The past 24 hours have been a little intense. We are grateful for our house made of bricks. We are grateful for gas cooking - we have been able to make hot meals. And we are grateful for hot water - it's fun to shower by candlelight (although I cannot blow dry my hair and, lets just say, I'll be wearing hats until the power returns.)
The wind was wicked. All we heard all night until about 2:30am or so were trees cracking and transformers popping. Our good friends had a massive tree fall on their garage and another family we love had a tree fall on their electrical main line sending surges thru the home. The dons quickly shut down the power main eliminating what the fire dept said would have resulted in the house burning to the ground. Thank God for quick thinkers.
The island looks like a hurricane hit. For real. It's scary to drive the streets for fear of dangling trees coming down in the left over winds and live wires snapping about. We will bunker up for a few days and pray for electricity.
And for JFK to reopen so mama can make it to LA on Thursday for a funeral and a baby shower. Talk about the circle of life.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Ben's 1st Field Trip
The 3s went on their first field trip to Windy Acres farm on Thursday. Ben had a blast playing with his pals. The tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch was snuggley fun - but the picking of the pumpkin didn't interest Ben a whole lot. He wanted to get back to the playground and play!
This is the same place Em went when she was 3. It seems like just a few weeks ago - can't believe two years have flown by!
This is the same place Em went when she was 3. It seems like just a few weeks ago - can't believe two years have flown by!
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| The Boy and his Cookie. |
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| I guess you will have to do. |
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| Come aboard, Mateys! |
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| Look out below! |
Flashback
What to do while Gramma Lou is kidsitting for the day? Why scour the toysrus flyer and circle the things you want Santa to bring you! Then, when you are done doing that, go back through it and write next to the items which friend would likely want it.
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| Our little giver. |
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tough love today
Tonight was rough. I snapped. I hollered. A lot. I don't like when that happens. Ben is learning how to push buttons. My sweet little man lingers yet on occasion I get glimpses of his teenagery. Em would not stay in bed. It is becoming a huge problem because she is tough to get out of bed in the morning and even tougher to get any iota of breakfast into.
Food. For the second night in a row Ben has gone to bed without supper. It sucks. He consumes so few calories as it is. I know I have to be tough here. He cannot just have 4 items in his diet. His body needs proper nutrition.
A water main broke at the school late last night so they cancelled school today for repairs. Ben went to preschool and Em and I went to the park and hung out with friends who were home with their kids. It was a beautiful morning. The sun was warm, the company was good. I'm not sure what happened to make the afternoon and evening turn to the dark side but I found myself praying that daylight savings would come quicker. 10 more days.
On a sillier note: Ben, Daddy and I were in the kitchen today and Ben wanted to eat some peanut butter off a spoon from the jar. He pushed me out of the way so he could open the drawer and I fell backward into the stove. For a kid that consumes 300 calories a day, he is still a strong little whipper snapper. I disciplined him demanding apologies which he gave and made him ask politely for me to move - he did. NOT 15 SECONDS LATER, Daddy, who needed a utensil from the drawer gently grabbed Ben and said, "Move it, buddy," guiding him out of the way. I was all DID YOU NOT JUST HEAR A DANG WORD I JUST PREACHED TO THE KID?? Daddy gave me the "Wow, that was bad Daddying" face, corrected himself, Ben left the kitchen and we laughed until tears fell.
I think we all need a time out.
Food. For the second night in a row Ben has gone to bed without supper. It sucks. He consumes so few calories as it is. I know I have to be tough here. He cannot just have 4 items in his diet. His body needs proper nutrition.
A water main broke at the school late last night so they cancelled school today for repairs. Ben went to preschool and Em and I went to the park and hung out with friends who were home with their kids. It was a beautiful morning. The sun was warm, the company was good. I'm not sure what happened to make the afternoon and evening turn to the dark side but I found myself praying that daylight savings would come quicker. 10 more days.
On a sillier note: Ben, Daddy and I were in the kitchen today and Ben wanted to eat some peanut butter off a spoon from the jar. He pushed me out of the way so he could open the drawer and I fell backward into the stove. For a kid that consumes 300 calories a day, he is still a strong little whipper snapper. I disciplined him demanding apologies which he gave and made him ask politely for me to move - he did. NOT 15 SECONDS LATER, Daddy, who needed a utensil from the drawer gently grabbed Ben and said, "Move it, buddy," guiding him out of the way. I was all DID YOU NOT JUST HEAR A DANG WORD I JUST PREACHED TO THE KID?? Daddy gave me the "Wow, that was bad Daddying" face, corrected himself, Ben left the kitchen and we laughed until tears fell.
I think we all need a time out.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Redrum
Benny is currently using up the very last ounces of patience I have. We have been battling at the dinner table. He is refusing to eat and I am not relenting. This is what he looks like: (I probably don't look much better at this point.)
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| His hands have been covering his mouth for over an hour refusing to eat!! |
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Writer's Block
We've been busy. Really busy! But I cannot think of anything to write about. My brain is tired, I guess.
Yesterday my washing machine was flashing "E1 - clean foreign material from the drain and close lid". So I went to clean the foreign material but realized I needed to remove the drain hose to do it which meant all of the water in the washer would dump all over the floor... I won't bore you with the exciting details, but after three hours I gave up and called the company. The washer is still under warranty so they are sending out a tech free of charge. Geez, why didn't I just call them when I was 10 minutes into the self repair?
The point of this story? Ben got to watch TV all morning as it was the only way to keep him occupied and not on his hands and knees dismantling a washing machine 'helping' me... He was in heaven and I felt guilty. Parenting can sure be a mind game.
Emma's class had their "Welcome to the Jungle" extravaganza in the school gym last night. I was on the PTA committee who sponsored and planned the event and ended up 'working' it while Daddy escorted Em around the games and face painting and food fun. It was exhausting - but worth it - lots of memories were made. The funniest one being seeing the beloved Magician exit out of a local bar after I finished clean up and ran a quick errand. I guess she needed a pint to wind down after entertaining 100 Kindergarten and PreK kids! Can't say I blame her.
Both kids are still hackitywhoos. I am hoping we are not in for a repeat of last year when they had that deep cough for what felt like 3 months straight. Ben was awake from 3:30-4:30 just coughing. I laid with him and rubbed his back. He was so sweet, "I love you, Mom. You're my best friend," as he snuggled in tight.
Yesterday my washing machine was flashing "E1 - clean foreign material from the drain and close lid". So I went to clean the foreign material but realized I needed to remove the drain hose to do it which meant all of the water in the washer would dump all over the floor... I won't bore you with the exciting details, but after three hours I gave up and called the company. The washer is still under warranty so they are sending out a tech free of charge. Geez, why didn't I just call them when I was 10 minutes into the self repair?
The point of this story? Ben got to watch TV all morning as it was the only way to keep him occupied and not on his hands and knees dismantling a washing machine 'helping' me... He was in heaven and I felt guilty. Parenting can sure be a mind game.
Emma's class had their "Welcome to the Jungle" extravaganza in the school gym last night. I was on the PTA committee who sponsored and planned the event and ended up 'working' it while Daddy escorted Em around the games and face painting and food fun. It was exhausting - but worth it - lots of memories were made. The funniest one being seeing the beloved Magician exit out of a local bar after I finished clean up and ran a quick errand. I guess she needed a pint to wind down after entertaining 100 Kindergarten and PreK kids! Can't say I blame her.
Both kids are still hackitywhoos. I am hoping we are not in for a repeat of last year when they had that deep cough for what felt like 3 months straight. Ben was awake from 3:30-4:30 just coughing. I laid with him and rubbed his back. He was so sweet, "I love you, Mom. You're my best friend," as he snuggled in tight.
Monday, October 15, 2012
World Record Holder
Ben is constantly breaking his world record for longest Hide n Seek seeker. This morning the game went like this:
"Okay, Mom. You hide here." (He hides me on my bed and carefully covers every bit of me with my comforter.)
"Okay, now I'll go count to three."
He races into the living room, "One, two, three, ready or not here I come!! Is mommy under the table? No. Is mommy on the couch. No. Is mommy behind the tv? No. Is mommy in the closet? No. Is mommy in the toilet? No. Is mommy behind the shower curtain? No. ..." This seriously went on FOREVER. I could have taken a good nap before he finally came into my room and said our patented let's end this game phrase, "Where's Mommy? I can't find her. I sure am tired. I guess I'll lay on the bed and take a nap. Geez, why is this bed so lumpy? Hey! I found you!" Then laugh and laugh for 3 minutes.
Repeat!!
And that, my friends, is how you break records. Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't have told you.
"Okay, Mom. You hide here." (He hides me on my bed and carefully covers every bit of me with my comforter.)
"Okay, now I'll go count to three."
He races into the living room, "One, two, three, ready or not here I come!! Is mommy under the table? No. Is mommy on the couch. No. Is mommy behind the tv? No. Is mommy in the closet? No. Is mommy in the toilet? No. Is mommy behind the shower curtain? No. ..." This seriously went on FOREVER. I could have taken a good nap before he finally came into my room and said our patented let's end this game phrase, "Where's Mommy? I can't find her. I sure am tired. I guess I'll lay on the bed and take a nap. Geez, why is this bed so lumpy? Hey! I found you!" Then laugh and laugh for 3 minutes.
Repeat!!
And that, my friends, is how you break records. Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't have told you.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Flying solo
Daddy is in FL this weekend helping out Grandpop so Mommy is in charge. (Wait, ain't she always?)
We dropped Daddy at the airport at 2:30 and by 3:30 both kids had gotten into trouble, placed in time out and were wailing, "But I miss Daddy! I want Daddy!" It is a phrase we often hear when they want to change the subject after getting into trouble and the missed adult can be interchanged - mommy! Daddy! Gramma! Abuelita! Etc.
I received a rescue phone call at about 6:15 - good local pals of ours invited us over for a last minute hang out - hooray! We dog proofed the house and headed over to Molly's for a few hours of fun. Mommy got to kick up her feet and have adult conversation and the kiddies played well into the night with their buddies. We got home around 10:25, way past bedtimes but well worth it. Yes, the kids went to bed without brushing their teeth, but they are the baby teeth and are going to fall out anyway, right? Right?
And, Ben slept in until 8:45!! Can I get a whoop whoop? Of course he woke up soaked to the bone from peeing the bed - Murphy's Law - I was saying last night how he hasn't wet the bed in ages!
Our village had their firehouse open today. We went down and watched a cool Jaws of Life demo, how to put out a kitchen fire demo, the kids practiced "get low and go!" by crawling thru a smokey tunnel (fake smoke), and they each got s shot at using a fire hose. It was super fun and made for some good photo ops! :)
We dropped Daddy at the airport at 2:30 and by 3:30 both kids had gotten into trouble, placed in time out and were wailing, "But I miss Daddy! I want Daddy!" It is a phrase we often hear when they want to change the subject after getting into trouble and the missed adult can be interchanged - mommy! Daddy! Gramma! Abuelita! Etc.
I received a rescue phone call at about 6:15 - good local pals of ours invited us over for a last minute hang out - hooray! We dog proofed the house and headed over to Molly's for a few hours of fun. Mommy got to kick up her feet and have adult conversation and the kiddies played well into the night with their buddies. We got home around 10:25, way past bedtimes but well worth it. Yes, the kids went to bed without brushing their teeth, but they are the baby teeth and are going to fall out anyway, right? Right?
And, Ben slept in until 8:45!! Can I get a whoop whoop? Of course he woke up soaked to the bone from peeing the bed - Murphy's Law - I was saying last night how he hasn't wet the bed in ages!
Our village had their firehouse open today. We went down and watched a cool Jaws of Life demo, how to put out a kitchen fire demo, the kids practiced "get low and go!" by crawling thru a smokey tunnel (fake smoke), and they each got s shot at using a fire hose. It was super fun and made for some good photo ops! :)
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| Ben is carrying beads in his hat. Sheesh. |
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| Crawling on hands and knees through a smokey "house". He LOVED it. |
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| Honing their skills... |
Friday, October 12, 2012
Book Fair
The PTA has got me busy this week. It was "Book Fair" palooza and I helped set up the books, ran the registers, and packed up the unsold merchandise. It was lots of fun - but WOW - a ton of work. I haven't worked that hard for... how old is Emma? Over 5 years!
Ben spent some time with me while I worked. He charmed all the ladies and continued his "I'm Three and three quarters and I'm no longer going to listen to my Mommy" streak. It is getting harder and harder to just 'bring him along' to my gigs.
We did sneak out to his "library school" as he calls it today. It is a play class at the library for 3-5 year olds. He is getting better at sharing, but there are still some tears each class. Today he was building a big track and he told the librarian, "Okay, now I going to build it in back of your butt," instead of simply saying "behind you." Pure descriptive awesomeness. He also very kindly (and totally unprompted) told a little boy who was playing with him, "Great job helping!"
*insert heart swell*
Ben spent some time with me while I worked. He charmed all the ladies and continued his "I'm Three and three quarters and I'm no longer going to listen to my Mommy" streak. It is getting harder and harder to just 'bring him along' to my gigs.
We did sneak out to his "library school" as he calls it today. It is a play class at the library for 3-5 year olds. He is getting better at sharing, but there are still some tears each class. Today he was building a big track and he told the librarian, "Okay, now I going to build it in back of your butt," instead of simply saying "behind you." Pure descriptive awesomeness. He also very kindly (and totally unprompted) told a little boy who was playing with him, "Great job helping!"
*insert heart swell*
Sunday, October 7, 2012
New time out
Em can be a real meanie when it comes to her little brother. Today, Daddy caught her red handed - or shall I say left footed - Ben was running down the hall carrying an item she coveted. She purposely stuck out her foot and tripped him sending him sprawling! She ended up in time out with a twist. She had to write, "I am not a bully." 5 times. Took her a good 15 minutes because she complained the whole time.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Catsup
Eat meat sparingly? Ben has NOOOOO problem with that. He continues on his no nutrition whatsoever carbohydrate only diet. I can get steak into him about twice a month. He is even now pooh poohing the dinosaur chicken that he LOVED so very much. Great, I have a freezer full of it - BJs had it on sale and I stocked up... Emma, on the other hand, cannot get enough of MEAT. She is a dinosaur in the making. (See pic below.) She especially loves meat that has a bone in it. I swear she chewed that bone clean - better than a dog could ever do.
Ben and I have been enjoying our solo time together. It's been rainy all week so we busted out the board games. His focus is still limited so we make up the rules as we go along. Whatever works, right? Just so you know, the plastic gingerbread men game pieces need to "surf" on the cards to get to King Candy's palace...
We finally got the class list for Ben's preschool. Let the play dates begin!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The teachers visit!
Ben did not have school today because once a year the teachers from the school visit the kids in their homes - supposedly it fosters a familiar warm fuzzy feeling between the teachers and the students - whatever! My kid LOVES school - don't close the school! (Really what it is: a day I have to work harder to clean the penthouse before they get here! hahahaha!)
Anywhoooo, Ben had a blast showing off his toys to his teachers. He was bouncing off the walls (and the couch and his bed) with joy and was non stop chatting. One of the teachers remarked that they had never heard him speak so fluently and so much! (He is too busy playing with his pals to chat at school!) They mentioned he is a great kiddo and a joy to have in the class - always smiling. She took a pic of him with an ear to ear grin that I am hoping comes home soon as some kind of art project - fingers crossed! (If it does, I'll post it...)
I have some pics of the weekend to post. Too tired now though...
Anywhoooo, Ben had a blast showing off his toys to his teachers. He was bouncing off the walls (and the couch and his bed) with joy and was non stop chatting. One of the teachers remarked that they had never heard him speak so fluently and so much! (He is too busy playing with his pals to chat at school!) They mentioned he is a great kiddo and a joy to have in the class - always smiling. She took a pic of him with an ear to ear grin that I am hoping comes home soon as some kind of art project - fingers crossed! (If it does, I'll post it...)
I have some pics of the weekend to post. Too tired now though...
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