I should have known better. I have learned to expect high pitched yells and blood curdling screams the second I pick up the phone to talk to someone. I have learned that trips to the grocery store can melt down into a very messy show, with a crying mommy and all. I have learned, yes, but not well enough, because today I took the boys into work with me. Because I am co-coordinating the writing center at my school, a project for which we are basically starting from scratch, I thought it was very important to meet with one of my adminstrators and co-coordinator to start talking shop. Anyway... it turned into one big mess. At one point, Mason was lying on the floor underneath my desk scream crying. Hunter kept interrupting our conversation with pleas to go home. Mason hit me (love it when he does that in front of people) multiple times. But, I admit, it wasn't their fault!
It was mine......
I had toys along, but I forgot the most important thing: food! I set them up big time! I scheduled the meeting at 10:30 a.m. and lunch is typically at 11:00 a.m. at our house. I had no snacks! Nothing! Not even water. If you could sum up my parenting in that two hour block of time, I seriously sucked!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
"Time in a Bottle"
I began the summer feeling very creative and energetic. I took the boys to the beach, to the pool, to the club, to the museum, to the zoo, to the grocery store, to Edinborough, to multiple parks, to North Dakota, to ................. and I'm beat! With only days left of my summer vacation, I'm struggling to find things for the boys and I to do. The one thing I have been doing- going through every nook and cranny of this house, cleaning, organizing, pitching, making donation piles. I'm determined to enter this schoolyear/workyear feeling prepared (hysterically laughing inside).
What I Learned About Hunter This Summer:
1. He is a Star Wars aficionado. His favorite characters are Han Solo and Darth Vader. He loves "Return of the Jedi." He knows minute details about the overall story line/conflict. He has tons of Star Wars books and Star Wars toys. He intends to include multiple Star Wars toys on his upcoming Christmas list.
2. He has very good manners. Just now I heard him burp. He is in the other room with Mason and he said, "excuse me," with no prompting from me. He is also a "please" and "thank you" man!
3. Hunter will make friends when he goes to school. I've been worried. Who wouldn't be? Do any of you have memories of trying to make friends? I do and I got burned a few times! Anyway... One day Hunter made a friend when he told a kid at the park that he had the same shirt (Lego Star Wars) as him- they started chasing each other around the park. That same day, at a different park, Hunter made a friend when he told a kid of about the same size that he was 5-years-old. "Are you five? I'm five." Chasing, pushing, etc. ensued.
4. Hunter has been nervous about kindergarten but recently asked me the following question: "Do you want to know where I go to work Mommy? Kindergarten." Hunter met the principle of Cornelia the other day and wishes that Mr. Holden (principle) was his teacher. Mrs. Pilcher is, instead. We will meet her at Thursday night's orientation. I sure hope Mr. Holden doesn't become the face Hunter sees most often!
5. Hunter is a climber, a runner, a jumper, a lightsaber-er, a smiler, a people-pleaser, etc.
6. Favorite fruit: grapes
7. Favorite animal at the zoo: Puma
8. Favorite treat- popsicle
9. Favorite color- red
10. Favorite TV show- Hi-5
What I Learned About Mason This Summer:
1. Mason has a really large vocabulary and can identify some pretty unique animals- "Macaw," "Elephant," "Eagle," etc. in his Big Animal Book. He loves that book and enjoys it most at bedtime.
2. Mason's first question of the day is "Where's mommy? Where's Hunter?" He wants to know this information immediately. He then wants milk and juice immediately. Or there is hell to pay!
3. Mason will defend his brother when needed (or not). This summer he really tried to get something going with Hunter's friend Kyle when Hunter and Kyle got into a little argument. Mason started following Kyle around, pointing his finger and demanding that he "go away." He did some pushing, etc. I sure hope this desire to fight doesn't carry over into his teenage and adult years!
4. Where Mason can be a pistol, he is also incredibly sweet. He asks me multiple times a day if he can "sit on my lap." He wants to watch "Hi-5" while we cuddle. Mason and Hunter share a passion for "Hi-5" which is a singing group on the Discovery Channel.
5. Mason is determined to overcome his fears. Last week at Dick's, Mason was afraid of the escalator. He went on it with Mitch, anyway, and when they got to the bottom, Mason said to Mitch, "I did it Daddy!"
6. Favorite Fruit: Banana
7. Favorite animal at the Zoo: Monkeys and sharks
8. Favorite treat: He always asks for cake, whether we have it or not. He also needs (yes, needs) to have two drinks going at a time. Milk in one hand. Juice in the other.
9. Current Obsession: He labels everything "good guy," "bad guy." Learned it from all of Hunter's Star Wars stuff.
10. Other things: Mason loves to give Bruiser treats; he loves to swim; he doesn't like to hold mommy's hand- wants his independence; still loves his blankies; favorite toy is the semi truck toy we have (based off of a character from "Cars")
The boys tired me out! And I can honestly say, if I could spend every single day with them in someone else's house, I would be all good. I have to say, though, that I'm sooooo tired of cleaning my house. I have to do dishes and clean the kitchen at least three times a day. I'm so tired of cleaning. But I'm soooo going to miss the boys. We have enjoyed our summer, especially our very lazy mornings (wake at 8 a.m., cuddle, eat breakfast, play on the floor, etc). When I think of moving on from that, I feel like I want to cry. I begin this school year with an almost two-year-old and a child who will be starting kindergarten in two weeks. By next summer, they will have changed so much and will be another year older. Oh, "If I could save time in a bottle!"
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that Id like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
Id save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Ive looked around enough to know
That youre the one I want to go
Through time with
If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Ive looked around enough to know
That youre the one I want to go
Through time with
What I Learned About Hunter This Summer:
1. He is a Star Wars aficionado. His favorite characters are Han Solo and Darth Vader. He loves "Return of the Jedi." He knows minute details about the overall story line/conflict. He has tons of Star Wars books and Star Wars toys. He intends to include multiple Star Wars toys on his upcoming Christmas list.
2. He has very good manners. Just now I heard him burp. He is in the other room with Mason and he said, "excuse me," with no prompting from me. He is also a "please" and "thank you" man!
3. Hunter will make friends when he goes to school. I've been worried. Who wouldn't be? Do any of you have memories of trying to make friends? I do and I got burned a few times! Anyway... One day Hunter made a friend when he told a kid at the park that he had the same shirt (Lego Star Wars) as him- they started chasing each other around the park. That same day, at a different park, Hunter made a friend when he told a kid of about the same size that he was 5-years-old. "Are you five? I'm five." Chasing, pushing, etc. ensued.
4. Hunter has been nervous about kindergarten but recently asked me the following question: "Do you want to know where I go to work Mommy? Kindergarten." Hunter met the principle of Cornelia the other day and wishes that Mr. Holden (principle) was his teacher. Mrs. Pilcher is, instead. We will meet her at Thursday night's orientation. I sure hope Mr. Holden doesn't become the face Hunter sees most often!
5. Hunter is a climber, a runner, a jumper, a lightsaber-er, a smiler, a people-pleaser, etc.
6. Favorite fruit: grapes
7. Favorite animal at the zoo: Puma
8. Favorite treat- popsicle
9. Favorite color- red
10. Favorite TV show- Hi-5
What I Learned About Mason This Summer:
1. Mason has a really large vocabulary and can identify some pretty unique animals- "Macaw," "Elephant," "Eagle," etc. in his Big Animal Book. He loves that book and enjoys it most at bedtime.
2. Mason's first question of the day is "Where's mommy? Where's Hunter?" He wants to know this information immediately. He then wants milk and juice immediately. Or there is hell to pay!
3. Mason will defend his brother when needed (or not). This summer he really tried to get something going with Hunter's friend Kyle when Hunter and Kyle got into a little argument. Mason started following Kyle around, pointing his finger and demanding that he "go away." He did some pushing, etc. I sure hope this desire to fight doesn't carry over into his teenage and adult years!
4. Where Mason can be a pistol, he is also incredibly sweet. He asks me multiple times a day if he can "sit on my lap." He wants to watch "Hi-5" while we cuddle. Mason and Hunter share a passion for "Hi-5" which is a singing group on the Discovery Channel.
5. Mason is determined to overcome his fears. Last week at Dick's, Mason was afraid of the escalator. He went on it with Mitch, anyway, and when they got to the bottom, Mason said to Mitch, "I did it Daddy!"
6. Favorite Fruit: Banana
7. Favorite animal at the Zoo: Monkeys and sharks
8. Favorite treat: He always asks for cake, whether we have it or not. He also needs (yes, needs) to have two drinks going at a time. Milk in one hand. Juice in the other.
9. Current Obsession: He labels everything "good guy," "bad guy." Learned it from all of Hunter's Star Wars stuff.
10. Other things: Mason loves to give Bruiser treats; he loves to swim; he doesn't like to hold mommy's hand- wants his independence; still loves his blankies; favorite toy is the semi truck toy we have (based off of a character from "Cars")
The boys tired me out! And I can honestly say, if I could spend every single day with them in someone else's house, I would be all good. I have to say, though, that I'm sooooo tired of cleaning my house. I have to do dishes and clean the kitchen at least three times a day. I'm so tired of cleaning. But I'm soooo going to miss the boys. We have enjoyed our summer, especially our very lazy mornings (wake at 8 a.m., cuddle, eat breakfast, play on the floor, etc). When I think of moving on from that, I feel like I want to cry. I begin this school year with an almost two-year-old and a child who will be starting kindergarten in two weeks. By next summer, they will have changed so much and will be another year older. Oh, "If I could save time in a bottle!"
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that Id like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
Id save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Ive looked around enough to know
That youre the one I want to go
Through time with
If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Ive looked around enough to know
That youre the one I want to go
Through time with
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Weekend Highlights
1. Hunter gave me an unsolicited "I very much love you, mommy" during our fun day at the Vikings training camp (I also loved watching Hunter throw a football and run obstacles at the camp).
2. Hunter's constant questions regarding my statement that TV/Video games melt kids' brains. "Were you kidding mommy?" "Yes, Hunter, I was kidding." Few minutes later. "Were you kidding mommy? Can the game melt my brain?" I sometimes forget how literal little ones can be.
3. Watching Mason play with his cousins, Grace, Emma, and Ava. He's like a puppy, seriously! Do you know how puppies will pounce and then move immediately into play stance? That's Mason. He pounces and then roars!
4. Mason's complete sentences: "I want to go see toys" (said at Target). "I want to go in there" (said at Edinborough Park on Friday- a rainy day in Minneapolis). That Park tested every claustrophobic bone in my body!
5. Running six miles at Lake Harriet and not having leg problems.
6. Watching Hunter, Ava, Grace, Mason, and Emma play on the slip-n-slide in the backyard on Sunday. I loved hearing their laughter and see all that energy being put to good use.
7. Hearing about Mitch's big victory at Buck Hill. He came in second (out of 2) in his class :)! But seriously, he did a really good job and should be proud of himself!
8. Taking the boys out for ice cream after dinner this evening.
9. Making pancakes for the five kids this Sunday morning. I let them put chocolate chips on them. Bad auntie! Bad mommy! But oh, they loved it!
10. Bedtime- quiet time. WINE TIME!
2. Hunter's constant questions regarding my statement that TV/Video games melt kids' brains. "Were you kidding mommy?" "Yes, Hunter, I was kidding." Few minutes later. "Were you kidding mommy? Can the game melt my brain?" I sometimes forget how literal little ones can be.
3. Watching Mason play with his cousins, Grace, Emma, and Ava. He's like a puppy, seriously! Do you know how puppies will pounce and then move immediately into play stance? That's Mason. He pounces and then roars!
4. Mason's complete sentences: "I want to go see toys" (said at Target). "I want to go in there" (said at Edinborough Park on Friday- a rainy day in Minneapolis). That Park tested every claustrophobic bone in my body!
5. Running six miles at Lake Harriet and not having leg problems.
6. Watching Hunter, Ava, Grace, Mason, and Emma play on the slip-n-slide in the backyard on Sunday. I loved hearing their laughter and see all that energy being put to good use.
7. Hearing about Mitch's big victory at Buck Hill. He came in second (out of 2) in his class :)! But seriously, he did a really good job and should be proud of himself!
8. Taking the boys out for ice cream after dinner this evening.
9. Making pancakes for the five kids this Sunday morning. I let them put chocolate chips on them. Bad auntie! Bad mommy! But oh, they loved it!
10. Bedtime- quiet time. WINE TIME!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Just a Family Update
Mitch update: Mitch announced earlier in the week that he wanted to take Hunter on a Saturday adventure to Mankato, Minnesota for the Vikings training camp. Because I'm starting to dig football and needing family time, I told Mitch that Mason and I were tagging along! I'm excited. Mitch is also mountain bike racing on Sunday with his brother, Mike at Buck Hill. He was completely pumped to sign up for the Clydesdale class. I will be home with five little ones. I am also trying to convince him to sign up for an off-road triathlon, which consists of paddling (instead of swimming), mountain biking, and trail running. I think he could do it... we'll see if my powers of persuasion work their magic.
Beth update: I am in training for my 10 mile race on September 27th. I ran with my friend and training partner, Jodi, this past Wednesday. She mapped out a more-than-eight-mile-course and we ran the first 6.2 no problem. We could have easily continued had my leg not completely seized up; I have terrible I-T band issues (leg/knee). That prompted a new shoes purchase and a non-impact workout last night- weights, cross-trainer, and stationary bike. I will attempt the run again next Wednesday. I will remember that I'm old and that I need to hydrate and stretch prior to and after the run. I can honestly say that at this point in my life, I am stronger and more capable than I have ever been; however, the wear-and-tear on my body is getting me down. I didn't hurt in my 20s as I do in my 30s.
Hunter update: We are totally on our way to kindergarten. This past week, I tried to get Hunter excited about this new transition by taking him to Target to purchase his school supplies. What's cool about kindergarten is that basically the parents donate all the supplies and then all the kids share them; therefore, no one is left out for any reason- no one is without or has better than anyone. We bought boxes of crayons, markers, pencils, glue sticks, various art supplies, like wiggly eyes and pom poms, etc. We will very shortly be purchasing his school backpack which will probably be Star Wars themed. Hunter is a Star Wars expert and is convinced that Darth Maul and Darth Vader are good guys. I think he wants them to be good because they look so darn cool.
Mason update: Mason is just a sweetie pie. Besides his constant demands for juice, he is such an easy little toddler (knocking on wood as I say that). He understands the concept of time-out so will behave to avoid that tragedy and will say "no nigh, nigh" when I tell him it's time for bed. (I'd love it if someone would put me in time-out or down for a nap). Today, because of the rain, I took the boys to Edinborough Park to burn off some steam. Mason loved it and decided that he wanted to go up into the park, which is full of fun stuff to do. Unfortunately, I am extremely claustrophobic, so I have to do a lot of positive self talk when I'm up there. Nothing like your almost-two-year-old running away from you amidst thousands of kids to force you to get over your neurosis. He loved the huge slides and loved climbing the padded ladders. He also loved the hanging pads, which reminds me of something football players would do during practice. Mason just throws himself into them and through them and has a great time. Both boys loved playing basketball.
Bruiser update: today, Bruiser is getting groomed and has enjoyed playing with our neighbors' dog, Stella, in the backyard. Also, yesterday, Bruiser had an encounter with a calico cat in our backyard. Bruiser was terrified of it and would growl at it and then run away. It was quite hilarious.
I have about three weeks left of summer vacation. I feel like I blinked and the summer is over. Overall, we've had such a great summer at home. Yes, there have been some rough days, but for the most part, we've kept ourselves busy and had a lot of fun- pool/lake, park, zoo, coloring, museum, etc. I am going to miss them when I return to work in the fall. I've grown quite attached :).
Beth update: I am in training for my 10 mile race on September 27th. I ran with my friend and training partner, Jodi, this past Wednesday. She mapped out a more-than-eight-mile-course and we ran the first 6.2 no problem. We could have easily continued had my leg not completely seized up; I have terrible I-T band issues (leg/knee). That prompted a new shoes purchase and a non-impact workout last night- weights, cross-trainer, and stationary bike. I will attempt the run again next Wednesday. I will remember that I'm old and that I need to hydrate and stretch prior to and after the run. I can honestly say that at this point in my life, I am stronger and more capable than I have ever been; however, the wear-and-tear on my body is getting me down. I didn't hurt in my 20s as I do in my 30s.
Hunter update: We are totally on our way to kindergarten. This past week, I tried to get Hunter excited about this new transition by taking him to Target to purchase his school supplies. What's cool about kindergarten is that basically the parents donate all the supplies and then all the kids share them; therefore, no one is left out for any reason- no one is without or has better than anyone. We bought boxes of crayons, markers, pencils, glue sticks, various art supplies, like wiggly eyes and pom poms, etc. We will very shortly be purchasing his school backpack which will probably be Star Wars themed. Hunter is a Star Wars expert and is convinced that Darth Maul and Darth Vader are good guys. I think he wants them to be good because they look so darn cool.
Mason update: Mason is just a sweetie pie. Besides his constant demands for juice, he is such an easy little toddler (knocking on wood as I say that). He understands the concept of time-out so will behave to avoid that tragedy and will say "no nigh, nigh" when I tell him it's time for bed. (I'd love it if someone would put me in time-out or down for a nap). Today, because of the rain, I took the boys to Edinborough Park to burn off some steam. Mason loved it and decided that he wanted to go up into the park, which is full of fun stuff to do. Unfortunately, I am extremely claustrophobic, so I have to do a lot of positive self talk when I'm up there. Nothing like your almost-two-year-old running away from you amidst thousands of kids to force you to get over your neurosis. He loved the huge slides and loved climbing the padded ladders. He also loved the hanging pads, which reminds me of something football players would do during practice. Mason just throws himself into them and through them and has a great time. Both boys loved playing basketball.
Bruiser update: today, Bruiser is getting groomed and has enjoyed playing with our neighbors' dog, Stella, in the backyard. Also, yesterday, Bruiser had an encounter with a calico cat in our backyard. Bruiser was terrified of it and would growl at it and then run away. It was quite hilarious.
I have about three weeks left of summer vacation. I feel like I blinked and the summer is over. Overall, we've had such a great summer at home. Yes, there have been some rough days, but for the most part, we've kept ourselves busy and had a lot of fun- pool/lake, park, zoo, coloring, museum, etc. I am going to miss them when I return to work in the fall. I've grown quite attached :).
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