Back in June, my friend Jen and I signed up our kids for this great deal Certifikid was promoting. One week of camp at JW Tumbles for kids ages 3 to 7. It would be from 11:30am to 4:00pm each day, Monday thru Friday. All for $99. Yippee!! Both kids could go, to the same place, during the same week, for a good amount of time. And the icing on the cake was Jen signed up her two boys (same ages as my two) and we'd be able to carpool.
We picked this past week for them to attend and the theme was going to be Gymnastics. How wonderful given the fact that Ian is in to gymnastics right now and would really enjoy getting to do cartwheels and flips to his heart's content. The only hitch was, everything we read said the kids had to be "Restroom Independent". Oy! I was assured by my friend that by the time the camp actually happened, Sam would be well on her way to being fully potty trained. We had the WHOLE SUMMER to work on it, how could she not be?
Yep, you guessed it. Fast forward to this past week, and as far as I could tell, Sam was more "Restroom Retarded" than independent. She doesn't wear diapers anymore, but she may as well have for how she treats the pull-ups she sports. I was very stressed thinking about the situation and wasn't sure what to do. I knew if I never mentioned anything to JW Tumbles, I'd be holding my breath the whole week just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
PLAN A:
Put Sam in a dry pull-up as soon as she gets dropped off. Give a bag of back-up clothing, stick a few pull-ups in there and hope for the best. The staff at JW Tumbles said they take lots of bathroom breaks and everything would be fine. I figured I had one good day before we got busted trying to fool them.
PLAN B:
As soon as I was told she wasn't allowed to stay at the camp anymore, I would hang out there the whole 4.5 hour session each day and attend to Sam's bathroom needs myself. I'd bring my kindle and blend into the background not bothering anyone until I had to intervene. At least Sam would be able to have fun and take advantage of this great camp.
HERE'S HOW IT WENT DOWN:
Monday and Tuesday came and went. They never mentioned anything. I did notice a pull-up was missing from the bag I left with her.
Wednesday, when I went to pick her up, the very nice lady in charge said, "I just want you to know she peed in her pants. But she had a pull-up on, so everything is fine."
"Yeah, I figured that was going to happen. Are you throwing her out of here?", I timidly asked?
"No, never.", my new best friend answered.
Thursday, we took it up a notch and Sam pooped, not once, but TWICE!!! And get this, they didn't even mention it. I heard about it from Ian. But another pull-up was missing and they took care of the situation.
Friday was the last day, and I knew we were in the clear. But guess what? Sam pooped again, BOTH pull-ups I left with her were used and they still never said anything.
The kids had an awesome time and loved every second being at JW Tumbles summer camp. It was so much fun for them and I hope that Certifikid has this deal again next year. It's a little too far distance-wise to justify paying the full amount ($225 for each kid, plus $50 member fee), but in a heartbeat, I'd sign up again at the discounted fee. And we do have one more year where both kids will fall within the correct age span.
As for me being able to enjoy Plan A and not having to resort to Plan B, let's have this be our little secret, shall we?
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
My crazy collision story
MONDAY:
In the morning driving the kids to gymnastics camp, while on the Fairfax County Parkway, a woman in her gold colored Lexus hit my car. It was very minor and thank G-d no one was hurt, but it was an accident none-the-less.
We pulled over to the side of the road and the first thing the woman says to me is, "Do you know what happened?"
Me: Yeah, you hit my car.
Woman (who I come to find out is named, Judy): I'm so sorry. I am starting teaching again next week and I have so much on my mind. I was thinking about everything I have to do. It doesn't look like a lot of damage; why don't you get me an estimate and I'll write you a check?
Me (looking at the damage on my car and it was really, really minor. You could barely tell anything was amiss unless I specifically pointed it out): That's fine. Let me get all your info.
Judy apologizes profusely and tells me how bad she feels on how much I am getting inconvenienced. "Hey, these things happen and the important thing is no one was hurt.", I reply back.
So we exchange info and I get back in my car to continue to Herndon for the kids' camp. First thing out of Ian's mouth was, "We just lost 3 minutes." heheheheee. "Yes, Ian. Don't worry, we've got plenty of time to get there."
After dropping the kids off at camp, I found an auto body shop nearby and got an estimate on the damage. It came to $495. Yowzer! It really didn't look like that much happened to my car.
As I made my way back home, I stopped at another body shop (much closer to home) and got a second estimate. $487. Wow! Maybe it really is going to cost this much. And believe me, I told both places not to worry about the slight scratch on the black bumper...it looks like normal wear and tear of a car that is almost 10 years old. No need to replace it. Both places said it would take 2 to 2.5 days to fix.
I made it home and went to the passenger door to get my stuff out of the front seat. It was then that I noticed the door wasn't completely aligned and a loud creaking noise was being heard when I opened and closed the door. CRAP!! I am almost certain both body shop places wasn't aware of this either and now I was going to need to go back and make sure the estimate would cover this getting fixed before submitting the estimate to Judy.
TUESDAY:
I couldn't handle going back out there again on Monday. I decided I would tackle this the next day. I wasn't going all the way back to Herndon for the re-estimate, but decided I would go back to the place in Fairfax and a new one very close by on the same street. On my way to the body shop place in Fairfax, I come to Collision Specialists and decide to get the estimate from them first. I hadn't been there yet and would be starting from scratch.
While in the parking lot with Al who is looking at my car, a woman comes up to me and says, "Robyn?"
Me: Hi Judy!
Judy: I thought it was you. I'm dropping my car off here. I have to tell you, I was driving my husband's car yesterday. Normally, I drive a 15 year old SUV. I've gotten a ding in it before and brought it here. They are wonderful and will take good care of you.
Me: Thanks, Judy. If you are okay with me just getting this one estimate, I'll have them fix the car.
Judy: That is fine.
Me: I'll tell them to put the repair on your credit card. They said it will only take 1 day to fix. I am going to get a rental car for the day.
Judy: Just let me know how much the rental car is and I'll reimburse you. I am so sorry that you have to do all this. I feel awful. I wish there was some way I could compensate you for your time.
Me: That's ok. The important thing is, no one was hurt. Everything else can be fixed.
While Al is working up the estimate, Judy and I take a couple of seats and have a great 10 minute conversation. Seriously, we bonded over everything from Fairview to cancer to marathons. It was like talking to an old friend. Al came back with the estimate.....$105. Seriously!! I couldn't believe it. A good $380 less than the other places. I told Al I'd be back the next day so that they can have a full day to fix it. Judy and I said our good-byes and I left.
WEDNESDAY:
I drop off the car at Collision Specialists and get the rental car. All goes well and at the end of the day, I go back and pick up my car. I see Al and he gives me my car key and we walk out the car to inspect the work and make sure it is satisfactory.
ME: Al, what are the odds that the woman who hit me would be at the same body shop, at the same exact time as me getting her car fixed? Isn't that crazy?!?!
AL: Yes, it is. She's been here 3 times before with that car. She is very nice, but always in a hurry.
ME: Ha, I thought so. She must be some driver. Al, you guys are great and I have a big mouth, so if I ever hear of anyone needing body work, I will definitely recommend you.
AL: Thanks, that's how we stay in business.
THURSDAY:
Collision Specialists of Fairfax calls and leaves a message for me. They want to make sure everything is okay with my car. OH MY GAWD!! I am seriously impressed with these guys. Their customer service rocks! As Jeff said, this whole experience was sort of worth it just to know a place like this exists.
All's well that ends well. I put in the mail the receipt for the rental car. I wrote a little note to Judy and said, I hope our paths cross again, just not in a car.
And, that is my crazy collision story.
In the morning driving the kids to gymnastics camp, while on the Fairfax County Parkway, a woman in her gold colored Lexus hit my car. It was very minor and thank G-d no one was hurt, but it was an accident none-the-less.
We pulled over to the side of the road and the first thing the woman says to me is, "Do you know what happened?"
Me: Yeah, you hit my car.
Woman (who I come to find out is named, Judy): I'm so sorry. I am starting teaching again next week and I have so much on my mind. I was thinking about everything I have to do. It doesn't look like a lot of damage; why don't you get me an estimate and I'll write you a check?
Me (looking at the damage on my car and it was really, really minor. You could barely tell anything was amiss unless I specifically pointed it out): That's fine. Let me get all your info.
Judy apologizes profusely and tells me how bad she feels on how much I am getting inconvenienced. "Hey, these things happen and the important thing is no one was hurt.", I reply back.
So we exchange info and I get back in my car to continue to Herndon for the kids' camp. First thing out of Ian's mouth was, "We just lost 3 minutes." heheheheee. "Yes, Ian. Don't worry, we've got plenty of time to get there."
After dropping the kids off at camp, I found an auto body shop nearby and got an estimate on the damage. It came to $495. Yowzer! It really didn't look like that much happened to my car.
As I made my way back home, I stopped at another body shop (much closer to home) and got a second estimate. $487. Wow! Maybe it really is going to cost this much. And believe me, I told both places not to worry about the slight scratch on the black bumper...it looks like normal wear and tear of a car that is almost 10 years old. No need to replace it. Both places said it would take 2 to 2.5 days to fix.
I made it home and went to the passenger door to get my stuff out of the front seat. It was then that I noticed the door wasn't completely aligned and a loud creaking noise was being heard when I opened and closed the door. CRAP!! I am almost certain both body shop places wasn't aware of this either and now I was going to need to go back and make sure the estimate would cover this getting fixed before submitting the estimate to Judy.
TUESDAY:
I couldn't handle going back out there again on Monday. I decided I would tackle this the next day. I wasn't going all the way back to Herndon for the re-estimate, but decided I would go back to the place in Fairfax and a new one very close by on the same street. On my way to the body shop place in Fairfax, I come to Collision Specialists and decide to get the estimate from them first. I hadn't been there yet and would be starting from scratch.
While in the parking lot with Al who is looking at my car, a woman comes up to me and says, "Robyn?"
Me: Hi Judy!
Judy: I thought it was you. I'm dropping my car off here. I have to tell you, I was driving my husband's car yesterday. Normally, I drive a 15 year old SUV. I've gotten a ding in it before and brought it here. They are wonderful and will take good care of you.
Me: Thanks, Judy. If you are okay with me just getting this one estimate, I'll have them fix the car.
Judy: That is fine.
Me: I'll tell them to put the repair on your credit card. They said it will only take 1 day to fix. I am going to get a rental car for the day.
Judy: Just let me know how much the rental car is and I'll reimburse you. I am so sorry that you have to do all this. I feel awful. I wish there was some way I could compensate you for your time.
Me: That's ok. The important thing is, no one was hurt. Everything else can be fixed.
While Al is working up the estimate, Judy and I take a couple of seats and have a great 10 minute conversation. Seriously, we bonded over everything from Fairview to cancer to marathons. It was like talking to an old friend. Al came back with the estimate.....$105. Seriously!! I couldn't believe it. A good $380 less than the other places. I told Al I'd be back the next day so that they can have a full day to fix it. Judy and I said our good-byes and I left.
WEDNESDAY:
I drop off the car at Collision Specialists and get the rental car. All goes well and at the end of the day, I go back and pick up my car. I see Al and he gives me my car key and we walk out the car to inspect the work and make sure it is satisfactory.
ME: Al, what are the odds that the woman who hit me would be at the same body shop, at the same exact time as me getting her car fixed? Isn't that crazy?!?!
AL: Yes, it is. She's been here 3 times before with that car. She is very nice, but always in a hurry.
ME: Ha, I thought so. She must be some driver. Al, you guys are great and I have a big mouth, so if I ever hear of anyone needing body work, I will definitely recommend you.
AL: Thanks, that's how we stay in business.
THURSDAY:
Collision Specialists of Fairfax calls and leaves a message for me. They want to make sure everything is okay with my car. OH MY GAWD!! I am seriously impressed with these guys. Their customer service rocks! As Jeff said, this whole experience was sort of worth it just to know a place like this exists.
All's well that ends well. I put in the mail the receipt for the rental car. I wrote a little note to Judy and said, I hope our paths cross again, just not in a car.
And, that is my crazy collision story.
Friday, August 26, 2011
My favorite things #2
I am dedicating this blog of My favorite things to my mom. After she read about how much I loved the new packaged ketchup container, my mom told me what her favorite thing was. It turns out that I was the one, a few years ago, to tell her about this product. And then it dawned on me....anyone who doesn't have little kids may not know about this. People everywhere could very well be clueless on how awesome this item is.
Without further ado, I'd like to announce my next favorite thing: Mr. Clean Magic Clean Eraser.
Crayon drawings on the wall? Magic marker on a white desk? Weird stains on appliances? Major dirt in the microwave? Not a problem for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Yes, it is truly magic. Just get the sponge a little wet and voila!, the wall/appliance/desk/microwave is back to looking like new. It can clean just about anything and is safe for many different types of surfaces. And, the best part is, you can reuse it over and over again.
Love, love, love the Magic Eraser. And I think you will too.
Without further ado, I'd like to announce my next favorite thing: Mr. Clean Magic Clean Eraser.
Love, love, love the Magic Eraser. And I think you will too.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Taking stock
The other day Jeff asked me yet again if I am going to purchase the iPad 2. I had been saving my money (since I don't have any kind of income this is not an easy task) and had collected a few Apple gift cards for my birthday. Between the two, I have enough to get the model I want - the iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G - 32 GB, which retails for $729. Plus, you can't forget the cool cover, which is an additional $39.
It is very exciting and something I have been dreaming about for some time. However, I am hesitant to get it. Why, you ask? I am not entirely sure what is holding me back. I "heart" technology in a very big way. I am also experiencing similar feelings on wanting a new cell phone. I've had the same blackberry now for 2.5 years. There are much, much cooler phones out on the market and I could take advantage of my upgrade availability and get one. But yet, I am not running to the Verizon store to do that either.
It's all very strange and new territory for me to be in. Part of me feels like enough is enough. Everything the iPad 2 and a new cell phone can do, I already have the ability to do that now - maybe not in one singular device, but most definitely in multiple devices. I am definitely not missing out on being able to check email, surf the web, update my FB status or run an app on what I currently own.
But the part of me that is thinking I want the latest and greatest, is that as soon as I spend the several hundred dollars on an iPad 2, a new model will be released within the next month or two. Isn't that always the case? If am able to go this long without it, why not wait for the newer model?
As for the cell phone my plan is to wait until Verizon announces the iPhone 5. It should be coming out in the Fall of '11.
My new strategy is to sit it out and wait. There is no harm in giving it a few more months and seeing what is on the market as we enter the Holiday season.
I came across the following title to a book; this is a basic summary of what it said: "Love what you have, have what you need, be happier with less." I really like this message. I am going to try to incorporate it more in my day to day. It sort of puts into perspective all of these gadgets and makes it less important and necessary to have. So I will tell Jeff that I am not ready to get the iPad 2 just yet. Maybe the iPad 3. :)
It is very exciting and something I have been dreaming about for some time. However, I am hesitant to get it. Why, you ask? I am not entirely sure what is holding me back. I "heart" technology in a very big way. I am also experiencing similar feelings on wanting a new cell phone. I've had the same blackberry now for 2.5 years. There are much, much cooler phones out on the market and I could take advantage of my upgrade availability and get one. But yet, I am not running to the Verizon store to do that either.
It's all very strange and new territory for me to be in. Part of me feels like enough is enough. Everything the iPad 2 and a new cell phone can do, I already have the ability to do that now - maybe not in one singular device, but most definitely in multiple devices. I am definitely not missing out on being able to check email, surf the web, update my FB status or run an app on what I currently own.
But the part of me that is thinking I want the latest and greatest, is that as soon as I spend the several hundred dollars on an iPad 2, a new model will be released within the next month or two. Isn't that always the case? If am able to go this long without it, why not wait for the newer model?
As for the cell phone my plan is to wait until Verizon announces the iPhone 5. It should be coming out in the Fall of '11.
My new strategy is to sit it out and wait. There is no harm in giving it a few more months and seeing what is on the market as we enter the Holiday season.
I came across the following title to a book; this is a basic summary of what it said: "Love what you have, have what you need, be happier with less." I really like this message. I am going to try to incorporate it more in my day to day. It sort of puts into perspective all of these gadgets and makes it less important and necessary to have. So I will tell Jeff that I am not ready to get the iPad 2 just yet. Maybe the iPad 3. :)
Monday, August 22, 2011
Heard and Observed XXVII
We were driving in the car the other day and completely out of the blue, Ian says to me, "I need to tell you what happened with Sarah."
Me: Sarah? Who's Sarah?
Ian: You know, Sarah from my class?
Me: Yeah, I know Sarah. You haven't seen her since school got out in June. What do you need to tell me?
(At this point, I am bracing myself for some type of confession that he has held in now for 2.5 months and can't go one day longer without letting me know).
Ian: She liked me, but I wasn't attracted to her.
Me: Ok, Ian. Thanks for letting me know. Were there any girls you were attracted to?
Ian: Yeah, Julia, Jessica and Veronica all told me they liked me and I like them back too. I mean, I like everyone in my class, but I just wasn't attracted to Sarah.
Me: Sarah? Who's Sarah?
Ian: You know, Sarah from my class?
Me: Yeah, I know Sarah. You haven't seen her since school got out in June. What do you need to tell me?
(At this point, I am bracing myself for some type of confession that he has held in now for 2.5 months and can't go one day longer without letting me know).
Ian: She liked me, but I wasn't attracted to her.
Me: Ok, Ian. Thanks for letting me know. Were there any girls you were attracted to?
Ian: Yeah, Julia, Jessica and Veronica all told me they liked me and I like them back too. I mean, I like everyone in my class, but I just wasn't attracted to Sarah.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The fundamentals
I had to get creative and take matters in my own hand. While driving the other day, I pulled out our Sight Word Flash Cards and started holding them up to Ian to read to me. He threw a mini-fit and told me that I needed to stop wanting him to be perfect. "Huh? I don't want you to be perfect, I just want you to try", I replied back. In one of my finer mommy moments, I said, "Fine, Ian. Don't work on learning how to read and then at the end of the year when you still can't, you will have to do 1st grade over again." Of course, this got Ian crying even harder and now he was saying, "I WANT to go to 2nd grade!!!!!" Whoa, baby. Get a hold of yourself. Let's do 1st grade first before worrying about 2nd grade.
I guess my idle threat of Ian having to repeat a grade he hasn't even started yet worked. Because as soon as we got in the car on our next outing, he pulled out the flash cards and gave me a handful to show him. It was fabulous!! We zoom through the words he knows well and spend a few extra minutes going over the words he needs help with. I take those cards and put them in a separate pile. Once we pull into our destination and into a parking spot, I take out the ones that caused Ian a little trouble and have him read them again.
When we are back in the car, I take out the trouble pile yet again and re-review. If they are still a problem, we put them back in the big stack of new cards to review. I pull out a pile of new flashcards and start the process all over again.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
My favorite things
I think I am going to start a series on My Favorite Things. I'll just pick up where Oprah has left off. I am not sure how frequent I'll blog about it, but when something comes into my life that I am ga-ga over and want to shout from the rooftops, I'll know that this is an item to add to My Favorite Things.
I'd like to introduce the best thing that has happened to ketchup since the plastic squeeze bottles.
I'd like to introduce the best thing that has happened to ketchup since the plastic squeeze bottles.
The kids and I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch one day and upon going to the condiment bar to grab napkins, straws, and utensils, I discovered the ketchup. Whao, baby!! Look at how the traditional foil packet of ketchup has transformed. You can twist off the cap and squeeze out the ketchup or you can remove the top and use the container for dipping. It has become so much more user-friendly, less messy and a more efficient use of ketchup. I can't wait to try it out on a road trip when we find ourselves eating in the car. Watch out fries, there is a new way to dip in your future!
Now, in the tradition of how Oprah does her Favorite Things, I have a ketchup packet I'd like to give to each of you. Yes, I stocked up before leaving Chick-Fil-A. :)
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