Hair Donation

I cut off 11 inches for Locks of Love. I'd been growing it out and decided to let it grow really long so I could donate my hair. The decision was a long time in the making. My desire to do it stemmed from my cousin and brother-in-law making a donation after Sheilah passed, and I remembered how my Grandma Browning wore a wig in public because of her hair loss from cancer. When I did some research, I found information on how Locks of Love helps children suffering from cancer and hair loss (alopecia) which is what my mom had for a while when I was growing up (mild case, but it was still alarming for her). I couldn't imagine being a teenager and having no hair...at that age, appearance is so important for kids...silly, but true.

Anyhow, I did it. I am still a bit in shock. I got some great supportive responses from friends on facebook. Makes it easier to look in the mirror for now...

When I got home P cried and E told me he didn't like my hair. Oh well...:)

Presentation

Doing a presentation at the local library about blogging. Actually making some cash doing it too. Now, that's just crazy talk! Hubby helped me put it together, thankfully, or it'd be so elementary. ha! Sent it in today...eek....

Kindergarten for E

When P went to kindergarten I was sad, but I knew I had a couple of years before E would be there and I was comforted. Now, however, I am getting plans together for E to go to kindergarten. The sadness and loss I am feeling already is overwhelming...and thinking of P in SECOND grade is blowing my mind. I may need to see someone to cope with this change and feeling of of loss. It is probably a good thing I am planning to go back to work, or I'd pine every day. I so wish I started having children when I was younger so I'd have a houseful and no time to think about how my children growing up is effecting me. I'm sure every parent goes through it - it literally is ripping my heart out.

Yesterday, I dropped off the registration form for full-day kindergarten for E. I also had his conference with Mrs. Valentino at the preschool. She said she was not concerned about him starting kindergarten, and that if I waited he'd be much older than the rest of the children. Academically, he is ready. Fidgeting-wise, he is not ready, but I am pretty sure that is just part of his personality.

She also said great things about our elementary school and giving children the space they need to be themselves. I really liked that. E will be fine and do great, I just know it. My kids are so awesome.

Trying to figure it out

I am so dang depressed. I am not sure if it is the gray skies of winter or the cold or what, but I am tired of feeling tired, pudgy, and all around unmotivated. My husband is driving me crazy, the kids are fine but I have no energy to play with them more than a conversation - there is NO mama chasing kidlings in this household. I need to get out of this funk! I hate feeling this way...

Grocery Store

I had to go to the grocery store today. I asked that everyone go with me, which was a bad/good idea. It started off with crying from the children how they didn't want to go. Once we got there, hubby insisted for a list of things he could go get. I told him I was headed in the direction we needed to go, but he wanted to make it speedy. Ended up being a reminder that I like to go and shop alone.

Party Like a Kitty Cat

P went to one of her little school friend's birthday party yesterday. The mom did such a great job with the party! She had headband ears, put kitty faces on the girls, had premade Bento-style lunches, donuts with kitty faces, a balloon drop, they played games, and took donations for a local cat shelter in lieu of presents. Very fun! Oh, and the girls danced to the Xanadu album - now, if we changed the cat theme to a dog theme, that'd be my kind of party!

I stayed and helped out getting things to the girls, helping the mom and dad keep them under control (ha!), and cleaning up. Sixteen girls seven and under can be challenging...

When we got home I was suffering pretty badly with my asthma from allergies. I stayed too long at the party. Plus, with all the girls running around, all the dander was being kicked up and going right into my lungs. P was worried and ever took care of me before bed. It was so sweet. She wanted to be sure I was comfortable - she read to me, put my blankets on me, and brought me a glass of water. She kissed me goodnight and said she'd sleep with me for a little bit so I wasn't scared. She is an angel. I love her so much.

Cold and snowy

It snowed during Christmas break and melted in a day and a half. Today it snowed and snowed...

I'll be able to get P outside to play in it, but probably not E. He told me the other day when we were out playing in the snow at his preschool, "mommy, I want to go. I'm just not make for this weather."

5 years old!

Today, E turned 5 at 3:39am. He came into my room to get in bed with us, like he does most nights, and I think it was around that time! crazy.

Favorite food: pizza or muffins
Favorite game: Skylanders
Favorite toy: trains/cars/trucks
Loves to wrestle with his daddy 

He loves school and cannot wait to go each day. He is a sweet little boy with a leaning towards being the class clown, I think. He seems to have issues with being told what to do, but has a big heart and only does it to be silly.

He loves his family and even said that on Valentine's Day he wants to do a special family day.

Project MORE

I've been tutoring struggling readers through a program called Project MORE at P's school. It is so rewarding! I have three boys ranging in age, and I am learning so much about student behavior and how to help them be successful readers. I love reading, and I hope that passion comes through when I talk to the boys.

Some days they are quite challenging because they do NOT want to be there. Other days time flies and the kids do great. I have one ESL 5th grader, a 1st grader, and 2nd grader who is clearly not interested in reading. I am going to miss them at the end of the year!

Morrissey with long lost BFFs

I love Jill and Tammi - I've known them for SO long....great to have friends like that. Friends who remember when you when you were young and wrinkle-free...

Party for my sweet boy's 5th birthday

 He wanted a "Thomas" birthday.

 He specifically asked for a number "5" candle and squinkies on the cupcakes.

 Luke the Juggler was our entertainment.

 He had a specific guest list that included his preschool friends, some playgroup friends, and some loop friends.

 He is a magician.

Loving his balloon Thomas.

We had a great day!

Sometimes I don't know what to believe

Jokingly, I told my son I was going to eat stinky cauliflower in his room while he sleeps. He said, "good, then you can see the ghost." I said, "what is his or her name?" He told me it was a "he" and his name was Disco and he likes to eat biscuits.

Art by a 6 yo and 4 yo

 "Duckie Sunset" by P

"Duckie Sunset" by E

Just Dance

Hubby got me a Just Dance game for the Xbox. Kids LOVE dancing to it, but the lyrics are questionable for youngsters. I realized the impact the songs where making when my kids started singing about how they were "sexy and I know it." So, I ordered them the Disney version.

My son is awesome.

At dinner last night we began discussing P's plans for selling Girl Scout cookies. Granted, she is 6 and mom or dad will do most of the selling, but we wanted her to lead the discussion so she felt empowered. She wants to sell 300 boxes so she can get a stuffed Golden Retriever puppy and bandana from the Girl Scout awarded prizes.

Well, we started talking about how people could donate money for the boxes of cookies instead of buying them (maybe some people were on diets or had allergies, etc.). E, in his kindest most matter-of-fact voice said, "I'll donate my money to sister. Sister I can give you money for cookies." Hubby said, "you mean, you want to buy some boxes of cookies from P?" "No," E said, "I want to donate the money because I know sister wants to get that little stuffed puppy."

I almost wept. My heart was so full of admiration for that little 4 year old boy - he's so awesome. How'd I get so lucky to have him?!

Great Friend Advice

I met up with a friend. Talked a lot about the kids and things that were on my mind. She gave me great advice, "Don't borrow worry."

That needs to become my new mantra.

Carpe Diem

My husband often asks what I do all day, so here goes:

Got P up, made her lunch, walked her to school.
E up, made him breakfast, got him dressed, met up with friend to let the kids play.
Got home, made E lunch, did the dishes, put in a load of laundry, dropped him off at preschool.
Went to P's school for Project More (reading tutor for 3 boys there).
Rushed home, went through all my stuff for the GS meeting tonight.
Picked up P, spoke with our Girl Scout leader about what I had planned, picked E up, fed the kids a snack.
Took kids to zumba at the rec center. While I waited, I read my book for book club.
Picked kids up, took home.
Made P do her homework and go through all the writing workshop stuff she wanted to share with me.
Tried to help E put stickers on his car - he was very frustrated.
Made dinner, kids did not eat.
Finished gathering stuff for Girl Scouts.
Took kids to Girl Scouts meeting and led the meeting.
Kids were starving, so I took them to McDonald's (I'm a great mom...heh)
Brought them home.
Brief convo with hubby about friend in hospital who isn't doing so hot.
In between tried to organize my blog workshop and post something to my blog page (increasing readers, and I want to keep that momentum going!)
Forgot to call mom back...well, really, I had no time.

Realized that even though my day was busy, I was so happy I had that day to spend with my children, myself, my husband...life is too short and I tried to enjoy every moment of this day. I have two friends in the hospital - one dying, one trying to recover for Crohn's....carpe diem.

Busy day

What is going to be like when I go off to work? I am going to be exhausted. Yesterday, I took P to class, cleaned, got E off to preschool, then they had a playdate, quick dinner, and then pottery class. Doesn't sound like much, but when you have two kids in tow the entire time, it is. They need their shoes and socks on, coats, hair brushed...potty...oh, and we have to feed them, right? yeah, food, whoops.

Dinner

Meet new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. Had dinner with my good friend Susan last night and her kids. Her hubby is in the hospital suffering from Crohn's and has been for a number of days. He's lost 30 pounds. I feel so badly for her - she is just spent over worry and being a single working parent.

Art Sunday

We went to the art museum today...far too much coolness for one afternoon. The Lod Mosaic and the Lego exhibit...phew...blew my mind.

Bowling

I believe the universe brings people together for a reason, what that reason may be, I have no idea. But, some bonds I think are meant to be stronger than others. For example, a woman pitched me via fb for my "other" blog that I keep in the public-sphere. It was for her husband's book that he co-wrote and illustrated. From that pitch, we ended up talking about health issues (she is gluten-free and I thought I had an issue with it. She gave me tons of pointers) and later ended up going to lunch a few times, brief email convos, and finally got the families together to hang out.

We have so much in common, I don't know why I didn't know her before. Her husband knows most of my hubby's friends from CCAD is an artist, we love the same type of foods, wine, live in the same area and know some of the same ladies - it is just so crazy! We also have the same astrological make up in our relationship - I'm a scorpio and so is her husband and she is a pisces like my husband. Her youngest daughter is a taurus like my girl and her other girl is a scorpio like me. Again, crazy!

Anyhow, she makes me laugh and I love that I have a new friend that is so much fun. I've been going through a difficult transition with the kids starting school and my playgroup kind of going to the wayside. The ladies I hung out with for years and thought were my good friends are now doing their own things. I totally understand, but it makes me sad.

I work hard to maintain those friendships. I always think of them when I have a get-together or parties, but I fear that will go away too. I am not feeling the reciprocation...and out of "well, I just don't hang out with them any longer" will come the day we end up parting ways forever. Smiling when we think of each other, but that will be about it. Makes me sad. So, finding someone who I like so much and is so easy to be friends with helps fill that void.

Cheers to new friends!

Dancing

bubbies had a play date with one of his friends. They were dancing "Gangnam Style." Then, I forgot to pick up my girl from school - early release day, totally slipped my mind. Bad mommy...

Kale had many uses.

On the walk to school this morning my girl said, "Mommy, did you know it is dangerous to be outside when it is raining kale?" I didn't correct her...

No fighting over whine.

Kids decided to have a fight in the wine section of Whole Foods. Luckily, nothing broke...in particular, not my bottle.

We went to the farm.

The things he says...

I told E he had to wait to eat because I was making dinner. He said, "but, mommy! I don't like food. I only like desserts."

The Hobbit

Hubby and I had a date to see "The Hobbit." It was pretty good, not as good as LOTR. I ate almost an entire bag of popcorn.

Birthdays

P went to a birthday party for two of of her school friends today. It was at a gymnastics facility. The girls played on the equipment, games, and ate cupcakes and ice cream. She had a blast.

I told her on the way home that she was lucky to get to go to so many fun birthday parties. I explained that when I was a child we had the grandparents over and aunts and uncles, and ate cake and ice cream. I never had a birthday where my friends were invited until I was much older, and definitely not outside of the home! She couldn't believe that and asked me if I was sad about it. I said "noway! That is the way things were and I was honored that they wanted to celebrate with me and give me gifts...even if they were "just" my family." Funny how I have become my mother with the "remember-whens." But, I now understand she had a message in her words. I just wasn't listening then...

Be kind, gracious, and well-mannered toward your friends and family. They love you and give you gifts and compliments out of kindness, so be kind back.

Sledding

I took the kids sledding to get out the house during winter break. We had been stuck inside for over two weeks because of various illnesses, and we had to breath some fresh air.

Well, my son didn't last long. He got cold and wet and wanted to leave. I think we went sledding an accumulative time of 45 minutes...maybe. We spent more time going to buy new sleds than actually using them. haha!

Now, in this picture he looks as if he is having fun. He did...for about 10 minutes. Then we left. P, on the other hand, loves to be outside doing something physical, and she was quite sad when her brother wanted to leave. I promised I'd take her another time.

Back to school

Both kids went back to school today. I was sad.

Especially sad because our winter holiday break was full of sickness. We had the stomach virus the week before break, Saturday of break P got a fever that lasted on and off for four days, and then each of us dropped like flies.

Then, to start off P's first day back I told her to take the toilet paper rolls to school we had been saving. The classes were all making snowflakes for Sandy Hook. 

I had not discussed the Sandy Hook tragedy with my children. I was shielding their young hearts from it, but she asked what the rolls were for, so I told her that some children had died and we were sad for their families. She continued to ask questions about how they died, who killed them, etc. etc. Basically, I ended up having to tell her about the gunman, too. She asked if he went to jail, and I told her no, that he died too. She asked how and I told her he was shot. She asked who shot him, and I told her he shot himself because he was scared when he realized what he had done. She cried. I felt so terrible about telling her the truth, even though I smoothed it over and only stated facts, it was not easy. Seeing her cry for those kids and the gunman made my heart hurt. Introducing her innocent being to a world where not all people are kind was not something I was looking forward to...

On Christmas Trees

I haven't had a real tree since I was a little girl. I thought, "this is the year!" So, hubby and I took the kids to the local farmer's market down the road and purchased the first real Christmas tree ever to live in our home.

After the first day, I had guilt. I was certain the Lorax was going to visit instead of Santa. I bought a chopped down tree just to watch it slowly die in my living room...at least that is how I was feeling. Then the needles started dropping and the water started smelling. What did I do?!

The best part, I think it brought the plague into my home. My family started getting sick the moment that tree came in the house and we weren't feeling well again until it was out - out, like pictured above, sitting there in the sun and laying on the cold snow. Something that gave us beauty, warmth, and Christmas cheer (and possibly the plague) was rotting in my front yard. I felt terrible about it.

Terrible enough to not buy a real tree next year? I'm not sure. If the kids want one again, I'll surely comply...especially since it was quite fun to pick it out and trim it. We'll see...

365 project

I am going to try to post here every day - just a thought, a picture or whatever. Nothing spectacular, but something that I can look back on that will make me (and one day, my family) smile, laugh, or cry.