I am happy Hanukkah is over. I can wait a full year to see this holiday come again at our house.
I've come to a few conclusions -
1. My kids honestly don't need a single thing. They don't lack toys. They don't lack electronics. My kids are truly blessed with all they have. Having to come up with ideas for more gifts is a ridiculous challenge.
2. My kids are unappreciative. They don't know how to show gratitude. I think you could even say they are spoiled.
3. Waiting until dinner is over, table is cleared, Menorah is lit to then open gifts is not a good strategy for Samantha. It's been too long of a day for her and by 7:30pm (her usual bedtime) she is done. Unfortunately, by the time the 7th night came, it was well beyond insulting how she handled opening gifts.
Basically, I gave all the really cool ideas for gifts to the grandparents and aunts/uncles to get the kids. My dad, stepmother and sister Meghan bought us the new Wii U (THANK YOU!!!), Aunt Elaine and Uncle Howard got Ian the Ryan Zimmerman jersey he wanted and the Stompeez Sam desperately wanted. All the relatives hit a major home run and the kids loved what they got.
But when it came to their mom and dad (ME!!!) getting them Hanukkah gifts, it was a complete bust. Each evening, Sam would open her present and then promptly throw it at me, while screaming, "I DON'T WANT THIS!!!!!". At which point, Jeff would pick her up and wisk her away to bed. Ugh. After a good night of sleep, she'd wake up the next morning and start playing/using what it was we got her, but leading up to this newfound joy for her gift was a complete nightmare.
Meanwhile, Ian had a more controlled reaction to his dislike for his gifts. The night he opened his present to find this really cool book titled, "Best Moments In Sports History", he simply looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm not really into all sports -- just Baseball. If this book said, "Best moments in Baseball history" it would be so much better. Um, ok. A big talk about being more appreciative and having an open mind soon followed that comment.
The next night Ian opened up a short sleeve/long sleeve Redskins shirt combo. It can be worn three different ways (layered, long sleeve only, short sleeve only). Ian opened it up and said, "Mom, I really didn't want clothes this year for Hanukkah." Um, ok. My response? "Boy, are you going to be disappointed then when you open up the present with pajamas in it." Ha!
The icing on the cake came when Ian finally picked the package that had the remote control helicopter in it. This was the one and only thing he had been asking us for months. He got so excited when he saw it in the box and quickly opened it. We soon found out that the model I picked was very high maintenance and required downloading a special app on the iPad, charging 2 different parts of the helicopter using the computer and figuring out the rest of the incomplete instructions on how to work it. Ian's happiness quickly turned into disappointment. Meanwhile Sam is throwing her outfit she got for the Bitty Baby at me and screaming, "I DIDN'T WANT THIS!!!!!". Before I can answer Sam, Ian chimes in, "WELL AT LEAST YOURS WORKS!!!". Lovely, right?
By the end of Hanukkah, we were down to the Washington Nationals Kepah for Ian and the matching American Girl doll/big girl outfits. When I told my friend Jen how Hanukkah was going and what we had left as presents, she burst out laughing (and rightfully so!) on what Ian's reaction would be when he opened up the kepah. Believe it or not, this turned out to be Ian's most favorite gift from us. Go figure, right?
In any case, I am done. So happy this holiday is over. I'd much rather not spend a dime on gifts and put all the money towards a family experience/trip of some kind. We plan to do Great Wolf Lodge again and kept some of the money we'd put towards the kids gifts to spend staying at the Water park. Maybe next year, all of it goes towards that. Or, you know, 8 nights of underwear. :)
Monday, December 17, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Heartbroken
I had a different post scheduled to publish today. But right now, it seems awfully trivial and incredibly unimportant. So I am writing something on the fly in the hopes it helps me a little come to terms with how horrific our world can be at times.
As a mom of two young kids, I can't even begin to imagine what these parents in Newtown, CT are going through. 20 kids, between the ages of 5 to 10 years old, gone. It's beyond comprehension how someone can be so evil and take the lives of innocent children. A senseless act of violence.
You send your kids to school and think, they'll be safe there. It's a place for them to learn and grow and socialize. A place for them to be happy. School shouldn't be a place you drop your kids off at and hope that you will see them again at the end of the day. It shouldn't be a place that kids have to practice what it means to be in lockdown mode. Or, a place where teachers are keeping one ear out in the hallway listening for gunshots.
What has become of our world that mass shootings are starting to become all too frequent? That some maniac is allowed to go into a mall, movie theatre, college, elementary school and take innocent lives? It makes me want to stay in my house, with my two kids and husband and never, ever leave. Is there really something out there that is more important than risking the lives of your children, yourself or your loved ones to do, see, or buy? I don't think so.
It is breaking my heart that 28 families today in Newtown, CT lives are upside down. A piece of them has died and will never come back. My heart goes out for them. I am having a hard time enjoying my simple day, going through the regular routine, knowing that theirs is anything but the ordinary day they thought they'd have.
It's just not right. As a society we have to do something. I know that gun control is the hot topic, but I feel like it isn't enough. This lunatic got the guns from his mother. Guns are still out there, and can be obtained illegally. So what do we do?
Last night, Sam was having a major meltdown leaving our friend's house. Ian was invited to stay over for a sleepover as we were walking out the door. Without hesitation, I said Ian could spend the night. Sam screamed, at the top of her lungs, the entire way home. Jeff said, when we get home, I'll put Sam down. I said, please don't get upset with her. I went into Sam's room, and just crawled in bed with her. This is something I've never done before. She instantly got quiet and looked at me and said, "How long are you going to stay here?". I said, I didn't know. After about 15 minutes, Sam was almost asleep. I got into my own bed and started missing Ian something fierce. Maybe I shouldn't have let him sleepover. I just wanted him home, in his own bed. Where I could check on my kids, every hour through the night and know that for one more day they are with me, where they should be.
It can be a cruel, cruel world out there. Yesterday we were reminded just how cruel it can be.
As a mom of two young kids, I can't even begin to imagine what these parents in Newtown, CT are going through. 20 kids, between the ages of 5 to 10 years old, gone. It's beyond comprehension how someone can be so evil and take the lives of innocent children. A senseless act of violence.
You send your kids to school and think, they'll be safe there. It's a place for them to learn and grow and socialize. A place for them to be happy. School shouldn't be a place you drop your kids off at and hope that you will see them again at the end of the day. It shouldn't be a place that kids have to practice what it means to be in lockdown mode. Or, a place where teachers are keeping one ear out in the hallway listening for gunshots.
What has become of our world that mass shootings are starting to become all too frequent? That some maniac is allowed to go into a mall, movie theatre, college, elementary school and take innocent lives? It makes me want to stay in my house, with my two kids and husband and never, ever leave. Is there really something out there that is more important than risking the lives of your children, yourself or your loved ones to do, see, or buy? I don't think so.
It is breaking my heart that 28 families today in Newtown, CT lives are upside down. A piece of them has died and will never come back. My heart goes out for them. I am having a hard time enjoying my simple day, going through the regular routine, knowing that theirs is anything but the ordinary day they thought they'd have.
It's just not right. As a society we have to do something. I know that gun control is the hot topic, but I feel like it isn't enough. This lunatic got the guns from his mother. Guns are still out there, and can be obtained illegally. So what do we do?
Last night, Sam was having a major meltdown leaving our friend's house. Ian was invited to stay over for a sleepover as we were walking out the door. Without hesitation, I said Ian could spend the night. Sam screamed, at the top of her lungs, the entire way home. Jeff said, when we get home, I'll put Sam down. I said, please don't get upset with her. I went into Sam's room, and just crawled in bed with her. This is something I've never done before. She instantly got quiet and looked at me and said, "How long are you going to stay here?". I said, I didn't know. After about 15 minutes, Sam was almost asleep. I got into my own bed and started missing Ian something fierce. Maybe I shouldn't have let him sleepover. I just wanted him home, in his own bed. Where I could check on my kids, every hour through the night and know that for one more day they are with me, where they should be.
It can be a cruel, cruel world out there. Yesterday we were reminded just how cruel it can be.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Hanukkah party time!
With Hanukkah upon us, it was time once again for the Family Hanukkah party. This year (as with every alternating year), the party was at my mother-in-law's sister's house (Miriam) in Warrington, PA.
I've resigned myself to being the family photographer and was ready with a fully charged battery in my camera to take pictures. Unfortunately, due to a few unforeseen factors and some family members not feeling 100%, the big group family picture did not occur. I didn't realize how disappointed I was over this until the party started winding down and people headed home. I know this photo NEVER turns out as great as I would like it, but it still happens each year. And let me tell you, this family Hanukkah party has been going on for decades. That's a lot of group photos being taken over the years and a really cool visual of how the family is growing. Given that I am one of the newer members to enter this family (9 years young in attendance), I didn't push the issue and simply said, "Next year for sure we will make the picture happen."
The gift exchange at the family Hanukkah party has evolved over the years. It's gone from gifts being bought by everyone and given to everyone, to names getting picked with each kid getting 2 presents from other relatives, and finally, the most recent evolution, putting the money you'd spend on gifts and donate to a worthy charity. This current season the two matriarchs (Marcia - my MIL and Miriam) decided to do something different. They took care of everything and surprised us with a White Elephant Gift Exchange. We all gathered together and listened to Aunt Miriam explain the rules. She would start at the person closest to her (SAM!) and hand a gift covered in a white bag to the person. The next person after them, has the opportunity to steal the first person's gift if they so wish. It continues this way until everyone has been given a gift and can decide to "steal" one they like better.
The unique twist to this White Elephant gift exchange was that all the gifts were food items! Only we didn't know that until the gifts started getting opened. The food items were all a little over-the-top and quirky. Not the typical things you'd buy yourself. For example, a bulk size container of peanut butter filled pretzels. Or, a gigantic container of cheese balls. It was an eclectic mix of stuff you'd find at Costco or Trader Joes.
As Sam was the first to go, no one knew what to expect. Sam opened her bag and discovered she was given 6 ginormous Hershey chocolate bars. You would think Sam was just given the keys to the city (or more appropriately for her world, keys to a Toys R Us.). WOWEE! The expression on her face was priceless. Her eyes got as big as saucers and her smile went from ear to ear. I am pretty certain there is not another item given to her that would've have this same effect. It was like she had died and gone to chocolate Heaven.
Now, here's the thing, the person slated to go next, the one sitting next to Sam had the chance to steal this item. Fortunately for Sam, this person was Jeff. And he knew better than to touch the bars of gold firmly grasped in her hands. Word quickly spread that if anyone in the room attempted to "steal" Sam's chocolate, they weren't going to succeed. I made the comment that even if everyone ganged up as a group to go after the Hershey bars, I'd still place my money on Sam keeping the chocolate. :)
The White Elephant Gift Exchange gave the Hanukkah party a spark to it that it hadn't had before. It brought everyone in to one room and we all were really interested to see what each person was going to open up and get. After each unwrapping, there would be a whole new round of laughter. The only time someone exercised their right to "steal" was when they got the cheese balls. Those poor cheese balls must've passed through about 6 different people's hands. It was very funny to see who ended up with the cheese balls.
I loved livening things up like this. What fun! I feel bad for those who weren't feeling their best, but the party this year rocked! The latkes were yummy (and I appreciate the effort to make them gluten-free), both kids played dreidel with their cousins, and I got a chance to catch up with my wonderful family I don't see frequently enough. The White Elephant Gift Exchange was the icing on the cake.
I've resigned myself to being the family photographer and was ready with a fully charged battery in my camera to take pictures. Unfortunately, due to a few unforeseen factors and some family members not feeling 100%, the big group family picture did not occur. I didn't realize how disappointed I was over this until the party started winding down and people headed home. I know this photo NEVER turns out as great as I would like it, but it still happens each year. And let me tell you, this family Hanukkah party has been going on for decades. That's a lot of group photos being taken over the years and a really cool visual of how the family is growing. Given that I am one of the newer members to enter this family (9 years young in attendance), I didn't push the issue and simply said, "Next year for sure we will make the picture happen."
The gift exchange at the family Hanukkah party has evolved over the years. It's gone from gifts being bought by everyone and given to everyone, to names getting picked with each kid getting 2 presents from other relatives, and finally, the most recent evolution, putting the money you'd spend on gifts and donate to a worthy charity. This current season the two matriarchs (Marcia - my MIL and Miriam) decided to do something different. They took care of everything and surprised us with a White Elephant Gift Exchange. We all gathered together and listened to Aunt Miriam explain the rules. She would start at the person closest to her (SAM!) and hand a gift covered in a white bag to the person. The next person after them, has the opportunity to steal the first person's gift if they so wish. It continues this way until everyone has been given a gift and can decide to "steal" one they like better.
The unique twist to this White Elephant gift exchange was that all the gifts were food items! Only we didn't know that until the gifts started getting opened. The food items were all a little over-the-top and quirky. Not the typical things you'd buy yourself. For example, a bulk size container of peanut butter filled pretzels. Or, a gigantic container of cheese balls. It was an eclectic mix of stuff you'd find at Costco or Trader Joes.
As Sam was the first to go, no one knew what to expect. Sam opened her bag and discovered she was given 6 ginormous Hershey chocolate bars. You would think Sam was just given the keys to the city (or more appropriately for her world, keys to a Toys R Us.). WOWEE! The expression on her face was priceless. Her eyes got as big as saucers and her smile went from ear to ear. I am pretty certain there is not another item given to her that would've have this same effect. It was like she had died and gone to chocolate Heaven.
Now, here's the thing, the person slated to go next, the one sitting next to Sam had the chance to steal this item. Fortunately for Sam, this person was Jeff. And he knew better than to touch the bars of gold firmly grasped in her hands. Word quickly spread that if anyone in the room attempted to "steal" Sam's chocolate, they weren't going to succeed. I made the comment that even if everyone ganged up as a group to go after the Hershey bars, I'd still place my money on Sam keeping the chocolate. :)
 | ||||||||
| Sam's most excellent present. |
The White Elephant Gift Exchange gave the Hanukkah party a spark to it that it hadn't had before. It brought everyone in to one room and we all were really interested to see what each person was going to open up and get. After each unwrapping, there would be a whole new round of laughter. The only time someone exercised their right to "steal" was when they got the cheese balls. Those poor cheese balls must've passed through about 6 different people's hands. It was very funny to see who ended up with the cheese balls.
 |
| Ian was the first one to get the cheese balls. |
 |
| Joe was the lucky guy to take the cheese balls home. |
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
It's Hanukkah!
We are now in the process of celebrating that great holiday known as Hanukkah. Really, is there any holiday more fun for Jewish kids? Other than Purim, I think not! But Hanukkah is a the big winner because you get presents...lots and lots of presents. (Purim comes in a distant second because of this fact alone).
Ian came home last Monday letting me know that he was going to bring in a Menorah to class the next day. We knew he was the only Jewish kid in his class, but I didn't realize that none of the kids had ever seen a Menorah or knew what Hanukkah was. I asked Ian if he'd like some help explaining to the kids what the menorah is all about. He said yes, and I emailed his teacher to find out how much information would be welcomed.
Next thing I knew, I was given 30 minutes to present "Hanukkah" to Ian's 2nd grade class this past Friday. Oh my! Talk about getting myself into something so much bigger than I wanted. All week, Ian and I worked on what information we would share with his class. I brought in little bags of gelt (chocolate coins) for each child to have (of course I made sure to get a few that were certified "nut free" for the inevitable nut allergy kids), got enough dreidels for each child and printed out the directions on how to the play the game.
Finding a book to read to the class proved a little more challenging. There are a ton of books about Hanukkah out there, but none that really made me love it enough to want to read it to the class. I found a couple to borrow from Sam's preschool. Ian, unbeknownst to me, also was on the search for the perfect Hanukkah book and used his library time at school to find a book or two to use.
Together, we had a presentation ready to go. Ian and I did a practice review on Thursday evening. When it was over, Ian looked at me and said, "Mom, that was 8 minutes." Uh-oh! I figured that if we had time to fill, we could just break into games of dreidel.
Come Friday, Sam and I walked into Ian's class. After a brief intro on what Hanukkah means (Festival of Lights), why the holiday came to be (the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days instead of one) and how the holiday can move based on the lunar calendar, Ian took over. And boy, did he! He showed the examples (4 of them!) of menorahs we brought in. He held up a driedel, explained all the letters and what they stood for and then slid right into reading the book. Yep, that's right. Ian read the book to the whole class and his teacher. After each page, he'd point out to everyone what the picture meant and show the various Jewish things the story was featuring.
Ian took command of the presentation and did a fantastic job. I was so incredibly proud of him. If Ian ever grows up and becomes the head of something very important, I can honestly say, I knew it was possible because of this afternoon in Ian's 2nd grade class.
And, the whole time, my little Samantha stood right next to Ian's side. Every time Ian said the word, "Shamash", Sam said, "that's the helper candle." It was very cute and she loved getting to be a part of it. After Ian was done speaking, I handed out the directions on how to play driedel, Sam handed out the gelt and Ian handed out the driedels. It was pretty awesome. We (mostly Ian) filled the whole 30 minutes.
Ian says next year, we'll explain Rosh Hashanah to his class. Um, yeah, I don't think so. :)
Ian came home last Monday letting me know that he was going to bring in a Menorah to class the next day. We knew he was the only Jewish kid in his class, but I didn't realize that none of the kids had ever seen a Menorah or knew what Hanukkah was. I asked Ian if he'd like some help explaining to the kids what the menorah is all about. He said yes, and I emailed his teacher to find out how much information would be welcomed.
Next thing I knew, I was given 30 minutes to present "Hanukkah" to Ian's 2nd grade class this past Friday. Oh my! Talk about getting myself into something so much bigger than I wanted. All week, Ian and I worked on what information we would share with his class. I brought in little bags of gelt (chocolate coins) for each child to have (of course I made sure to get a few that were certified "nut free" for the inevitable nut allergy kids), got enough dreidels for each child and printed out the directions on how to the play the game.
Finding a book to read to the class proved a little more challenging. There are a ton of books about Hanukkah out there, but none that really made me love it enough to want to read it to the class. I found a couple to borrow from Sam's preschool. Ian, unbeknownst to me, also was on the search for the perfect Hanukkah book and used his library time at school to find a book or two to use.
Together, we had a presentation ready to go. Ian and I did a practice review on Thursday evening. When it was over, Ian looked at me and said, "Mom, that was 8 minutes." Uh-oh! I figured that if we had time to fill, we could just break into games of dreidel.
Come Friday, Sam and I walked into Ian's class. After a brief intro on what Hanukkah means (Festival of Lights), why the holiday came to be (the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days instead of one) and how the holiday can move based on the lunar calendar, Ian took over. And boy, did he! He showed the examples (4 of them!) of menorahs we brought in. He held up a driedel, explained all the letters and what they stood for and then slid right into reading the book. Yep, that's right. Ian read the book to the whole class and his teacher. After each page, he'd point out to everyone what the picture meant and show the various Jewish things the story was featuring.
Ian took command of the presentation and did a fantastic job. I was so incredibly proud of him. If Ian ever grows up and becomes the head of something very important, I can honestly say, I knew it was possible because of this afternoon in Ian's 2nd grade class.
And, the whole time, my little Samantha stood right next to Ian's side. Every time Ian said the word, "Shamash", Sam said, "that's the helper candle." It was very cute and she loved getting to be a part of it. After Ian was done speaking, I handed out the directions on how to play driedel, Sam handed out the gelt and Ian handed out the driedels. It was pretty awesome. We (mostly Ian) filled the whole 30 minutes.
Ian says next year, we'll explain Rosh Hashanah to his class. Um, yeah, I don't think so. :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Heard and Observed #37
Sam has declared that she is no longer our "little" girl. She is now our Medium girl.
*************************************************************************
I absolutely love the song by Train, "50 ways to say good-bye" and listen to it over and over again in the car. It's all about a girl who dumps a guy. He refuses to tell his friends that she left him and instead comes up with a lot of fun ways that she has died to explain her absence. For example, '...caught in a mudslide, eaten by a lion, ...fried getting sun tan, met a shark underwater, fell in a cement mixer full of quicksand..."
In the middle of the song, is this great verse:
"My pride still feels the sting
You were my everything
Someday I'll find a love likes yours
She'll think I'm Superman
Not Super Minivan
How could you leave on Yom Kippur?"
Whenever Sam hears this song playing, she'll ask me "Why did she leave him on Yom Kippur?" It is very funny.
****************************************************************************
Sam helped out big-time cleaning out the shed and we told her she earned three dollars. Jeff gave her dollar bills and Sam looked down and asked where the "3" was? She wanted to make sure she got her $3 dollars.
***************************************************************************
*************************************************************************
I absolutely love the song by Train, "50 ways to say good-bye" and listen to it over and over again in the car. It's all about a girl who dumps a guy. He refuses to tell his friends that she left him and instead comes up with a lot of fun ways that she has died to explain her absence. For example, '...caught in a mudslide, eaten by a lion, ...fried getting sun tan, met a shark underwater, fell in a cement mixer full of quicksand..."
In the middle of the song, is this great verse:
"My pride still feels the sting
You were my everything
Someday I'll find a love likes yours
She'll think I'm Superman
Not Super Minivan
How could you leave on Yom Kippur?"
Whenever Sam hears this song playing, she'll ask me "Why did she leave him on Yom Kippur?" It is very funny.
****************************************************************************
Sam helped out big-time cleaning out the shed and we told her she earned three dollars. Jeff gave her dollar bills and Sam looked down and asked where the "3" was? She wanted to make sure she got her $3 dollars.
***************************************************************************
Monday, December 3, 2012
Best. Day. Ever. !
Most weekdays I feel like a chicken with their head cut-off. I am the "Time to make the donuts" man in the commercial. I have to periodically look at my calendar hanging in the kitchen through out the day, to make sure I am where I need to be -- either picking up one of the kids, drop-off at a various after-school activity or any combination of things that need to happen on that specific day.
I am sure I spend more time in my car driving around than I do enjoying being at any given place. That's just the way it goes and I am used to it. I knew this school year would be a tough one.
Wednesday, November 20th stood out as an exceptional day. Hands down this was the best day ever since the beginning of school. It is hard to believe that it started off with a dentist appointment for each of the kids.
8:20am - Sam's dentist appointment
8:30am - Ian's dentist appointment
9:00am - Got Ian to school on time! (Totally not expecting this to occur, as Ian's appointment was scheduled for 9:00am. They were able to get him in early!).
9:20am - Got Sam to school
9:45am to 11:30am - Worked for The Man
12:00pm - Early dismissal for Sam with the Thanksgiving holiday.
12:10pm - Went to lunch (at Einstein's Bagel) with Susanne/Ainsley, Anna/Ruby and Sam.
1:15pm - Arrived at Ruby's house to find out that Susanne was going to take the girls back to her house for an impromptu playdate.
1:40pm - Received a text from my friend Kelly asking if we'd like to meet at Sweet Frog (FroYo) after school. Seriously? Could this day get any better!?!?!
1:45pm - Pick Ian up from school (another early dismissal for the Thanksgiving holiday).
2:00pm - Me and Ian met Kelly and her girls for frozen yogurt.
3:00pm - Took Ian to get a haircut.
4:15pm - Arrived at Sam's dance class -- met Sam there. :)
4:30pm to 5:00pm - Sam had dance class with her best buds.
6:00pm to 7:30pm - Went to Ledo's Pizza with Susanne and her kids, and Anna and her kids. 8 kids total, 3 moms....We are fearless like that. Did I mention that Ledo's Pizza now has Gluten Free Pizza? And it is super yummy!!
7:45pm - Arrive at Home. Jeff puts the kids down.
Could this day have flowed any better? I don't think so. When I start to feel like I am getting overwhelmed needing to be in 3 places at once, I am going to think about this wonderful day and smile.
I am sure I spend more time in my car driving around than I do enjoying being at any given place. That's just the way it goes and I am used to it. I knew this school year would be a tough one.
Wednesday, November 20th stood out as an exceptional day. Hands down this was the best day ever since the beginning of school. It is hard to believe that it started off with a dentist appointment for each of the kids.
8:20am - Sam's dentist appointment
8:30am - Ian's dentist appointment
9:00am - Got Ian to school on time! (Totally not expecting this to occur, as Ian's appointment was scheduled for 9:00am. They were able to get him in early!).
9:20am - Got Sam to school
9:45am to 11:30am - Worked for The Man
12:00pm - Early dismissal for Sam with the Thanksgiving holiday.
12:10pm - Went to lunch (at Einstein's Bagel) with Susanne/Ainsley, Anna/Ruby and Sam.
1:15pm - Arrived at Ruby's house to find out that Susanne was going to take the girls back to her house for an impromptu playdate.
1:40pm - Received a text from my friend Kelly asking if we'd like to meet at Sweet Frog (FroYo) after school. Seriously? Could this day get any better!?!?!
1:45pm - Pick Ian up from school (another early dismissal for the Thanksgiving holiday).
2:00pm - Me and Ian met Kelly and her girls for frozen yogurt.
3:00pm - Took Ian to get a haircut.
4:15pm - Arrived at Sam's dance class -- met Sam there. :)
4:30pm to 5:00pm - Sam had dance class with her best buds.
6:00pm to 7:30pm - Went to Ledo's Pizza with Susanne and her kids, and Anna and her kids. 8 kids total, 3 moms....We are fearless like that. Did I mention that Ledo's Pizza now has Gluten Free Pizza? And it is super yummy!!
7:45pm - Arrive at Home. Jeff puts the kids down.
Could this day have flowed any better? I don't think so. When I start to feel like I am getting overwhelmed needing to be in 3 places at once, I am going to think about this wonderful day and smile.
 |
| Sam was actually happy to be at the dentist! |
 | |||
| Normally, it takes 3 technicians to hold Sam down while the dentist works as quickly as possible. None of that was needed for this visit! It was a beautiful thing how cooperative and happy Sam was during the whole visit. Tears of joy were brought to my eyes. Started the day off on a wonderful note. |
 |
| Ian was a gem too! We weren't the 'challenging' patients today! |
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Shout out time!
I'd like to dedicate this space to Ellen She is my 2nd cousin, once removed (?) or something like that. However the relation, she is family.
Ellen surprised me one day, not too long ago and sent a little treat in the mail. Actually, this is the 2nd time Ellen surprised me by sending me an unexpected package. The first was when she received an extra copy of Elizabeth Hasselbeck's Gluten Free cookbook and thought of me. I know Ellen more from her Facebook posts than anything else and was tickled pink that she went to the trouble to mail me the cookbook. It was a very sweet gesture.
But that's not all and this latest surprise in the mail from Ellen has been a real treat -- both for me and for Ian. Ellen had read on my blog about putting notes in Ian's lunch and encouraged me to never stop. She wrote and said that even though her kids are teenagers, she is still writing notes and leaving it for them to find. In the envelope sent to me were a package of printed lunch box notes. And not just mushy "I love you notes" (like the kind I was writing and embarrassing Ian with), but really, really cool ones. There were 25 of these notes in various colors.
On one side of the card is a sweet note: "Thanks for being honest", "Your smile brightens my day", "I love your creativity", "Your thoughts and opinions matter to me.", "Treat people the way you want to be treated", etc.
Then, on the other side of the card is a fun trivia fact: "Did you know? It is believed that a snail can sleep for up to 3 years." "Did you know? Just like finger prints, each person has a unique tongue print." "Did you know? That girls blink nearly twice as often as boys." "Did you know? To escape the grip of a crocodile's jaws, push your thumb into its eyeballs.", etc.
Without letting Ian know I had a new supply of lunch box notes, I put one in his lunch. I picked this one. "My favorite job is taking care of you." And on the other side, "Did you know? Wrigley Field did not have lights until 1988."
After school, Ian ran into the house and asked, "IS THAT TRUE!?!?! You know about Wrigley Field?"
Me: Oh, Ian.... you saw the note I put in your lunch?
Ian: Yes, I LOVED IT! You can do that again. Like every day. That was cool.
A big hug and kiss to Ellen. Your kindness is very much appreciated. I know that you've been spending many, many hours volunteering to help the people affected by Hurricane Sandy get back on their feet. The state of New Jersey is very lucky to have you on their side.
It was incredibly sweet of you to think of me and send these notes our way. Ian and I thank you very much! I am a big believer in karma and I know something amazing is going to happen for all the good you do and continue to do. You rock!
Ellen surprised me one day, not too long ago and sent a little treat in the mail. Actually, this is the 2nd time Ellen surprised me by sending me an unexpected package. The first was when she received an extra copy of Elizabeth Hasselbeck's Gluten Free cookbook and thought of me. I know Ellen more from her Facebook posts than anything else and was tickled pink that she went to the trouble to mail me the cookbook. It was a very sweet gesture.
But that's not all and this latest surprise in the mail from Ellen has been a real treat -- both for me and for Ian. Ellen had read on my blog about putting notes in Ian's lunch and encouraged me to never stop. She wrote and said that even though her kids are teenagers, she is still writing notes and leaving it for them to find. In the envelope sent to me were a package of printed lunch box notes. And not just mushy "I love you notes" (like the kind I was writing and embarrassing Ian with), but really, really cool ones. There were 25 of these notes in various colors.
On one side of the card is a sweet note: "Thanks for being honest", "Your smile brightens my day", "I love your creativity", "Your thoughts and opinions matter to me.", "Treat people the way you want to be treated", etc.
Then, on the other side of the card is a fun trivia fact: "Did you know? It is believed that a snail can sleep for up to 3 years." "Did you know? Just like finger prints, each person has a unique tongue print." "Did you know? That girls blink nearly twice as often as boys." "Did you know? To escape the grip of a crocodile's jaws, push your thumb into its eyeballs.", etc.
Without letting Ian know I had a new supply of lunch box notes, I put one in his lunch. I picked this one. "My favorite job is taking care of you." And on the other side, "Did you know? Wrigley Field did not have lights until 1988."
After school, Ian ran into the house and asked, "IS THAT TRUE!?!?! You know about Wrigley Field?"
Me: Oh, Ian.... you saw the note I put in your lunch?
Ian: Yes, I LOVED IT! You can do that again. Like every day. That was cool.
A big hug and kiss to Ellen. Your kindness is very much appreciated. I know that you've been spending many, many hours volunteering to help the people affected by Hurricane Sandy get back on their feet. The state of New Jersey is very lucky to have you on their side.
It was incredibly sweet of you to think of me and send these notes our way. Ian and I thank you very much! I am a big believer in karma and I know something amazing is going to happen for all the good you do and continue to do. You rock!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)