Tuesday, May 29, 2007
I'm Trying to be Understanding...
I'm trying to be understanding...with patience, tongue-biting and compromise.1. There are seven days of school left (with students). That sounds manageable, right? HELL NO! I am trying to be patient, as the wild animals (otherwise known as children) are swinging from light fixtures and acting as if they have never stepped foot in a school setting. I have practiced a number of nerve-calming strategies, such as: counting to 10 (x100), opera singing to relieve the stress, bribery with treats/rewards, laughing instead of crying, etc. What I REALLY want to do is scream, "Shut up!" "Sit down!" "GO HOME!" - and then top it off with heavy drinking to dull the pain. Do I need a break, or what?!
2. We are doing some home improvements on our property - mainly on the landscaping. First let me say that when my husband starts a project, his plans for the project tend to change a number of times before completion. These changes can occur weekly, daily, and without exaggeration - hourly. I usually let the projects take their course and offer limited suggestions. However on this occasion, I have been more vocal about my expectations - seeing how this project, which started as making room and building our daughters' swing set, has now turned into my husband's personal parking area. Our neighbors are going to love us!
3. Ella has now decided that her usual routine of going to sleep on her own, has officially ended. She would prefer that you hold her, rock her, rub her back, and sing sweet lullabies until falling asleep in your arms. If I didn't have to wrangle a 5 year old (who thinks sleeping is overrated) into bed each night, this would not be a problem!
4. My favorite TV show is over for the season. What will I do with my Wednesday nights, now that "Lost" is not on?
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 7:27 PM
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Preschool Drama
When I picked up Kellynn from school yesterday, she announced that she had a new boyfriend - AJ. "AJ?" I asked. "What about Austin?"
"I broke up with him since he goes to a new school now. AJ is my new boyfriend."
This was the first I'd heard of AJ. I assumed he must be a new little boy at her school. Of course, I asked her many "Mom" questions, like - What does he look like? How old is he? How do you know he is your boyfriend? (By the way, they kiss each other on the cheek. That's how she knows he is her boyfriend. NICE!)
So today when I picked her up, she met me at the door and wanted to go straight to the van. This was a bit unusual, since she normally wants to tell everyone goodbye. As we were walking to the van, we passed by the playground where children were playing. Curiosity got the best of me, so I asked.
"Which little boy is AJ?"
"I'm ready to go, Mom!" she said (as she's pulling me to the van).
"Okay...but I want to see AJ. I don't want to talk to him. Just point him out to me."
"NO! He's not my boyfriend anymore!" she exclaimed.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because he broke up with me today. He said he doesn't want ANY girlfriends!"
Her voice started trailing off into tears. Of course this broke my heart! I know she's only 5 years old - but some little boy broke her heart today!
"He called me names, too!" she continued.
"What?! He called you names? What did he call you?" I asked.
"Putt Putt," she replied.
It was hard to control my laughter when she announced the name he called her. But then she continued.
"I called him names too...but I don't want to tell you because it's a bad word."
"A bad word?" I asked, "What did you call him?"
After much coaxing and reassuring her that she would not be in trouble for telling me the "bad word," she finally agreed to tell me what she called him.
"Idiot," she said.
Must boys are, Kellynn. You've just met one of many...
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 6:47 PM
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Dare Devil - Take 2
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This kid amazes me! I cannot believe Ella is scaling my barricades at almost 14 months old! I used one of Kevin's "video rockers" to keep her away from his guitars. She is fascinated with them, and has turned them over on top of her, numerous times. I thought the chair would keep her away from them. I was wrong!
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 8:13 PM
Monday, May 21, 2007
Dare Devil
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Here is proof of Ella's climbing abilities. Notice she is saying, "No, no" as she is climbing to the top of her car.
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 8:53 PM
Monday, May 14, 2007
Random Ramblings...
I had a great Mother's Day yesterday. Kevin and the girls bought me a new iPod. I currently have one through work - but will soon have to give it back. It is a "First Grade" iPod and I am moving to 4th grade next year. Kevin knew how sad I was about having to give it up. Now I am happy again! It's a 30 GB with video! :) We also spent the day doing "family" stuff. We went to Lowe's to get mulch for my garden - Walmart to get worms for fishing (yes, I like to go fishing) - and to the park for a picnic, fishing and playing on the playground. It was a nice day. You may have noticed in the above paragraph, that I am moving out of First grade after this school year is over. After 8 years in First grade, I am left feeling "burnt out" (is that a real word?). It was a difficult decision for me to make, as I am extremely close to my co-worker and will greatly miss working with her. But I am ready for a new challenge, and completely ready for more mature children. I am totally over the whining!
Ella is showing signs of understanding what I am saying to her, and trying to mimic words I use. As she was carrying around a book this afternoon, I asked her to bring it to me. She started saying, "Book! Book!" (but without the K). Later, while giving her a bath, I said, "Give me your foot." She lifted her foot out of the water. When I asked for the other foot, she kept giving me the same foot. I would also like to mention that Ella is a climber! Kellynn was never a climber. In fact, it wasn't until this year that Kellynn was brave enough to climb to the top of her bunk bed. Ella, on the other hand, tests her climbing skills on anything she can put her hands and feet upon...couch, an open dishwasher, books, riding toys, etc. Speaking of riding toys! She has conquered the Little Tykes car and can balance and stand, hands free on the top! We had to put the car away, unless we are right there with her to supervise her activities.
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 8:41 PM
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Catching Up...
I really do have good intentions when it comes to updating my blog. The problem is, life always seems to get in the way. I never get around to updating, and then I forget what it was I wanted to share with you in the first place. So, here are a few of the things I CAN remember...The Secret Meaning Behind Motherhood
Guilt! I must have missed this clause in the contract when I signed up for motherhood five years ago. I wholeheartedly thought motherhood would be a breeze the first time around with Kellynn. After all, I love children and have devoted my career to teaching them. Little did I know how difficult it would actually be! The sleepless nights, the constant crying with colic, the allergies and never ending ear infections. The moments when I seriously questioned my sanity! Along with these things, came the guilt. I felt guilty for wanting to sleep or for wanting some alone time. I felt guilty for wanting to put her down after holding her all day. Each year passed with a "new phase" - each with its own version of guilt.
Fast forward to present time...and still more guilt! We've since added Ella to our family and with her comes a new version of guilt. The newborn/infant phase wasn't as difficult for me, as I felt well prepared this time. In fact, it was a breeze the second time around! Instead, I now feel guilt for being a full-time, working mother. I feel like I am missing out on so much of her growing up. Because I feel I am with her so little, I wonder if she knows I am her Mommy? I feel guilty for going to work everyday. I feel guilty when I go to my Step class at the Y (the one thing I do for myself). I want my girls to know me and want to be around me. When I get home after being at work all day, I am so tired. I just want to sit down and relax (again, more guilt). But I know that time with my girls is limited in the afternoons and evenings, and there is no time for sitting around. So I leave you with these questions. Do you ever feel guilt as a mother? How do you deal with it?
Beautiful Girls - Beautiful Pictures
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had my girls' pictures made. As my luck would have it, they were both "scraped up" and bruised for the photo shoot. Luckily, the photographers were able to edit the scratches and bruises out. I am so pleased with these photos! If you would like to see all of their pictures, send me an email and I will send the password for viewing.
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 8:04 PM
