to assist with getting them all dressed to go out, only to have them trudge back in and through the house with snow covered wet clothes 3 minutes and 42 seconds later. I just wasn't up to it.
AND, I told them they could play on all their gadgets, if they would let me and my headache lie on the family room couch for an hour. This on the heels of New Years Day, in which all TV, ipads and Kindles were forbidden for the day. We can't be awesome all the time. Now, after having confessed that, my mind is drawn immediately to all the perfect Moms I know who would never do any such things.
Want to know a secret? I privately hope that all those moms out there that seem so very very perfect ALL. THE. TIME have SOMETHING wrong. Not something terrible, just something that would make me feel better. Like, Vodka for breakfast, or bodies in the basement or something. Nothing big. It would just make us not so perfect Mama's feel a little better about our slip ups. Ah well.
Also, since I am here, I may as well mention that I am off the hook for training for the Mudderella. Unfortunately it is being held elsewhere now. Which was great, because I was all mentally committed to it, and not physically ready for it.
I was slightly relieved about this, because, I really am not ready. However, my friend and carpool buddy - you know, the ex drill Sergent? - has convinced me we need to train for a run in April. Sort of a precursor to a mud run in Buffalo in September. I suppose it's a good thing the school gym opens back up next week. And, that I have a puppy that will be needing a good run every day... what better training buddy than a former Army drill Sergent?? If I survive, I will keep you updated to that project.
That's about it. Headed into the weekend. I received a call today that my children need to be present at church tomorrow to practice a play for Sunday. I am sure they will be delighted with the news, when I break it to them later. Heathens.
Till next time!!
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