2005-2013

8 years ago I purchased a home with the intention of flipping it for fast cash with a man that I had only met 3 (4?) times. Within two weeks of hanging out with him deciding exactly what we wanted to do to remodel the home, I knew I was in trouble. The boy and his big vision and his giant heart, not to mention handsome exterior: Stole. My. Heart. My sweet Mandy saw it before I did and called me out on my googley eyes - "You are going to marry this guy!" I believe were her exact words as we did our yoga in the giant master bedroom I had claimed as my own in the house on Clark that made the Batter Bunch.

It took just 4 short (I mean 4 of the LONGEST months of my life because Mandy made me know first!!) months for us both to finally admit we had found our true partner in crime and off we went. We have been blessedly together for 8 years now - today being our 6 year wedding Anniversary. I love you, Daddy Batter. Thank you for being the perfect husband, daddy, friend a girl could ever ask for!

So, what's been going on in the Bunch world? Hmmmmm. Autumn is here! The trees are gorgeous and the temps have dipped. I have resisted wearing my heavy Winter coat knowing I "just" put it away not long ago (April!) - but at the park today it was 55˚ with a cold breeze and I was cursing the fleece that just wasn't doing the job! We hit up Windy Acres as we do every Fall - play time on the wooden old school toys and pumpkin patch lovin'.

I still like trains, MOM!

Of course the princess can always be found overseeing her kingdom:

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!

So many pumpkins to choose from...

Sad admission: we did not find the perfect pumpkin here - but at the local supermarket on our drive home... Zoinks!

Daddy, with his mad pumpkin carving skills did this: (should I add pumkin carving skills to the top paragraph's resume of why I adore him???)

Sadly, she just got tossed over the deck due to mold! We may need another trip to the market!

Ben... Ben... Ben... What to report on Ben... Well, reports from school are not improving anymore. I inquired a few days ago from his teacher via email and this is an excerpt from her reply. "Ben is really trying his personal best to attend and to stay on task.  He continues to have difficulty in this area.  He is easily distracted and has trouble attending during small and whole group instruction.  I continue to work one on one with Ben to help him complete classroom activities." She encouraged us to have him "evaluated" so I am heading to the school Monday to get the paperwork process rolling.

Here is my current take: Ben is super smart. Ben is super independent. Ben thrives on one on one attention. (Remember, he has a big sister with a big personality who commands attention from all when she is in the room.) He is at his personal best those few hours after she hops on the bus until he goes to afternoon preK. We will get him "evaluated". If he qualifies to have his own personal aide in the classroom for the entire year - so be it! He will only thrive because someone is focusing on him and him alone.

Again, as I learned from my first "defensive" meeting with his teachers - this school district is all about catching challenges quick and dealing with them, so as the kiddos get older, they can go forth with confidence in their social and academic skills. I am embracing the "evaluation" - no more stigmata clouding my decisions.

Daddy sent me this pic that Ben drew of their morning activity: He and Ben had been playing Connect Four (or Checkers, as Ben calls it...) - so Ben drew a journal entry about the fun.

Our freakin' Picasso - or was it Van Gogh that was the challenged artist? :)

Last evening was the PTA's big preK-K event. We chose "Trip Around the World" as the theme and it was a huge hit! In America, Ben happily signed his name on the declaration of independence. Below in France, Ben channeled his inner Monet and painted an awesome water color that will take up precious frig space for at least a month!

Monet, Mom? Really? I was thinking more Matisse!

In Australia he decorated a boomerang with sharpies, then immediately threw it across a gym filled with 200 people... possibly not the smartest activity the PTA came up with for the evening...

I am about to take out an eye or two!

In England, he enjoy a lovely tea party. Seriously, look at that smile. That is what happens when tiers of cupcakes are waiting for four year olds to devour them!

What Alice in Wonderland character could I be?

It was such a fun event. We snuck out early to meet up with Daddy and Emma at Molly's daddy's 40th birthday party. Ben had fun but all it took was one mention of going to Molly's house to get him to stop digging in the giant sand box filled with buried treasures in Egypt (skeletons, jewels - seriously, it was awesome!) - this kid has an affinity to our Annie-esque red head pal aka Molly and her awesome toy collection in the basement of their home. This afternoon he randomly announced, "I love Molly, Mommy. I should go to her house tomorrow and the next day..."

Happy Anniversary, Daddy! How lucky are we that we got to have our kiddos come with us for our special night out. (Seriously, read with no sarcasm - we really are blessed.) We chose Indian cuisine, and pigged out. The kids stuck to the chili cheese naan minus the chili calling it "Indian Pizza". Whatever works... And we have tons of left overs that I am now about to attack!! Good night! xoxo

Pizza is good in any country.

I'm trying to be Fancy Nancy drinking with my pinkies out!

Wait a minute. Did we just eat dinner in a train car that "was killed and made into a restaurant?" (Can you guess which kid said this?)

Train car dinner crashers.

October goodness

Since we last chatted, this mama has been on the go. I hit up my favorite B&B solo for about 21 hours in LA last Thurs before jetting off (and by "jetting" I mean cattle-calling with the good passengers of SWA) to Phoenix for a leadership retreat (and by "retreat" I mean BOOTCAMP!) with my hubby. Gramma Lou to the rescue, once again, tending ever so lovingly to the needs of Batter 1 and Batter 2, not to mention the furry Batter who is potentially experiencing his last year here on good 'ole Earth. (I would tell you more, but this blog is dedicated to my human children. If you want to know more about the furry Batter, click on Dodoisanass.com - fyi, not a real website - just the website I text my husband when the furry Batter does ass-like things like pee on the carpet or get into the trash or chew on the door framing or... holy crap, somebody remind me this is the Batter human sight QUICK!)

Emsadoodle continues to wow us daily. She is such a beautiful work in progress. Case in point, Monday was a school holiday and we were blessed with gorgeous Autumn weather. The kids were outside for HOURS! (Seriously, HOURS!) At one point in the late afternoon, Ben in his innocence came upstairs and nonchalantly mentioned that our neighbor girl, Anna, was playing outside, too, but she went home because Emma and Vivian were teasing her. I didn't like the sound of that much, but I gave Em the benefit of the doubt and went outside. I innocently said, "Hey girls, I thought I heard Anna's voice, too. Was she playing with you?" Emma, without hesitation (phew) said, "She was here, but she went home... We were kinda teasing her and she didn't like it." I asked her if she thought that was a good choice or a bad choice. She admitted bad choice and I suggested we go over to Anna's and apologize because she wouldn't like it much if a friend was teasing her. It took a good 20 minutes of cajoling (I'm too shy. I'm so embarrassed!), and ultimately Daddy had to step in with stronger verbal encouragement, but she finally knocked on Anna's door and said, "I'm sorry." It was possibly the hardest things she ever had to do! But I believe she has learned... we will see.

Whilst Gramma Lou was kidsitting, Ems continued to hone her skill on the Rainbow loom. Youtube instructional videos are our best friends. (Seriously, I changed the cabin filter on my minivan for $12 vs $90 the oil change place wanted - giggle!) Below is an awesome example of her mad skills:

I'm taking requests!

Gramma also got to be the Fall Book Fair shopper helper while we were gone. Ben is now less Angry Bird and more Lego "name your theme of the week" obsessed - although he dreams in mish-mash. (He wakes up every morning and tells me his dreams. They are a mash up of Angry Birds Start Wars and Lego Chima...) He builds to the theme of the week, too, and we couldn't be prouder of his creations.

How freakin' cute am I? Remember this pic 6 pics from now...

This is the awesomeness that was our Bootcamp in Phoenix. Work hard, play hard, my dear readers.

Did I mention the 5 star pillows? I need to find out where these resorts buy their pillows...

Whilst we were gone - two spectacular things happened. Emma conquered the Monkey Bars. Then Ben said, "I can do that!" And conquered the Monkey Bars!!! Holy crap!

Evidence!!!

Abuelita went above and beyond in her Halloween costume purchasing this year. Em is full on Merida - dress, wig, bow and arrow. She has worn it every possible moment (read: not at school) since receiving it. Our office, our minivan, our stairwell, our LIFE is currently covered in glitter from the dress (which, according to Emma, has a REAL diamond pendant!). Ben will be an Angry Bird - I have yet to capture a good pic of him in costume, but I am confident if it means getting candy, he will wear it.

I can totally pull of this RED HEAD thing!

Speaking of monkey bars, today when I picked Ben up from school he busted out the doors his usual happy self. We walked to the car chatting happily away about his afternoon. We buckled him in and drove away and at about half way home he bursts into tears. It completely took me by surprise and I was all what's up buddy? He went on to tell me he was on the monkey bars at school and fell off and hurt his chin and the "good guys" didn't come and help him. He asked if I could stay with him at school so next time he hurt himself I could be the "good guy" and hug him if he got hurt. *HolyHeartBreakILoveThisKid!*

Nuttin' a piece of ice can't cure... Ben, I'll still be your good guy!

School pictures came home in the backpacks today. The following are crappy cell phone shots of the pics. Aren't the Batter kids cute?

I'm in 1st grade and I'm cute.

WAIT FOR IT...

I'm in preK and I HAVE TO POOP? (Can you say, "Reshoot?") Or is it awesomely ridiculously PERFECTION!

Benjiboogleheimer

So I finally got to conference with Ben's teacher and the school psychologist. As I was waiting in the office to meet them I couldn't get over how nervous I was. What was I so anxious about? After the meeting I called Daddy and he asked, "How'd it go?" I basically said this, "It turns out I may just be a giant jump to conclusions a**hole." Daddy was like, "Ohhhhkaaaay? Wanna talk about it?"

So here is how the meeting shook down. I went in there thinking they were going to tell me he was a real problem in the class, not following directions, having no focus - a real distraction to the kids...

It turns out that his teacher wanted to meet because she absolutely adores him (how did I doubt that anyone could NOT adore this quirky kid???) and it breaks her heart when she sees him struggling in class. She went on to explain that at this age kids should be playing "with" each other not just "side by side". Ben is still in side by side mode and she could tell he really wanted to play "with" the other kids, he just wasn't sure how to do that. She has been sitting with him at play time and encouraging him to ask a new kid every day questions to get to know them. "What's your favorite food?" "Do you like to play any sports?" etc. The past two days he has been coming home asking for play dates with his new best friend (whoever she worked with him to talk to that day) and it is super sweet. You can tell how excited he is after school now.

She also said he has trouble with transitioning from one activity to the next. When she asks the class to stop what they are doing and clean up or get ready to do something else and he doesn't want to, he makes all kinds of crazy noises (He has been doing that for months now at home - a cacophony from sun up to sun down). She feels the noises come from an anxiety based place - meaning they soothe him when he is being asked to do something he doesn't necessarily want to do. She has been working on transitions with him by making up a specific picture calendar of activities that they do and going through it with him daily. What's funny is, yesterday morning he said to me, "Okay, mom, first we are are going to play with the lady bug game, then we are going to go outside, then we will eat lunch, then we will get in the car and drive to school." Now I understand where the agenda making came from!

So basically it was a real positive meeting. They gave me some ideas to work on at home and a list of specifically how she is working with him in the classroom. It turns out preK teachers in this district truly are a blessing, they don't just play around - she is really working hard to get Ben off on a positive note and loving school. She said he is incredibly bright and tries so hard to listen now that we / they have been encouraging him to follow directions (vs make up your own way) and I am excited to see how he grows in this environment. Feel free to remind me once in a while to stop jumping to conclusions - I guess that is just the mama bear in me... :) As he walked into school yesterday he announced full voice to all the parents, "I hope I follow directions today!" Everyone burst out laughing. Giggle.

We had a busy weekend. Two birthday parties and go cart riding galore. Emma and Daddy dressed up Dodo:

Look at that mushy face. Could he be any grumpier?

Party number one:

I think she likes cake...

Whoever anonymously sent us these flashlights from Amazon - they are awesome and we use them nightly - Thank you!!

Still on the original batteries, too!

Birthday party #2: Emma is the pink blur in the rope tunnel up top. I remember having to crawl into that thing 3 years ago and rescue her. All the parents and I were remarking that we have finally passed the rescue phase at these kinds of parks. Our kids are all big enough and brave enough to do the scary stuff on their own!

Brave girl chasing her friend, Nathaniel.

Take my picture, Mom!

Yes, dear.

Ben on the peddle go karts at the Lainie's Way demo afternoon while Em was at party #2.

a Sunday stroll.

I introduced her to needle point. She totally got it (I was surprised). I still have to guide her and remind her top to bottom, then bottom to top. She only has the focus for a few minutes at a time though.

Can I use my nose freckles as a guide?

Lastly, what's a blog reading without another Ben building? He was using Emma's Math flashcards to make this one.

Cheese!

One down. Seven to go.

It is October 1st. Know what that means? Well to Ben, one school month down and 7 1/2 to go!

We were supposed to meet with his teacher yesterday but she went home early with stomach pains. She was not in school today so I am sure we will reschedule our pow wow when she feels better.

When I asked him yesterday if he listened to his teacher and followed directions he said, "No." When I asked him why he didn't listen he said, "Because it's funny and I make the kids laugh." Ut-oh...

Enough on that subject until I can figure out what to do with that kid!

What have we been up to? Well, the weather Gods have blessed us with 75˚ sunshiny days. We have tried to be outside as much as possible - which means delaying homework until 6:00pm. That is not always a good choice for Mommy, but I really want them to enjoy the sun while it's here. Last year was the longest Winter on record - seriously, we were wearing out heavy coats until the end of April. I fear another Winter like that so if silly 1st grade homework suffers a wee bit, then so be it. She gets it done - she just whines a whole heck of a lot about it. Mommy and Daddy are truly the ones suffering, not her!

Speaking of suffering, the NY state has instituted this new curriculum called "Core Curriculum" that is supposed to challenge the kids to think more critically at an earlier age, blah blah blah. Ben is catching it at the perfect time, his first year in school. Em is catching it at a decent time, grade 1. She needs to "relearn" a few things, but so far has not been at all challenged by it unlike many of her peers. I won't go into too much detail, but I am grateful Math was one of my favorite subjects (and Daddy is simply wicked smart) - it seems as though Em has inherited our love of math and she is excelling in the new curriculum. Phew!

What else do we do? We have tea parties in the Penthouse:

You'll need a reservation...

Friday Night Lights - Ben refused a pic in his jersey... Flag football village fun!

Our Princess TomBoy!

Ben builds with whatever he can get his paws on:

Yep! That would be the contents of my trunk...

And, the contents of our junk drawer...

Don't forget Legos on a daily basis!

Gramma Lou was here for the weekend and took the kids to Adventure Land with the free passes my friend gave me.

Hell's Angel? Or breast cancer awareness month?

Where's the dvd player?

My favorite ride as a kid. I think they liked it! Thanks, Gramma!

Boxes

So I'm picking Ben up from school yesterday and his teacher pulls me aside to ask if I could come in next week and meet with her and the school psychologist to talk about Ben. As she is asking this, my neighbor's twins who I also pick up and drive home are hanging off me and yammering on about something and I'm all like, "Talk to the psychologist about who?" And the teacher looks at me all funny and says, "Ben. Your son."

I go, "Whatsamatter with Ben?" She went on to explain that he has trouble focusing in class and doesn't listen to directions very well. I agreed to meet with them and was oddly reeling on the ride home from school. But Ben is perfect! Surely she is confusing our Ben with the other Benjamin in class...

Then not 10 minutes after arriving home I get a phone call from the school. I assume it is the teacher calling to confirm a date and time to meet with the psychologist to brainstorm ideas to get Ben on track. Nope. It's the school PE teacher calling to let me know Ben isn't listening very well in gym and doesn't participate in the activities - pretty much lays on the ground and ignores her.

Well, okay then. Perhaps our perfect little man is only 98% perfect...

I explained to her what his classroom teacher said and we had a good talk about the age (he is only 4!), and how boys are more physically active versus mentally active, etc etc (it was a good talk) - she was mostly concerned because he is the only one who is not participating and wanted to know what she could do to get him involved. I invited her to join in on my psychologist session and she seemed pleased that I would ask.

Now, forgive me for this next bit but THE FREAKIN' SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST? You all know Ben, he's our quirky kid! I think the teacher is jumping the gun on this one, but I am happy to humor them so I can then challenge them to draw on their vast experience and inspire this kid to want to pay better attention.

Daddy and I talked it out. He does not have ADHD - the kid can sit focused for hours making clay models, etc. He is very social and communicates well with strangers - the kid does not have Aspergers nor is he Autistic. It is my belief that the kid is a 4 1/2 year old boy that would rather be building than doing activities that are "forced" upon him in the school setting. We'll go to the meetings. We will enforce their suggestions. We will see if he thrives in that environment or needs an environment that encourages learning through building. We will pull him if we have to and find him a place where he will thrive. I don't believe that it will come to this but we will do whatever it takes! No one puts Benny in a box. No one! :)

Free time? Hahahaha, that's funny!

Now that the kids are back in school, I am supposed to have some free time to catch up on my journaling. Nope! I've learned there will always be something to do! Need to plan out my day better...

One of the reasons I am behind is I got to go to LA for work last week for 2 full days. (I'm usually in and out in 1 day!) The best part about my visits there is that I get to stay with my favorite peeps and see baby Rylan grow!

Why yes, I'll take a bite of Ryry cheeks, please!

The first week of school went well. Both kids are happy to get out the door and have had good days upon returning home. Phew! Ben did say to me yesterday (2nd week of school) at 12:15 (we head out at 12:25), "Mom, can I sit on your lap and snuggle?" Sure, buddy! (I'll never turn down a Ben snuggle.) He climbed on my lap and we got all cozy, then he said, "Mom, can I stay here all day?" No, bud, you've got to go to school in 10 minutes. "That's okay, Mom, I don't need to go. I'll just stay here with you." Super sweet!! When the time came, he was happy to put on his sneakers and go - no worries. :)

While I was in LA, Daddy signed up the kiddos for our village rec program flag football. I was all for him signing Emma up, but I was worried it may be a waste of money signing Ben up. Daddy vetoed my fear of him not being interested and signed them both up. Guess what? He had a blast.

Mom, you have to stop coddling me. I'M FINE.

We have also spent hours (SERIOUSLY, HOURS) helping Emma with her new rainbow loom rubberband craft maker thingy. There is a reason the box says 8+ on it. Younger kids can build the designs on the pegs, but you need to be at least 35+ to "weave" the bands without snapping them, or accidently letting go of one and ruining the whole damn craft you just spent the last 60 minutes of your life trying to "help" your impatient kid make.

Daddy barely qualifies for the weaving part...

The results sure do make her happy though:

Cheese!

Autumn weather is here. Average temps are 65-75. It has been fabulous for outdoor play. Hooray! (Newsflash: Rocketship park will be getting a face lift this spring. All new toys and no more sand! Can I get a "whoop whoop"?)

I'm Queen of the World!

We like to wander the streets of our village looking in the windows. Apparently, we also like hanging out in empty phone booths.

Eyesore! Minus the cute kids...

Last night I was cozied up on the couch and looked around the room and laughed. How many Ben structures can you see in this pic? What movie were we watching? How cluttered in our under tv space? Don't Daddy's knees look cute?

Answers: 5 Ben structures, Nightmare before Christmas, Very, Yes.

6 years...

You guessed it, folks, the 1st day of school has arrived! As a kid I remember school shopping and picking out the perfect first day of school outfit... I don't think I ever sparkled and shined quite like this kid, but, WOW - isn't she fit for a jazz performance?? Love this girl...even though she tossed and turned in bed until close to 10pm last night whining that she was going to "miss me and Daddy and Dodo (the dumb dog!) sooooooooo much now!" now that she was going back to school. Oi! She woke up at 7:30am very cranky, and it took every ounce of patience I had to get her dressed, fed and out the door to the bus. As per usual, some kind of magic spell is cast (or uncast) upon her as she passes the threshold of our door - she became super pleasant and nice and excited as we waited with our pals for the bus! (I will have her up at 7:30am and out the door at 7:31am tomorrow and waiting an hour for the bus if that is what it takes to have our happy go lucky Emma...)

Why, yes, I did choose these clothes. I am SIX, you know.

On the first day of school last year, it was just Em climbing aboard the yellow bus... What a marvelous difference a year makes. We have four new families in our happy culdesac and it certainly makes the bus stop more entertaining!

Janey snuck into the pic but looks as though she fits right in!

The bus was 15 minutes late - I found out tonight at the PTA meeting that we have a new bus company this year and the drivers JUST got their routes last week. Needless to say we had lots of late buses to school today, but who is counting...

But lookie here. What do we have? Benjiboogleheimer with a name tag? Could it be? Is he going to school, too?? Why, yes, he is! PreK! And we are so proud of this little stud muffin.

I'm 4 1/2. Aren't I cute?

Daddy switched his schedule so he could go with me to take Ben to afternoon PreK. He starts at 12:40 and ends at 3:25. He will be in the class with 4 of his preschool pals so basically it was a breeze for him to transition - not that we were worried, this kid loves making "new friends".

Ben and his pal, Sam. Seriously? DEEELICIOUS, I say.

I snapped this award winning (ala -"I will show this at your wedding" pic of Sammy) pic and needed to record it here on the internet for all posterity.

Ben was so awesome. He was saying "HI!" to all the kids and when the teachers opened the door, he was first in line to head inside. He has Mrs Giglio - the same PreK teacher as Em. We adore her and know Ben will thrive in her care...

I'm a big boy now.

I'm including this next pic out of sequence just to show you how quirky this kid is: Seriously, socks pulled to the knee caps in one pic, squished down in the next. He cannot decide...

But I had an AWESOME afternoon, Mom, who cares how many times I manipulated my socks!

Secret Ingredient

Soooooo much happening in the Batter Bunch world, but it's midnight and this mama just drove 4 hours solo to visit her ailing papa (that's another story), but I cannot go to bed without documenting (and apologizing to Henry's mommy) for this afternoon's happenings. But first, some back story...

The day was wackadoodle from the onset. Seriously, Ben slept until 8am again (!!!) which wreaks havoc on the world - the whole "a butterfly flutters it's wings in China and causes a tsumani in Baja MX / CA" effect. I had every intention of getting the kids out the door and to the library by 10 am, it did not happen - too much LIFE intervened (another story) and we made it to the library lunchless at 12:30. By the time we got home from the library plus errands it was 3pm and our sweet neighbor, Sunjin and her baby had set up their kiddie pool and invited us to join them. As you can see from the pic below, our kiddos are WAY to old for this pool, but it did not stop them from having a blast and (hopefully) not wrecking the pool.

What is funny about our dear sweet neighbor is English is her second language and she explained to me this afternoon that she was so happy to have Emma and Ben join her kid in the pool because it meant she could "take a break" while Jakey played with E and B!! She then asked me when kids started playing on their own without needing their Moms the entire time they were awake to humor them and I was all, "Sunjin, maybe just maybe our cultures are different, or maybe just maybe I am slightly SELFISH, but I do not give my kids sun up to sun down attention." She thought about this for a minute and was ultimately confused - and it wasn't a language barrier.

Emma and Ben fo the future, I love you, I love playing with you but you have grown into 'perfect' sweet INDEPENDENT children because we parents have not doted on you from sun up to sun down. We have given you space and your imaginations are sooooo much better for it...

WAIT FOR IT! Their imaginations are so good that this transpired this afternoon: Ben got the shivers so I took him up to the penthouse and got him into dry clothes. He decided he wanted to stay inside and build lego sets while I went back out to hang with Em. No problem. When I came outside Em had her beach sand bucket and her and Henry were busy filling it with a Magic Potion. (Oooooh, the story is getting so exciting!!!) They spent the next 20 minutes looking for the prefect ingredients - you know, grass, a rock, a leaf, some wild berries.... Next thing I know, a bathing suited Emma sits on her bucket and leans over to look at her bum on the bucket. I think, what is she doing until I REALIZE WHAT SHE IS DOING!!!

"EMMA BATTER, ARE YOU PEEING IN THE BUCKET??????" Every resident of our sweet village surely heard my screech. Henry ran away fast not sure of what to make of my howl and Emma stood quickly claiming all innocence.

She finally admitted her felony and we had a serious chat about it. Her defense, "But Mom, we were making a magic potion and that was my secret ingredient."

Yep. That's all I got. Good night!

I don't even have a funny caption for this...