Stich in Time...

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010... a day I will never forget. Had a typical day at work, Ted's friend Paul was coming in to town and I was going home to cook dinner. I was going to make Turkey Stuffed Burgers. It was going to be a good but low-key night. Or so I thought....

Hollin had a immediate fondness for Paul and they played from the moment he walked in the door. It was crazy and she was getting all worn out... I put Johnny to bed and decided to go make Paul's bed and get ready to go to bed myself. I gave the Hollin the two minute until bedtime warning and proceeded to make the bed in the basement.

All of the sudden while I was on my last corner of the fitted sheet I heard Hollin's cry. I thought, she will go to her daddy and he's got it. I continued... she continued crying... I stood for a minute to listen and tried to hear what she was saying... crying continued and so I decided to check it out for myself. I get upstairs and she is on daddy and still crying. Now she cries even harder because I am there. Nothing like seeing your mommy right? Ted says she I think she is cut pretty bad and needs a bandaid. I take a look and immediately spit out and say, "SHE NEEDS STITCHES!!!!!!" Ted says, "What?" and Hollin wants to show me what cut her. I carry her upstairs face down (the cut is on the back of her thigh) and the second I get in my bathroom, where she directed me and I am in good light I don't even have time for her to tell me what cut her. She has fillet herself! I grab a towel, wrap it around her leg, call Annie, get Hollin in the car and tell Ted to stay home with Johnny. We were off...

The ER staff was great! Hollin got numbing cream on before I had even told them who she was and where we lived. I think it helped that one of my student's parents was at the reception desk! Hollin was not fazed at all! She was her perky, playful self and did not get the fact that she had to sit still. This of course was while we waited for the numbing cream to work before the "PROCEDURE."

She did great during the procedure though. The doctor was quite impressed with her cut and the staff loved her. While stitching her up we got the whole story...

Paul and Hollin were playing and he fell of the couch and hurt his shoulder. She was upset he was hurt so she decided to get him a bandaid-- she is four after all! In the process of getting the bandaid she slipped and cut her leg. At this time I thought it was the edge of the tile counter.

The ER staff thought that was the sweetest thing ever and gave her a BILLION bandaids to go home with. By this time the stitches were in (all 8 of them) and we were on our way with bandaids in hand, a pillow they gave her, and all the cool medical stuff she could keep. The whole way home she told me she needed to see Paul and give him a bandaid. Even after getting cut she was determined to make him feel better.

She slept with me that night, and I didn't sleep... I just kept replaying the night in my head.

The next morning (I took the day off to make sure she was OK) Paul woke up and asked me to take him to Urgent Care- he was really hurt. I took him and dropped him off and later found out that he had a broken collar bone.

So this turned into a HORRIBLE accident that I am sure is one of many...

Not Single Mom Material

This past weekend (yes, just weekend) I was flying solo. Ted and his two brothers, Kevin and Chris took their dad to the CU vs Cal football game for John's birthday. It was a great idea and wonderful that they were able to embrace in such a wonderful bonding moment. However, this meant that I was home... alone... with the kids... after working all week... and with a HUGE list of things that needed to be completed here at home. Ted only left Friday morning but here it is Sunday night, I am exhausted and can barely move!

Don't get me wrong... my kids were great! Everything went really well. It is just a lot of work doing all the "tag-teaming" alone. It takes Ted going out of town for me to realize how much he really does. I do a lot of the "kid" stuff because quite honestly I am a control freak. But he does WAY more than I give him credit for or acknowledge until he is gone. How do I thank him for all that he does? Words are not enough...

I have two easy kids. I know I am not "single-mom material." I think that all single moms deserve more recognition for all the hardwork they do more often! They are amazing and strong! I guess I am just not that strong....

I am a chef... well close

I have been back at work for the last month and managed to get kids up, to daycare (with breakfast in hand-- I am not that good), been to school on time, prepared to teach, teach all day (could not be the best year of teaching for me-- tough one), come home get kids, and COOK dinner! The latter half is the big one! COOK! For those of you that know me I am no cook, never have been, never claimed to be, and the FEW attempts that I did previously were D I S A S T E R S!!! I actually made cheese enchilidas without cheese. So I was not a cook. And quite honestly I never thought I would be.

Until this past summer... I took the summer to "learn." I needed to! My hubby works late and my kids are hungry early. I had no choice... and so I ventured into the grocery store with a menu in hand and a list categorized by locations in the grocery store. Don't get me wrong, I didn't do this on my own, I did it with help--- Thanks Annie! I had a menu, a list, and a credit card. What have I got to lose?

The grocery store was VERY overwhelming! VERY! I came out with a headache and I was exhausted. No I did not take my kids with me. I had bags full of stuff, half of which I didn't know existed until my little trip. I mean what is Nam Pla? Fish sauce in case you didn't know and need to know. I was proud. I was one step closer to my domesticated godess that I longed for. I pushed a cart full of groceries for meals, not snacks, like in the past. Most importantly I had a week's worth of groceries for $70.00! Impressed? You should be! :)

My first week of cooking was a success. Ted, Hollin and Johnny (of course, Johnny- my little eating champ) loved my meals. I was happy, and again, one step closer to a domesticated godess.

I attempted it again, another week, another menu, and another grocery store trip under $70.00. It was another success. Week after week I had mainly success. Don't get me wrong I had a few meals that were utter disasters! Even Johnny didn't eat those few meals but overall I have done well.

I made it through the summer cooking. I was headed back to work and I was... let's be honest... worried. How can I work all day and cook? I know other woman do it but I am an "newbie" and not quite a domestic Godess.

I am proud to say.. I have done it! For FOUR WEEKS! I am cooking and my kids are eating, we are well fed. I am now a chef... domestic Godess, not quite (I am writing this with my laundry room full of clothes-- a prerequisite for the Godess title). Who knew? I am proud, and happy! It is great. I feel like I am true mom!

I have to admit that people at school are still having a hard time grasping the fact that I am cooking and I can talk about cooking "stuff." It is fun to see their faces and hear them tell me how proud they are of me.

One other side note, I got my hot little hands on a Pampered Chef catalog and I picked many things I want... again, who knew? (A few years ago I went to a Pampered Chef party and had NO idea what ANY thing was, let alone used for).

Summer is ending... tears begin!

Well my summer is getting to the end... I am crushed! Don't get me wrong, I love my job and I love the benefits of teaching. There are many things that can not top seeing a student grow academically and knowing that you are responsible for it. It is thrilling. However, it is not nearly as thrilling as being home with my kids. I am torn. I love waking up to Hollin's sweet cute face next to my face and her breathing on me while saying, "are you up Mommy?" While she clearly knows I am sleeping. I want to sleep, but then I stop and remind myself it is another day with my kids and it is going to be great! So I open one eye, see that sweet grin and I am up! After laying in bed and hearing Hollin all full of energy tell me everything that is important in her life. I finally wake up.

I go pee, brush my teeth, check out how awful I look and then I go get my "boo-bear" (Johnny). Just when you think man, I am tired, you see his smiling face (which he is ALWAYS smiling) and him say "hi" in a long drawn out HI and the world is perfect. Who cares what the weather is like outside and what is on the "agenda" for the day. I have this moment, this priceless moment and in the summer I don't have to rush through the moment to get them to daycare to get me to work on time. It is priceless. Yep, I am an AMEX ad!

Everyday this summer my kids have done something to make me cherish my life. Then on top of my bliss and cloud nine my husband comes home from work and does something even better! I now know what CLOUD 9 feels like. It is great and I invite you all to come join me!

I am going to miss our hot summer days filled with swimming lessons and activities to keep them busy and my house clean. I am going to miss not rushing in the morning. I am going to miss Hollin waking me up rather than me waking her up. I am going to miss waking up at 9, yep I said 9. I am telling you my kids are perfect! I am going to miss the days of Hollin's rambling and Johnny's smiles. I wish I could do it all. I wish I could do it all. I want to teach and I want my kids with me. I am living the dream and I love it.

With the new school year comes many more exciting things and again, don't get me wrong I am thrilled to have such a great, rewarding career. I do love my kids both students and personal. It is all wonderful and I am selfish and want it all. I will cry on Monday when I go back but not because I am working but because I will no longer have this priceless time with my kids, and really, let's face it I hate change and it takes me a while to get use to it.

I love you Johnny for all the smiles. I love you Hollin for all the laughs. I love you Ted for the consistent fairy tale life. I love my life! :)

Fancy Pansy

Hollin is hilarious! Seriously! She might possibly be the funniest kid ever. No I am not biased, I hear this often from many!

One of Hollin's favorite books ever is Fancy Nancy (or as she says, Fancy Pansy). She loves all of the books, accessories and most importantly feeling Fancy herself. Our life is CONSUMED by Fancy Nancy (she even has Fancy Nancy panties). We talk about things being "posh" and "extraordinary" daily. You can count on her to say "ohh la, la" at least ten times in a given day. It is great and I love it.

This past weekend we went to a wedding for a dear friend of mine. It was beautiful and Hollin was able to attend. She had a blast from the beginning. She looked "divine" and daddy was our "chauffeur." It was great. At the reception she met a wonderfully sweet lady whose name was Nancy. Hollin was in complete la-la land. She thought she was meeting Fancy Nancy in real life! She watched Nancy all night and commented on her beautiful dress and elegant shawl. She was enamored. Hollin was also very consumed with the cake (what three year old isn't?) and waited so patiently (or not so patiently) for the big cutting of the cake ceremony. The time was drawing near and she was so excited that she had to "go tell her new best friend Fancy Pansy. It was adorable and Nancy ate it up. It was great!

Meanwhile, Johnny also was able to attend the wedding and he looked adorable as always. He had some madras shorts and the matching madras golf cap on. The woman loved him and he loved all the women. OH MAN, what am I in for? My little hunk of love is always going to be MY little hunk of love! Got that Johnny?

Comparing

Comparisons stink! I am a teacher, who CONSTANTLY tells parents NOT to compare their child with other children in their class or age cohort. What have I been guilty of lately? Yep, you named it- compare my children to other children in their age cohort. It is pathetic but yet I do it. Johnny isn't walking but another baby, who is a girl, is and really good. We are not talking the drunk sailor walk but rather full on running! My little boy is not running or walking yet. Is this something I really need? Can't I just embrace my little boy for what he is! ABSOLUTELY! Of course there are things he isn't doing yet but there are things he is doing! Has anyone ever seen a kid eat like mine? Doubt it! Also, he is a better army crawler than any army guy. I love him! All of him, my little hunk of love!

So I am fully aware of the fact that I am not going to compare Johnny but does not mean I don't compare Hollin to other children that are three almost four. And I am proud! My daughter is a CHAMP of a swimmer and quite good at gymnastics. Can she do the crap walk? No, but why bother! I mean really who does the crab walk, and likes it! She struggles with listening and after some major reflection what three year old doesn't! Don't get me wrong I am not making excuses but I am also not going to over analyze it.

So my kids aren't perfect, and like every other kid. Please tell me which kid is! That in a nutshell is why I love kids and devote so much of my time to kids. They are all so unique and different and bring us light we didn't know existed. And for this I am grateful and blessed. I love you peanut and boo bear! ;)

Mom as a teacher....

Well Hollin finished her first set of Swim Lessons today. She is taking them all summer but they are in two week sessions. Part of her lessons today was jumping off the diving board. My dad took Hollin everyday this week and I must admit I was not ready to see my BABY jump off the diving board. I will also admit that when she did it I cried. Yep, I am a cry baby. It was tough.

After her swimming lessons today she got a "report card." And on the report card it said she needs to listen to directions more carefully. As a teacher, and someone who writes comments I took it pretty hard. I didn't know what and continue not to know what to do with that. I know she is three (almost four) and I know she gets pretty excited about swimming but I see that lack of listening here at home. So as a teacher, and someone who selects comments carefully when placing them on a report card I take it very seriously. The question I ask is how serious should I take it? Her swim instructor is a college girl, and she does have four other kids in the class that refuse to put their heads in the water. My daughter loves swimming and swims without fear (hence the need for swimming lessons) and therefore, she is underwater for most instructions and therefore, her swim teacher is constantly saying, you need to stay above water to listen to directions. This is where I interfere and reinforce what the teacher says. We are a team right? I am worried, nonetheless, I never wanted to have that kid that doesn't listen. But she does, because of excitement, not to be naughty or defiant. So I am really confused. Does she listen to everything I tell her to do at home? NO! But what three (almost four year old) does? Or am I making excuses? So parents, teachers, grandparents, adults, ANYONE!!!! Help me!

Besides swim lessons we have a chipmunk here at our house. No, not JOhnny! You give him food, he eats it. No ifs, ands or buts about it. It is great. However, Hollin on the other hand, cracks me up. She does not eat so easily and normally we fight her for dinner but tonight she ate it all! It is all in her mouth! We had London broil with pasta salad and tomatoes. She is not such a big fan of steak but she put it in her mouth and 30 mins after dinner it remains there! She did this last time we had steak and to be perfectly honest it cracks me up. I can't believe she would rather have her steak in her mouth for hours (like last time) than to just swallow it and be done. It is funny if you ask me! :)

Speaking of dinner... I am cooking! Yep, you read that right! I have had two weeks of successful meals and I am proud of myself. Last week we had cheese enchiladas, chicken burritos, linguine with clam sauce, and turkey stuff burgers. This week we have had kabobs, flank steak, chicken sandwiches and panini's! I have made it all and I have made all the sides! I am proud! I will continue to be proud. This is from someone who has not turned on a grill or cooked a meal her ENTIRE life. I am suddenly domestic! I am proud!

Life is about being proud for what you have... my daughter, my son, my hubby, my cooking it all. I love it! Hollin will listen, Johnny will walk, my hubby will always love me and I will continue to try my best to cook. I am proud!