Well, since Monday I've just been coasting through the days. I am getting a bit tired of the rainy weather. It doesn't usually bother me, but being trapped in a house with a 2 1/2 year old who doesn't understand why he can't go out and ride his bike is starting to get to me.
Today we went to the library for story time. We went last week and Peanut loved it. He enjoyed it today also, although he was quite tired. He's already askeing about next time, unfortunately it's cancelled next week due to the 4th of July being the day before. Today I let him pick out a book to take home. He was so excited. We had to read the book 3 times when we got home.
Peanut has also discovered "pretend" play. Lately, his favorite thing is asking Hubby and I if we want nuggets, hamburger, tacos, etc. and writing down our order (hmmmm....me thinks we might be eating out too much). Today, Peanut and I were getting dinner ready (ok...I was doing most of the work), and he decided to get on his little wooden car and "go to work." So he looks at me and says, "I go to work Momma! Bye!" I said 'bye and blew him a kiss. He jumped off his car and said, "I need kiss!" So I gave him one and he said, "Now I go to work!"
Awww! I usually have to beg for a kiss. Today he was giving them away like crazy. I love my life!
Tomorrow we (Peanut and I) will be going to Barney in "concert." Yippee. The things I do for my baby. I just hope it doesn't rain.
Until later...
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
I Have Survived!!
It sounds a bit more dramatic than it really is, but I have survived. I survived one month (it was actually longer, but the truly trying time has been the last month) of planning a wedding shower for my husband's step-sister (a real sweet-heart) with his step-mom (normally a very sweet, fun person).
Here's a bit of backgroun on SMIL (step-mother-in-law). She has been married to my father-in-law twice (and we'll leave it at that). She is normally (at least when we are around and that isn't as often as any of us would like...usually) fun, sweet, and incrediably caring. She wants desperately for everyone she loves to be happy...and this is where the problems begin. The most annoying behavior we usually see from SMIL is at Christmas when we get what has now become known as the "Grandma Death Letters." Every year we get emails trying to pin down a date at Christmas that EVERYONE can make it. Every year it's impossible...at least one person can't make it. This is a "mixed family" or maybe the term is "blended family." There 4 children (2 his and 2 hers...from seperate marriages...none together). Hubby is the only married child (who also has a family...Peanut and I). The 4 kids all have their "other" family to work around and my hubby also has my family. Then there is the fact that 2 of the 4 kids live out of state along with grandmothers and an aunt and uncle. See how confusing it gets?
Well, when SMIL can't get everyone to agree to a time and place (last year she wanted us to drive 8 hours round trip to have dinner in a restuarant with a 1 year-old!), we get the "letters." They essentially state that this year is quite possibly Grandma's last year on Earth and we should all make every effort to come. How would we feel if she died and we missed our last chance to see her???
Guilt does not work with me...it just pisses me off! My own mother has never tried to guilt me into anything. AARGH!!
Anyway...back to the shower. I had offered to give a shower to my husband's step-sis when we were told she was getting married. Because is was a very short engagement (a couple of months...I know there are shorter...FYI: she's not pregnant either) we had to work fast. I explained to my SMIL that because I had a lot of weddings this year and was giving another shower, I couldn't afford to spend a lot of money. She said fine and it was decided that she would help give the shower (cover the meal and the room that she picked out at a local hotel).
So far so good.
In the last 3 weeks, the "theme" changed 2 times, the room changed 3 times, the layout changed 2 times (the last being 2 hours before the shower), the menu changed 4 times, the cake changed 1 time (the day before the shower...more on this later), the decorations changed too many times to count, not to mention the guest list changed 4 days before the shower. I was getting up to 4 emails a day from SMIL. Usually she would ask for my advice (she's never given a shower...I have given a lot), but then ignore it. Our $300 budget (this is just for the cake, decorations, invitations, etc. It doesn't include the room and meal) quickly was blown. Please note that I have never spent that much for an entire shower (everything included) in my life!! Granted there are usually 10 people giving the shower instead of 3, but still!!! It was the most elaborate and wasteful shower (we used only a fraction of the stuff we bought) I've ever seen.
The most stressful time happened (understandably) the week before the shower. The stress was brought on by SMIL not being able to make up her mind and stick with a decision (this was the biggest problem throughout). With 4 days before the shower, SMIL changes the whole make-up of the party by inviting the guys (who were previously going to go to lunch together). She was upset because some older out of town relatives couldn't make it (hello...the youngest was in her 60's and none are in good health) and the other guests weren't RSVPing (she had decided to do regrets only...this is not a good thing for her). So, she didn't want to only have 13 people there and invited the guys. No biggy, but she then expected me to find an overnight sitter for Peanut at the last minute. It wasn't happening, so then we got the shower's equivelent to the "Grandma Death Letter." She accused hubby and I (mostly me I think) of being unsupportive and asked how we would feel if this (a small party) happened to us. Like I stated earlier, I don't do guilt well. I talked it over with hubby and because this is not the first time (nor even the third) that we've gotten messages like this, he was okay with the response I sent her. I tried to be as nice as possible, while conveying to her to "get over it." As a result my nice but very pointed letter (I told her I was sure she didn't mean it, but I didn't like to be attacked and called unsupportive) I 'm sure I made her cry. Knowing I probably made her cry (she's VERY sensitive...me...not so much), I sent her a stress-relief basket to soften the blow. I do love the woman...I just don't like her when she's planning an event.
Moving on...the day before the shower was when the comedy of errors really began and none were because of SMIL. Before we left to drive the 3 hours to the in-laws place, I checked my email. SMIL had sent me a note asking me to call the cake place...down the street from her house and have her future son-in-law's name added to the cake (I had wanted to do this when we ordered the cake). No problem. When I called the store, they couldn't find the order, but the women supposedly wrote down my request along with my name, the pick up time and 2 phone numbers (home and cell). Then I called my mom to ask a quick question and was told she had just gotten word that a cousin of mine who had been battling cancer only had days to live. Once Hubby, Peanut and I got on the road we found that our normal 3 hour drive was going to be a bit longer. The trip to the other side of "town" usually takes about an hour. 2 1/2 hours later, we finally made it out...gotta love construction. Our 3 hour drive took us a total of 5 1/2 hours thanks to construction.
After arriving at the in-laws things were fine. SMIL and I hugged and made sure that we were okay. Like I said, I love her and usually like her a lot. We went out for a nice dinner. Then Hubby, Peanut and I went to pick up the cake. You've probably already guessed that there was no cake. We looked everywhere, as did 3 store employees (there was no record of the order or of my conversation with the woman earlier in the day...nor did anyone leave us messages...we checked). Lucky for us the "best decorator" came in at that time. Within 15 minutes she had whipped us up a beautiful cake. We did have to call SMIL and have her confirm the color of the flowers. When she asked Hubby how the cake looked, he told her it was beautiful...mind you, at the time there was no cake. She never knew that the cake was not there or that the store gave it to us for free. Can't wait to share that story!
Anyway, the end result was that the shower was elegant and fun. The food was good. The cake was great! Everyone (except SMIL) had a wonderful time (she spent a lot of time in the bathroom crying...never did find out if it was me or her ex-husband's wife that made her cry). I tried to be "gentle" with her and not do anything to set her off, but I don't "get" sensitive/indecisive people and acknowledge the fact that there might have been something (though I can't imagine what) I did that upset her. She came home from the shower, laid down on the couch and cried some more. I am completely baffled.
Well, it over and there are only 2 left unmarried. Both boys...men. One I can do a shower with his mom. SMIL's son...I'm thinking I'll donate money but be too busy to help. Not fair, but better for me.
Until later...
Here's a bit of backgroun on SMIL (step-mother-in-law). She has been married to my father-in-law twice (and we'll leave it at that). She is normally (at least when we are around and that isn't as often as any of us would like...usually) fun, sweet, and incrediably caring. She wants desperately for everyone she loves to be happy...and this is where the problems begin. The most annoying behavior we usually see from SMIL is at Christmas when we get what has now become known as the "Grandma Death Letters." Every year we get emails trying to pin down a date at Christmas that EVERYONE can make it. Every year it's impossible...at least one person can't make it. This is a "mixed family" or maybe the term is "blended family." There 4 children (2 his and 2 hers...from seperate marriages...none together). Hubby is the only married child (who also has a family...Peanut and I). The 4 kids all have their "other" family to work around and my hubby also has my family. Then there is the fact that 2 of the 4 kids live out of state along with grandmothers and an aunt and uncle. See how confusing it gets?
Well, when SMIL can't get everyone to agree to a time and place (last year she wanted us to drive 8 hours round trip to have dinner in a restuarant with a 1 year-old!), we get the "letters." They essentially state that this year is quite possibly Grandma's last year on Earth and we should all make every effort to come. How would we feel if she died and we missed our last chance to see her???
Guilt does not work with me...it just pisses me off! My own mother has never tried to guilt me into anything. AARGH!!
Anyway...back to the shower. I had offered to give a shower to my husband's step-sis when we were told she was getting married. Because is was a very short engagement (a couple of months...I know there are shorter...FYI: she's not pregnant either) we had to work fast. I explained to my SMIL that because I had a lot of weddings this year and was giving another shower, I couldn't afford to spend a lot of money. She said fine and it was decided that she would help give the shower (cover the meal and the room that she picked out at a local hotel).
So far so good.
In the last 3 weeks, the "theme" changed 2 times, the room changed 3 times, the layout changed 2 times (the last being 2 hours before the shower), the menu changed 4 times, the cake changed 1 time (the day before the shower...more on this later), the decorations changed too many times to count, not to mention the guest list changed 4 days before the shower. I was getting up to 4 emails a day from SMIL. Usually she would ask for my advice (she's never given a shower...I have given a lot), but then ignore it. Our $300 budget (this is just for the cake, decorations, invitations, etc. It doesn't include the room and meal) quickly was blown. Please note that I have never spent that much for an entire shower (everything included) in my life!! Granted there are usually 10 people giving the shower instead of 3, but still!!! It was the most elaborate and wasteful shower (we used only a fraction of the stuff we bought) I've ever seen.
The most stressful time happened (understandably) the week before the shower. The stress was brought on by SMIL not being able to make up her mind and stick with a decision (this was the biggest problem throughout). With 4 days before the shower, SMIL changes the whole make-up of the party by inviting the guys (who were previously going to go to lunch together). She was upset because some older out of town relatives couldn't make it (hello...the youngest was in her 60's and none are in good health) and the other guests weren't RSVPing (she had decided to do regrets only...this is not a good thing for her). So, she didn't want to only have 13 people there and invited the guys. No biggy, but she then expected me to find an overnight sitter for Peanut at the last minute. It wasn't happening, so then we got the shower's equivelent to the "Grandma Death Letter." She accused hubby and I (mostly me I think) of being unsupportive and asked how we would feel if this (a small party) happened to us. Like I stated earlier, I don't do guilt well. I talked it over with hubby and because this is not the first time (nor even the third) that we've gotten messages like this, he was okay with the response I sent her. I tried to be as nice as possible, while conveying to her to "get over it." As a result my nice but very pointed letter (I told her I was sure she didn't mean it, but I didn't like to be attacked and called unsupportive) I 'm sure I made her cry. Knowing I probably made her cry (she's VERY sensitive...me...not so much), I sent her a stress-relief basket to soften the blow. I do love the woman...I just don't like her when she's planning an event.
Moving on...the day before the shower was when the comedy of errors really began and none were because of SMIL. Before we left to drive the 3 hours to the in-laws place, I checked my email. SMIL had sent me a note asking me to call the cake place...down the street from her house and have her future son-in-law's name added to the cake (I had wanted to do this when we ordered the cake). No problem. When I called the store, they couldn't find the order, but the women supposedly wrote down my request along with my name, the pick up time and 2 phone numbers (home and cell). Then I called my mom to ask a quick question and was told she had just gotten word that a cousin of mine who had been battling cancer only had days to live. Once Hubby, Peanut and I got on the road we found that our normal 3 hour drive was going to be a bit longer. The trip to the other side of "town" usually takes about an hour. 2 1/2 hours later, we finally made it out...gotta love construction. Our 3 hour drive took us a total of 5 1/2 hours thanks to construction.
After arriving at the in-laws things were fine. SMIL and I hugged and made sure that we were okay. Like I said, I love her and usually like her a lot. We went out for a nice dinner. Then Hubby, Peanut and I went to pick up the cake. You've probably already guessed that there was no cake. We looked everywhere, as did 3 store employees (there was no record of the order or of my conversation with the woman earlier in the day...nor did anyone leave us messages...we checked). Lucky for us the "best decorator" came in at that time. Within 15 minutes she had whipped us up a beautiful cake. We did have to call SMIL and have her confirm the color of the flowers. When she asked Hubby how the cake looked, he told her it was beautiful...mind you, at the time there was no cake. She never knew that the cake was not there or that the store gave it to us for free. Can't wait to share that story!
Anyway, the end result was that the shower was elegant and fun. The food was good. The cake was great! Everyone (except SMIL) had a wonderful time (she spent a lot of time in the bathroom crying...never did find out if it was me or her ex-husband's wife that made her cry). I tried to be "gentle" with her and not do anything to set her off, but I don't "get" sensitive/indecisive people and acknowledge the fact that there might have been something (though I can't imagine what) I did that upset her. She came home from the shower, laid down on the couch and cried some more. I am completely baffled.
Well, it over and there are only 2 left unmarried. Both boys...men. One I can do a shower with his mom. SMIL's son...I'm thinking I'll donate money but be too busy to help. Not fair, but better for me.
Until later...
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Most Unusual Teacher Gift
I bet you didn't realize it, but teachers get the most unique gifts. Here is one that I just had to share with you.
Tonight at a Pampered Chef party (yes, I really know how to live it up), attended mostly by teachers, we were trading stories about our most unusual gifts from students or their parents. Among the ones that made us laugh (along with wanting to cry because most of these gifts come from people that have nothing) were the used date book, the spiral notebook where the mom had written nasty notes to the dad (ex-husband), and a teddy (not a teddy bear). However, "Joanne" had one that was a clear winner.
On the last day of school, a mom of a terrific student in Joanne's class brought her in a beautiful basket of items. The mom explained to Joanne that it was a "couple's basket" because she wasn't sure if Joanne was married (please note that Joanne goes by Miss *****). Joanne thanked the mom and took the basket. When she opened it, she discovered some nice (mostly) items. There were his and her towels, lotions, body scubbers (you know those puffs on a string?), and various other items. As Joanne dug deeper into the basket she discover the two "best" items. The first was a box of OB tampons (You know the kind where you have to use your finger to insert it? Who thought of that anyway? Yuck!) and the second was a thing of Summer's Eve Feminine Spray. Lovely.
Joanne thinks that the mom probably won the basket at a shower or somewhere and regifted it without knowing that those two products where in the basket.
We all agreed that the tampons and feminine spray were the most "unusual" gifts ever. Can anyone beat that? If so, I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment!
Tonight at a Pampered Chef party (yes, I really know how to live it up), attended mostly by teachers, we were trading stories about our most unusual gifts from students or their parents. Among the ones that made us laugh (along with wanting to cry because most of these gifts come from people that have nothing) were the used date book, the spiral notebook where the mom had written nasty notes to the dad (ex-husband), and a teddy (not a teddy bear). However, "Joanne" had one that was a clear winner.
On the last day of school, a mom of a terrific student in Joanne's class brought her in a beautiful basket of items. The mom explained to Joanne that it was a "couple's basket" because she wasn't sure if Joanne was married (please note that Joanne goes by Miss *****). Joanne thanked the mom and took the basket. When she opened it, she discovered some nice (mostly) items. There were his and her towels, lotions, body scubbers (you know those puffs on a string?), and various other items. As Joanne dug deeper into the basket she discover the two "best" items. The first was a box of OB tampons (You know the kind where you have to use your finger to insert it? Who thought of that anyway? Yuck!) and the second was a thing of Summer's Eve Feminine Spray. Lovely.
Joanne thinks that the mom probably won the basket at a shower or somewhere and regifted it without knowing that those two products where in the basket.
We all agreed that the tampons and feminine spray were the most "unusual" gifts ever. Can anyone beat that? If so, I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Grateful
Occasionally (or not so occasionally) in life, things happen that make you grateful that you are living the life you are. This happened the other day when a good friend on mine, "Elizabeth," was telling me about her most recent date.
I have two very close friends that happen to be in their mid to upper-30's and single. Not such a horrible thing from where I'm sitting (usually). They don't have to plan around other people, they can do what they want, etc. I know...it's not all it's cracked up to be, but you know that saying about the grass being greener...? Sometimes, I'd like that freedom...but NEVER enough to leave Hubby or Peanut.
Anyway, Elizabeth has been doing this on-line dating thing with not a lot of luck. She's met a couple of guys with potential, but either she's not into them or their not into her. Last weekend she had another date. This guy sounded really good and they'd had some good conversations (mostly through email I think). Anyway, they arranged to meet.
Well, they met. Apparently, he was late. Not a good start, but he did show up and I'm don't remember how late she said he was. When he showed up at the restaurant his vehicle was in really bad shape (color: primer grey; VERY dirty inside), but she thought, "Okay...it's not a great car and it's got a lot of junk in it but maybe he uses it for work." So, they get out of their vehicles and she realizes she's a bit disappointed in his appearance, but since she kinda knew what to expect (short and balding) she's still ready to give the date a try. During the phone conversation describing the events, I decide to try to be positive and say, "Well, at least he had his teeth!" (You can see where this is going.) Elizabeth doesn't respond. "Well, he did...didn't he?" I ask more worried and unsure as the seconds ticked by.
"No. Well, not all of them," she replies.
"What do you MEAN he didn't have his teeth? Do you mean he had false teeth? Please mean that he at least had false teeth!"
"Nope."
"Oh...well," still trying to be optimistic I push on, "were the teeth he did have at least in good condition?" By this time I'm not sure I even want to know the answer to this. But I could guess it as I'm sure you can.
"Nope." Well, let's just say, the date wasn't a success. To give Elizabeth credit, she didn't suddenly remember she had to babysit her niece or some other pressing event. She went into the restaurant and tried to make the best of it. However, and this is ME speaking, I would personally have a difficult time sitting across from someone trying to eat or carry on a conversation when that person was missing a lot of teeth and the rest were not looking so good.
As I hung up the phone, I felt bad for Elizabeth AND her date. Two people, both 40 or soon to be, trying to find "the one." Elizabeth is wonderful...easy going, fun, funny, smart, and pretty. I don't know her date but was told he was nice and I am lead to believe that he could carry on an interesting conversation (at least through email). However, neither is having an easy time finding someone to spend the rest of their lives with. It's selfish, I know, but it's times like this I feel especially grateful that I'm married to Hubby (he's a pretty good guy...no matter what I say)!
I have two very close friends that happen to be in their mid to upper-30's and single. Not such a horrible thing from where I'm sitting (usually). They don't have to plan around other people, they can do what they want, etc. I know...it's not all it's cracked up to be, but you know that saying about the grass being greener...? Sometimes, I'd like that freedom...but NEVER enough to leave Hubby or Peanut.
Anyway, Elizabeth has been doing this on-line dating thing with not a lot of luck. She's met a couple of guys with potential, but either she's not into them or their not into her. Last weekend she had another date. This guy sounded really good and they'd had some good conversations (mostly through email I think). Anyway, they arranged to meet.
Well, they met. Apparently, he was late. Not a good start, but he did show up and I'm don't remember how late she said he was. When he showed up at the restaurant his vehicle was in really bad shape (color: primer grey; VERY dirty inside), but she thought, "Okay...it's not a great car and it's got a lot of junk in it but maybe he uses it for work." So, they get out of their vehicles and she realizes she's a bit disappointed in his appearance, but since she kinda knew what to expect (short and balding) she's still ready to give the date a try. During the phone conversation describing the events, I decide to try to be positive and say, "Well, at least he had his teeth!" (You can see where this is going.) Elizabeth doesn't respond. "Well, he did...didn't he?" I ask more worried and unsure as the seconds ticked by.
"No. Well, not all of them," she replies.
"What do you MEAN he didn't have his teeth? Do you mean he had false teeth? Please mean that he at least had false teeth!"
"Nope."
"Oh...well," still trying to be optimistic I push on, "were the teeth he did have at least in good condition?" By this time I'm not sure I even want to know the answer to this. But I could guess it as I'm sure you can.
"Nope." Well, let's just say, the date wasn't a success. To give Elizabeth credit, she didn't suddenly remember she had to babysit her niece or some other pressing event. She went into the restaurant and tried to make the best of it. However, and this is ME speaking, I would personally have a difficult time sitting across from someone trying to eat or carry on a conversation when that person was missing a lot of teeth and the rest were not looking so good.
As I hung up the phone, I felt bad for Elizabeth AND her date. Two people, both 40 or soon to be, trying to find "the one." Elizabeth is wonderful...easy going, fun, funny, smart, and pretty. I don't know her date but was told he was nice and I am lead to believe that he could carry on an interesting conversation (at least through email). However, neither is having an easy time finding someone to spend the rest of their lives with. It's selfish, I know, but it's times like this I feel especially grateful that I'm married to Hubby (he's a pretty good guy...no matter what I say
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Bad Me
I am so bad! How bad am I? I am so bad that I am not-so-secretly hoping that Hubby can't get time off from work and we won't be able to go to his step-sister's wedding.
Why would I wish for this? I'm not sure...because I'm not a nice person? That is the only good reason I can come up with and it's not that good. I guess I'm just not that into weddings. For one thing, weddings are one of the most stressful things a person could inflict on themselves and others. We are led to believe that a wedding day should be perfect and even if I am not in the wedding (say I'm just a guest) I still feel pressure to make sure that I am as close to perfect as I can get so I don't ruin the "happy couple's" perfect day. Dumb, I know. But am I really the only one that feels this way?
I would rather take my son to see The Wiggles in concert...this from the mom that refuses to take her son to Chucky Cheese because the thought of a bunch of poorly supervised children running around would stress me out. Too chaotic and control freak me couldn't handle that.
I am also dreading the stress that my wonderful step-mother-in-law (and I do mean that she is wonderful) will be passing along to all of us that make the mistake of getting within her radar range. She won't mean to do it, but she will have the rest of us so stressed (mostly from trying to keep her from stressing out and having an emotional breakdown) that it just won't be fun. I mean, just planning a bridal shower with the woman had me going in for extra massages! She can't make up her mind, has unrealistic expectations and begs for your advice but doesn't really want it!
Oh well. I've survived worse. I'm just not a nice person...or maybe I'm just one of those people that always have to have something to bitch about and this is my current thing. It doesn't really matter. This too shall pass.
Later.
Why would I wish for this? I'm not sure...because I'm not a nice person? That is the only good reason I can come up with and it's not that good. I guess I'm just not that into weddings. For one thing, weddings are one of the most stressful things a person could inflict on themselves and others. We are led to believe that a wedding day should be perfect and even if I am not in the wedding (say I'm just a guest) I still feel pressure to make sure that I am as close to perfect as I can get so I don't ruin the "happy couple's" perfect day. Dumb, I know. But am I really the only one that feels this way?
I would rather take my son to see The Wiggles in concert...this from the mom that refuses to take her son to Chucky Cheese because the thought of a bunch of poorly supervised children running around would stress me out. Too chaotic and control freak me couldn't handle that.
I am also dreading the stress that my wonderful step-mother-in-law (and I do mean that she is wonderful) will be passing along to all of us that make the mistake of getting within her radar range. She won't mean to do it, but she will have the rest of us so stressed (mostly from trying to keep her from stressing out and having an emotional breakdown) that it just won't be fun. I mean, just planning a bridal shower with the woman had me going in for extra massages! She can't make up her mind, has unrealistic expectations and begs for your advice but doesn't really want it!
Oh well. I've survived worse. I'm just not a nice person...or maybe I'm just one of those people that always have to have something to bitch about and this is my current thing. It doesn't really matter. This too shall pass.
Later.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Living Through Our Kids
Okay, I admit it. I am an Oprah junkie. That said, I'm sitting here watching her show. Today she is talking about parents that live their dreams through their children. She said that all parents have a dream that they try to live through their children (at least that is my take on her comment). My first reaction to that was, "No way!" Then I stopped and thought about it.
It's true...at least for me (and many others, but I can't speak for them). I don't push Peanut into activities. My thing is for him not to be fat. I can be fanatical about his food (note: not mine...just his). He must have a balanced meal or I feel absolutely like the world's worst mom. I've tried to be better. Occasionally, I let him have junk food (french fries, chips, ice cream, cake, etc.). I still hate it when people give him candy or soda.
I also try to spend as much time as possible outside (even though I'd rather be inside). I don't force or tell him what activities to do once outside and he loves being outside. However, my reason for him being outside is so he'll be more likely to be active and as a result...not get fat. I've also stopped having the t.v. on. If we are in the house, the t.v. is off. The funny thing is, now if I turn it on, Peanut will come up to me and say, "T.V. off, Mommy. Come play."
So, while I've now realized that, yes I am forcing a dream of mine on Peanut...I don't feel all that bad. He is learning good life skills and I just need to make sure that I don't get too fanatical about the food thing.
Until later...
It's true...at least for me (and many others, but I can't speak for them). I don't push Peanut into activities. My thing is for him not to be fat. I can be fanatical about his food (note: not mine...just his). He must have a balanced meal or I feel absolutely like the world's worst mom. I've tried to be better. Occasionally, I let him have junk food (french fries, chips, ice cream, cake, etc.). I still hate it when people give him candy or soda.
I also try to spend as much time as possible outside (even though I'd rather be inside). I don't force or tell him what activities to do once outside and he loves being outside. However, my reason for him being outside is so he'll be more likely to be active and as a result...not get fat. I've also stopped having the t.v. on. If we are in the house, the t.v. is off. The funny thing is, now if I turn it on, Peanut will come up to me and say, "T.V. off, Mommy. Come play."
So, while I've now realized that, yes I am forcing a dream of mine on Peanut...I don't feel all that bad. He is learning good life skills and I just need to make sure that I don't get too fanatical about the food thing.
Until later...
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
I'm Back
Wow! Time flies when your world is going crazy! I've been meaing to log on and update my vacation posting, but never seem to have the time. With end-of-the-year-testing and tasks, my brother getting married in August, as well as my husband's step-sister getting married (also in August) and trying to be the "good sister(-in-law)" and throwing showers, I've barely had time for playing with Peanut.
Today was my last day with my "other" kids. This is the end of my 9th year of teaching (different grades...always special education), and the 1st year that I almost cried as my darlings left. They didn't realize (even though we talked about it) that they wouldn't be back next year. I wasn't so lucky. When I transferred to preschool special education from teaching 4th-6th grade resource room last fall, I had been with some of my students for 7 years. What was it about these babies that made me want to cry? Maybe it was that they needed me...a lot? That most of them showed more progress in one year than my previous students had shown in a couple of years? I've adored them all (even when they were driving me crazy), but these kids almost had me in tears. Heaven help me when Peanut goes to Kindergarten. Hubby will have to take him to school the first day.
Until later...
Today was my last day with my "other" kids. This is the end of my 9th year of teaching (different grades...always special education), and the 1st year that I almost cried as my darlings left. They didn't realize (even though we talked about it) that they wouldn't be back next year. I wasn't so lucky. When I transferred to preschool special education from teaching 4th-6th grade resource room last fall, I had been with some of my students for 7 years. What was it about these babies that made me want to cry? Maybe it was that they needed me...a lot? That most of them showed more progress in one year than my previous students had shown in a couple of years? I've adored them all (even when they were driving me crazy), but these kids almost had me in tears. Heaven help me when Peanut goes to Kindergarten. Hubby will have to take him to school the first day.
Until later...
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