I read a Facebook post from Runner's World just before Thanksgiving about a challenge to run at least one mile every day from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. The thought is that most people lose a lot of their fitness during this time because they don't make the time for exercise in all the craziness of the holidays. So, on a whim, I decided that I was going to sign on for the challenge. Not that there is any reward besides the satisfaction of successfully completing 38 consecutive days of running. I have 10 more runs to go to complete my streak!
I have to share this funny story regarding day 18 of the streak. Brian was out of town, but had planned to come home early, so I'd have time to run in the afternoon. Well, it ended up that he wasn't going to make it back as early as he intended, so I had to get creative to get my mile in with four kids in tow. I put Cristina and Ella in our double stroller and told Emma to get her bike and Charlotte to get her scooter. I figured I could push the stroller along side them while they rode. Well, Charlotte decided that she didn't want to take her scooter, which she is really fast on. She wanted to take this old tricycle instead. I tried to convince her of her scooter prowess, but she was steadfast that she wanted the tricycle. I knew it was a mistake, but I really wanted to get my mile in, so I relented.
We headed off for the mile. We were maybe 1/3 of a mile from the house with multiple starts and stops with me running ahead and then back to drag Charlotte along. Finally, Charlotte says,"this tricycle is really not my thing. It's just not my thing." She was struggling to keep up and wanted to just run. So, I did the only thing I could think of short of abandoning the tricycle on the side of the road. I picked up the tricycle and let Charlotte run home. So, yes, I was the crazy women running in the neighborhood holding a tricycle and pushing a double stroller! Trust me, it wasn't easy, but it was better than pulling Charlotte on the tricycle while pushing the stroller or constantly running back and forth with the cumbersome double stroller. I really felt like I earned the mile on day 18. Thankfully, most of the runs have been easy in comparison to this one.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Random Christmas Comments
With Christmas fast approaching, there has been lots of talk about the holiday in the house. Being the good mom that I am, I have been reminding the girls to behave themselves, so that Santa will bring them presents. Well, the other night, Charlotte and Emma were running around the house screaming as usual and this was our conversation:
Me: Girls! You need to settle down.
Girls: (Continuing to run around like maniacs.)
Me: There isn't going to be any Christmas around here if you don't behave. You have to be good, so Santa will bring you presents.
Charlotte: Christmas isn't about Santa, it's about Jesus. If Santa doesn't come, we'll still have Christmas.
Girls: (Commence running around like maniacs.)
Yesterday, I picked Emma up from school and took her to buy presents for her sisters for Christmas. On the way home, we had this conversation in the van:
Emma: Mom, did you know that Bube doesn't believe in Santa Claus?
Me: Oh, really. (Thinking: Uh, oh!)
Emma: Yeah, and Raquel and Anushka don't either. There are other kids that don't either.
Me (trying to be all casual): Huh.
Emma: They said there is no such thing as Santa and that it is really your parents.
Me: Oh. (Thinking: Oh my goodness! Is this the end!!?? I'm so glad she can't see my face.)
Emma: Well, I believe in Santa. You know why? Last year, when Cristina got that car for Christmas, it had a tag on it that said "From Santa." Who else is going to do that? I mean really. Parents aren't going to do that. That is just silly. I don't care what they say. I told them they were wrong.
Me: Ok.
Emma and Charlotte have both been talking about American Girl dolls for Christmas. They both really want one. Emma wants one that looks like her and Charlotte wants one that looks like her and maybe Josefina or Rebecca. They have been studying the American Girl magazine for the last few weeks.
Charlotte: Oh, I want this doll and this outfit and this pet and this....
Emma: Charlotte, you know that is like $500 dollars or something. Probably a thousand dollars.
Charlotte: So what?
Emma: You are going to have to ask Santa for it because there is no way we can get something that expensive.
Charlotte: Well, if Santa is bringing it, it doesn't matter how much it costs.
Emma: Yeah, we're going to have to ask Santa for this stuff because it is WAY TOO expensive.
Me: Girls! You need to settle down.
Girls: (Continuing to run around like maniacs.)
Me: There isn't going to be any Christmas around here if you don't behave. You have to be good, so Santa will bring you presents.
Charlotte: Christmas isn't about Santa, it's about Jesus. If Santa doesn't come, we'll still have Christmas.
Girls: (Commence running around like maniacs.)
Yesterday, I picked Emma up from school and took her to buy presents for her sisters for Christmas. On the way home, we had this conversation in the van:
Emma: Mom, did you know that Bube doesn't believe in Santa Claus?
Me: Oh, really. (Thinking: Uh, oh!)
Emma: Yeah, and Raquel and Anushka don't either. There are other kids that don't either.
Me (trying to be all casual): Huh.
Emma: They said there is no such thing as Santa and that it is really your parents.
Me: Oh. (Thinking: Oh my goodness! Is this the end!!?? I'm so glad she can't see my face.)
Emma: Well, I believe in Santa. You know why? Last year, when Cristina got that car for Christmas, it had a tag on it that said "From Santa." Who else is going to do that? I mean really. Parents aren't going to do that. That is just silly. I don't care what they say. I told them they were wrong.
Me: Ok.
Emma and Charlotte have both been talking about American Girl dolls for Christmas. They both really want one. Emma wants one that looks like her and Charlotte wants one that looks like her and maybe Josefina or Rebecca. They have been studying the American Girl magazine for the last few weeks.
Charlotte: Oh, I want this doll and this outfit and this pet and this....
Emma: Charlotte, you know that is like $500 dollars or something. Probably a thousand dollars.
Charlotte: So what?
Emma: You are going to have to ask Santa for it because there is no way we can get something that expensive.
Charlotte: Well, if Santa is bringing it, it doesn't matter how much it costs.
Emma: Yeah, we're going to have to ask Santa for this stuff because it is WAY TOO expensive.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Adventures in Potty Training
Many moons ago, when Emma was a wee little one, we embarked early on potty training. It ended up being a winding road with lots of twists, turns, and dead ends. In hindsight, we started before she was ready. She'd show interest for a few days, then act like she'd never seen a toilet before in her life. After awhile, she succumbed to bribery and would go in the potty in exchange for a My Little Pony. After amassing quite the collection of colored ponies, she finally was potty trained.
When it was Charlotte's turn to potty train, I decided that I was going to wait until she showed interest before starting the potty training journey. Unfortunately, she didn't show interest as early as I had hoped. I would ask her if she was ready to go pee-pee in the potty like a big girl and she would say no. I offered the bribe of a new bicycle and she still refused. Finally, one Saturday, I asked her if she was ready and she said yes. Just like that, she wore panties and went in the potty with no accidents. The next week, she was riding her bicycle like a maniac in the driveway.
For the last few months, I have been trying my Charlotte method on Cristina to no avail. She has been as stubborn as a mule! I asked her if she wanted to be a big girl and wear panties and she would say no. I tried talking up going to the potty with the only result being that she now follows me into the bathroom and praises me for going potty like a big girl. I tried bribery, but apparently, she is above that - or maybe I just don't know what really speaks to her. In desperation, I promised to take her to Disney World if she would use the potty. Even the prospect of meeting Mickey and Minnie was not enough.
A few days this week, she has come into the bedroom in the morning and put on panties. Then, she'd make it halfway through the day before asking to be put back in diapers. Yesterday, something clicked for Cristina. She put her panties on in the morning and stayed in them all day without any accidents. She even pooped in the potty, which was especially exciting for her. She was running all around the house saying in an extremely loud voice, "I POOPED in the potty. I POOPED. I POOPED."
Yesterday gave me a few funny moments that I resisted the urge to capture on SD card. First, when Cristina decides she needs to go to the potty, she stops wherever she is and pulls down her panties, then runs to the potty with her panties around her ankles. Seeing her little butt trying to move quickly across the house with panties around her ankles is really quite hilarious. She is still working on the mechanics of pulling her panties up and down. At one point yesterday, she had the princess gown she was wearing all caught up in her panties. She didn't notice and was dancing around the livingroom with her dress stuck in her panties. Finally, she seems to have a perpetual wedgie. I don't know if this means her panties are too big or too small or what, but I've seen a lot of little girl butt cheek all weekend!
I am so excited to only have one kid in diapers. I wonder how long Ella will keep me waiting to potty train?
When it was Charlotte's turn to potty train, I decided that I was going to wait until she showed interest before starting the potty training journey. Unfortunately, she didn't show interest as early as I had hoped. I would ask her if she was ready to go pee-pee in the potty like a big girl and she would say no. I offered the bribe of a new bicycle and she still refused. Finally, one Saturday, I asked her if she was ready and she said yes. Just like that, she wore panties and went in the potty with no accidents. The next week, she was riding her bicycle like a maniac in the driveway.
For the last few months, I have been trying my Charlotte method on Cristina to no avail. She has been as stubborn as a mule! I asked her if she wanted to be a big girl and wear panties and she would say no. I tried talking up going to the potty with the only result being that she now follows me into the bathroom and praises me for going potty like a big girl. I tried bribery, but apparently, she is above that - or maybe I just don't know what really speaks to her. In desperation, I promised to take her to Disney World if she would use the potty. Even the prospect of meeting Mickey and Minnie was not enough.
A few days this week, she has come into the bedroom in the morning and put on panties. Then, she'd make it halfway through the day before asking to be put back in diapers. Yesterday, something clicked for Cristina. She put her panties on in the morning and stayed in them all day without any accidents. She even pooped in the potty, which was especially exciting for her. She was running all around the house saying in an extremely loud voice, "I POOPED in the potty. I POOPED. I POOPED."
Yesterday gave me a few funny moments that I resisted the urge to capture on SD card. First, when Cristina decides she needs to go to the potty, she stops wherever she is and pulls down her panties, then runs to the potty with her panties around her ankles. Seeing her little butt trying to move quickly across the house with panties around her ankles is really quite hilarious. She is still working on the mechanics of pulling her panties up and down. At one point yesterday, she had the princess gown she was wearing all caught up in her panties. She didn't notice and was dancing around the livingroom with her dress stuck in her panties. Finally, she seems to have a perpetual wedgie. I don't know if this means her panties are too big or too small or what, but I've seen a lot of little girl butt cheek all weekend!
I am so excited to only have one kid in diapers. I wonder how long Ella will keep me waiting to potty train?
Friday, November 18, 2011
I can fly!
Scene: Friday morning, 6:30ish a.m.
Charlotte is just waking up in my bed. Now, Charlotte is generally the grumpiest child on earth in the morning. She loves her sleep. On this particular morning, she jumps up with a smile and says, "My dream has come true. I can fly. I can fly. Watch me, Mommy." She walks to the edge of the bed, spreads her arms out, leaps off the bed....and immediately plummets to the floor. Her reaction, "Stupid star. My dream didn't come true."
Charlotte is just waking up in my bed. Now, Charlotte is generally the grumpiest child on earth in the morning. She loves her sleep. On this particular morning, she jumps up with a smile and says, "My dream has come true. I can fly. I can fly. Watch me, Mommy." She walks to the edge of the bed, spreads her arms out, leaps off the bed....and immediately plummets to the floor. Her reaction, "Stupid star. My dream didn't come true."
Thursday, November 10, 2011
A little too honest?
Emma missed two days of school this week because she wasn't feeling well. On Wednesday, her teacher sent home the classwork that she had missed for her to finish at home. So, for the last two nights, I've been sitting at the dining room table trying to keep her focused long enough to finish it all.
Tonight, I was going over her answers on her reading worksheet. There was a question, "Why does the author say that a tree is like an animal hotel?" Her response: "I have no idea. Sorry." I couldn't contain my laughter. While I appreciated her honesty, I did make her review the book and figure out a better answer than that.
I wonder if I can try that answer the next time my boss asks a question.
Tonight, I was going over her answers on her reading worksheet. There was a question, "Why does the author say that a tree is like an animal hotel?" Her response: "I have no idea. Sorry." I couldn't contain my laughter. While I appreciated her honesty, I did make her review the book and figure out a better answer than that.
I wonder if I can try that answer the next time my boss asks a question.
The Smartest Kid
Charlotte: I'm the smartest kid in my class.
Me: How do you know?
Charlotte: I'm the only one that spells my name and knows the blessings.
Me: The blessings? You pray at school?
Charlotte (rolling her eyes): No, plussing. You know, like 6+6=12.
Me: Oh, that is smart, Charlotte.
Charlotte: I know, I have to teach all the kids plus the teachers. Miss Lisa and Miss Shuli are the hardest to work with.
Me: You have to teach the teachers?
Charlotte: Yes, because I am smarter than them. They don't know anything. I have so much to teach them.
Me: Wow. That must be hard work.
Charlotte: Yes.
Later at dinner...
Charlotte: I don't really teach the class. I was just joking...you know, like make believe.
Me: How do you know?
Charlotte: I'm the only one that spells my name and knows the blessings.
Me: The blessings? You pray at school?
Charlotte (rolling her eyes): No, plussing. You know, like 6+6=12.
Me: Oh, that is smart, Charlotte.
Charlotte: I know, I have to teach all the kids plus the teachers. Miss Lisa and Miss Shuli are the hardest to work with.
Me: You have to teach the teachers?
Charlotte: Yes, because I am smarter than them. They don't know anything. I have so much to teach them.
Me: Wow. That must be hard work.
Charlotte: Yes.
Later at dinner...
Charlotte: I don't really teach the class. I was just joking...you know, like make believe.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Halloween with the Honeys
Emma, Charlotte, and Cristina have been counting down the days until Halloween. Charlotte was especially excited about Halloween and has been counting down for two weeks. This morning I told her to get dressed for school and she said, "I'm not going to school. It's a holiday. It's Halloween." She seriously could not believe I was making her go to school on such a sacred holiday.
When it was finally time to go out, the girls were so excited. Emma is a pro at this point and is all about hitting as many houses as possible. Charlotte does a pretty good job of keeping up with Emma. Cristina was excited about the candy, but having a little bit of a time keeping up with her big sisters. After going up and down one street, Brian and I parted ways with the girls. He took the big ones to hit a few more streets and I took the little ones to head back to our friends' house.
Cristina decided that she wanted to go to a few more houses, so we made a few stops on our way to our friends' house. She was super excited about knocking on the doors - the only problem is she was knocking so softly that there was no way anyone was going to hear her. We were in this one cul de sac where two guys were outside in costume. So, Cristina says, "Let's go see the scary man." She gets some candy from the scary man and then sees the other guy in costume (a Tin Man) and says, "Let's go to the kingdom." So, we walk over and she gets some candy. Then, we go to a house on the other side of the scary man. As we are leaving that house, she says, "Let's go see the scary man." So, we go back to that house and she gets more candy. Then, she says, "Let's go back to the kingdom." She gets more candy. Then, she goes to the house next door to the Tin Man and gets some candy. We are walking back to the street and she insists on going back to the "kingdom" again. Luckily, the Tin Man was a good sport and didn't mind that the same kid hit his cauldron of candy three times!
Meanwhile, Emma and Charlotte were cramming their buckets with candy on another street. When I was talking about it with Charlotte later, she says, "the worst part about it was my hands and feet. My hand was just falling off and my feet were so tired. It was just the worst." On a side note, Charlotte was trick or treating in her bare feet. She was wearing this long princess dress and I didn't notice that she had taken her shoes off. So, yes, that was my child walking bare foot in the cold tonight! I can only imagine what people were thinking.
Here are pictures of the girls from tonight. Emma was a witch, but decided she didn't want to wear her hat, which honestly is what makes the costume, but whatever. Charlotte was Belle, Cristina was Cinderella, and Ella was an elephant.
When it was finally time to go out, the girls were so excited. Emma is a pro at this point and is all about hitting as many houses as possible. Charlotte does a pretty good job of keeping up with Emma. Cristina was excited about the candy, but having a little bit of a time keeping up with her big sisters. After going up and down one street, Brian and I parted ways with the girls. He took the big ones to hit a few more streets and I took the little ones to head back to our friends' house.
Cristina decided that she wanted to go to a few more houses, so we made a few stops on our way to our friends' house. She was super excited about knocking on the doors - the only problem is she was knocking so softly that there was no way anyone was going to hear her. We were in this one cul de sac where two guys were outside in costume. So, Cristina says, "Let's go see the scary man." She gets some candy from the scary man and then sees the other guy in costume (a Tin Man) and says, "Let's go to the kingdom." So, we walk over and she gets some candy. Then, we go to a house on the other side of the scary man. As we are leaving that house, she says, "Let's go see the scary man." So, we go back to that house and she gets more candy. Then, she says, "Let's go back to the kingdom." She gets more candy. Then, she goes to the house next door to the Tin Man and gets some candy. We are walking back to the street and she insists on going back to the "kingdom" again. Luckily, the Tin Man was a good sport and didn't mind that the same kid hit his cauldron of candy three times!
Meanwhile, Emma and Charlotte were cramming their buckets with candy on another street. When I was talking about it with Charlotte later, she says, "the worst part about it was my hands and feet. My hand was just falling off and my feet were so tired. It was just the worst." On a side note, Charlotte was trick or treating in her bare feet. She was wearing this long princess dress and I didn't notice that she had taken her shoes off. So, yes, that was my child walking bare foot in the cold tonight! I can only imagine what people were thinking.
Here are pictures of the girls from tonight. Emma was a witch, but decided she didn't want to wear her hat, which honestly is what makes the costume, but whatever. Charlotte was Belle, Cristina was Cinderella, and Ella was an elephant.
Charlotte's Birthday
October was a rough month and I didn't have much time for blogging. Since I totally missed Charlotte's birthday, I figured I'd better get it in today before we are on to a totally new month. The thing I love about Charlotte is that she is super easy to please. She doesn't spend a lot of time obsessing about her birthday and just enjoys whatever happens. We started off the morning with pancakes. Charlotte loves pancakes and when she asked so sweetly for them for her birthday, I couldn't resist.
Charlotte decided to have her birthday party at school with her friends. She requested a Dora cake, which had to be store bought. She was excited with the result.
We promised to take her to Chuck E Cheese's after school, so that Emma could celebrate with her. Charlotte had a lot of fun playing skeeball and I loved how she would jump up and down and celebrate everytime she got a ball in.
After dinner at Charlotte's favorite restaurant, Chick-fil-A, we went home to open presents. Charlotte requested a Dora scooter for her birthday. Unfortunately, we weren't able to find one, but did snag this great Princess two-wheeled scooter. Charlotte is a speed demon on a scooter and needed one bigger than her Spiderman scooter and this one was great.
Finally, we ended the evening with candles and cupcakes, since candles weren't allowed at school. As every kid knows, you only get older when you blow out candles, so Charlotte had to do just that! I can't believe our crazy Charlotte is five years old. She is such a funny kid. I love her creative, spunky spirit. She brings lots of excitement to our house. Happy 5th Birthday to Charlotte Anne!
Nightmare on Our Street
I thought this was a fitting story for tonight, since it is Halloween. Charlotte was telling me this as she drifted off into a sugar induced coma.
Charlotte: I had the worst nightmare ever.
Me: Oh, no. What was it?
Charlotte: There was this man - a dentist - and he lived in a laboratory. A dentist in a laboratory and he made formulas for himself. He gave the formulas to people and they died. I was sneaking into the laboratory and he spotted me. He gave me a formula and I died. It was terrible. It was so scary.
Me: That is scary.
Charlotte: Yes, it was the scariest nightmare ever. I thought it really happened. Nightmares are just make believe. So I just make believed it didn't happen.
Me: That's a good idea.
Charlotte: I had the worst nightmare ever.
Me: Oh, no. What was it?
Charlotte: There was this man - a dentist - and he lived in a laboratory. A dentist in a laboratory and he made formulas for himself. He gave the formulas to people and they died. I was sneaking into the laboratory and he spotted me. He gave me a formula and I died. It was terrible. It was so scary.
Me: That is scary.
Charlotte: Yes, it was the scariest nightmare ever. I thought it really happened. Nightmares are just make believe. So I just make believed it didn't happen.
Me: That's a good idea.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Dollar Tree
The girls are not very good at holding on to their money. When they get their allowance, they beg and beg to be taken to The Dollar Tree - or as Brian calls it "China Tree." Brian and I hate going to The Dollar Tree. Pretty much the only thing I hate more is listening to the girls beg to go there. When they asked this morning, I decided I didn't want to have to listen to their pleas all day, so I told them we'd take them on the way home from church. They were, of course, ecstatic and ran to get their dollars.
When we get to The Dollar Tree, the girls are slowly walking up and down the aisles - contemplating the merits of each and every item. After a few minutes, Emma and Charlotte head to the kid section and I'm walking with Cristina through the store. She has selected a plastic necklace with interchangeable charms and is holding it close to her heart. Then, we walk by a display of artificial flowers and potted plants.
Cristina: Flowers! (Sniffing very deeply). Just what I thought - flowers! (Sniffing the artificial flowers.) I love flowers.
Then, she hands me the necklace and selects an artificial potted sunflower. She says, while smelling the flower, "I'm going to show Daddy my flowers." She was so excited. I'm glad a $1 fake plant can bring so much happiness.
Here she is with her flower....
This is her smelling her flower.
When we get to The Dollar Tree, the girls are slowly walking up and down the aisles - contemplating the merits of each and every item. After a few minutes, Emma and Charlotte head to the kid section and I'm walking with Cristina through the store. She has selected a plastic necklace with interchangeable charms and is holding it close to her heart. Then, we walk by a display of artificial flowers and potted plants.
Cristina: Flowers! (Sniffing very deeply). Just what I thought - flowers! (Sniffing the artificial flowers.) I love flowers.
Then, she hands me the necklace and selects an artificial potted sunflower. She says, while smelling the flower, "I'm going to show Daddy my flowers." She was so excited. I'm glad a $1 fake plant can bring so much happiness.
Here she is with her flower....
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Birthday Presents
Charlotte's birthday is coming up next week and she is starting to count down the days. I appreciate the fact that she is starting her countdown a week out as compared with Emma who starts counting down when she has 364 days to go. Anyway, tonight, I was trying to not so discreetly sway Charlotte's choice of birthday presents. She really loves to ride on her scooter, but the one she has is broken, so she is always taking Emma's scooter, which results in lots of fights. So, I asked her, "Wouldn't you like a scooter for your birthday?" She says, "Yes, I would because my Spiderman scooter is broken. I'd like a Dora electric scooter." Whew.
An hour later, Charlotte is talking to me in the bedroom.
Charlotte: You know what I reallllllllllly, realllllllllllllllly want for my birthday?
Me: What do you really want?
Charlotte: I want a giant tiger that I can play with and hide under. I promise it will only be in my room or the playroom. (Side note: I hate, detest, despise stuffed animals and this is most assuredly the last thing that I want to get Charlotte.)
Me: Are you sure you want that? I mean, you have a giant cheetah already.
Charlotte: Well, maybe a zebra. You know the other thing that I realllllllllllly, reallllllllllllly want?
Me (hopeful for something less despicable): What?
Charlotte: I really want a pet rabbit. Just a cute little bunny to play with. (Seriously!? This is worse than the stuffed tiger or zebra. I am not a fan of animals - stuffed, living, or previously living and now stuffed.)
Me: Are you sure you want a rabbit? They poop a lot. Would you clean it up?
Charlotte: You're right. I want a cat. A little kitten. I will discipline it. It will poop in the toilet. I will hold it over the toilet when it has to poop. Then, I won't have to clean anything. Kittens are better than cats because they don't scratch. I realllllllllllly want a pet kitten. Just a little pet kitten.
At this point, I cannot carry on with this conversation. How is it that Charlotte wants all the things that there is no way in the world I am going to buy her? I feel bad just knowing that she is not going to get what she wants. Maybe I'll spring for the electric scooter to ease my guilt.
An hour later, Charlotte is talking to me in the bedroom.
Charlotte: You know what I reallllllllllly, realllllllllllllllly want for my birthday?
Me: What do you really want?
Charlotte: I want a giant tiger that I can play with and hide under. I promise it will only be in my room or the playroom. (Side note: I hate, detest, despise stuffed animals and this is most assuredly the last thing that I want to get Charlotte.)
Me: Are you sure you want that? I mean, you have a giant cheetah already.
Charlotte: Well, maybe a zebra. You know the other thing that I realllllllllllly, reallllllllllllly want?
Me (hopeful for something less despicable): What?
Charlotte: I really want a pet rabbit. Just a cute little bunny to play with. (Seriously!? This is worse than the stuffed tiger or zebra. I am not a fan of animals - stuffed, living, or previously living and now stuffed.)
Me: Are you sure you want a rabbit? They poop a lot. Would you clean it up?
Charlotte: You're right. I want a cat. A little kitten. I will discipline it. It will poop in the toilet. I will hold it over the toilet when it has to poop. Then, I won't have to clean anything. Kittens are better than cats because they don't scratch. I realllllllllllly want a pet kitten. Just a little pet kitten.
At this point, I cannot carry on with this conversation. How is it that Charlotte wants all the things that there is no way in the world I am going to buy her? I feel bad just knowing that she is not going to get what she wants. Maybe I'll spring for the electric scooter to ease my guilt.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Responsible Nod
When I was in college, my good friend Deana and I would go walking in the mornings. We'd walk from the main campus down to the lake and back most mornings at about 7 a.m. After awhile, we started to recognize the other regulars who hit the street in the mornings for a little exercise. Whenever we'd pass a regular on the route, they would nod at us and we would nod back in return. We used to call this the "responsible nod" because it seemed a recognition from our peers that we were making a good decision to get up early and exercise.
One of our favorite regulars was this older guy who we'd often pass on the track around the lake. He was a sweet fellow and he'd always stop and say a few words or tell some little joke. We thought he was the cutest little guy. We saw him every morning we were out for the longest time. Then, one day, we didn't see him anymore and we wondered what happened to him. We missed our morning pleasantries and our responsible nod!
This morning, when I was out for my long run, I got a few responsible nods from the runners I passed. It made me smile and reminded me of my college days!
On the half-marathon front, I am halfway through my training with six weeks left until the race. This week, I finished 7.74 miles and shaved another seven seconds off my average pace. I feel pretty good about the fact that I have been able to consistently take seconds off my average pace especially considering that my average pace normally would slow down when I add distance. I've been adding a mile each week and have still managed to reduce my time. This week, I learned that I need to either eat before I run or take a snack with me when I run more than six miles. I was starving after about an hour of running and felt like I was going to pass out!
One of our favorite regulars was this older guy who we'd often pass on the track around the lake. He was a sweet fellow and he'd always stop and say a few words or tell some little joke. We thought he was the cutest little guy. We saw him every morning we were out for the longest time. Then, one day, we didn't see him anymore and we wondered what happened to him. We missed our morning pleasantries and our responsible nod!
This morning, when I was out for my long run, I got a few responsible nods from the runners I passed. It made me smile and reminded me of my college days!
On the half-marathon front, I am halfway through my training with six weeks left until the race. This week, I finished 7.74 miles and shaved another seven seconds off my average pace. I feel pretty good about the fact that I have been able to consistently take seconds off my average pace especially considering that my average pace normally would slow down when I add distance. I've been adding a mile each week and have still managed to reduce my time. This week, I learned that I need to either eat before I run or take a snack with me when I run more than six miles. I was starving after about an hour of running and felt like I was going to pass out!
Queen Charlotte
Charlotte: I want to be queen and you can do everything I tell you.
Me: You think I'm going to do what you tell me to?
Charlotte: Okay, you and me will be Queens and Daddy will do everything we want.
I like the way Charlotte thinks! I'm not sure Brian feels the same way.
Me: You think I'm going to do what you tell me to?
Charlotte: Okay, you and me will be Queens and Daddy will do everything we want.
I like the way Charlotte thinks! I'm not sure Brian feels the same way.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Who wore it best?
One benefit of having all girls is the opportunity to get lots of use out of the baby clothes we bought or received. When I see the layouts in magazines of celebrities wearing the same dress, it makes me think of how the girls looked in the same outfit. Recently, we got to the end of the kid line with one of my favorite outfits - "Hello, My name is Kissable." I'm still chuckling at the fact that Ella is wearing something at five months that Emma and Charlotte wore when they were one.
Emma - 1 year old
Charlotte - 11 months old
Cristina - 7 months old
Ella - 5 months old
Emma - 1 year old
Cristina's Reaction to My Weekend Run
The last two weeks were so busy that I couldn't quite manage to get all the runs in that I was supposed to with the training plan I'm using. On Saturday, despite lackluster training during the week, I went out for a six mile run. I was out the door before 6 a.m. The weather was so refreshing compared to the last weekend long runs that I have done. I kept thinking that it was amazing the difference in running in 55 degrees versus 80 degrees. I ended up finishing 6.77 miles and cut another 25 seconds off my mile average. I felt really great when I came back in the house after running.
I walk in the door and Cristina gives me a concerned look. She says, "Are you okay, Mama? Did you fall? Did you hurt your head? Are you okay? Did you fall on the ground? Are you hurt? Does your head hurt?" She kept at this line of questioning for several minutes even after I told her that I went running and was fine. Apparently, I looked like someone who had injured myself. I'm hoping my appearance improves before the finish line of the half-marathon.
I walk in the door and Cristina gives me a concerned look. She says, "Are you okay, Mama? Did you fall? Did you hurt your head? Are you okay? Did you fall on the ground? Are you hurt? Does your head hurt?" She kept at this line of questioning for several minutes even after I told her that I went running and was fine. Apparently, I looked like someone who had injured myself. I'm hoping my appearance improves before the finish line of the half-marathon.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Let the Great World Spin
It is kind of ironic that I was reading this book this week just before the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Let the Great World Spin is a book set in 1974 and opens with the story of people looking up at the World Trade Center Towers watching a man who is walking a wire from one tower to the other. While the book is fictional, the opener is based on the real life feat of funambulist Philippe Petit. The book is one that pulls you in from the beginning. I could totally feel myself holding my breathe like a spectator on the street waiting to see if the man would fall off the wire.
It made me think of all the people on the streets of New York ten years ago, who were looking up at the towers with disbelief as they burned and later crashed to the ground. I remember going to work on that Tuesday morning and learning that one of the towers had been hit by a plane. Then, laying on the couch in our basement apartment at Georgia Tech and watching hours of coverage on the television. For days I watched the coverage, hoping that survivors would be pulled from the rubble. It was so awful that I really couldn't wrap my head around it. I just kept watching and hoping, but there were so few rescues after that first day.
The book is about rescue in a lot of ways. A group of lost souls - some who knew they were and others who didn't realize it. It is one of those books that tells the story of several characters and the stories end up intersecting in a variety of ways. It could be a little predictable, but the writing is very engaging and paints such a detailed picture that you can really see the details of 1974 New York City.
It made me think of all the people on the streets of New York ten years ago, who were looking up at the towers with disbelief as they burned and later crashed to the ground. I remember going to work on that Tuesday morning and learning that one of the towers had been hit by a plane. Then, laying on the couch in our basement apartment at Georgia Tech and watching hours of coverage on the television. For days I watched the coverage, hoping that survivors would be pulled from the rubble. It was so awful that I really couldn't wrap my head around it. I just kept watching and hoping, but there were so few rescues after that first day.
The book is about rescue in a lot of ways. A group of lost souls - some who knew they were and others who didn't realize it. It is one of those books that tells the story of several characters and the stories end up intersecting in a variety of ways. It could be a little predictable, but the writing is very engaging and paints such a detailed picture that you can really see the details of 1974 New York City.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Half-Marathon Training: Week 3
Week Three was a little rough for me. I usually run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Unfortunately, on Monday, I left a very essential piece of my running wardrobe at home. (Let's just say I didn't want black eyes.) So, I didn't get my run in on Monday.
On Wednesdays, I have a short window of time to get over to the gym and run in between teaching and a meeting. Since I had to run 3.5 miles on Wednesday, I was really pushing it to finish quickly. When I got back from the gym, I realized I'd left my keys somewhere at the gym. I had to dash back over and retrieve them, which left me short on time to eat and change for my meeting.
On Thursday morning, I had the bright idea to make up my run from Monday, so I'd get all the runs in this week. I got up early and headed out to get it done before work. I was about 1.5 miles from the house when I had this horrible pain in my left shin. I started walking - thinking a walk break would help. So, I walked a quarter of a mile and then went to start running again. I had this excruciating pain in my shin and couldn't even lift my leg up to run. I've never in four years had any pain from running, so this was no fun. I ended up turning around and walking slowly back home. I was seriously bummed out and worried about my shin.
So, this morning, I was debating if I should go for the five mile run or not. Since I have Fogleman blood in my veins, I tend to be stubborn, so I decided I'd at least give it a shot. I figured if my leg was still bothering me, then I'd at least walk the five miles. Thankfully, my shin was just a tad sore, but there was no shooting pain. I started out a little slower than I had earlier in the week, so I wouldn't aggravate anything in my leg. I ended up running 5.73 miles, but took 20 seconds longer per mile than I did last week. I guess all things considered that wasn't such a bad end to the week.
On Wednesdays, I have a short window of time to get over to the gym and run in between teaching and a meeting. Since I had to run 3.5 miles on Wednesday, I was really pushing it to finish quickly. When I got back from the gym, I realized I'd left my keys somewhere at the gym. I had to dash back over and retrieve them, which left me short on time to eat and change for my meeting.
On Thursday morning, I had the bright idea to make up my run from Monday, so I'd get all the runs in this week. I got up early and headed out to get it done before work. I was about 1.5 miles from the house when I had this horrible pain in my left shin. I started walking - thinking a walk break would help. So, I walked a quarter of a mile and then went to start running again. I had this excruciating pain in my shin and couldn't even lift my leg up to run. I've never in four years had any pain from running, so this was no fun. I ended up turning around and walking slowly back home. I was seriously bummed out and worried about my shin.
So, this morning, I was debating if I should go for the five mile run or not. Since I have Fogleman blood in my veins, I tend to be stubborn, so I decided I'd at least give it a shot. I figured if my leg was still bothering me, then I'd at least walk the five miles. Thankfully, my shin was just a tad sore, but there was no shooting pain. I started out a little slower than I had earlier in the week, so I wouldn't aggravate anything in my leg. I ended up running 5.73 miles, but took 20 seconds longer per mile than I did last week. I guess all things considered that wasn't such a bad end to the week.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
My Own Attempt at being a Stylist
You might recall that a month or so ago, I was lamenting the fact that Cristina gave herself a mullet. Well, I absolutely hated the mullet look on her. Then, to make matters worse, she found some scissors on the dining room table and went to town a little more on the front of her hair. It seems she can't help but cut her hair when she comes across a pair of scissors. I wish she would have let me get a good picture of it, but this one is the best that I could do - a side view of the mullet before she totally hacked up the front.
On Saturday, I decided that I had enough of my child walking around looking like a hot mess. I decided to take matters - er, scissors- into my own hands. After all, how much worse could she potentially look? So, I take Cristina into the bathroom and sit her on the counter. I wet her hair to make it easier to cut. She starts wailing like I am going to kill her with the scissors. You'd think by now she'd be excited to see a pair of scissors. Well, you can only imagine how difficult it is to cut a child's hair while she is wailing and being constantly distracted by her big sisters. At one point, I yelled at Charlotte to get out of the bathroom and closed - quite loudly! - the door behind her.
It took a few more minutes, but I managed to finish up without hurting myself or Cristina. I actually was quite proud of the bangs. I've never done this before, but they looked great with the slight exception of the part that she had previously cut extremely short. The back was not quite what I had hoped. One side was slightly longer than the other, but with all her wiggling around I decided I was done for the day.
The next morning, when she was in a better mood, I finished the job. It ended up quite cute to my relief. I'm not sure I'll do something like this again in the future, but I was happy to save the $12.99 I would have spent at Great Clips getting them to save the disaster area that was her head. She actually really likes it. When you ask to see her hair, she'll turn around so you can see the back. I figure when it grows out some more, I'll take her to a professional to really fix it. The new hairdo makes her look so much older - no more of the little baby curls in the back. Anyway, here is the final product.
It took a few more minutes, but I managed to finish up without hurting myself or Cristina. I actually was quite proud of the bangs. I've never done this before, but they looked great with the slight exception of the part that she had previously cut extremely short. The back was not quite what I had hoped. One side was slightly longer than the other, but with all her wiggling around I decided I was done for the day.
The next morning, when she was in a better mood, I finished the job. It ended up quite cute to my relief. I'm not sure I'll do something like this again in the future, but I was happy to save the $12.99 I would have spent at Great Clips getting them to save the disaster area that was her head. She actually really likes it. When you ask to see her hair, she'll turn around so you can see the back. I figure when it grows out some more, I'll take her to a professional to really fix it. The new hairdo makes her look so much older - no more of the little baby curls in the back. Anyway, here is the final product.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Half-Marathon Training: Week Two
Week Two was a definite improvement over last week. I learned from my mistake last week and made sure to get up earlier for my longer run today. I also took a bottle of water with me. These little changes resulted in me finishing my run today without feeling like I was going to die of heat exhaustion. I used the same workout I created in my Garmin last week again today. When I finished, I had gone .26 miles farther than last week, was .1 second faster, and shaved 55 seconds off of my mile average. I was pretty happy with the result. I'm still a good ways away from my goal pace, but I felt like that was good progress for a week.
The other two runs, I did on the track at the gym. It was a little crowded on the track, since all the students are back on campus. I had to dodge a few girls in sandals strolling around the track gawking at the guys below playing basketball. Otherwise, the runs on the track went well and I shaved almost five minutes off my total run time. I was reminded today that it is much harder running outside than on a flat, air-conditioned track!
Next week, the Saturday run is supposed to be 5 miles. I finished 4.79 miles today, so next week shouldn't kill me - assuming that I don't screw up the Garmin workout and end up setting it up to run 6 miles!
The other two runs, I did on the track at the gym. It was a little crowded on the track, since all the students are back on campus. I had to dodge a few girls in sandals strolling around the track gawking at the guys below playing basketball. Otherwise, the runs on the track went well and I shaved almost five minutes off my total run time. I was reminded today that it is much harder running outside than on a flat, air-conditioned track!
Next week, the Saturday run is supposed to be 5 miles. I finished 4.79 miles today, so next week shouldn't kill me - assuming that I don't screw up the Garmin workout and end up setting it up to run 6 miles!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Around the Dinner Table
The girls crack me up sometimes with the things they come up with on their own. This was our conversation at dinner the other night.
Emma: I don't want to get married when I grow up.
Me: Why not?
Emma: Because when you get married, you have to change your name. I don't want to change my name.
Me: Well, you don't have to change your name. You could keep your same name...
Brian: Or you could add a name. Your mom didn't change her name until we'd been married for over a year.
Emma: No, I'm not getting married. I'm going to live with Charlotte.
Charlotte: Yes, when we are teenagers, we are going to live together. I'm going to marry someone I meet, so we can kiss, and have babies. Emma is going to take care of the babies, cook, and clean.
Emma: I'm really good at taking care of babies. I'm going to live with Charlotte and never get married. [They go on and on about this and Brian and I leave the table. The next part I overhear while feeding Ella in the other room.]
Charlotte: I think you should get married. If you're gonna live with me, you have to be married.
Emma: No, I do not want to get married. We already agreed on this and you said I could live with you and take care of your babies.
Charlotte: Well, now you have to get married to live with me.
Emma: Forget about it then. I'm just going to live in this house with Mom.....or maybe we'll get another house with stairs and I'll have my own room upstairs. I'm not getting married and living with you. I'm not taking care of your kids.
I'm thinking Charlotte blew it! Emma is really good with babies and would have been a big help for the teenage couple.
Emma: I don't want to get married when I grow up.
Me: Why not?
Emma: Because when you get married, you have to change your name. I don't want to change my name.
Me: Well, you don't have to change your name. You could keep your same name...
Brian: Or you could add a name. Your mom didn't change her name until we'd been married for over a year.
Emma: No, I'm not getting married. I'm going to live with Charlotte.
Charlotte: Yes, when we are teenagers, we are going to live together. I'm going to marry someone I meet, so we can kiss, and have babies. Emma is going to take care of the babies, cook, and clean.
Emma: I'm really good at taking care of babies. I'm going to live with Charlotte and never get married. [They go on and on about this and Brian and I leave the table. The next part I overhear while feeding Ella in the other room.]
Charlotte: I think you should get married. If you're gonna live with me, you have to be married.
Emma: No, I do not want to get married. We already agreed on this and you said I could live with you and take care of your babies.
Charlotte: Well, now you have to get married to live with me.
Emma: Forget about it then. I'm just going to live in this house with Mom.....or maybe we'll get another house with stairs and I'll have my own room upstairs. I'm not getting married and living with you. I'm not taking care of your kids.
I'm thinking Charlotte blew it! Emma is really good with babies and would have been a big help for the teenage couple.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Gumbo
I can't believe that I never got around to telling this story, so here it is....Brian and the girls planted a garden earlier this summer, which has provided us with a lot of fresh veggies all summer long. It's been a real blessing for the budget to cut our produce bill! Anyway, recently, we have been getting quite a bit of okra. Now, Charlotte is a huge fan of Princess Tiana and she has a Leapster game that talks about chopping vegetables for gumbo. So, she knows that you need okra to make gumbo.
So, a few Sundays ago, I decided to make gumbo with our fresh okra. Awhile back a student that worked with me brought me a gumbo seasoning mix from New Orleans. I had yet to use it and I figured this would be the perfect time. So, Charlotte, Emma, and Cristina were all in the kitchen helping me with the gumbo. Charlotte chopped carrots and okra. Emma diced up onions, peppers, and celery. Cristina looked cute, which was helpful. The gumbo turned out to be fabulous and the girls were all excited that they had helped to cook gumbo.
Fast forward to the next morning and I am running late getting ready for work. I come out of the bedroom and am walking to the laundry room to grab some clothes. Emma and Charlotte are standing at the dining room table beaming. They announce that they have made me gumbo for breakfast. They are super excited. There is a bowl of diced vegetables - celery, cucumbers, carrots, okra, and tomatoes - swimming in salty, seasoned water. Now, as much as I wanted to appreciate their effort, the thought of eating this mix made me want to barf. I had just brushed my teeth and in general I don't like to eat right after that anyway.
So, I say, "Mommy is running really late for work today. I don't have time to eat right now." Charlotte says, "Well, breakfast is really important." Emma says, "And you need to eat your vegetables." (Cringe....they've learned so much from me!) So, I stall a little and say, "let me finish getting dressed and I'll be back." Then, when I come back, they are still at the table and have added a little spice to the mix. I feel awful as a mom, but I just cannot eat this stuff. If the veggies weren't floating in water, I might have been more inclined. So, I say, "It looks yummy! Why don't you put it in the fridge, so I can have some when I get home?"
Thank my lucky stars this appeases them. When I came home, my bowl of "world famous gumbo" as they called it was waiting in the refrigerator. They seemed to have forgotten about it by then. Thank goodness for short term memory in kids. A few days later, it made its way into the trash. My mommy guilt has really got me on this one. Weeks later and I still feel bad about not taking a bite of their gumbo.
So, a few Sundays ago, I decided to make gumbo with our fresh okra. Awhile back a student that worked with me brought me a gumbo seasoning mix from New Orleans. I had yet to use it and I figured this would be the perfect time. So, Charlotte, Emma, and Cristina were all in the kitchen helping me with the gumbo. Charlotte chopped carrots and okra. Emma diced up onions, peppers, and celery. Cristina looked cute, which was helpful. The gumbo turned out to be fabulous and the girls were all excited that they had helped to cook gumbo.
Fast forward to the next morning and I am running late getting ready for work. I come out of the bedroom and am walking to the laundry room to grab some clothes. Emma and Charlotte are standing at the dining room table beaming. They announce that they have made me gumbo for breakfast. They are super excited. There is a bowl of diced vegetables - celery, cucumbers, carrots, okra, and tomatoes - swimming in salty, seasoned water. Now, as much as I wanted to appreciate their effort, the thought of eating this mix made me want to barf. I had just brushed my teeth and in general I don't like to eat right after that anyway.
So, I say, "Mommy is running really late for work today. I don't have time to eat right now." Charlotte says, "Well, breakfast is really important." Emma says, "And you need to eat your vegetables." (Cringe....they've learned so much from me!) So, I stall a little and say, "let me finish getting dressed and I'll be back." Then, when I come back, they are still at the table and have added a little spice to the mix. I feel awful as a mom, but I just cannot eat this stuff. If the veggies weren't floating in water, I might have been more inclined. So, I say, "It looks yummy! Why don't you put it in the fridge, so I can have some when I get home?"
Thank my lucky stars this appeases them. When I came home, my bowl of "world famous gumbo" as they called it was waiting in the refrigerator. They seemed to have forgotten about it by then. Thank goodness for short term memory in kids. A few days later, it made its way into the trash. My mommy guilt has really got me on this one. Weeks later and I still feel bad about not taking a bite of their gumbo.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Finally! Happy Times with Ella
I thought I owed it to Ella to tell the world that she is turning out to be a pretty fun baby. I have complained about her colic, reflux, and poor sleep habits, so I decided it was time to celebrate the fact that we have turned a corner with her. I realize as I am typing this that she will surely regress for a week as my punishment for bragging on her.
For so long, it was difficult to get Ella to sleep at night. For hours on end, I would soothe her to sleep only to have her wake up five to ten minutes later and have to start the whole process over again. It got to where eventually I was so worn out that I would go to bed with her. In the last two weeks, I have had success 90% of the time in getting Ella to sleep between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Once she is down, she will generally sleep until 5:00 a.m. Amazing, right?
Ella is clearly spoiled rotten as evidenced by the fact that she believes she should be held and entertained 24 hours a day. So, we are trying to work on getting her to entertain herself for a few minutes at a time. We've made some progress this week. She has a little play center that she is willing to stand in for, oh, I'd say a good five to ten minutes before screaming to be picked up. She is an avid bookworm and will actually lay on the floor or sit in her bouncy seat listening to the crinkle of the baby book for at least ten minutes at a time. She will contentedly hang out on her tummy for two to three minutes or maybe grab at her toes for a minute or two. If you add all this time together, in the course of a day, she can easily entertain herself for 18 to 24 minutes a day. Reason to celebrate in my book!
Here are a few recent pictures of our sweet little one!
I love her little thighs in this picture. Doesn't she look happy?
Look at me! I'm entertained by my sweet face in the mirror.
Ella is working on sitting up. She kind of has the hang of the tripod thing.
Toes! A baby's best friend.
Did you need something, Mom, because I'm kind of in the middle of a riveting story right now and I'd really like to get back to it. 'kay? Thanks!
For so long, it was difficult to get Ella to sleep at night. For hours on end, I would soothe her to sleep only to have her wake up five to ten minutes later and have to start the whole process over again. It got to where eventually I was so worn out that I would go to bed with her. In the last two weeks, I have had success 90% of the time in getting Ella to sleep between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Once she is down, she will generally sleep until 5:00 a.m. Amazing, right?
Ella is clearly spoiled rotten as evidenced by the fact that she believes she should be held and entertained 24 hours a day. So, we are trying to work on getting her to entertain herself for a few minutes at a time. We've made some progress this week. She has a little play center that she is willing to stand in for, oh, I'd say a good five to ten minutes before screaming to be picked up. She is an avid bookworm and will actually lay on the floor or sit in her bouncy seat listening to the crinkle of the baby book for at least ten minutes at a time. She will contentedly hang out on her tummy for two to three minutes or maybe grab at her toes for a minute or two. If you add all this time together, in the course of a day, she can easily entertain herself for 18 to 24 minutes a day. Reason to celebrate in my book!
Here are a few recent pictures of our sweet little one!
Half-Marathon Training: Week One
Brian decided that he wanted to do something monumental to celebrate his upcoming 40th birthday. A few months back, he mentioned that he would like to run a marathon this year. He asked me if I thought he could do it. Now, I don't want to be dream crusher, but I also don't want to be a widow. I sweetly suggested that maybe he should start with a half-marathon, since he has yet to run an entire 5K. Being the reasonable soul that he is, Brian decided a half-marathon was a worthy goal.
Fast forward to a month or so ago and we both registered to run/walk/crawl the Savannah Rock-n-Roll Half-Marathon on November 5. I am super excited about the race. It has been over a year since I finished the Princess Half-Marathon at Disney World. A number of my favorite people are running the race, so it should be a really fun day.
Last Saturday was twelve weeks until race day! Most race training plans are twelve weeks long. On Monday, I decided that it was time to get serious about training, so I can finish the race in a respectable amount of time. At the moment, I am doing run/walk intervals, since my body hasn't quite recovered from the injuries brought on during my last pregnancy. I figure it will be better to finish in one piece than have to have hip replacement surgery in November! Anyway, I ran/walked three miles on Monday and Wednesday and did cross training on Tuesday and Friday. This brings us to Saturday morning.
On Saturday morning, I was set to run/walk four miles according to the training plan. My plan was to get up early and go out before it got too hot out. Unfortunately, I ended up staying in the bed until almost 9 a.m., so it was just a few minutes before 9 a.m. when I downed some water and then headed out the door. I had set my Garmin up to time my intervals, so I can work on building up to longer run intervals. The first twelve of sixteen intervals went pretty quickly. Then, the sun started to really blaze and I started to get a little weary of running around my hilly neighborhood.
I was nearing the end on my 15th running interval when I had to go straight uphill for a long stretch. At this point, I was tired and cursing myself for not bringing along some water. I was about halfway up the hill when I thought to myself - "Am I walking or running right now?" I was technically running, but it was so slow, I might have done myself a favor by walking! When I made it home and checked the stats on my Garmin, I had actually logged over 4.5 miles and burned closed to 800 calories. If I had done a better job calculating my run/walk intervals, I might could have saved myself from that awful hill at interval 15.
One week down, eleven to go!
Fast forward to a month or so ago and we both registered to run/walk/crawl the Savannah Rock-n-Roll Half-Marathon on November 5. I am super excited about the race. It has been over a year since I finished the Princess Half-Marathon at Disney World. A number of my favorite people are running the race, so it should be a really fun day.
Last Saturday was twelve weeks until race day! Most race training plans are twelve weeks long. On Monday, I decided that it was time to get serious about training, so I can finish the race in a respectable amount of time. At the moment, I am doing run/walk intervals, since my body hasn't quite recovered from the injuries brought on during my last pregnancy. I figure it will be better to finish in one piece than have to have hip replacement surgery in November! Anyway, I ran/walked three miles on Monday and Wednesday and did cross training on Tuesday and Friday. This brings us to Saturday morning.
On Saturday morning, I was set to run/walk four miles according to the training plan. My plan was to get up early and go out before it got too hot out. Unfortunately, I ended up staying in the bed until almost 9 a.m., so it was just a few minutes before 9 a.m. when I downed some water and then headed out the door. I had set my Garmin up to time my intervals, so I can work on building up to longer run intervals. The first twelve of sixteen intervals went pretty quickly. Then, the sun started to really blaze and I started to get a little weary of running around my hilly neighborhood.
I was nearing the end on my 15th running interval when I had to go straight uphill for a long stretch. At this point, I was tired and cursing myself for not bringing along some water. I was about halfway up the hill when I thought to myself - "Am I walking or running right now?" I was technically running, but it was so slow, I might have done myself a favor by walking! When I made it home and checked the stats on my Garmin, I had actually logged over 4.5 miles and burned closed to 800 calories. If I had done a better job calculating my run/walk intervals, I might could have saved myself from that awful hill at interval 15.
One week down, eleven to go!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Girls Fight Back
So, every now and then, I find myself about to embark on my long commute home and realize that I have no magazine, library book, or educational articles to read on the train. When this happens, I will scan the bookshelf in my office to see if there is anything I haven't read there. Now, I've done this so many times that I have read about 99.9% of the books on the shelf. Last week, when I found myself in this situation, I grabbed a book that I had received in the mail called Girls Fight Back by Erin Weed. The book was sent as a promotional item to encourage bookings for Erin Weed.
I started reading the book when I got on the train and apparently I got so engrossed in it that I didn't even realize the train had reached the end of the line. I glanced up to see a lady that always gets off at the same stop as me walking off the train. It was then that I realized I'd better get moving before I got shuttled back to work.
The author of the book was inspired to get involved with teaching women self-defense after a sorority sister was murdered. The book is filled with various scenarios that women face and tips on keeping yourself safe. It was not the kind of a book that a mom with four daughters should read. As a woman, I already imagine all sorts of terrible predicaments that I could get into. Even thinking about these things happening to my girls makes me feel sick to my stomach. It also makes me mad that we live in a world where women are constantly blamed for bringing violence on themselves.
I was reading this book the same time that I was reading various articles on oppression for a class I'll be teaching this fall. I'm not sure if it was the combination of this or just some bad luck that I've had this week, but I have been up in arms about white men this week. I've decided in the span of a week that white men are some of the most inconsiderate and oblivious people on the planet. I guess it is the white male privilege that contributes to their living in oblivion.
My first example of this is a frequent occurrence on the MARTA. White men have no sense of personal space when they sit next to you. They will practically sit on you when they choose a seat next to you. While half-sitting on you, they will pull out their sleek laptops and set up shop. Or they will open a newspaper wide and read it, while periodically poking you with their elbows. I get annoyed just seeing one headed in my direction on the train. Other women and men are much more cognizant of staying in their own space on the train. It's really not that difficult of a concept. Perhaps the white man can be taught.
My second example comes from my track rage the other day. I was spending my lunch hour running the track and was trying to see if I could improve my 5K time on the track. So, I'm running in circles for about 20 laps and feeling good because I am about one to two minutes ahead of my time. Then, I come around the track and the clock is at 00:12. I am FURIOUS! Ahead of me are four older white men in business attire casually walking around the track and one lone white male jogging. So, I first ask the lone jogger if he reset the clock and he says that he never uses the clock. I go around again and I hear one of the walking suits say, "how many times have we gone around now?" Another one says, "I reset the timer, so we can just check it." Never mind that there is a sign right by the timer that clearly states, "Please do not reset the timer when others are on the track." So, because I am heated over this, I have a few words with them. They just smirk at me without apologizing. Seriously, white men can you just not think about yourself for a minute?!
I started reading the book when I got on the train and apparently I got so engrossed in it that I didn't even realize the train had reached the end of the line. I glanced up to see a lady that always gets off at the same stop as me walking off the train. It was then that I realized I'd better get moving before I got shuttled back to work.
The author of the book was inspired to get involved with teaching women self-defense after a sorority sister was murdered. The book is filled with various scenarios that women face and tips on keeping yourself safe. It was not the kind of a book that a mom with four daughters should read. As a woman, I already imagine all sorts of terrible predicaments that I could get into. Even thinking about these things happening to my girls makes me feel sick to my stomach. It also makes me mad that we live in a world where women are constantly blamed for bringing violence on themselves.
I was reading this book the same time that I was reading various articles on oppression for a class I'll be teaching this fall. I'm not sure if it was the combination of this or just some bad luck that I've had this week, but I have been up in arms about white men this week. I've decided in the span of a week that white men are some of the most inconsiderate and oblivious people on the planet. I guess it is the white male privilege that contributes to their living in oblivion.
My first example of this is a frequent occurrence on the MARTA. White men have no sense of personal space when they sit next to you. They will practically sit on you when they choose a seat next to you. While half-sitting on you, they will pull out their sleek laptops and set up shop. Or they will open a newspaper wide and read it, while periodically poking you with their elbows. I get annoyed just seeing one headed in my direction on the train. Other women and men are much more cognizant of staying in their own space on the train. It's really not that difficult of a concept. Perhaps the white man can be taught.
My second example comes from my track rage the other day. I was spending my lunch hour running the track and was trying to see if I could improve my 5K time on the track. So, I'm running in circles for about 20 laps and feeling good because I am about one to two minutes ahead of my time. Then, I come around the track and the clock is at 00:12. I am FURIOUS! Ahead of me are four older white men in business attire casually walking around the track and one lone white male jogging. So, I first ask the lone jogger if he reset the clock and he says that he never uses the clock. I go around again and I hear one of the walking suits say, "how many times have we gone around now?" Another one says, "I reset the timer, so we can just check it." Never mind that there is a sign right by the timer that clearly states, "Please do not reset the timer when others are on the track." So, because I am heated over this, I have a few words with them. They just smirk at me without apologizing. Seriously, white men can you just not think about yourself for a minute?!
Monday, August 15, 2011
First Day of School
Today was the first day of school for Emma and Charlotte. Emma, the seasoned second grader, was ready to go back to school and see her friends again. Charlotte was absolutely beside herself with excitement to finally be going to school. Over the weekend, I switched the clothes in Charlotte's drawer from 4T to 5T, since she has recently grown half a foot. She told me all weekend that she was excited to wear stylish clothes, go to school, and be fashionable like Emma. I'm a little nervous about her taking her fashion cues from Emma, but I digress.
The girls were both up early and dressed before I even came out of the bedroom. Despite the fact that everyone was ready early, Emma still missed her bus. Mr. Taylor, her cranky bus driver, did the same thing last year - showed up five minutes early and left half the kids stranded. We drove Emma to school and she hopped out to go into school. I forgot to remind her that she wasn't riding the bus home, so I jumped out the car to yell and remind her. Clearly, I committed a cardinal sin. Emma looked at me like I had grown an extra arm and said, "I know."
(Side note: Emma's lips are really chapped, which is why she looks like she is making a creepy face in this picture.)
After dropping Emma off, it was Charlotte's turn to go to KinderCare. I was wondering how she would do considering that she has never been in day care or spent any significant time away from home in a structured environment. When we walked into her school, she walked right up to her teacher, Ms. Shuli, and gave her a hug. Then, she grabbed this abacus off a shelf, sat down at a table, and started playing. She didn't seemed concerned at all that we were leaving her!
I remember a few years back taking Emma to her first day of pre-K. Leading up to it, I felt totally fine about it. I knew should would like it and I was sure she'd be well behaved. (I am a little more worried about Charlotte's behavior.) I dropped her off and as I was walking out the school, I suddenly was overcome with emotion and started crying. I realized that it was the first time in her life that I wouldn't know what she did all day. When the girls are at home, Brian can fill me in on all the excitement of their day. Now, I would have to rely on them to share with me what they did during the day.
This is my biggest problem with school.....well, maybe it is a problem with the girls. Getting them to share what happened at school isn't easy. When I asked Charlotte this evening, she told me she couldn't remember. Emma had a few more details, but even she didn't have a lot to share. Brian did get some details from Charlotte's teacher. Charlotte was well-behaved (whew!) and the only kid that sat still and listened to the story during story time. On the other hand, when Brian walked in, Charlotte was yelling at some boy, "Give it back! You snatched it from me!" Now, that is the Charlotte I know and love.
The girls were both up early and dressed before I even came out of the bedroom. Despite the fact that everyone was ready early, Emma still missed her bus. Mr. Taylor, her cranky bus driver, did the same thing last year - showed up five minutes early and left half the kids stranded. We drove Emma to school and she hopped out to go into school. I forgot to remind her that she wasn't riding the bus home, so I jumped out the car to yell and remind her. Clearly, I committed a cardinal sin. Emma looked at me like I had grown an extra arm and said, "I know."
After dropping Emma off, it was Charlotte's turn to go to KinderCare. I was wondering how she would do considering that she has never been in day care or spent any significant time away from home in a structured environment. When we walked into her school, she walked right up to her teacher, Ms. Shuli, and gave her a hug. Then, she grabbed this abacus off a shelf, sat down at a table, and started playing. She didn't seemed concerned at all that we were leaving her!
This is my biggest problem with school.....well, maybe it is a problem with the girls. Getting them to share what happened at school isn't easy. When I asked Charlotte this evening, she told me she couldn't remember. Emma had a few more details, but even she didn't have a lot to share. Brian did get some details from Charlotte's teacher. Charlotte was well-behaved (whew!) and the only kid that sat still and listened to the story during story time. On the other hand, when Brian walked in, Charlotte was yelling at some boy, "Give it back! You snatched it from me!" Now, that is the Charlotte I know and love.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Remembering Cristina
Tomorrow (August 10) is the birthday of a dear friend of mine from graduate school, Cristina Manieri. She would be 35 tomorrow, if she was still here to celebrate with us. Unfortunately, she passed away not too long after she turned 31 years old. It has been almost four years since her death and I still think of her often.
Our daughter, Cristina, is named in honor of Cristina Manieri. It was one way for me to keep her memory alive. Whenever people hear that I have a daughter named Cristina, they always assume that I named her after me. They think it is cute that I have a junior. I always stop and tell them that I didn't name her after me. Then, I get a chance to share with someone about my amazing friend.
Cristina is too little now to understand that she is named after someone. I can't wait until she is a little older, so I can show her pictures of Cristina and tell her stories about the person whose name she bears. In some ways, little Cristina reminds me of Cristina. She has a round face that lights up when she smiles and can be so sweet and loving. Cristina was always laughing and loved to do things for other people. In graduate school, I thought she was crazy because she always had students in her apartment until the wee hours of the morning. She loved to spend time with them and mentor them. Personally, I valued my sleep a little more!
Another of little Cristina's traits that I attribute to Cristina is her stubbornness. Obviously, battling breast cancer can make you stubborn. Cristina never wanted to give up on the idea that there was some treatment or experimental medicine out there that would work for her. She was always so hopeful about things and I hope that my Cristina will have that same hopeful outlook as she grows up. I can manage the stubbornness that is keeping little Cristina up as I write this because, while it isn't fun with a toddler, I know that it will help her persevere in her future goals.
Here is a picture of our family with Cristina and her mom the last time I saw her.
Cristina created a shirt at an online store. I bought one for Emma and Charlotte and eventually it got passed down to Cristina. She is wearing it in this picture. The back of the shirt had Cristina's words:
"acquire spiritual insight throughout your journey---cancer cannot silence prayer or faith---it may challenge our beliefs---but God sends angels that guide the way during the bleakest moments---HOPE does exist on the gloomiest of days -- stina manieri"
This is a recent picture of little Cristina. She must have gotten her fashion sense from her namesake. Cristina always had a love for clothes. I remember visiting her in Dallas while she had one of her first rounds of chemotherapy and there was laundry all over the place. We spent half of my time there washing and folding laundry.
Rest in peace, Cristina. Know that you are missed.
Our daughter, Cristina, is named in honor of Cristina Manieri. It was one way for me to keep her memory alive. Whenever people hear that I have a daughter named Cristina, they always assume that I named her after me. They think it is cute that I have a junior. I always stop and tell them that I didn't name her after me. Then, I get a chance to share with someone about my amazing friend.
Cristina is too little now to understand that she is named after someone. I can't wait until she is a little older, so I can show her pictures of Cristina and tell her stories about the person whose name she bears. In some ways, little Cristina reminds me of Cristina. She has a round face that lights up when she smiles and can be so sweet and loving. Cristina was always laughing and loved to do things for other people. In graduate school, I thought she was crazy because she always had students in her apartment until the wee hours of the morning. She loved to spend time with them and mentor them. Personally, I valued my sleep a little more!
Another of little Cristina's traits that I attribute to Cristina is her stubbornness. Obviously, battling breast cancer can make you stubborn. Cristina never wanted to give up on the idea that there was some treatment or experimental medicine out there that would work for her. She was always so hopeful about things and I hope that my Cristina will have that same hopeful outlook as she grows up. I can manage the stubbornness that is keeping little Cristina up as I write this because, while it isn't fun with a toddler, I know that it will help her persevere in her future goals.
Here is a picture of our family with Cristina and her mom the last time I saw her.
Cristina created a shirt at an online store. I bought one for Emma and Charlotte and eventually it got passed down to Cristina. She is wearing it in this picture. The back of the shirt had Cristina's words:
"acquire spiritual insight throughout your journey---cancer cannot silence prayer or faith---it may challenge our beliefs---but God sends angels that guide the way during the bleakest moments---HOPE does exist on the gloomiest of days -- stina manieri"
Sibling Rivalry
Emma and Charlotte have an ongoing feud regarding who gets to sit by me at the dinner table. For the longest time, Charlotte sat on my left and Cristina sat on my right. I guess one day Emma had enough of this arrangement and decided to boot Charlotte out of her seat. She asked me one night if she could sit next to me at dinner. I told her that was fine. Charlotte was ticked that Emma was getting to sit by me. I told Charlotte that Emma asked first, so she got to sit next to me.
You can imagine what happened next. Whenever it was close to dinner time, one or the other would come racing into the kitchen to ask if they could sit next to me. I'd say yes to whoever would ask me first. A few times, Charlotte has asked me in the morning before I've gone to work, but usually they wait until the evening.
Fast forward to today....I am leaving work when I notice that I have a voicemail message on my cell phone. I hit ignore because this is what I always do. I'll decide if I want to listen to the message after I see who left it. The missed call was from "My Home," so I decided I should check it to see if Brian needed me to pick something up on the way home from work. I call to listen to the message and just barely audible, in a tiny whisper, I hear - "Mommy, can I sit next to you at dinner?" Emma just used her newly acquired phone skills to one up Charlotte!
You can imagine what happened next. Whenever it was close to dinner time, one or the other would come racing into the kitchen to ask if they could sit next to me. I'd say yes to whoever would ask me first. A few times, Charlotte has asked me in the morning before I've gone to work, but usually they wait until the evening.
Fast forward to today....I am leaving work when I notice that I have a voicemail message on my cell phone. I hit ignore because this is what I always do. I'll decide if I want to listen to the message after I see who left it. The missed call was from "My Home," so I decided I should check it to see if Brian needed me to pick something up on the way home from work. I call to listen to the message and just barely audible, in a tiny whisper, I hear - "Mommy, can I sit next to you at dinner?" Emma just used her newly acquired phone skills to one up Charlotte!
Monday, August 8, 2011
What a Chore!
A few weeks ago, Brian and I were beyond tired of the mess that the kids make in the house and decided that it was time for them to pull their weight around the house. We decided to give them five age appropriate chores to do each day. They all have to brush their teeth and hair, pick up their toys, put their clothes in the hamper, help out a little in the kitchen, and keep their bathroom clean.
We introduced their chore charts on a Sunday afternoon. I'm going over it with Emma when she tells me, "I guess this means we are doing everything around here now." I had to count to ten and then a hundred before I could calmly say to her, "Emma, all these chores are basically about cleaning up after yourself. Mommy and Daddy are still the ones cooking, doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom, etc......" She grudgingly agreed that she wasn't doing everything. In the middle of this conversation, Brian was silently praying Emma would stop talking for her own good.
So, the girls started their chores the next day. For each chore they complete successfully, they earn a sticker. If they get all five stickers for the day, they get what we call their daily sticker. At the end of the week, they get 50 cents for each daily sticker they earned. Giving them an allowance was also part of our evil plan to stop spending money on treats for them all the time. Now, if they want candy at QuikTrip, they have to buy it with their own money.
On the first night, Charlotte finished her chore of setting the diningroom table. Emma came in and didn't like the fork that Charlotte set out for her, so she got another one from the silverware drawer. Charlotte immediately burst into tears and screamed, "You ruined my chore!" She was inconsolable until we told Emma that she wasn't allowed to change how Charlotte set the table. Brian and I also let Charlotte pick out our silverware and she thought it was hilarious that we were eating with kid forks.
Since then, we've had no major drama with the chores. The girls are doing okay with it. They don't earn their daily sticker every day, but they are doing better at helping out around the house. To our delight, Emma decided to use her allowance to buy batteries for her camera and MP3 player. See, you really can teach them to take some responsibility for themselves. Whew!
We introduced their chore charts on a Sunday afternoon. I'm going over it with Emma when she tells me, "I guess this means we are doing everything around here now." I had to count to ten and then a hundred before I could calmly say to her, "Emma, all these chores are basically about cleaning up after yourself. Mommy and Daddy are still the ones cooking, doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom, etc......" She grudgingly agreed that she wasn't doing everything. In the middle of this conversation, Brian was silently praying Emma would stop talking for her own good.
So, the girls started their chores the next day. For each chore they complete successfully, they earn a sticker. If they get all five stickers for the day, they get what we call their daily sticker. At the end of the week, they get 50 cents for each daily sticker they earned. Giving them an allowance was also part of our evil plan to stop spending money on treats for them all the time. Now, if they want candy at QuikTrip, they have to buy it with their own money.
On the first night, Charlotte finished her chore of setting the diningroom table. Emma came in and didn't like the fork that Charlotte set out for her, so she got another one from the silverware drawer. Charlotte immediately burst into tears and screamed, "You ruined my chore!" She was inconsolable until we told Emma that she wasn't allowed to change how Charlotte set the table. Brian and I also let Charlotte pick out our silverware and she thought it was hilarious that we were eating with kid forks.
Since then, we've had no major drama with the chores. The girls are doing okay with it. They don't earn their daily sticker every day, but they are doing better at helping out around the house. To our delight, Emma decided to use her allowance to buy batteries for her camera and MP3 player. See, you really can teach them to take some responsibility for themselves. Whew!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Importance of Listening Well
When you have small children at home, you have to really concentrate on what they are saying to be sure that you hear them correctly. Case in point:
Scene: Cristina, Ella, and I are all on my bed. I'm holding Ella and Cristina is sitting next to me.
Cristina: Iwannakillher.
Me: Huh!!?
Cristina: Iwanna killElla.
Me: You want to do what?
Cristina: I wanna carry Ella.
Me: Whew! Ok.
This is an actual true experience. It was one of those times when you really hope you didn't hear what you think you heard. Cristina has this tendency to talk with a very high voice and string all her words together into one long word. It makes it very difficult sometimes to figure out what she is saying. When you combine that with the fact that I can barely hear over the constant din of other kid's laughing/talking/crying, the dishwasher running, the TV or music blasting, and the voices in my head, listening well and asking clarifying questions are even more important.
Scene: Cristina, Ella, and I are all on my bed. I'm holding Ella and Cristina is sitting next to me.
Cristina: Iwannakillher.
Me: Huh!!?
Cristina: Iwanna killElla.
Me: You want to do what?
Cristina: I wanna carry Ella.
Me: Whew! Ok.
This is an actual true experience. It was one of those times when you really hope you didn't hear what you think you heard. Cristina has this tendency to talk with a very high voice and string all her words together into one long word. It makes it very difficult sometimes to figure out what she is saying. When you combine that with the fact that I can barely hear over the constant din of other kid's laughing/talking/crying, the dishwasher running, the TV or music blasting, and the voices in my head, listening well and asking clarifying questions are even more important.
I've been doing some reading
I've been a little slack on blogging, but I promise it is only because I've been doing a lot of reading. It is interesting how the books I read tend to have overlapping themes even though I don't intentionally choose them that way. In the last two weeks, I've read Barack Obama's Audacity of Hope, Letters from Young Activists, and Snow Falling on Cedars. The thing that struck me in all three books was the idea that if we all cared a little more about others than we care about ourselves, then the world would be a better place. If that is too hard, then maybe we could all work on being a little more empathetic towards each other.
It took me forever to read Obama's book. It wasn't that the book was bad. It was kind of like reading a brief history of the United States. I like history, so this wasn't a problem for me. While I was reading the book, I kept wondering to myself why he picked the title. The book didn't seem that hopeful to me - quite the opposite. It left me wondering how we as a nation have moved so far from our founding ideals and wondering if we could ever get close to the ideals that we espouse.
The Letters from Young Activists was an interesting read. In general, I think I have pretty liberal views. However, after finishing this book, I look downright conservative in my views and opinions. The book was filled with letters written by activists under age 30. They wrote about the prison industrial complex, the imperialistic nature of the United States, and the oppression of various groups within the United States. Although I wouldn't say that I agreed 100% with all the letters, reading the book did expand my thinking on various ideas. In my opinion, this is what good reading is all about - expanding your mind and viewing the world from a new perspective.
Snow Falling on Cedars is a fiction book about that is set around World War II in an island off the coast of Washington. The story centers around a murder trial and as the story unfolds you learn about a lot of different people who live on the island. One focus was on the Japanese internment during World War II. I was really heartbroken reading the stories - even though this was fiction. I was reminded how little I heard about this during history classes. It seems like this part of our history was just a footnote in the textbooks. If we didn't gloss over the harder parts of our past maybe we could move a little farther in our present.
It took me forever to read Obama's book. It wasn't that the book was bad. It was kind of like reading a brief history of the United States. I like history, so this wasn't a problem for me. While I was reading the book, I kept wondering to myself why he picked the title. The book didn't seem that hopeful to me - quite the opposite. It left me wondering how we as a nation have moved so far from our founding ideals and wondering if we could ever get close to the ideals that we espouse.
The Letters from Young Activists was an interesting read. In general, I think I have pretty liberal views. However, after finishing this book, I look downright conservative in my views and opinions. The book was filled with letters written by activists under age 30. They wrote about the prison industrial complex, the imperialistic nature of the United States, and the oppression of various groups within the United States. Although I wouldn't say that I agreed 100% with all the letters, reading the book did expand my thinking on various ideas. In my opinion, this is what good reading is all about - expanding your mind and viewing the world from a new perspective.
Snow Falling on Cedars is a fiction book about that is set around World War II in an island off the coast of Washington. The story centers around a murder trial and as the story unfolds you learn about a lot of different people who live on the island. One focus was on the Japanese internment during World War II. I was really heartbroken reading the stories - even though this was fiction. I was reminded how little I heard about this during history classes. It seems like this part of our history was just a footnote in the textbooks. If we didn't gloss over the harder parts of our past maybe we could move a little farther in our present.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
My Little Stylists
I'm not sure what it is with kids and scissors, but apparently the combination results in an intense desire to cut and style one's own hair. At this point, Emma, Charlotte and Cristina have all tried out the role of hairdresser.
Just before Emma went to pre-K, she was scrapbooking in the room with me. At one point, I realized that she had gotten really quiet. I turned to ask her what she was doing. Her response, "well, I'm not cutting my hair," contradicted what I saw - her hair chopped off to her ears on one side.
Charlotte was about three when she decide to trim her hair. When I asked her if she cut her hair, she said, "no, I just cut the knots out." Nice.
Now, Cristina has taken the hair cutting to a whole new level. A few months back, she gave herself bangs. About a week ago, I noticed that hair on one side of her face was shorter than normal. I asked her if she cut her hair and she said, "yes." This week, she has been at it again. I wish my camera was working because I would love for you all to see the mullet that she now has after cutting the hair on both sides of her face. Today, Cristina decided to cut Charlotte's hair, while Charlotte was otherwise distracted. Charlotte was devastated and said, "Cristina ruined my beautiful hair."
I wish I could say this was the first time that Charlotte's beautiful hair was cut by a sibling, but it is not. Just before Charlotte turned one, I came home from work one day and saw that all Charlotte's curls were gone. I asked Brian, "What were you doing when Emma cut Charlotte's hair?" He was oblivious until I pointed out Charlotte's curls covering the back of her little hair.
You might be wondering at this point why we let the children have scissors. Well, we believe in letting our children develop their fine motor skills. Emma's pre-K teacher was extremely impressed with Emma's cutting skills - the accuracy and speed were unmatched in her class. We're hoping for similar results with the rest of them......or maybe we just aren't good at hiding scissors.
Just before Emma went to pre-K, she was scrapbooking in the room with me. At one point, I realized that she had gotten really quiet. I turned to ask her what she was doing. Her response, "well, I'm not cutting my hair," contradicted what I saw - her hair chopped off to her ears on one side.
Charlotte was about three when she decide to trim her hair. When I asked her if she cut her hair, she said, "no, I just cut the knots out." Nice.
Now, Cristina has taken the hair cutting to a whole new level. A few months back, she gave herself bangs. About a week ago, I noticed that hair on one side of her face was shorter than normal. I asked her if she cut her hair and she said, "yes." This week, she has been at it again. I wish my camera was working because I would love for you all to see the mullet that she now has after cutting the hair on both sides of her face. Today, Cristina decided to cut Charlotte's hair, while Charlotte was otherwise distracted. Charlotte was devastated and said, "Cristina ruined my beautiful hair."
I wish I could say this was the first time that Charlotte's beautiful hair was cut by a sibling, but it is not. Just before Charlotte turned one, I came home from work one day and saw that all Charlotte's curls were gone. I asked Brian, "What were you doing when Emma cut Charlotte's hair?" He was oblivious until I pointed out Charlotte's curls covering the back of her little hair.
You might be wondering at this point why we let the children have scissors. Well, we believe in letting our children develop their fine motor skills. Emma's pre-K teacher was extremely impressed with Emma's cutting skills - the accuracy and speed were unmatched in her class. We're hoping for similar results with the rest of them......or maybe we just aren't good at hiding scissors.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Redefining Productivity
I had to remind myself for the billionth time today that it unrealistic to wish for a productive evening with a colicky baby. I have this issue where I want to be productive every day. When I was home on maternity leave, Brian thought I was crazy because I was complaining that I wasn't being very productive. Being the reasonable human that he is, he figured breastfeeding, diaper changing, and keeping Ella relatively happy was being productive. On the other hand, I dreamed of organizing the girl's toys, sorting through old clothes, setting up a yard sale, and finally cleaning off the top of our dresser.
Since I have returned to work, my productivity level at home has really plummeted. Since Ella enjoys fussing from 6 p.m. until she passes out late in the evening, it is virtually impossible for me to get anything done. As I type this, she is laying next to me on the bed, her body pressed against my thigh to trick her that I'm holding her. I'm itching to do something productive - unpack the suitcase from our trip this weekend, sort Ella's baby pictures, or even clean the room. Unfortunately, I am chained to the bed.
So, I'm trying to redefine productivity in my mind. I'm going to give myself gold stars for brushing my teeth before I fall asleep. I'll pat myself on my back for not giving in and just going to sleep when Ella does every night. I'll congratulate myself for making it through the night without getting puked on. Heck, I'll even reward myself for putting my dinner plate in the sink before beginning my evening bedtime battles with Ella. Aahh.....I'm feeling really productive tonight.
Since I have returned to work, my productivity level at home has really plummeted. Since Ella enjoys fussing from 6 p.m. until she passes out late in the evening, it is virtually impossible for me to get anything done. As I type this, she is laying next to me on the bed, her body pressed against my thigh to trick her that I'm holding her. I'm itching to do something productive - unpack the suitcase from our trip this weekend, sort Ella's baby pictures, or even clean the room. Unfortunately, I am chained to the bed.
So, I'm trying to redefine productivity in my mind. I'm going to give myself gold stars for brushing my teeth before I fall asleep. I'll pat myself on my back for not giving in and just going to sleep when Ella does every night. I'll congratulate myself for making it through the night without getting puked on. Heck, I'll even reward myself for putting my dinner plate in the sink before beginning my evening bedtime battles with Ella. Aahh.....I'm feeling really productive tonight.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Cats
Have you seen the Iams catfood ad with the vet looking lovingly at a skinny gray cat with big ears? The caption says, "My vet loves me inside and out." This advertisement creeps me out. Something about the way the vet is looking at the cat gives me the heebie-jeebies. I just don't get the sentiment. It might help if I was a cat lover. Actually, it might help if I was an animal lover at all.
I haven't been an animal lover for a long time. I have no interest in dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, or fish. We tried fish once for Emma and one of the fish ended up being a cannibal and eating the other one. I was grossed out and may have accelarated the death of the cannibal fish after it ate its buddy. Anyway out of all animals, I seem to have the least amount of affection for cats.
When I worked at Georgia Tech, my co-workers found my dislike of cats particularly hilarious. To torture me, they showered me with cat gifts - magnets, lunchboxes, cards, and calendars. It did wear me down a bit and I got a few laughs from the "Bad Cat" calendars. Recently something happened to renew my distaste for all things feline. One of the graduate assistant that works with me told me I had to watch an online dating service video. Well, the video is of an avid cat lover who can barely complete a sentence about cats without breaking into tears. I was seriously repulsed by the video. Her tears and overwhelming affection for cats were just too much for me. It was as creepy as the catfood advertisement. It was enough cat for me for a long time!
I haven't been an animal lover for a long time. I have no interest in dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, or fish. We tried fish once for Emma and one of the fish ended up being a cannibal and eating the other one. I was grossed out and may have accelarated the death of the cannibal fish after it ate its buddy. Anyway out of all animals, I seem to have the least amount of affection for cats.
When I worked at Georgia Tech, my co-workers found my dislike of cats particularly hilarious. To torture me, they showered me with cat gifts - magnets, lunchboxes, cards, and calendars. It did wear me down a bit and I got a few laughs from the "Bad Cat" calendars. Recently something happened to renew my distaste for all things feline. One of the graduate assistant that works with me told me I had to watch an online dating service video. Well, the video is of an avid cat lover who can barely complete a sentence about cats without breaking into tears. I was seriously repulsed by the video. Her tears and overwhelming affection for cats were just too much for me. It was as creepy as the catfood advertisement. It was enough cat for me for a long time!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Emma @ Seven Years Old
Today is Emma's seventh birthday. I can't believe how quickly seven years have gone by. It's seems like it wasn't that long ago we were bringing her home from the hospital.
She wanted to have her birthday at Uncle Jerry's pool, so all her cousins could come to her party. We were all saying today that it doesn't seem that long ago that we were having her first birthday party here.
On Thursday, Emma went to work with me. She was amusing herself listening to songs on my MP3 player. At one point, I turned around from my computer and she was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a book on her lap, bopping her head and singing Blake Shelton's Honey Bee. Suddenly, she was sixteen years old listening to music and reading teen magazines. I felt like if I blinked she would age ten years!
I am so thankful for the blessing that she is in my life. She is so smart, creative, and funny! I love her little seven year old self and enjoyed watching her at her party. She has always been a waterbug and I was amazed watching her jump off the diving board and swim in the deep end of the pool. When did she graduate from swimmies to freestyling? She spent six hours in the pool today and insisted at 9:30 p.m. tonight that she had a little energy left.
Happy birthday to Emma!
Here is a little trick that she was doing in the pool today. I was impressed at her vertical jump and accuracy!
She wanted to have her birthday at Uncle Jerry's pool, so all her cousins could come to her party. We were all saying today that it doesn't seem that long ago that we were having her first birthday party here.
On Thursday, Emma went to work with me. She was amusing herself listening to songs on my MP3 player. At one point, I turned around from my computer and she was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a book on her lap, bopping her head and singing Blake Shelton's Honey Bee. Suddenly, she was sixteen years old listening to music and reading teen magazines. I felt like if I blinked she would age ten years!
I am so thankful for the blessing that she is in my life. She is so smart, creative, and funny! I love her little seven year old self and enjoyed watching her at her party. She has always been a waterbug and I was amazed watching her jump off the diving board and swim in the deep end of the pool. When did she graduate from swimmies to freestyling? She spent six hours in the pool today and insisted at 9:30 p.m. tonight that she had a little energy left.
Happy birthday to Emma!
Here is a little trick that she was doing in the pool today. I was impressed at her vertical jump and accuracy!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Charlotte's Musings about War and Orphans
I love listening to the girls talk just before they drift off to sleep. It's like they are slowly processing all the things from their day and it is amazing what they come up with on their own. Tonight, Charlotte had some interesting things to say about war and orphans.
Charlotte: Gepetto's wife was dead, so Pinocchio didn't have a mom. She went to war and got dead. She didn't even have a sword. I wouldn't want to go to war. I'd want to stay home. I wouldn't want Daddy to go to war. I want him to stay home, so we can all be safe. If I had to go to war, I'd throw pies and fruit in the bad guys face. That would be awesome. If you were in a war, I'd come in a ship and save you. I don't think girls have to go to war. Only boys...like Peter Pan, right?
Charlotte: Some kids are not lucky. They don't have a mom or a dad. They have to do it all themselves. (Shrugs.) They gotta fix their lunch. Get their own money. They don't have anything to eat. They have to eat rocks....rock sandwiches made in nature. They don't have a mom and dad. They just aren't lucky. If they eat rocks, they'll probably be dead. Some parents don't have kids. They aren't lucky either.
She went on and on about the kids without parents and people "getting dead in war." It must have really been weighing on her mind. No more Return to Neverland for Charlotte.
Charlotte: Gepetto's wife was dead, so Pinocchio didn't have a mom. She went to war and got dead. She didn't even have a sword. I wouldn't want to go to war. I'd want to stay home. I wouldn't want Daddy to go to war. I want him to stay home, so we can all be safe. If I had to go to war, I'd throw pies and fruit in the bad guys face. That would be awesome. If you were in a war, I'd come in a ship and save you. I don't think girls have to go to war. Only boys...like Peter Pan, right?
Charlotte: Some kids are not lucky. They don't have a mom or a dad. They have to do it all themselves. (Shrugs.) They gotta fix their lunch. Get their own money. They don't have anything to eat. They have to eat rocks....rock sandwiches made in nature. They don't have a mom and dad. They just aren't lucky. If they eat rocks, they'll probably be dead. Some parents don't have kids. They aren't lucky either.
She went on and on about the kids without parents and people "getting dead in war." It must have really been weighing on her mind. No more Return to Neverland for Charlotte.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Things I Don't Understand
From time to time, there are things that happen that I just don't get. Things that I just can't quite wrap my head around no matter how much I try. Here are just a few examples.
1) People who pass you on the interstate and then immediately slow down. Similarly, people who pull out in front of you and go ten miles an hour.
2) Women who wear sandals where their toes are hanging over the front of the shoe. This happens a lot in the summer. I can't imagine this is comfortable. Aren't their toes getting scraped on the ground?
3) Runners going the wrong way on the track. Don't they realize that they are the only person running against all the traffic on the track? Does it not cross their mind that they are doing something wrong?
4) People who think what they have to say is so important that the whole office, bus, train, etc. has to hear it. Not only do I not understand this, but it annoys me to no end!
5) Traffic jams. Living in Atlanta, this is a huge issue. Why does traffic come to a standstill and then suddenly begin moving again as if nothing happened? If everyone just went the speed limit, wouldn't this prevent traffic jams? I just don't understand.
1) People who pass you on the interstate and then immediately slow down. Similarly, people who pull out in front of you and go ten miles an hour.
2) Women who wear sandals where their toes are hanging over the front of the shoe. This happens a lot in the summer. I can't imagine this is comfortable. Aren't their toes getting scraped on the ground?
3) Runners going the wrong way on the track. Don't they realize that they are the only person running against all the traffic on the track? Does it not cross their mind that they are doing something wrong?
4) People who think what they have to say is so important that the whole office, bus, train, etc. has to hear it. Not only do I not understand this, but it annoys me to no end!
5) Traffic jams. Living in Atlanta, this is a huge issue. Why does traffic come to a standstill and then suddenly begin moving again as if nothing happened? If everyone just went the speed limit, wouldn't this prevent traffic jams? I just don't understand.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Poor Brian
There are times that I feel sorry for Brian - the lone male in a house full of ladies. I know he doesn't mind, but there are times when he feels the need for a beer and a little ESPN to build up his testosterone. Like the time he walked in on Emma and Charlotte comparing the holes in their vaginas. Maybe after helping the princesses with their tenth costume change of the day. Today would be another good example.
The girls were outside watching the neighbor make giant bubbles. Afterwards, he gave them the solution and they felt the need to scrub themselves in it. Brian sprayed them down with the hose before he let them in the house for dinner. Instead of getting dressed, the girls headed to the dinner table wrapped in towels. When they were finished eating, they proceeded to the livingroom where they started a game of "Butt Bump." Yes, my sweet girls were dancing around the livingroom naked bumping their butts up against each others. Cristina wanted me to join in, but Charlotte informed me I was too big. Whew.
I thought about taking a picture of their silliness, but decided against it. Fortunately for them, I gave up my chance for some really good blackmail material to use against them in their teens.
The girls were outside watching the neighbor make giant bubbles. Afterwards, he gave them the solution and they felt the need to scrub themselves in it. Brian sprayed them down with the hose before he let them in the house for dinner. Instead of getting dressed, the girls headed to the dinner table wrapped in towels. When they were finished eating, they proceeded to the livingroom where they started a game of "Butt Bump." Yes, my sweet girls were dancing around the livingroom naked bumping their butts up against each others. Cristina wanted me to join in, but Charlotte informed me I was too big. Whew.
I thought about taking a picture of their silliness, but decided against it. Fortunately for them, I gave up my chance for some really good blackmail material to use against them in their teens.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Pavlov and Sleep
If only my girls would realize how lucky they are! They can sleep whenever they want. We practically beg them to take a nap and go to bed at night. I wish someone would ask me to take a nap. I would gladly oblige. I'd be happy to sleep for eight hours at a time.
Last night was a particularly difficult bedtime at our house. Cristina decided she didn't want to sleep in my bed - probably because Ella wouldn't stop fussing. So, she goes back to her room and upset the sleeping arrangement in there. By the end of the night, Charlotte and Ella were asleep in my bed and Emma and Cristina were sleeping on the pullout couch with Brian. I found myself wishing then that I could train the girls to go to sleep at the ring of a bell....you know, like Pavlov's dogs.
Imagine, I ring a bell and all four kids fall asleep wherever they are at that moment. Sleeping kids passed out all over the house....in front of the TV, in a pile of blocks in the playroom, on the toilet, and in the bouncy seat. Then, I could easily pick them up and put them in their beds and find my own way to bed. Hmm....gotta get me a bell.
Last night was a particularly difficult bedtime at our house. Cristina decided she didn't want to sleep in my bed - probably because Ella wouldn't stop fussing. So, she goes back to her room and upset the sleeping arrangement in there. By the end of the night, Charlotte and Ella were asleep in my bed and Emma and Cristina were sleeping on the pullout couch with Brian. I found myself wishing then that I could train the girls to go to sleep at the ring of a bell....you know, like Pavlov's dogs.
Imagine, I ring a bell and all four kids fall asleep wherever they are at that moment. Sleeping kids passed out all over the house....in front of the TV, in a pile of blocks in the playroom, on the toilet, and in the bouncy seat. Then, I could easily pick them up and put them in their beds and find my own way to bed. Hmm....gotta get me a bell.
Love Note
One of the things that makes having kids a little easier is their unsolicited displays of affection. For example, I'm headed out the door for work this morning and Charlotte says, "Wait, Mom, I have to give you something." I stop and she comes up to me and gives me a kiss. Cristina loves to give kisses as well and they generally come in sets of ten or twenty at a time. You almost have to extract yourself from her. If puking is a sign of affection, then Ella is one sweet baby. Emma on the other hand is more likely to show her affection through word or pictures.
Yesterday, Emma came up to me while I was cooking lunch and read me a love note that she wrote for me complete with a picture of us on a sunny beach. Here is the note:
"Mom I love you more than eny thing in the world more than a peach more than a oeshin liner more than a garden of flowers more than a field of grass and more the ten skys of stars."
Isn't that sweet? She clearly takes after her daddy.
Yesterday, Emma came up to me while I was cooking lunch and read me a love note that she wrote for me complete with a picture of us on a sunny beach. Here is the note:
"Mom I love you more than eny thing in the world more than a peach more than a oeshin liner more than a garden of flowers more than a field of grass and more the ten skys of stars."
Isn't that sweet? She clearly takes after her daddy.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
My Sister's Keeper
I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult the other day. I'm pretty sure that this is my first and last Jodi Picoult book. I actually thought it was well written and engaging, but it was about a family dealing with cancer in a child. A co-worker assures me that all Picoult books are about illness and someone dying. I cannot read books like this for two reasons:
1) I have an active imagination
2) I have children
Before I had kids, I loved to watch CSI and Without A Trace. After Emma was born, I couldn't watch these shows any longer because I would start imagining the awful storylines happening in my life. Then, I'd feel sick to my stomach and be paranoid for a least a day or two. Similarly, I can't read books about illness or tragic things happening to children because it makes me freak out and worry about my own kids.
Okay, now that I have confessed why I can no longer read Picoult, I will tell you what I liked about the book. The story is about a family who has a child with leukemia and makes the decision to have another child who can be a donor match for the sick child. Fast forward thirteen years and the test tube baby (Anna) no longer wants to be used as donor cells for her sister. Anna decides to sue her parents for medical emancipation, so she can make her own decisions about procedures she will participate in.
Picoult does such a great job developing all the characters. At first, you want to root for Anna to win her case because it seems her mother doesn't have her best interest in mind. Then, you read her mother's heart wrenching perspective on having a child that is dying and you understand why she would ask Anna to be a donor - anything to keep your other child alive. There is no real winner in the case. I won't give away the end, but I will admit to needing a tissue when I finished the book. Still, as much as I enjoyed it, there is no way I can read another book like it without fearing for my children's lives.
1) I have an active imagination
2) I have children
Before I had kids, I loved to watch CSI and Without A Trace. After Emma was born, I couldn't watch these shows any longer because I would start imagining the awful storylines happening in my life. Then, I'd feel sick to my stomach and be paranoid for a least a day or two. Similarly, I can't read books about illness or tragic things happening to children because it makes me freak out and worry about my own kids.
Okay, now that I have confessed why I can no longer read Picoult, I will tell you what I liked about the book. The story is about a family who has a child with leukemia and makes the decision to have another child who can be a donor match for the sick child. Fast forward thirteen years and the test tube baby (Anna) no longer wants to be used as donor cells for her sister. Anna decides to sue her parents for medical emancipation, so she can make her own decisions about procedures she will participate in.
Picoult does such a great job developing all the characters. At first, you want to root for Anna to win her case because it seems her mother doesn't have her best interest in mind. Then, you read her mother's heart wrenching perspective on having a child that is dying and you understand why she would ask Anna to be a donor - anything to keep your other child alive. There is no real winner in the case. I won't give away the end, but I will admit to needing a tissue when I finished the book. Still, as much as I enjoyed it, there is no way I can read another book like it without fearing for my children's lives.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Slate
On Monday night, Emma was laying in my bed reading to me from Anne of Green Gables. She is reading the part where Anne hits Gilbert Blythe over the head with a slate. She seems kind of confused about this whole incident. Here is a peek at our conversation.
Me: Do you know what a slate is?
Emma: No.
Me: It's like your own personal chalkboard.
Emma: OOOhhhh! Like the things they used to use before white boards. You write on it with that stuff that gets really powdery....you know, chalk.
I wish I could convey her expressions. She was talking to me like chalkboards were an ancient artifact. I guess when you have iPads in your classroom, chalkboards are a little prehistoric.
Me: Do you know what a slate is?
Emma: No.
Me: It's like your own personal chalkboard.
Emma: OOOhhhh! Like the things they used to use before white boards. You write on it with that stuff that gets really powdery....you know, chalk.
I wish I could convey her expressions. She was talking to me like chalkboards were an ancient artifact. I guess when you have iPads in your classroom, chalkboards are a little prehistoric.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Truth and Nothing But The Truth
One of the things that I love about kids is their brutal honesty. You rarely have to guess what kids are thinking because they are more than willing to put it all out there. Of course, there are times that I wish the girls had filters to make the truth a little less harsh - just so they didn't come across as rude.
This morning, we went to church with my parents. The girls are not overly fond of my parents' church as it isn't particularly kid friendly. Emma swears that every time they go to church with Papaw and Nana they don't get home until midnight. She thinks the services last too long and the preacher is too loud.
Today, I was sitting next to Charlotte, who leaned over and told me, "I brought these things that aren't boring, so I don't have to listen to him." She spent some time looking at a book she'd brought with her and doodling on some paper. After awhile, she pulled her legs up against her chest, pulled her skirt over her legs, put her head back, and fell asleep for awhile. Then, when the service was almost over she says, "This is the part where we get to leave, but not until Nana lets us." She didn't leave a lot of doubt in my mind about how she felt about church this morning.
This morning, we went to church with my parents. The girls are not overly fond of my parents' church as it isn't particularly kid friendly. Emma swears that every time they go to church with Papaw and Nana they don't get home until midnight. She thinks the services last too long and the preacher is too loud.
Today, I was sitting next to Charlotte, who leaned over and told me, "I brought these things that aren't boring, so I don't have to listen to him." She spent some time looking at a book she'd brought with her and doodling on some paper. After awhile, she pulled her legs up against her chest, pulled her skirt over her legs, put her head back, and fell asleep for awhile. Then, when the service was almost over she says, "This is the part where we get to leave, but not until Nana lets us." She didn't leave a lot of doubt in my mind about how she felt about church this morning.
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