Tuesday July 06, 2004

Ahh, the joys of Girl Scout Day Camp.

This is the week that K, W and I are all doing Girl Scout Day Camp. I haven't had a really "horrible" experience while doing day camps - I've been doing them for 5 years now. This year however has been a bit strange. Normally a day camp is run by one person, but they have 50 baygillion people helping them through out the week. Their job,essentially, is to make sure that nothing goes up in smoke. However, the director for this camp has decided to run this camp entirely by herself!!!! As soon as I heard this I should have run away screaming. She has mixed the lower age groups together, so we have first, second and third grades together. This on paper shouldn't pose a problem. But what the paper doesn't tell you is that these girls are just entering the first grade - they are still, basically, kidergarteners! We have girls that are 2 feet taller and more mature than their younger fellow campers. It has bascially sucked. The third graders don't want to "hang around" with the first graders. The first graders are just trying to keep up with everyone else and the second graders are just trying to keep everyone happy. Ugh! The agony! We have a few problem girls to add to the mix: 1) the leader's daughter, she's in 3rd grade, and likes to yell at her mother and call her names - a lovely child really! 2)The overly hyper child that can't seem to keep still and is constantly standing on the rickety benches and the ACES (Advanced Campers - they are older girls, usually in high school. They help out the adults and entertain the girls) 3) I just heard what has been happening with this one girl, who comes across as so sweet and nice. It turns out she a huge bully and has been secretly hitting and kicking the other girls! I think I'll end up killing one of them by the end of the week!

( Jul 06 2004, 06:53:37 PM CDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

Sunday July 04, 2004

Anyone want these children??? PLEASE! Child number one: She's very cute and only 6 years old - plently of time for you to mold her! She's loves dolls and drawing. She also loves, loves, loves to talk for 12 hours straight when we are all in the car together and there is no escape for her parents. Bonus! She will politely let you know that she needs a cup or bag because she "really needs to throw up."

Child Number Two: A devil may care 10 month old, who loves to smile at everyone. His ultimate dream day is crawling around in the grass chasing his older siblings. He also loves to scream and cry for 12 straight hours in the car and every time his Grandma's dog barks!

These children are free to whoever wants them! They haven't let their parents sleep through out the night in the last 4 days! Bonus: A Grand Caravan with a strange flapping sound when it breaks!

(Many of you have wondered where I have been. Well, for awhile I wasn't able to log on to blog, then Hubby fixed it and then I had nothing to write about! Why is it that I always think of witty or cute things to write about when I can't write about them and nothing when I can?? HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY AMERICA!) ( Jul 04 2004, 09:10:17 AM CDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

Thursday June 10, 2004

Hmmm..... K's 6th birthday is coming up this Saturday and today we went to the store to get all of the birthday supplies. When we got to the location I noticed that the store had moved and we needed to go down the block.

Mom: We need to go down the block, because they have moved the store.
K: Do you think they are tired?
Mom: Tired? I don't understand.
K: You know, from pushing the store down the road!
Mom: Oh! Um, yeah, they're tired! (giggle, giggle!)
( Jun 10 2004, 05:46:38 PM CDT ) Permalink

Wednesday June 09, 2004

A Decision. Many of my last blogs have been about the selling (or lack of selling) of our house. It's been very frustrating to say the least. Yesterday, I went and looked at house with our agent and then we discussed a "game" plan on what we could do to get our house sold. It was decided that we would keep the price the same, but offer a $2500 bonus to the buyers agent that would last until July 4th, and then if that didn't work drastically lowering the price over the next 2 months. Then he started on about how if we just finish the ceiling the office we would get more finished square footage. I then mentioned that I wanted to repaint the floor in the laundry room - someone painted it before we moved in and it's starting to come up. He suggested we put an indoor/outdoor carpet in instead and then mentioned we might want to repaint the house! While I love our agent all of these things cost money - a lot of money! We have all ready put new carpet through out the house (ok, in the two rooms without wood floors), we've redone the deck, we've finished landscaping the front yard - all to get more people to look at our house. We have a new furnace, air conditioner, and water heater. I refuse to do these additional things right now (besides we have a flippin' paint allowance for the house). I'm tired of putting money into this house when we plan on moving. The thing is is that our agent is also a friend and I don't want to loose that friendship by me being bitter about all of this. So, we decided last night that if the house doesn't sell by the 4th of July we are going to pull the house off the market - it's just to damn slow around here right now (out of 40 houses 3 sold last month!). I feel better now that I can see the end of the road. Hopefully, we'll sell, but it's not the end of the world if we don't. ( Jun 09 2004, 08:00:48 AM CDT ) Permalink

Wednesday June 02, 2004

Ahh, Shoes! I used to be a Shoe Aholic - actually I think Hubby thinks I still am one, but I'm not, I'm now a Mom. I used to spend lots of money on shoes - all different types and styles. I loved all of them. Then I became a Mom. During my pregnancies my arches flatten out and my feet spread and they now resemble hobbit feet (except that mine are not hairy!). My shoes now consist of Dr. Sole Gel Padded Shoes and a pair of sandles. I do have several shoes hanging in my closet - but they come out every so often for me to wear with a dress. I was watching the Today Show and they were showing the cutest dang shoes with shorts. I can no longer justify buying myself cute shoes though - not when two of the kids needed shoes the other day and it cost me roughly $50 to buy them new ones! Oh, to have cute shoes again! ( Jun 02 2004, 09:50:46 AM CDT ) Permalink

Tuesday June 01, 2004

Yeah!!!!! I just got back from a 9 month check up for W and brought up my hesitation about giving him the MMR (I have 7 year old nephew with Autism - We don't think the MMR is solely responsible for his problems. He has major food allergies, reflux and a huge history of inner ear infections. We believe that this combination with the MMR is what caused his autism. If W had been completely healthy I would not worry about giving him the MMR, but because he has had allergies to Milk products and reflux I have been very, very worried about giving him this shot.) However, I do want to have him immunzied. And I was told that my clinic is willing to give him the shots separated!!!! YEAH!!! Last year when I asked about it I was told that they didn't give the shots individually and was given a pamphlet that basically called me an overly-hysterical-mother-and-didn't-I-know-that-the-doctors-knew-what-was-best-for-my-child? I was sooo mad at the time I started crying - I hate it when I do that!!! So, now is happy days! W will still be immunzied, but in a way that I feel is safe for him! ( Jun 01 2004, 06:39:11 PM CDT ) Permalink

Monday May 24, 2004

W at (almost) 9 months! It's so hard to believe that almost nine months ago I had W! He's grown so much in the last several months. But what really struck me today is how different it is to have a baby now and have a daughter who is 11 and son who is 8. (I'm not counting K, because she's 5, soon to be 6, and that was the age M was when she was born) Having older children around a baby really makes you realize all the things that you told yourself that you were going to remember when they were babies was really a figment of your imagination. The baby does things and you suddenly remember when one of the older children did that or the fact that none of your other kids did that (at least as far as you can recall!). Its just so different to have a child that needs your constant attention and help for everything and another who is starting puberty and "just wants to be alone." It's been a very interesting month. All three of the older kids love playing with W a lot more now. I think it's because W definitely recognizes them as different from Mom and Dad and different from himself. He's also started mimicking the kids. M and K do a really great lion roar - if you heard them you would wonder where the lion was (M starting roaring right after she saw the Lion King - thanks Disney!). So, K roars for W and he roars right back at her!!! Not one of those little roars, but a roar that comes from the back of your throat and gut roars! Now when M fake laughs at him - he does the same type of laugh. Very freaky. But he has definitely developed his own personality over the last month. Temper tantrums are starting to become more frequent. He throws them several times during the day - when he can't have the remote or phone, when he is being cuddled for nap time, or when he can't reach something (while he's rolling around the floor like a maniac, he hasn't quite gotten the "crawling" thing - he's going backwards 99% of the time). He's newest form of sound is the Bronx Cheer ! He does it for everything! When you look at him, when he want's something or someone, etc... Of course, we all laugh when he does it - so I'm sure he'll be 16 and trying to get some girl's attention by "cheering" at her. Over all it's been a really wonderful 9 months. He's generally a really great baby - all smiles and laughter and very wet baby kisses. Now, I can't wait for the next 9 months! ( May 24 2004, 09:42:22 PM CDT ) Permalink

Saturday May 22, 2004

Ah! There's nothing like the pulling together of a community. So, our beautiful tree came down this week. I managed to watch it come down with out crying this time. Although, the one thing I found amusing is that the whole neighborhood came out to watch! I saw people I haven't seen all winter and spring! Ah, there's nothing like pulling a community together like the chopping down of a great tree! Now, this weekend we will spend a day of stommping on the dirt mound that is left to compact it a bit and placing sod on the spot of the old tree. If we were staying I would put a crab apple tree in it's place, but I'll let whoever buys this place do that. It also has been a better week for selling the house. We have had 3 house showings - a fantastic week seeing that we had the total of 7 before that. Hopefully, we'll sell soon. The house we want went down another $5000 - maybe we were meant to wait so we could get it at a much better price? ( May 22 2004, 10:02:17 AM CDT ) Permalink

Tuesday May 18, 2004

The most frequently asked question "Have you had any hits on your house yet?" And my answer is always "Nothing, nada, zip." I'm starting to get frustrated again - heck, I am frustrated! I thought about taking it off the market for the summer and putting it back on in the fall - but we would be in another "typical" slow period. I feel bad for our agent - a good friend of mine - I was asking a ton of questions and I totally didn't mean to make him feel like he wasn't doing everything he could be, because he totally is, it's just that I want this to be done! I want to either say this house is sold or we're obviously not going to sell anytime soon, so maybe we should wait a year. I think it really struck me when I realized the other day that in 2 weeks the house will be on the market for 2 months! UGH! Ok, I'm done ranting! Now I'm begging - ANYONE WANT TO BUY OUR HOUSE???? ( May 18 2004, 09:20:02 AM CDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

Sunday May 16, 2004

Lessons we learned this weekend or Life as an Idiot! Lesson One - Do not and I repeat DO NOT ever put a 12' cedar beam on the van dash board and then try and close the hatch door!!! Things we (or Hubby) learned by doing this - Cedar beam will drive forward and smash the front window!!! Will cause oldest son, L, to run to Mom and tell her immediately what Dad did - even after Dad had him swear not to tell, that he (Dad) wanted to tell Mom. Lesson Two - While getting house ready for an Open House do not put George Foreman Family Size Grill in the oven to hide. Things we learned by doing this - you WILL FORGET that the Foreman is in the oven and WILL turn it on to pre-heat for 15 minutes while you quickly run to the store for eggs to make brownies for the next day. Foreman will start to smoke and you will wonder what spilled in the bottom of the oven. Oh! and the cord will melt completely off and you will have to scrape it off the bottom of the oven. Lesson Three - After failing to learn from Lesson Two you will try to hide two cakes and frosting in the oven the day of the Open House. Oldest Daughter will decided to make Chocolate Chip Muffins, thus turning on the oven. Plastic will melt all over the cakes, the plastic frosting cup will melt all over the oven. Things we learned by doing this - STOP HIDING THINGS IN THE OVEN!!! ( May 16 2004, 10:38:56 PM CDT ) Permalink

Wednesday May 12, 2004

Umm, Okay, Someone please pass me the Dictionary! So, I'm reading a smut novel - you know a no brainer, something that I can pick and read for all of the two seconds that I have to read a day and know exactly where I left off. I'm reading and suddenly I'm coming across words like - sonambulant (which, by the way, you need a special account at Dictionary.Com to find out what it means) and opprobrious, as well as several others that had me running for the dictionary. When I'm reading a good smut novel I don't want to run and look up words! It means I have to actually have to think! UGH! The only thing I can think of is that the author was using her thesaurus on her Word program and thought that these words sounded cool! Please shoot all authors that do this - unless your Joey from Friends and then it's just cute! ( May 12 2004, 07:53:03 PM CDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

Tuesday May 11, 2004

Oh, Crud!! Well, the city tree guy came out today and our second large tree got nailed for Dutch Elm's Disease. He's such a nice guy, but I hate seeing him for the second year in a row! And of course, while we're outside discussing the tree and how it will have to come down the Lawn Nazi's Evil Wife was hanging around outside at the corner of her house listening in on the conversation. I know she wanted to get her two cents in - I really can't stand that woman! So, our last beloved tree is coming down. It's 33 inches in diameter, 55 years old and beautiful! Ugh! ( May 11 2004, 10:43:20 AM CDT ) Permalink

Monday May 10, 2004

I love days like today! I remember thinking the other day that I couldn't wait until all the leaves on the trees filled out and the grass was all green. Then today I looked out the window and lo and behold it had happened! The trees are beautiful, the grass is super green and our crazy robin is back pooping on Hubby's car and trying to fight his reflection in the car window! AAAHHH, Spring!!

A brief update on the house situation - still no buyers! I have been much more laid back about it the last week, just because I feel that we haven't found the right house yet. It'll happen when it's supposed to happen. We did have an open house on Sunday and have two people who were interested! Keep your fingers crossed!

Breaking news! W has finally cut his first tooth - and it just happens to be his bottom two center teeth! And now he looks like he's cutting his top two teeth! UGH! Anyone want a cranky baby? WARNING: Due to teeth coming in Baby hasn't slept in the last 4 nights!!! ( May 10 2004, 09:10:28 PM CDT ) Permalink Comments [2]

Thursday May 06, 2004

Yeah! Today is my 15th wedding anniversary!!! Can you believe it? I can't either! I have to admit the years have really flown by. I love Hubby more now than I think I ever have - and heck I loved him A LOT when we got married! So, Happy 15th Sweetie!! ( May 06 2004, 10:53:55 PM CDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

Wednesday May 05, 2004

I need a break! Ugh! I've just gotten to the point that I need a break from everything and everyone! Now, don't get me wrong - I love my kids and husband, I'm just tired of trying to meet every demand, go to every game, troop meeting, and conference. I'm just tired of being "everything to everyone." I think part of it is that all I feel like I'm doing lately is cleaning up after people - trying to keep this house clean is very frustrating. The kids are doing 110% better, but they're still kids and they don't always want to put their things away right away. The one good thing is that we have had 2 showings this week! A huge improvement. It turns out that our whole area has been slow. A girlfriend of mine is also selling and has 2 showings in the last 3 weeks! I did by a Saint Joseph statue hoping that it might help sell the house quicker. I'm torn though on what to do with him - bury him in the back yard, upside down and backwards or in the front yard, up right and facing the house?? So, right now he's in the house on my shelf hidden by vines. I'm hoping that by just having him around will help! ( May 05 2004, 10:10:58 AM CDT ) Permalink