Four day weekends are great - if you're without kids. With kids, it's almost half a day too long sometimes. Especially if chocolate is involved. The girls now have enough chocolate to last them til Hallowe'en. Until Sailor comes home. Then it might last til he's due to go back.
At any rate, they had a blast getting chocolate and books and clothes from Aunty, Cousin, and Grandma. Dinner was spectacular for two reasons: I didn't make it, and my Mother-In-Law is a great cook. Greta sat on Aunty's knee and gobbled down a plate of food, and Ray devoured half a turkey. The triptophan (?) didn't work on them though, and they ran around the apartment for 30 minutes, bothering the downstairs neighbour. She came upstairs with a bottle of something-something just as we were leaving. Smart neighbour.
And now we're back to the grind: Ray in preschool and Greta at daycare, just til month's end. I start my new position on Monday and so with only three days left to get my affairs in order, I've been loaded onto a conference/course for two of those days. Nice. On Friday I'm seeing my new boss with my huge list of questions, not the least of which is, "If I have to work an official event at night, will the mess pay me $50 for babysitting costs?" Let's see how well that goes over.
Sailor's going to try to call us again this week, but I hope he calls his mum first. She'd like that.
He'll be home in 20-some days. YAY! We're all looking forward to that. We miss him a lot. The phone calls were great, but it really confused Greta that he wasn't on the phone when I was talking to other people. She would take her pretend phone and talk to her Dad while playing. So cute.
I need to take the car into a detail shop before Sailor comes home. There's bunny crackers all over the back and various empty bags of snacks... pretty bad.
This week is PMS week. Thank goodness there's lots of chocolate in the house.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Ahoy From Sea
Got a phone call from Sailor tonight! First time we've heard his voice in over a month! Of course, the girls were running around like little animals, screaming and letting off steam, and supper was being made. Perfect timing.
I put him on speaker phone and we had a nice conversation over supper. Nearly like he was here... only I didn't have to clean up afterward. Just kidding. Mostly.
Anyway we had a nice talk about this and that and it was really nice. Greta managed to say good night and good bye to her dad a couple Ray did too... and then ran off all excited. She's more excited about seeing the video of dolphins Sailor told us about last week than about seeing her dad, I think.
Ray is hesitant about dancing the whole routine. I was pretty much told today, that if she didn't dance the whole routine (and it's only 5 minutes or less), then she wouldn't be in the show. I can understand their point of view, but honestly... I've paid my money too, just like every other parent, and my kid should be up on stage doing whatever the hell she wants just like every other kid. She's 4... not 14. And as I've said before, arguing with her is like trying to reason with a drunk. We'll see if she'll dance or not, but it won't be until the rehearsal that we'll know if she's to go on stage or not.
She's spent the afternoon in underwear and socks, as she waited too long to go pee and wet her clothes. I brought her a change, but she's decided she's good in nothing solid.
Greta's had a good day too. Every day she amazes me with more words.
Next weekend is a no-dance weekend, so we're going to see my step-mum for a few hours. We'll see how well that goes.
Tomorrow is dinner with my mother-in-law. We'll see how well THAT goes.
I put him on speaker phone and we had a nice conversation over supper. Nearly like he was here... only I didn't have to clean up afterward. Just kidding. Mostly.
Anyway we had a nice talk about this and that and it was really nice. Greta managed to say good night and good bye to her dad a couple Ray did too... and then ran off all excited. She's more excited about seeing the video of dolphins Sailor told us about last week than about seeing her dad, I think.
Ray is hesitant about dancing the whole routine. I was pretty much told today, that if she didn't dance the whole routine (and it's only 5 minutes or less), then she wouldn't be in the show. I can understand their point of view, but honestly... I've paid my money too, just like every other parent, and my kid should be up on stage doing whatever the hell she wants just like every other kid. She's 4... not 14. And as I've said before, arguing with her is like trying to reason with a drunk. We'll see if she'll dance or not, but it won't be until the rehearsal that we'll know if she's to go on stage or not.
She's spent the afternoon in underwear and socks, as she waited too long to go pee and wet her clothes. I brought her a change, but she's decided she's good in nothing solid.
Greta's had a good day too. Every day she amazes me with more words.
Next weekend is a no-dance weekend, so we're going to see my step-mum for a few hours. We'll see how well that goes.
Tomorrow is dinner with my mother-in-law. We'll see how well THAT goes.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Screaming over Spilled Milk
Every night for dinner, the girls want "choc-moc" to drink. Chocolate milk. Because Ray is older, she wants to stir her milk, then put the lid on and the straw in. Because Greta wants to do everything her sister does, she stirs, uses the spoon to spil... er... drink some of the milk, and then asks me to help her with the lid and straw.
However, this usually entails at least one cup being spilled. One night it'll be Greta's, the next night it'll be Ray's. I'm running out of paper towel, milk, and patience.
Tonight I tried something different. While the food was plated and cooling down, I poured the milk into the cups, added the 'chocolate spices', and stirred. Then put lids and straws on, and THEN called the girls to the table.
It worked. This time. I hope it lasts. I'm really getting tired of freaking out over spills. I know there'll be extra work involved in raising kids - and hours of cleaning up messes. I just want to keep the extra curricular clean-ups to a minimum.
Tomorrow Greta gets hotdogs and french fries at daycare. She's going to love it! She loves hotdogs. She also loves ketchup. Which she puts on nearly everything. Just like her dad and grandpa.
Her favourite song: Folsom Prison Blues because the first line is, "I hear the train a comin', she's rollin' round the bend..." It's about a train - she likes it. The other night, I sang her Folsom Prison, My Baby Thinks He's a Train, Long Train Runnin'... and Folsom Prison again. Tonight it was two rounds of "Choo choo train comin' " for her.
Grandpa would be proud.
However, this usually entails at least one cup being spilled. One night it'll be Greta's, the next night it'll be Ray's. I'm running out of paper towel, milk, and patience.
Tonight I tried something different. While the food was plated and cooling down, I poured the milk into the cups, added the 'chocolate spices', and stirred. Then put lids and straws on, and THEN called the girls to the table.
It worked. This time. I hope it lasts. I'm really getting tired of freaking out over spills. I know there'll be extra work involved in raising kids - and hours of cleaning up messes. I just want to keep the extra curricular clean-ups to a minimum.
Tomorrow Greta gets hotdogs and french fries at daycare. She's going to love it! She loves hotdogs. She also loves ketchup. Which she puts on nearly everything. Just like her dad and grandpa.
Her favourite song: Folsom Prison Blues because the first line is, "I hear the train a comin', she's rollin' round the bend..." It's about a train - she likes it. The other night, I sang her Folsom Prison, My Baby Thinks He's a Train, Long Train Runnin'... and Folsom Prison again. Tonight it was two rounds of "Choo choo train comin' " for her.
Grandpa would be proud.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Here Comes Peter Cottontail...
What a week it's been! On Thursday I found out that Greta will be able to attend preschool with her sister starting May 1st. No nanny yet, but this means ONE drop off and pick up for me, so YAY! Now I'm not in a rush for a nanny as Greta's staying there until at least the end of June.
Sailor told me his leave dates in May. It's two days shorter than I thought, but I guess they take into account travel time too. He'll be able to take Ray to her first rehearsal before he leaves.
I promised Ray that if she dances all three performances, I'd take her and Greta swimming three times. She seems to be all for it.
Turns out that Greta's favourite new song is "Folsom Prison" because it mentions the train coming! She says, "choo choo train comin'" and then I start singing it for her. She loves it. Even Ray asks for the song once in a while. My dad would have been so proud and happy. It makes me sad that he's not here for me to share that with. I could tell his brother or my step-mum, but they wouldn't 'get it' like he would.
We had pictures done at Sears today. I could NOT get them to pose together no matter what I tried. Ray would sit and Greta would blow up, or Greta would sit and Ray would dance around and act silly. So we ended up with photos of them seperately, as well as Ray in her dance costume. They're taking pictures of the kids in costume in three weeks at the studio. Turns out that's the day of a regatta at the college where the studio is, so we have to park outside of the grounds and walk in. Should prove to be interesting. I'll take the stroller.
Speaking of the stroller, we had great weather this weekend, so yesterday the girls wanted to go outside for a walk. We went outside and Greta ran to the basement calling, "stroller!", so HER idea of a walk was for her to sit in the stroller, with her sister sitting in front, and ME push them... hence the walking part. She did walk the last bit home though, so she got a bit of a walk in. I guess it tuckered her out playing yesterday afternoon because she slept in til 20 after 8 today!
Ray, on the other hand, waltzed into my room at 6:30 Saturday morning (after I'd been to the bar all night on Friday and didn't get to bed til 1:30), and at 6:53 this morning.
Tomorrow's going to be hell waking them up at 6. It always is.
So this week's flex is:
Monday - nothing. Gotta find some matzah meal.
Tuesday - grief support group, J babysits. Greta has her appointment with the ENT that morning to see if there's something wrong with her hearing.
Wednesday - nothing.
Thursday - daycare closes early, so I pick up Greta and will make the leg of lamb and some popovers and a dessert for the church's Seder Supper that night.
Friday - cleaners come in the morning, so we put everything off the counters and floors and we'll aim for a park if the weather's nice. If not, we'll go grocery shopping.
Saturday - dance class! Maybe supper at friends.
Sunday - EASTER!! Church, egg hunt at home and church, supper at Gramma's.
Monday - maybe supper at friend's.
Time to put Ray to bed. I won't be far behind.
Sailor told me his leave dates in May. It's two days shorter than I thought, but I guess they take into account travel time too. He'll be able to take Ray to her first rehearsal before he leaves.
I promised Ray that if she dances all three performances, I'd take her and Greta swimming three times. She seems to be all for it.
Turns out that Greta's favourite new song is "Folsom Prison" because it mentions the train coming! She says, "choo choo train comin'" and then I start singing it for her. She loves it. Even Ray asks for the song once in a while. My dad would have been so proud and happy. It makes me sad that he's not here for me to share that with. I could tell his brother or my step-mum, but they wouldn't 'get it' like he would.
We had pictures done at Sears today. I could NOT get them to pose together no matter what I tried. Ray would sit and Greta would blow up, or Greta would sit and Ray would dance around and act silly. So we ended up with photos of them seperately, as well as Ray in her dance costume. They're taking pictures of the kids in costume in three weeks at the studio. Turns out that's the day of a regatta at the college where the studio is, so we have to park outside of the grounds and walk in. Should prove to be interesting. I'll take the stroller.
Speaking of the stroller, we had great weather this weekend, so yesterday the girls wanted to go outside for a walk. We went outside and Greta ran to the basement calling, "stroller!", so HER idea of a walk was for her to sit in the stroller, with her sister sitting in front, and ME push them... hence the walking part. She did walk the last bit home though, so she got a bit of a walk in. I guess it tuckered her out playing yesterday afternoon because she slept in til 20 after 8 today!
Ray, on the other hand, waltzed into my room at 6:30 Saturday morning (after I'd been to the bar all night on Friday and didn't get to bed til 1:30), and at 6:53 this morning.
Tomorrow's going to be hell waking them up at 6. It always is.
So this week's flex is:
Monday - nothing. Gotta find some matzah meal.
Tuesday - grief support group, J babysits. Greta has her appointment with the ENT that morning to see if there's something wrong with her hearing.
Wednesday - nothing.
Thursday - daycare closes early, so I pick up Greta and will make the leg of lamb and some popovers and a dessert for the church's Seder Supper that night.
Friday - cleaners come in the morning, so we put everything off the counters and floors and we'll aim for a park if the weather's nice. If not, we'll go grocery shopping.
Saturday - dance class! Maybe supper at friends.
Sunday - EASTER!! Church, egg hunt at home and church, supper at Gramma's.
Monday - maybe supper at friend's.
Time to put Ray to bed. I won't be far behind.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Arguing With A 4 Year-Old is Like Arguing With A Drunk
Ray is great. She's helpful, she's funny, and she's four. Which means she's going to do things her own way. Take for example, right now.
Right now, she's watching the last bit of her Treehouse show before going to bed. With her pj pants and PullUps down around her ankles, hanging off the coffee table... er... make that climbing ONTO the coffee table on her knees, putting her fingers in her butt making sure she wiped herself clean, and glued to the show.
She has stuff all over the coffee table, things that I keep putting away and she keeps bringing back onto the table.
Now, if I ask her four or five times to pull up her pj's, I'll get no response, other than, "I KNOW". She's actually pulling up her pants, and saying, "I was lookin' at my bum!" She's turned off the TV, and is putting the home-made play-do back into the container. I'm amazed.
The rest of her night will be this: we go upstairs with some water and she gets one story read to her. She will pick the longest story in the book. Then she'll climb into bed and remember to pick out clothes for tomorrow. After she does, THEN she'll climb back into bed and want me to cuddle with her while I sing three songs to her: hushabye, daisy a day, and bicycle built for two. Then when I try to leave, she'll freak out and cry, then use her magna doodle until 9.
Tomorrow morning when I wake her up, she'll not want to get up as she'll have gone to bed too late. When I've tried to explain the cause and effect to her, it doesn't sink in. She's too young to get it.
But really, I don't argue with her any more. It's really an exercise in futility.
The funny part? Yesterday they went on a nature hunt at Preschool. I asked her what she found. She replied, "I found LOTS of nature!"
Love that kid.
Right now, she's watching the last bit of her Treehouse show before going to bed. With her pj pants and PullUps down around her ankles, hanging off the coffee table... er... make that climbing ONTO the coffee table on her knees, putting her fingers in her butt making sure she wiped herself clean, and glued to the show.
She has stuff all over the coffee table, things that I keep putting away and she keeps bringing back onto the table.
Now, if I ask her four or five times to pull up her pj's, I'll get no response, other than, "I KNOW". She's actually pulling up her pants, and saying, "I was lookin' at my bum!" She's turned off the TV, and is putting the home-made play-do back into the container. I'm amazed.
The rest of her night will be this: we go upstairs with some water and she gets one story read to her. She will pick the longest story in the book. Then she'll climb into bed and remember to pick out clothes for tomorrow. After she does, THEN she'll climb back into bed and want me to cuddle with her while I sing three songs to her: hushabye, daisy a day, and bicycle built for two. Then when I try to leave, she'll freak out and cry, then use her magna doodle until 9.
Tomorrow morning when I wake her up, she'll not want to get up as she'll have gone to bed too late. When I've tried to explain the cause and effect to her, it doesn't sink in. She's too young to get it.
But really, I don't argue with her any more. It's really an exercise in futility.
The funny part? Yesterday they went on a nature hunt at Preschool. I asked her what she found. She replied, "I found LOTS of nature!"
Love that kid.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Alcohol Abuse
Friday was nice - I slept most of the day away and felt so much better afterwards. The girls got the sniffles too, but if it's only a cold, we're good to go.
Saturday Ray actually danced at dance class! For a good portion of it too. Chasing Greta around outside the studio in rainy weather wasn't too much fun for either of us, but Ray needed to see that we were watching. We grabbed some groceries (returning the water filter/tap gave us grocery money!) and had a late lunch. After letting Greta scream and cry and talk in her crib for an hour or so, we went to the church for a meeting on how to improve the family atmosphere of the services. We were home for a late supper.
Around this time, Sailor's ship had their crossing the line ceremony. He said it went off well, but for some reason couldn't send any pictures. I guess we'll wait til he comes home.
Sunday we had church, then a birthday party for one of the boys from the church. It was a hoot, and the girls were kept running all afternoon. Once we got home, it was time to make supper as my aunts and uncle were popping in for a visit and food. We don't often see these specific people so it was a real treat to spend some time with them. Of course, the girls wanted to go outside as the weather was so nice. So we did (the girls, me and Aunty H). Getting Greta back inside included much screaming, yelling and tantruming. She was definitely tired. At 6:05 we were upstairs and in the tub. She was asleep before her music ended.
Ray was tired enough to go to bed at 7:30 and was under the covers by quarter to 8. It's my turn now, to turn in early. I'm over the cold for the most part, and it's due to Mona Vie and Cold FX.
I have my expres test tomorrow, so I have to be able to run. My whole body is out of alignment and I know I'm not at the top of my game, but if I can pop some cold pills and an Advil, I should be able to make it through okay.
I found out how to stop the cat from scratching my weatherstripping: double-sided sticky tape. And I have some too!
If I hadn't spilled an ounce of my beer on my computer table, it would have been a great day all around.
Saturday Ray actually danced at dance class! For a good portion of it too. Chasing Greta around outside the studio in rainy weather wasn't too much fun for either of us, but Ray needed to see that we were watching. We grabbed some groceries (returning the water filter/tap gave us grocery money!) and had a late lunch. After letting Greta scream and cry and talk in her crib for an hour or so, we went to the church for a meeting on how to improve the family atmosphere of the services. We were home for a late supper.
Around this time, Sailor's ship had their crossing the line ceremony. He said it went off well, but for some reason couldn't send any pictures. I guess we'll wait til he comes home.
Sunday we had church, then a birthday party for one of the boys from the church. It was a hoot, and the girls were kept running all afternoon. Once we got home, it was time to make supper as my aunts and uncle were popping in for a visit and food. We don't often see these specific people so it was a real treat to spend some time with them. Of course, the girls wanted to go outside as the weather was so nice. So we did (the girls, me and Aunty H). Getting Greta back inside included much screaming, yelling and tantruming. She was definitely tired. At 6:05 we were upstairs and in the tub. She was asleep before her music ended.
Ray was tired enough to go to bed at 7:30 and was under the covers by quarter to 8. It's my turn now, to turn in early. I'm over the cold for the most part, and it's due to Mona Vie and Cold FX.
I have my expres test tomorrow, so I have to be able to run. My whole body is out of alignment and I know I'm not at the top of my game, but if I can pop some cold pills and an Advil, I should be able to make it through okay.
I found out how to stop the cat from scratching my weatherstripping: double-sided sticky tape. And I have some too!
If I hadn't spilled an ounce of my beer on my computer table, it would have been a great day all around.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Time Flies When You're Dodging The Fan
Nanny contestant #3 backed out on me. Said I wasn't paying enough. And I know I'm not, but minimum wage would be $1800 per month, not including overtime or the Independant School's tuition. There's no way I can afford that.
Contestant #2 is hesitant about the time. As is #1. I'm back to square one now.
Bugger.
I have also come down with a cold, so the girls are more than likely spending tomorrow here with me while I shuffle around trying to feed them periodically. Lovely. I need to be better for the weekend.
The water tap I bought for filtered water has nowhere to go - the sink's too big and the dishwasher takes up too much space. That goes back to the store ASAP, and I keep paying for bottled water (as our local stuff bites). The tap can't even take a filter on it as it's a pull-out tap.
Sailor's getting things ready for the ship's Crossing the Line Ceremony. It's shaping up to be a good one too. He should be home in about 40 days, give or take. Then he'll go again after 2 weeks for another 3 months. He leaves the day before Ray's recital. That ought to be fun to live through.
Godfather is taking Greta to daycare for me tomorrow. That's great. I might even take Ray into preschool once she wakes up if I'm feeling up to it and then I can have a day to rest up. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.
Now if only I could find someone who would like to watch the girls, doesn't mind long hours with low pay, and can keep up to a 2 1/2 year-old and her sister. Pipe dream.
Contestant #2 is hesitant about the time. As is #1. I'm back to square one now.
Bugger.
I have also come down with a cold, so the girls are more than likely spending tomorrow here with me while I shuffle around trying to feed them periodically. Lovely. I need to be better for the weekend.
The water tap I bought for filtered water has nowhere to go - the sink's too big and the dishwasher takes up too much space. That goes back to the store ASAP, and I keep paying for bottled water (as our local stuff bites). The tap can't even take a filter on it as it's a pull-out tap.
Sailor's getting things ready for the ship's Crossing the Line Ceremony. It's shaping up to be a good one too. He should be home in about 40 days, give or take. Then he'll go again after 2 weeks for another 3 months. He leaves the day before Ray's recital. That ought to be fun to live through.
Godfather is taking Greta to daycare for me tomorrow. That's great. I might even take Ray into preschool once she wakes up if I'm feeling up to it and then I can have a day to rest up. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.
Now if only I could find someone who would like to watch the girls, doesn't mind long hours with low pay, and can keep up to a 2 1/2 year-old and her sister. Pipe dream.
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