Do I dare say it? After months of snow, below 0 temps, flooding, rain (and more rain) summer has arrived! School is out so that means Grant is home most of the day. I already have a plan ready and it is to keep him busy! With golf, soccer, t-ball, basketball camp and a few birthdays and vacations thrown in he will be busy and I will keep my sanity!
Our first mini-vacation was this weekend. We made the trip "out west" and made a few stops to visit relatives. Our first night we stayed overnight and visited Nicky and Gregg. Grant had a great time in their big backyard! The second stop took us north and we had lunch and visited with my sisters and niece and great-nephews. Our third and final stop we visited with my parents. Mom and dad love to watch the boys play and interact with each other. We left at 8PM and thought Ben would sleep all the way home. WRONG! He woke-up about 1/2 way home and cried almost the rest of the way! Grant also began crying and said "this ride is too long"! Poor guy, we felt the same way!
OK summer I am ready for you...bring it!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, October 28, 2010
PC Halloween
"Mom,I have to wear something wild and wacky for the party on Friday!" Grant said excitedly.Me thinking to myself: Oh, great it's hard enough getting him dressed everyday in something that matches athletic pants and not repeat outfits in the same 2 week period, plus Grant does not like to wear jeans.
Grant's class Halloween party is on Friday. I was surprised when I saw the helper sign-up sheet that it was actually called a Halloween party. The usual party items are on the list: games, cookie decorating, orange drinks & prizes. No costumes will be worn. I would never expect this of course because it is a public school and someone might get offended by a Tinkerbell costume. The wacky and wild will be celebrated! It's going to be crazy, kindergarten style!
I am not a Halloween enthusiast by any stretch of the imagination. A few cute window clings are on our door and jack-o-laterns will be carved soon. Nothing creepy or gruesome in our house! The boys will dress up and go trick-or-treating. Grant will be an Astronaut (although it's orange and he looks like an escaped convict) and Ben will be a pumpkin or a monkey, he is still deciding.
I feel that Halloween will be a bigger issue for me as the boys get older. Looking at the Halloween costumes for older boys this year I was not impressed! If you don't want to be a super hero or ninja there really is not much to pick from unless you want to be something in the Freddy Krueger variety.Costumes in the scary variety will not be tolerated. I feel that there is already too much evil in the world and I don't see the need for children to celebrate it.
Whatever you do this Halloween whether it's trick-or treating, attending a party, watching a movie or ignoring your doorbell I encourage you do it your way! I have to find something wild and wacky in Grant's closet...whatever that means.
Grant's class Halloween party is on Friday. I was surprised when I saw the helper sign-up sheet that it was actually called a Halloween party. The usual party items are on the list: games, cookie decorating, orange drinks & prizes. No costumes will be worn. I would never expect this of course because it is a public school and someone might get offended by a Tinkerbell costume. The wacky and wild will be celebrated! It's going to be crazy, kindergarten style!
I am not a Halloween enthusiast by any stretch of the imagination. A few cute window clings are on our door and jack-o-laterns will be carved soon. Nothing creepy or gruesome in our house! The boys will dress up and go trick-or-treating. Grant will be an Astronaut (although it's orange and he looks like an escaped convict) and Ben will be a pumpkin or a monkey, he is still deciding.
I feel that Halloween will be a bigger issue for me as the boys get older. Looking at the Halloween costumes for older boys this year I was not impressed! If you don't want to be a super hero or ninja there really is not much to pick from unless you want to be something in the Freddy Krueger variety.Costumes in the scary variety will not be tolerated. I feel that there is already too much evil in the world and I don't see the need for children to celebrate it.
Whatever you do this Halloween whether it's trick-or treating, attending a party, watching a movie or ignoring your doorbell I encourage you do it your way! I have to find something wild and wacky in Grant's closet...whatever that means.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Beyond Brilliant Idea!
We have all gone to the store and came home and realised that you forgot to buy the one item that you really need for dinner or a household item of vital importance. You really need this item and can't cook dinner without it. You have two choices pack the kids up and go through the store again for ONE item or change the dinner menu to brinner or takeout. What to do?
Another scenario that I come across most often especially in the winter months is that I only need 1-2 items at the most from the grocery store or Target and I don't want to walk/skate through the parking lot that is a total skating rink by early December or face freezing cold temperatures and trying to get myself and two little boys safely inside the store.
I have a solution, how about a drive-up window for 1-3 items maximum! I don't mind packing the boys into the car. It's the actual action of taking both of them through the store without 1. Me losing my mind 2. Remember what I came in there for in the first place without distractions.
It's a win-win situation. The store employees and shoppers wouldn't have to deal with children and the drama that follows children. The customer would save money by keeping to their short list and not make last minute purchases. I know big box retailers and grocery stores wouldn't like the last part. I have a degree in Apparel/Textiles (emphasis on retail buying) and I know that stores make a large portion of their profit on last minute purchases.
Please retailers (ahem..Target) and grocery stores hear me out on this idea! I know this would be a lifesaver for alot of SAHM 's that I know!
Another scenario that I come across most often especially in the winter months is that I only need 1-2 items at the most from the grocery store or Target and I don't want to walk/skate through the parking lot that is a total skating rink by early December or face freezing cold temperatures and trying to get myself and two little boys safely inside the store.
I have a solution, how about a drive-up window for 1-3 items maximum! I don't mind packing the boys into the car. It's the actual action of taking both of them through the store without 1. Me losing my mind 2. Remember what I came in there for in the first place without distractions.
It's a win-win situation. The store employees and shoppers wouldn't have to deal with children and the drama that follows children. The customer would save money by keeping to their short list and not make last minute purchases. I know big box retailers and grocery stores wouldn't like the last part. I have a degree in Apparel/Textiles (emphasis on retail buying) and I know that stores make a large portion of their profit on last minute purchases.
Please retailers (ahem..Target) and grocery stores hear me out on this idea! I know this would be a lifesaver for alot of SAHM 's that I know!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Check the Shelves
We are a family of readers. Mark likes non-fiction books based on sports and politics. I enjoy fiction and SOME parenting books. I also enjoy reading books that are recommended to me but please no romance novels! We were thrilled when Grant starting enjoying books as a baby. His love of books has made him into a very good reader for his age group.
You would think that since we all love to read we would be avid library patrons, well we used to be. We have had two experiences with Grant recently involving two libraries that I have vowed to just buy books for him and skip the drama of the librarian shake down.
Example one: I received a notice from the public library stating that a book was overdue. I thought that was strange since I keep the check-out receipt and usually mark the due dates down on the calender. I looked for the book for a few weeks thinking that the book would show up. Another notice came, I checked the car, tore apart the books and toys and still nothing. Another notice came, I figured I would just pay for the book instead of getting these notices thinking maybe we lost the book on a trip or it went into the garbage by accident. I called the library stating my case that I am positive that the book was returned but I am willing to pay for the book if it can't be found. By the way the book would cost us over $30! The librarian said she would check the shelves and would get back to me. Guess where the book was? You guessed it on the library shelf!
Example two: Grant brings a book home from the school library. I asked him if he would like to read "Sing to the Stars". He replies "no, I don't like the book!" Apparently it was a case of judging the book by it's cover. He liked the pictures just not the story. The book stayed in his backpack and he brought it back to school the next day. Flash forward the following Monday. Grant tells me it was library day but he didn't get to check out a book because he didn't bring his book back. He felt embarrassed because he was the only one who didn't get to check out a book. He was also frustrated because he told the librarian that he DID bring it back and she didn't listen and/or believe him. I went into his classroom the next morning and explained the situation to his teacher and Grant showed her exactly which bin the book was dropped in. The following Monday Grant comes home with a new book. Guessed where it was found? ON THE SHELF. Apparently it was shelved wrong.
How hard is it to check-in and shelve a book correctly? I worked at the public library in high school and believe me it's not difficult! Grant will continue to check out his library books at school on Mondays and I will viligently make sure they are returned and prepare myself for the next kindergarten drama.
You would think that since we all love to read we would be avid library patrons, well we used to be. We have had two experiences with Grant recently involving two libraries that I have vowed to just buy books for him and skip the drama of the librarian shake down.
Example one: I received a notice from the public library stating that a book was overdue. I thought that was strange since I keep the check-out receipt and usually mark the due dates down on the calender. I looked for the book for a few weeks thinking that the book would show up. Another notice came, I checked the car, tore apart the books and toys and still nothing. Another notice came, I figured I would just pay for the book instead of getting these notices thinking maybe we lost the book on a trip or it went into the garbage by accident. I called the library stating my case that I am positive that the book was returned but I am willing to pay for the book if it can't be found. By the way the book would cost us over $30! The librarian said she would check the shelves and would get back to me. Guess where the book was? You guessed it on the library shelf!
Example two: Grant brings a book home from the school library. I asked him if he would like to read "Sing to the Stars". He replies "no, I don't like the book!" Apparently it was a case of judging the book by it's cover. He liked the pictures just not the story. The book stayed in his backpack and he brought it back to school the next day. Flash forward the following Monday. Grant tells me it was library day but he didn't get to check out a book because he didn't bring his book back. He felt embarrassed because he was the only one who didn't get to check out a book. He was also frustrated because he told the librarian that he DID bring it back and she didn't listen and/or believe him. I went into his classroom the next morning and explained the situation to his teacher and Grant showed her exactly which bin the book was dropped in. The following Monday Grant comes home with a new book. Guessed where it was found? ON THE SHELF. Apparently it was shelved wrong.
How hard is it to check-in and shelve a book correctly? I worked at the public library in high school and believe me it's not difficult! Grant will continue to check out his library books at school on Mondays and I will viligently make sure they are returned and prepare myself for the next kindergarten drama.
Friday, October 15, 2010
We are Back!
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I am back to blogging! I took a hiatus from blogging for two reasons, time and direction. After Ben was born I just didn't have the time to keep up with my hobbies. I barely had time to take care of myself! After feeding, diapering, trying to keep a house in order and also taking care of the needs of a five year old a comfy bed looked better than Blogger!
Ben is in a routine for now and things have settled down a bit. He is now scooting and finds everything quite interesting. Thanks to his precocious nature my frenemy the outlook covers are back. He weighs over 20lbs and much to the dismay of Quincy, he matches him in height and weight (it's a fair match now!).
Grant is now in Kindergarten and loving every minute of it! His summer was filled with golf, basketball, park play and swimming. He finally passed to level 2! It only took 5 sessions and approximately 50 lessons! After his busy summer I was physically ready for him to start school, just not emotionally. I wiped away tears (mine) as we said goodbye for the day. He did great, me not so much! That day little things made me tear up: making his bed, walking by the doughnut holes in the bakery, his jacket hanging on the hook. I have since sucked it up and realised that I have to let him grow and let us both enjoy this new adventure called school.
Life has settled down a bit and I am back to blogging. What type of blog I am still puzzled about. Should it be a journal type blog? I am not that interesting so that option is out. I have two growing boys, well three if you count the dog so maybe a mommy blog? Snore fest. Who would want to read a blog entirely dedicated to my boys? I love them and find them highly entertaining but not everyone feels the same way. Then again it's my blog and I will do what I want! Somedays (ok weeks may go by without a post, who are we kidding?) you will see an update about the boys, maybe you will see me rant about the punk who cut me off in traffic or maybe I will write about a memory. Whatever it ends up to be it all makes up the happiness we have here on Harrison Street.
Monday, May 24, 2010
It's Been Awhile!
What can I say, life has been a whirlwind of ups and downs since I last posted! Lets rewind to 6 1/2 months ago. Mark came home early November 17th. Just by looking at him I knew what happened, he didn't have to say anything. His department was eliminated that day and it felt like our world came tumbling down around us. Being 7 1/2 months pregnant I was devastated. What was going to happen to us? Would we have to relocate? What happened to his staff? Good news was that he received a comfortable compensation package and we still would be on the company's insurance (we would have to pay the insane COBRA premiums) until after the baby was born.
Those 7 weeks of unemployment were awful but made us stronger people in the end. It made us take stock of what we valued. The job was gone but we had our family, our faith and our values and nothing could take that away from us!
Mark had an interview on a Monday, started work the next day and on Friday, January 15th our baby Benjamin made his debut 3 weeks early! His birth was awful (4th degree tear!) but we rejoiced that he was here and thanked God for our blessings!
Benjamin is a wonderful addition to our family, I just wish he was a better sleeper! Grant has adjusted well to being a big brother and thinks of Benjamin as HIS baby. He is a great helper. Loves picking out which diaper Benjamin will wear and enjoys entertaining him. I hope that they will grow up to be great friends despite their age difference.
Those 7 weeks of unemployment were awful but made us stronger people in the end. It made us take stock of what we valued. The job was gone but we had our family, our faith and our values and nothing could take that away from us!
Mark had an interview on a Monday, started work the next day and on Friday, January 15th our baby Benjamin made his debut 3 weeks early! His birth was awful (4th degree tear!) but we rejoiced that he was here and thanked God for our blessings!
Benjamin is a wonderful addition to our family, I just wish he was a better sleeper! Grant has adjusted well to being a big brother and thinks of Benjamin as HIS baby. He is a great helper. Loves picking out which diaper Benjamin will wear and enjoys entertaining him. I hope that they will grow up to be great friends despite their age difference.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
In Case You Missed the News!
Yep I am pregnant. In case you were wondering if I was or I just let myself fall apart. It's surprising to run into people and they can't figure it out! We were at an event where cocktail attire was required and people still didn't get the hint! Do you think I would wear a form fitting dress and let my abs go, seriously!
This pregnancy has been pretty uneventful, not that I am complaining! No morning sickness. VERY irritable (if you want to piss me off please be late, slow moving or write a check in the check-out lane). Retaining water. This baby is kicking me in places I never knew were possible (like bring me to my knees kicks), lets just say I have a new found respect/pity for men who get kicked in the groin.
We still have a few things to accomplish before the baby arrives: paint and move Grant to his "big boy room", paint and decorate the nursery, sibling class for Grant, breastfeeding class, update Grant's baby scrapbook, purchase new baby monitor and attend two baptism classes. Oh and let's not forget to keep my sanity.
This pregnancy has been pretty uneventful, not that I am complaining! No morning sickness. VERY irritable (if you want to piss me off please be late, slow moving or write a check in the check-out lane). Retaining water. This baby is kicking me in places I never knew were possible (like bring me to my knees kicks), lets just say I have a new found respect/pity for men who get kicked in the groin.
We still have a few things to accomplish before the baby arrives: paint and move Grant to his "big boy room", paint and decorate the nursery, sibling class for Grant, breastfeeding class, update Grant's baby scrapbook, purchase new baby monitor and attend two baptism classes. Oh and let's not forget to keep my sanity.
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