Sunday, July 31, 2011

Saturday Night

I finally did it!  Last week I mentioned the Sunday morning happenings when I don't have the kids get things ready the night before.  Perhaps, this is what reminded me to remember (if that makes any sense.)!  Last night at about 7:30 pm, I told the kids that I wanted to see what they planned to wear for church.

My daughter quickly ran in and grabbed a dress and a pair of flip flops.  I need to remember to buy her some church shoes, one of these days.  At the previously mentioned K-Mart sale, we did have a p.air in our cart, they ended up being paid for and everything.  Then I looked at the receipt and saw that they didn't ring up, as the shoe sale mentioned, as Buy one pair, get the second half off.  I had paid for two pairs of shoes.  I had them remove the shoes from my sale and refund my money.  I was going to go to Payless ShoeSource where their shoes are Buy One, Get One 1/2 price.  I haven't gotten there yet.

The dress was a short dress that she knows she has to wear leggings under.  I told her that I wanted to see the leggings.  She goes to her room and comes out with a pair of tights.  As nice as this would work out any other day, when she wasn't going to be wearing flip flops to church, it wouldn't work this week.  Flip flops and tights are an impossible mixture.  She decided to find a longer dress which will work well.

My older son comes out holding a nice shirt.  I was happy with the shirt.  My next question, of course, is what pants are you going to wear?  He tells me that he can't find his church pants.  I send him in his room to continue the search.  He comes out after several minutes, with a pair of pants.  They are plaid pants.  I have to look twice to see what on earth they are.  I couldn't decide if it is a long-sleeve shirt or shorts or exactly what he is waving around.  It took me a second to figure out that he was waving his pajama bottoms around.  I told him that he would not be wearing those to church.  Back into the room he went.  He came out with his church pants.   I was happy, until he started turning them right side out.  This is when I see spots, which tells me that they should probably be washed.  We had just finished the laundry, so they weren't going to be washed last night.  We finally decided that he would wear a nice, black pair of pants.

Whew!   

This morning seems to be going well, considering what it could have been if things weren't figured out last night.  One child in the bathtub right now, 2 more to go.  Looks like we should be headed out the door on time this morning!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

School Days Are Quickly Approaching

I didn't do a blog yesterday.  Chalk it up to just not fitting it in, having a long day, and going to bed instead of taking the time to write. 

Yesterday K-Mart had a wonderful deal on jeans for children. The sale continues today... $7 for jeans for both girls and boys.  Since I have one of each, who start school on Aug 15, I decided I should run out and buy some pants for the kiddos.  My daughter came with me.  When I got there, there were very few jeans that ended up in this price category, but there were clearance racks for 40% off the lowest price.  So, I got my daughter 3 pairs of jeans for no more than $5 each.  They are cute jeans.  My son did end up with the $7 jeans.  Boys don't really seem to care too much for cute.  Socks are buy one, get one for 50% off, so I bought them socks as well.  Shirts are going to wait for another day.  I am always looking for a good deal on things that I need to buy.  If any of you hear of any good deals, please feel free to write a comment about it so that others may profit from your knowledge! 

It is amazing how quickly the summer time goes, especially with year-round schooling.  They finished their respective grades on July 1, and as I said, they will be going back on Aug 15.  Their summer break lasted all of about 6 weeks.  It seems like it will have been the perfect length though.  I have heard words like "I'm bored," and "There's nothing to do," creeping back into their vocabulary.  Perhaps this is because most of their friends are on other tracks at the school, and have already started back.

Year-round school struck terror into me as I heard the words being uttered at the school when I went to enroll them.  I quickly had thoughts running through my mind about what my children were going to think, how they were going to react, and if this is actually going to work.  Well, I have to say that I think that it is probably one of the wisest things they have come up with.  Children go to school for 9 weeks and get 3 weeks off.  My children loved the 3 weeks they got off within a couple of weeks of arriving here.  I also think this will work nicely when family from back East start making their homes in Nevada.  We will be able to go and visit them for awhile every 9 weeks, and not have to worry about the kiddos missing school.  That is definitely something that I am looking forward to!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Ducks and Bread...

In my first blog, I mentioned that we enjoyed walking over to feed the ducks some bread.  I mentioned this fact to my supervisor on Monday while she was giving me a ride to the commuter train from work.  She told me that bread is not good for ducks.  I couldn't believe that, I have always fed ducks, and any bird for that fact, bread.  It is like fast food for ducks...

So, forward to Tuesday.  I remembered what my supervisor had told me.   I had somewhat recuperated from my lack of sleep on Sunday night and full day of work Monday.  I told my husband, who also didn't know this fact.  He got online and did a search.  Indeed, bread is not good for ducks.  It does bad things to their organs.  So, instead of trying to make sure these little ducks had a good life, we were slowly killing them.  No, this isn't something I would ever want to do... I cry when goldfish die. 

My husband continued the article to let us know what we should feed ducks.  It goes along the lines of recently thawed frozen corn or peas, fresh carrots, sliced grapes, and Cheerios.  Of all the things in the list, Cheerios are by far the cheapest, and they will last the longest.  So, that is what we have decided to feed the ducks. 

Last night, my kids and my husband grabbed the yellow box  and walked over to the ducks.  I didn't join them this time, I was exhausted.   I had completely doubted that the ducks would want to eat Cheerios, but I figured if they didn't eat them, my children would.  Upon their return, I asked the inevitable.  Did the ducks eat any Cheerios?  Yes, and they loved them.  I was happy to hear that. 

Tonight I went on the duck feeding escapade.  My husband recorded it on the camera.  It was fun to see all of them eating up the Cheerios.  It makes it easier to feed them Cheerios, because the kids would grab a handful and throw them.  All of the ducks got to feast, rather than wait and hope they could grab a piece of the bread faster than any of the others.

I guess the moral of the story is, as much as ducks (and most birds) love bread, it is a good idea to read what is good for them, before feeding them.  I would have never known that bread was slowly killing the ducks, if my supervisor hadn't told me.  Therefore, I thought that I would pass the information along, in case you see a duck and want to feed it.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Bathroom time...

I am going to go back a few weeks.  One of my favorite shows to watch is Cops.  For whatever reason, my youngest was paying attention during the opening song and the clips they were showing during the song.  Luckily for us all (in complete sarcasm), they showed a snake in someone's toilet. 

He had been doing a wonderful job with using the toilet for quite a while.  Every so often there would be an accident here or there, but for the most part, he had it down.  This all changed after that scene.  I didn't figure it out, my sister did, but it took about a week.

He was scared to death of the toilet.  Well, not of the toilet, but of the chance of a snake ending up in the toilet.  Makes perfect sense to me... if I was in the bathroom, looked down, and saw a snake coiled up in the toilet, I am not sure you would ever convince me to go back in.  That is the difference between a 37 year-old and a 3 year old.  I would have to see it in my own toilet... Abe just had to see it on television. 

My sister, in her infinite wisdom, and perhaps because she watches my children, came up with a good idea.  She came out one afternoon while my son and I were sitting in the living room and told us the story of what she did in the bathroom.  It went something like this, in her words:

I was just in the bathroom, I looked down and saw the snake's head.  I reached my hand in the toilet, grabbed the snake out, killed it and threw it outside. 

My son and I both congratulated her on her skill.  I made it very clear that I would never have been so brave.  I HATE snakes.  I think my youngest son does too.  I don't think that it is a bad trait to have.  I would rather him hate them than run around trying to grab every creepy, wiggly thing roaming around in the dirt. 

My youngest has since been able to return to the bathroom without one of us accompanying him.  Thank goodness that my sister figured out the problem, because I was in a state of confusion about how everything could have turned around so quickly.  It is wonderful having potty trained children!
 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Ice Cream Cone on a Hot Day

There is nothing quite like ice cream on a hot day.  Today was a hot day!  I worked from 6:15 am to 4 pm.  On the way home, I told my husband that we had to stop for ice cream.  We ended up grabbing a few extra things, like pine nut couscous, chicken, cherries, and bread, but we did get the ice cream and some sugar cones.  For some reason, ice cream seems to last longer when the kids are eating it, if there is a cone involved. 

It was a sneaky way to get them to eat dinner, but they sat down and ate quicker than I've seen them eat in a long time.  It was Tombstone Pizza... I think that rates up high on my list of pizza.  When the pizza was gone, they knew they were getting ice cream.  My daughter finished first... she grabbed the box of cones and I got out the scissors.  The cones were freed from their plastic wrapper.  I scooped 2 scoops of Dreyers (for those of you back East, it is the same people that make Edy's) Rocky Road ice cream into her cone.  She enjoyed every last bite.  Next was my youngest.  He ate all the pizza he could stand, then wanted his ice cream.  I scooped him the same amount.  Then he saw Zelda (a video game) was open on the computer.  He put down his ice cream cone and ran to the computer.  My oldest finished his food, and he said he would eat my youngest's cone.  I put another scoop on for him.  He finished that cone. 

Anyone who has seen a child with an ice cream cone can envision what I saw... three little children with ice cream goatees.   My daughter disappeared outside, goatee and all, and quickly re-emerged through the door, stating "sprinkler party!"  This is when my daughter and older son run into their rooms, put on swimsuits and go running in the sprinklers with their friends.  I am sure by the time they come back, their goatees will be gone and they will be as clean as sprinklers can get a child. 

My youngest gave up Zelda long enough to want his ice cream cone.  I scooped him another cone, and he ate the whole thing.  Goatee got bigger, and even dripped down his belly.  As he ate his Rocky Road ice cream, he said "It has nuts." 

I said, "Yes."

Expecting him to exclaim in disgust, he said, "Mmmmmm, I like nuts and I like marshmallows."  Whew, relief!

After he has finished his cone, we go into the kitchen, I grabbed a washcloth and got his hands, belly and goatee cleaned off.  He is clean as new, back to the computer he went.

I haven't had my ice cream yet... and I am not going to eat in the cone.  I am thinking a nice bowl of ice cream, with chocolate chips, coconut and whipped cream is waiting for me.  What are some favorites of others on a hot day, to help break the heat?

Monday, July 25, 2011

One Long Day

This morning began for me at approximately 3:45 am, this is an hour I prefer to never see.  The medication I am currently taking for the previously mentioned PG makes me suffer from sleeplessness and jitteriness.  At 5:10 am, I decided I couldn't try to sleep anymore, as I had to get up in 10 minutes to go get ready for work. 

I got up, made myself an egg salad sandwich, took my medicine, and went in and cried in the bedroom.  My husband was awake now, and I couldn't contain the tears.  I was exhausted, and there was no way out of it, I had to go to work.  This is the busy week at work... every other week is very busy, with a deadline that must be met. 

I put in a 12 hour day once I got to work.. I worked from 6:15 am to 6:15 pm, minus the half hour lunch.  I was happy when my supervisor told me she was getting ready to leave, and she would drop me off at the train station so I could catch the train home.  I generally commute back and forth with my husband, but since he only works 8 hour days, I couldn't expect him to wait around for me.  My husband picked me up at the train station at 7:30 pm.  He had my youngest son, who was in the backseat blowing me kisses.  That always makes my day! 

It was wonderful to get home at about 7:45 pm tonight and see my children.  Thankfully, they understand that I am exhausted.  We had a spiritual thought and I took my prenatal vitamin, calcium+D vitamin and a benadryl.  Like I have mentioned before, they enjoy the blog, so I am making sure to get something written today.  It is off to bed for me... hoping to get about 8 1/2 hours of sleep tonight. 

Sunday, July 24, 2011

It is morning, Mom!

The morning comes too early when the night never seems to end, winks of sleep here and there.  Next thing you know, you are being awakened by your 3 year-old with his daily statement, "It is morning, Mom."   I know that I don't get anymore sleep once he wakes up and sees the sun coming in through the window.

Last night, we had a sleepover in the living room.  I slept on the couch, the three children were strewn wherever they could find a spot.  We don't have sleepovers often, I thought it would be a fun night to have one.  The only rule was that they had to be trying to be to sleep by 10 pm.  I think they were all out by 10:30.  I would check frequently to be sure that one child wasn't close enough to roll onto, or kick another in his/her sleep.  No one wants to wake up to that!  Everyone slept without incident.

The day begins with blueberry waffles...not homemade, but frozen...fresh out of the box.  The children love these, the older two warm them up in the toaster, the youngest insists he wants his cold... yes, frozen.  He eats 3 of them this way.  Not all at once, just about 1 an hour.  The box of waffles are gone.  Yes, I need to remember to buy more.  This is the first box of waffles I have bought in months, I can't remember the last time I bought them in fact.

It is now time to start getting ready for church.  Someday I might remember that it would make Sunday mornings easier if I had the kids figure out what they wanted to wear the night before... shirt, pants, or dress, socks, and shoes.  Maybe next week, we shall see.  The boys each had a shower yesterday after their dad cut their hair... 1/4 inch.  So they should not be quite so hot now, and they shouldn't have hair sticking up where they would rather not have it.  My daughter had to shower this morning as she didn't want to last night.

Church starts for us at 11 am.  It makes it interesting since the kids are used to eating at some point in that three hour block.  I grabbed a pack of graham crackers and headed to the car.  My sister, my 3 year-old and I head out the door at about 10:50 am.  We get to church and find a good spot to sit, and save a spot for my husband and older 2 children.  In they walk, a couple minutes before 11.  A few minutes later, my sister points out to me that my daughter has on two different flip-flops.  Yes, they are both pink, but one is too small on her, and the other has a little gem-like stone on it.  Thankfully, her dress covers her feet as well.  Good thing it is a long dress.  Back to the last paragraph...remember to have them get everything ready, including shoes.  Note to self, remember to make sure that everything matches as well!  Like a favorite quote I have heard my dad say several times... if that is the worse thing that happens today, it is going to be a good day :)

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Where to start.... ?

My daughter, who is 7 years-old, is very excited that I am starting a blog.  Her 2 aunts both blog regularly.  I don't know exactly where to start or what to say.  I am the mother of 3 2/3 children... they are a son, 8, daughter, 7, another son, 3... and a daughter due on Oct 24.  Not sure when she will arrive in this world, but hoping it won't be before 37 weeks. 

Within the past week, I have discovered that I have an autoimmune disorder that affects 1 in 50000 pregnancies, it is called Pemphigoid Gestationis (PG).  This is a very itchy, blistering, painful, widespread rash.  It is the only pregnancy rash that could cause premature birth or small for gestational age babies.  I will be closely monitored for the duration of the pregnancy.  Many prayers are said daily that she hangs out in my womb until she is full-term, and will be born strong and healthy.

My husband is a wonderful, patient man.  He puts up with me when I am not sure even I can put up with me.  He loves me, in spite of me.  As you can imagine, due to the PG, I don't get a lot of sleep... hard to do so being itchy or in pain.  He helps out by making sure the children get outside to play at the park or to go on a walk. I try to rest when I can.

We moved to Utah in March of this year.  The apartment complex we live in has ducks that keep having ducklings.  We enjoy our walks over to where the ducks are so we can see them and feed them some bread.  We do that at least every other day, if not daily.  It is a fun little walk to take with them.  There is also a swimming pool, and the children have enjoyed that, as the weather has been very hot here.

Just a little more about my little ones:

My daughter is having the worse time adjusting of everyone.  She misses the family we left in the East, her friends from our previous apartment complex, her school and her teacher.   We moved to an apartment complex out here, as we wanted to find somewhere to live quickly.  She has made many friends since the weather has warmed up and she can play outside.  She is very outgoing, can make a friend in the blink of an eye.  My daughter loves reading and crafts, such as art and scrapbooking.

My older son adjusts well to anything.  He is quiet, by nature, like me.  He is easy to get along with, which makes it easy for him to make friends.  His sister goes out and finds kids, and he is automatically included in that circle.  His sister would have it no other way.  He is amazing at math, has always had a knack for it.  He has awed several people at his ability to figure out math problems.  He loves video games and being on the computer.

My younger son is a little blonde haired, blue eyed fella.  His older siblings have dark hair and dark eyes.  He loves to swim (with his training suit on).  He has always loved anything sports related.  He enjoys watching tv with me or playing on Nick.com. He loves to go on walks.  He would walk everywhere if we would let him.  Whenever we leave to go somewhere, he asks if we are walking.  Generally it is not within walking distance, but if it is, we will walk there.