Happy New Year to you all. The hustle and bustle of the Holidays is finally at an end. Now, I am living in the whirlwind of cleaning up and shipping out.
For Christmas, I shopped with purpose. Not only would the kids love their new toys but I didn't buy anything that had no place to go. Several times during our shopping trips, Randy would persist that a certain toy would be so cool and each child would love it. I had to put my foot down long enough to stress that I have no place for that toy. I wish I would have thought about shopping like that for the past few Christmases.
Santa delayed his trip to our house since Randy worked on Christmas. The kids were none the wiser. We adjusted the Advent calendar accordingly and things were running A-OK until Jake was dismissed from school on the 23rd only to inform me that "so and so" said Christmas was in two days. Hmmm, another quick thinking moment for me. "Yes, most people are celebrating Christmas in two days but I put a special call in for Santa to come when we can all be together." No more questions came up and we had extra time to prepare, which I so desperately needed.
Santa dumped his entire sleigh around our tree and the overflow came on Tuesday with extended family arriving to celebrate the season with us. Those gifts were the ones I wasn't prepared for. Those wonderful gifts are still looking for a permanent spot in our "busting at the seams" home. I am happy to report they will all find a great place this weekend (only to be pulled out and left on the floor, I'm sure).
However, in order to put everything away, I have the daunting task of going through old toys and getting them ready for a trip to the shelter. There's always this magical moment of feeling like I'm getting somewhere, sorting through the clutter and staying far away from becoming a hoarder, only to have this feeling squashed by two little people digging through the box exclaiming, "Hey, wait, that's mine! I've been looking for that!". Toys find their way out of the box and back to a basket that is once again spilling over with toys. Attempt number one: fail.
In the weeks ahead, I WILL get the toys back to the box and out the door. Some toys I am unable to part with. Just when I pick something up, I think about the Island of Misfit Toys, who would love to have a home, or Buzz and Woody, who are at wit's end when they are separated from Andy, and I put the toy back. Yes, I know they don't come alive at night but I can't bear giving away toys that have some sort of emotional attachment on my child's end. Perhaps when Jake and Kyla are in high school and rarely home they will say, "Mom, why do you still have this old thing?" By that point, it will be me who can't part with it because the emotional attachment will be too much...for these things used to belong to my babies.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
'dicks and 'duff
Did the title get your attention? No worries, it got me too when Kyla gave me a stick and asked me if I'd like to 'dick fight. How could I turn that down? She was so proud of the sticks she had found and couldn't wait to beat me at her own game. I gave my stick to Jake so he could join in the fun but she quickly grabbed it from his hand and said, "No, Mommy, dis you 'dick." Aw, thanks Kyla, just what I always wanted!
Kyla is two and a half. I absolutely love this age minus the lack of "shush time". Between the two of them, my ears might as well be bloody by the end of the day. I take it all in stride. Afterall, I will blink and find them in their rooms nearly all day long and telling me their day was fine while rolling their eyes. Despite how hard the days and weeks may seem, I would like to pause, if just for a short time.
It's nice to know the way we speak at home is really sinking into her little mind. Every time I sneeze (which happens to be a lot lately), Kyla tells me "bess you". If I sneeze more than once, she says, "Oh my goohness, gah bess you". Tonight, she reminded me to "cover you mouf cuz das gwoss". Just this week, I asked her if she wanted something in particular when she responded with a 'no' and 'thanks for asking'. It goes to show that how we speak to one another most of the time is how she will speak to others. I don't find this a difficult task yet I am amazed with how many people don't speak the basics of 'please' and 'thank you'.
While both of my children are learning to master the English language, I can't help but enjoy the mistakes and feel a little sad that this too shall pass. Jake likes it when I take his 'tenchaper' (temperature) and he often answers a question with a very innocent 'yeth'. Kyla likes to tell me 'das kayzee' when, in fact, she is the crazy one around here. Her latest word is 'thingamajigger' to which I cannot even begin to tell you how she has butchered that word because it could be offensive, though she and Jake have no idea what she just said.
I will most certainly miss these days. I try each and every day to find the best and enjoy it because it will soon become a memory. Watching my kids grow and learn from day to day has been a huge blessing and one that's bittersweet. Kyla is in such a hurry to go to school and do everything herself. Being my last baby, I wish she'd slow down and smell the roses with me.
Kyla is two and a half. I absolutely love this age minus the lack of "shush time". Between the two of them, my ears might as well be bloody by the end of the day. I take it all in stride. Afterall, I will blink and find them in their rooms nearly all day long and telling me their day was fine while rolling their eyes. Despite how hard the days and weeks may seem, I would like to pause, if just for a short time.
It's nice to know the way we speak at home is really sinking into her little mind. Every time I sneeze (which happens to be a lot lately), Kyla tells me "bess you". If I sneeze more than once, she says, "Oh my goohness, gah bess you". Tonight, she reminded me to "cover you mouf cuz das gwoss". Just this week, I asked her if she wanted something in particular when she responded with a 'no' and 'thanks for asking'. It goes to show that how we speak to one another most of the time is how she will speak to others. I don't find this a difficult task yet I am amazed with how many people don't speak the basics of 'please' and 'thank you'.
While both of my children are learning to master the English language, I can't help but enjoy the mistakes and feel a little sad that this too shall pass. Jake likes it when I take his 'tenchaper' (temperature) and he often answers a question with a very innocent 'yeth'. Kyla likes to tell me 'das kayzee' when, in fact, she is the crazy one around here. Her latest word is 'thingamajigger' to which I cannot even begin to tell you how she has butchered that word because it could be offensive, though she and Jake have no idea what she just said.
I will most certainly miss these days. I try each and every day to find the best and enjoy it because it will soon become a memory. Watching my kids grow and learn from day to day has been a huge blessing and one that's bittersweet. Kyla is in such a hurry to go to school and do everything herself. Being my last baby, I wish she'd slow down and smell the roses with me.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Bait down, belly up?
Earlier in the week, I was putting Jake to bed when I heard it. The creepy sound of a mouse gnawing and clawing at the wall. Knocking on the wall did not stop the little beast from trying to eat his way through. Pounding on the wall was yet another failed attempt. By this point, my little boy is starting to panic and has requested to go back downstairs. This mad dash to the couch that I have been waiting to claim all day led to the "they're more scared of you" talk. I could see he was beginning to feel a little better. Meanwhile, I just stared at the wall waiting to see the first sign of mouse freedom.
Ten minutes after an already drawn out bedtime, Jake wandered downstairs to get some toys. Afterall, he couldn't sleep with all the noise by his bed. I made a snap decision to use my magical mommy powers and turn his dark cloud into something brighter. I asked him if he'd like to name the mouse. Sherman the Vermin was born. He immediately went back to bed and began to talk to Sherman. Jake made one demand: that we not kill Sherman, cats included. Um, okay.
Disappointment washed over Jake when he went to bed the following night and didn't hear his new friend behind the wall. I said perhaps he went out to eat. I'm sure he'll be back just as soon as he can. Another night went by and no more word from his new pal, Sherman. Where was that little bastard? I certainly hoped he didn't make it to the other side of the wall somewhere else.
Thankfully, the next afternoon brought a visit from our pest control company. After much research to learn about humane traps, the decision was made to put a bait box in the access panel next to the toilet in the master bathroom. All evidence pointed to a mouse hangout in that area, not to mention it was often patrolled by our feline friends.
It has been at least 5 days since I have heard anything from Sherman. I can only assume that he is stiff-legged somewhere in our walls with his friends. Per the advice from a website, I dripped peppermint oil around the toilet area to keep any mice from entering through the access panel. I have no idea if they've made it through the barrier since I hike a little further to use the kids' bathroom at night. What can I say? I suppose someone needs to have the "they're more scared of you" talk with me.
Ten minutes after an already drawn out bedtime, Jake wandered downstairs to get some toys. Afterall, he couldn't sleep with all the noise by his bed. I made a snap decision to use my magical mommy powers and turn his dark cloud into something brighter. I asked him if he'd like to name the mouse. Sherman the Vermin was born. He immediately went back to bed and began to talk to Sherman. Jake made one demand: that we not kill Sherman, cats included. Um, okay.
Disappointment washed over Jake when he went to bed the following night and didn't hear his new friend behind the wall. I said perhaps he went out to eat. I'm sure he'll be back just as soon as he can. Another night went by and no more word from his new pal, Sherman. Where was that little bastard? I certainly hoped he didn't make it to the other side of the wall somewhere else.
Thankfully, the next afternoon brought a visit from our pest control company. After much research to learn about humane traps, the decision was made to put a bait box in the access panel next to the toilet in the master bathroom. All evidence pointed to a mouse hangout in that area, not to mention it was often patrolled by our feline friends.
It has been at least 5 days since I have heard anything from Sherman. I can only assume that he is stiff-legged somewhere in our walls with his friends. Per the advice from a website, I dripped peppermint oil around the toilet area to keep any mice from entering through the access panel. I have no idea if they've made it through the barrier since I hike a little further to use the kids' bathroom at night. What can I say? I suppose someone needs to have the "they're more scared of you" talk with me.
Monday, November 1, 2010
October? Where are you?
Another month has come and gone. My favorite season, Fall, is very much upon us and I couldn't be enjoying it more. The fireplace has been going, flannel sheets are on, and the stink bugs are almost gone (I hope!).
Jacob has completed his 2nd full month of Kindergarten and he is loving every minute of it. I started to volunteer in his class twice a month and am very impressed with the curriculum. Unfortunately, his shortened school day leaves no time for recess or any fun for that matter. Needless to say, he is VERY energetic when he gets home which is not my favorite part of the day. His soccer season just came to a close and I am sad to see it over. He did very well and scored two goals of his own. He also tried his hand at being the Goalie and, I must say, I don't like the feeling I get when my son is the one in charge of the net. As his mom, I hope that his defense can keep the ball away but, let's face it, defense at this age consists of a cluster of kids all kicking the ball and knocking each other down. He enjoyed it and, in the end, that's what matters most. He will continue with indoor soccer later in the winter.
Kyla is still a terror with a size 7 shoe. She has no problem saying "NO!" and running off. She has been doing so well with using the bathroom, she is now diaperless at night. It feels so good to pass right through the diaper section of the coupon book! We are still looking to transition her to a bigger bed, which will hopefully give her a better night's sleep. It seems like bad dreams have been contributing to her middle of the night wakings lately. She is an animal wrangler in every sense of the word. I tell her MANY times a day to get off the dog(s) and cat(s) to which she says, "I can't". I'm starting to believe she really can't leave them alone. I am happy to see she has the 'animal love' gene but it would be nice if she'd listen for just once!
At the advice of friends, I have started to parent using 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan. It is working like a charm. Jake has a hard time with number 1, always asking if I can erase it. Kyla will nod at me after each number and sulk her way to her time out spot. She is hard headed, like her daddy, but she is getting it. It is a very easy method to use which makes me very happy!
Halloween has come and gone and we all had a great time. Jake decided on G.I. Joe and Kyla was a witch for our neighborhood trick or treating. Randy and I took the kids to Halloween in the Park on the 29th and I am happy to say we stumbled upon a new tradition. The State Park nearby has a weekend in which people sponsor campsites, decorate them for Halloween, and the kids can trick or treat in the evening. Some of the sites were so well done and the kids were able to collect candy without having to worry about knocking on doors or cars going by. We've already discussed sponsoring a campsite in future years to keep the tradition going.
All in all, October was a very busy yet great month. It is my favorite and will be missed until next year. Good news is, we have everything to look forward to in November. One good thing about to happen is the end of the political commercials and phone calls! ;)
Jacob has completed his 2nd full month of Kindergarten and he is loving every minute of it. I started to volunteer in his class twice a month and am very impressed with the curriculum. Unfortunately, his shortened school day leaves no time for recess or any fun for that matter. Needless to say, he is VERY energetic when he gets home which is not my favorite part of the day. His soccer season just came to a close and I am sad to see it over. He did very well and scored two goals of his own. He also tried his hand at being the Goalie and, I must say, I don't like the feeling I get when my son is the one in charge of the net. As his mom, I hope that his defense can keep the ball away but, let's face it, defense at this age consists of a cluster of kids all kicking the ball and knocking each other down. He enjoyed it and, in the end, that's what matters most. He will continue with indoor soccer later in the winter.
Kyla is still a terror with a size 7 shoe. She has no problem saying "NO!" and running off. She has been doing so well with using the bathroom, she is now diaperless at night. It feels so good to pass right through the diaper section of the coupon book! We are still looking to transition her to a bigger bed, which will hopefully give her a better night's sleep. It seems like bad dreams have been contributing to her middle of the night wakings lately. She is an animal wrangler in every sense of the word. I tell her MANY times a day to get off the dog(s) and cat(s) to which she says, "I can't". I'm starting to believe she really can't leave them alone. I am happy to see she has the 'animal love' gene but it would be nice if she'd listen for just once!
At the advice of friends, I have started to parent using 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan. It is working like a charm. Jake has a hard time with number 1, always asking if I can erase it. Kyla will nod at me after each number and sulk her way to her time out spot. She is hard headed, like her daddy, but she is getting it. It is a very easy method to use which makes me very happy!
Halloween has come and gone and we all had a great time. Jake decided on G.I. Joe and Kyla was a witch for our neighborhood trick or treating. Randy and I took the kids to Halloween in the Park on the 29th and I am happy to say we stumbled upon a new tradition. The State Park nearby has a weekend in which people sponsor campsites, decorate them for Halloween, and the kids can trick or treat in the evening. Some of the sites were so well done and the kids were able to collect candy without having to worry about knocking on doors or cars going by. We've already discussed sponsoring a campsite in future years to keep the tradition going.
All in all, October was a very busy yet great month. It is my favorite and will be missed until next year. Good news is, we have everything to look forward to in November. One good thing about to happen is the end of the political commercials and phone calls! ;)
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