Today is the 100th day of school. Big day for the 5th Graders in Rachael's school.
Everyone knows about my soccer mom status. Well, I'm taking it to a whole new level.
That is some serious amount of coldness. It doesn't get much colder than this is these parts. This is cold enough to send the most native Floridians into complete hibernation. Anything that could possibly emit heat in my super soccer van was on and on high. For a brief moment I thought I received my wish and I was home in Massachusetts.
My feet and hands were fighting for which body parts wanted the heat the most. I spent the entire commute into Tampa going back and forth between floor and dashboard vents. I know what you're thinking. You are thinking that I have come to the realization that I don't want to move home. WRONG !! The only thing I realized is that I need to get me a pair lambskin gloves with cashmere lining ...
What completely put my kids into utter hysteria this morning was this ....
Yup, that's frost on my windshield - or what my kids call "Florida Snow". Who owns an ice scraper in central Florida?? Let me answer that for you, only you northerners who didn't throw it out the window as you passed through Georgia! Lil' E was very concerned on how I was going to get him to school with my van covered in it. They loved the fact that I used the lethal combination of windshield wiper fluid and heat to melt it. I think he was thinking I was going to give them a 2 hours delay or something completely northern!!
Please note that I did not ask Erin if we could move to Massachusetts today...... it wouldn't have been a smart move.
Rachael woke up yesterday sounding like a seal and wearing a little bit of a fever. No school for her yesterday or today.
I called her yesterday to turn on the Inauguration of the 44th President. After all, it is history and she is home from school. So I thought it would be interesting for her and she can say that she watched President Obama take the oath of office.
me: Rachael what are you doing?
R: watching Nick
me: Where is Daddy?
R: sleeping
(I knew he wouldn't watch the Inauguration)
me: Turn on the Inauguration and watch Barack Obama take the Oath of Office
R: Seriously?
me: Yes, it'll take 5 minutes out of your precious day.
R: We don't like Obama (We means that her Daddy got to her)
me: That doesn't matter, just watch it. It is history ....
5 minutes pass and I get a text .... Here is our text conversation.
R: This is boring and he messed up.
me: History honey, hang in there.
R: Can I watch Nickelodeon now. I watched him mess up. Can I be done.
me: Yes honey, you can be done. U watched history. love u and feel better.
R: ok. whatever. love u.
Rachael is just a mini-mouth piece for her Daddy .... Great, I can only imagine what she is talking about in Social Studies.
THEN -
Erin came home from school today and I asked him if he watched the Inauguration. Here's how that went.
me: Did you watch the inauguration today?
Erin: What's that?
me: Did you watch TV in school today? Did you see Obama become President.
Erin: I don't know.
me: Did you see him put his hand an Abraham Lincoln's bible.
Erin: I said I don't know. But I did see some really big cannons shoot on the TV.
There you go. A 2nd graders take on the Inauguration. There were cannons there. That's what he saw.
Love that kid ....
Yippee, I love soccer season, because with soccer brings my parents, otherwise knows as the Grands...
They love to watch the kids play soccer and the kids love that they love to watch them play. They are accustom to us on the sideline, so to look up and see new, fun, excited faces is a real treat.
This year Lil' E is a scoring machine. His average goals per each game hover somewhere around 4. This year he has scored up near 8 in one game. He is classy scoring kid. There is no show-boating on his part. No jumping or pumping of his fists in the air. He simply does a turn around and gently leaps his way back to the center line. It resembles a leaping Gazelle. I love to watch him. He makes this momma all kinds of proud.
Papa, my daddy, is coming this weekend to watch the kids play a little soccer. Timing is perfect, they all play at different times and different days saving us from the having to do field juggling. And if anyone has missed it, the Superbowl is in town. So there are so many activities this weekend, I'm hoping we will have a few minutes to take some of them in.
Nanny (my mom), and Gramms (My Grandma) arrive the end of February for another fun-filled soccer weekend. Nanny is a frequent in these parts. Her arrival will bring much kid-fanfare.
Talk about kids over the moon ....... They are so excited ...
And I am to. Because my family is everything to me! And I can never see too much on them! EVER! I completely hate the fact that I'm not living in Massachusetts and I ask my husband every morning if we can move. He tells me the same thing everyday! But it doesn't stop me from asking. And one day I know he will tell me to start packing, I just know it.
Until then this is what I am dreaming of ....
I must be a really boring person. I haven't had a thing to blog about in a week!
Ofcourse, I have things to blog about, but not sure if you will find any of it remotely interesting. Feel free to hit the close button whenever you want to.
Trevor is going through the worst case of Terrible Two's that I have ever dealt with. The boy is difficult and really darn cute. The cute factor saves him a lot. He has become one with the timeout drill. He'll even put himself in there on occasion. So, I'm fairly certain timeout isn't working anymore for him. He has out-smarted me at 2 1/2 years old. I am in for a mountain of trouble with this kid. Next on my list is to google "two year olds for dummies or novices". After 3 kids I'm neither a novice nor a dummy ... but he is doing a really good job of making me look like one. Like I said, the cute factor helps him out alot.
Wii Rockband was a really great idea at Christmas time. The constant bombardment of of 70's - 80's old rock music is taking a toll on my mind. Rachael is the lead singer, most of the time. Perhaps that's the problem. I find myself playing the colored keys in my car on the way to work. Someone is killing the drums as I write, most likely Lil' Erin. Poor thing...
I win the bad Mom of the week award. Please someone send one to me!! I was replacing the shower rod in the 2nd bath and Rachael wanted to help. She climbed onto the toilet and was helping hook the shower hooks on the rod. She put to much weight on the rod and it collapsed, causing Rachael to tumble off the toilet, slamming her shin into the tub. Well, one Urgent Care trip, 2 sets of Xrays and 1 pair of crutches later, it isn't broken. THANK GOD!! It is bruised very badly. I felt so bad. So where is my award??
Today was a day off for me. I'm enjoying the extra day of freedom. Erin's sister and Niece came for a little visit yesterday. It was nice to see them, if even for a little while. We'll take what we can get. Sherry was going to pick out her new puppy. She is a brave woman. I'm not a puppy girl, probably because I have 4 kids and a husband that on some days are worse than puppy. But I'd love to hold the puppy and play with Trace (puppy's name) when she brings him home. Puppy's are so cute..especially hers. I want to post a picture of him, because he is some serious amount of cuteness ...
Tomorrow is the Big Inauguration, I'm sure I'll be watching in my office. I still have some mixed feelings about it. But this is history in the making .... I'm going to DVR it and when my husband isn't home I'm going to make the kids watch it. He isn't letting go of McCain at all. I told him today, it was time to get over it.
(Big E is singing Dead or Alive right now ...... it's bad .... really bad)
Gonna go outside and let the kids run off some of the energy. That was my nice way of getting them off Rock Band and to ward off the headache I know is developing. It is a beautiful day and I heard that it isn't going to last. Tomorrow is going to be excessively cold. brrrrr....
can make a joke out of anything .....
I received this in an email today ....
http://www.aksalser.com/game.htm
I felt a little guilty hitting the President with a shoe ... My momma taught me respect :)
"The Rach" is turning 11 next month. I am completely blown away that my baby girl is turning 11 years old. She is leaving elementary school this year too. She will be leaving the only school she has ever gone to. She will be leaving a huge piece of her childhood behind. That makes me very sad.
I have a huge decision to make and besides everything that is going on in my crazy life, I need to figure out where my darling Rachael should attend school next year. Currently she is ready to go to a local Middle School that is a very good school and this is where she wants to go. Ask Rachael and she'll tell you she wants to stay with her "current school" friends, make the move together, keep friendships intact. As a mom, I like that idea. These are girls she has grown with, fought with, spent time with each others families & girls that have been to my home so many times I can't count. I wouldn't have to ever wonder what she was doing if she was with this group of girls. Seems like an easy decision, huh ?? A no-brainer ......
NOT !
There is also a local magnet school for the dramatic and performing arts. It is now one of the most sought after middle schools. Rachael loves dance, violin & has a huge interest in the performing arts. With our family schedule any other activities after school are just to difficult. She participated in dance last year, but this year her training schedule for soccer was just too difficult. At this school, she could dance and take her violin lessons during school hours. She does have some friends who go to this school. And because it is a magnet school the student body is pulled from so many other areas, making new friends is something every student has to do. And Rachael wants to dance again & continue her violin lessons. And Rachael likes this option too.
Rachael is having a problem making the decision too !!
What is a mom to do?? I'm losing sleep and need to make a decision SOON ! I completed the application today and sent it in. If she gets accepted, then we need to figure it out. UGH !!
Anyone have some insight ??
I found this incredibly funny quote in the TampaBay Times this am in reference to the announcement that the new Belgian owner of Anheuser Busch will be putting an end to the free beer samples at the Theme Parks.
" I don't care about the lions and tiger and bears," he said. " I want the free beer - and a roller coaster."
I thought that was completely funny..... Because after a day at Busch Gardens nearly every Momma I know could use a cocktail !
But as I read it said not only are they putting an end to the free pouring taps, but they are raising ticket and parking prices. Personally, the price hike doesn't really impact my family. We have had season passes to Busch Gardens and Adventure Islands for years and luckily our price is locked in, but geez ..... for the average person it is going up to $69.95 for a single day pass. Please don't misunderstand me, I love Busch Gardens, it is fun and local and a neat place to take the kids for the afternoon, BUT, I really do not see it being worth $69.95 a day. And the definition of an adult by Busch Gardens is 10 and up. Yup, I wouldn't pay that. That is a little much.
Now I have to call my husband and let him know that he can't hang out at the Hospitality House anymore :)
I'm in the process of updating the background. This looks a little funky, but until I can get the header to match the background that I am completely in love with, this will have to work as a temporary fix. I'm getting away from the brown and blue, even though I love those two colors. But I am looking forward to spring and flip-flops .... I'm working on something a little more cheery!
My first day back isn't going so bad. I'm doing okay right now. The Diva (the woman whose name is on the label) isn't in today. So we don't have to dodge any flying objects , that in itself was a little bit of relief.
I've spent most of the morning going through my 1800 gazillion emails. I have deleted just about everything. I am going with the "if its important, they'll ask again" approach. On previous vacations it has worked out pretty good. And you know what, they always resend.
Another thing I noticed over my vacation is my 2 1/2 year olds vocabulary. WOW! The boy can put some sentences together. I was shocked. Apparently his hearing is pretty darn good too. I pretty sure that I heard him say, "Suss up Bubby". Which sounded pretty close to me yelling "Shut up Buzzy" (Buzzy is our Dog). I thought that was kind of cute until I heard this..."Yo Away Mommy", which sounded alot like what I tell the dog, Go away Buzzy. That wasn't so cute.
I guess in my house it is time to hit the sensor button ..... These are the times that I wish I had a 7 second delay .....
I have to return to my dreaded job tomorrow. Can I just tell everyone how much I have enjoyed not working for the past two weeks??
To be completely honest I have found that staying home with my kids a little crazy. They are high maintenance, well ok, just Rachael and Trevor. They are bossy, needy, cranky and sometimes all at once. And I forgot how much work it is to stay home. While I would completely return to my SAHM status in a heartbeat, there is this little part of my sanity that is doing a happy dance to be returning to my dreaded job tomorrow.
To quote Beth, I have been off the "soccer crackpipe" for about two weeks. My trips to soccer field were incredibly, surprisingly minimal. I have enjoyed every little bit of not going there every day.
I haven't checked my inbox for my dreaded job lately. I opened it, but when a read that I had over 1800 emails, I shut it. Perhaps an inbox fairy will take care of it for me... ya think??
I had lots of things I wanted to do over the past two weeks. Most of them didn't get done. I really needed some mental health time. So did my kids. While I am completely relaxed, laundry done, dinner made for a couple of days & new schedule calendar up, the thought of returning to works makes me want to vomit. I do owe you a post about my job. That will be some good stuff for down the road. Here's a little glimpse into my job ... Have you ever read "The Devil Wears Prada." I work for a fashion house, the woman whose name is on the label is that woman! While I may not be her personal asst., I work closely enough with her ... Oh the stories I could tell ya, and I will... PROMISE!!
Tuesday the kids return to school. Oh the joy ...... Let's all hope 2009 brings me a new J-O-B !! Please keep your fingers crossed .... PLEASE !!
I didn't mean to, but I took an unexpected break from the blog world. I have been on vacation from my 40 hour a week job, and needed some time to just do nothing and not feel pressured for a while. I remember being a SAHM, and remembering how much I enjoyed it. What I didn't remember was how darn hard it is with 3 small ones running around. Wow .... I'm like their own personal chef, housekeeper, entertainer, and referee all rolled into one!! I go back to work next Monday, and while I secretly dread it, a part of me is missing my routine, because right now my family is "no schedule" schedule. But I'm really NOT missing homework, lunches, fitting in laundry...all the fun stuff that comes with those schedules.
SO ... Happy New Year from all of us at our home !! I wish each of you a healthy & happy 2009! My New Year's eve was a quiet one, we usually stay home because it is just easier. We ordered some pizza and watched the ball drop. Erin shot off some fireworks with Rachael because she was the only one awake. Little Erin passed out about 10:15!!
Christmas was very memorable. I took very little pictures, because I was so busy making sure I had everything on video! I could kick myself. The biggest surprise of all was when my mother and stepfather from Massachusetts walked in my door. I had no idea they were coming, I thought they were skiing! Big Erin kept it a secret, I was shocked. But I hate not having my family around, so having them here was the best thing ever!! The kids loved it. But poor Nanny, she brought a sinus infection along with her and spent the Friday morning in the Urgent Care. We were able to have Nanny with us through Sunday. It was awesome and we enjoyed every minute of it.
The kids had a magical Christmas. Among the biggies they received were a Wii from Papa, Erin received Wii Rock Band from Nanny & Pappy, Rachael and Erin were surprised with electric scooters like these, except in red. They are so cute, they ride around the neighborhood together.
Kasey was surprised with an Ipod touch. Trevor played with his new kitchen and wooden train set and table all day! The list goes on and on, I can't remember everything. I do know that I just finished putting it all away today!
We said good-bye to Christmas today. I packed up all the decorations and daddy Erin took down the Christmas lights outside. I do think the 8 ft. snow globe is going to disappear this year. I have two sad, nearly dead poinsettas left. It is almost like Christmas never happened. Isn't it amazing all the work we put into the holiday and then it is just over.
Tonight I am working on my New Year Resolutions. I can't wait to share them. I think if I put them up for all to see, than I will be held accountable for tackling each of them. I'm going to make it realistic, as I know that my life isn't built around crazy deadlines and unattainable goals.
On my "to do list" is updating my blog background and header. Hopefully I can get that done next week. I do most of my blogging at work, so I'm sure it will be next week. I have come to realize that it is very difficult to blog at home with the kids. I guess my kids are too demanding.
