Urgent Medical Care, Strong Will and Aunt Marnee!

My Mom tells me that my girls are doing" exactly what we used to do when we were little, well what Marnee tried to do."

I laughed a little when Marn's name was tossed into the remark.

What was this kid thing that kids do?

According to Mom, whenever any of us were home from school, sick, the others faked illness.
Totally normal.
Don't we want our kids to mimic the Three Musketeers?...
"One for all and all for one!"
Apparently, my youngest sister had the game down pat.

Mom said that "Mondays were popular with Marnee." That it got to a point where she was out at least once a week.

I thought to myself...That's a lot more than playing sick because Em or I were home! We weren't home that much! Sorry Mom, Marn was really pulling a fast one.


Luckily none of my girls have gotten this bad. I wouldn't be able to afford it if they did!

Gracie is home today with Strep Throat.
Not fun at all.
I know for a fact that my middle darling would rather be at school.

Something very funny...that will hit this point home:

While at the Urgent Medical Center on  Sunday, (because normal doctor's office's are shut down) the doctor on staff tried to prove a point to my unruly child.

She wasn't being cooperative at all...
...fighting the throat swab test with every ounce of her six year old body.

Two nurses, five calm conversations and a howling scream that echoed through the medicenter later...
...the doctor came back.
He was determined to get the job done, not knowing that he was messing with an equally determined kid.

The doctor, who was very patient...started like this:

"Now Grace, I hope that you are paying attention to what your Mom has said to you. It's important. We only want to help. Do you understand that sometimes, in order to get better...instead of worse that you need to listen. It's very important to listen to the nurses and doctors."

Grace nodded a yes and glared a squinty, skunk eyed stare his way.

He kept going.

"Sometimes a little bit of pain keeps a lot of sickness from coming".

MASS CONFUSION...Gracie looked at me. Huh????

He went on...

"You don't get that."

Gracie: No

Doctor: How about this... A shot only hurts for a second but it's a good thing because it can keep you from becoming very sick for a long time.

Grace looked at me...Her expression read, I'm not buying this crap.

Me: That's right. Listen to the doctor honey. No one wants you to be sick babe.

Grace: Am I getting a shot?! I want to go home!

Doctor: No..no,no shots. Only this small swab test.

Grace: But that really hurts. I don't want want to. It hurts a lot!

Me: But only for a little while and then it's better, just like when you fall or stub your toe.

Grace: That hurts too!

Doctor: Let me put it this way (losing patience but trying to play it cool) Do you listen to your teacher?

Grace nodded YES.

Doctor: There are times when your teacher expects you to take tests. There will be days when she says that you have to take a math test. You might not want to do it...but you do...because the teacher needs to see how bright you are and give you a mark.

I'm thinking...bad example. Wrong kid.

Grace: I don't care about tests. I like love math and I like tests! I'm good at them. I love school. I don't love this. (looking at me pitifully) It hurts a lot. I won't let them. Mom, I want to go home.

Me: We will baby, we just need this test done and then we can go home.

Doctor: It looks like that was a bad choice. Wrong kid for this one. (shaking his head in disbelief.)

HE HAD FAILED>

I apologized for my rather clever, strong willed child.
The doctor had given up and wrote a prescription for the strep throat that he was assuming she suffered from.
NO TEST
GOT THE MEDS
Grace was feverish and needed to go home.

She shouldn't have won this battle.
There was only one lesson learned here:
When in doubt scream, yell and talk back. You'll get your way.
I was disappointed with the fact that the doctor had given up.
I know that he didn't want to spend all day arguing with a feverish first grader though.
SHE WOULD HAVE ONE EVERY TIME.
I think he knew that.

I know it's kind of wrong, but...
I am proud of the strength that she possesses.
Gracie is articulate and passionate.
Again, I say it...Jim and are in trouble!

Our little girl has been home for two days and not liking it.
Addison, on the other hand has been pulling every trick in the book to stay home too!
Tummy ache.
Head ache.
Achy legs.
...even achy arms!

I sent her to school.
I'm hoping that she takes after her Aunt Marnee.
Wink...Wink.

Laptops, Debris, Unsupervised Kids and the Craziest Mama Ever.

I need to kiss the inventors of the laptop.
- Because of he-she-them here I am.
-Sitting on my front porch, swaying on my double swing, while the moon is high and the birds are chirping.
This my friends... is SPRINGTIME BLISS.

I can't decide what to write about.
Like a kid in a candy store---

THERE ARE SO MANY CHOICES!
sweet.

The fact that my 7pm coffee just kicked in isn't helping.
I am the epitome of the freak on a leash. 
Does everybody know that one or am I making myself sound more coffee crazed by the second?


After two hours of cleaning debris from my yard...
...YES...That word was DEBRIS.
A catastrophic event did not target our yard.
It was my husband playing construction worker.

Jim had demolished our dilapidated garage the day before. Then, miracle of all miracles, he rebuilt the walls in a few short hours.
TRULY WONDROUS.
Unfortunately, our yard was trashed.
I was on clean up duty.
I WASN'T GOING DOWN ALONE.
I dragged Julia into the yard with me.
Welcome to the family.
Time to get dirty!
She's such a good sport.
Julia at one point told me that it was just like home...her Dad made her do this stuff all of the time.
We each put on a pair of Jim's nastier than nasty work gloves and dug in!
Julia and I filled NINE construction bags and dragged each into the driveway. There we tossed them on top of our old, beaten down, "L" sectional. It too, was waiting to be hauled away.
We were covered in a thin layer of grime.
I could barely breathe thanks to my allergies.
I LONGED FOR A SHOWER.
Was I exhausted?
NO WAY!
I AM WOMAN>>>HEAR ME ROAR...
I was no where near tired.
I felt great after a hot shower and a cup o'joe.

Did I mention that my three girls were home this entire time?!
I didn't even bother to check on them!
I kind of forgot that a quiet house could mean trouble as I dug and tossed shingles.
This is very, very, very unlike me...
I repeat very, very, very...unlike me.
The kids were on there own.

WHAT WERE THEY UP TO?

Addison found me in the front yard repositioning a rose trellis that I had just unearthed.
She approached our Lilac Tree...or is it Lavendar?
I forget which is the tree and which the little, aromatic plant.
...Both are in my yard.

Addi had spent the past hour making a sticky, tile art fairy with her little sisters.

THANK GOD!
CPS has no reason to knock on my door.

The artwork was proudly nestled in the tree's branches.
Addi went running to get her sisters.

Five minutes later my little ladies emerged, roller skates and all.
They admired their work.
-Took it down...
...and negotiated a new spot.
The fairy now sits in our bay window with the plants.
PERFECT.

I tossed a chicken into the oven and showered.
---Good as new!
The girls didn't think they'd like our new "old lady" living room furniture.
Apparently "Old Lady" is code for dark brown leather.
It doesn't matter...they love the new floor plan.
The "L" is gone and has re opened a blocked entry way.
Our open ranch has its large circular hallway again.
Thanks to a head on collision between Grace and Chloe... which resulted in an ER visit, followed by a pediatric oral surgeon and Grace's front tooth being extracted... due to it dangling...
...We blocked the circle.
This should be interesting.

EXTREME ROLLER DERBY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME.

The gloves are off.
The girls have fallen.
Crashed into kitchen chairs and tumbled over the dog. (he wasn't harmed...promise)
They are bruised and laughing about it!

I am too. They crack me up! I want new roller skates now.
Can Mommy join in?

...not yet, but I can dance!

The TV was on...tuned into the Disney Jr. Channel.
Choo Choo Soul was singin' her heart out.
WOW--- Floods of memories came back.

For five years our girls had rocked out with this preschool diva and her DJ buddy.

I started to sing and dance, remembering all of the words to Vegetables Make You Strong.
My girls froze.
They stared.

Grace commented: You must be the craziest Mom ever.
????
Addi: What is this?
????
Grace: Mom, how do you know this song? Who is that?
???????????????
ME: YOU DON'T REMEMBER GENEVIEVE?!
Chloe: That's a nice name. Is that the girl? She's singing about vegetables!?
ME: Yes Chlo... (as I was shakin' it) Don't you remember her girls? This used to be one of your favorites? We played it all the time.
Addi: Really? Who is the guy? What does he do...just dance??

No one remembered.
How could this be?!
CHOO CHOO SOUL was ingrained in my brain.

FIVE YEARS< EVERY MORNING> 7AM!!!!!!!!!

I danced my way into the kitchen and set the table...How could this be?

This was it.

MY MAMA CHALLENGE.

Me: Hey girls...Who remembers this one? "Hot dog!!!! DU DU DU dududuudu HOT DOG!!!

THEY LAUGHED AT ME.

Was it my singing or my wacky dance skills?

If you have spent as many mornings as I have with the Disney Channel than you know the dance that goes with the song and that was what I was doing...

...at the dinner table.

Gracie: (shaking her head and laughing) Yup...You are the craziest Mom ever!

Addi: Mom. That's really weird! Do other Mom's do this? (followed by laughter)

Chloe: (grinned and stared at me the whole time) Mom you're really silly!

Me: Come on. You have to remember this one?!

DO MY CHILDHOOD...I MEAN THEIR CHILDHOOD MEMORIES MEAN NOTHING?

This is proof. Our memories are very different from our children's.
YAYYYYY!!!!
Parents of the Universe...
There is hope for us after all!!!

It's happening...
We have grown up,"Old Lady" furniture and my kids are forgetting toddler hood.
Poor me...I'm stuck with the toddler tunes.

Thanks to The Voice I now have the song 99 Problems But The B*@#H Ain't One stuck in my head.
This is a far cry from Choo Choo Soul.



*Photos of Steve Jobs and the imac were courtesy of Photobucket.

Thunder & Lightning...the Real Deal!

 This was a dew drop on a flower after the storm.

5:20 AM...

Bammm! BAM! CRACK!!!CRACK! CRACK!!! BAM!


There was a light show in the hallway...
A heavy metal band played...
The mosh pit grew fierce...


WAIT.
WHY WAS THERE A MOSH PIT IN MY LIVING ROOM?!


GET OFF OF MY COUCH!!
..Hey, No standing on the furniture!!


CRASH!CRASH!BUBUBUBAMMM!! CRACK!


I had flashes of pop culture run through my mind in a milisecond...
Old episodes of Batman...AUDIO BUBBLES everywhere!


BAMM! WHACK!! THUD!! KA-POW!!!


They cleared quickly.
They weren't the right sounds for the moment.
The cracking came back fiercer than before.


My body jerked upward.
I was in a sleepy haze...


Something was wrong.


My "Spidey Senses" were tingling.

Wimpering from the hall. 

Crying.

Two voices searching for their parents...

"Mommm.... Daaaaad? Where am I? Where are you?"

"I'm scared."

I stumbled out of bed, a bit confused. 

What time was it? What's going on?

Quick...head count!

Addi...standing in hall = 1

Chloe....with Jim= 2

Gracie...

Where is Gracie?
I put my arm around Addi as I continued down the hall..."Baby, go sleep in my room. I'll be right there."

Addi: Not a sound, drugged from a half sleep state...She walked back to bed.

I checked the hall again..Nope.

Jim scooped Chloe up in the hallway. She was terrified...holding her "nigh-night" with a death grip.

She grabbed onto her Daddy with the same amount of force. 

Jim: What happened Chlo Chlo? Are you scared of the storm?

Chloe: (head resting on his shoulder, nods a yes) I wanna come with you.

They held eachother tightly.
---Such a tender moment.
The dim, amber glow of the bathroom light combined with the flashes of lightning bursting through the blinds enhanced the pure, beauty of the moment.

I thought of my camera for a split second.
Crazy woman!
My mind raced back to Grace.
Was she scared and hiding?

I peeked into their bedroom.
No sign of her.

WAIT.

I climbed up two ladder rungs.
Little Grace was buried under her blankets...
...fast asleep.

How did she sleep through this?
Amazing!

I hopped off the bunk ladder, not feeling the need to be quiet.
She had already slept through part of "the Storm of the Year."- No way was this going to wake her!

Jim stood in the hall, holding tight to our still frightened Chloe.
He soothed her with kisses on the head and soft words.

REALITY CHECK---

Jim had been on route to the shower.
I heard the water running.

I thought I'd help him out. I reached for Chloe.
Her arms willingly stretched toward mine.

"Come here baby. Let's go sleep in Mommy and Daddy's room."
Jim: Hey, I was enjoying my Chloe time.
Me: Sorry. I thought you needed to shower.

I think he said "OK" but I'm honestly not sure.
I walked down the hall again, back to our room.
Addi was snuggled next to Jim!

WAIT.
How did this happen?!
Was the running water just rain?

I really was tired.
It was all jumbled up in my memory.
But there they were. Fast asleep. Chloe and I climbed in next to them.

A few more good, cracks thundered.
I heard noise down the hall.

Back and forth I go!
One more time.

Gracie was sitting upright in her bed.

Grace:What's going on?

Me: Nothing babe. Just a Spring storm...a big one. Are you okay?

Grace: Yeah. I thought I heard something in my dream so I got up. Can I go back to bed or is it school now?

Me: (thinking that she was the cutest kid ever) No honey...not yet. Go back to sleep.

There was no need to even say it. Grace was already covered, eyes shut tightly.

By 6:oo am I was on my way back to sleep, surprised by the reactions of my children.
Was it that bad of a storm?
They typically love thunder and lightning.
It must have been that bad indeed.
My mind is playing tricks on me...Those who are wrestled out of sleep find themselves searching for reality. That was me.
Jim got up a few minutes later. I drifted out of sleep as he tried to carry on a conversation. He asked me if his tie "worked" with his shirt. I said "YES."
Now that I try and focus in on the fuzzy details, I think that I should have said,"NO."
I am curious to see what he wore today when he walks in the door tonight.
I'll keep you posted!

Field Trips, Bus Purgatory and My Camera Thief.

I lingered in my pajamas longer this morning.
It felt ...
ODD but GOOD.

The kids were at the bus stop.
I looked at Julia.
She knew what she was doing.
What was I doing?
I had forty five minutes to kill before I needed to leave.

I looked toward Julia," This is weird...weird being here right now."
She laughed and walked away.
Julia had a schedule and I wasn't keeping her from it!

I looked at the kitchen floor.
It grossed me out.
Never, ever will I own a house with off white kitchen tile again. Who's brilliant idea was this anyway?
Obviously not a somebody with three crazy kids and a big, goofy yellow lab...or a husband that refuses to take his shoes off at the door.
These things prevent our floor from EVER appearing clean... even when it is.

So...
With the first of my forty five I swept.
Feeling much better I made a bed...
Then loaded the dishwasher.

I know...
This is what I did with FREE...yes,... FREE TIME.

What can I say?
I am brainwashed.

But...man! My floors look good!
Wishful thinking...
...They still look horrible.
...But horribly clean!

I slowly, (key word being slowly) drank a cup of coffee, poured another for the road and was on my merry way.

It was field trip time!
My Addi love suffers from anxiety and has had her fair share of panic attacks.
Therefore I was the designated "BUS MOM."
Other Moms commented:
"Lucky you!"
"Glad I lost that lottery."
"Fun...fun..."
"Been there."

You know how it goes...

Addi was happy. That is all that mattered.

I was happy too.
Most of the time my eldest doesn't even let me kiss her.
Today I was sitting next to her on the bus.

--HER IDEA!!

Self Portrait. By Addison.

Today's school buses are a far cry from the ones that my generation rode on.
Ooooh...I'm sounding "mommish."

Back in my day!!!...

Buses didn't have interior cameras monitoring movement.
The bus driver certainly didn't have a kickn' loud speaker.
---In the old days an effective driver had a booming voice!
---That was the only way to get the rowdies to calm down...YELL!

A portrait of Addi's buddy on the bus. Taken by Addison. 

Today, our driver helped the teacher a great deal. I'd say he was part teacher.
The man commanded those kids and they listened.
He did it all in the nicest voice ever. He just turned up the volume of the speaker when needed.

"Boys and girls your teacher needs your attention."
"Boys and girls please buckle up."
"Kids in the back you may have left school but you are still in school."

Modern technology!
Saving Vocal Chords and Sanity Every Day!

The fourth grade trip was to The Old Bethpage Restoration Village.
It rained all morning.
The teachers were responsible for putting the finances in order upon arrival.

the reality of that was: BUS PURGATORY.


FOURTH GRADERS>>> STUCK ON THE BUS FOR 15 MINUTES...
WAITING>
WAITING>
Staring out the windows.
Banging on the bus walls.
Making really weird animal noises.
...Being told to stay in their seats and not turn around!! (HA... HA... HA!!!)
Pounding on seats while shouting,"I gotta get outta here!!" 
...15 minutes...an eternity.

When the animals were released they ran wild.
...Not too wild though.

They all listened to their teachers and the parents chaperoning beautifully.
Village actors commented that we had,"the best group of the day."

---That must have made the teachers very happy to hear.

We were wet.
Hair was curling and frizzing.
Kids stepped in mud and puddles.
We wandered in and out of freshly painted historic homes and shops.
The kids snacked on root beer and hard pretzels in the pub(a favorite part).
We were given tours of places like the Hatter's Shop...where hats were crafted.
The School House...where the stern school ma'rm scared the crap out of half of the kids and the teachers. (talk about being "into" your role)
The General Store...a kind older man in long coat and hat handed out candy sticks. (he was well liked)

The Barnyard...where roosters and geese roamed amongst the kids and the two, biggest pigs ever, slept in the mud.

It was a full day of leisurely, wandering...including a history lesson.
It was an afternoon of photography and conversations.
I was holding my Addi's hand and laughing.

...another afternoon to tuck into the creases of my mind.
...more memories to take out on rainy days.

Addi and I are very similar creatures.
I had forgotten her camera.
BIG MISTAKE.
...because of this faux pas...
...mine rarely left her hand.

"Addi, it's my turn again."
"Addi, can I please see my camera for a sec.?"
"Honey...Don't drop it...use the wrist strap when you climb the fence."
"Add...Add...Can I use my camera? I like taking photos too."
"I'll let you have it again...
...PROMISE."

This was how the camera tug of war went.
I wouldn't have had it any other way.
We were pretty good at sharing.
My Mom taught me well.
Her Mom had taught her well too!

Have I mentioned that my daughter amazes me?

She does.

I browsed the days photos on the bus ride back to school.
The Dad sitting next to me commented...

"How did you do that? I have an SLR and I can't figure it out. It's things like this that I'd like to know how to do."

I looked at my camera's LCD screen.

Me: "I didn't take this one. Addison did...but I can tell you how she did it."

The image on the screen was a shallow depth of field, vibrant, close up. A perfectly focused flower was centered for us to behold. ---Brilliant greens and white.

I smiled, he didn't believe me.
I could tell.

I strategically, turned.

"Addi...This one is beautiful! Great job babe. We should print it."

Addi turned and smiled when she saw the camera in my hand...

"Oh! Mom! That one...I love that one. Give me the camera please I really want to show my friends. That's one of my favorite one's today! Did you see the leaves yet?"

---I nodded, No. I hadn't seen them.

"Mom, I'll show you and my teachers the leaves next. That one's really good!"

Am I bad or what?

Proud Mama moment.
Her art makes her shine brighter than the stars.
She's walking in my footsteps in so many ways.

We uploaded our collection of photos as soon as we arrived home.
We had time.
It was just me and my big/little kid.
Grace and Chloe are on a double play date.
(Thank you Kathy, my love!! --You are Wonder Woman!)

To think, I was going to bring the kids to the library...
This was the perfect rainy day activity.

I taught Addi some photo editing basics.
She played around on the laptop a little.
At the rate she picked it up the program will be mastered by next week!

***Take another look. Scroll back through the adventure. Do you see how many of theses photos Addi took? She has even created her own digital watermark! My kid is brilliant... She is ADDI.WESTE.
Just look...my baby has a watermark.
This is a big deal!
Really!

LIVE
LEARN
LAUGH
LOVE

Babies, Daisy's and Tea for Mom...

I had a few minutes to kill today.
What did I do you ask?
I read some blogs that I follow.
I looked at some of my older blogs and relived the past.
I went on Pintrest and gathered some crafty ideas for future use.
I googled old movies.
I texted with my husband.

Rainy afternoons are all about these little things.

The result of my idle pleasures:

I feel relaxed.
I am motivated...
...ready to face the rest of the day!

We are standing on top of the mid week "hump."

My weekend burst of energy has run dry.
Three cups of coffee haven't helped...
...but wandering online, phone in hand did!

Thoughts that occurred to me:

1) After perusing endless images I remembered how wondrous it is to stare at my children.
Creepy..No.
Odd...No way.
Magical.
I mentally rewound back to their infant days. Those long afternoons filled with baby naps. Jim and I spent what felt like hours (probably because they were) staring into cribs and bassinets. Our babies are glorious! We visually ate them up. There was nothing better on Earth than  "oogling" over our little ones.

I know that still holds true. I just did it. It wasn't in person. Recent photos have sufficed. They move too fast now. Still moments are fleeting.

That's part of the beauty of who they have become.
I smile as I sit here. There is a goofy image of my littles ladies crowded around Santa. Grace has exceptionally untamed hair, quite unlike her! She is beaming. She thought that it was fancy and like a movie star's hair. Addison is smiling beautifully. Her smile makes mine brighten. I haven't seen enough of her pretty, smile lately. Almost ten can be tough. Chloe on the other hand is at her cheeky best...frilly skirt and cowgirl boots. This was the daily uniform then. She has now evolved into a sportier style, donning leggings and Uggs (knock offs) like her older sisters.

This is one of my treasures.

2) Carrot cake sounds yummy. Thank you pintrest friends! Now the kids and I have a baking agenda for this weekend.

3) It's raining again. My kids use this as an excuse for a movie night. I'm headed in the direction of an oldie but goody. Gene Kelley will be dancing through my house tonight. One of my all time favorites is Singin' In The Rain! I think it's time to share it with my girls.

4) I love my husband. I can't say it enough. His sarcastic humor is contagious! He is one of my favorite texting buddies.

5) Most importantly...I remembered that I have been invited to a Daisy Tea Party celebrating MOMs.
It's today. Grace and Chloe are in the same troop. Addison donates time as a Girl Scout helper each week, assisting their troop leader. I've heard that on most days Addi would rather be a Daisy too!

...The week is turning around!

Up Up Up and Away we go...
Over the HUMP and onto the downward slope that is the weekend.

Addi confiscated my camera when she saw it in my hand. Here are the photos that my talented and slightly focus challenged 9 1/2 yr. old shot. Enjoy them. They are the newest additions to my treasure box . They'll be displayed  proudly with the crafty, frame that Grace and Chloe made with me today!

Photos: Tonight's imagery was brought to you by the letter "A."
"A" is for apple. They are delicious.
"A" is for artist. I have three.
"A" is for Addison. She is amazing.

Girl Scouts, Groceries, Meltdowns and Lightning...the Saga Continues.

After a morning and afternoon that could have gone smoother I had an evening that was anything but perfect.

Addi had Girl Scouts. That meant that I was on pick up duty. I needed to be at the school by 3:45  promptly.
I mean PROMPT!
These three, yes, three troop leaders mean business.
Phone calls will be made and apologies expected if arrival is not made in a timely fashion.

I am usually there at 3:45.
Ready to sign my fourth grader out.
Parents are no longer allowed to "pick up."
We need to sign receipts in order to claim our children.

Addi was baggage being stored by an institution. (one that I like a lot so it was o.k.)
What a world...what a cruel, cruel world.

I arrived in the school lobby by the designated time.
Addison was waiting patiently on a bench.
She sat alone. There weren't any other kids.

What is going on here?
This isn't normal.
How am I the last one at pick up when I'm on time?!
This is not cool.
I remember the waiting game.
Those moments spent wondering where, oh where, could Mom be?
Has she forgotten?...
Doesn't she care?...
Those...Oh, No ...Not again, Mom moments...


This is not something that I have ever wanted my kids to endure.
Have you picked up on the fact that this is one of my traumas from childhood?

This is not intended to be passed on.

I gave a triple quick room scan:

-No kids except mine and the lone troop leader's.

Again, not normal. Why weren't they in the class room doing "Girl Scouty" things?


-Addi was smiling.


WAIT...


-Addison was happy!

Oh well...I wasn't wasting my time on it. Addi was happy. We were outta there.

CRISIS AVERTED...NEXT GENERATION IS SAFE FOR THE MOMENT...

I was cruising down our street, when I noticed Addi looking pitiful.
I asked what was wrong?
Addi said,"I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I don't want you to be upset with me. But, Mom...I don't want to go home."

Ok...I thought no big deal.
Addi continued: Why don't we ever have time together with out my sisters? Just us? We never do that anymore. (she was looking super sad)
Me: Add, why would I be mad at that? I'm not mad. Sometimes we don't have time for "dates." There are three kids and only one Mom. We will again. We've just been busy.

--Not good enough.


Addi: Can't we just go somewhere? Anywhere? With out my sisters? How about Trader Joe's? They have good stuff there, food that we like.

---Smart kid. I smiled, knowing full well that she really didn't want to go grocery shopping. My little girl was just that in need of mommy time.


Me: Trader Joe's? Really? Ok. We can pick out something good for dinner tonight. We'll go now.

Addi: (shocked and smiling...straightening up her posture) Really?! Can I pick something out? Let's get Slurpees too! Then maybe we can go to the toy store.

Now she was pushing it. I didn't even need to go shopping. I just wanted to make my little girl smile. I was exhausted, craving my couch. 


I said,"No. Just Trader Joe's and then home." I reminded Addi that her sisters needed some Mom time too.

She accepted it.

There we were grocery shopping together. Addi was happy as could be. This was proof that small gestures mean a whole lot.

She journeyed to the back table. ---Sampling Kung Pow chicken (I think) and pomegranate juice.
She asked the guy a few questions and reported back to me with two more samples. One for each of us.
---such a thoughtful kid.

We grabbed some of our favorite dinner items and I let her pick out snacks for school.
We headed to the check out area and were rung up.
Time to go home. My little ones, the couch and the Voice await.
I reached into my wallet for my trusty debit card,
OH NO!
IT WASN'T THERE...
I HAD LEFT IT IN MY COAT.
...The one that I wore to DC, which was in my weekend bag.
...nowhere near here.
...way back at home.

Ok...the average person might say "No big deal. Charge it."

NOT ME>
I've made it my mission not to use my credit cards.
I never even carry them anymore.
With $95.00 in groceries bagged, $20 in my purse and long line building behind me I wasn't sure what to do.
I hesitated.
...and explained the predicament to the cashier.
She was very pleasant and told me that she'd put the groceries on hold and to come back. They'd be waiting for me.

OK. I didn't know that this was possible. I've never had to put groceries on hold before!! This was seriously embarrassing!

None of this phased my daughter. She was pissed when I told her to put her chocolate bar back in the grocery bag because it wasn't ours yet.
-A natural kid response. I'd be upset too.

"Huh?...Why?? You got it for me. Mom...I just want to carry it."

"Addi. (gritting my teeth and trying to whisper) I forgot my card. We have to leave everything and go get it, then come back."

"I don't get it. Just use another one Mom."

"Addi...Let's go. I don't have another one with me."

"So use your money. Don't you have any money?"

Oh, dear God...Please quiet my child. I wished that I could put my hand over her mouth and push her out the exit. Instead my palm rested on her shoulder and nudged her forward. 


She questioned me en route...

"Can't you go back and get our food now?"
"Isn't there money in the car to use?"
"When are you going to get it?"
"Do we have to go shopping all over again?"
"Mom, I really wanted that chocolate. Can I really have it later?"
"Can't you go to the bank instead of home? I don't want to get my sisters."

Oh Addison! I wished that I had earplugs or a fog machine to give the illusion that I had vanished.

I answered all of Add's questions...like always.
I've taught the kids that it's important to question and now it was kicking me in the butt while I was down.

We drove home and sang to the music. I grabbed my debit card. We grabbed Grace and Chloe, swapped the Trailblazer for the Caravan and were on our way to rescue the groceries that were being held for ransom.

CHLOE WAS NOT IN A GOOD MOOD.
GRACE HAD BEGGED TO STAY WITH JULIA.
THIS WAS NOT GOING TO END WELL.

The groceries were waiting for us somewhere in the land of Trader Joe's.
The woman cashier was no where to be found.
The dude that I was telling the tale to looked utterly perplexed.
He scratched his head and said that he'd be right back.
Fifteen minutes later..after Chloe begged me for chocolate, green tea mints, organic licorice, lemonade and a sample from the back table...he was back...pushing our cart.
Now the guy had to figure out how to re-enter the receipt.

The line grew longer once again.
People stared.
Chloe begged.
Gracie asked for chocolate politely, taking the calmer, more respectable route.
Both the whining and the polite kid got what they wanted.
Sorry to Grace...You're self control will win out in the end some day baby.
I would have bought a puppy to keep them hushed at this point.


Once home I gave our poor, attention starved dog affection. Three out of four of us decided that Lightning needed to go for a walk. Chloe was the "odd chickie out."

She wanted to ride her bike...not walk.
She complained that "her legs would get tired trying to go fast like bigger people."

I said...No because it was going to be getting late...Too late to ride.

Lightning, Addi and Gracie were ready to go.
Our pup was harnessed and excited.
Chloe on the other hand refused to move.

So I said,"Then you'll have to stay home, in the driveway , by yourself."

...thinking that she wouldn't allow that.


WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!


...Why do my kids continue to prove me wrong?


Chloe said,"Fine then...GO!" (stomped her foot, crossed her arms, and turned her back to me)

THIS WAS A DUEL.

We are stubborn people. This was going nowhere fast.

The tribe moved on with out us.
I began to sllloooooowwwly move down the road.
Chloe didn't care.
She stood in front of the neighbor's house, crying, with arms crossed.
I held the dog's leash and tried to keep him from pulling me too far away.
Lightning is an 85 lb. lab and not an easy walker.
He's a great tugger!
I would have carried Chloe had I not needed both arms to hold onto him.
Chloe followed ten paces behind....making me nervous when I turned corners and lost her from view.
At one point I stood behind a perked Caravan, peering around the corner with Lightning, waiting for her, hoping that she wouldn't see me...and would keep moving.
My neighbors must all think that we are a total mess!
She cried the entire way around the block.

Grace commented:

"She deserves a time out. You're not supposed to act this way. This is a very rude way to be. Lightning is such a good dog. He deserves a walk and now Chloe is ruining it."

Chloe overheard this and cried louder! --"Am not!!!"

I kindly asked Grace "not to worry, that I'd handle it, everybody has bad days. This was Chloe's."
(and mine)


We ate Trader Joe's tasty, Chicken and rice with edamame on the side. I thought that it was going to be on the table by 5:30 not 7:30...
I found out why Chlo Chlo was such a grump. She sat on the floor complaining about her leg and foot itching. I took a look. She had an allergic reaction to something. Her ankles and right foot were red, puffy and scratched raw. I grabbed the after bite hoping that it'd help. It made things worse. Chlo cried saying that it burned her skin. I put a cold cloth on her puffier foot and had her take a dose of Benadryll.

Looks like there may be a pediatrician visit after kindergarten.
I'm soooo done for the night. Pajama time!!!
--Nope, not yet.---
Addi came walking in. Her head ached, stomach was hurting and her neck was in pain.
When did this start?!
Addi began to cry. I heated up, what Jim calls,"the smelly, pink thing." Four minutes in the microwave.
DING!
She wouldn't go near it because it smelled.
I tried to explain that is was lavender, a nice flower and meant to be relaxing. She didn't want anything to do with it.
At this point I wanted it!
I wrapped "the smelly thing" around my neck. I was getting some kind of relief one way or another.
Now two out of three are headed to the doctor.
Our little brick house, Miss. Grace should be fine.
She always is.

Where is my couch?

Where is a glass of wine?

Where is my husband?

Can Calgon take me away now???

Oh, well...S@#T happens...

I rarely curse.You've just gotten two out of four "S" Bomb letters from me! That's a big deal in Billie Land. Proof that this has stressed me out and made me cranky.

It's 8:30pm and three, beautiful, little girls are fast asleep on our lumpy, brown couch. Bed time!
I had decided to abandon the actual beds tonight.
I'll pop open a bottle of wine. Pour myself a glass and squish in between the kids.
Jim will walk in the door five minutes later.

Chloe, drawing...before the melt down.

He'll think that I've been eating bon bons all night.

Gracie, checking out the world through rose colored glasses. 

Note To Self: Never, I repeat...never leave with ATM card and a back up credit card again!

Wham! Bamm! Crash!!

This week is full of promise and adventure.
Great things will happen!
I can feel it!

I'm back home and ready to go, after a well rested weekend with my guy.
...just call me BUNNY.
...You know, after the Energizer.

Hop Hop Hop...
I'm bound to drive people nuts by Wednesday!
My body doesn't know how to respond to TWO full nights of sleep.

Monday began in a weird kind-of-way.
I welcomed my Media students.

When I can't get my student's attention I do one of a few things:
A) Quietly say," If you can hear the sound of my voice please stop talking and look this way." -Then repeat if needed. (usually don't have to though)
B) Wave my arms in the air and say,"Hey, remember me? The strange pink haired lady- your teacher?" (This one's good closer to the middle of the day)
C) I stand on the nearest chair or hop onto a counter top. (I'm short. Height is a powerful advantage) Then say," Hi guys. I need your attention for a sec."

These methods also work at home...Try one! Standing on kitchen chairs works wonders.
Just get up there as if it happens everyday and stand there quietly for a moment. Whatever is going on will stop with out you having to say a word! Your kids will look at you strangely and quiet down...
...wondering what the heck Mommy is doing?!
That's the cue to talk!

My other fave works really well in places like Target or the park: "If your last name is _____________. You're Mommy is leaving." Then wave and slowly walk in any direction. Works like a charm. Those little heads turn, ears perk up and tiny feet follow.

Today was a chair day.
Too bad that a kid nearly pulled it out from under me!

He leaned back with out paying attention to the fact that I was behind him and said,"Don't sit..I'm stealing this chair."

Maybe I need to talk louder...

He only heard the "Don't sit part" and thought that it was because I was walking behind him.
I thought that my students knew me better than that by now!
When do I sit?!
---Never.

I planted my foot and was about to place the second...I bobbled in the air...
...WHAMMO!
The chair jerked.
He pulled it out from under me!
I teetered then jumped off.

He apologized, red faced.
The class laughed.
I laughed too.
I said,"No worries. It all worked out. I got everybody's attention...So thank you Gerard!"

Remember I had mentioned ADVENTURE and PROMISE?
Here I come!

I walked toward my classroom after lunch. There was a strategically placed garbage can toward the right of the hall.
I looked at it... saw a stream of water pouring into it from above, took note of it and continued past it.
HOLY CRAPOLA!!

SLIP...
BANG...
WHACK!!!

I kept hold of my travel, coffee mug as I glided, ungracefully toward the ground.
I slammed my foot into the wall.
It kept me from landing on the hall floor.
Students looked on in horror.
None of them laughed!
...I would have.
What nice kids.

The garbage can was not doing it's job well.
I now had to continue my job in pain.
CURSE THIS PLACE...
It's falling apart.
...and now so am I.
I'm hoping that the rule of 3's doesn't apply.
I don't want to "almost fall" again.

On a lighter note...It's only Monday.
I'm hopeful that positive adventures await.
Oh...please, I hope they do!

I get to go home and clean out the garage with my little girls...
...talk about adventure!
There is so much buried treasure in there.
Artists tend to be pack rats.
Throw on the art teacher gig and that equals tons of stuff.
This should be great.
We are bound to dig up some old toys well worth rediscovering and some new projects to work on.

***I promise that there will be photos added shortly... Check in later.***